Our Favourite Day Trips From Florence

There are so many things to love about Florence – the art, the culture, the food, the people (and that’s just for starters) – but a big part of its great appeal for visitors coming to Italy is that staying there puts you right in the heart of Tuscany. Not only do you get to soak up the ambience and attractions of the Birthplace of the Renaissance, you’ll be in the perfect spot to get out and explore the amazing surrounding countryside and all it has to offer.

The city is not only a magnificent destination in its own right, it’s the ideal base from which to head out amongst the famous sunburnt rolling hills of Tuscany to enjoy the ‘bella vita’ in the most delightful way. Historical cities, picturesque vineyards, breathtaking coastal scenes and endless iconic views are presented to you on a platter of perfection – but there’s so much to see and do, you’re definitely going to need some help…

Get to Know Tuscany with FabulousDay Trips from Florence

At Walkabout Florence, we’re just as passionate about helping our guests discover the joys that abound a little further afield as we are about showing you the hidden secrets and highlights of Florence. We believe that if you really want to get underneath the skin of Tuscany, you owe it to yourself to open your heart and mind to as many experiences as you possibly can in whatever time is available.

Our day trips from Florence are designed to help you pack in the fun and cultural activities, but also ensure that you have time to smell the roses (or perhaps the sunflowers and poppies might be more appropriate) along the way. While the range of day trips from Florence we offer is extensive and carefully designed to take in as many diverse things as possible, the four below are some of our favourites.

Top Tip: When you stay in Florence, we can help you skip the lines and get to know the city like a local. Get in touch with us to pre-book your tickets or download our comprehensive Walkabout Guide.

Cinque Terre Hike

The UNESCO-protected coastal region known as the Cinque Terre (which translates to ‘Five Lands’) encompasses one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Italy – and that’s saying something! While it’s a long day (12 hours), it’s absolutely worth it, and being able to offer a hike along this stunning rugged coastline as one of our day trips from Florence is an absolute joy for us – because we don’t want you to miss a thing! (By the way, this is the only tour that takes you to the Cinque Terre on a one-day hiking trip from Florence.)

Hiking between the five villages of the area really is the only way to get the full effect of this jaw-dropping landscape. Each of these gorgeous villages has its own distinct personality and, as we’ve discovered, our clients all have different favourites. The experience, which comprises hiking, a train trip and a boat ride, takes in the coastal route that links:

• Riomaggiore
• Manarola
• Corniglia
• Vernazza
• Monterosso

These five former fishing villages provide a perfect snapshot of authentic life, and while their popularity as touristic destinations has certainly heightened their profile, it’s done nothing to diminish their charm and character.

Our excursion allows you to enjoy the views in the very best way, and once we arrive at the first stop, Manarola, it’s straight on to the panoramic cliff trail to hike to Corniglia.

Top Tip: While it’s not too strenuous, it is a hike, and even though the pathway is very clear to follow, it can be slippery and a little uneven in places. You’ll need to ensure you have decent walking shoes and enough water to keep you hydrated for several hours.

After a bit of a rest in Corniglia to catch your breath, it’s back on the trail and off to Vernazza, the second village. There’s plenty of free time allowed, so you can grab a relaxing coffee, explore the gorgeous village or even have a swim to cool off.

Getting to Monterosso means boarding the train that connects the five towns, and when you arrive you’ll be able to look around and have lunch, a glass of wine or even another swim. Monterosso is renowned for its cute artisan shops, but if you can’t resist a purchase just remember, you’ll have to carry it!

While Riomaggiore is often the first stop on a Cinque Terre tour, we’ve found that it’s more interesting to travel back along the stunning coastline from Monterosso by boat, making it our last stop before heading back home on the coach. When you arrive, you’ll likely be windswept and deliciously exhausted – but you’re just in time for dinner…

Chianti Food and Wine Safari

Want to know what Chianti really tastes like? Our Chianti Food and Wine Safari day trips from Florence will serve it up to you in the most fun way possible! We’ll introduce you to the renowned wine and local produce of this famous region, but it’s also ‘cameras at the ready’, because don’t forget – you’ll be travelling through some of the most magnificent countryside you’ve ever seen.

Whether you’re a die-hard food and wine connoisseur or you just want a fun, relaxed time sampling the best Tuscan delicacies, this tour is for you. On the 10-hour trip, you’ll travel in a customised 4WD vehicle so we can take you off the beaten track to a host of authentic places we know and love so well. We’ll visit gorgeous wine estates and picturesque towns, tour the gardens of a beautiful villa, sample superb local wines and dine in a fabulous traditional restaurant overlooking the rolling landscape.

The beauty of our day trips from Florence is that they’re accompanied by our expert local guides, so not only will you get to eat and drink some very special food and wine, you’ll also get to learn about the process and produce that goes into making them. At a prestigious winery, we tour the cellars and underground tunnels and get to know the makers and the history behind their Chianti wines.

Part of the fun is when we go off-road (after all, what’s the point of a 4WD if you’re not going to use it?) and travel through scenic woodland and deserted back roads. What a way to explore! After lunch in a fabulous restaurant, we visit the town of Greve, where you can wander the lovely streets and soak up the traditional ambience.

The last part of the tour is spent at a second winery, deep in the Chianti hills, before heading back home. This is a truly magical experience – and we guarantee you won’t be hungry!

Tuscany in One Day

Of course, it would be impossible to distil everything that’s so wonderful about this stunning region into one compact tour. Or would it? We understand that so many people come to Italy with limited time and we’re passionate about making sure that they get to see as much as they possibly can while having fun and learning a lot. That’s why this is one of our favourite day trips from Florence – it offers exactly that!

This 12-hour excursion takes in so much, but we still keep it relaxing, informative and so much fun. We visit Siena, home of the famous Palio horse race, and take you on a guided walk around all the major attractions of this ancient town, including the Piazza del Campo (climb the Torre de Mangia if you’ve got the energy) and the impressive Duomo.

After all that culture you’ll be ready for your lunch at a fabulous family vineyard – but make sure you’ve brought your appetite! It’s a feast for the senses as you dine on fresh meats, cheeses, pasta and other homemade delicacies – all washed down with some wine, naturally.

After lunch, stomachs groaning, we head to San Gimignano, with its storied past and unique skyline of medieval towers. After some free time to wander the streets and explore the absolutely charming town, you’ll be tempted to make some room for a taste of local gelato – why not?

The final stop for the day is Pisa, where of course you’ll visit the famous leaning tower and enjoy some time discovering the other delights of the town.

See, you did it! Tuscany in one day!

Vintage Vespa and Vintage Fiat Tours

What better way to see the countryside than with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face in charge of an iconic Italian vehicle? We love the joy our vintage Vespa and Fiat 500 tours bring to our clients, because there’s really nothing quite like this feeling…

Vintage Vespa

Don your helmet and make like an Italian for a few hours on this excellent 4-hour guided tour through the Tuscan countryside on a restored vintage Vespa.

You’ll get instructions and a safety briefing, so there’s no need to be nervous, and your experienced guide will lead the way as you head for the hills. You’ll pass through some spectacular countryside as you leave the city behind, and see magnificent villas, ancient castles, vineyards and olive groves. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you feeling absolutely exhilarated!

Fiat 500

If you prefer four wheels to two, release your inner Italian in a beautifully restored (and very cute) 1960s Fiat 500. Again, you’ll be fully briefed on the techniques of driving these wonderful little cars and then it’ll be red, white and green all the way as you and the rest of the group head out in convoy.

You’ll be in radio contact with your guide during the entire experience, so you can just settle back and enjoy as you eat up the miles in your very stylish vehicle, accompanied by an interesting commentary along the way.

There are plenty of chances to stop for food and photo opportunities so it makes for a fabulously fun and relaxing experience – as long as you’re prepared to attract a little attention!

Pssst…Go Home Cooking Like a Local

On one of the days you want to stay a little closer to home on your holiday, why not book one of our very delicious cooking experiences? There’s no need to give up your fix of pizza and gelato once you go home, because our cooking classes in an authentic Tuscan farmhouse just outside of Florence will teach you all the secrets, insider tips and techniques so you can recreate the tastes yourself. This is one of our most popular excursions and we’re pretty sure we know why!

See the Real Tuscany

All these experiences are so much better when you share them with friends, and that’s exactly how our wonderful Walkabout Florence guides make you feel. They’re passionate about helping you immerse in the most authentic experiences, so you can really get to know the history, culture, food and wine of this magical region. Join us on one of our fabulous trips or allow us to help you with the amazing Walkabout Guide or options to pre-book tickets for attractions to save you time and hassle. Get in touch with us and say hello to your new friends in Italy!

We Are Walkabout Florence

We’re proud of our reputation in the industry as a highly experienced and trusted independent tour operator. We’re passionate about providing our clients with the most exciting, fun and enjoyable day tours, with a diverse range to ensure you get to know the ‘real’ heart and soul of Tuscany. Whether it’s a cultural trip, a Vespa or Fiat 500 tour or a mouth-watering food and wine experience, Walkabout Florence will make sure you have the most memorable holiday of your life.