Tour Ideas Tuscany

Florence Tour

9 Hour Tour

A leisurely drive from the beautiful Tuscan Town of Siena will take you through the Tuscan Hills to the beautiful city of Florence where your local expert guide awaits you to give you a taste of just what this amazing city has to offer.

From the heart of Siena our English speaking driver will take us for a leisurely drive through the Tuscan Hills over to the regions principle city and one of the most beautiful in Italy, Florence. On arrival in Florence we will meet our local expert guide and enjoy an introduction to Highlights, History and Hidden Corners of the city that she so proudly calls home.. The guide’s flexibility allows for adaptation to your areas of interest. While those who have visited Florence before may have special requests for which we will do all possible to satisfy, we suggest the following for a first visit to this city:

• Piazza della Signoria, one of the most beautiful squares in the world, with its open-air display of masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque sculpture. The backdrop is the medieval Palazzo Vecchio, the city’s seat of government for over 700 years. Together with your guide, explore the fascinating history of Florence, as the heroes from the Old Testament or Greek mythology, depicted here in marble and bronze, served as political messages for the ruler of the moment.

• Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral square, where from the outside we can admire the graceful Gothic bell-tower and the Romanesque baptistery with its beautiful gilded bronze doors. The most famous of the doors are the “Gates of Paradise” by Lorenzo Ghiberti, with their stories from the Old Testament, a masterpiece of the early Renaissance. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is crowned with its imposing dome, an amazing challenge of engineering to be solved only by the genius of Brunelleschi. We discuss how the difficulties were to be overcome in the most imaginative of ways.

• The Ponte Vecchio, or “old bridge” and its tantalizing jewellery shops. Beautiful hand-made gold jewellery is a “centuries-long” tradition in this city, dating back to the pre-Roman era of the Etruscans. This medieval bridge is the oldest spanning the Arno River, offering lovely views of the city and the hills beyond.

• We also strongly recommend a visit to the Franciscan church of Santa Croce and its neighbourhood. This is the perfect setting for further discussion of the artistic and political history of this great city. The church serves as a pantheon to Italian genius with monuments to such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo. There are also fine examples of the work of artists such as Giotto, Donatello and Brunelleschi. The Franciscans’ Leather School still operates in the rooms of the old convent behind the church: here classes are conducted and fine leather articles are produced and sold. It is possible to observe the master craftsmen and their students at work.

• You will also discover lesser-known corners of the city, quiet back streets of the neighbourhood, craftsmen’s workshops and curiosities of life in Florence, both present-day and medieval. Here is located one of the city’s most fascinating of workshops where it is possible to watch the masters creating beautiful pieces in semi-precious inlaid stone with the same tools and techniques of the past.

The city is so seeped in history, the quality of its artists and craftsmen is so superlative, there are so many delights to discover, you will be left, wanting always more!

Following tour with local expert guide (4 hours), enjoy time at leisure to explore Florence on your own before meeting your driver and returning to Siena.

Costs:

• Guide for 4 hours: Euro 369.00

Choice of:

• Normal Sedan Car with ESD (Return Transfer): Euro 440.00
• Mercedes Sedan Car with ESD (Return Transfer): Euro 481.50
• Deluxe Minivan with ESD (Max 8 persons): Euro 507.50

• Entrance to the Santa Croce Church per person: Euro 9.50
• Opera del Duomo: Euro 9.50
• Accademia Gallery Entrances Cost per person: Euro 22.00
• Battistero (Optional): Euro 6.50

Radio Systems for groups up to 10 persons:

• Cost for up to 3 hours (forfait half day): Euro 38.50
• Cost over 3 hours (forfait full day): Euro 54.00

Radio Systems for groups of 10 to 20 persons:

• Cost per person for up to 3 hours: Euro 4.00
• Cost per person over 3 hours: Euro 6.00

Radio Systems for groups over 20 persons:

• Cost per person for up to 3 hours: Euro 3.50
• Cost per person over 3 hours: Euro 5.00

The Complete Tour of Florence

8 Hour Tour

Today we will enjoy a ‘Complete’ Introduction to the Highlights of Florence with our local expert guide and English Speaking Driver.

The best way to see Florence in a day! Our leisurely drive will take us from the heart of Siena heading North to the beautiful City of Florence where our local expert guide awaits us. Our Florentine experience begins with an overview of the highlights of the city which includes The Academy of Fine Arts, with The David and other sculptures by Michelangelo. We will visit Santa Croce, the Franciscan church where Michelangelo is buried, along with Galileo, Rossini and Macchiavelli. Here are also splendid works of Giotto, Donatello and Brunelleschi. We will also enjoy the splendid views from the hills above town as we stop up at San Miniato al Monte, a lovely Romanesque church.

Our stroll through the historical centre of Florence begins from the Signoria Square following a short gelato break… No tour of Florence of course would be complete without a special visit to the Uffizi Gallery to see the highlights of Renaissance masterpieces in painting in a setting that once served as the offices, or administrative headquarters, for the Medici, when they ruled Tuscany as the Grand- dukes. There will also be time to enjoy a short break for lunch in a characteristic spot recommended by your guide. From the Uffizi Galley we bid our fond farewell’s to our guide who so proudly calls this city home before we return with our trusted driver back to Siena in the heart of this beautiful region.

Costs:

• Guide Service for 6 hours: Euro 553.50
• Uffizi Gallery Entrance cost per person: Euro 22.00
• Accademia Gallery Entrances Cost per person: Euro 22.00
• Entrance to the Santa Croce Church per person: Euro 9.50

Radio Systems for groups up to 10 persons:

• Cost for up to 3 hours (forfait half day): Euro 38.50
• Cost over 3 hours (forfait full day): Euro 54.00

Radio Systems for groups of 10 to 20 persons:

• Cost per person for up to 3 hours: Euro 4.00
• Cost per person over 3 hours: Euro 6.00

Radio Systems for groups over 20 persons:

• Cost per person for up to 3 hours: Euro 3.50
• Cost per person over 3 hours: Euro 5.00

Choice of:

• Normal Sedan Car/Driver (ESD) for 2 persons + guide: Euro 659.50
• Mercedes Sedan Car/Driver (ESD) for 2 persons + guide: Euro 719.00
• Deluxe Minivan/Driver (ESD) for 7 persons + guide: Euro 753.00

Not available on Sunday Morning

Half day Walking Tour of Siena

3 Hour Tour

Enjoy a wonderful introduction to the Highlights of this typically Tuscan Town.

Siena is a Medieval town completely surrounded by fourteenth century walls. The tour starts with a visit of the old town financial area: Palaces built by rich merchants and bankers, including the headquarters of the oldest bank in Europe. From here we cross the main square “Il Campo”, where the Palio horserace still takes place after many centuries, this is Italy’s loveliest piazza which occupies the site of the old Roman Forum, and for much of Siena’s early history was the city’s principal marketplace. From the Piazza we head to the highest point of the town to visit the Duomo which is one of Italy’s greatest cathedrals (1136 – 1382). The cathedral is a spectacular mixture of sculpture, paintings and Pian influenced Romanesque – Gothic architecture. Inside the Cathedral you can enjoy masterpieces by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Donatello, Michelangelo and Bernini.

Costs:

• English speaking guide: Euro 200.00
• Duomo Entrance per person: Euro 9.50

Full day walking tour of Siena

6 Hour Tour

Enjoy a Full day with your local expert guide to enjoy the perfect introduction to the famous Palio Town of Siena.

Siena is a Medieval town completely surrounded by fourteenth century walls. The tour starts with a visit of the old town financial area: Palaces built by rich merchants and bankers, including the headquarters of the oldest bank in Europe. From here we cross the main square “Il Campo”, where the Palio horserace still takes place after many centuries, this is Italy’s loveliest piazza which occupies the site of the old Roman Forum, and for much of Siena’s early history was the city’s principal marketplace. From the Piazza we head to the highest point of the town to visit the Duomo which is one of Italy’s greatest cathedrals (1136 – 1382). The cathedral is a spectacular mixture of sculpture, paintings and Pian influenced Romanesque – Gothic architecture. Inside the Cathedral you can enjoy masterpieces by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Donatello, Michelangelo and Bernini. From the Duomo we will visit the graceful Gothic Town Hall – the Palazzo Pubblico to enjoy the ‘Maesta' by Simone Martini, the ‘Allegory of the Good and Bad Government’ by Ambrogio Lorenzetti . We can also enjoy the Santa Maria della Scala Hospital whose foundation dates back to the 11th century and the 15th century frescoes here which describe life in a medieval hospital. As we explore Siena we will learn all about the famous Palio race, the way of life of the local people, culture and the popularity over the years of Siena and how it has developed.

Costs:

• English speaking guide: Euro 399.50
• Entrance to Palazzo Pubblico per person: Euro 12.00
• Duomo Entrance per person: Euro 9.50
• Entrance to Santa Maria della Scala per person: Euro 9.50

Half day Guided Tour To San Gimignano

4 Hour Tour

Enjoy a wonderful introduction to the nearby ‘Town of Towers’ San Gimignano.

This half day tour takes you to the famous Town of Towers, that of San Gimignano a hilltop town built in the Middle Ages, surrounded by charming countryside. The journey from Siena to San Gimignano is probably one of the most beautiful journeys that you will ever take through the valleys and over the Tuscan Hills.  For a Small Town San Gimignano is rich in works of art, good shops and restaurants. It is a town that is full of ancient palaces, lovely alleys, courtyards and the old tower houses which are the main town attraction. Your tour will not only be a wonderful introduction to San Gimignano, its towers, its art and history but will also include a visit to the 11th century Collegiata Church where you can enjoy its interesting medieval and early renaissance frescoes.

Costs:

• English speaking guide: Euro 246.50
• Private Sedan Car and English Speaking Driver: Euro 339.00
• Minivan and English Speaking Driver: Euro 423.00

San Gimignano at Leisure

4 Hour Tour

Enjoy exploring San Gimignano today with your local expert driver.

Enjoy a wonderful scenic drive through the hill towns and valleys of Tuscany taking in the views that one can only find and enjoy in Tuscany as you drive to San Gimignano your driver will introduce you to the area, Tuscany, the Tuscan people and San Gimignano. Enjoy the town of San Gimignano at leisure exploring this medieval town, the great art galleries, shops, restaurants, medieval streets, antique piazza’s and beautiful churches with some of Italy’s most beautiful frescoes.

Costs:

• Sedan Car/Driver Service for up to 4 hours: Euro 339.00
• Minivan and Driver Service for up to 4 hours: Euro 423.00

Wine and Cheese Tour

8 Hour Tour

The perfect introduction to the amazing wines and cheeses of Tuscany awaits you today with your local expert guide and driver.

This is a full day tour with English speaking guide and driver. Whether it’s a wine tasting of the wonderful Brunello Wines in Montalcino, Pecorino cheese purchasing in Pienza and don’t forget those wonderful views from the city walls or enjoying the wonderful Vino Nobile in Montepulciano this really is a great day to enjoy the best of Tuscany.

A wine tasting could be organized at Montalcino. There are plenty of opportunities to visit wine cellars and farms producing a few but prestigious bottles of Brunello wine.

We suggest a wine tasting in a charming castle, to later continue a visit in the nearby S. Antimo Abbey, the best example of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany. Here we can have the chance to see monks holding religious services and singing Gregorian chant. The options are many, the choice is yours…(wine and cheese tasting’s are not included).

Costs:

• English speaking guide: Euro 493.00
• Private Sedan and English speaking driver: Euro 558.00
• Minivan and English Speaking Driver: Euro 727.00

Bike & Wine through the “Crete Senesi”

8 Hour Tour

Enjoy a very special day enjoying one of Tuscany’s most beautiful regions by bike with a special stop to enjoy some of the finest Tuscan Wines – all of course with your local expert guide.

The tour departs at 9am from the hotel and the first part of our journey is by minivan which will take us to one of Tuscany’s most picturesque towns and most important ‘Cheese towns’ – that of Pienza. Following a brief visit to the town it’s time to get on our bikes and head towards Montalcino. During our journey we will cross the incredible town of Lucignano d’Asso to get to Torrenieri where we will make a short stop for a coffee break before following a stretch of 10 km of “white roads” of incomparable beauty where it seems that every curve offers a view which is even more stunning than the one before. Its then onto the Azienda Agricola Paradiso where we will enjoy a late lunch including many Tuscan specialities as well as the opportunity to taste Three of our favourite Tuscany Wines – not forgetting of course that at least one of these being the world renowned ‘Brunello di Montalcino’. From the Azienda we can sit back and relax as our driver takes us on a gentle ride back to our Hotel. In total, the tour is 28 kilometers (approx. 17 miles), mostly on “white roads,” the quaint local expression for gravel. This tour is considered to be gentle and leisurely and it does not require any special physical preparation (other than the ability to ride a bicycle!). With only a few stretches of hills, the course is mostly on plain and flat surfaces, therefore it is perfectly adaptable for people of all ages, including children.

Tour includes:

• Round trip transportation from your hotel (Firenze, Siena, Val d’Orcia).
• Mountain bike (currently updated models with quality fabrication and technology).
• Ultralight indestructible helmets.
• Water bottles throughout your journey.
• A light lunch and wine tastings.
• A local, English-speaking nature excursion guide (1 guide per 8 person).
• A minivan at disposal throughout the journey.
• All basic insurance as required by law, including additional bicycle insurance.

Costs:

• Per person: Euro 216.00

Tuscany from the Sky…On a Hot Air Balloon

50 Minute Tour

Our Early Morning start today will give us the perfect opportunity to enjoy Tuscany from another angle – the skies.

Enjoy a very special Tuscany experience which begins at sunrise with an early morning departure from your hotel. On arrival at the site, your experience begins assisting the pilot in the balloons’ preparation then its onwards and upwards as we head up into the Tuscan Skies to enjoy a very special unique and enchanting experience. The flight, whose duration is approximately 50 minutes, will take us through the heart of the Chianti Region allowing us to enjoy the famous rolling hills of Chianti, the vineyards, olive groves, farm houses and characteristic hillside towns. Our Balloon will land in Chianti where, accompanied by our pilot, we will enjoy a pleasant Chianti Picnic Breakfast before returning with our driver to the hotel.

Departure time from the chosen field at 6:00 am sharp in Summer (varries in winter)

Costs:

Departures from Tavarnelle Val di Pesa and Colle Val D’Elsa - Mensanello (Hot Air Ballon Ride Only)

• Exclusive Hot Air Ballon “Honeymooners” for 2 persons: Euro 861.00
• Exclusive Hot Air Ballon ride for 3 persons: Euro 1,015.00
• Exclusive Hot Air Ballon ride for 4 persons: Euro 1,353.50

Departures from Siena (Hot Air Ballon Ride Only):

• Exclusive Hot Air Ballon “Honeymooners” for 2 persons: Euro 947.50
• Exclusive Hot Air Ballon ride for 3 person: Euro 1,116.00
• Exclusive Hot Air Ballon ride for 4 person: Euro 1,488.50

Car & Driver Service at disposal for up to six hours to/from Tavarnelle Val di Pesa:

• Sedan / Driver Service: Euro 541.00
• E-Class / Driver Service: Euro 584.00
• Deluxe Minivan / Driver Service: Euro 618.00

Car & Driver Service at disposal for up to six hours to/from Colle Val D’Elsa:

• Sedan / Driver Service: Euro 516.50
• E-Class / Driver Service: Euro 567.00
• Deluxe Minivan / Driver Service: Euro 592.00

Car & Driver Service at disposal for up to six hours to/from Siena:

• Sedan / Driver Service: Euro 499.50
• E-Class / Driver Service: Euro 541.00
• Deluxe Minivan / Driver Service: Euro 567.00

Please note: Wear comfortable clothes (pants and flat shoes) during the duration of the flight, as you will be standing.

Vineyards and Vino

7 Hour Tour

Leaving Siena and making your way to Montepulciano, let the Ercolani’s take you on a private tour of the ‘Vino Nobile’ vineyards today, tasting their wines and enjoying a meal in their restaurant.

The hot Tuscan sun brings alive the aromatic scent of the earth where age old vines strive- producing some of the best wine in the world from plump grapes hanging in heavy bunches on row upon row of vines. Enjoy a wine tasting with a member of the family who will also give you an insight into the production of the wine in the farm’s ancient wine cellar. While you are enjoying a wine tasting we have some experiences especially for the kids, all set around the Ercolani property to make for a fun ‘day in the life of’ a Tuscan family. After the wine tasting, it’s then time to sit down and enjoy a four course meal in the family restaurant.

Costs:

• Price per person (maximum 8 persons): Euro 361.00
• Sedan at disposal: Euro 481.50
• 6 Seat Minivan at disposal: Euro 550.00

Includes Transportation, English Speaking Guide, Private Vineyard tour, Instruction of Wine production, Private Wine tasting, 4 Course Lunch or dinner

*All pricing is in Euros, and is subject to change. Prices listed are based upon tours & services originating in the Siena region only. For clients staying outside of this region, additional charges may apply.