7 Days / 6 Nights
Make your self at home in marvelous Florence and dig in to the famous and beloved culture of Tuscany for a week!
Under the guidance of a city expert, walk through Florence’s historic center, visit the imposing Duomo and view Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the David. Travel to the fascinating medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano and end your day with a dinner at a boutique winery to savor a perfect Tuscan meal paired with local wines. Spend a half day in Pisa and visit its iconic Leaning Tower and the impressive Cathedral. Top your stay in Florence with a cooking class and a food tour in the most authentic district in town – the Oltrarno. Once you've learned to make pasta from scratch, a simple but delicious Italian sauce and a dessert you will be ready to go home and cook for your family and friends!
Itinerary
Arrive in Florence at Vespucci Airport. Your private driver will bring you to your Florence hotel. Settle in, rest up and enjoy your evening at leisure.
Tomorrow begins your exploration of Tuscany!
Discover Florence's historic center on this walking tour including the Ponte Vecchio, the imposing Duomo (only from outside), elegant Uffizi Square, the renowned leather market, and the Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo’s David.
The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Want to see more of Florence? Check out our other Day Tours in Florence and feel free to add them to your itinerary. We suggest seeing the incredible Uffizi Gallery (not included in package price).
This morning visit the home of the famous leaning tower - Pisa! In the heart of the city is Piazza dei Miracoli where you will simultaneously see the Leaning Tower, Baptistery, Cathedral, and the Monumental Cemetery.
Then, you will get 30 minutes to climb the nearly 300 steps of the leaning tower and take spectacular pictures from the top!
The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Explore Florence on your own, or feel free to add one of our Day Tours in Florence to this itinerary. We suggest taking a bike, Segway or a boat tour on the Arno river (not included in the package price).
Immerse yourself in the flavors and secrets of the Italian Cuisine with a small group hands-on cooking class and discover where Florentines buy their fresh products in the most authentic district in town – the Oltrarno.
This morning is at leisure.
This afternoon enjoy a tour to Siena and San Gimignano, two of Tuscany's most popular towns. Plus, savor a typical Tuscan dinner paired with wines in a fascinating location in the Chianti countryside.
Enjoy the day at your leisure. Explore Florence on your own, or feel free to add one of our Day Tours in Florence to this itinerary (not included in package price).
Your Italy Vacation has come to an end as you transfer from your hotel to the Florence Airport and head back home.
Inclusions
- 6 nights in a 4 star hotel in Florence
- Round trip airport transfers
- Best of Florence with Accademia Gallery Tour
- Cooking class with Oltrarno Food Tour
- Siena & San Gimignano excursion
- Pisa and the Leaning Tower excursion
- All transportation during excursions
- Breakfast daily at hotel
Hotel Info
Hotel Rivoli ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
If you are searching for luxury accommodation in Florence city center, then the exclusive Rivoli Boutique Hotel will most certainly fulfill all expectations. Situated in the heart of Florence, this 15th century former Franciscan convent has been tastefully refurbished to provide comfortable, elegant accommodation whilst retaining the hotel's delightful periodic character and charm - from the lobby, with its unique opulent archways and pillars, classic ceilings and cross vaults to our lavishly frescoed lounges.
Florence
Grand Hotel Minerva ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
The Grand Hotel Minerva is a deluxe hotel located right in the historic center of Florence, in the completely renovated and pedestrianized Piazza Santa Maria Novella, brimming with vibrant restaurants and cafés, and featuring a lovely new rose garden. Its perfect location is a short walk from all of Florence's main tourist attractions including Piazza del Duomo and its glorious cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Repubblica, the iconic David of Michelangelo, the Uffizi museum, Ponte Vecchio and Florence’s most eminent luxury shopping street, Via Tornabuoni.
The hotel has great accommodation options for families and small groups, and a stunning rooftop terrace and pool!
Florence
Grand Hotel Baglioni
The Grand Hotel Baglioni, located in the heart of Florence, has been synonymous with hospitality and quality for over 100 years. It is housed in a magnificent 19th-century building, in which past and present coexist in perfect harmony, bearer of the values inherent to Florentine tradition.
Florence
Optional Tour Add-Ons
Duration: 2.5 hours, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
City: Florence
Discover one of Italy's most important museums, the Uffizi Gallery, under the guidance of an art expert, skipping the long lines!
Enjoy a guided tour of the main rooms of the Uffizi Gallery and follow the evolution of Italian art through the centuries, from the Middle Ages to Renaissance. Learn about Giotto’s revolutionary art, admire the beauty of Botticelli’s Primavera and the sensuality of his Venere, surprise yourself with Leonardo’s mix of rational genius and artistic creativity, and view the main masterpieces by many other unparalleled artists.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 12 hours, 8:00am - 8:00pm
City: Florence
Take the day to visit the beautiful Cinque Terre National Park (a world-heritage protected by UNESCO). Enjoy the most astonishing views from land or sea, as you experience the national park by boat or train, and hike on the fabulous trails on the cliff in a perfect mix for a memorable adventure.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 3 hours, 11:00am - 2:00pm, 3:00pm - 6:00pm OR 6:30pm - 9:30pm
City: Florence
Learn how to make authentic, Italian Pizza and Gelato – a fun cooking class for kids too!
Under the guidance of a professional pizza chef, called a Pizzaiolo, you will make your own pizza - stretch it, sauce it, bake it, slice it. The chef will teach you the key techniques in making a soft and flexible dough and the trick for a flavorful yet light tomato sauce so you can make this pizza at home!
After pizza it’s time for Gelato. The chef will explain why the gelato is the Italy's favorite dessert and will give insight to the 'gelato culture' that continues to grow. Learn the basic raw ingredients, how to select the best products available according to specific principles, development and application of natural colors, the heating and freezing techniques and how they have different effects on the ingredients.
Then enjoy a presentation and tasting of some of the flavors used in gelato making!
This activity is strongly recommended for families that wish to have children to learn about the Italian culture, an easy and fun experience that will last forever in their memory.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 6 hours, 9:00am - 3:00pm
City: Florence
A fun and entertaining way to experience the very best of Tuscany! An easy guided E-Bike tour from Florence to Chianti through the Tuscan countryside, including a (stress-free!) hill journey up to the marvelous Piazzale Michelangelo, the city’s most amazing viewpoint.
Meet your dedicated guide, get on your snappy E-Bike and set off with a smile for an unforgettable tour. Pedal effortlessly across the Arno river led by your guide, and “climb” the sumptuously tree-lined Viale dei Colli to reach a dazzling viewpoint: Piazzale Michelangelo, a terrace offering spectacular views of Florence’s towers, palaces, red rooftops and lovely bridges. Enjoy the view before heading to next stop: the Chianti shire.
You will be led along scenic country roads hemmed in ancient olive groves and vineyards and among the world known "Anello del Rinascimento" itinerary. Tuscan hilltops and wine estates are all part of the breath-taking views you will see as you ride your bike through the heart of Tuscany.
You will also visit an olive oil mill in an ancient noble estate, learn the process involved in producing olive oil and taste a gourmet olive oil. Then, discover a fascinating small boutique winery and its wines, enjoy a typical Tuscan meal and get ready to pedal back to Florence.
The bike itinerary includes flat, downhill and uphill sections.
Terrain: Mostly paved back roads with very little traffic
Difficulty: Intermediate
The tour is not permitted for children under 14.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 2 hours, 6:45am - 8:45am
City: Florence
Experience Florence's Duomo in a whole new light with this VIP Awakening Tour. Be among the first to step into the Cathedral and Baptistery as they come to life at daybreak and witness the awe-inspiring moment when lights illuminate the fresco painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari, including the vivid 'Last Judgement.'
Meet the 'chiavigero,' the key bearer, who unlocks the treasures inside the Duomo. Discover the fascinating workings of the Florence Duomo clock and explore the Cathedral's historical and spiritual aura with the help of your knowledgeable guide.
After this exclusive tour, treat yourself to a delightful breakfast at a nearby historical café. Join the locals for an authentic Italian-style breakfast and savor a real Italian coffee. But the adventure doesn't end there. Gain exclusive access to the Duomo rooftop through a special side entrance. Follow your guide up Brunelleschi's dome, learning about this genius's artistry and the construction of the cupola.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 2.5 hours, 12:00pm - 2:30pm
City: Florence
Enjoy the most comprehensive visit of Florence Cathedral complex and admire the city from an exclusive and breathtaking point of view - the Duomo terraces (that are not usually open to the public) and Brunelleschi's magnificent Dome.
With skip-the-line tickets and under the guidance of a passionate historian, tour the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo of Florence), a distinctive symbol of the city. Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the cathedral is the third largest church in the world (after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London) and home of masterpieces such as Paolo Uccello’s clock, Vasari’s frescoes and Bandinelli’s marble choir.
Then, begin your ascent to Florence Heaven: the staircase climb, through narrow and open-air corridors, will be rewarded by an incomparable view of the city from the Duomo Terraces, on the cathedral rooftop. Take the most incredible pictures from this 105-foot high panoramic point right in the middle of the old town and learn how the massive cathedral dome was built and how it can still firmly dominate Florence skyline after 600 years, withstanding earthquakes and the passage of time.
Then, if you want to keep climbing, you can reach the 300-foot high top of Brunelleschi's Cupola (the Dome), the highest panoramic point in town.
Included in the price of this tour, you will have a pass valid for 72 hours to visit on your own the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
