I read all of Rick's tips for renting a car in Italy and it seems like a lot of details to keep track of, definitely far more complicated and expensive than in the States, so I am considering hiring a driver\guide for a few days to get us from place to place. Has anyone done this? Who would you recommend?
Posted by
Atlanta
189 posts
We will be spending 4 nights in Florence the end of this month as part of our 2 week trip. Our travel agent has arranged a guide/driver for the 4 of us. The cost is 440E plus a tip being picked up at 8:30 in the morning and getting back around 6PM. We will be touring 2 wineries, having lunch at one and spending time in San Gimignano. It might seem pricey but we want to be able to drink at the wineries and not worry about driving. The driver speaks English so will be able to communicate well as he does this for a living.
Well worth the price. I just went on a cruise and spent $100.00 for a 4 hour excursion so to me the cost is nothing compared to being able to really enjoy our day with no worries!
Posted by
OP
Upstate NY
99 posts
That sounds about what I expected and have paid elsewhere. Do you know the name of the company?
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1174 posts
There are numerous companies that do wine tours from Florence. Use the search bar directly above to find past responses on this very question.
Here are a few:
Walk About Florence
tuscan-wine-tour.com
I Just Drive
Cool Tours
Posted by
OP
Upstate NY
99 posts
Thanks for the info, all these years reading Rick Steves Forums and I never realized there was a search bar at the top! I will look into the companies you listed.
Someone on another Forum mentioned someone named Giancarlo at Tuscany by GC, he does have some good reviews, has anyone on this forum used him?
Posted by
OP
Upstate NY
99 posts
Thanks for the help. I hired I Drive for the day with a Siena drop off. Looking toward to a classic Tuscany adventure.
Posted by
2 posts
Best money we have ever spent was with two private tour guides that toured us from one spot to another... Tour Around Tuscany with Giani and Anna with Cool Tours by Anna.