Day Trips from Florence to Lucca

Explore the Italian Riviera on this day trip to the beautiful Cinque Terre from Florence, with transport between each small town provided. Led by a tour guide, discover each fishing village by coach, train, and boat, from the beaches of Monterosso to the charming streets of Riomaggiore. Stop for a swim in the turquoise waters and upgrade to include a traditional Italian lunch. Soak up all the character of this UNESCO-listed region before heading back to Florence.

Experience the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre in one day with a guided tour through the five idyllic fishing villages of old-world Italy. Following the walking trails along the cliffs of the national park, you will see glorious views of this unspoiled stretch of the Italian Riviera. Check out the highlights and learn about the area as you complete a 3.4-mile (5.5-km) route with your guide. If you choose the tour option without hiking, the train will be used instead to move between villages.

Get a true taste of Italy's famous Chianti region on this full-day wine and food tour departing from Florence. Led by a guide, travel through the Tuscan hills by a 4x4 off-road vehicle, stopping to visit a wine estate and historic villa, and a cellar specializing in bottles of Chianti Classico. Sample the finest specialties at each stop, and save room for a 3-course meal in the Chianti countryside before making the return trip to Florence.

Learn to make pizza and gelato during this culinary experience on a Tuscan estate near Florence, perfect for lovers of culture and cuisine. Your professional Italian chef provides a fun hands-on cooking lesson that culminates in a 3-course feast of appetizers, pizza, and gelato, accompanied by wine and beer. Plus, you'll receive a recipe booklet to take home and practice your newfound skills.

Ride a vintage Vespa through Tuscany on this tour from Florence. A local guide leads the way up through the scenic hills, where you pass the famous Piazzale Michelangelo and the Church of San Miniato al Monte. Afterward, head back to Florence for a traditional Italian meal to top off your journey. To ensure an intimate experience, this tour is limited to 10 travelers.

Learn your way around an Italian kitchen during this full-day experience, including a market visit and cooking class, topped off with a 4-course lunch. Search for fresh ingredients at a Florentine market before venturing to a Tuscan farmhouse in the countryside. Take your cue from an expert chef as you create Italian dishes such as bruschetta, pasta, roast pork, and tiramisù. Then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor, complemented by Tuscan wine.

Learn how to make traditional Italian pizza and gelato on this cooking class in Florence. Led by a chef, sample a variety of flavors before getting to work on your own creations. Afterward, bring home your newfound skills in the kitchen to impress your friends. This class is limited to 25 people to ensure you receive personal attention from your instructor.

Try your hand at Florentine cuisine on this cooking class. Journey first to the city’s Central Market alongside expert chefs to select local ingredients for your lunch. Then head to the cooking school to learn how to make Tuscan favorites such as bruschetta, homemade pasta, and dessert. Afterward, sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor, complemented by Chianti wine.

Combine medieval gems, fine wines, and UNESCO-listed monuments on this full-day tour of central Tuscany from Florence. Marvel over the medieval castle of Monteriggioni; explore the architectural wonders of historic Siena; and admire the striking skyline of hilltop San Gimignano. Enjoy a light lunch in Siena and finish your tour with a wine tasting at a local winery in the Chianti region.

Discover Pisa and the picturesque Cinque Terre on this day trip departing from Florence. Snap a photo with the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa before heading to the coast to see the seaside villages of the Italian Riviera. There, travel through the pink- and yellow-hued towns of the Cinque Terre, a World Heritage Site. Explore the beaches, try the local cuisine (own expense) and wander the charming cobblestone streets. This excursion is open to travelers between 18 and 45 years old, and includes your train transportation.

Try your hand in an Italian kitchen on this cooking class in Florence. Set in a palace in the heart of the city, learn how to whip up an authentic 4-course dinner with the help of an expert instructor. Craft Tuscan classics such as fresh pasta, chicken stew and tiramisu for dessert. Reward your hard work afterward with a feast of your creations, paired with delicious Tuscan wine. Numbers are limited to 16 in this small-group workshop in order to keep your experience intimate.

Leave behind the Renaissance treasures of Florence for the day to discover the rugged beauty of the Ligurian coastline. Travel by coach through the rolling vineyards of the Tuscan countryside, and ride a train along stunning sea cliffs to the coastal village of Portovenere. Continue on by train to the famously picturesque fishing villages of Cinque Terre, where you’ll enjoy free time to explore the colorful towns of Monterosso, Vernazza and Manarola. Take an optional hike among terraced hillsides and olive groves, and soak up the views with a scenic train ride along the rocky shore to cap off this full-day adventure.

Get a bird’s-eye view of the Tuscan countryside on this hot air balloon flight. Departing from San Casciano in Val di Pesa, an expert captain will lift you 2,000 feet (609 meters) into the air. Soak up unparalleled views of Tuscany’s olive groves and vineyards spread out below, as well as quaint villages and stunning castles. Then toast your adventure with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine after descending back down into the countryside.

Try your hand in an Italian kitchen during this pasta making class in Florence. Learn how to make different types of pasta and a sweet serving of Italian dessert with the help of an expert instructor. Then toast your fellow chefs with some local red wine and sit down to enjoy the fruit of your labors. This small-group workshop is limited to 15 people to keep the experience as intimate as possible.

Explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside in Italian style on an authentic Vespa scooter! After van transport from Florence, zip along hillside roads past historic villas, medieval villages, olive groves and vineyards. Stop at a local farm and winery for a fresh Tuscan lunch and tasting of Chianti wines. Drive your own Vespa, or ride with an experienced guide if you prefer.

Explore the heart of the Renaissance by Segway on this our of Florence. Led by a local guide, pass top attractions such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo and Piazza Santa Croce. Cover more ground than a walking tour as you hear the history behind this famous city from your guide. Headphones are provided so that you can hear the commentary more clearly as you glide through the streets.

Saddle up for a bike tour through the streets of Florence. Led by a local guide, pass top attractions such as the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza della Signoria and the iconic Ponte Vecchio. As you travel around the historic sites, learn interesting facts and anecdotes about this Renaissance city from your guide. Pull over to enjoy a complimentary coffee or gelato before finishing up your Florence biking excursion.

Saddle up and see Florence and Fiesole on an electric bike tour. Led by a local guide, head first to the hilltop town of Fiesole to admire panoramic views of Tuscany. Then cycle through Florence to pass top sites like Piazzale Michelangelo, the Ponte Vecchio, and the iconic Duomo, as your guide provides commentary along the way. Take a break at a Florentine wine bar to sample some snacks and local Chianti blend. The electric bike motor will start as soon as you pedal so you can enjoy a leisurely trip.

Take in the postcard-perfect beauty of Tuscany on this small-group full-day bike tour from Florence. Ride through the Tuscan hills with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. Keep a relaxed pace to fully enjoy the scenery, and visit two wineries along the way.

Zip through Florence in true Italian fashion on a 3-hour Vespa tour. Ride on your own scooter while a guide leads you to some of the best panoramic views in and around the city, including Piazzale Michelangelo, the convent of San Miniato, and the ancient Roman hill town of Fiesole. Stop often to take photos and enjoy the thrill of riding through the city streets.

Try your hand at Italian fare during this cooking course and market tour in Florence. Begin with a walking tour through the San Lorenzo Market, choosing fresh ingredients for your dishes. Then head back to the kitchen and learn how to prepare a 4-course Tuscan meal under the guidance of a chef. Sit to feast on your creations and take recipes home at the end of your class. The lesson is divided into two groups, with a maximum of 15 people per chef for a more personal experience.

Learn how to make pasta easily and successfully. If you have flour and water you can make pasta and we will teach you the secrets. We will teach you to make RAVIOLI, TAGLIATELLE in different shapes in Florence. The chief of Vivanda, our organic restaurant, will cook all the pasta we have prepared with 3 different sauces and we will taste all together the pasta. We will give you organic tuscan wine produced with natural methods and bottled in our cellar called "From Our Hands". Every participant will receive english instructions for making pasta at home, easily and successfully, by email at the end of the experience.

Zip around Tuscany's capital city, touring Florence aboard a convinent and eco-friendly electric gold cart. Explore the historic center of this 'cradle of Renaissance,' learning its many monumental sights and attractions through recorded commentary as you go. See such landmarks as the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, the open-air Porcellino Market and lovely Ponte alle Grazie, a bridge destroyed during WWII and later reconstructed. Take in the surrounding scenery while your driver navigates the roads. You'll also have an opportunity to visit Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Italy's largest library.

Drinking wine and driving do not mix so join this guided tour that takes you on an off-road adventure through the Chianti Valley while leaving the driving to your guide. In a vintage SUV, travel to three different wine cellars to indulge in 15 wine tastings, as well as tastings of honey and olive oil, and a typical Tuscan picnic lunch.