Hilltop villages, farmers museum & picnic at the temple
Day Tours & Activities THE RURAL VILLAGES AND THEIR CHARACTERS
Why is Tuscany so beautifully spotted with charming farmhouses and picturesque hilltop villages? Our guided tour gives you the answers! Learn how centuries of agricultural planning created the most beautiful region of Italy! Meet the fantastic people who live in Palaia and Montefoscoli and experience a fantastic way of life.
The historical Palaia
Palaia is a small village on a hill that dominates the whole district of the former Pisan domains. From the “fortezza”, a bare hilltop where a fortress used to be, you can easily see the leaning tower in bright days as well as the charming Volterra and San Miniato. A walk through Palaia allows you to experience the atmosphere of small villages in Italy, one of the most important elements of the “Italian way of life”.
The views and the farming museum of Montefoscoli
The tour guide brings you to the charming village of Montefoscoli, a fantastic location where time seems to have stopped to centuries ago. Here you will visit a very interesting museum dedicated to the local farming culture in the historical palace of the local landlords. The museum shows all aspects of the farmers life and the development of the village from a rural community to our days. The visit to Montefoscoli ends at the hilltop in front of the church where the views over the valley and over Pisa are breathtaking!
The temple of Minerva & picnic
The final destination of this tour is the former Masonic Temple Minerva Medica, located on the private estate of the noble Vaccà Berlinghieri family in Montefoscoli. This truly original construction, rich in symbolic meaning, stands in the heart of an enchanting woodland of ancient oak trees.
Built in the early 1800s, this hidden gem tells stories of noble families, poets, scientists, and even reveals a fascinating connection to the world of Frankenstein!
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the olive grove, where you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the majestic Pisan hills before your picnic lunch.
Savor a relaxing rustic picnic curated by our local cook and prepared with seasonal ingredients. From fresh vegetables to pasta, panini, and flavorful frittatas, each bite offers a true taste of Tuscany.
A tasting of white and red wines from the estate, along with their delicious olive oil, provides the perfect conclusion to this authentic experience in rural Tuscany.
What you tasteThis is a list of specialties that you are likely to sample as part of the program of this tour. Please, note that the specialties of the tasting session and/or lunch may vary according to the season and the availability of the products in the day of the tour.
In our tour we like showing you places off the beaten track and introducing you to Tuscan people with their personal stories, careers and characters. You will have one of our guides with your party during the whole tour. Please, see below all the guides who can be with you. During this experience you can also meet some of the Tuscan friends involved in the events. Please, see below which friends you are likely to encounter.
The total rate for this activity varies according to the number of people in your party.
Check rates in the table below.
|
Hilltop villages, farmers museum & picnic at the temple – RATES 2026 – |
|
|---|---|
| NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY | TOTAL RATE |
| 2 persons | € 490 |
| 3 persons | € 540 |
| 4 persons | € 590 |
| 5 persons | € 640 |
| 6 persons | € 690 |
| 7 persons | € 740 |
| 8 persons | € 790 |
| Extra Adult | € 50 |
| Extra Teenager & Kids | € 30 |
Rates include
- A tour guide for the whole tour
- A guided visit to Palaia
- A guided visit to the farmers museum in Montefoscoli
- A stop at the masonry temple of Minerva Medica
- A pick nick with Tuscan specialties in the oakwood of the temple or at the farm according to weather conditions
- Wine from the farm
- Taxes
Rates do NOT include
- Transportation
- Tips to the staff. Not included, not obligatory but very much appreciated
Transportation is not included in the rates above. For more info on transportation, please see the box "Transportation options".
This tour includes some stairs, and a few more challenging stretches. If you have any accessibility needs — whether mobility-related, sensory, cognitive, or any other requirements — please let us know in advance and we will do our best to adapt the itinerary for you.
LOCATION OF ATTRACTIONS:
This tour takes place in the rural area of Palaia, between Pisa and Volterra.
MEET-UP LOCATION:
Unless differently specified, the tour guide meets you at a meeting point near Palaia.
DURATION:
This program takes 4 hours. Time for transportation not included.
AVAILABILITY:
Available all year through, from Mondays through Saturdays.
LANGUAGE:
This tour is available in English, French or Italian with no surcharge. For German, Spanish or Russian a surcharge applies.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Easy
CHILD FRIENDLY:
Ideal for children
CLOTHING:
No particular clothing required.
TRANSPORTATION:
This program and its rates do not include transportation and are set on a self-driving base. For further information see the box "transportation options".
The destinations reached during this activity are in the Tuscan countryside, in areas off the beaten track that cannot be reached by public transport. We highly recommend renting a car or a scooter in order to reach them. As an alternative, we can offer a valued service by chauffeured car, van or minibus. Any cost of transportation is to be added to the rates displayed on the rate table of this page.
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