Getting to know our customers is not only one of the pleasures of our jobs, it also offers a great chance to see what we do and learn where we can keep improving. Our Chief Commercial Officer, Rob Payne, recently joined a group in Tuscany.
My first tour with Great Rail Journeys took me to Tuscany, an area of Italy I'd never previously been. Having watched Stanley Tucci's TV series Searching for Italy before I travelled, I had a picture in my mind of what to expect. The region is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, historic cities and culinary delights. My trip took in many of the highlights of the region including Montecatini Terme, Florence, San Gimignano, Castello di Verrazzano, Lucca, Pisa and Siena.
Turin: The capital of Piedmont and my first taste of Italy
After a beautiful journey via Eurostar and TGV, my adventure began in the elegant city of Turin, known for its refined architecture and rich cultural heritage. Our first stop was just an overnight stay and free morning, but there was plenty of time to go through the grand squares, visit the iconic Mole Antonelliana, and indulge in some of the best chocolate and coffee Italy has to offer. I also visited the Lingotto Factory, the original home of the Fiat 500 and an area which has been significantly renovated. A walk around the 1km test track on the rooftop building, now one of Europe's largest roof gardens, allowed me to relive on foot some famous scenes from The Italian Job.
Montecatini Terme: Our beautiful Tuscan home
The next day, we headed to Montecatini Terme, a picturesque spa town famed for its healing thermal waters. This was our base for the majority of our stay. The town is full of restaurants, bars and a few luxury clothing stores, and was a great place from which to experience authentic Tuscan life. We spent one morning taking the historic funicular to the upper town, Montecatini Alto. From this vantage point, you admire the panoramic views and get a real taste of Tuscany's beauty. It's a great place to have drinks and snacks while watching the world go by. Rather than take the return journey down the hill, we managed to burn off the cold beers by walking down to the main town.
The town also boasts some of the best opera in the region. Set in the beautiful old spa of Terme Tettuccio, beset with hidden Art Nouveau gems, we listened to many classics; an incredible way to spend a summer's evening.
To Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance
A short train ride away is Florence, for many the jewel of Tuscany. With its art, history and culture, you can spend hours marvelling at its incredible buildings and masterpieces, including at the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia, home to Michelangelo's David. On a guided walk, we wandered through the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, admiring the stunning Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio. We then walked to the Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens, a serene sanctuary away from the bustling city below.
San Gimignano: The Town of Beautiful Towers
Together with our escorted tour group, we embarked on a coach journey through the rolling Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano, a medieval hill town known for its well-preserved towers and stunning skyline. Here, we explored the cobbled streets, visited the Collegiata di San Gimignano with its beautiful frescoes, and enjoyed an award-winning gelato in the Piazza della Cisterna. Losing yourself amongst the 13th-century walls, medieval houses and quiet parks was a delightful way to spend a few hours.
Wine-tasting and boar dinner at Castello di Verrazzano
After visiting San Gimignano, we jumped back on our coach for a highlight of our trip - a visit to Castello di Verrazzano. Nestled in the Chianti hills, this historic castle offers a guided tour of its vineyards and cellars. After whetting the appetite amongst the aging barrels, we savoured a wine-tasting session at our dinner table. Some of the finest Chianti Classico wines were enjoyed, together with some stunning rose and whites. The day concluded with a sumptuous boar dinner - a true Tuscan specialty - paired with the local wines we had seen on the tour, as well as a 10-year-old balsamic vinegar and a lovely grappa to finish.
Culture and coffee in lovely Lucca
Arriving by train into Lucca was easy. It is a beautiful city encircled by Renaissance walls, and home to the annual Lucca Summer Festival (the four-metre-high oil painting of Ed Sheeran was a good indicator he was playing that night). The city is easy to explore by cycling or walking along with the tree-lined ramparts. We visited the incredible Lucca Cathedral and explored the oval-shaped Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. The city's medieval charm and laid-back atmosphere make it a delightful place to unwind and soak up the Tuscan ambiance. After exploring, we stopped at one of the many squares for a quick break and some recharging with a double espresso while watching the world go by.
Pisa: The Leaning Tower and more
No trip to Tuscany is complete without visiting Pisa. I pre-booked a time at the iconic Leaning Tower and walked up the 251 winding steps to the top. From this vantage point you can see all of the Piazza of Miracles, including the beautiful cathedral and baptistery. A walk around the walls, together with the obligatory picture of me holding the tower up, completed a memorable experience.
Siena: Flags, drums and the best gelateria
Siena is a city that embodies the essence of medieval Italy. On our guided walk, we wandered through the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio horse race takes place. We also visited the stunning Siena Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Our walk was interrupted by one of the 17 contrade (neighbourhoods) parading in full costume, decorated with silk flags and banging their drums. These contrade take part in the Palio twice a year and it would be incredible to see the 'Drappellone' (painted silk banner) being fought for in the crowded piazza.
Siena has a great culinary scene, with dishes like pici pasta and ribollita soup. For lunch, I managed to squeeze in a Tuscan sausage pizza and finished off my wife's pappardelle al cinghiale. My favourite foodie experience was on the walk back to the coach - a triple scoop ice cream from Il Masgalano Gelateria (on Via della Sapienza). Stanley Tucci would surely have approved.
Going on tour with Great Rail Journeys gave me the opportunity to meet some amazing people and share some incredible experiences in beautiful places. It was a pleasure getting to know them and sharing in their holiday. I also want to thank Ian and Lucy, our brilliant Tour Managers, who made the trip very special. I've kept in contact with a number of my fellow travellers, and I hope to see them on another Great Rail Journey in the future!
At Great Rail Journeys, we have two tours that immerse you in the real Tuscany, visiting all the locations mentioned in this travel diary.
- DiscoverThe Wonders of Tuscany
- EnjoyThe Highlights of Tuscany
