The Cinque Terre is a coastal area within Liguria. It comprises 5 villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

The Cinque Terre guided tour is a small group guided tour from Florence, a day trip outside of Tuscany region to visit one of the most enchanting coastal areas of Italy with its five picturesque sea villages.

The tour starts with an early morning pick-up at your accommodations since this is at least an 11 hours tour with an air-conditioned transport. The trip to La Spezia takes approximately two hours, from here we will make our way into the hidden villages of Cinque Terre where for the walking lovers, the best way to discover the area is to hike at least from once village to the next one, otherwise there are 2 more options: ferry if there is good weather or local train.

From La Spezia we reach Riomaggiore, where we will stop and visit the small shops, and sea views.  From here we will decide to take the ferry or the train to Manarola, here we will take a break for lunch, and I suggest you search out local recipes and experience their special pesto sauce and focaccia or their local white wine: Sciacchetrà DOC.

Sciacchetrà is probably the most important and most famous product of Cinque Terre. An incredible liquor wine that is produced from the grapes that grow of the steep hills of Cinque Terre.

The cultivation of this vineyards is so hard that the Sciacchetrà  makers are called heroic viticulturists. So let’s see discover togheter what they have to do to obtain this amazing wine.

Don’t forget to bring your bathing costume as you have oppurtunity to swim in Vernazza or Monterosso at least for sure.

There will be plenty of time for photos and shopping while on the Cinque Terre small group guided tour from Florence at all destinations for local products at the artisans’ shops which are filled with linen, pottery, olive oil, and wine.

Join our favorite full-day tour, visiting the Ferrari museum and the Lamborghini factory & museum!

Your first stop will be the Enzo Ferrari museum that includes Enzo’s birth house and a new futuristic building. It offers a unique and enthralling voyage of discovery, a story told through cars that have made automotive history on streets and circuits the world over.

Next will be the Ferrari museum located at the historical site of the factory. Enthusiasts and fans will discover an amazing exhibition of more than 50 cars, an F1 pit-stop reconstruction and a section entirely dedicated to the life of Mr. Enzo Ferrari.

Your last stop will be the Lamborghini factory and museum amazing guided tour along the assembly lines and the upholstery department. At the museum, fans will also discover an amazing exhibition of 20 cars between historic and newer models.

Walking along Lamborghini’s assembly lines is not included, for those interested, extra charge.

There is also an opportunity to the thrill of a semi-professional Formula 1 simulators and the exhilarating driving experience on public roads.

Ferrari Museum

In the Ferrari Museum, you will have the chance to sit into a semi-professional Formula 1 simulator and get a taste of the kind of exhilarating driving that F1 drivers experience during grand prix. After a short briefing, you get into the cockpit and begin a virtual experience. 

Lamborghini Museum 

It is so much more than a museum. Here, we will find:

• The beginnings with Ferruccio and his early successes:
• 350 GT and Miura
• The key models from then to now
• Racing cars, including Formula 1
• The main stages of technological development are: 4×4, aluminum, carbon fiber, and hybrid
• The Lamborghini jewels: its engines
• The new Lamborghini Urus.

Though many come to Florence to see the art, the architecture and historic sites which have changed the course of history several times over, it is without a doubt wine and food which linger in their memory when they go home.

If you are looking for a cooking class in Florence, you have found the right opportunity. This hands-on class will take place in the historic center of the Tuscan city and may include a guided food and wine tour through Florence's historic food markets.

A classical Tuscan meal in the heart of Florence

Florence Tour has an exclusive opportunity for guests to meet with the locals and become apart of creating a classical Tuscan meal in the heart of Florence with the aim of teaching Tuscan traditions of food & wine.

The experience is more than just learning how to cook the family recipes but a moment in the day of a real Florentine family! Where Paola herself and sometimes Allegra, her daughter,  is helping her out too.

Gather in the family home, just a short walk from the historic center, roll up your sleeves and risk a bit of flour in your hair as you make a full meal together with your hostess.

The 'Florence Cooking Class' menu consists of 4 courses, which you will savor at the end of the 3-hours preparation

There will be classical Tuscan appetizers, an entertaining hands-on handmade pasta, a main course with vegetables and everyone’s favorite dessert: Tiramisu!  Of course, the meal is accompanied by wine, bread, and coffee.

This is one the best ways to create lasting memories of Florence and building lifelong friendship – over a plate of ravioli and a red Chianti Classico wine glass.

This is can be a kid-friendly cooking class too since this a private one and we can customize the class at every request.

There is the extra possibility to add a visit at the local Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo area of Sant’ Ambrogio food market  and to purchase vegetable, cheese, meet with Paola  and to get to know the local producers.

Check out Paola availability and book your cooking class as soon as you can.

Add adventure to your cruise ship experience with Pisa and Florence Shore Trip departing from Livorno Port and heading out to see the monuments and museums of Pisa and Florence.

Pisa, undeniably has one of the most photographed monuments in Tuscany

The slant, just under 4°, gives the bellower its the name: the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But did you know there is so much more to see in Pisa?

Before we spend time exploring the Piazza dei Miracoli with the tower, baptistery, cathedral, “campo santo” and museums we will explore the inner city, the Arno River and the famous persons who once resided here, like Galileo.

⇒ Tickets to climb the Tower of Pisa will need to be purchased in advance (you can do that at this website  www.opapisa.it)  Please advise if you want to climb the almost 300 steps to the top, so we can make appropriate time allocations. The booking for these tickets is possible 45 days in advance, the earlier the better – they run fill-up quickly. Be sure to bring photo ID if you have a ticket to climb the tower of Pisa.

Pisa, once served as one of the main Italian maritime republics, until the sand and sediment from the Arno river moved the shoreline towards what is now Livorno and your port of call.

From mysterious beginnings, this city is now famous worldwide for its leaning bell tower, Pisa also boasts a beautiful cathedral, one of the earliest known universities (from the 1200’s), over 20 churches and home to many special talents like that of Andrea Bocelli.

Next stop: Guided Tour of Florence, the Renaissance city

We will start with an amazing panoramic view from above at Piazzale Michelangelo where you can see the major monuments and the Florence skyline. We will skip the lines and view the white marble statue David by Michelangelo, as well as many other famous sculptures and paintings at the Accademia. (The museum is closed on Mondays).  

Our walking tour of the city will include visiting the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore (outside only) and the Baptistery which is located in front of the marble facade of the church. We will also explore the antique, cobbled-stone streets of Florence and view Piazza Signoria, the impressive town hall from the 14th-century, Ponte Vecchio which spans the Arno River, Dante’s house and the beautiful church of Santa Croce, the final resting place for several of Florence’s illustrious giants – like that of Michelangelo and Machiavelli.

The capital of Tuscany, Florence, is a gem to behold. It’s antique origins reach as far back as the Etruscans and Romans and the city streets are filled with subtle reminds of their influence. The Medici family had a large influence on its growth to power and epicenter for the arts. They were experts amassing funds to conquer neighboring towns (including Pisa) and known as great patrons to the arts, which are the basis for many of their renowned museums including the Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery.

Please note, if due to inclement weather the cruise ship needs to dock in La Spezia, there will be an adjustment in travel costs.

The Cortona and  Arezzo guided tour is a day outside of Florence to visit two extremely engaging destinations in Tuscany: a historic journey into the past.

Arezzo Walking Tour

The tour starts with a pick-up at your accommodations in a private, air conditioned transport. The trip to Arezzo takes approximately one hour, where you will begin the walking tour of the city.

Reaching back to Etruscan origins, Arezzo is often referred to as a museum “en plein air”. The streets are lined with palazzos and churches that reflect its long and conflicting history.  As you stroll the city streets you will come in contact Etruscan and Roman ruins, including the Roman amphitheater. The narrow cobbled-stone roads are lined with medieval towers and neo-classical buildings, each with a special story attached.

The first stop includes the revolutionary frescoes of Piero della Francesca in the Basilica di San Francesco depicting The Legend of the True Cross, a story which tells of the different phases of the cross which was used in the crucification of Christ.

Other sites of interest in Arezzo include the Piazza Grande, the Duomo, the home of Vasari, the Roman amphitheater and the Medici fortress built on the ruins of the Etruscan temple. The tour of Arezzo will show you the local color, pointing out the passage of history, and how it shaped its story but also how it influenced the stories of nearby towns, like that of Florence, Siena and Cortona.

There will be plenty of time for photos and shopping while on the Cortona and Arezzo Guided Tour at all destinations for local products at the artisans’ shops which are filled with linen, leather products, pottery, olive oil and wine.

The tour will proceed to visit enchanting town of Cortona, made famous in the film “Under the Tuscan Sun”.

We will wander the streets, boutiques and admire the palazzos, churches and monastery which form this amazing town.

The area between Arezzo and Cortona is famous for is wine and olive oil production, including many award winning vineyards. Upon request the lunch stop can include a wine & olive oil tasting as well as a selection of typical Tuscan specialties from the province, giving you a special insider view of the local cuisine.

Surrounded by memories of the Etruscans that once reigned over the area, Cortona sits perched high above dominating the landscape. Legend has it that 108 years after the Great Flood, Noah entered the  Valdichiana riding on the Tiber and Paglia rivers. The town now encompasses yesteryear and today in finely tuned harmony.

The Chianti and  San Gimignano guided tour combines two of the most popular destinations in Tuscany and create an adventure you will never forget.

The tour begins with a drive on my private 9 seats van with NCC license into the Tuscan countryside outside of Florence where you can admire the hills, vineyards and olive groves of Chianti.

Our first destination includes a visit to the medieval village San Gimignano, famous for its 13th-century towers, which symbolize the prosperity of its merchants. As we stroll the antique cobbled stone streets we admire the frescoes inside the Palazzo del Podestà patio, Duomo, and Piazza Cisterna.

There will be plenty of time for photos and shopping while on the Chianti and San Gimignano Guided Tour at all destinations for local products at the artisans’ shops which are filled with linen, leather products, pottery, olive oil and wine.

FROM SAN GIMIGNANO, WE DRIVE DEEPER INTO CHIANTI CLASSICO

An area whose borders are designated by Italian law and the home to the Black Rooster (Gallo Nero) labels. The landscape offers many photo opportunities with its tall cypress trees, rows, upon rows, of grape vines, and silver-green patches of olive groves.

The lunch stop will include a wine & olive oil tasting as well as a selection of typical Tuscan specialties.

The tour will proceed to visit two of the most popular towns in Chianti, just outside of Florence. 

First will be a stop at Panzano in Chianti and visit the local butcher and taste its delicatessen. 

We will proceed to Greve in Chianti positioned along the famous Chiantigiana Road, where we visit the unique square and lovely little stops. From here the Chianti and San Gimignano Guided Tour back to your accommodations in Florence.

San Gimignano (above) rises on top of a hill 334m above sea level and is visible from a distance with its many still existing towers. Only 13 towers of the 72 towers from the fourteenth century still survive, and they form what has become one of the most distinctive Tuscan skylines of today.

Surrounded by endless vineyards, Panzano in Chianti is situated in the middle of Chianti and was constantly in the mix between the feuding powers of Siena & Florence since before the 1300’s.

Standing in the shadow of the Castle of Montefioralle is the town of Greve in Chianti which served as the castle’s marketplace in the 13th century.

This tour will be a surprise for most of you! The first stop is Lucca, a Roman town enclosed by its original massive red brick walls which were built between the 16th & 17th century.

The walls are one of the beautiful distinguishing characteristics of Lucca

This fortified enclosure makes this town totally unique because you can easily walk and cycle over it.

If you like to bike we can easily rent them and discover the city biking.

The tour proceeds with a walk or bike along via Finlungo, the main axis of the historic core, which is lined with ancient houses and towers and stops at the Roman Amphitheatre square.

Then explore the house of Puccini (one of Italy’s great opera composers), the church of San Michele and the Duomo of San Martino with its rich decoration, both typical example of Pisano Romanesque style.

With a short transfer through the mountains that separate Lucca from Pisa, the tour will give you a panoramic view of the leaning white tower.

Pisa, undeniably has one Of the most photographed monuments In Tuscany

The slant, just under 4°, gives the bellower its the name: the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But did you know there is so much more to see in Pisa?

Before we spend time exploring the Piazza dei Miracoli with the tower, baptistery, cathedral, “campo santo” and museums we will explore the inner city, the Arno River and the famous persons who once resided here, like Galileo.

⇒ Tickets to climb the Tower of Pisa will need to be purchased in advance (you can do that at this website  www.opapisa.it)  Please advise if you want to climb the almost 300 steps to the top, so we can make appropriate time allocations during the tour.

The booking for these tickets is possible 45 days in advance, the earlier the better – they run fill-up quickly. Be sure to bring photo ID if you have a ticket to climb the tower of Pisa.

The enchanting walls of Lucca, as the city grew and modernized, surrounded the old town and were maintained which was not the case for many other cities in Tuscany, including Florence. As the walls lost their military importance, the top of the walls became a pedestrian promenade, today one of Lucca’s main attractions.

Commonly referred to as the “city of one hundred churches” due to a large number of religious buildings which represent marvelous examples of architectural Italian styles.

Pisa, once served as one of the main Italian maritime republics, until the sand and sediment from the Arno river moved the shoreline towards what is now Livorno and your port of call.

From mysterious beginnings, this city is now famous worldwide for its leaning bell tower, Pisa also boasts a beautiful cathedral, one of the earliest known universities (from the 1200’s), over 20 churches and home to many special talents like that of Andrea Bocelli.