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Florence Private Transfers
Florence Private Transfers with Sightseeing Florence to Rome (8-9 hours) Take advantage of a private transfer with driver to Rome to stop along the way for sightseeing, with or without an expert guide. Choose between three routings.* Clients traveling with more than one suitcase each may require a larger vehicle. Option A: Chianti Sightseeing Stop in two of the quaint towns of Chianti for sightseeing on your own, along with a local vineyard for a wine tasting tour. Wine tasting fees and lunch to be paid directly. For Wine Enthusiasts we can reserve a special Wine Tasting Lunch at the Antinori vineyards payable directly at € 130 per person.Option B: Siena and San Gimignano Explore the towns of Siena and San Gimignano on your own, or add an expert guide in Siena for a 2 hour walking tour.Optional Siena Walking Tour Option C: Southern Tuscany Sightseeing
Optional Three Hour Tour of Pienza and a Local Cheesemaker Take a pleasant journey through the Val d’Orcia with your local guide and enjoy a walking tour of the quaint town of Pienza, an architectural masterpiece of Renaissance design, where you will see the Palazzo Piccolomini and Duomo along with the many shops selling every type of pecorino cheese imaginable. Then head into the countryside to a local cheese producer and tour his workshop, learning about the various types of pecorino he produces. End the tour with a tasting of the various cheeses accompanied by cold cuts and bruschetta toasted bread with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and toppingsFlorence - Venice (Piazzale Roma*) With a Stop in Verona (8-10 hours) Why take the train to Venice when you can be accompanied by private car and driver that will take you through romantic Verona on the way? The first stop (optional) is a Veronese winery for a taste of the regional Valpollicella wines. Then proceed to Verona in time for lunch (paid directly) in the famous restaurant, 12 Apostoli**, where the owner will take you downstairs for an aperitivo in his wine cellar to see the restaurant's recently discovered Roman ruins. After lunch you have the choice of exploring Verona on your own, or meeting an expert guide for a tour of Verona's most famous monuments such as Piazza Erbe, Juliette's Balcony and the Arena before heading for your final destination, Venice.* A private boat transfer from Piazzale Roma to your hotel can be arranged, please see private boat options in the Venice section ** In the event 12 Apostoli is not available, a suitable substitute will be reserved. * Clients traveling with more than one suitcase each may require a larger vehicle. Depending on the departure time, the private guided tour of Verona may be scheduled prior to lunch. Florence Walking Tour (3 hours)  Meet your guide in your hotel lobby for a tour of the intriguing city of Florence that boasts some of the best preserved Renaissance architectural monuments in Italy. Walk its winding cobblestone streets with your expert guide and visit Brunelleschi’s Duomo, Piazza Della Repubblica, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Croce with its tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo and the Ponte Vecchio lined with centuries-old jewelry shops that is topped by the Medici families’ secret passageway.
Entry fees of €5 per adult and €3 for youths apply for Basilica di Santa Croce. The Basilica is closed Sunday mornings. The Duomo is also closed to visitors Sunday mornings, religious holidays and Oct 24 and 25. Masterpieces of the Uffizi (3 hours) The Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important galleries in the world, offers a collection of world-famous artistic masterpieces such as Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Caravaggio’s Bacchus along with other works by Renaissance masters Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. You will enter with reservations and tour the gallery’s treasures with an expert, English-speaking private guide. Tour will also include an overview of the Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo VecchioEntry fees of approximately €11 per person apply (from 6 years old). The Accademia and Medicis (3 hours)
Entry fees of approximately €11 apply at Accademia, €9 for the Medici Chapels (from 6 years old). NEW! Florence for Kids (3 hours) Kids have their own tour to enjoy with their parents when they are met in the lobby of their hotel by our kid-friendly guide for a morning or afternoon tour of the highlights of this great city with special emphasis on sites that are enjoyable for our younger guests. Stroll the streets of Florence and learn about the history during a chat about Medieval Florence with "Merchants, Monsters and Saints", or Renaissance Florence with "Lords and Heroes". Tour the Palazzo Davanzati, a medieval Florentine home that has been reconstructed and full of interesting tales, and also the Interactive Exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci’s machinesPalazzo Davanzati is closed some Sundays and Mondays, availability to be confirmed at time of booking. Entry fees to be paid directly The Palazzi of Florence (3 hours) For those with a specific interest in historic palaces or noble families, this half-day walking tour visits the most famous and distinguished ancient homes in Florence. Start with the Palazzo Davanzati, home of a noble family from the 14th century. Filled with an impressive array of furnishing and paintings, it greatly reflects the tastes and lifestyles of such families during of this era. Next, stroll medieval streets to the Palazzo Vecchio. The building itself was completed in the 1300’s and contains masterpieces by Vasari and Michelangelo, along with beautiful frescoed walls and ceilings throughout. The tour finishes at Palazzo Corsi, once home to a wealthy Florentine silk merchant turned great art collector, is still filled with fine objects, paintings, and rare furniture.Available Tues-Sat mornings, and only the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month and 2nd and 4th Mondays. Closed also May 1 and Dec 25. External visits of Palazzo Rucellai and Palazzo Strozzi can be substituted on days of the original palazzo closures. Entry fees approximately €11; children’s discount tickets available Be a Florentine Pizzaiolo for a Day (2 hours) Discover the secrets of Italian pizza! Clients are greeted with a bubbling glass of spumante to help loosen up their hands, and then will enjoy the sheer fun of working alongside some of Florence’s best pizza makers in front of their wood-burning ovens. With a friendly English-speaking staff, learn the theoretical side of choosing the correct flour and coordinating the array of delectable, fresh toppings. Then, clients will knead the dough to make their delicious Italian specialty, baking them under the supervision of a master pizza maker. Pizzas will be enjoyed during an early dinner at the restaurant, accompanied by a favorite drink. This is a great outing for clients with children ages three and older.Pitti Palace and the Oltrarno Artisan Quarter (3 hours) Visit the Pitti Palace which was originally built by the wealthy and powerful Pitti banking family and later became the residence of the Medici Family, With an expert guide, clients will tour this great palazzo’s architectural splendor, learning about its rich history Today, the palace holds more than eight museums. Clients will visit masterpieces such as Canova’s Venus Italica and Titan’s Portrait of a Gentleman. Take a walk through time in the Costume Gallery, seeing sumptuous Renaissance wardrobe that once graced the noblest of Florentines. Finally, clients will stroll along the narrow streets of the Oltrarno’s artisan quarter to peek in the master craftsmen’s workshops . Please notify us at the time of booking if you would like to substitute the Boboli Gardens for the Oltrarno walking tour.Entry fees of approximately €12 per person apply. The Jewish Heritage Walking Tour (3 hours) Visit the city’s splendid Moorish style synagogue and its museum in what was the city’s Jewish quarter. Admire this structure’s rich interior of inlaid marble floors, mosais, and stained glass windows throughout. Hear about the history of Florence’s Jewish community, especially during WWII, and tour the museum’s unique works. Next, walk the city’s streets with an expert guide to learns the importance of several historical Jewish sites located around city center, such as where the Ghetto once stood, Santa Croce, and Piazzas della Signoria and Repubblica.Entry fees of approximately €5 per person. Full-Day Walking Tour of Florence (6 hours) For a fantastic day in one of the world’s most amazing cities, combine any of the two following tours for a spectacular overview of this cultural and artistic jewel. Florence Walking Tour, Uffizi Gallery’s Works of Art, Accademia Gallery and the Medici Family, Pitti Palace Museums and the Oltrarno Artisan Quarter, Florence for Kids and Jewish Heritage Walking Tour. Departure is at 9 a.m. from the client's hotel. Please see above for more in-depth descriptions of each tour.Entry fees apply. Please see individual tour descriptions for availability. Artisans of Florence Shopping Tour (4 hours) There are a multitude of beautiful shops in Florence, and with a personal shopper clients will discover where to acquire the best Italian-made goods to suit their style and budget! Clients can choose from expertly crafted items from local Florentine artisans, including leather goods, gold jewellery, ceramics, silver, shoes, Florentine paper and handmade, and embroidered linens. The personal shopper can arrange a private visit to a leather designer's showroom, any clothing designer’s shop, or to Florentine merchants offering extensive selections of exquisite jewellery, mosaics, and cameos. The guide will assist clients in the VAT tax refund procedures and can arrange shipping parcels to anywhere in the world.This tour is available 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., or 3 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., excluding Sundays. Designer Outlet Shopping (5 hours or 8 hours) Depart Florence with your personal driver for a half- or full-day of shopping the designer outlets at The Mall. Find the best Italian brands like Valentino, Armani, Gucci, Fendi, and many more with discount prices. Full and half day tours available.Available 7 days a week except holidays; store are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. NEW Add a stop for Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Lesson (1 hour) after your shopping trip: Please pay required materials fee directly at the site; €25 per person for 1-2 people; € 20 per person for 4-6 people Florence Cooking Lessons (3 hours) This lesson is truly an experience to remember! Clients will learn how to cook authentic, delicious Italian food during this hands-on cooking lesson with notable Florentine chefs from top local restaurants. The “Classic Italian Menu” class gives you the opportunity to choose a personalized menu (clients will be sent a list of menu selections at the time of booking) consisting of Appetizer, Pasta, Main Course and Dessert. Students will enjoy eating the meal they have prepared with their chef, accompanied by local wine. Classes begin at 10 a.m. for lunch, or 5 p.m. for dinner. Class time must be indicated during booking.Lessons are available Monday-Friday; school is closed from Aug 9-20 Florence Cooking Combination Course (5 hours) This special multi-purpose class was created for those interested in learning some Italian language, cooking, and wine appreciation too. The lesson begins with an introduction to the Italian language needed to travel and better identify food and wine. Next, a sommelier will introduce some of the country’s best wines, teaching about their delicate makings while conducting a tasting of notable vintages. Lastly, commence cooking the Classic Italian Menu (see above description). Classes begin at 10 a.m. for lunch, or 3 p.m. for dinner.Lessons are available Monday-Friday; school is closed from Aug 9-20. Florence Countryside Tours A Day in Siena and San Gimignano (8 hours) Meet your private driver in the hotel lobby at 9:00 a.m. to begin your tour through the scenic hills of Tuscany. The first stop is the picturesque city of Siena, where you will meet your expert guide for a three-hour tour that will encompass the major monuments of this historical city. Visit the historic Piazza del Campo where the famous horserace "Il Palio" takes place every summer and brightens the city’s streets with colourful flags and lively festivities organized by each of the city’s competing neighborhoods. Next visit the Palazzo Pubblico and the stunning cathedral that boasts a collection of works of art by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Bernini. Say “arrivederci” to your guide and make your way to San Gimignano with its impressive medieval towers. Have lunch in a local trattoria (to be paid directly) and stroll the cobblestone streets of this charming town enjoying the afternoon on your own. Make sure to see the Piazza della Cisterna and the Piazza del Duomo. Take a peek at the local wares and wines in the shops that line the town’s characteristic streets before returning to your hotel by 5:00 p.m.Entry fees of approximately €6 per person apply. Depending on the availability of our Siena guide, San Gimignano may be visited first. A Day in Chianti (8 hours) Your private English speaking driver will pick you up at 9:00 am in the hotel lobby to begin this day trip through the Chianti countryside, characterized by its silver-green olive groves, well-kept vineyards and small stone cottages. Stroll through the towns of Greve, Montefioralle and Radda in Chianti on your own to explore their charming piazzas and churches. Visit a Chianti winery and taste their famous Chianti Classico and Chianti Riserva wines. If possible, a stop will be scheduled at an olive mill for a demonstration of how Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made; try some of this "liquid gold" for yourself. Stop for lunch in a local trattoria where you can enjoy the specialties of the region. The return to your Florence hotel is scheduled for 5:00 pm.Wine and olive oil tasting fees of approximately €16 per person apply, with lunch paid directly. A custom tour of the Chianti countryside may be arranged upon request. Additional reservations can be made at the Antinori vineyards for a special Wine Tasting Lunch that includes a private tour with sommelier, generous tasting of three wines, three-course lunch, and olive oil tasting. This is €130 per person and is paid directly to the restaurant. A Day in Lucca and Pisa Driver Service (8 hours) Depart with driver at 9:00 am through the Tuscan countryside and head towards the coast for a day of exploring Lucca and Pisa on your own. Enjoy the walled medieval town of Lucca and walk along its cobblestone streets to visit its important piazzas and churches, then enjoy time on your own for lunch.Proceed to Pisa, home of the famous Leaning Tower, where you can admire it from the Piazza dei Miracoli or we can reserve a visit with the resident staff of the tower for a short tour climbing to the top (children under 8 are not allowed in the tower). Please indicate this preference at the time of booking, and your VI or MC will be charged directly by the Leaning Tower box office. *Bus Permits to be added at additional cost Siena Private Transfers
* Clients traveling with more than one suitcase each may require a larger vehicle. Siena Private Tours Siena Walking Tour (3 hours)Meet your expert guide in the hotel lobby or designated meeting place for a three-hour tour that will encompass the major monuments of this historical city. Visit the historic Piazza del Campo where the famous horserace "Il Palio" takes place every summer and brightens the city’s streets with colourful flags and lively festivities organised by each of the city’s competing neighborhoods. Next visit the Palazzo Pubblico and the stunning cathedral that boasts a collection of works of art by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Bernini Drivers are available for daytrips from Siena, please ask for details at info@absoluteitaly.it |
Visit the towns of Montepulciano and Pienza on your own, with free time for lunch, or add an expert guide and 3 hour tour to experience: olive oil tasting at an olive mill, a winery visit or stop at a pecorino cheese maker for a tour and tasting:
Enter the Accademia Gallery with a reservation and visit the famous ‘David’, the statue that established Michelangelo as the greatest sculptor of his time. Learn about the making and history of this glorious sculpture, and tour Michelangelo’s other works in residence. Also on display at the Accademia are paintings from other notable Renaissance artists, such as Uccello, Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, and Sarto. Proceed to the splendid Medici Chapels decorated with frescoes and inlaid stones, or visit the first residence of Cosimo di Medici, known as the Palazzo Medici Riccardi.