• 31 Aug to 7 Sep 2025
• 7 to 14 Sep 2025
• 21 to 28 Sep 2025

Maria Lourdes

Our trip will visit several UNESCO-listed small cities and towns in Tuscany starting in Florence. All food and wine experiences are located between Florence and Pienza.

Day 1 – Arrival and welcome dinner

Day 2 – Florence culture and food tour + Bread & foccacia making workshop & dinner

Day 3 – San Gimignano + Female owned winery visit & lunch + Siena + Dinner at the farm house

Day 4 – Truffle hunting & truffle themed lunch + Certaldo + Greve in Chianti + Dinner at the farm house

Day 5 – Relaxation day at the farm house + Olive oil tasting visit + Dinner in Montefioralle

Day 6 – Val D’Orcia + Pecorino cheese farm + Female-owned Brunello di Montalcino winery visit + Dinner at the farm house

Day 7 – Thermal spa day + Cooking class + Farewell dinner 

Day 8 – Departure

Day 1 : Arrive in Florence

Benvenuti in Chianti!

Make your way from Florence airport to your hotel upon arrival and acclimate to Italian time until the evening.

If you arrive earlier, relax by the pool, visit the Uffizi Gallery or go out in search of the best gelato. 

In the evening you will meet the rest of the group and your host and enjoy a stunning welcome drink and sunset dinner on the rooftop of the Plaza Lucchesi hotel with views over the Florence Duomo, a limoncello spritz and delicious canapes. 

What a fantastic way to start the trip!

Overnight at Plaza Hotel Lucchesi

Plaza Hotel Lucchesi is both historical and modern. Not only is it perfectly located for your solo explorations pre-trip but also has a regal past. Built in 1890 as a pension, it hosted the King of Italy Umberto I, and for that reason it was upgraded to have all the latest modernities.

Following the end of WWII the hotel was refurbished and expanded again and in the 60s and 70s it hosted many famous personalities. Today’s version is modern and upgraded with the rooftop pool that has magnificent views over Florence. Your biggest concern will be finding the willpower to leave!

Inclusions: Welcome dinner and drinks.

Day 2 : Florence culture & food tour + Bread & foccacia making workshop and party

After a delicious breakfast, we will embark on a gastronomic and cultural exploration of Florence through its incredible buildings and its food.

We will meet our local female guide, food expert and sommelier and go on a walking tour and lunch of the UNESCO-listed historic center of Florence, discovering more of this fascinating and gorgeous city through its food.

We will walk the city center, the Duomo and stop at various places for snacks, food and desert as you hear the stories, the legends and the history of this magnificent city.

In the early afternoon, we will return to the hotel to pick up our luggage and will drive for just under an hour to the picture perfect Chianti region and our home for the week.

At our Tuscan villa-farmhouse, you will meet Anna, owner and host, and make yourself comfortable, with time for relaxation and to enjoy the magic beauty of the land.

In the evening, we will participate in a delicious and fun bread and foccacia making workshop session before indulging in our creations. 

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel and walking food tour / lunch of Florence. Bread and foccacia making workshop and pizza party dinner with wine.

Day 3 : San Gimignano + Female Winery lunch + Siena

We will begin our day with a relaxing walk in the medieval village of San Gimignano whose historic center is UNESCO-listed.

This magical location is famously known for its array of medieval towers that can be seen from miles away and is often referred to as the Manhattan of Italy.

We will enjoy a relaxing walk through the traditional shops and streets, learning stories and legends about this town and maybe doing some shopping.

San Gimignano is known for being the location of the “Best gelato in the world” so this is the place to try it.

After the time in Gimignano, we will head to a female owned winery in the Chianti Classico region, just outside of Siena.

Enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful property and learn about Chianti wines. A beautiful lunch with tasting of the prestigious wines will follow.

After lunch we will head to the stunning town of Siena whose historic center is also UNESCO listed.

Here, you can enjoy an espresso in the stunning Piazza del Campo and taste the delicious “Senesi” traditional sweets that are famous of the town.

In Siena, we can admire the majestic beauty of the Duomo and learn interesting stories about the famous Palio, a charming tradition from Siena that goes back to the Middle Ages.

The Palio takes place at the beginning of July so we may even catch a glimpse of it!

You will then have free time to explore the town on your own. Don’t miss a visit to the incredible Duomo whose interior is entirely painted with frescoes.

After Siena, we will then return back to the villa for a home cooked dinner prepared by our host and cookbook writer.

Inclusions: Breakfast and dinner at the farmhouse, lunch at the winery. Walking tour of Siena and San Gimignano with free time.

Day 4 : Truffle hunting + Certaldo 

Our journey will begin with a unique truffle hunting experience in the forest with a trained dog and the expert local truffle hunter, who will tell you interesting curiosities about truffles, how they grow and when and what types there are.

You will also learn what makes this fungus so expensive and what it takes to harvest it.

We will meet the truffle hunting family at the entrance to the forest and follow the dog as he searches for truffles.

This is one of our favorite experiences in Tuscany and a highlight of the trip.

After about an hour of truffle hunting, we will continue to the family’s kitchen where we will enjoy a truffle themed seasonal lunch that changes with what’s best at the time of year.

There will be lots of truffle slices sprinkled over everything and you can learn a few secrets of Tuscan cuisine, and of cooking with truffles, from the chef.

After lunch we will head over to nearby medieval castle of Certaldo, where we will have a bit of free time for a quick walk or for shopping at a locally owned female pottery workshop.

Here is where you can find that beautiful piece of pottery that you have been seeing on every shop, directly from the artisan who makes them. She can often be seen painting or finishing off pieces in the shop.

We will finish the day back at the farmhouse for dinner.

Overnight at the farmhouse

Inclusions: Breakfast at the farmhouse, truffle hunting experience and lunch, visit to Certaldo, dinner at the farmhouse.

Day 5 : Enjoying the “Dolce far Niente” + Olive tasting

We couldn’t call this an immersive cultural and foodie experience without giving you the chance of spending a full day doing nothing, Italian-style, at the farmhouse.

Read a book by the pool or by one of the windows, take a walk around the wild garden, stroll along the hills, etc. this is a day for yourself to do whatever you want.

In the evening, we will meet again and head out to a family-owned olive oil showroom.

The experience will start with an olive oil tasting workshop to learn everything about high quality extra virgin olive oil, how it is made, when the olives are harvested, how to taste it, how to cook with it, etc.

It doesn’t get its nickname of liquid gold for nothing!

Afterwards, we will have some free time in Greve in Chianti, the main trading center of Chianti and a small quaint medieval town.

Greve’s portico main square is not only picturesque but also a great place to locate any souvenirs, from liquors to wine, pottery or cured meats.

The butcher shop is worth a visit and is where you can find all sorts of locally made cured meats and cheeses to take home.

After the visit, we will drive to Montefioralle nearby for a quick walk through this magical “borgo”, or hamlet, that has fewer than 50 inhabitants, and end the day with dinner at a female owned and run restaurant with beautiful views, weather permitting.

Inclusions: Breakfast and lunch at the farmhouse. Olive oil workshop and tasting, dinner at female owned restaurant in Montefioralle.

Day 6 : Val D’Orcia + Pecorino cheese farm + Female-owned Brunello di Montalcino winery visit

We will start the day early to make our day to the farthest point in our itinerary, the beautiful village of Pienza, which is UNESCO-listed.

We will have free time to walk the narrow lanes and pedestrian streets of this small town and take postcard perfect pictures of the Val d’Orcia and the picturesque jasmine-crowned door frames and brick buildings.

After our morning walk, we will visit an organic pecorino cheese maker near Pienza.

The farm is practically self-sufficient and produces everything it needs to feed the animals, grow the vegetables and fruits used at the restaurant and take care of the many visitors that come every day.

We will enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating farm and learn everything you ever wanted to know about the 100% Tuscan and famous Pecorino cheese. You may even pick up a tip or two about how to grow your own vegetables and herbs.

The experience will be completed with a cheese-themed lunch with stunning panoramic views over the UNESCO-listed Val D’Orcia Valley.

Val D’Orcia Valley was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2004 for its rolling undulating hills and its cultivated land.

The area is known for the picturesque villages of Siena and Pienza and for the premium wines of Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino.

No matter how many pictures you see of these landscapes, nothing can replace seeing them with your own eyes.

In the summertime, we will observe a range of colors, from the pale yellow of the cereal fields to the light green of the vineyards and the dark green of the cypress trees and forests.

After lunch, we will enjoy a visit to a female-owned Brunello di Montalcino winery, the most prestigious and well known wine of Tuscany.

We will first enjoy a guided tour of the cellar, getting first person insights into this precious wine, and tasting the beautiful wines. The story of the winery will also fascinate you as the owner started to produce them well before women were present in the wine industry.

Our tour will be accompanied by music that you can almost smell and taste and which has been designed to pair with the wines, a truly one of a kind experience.

Besides the great visit, what makes this winery special is not only that it is female owned but it is also fully female-staffed since its opening decades ago, the first and perhaps only one, in Italy.

In the afternoon, we will return to the farmhouse and enjoy dinner prepared by our host and enjoyed in the garden, under the cypress and olive tree.

Inclusions: Breakfast and dinner at the farmhouse, lunch at the cheese farm. Guided tour of Pienza, the cheese farm and Brunello di Montalcino winery.

Day 7 & 8 : Thermal spa day + Cooking Class + Farewell Dinner  

Today is all about pampering and taking care of ourselves.

We have had a long week of sightseeing, walking along the narrow cobblestone streets of the beautiful towns in Tuscany and it is time to be well taken care off so you can return feeling like you had an actual holiday.

Tuscany is renowned for thermal waters and a few spas and luxury hotels have sprung around these natural spring water to allow guests to enjoy their properties in the comfort and luxury of high end facilities, thermal pool circuits and full fledged spas.

And that is today’s program.

We will enjoy breakfast at our private villa and have a bit of morning free time to read or wander around the area first.

We will leave the farmhouse in the late morning and head towards one of the most upscale thermal spa and wellness complexes in Tuscany for a well deserved treat.

We will have access to the thermal area and facilities and enjoy a 30min massage.

The complex has several pool areas with various benefits and sun loungers to relax. Our package will include slippers and bath robes so we feel fully cocooned.

You will have free time for a light lunch at the cafe / bistro of the spa, with quiet and beautiful views to continue with the relaxation.

In the afternoon, a unique and unforgettable experience will await: a cooking class with our cookbook writer and host Anna.

All week you will have been amazed by Anna’s incredible cooking and tonight, she will reveal all her secrets in a wonderful and homey cooking class in the kitchen.

We will get down and dirty and participate in a cooking class to learn some of Tuscany’s most famous dishes. For once, you’ll be at the other end of the dining room.

We will enjoy our last meal together and say cheers to an incredibly immersive week in the Tuscan countryside.

Overnight at the farmhouse. On day 8, we will have breakfast and you will be dropped back at Florence’s train station.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the farmhouse, access to the thermal spa with a 30min massage, and cooking class and surprise farewell dinner. On day 8, breakfast at the farmhouse and drop off in Florence with departure at 9-10am to the train station.

About Your Host

Maria Lourdes is a Languages and Art graduate, licensed tour guide, tour leader and artist from Naples who loves coffee.

She started her tourism career doing underground tours in Naples but decided to channel her love for coffee culture into her now very popular Naples coffee tours.

Maria is passionate about travel, history and art and loves exploring the most beautiful places in Italy. She has traveled all over the country and now lives in Milan.

She is excited to go on this adventure with Solo Female Travelers and show you her wonderful country and all the things that make it special.

Noëlle – “Went to their inaugural Tuscany tour this June and it was a lovely experience! Apart from seeing some highlights of the region, we had several experiences prepared for us that would have been almost impossible to achieve as an actual solo traveler with no personal connections in the region. I truly felt immersed in the beauty of Tuscany. The food was also amazing and almost too much (but we never turn down dessert!). I am so happy to have gone with women looking for a similar immersive experience and now have several wonderful new friends. I highly recommend joining this Tuscany tour with SFT and would love to join another one of their tours in the future.”

Andrea – I just returned from the Tuscany trip and what an adventure it was! I highly recommend. We packed a lot into the week, and I chose to spend a few days in Florence before meeting up with the group. I suggest arriving in advance so that you can to adjust to the time and explore this vibrant and beautiful city.

For me, the best part of the Tuscany trip was meeting and sharing meals at the homes, farms and vineyards of local residents throughout the Chianti region. Such kind and gracious people who love to share their family histories. Such warmth and love, pride and respect for the land. And, long leisurely meals with wine and laughter outdoors overlooking the gorgeous scenery.

Vicki – “Just wrapped up my first trip with the SFTC and had the best time in Tuscany. I met some beautifully inspiring women both on my trip and throughout our excursions. From the stunning Villa to the perfectly curated events, I couldn’t imagine a better way to experience Tuscany. Within a week we tasted wine from 3 different vineyards (specializing in Chianti Classico and Brunello), hunted for truffles, pet the sweetest cashmere goats, learned the art of basket weaving, and ate our weight the best food! Between eating and drinking the best of Tuscany, we visited several of the small towns within Chianti region. I left Tuscany with a full stomach and even more full heart for Tuscany and the friends I made on this trip! Already planning another adventure with friends from the trip. Hands down would recommend Tuscany and traveling with SFTC!”

Rita – “I just finished the Tuscany tour and I have to say it was one of the best times of my life!

We got to experience so many unique experiences and see so much on this trip! Don’t get me started on all the amazing food this trip provides. I can’t recommend this travel group enough!”

Rossanna – “Words cannot describe what this trip to Florence and Tuscany meant to me with Solo Female Travellers Group. It was a wonderful experience with a beautiful group of women from various countries.

Our tour organizer Mar, was a pleasure to be with during the trip and helped us with all of our questions and anything that needed accommodation. Anyone we met for that matter was very generous, kind and helpful.

The itinerary was superb and curated ever so nicely for a cultured experience of the region; from driving through it’s landscape, visiting medieval villages and hearing about their history, learning about wine, olive oil, cheese (and eating it!), going truffle hunting and cooking in a local kitchen to make a meal from scratch to enjoy. The list is endless but has filled me with precious memories for years to come. Just book it!“

Manon – “Just came back from Tuscany with SFT and I highly recommend this tour or any tour with them. For me it was the dream of a life time, I’ve waited 25 year to go to Tuscany and I’m so happy I chose them.

The total experience, from the food, the places we visited, the people we met, everything was perfect. Above all, the friends I made on this trip, solo female travelers of all ages, from everywhere in the world. We bounded, we sometimes had meaningful conversations, other times we laugh ‘til we cried ! Memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. Thank you Mar for organizing this trip and making it runs so smoothly. Already looking forward to my next trip with SFT, in 2023. Will it be France or Scotland… we’ll see, my name is on the waiting list. In the meantime, I’ll be going to London with one of the lady friend I met on the Tuscany tour. We’ll be reminiscing the great memories for sure!”

Angie – “I attended the Solo Female Travelers Tuscany tour from June 25 – July 3, 2022. What an amazing adventure that was filled with intimate experiences that were arranged specifically for the tour group. It was so well organized and I appreciated having a vacation where every detail was planned that accentuated so much of the culture. Having never visited Italy before, I know I could never have experienced the depth of culture and the knowledge of the region that was shared by all of the local guides and places the tour took us. I will most certainly book another trip with SFT!”

Rebecca – “I recently took the Tuscany tour and was absolutely blown away! I had such an amazing time!! You know you’ve had a great vacation when someone asks you what was your favorite thing and you can’t pick just one thing!! All the guides, tours, and hosts were just amazing! I met so many lovely ladies on this tour that I know will be lifelong friends and travel buddies. If you are considering taking one of these tours, just do it! You won’t be disappointed!! Mar and Meg put together fantastic itineraries that fully immerse you in the culture and make it so hard for you to leave. I’m already looking to book my next adventure with them! Thank you ladies for doing what you do!! You’re amazing!!”

Kim – “I have to say a huge thank you to all the members of this group, and a special double tank-you to Meg Jerrard and Mar Pages! I just returned from two of Solo Female Travelers Club’s tours, and they were absolutely wonderful! I went on the Tuscany tour, and I followed it with the Amalfi Coast tour. Each one was remarkable, and the itineraries for each of them were unique and reflect the attention to detail that goes into planning the tours. If not for this group, I’d never have realized my dream of going to Italy!

First, nine days in Tuscany felt like a dream! Our tour leader, Ariadna, was delightful! She is warm, friendly, and full of enthusiasm and energy! She kept us well informed about each day’s events, and handled everything with ease and expertise! I treasure the conversations we had in the back seat of the van as our drivers wound us through the hills of Tuscany. Our local guides, and all the others were so knowledgeable about Tuscany and Florence, and they made every day even more fun!

In addition, our group of women was such fun, and the diversity and interests of the entire group made for wonderful conversations and friendships! Our itinerary included not only beautiful wineries as one would expect, but a visit to an olive oil farm, pecorino cheese farm, a cashmere goat farm, and a visit to a farm where the owner makes beautiful baskets from irises. These visits not only showcased the diversity and beauty of Tuscany, they were truly educational as we learned about all the processes involved in the operations.

We weren’t overly scheduled; however, as there were wonderful visits to many medieval villages with time for exploring and shopping, as well as one day all to ourselves at the beautiful farmhouse that was our home for nine days! I left Tuscany with a greater understanding and even more affection for this region. I also left with friendships and memories to last a lifetime!“

Sylvia – “I booked this trip on a whim; as a birthday gift to myself. I am not a drinker and I don’t eat a lot of pasta and I second guessed myself and consider NOT going. I’m so glad I did!!

The scenes are gorgeous. The places we visited are so enriched with beauty and the hosts are so gracious! The company I got to experience Tuscany with just made this trip so much better!

I personally don’t have the time nor patience to book a whole trip for myself, much less excursions. I admire all of you who do these trips solo! But if you’re like me, then I highly recommend ANY experience with Mar and her handy traveling experts. You just get on your flight and arrive! It’s so easy and convenient Thank you for the experience and memories!!”

Jan – “Just returned from the Florence/Tuscany group trip with Solo Female…Fantastic trip!!

A lot of Italian food, laughter, shopping, and wine. We met incredible female business owners-strong, independent woman that welcomed us into their homes. Trip of a lifetime“

Becky – “I’ve been on a few small group tours and this is by far the best. Attention to detail, accommodations and side trips I doubt could be duplicated if you arranged a tour yourself.”

Delia – “I got home from the Tuscany trip about 2 weeks ago and am still marveling about what an incredible travel experience it was. I had never gone on a group tour before, and I’m so glad I signed up. The itinerary was full of amazing and unique experiences I wouldn’t have had if I’d planned my own trip — truffle hunting, visiting a cashmere goat farm, staying at a rustic B&B tucked away in central Tuscany. Incredible wine and food, lovely accommodations. The tour guides were fabulous–charming, knowledgeable and fun. The group of women was super to travel with. I appreciated that the itinerary allowed for time to relax. I would do it all over again and am definitely planning to do another trip with Solo Female Travelers in the future.”

Stephanie – “Best trip I’ve ever taken! Thank you Mar and Meg!

Y’all truly provided the most amazing, stress free experience.

Can’t wait to do the next one! ❤️”

Sandy – “I recently went on the Florence Tuscany trip in July 2023 and I cannot express what a beautiful, once in a lifetime experience I had.

First, before you even start on your trip, you receive all the information you need for the trip-tips on getting there, clothes to wear, what to pack, etc. I felt very prepared which eased much of my anxiety.

This trip is all about the most delicious food and wine you’ve ever tasted and highly recommended for foodies. But on top of that, we learned so much about Italian culture and life. The farmhouse villa is absolutely gorgeous and your host, Anna, is so warm and welcoming. An added bonus is a nice cool pool overlooking the Tuscan countryside to cool off in after some warm days.

We saw lovely wineries, a cheese farm, medieval villages, and everyone’s favorite, truffle hunting in the forest with an experienced truffle hunter and his dogs. Everything was meticulously planned and exceptional. I highly recommend and am anxiously awaiting my next trip with this wonderful company.”

Deb – “When I signed up for this trip, I never dreamed it would be such a magical experience and an amazing explosion for the senses!
Every day was planned out to perfection which tells me how very much Meg and Mar love what they do. We went to wine tastings, food tastings, an olive oil tasting and ate the best gelato ever not to forget all the pastries! Each day was packed with new adventures including truffle hunting!

I have traveled to some beautiful places in my life but Tuscany is the most beautiful place I have been to date. It is breathtaking and the people are as beautiful as the scenery. Loving and joyful especially our host Anna and Silvia and our dear Maria.

I also have to say the amazing ladies we shared our trip with will be a part of my life and memories for a long time as they were all wonderful. I think that is one of the other reasons this trip was so special.
Our home base was a beautiful old farm that took you back in time to a simpler life. Excellent home cooked meals, beautiful surroundings and love, lots of love.

I highly recommend taking this trip. You will truly enjoy every minute of it.”

Lisa – “My trip to Tuscany was a dream come true and very special because my sister and I traveled together.

The experiences, what we learned, what we saw and the people we met were the greatest. Maria, our incredible tour guide  was A+ all the way.  She is a love!  And Anna an Sylvia were so wonderful. 

I would say the last day that we all cooked our farewell dinner together was very very special.  What a  fabulous group of women.  We got along so well and shared stories, laughs and more.  It was sad to say good-bye to them and beautiful Tuscany..

The opera singer was the frosting on the cake and a duet with Maria was incredible. Everything about this trip was 1st class all the way including the villa. I will be taking this trip again in 2 years.  I hope to do your Venice trip next,

Thank you Mar & Meg for an unforgettable experience.”

Meera – “I have now done four trips with SFT. The first was Greece, last year, which was incredible. This year I did Venice, Tuscany, and Amalfi Coast back to back.

Meg and Mar, the founders of the group, were on the Greece trip so I feel like I know them now. They were not on the Italy trips but the guides they chose to represent them were similarly amazing.

SFT becomes more than just a tour group for many people – it’s a community of women who want to cheer each other on. Feels the same as the vibe at an Eras Tour concert. Mar and Meg curate experiences that highlight women entrepreneurs and uplift women in industry. They support anyone who identifies as female to be on the tours and choose to make it a safe space for anyone on the 2SLGBTQ+ spectrum. They are also actively anti-racist, which helped me to feel safer as a BIPOC woman.

They care a lot about the quality of their tours and choose delicious and fancy places to eat, along with curating meaningful experiences for us. I’m 4 tours in and so excited for whatever comes next because I trust their judgment. If you’re thinking about booking, just do it.”

Shay – “I’ve been booking with Solo Female Travelers Club for three years now and I’m obsessed. 3 years, 3 countries – Spain, Greece, and now Italy – and they have been the best vacations I’ve ever taken. So stress-free, with every detail thoughtfully planned and scheduled by Mar and Meg. You would not believe the thought and consideration put into every single one of their tours. There is no other tour group company that can touch them out there.

These tours have the most amazing food, I have met extraordinary like-minded women every single time, and I have never once felt lonely or overwhelmed while traveling with these groups, which is important for me.

I brought my mother with me on their Tuscany tour for her first international trip. I trusted that the experience they would give her would inspire her to do more travel out of her comfort zone. And now she won’t stop talking about the tour and her plans for future trips with this company and on her own and I am so thankful to them for that.

You will not find a company with as reasonable prices for the quality and the amount of things included within these tours. I can’t rave about them enough. If you’re thinking about booking with them, don’t hesitate, just do it. You will not regret it.”

Emily – “I was recently on the SFT Tuscany trip and it was like the best combination of luxury travel and summer camp! Everything was planned so perfectly- it was one amazing experience after the other and the group of ladies was truly so lovely. I can’t forget to mention the vast quantities of amazing food we ate-I will never be able to go back to life without pasta everyday and wine with every meal, I’m too spoiled now! What a wonderful week!”

Jacque – “Wonderful group of women in Tuscany!

The trip was full of activities and just enough down town. All the women were delightful to get to know. I will travel again with this well run organization!”

Nancy – “I cant say enough about how much I enjoyed this trip! First off, Maria was fabulous, she was so knowledgeable and helpful. She was so accommodating if we needed anything or had questions. Every day was a different experience and I loved them all. Anna and Sylvia were such good hosts, the villa was beautiful. The food was absolutely delicious. 

The experiences I had were ones that will stay with me for quite some time!  Again, thank you for providing women with the chance to partake in such amazing adventures!”