Stargazing in the home of Galileo: Tuscany & Lakes by Camper

In the home of Galileo, discover the stars above Tuscany from the comfort of your campervan

This unique trip brings astronomy to life with a guided private stargazing session right from your campsite. We’ll arrange for a local stargazing expert to meet you under the night sky—complete with telescope, constellation stories, and space science tailored to your group. You’ll also have the chance to visit Florence’s Arcetri Observatory, where Galileo once studied the heavens. This is a journey of wonder, history, and quiet rural charm—ideal for families or couples seeking something different.

Sleep at a tranquil countryside campsite with dark skies and pitch privacy
Enjoy a private astronomy session with telescope and instructor at your van
Visit Galileo’s historic Arcetri Observatory near Florence
Tour the best of Tuscany’s hill towns and extend your route to include the Italian Lakes

Why With-a-Camper?

🌌 Sleep under pristine Tuscan skies with no need to drive post-session

🔭 Host a guided stargazing night right at your pitch

🚐 Flexibility to explore the region at your pace—from vineyards to volcanoes

🍷 Combine astronomy with culinary and cultural experiences on the road

Featured Trip Highlight

Your stargazing experience takes place from a quiet, pitch-separated campsite just south of Florence, where you’ll enjoy unobstructed views and low light pollution. A local stargazing expert will arrive with a professional telescope setup for a 90-minute private star tour—identifying constellations, planets, and galaxies visible that night. During the day, you’ll explore Florence, then travel north to the lakes to complete your Italian slow-travel loop.

Book This Trip

Depending whether you wish to travel with your own van or also rent a vehicle our recommended providers for this trip are:

Campervan rental with IndieCampers from €125/night
Tuscany camp site with Private Astrology Experience - on request

See options for your dates here ⇾⇾⇾

Passion Categories

Italy | Stargazing | Culture | Nature | Slow Travel

Itinerary details

Day 1 – Arrive in Florence & Pick Up Camper
Collect your campervan and begin your journey through the Tuscan countryside. Stop for local groceries and wine, then settle into your peaceful campsite near Tavarnelle, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills.
Drive time: ~1 hr
Day 2 – Stargazing Night
Enjoy a relaxed morning in nature or a short hike nearby. In the evening, your private stargazing experience begins—your local stargazing expert will guide you through the constellations and planets of the night sky using a professional-grade telescope, all from your own camper pitch.
Day 3 – Visit Arcetri Observatory & Explore Florence
Travel into Florence for a visit to the Arcetri Observatory and explore the scientific legacy of Galileo. Afterward, enjoy Renaissance art at the Uffizi or relax with aperitivo in a Florentine piazza.
Drive time: ~45 mins each way
Day 4 – Chianti Region Drive
Head south through Chianti’s scenic wine country. Stop at charming hill towns like Greve or Castellina and enjoy a vineyard lunch or olive oil tasting. Set up camp at a rural farmstay.
Drive time: ~1.5 hrs
Day 5 – Siena & Surroundings
Spend the day in Siena, wandering through its medieval streets, visiting the Duomo, and enjoying local cuisine. In the evening, return to your campsite or try a new one near San Gimignano.
Drive time: ~1 hr
Day 6 – Val d’Orcia Countryside
Drive into the postcard-perfect landscapes of Val d’Orcia, where cypress-lined roads and golden fields surround towns like Pienza and Montalcino. Enjoy wine tasting or simply savour the views.
Drive time: ~1.5 hrs
Day 7 – Transit to Lake Garda
Make your way north to Lake Garda. The drive takes you through changing terrain, from Tuscany’s hills to the northern lakes. Arrive at a lakeside campsite with views over the water.
Drive time: ~4 hrs
Day 8 – Explore the Eastern Shore
Visit Malcesine or Garda town—walk the lakeside promenades, take a cable car to Monte Baldo, or relax with a lakeside lunch. Enjoy swimming or paddleboarding if the season allows.
Day 9 – Ferry & Villages
Take a ferry across Lake Garda to explore the western villages. Consider Limone sul Garda or Sirmione with its castle and Roman ruins. Return to your basecamp or try a new one.
Day 10 – Lake Iseo or Lake Como
Take a scenic detour to a smaller lake—either Lake Iseo or Lake Como. Stop at lesser-known gems like Monte Isola or Bellagio. Camp beside the water and enjoy a final peaceful evening.
Drive time: ~2–3 hrs
Day 11 – Return to Milan or Florence
Return your campervan in either Milan or Florence depending on your route. Enjoy a final Italian breakfast or visit a city museum before your journey home.
Drive time: ~1.5–3 hrs

Top tips for this trip in a campervan

Book your stargazing session in advance to ensure availability
Travel in spring or autumn for clear skies and fewer crowds
Consider extending to Lake Como or Lake Maggiore if you prefer a quieter alternative to Garda

Other great itineraries

Suggested campsites

Agricamping Romita

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Why 'With a camper'?

Every experience tailored to a campervan

As campervan travelers ourselves, we understand both the delights of traveling in a motorhome and well as the smaller details (such as parking) which make it harder.

We use this knowledge to curate and design the very best experiences for you and your campervan.

Remarkable experiences you will remember

Our curated experiences are hand-picked to make your trip special. Whether it is an experience that is iconic to the destination, an inspiring place to take part in a certain activity or a visit to one of the best local restaurants, our goal is to introduce you to the experiences that you will want to write home about.

Something for every passion

We believe that campervan travel is a fantastic way to enjoy your passions.

Whether your interest hiking, cooking, architecture or to enjoy a great party we have a range of great campervan experiences to get you out traveling.

Book an individual experience or the whole trip

Our experiences come in a range of shapes and sizes. So whether you want to add an individual activity to your existing itinerary or you are looking for an end-to-end trip then we have choices for you.

Travel with your own camper or let us help you find the perfect rental

Our experiences are designed for anyone traveling in a campervan. For travelers without their van we offer various 'campervan included trips' but also the opportunity to book a van from one of our preferred van rental partners.