Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni with food and wine tasting in Chianti: guided tour from Florence

Among the daily excursions that start from Florence, the one that includes Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni is surely one of the most popular ones. And this is certainly no coincidence! You just need to drive a few kilometres away from the Tuscan capital to find yourselves immersed in the wonderful landscape of the Siena hills. Among these gentle reliefs, in addition to the wonderful city of the Palio, there are two ancient pearls to discover and admire: S Gimignano, UNESCO heritage site with its ancient towers, and the small hamlet of Monteriggioni, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Since we are in the kingdom of Chianti wine, we will also be able to visit one of the Tuscan cellars where famous wine can be tasted, as well as olive oil accompanied by some delicious regional delicacies. Hey, where are you going? Slow down! First, we have to explain everything, especially what time we will leave and where!

The tour starts early in the morning because there are many things to do and places to visit and we do not want to rush everything. We will start our Florence tours of Tuscany from the meeting point in the centre of Florence and from there, with a convenient Granturismo bus, you will leave straight away for Siena. As you travel, forget about your smartphones and tablets and take a look at the views. You will see the landscapes surrounding Siena: hills covered with olive trees, vineyards, cypresses and cottages – a truly unforgettable  panorama.
Once we reach our destination we will be welcomed by a fantastic guided tour of Siena where our guide will accompany us to the most beautiful places in the city whilst telling us their history and many interesting curiosities about them. You will see the wonderful Piazza del Campo, where the Palio takes place twice a year and notice the 88 metre-high Torre del Mangia, next to the 14th-century Palazzo Pubblico. Don’t miss the majestic gothic cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its two-tone Tuscan marble, where precious works by renowned artists such as Niccolò Pisano, Donatello and Pinturicchio - just to name a few – are kept. In Siena, however, there are not just large buildings. Wait and see: it will be just as nice to walk around the narrow streets where local artisans and boutiques still sell typical Siena delicatessen. Sweet teeth be warned: ‘panforte’, ‘panperato’ and ‘ricciarelli’ will be sold all over the place!
And to finish off your stop in Siena in a beautiful way, you can enjoy a light lunch - crostini, sliced ham and cheeses, a first course, dessert, water and wine - including tasting of typical sweets in a restaurant in the historic center of the city.

After visiting Siena, you will head towards another precious Tuscan jewel: San Gimignano, the town of towers! In the past there were as many as 72, and every family had their own. Now, there are only '14' left, which preserve the ancient charm of this town. What is there to see in St Gimignano? First of all the Duomo, which behind its simple facade keeps some works for which it is certainly worth visiting. Once inside, do not miss the Santa Fina Chapel, still surrounded by the mystery of the death of the Saint. Secondly, Palazzo del Popolo overlooking Piazza del Duomo, located between Torre Grossa and Loggia del Comune, the latter now the seat of the Civic Museum. If you aren’t too impressionable, visit the Museum of Tortures where you can observe tremendous medieval devilry. Your visit to San Gimignano cannot end without having seen the picturesque Piazza della Cisterna, which has always been the beating heart of the small town centre: it is named after a well in the centre and gives it a very special air. And do not forget that you are in the homeland of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, the delicious dry white wine! Take advantage of your time here for a nice glass of Vernaccia wine or perhaps buy a few bottles to take home with you as a souvenir.

Your journey will continue towards Monteriggioni hamlet in Tuscany, a must-see destination... and you will understand why as soon as you see the hill on which it is perched. The tiny hamlet of Monteriggioni is located inside a wall where 14 towers are located. Dante even spoke about it in his masterpiece, the Divine Comedy (Inferno, Canto XXXI, 40-45): ‘Monteggiorini crowned in towers’. Once you cross the Gate you will find yourselves surrounded by magic of the Middle Ages and this is precisely where the charm of Monteriggioni lies. The square overlooks the delightful Pieve Romanica and the Museum of Medieval Armour. You can also cover some stretches of the Monteriggioni Walls and go for a walk along the entire perimeter of the village. Before you leave, we suggest refreshing yourselves with an artisan ice cream in Monteriggioni while admiring the beauty of this charming village.

Our wonderful day will also include a moment dedicated to tastings... in Tuscany it could not be otherwise! 'Good' eating and drinking are part of Tuscany’s culture and history just as much as churches and monuments. Where will we go then? In Chianti, the most famous wine kingdom in the world, where, besides Tuscan wine tasting you can also visit the cellar of a winery. All of this will be accompanied by tasty home-made snacks based on Tuscan specialties and a tasting of 'olio bono', that is, of excellent Tuscan extra virgin olive oil.

What do you think? There is nothing missing on this tour: postcard views, fantastic Siena, the medieval charm of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni and all the taste of Tuscany and its typical products such as San Gimignano wine and oil. See you soon then, for a fantastic day to spend together and discover the most beautiful corners of Tuscany. You would not want to skip them, would you? Then let’s get down to practice and secure your place on this fantastic Tuscany tour from Florence right away!