Especially for first timers. Luckily for you, everything on this one page.
Kind of like ordering a combo from McDonalds. We got you covered.
First, let's look at something Florence and Tuscany is all about: wine and food. You need to taste Florence!
Known for the homegrown region which produces the irresistible Chianti, there are a number of wine tasting tours throughout Florence. A
nd why not? Chianti here tastes better than anywhere else!
Also, many of the tours here will have you visiting the market and witnessing the daily life of the Florentines which is an exciting experience. Here tours will introduce a wide variety of local cheeses, cured meats, and will showcase an array of sauces and condiments to compliment each - the honeys and balsamic vinegar syrups are divine. Not to mention Florence's other sacred juice, olive oil.
You will learn why each region of Italy produces variations of oils. Also taught is the olive oils' health benefits as well as how to use the oils in meals at home. Some wine tastings will include a red from the year's harvest, intended to be consumed young - so new labels had not been printed for the bottles yet!
You will also find out why the wine in Italy does not give you the unwanted morning after headache.
Guides will explain the Italian categories of wine and how they are controlled and why they are treasured.
How about our "ice cream"? But please, it's gelato here. Some tours will have your taste buds going crazy. Many tours will have you trying a number of samples and also teach you about the different temperatures at which the three types of gelato are maintained and why. This is the real stuff! Made with natural ingredients each day. All gelato is not created equal though as there are several traditional recipes that have been passed down from family to family over the rich and historic Florentine tradition.
Not to mention the number of cafes that serve traditional coffee and espresso that will make you consider staying an extra week or two!
Or for something entirely different, check out the
FIAT 500 (Cinquecento) Touring Club, if you are looking for a more interesting, less tiring way to see this beautiful city. The company rents out Vintage Fiat 500's for guided tours of Florence.
You will see places often overlooked by most tourists and get the chance to take some fantastic photos of the Chianti Region and the entire city of Florence below.
You can choose to go in the lead car with the guide, or if you are adventurous and want to feel like an Italian, you can jump in and drive a Fiat yourself following your guide and receiving the tour information through your radio. Oh so fun! This is truly an unforgettable and unique way to see Florence. The touring club is easy to find as it is conveniently located behind the Uffizi Gallery.
One last tip, on how to avoid the sometimes large number of tourists. Especially in the museums. When in Florence, one may be able to see the David at the Accademia with less than 20 other patrons. How? During the summers, they and the Uffizi have extended hours midweek which means from 19:00-22:00 or 7-10pm, all the tourist groups are gone and you can just walk in with no wait, no reservation, and no surcharge and the museum is just for you.
All you need to do now is come here and see for yourself!
