Welcome to the Discover Tuscany Gardens Tour w/ Susan Mahr!

This carefully curated ten-day journey will take you and your fellow garden travelers through some of Tuscany's most exceptional public and private gardens in and around Florence that reflect the diversity and history of Tuscan villas and gardens, many of which are rarely accessible to the general public.

Beginning in Florence, you will explore the Torrigiani Gardens — the largest privately-owned garden in Europe — along with the iconic Boboli and Bardini Gardens, each showcasing aspects of Italian landscape design spanning the Renaissance to the 19th century. Then move into the Sienese countryside to visit Villa La Foce, Castello di Celsa, and Villa Gamberaia, before concluding with the Renaissance gem of Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza.

In addition to gardens, learn about local agriculture in the iconic rolling countryside, experience authentic Tuscan cuisine (especially wine, artisan cheeses, and olive oils), and immerse yourself in the culture and history of the area renowned as the birthplace of the Renaissance with expert guides throughout to provide context and depth at every stop. Accommodation ranges from a four-star hotel in the heart of historic Florence - with time to enjoy the culture, art and ambiance of this famous Renaissance city - to an authentic 18th century Tuscan villa located on a working farm in the Val d'Orcia, keeping the group connected to the landscape at every stage of the trip.

Meet your Group Leader Susan Mahr!

Susan has degrees in Biology and Entomology and served as the state coordinator for the Master Gardener Program at the University of Wisconsin for over 20 years.  During her tenure there and since retiring, Susan has led numerous educational tours to Costa Rica, New Zealand, South Africa, and has been to Florence, Italy three times.  In addition to leading tours, she has traveled extensively throughout the world to better discover and learn about plants in their native habitats.

Susan is excited to partner with Discover Garden Tours and have the opportunity to share her knowledge of the plants and gardens in Tuscany, making for a memorable and educational travel experience.

 A $1,000 deposit, per person, is required to hold your reservation.  The deposit is due no later than June 2, 2027 with final payment due no later than July 2, 2027.

This tour requires a minimum of 14 tour participants to establish viability.

!Do NOT arrange airfare until you have been notified via email that the tour is fully viable!

For more information on this, or any of our other tours, please call or text Ray at 816-842-7500 or send him an email at ray@discoverourtours.com.

Please Note: Changes to the itinerary may be necessary due to weather, availability, or other factors beyond our control.  We will update the itinerary on the website if changes occur.

Participants must be able to endure moderate physical activity (daily activities may include 2-4 hours of walking and 2-3 hours of bus riding) and should be in overall good health!

A valid passport is mandatory to leave the U.S. and/or to enter Italy. Your passport must not expire within 6 months of your return from Italy, otherwise, it will be considered non-valid and need to be renewed.  If you need a passport, or if your passport needs to be renewed, please act now!  It can take up to several months to receive a new or replacement passport. 

The purchase of trip insurance is required.

Guest Cancellation Policy:

Days Before First Tour Date:            Refund:

90 days or more                                Full refund (minus credit card processing fees)

89 to 60 days                                     You are responsible for 50% of all fees owed

59 days or less                                   You are responsible for 100% of all fees owed

Upon your arrival in Florence (FLR) you will be picked up by your driver and taken to the Hotel Rosso 23, in the heart of the historic district of Florence.

Hotel Rosso 23 is a charming property nestled right on the Piazza Santa Maria Novella in the heart of Florence's historic district. The hotel features a distinctive red and gray color scheme throughout its stylish interiors, set within a historic building with grand staircases and wooden floors. Guests enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast, a bar, and free in-room Wi-Fi, all within a short walk from both the Duomo and Santa Maria Novella train station — making it a great base for exploring the gardens in and around Florence.

Your Welcome Dinner will be held at 7:00pm this evening at nearby Ristorante Storico Sabatini, which is within a short walking distance from Hotel Rosso 23

Day Two — Explore Florence At Your Leisure

Today Florence is all yours! Sleep in, linger over breakfast, and let the city set the pace.

Start with a stroll through Florence's magnificent historic centre and treat yourself to a coffee in one of the city's most iconic squares — whether it's the grand Piazza della Signoria or the elegant Piazza della Repubblica, you'll be soaking up centuries of history from your café chair.

When hunger (or curiosity) strikes, head to the Mercato Centrale — a feast for the senses! This stunning market building is packed with small specialty shops overflowing with the finest local treasures: rich olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, fragrant truffles, artisan cheeses, and cured meats. The best part? You can sample as you go!

For art lovers, today is the day to go big. Choose your masterpiece:

Accademia Gallery (book ahead — it's worth it!) — Come face to face with one of the most breathtaking works of art ever created: Michelangelo's iconic David. Standing over four metres tall in gleaming marble, this masterpiece has to be seen to be believed.

Uffizi Gallery — A world-class collection spanning the Middle Ages to the Modern era, with works by Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Caravaggio under one magnificent roof. Prepare to be awestruck.

Prefer to wander off the beaten path? Cross the river and discover the Oltrarno district, Florence's charming, slightly bohemian neighbourhood where the medieval atmosphere is still very much alive. Duck into family-run workshops crafting everything from leather goods and ceramics to fine silk, handmade paper, and exquisite perfumes — perfect for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

To cap off the day, lace up your walking shoes and head up to Piazzale Michelangelo — the panoramic views over Florence's rooftops and the iconic Duomo are absolutely unforgettable, especially as the sun begins to set. Pure magic!

However you choose to spend the day, Florence never disappoints!

Day Three — Discover Florence's Hidden Gems

This morning, your expert guide meets you right at the hotel — no searching, no stress — just an exciting Four-hour Walking Tour through the heart of one of the world's most beautiful cities. Florence's historic centre is a living, breathing open-air museum, and your guide will bring its stories, secrets, and splendour to life around every corner.

But the real highlight of the day? Prepare to discover one of Florence's best-kept secrets — the magnificent Torrigiani Gardens!

Tucked away in the charming Santo Spirito District, this is the largest privately-owned garden in all of Europe, and remarkably, it sits right in the heart of the city. This is no ordinary garden visit — you'll be welcomed and personally guided through this extraordinary green oasis by one of the owners themselves, making for a truly exclusive and unforgettable experience.

Stroll through centuries of history, breathtaking beauty, and lush landscapes that most visitors to Florence never even know exist. It's the kind of experience that reminds you why travel is so magical — hidden treasures, personal connections, and moments you simply can't find in any guidebook.

A morning in Florence that is anything but ordinary!

Day Four — Live A Garden Lover's Dream

Today is nothing short of spectacular for anyone who loves beauty, history, and the great outdoors — because Florence is pulling out all the stops with not one, but two of its most extraordinary gardens!

First up, the legendary Boboli Gardens — and if you only ever visit one garden in Florence, make it this one. This is Italian garden design at its absolute finest, a living, breathing journey through centuries of horticultural artistry from the Renaissance all the way to the 19th century. Wander through grand amphitheatres, discover a magical island garden, breathe in the fragrance of citrus groves, and lose yourself along long, winding woodland avenues. Recently lovingly restored with thousands of newly planted shrubs, the Boboli Gardens are back to their full and magnificent glory. Prepare to be dazzled! ✨

Next, it's on to the altogether more intimate and romantic Bardini Garden — a true hidden gem. Spread across ten gorgeous acres of woodland, orchards, and manicured gardens, all framed by Florence's ancient medieval walls, this is a place that feels wonderfully removed from the bustle of the city. Its history is as rich as its landscape — from medieval origins and wealthy aristocratic owners, to its most colourful chapter as the personal playground of Stefano Bardini, the legendary collector known as the "Prince of the Antiquarians."

And what a garden he created! The Bardini is really three gardens in one:

The Italianate Garden — anchored by a breathtaking baroque staircase that would look at home in a fairy tale

The English Wood — a rare and exotic Anglo-Chinese woodland garden unlike anything you've seen before

The Agricultural Park — where a glorious wisteria pergola and a brand new fruit grove create a scene of pure rustic romance

Oh, and those views over Florence? Simply some of the best in the entire city. Don't forget your camera!

As the afternoon winds down, it's time to swap the city for the countryside. You'll be whisked away to your beautiful new home for the next few nights — the 4-Star Superior Villa Olmi, elegantly perched on the rolling hills surrounding Florence. A gorgeous and tranquil escape!

From grand baroque staircases to wisteria-draped pergolas — Day Four is one to savour!

Nestled just 4 km from the historic center of Florence, Villa Olmi Firenze strikes a beautiful balance between history and modernity — housed within the walls of an 18th-century villa and surrounded by lush grounds and gardens that evoke a serene countryside atmosphere. The elegantly appointed rooms are decorated in classic Florentine style with antique furniture, and some feature terracotta floors, wood-beam ceilings, and frescoes.

Guests can enjoy a gourmet restaurant, an ancient vaulted wine cellar, an outdoor swimming pool, and gym. From Villa Olmi Firenze it's easy to explore Florence while still enjoying the peace and elegance of this countryside retreat.

Day Five — Discover Villa di Maiano & Villa Gamberaia

This morning we will meet our guide as we visit the Villa di Maiano Gardens and the ground floor of the Villa (Fiesole). Built in 1400 by the Pazzi family, it then became the property of the Tolomei family during the 18th century, and was then purchased by Sir Temple Leader, a rich Englishman with a passion for Tuscany during the 19th century. Temple Leader became owner of all the artwork belonging to the previous owners and decided to renovate the house, making significant changes, but leaving its artistic heritage and artwork intact. The Villa has 5 halls on the ground floor splendidly furnished with original 17C and 18C furniture and a panoramic garden overlooking all of Florence. James Ivory, the director, chose the villa as the location for the "Italian" interior and country scenes for the famous film, “A Room with a View”.

The Maiano estate includes Fattoria di Maiano, which originates back to the 15th century. It covers an area of nearly 300 hectares mainly used for growing olives (20.000 olive trees on 110 hectares) and it’s a completely organic agricultural estate. Frantoio and Moraiolo olives are picked entirely by hand in the months of November and December then pressed in the estate mill. The premium product is Laudemio, an excellent extra virgin oil with a high nutritional value. We will have an olive oil tasting and lunch at the Fattoria.

After lunch, your visit at Villa Gamberaia in Settignano will start. Edith Wharton wrote of Gamberaia: ‘Probably the most perfect example of the art of producing a great effect on a small scale...’ The history of this garden dates back to the 16th century yet most of the garden as it is now laid out was designed by the Capponi family who bought the property in the 18th century. Many modifications, including the famous water parterre were commissioned in the 1920’s by the then-owner Hungarian princess Ghyka whose head gardener, Martino, was the father of one of Italy’s leading landscape designers, Pietro Porcinai.

Day Six — Experience the Orcia Valley & Siena

This morning we drive through the rolling hills of the Chianti area before arriving in the stunning countryside surrounding Siena, where we will visit the Gardens of Villa Vico Bello. We will enjoy a light lunch at the Villa accompanied by an olive oil tasting.

Following lunch, we make our way into the magnificent medieval city of Siena for a short walking tour, where you will have the opportunity to soak in the extraordinary art and architecture that has made this city one of Italy's great cultural treasures.

We then continue on to Montalcino, home to one of Tuscany's most celebrated wines, Brunello di Montalcino. Here we will visit a flagship winery before enjoying a wine tasting at Le Potazzine, a beloved boutique estate whose name — meaning "little hoopoes" — is a tribute to the charming birds that inhabit the property.

Our day draws to a close as we depart for our home for the next three nights — the magnificent Fattoria del Colle, a working farmhouse estate set among the breathtaking landscapes of the Orcia Valley. We will enjoy dinner at the farmhouse this evening.

Your Home Away From Home — Fattoria del Colle

Nestled among the breathtaking landscapes of the Orcia Valley near Trequanda, Fattoria del Colle is a working farmhouse estate owned by the celebrated winemaker Donatella Cinelli Colombini. Far more than simply a place to rest your head, the estate offers an authentically Tuscan experience — where the vineyards, olive groves, and rolling hills become your daily backdrop. Beautifully appointed rooms are furnished with original antiques alongside all the comforts of a modern retreat.

The estate's restaurant showcases the very best of the local Tuscan kitchen, and guests are invited to explore the winery, stroll the naturalistic trekking trails, and unwind in the vinotherapy wellness area. At Fattoria del Colle, every moment is an invitation to slow down, savour the extraordinary landscape, and experience the warmth and genuine hospitality that makes Tuscany so utterly unforgettable.

Day Seven — Experience Castello di Celsa and Villa La Foce

Today promises a full day of horticultural splendor as we journey through two of Tuscany's most storied gardens. Your private bus will whisk you away from the hotel and into the heart of the Val d'Orcia, where Villa La Foce awaits — the beloved home of Iris Origo, celebrated author of The Merchant of Prato.

Commissioned by the Marchesa Origo and masterfully designed by Cecil Pinsent in the 1920s, these gardens are nothing short of a triumph of vision and perseverance. The land itself seemed to conspire against them — heavy clay soil, scarce water, and terrain so inhospitable it had been deemed unfit even for farming. Yet Pinsent and Origo refused to be deterred, transforming this unpromising hillside into one of the crown jewels of Italian garden design, while simultaneously establishing a thriving farm that once sustained an entire surrounding community. Pinsent's characteristically English sensibility, tempered by a deep reverence for the Tuscan landscape, produces something truly singular — a garden that feels both of its place and beyond it.

Lunch will be enjoyed at a charming restaurant just steps from Villa La Foce.

The afternoon carries us onward to the magnificent Castello di Celsa, where centuries of garden-making have left their mark in the most elegant of ways. The origins of the main garden date to 1500, with portions attributed to the distinguished Sienese architect Baldassare Peruzzi. Successive eras each added their own flourish — the Baroque period contributing a graceful semicircular pool and a generous fishing pond nestled at the edge of an ancient holm oak wood, while later hands introduced formal parterres and sweeping cypress hedges. Most recently, a grove of stately conifers has lent the grounds a romantic, English Landscape quality reminiscent of the 1800s. Layer upon layer of history, set against a breathtaking panorama of the Sienese countryside.

As the golden light of late afternoon settles over the hills, your private bus returns you to the warmth of Fattoria del Colle.

Day Eight — Unveil Pienza, Palazzo Piccolomini & Montepulciano

This morning we set off for Pienza, one of the most beguiling of all Tuscan hill towns, where our local guide will lead us through a UNESCO-listed historic center that feels less like a town and more like a Renaissance dream made stone.

At the heart of it all stands Palazzo Piccolomini — the crowning jewel of a city conceived as the ideal of human civilization. Commissioned in 1459 by Pope Pius II as a summer retreat, it is widely regarded as the first true example of Renaissance architecture. What makes a visit here so remarkably intimate is that this was never merely a monument — it was a home, and it remained so until 1962, when the Piccolomini family departed, leaving behind every original furnishing exactly as it was. To walk through the dining room, music room, library, and bedrooms is to feel the quiet presence of a family across five hundred years. Step onto the second-floor loggia and the Val d'Orcia unfolds before you in one breathtaking sweep.

At the rear of the palazzo, the celebrated Piccolomini Gardens — the first hanging garden of the Renaissance — perch dramatically above the valley, a perfectly proportioned square garden enclosed by walls and anchored by a central well. Among Italian gardens, it is virtually without equal.

We then visit a nearby organic cheese farm for a tour of the dairy, followed by a light lunch of fresh Pecorino and locally cured meats, savored at the source.

The afternoon belongs to Montepulciano — time at leisure to wander the medieval lanes, browse the artisan shops, and perhaps sample the celebrated Vino Nobile. Dinner at a local restaurant before returning to Fattoria del Colle.

Day Nine — Florence

This morning we bid a fond farewell to the rolling hills and golden light of Fattoria del Colle, as our private transfer carries us northward to the magnificent city of Florence. We check into the stylish Hotel Rosso23, a beautifully appointed four-star property set in the heart of the city, perfectly positioned for everything Florence has to offer.

The rest of the day is entirely yours — lose yourself in the labyrinthine streets, linger over a long lunch, or simply soak in the incomparable atmosphere of one of the world's great cities.

As the sun sets over the Arno, we gather one last time for a Farewell Dinner — a celebratory evening to raise a glass, share favorite memories from the road, and toast to the friendships forged along the way. A perfect ending to an unforgettable journey through the heart of Tuscany.

Day Ten — Returning Home

After a final leisurely breakfast, the time comes to say arrivederci to Italy. Your private transfer will whisk you to Florence airport, hearts full and bags laden with memories — and perhaps a bottle or two of Brunello — as you carry a little piece of Tuscany home with you.