Our wine tour with Viaggi d'Ambra absolutely MADE our trip to Florence. My fiance and I went on the…read moreChianti Classico tour, which stopped in Greve and at two incredible wineries -- Vallone di Cecione (incredible small family run, super intimate) and Savignola (medium-sized, trendier). Vallone di Cecione in particular was incredibly unique and special. The views were also breathtaking. We ended the day with an incredible home-made lunch overlooking the Tuscan Hills. It was the most charming, personal, and thoughtfully-arranged wine tour either of us has ever been on. Azzurra is so warm, passionate and knowledgeable about winemaking and the winemaking process, and makes you feel like family. We learned so much from her in just one day and walked away from the experience full and happy, with an incredible new friend. Seriously, if you do one thing during your trip to Florence, do this tour. You will not regret it. Thank you Azzurra and Viaggi d'Ambra. We love you guys and will absolutely be back.

My boyfriend and I went on a private wine tour of Tuscany with Christian. It was well worth the…read moremoney we spent. Christian picked us up right by our hotel, we were staying at the Alta Duomo in Siena. He was friendly, knowledgable, and we felt very comfortable. The highlight of the trip was when Christian took us for a tour of the Altiero Winery. At this winery, we had paid extra to have a home-cooked lunch in the winery's owners home. It was the best meal we have ever tasted. We still talk about it to this day! Along with a few bottles of their delicious wine, we also were able to buys a couple liters of the freshly pressed olive oil. So delicious and almost a fluorescent green color due to the freshness of the olives. I STRONGLY recommend a tour by Christian. This was the highlight of our trip to Tuscany and we will never forget it! Price was about 450 euro for a private all day including lunch for the two of us. WELL worth the money spent. Make sure you do the lunch option as well.

We went on the Tuscany day tour with Miri, and she was absolutely amazing! She was personable,…read moreknowledgeable, and made the entire day so enjoyable. It was especially nice having someone who is from the area and could share all the little details, local perspective, and stories that you just wouldn't get on your own. Miri was also incredibly attentive to everyone on the tour. She made sure everyone knew where to be and when, and I always felt like she was looking out for us and making sure everyone was safe and comfortable. I would definitely recommend the tour, and Miri!, but be prepared for a full and wonderful day. There's quite a bit of walking, so get some stretching in beforehand! The buses were clean and comfortable, and the air conditioning absolutely saved us. If you're considering a Tuscany day tour, do it! And if you can get Miri as your guide, even better!

Had a great Cinque Terre Walk About tour with our guides Naomi and Luca. Both brought their…read morepersonalities and knowledge of the area to the tour. You should be proud to have them as employees. Since they went the extra mile and smile, I have a little suggestion. It's best done to the Aerosmith song "Walk this Way". Enjoy... Walk About ( To the song Walk this Way by Aerosmith) Cinque Terre lovers There's a tour like no other Who can fill with your day with so much fun From the bus to the train Their always there to explain As you travel town to town in the sun Always with a smile They go the extra mile Naomi and Luca should really be praised For the hard work they do I have a suggestion for you How bout giving them both a raise Walk About We all shout Without doubt Don't cop out Just give them a raise Seaside villas Lined up and down the hillas Stretching up the Italian Coast With breath taking views So many we never knew An experience we all will boast Speaking for the rest These two really gave their best A credit to your industry by far So maybe tomorrow You can give them some more Euros And on Yelp I will give you 5 STARS Walk About We all shout Without doubt Don't cop out Just give them a raise

My wife, my daughter and myself went by taxi to our morning appointment with the 500 Touring Club…read moreand met our hostesses, Bella and Sofia, who utterly enchanted us with their warmth and good humor. We were the only ones scheduled at that hour, which meant we could move at our leisure. Bella took advantage of that fact and slyly guided us through the soft dark earth toward an older couple at work in their olive orchard. They were raking the ripe olives off the branches the old way, with tools that gently combed the fruit off the tree onto the green netting below. Some brisk introductions and we were fast recruited to try our hand at this ancient harvest. A delightful start to our adventure. Then came the instructions for how to operate these old miniaturized Fiats. As luck would have it, we all three already knew how to "drive stick", but the refresher course was helpful! And there were nuances unique to these old cars which we needed to know. Once we got the gist of it, we headed out and tooled across the Tuscan countryside like the smart set on a happy jaunt! The little car ground gamely up the hills and around the curving vales, through cozy villages and past old castles until we found a place to park so we could take in the view. And what a view! The rolling vistas of Tuscany are incomparable; the beauty and richness of this wine district are breathtaking. We posed for pics alongside our tri-colored little pet and then switched drivers, letting my daughter take the wheel for a spell. She loved maneuvering our Fiat 500 around the hairpin turns and past the racing bicyclists. Another stop and my wife had a go. Experts all! Before long it was time to eat, and our hostesses had a feast in store for us. We stopped at La Capannaccia di Luca Bini, an Old World house where the owner and maker of the celebrated Chianti Classico and Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva lives. The finest cold cuts and chicken pâté were laid out for us ahead of time, alongside three wine glass tastings of their finest vintages. Naturally we were ready for this. But it wasn't all, as the second course of meat balls and pasta were presented to us. We spent at least an hour noshing, chatting and laughing like old friends. We bought a bottle of red and a tin of olive oil to cap the meal. In due course, we drove the short distance back to our starting point where the ladies called us a taxi and shared with us their web addresses, hugs and sweet partings before we left. Bella and Sofia, we won't soon forget you. Thank you for a lovely time.

On my weekend trip to florence the highlights was uffizi (leonardo room) and a 2hour drive with a…read morecinquecento. To get there, i took a taxi from town (approx 20euros). Arriving, my car was already parked to go. A lovely bright red cinquecento, with open roof. Being used ro driving in switch gear cars in netherlands, it was not too hard to drive. Just had to use the 'claxon/horn' a bit more often. The route went through country side chianti. And yes, there is traffic on the road so you do need to be a capable driver. But, for anyone enjoying driving cars, this is sooo perfect. Loved it so much, that i had difficulties to Wipe off the smile in my face. Will definitely return again next time i am in florence. And rate this with 5stars as it was well worth 6stars.

TL;DR - this tour is a delight to those who truly care about the entire winemaking process,…read morehistory, and culture. My wife and I planned our dream vacation to Italy with a focus on food and wine. Our time in the Florence area mandated the intentional trip to my (and now OUR) favorite winemaking area - Montalcino. We spent months planning and researching and came across this wonderful local company - "Italy & Wine Tours." Upon review of their website we were captivated by their intentionality to have the time be an intimate and thoughtfully curated all day adventure from Florence through the Chianti region, into the romantic hills of Val d'Orcia, and onto the hillside of Montalcino. To our delight - on the day of the trip we found that we were the only couple who signed up to go that day. Our tour guide Nicolò (who was INCREDIBLE and has formal WSET training/certification) was joined by the delightful daughter (Ippolita) of the company's owner. It was the best experience traveling with them. From the moment we were introduced to the moment we were dropped off at the end of the day we never stopped talking, laughing, sharing stories, and learning more about our favorite shared passion - Italian wine. Now onto the WINE! I won't spoil your trip with too many specifics, but our tour began from the beginning - how did Brunello di Montalcino come to be? We toured the streets of Montalcino and immersed ourselves in local history, tradition, etc. following the city, we were off to the first winery. The first winery focus was on the (traditional) aspects of Brunello. The centuries old family fortress made it abundantly clear. It was an idyllic location through the cellars, learning about the soil, property history for pilgrimages, ancient Rome, and crusades. We sampled 4 wines produced by the site which trended towards elegant, refined, and approachable. During the tasting we were blessed with a delicious and traditional private Italian lunch. Afterwards we went to the second winery which was slightly more modern (in winemaking style) but nonetheless a delight. We dove deeper into soil composition, weather, aging conditions, and micro-factors. The wine at the second location was big, bold, wonderfully complex and personally my preferred style. We concluded our time thanking our hosts and guides over and over again with multiple bottles in hand to bring home and shared with our family. We sincerely hope you (the reader) get to experience Italy and Montalcino in the same way we did. Personal highlights / Why choose this company: - historic, locally/generational owned wineries - not large corporate productions. - 2 production styles helped compare/contrast the same type of wine helping me choose future bottles more accurately. - The tour guides / owners. They care about you, and hospitality is so genuine. Please support companies like this. Thank you so much Nicolò and Ippolita. You are forever in our hearts and we hope our paths cross again in the future!! *David & Kenzie (Seattle, WA)

Our Montepulciano wine tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Italy, and much of that was…read morethanks to Niccolò. From the moment we left Florence, he transformed what could have been a simple drive into a fascinating journey through Tuscany. We spent the day discussing Italian history, culture, education, and different perspectives on life, which added tremendous depth and meaning to the experience. Niccolò is knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country with visitors. By the end of the day, he felt more like a friend than a guide. The wineries themselves were equally impressive. We especially appreciated visiting family-owned vineyards where generations of winemakers have preserved traditions while producing exceptional wines. The hospitality was warm and authentic, and each winery offered a unique glimpse into the rich heritage of the Montepulciano region. The wine tastings were outstanding, but it was the stories, family histories, and personal connections that made the experience truly memorable. This tour provided far more than wine tasting--it offered an opportunity to experience the culture, people, and traditions of Tuscany in a meaningful way. If you are considering a wine tour from Florence, I highly recommend this experience, and if you are fortunate enough to have Niccolò as your guide, you are in for a remarkable day. Thank you, Niccolò, for making our day so special and for sharing your knowledge, insight, and enthusiasm with us. We will remember this experience long after the last bottle of wine is gone.

For my 60th birthday, we treated ourselves to a day trip from Florence to San Gimignano, and…read moreAlessandro made it unforgettable. He picked us up at our hotel and took us on the most scenic, peaceful drive through the Tuscan countryside, pointing out sights and offering to stop whenever we wanted. He even brought us to a couple of amazing viewpoints for photos (attached). When we reached the town, a bit of rain rolled in, and without hesitation he handed us umbrellas and shared great tips on where to eat and what to see. A few hours later he was waiting for us with the same warm smile. This was hands‑down the highlight of our entire holiday. Alessandro is professional, friendly, and incredibly thoughtful. I'd recommend him to anyone wanting a truly memorable experience.

Alessandro was the BEST! We had a full day from Florence and he took us to Piazzale Michelangelo…read more(great in the morning with no crowds and views forever), the town of San Gimignano, and the town of Siena. We had plenty of time in each town to relax, eat, drink wine, sightsee, and shop a little. We even got to see the Duomo in Siena (Alessandro even stood in line for tickets for us while we were moving around in Siena). He took us to a GORGEOUS, small winery in Tuscany that had delicious wine and a sweet doggie to entertain us. I didn't want the day to end, it was so perfect and low stress. Now I know when I return to Florence that I will call Alessandro for ALL my tours and driving. He was terrific!!

We did a Chianti Classico Wine tour with Tomasso on April 27th. It was the best day ever!!!…read more Tomasso took the time to show us the best of the local family vineyards. We also had a few stops in addition to the wine tasting- like at a meat and cheese store in Greve, and a small village with a castle wall around it - SO quaint and wonderful to see!! This made our day even more special. We highly recommend booking your wine tour with de Gustibus!!

Absolutely a great time to tour Florence on a sidecar. Gilberto and Ricardo took four of us older…read moreladies for the ride of our lives and we loved it. Visited landmarks in fFlorence and some of the best view in the city. It was educational, exhilarating and just cool. It end with an aperitif at a cozy restaurant. This is a tour not to miss.

If you're looking for a bike tour in Florence, I highly recommend Toscana by E-bike…read more My husband and I (62 & 61 yo) took a 30 minute bus ride from Florence to Montespertoli to get to the bike shop. The owner, Massimo, is absolutely the nicest man you will ever meet. Our guide, Valentina, was the best. She is very passionate about ecology and Tuscany. The included lunch in a local cafe was a highlight. The local cheese and meats were fabulous. The E-bikes were so nice in the rolling hills. You can also just rent bikes and do a self-guided tour. You must email them to arrange your ride; there is no on-line link on the website to reserve a trip. Massimo wants to arrange a trip just for you.

If you're looking for a truly authentic local experience in the countryside around Florence then…read moreyou must consider Toscana by Bike. Montespertoli is an ideal location from which to embark on a variety of destinations; day trips to Vinci, San Miniato, Via Francigena, San Gimignano, Certaldo, and downtown Florence are all accessible from the shop if you're interested in a full day of riding and exploring. Alternatively, for those looking for a shorter excursion (I would recommend at least 4 hours), the hills, castles, bakeries, wineries, and little restaurants/delis of the area in and around Montespertoli are second to none. On top of that, if you're lucky enough to be guided by the owner, Massimo, you'll be treated to a true Toscano whose knowledge of the area, combined with his hospitality and charm, are guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable experience. Don't miss out if you're in the area!

Mano was our tour guide during our stay in Florence. It was well-organized, and filled with so many…read morehistorical and fun stops along the way. We started early around 7AM, grabbing a bite to eat at the train station where we met up, before embarking on our adventures. Our first stop was at Pisa where we spent about an hour taking pictures of the leaning tower, as well as the Duomo cathedral. Next stop was the Cinque Terre, which we got to visit and see 3 out of 5 islands since 2 of them were closed off. The tour did not include lunch, but there was an option to prepay for our lunch or to venture on our own. We opted for the prepaid one since we knew we were limited on time, so that Mano could put in our order for us. Cinque Terre was breath-taking, and words could not sum up the feeling when you come there. It is crowded for sure, but take a moment to be still and look around you. All of the colorful houses were unique and quirky, which made for great background in photos. There is enough time to shop around for souvenirs, and eat gelato (omg, the best)! I only wished we booked lodging here so we could spend more time to explore, but until next time. This tour was amazing, and the group of people we were with were engaging and chill. We each did our own thing, and only met up at each designated spot when it came time. We ended the tour around 8PM, so it was well spent to say the least! Highly recommended!!

My boyfriend and I booked a half day WINE NOT tour with Italy on a Budget and as it was low season…read morein January, we ended up being the only ones on the tour! We were very pleased with the outcome of the private tour and was quite glad the company did not cancel our booking due to the small amount of people. The office itself was very easy to locate, just 5 minutes away from our hotel. Eduardo was our tour guide/driver and he did an excellent job providing useful information and answering all of our questions. The countryside of Tuscany/Chianti region is a beautiful place that is best reached by car. As we all know driving in Italy can be scary if you're a foreigner so we were glad we had Eduardo to drive us. Not only was Eduardo a wonderful tour guide and driver, he also was our photographer during the tour. This man is a jack of all trade! We visited 2 wineries on the tour. The owner of the first winery gave us a wonderful overview of how his winery works and we got to sample cheese, bread, and olive oil along with our wine tasting. The second winery we visited was a smaller, family-owned winery. Here we also got to sample olive oil with bread and wine. In the end we enjoyed both wineries so much my boyfriend and I ordered wines to be shipped back home to the U.S. After a few hours of wine tasting Eduardo drove us back to Florence. We had a nice chat along the way and learned a lot about Italy. If we had more time I would not hesitate to book with this company again. They offer many other great tours at a very reasonable price. Thanks again Italy on a Budget and Eduardo for a wonderful time! My last bit of advice to you is to be sure to have eaten prior to this tour as you will be tasting quite a bit of wine. Enjoy and have fun!