1 day Tuscany tour from Florence

How about Siena or Lucca? You can easily get to both by train. If you want a guide see if you can book a guide who lives there who can meet you at the train station.

Donna

Check into Viator to see what tours are available. We especially enjoyed Volterra and San Gimignano. Siena is wonderful after dark.

I suggest Volterra. You'll be going through some classic Tuscan scenery on the way.

Volterra is small and easy to explore. There are Etruscan ruins, Roman ruins and a lovely duomo. The trick is getting there if you use public transportation. The bus trip requires two buses. It will take some planning to be able to coordinate schedules.

Siena is much easier to get to using public transportation. The walled part of the city has a different feel since it is more hilly. It is much bigger and more like Florence in that regard, though it has a different "vibe".

If there is any way to be in Volterra at sunset, you'll be treated to one of the prettiest sunsets I've ever seen. Walk outside the gates to the western promenade and mingle with the townsfolk while watching the fading sun caress the town.

I did a great small group tour with Tours by Roberto several years ago. Roberto offers a number of different itineraries in Tuscany (and offers private tours, working the itinerary out with you). In his small group tours, the first person to book a tour on-line on a given date gets to choose the itinerary for that date. With 5 people in your group, a private group tour (with either Roberto or any other tour provider or private guide) would probably cost no more - and maybe less - than booking five spots in a group tour, and you could shape it to your liking.

I have a great option for one half day tour in and around Cortona. The best tour guide in Cortona, Giovanni Adreani (he of the Rick Steves Tuscan Hill Town TV video) is very knowledgable about the area and was a teacher in a local school. Last may I surprised my wife of 33 year with a simple vow renewal in cortona at le chelle monastery (where St Francis of Assisi stayed in the 1200's) acting as our 'best man'. While you won't be getting 're-married', Giovanni is the nicest, most knowlegable tour guide who took us to a local olive oil factory and many of the sights (churches) in the Cortona area during our 1/2 day tour. Cortona is about 70 minutes from Florence and if you are able to contact him in advance, I'm sure that he could arrange for you to meet with him and schedule time to tour the lovely area. Google his name for contact information; you will not be sorry if you take him up on a tour.

I have a great option for one half day tour in and around Cortona. The best tour guide in Cortona, Giovanni Adreani (he of the Rick Steves Tuscan Hill Town TV video) is very knowledgable about the area and was a teacher in a local school. Last may I surprised my wife of 33 year with a simple vow renewal in cortona at le chelle monastery (where St Francis of Assisi stayed in the 1200's) acting as our 'best man'. While you won't be getting 're-married', Giovanni is the nicest, most knowlegable tour guide who took us to a local olive oil factory and many of the sights (churches) in the Cortona area during our 1/2 day tour. Cortona is about 70 minutes from Florence and if you are able to contact him in advance, I'm sure that he could arrange for you to meet with him and schedule time to tour the lovely area. Google his name for contact information; you will not be sorry if you take him up on a tour.

I highly recommend tour company Walk About Florence, they have an all day "Best of Tuscany" tour that takes you to three towns and includes lunch at an Organic Farm. You are taken in an air conditioned bus and the tour guides are great. It is a BIG group but that did not take away from the experience. Look on their website for more details, price and to book.

We are taking our first trip in May and booked that same tour recommended by Letizia through Viator. Not sure what the difference between Walk About Florence and Viator, but they have many of the same tours.