Secure your spot on the trip and book now by paying your deposit of USD 1500$/person. Contact us if you wish to be added on the waiting list instead.
Tuscany instantly brings to mind images of medieval walled towns perched atop rolling hills, surrounded by vineyards and winding roads flanked by Cypress trees, the always-fresh and delicious food, and, of course, the wine… oh the wine…
We’re taking over a 100% vegan Tuscan Agrivilla and making it our home for 8 days and 7 nights. Nestled among the rolling hills of the historic town of San Gimignano, and created with an environmental emphasis on zero-waste, no plastic and sustainable sources of energy, it’s the perfect springboard to dive into this gorgeous part of Italy each day.
The I Pini Vegan Agrivilla is a 100% plant-based accommodation nestled among the rolling hills of the historic town of San Gimignano, surrounded by pines, vineyards, olive groves and permacultural gardens. With breezy rooms, a gorgeous saltwater pool, a vegan chef & kitchen and plenty of wine to go around, it’s the perfect place to come home to after a long day of sightseeing. We’ll be having all our dinners here, as well as a few lunches and snacks.
Check out the photos below, and this video that gives you a good sense of what life is like on this trip!
All aspects of the Tuscany vegan trip were wonderful. The accommodations, food, wine and other beverages, tour leaders, sightseeing, tours to nearby places of interest with local guides, transports, and fellow vegan travelers in the group – none of whom we previously knew – all were just fantastic. There is no detail we would change. We highly recommend this tour if you are vegan or vegan curious, and interested in experiencing the sights and cuisine of wonderful Tuscany, led by fun, knowledgeable, and well organized tour leaders – all for a reasonable price. Colleen, David, Brighde, and Seb are all tops and fast became friends. They anticipated every need, no matter how small, which helped to maximize our enjoyment. We would trust them as leaders on any trip to Italy or elsewhere.
This was the most amazing trip of my life! I cannot believe all the activities they provided to us. And do not even get me started on all the amazingly delicious vegan food! Everything was so well organized and planned – I literally did not have to worry or think about a single detail during this entire trip. The guides (Brighde, Seb, Colleen, and David) were not only amazing hosts, but also truly fantastic and caring human beings. In addition to the guides, I met so many wonderful human beings on this trip and have formed some truly fulfilling friendships with fellow vegans that I hope will last a lifetime. If I could only use one word to describe this trip and my experience it would be EPIC. I cannot travel/vacation any other way unless it is a World Vegan Travel and/or a Joyful Vegan Trip!! I loved my experience so much that I am booked and going on their 2024 Japan trip!! I cannot wait to see Brighde, Seb, Colleen, and David again and to meet more new travel companions. I am positive that every trip that I go on with World Vegan Travel / Joyful Vegan in the future is always going to be EPIC and I cannot wait! Trust me when I say – you cannot and will not go wrong booking a trip with World Vegan Travel! 😀
Traveling under the guidance of Colleen, David, Brighde, and Sebastian of Joyful Vegan and World Vegan Travel was an outstanding experience. The attention to detail, individual attention, and unforgettable bespoke vegan meals were beyond all expectations! Thank you for a dream come true and a lifetime of memories. Sincerely,
This was the most amazing trip! The food was amazing and the villa was incredibly tranquil. All of the trips and experiences were incredibly well planned with each excursion building upon the last. No effort was needed on our part, we were able to relax fully and enjoy the trips. Seb and Bridhde had every nuance covered, they are amazing guides while also making us all feel completely active as part of the group. Colleen created an informed space for amazing discussions. And David was amazingly supportive. I highly recommend any of the Joyful Vegan Tours and any tours offered by World Vegan Travel!
USD 7,495$/person in a shared room
EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL PRICE = USD 6,995$/person (500$ off!)
USD 1000$/person; Limited supply. Book quickly!
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau meet your host!
14-20 travelers
Florence, Italy
Bookings open – trip not yet confirmed
The deadline to confirm = December 15th, 2025
Please note that the itinerary is subject to change as things sometimes change, places close down, or we find a better restaurant or activity. If we need to change anything, it will be only for the betterment of the trip!
We will be meeting at a location in Florence in the early afternoon (the exact time and place will be shared with our travelers before the trip, of course!) for a quick trip briefing and all-around introductions of your fellow travelers.
After a trip briefing, introductions and a toast to our upcoming adventures, we board our bus for the 1-hour drive to our accommodation for the next 7 nights, the Agrivilla I Pini, a 100% vegan hotel tucked in the hills behind medieval San Gimignano.
After check-in, we’ll have time to get to know each other better over some drinks and snacks. before dinner is served at around 7pm.
We will spend our first morning in Tuscany discovering our own home, with a farm tour & tasting given by the owners. We will be guided through their unique Tuscan terroir and agricultural traditions. They will share their insights on sustainable, natural and vegan olive oil and wine making. The tour is followed by an olive oil and wine tasting and paired with plant-based, garden-to-table appetizers freshly prepared by their chefs.
After lunch, we’ll board our bus and head over to the grand dame of hilltowns: Siena!
This medieval city was a proud, wealthy and independent city-state during the Middle Ages and very much Florence’s rival. Today it’s one of the best “hill towns” in Tuscany, with history, sites and plenty of pedestrian-only alleyways in which to wander and explore. We’ll enjoy a guided walking tour with our local guide, who will show us around this amazing city, or you are free to explore on your own.
Of course, a visit to Siena is not complete without an aperitivo on one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares, the Piazza del Campo. We’ll enjoy a glass of wine or Aperol Spritz while admiring the beautiful architecture surrounding us.
We then board our bus for the 45-minute drive back to our villa, where we’ll have time to freshen up before dinner.
After yesterday’s long drives, we’ll take things a bit easier today and spend a quiet morning at our villa.
We will begin with a Talk By Colleen in a quiet area of the villa, which you won’t want to miss.
Follogin this, we’ll drive to romantic Volterra (45mins), one of the region’s gems and often underrated! Offering some of the best sightseeing in Tuscany, Volterra is rich in history, from its Etruscan roots (2000 years ago!) to being absorbed into the Roman Empire (ruins of a theater still survive, and just a year ago they discovered the long-forgotten amphitheater!) and onwards to being an independent city. Today it offers lots of things to the tourists but without the usual crowds we often see in other Tuscan towns.
After lunch at a local vegan restaurant — that just happens to be built atop some etruscan ruins!! — we’ll meet our guide for the day and enjoy a walking tour of this ancient town. We will also have plenty of free time for you to wander its small cobblestone streets, try several gelato flavors or shop for that perfect Tuscan souvenir.
Our villa is only 45 minutes away, where dinner awaits!
Today we head off on a road trip to the nearby gorgeous Val D’Orcia. For many, this is what they imagine when they think about Tuscany: rolling green vistas, windy roads, hill towns, medieval villages and castles.
We start with a scenic 1h30 drive to the small town of Pienza. Set on a crest with marvelous views of the Tuscan countryside beneath it, this small town punches above its weight class with an impressive Renaissance town square, and one lovely lane to explore after another. No guide is needed here. Instead, the charm lies in wandering the small alleyways of the town and filling up your camera’s storage space!
We then get back on the bus and drive just for about 30 minutes to visit a beautiful local animal sanctuary. We’ll first have lunch al-fresco Tuscan family style, before walking over with owner and absolute hero, Ludovica, to visit with the resident animals and learn about their stories and the inner-working of the refuge. This should provide for a memorable and relaxing afternoon in Tuscany!
We’ll then drive back for 1.5hrs to the villa, where we’ll one again arrive with some time to freshen up before another delicious dinner.
This is a wine region so that means we MUST visit a winery, right? This morning we’ll board our bus for the ~1.5hrs drive to Villa S. Anna Winery. This winery is part of a larger property owned for about 200 years by the current owner’s family, and is situated on the hills around the town of Montepulciano, renowned for its fine wines (which we will visit later today!). They are very proud that their wine is 100% vegan, with no animal products used during the wine-making process.
Furthermore, this is a rare women-led winery. Run by Simona Ruggeri Fabroni and her two daughters, this all-women team brings passion and expertise to every bottle. In an industry traditionally dominated by men, their leadership is both refreshing and inspiring.
After a tour of the winery, we’ll sit down for a tasting! You will get to enjoy the following award-winning wines: Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and a Selection of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.
We’ll then board our bus for the 1.5hrs drive back to the villa, arriving around 5:30pm, just in time for a cooking demo from Colleen herself, before dinner at 7:30pm.
Today we head off further abroad, starting with 1h15 drive to Pisa. We’ll visit the historical city center before heading to the Square of Miracles, home to the world-famous leaning tower where you’ll have the chance to climb its 293 steps!
The drive back to the villa will take about 1.5hrs, and we’ll arrive in time for you to have a bit of free time to freshen up before dinner is served at around 7pm.
Today’s our last day together, and we’ll make the best of it!
We will start today with a visit to medieval Monterrigioni, a small walled town that’s perfectly preserved and fun to explore. You then have the choice to do a 2-hour hike on the Via francegina, or meet with today’s lunch chef for a bit of foraging!
Lunch will be at a nearby villa owned by the Borghesi family.
We should be back at the villa in mid-afternoon for some time to rest or use the pool.
This will lead us to dinner: wood-oven pizza party! This is our last dinner together so we will toast to our adventures and to the next ones!
Today is sadly our departure day. After breakfast we will pack our things and board our bus for our return to Florence. You can choose to be dropped off at the train station or the airport, before continuing on with your travels.
For ongoing travel, the earliest times you should be aiming for are:
We expect this trip to sell out quickly so ensure your spot on the trip and sign up early by paying the sign-up fee per person.
The sign-up fee is non-refundable under any conditions UNLESS the trip is not confirmed by the deadline (see TRIP INFO). Please carefully read our cancellation policy section for more information.
In order to sign up, fill in the form on this page. Any problems or questions? Email us!
If you are signing up as a single, do so quickly! We have limited single rooms. Please read our single travelers section for more information and the single supplement cost.
Please note that signing up before the deadline does not guarantee the trip will run as this depends on having the necessary minimum of participants.
SINGLE ROOMS are available but subject to a SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (details in the pricing section). Please note that there is limited availability for single rooms (currently only 2).
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Following the sign-up fee (PAYMENT #1), the remaining balance will be due in 2 installments:
We can work with you on a payment plan: pay your trip in the usual 2 installments, or opt for several. Contact us to discuss what works best for you!
PAYMENT METHODS
We currently accept CREDIT CARDS PAYMENTS and DIRECT BANK TRANSFERS for the following currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD and AUD.
EXTRA PAYMENT FEES
Online Bank Payment: for the above currencies, we do not charge a fee for this, although your bank may do so. Please inquire with them directly.
Credit card payment: the following fees will be added to the total:
Since our trips are highly catered and made of activities that need a lot of planning and organization, all payments (the initial sign-up fee, 50% deposit and final payment) are all non-refundable. This is because we must forward payments for accommodation, transportation, suppliers, etc. very early on, in order to privatize our accommodation, activities and our meals.
To see our booking terms and conditions you can click here. You will find the cancellation policy in section 9 and 10.
TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE – MANDATORY
All travelers must have travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation. It is also prudent to purchase insurance to cover more. To learn more about buying insurance for a World Vegan Travel trip, read this blog post.
ITINERARY
The itinerary is therefore subject to change, especially if we find an experience that we believe would make the trip even better.
DIET RESTRICTION & ALLERGIES
If you have any specific dietary needs or food preferences, we kindly ask you to contact Brighde at [email protected] before finalizing your booking. Please provide her with detailed information about your dietary needs or preferences, and ensure you receive a written response from Brighde before finalizing your trip booking. Your cooperation and understanding in this matter are greatly appreciated.
Please note that any additional requests made after the booking has been completed might not be able to be accommodated.
We do realize our prices seem high. However, when compared to many other tours to the region, we are actually comparatively priced when you take into account that our trips include all meals (and vegan to boot!) and drinks, all the tips for drivers and local guides, and many other extras like a amenities/essentials bag, a free laundry day, the support of 2 full time tour leaders (most tours have only one), and, finally, the chance to travel with author and animal advocate Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.
It’s also worth noting that there aren’t many 100% fully vegan tours to Tuscany. Veganism is still somewhat of a new concept in Italy, despite their cuisine being very vegetarian-friendly at its base. Our trip cost does factor in the lengthy and hard work done with all our hotels, restaurants and local partners in educating and preparing them for our visit (meals, advocacy, toiletries, etc), which is far beyond any tasks that other tour companies are faced with. This work begins several months before the trip, and approaches full-time hours around 2-3 months prior to the trip’s start date.
We also realize that for many, these types of trips are something they’ve dreamed about for many years. As such, we’ve constructed an itinerary that will make this trip truly memorable in regards to our accommodation, meals, and choice of activities.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is a recognized expert and thought leader on the culinary, social, ethical, and practical aspects of living vegan, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is an award-winning author of six books. She is an acclaimed speaker and beloved host of the inspiring podcast, “Food for Thought,” which was voted Favorite Podcast by VegNews magazine readers several years in a row!
Her compassionate living philosophy is propelling plant-based eating into the mainstream and forever changing how we regard animals.
Colleen, her husband David and World Vegan Travel work closely together to create these trips which are specifically curated by Colleen to ensure the high quality that she has come to be known for. All trips include activities and dedicated time with Colleen, such as Q&A session, round-table discussions, sharing, and more.
Absolutely! We have many people on our trip that sign up as solo travelers. However do note that single rooms availability is low, so book quickly! Please see our COST & SIGN-UP section for more information.
Should you still be on the waiting list when the trip closes and gets confirmed, we may be able to offer you a single room (depending on availability).
You are in charge of your own transportation — whether it be flights, train, bus, car, etc. — to our starting city, and your return transportation from our departure city.
For your arrival, we ask that you try and arrive early on the first day, as our first meeting tends to be around noon. This exact time and place will be confirmed at a later date, but do plan ahead adequately to leave you enough time to get to our meeting place by that time. Even better is arriving one or more days before. This would provide you with a chance to take care of jet-lag and visit the town.
Please note that your transportation to our first meeting point is not included.
VISAS
For citizens of western countries (ie USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc), no visas are necessary to enter Japan. For other nationalities, please check to make sure what you need to enter Japan.
TRAVEL/MEDICAL INSURANCE
Medical travel insurance is mandatory on our trip. We need to have assurances that you are fully covered in the event of a medical emergency, including repatriation. You will need to send us your policy details and emergency contact number before the trip’s start date.
Trip Insurance (trip cancellation, lost baggage, etc.), on the other hand, is entirely up to you, though we highly recommend purchasing it. It often comes packaged along with medical travel insurance, or you may get coverage simply by paying for the trip using a credit card (inquire with your card supplier). To learn more about buying travel insurance for a World Vegan Travel trip, read our blog post here.
As we are not a travel agency or booking agents, we can’t book any flights or ongoing travel (ie hotels, transportation, etc) for you. However we can surely help with recommendations, suggestions and tips as you look into flights, or extending your holiday. It never hurts to ask, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any queries whatsoever!
In general, June is an excellent time of year to visit Tuscany, with slightly fewer crowds than the next few weeks/months will bring, and milder temperatures.
Travelers will find very comfortable temperatures for sightseeing, exploring the countryside and engaging in outdoor activities. Days remain warm and sunny, with temperatures starting from a minimum of 25°C (77°F) and going up from there.
While we don’t have a luggage restriction on this trip, we recommend you not to bring more than 1 suitcase per person. You will need to carry your bags only from the bus to the hotel twice (plus the trip to our meeting place) but you should still make sure you can lift it by yourself (ie it’s not too heavy).
We do have one free laundry included on the trip, so hopefully this can help in not over-packing. Laundry will also be available on other days at a fee.
In terms of clothing, it’s a good idea to bring some summer garb, such as shorts, t-shirts, light dresses, light cotton pants, etc. Also bring a swimsuit as our villa has a pool. A hat is a good idea to block off the sun.
A sweater or light jacket could be needed for the evening and is a good idea. A rain jacket or a small umbrella could prove useful at this time of year.
Do bring some comfortable, but sturdy, shoes, as we have many walking tours and hiking opportunities. You probably don’t need rugged hiking boots. Hiking shoes or runners with decent grip should do the trick.
You can always bring a 2nd set of comfy shoes/loafers to wear in the evening, for dinner and also afterwards when we’re relaxing with a nightcap.
We will be sending an info packet several weeks before the trip that will include, amongst other bits of information, a packing list.
If you are coming from outside of Europe, then yes, your mobile phone should work, but do check with your carrier to make sure. It is highly recommended to turn off global roaming unless you carrier can offer you a package for your stay in Italy. Otherwise you risk being charged exorbitant fees upon you return home!
If you are a UK or other European citizen, your phone should work as usual as Europe no longer has borders when it comes to mobile phone usage. However do check with your carrier to ensure your package qualifies.
If your phone is unlocked (please check with your carrier directly) you can also purchase a local Italian SIM Card when you arrive in the country (usually sold at airports). You can sometimes find SIM cards on Amazon; for example the Orange Holiday Europe prepaid SIM card.
Our villa does have WIFI but it is quite limited. It may not work in some rooms, but it’s pretty stable in the public areas. Having your own phone with a data plan is definitely recommended.
We will have WIFI on-board our coaches. The connection speeds may vary, as will the connection itself.
We provide all accommodation, transportation and meals. All expenses during our included activities are taken care of, including tips for guides and drivers.
You will then only need cash for extra purchases such as souvenirs, extra drinks outside of what’s included, extra snacks, etc. There are ATMs in every town and credit cards are accepted in most places. This mostly means Visa and MasterCard, with American Express having quite a lower acceptance rate outside of hotels and higher-end restaurants.
The tour leaders will be carrying extra cash. If you decide to go on an optional activity at the last minute but don’t have enough money, we will be able to help you out and you can simply pay us back when we find an ATM.
For drinks during meals: we have a limited amount of alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) per meal. Any extra drinks on top of what’s provided will require you to pay the suppliers (ie hotel, restaurant) directly. We will make it very clear how much is included before each meal.
Tipping hotel and restaurant staff is not necessary and entirely up to you.
If you have any specific dietary needs or food preferences, we kindly ask you to contact Brighde at [email protected] before finalizing your booking. Please provide her with detailed information about your dietary needs or preferences, and ensure you receive a written response from Brighde before finalizing your trip booking. Your cooperation and understanding in this matter are greatly appreciated.
Please note that any additional requests made after the booking has been completed might not be able to be accommodated.
Colleen (and her husband David) is very much another traveler in our group and will be taking the same vehicles and participating in the same activities as the rest of us. You can approach and talk to her at any time, just like anyone else. Having said that, do remember that she will be as tired as everyone after a long day of travel or sightseeing, so we should just be respectful of that as we are of anyone else.
We do have quite a lot of walking activities on this trip, with a fair amount of uphill and downhill walking, since most Italian towns are build on hilltops. A certain amount of physical fitness will provide for a happier trip. Having said you can always opt to skip these visits but this would somewhat dampen your enjoyment of the trip.
Youth above 16 years young are welcome. We are currently not accepting any younger children.
There’s no upper age limit, though do note that there is a fair amount of walking on this trip.
We will provide water, juice, coffee, tea, some cocktails and wine/beer during lunches and all dinners and some activities. We will make it clear what’s included and what’s not. Premium alcoholic drinks (ie expensive cognac, whiskey, champagne, etc) are not included. You can pay for those on the spot or sign it to the room and pay when checking out.
World Vegan Travel and Colleen aim to be a safe place for all LGBTQ travelers. We have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination of any sort.
Generally speaking, Italy is considered a gay-friendly country and public opinion on homosexuality is generally regarded as increasingly culturally liberal. Same-sex civil unions and unregistered cohabitation have been legally recognized since June 2016.