Liguria and Tuscany Summer Itinerary, See the Best Places in 9 Days

Our 9-Day Liguria and Tuscany Summer Itinerary included Italy’s stunning beautiful areas. Hilltop towns, landscape sketched by cypress trees, wineries, tours, and art filled our memorable trip.

Opting for a flight to Florence from Frankfurt, Germany, saved travel time. After a brief stay near Florence, we spent seven nights in a Monteggiori hotel. From there, we explored both Liguria and Tuscany with ease.

Where we stayed

By the time we tried booking a hotel in Florence, prices were sky-high. Fortunately, we found I Parigi Corbinelli Residenze, 20 kilometres from Florence Airport. Surprisingly, it was the best choice for the money we paid.

Our next stop was Dulcis in Borgo, a family-run hotel in Monteggiori, an Etruscan village atop a hill. The highlight? Dining at the renowned local restaurant La Tre Terrazze.

How we arrived in Italy and get around there

As Air Dolomiti, an Italian airline within the Lufthansa Group, operated direct flights from Frankfurt to Florence, our journey was smooth. Nonetheless, road construction led to the rental car office being temporarily relocated outside the airport, causing us an hour’s delay in finding it.

Our Liguria and Tuscany Summer Itinerary

In our Tuscany summer itinerary, we planned to explore 16 places, including the renowned Cinque Terre, which actually consists of five small villages. Therefore, we ended up visiting a total of 20 villages and towns.

• 1^st  Day:  Florence
• 2^ed Day: Pisa, Monteggiori, Pietrasanta
• 3^rd Day: Beach, Lucca
• 4^th Day: Cinque Terre, La Spezia
• 5^th Day: Beach, Carrara marble route & Colonnata
• 6^th Day: Monteriggioni, Siena, Castellina in Chianti
• 7^th Day: Portovenere, Montemarcello
• 8^th Day: San Gimignano
• 9^th Day: Serravalle Pistoiese

1^st Day:  Florence

The route to our first hotel, I Parigi Corbinelli Residenze, was straightforward.

Upon check-in, the hotel owner shared a tip for reaching Florence quickly without driving. We purchased a family bus ticket from him and boarded public transport to Florence, the stunning medieval city bisected by the River Arno.

Florence, renowned as the art capital, has awe-inspiring architecture, sculptures, museums, and more. We were overwhelmed by the mesmerizing views at every corner. Later, we savored rustic Tuscan cuisine at a local eatery in the heart of the city.

2^ed Day: Pisa, Monteggiori, Pietrasanta

En route to our next hotel, we caught sight of the Pisa tower. Following a brief visit and a quick lunch there, we resumed our journey to our second accommodation.

Upon checking into the family hotel in the hilltop village of Monteggiori, it was already late. We took a short stroll in this secluded village and discovered that the renowned local restaurant La Tre Terrazze was fully booked. Since Pietrasanta, a charming Ligurian coastal town just a few kilometers away, offered numerous dining options, we decided to dine there instead. Surprisingly picturesque, we couldn’t resist capturing the beauty of this coastal gem until nightfall.

3rd Day: Beach, Lucca

Swimming wasn’t the main activity of our Tuscany summer itinerary, but whenever we had the chance, we made sure to enjoy a few hours splashing in the sea and relaxing on the shore. With a beach conveniently close to our hotel, we seized the opportunity for a refreshing swim before our visit to Lucca. The beach we chose belonged to one of the most exclusive beach clubs in the area.

Just before noon, we left the beach club and set off for the walled city of Lucca. Rich in history and adorned with numerous churches, Lucca offers a glimpse into bygone eras. The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly cycling atop the medieval walls, a unique and unforgettable experience.

4th Day: Cinque Terra, La Spezia

Trains were undoubtedly the most convenient way for us exploring Cinque Terre. Our journey began at Levanto railway station, where we purchased day tickets offering unlimited rides. Our first stop, Riomaggiore, greeted us with breathtaking sea views, marking the start of our adventure through the picturesque villages.

Each village had its own charm: from Manarola’s culinary delights to Corniglia and Vernazza’s unique attractions. Finally, we reached Monterosso al Mare, a busy resort with tourists enjoying beach vacations.

As the day drew to a close, we made a short stay at La Spezia for a dinner before returning to our hotel.

5th Day: Beach, Carrara Marble Route , Colonnata

We ventured to Marina di Pietrasanta, securing a beach spot for four hours from a beach club —a surprise with reasonable prices, clean surroundings, and beautifully arranged facilities. Lunch, featuring mouth-watering Italian dishes at fair prices, was a highlight.

Following our beach escapade, we went on the Carrara marble route, famed for scenes from “007 Quantum of Solace.” En route, we encountered Colonnata, home to many marble workers.

6^th Day: Monteiggioni, Siena, Castellina in Chianti

Italy has many pretty hilltop towns, and Monteriggioni is a gem among them. A brief stop en route to Siena, the heart of Tuscany. Siena, with its medieval brick buildings, especially attracted us with its fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo.

Returning, we took the scenic Chianti Road instead of the highway. This allowed us to discover Castellina in Chianti, a hidden treasure in the Chianti Region.

7th Day: Portovenere, Montemarcello

Portovenere is one of the top destinations along the Ligurian coastline. We leisurely strolled along its charming waterfront, explored the ancient Gothic-style Church of St. Peter perched atop a rugged cliff, discovered the romantic Lord Byron’s Grotto, and wandered through its labyrinthine alleys. Finally, we took a refreshing swim in the Ligurian sea.

The journey to Montemarcello treated us to stunning vistas, with diverse local flora and glimpses of the Gulf La Spezia. Montemarcello’s streets are arranged in a grid pattern, offering an intriguing layout to navigate.

8th Day: San Gimignano

San Gimignano‘s skyline is punctuated by numerous awe-inspiring towers. Our day was filled with adventure as we ascended one of these towers, explored charming local shops brimming with authentic products, savoured delectable Italian cuisine, and tasted a gelato.

9th Day: Serravalle Pistoiese

On the way to Florence Airport, we chanced upon Serravalle Pistoiese, a quaint hilltop village not on our itinerary. Despite its omission, we made a spontaneous visit, finding respite at a small tourist office before concluding our Tuscany adventure.

Travel Tips

We’re excited about our packed Tuscany summer itinerary. A Florence stay is a dream for us. We’re keen on Chianti wine tasting, but it needs an overnight Chianti Wineries stay. Therefore, a pre-booked tour in Florence can save you the driving hassle.

Exploring Tuscany and Liguria by car was tiring. We stuck to highways to save time, missing out on scenic countryside views. Also, Italian highways are toll roads, and parking fees in tourist spots are expensive.