11 days 1 country 6 cities
🛫 START: Lucca 🛬 END: Florence
🚘 Private Transportation 👯♀️ MAX 18 WOMEN
🏨 7 NIGHTS IN A PRIVATE VILLA + 3 Nights BOUTIQUE STAY
Slow down, savor, reconnect, and rediscover yourself in one of the world’s most timeless landscapes. This 11-day women-only journey blends the comfort of a private Tuscan villa, the culture and flavors of historic cities, restorative wellness moments, and the joy of traveling in a circle of like-minded women.
For seven nights, you’ll settle into a beautiful countryside villa near Lucca—surrounded by olive groves, quiet mornings, chef-prepared meals, and gentle yoga. From there, explore Tuscany’s treasures: medieval towns, vineyard lunches, artisan studios, olive oil harvests, truffle hunts, and unforgettable dinners under candlelight.
We’ll close with 3 magical nights in Florence, staying in a boutique hotel steps from cafés, artisan shops, and Renaissance wonders.
This journey is designed intentionally: slow luxury, rich culture, meaningful connection, and the freedom to be fully present.
This trip is perfect for women who dream of a slower pace filled with depth, flavor, and connection. If you’ve ever wanted to sip Chianti, cook with a private chef, or wander ancient towns with new friends, this retreat was designed with you in mind.
This trip is perfect for women who:
Love meaningful travel and beautiful experiences
Enjoy curated small-group journeys
Want comfort without rush
Appreciate wine, food, culture, and the arts
Value community with space to themselves
Are solo travelers, friends, sisters, or mother-daughter pairs
Unique Considerations for This Trip:
This trip is primarily based at a private countryside villa, allowing you to truly settle in, unpack, and relax into daily life in Tuscany.
Most towns visited include uneven terrain, hills, and historic cobblestone streets—comfortable shoes and moderate mobility are important.
You'll enjoy a mix of guided activities and open time to recharge, wander, or journal.
Travel is via private coach.
November temperatures range from low 60s in the day to low 40s in the evening, with potential of rain.
Please note that this is a non-smoking trip including accommodations, activities, and transfers.
Please refer to our website or HERE for the complete Terms and Conditions.
There are many providers of Travel Insurance. We encourage you to shop for what’s most suitable for you. We, as well as many of our past travelers, have used Travel Insured International and feel it offers very comprehensive and reasonable policies and pricing.
To purchase trip insurance from our preferred provider, Travel Insured International, please CLICK HERE to be taken to Travel Insured International's site.
Is this trip for solo travelers too?
Absolutely. Many women join our journeys solo and end up forming deep, lasting friendships. The environment is warm, inclusive, and designed for connection.
What should I pack?
Tuscany in November ranges 45–60°F (7–16°C) with chilly mornings and evenings. Layers are essential.
Recommended:
• Light sweaters & warm cardigans, yoga wear for morning sessions
• Long-sleeve tops you can layer
• A warm wrap, shawl, or scarf (a must!)
• Medium-weight jacket or coat
• A rain-resistant outer layer (light trench or packable raincoat)
• Comfortable jeans or travel pants
• One dressier outfit for our wine-pairing dinner or night out
Footwear
You’ll walk on cobblestone streets, winery grounds, and some uneven terrain during the truffle hunt.
Bring:
• Comfortable walking shoes (broken in, supportive)
• Waterproof shoes or boots for rainy days
• Slip-on sandals or cozy socks for the villa
• Optional: slightly nicer shoes for Florence dinners (no heels required!)
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required.
What meals are included?
All meals during group activities, private chef dinners, tastings, and curated lunches are included. Meals during free time and personal snacks are not.
Will there be downtime?
Yes. The itinerary is designed to include space for rest and solo time in between guided experiences.
Can I extend my stay?
Absolutely. Let us know and we can offer suggestions for extending your trip before or after the retreat.
What airport should I fly into?
Fly into either Florence (FLR) or Pisa (PSA). Transportation from either is included on arrival and departure days.
Do I need a visa?
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Just ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
Do you offer payment plans?
We do! Options are offered at checkout. If you’d like to discuss further, you are welcome to contact us directly:
📧 letsgo@thedandelionjournals.com
📞 +1 (678) 692-6584
High end villa and boutique hotel
Wonderful dining experiences, including private chef prepared meals and cooking class
Private TDJ Trip Facilitator (Dandies) + Local Guides
All in-country transportation (Airport Transport, Internal Flights, Cruise, Ferry, Private Van)
Entrance fees and private access to exclusive sites
All Curated Experiences & Excursions
Signature welcome and farewell dinners
Pisa and Pietrasanta tours, Chianti countryside wine tasting, truffle hunting, Asmana Wellness Day
Pre-trip support, group calls, and personalized packing list
You can also tip more for exceptional service to locals!
Private daily yoga and stretching sessions
To/from Tuscany
Outside listed meals
Or meals during free time
Room service, gratuities for guides or hotel staff
Required - your choice of carrier
Spa treatments beyond what's included in itinerary
If applicable during free time
Our Tuscan journey begins with ease and intention. After arriving in Florence or Pisa, we’re greeted by private transportation and whisked through olive groves and gentle hillsides toward our countryside villa outside Lucca. As the light softens over the landscape, we settle into our new home, breathe deeply, and gather for our first shared moment together — a warm welcome, easy conversation, and our first taste of Italy.
🚌 Transport: Private transportation from Florence or Pisa airport or Florence SMN
👗 Attire Tip: Travel-comfortable clothing; dressy casual for dinner
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✨ TDJ HIGHLIGHT: Welcome & Connect
We ease into the journey with a beautiful chef-prepared dinner, artisan wines, and a table full of women ready to begin something meaningful together. Tonight, we let the world fall away and allow this new circle to form naturally.
🍽 Meals: Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Villa near Lucca
We begin with a morning yoga session that awakens our bodies, followed by a breakfast of pastries, fruit, espresso, and warm conversation. Then we head into Lucca — a city defined by slow beauty and graceful charm.
🚌 Transport: Villa ↔ Lucca
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable walking shoes; light layers
Lucca is one of the most elegant cities in all of Italy — encircled by 4 km of perfectly preserved Renaissance walls. These walls, never used for battle, became a peaceful elevated park where locals stroll, cycle, and gather.
It is the birthplace of Puccini, filled with artisan shops, green piazzas, Roman-era footprints, and a serene rhythm that invites us to slow down.
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✨ TDJ WELLNESS MOMENT: Opening Flow
Our first villa practice energizes and grounds us before walking or biking the panoramic Renaissance walls.
We wander through Torre Guinigi, Piazza dell’Anfiteatro (built over a Roman amphitheater), artisan leather shops, and cozy cafés serving rich hot chocolate.
Back at the villa, we enjoy dinner followed by an optional guided journaling session by the fire.
🍽 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Private Villa near Lucca
We start the day with a gentle stretch and breakfast before exploring two remarkable Tuscan cities — Pisa and Pietrasanta — each filled with history and character.
🚌 Transport: Villa → Pisa → Pietrasanta → Villa
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable shoes; layers for afternoon coastal breezes
Pisa was once a powerful maritime republic, rivaling Venice and Genoa. Today it’s known for the Piazza dei Miracoli, one of Europe’s most extraordinary architectural ensembles.
The Leaning Tower, Cathedral, and Baptistery, all crafted in stunning white marble, feel almost luminous in the Tuscan light. Here, engineering, faith, and artistry intersect — Galileo studied here, monks once tested acoustics in the Baptistery, and world-famous marble craftsmanship is on full display.
A beloved gathering place for sculptors and artists for centuries, Pietrasanta is infused with creative energy:
• marble workshops
• bronze foundries
• contemporary galleries
• historic churches
• artisan boutiques
Michelangelo walked these streets seeking ideal Carrara marble. Today, international artists continue the tradition.
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✨ TDJ HIGHLIGHT: Leaning Tower Wonder
We explore the square, take in the architectural splendor, absorb the marble brilliance, and enjoy an iconic moment together.
We stroll sculpture-filled piazzas, browse artisan shops, and enjoy lunch in one of Tuscany’s most creative culinary towns.
We return home for a warm dinner and optional gentle relaxation.
🍽 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Private Villa near Lucca
Today brings movement, winemaking heritage, and creative expression.
🚌Transport: Villa ↔ Chianti Region
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable-chic; photo-ready
Chianti is the soul of Tuscan winemaking: rolling hills, medieval stone estates, cypress-lined lanes, and vineyards that stretch endlessly toward the horizon.
The “Black Rooster” emblem of Chianti Classico holds centuries of history, from medieval rivalries to agricultural tradition.
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✨ TDJ WELLNESS MOMENT: Open & Receive
We begin with yoga before setting off through Chianti’s golden hills.
We visit a family estate for cellar tours and tastings that reveal the essence of Sangiovese.
✨ TDJ HIGHLIGHT: Vineyard Lunch
A multi-course farm-to-table meal is served with expertly paired wines — a sensory highlight.
A local artisan leads a hands-on creative session (paper marbling, leather, ceramics, or perfume). We end with a light villa dinner.
🍽 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Private Villa near Lucca
A restorative yoga practice eases us into the day, followed by a peaceful morning at the villa. In the afternoon, we cook a beautiful lunch with our chef. That evening, we head into Lucca for dinner and live local atmosphere.
🚌 Transport: Villa ↔ Lucca
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable for cooking; fun/cute for dinner in town
Tuscan cuisine honors the land: simple, seasonal ingredients transformed through care. Cooking together connects us to centuries of Italian women who passed these recipes down.
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A soothing practice helps our bodies integrate the week so far.
✨ TDJ HIGHLIGHT: Cooking as a Circle
We roll pasta, simmer sauces, and prepare a beautiful lunch with our chef — filled with laughter, flour-dusted hands, and delicious aromas.
We return to Lucca for dinner and a fun evening in town — music, warm ambiance, and glowing medieval streets at night.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Villa near Lucca
This is one of the most authentically Tuscan days of all.
🚌 Transport: Villa → Olive Grove → San Miniato → Villa
👗 Attire Tip: Closed-toe shoes; outdoor layers
November is olive harvest season. Some trees are centuries old. The first press, olio nuovo, is vivid green and peppery — a flavor locals wait for all year.
This medieval town is world-famous for its white truffles, celebrated every November. The forest terrain and microclimate produce some of Italy’s most prized fungi.
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✨ TDJ WELLNESS MOMENT: Ground & Energize
We begin with yoga before walking the groves, watching harvest, and tasting fresh olive oil.
✨ TDJ HIGHLIGHT: Into the Woods with Truffle Dogs
We hunt truffles and enjoy a truffle-themed lunch — earthy, aromatic, deeply Tuscan.
A light dinner and optional meditation close our day.
🍽 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Private Villa near Lucca
Our final villa day blends reflection, exploration, and celebration.
🚌 Transport: Villa ↔ Garfagnana Hilltowns
👗 Attire Tip: Walking shoes; warm layers; something pretty for dinner
A peaceful land of stone villages, chestnut forests, and panoramic views. Places like Barga feel untouched by time, offering a glimpse of true, everyday Tuscany.
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✨ TDJ WELLNESS MOMENT: Integration Flow
We begin with yoga before heading into the northern hills.
We wander medieval lanes, sip cappuccinos, take in dramatic landscapes, and enjoy the serenity of a lesser-known Tuscany.
✨ TDJ HIGHLIGHT: Villa Celebration Night
Back at the villa, we enjoy a multi-course wine-paired dinner with live music — joyful, intimate, unforgettable.
🍽 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Private Villa near Lucca
A day of closure, rest, and transition.
🚌 Transport: Villa → Asmana → Florence
👗 Attire Tip: Swimsuit + spa sandals; chic casual for Florence
Inspired by global wellness rituals, Asmana offers thermal lagoons, waterfalls, Himalayan salt rooms, herbal saunas, Moroccan hammams, and quiet grottos — a full-body exhale before entering Florence.
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✨ TDJ WELLNESS MOMENT: Release & Receive
We share a gentle flow and a short closing circle to honor our villa chapter.
Thermal pools, steam rooms, saunas, waterfalls, and time to float, rest, and restore.
We check into our boutique hotel and enjoy a relaxed dinner in the Renaissance city.
🍽 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Boutique Hotel in Florence
Today we head into the heart of Florence, a city steeped in beauty and brilliance. From Renaissance masterpieces and historic bridges to artisan markets and gourmet bites, this day is a feast for the senses and the soul.
🚌 Transport: Walking
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable-chic; museum-friendly layers
Florence changed the course of human creativity. Home to Michelangelo, Leonardo, Botticelli, Dante, and Brunelleschi, the city is an open-air museum of art, architecture, and genius.
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Our day begins with a guided tour of Florence’s artistic icons. Marvel at Michelangelo’s David, stroll through the Uffizi Gallery, and walk the storied streets that shaped the Renaissance.
Shop for exquisite gold along the historic Ponte Vecchio, then wander through the vibrant Porcellino Market—famous for leather goods, silks, and lucky traditions.
Pause for a meal in the heart of Florence, where local flavors meet historic ambiance.
Wrap up the day with a lively dinner at Florence’s Mercato Centrale—a food lover’s haven where you can savor Tuscan specialties in a casual, bustling setting.
🍽 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Boutique Hotel in Florence
🚌 Transport: Walking / local taxis as needed
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable-chic; something lovely for sunset photos
Today is intentionally designed to give us time to explore Florence in ways that feel good individually, while still offering curated TDJ suggestions so no moment feels overwhelming or unstructured. Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure day supported by thoughtful guidance, local insight, and optional mini-experiences.
Florence is a city best discovered slowly — through its cafés, artisans, gardens, and hidden corners. Today invites you to savor it your way with structure, clarity, and ease.
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✨ TDJ OPTION A: Sant’Ambrogio Market + Local Cafés
We begin together at a favorite café for cappuccinos and pastries, then wander through the lively Sant’Ambrogio Market — Florence’s more local, less-touristed market filled with produce, flowers, cheese stalls, and everyday charm.
✨ TDJ OPTION B: Leather Market + Artisan Paper District
For those who prefer a little shopping, we guide you toward Florence’s best-quality leather vendors and the artisan paper quarter near Santa Croce.
✨ TDJ OPTION C: Slow Morning at Your Pace
Prefer a quiet start?
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, journal in a sunny piazza, or stroll across Ponte Vecchio before the crowds arrive.
Choose from curated, bite-sized activities that fit into a relaxed day:
• Boboli Gardens Stroll
Expansive views, sculptures, and quiet pathways.
• Giardino Bardini
Lush gardens + sweeping Florence views (quieter than Boboli).
• Boutique Artisanal Shopping Walk
Ceramics, leather, jewelry, Tuscan perfumes, marbled paper.
• Brunch in Oltrarno
A neighborhood known for artisans and small cafés.
We provide maps, recommendations, and personal guidance so that everyone feels supported.
This is your moment to follow what calls you most:
• Visit a small museum (Museo Stefano Bardini, Palazzo Davanzati)
• Sit riverside with a spritz & journal
• Browse ceramics studios in the artisan quarter
• Shop for leather bags, scarves, Florentine stationery
• Enjoy rooftop views from La Terrazza or SE·STO
• Treat yourself to gelato at one of our favorite spots
TDJ hosts remain available for any support, questions, or guidance.
✨ TDJ HIGHLIGHT: Golden-Hour Florence
We reunite in the late afternoon and make our way to the iconic Piazzale Michelangelo. As the sun sets, Florence glows in shades of pink, amber, and gold — domes and towers silhouetted against the sky.
It is our final shared moment, full of gratitude, beauty, and celebration of our journey together.
We end the day with a beautiful dinner at a favorite Florentine trattoria — delicious food, laughter, stories, and reflections before tomorrow’s departure.
🍽 Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
🏨 Overnight: Boutique Hotel in Florence
The journey concludes with heartfelt farewells and a smooth return to the airport. We leave Tuscany carrying home the tastes of vineyards and villas, the glow of Florence at sunset, and the sisterhood formed across shared tables, laughter, and beautiful moments.
🚌 Private Transfer: Boutique Hotel → Florence Airport (FLR)
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable travel outfit; layers for variable temperatures
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We gather for one last breakfast together in Florence before checking out. Private transfers ensure an easy, seamless departure — complete with hugs, final photos, and promises to stay connected long after Italy.
🍽 Meals Included: Breakfast
🏨 No Overnight Stay
