There is no way you can go wrong with a Tuscany getaway, even a short one. From the rolling hills of the idyllic countryside to the medieval fortresses, Renaissance architecture, and world-class art of Florence, this adorable region certainly overindulges all types of travellers, offering them an experience of a lifetime.
Besides being equally famed for its spellbinding coast, as it borders the Tyrrhenian Sea, Tuscany is also a popular part of Italy with a superb wine-making culture and delicious gastronomy. What is even more alluring about this incredibly attractive all-year Mediterranean destination is the fact that it can fit all tastes, requirements, likes, and budgets, as you are about to find out!
Average cost for Tuscany holidays
According to Budget Your Trip website, the average traveller should plan to spend around €152 ($166) daily, which includes €18 ($20) on local transportation (taxis, buses, etc) and €37 ($40) on meals. Regarding accommodation, prices vary significantly, depending on the season, the duration of your stay, and the total number of guests. For example, the average daily hotel price for a couple in Tuscany is €177 ($192), which can go down if you visit Tuscany for more than a week. Or you might want to opt for a luxury villa rental, which can be surprisingly cheap, especially if you are visiting the region with a larger group of friends or family members. In this case, we have found luxury villas at KinglikeConcierge’s collection starting at around 650 euros per night for an elegant mansion that can sleep up to 10 guests.
Of course, services like private transfers and activities like cooking classes and wine-tasting tours will increase the average transportation and dining spending. As for entertainment, the average daily cost (per person) is nearly €25 ($27), including admission fees to attractions, museums, and other sightseeing-related charges.
Needless to say, opting for a semi-private or private experience can increase these daily expenses by two or three times. Finally, tipping (usually around 5-15% of the bill) and alcohol are both costs that result in an extra €23 per day, always depending on how much you consume, of course!
Travelling to Tuscany on a budget
Tuscany has a fascinating duality that charms with both art and architecture-drenched cities, such as Florence, Pisa, and Siena, and lands dotted with scenic villages, vineyards, olive groves, and verdant valleys.
For wine-tasting experiences, the regions of Chianti and Montepulciano are ideal options as well. Budget-conscious travellers can consider booking accommodation in the outskirts of major Tuscany cities, such as the little village of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, which offer cheap hostels, rooms to let, and even rustic farmstays. These often come with perks like a garden with BBQ and easy/affordable access to popular landmarks and local attractions via public transportation, which makes them an ideal base for your Tuscany explorations.
Depending on the selected accommodation option, you might also be provided with breakfast, which is a somewhat rare find in the Tuscany hotels located in more central and populous Tuscany cities. Furthermore, if you look around, chances are you will be pleasantly surprised to discover lovely pizza houses and bars with extremely inviting prices for food and drinks.
Add to all these the numerous hiking and cycling trails snaking through historic villages and the heart-stopping Tuscan landscape that enhance any experience. However, if visiting museums and galleries is an important component of your escape, then you should expect a significant increase in your spending as tickets cost quite a lot in Florence and Pisa.
VIP Tuscany Endeavours for Luxury Travellers
Even the most discerning top-tier luxury-seeking travellers, along with the international jet set and the world’s most rich and famous, admit having found their dreamy match in Tuscany. No wonder, though, as Tuscany can, indeed, provide all the means to satisfy the VIP needs of every type of visitor.
Dining taken to a new dimension
Take dining, for starters. Tuscany’s gastronomy scene is literally unsurpassed, featuring more than 35 Michelin-star (from one to three Michelin star ratings) restaurants offering delicious gourmet dining experiences. Among the top choices are Enoteca Pinchiorri (Florence), Bracali (Chirlanda, Maremma), Caino (Montemerano), Piccolo Principe (Viareggio, Versilia), and Arnolfo (Colle Val D’Elsa, Siena), all renowned for their supreme wine list and mouth-watering cuisine.
Luxury accommodation in Tuscany
Concerning one’s sleeping arrangements, Tuscany is home to some of the finest and most elegant hospitality establishments that provide unmatched luxury and guest satisfaction through various services and facilities. Meeting guests’ needs for utmost privacy, exclusivity, stylish amenities, and comfort, the offered lodging options include anything from posh and chic downtown hotels like JK Place (Florence) and Borgo Santo Pietro (San Galgano) to polished mansions, villas, and rural retreats sitting on the fringes of Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, and other popular Tuscan destinations.
Besides the long list of offered VIP facilities and amenities, including swimming pool, BBQ, ample dining and seating space, and even amenities like a private lake, spa, and tennis court, they also impress with their extra services, complementary or concierge. From a private chef and personal trainer to baby-sitting and private tours, there is actually no cap when it comes to what you can desire and ask for.. However, if you don’t have the money on hand for this luxury experience, you should check out Cozycozy, the search engine that allows you to compare the full range of accommodation options from hotels, and vacation rentals to even tree houses and much more.
Boutique shopping in Tuscany
Versilia is a top shopping destination in Tuscany for boutique shoppers and sophisticated, selective patrons. For an exclusive stock of pieces from world-renowned fashion labels, Fiacchini Boutique is an iconic option in Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi. Considered a high-end shopping mecca by both international travellers and wealthy Italians, Forte dei Marmi is also home to several niche boutiques and the widest range of household name fashion labels.
Spa and self-care in Tuscany
Tuscany is adorned with many historic wellness centres, spa towns, and thermal baths, including the voguish Terme di Montecatini complex, which please every need for self-pampering. From hot tub soaks to all sorts of relaxing and rejuvenating massages, expect experiences that dive into centuries-old wellness traditions, accompanied by tasteful and refined Romanesque architecture and healing, Roman-era waters. Basking in luxury is also a venture worth experiencing in popular spots like Saturnia, Bagno Vignoni, and San Casciano dei Bagni, especially if you are after more peaceful and uninterrupted me-time.
No matter the inclination a traveller may have, visiting Tuscany will, rightfully, feel like a dream fulfilment.
