Small Group | Off the Beaten Path | Authentic & Immersive
LIVING SLOW IN TUSCANY
Small Group Tour
About Creative Edge Travel's Small Group Tours of Tuscany
ABOUT THIS TRIP
For those who seek to live the culture instead of snapping pictures, this journey will satisfy daydreams of wandering untouched medieval villages, connecting with the land, and learning from locals along the way. This small group tour of Tuscany will have you hunting for truffles, helping with the olive harvest, & and experiencing a local chestnut festival, all while surrendering to the magic of the unexpected!
Journey with us to an untouched corner of Tuscany where you'll wake up in a cottage from the 1500s and a villa where the same family has been living for over 500 years!
Imagine wandering ancient stone villages with no tourists in sight. Or laughing with your new fellow travelers over a 3-hour lunch with wine that continues to flow.
Together, we'll experience a chestnut festival, leather workshop, cooking class and so much more– all while meeting locals who lovingly welcome us!
IMMERSE
yourself in rural farm life, away from the crowds.
EXPERIENCE
a fall chestnut festival with locally-produced food & crafts.
PARTICIPATE
in the olive harvest and truffle hunting.
CONNECT
with locals and learn about history through their family stories.
LEARN
mouth-watering recipes in a palazzo inhabited
by the same family for 500 years.
Creative Edge Travel Tuscany Tour
HIGHLIGHTS
Step into Italy as if you're a Local.
Itinerary for Small Group Tours of Tuscany
DAY BY DAY
Day 2: Truffle Hunting
After a leisurely morning, we'll have a walk in the woods to hunt for truffles then linger over a homemade, truffle-themed lunch! After lunch you'll have the option to venture into the town of Vicchio for a workshop with a master leather craftsman. Otherwise you can enjoy free time to find a sunny spot for a cat nap or take a walk around the farm. In the evening, our hosts will serve their homemade pizza!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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8 nights' accommodation (5 nights in the countryside, 3 nights in Marradi)
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All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 6 dinners including wine, and 5 tastings/aperitivi
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Carbon Footprint Offset
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Private Driver
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Flight Expert to research and book flights
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Arrival Transfer from center of Florence, Departure Transfer to Florence Airport
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Trip Leader fluent in English and Italian
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Pre-Trip Prep: Cultural and Italian language guidance, packing tips, and additional resources to fully connect you with what you'll experience!
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Local recommendations in each location.
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All Activities
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Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
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Olive Harvest
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Truffle Hunting
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Homemade Pizza Dinner
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Cheese Farm Visit & Tasting
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Visit Historic Palazzo dei Vicari
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Winery Visit, Tasting, & Lunch
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Visits to Lesser-Known Villages
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Truffle Hunting
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Homemade Truffle Lunch
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Nature Walk
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Private Palazzo Tour
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Sunset Aperitivo
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Cooking Class
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Local Chestnut Festival
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Free Time for Your Own Discoveries!
Excluded: Flights, Meals not described, Mandatory Travel Insurance, Optional Tips
INCLUDED
in Your Tuscany Tour
Deposits are non-refundable. See cancellation policy for more details. Payment plans available, just ask! We can also plan a custom extension before or after this tour.
Dates don't work? Get in touch to personalize this trip!
Reviews from our small group tours and Tuscany private tours
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Who your small group trips for?From solo travelers to groups of friends or couples, our small groups of 7 travelers are made of all ages (18 or above). We enjoy becoming a little community as we slurp through plates of pasta and laugh trying to pronounce Italian words. Our guests understand that travel in Italy can hold unexpected surprises and they’re up for going with the flow, trusting that we know the best place to be at any moment. They’re open-minded, love trying new things, and are accustomed to toeing the boundaries of their comfort zone for the rewarding experiences that lay just outside it. Our trips attract those who appreciate creativity and the arts, nature, meeting locals, and seeing things outside the guidebook that might not be luxurious but are authentic and genuine. All ages above 18 are welcome and we encourage the cross-generational exchange that occurs. A strong effort is made to make everyone feel part of the group no matter what age, race, gender, sexual preference, or hair-do! Our off-the-beaten-path, immersive and laid-back travel style isn’t for everyone. If you're not sure let's chat about it!
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Are flights included?International flights are not included in the trip cost. We may be able to help you research the best flights for your needs, just ask! For full details on what's included, head to Upcoming Trips, select the trip you're interested in, then click the button to "Get the Detailed Itinerary". Or simply Get in Touch!
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I have to cancel the trip. Will I get a refund?Our small group trips are carefully budgeted for 7 participants and we're making payments for the trip long before you book your spot. This means we have to adhere to a strict Cancellation Policy in order to maintain cost effectiveness for everyone. However, we require you to purchase travel insurance in an effort to provide some protection from potential losses should you need to cancel*. Please take a look at our Cancellation Policy for more info. *It is up to you to make sure your travel insurance policy includes trip cancellation coverage. Click here for Travel Insurance info.
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Do I need travel insurance?Yep, Travel Insurance is required to join our small group trips. If you're doing custom trip planning, you can opt out of travel insurance, but we highly recommend protecting your investment with insurance. Please click here for our guidance on travel insurance!
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Do I need a visa to visit Italy?Typically, for tourism purposes, many visitors to Italy don't require a visa for short stays (less than 90 days) if they are from countries with visa-exempt agreements, such as the US. This website can help you understand if you need a visa or not. Need help? Simply reach out to our team, we would be happy to help guide you!
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Do you provide a packing list?What to pack for your trip depends on the season and region you'll be visiting. Your trip leader will send you suggestions and a packing list before your trip. You can check out our blog posts about packing: Your Packing Guide for Fall in Tuscany Spring in Italy Packing List How to Pack for a Spring Trip to Tuscany How to Organize Your Suitcase for Stress-Free Travel
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Can you make one of your group tours private?Absolutely! We offer Custom Trip Planning and can use one of our existing trips as the base for your private trip which we'll then customize together.
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What are the group sizes of your small group tours?While most tour companies boast small group sizes of 14-30 people, Creative Edge Travel small group tours have a maximum of just 7 guests. This allows us to have more immersive access into the culture, whether it's visiting our artisan friend in their studio or dining in a tiny "trullo" house. It also gives you more personalized attention and freedom to enjoy the trip the way that suits you best!
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Is there a single supplement?If you'd like to have a private room, yes, there is a single supplement. Otherwise you can share a room to lower your cost! Most tours will automatically match you with a roommate if you book a Double Room and aren't bringing your own travel partner along to room with. If you do not wish to share, simply upgrade to a Single Room which will be private. Some tours, such as Secrets of Southern Italy, do not offer the possibility to be matched with a roommate as it's not possible to have separate beds in those B&Bs. When deciding whether or not to share a room, please consider what would create the best possible experience for you and others rooming with you if you know that you snore, need more personal space, or are a light sleeper. We do our best to match you with someone we think you’d be compatible with, but we of course cannot guarantee you will get along. You will never be matched with someone of the opposite sex. Email questions to sierra@creativeedgetravel.com
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What if I don't want to travel with a group?No problem! We also offer Custom Trip Planning for a day-by-day itinerary arranged especially for you. If you are planning your own trip but are looking for a few unique experiences to add to your itinerary, take a look at our Italy Immersions!