TUSCANY by GC item

 

With Tuscany by GC you will be guided in the visit of the most interesting and attractive places in Tuscany such as the most beautiful medieval villages in Tuscany, cities of art rich in history, starred restaurants, paths along the beautiful Tuscan coast, in order to appreciate and enjoy them all the most beautiful attractions and experiences that Tuscany can offer to visitors.

CONDITIONS

Transport: comfortable 7 seater V Class Mercedes minivan with air conditioning
English speaking driver

TUSCANY by GC is an individual company specializing in tours and transfers in Tuscany and Italy with car rental with driver. Created and managed by Giancarlo Manzini, the company has a vast working experience in the tourism sector. With elegant and comfortable cars, Giancarlo will guide you to visit some of the best producers of Italian food and wine excellence, including a wide selection of wine cellars known for wines renowned, as well as of course the visit to farms producing the precious extra virgin olive oil ollio and much more.

ANOTHER SERVICES  

• Limo Services, Tours, Excursions, Transfers And Shore Excursions
• City and country tours
• Visits to wine estates/olive oil farms/balsamic vineyard cellars
• Personalized itineraries (Truffle, cheese and chocolate tasting)
• Special ( weddings/ceremonies/ business congress)
• Shore excursions ( From Livorno or La Spezia port)
• Reservations for museums, opera, ballet and other exhibitions
• Suggestions for restaurants/hotels/villas/bed & breakfast, in the cities and countryside
• Shopping trips ( outlets: The Mall/ Prada/D&G/Cavalli/McArthurglen Barberino…)
• Transfers from cities to cities

 

CORTONA & MONTEPULCIANO TOUR

Relive the Medieval Era
Time: 10 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 2hrs to Cortona and return 2hr back to Florence

Highlights
Travel to Cortona a walled Etruscan town, well worth visiting not only for its beauty as it is majestically perched on the top of a hill with superb views but also for its history.
We will drive to the top of the village and I will point out some interesting facts and then you will have 1 hour free time to explore.
Afterwards we will have a look at the “Bramasole” house situated just outside Cortona where the famous film and book “ Under the Tuscan Sun “ written by Frances Mayes was filmed.
We will also visit the Eremo delle Celle fonded by San Francesco of Assisi and where he used to pray.

From Cortona we will continue our tour for another 45 mins to the medieval village of Montepulciano, famous for it’s wines.
We can either make a stop for lunch on the way or have lunch in Montepulciano.
Free time to explore the town (1 hr), followed by wine-tasting in a famous winery or combine lunch and wine-tasting together.
You will taste the Nobile di Montepulciano and other good wines.

Extra
Wine tasting €10-15
Wine tasting and light lunch €15-20
Wine tasting and lunch €30-40

 

FERRARI & FOOD VALLEY TOUR

The Best of “Made In Italy” Tour – Ferrari, Balsamic vinegar &Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Culatello, Ham tour
Time: 10 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 2hrs and return 2hr back  to Florence

Highlights
Early departure from Florence to drive 2 hours to reach, first the production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Tour of the factory and taste samples of this world famous cheese.
Drive to Maranello to have lunch in a typical restaurant.
In the afternoon drive to the home of the Ferrari museum.
Spend time in their shop and if you like you can test drive a Ferrari.
Later visit a balsamic vinegar cellar for tastings

Extra
Cheese & balsamic tastings extra
Lunch extra

 

FLORENCE & COOKING LESSONS TOUR

Florence & Cooking lessons in the country house Tour
Time: 6 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time to countryside 40 minutes

Highlights
Pick up from hotel, spend a half day visiting the highlights of Florence, starting with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the baptistery and bell tower, Republic square, Signoria square with the old city hall, Palazzo Vecchio and not too be missed the old bridge, Ponte Vecchio and the residence of the Medici family and the Pitti Palace.
Followed by the white marble facade of Santa Croce church and one of the oldest churches, Santa Maria Novella.
Enjoy a drive up to the famous viewing point of Michelangelo Square and visit the beautiful church of San Miniato.
Lunch

Then leaving the hussle and bussle of city life we will escape to the calm of the countryside, to enjoy a cooking lesson in a country house
Learn to cook some typical Tuscan dishes followed by tastings.
Return to your Hotel after dinner

Extra
Cooking lesson € 100-150 per person
Hourly rates apply for extended tour time

 

PISA & LUCCA TOUR

One Day Excursion to Pisa & Lucca
Time: 8 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 1hr to Pisa and return 1hr  30 minutes back to Florence

Highlights a Pisa (Visiting time 3 hrs)
Drive from Florence to Pisa
Visit the highlights including Miracle Square with the white marble Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, it’s baptistery and the incredible leaning tower (which you will have time to visit, reservations necessary which can be arranged in advance). Both designed by Bonanno Pisano and Giovanni de Simone.
Enjoy a drive through parts of the city.
Trip continues to the amazing walled city of Lucca
Lunch on the way

Highlights a Lucca (Visiting time 2 hrs)
There are many interesting sights in this city including the Cathedral of San Martino, the churches of San Michele and San Frediano, Piazza Anfiteatro where all the houses are built in a circle, Torre Guinigi, Torre delle Ore and the famous composer Puccini’s birthplace.
You may like to walk or hire bikes and cycle around the city wall taking in all the delightful views that this wonderful city offers.

Extra
Wine tasting €10-15 per person
Lunch extra
You can enjoy a wine-tasting experience in the nearby village of Montecarlo, (1 hr extra)

 

CARRARA MARBLE TOUR & FREE TIME AT THE TUSCAN COAST

Visit the Carrara mountains and the seaside in the same day
Time: 8 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 1hr 30 minutes to Carrara and return 1hr 30 mins. back to Florence

Highlights
Start from Florence drive to Carrara.
Spend the morning touring the mountains by minivan or join a four wheel drive tour (Freelander) to reach the summit overlooking the famous marble quarries (1hr 30 mins tour)
Visit Colonnata for an appetiser with the cured lard.
Visit an artist’s studio, see the craft work of carving with marble.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch
Afternoon in a beach club

Extra
Lunch extra
Four wheel drive tour

 

THE CARRARA MARBLE QUARRIES EXPERIENCE & THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA

Time: 8 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 1hr 30 minutes to Carrara and return 1hr 15 mins. back to Florence

Highlights
Starting from Florence drive to Carrara, spend the morning visiting the area by minivan, or enjoy a 4 wheel drive tour (Freelander) to reach the summit of the mountains overlooking the quarries
Stop for lunch in Colonnata in a characteristic restaurant to taste the typical products including the Lardo di Colonnata, (cured lard)
Then visit a workshop to see an artist carving marble.
Drive for 1 hour to Pisa and visit Miracle Square with it’s white marble cathedral and the leaning tower of Pisa.

Extra
Lunch extra
Four wheel drive tour

 

THE MARBLE QUARRIES OF CARRARA & THE CHARMING MEDIEVAL TOWN OF LUCCA

Time: 8 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 1hr 30 minutes to Carrara and return 1hr 15 mins. back to Florence

Highlights
Starting from Florence drive to the Carrara Marble mountains to spend the morning visiting by minivan, or enjoy a 4 wheel jeep tour (Freelander) to reach the summit overlooking the marble quarries
Stop for lunch in Colonnata, taste the typical products including the Lardo di Colonnata, (cured lard).
Drive 1 hour to Lucca and spend the afternoon visiting the city.

Extra
Lunch extra
Four wheel drive tour

 

SAN GIMIGNANO WINE TASTING WITH TRUFFLE

Time: 9 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 1hr minutes to San Gimignano and return 1hr back to Florence

Highlights
Here an experienced truffle hunter will take you on the hunt for the precious tuber, followed by a brief wine tasting in one of the local wine-cellars
Cooking lesson, where you will learn how to cook truffles and which wines to pair it to for your lunch, or prefer to just stay in the winery for both the wine-tasting and lunch
The afternoon proceeds with a visit to San Gimignano to admire its tower-houses and quaint nooks
Estimated 2h truffle hunting, 1h wine-tasting, 45 min cooking lesson, 1h30 visit of San Gimignano

Extra
Lunch extra

PORTOVENERE AND CINQUE TERRE TOUR

Time: 10 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 2hrs to Portovenere and return 2hr back to Florence

Highlights
Departing from Florence we will travel to the scenic seaside village of Portovenere which is another seaside village just before the 5 Terre and well worth visiting.
From here you can take a ferry boat for 15 mins to the first 5 Terre village of Riomaggiore.
Spend about 30 mins looking around and then walk along the cliffs through the path of love to reach the next village, Manarola, walking time 20 mins.
Spend another 30 mins visiting this village and then go by train (10 mins journey) to the next village, Vernazza.

Here I suggest to have lunch as there are some good restaurants overlooking the quaint harbour.
After lunch get the next train to Monterosso and explore the village for 30 mins.
Time permitting, you can also visit Corniglia which is situated between Vernazza and Monterosso but it is the most difficult to reach as there are many steps and perhaps less interesting than the others.
The pick up point will be in Monterosso and we will drive back through the picturesque countryside with stunning sea views.

Extra
Train and ferry boat tickets and entrance to the path of love are not included in the prices and are to be paid on the spot.
Luch extra

 

SHOPPING TOUR

Shopping for the most Famous Fashion Brands & Italian Cuisine at its best
Time: 8 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.

Time permitting it wo­­uld be a pity not to find the occasion to go shopping in search of Italian goods known for their excellence such as artisan worked leather goods including hand-made shoes, the craftsmanship of Florentine paper, gold and jewelery workshops as well as the production of classical fabrics like silk and cashmere.

Highlights
Visit fashion houses such as Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada, Cavalli, Cucinelli, Armani, Scervino in the city centres or in the fashion outlets.
Visit perfume laboratories and learn about manufacturing since the Medieval age until today.
Sculptures and artifacts from Carrara including marble objects and mosaics.
Finally taste the culinery delicacies that italian cuisine offers, superb wines, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, parmesan and pecorino cheeses, prosciutto ham from Zibello, truffles and finishing with countless home-made ice cream parlours.
On a final note visit the valley of the signature chocolate.

Conditions
Tour of wine estate with tastings. €10-15 per person
Lunch extra

 

SHORE EXCURSION FROM LIVORNO

Visit to Florence, Pisa & Wine-Tasting (10 hours)
Time: 10 hours
Depart: Pick up from Livorno port – service of “door to door”.
Journey times from Livorno port to Florence 1hr 30 minutes and retur from Pisa 30 minutes bach to Livorno port

Highlights of Florence
Spend a half day visiting the highlights of Florence starting with the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, it’s baptistery and the bell tower, Republic and Signoria Squares and the old city hall, the Palazzo Vecchio Followed by a stroll over the old bridge, the Ponte Vecchio to the residence of the Medici family, the Pitti Palace.
See the white marble facade of the church of Santa Croce and one of the oldest churches, Santa Maria Novella.
Enjoy a drive up to the famous viewing point, Michelangelo Square and visit the beautiful church of San Miniato.
A quick lunch or if you prefer wine-tasting with lunch in a local wine cellar.

Highlights of Pisa
Travel to Pisa, you have one hour free time to see Miracle Square with its white marble cathedral and leaning tower.
A quick visit to Cavalieri Square situated along the Arno river, the oldest part dating back to the 15th century. Possible to book leaning tower of Pisa (visit of 30 minutes).

Extra
Lunch extra.
Wine- tasting €15-20 per person
Wine-tasting with lunch €25-40 per person

 

SIENA & SAN GIMIGNANO TOUR

Excursion to Siena and San Gimignano
Time: 8 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 1hr 15 minutes to Siena and return 1hr back to Florence

Highlights
Visiting Siena is like stepping back in time, a perfect example of medieval architecture. The city is built on 3 different hills with delightful squares which have maintained all the characteristics of a medieval city
The beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria dell’Assunta and the famous Campo Square, where the “Palio” horse race takes place twice a year on July 2nd and August 16th
Time: You will have 2 hrs to look around and then have lunch in a typical restaurant in the old city
Lunch: At Siena or on request stop for lunch in Monteriggioni Castle, another beautiful walled hamlet and a quick look around.
Later drive to San Gimignano (45 mins from Siena), a stunning medieval village perched high up on a hill. With only 14 of it’s original 74 towers left, the village has been beautifully restored
Time: You can spend 1hr 30 mins exploring the narrow streets and characteristic squares and there are some shops selling tasteful souvenirs and enjoy some of the best ice cream
With time permitting we can stop at a winery along the Chianti Classico route and do some wine tasting of some of the famous labels

Extra
Tour of wine estate with tastings. €10-15 per person
Additional hourly charge to prolong tour.
Lunch extra

 

SUPER TUSCAN WINE TOUR

The Famous Super Tuscan Wine Growing Region
Time: 10 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 2hr to Bolgheri and return 2hr back to Florence

Highlights
This tour consists of 2 or 3 visits to different prestigious wineries to taste the exclusive Super Tuscan wines in the pretty villages of Bolgheri and Suvereto
Time to enjoy lunch and afterwards travel to Pisa.
Visit the famous Miracle Square with a stop for photos of the stunning white marble cathedral and leaning tower of Pisa

Exra
Cellar tour with wine-tasting of important wines €20-30 per person
Optional Tuscan lunch with wine-tasting of exclusive wines €40–70 per person

 

TRUFFLE TOUR

Truffle Hunting with Lunch & Wine-Tasting
Time: 8 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey times 1hr to San Miniato and return 1hr back to Florence

Highlights
Departing from Florence to the Medieval town of San Miniato.
Enjoy the experience of truffle hunting with an experienced truffle hunter and their dog
Learn about the truffle and the magic of its traditions and legends
Discover how the truffle is used in the kitchen and enjoy a lunch altogether, all dishes based on the truffle or go to a nearby restaurant
Lunch
After lunch you have the option to either see the town and visit a local wine-cellar or visit Vinci (30 mins) and the museum and house of Leonardo di Vinci

Extra
Cost is not included for the visit to truffle farm, visit to Truffle farm together with lunch, visit museum and house of Leonardo da Vinci and Wine-tasting
Lunch extra

 

VAL D’ORCIA TOUR

Sightseeing in the Stunning Tuscan Countryside
Time: 10 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 1hr 30 mins and return 1hr 45 mins back to Florence

This tour offers various possibilities:

Starting from Florence we will travel to Montalcino, in the heart of Val D’Orcia
Visit Montalcino a delightful village (30 mins) and the old Abbey of Sant Antimo
On request I can reserve a well known winery to taste the superb Brunello wines
The tour will continue to San Quirico taking in the stunning views of the countryside
A stop for lunch in a typical restaurant or alternatively have lunch in the tiny village of Monticchiello

Afterwards drive to the Medieval village of Pienza (30 mins)
Visit the centre and try some famous Pecorino cheese.
The next stop is in Montepulciano.
Here again it’s reserve another wine-tasting experience in a Nobile di Montepulciano winery, less expensive than Brunello but just as prestigious

Extra
Brunello wine tasting €15-20
Montepulciano wine-tasting €10-15
Lunch extra

 

LEISURE AND BREWERIES TOUR

Leisure time in the Tuscan Countryside or enjoy the Beach & the Excellence of Craft Beers in the Micro Brewery
Time: 8 hours
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.
Journey time outwards 1hr and return 1hr back to Florence

Highlights
Departing from Florence to reach the first micro brewery
Visit the production line followed by tastings of artisan beers
Enjoy lunch in a typical restaurant
After lunch you have a choice of visitng a medieval village or have a walk in a seaside village along the Tuscan coast
Visit a second brewery with tour and tastings

Extra
Lunch extra

 

CUSTOMIZED TOUR

Driving And Tour Leader For Your Holiday In Italy

Time: 4 / 6 / 8 /10 hours or more
Depart: Florence – service of “door to door”.

To optimize your time during your stay in Italy It can be create special personalized tours just for you. Just tell me what you would like to visit and what your interests are and I can suggest suitable itineraries. To experience some of the local traditions, festivals and culinary delights or for the shopping enthusiasts, here are a few suggestions and calendar of events to make your trip to Italy really special.

 

CULTURAL & ENOGASTRONOMIC TOURS

Some personalized cultural and enogastronomic tour suggestions:

• Experience a hands on cooking class, learn to make fresh pasta and other local recipes
• Cooking Class And “The Mall” Shopping Outlet
• Cooking Class And Castle Cellar Tour
• Visit local artisans and see their production of coffee, chocolate or ice-cream
• Tuscany has an abundance of wine. During the wine harvest in September and October visit some of the more interesting cellar tours. Learn about procedures and enjoy some wine tasting
• Tuscany has many interesting villas and castles. Get to know the history of some of the most important noble families
• In November and December discover the specialised techniques of producing extra virgin olive oil
• Visit cheese farms making Pecorino and Parmesan. Taste and get to know the processes of these typical Italian specialities
• Winter is the time of the truffle hunting season. Visit and taste the famous white truffle, unique to Tuscany and Umbria
• Visits to a vast choice of museums such as: Uffizzi art gallery, Accademy sculpture gallery, to see the original “David” by Michelangelo,. Bargello, Pitti Palace, Galileo science museum or Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Opera del Duomo museum, Giacomo Puccini museum, Villa Caruso di Bellosguardo, Bocelli’s Theatre of Silence and many others featuring stoneworks and fabrics
• Art city tours with visit to Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Rome, Peruggia & Assisi, Cortona, Montepulciamo, Venice
• Shore excursions fron Livorno Port to 5 terre, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, San Gimignano, The Outlets e other

 

FREE TIME

Some suggestions to free time:

• Spa treatments available all year
• Skiing and spa season in Abetone from December to March
• Italian lake motor boat tours on Garda, Como, Maggiore, d’Iseo from March to October
• Tuscany Islands mini cruises from April to September
• Balloon tours take place all year round, weather permitting
• Shopping trips to The Mall Outlet, Prada Outlet , Barberino Outlet

 

EVENTS & FAIRS

Some suggestions to typical Tuscan events and fairs:

• ”Palio” horse race takes in the famous Siena square “Il Campo” on the 2 July and the 16 August
• “Carnevale”, February is carnival time in Venice and Viareggio
• “Maggio Musicale Fiorentino”, festival of classical music, opera, ballet and theatre opens in May and June in Florence
• “Calcio Storico”, Medieval football game takes place in May and June
• “Infiorata Fiera di Spello” religious flower festival in June
• “La Luminaria di San Ranieri, special light festival in Pisa on the 16 June
• “Giostra del Saracino”, in Arezzo Medieval jousting event twice a year in June and September
• “Mercantia Festa Medioevale” In Certaldo in July, an International festival featuring street artists
• “Festa Medioevale” in Monteriggioni, medieval festival in July
• “Puccini Opera” in Torre del Lago, opera festival in July and August
• “Bravio Delle Botti” in Montepulciano, local barrel festival in August
• “Mostra Mercato Tartufo Bianco”, in Volterra and San Miniato, white truffle fairs in October and November
• “Mostra Antiquariato”, Arezzo antiques market on the first weekend and in Lucca on the third weekend of the month
• Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati tours available all year round

 

TRANSFERS WITH STOPOVERS  AND FROM CITIES, AIRPORTS AND PORTS

Tuscany by GC  offers transfer services to and from airports, ports and the main Italian cities.

• Florence To Rome (Stop In Orvieto 1h 30′) 5h 30′
• Florence To Rome (Stop To Civita Di Bagnoregio 1h 30′) 5h 30′
• Florence To Rome (Stop In Siena 1h 30′) 6h 30′
• Florence To Venice (Stop In Bologna , Ferra or Barberino Outlet 1.30) 5h
• Transfer from Firenze to Siena, Versilia, Rome, Milan, Venice, Perugia, Bologna, Portofino, Verona, Civitavecchia, Guarda Lake, Cono Lake, Maggiore Lake
• Transfer from Florence Airport , Bologna Airport, Rome Airport, Pisa Airport, Milan Airport to Florence City Center, Siena City Center

 

INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS

On confirmation of a booking, I would require a deposit to be paid by bank transfer,  details given below. This is based on the type of service requested. The balance can be paid either by credit card (Visa/Mastercard) or travellers cheques, at the end of the service.

In the eventuality of cancellation:
100% of the deposit will be returned if notified at least 4 days before the booking date.
50% of the deposit will be returned if notified at least 24 hours before the booking date.
After only 24 hours notice, the deposit will be totally forfeited.

For information and requests for private experiences leave name, email, telephone and description of the event of interest, you will be contacted as soon as possible. We would be happy to create an ad hoc experience for you.

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