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Day Trips and Tours from Florence

Day Trips and Tours from Florence

When it comes to cities, very few can be placed on the same pedestal as the fabled city of Florence, the jewel of all of Tuscany. It was the birthplace of the Renaissance and produced geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei and Niccolo Machiavelli.

On top of this, Florence is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world with the impressive Duomo crowning its majestic skyline. However, an entire other world is just a short journey away — with the riches of Tuscany waiting to be discovered with the help of a day trip from Florence.

Chianti

Just outside of Florence, you’ll find one of the most celebrated wine regions in all of Italy — Chianti, an area famous for its eponymous wine, served up in distinctively squat bottles.

Together with other wine regions — like Montepulciano and Montalcino — it forms the heartland of Tuscan wines and is home to the much revered Sangiovese grape. A day trip with a wine tour through these famous vineyards is an expedition that you’ll not soon forget — especially when paired with some of the regions’ other produce like olive oil, cured meats and traditional cheese.

San Gimignano

There are beautiful Italian hilltop villages, and then there’s San Gimignano — a stunning sight that deserves a category of its own. Seen from afar, with its towering medieval spires and ancient walls, it feels like you’ve accidentally waltzed into a fairytale.

And the feeling doesn’t dissipate once you explore the town on street level — with a myriad of alleyways and archaic buildings combining to create an unforgettable impression. As you catch your breath on the Piazza della Cisterna, you’ll quickly understand why San Gimignano has been enchanting travelers since the 12th century.

Siena

Siena is a city in central Tuscany and a popular destination for day trips from Florence. Visitors mainly travel to enjoy the city’s charming atmosphere, delicious local dishes and beautiful architecture — and you’ll find some of the best examples of all three near the Piazza del Campo in the city center.

Tourists also travel here twice a year to watch the historic Corsa del Palio — horse races that have been taking place since medieval times. If you are lucky enough to be in the region during these biannual events you should definitely consider a day trip from Florence to Siena.

Pisa

Pisa is the home of the famously teetering tower as well as scores of tourists that look like amateur mimes trying to outwit flimsy boxes. But if you ignore Pisa’s dodgy engineering, you’ll quickly discover a vibrant city that offers much more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Divided by the serene river Arno, Pisa is home to several important churches, a number of imposing palaces and beautiful bridges. The city is also home to a burgeoning cafe and restaurant scene that grew in the wake of travelers exhausted by posing for photos all day.

Tuscany

Of course, encompassing many of these most picturesque towns and rolling hills is Tuscany. Famed for its wine-making legacy, delectable cuisine and natural scenery, few places can compare to this region.

While Florence serves as its capital, Tuscany itself is a diverse and alluring locale begging to be explored. Drive along its winding roads, stop in obscure villages and soak up the centuries-old atmosphere.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a collection of 5 striking coastal villages that’s easily accessible with a day trip from Florence. During this expedition, travelers will enjoy the best that the Tuscan and Ligurian coasts have to offer — with the highlight coming in the form of a train journey connecting the 5 villages that make up the Cinque Terre.

This UNESCO-listed region isn’t only famous for its looks — visitors should sample the delectable local cuisine at one of the trattoria that they’ll encounter during their travels.

Monteriggioni

The medieval walled town of Monteriggioni is definitely worth a visit for anyone traveling through the Chianti region on a day tour from Florence. The entire town is protected by fortified walls and watchtowers, making for a dramatic scene as you approach from the Tuscan countryside.

Once inside Monteriggioni, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this singular setting by visiting museums and walking the battlements — learning more about why people constructed the fort as you uncover more of its secrets.

Lucca

Located just outside of Florence, Lucca is a perfect stop during a day trip — with the city filled with ancient churches, sprawling piazzas and elegant palaces. Lucca is especially popular amongst travelers looking to discover a more authentic side to Tuscany, away from the maddening crowds and streams of tour buses.

Instead, walk these charming streets, climb your way up the iconic bell tower and enjoy something mouthwateringly good at one of the many amazing restaurants.

Fiat 500 tours

Tuscany is all about authenticity — whether it's the food, the landscapes or the people. And you can’t get much more authentic than by exploring this region with the help of a Fiat 500 tour.

This nifty little vehicle is an institution in the Tuscan countryside and you’ll be surprised by the reverence that people still hold for it. For the ultimate automotive experience, you should drive it all the way to the Ferrari Museum and have Italian legend meet another.

Orcia Valley

The Orcia Valley presents the quintessential Tuscan countryside — rolling hills, meandering cypress-lined roads and scenic villas stately perched on hilltops. Located in southern Tuscany, on the border with Umbria, many people will describe Orcia Valley as the most beautiful valley in all of Italy — if not the entire world.

The only way for you to pass judgment is to visit this silence-inducing stretch of land for yourself on a day trip from Florence.

Portovenere

A journey to the serene seaside town of Portovenere feels like a journey back in time — as you explore this charming town’s delightful promenade and its tall and colorful buildings.

But Portovenere doesn’t only have scenery to offer, and you’ll find wonderful nature trails and delicious restaurants along its shores.

Assisi

Assisi is a shimmering town on a hill, and the birthplace of Saint Francis — one of Italy’s most sacred sons. As you might expect, Assisi is home to a number of magnificent churches, as well as the Basilica of Saint Francis — a gargantuan 2-level church that takes up much of the town’s skyline.

Remarkably, it’s not that popular among tourists, with Italians making up the bulk of travelers through its picture-perfect walls — making it a perfect destination for a day trip from Florence.

Cortona

Cortona is a town in central Tuscany and the site of fascinating archeological finds dating back to Roman and even Etruscan times. The town is also home to a wonderful museum offering glimpses into ancient times through its collection of bronzes.

The town is relatively untouched by mass tourism making it an ideal stop during a day trip from Florence — especially if your idea of a perfect day out is perusing ancient artifacts in museums that feel nearly as ancient as the objects they hold.

Volterra

Volterra is located in southwestern Tuscany and is most famous for an Etruscan Acropolis that predates Roman occupation — making it one of only a handful of Etruscan archeological sites throughout the world. The local museum is filled with artifacts of these secretive people and it's a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient history.

The hilltop town itself offers breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside, especially if you climb up the ancient bell tower — making the town well worth a visit when driving through the area.

The Ferrari Museum

You don’t need to be a car enthusiast to appreciate the impact that Italian sports motors had on the world — and once you step through the doors of the Ferrari Museum you’ll experience a glimpse into the world of the majestic machines.

Come face to face with some of the most famous cars in the world — as you discover the passion and precision that’s been the driving force behind one of the most famous brands in the world.

Venice

Get to the “Floating City” from Florence in a little over 3 hours. The views of quintessential Italian landscapes make the time in transit fly by. On day trips to Venice, it’s possible to experience this magical city in just a few hours. Join a tour that takes you by bus or train, then water bus, to the island city for a day of discovery.

Tours to Venice allow you between 6 and 8 hours of time to experience the sites like the Piazza San Marco, the “Bridge of Sighs,” the Libreria Acqua Alta and more. You’ll have plenty of time for a gondola ride through the canals, where you’ll rest your feet while taking in Venice’s landmarks from the water.

Orvieto

The hilltop city of Orvieto holds a number of fascinating details that hint at a history that might surprise most visitors. Overlooking the Umbrian countryside, the settlement is perfectly located to spot threats from almost every direction.

This feature is one of the reasons why Orvieto served as a refuge for the Pope during the upheavals that took place in the 16th century — one of just a number of fascinating tales that weave its way through this town’s history.

Perugia

Nestled deep in the Tuscan countryside you’ll find the medieval city of Perugia — famous for its surrounding fortifications, Gothic cathedrals and Renaissance artworks. Perugia is also known for its Italian chocolate, making for the perfect treat after a day of exploration.

Arezzo

The hilltop Tuscan town of Arezzo is definitely worth visiting, given its stunning architecture and breathtaking views of Tuscany. The town was also the home of Giorgio Vasari — one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance — and you’ll find his work scattered throughout Arezzo.