Private Tour: LEONARDO da VINCI’s roots
Montecatini Terme UNESCO Heritage Site & the oldest funicular in the world
- Free cancellation up to 1 day before
- Instant confirmation
About this experience
Do not miss this enchanting full day private tour through Tuscany, immersed in the world of Leonardo da Vinci (have you ever wondered where he was born?). This tour will take you to discover the lands that inspired the genius of the Renaissance, from iconic places like his birthplace, Anchiano, to the picturesque town of Vinci, where art and history intertwine. You’ll have the opportunity to explore places connected to his life and inventions, visit the Leonardiano Museum with its models and machines, and admire reproductions of his most famous works.
The journey continues with a stop at a traditional Tuscan farm, completely surrounded by vineyards. If the weather allows us, we can also visit the vineyards! In any case, we will have a tasting of region's fine wines, accompanied by a board with typical Tuscan cold cuts.
The tour then moves on to Montecatini Terme, famous for its thermal waters and Liberty architecture: the thermal establishment Tettuccio was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Finally, an excursion to the medieval village of Montecatini Alto, accessible via the historic funicular operating since 1898 (the world's oldest operating), has had some of the most famous men in history as passengers over the years: starting with Giuseppe Verdi, who was present on the inaugural trip on June 4, 1898! Then kings, queens, famous scientists, philosophers, politicians, rock-stars, Hollywood celebrities, but also the simple tourists, who through the funicular went to breathe a little of ancient history! During the Middle Ages, when armies fought on the plain below it, this fortress was an impregnable bastion. Here, you can stroll through ancient ruins, picturesque squares (where you can maybe take an ice cream break), and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding valley.
A tour that combines history, art, enchanting landscapes, and the authentic beauty of Tuscany.
Next available dates
What’s included
- Roundtrip shuttle service from Piazza Adua by car or minivan
- Live commentary on board
- English, French and Italian-speaking driver
- Escorted walking tour of Vinci
- Entrance in Santa Croce church in Vinci (Leonardo’s baptismal font)
- In case of good weather, visit of vineyards
- Light lunch composed by tasting of four different wines, accompanied by a board with typical Tuscan cold cuts
- Entrance fee and escorted visit of Terme Tettuccio in Montecatini Terme
- One way ticket for the Funicolare to Montecatini Alto
- Free time to visit Montecatini Alto
Not included
- Entrance fee to Leonardo’s birthplace and the Leonardian Museum (€. 14,00 per person, to be paid on-site); The entrance fee also includes the exhibition "Leonardo and painting", an educational exhibition that presents high-resolution and life-size reproductions of Leonardo’s paintings and some drawings.
Itinerary
- 1
Florence: Meeting Point in Piazza Adua
Meet your multilingual driver at Piazza Adua in Florence at 9:00 a.m., get in the car and start enjoying this incredible full day private tour in Tuscany: it's time to head off: the first stop is in an hour!
- 2
Anchiano: The Birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci
The path dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci starts from the birthplace where, according to a centuries-old tradition, he was born on Saturday, April 15, 1452. The birthplace is surrounded by green hills and from here you can admire the beautiful landscape often present in the works of the artist. Here you will have the opportunity to enter the house where a life-size hologram of the artist tells an exciting tale of his extraordinary life.
- 3
Vinci: A Town Steeped in Leonardo’s Legacy
We continue to Vinci with its characteristic medieval alleys and panoramic views of the green hills. Vinci is a very picturesque town, you will immediately notice that most things in this town revolve around Leonardo da Vinci. Here you can have a visit on your own of the famous Museo Leonardiano inside the Castle of the Conti Guidi where you can admire the oldest collection of machines and models dedicated to the work of Leonardo. The Museum also includes the exhibition "Leonardo and painting", an educational exhibition that presents high-resolution and life-size reproductions of Leonardo’s paintings and some drawings. At the end we will walk together through the small streets of the village and visit the church of S. Croce, where we can admire the ancient baptismal font where Leonardo was baptized.
- 4
Farm in the countryside: A Taste of Tuscany
It's lunch time! We will stop in a farm located in the countryside of Vinci, completely surrounded by vineyards. If the weather allows us, we can also visit the vineyards! In any case, we will have a tasting of four glasses of wine produced on the farm, accompanied by a board with typical Tuscan cold cuts.
- 5
Montecatini Terme: A Spa Destination for Royalty
After lunch, we will travel for about 30 minutes to the iconic town of Montecatini Terme. Our tour includes a stop to have a short visit of the thermal baths that have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO: Terme Tettuccio. Your tour leader will show you the stunning Liberty architecture that frames the Thermal Springs. After the visit, we need just five minutes to arrive at the Funicolare Station the best way to get to the medieval village of Montecatini Alto.
- 6
Montecatini Alto: A Medieval Escape
Ten minutes on board of the world oldest Funicolare to reach Montecatini Alto. You will have enough free time to explore it on your own. Here you can see the ruins of the first fortress, the Romanesque church of S. Pietro and its bell tower, the tower of Castel Nuovo and the central square with its typical bars and restaurants, the neo-Gothic theater that houses a pizzeria and several medieval houses. Take a break in the picturesque square for an aperitif or an ice cream, before you're overcome with the beauty of the valley view! Now, your driver is waiting for you: it’s time to come back.
- 7
Florence: Last Stop on the Way Back
Now, simply sit back, relax, and enjoy your transportation back to Florence with your mind full of enchanting memories.
- 8
TIPS:
The meeting point is reachable from all the cities in Tuscany, such as:
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- How you meet
- Meet on location
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Cancellation policy
- Free cancellation up to 1 day before
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Start times
- 09:00
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 day before the experience starts.
- 1 day or more before: full refund
- Less than 1 day before: no refund
Meeting point
View on map
Piazza Adua - Florence - at 8,55 am - Look at the driver wearing a white t-shirt with the Ranieri TO sun logo
- Address
- Piazza Adua, Florence, 50123, IT
- How you meet
- Meet on location
- Coordinates
- 43.77781, 11.24934
Illustrative map. Open it in Maps for the exact spot and live directions.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does this experience last?
It lasts 10 hours.
Can I cancel this booking?
Free cancellation up to 1 day before the experience starts. 1 day or more before: full refund · Less than 1 day before: no refund
Is hotel pickup included?
No — you make your own way to the meeting point.
Where does this experience start?
It starts at Piazza Adua - Florence - at 8,55 am - Look at the driver wearing a white t-shirt with the Ranieri TO sun logo, Piazza Adua, Florence, 50123, IT.
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From AED 1,070 per personFree cancellation
