Tours

After meeting your guide and boarding the coach, drive to the Chianti region. On the way to the first winery, your guide will share interesting facts and curiosities about landmarks along the route. Arrive at the first “cantina” of the day, where you will be welcomed by the winemakers. After listening to a brief introduction about the winery’s history and the types of wine made there, join a guided tour of the facilities and nearby vineyards. Learn all about the winemaking process, the materials used to make the barrels, and what it takes to be classified as a “Chianti Classico”. Then, begin your first tasting session of 4 different wines. You will hear an explanation of each of the wines that you sample, as well as some tips on how to savor the wine and understand its qualities. The wines will be accompanied by local snacks produced in the region, such as cheese, bread, olive oil, and salumi. Board the bus and continue to the second winery. On the way, make a stop at a scenic lookout to observe a stunning panorama of the Chianti Hills. At the second winery, learn about their production methods, what is unique about their vines, and how weather can affect the grapes. Explore the facilities during a short guided tour, and walk through the vineyards. Then, sample another round of up to 3 wines, as the local charismatic wine producer tells you about the peculiarities of each. After some free time, head back to Florence.

Begin your journey of Tuscany at Florence’s central train station, where you will be greeted by your guide who will take care of you throughout the day.  Head straight to Siena, Italy’s most picturesque medieval city, whereupon arrival your guide will take you on a walking tour. Look up to admire the lovely terracotta roofs adorning the buildings and marvel at the magnificent Gothic and Romanesque architecture of the main cathedral.   Next, head to the hilltop town of San Gimignano, a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for the tower houses built in the Middle Ages. Enjoy free time here to see its splendid squares, palaces, churches, and magnificent towers. The last stop on your Tuscan excursion is a visit to Pisa and its iconic leaning tower. Take a stroll through the Piazza dei Miracoli and see other marvelous monuments, before driving back to Florence. Best of all, choose from either a small-group or private guided experience to make your trip special. Choose the lunch option to enjoy a homemade lunch paired with an informal wine tasting at a traditional wine estate in the Chianti wine region. Savor 4 regional wines at lunch and learn about their unique production techniques. Feast on an organic, farmhouse meal while you overlook the rolling vineyards under the Tuscan sun.

Get a taste of 'la dolce vita' on this jam-packed tour to the Cinque Terre, a collection of quintessential Italian towns dotted along the coast of Tuscany. After meeting your guide in central Florence, listen to an insightful introduction about the Cinque Terre on the 2-hour bus journey to La Spezia. After a quick bathroom break, board the first train of the day. Arrive in Manarola, the first of the Cinque Terre villages you will visit. Here you will join a small guided walk through the vines, and then enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Next, take the train to Corniglia. Climb the steps to reach the center of this quaint village and take some time to wander around. If you have selected the add-on, sit down at a local restaurant with a beautiful terrace and sea views. Tuck into a lunch of fresh fish for your 'primo' and homemade pesto pasta for your ‘secondo’. Then, choose to either go on an adventurous guided hike from Corniglia to Vernazza, or if you prefer to take it easy, follow your guide and take a train instead. Once in Vernazza, sit at one of the local cafés, or take a refreshing dip in the sea. Next, board a train to Monterosso, the village renowned for its beautiful beaches and artisan shops. If the weather allows it, you will then board a boat to navigate along the coast of the Cinque Terre. Arrive in Riomaggiore, an ancient fishing village and the most southern of the 5 villages. After exploring this last village, board the train back to La Spezia and then take the coach back to Florence.

On this guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, see beautiful artwork from the Middle Ages and Renaissance Period, a vast array of ancient statues found in the corridors, and beautiful architectural features, many designed by Giorgio Vasari. Explore the gallery's halls and see works including Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Caravaggio's Medusa, Michelangelo's Doni Tondo, and drawings and paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci. As you marvel at the art, learn about the art and artists found within the gallery's collection. After your guided tour, you will be free to explore the rest of the gallery for as long as you like.

Visit Florence's religious center on a guided tour inside the Baptistery, Cathedral (Duomo), and the Opera del Duomo Museum. Enjoy a comprehensive guided visit to the interior of Florence Cathedral, one of the largest and most important churches in the world. Construction began in 1296 and ended only in 1436, with the creation of the magnificent dome by Filippo Brunelleschi.  See the Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in Florence, built in the Florentine Romanesque style. Then visit the Opera del Duomo Museum, a site that collects original masterpieces from the Duomo Complex. Among the most important works on display are the original Gates of Paradise by Ghiberti, and Michelangelo's Pietà Bandini. The museum also houses one of the largest collections of Donatello's work in the world. Finally, climb the three-storied Giotto's Belltower and admire the city skyline dominated by Brunelleschi's immense dome.

See Florence from a whole new perspective, with a relaxing and leisurely cruise down the Arno River. Hop on board the “barchetto”, one of only four original traditional wooden boats left in Florence. A traditional rower will steer you through the water with a long, sweeping oar. Your guide will tell you about the secrets and history of the Arno River as you cruise on its calm waters and admire the beautiful Palazzos that frame its ancient riverbed. See the Uffizi and the charming Ponte Vecchio from the water, and hear stories of the mysterious Vasari Corridor. You will also have the chance to pass under the Santa Trinita Bridge and the amazing Palazzo Corsini. Enjoy a refreshing glass of wine onboard, to celebrate your romantic evening in Florence! See and experience a new side of this special city from the comfort of a traditional, gondola-style boat.

Depart Florence and journey to the historic Chianti Classico wine region by air-conditioned minivan while your English-speaking driver explains the stunning landscape where the most famous wines from Italy are produced. Visit two wine estates, with wine and food pairings. Sample 3 of the first wine estate's wines, along with some of the fresh olive oil they produce. Learn more about the unique techniques used to produce wine and get a better appreciation of the local viniculture on a tour of the wine cellars. Continue towards the second wine estate to take a tour of the cellars and compare and contrast their techniques with the first winery. Taste different wines and olive oils produced on the farm, paired with local specialties from Tuscany, such as cheese, salami, cold cuts, and bruschetta.

This Florentine cooking class lasts approximately 4-hours. During this time, you will learn how to prepare a real Italian menu. At the end of the class, you will receive the recipes for the dishes you have made, so you can prepare an Italian dinner once you're back home. You will meet a professional chef and their team: the cooking class will be held in the language you choose. You will prepare four traditional Tuscan courses, including: an appetiser, a pasta course, a second course, and a dessert. Water and wine are also included in this cooking experience. At the end of the class you will taste what you have cooked. Vegetarian options are available - please inform the supplier of your dietary requirements.

Spend an evening in genuine Italian style, devoted to discovering Tuscan cuisine and the most celebrated Italian opera arias and famous Neapolitan songs. Enjoy dinner in a typical Florentine restaurant in Piazza Signoria. At the restaurant, you will be accommodated in its characteristic internal rooms. The 3-course set menu includes a Tuscan appetizer with croutons, ravioli with butter and sage, Pennette dei golosi, dessert, and .5 liters of mineral water per person (vegetarian option available). A few steps from the restaurant, talented singers will be awaiting you after dinner in the intimate and old setting of the Santo Stefano al Ponte Church. Indulge in a performance of the most beautiful arias from the operas of Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, and other renowned Italian composers, in addition to world-famous Neapolitan songs. Choose between reserved front-row VIP or central seating options.

Let your expert local guide lead your way to the city’s most impressive museums and sites with skip-the-line access. The tour begins with a fascinating visit to the Accademia, where you’ll learn the secrets behind Michelangelo’s colossal David. Then proceed to Duomo Square to admire the gorgeous cathedral façade and the record-breaking dome by Brunelleschi. Stroll through the impressive Piazza della Signoria. The tour then culminates with a guided visit inside the Uffizi to admire masterpieces by Leonardo, Botticelli, and Michelangelo, and others. Enjoy breath-taking views of the Ponte Vecchio and the city from the museum upper floor and terrace. The small group setting of 10-12 people allows for the guides to provide you with a more personalized tour that will allow you to better understand Florence. In a small group, you will learn more and get the most out of your experience.