Tuscany is postcard-beautiful: rolling hills, rows of cypress trees, sun-drenched vineyards, medieval villages on hilltops and unbelievably delicious local food and wine. Tuscany is proud of its traditions, and there are many experiences not to miss when you travel to Tuscany. At Eyia Retreats, we curate the best experiences in Tuscany, Italy for our travel clients and retreat guests, because this region never fails to inspire, delight, and leave you longing to return.
Eyia Retreats specializes in travel in Greece, but our heart really lies in the whole Mediterranean, especially our sister county, Italy. We take our travel clients to Rome, Capri, Amalfi Coast, Ravello and Tuscany. We have newlyweds that just got back from a divine and romantic Italian honeymoon. We hosted our first retreat in Tuscany in 2024 and are hosting our second retreat in Tuscany in 2026.
We have traveled to Tuscany many times and have been taking notes so you can have the best time while you are there. Here are our “best experiences not to miss in Tuscany, Italy.”
Wine Tasting
Experiencing wine tasting in Tuscany is about much more than just sipping wine – it is a full immersion into centuries of history, stunning landscapes and world-class craftsmanship. Tuscany is the birthplace of some of the world’s most prestigious wines: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Super Tuscans. You get to taste these wines where they are made, often poured by the winemakers themselves, and paired with local food.
Many Tuscan wineries are centuries-old estates – some housed in castles or monasteries – with deep wine cellars, aging barrels and family stories going back generations. Tours often include walks through vineyards, explanations of the winemaking process and tastings guided by experts. It is not just drinking – it is learning to taste and understand wine. Wine tasting here often includes a chance to meet locals, hear stories and experience the slow life that is hard to find elsewhere.
Authentic Cooking Class
Let’s be honest, the real reason we travel to Italy is for the food! Experiencing a cooking class in Tuscany is not just about food though – it is about immersing yourself in the soul of Italian culture. You will be learning traditional dishes from nonne (grandmothers), chefs and farmers who have been cooking Tuscan dishes for generations. You will not just be following a recipe – you will be learning stories through food. The region’s most iconic dishes include pici pasta, ribollita, cantucci and wild boar ragu.
Classes often take place in medieval villas, countryside estates or vineyards with stunning views of rolling hills, olive groves and cypress-lined roads. You will meet fellow travelers, share stories over wine and sit down for a communal meal, like Italians do. A cooking class gives you skills and experiences that you get to take home with you. Every time you make a Tuscan dish, you will remember your time in Tuscany: the smells, the laughter, the hills and the company. A cooking class turns a trip into a lived experience. It is not just a meal – it is a memory.
Hiking the Tuscan Hills
Hiking the Tuscan hills is not about the physical activity – it is about experiencing Tuscany in its raw, most intimate form. Tuscany’s rolling hills are legendary. Picture vineyards stretching across sun-kissed slopes, cypress trees lining winding country roads, golden fields and olive groves under pastel skies. Hiking the Tuscan hills will take you on a journey that blends nature, history and soul in a way no tour bus ever could. Tuscany’s hills offer solitude but not loneliness, quiet trails but warm locals, and a chance to disconnect digitally and reconnect to the world around you.
You do not need to be a hardcore hiker to experience the Tuscan hills in all their glory. Trails range from easy vineyard loops to moderate hill climbs with well-marked paths. Every trail has a story: ancient roman roads visible beneath your feet, medieval towns on the hillsides and Etruscan ruins tucked into fields. Do not be surprised if you stumble upon a family-run vineyard and they invite you in for a tasting of wine and a sampling of fresh cheese and meat. Pro tip: hike close to sunset because Tuscany’s sunsets over its hills are so breathtaking. This is slow travel at its finest.
Village Hopping
Village hopping in Tuscany is an immersion into centuries of culture, food and landscape. Tuscany’s rolling hills, cypress-lined roads and golden fields are often best experienced from village viewpoints. You will understand why the Renaissance was born here: the place itself feels like a work of art. Each village in Tuscany has distinct architecture, traditions, dialects and accents, and specialties. Exploring multiple villages gives you a panoramic experience of Tuscany’s identity.
Village hopping is the opposite of chaotic sightseeing. It’s about sipping coffee in sleepy piazzas, wandering without a map, talking to shopkeepers and watching the sun set over olive groves. Unlike cities, Tuscan villages are not overrun with tourists. Many still operate on local rhythms with stone alleyways from Roman times, Etruscan tombs, Renaissance churches with original frescoes, and medieval walls and castles. Each stop is like flipping to a different chapter in a living history book. You’ll notice how cuisine shifts subtly from village to village. Eating and drinking your way through Tuscany’s villages is like tasting the landscape itself.
Thermal Baths
Experiencing thermal baths in Tuscany is more than self-care – it is a deep dive into Tuscany’s history and nature as well as your well-being. Tuscany’s thermal springs have been used since Etruscan and Roman times for their healing properties. The mineral-rich waters are known to soothe sore muscles and joints, improve circulation, benefit skin conditions and reduce stress and tension. Many Tuscan thermal baths are set in stunning natural landscapes of rolling hills, cypress trees and centuries-old stone villages.
Unlike commercialized spas, many Tuscan baths are wild and free – you can soak under the stars or next to ancient ruins. They are unspoiled and local, often visited more by Italians than tourists. Tuscany’s thermal baths are rooted in tradition and linked to local folklore, wellness rituals and Roman history. Tuscany’s natural hot springs are the perfect way to balance sightseeing with wellness. They are a natural part of the slow travel culture Tuscany embodies.
Some of the best thermal spots are completely free and open year-round. If you are heading to Tuscany, taking even half a day to relax in one of these natural baths could be one of the most memorable parts of your trip not just for your body but also for your soul. Soaking in warm waters where ancient civilizations once bathed connects you to a deep sense of place and time with no screens or noise, just steam, stone and sky.
Book Your Trip
If you are dreaming of a Mediterranean vacation, let us do the planning for you so you have the best vacation with memories that will last a lifetime. We would love to share more information on where to stay and help booking your activities and tours in Tuscany, contact us here! We are starting to book our clients 2026 trips, so get in touch with us soon so you can make the most of one of the most sought-after locations in Europe and the Mediterranean.
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