Duration: (8:00am - 6:00pm)

Type Of Service: Unique day tours of Cinque Terre from Florence to Manarola, Vernazza, and Corniglia

Departing from: Center City of Florence

A small group tour with no more than 8 passengers.  You will be greeted by your English-Speaking driver/tour guide at a designated location in the center city of Florence.  After driving through Tuscany into the Liguria region, your first stop will be the Cinque Terre village of Manarola.  Enjoy panoramic views and take spectacular pictures of the land and coast.  Manarola is one of the oldest villages of Cinque Terre.  You will explore the narrow alleys and pretty pastel squares that epitomize the area, and perhaps sample some renowned local wine at a cozy wine bar and tavern, as you are exploring.

After you visit Manarola, you will meet your tour escort at a prearranged time for your shared boat ride to Vernazza.  While on the boat, admiring the dramatic coastline from the water, framed against the hills will arrive at your second stop at the village of Vernazza, arguably the most beautiful of the five villages with a large open harbor, castle, and church.  You will enjoy some free time to walk around and have a relaxing lunch(lunch cost is clients responsibility) at one of the open-air restaurants that line the waterfront, or pick up some snacks/picnic lunch and enjoy a picnic lunch down by the water or stroll through the back streets for impressive views along the coast.  

After your visit to Vernazza, you will meet your tour escort who will drive you to Corniglia, where you will enjoy panoramic views and take some of the most spectacular pictures.

Things to Know:

• Leave behind the Renaissance treasures of Florence for the day to discover the rugged beauty of the Ligurian coastline
• Visit three of the five villages that make up Cinque Terre, one of Italy's most scenic destinations
• Tour operates with a minimum of 4 participants and maximum of 8 (semi-private tour)
• Dine on a local dish as you stroll, shop, people watch or swim (don't forget to pack your swimsuit and towel) or even take a 30 minute light hike
• Complimentary appetizer on the tour
• Round-trip transport from Florence in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
• Public boats operate subject to weather conditions.  When boats are not operative transfer between towns, the tour will be by train or mini-van.
• Tour is conducted 7 days a week during the peak season Late March - Mid October
• During winter months (November - Mid March) tour days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday, based on a minimum of 4 people
• Meeting Point: Florence Center City - the tour starts directly outside the Cafe Paskowski in Piazza Repubblica
• Wear comfortable walking shoes

Duration: 7 Hours

Type of Service:  Cooking Class at a Farmhouse in Tuscany

A full day hands-on Cooking Class in a stunning setting in the Tuscan countryside including a food tour through the historic center of Florence. Led by a local food-lover guide, you will taste your way through the Florentine's favorite bakery and grocery stores to experience Tuscan food like a real local. You will buy ingredients on the way and in Florence's most vibrant food market.

On arrival in our beautiful farmhouse, you will start creating a complete menu, from appetizer to dessert, using only the freshest seasonal ingredients, the majority of which come from the vegetable garden of the farmhouse!

Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and learn to cook as Tuscan grandmas and moms do every day in their kitchens for their families. Master the secrets of traditional dishes that you will easily re-create at home for your friends and family. The cooking lesson is suitable for beginners and for those who can already cook.

Then finally we will all sit together outside (weather permitting) and just like a big Italian family, we will take time to enjoy the food we have prepared together. Buon Appetito!

What you can expect

First, discover Florence's historical food market where the locals do their daily shopping. Blend in with the locals. Meet the bakers, the butchers, and the farmers selling vegetables from their fields. Their stalls are full of items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, balsamic vinegar, sun dried tomatoes, olives and many other Italian food specialties. Shop for the ingredients to use for the cooking class and learn to choose the best seasonal products.

Then, it's time to start your cooking lesson at a farmhouse in Tuscany. This isn't just a demonstration, you will actually take part in creating a full traditional Tuscan meal with your chef's help. You will learn to make real Italian fresh pasta by hand with freshly laid eggs and learn to make a traditional meat sauce using ingredients from right outside the door!

Learn to prepare homemade pizza and classic bruschetta with fresh bread, homegrown tomatoes and the farmhouse's own extra virgin olive oil and then take a break to enjoy the pizza and bruschetta with a glass of Chianti wine.

After the break, it's back to the lesson where you will learn how to prepare traditional Tuscan roast pork, arista and Tuscan roast potatoes using fresh herbs collected from around the farmhouse. To finish the class, you will learn the secrets of the wonderful Italian coffee and cream dessert, Tiramisù.

At last, sit down to enjoy a wonderful meal. Each course will be paired with a carefully selected wine from the region to compliment the flavors of the food you have prepared. At the end of your meal, your driver will be waiting for you for a short drive back to Florence, so it's time to say arrivederci after an unforgettable experience in Tuscany.

Things to Know:

• Small-group Italian cooking class (25 people or less) at a breathtaking farmhouse set in the rolling hills of Tuscany!
• The tour/cooking class is offered Monday - Saturday based on availability and begins at 9:00 am and concludes at 5:00 pm
• Florence morning food tour with tastings at San Lorenzo's colorful Mercato Centrale
• Hands on experience: learn to make Bruschetta and Pizza, home-made Pasta, Tuscan roast pork with potatoes and Tiramisù
• Enjoy your freshly cooked meal accompanied by wine after the class
• Transportation roundtrip to and from Florence to the farmhouse
• Recipes and an Italian cooking diploma for your hard work
• Due to uneven and steep surfaces, we are unable to accept anyone with mobility issues. A minibus or van transports you to the Tuscany farmhouse.  There are about 24 steps leading down towards the outdoor kitchen.
• We regret that vegetarian or other alternative dietary requirements cannot be catered for in this class
• Youth rates are available to attend with a parent/guardian for 12 yrs to 18 years of age - please inquire about youth rates

Duration: 2 hours

Type of Service:  Florence Sunset Walking Tour - Private Tour

See Florence at sunset on a 2-hour evening walking tour led by an expert guide, learn about the rich history about some of Florence most beloved sites and some of the smaller hidden gems in the historical center; such as the bustling Piazza della Signoria,  the area around the Duomo, and  the exterior of the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces from Botticelli, Michelangelo and more. As the sun goes down, stroll to the Arno River and admire a scenic view of the Ponte Vecchio.  The fun part of being in Italy is to eat gelato every day and after the tour, you will stop at a popular gelato shop for a scoop or two.

Things to know:

• Your private tour with an English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel to begin the tour.
• Admire the city at sunset
• Stroll by famous landmarks and see their illumination
• Enjoy personalized attention from your private guide
• You will be guided through the center city and arrive at the Arno River
• Tour offered on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from March - December
• Tour begins at 6:00pm /  2 hour tour
• Meeting location -  center city of Florence; more details are given upon booking 
• Complimentary gelato at the end of the tour

Duration: 3 Hours

Type of Service: Discover Florence Walking Tour - private tour

Explore the most important sites in Florence with your very own privately guided walking tour. Your English-speaking guide will meet you inside your hotel lobby, and then you will embark on an adventure and learn what it’s like to live as a local in the Renaissance city. With your guide, they will bring you around to the most important sites including the following:

• Piazza Signoria, with the gorgeous outdoor sculpture gallery – the Logia dei Lanzi
• The Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most gorgeous bridge in Florence, dotted with little artisanal gold jewelry shops
• Via del Corso, the famous shopping street
• The Duomo, the famous church of monumental proportions, featuring Brunelleschi’s famous dome
• The Accademia, where you can see the David by Michelangelo, we will provide skip-the-line tickets
• Church of Orsanmichele, with its gorgeous architecture and outdoor sculptures
• Admire the Palazzo Vecchio on one side of the square, once the Medici family home, and the many sculptures that surround the piazza, including a replica of Michelangelo's 'David' where the original once stood
• Piazza Santa Croce, an important piazza and church in Florence in which many famous Florentines are buried, including Michelangelo and Galileo

Things to know:

• 3 hour central Florence walking tour, led by an expert local guide
• Explore the San Lorenzo neighborhood and learn about the Medici family
• See the Medici Chapels and the Basilica of San Lorenzo
• Walk around the Duomo Complex
• Stroll through Piazza della Signoria
• Visit Florence Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’ Accademia) 
• Skip the line tickets for Accademia Gallery - tickets must be bought 10 days in advance
• Choose morning or afternoon tour time frame (3 hours)
• Most Popular and Highly Rated tour
• The Accademia Gallery is closed on Mondays, therefore the tour will visit an alternate museum 
• Tour offered 7 days a week, based on availability / no tour dates available December 24 - January 2)
• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Tour can be customized around your preferences to include shopping and fun food stops along the way
• Tour does not operate the last week in August and the first week of September

Duration: 3 hours (morning or afternoon time)

Type of Service: Your Own Personal Shopping Tour in Florence

Florence’s city center is the place to shop with stores retailing everything from stylish clothing to used books. Florence has a number of elegant shops and open-air markets. Take the opportunity to enjoy this tour with your tour guide/personal shopper. She will assist you with a level of individualized attention and help you find just the right gift based on your suggestions, whether it be leather jackets, handbags, shoes, gold jewelry, Florentine silk scarves, ceramics or wine.  Your personal shopper guide can also take you to a world-famous perfume store.  Visit an artistic perfumery, with a demonstration of the historical setting, the products, and the laboratory.  Opportunity to browse the store with the personal guidance of a staff member specially dedicated to your group.  Besides smelling exotic things at can at this location, you can take classes on perfumery or have them make you up a scent tailored to who you are and how you smell normally.  The personal shopping tour is designed specifically around your preferences and it's a great way to shop in Florence.

Things to Know:

• Discover the famous shopping streets in Florence
• Buy with the help of a local expert guide
• Save time and email us your shopping list. We will chart the course for your allotted time in order to maximize every shopping minute
• Designed for those in a search of extraordinary style to bring home authentic Florence Style gifts and clothing
• Private guide for a more personalized experience
• Exclusive visit to perfume laboratory/shop – one of a kind in Florence – a must visit
• Opportunity to make your own personal fragrance
• Soak up the atmosphere on this walking tour
• Shopping tour is for both men and women
• This shopping tour is flexible and based on the client’s preferences and can be altered during the tour if needed
• Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes

Duration: 6 Hours

Type of Service:  Private Tuscan Castle and Ancient Cellars Visit with Cooking Class and Wine Tasting Experience near Florence - small group tour/cooking class

The day will begin with your private, English-speaking chauffeur picking you up in a Mercedes at your hotel. From there you will head up into the beautiful rolling Tuscan hills to a castle in the countryside. Once at the castle, a staff member will lead you on a private tour of the enchanting castle which includes its wine cellars and vineyards.

The castle has an incredibly rich history and was built by the Pazzi family in 1184 AD. At the height of Florence Renaissance in 1478, the Pazzi  family masterminded in these castle halls the now infamous plot to kill two outstanding representatives of  Florence ruling family, the Medici. With the “Pazzi Conspiracy,” the family - long rivals of the Medici - intended to eliminate Lorenzo de' Medici and so dethrone Florence ruler. Today, in the Castle nucleus,  the magnificent “Conspiracy Room” can be admired.

After the tour, you will have a cooking class with three courses which include learning to make handmade pasta, sauces, and dessert. Once you have finished cooking, it’s time to try your masterpieces along with three wines produced at the vineyards of the castle in the castle dining room. Then, you will meet your driver who will take you back to your hotel.  A beautiful and intriguing castle, great food, and delicious wines are awaiting your arrival.

Things to Know:

• In a 4 hour experience, you get to visit a still inhabited 900-year-old castle and wine cellars, you cook 2 different type of handmade pasta and 2 sauces, dessert and taste 3 wines during the light lunch with the self-cooked food
• Private castle tour and wine tasting at a historic estate located 45 minutes from Florence
• The castle tour and wine cellar visit last about 55 minutes and includes the historical part in the castle's courtyard, the family history in one of the private rooms
• The Pazzi family’s crest still adorns our courtyard today and was created by one of the true Renaissance masters, Donatello.
• Learn about wine and olive oil in the ancient cellars and enjoy a typical Tuscan snack of crostini, olive oil, salami, and cheese
• Cooking class with personal chef
• You will have the opportunity to purchase farm products like pure saffron, honey, cheese and natural cosmetics, wine and olive oil, available in the farm gift shop - at the end of the tour, you can walk in the vineyards, olive groves and take pictures in the countryside
• Florence hotel pickup and drop-off in luxury vehicle with English-speaking driver
• No more than 12 people in small group tour and cooking class
• Private Castle and Cellar Visit is available for groups 4 or more.

Duration: 4.5 - 5 hours

Type of Service: Truffle Hunt with Lunch and Wine Tasting - day tour from Florence to San Gimignano

Visit a unique Winery located outside the medieval town of San Gimignano, in the province of Siena. The Giachi Family has been producing wines since 1720. You will spend an amazing time as your host teaches you to taste all the wines produced at this estate and hunt for truffles with dogs who are trained to seek black and white truffles.

Located at the entrance of the Valley of Chianti, in Tuscany, about 45 minutes from Florence. This winery, is a place of relaxation and fun with food and wine. It’s the ideal place to enjoy wonderful wines and Italian specialties. A most precious delicacy of the region is the exquisite, world famous black and white Truffles. You will partake in a truffle hunt with dogs for 60 minutes and then enjoy a Tuscan lunch that includes appetizers: Tuscan salami and cheeses, Bruschetta (Bread with Olive Oil). First Course: Truffle lasagna with meat sauce. Second Course: Roasted meat with potatoes and vegetables. Dessert: Cantuccini with Dessert Wine and the tasting of over 12 wines.

Things to Know:

• You will enjoy a truly authentic "truffle hunting", accompanied by an expert truffle hunter with dogs, through the flat Tuscan woods
• In the private truffle land in Tenuta Torciano, you will find precious white and black truffles
• Learn to identify the different species of trees and the ideal habitat for the growth of truffles
• Enjoy a 4-course lunch with dessert and wine tasting
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Florence Hotel
• Luxury Vehicle with English-speaking driver/guide
• Tour offered Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (March - November)
• Tour begins with hotel pickup at 9:30am
• Wear comfortable clothing and walking or tennis shoes

Select A Territory

Start in Rome, then discover the less touristed regions of Lazio, Le Marche, Molise and the Abruzzo as well as two regions teeming with visitors, Tuscany and Umbria. The heart of Italy has a lot going for it, from good wine and olive oil to the sunny climate and a good percentage of the world's fine art. On either coast there are numerous beaches; Italians flock to them when the mercury soars in summer. Explore Rome, then head for the isolated hill towns, monasteries and religious shrines in the rural countryside.

So you’ve decided you are GOING TO ITALY! How Exciting! Many people dream of visiting Italy and experiencing la bella vita, and while you certainly can’t avoid it anywhere in the country, there are some things to think about before you take off that will make your time that much more enjoyable.

First, Italy is a large, and very diverse country. Traveling across regions is almost like traveling across countries themselves. The Italian people are very attached to their City, Region, and Country, in that order, so be sure to talk to locals wherever you go to get to know the intricacies of the very different regions of Italy.

Planning your trip’s itinerary won’t be easy since there is SO much to see and do, but a little background on the country’s layout is helpful when decided what it is you want to get out of your time: are you looking for sports? history? art? food? beaches? mountains? fashion? design? Italy has it all, but some places have it better than others!

Italy can best be divided into three geographical areas: north, middle and south, although again across those areas culture, food and tradition varies greatly.

Northern Italy: Alta Italia

Northern Italy is made up of the Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino Alto-Adige. It boasts such famous cities as Milan, Venice, Turin, Genoa and Bologna. The weather is cooler than the rest of the country due to the northern location and proximity to the Apennines and Alps. This area is traditionally the more wealthy part of Italy, and houses most of the country’s industry. Cities like Milan and Venice can be slightly more expensive than some cities in the central or southern parts of Italy. However, public transportation and tourism services are much more developed and functional than in other parts of the country!

The major airport for the northern region is Milan’s Linate International Airport. There are many other airports in the region however, including Bologna, Venice and Genoa, so do some price comparisons before booking your ticket. The climate in this region varies considerably, both depending on time of year and location. Venice gets extremely hot in the summer, while Turin and the Lake District (Cuomo) stay much cooler and tend to be flocked by Italians trying to beat the heat during the summer months. The Italian Alps begin their ski season as early as November in some places.

Northern Italy has many attractions and offers activities for everyone. Those who enjoy sport and the outdoors may want to visit the lakes for water sports, or go hiking in the Italian Dolomites. Everyone should see Venice at least for a day while they still can! Milan is great for anyone interested in design or fashion, and also has a wide selection of galleries and museums for those interested in both Renaissance and contemporary art. One can also visit the Italian Riviera for some great beaches.

The cuisine of this region is also quite variable, but generally tends to be no the heavier side of some of the traditional Italian specialties we normally think of. This is where Italians eat risotto with saffron, polenta, LOTS of parmigiano reggiano (from the Emilia Romagna province – an area that all foodies must visit), heavy meat dishes and stews, etc. Closer north near the Austrian border we see a lot of Austrian or Slovenian influence in the cuisine, as well as the wines. Prosecco is from the Veneto, and Gewürztraminer is from Trentino Alto-Adige. Think lots of nice white wines, and a LOT of grappa!

Central Italy: Tuscany and Rome

Central Italy is made up of the regions Lazio, Marche, Tuscany and Umbria. Geographically it also contains Abruzzo and Molise, but they are traditional grouped with Southern Italy due to cultural similiarities. This is where the rolling hills of Unbria and Tuscany call to mind Napa Valley. This is wine country. Central Italy is home to cities like Florence, Siena, Perugia, and of course Roma. Still quite wealthy, but more varied wealth across regions, central Italy is also extremely easy to explore via bus or train, so you can visit some little hill towns in the Val D’Orcia, or take a train and ride up and down the coast. This section of Italy is full of tiny medieval towns, and if you do your research ahead of time, you could get to participate in one of their on-going traditional medieval festivals!

Rome and Florence both have international airports, as does Pisa. Flying into Bologna is also an easy way to get to Florence as they are connected via both fast and regional trains. The weather in the region is quite temperate, with clearly distinct seasons similar to the weather on the mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S. The winters are cold, and although snow is uncommon it is not unheard of. The summers get quite hot, going up to one hundred degrees, and the air tends to be humid, especially inland.

Florence and Rome are the dominating destinations in Central Italy, and rightfully so. Rome as the capital and Florence as the birthplace of the Renaissance are not to be missed if possible. I would argue each city really deserves its own trip to truly get the most out of what they have to offer. Rome is a massive metropolitan center, filled with tourists all year round. The Vatican is a major destination, its museums housing some of the most beautiful and famous Renaissance artwork, as well as the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. The City of Rome of course has many ancient Roman ruins that would excite anyone remotely interested in human history: the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Catacombs, just to name a few. Florence on the other hand is the must-visit for anyone interested in Renaissance art or history, and is also a good base to explore some of the smaller towns in the region that will have you thinking of Under the Tuscan Sun. The Chianti region is full of tiny gems to visit and have an amazing meal at, as is the area between Siena and Rome. You’ll have to get to know the regional bus lines though!

Again, each region has its own traditional cuisine, but Central Italy has some of the healthiest, heartiest, what traditionally would have been peasant food but has now been elevated to an incredible level of International renown. Bistecca alla Fiorentina can only be truly enjoyed in Tuscany, just as Rome is the place to eat Saltimbocca or Osso Buco. Siena is famous for its sweets, traditionally eaten at Christmastime, and the Umbrian town of Norcia, in the Appennine foothills is where the best black truffles can be found, as well as some of the best pork products like prosciutto and salame. The hills are home to wild boar, which is cooked into many traditional stews or sauces. This is also wine country, so look out for Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. I could write a whole article about Tuscan cuisine, and I probably will, so check our blog frequently!

Southern Italy: Untouched

Southern Italy is where many Italian Americans origins are. It is the poorest part of the country, and encompasses the “foot” part of the boot of Italy, as well as the island of Sicily and some other Islands off the coast of Naples. It is made up of the regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Molise and Sicily. Due to traditional poverty and well-known corruption, transportation to many less-frequented yet extremely beautiful areas is difficult without a car of your own. The trains are regional and buses connecting cities are infrequent. We’ll talk more about renting cars in Italy later, but this may be the area to do so if you are up for the challenge!

The nearest major international airport is Rome, but there are two smaller airports on the east coast: Bari and Brindisi, both in Apulia. Naples has an international airport, and the island of Sicily may be reached via Palermo in the north or Catania in the south. The climate in the South is Mediterranean, so again variable across seasons but markedly warmer than the north or center of the country. The area is frequently overlooked as a tourist destination, so it is a nice respite from the throngs of Florence or Venice if you have the chance to visit. The beaches are spectacular, overlooking truly crystalline water. On clear days you can even see Africa from certain points along the coast.

While Sorrento, the Amalfi coast and the island of Capri are all beautiful places to visit, they are also the most famous tourist destinations in this area. If you are looking for beautiful vistas and country club style and treatment, these resort towns are a perfect place to pamper yourself or take a boat out. If you are more on the adventurous side, continue south and explore the towns of Calabria, famous for its spicy peppers and warm inhabitants. From Naples you can climb Mount Vesuvius and eat a traditional Neapolitan pizza. Matera, in the Basilicata region, is slated to be the European Capitol of Culture in 2019, and boasts what are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in Italy carved out of the rocks that make up its ancient city center. Those interested in architecture will enjoy the cities along the southern coast of Sicily, where due to volcanic and seismic damage, many buildings were rebuilt in a new Sicilian Baroque style.

Southern Italian cuisine is what most Americans think of as Italian cuisine: eggplant parmigiana, pizza, calzone, spaghetti, maccheroni, and the list goes on. The region is big on short, dry pasta, as opposed to the soft egg pastas of the northern, wealthier regions. Mozzarella is from this area, as is ricotta, made light and fresh. San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the volcanic soil under mount Vesuvius, and are used ubiquitously. Many of the dishes served in the south have Italian-American counterparts due to generations of Italians emigrating to the US from these regions due to extreme poverty. This part of Italy also of course produces much of its own wine, but the wine tends to be drunk young and domestically, rather than bring preserved and shipped. So come here if you are okay with some chilled red table wine or a beer with your pizza!

This has just been an EXTREMELY brief overview of what you might expect as you plan your trip to Italy. Every part of the country has its own secrets, cuisines, and traditions, but if you can’t move there, these generalized descriptions should help you tailor where you want to start and end your visit to the big boot. Once you determine your itinerary, be sure to check seasonal weather charts so you can pack accordingly to where you will be visiting. Read on for more about the items that you will need to bring with you to get the most out of your Italian vacation!