SECRETS
of Florence and Tuscany
Where can you have the best coffee in Italy, served in former monastic quarters? What's hidden behind a particular painting in a historic Florentine palace? Where can you find a unique outdoor market in a small Tuscan town? Find out the answers to these questions and more on SECRETS OF FLORENCE AND TUSCANY in the summer of 2026!
We'll spend seven nights at a lovely four-star hotel in the center of Florence, Tuscany's capital. With day trips exploring some of the most beautiful places in the region, plus many intriguing and delightful experiences in Florence itself, join us and fall in love with Tuscany.
Highlights include:
We'll spend seven nights at a lovely four-star hotel in the center of Florence, Tuscany's capital. With day trips exploring some of the most beautiful places in the region, plus many intriguing and delightful experiences in Florence itself, join us and fall in love with Tuscany.
Highlights include:
- Behind-the-scenes access to historic sights in Florence
- Day trips to charming Tuscan villages, including a walled medieval town
- Multiple wine tastings, including a visit to a winery in the Tuscan countryside
- And of course, you'll get to see Florence's not-so-secret sights as well, including a museum visit to view Michelangelo's David and a chance to explore the majestic Duomo
Our Hotel
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Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni is the perfect hotel for a trip themed around the best-kept secrets of Tuscany. This four-star hotel in the heart of Florence is a family-run property with only 24 rooms... in a medieval tower and connected historic palazzo! Sleep somewhere steeped in Florentine history, yet with all the modern comforts you need.
It has beautiful, comfortable rooms, a fabulous breakfast, and a rooftop bar with a breathtaking view of the city that will quickly become your favorite place. |
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We'll be staying in the stunning Deluxe Rooms, but (for the first time on a Leaping Hound group trip) you'll have the option to choose one of a limited number of upgraded rooms, like the Grand Deluxe with its private terrace, the Library Junior Suite with its impressive collection of books on Florence, or the relaxing Hammam (Turkish Bath) Suite with its jacuzzi and sun loungers. More info about those upgrades (cost, availability, etc.) are provided in the "Price and Payment Schedule" section below.
What's Included:
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What's Not Included:
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Itinerary Details
(subject to change or adjustment based on site availability)
Sunday, May 31: You'll have a private transfer to the hotel from Florence's airport or train station when you arrive. Then, join us this evening for a welcome reception at the hotel's stunning rooftop bar!
Monday, June 1: We'll take a day trip to Lucca, a city famed for its medieval walls, and whose origins date to the Etruscans (the pre-Roman society from which the region of Tuscany draws its name!). After a walking tour of some of the city's key sights, you'll have free time to explore Lucca at your leisure and to grab lunch before we embark on our first wine tasting event!
Tuesday, June 2: Start the day with coffee and pastry at an award-winning Florentine roastery, then head out on a walking tour of Florence. The tour will conclude at the Accademia, where our guide will give us an overview of the gallery's most important works, including, of course, Michelangelo's David! After that busy morning, we'll get together again later in the day for a more low-key activity--a wine tasting event at a local wine bar!
Wednesday, June 3: See the famous artworks of the Uffizi Gallery, traverse a secret corridor across an iconic Florentine landmark, and a visit a shop run by a centuries-old order of monks ... and we haven't even mentioned enjoying the unparalleled view of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo!
Thursday, June 4: Between visits to the beautiful and historic towns of Siena and San Gimignano, we'll spend time at a rural Tuscan winery, where we'll enjoy lunch and a wine tasting!
Friday, June 5: Two of Florence's unmistakable buildings, the Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio, have been in view pretty much all week, and today is your chance to visit these medieval structures! You'll be able to go inside the Duomo itself as well as visit the adjacent sights on the plaza: the Duomo's museum, baptistery, and bell tower. Your visit to the Palazzo Vecchio, meanwhile, will include a guided tour of areas not accessible to the general public--one of Florence's great secrets, indeed!
Saturday, June 6: After a morning outing to browse and shop at Italy's largest and longest-running Antiques Fair (held only one weekend each month!), our afternoon will include drinks and hors d'oeuvres at our farewell reception.
Sunday, June 7: All good things must come to an end. Liz and Adam will be on hand to help you as you check out from the hotel and get ready for your flight or train to your next destination!
Monday, June 1: We'll take a day trip to Lucca, a city famed for its medieval walls, and whose origins date to the Etruscans (the pre-Roman society from which the region of Tuscany draws its name!). After a walking tour of some of the city's key sights, you'll have free time to explore Lucca at your leisure and to grab lunch before we embark on our first wine tasting event!
Tuesday, June 2: Start the day with coffee and pastry at an award-winning Florentine roastery, then head out on a walking tour of Florence. The tour will conclude at the Accademia, where our guide will give us an overview of the gallery's most important works, including, of course, Michelangelo's David! After that busy morning, we'll get together again later in the day for a more low-key activity--a wine tasting event at a local wine bar!
Wednesday, June 3: See the famous artworks of the Uffizi Gallery, traverse a secret corridor across an iconic Florentine landmark, and a visit a shop run by a centuries-old order of monks ... and we haven't even mentioned enjoying the unparalleled view of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo!
Thursday, June 4: Between visits to the beautiful and historic towns of Siena and San Gimignano, we'll spend time at a rural Tuscan winery, where we'll enjoy lunch and a wine tasting!
Friday, June 5: Two of Florence's unmistakable buildings, the Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio, have been in view pretty much all week, and today is your chance to visit these medieval structures! You'll be able to go inside the Duomo itself as well as visit the adjacent sights on the plaza: the Duomo's museum, baptistery, and bell tower. Your visit to the Palazzo Vecchio, meanwhile, will include a guided tour of areas not accessible to the general public--one of Florence's great secrets, indeed!
Saturday, June 6: After a morning outing to browse and shop at Italy's largest and longest-running Antiques Fair (held only one weekend each month!), our afternoon will include drinks and hors d'oeuvres at our farewell reception.
Sunday, June 7: All good things must come to an end. Liz and Adam will be on hand to help you as you check out from the hotel and get ready for your flight or train to your next destination!
Price and Payment Schedule
SPECIAL LAUNCH PRICE
available August 15 - 24, 2025
Shared room (per person): $4340
Single room: $5090
available August 15 - 24, 2025
Shared room (per person): $4340
Single room: $5090
STANDARD PRICE
available until February 15, 2026
Shared room (per person): $4990
Single room: $5740
available until February 15, 2026
Shared room (per person): $4990
Single room: $5740
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
- $295 non-refundable deposit at the time of registration ($345 if selecting an upgraded room)
- Remaining balance due February 15, 2026
CANCELLATION POLICY
Your deposit is non-refundable. All other payments are refundable through February 15, 2026, minus a 4% fee. No refunds will be issued after February 15, 2026.
We ask all of our group tour travelers to purchase travel insurance. If you have to cancel after February 15, 2026, your travel insurance policy may be able to provide reimbursement.
Your deposit is non-refundable. All other payments are refundable through February 15, 2026, minus a 4% fee. No refunds will be issued after February 15, 2026.
We ask all of our group tour travelers to purchase travel insurance. If you have to cancel after February 15, 2026, your travel insurance policy may be able to provide reimbursement.
UPGRADED ROOM OPTIONS
We have a limited number of upgraded rooms available! Explore these enchanting options below.
LIBRARY JUNIOR SUITE (1 remaining)
The Library Rooms are furnished with wall-to-wall libraries with period volumes and literature on Florence. The rooms offer spacious bathrooms in red Alcantara or white marble with bathtub and rain shower. The windows offer views of Piazza Santa Trinita and Palazzo Feroni Spini or the Arno.
An additional $125 per night. The Library Junior Suite can be arranged to have one king bed or two single beds.
SOLD OUT - GRAND DELUXE ROOM
The exclusive jasmine-perfumed private terraces and sweeping views of Monte Morello and the Appenines characterize these splendid rooms in the Medieval Tower.
An additional $75 per night. The Grand Deluxe rooms can be arranged to have one king bed or two single beds.
SOLD OUT - TURKISH BATH (HAMMAM) SUITE
This room is designed for those wanting relaxation. Its wellness area includes a double jacuzzi, Turkish bath for two persons and two sun loungers. The frescoed walls, the headboard inspired by the church of Santo Spirito, and the view of the river and the Ponte Vecchio fill the atmosphere with charm.
An additional $150 per night. The Hammam Suite can be arranged to have one king bed or two single beds.
Choose an upgraded room as an add-on when you register! The upgraded rooms are first come, first served, and require an additional $50 non-refundable deposit (not an additional cost beyond the prices mentioned above in the room description, just a larger deposit).
We have a limited number of upgraded rooms available! Explore these enchanting options below.
LIBRARY JUNIOR SUITE (1 remaining)
The Library Rooms are furnished with wall-to-wall libraries with period volumes and literature on Florence. The rooms offer spacious bathrooms in red Alcantara or white marble with bathtub and rain shower. The windows offer views of Piazza Santa Trinita and Palazzo Feroni Spini or the Arno.
An additional $125 per night. The Library Junior Suite can be arranged to have one king bed or two single beds.
SOLD OUT - GRAND DELUXE ROOM
The exclusive jasmine-perfumed private terraces and sweeping views of Monte Morello and the Appenines characterize these splendid rooms in the Medieval Tower.
An additional $75 per night. The Grand Deluxe rooms can be arranged to have one king bed or two single beds.
SOLD OUT - TURKISH BATH (HAMMAM) SUITE
This room is designed for those wanting relaxation. Its wellness area includes a double jacuzzi, Turkish bath for two persons and two sun loungers. The frescoed walls, the headboard inspired by the church of Santo Spirito, and the view of the river and the Ponte Vecchio fill the atmosphere with charm.
An additional $150 per night. The Hammam Suite can be arranged to have one king bed or two single beds.
Choose an upgraded room as an add-on when you register! The upgraded rooms are first come, first served, and require an additional $50 non-refundable deposit (not an additional cost beyond the prices mentioned above in the room description, just a larger deposit).
No enormous tour buses packed full of people will be found here!
Trips are limited to a maximum of 20 people.
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Vegan? Gluten free? Halal? Kosher? If you have any special dietary needs, just let us know--we will make sure the group meals accommodate your needs, and we'll be happy to help you research your options for your independent, individual meals, too.
Questions about accessibility? Though our group trips are designed for the moderately active, with a fair amount of walking, we are happy to work with you in advance and discuss the possibility of alternate arrangements if you need them. (And of course, we are also happy to work with you to create custom individual vacations for any level of mobility.) Need more time in Europe? Want to extend your stay? If you are interested in adding days to your trip on either end, we would be happy to arrange and book things for you, for no additional service fee. |
At Leaping Hound Travel we strongly believe in a world that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. We are committed to supporting BIPOC, trans, and queer travelers. We donate a portion of our profits to organizations such as Black Lives Matter, we research the safety and security of potential travel destinations, and we partner with minority-owned businesses whenever possible.
