Top Tuscany Day Trips - page 34

Take a day trip from Tuscany to explore this gorgeous Italian countryside with these highly recommended trips from recent visitors:

• Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery
• Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking
• Chianti Safari: Tuscan Villas with Vineyards, Cheese, Wine & Lunch from Florence
• Florence Vespa Tour: Tuscan Hills and Italian Cuisine
• Siena and San Gimignano: Small-Group Tour with Lunch from Florence

Yes. Of course, you can explore on your own, but when you have a limited time, booking a Tuscany day trip tour is a great way to maximize your travel time and budget. These tours include your transportation and activities, along with the friendly services of a guide, who can give you all the local insider information to help you have a fun and enriching experience.

Day trips can cost as little as US$40 up to US$4,000 for premium experiences such as private helicopter wine tours or experiences that include luxury sports cars. In general, plan to spend between US$100 and US$200 for a typical full-day touring experience in Tuscany.

Tuscany is home to some of the most picturesque towns in Italy—incredible destinations filled with food, wine, and history. Florence is the capital of this region, but you’ll also love exploring the towns of Lucca, Siena, Pisa, and Montepulciano, all within a reasonable distance for a day trip.

Generally, your transportation and the services of a local guide are included with your tour, though inclusions vary among companies. Some tours also include admission to local attractions, lunch, and drinks, while you may need to pay for these additional experiences on others.

Plan to spend at least three days in Tuscany, though a longer stay will allow you to experience more Tuscany day trips. Throughout Italy (but especially in Tuscany), it’s helpful to embrace, il dolce far niente—the sweetness of doing nothing—while traveling. Give yourself time to slow down and really savor the experience of being in this beautiful destination.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Tuscany aside from day trips. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Wine Tasting

• Cooking Classes

• Private Drivers

• Horseback Riding

• Vespa Rentals

Tuscany day trip prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Chianti Wineries Tour with 7 Wine Tastings from Florence

• Self-Guided Bike Tour from Lucca to Pisa

• Livorno Shore Excursion to Lucca & Pisa optional Leaning Tower Ticket

• Pisa to Lucca Self-Guided Bike Tour Along the Puccini Trail

• Full-Day Shore Excursion to Florence from Livorno with Tasting

Tuscany day trips allow you to choose from a variety of destinations and activities, from exploring the vineyards of Chianti by Vespa to hiking the sea-view trails of Cinque Terre or admiring the exquisite architecture of Pisa and Siena. Figure out which cities and itineraries appeal to you most, and then find a day trip that suits your taste and budget. Private tours are generally more expensive, while plenty of group tours are under US$100.

Comfortable walking shoes are a must for any Tuscan day trip, whether climbing up bell towers in San Gimignano or hiking from one coastal town to the next in Cinque Terre. Some day trips include a meal, but if yours doesn’t, consider making lunch plans in advance or asking your guide for recommendations. If you’ll have free time to explore your day trip destination on your own, your guide is also a great source of information about things to do.

Most Tuscany day trips involve a fair amount of time spent outdoors, so it’s best to book your experience when the weather is most pleasant from April–May or September–October. Tuscany gets fewer visitors in these months than in summer, allowing you to experience its picturesque cities and countryside with minimal crowds.