Affordable tours in Tuscany

by SEO Care landscaper

If you are lucky enough to travel to Italy, be sure to include a visit to the central area of the country known as Tuscany. This region, with its green hills, olive groves and vineyards, has been the scene of books and movies, which has led many visitors to see it first hand. Spend time in the Tuscan city of Florence touring its world-famous art museums, palaces, and churches. Budget-friendly walking, cycling and bus tours will help you make the most of your vacation in Italy.

Bike tour

If you are a cyclist, cycle through Tuscany on a day trip offered by ArtViva. The Original Tuscany Bike Tour takes you through the countryside on the outskirts of Florence. This tour includes lunch at a Tuscan restaurant, a visit to vineyards and wineries, and a tour of a Tuscan Renaissance villa. On the 8.6-mile ride, you'll travel on paved roads on 21-speed mountain bikes, with some uphill climbs. Bilingual guides provide details in English or Italian and will even repair a flat tire, if necessary. The company recommends this tour only for experienced cyclists over 12 years old.

Walking tours

Walk About Tuscany Tours will take you on half-day or full-day hikes, ranging from two to 10 miles in length. You can choose to hike the region's medieval trails with a hike to the Monteriggioni fortress. A full-day walk to the Tuscan town of San Gimignano includes walks through its narrow streets and alleys looking for craft shops; a visit to a local farm; and a walk through vineyards and olive groves. A full-day walking tour of Siena involves casual walks through the city's public gardens and a look at the geology of the area to investigate the stones from medieval fountains. The tourism company recommends that travelers bring a backpack with water, sunglasses, sunscreen, rain gear, swimwear and comfortable boots to walk to the ankles.

Wine Tours

A trip to Tuscany would not be complete without a wine tour. A day trip, offered by Siena Activities, takes you to Chianti Classico, the region from southern Florence to Siena. An air-conditioned van takes you through the Tuscan countryside, with a stop in Chianti town for shopping and an opportunity to sample local olive oils. During this eight-hour tour, you will tour three wineries, sample local wines, and have lunch. Tuscan Wine Tours offers day trips to Bolgheri, a coastal town with wineries that produce world-class Cabernet and Merlot. Located on the Etruscan coast, this region is full of boutique wine producers. The eight-hour tours include van conduction and winery visits. Lunch is not included in the cost. Prices vary according to the number of people in the group.

All inclusive tour

For an all-inclusive tour of Tuscany, many prefer a full package. Tuscany Tours offers an eight-day experience, The Best of Tuscany Tour, which includes accommodation, meals, transportation, and entrance fees to galleries, museums, and monuments. Travelers stay in selected properties in Florence, Chianti and Cortona. You will experience a wine tasting in Chianti, see Renaissance art, and visit medieval castles. The tour will take you to the Tuscan countryside, in addition to the cities of Florence and Siena. The maximum number of participants is 16, which makes this a more intimate tour than some.

Tours Gallery

Whether you are an art lover or not, when you travel to Tuscany you will want to visit its art galleries. ArtViva offers tours of two Florence art galleries. The two-hour Masterpieces of the Uffizi Art Gallery Tour tour the Uffizi Gallery in Florence to see works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. Hikers avoid the long lines waiting to enter the gallery. See the Accademia Museum in Florence for The Original David Tour. An experienced guide takes you to see the famous Michelangelo sculpture. Visitors learn about this sculpture, as well as paintings and sculptures from the great masters of Florence in the 14th and 15th centuries.