From Florence: Tuscan Wine Tour and Sword in the Rock Legend

Enjoy a full-day journey from Florence through the rolling Tuscan hills to visit San Galgano, Pienza, and Montepulciano. Immerse yourself in the enchantment of San Galgano, a place where time seems to stand still. Here, nestled among the hills, stands the evocative roofless Abbey—a Gothic masterpiece that has defied the centuries, offering unforgettable views under the open sky. The journey continues with a visit to the nearby Hermitage of Montesiepi, home to the legendary Sword in the Stone. Next, explore Pienza, a splendidly preserved Renaissance village boasting breathtaking views of the Val d'Orcia. Finally, in Montepulciano, stop at a renowned local winery to taste the region's finest wines, perfectly paired with authentic Tuscan specialties.

1. 1

   Eremo di Montesiepi

   30 min

   The Hermitage of Montesiepi and the Abbey of San Galgano in Valdimerse constitute the most important religious and monumental complex in the Chiusdino area and, more generally, in the entire Siena region, and one of the most significant examples of Gothic-Cistercian architecture in Italy. At the center is the famous boulder containing the sword of San Galgano. The circular wall is punctuated by four asymmetrical double-splayed single-lancet windows. Opposite the entrance is the semicircular apse. To the left of the entrance is a rectangular chapel covered with a cross vault; this chapel was built in the early 14th century and frescoed between 1334 and 1336 by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

2. 2

   Abbazia di San Galgano

   30 min

   “The church of San Galgano, as it stands, is a monument of grandiose and evocative beauty. The ivy that clings to its gray, gold, and red walls; the broken lines of the walls, which give the whole a fantastical appearance; those large, empty windows that our imagination completes with slender marble columns and stained-glass windows; the green lawn, a silky carpet that changes hue with every hour of the day and every breath of wind; and the blue vault of the sky that arches luminously over the naves; and the silence of the fields that stretch out all around—all combine to make this abandoned and deconsecrated temple more solemn and more mystical.”

3. 3

   Montepulciano

   3 hours

   Perched atop a hill in southern Tuscany, not far from Siena, Montepulciano is a medieval town of rare beauty that is definitely worth a visit! A unique village with elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, splendid piazzas, and hidden corners. Montepulciano also offers fabulous, sweeping views of the Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana. Montepulciano's strategic location makes it the ideal base for exploring this beautiful corner of Tuscany. The charming town of Pienza, the spa town of Bagno Vignoni, the famous Montalcino, and many other enchanting villages are all within easy reach.

4. 4

   Pienza

   30 min

   Pienza is a small jewel in the Val d'Orcia, known as the city of Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who was born here in 1405. Upon becoming Pope, Pius II sought to transform his humble hometown, Corsignano, into an urban and architectural treasure. He thus entrusted the complete renovation of the village to architect Bernardo Rossellino and humanist Leon Battisti Alberti, who in just four years, from 1459 to 1462, defined the harmonious and typically fifteenth-century appearance of what would become Pienza today.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.