Planning a trip to Italy with 2 friends. We are considering a day trip from Florence to Siena and/or Cinque Terre. We are considering hiring private tour or doing small tour. I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for websites or companies with which you've had good experiences. I've looked into viator and have heard good, bad and you can do better about them. So I'd like to compare to other companies. We are traveling in October 2016. Thanks, Grazie!
Posted by
Alexandria, VA
771 posts
You might look into Tours by Roberto (www.toursbyroberto.com). He has various group tours and does some private tours as well. He comes well recommended on this forum, and by Rick Steves, as well. You can check out the tours no his calendar on the website. He has an 8 passenger Mercedes van, even if it's a group, it's small. He is very personable, and will take you to "off the beatten track" type places. We did a tour with him last year and wouldn't hesitate to do another.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thanks va, I will look into him!
Posted by
London
23 posts
The big tour company in Florence doing a day trip to Cinque terre is Walkabout/Best of Tuscany tour. They pack the busses full like sheep to market, but it is the most economical way to get you to the locations. You don't have that long at each stop because of the distances travelled- you'll be looking at 2.5 hours of the bus to get there if traffic is not bad, and a little more to get back. It is doable, but only you can decide if it is what you want to do on your trip!
Of the other day trips from Florence, the Slow Days gives guided trips to the wineries and castles. "Cook Eat Italian" with Manuela La Spina does full day cooking classes in the Tuscan countryside and Italian homecooking classes in central Florence.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thank you Simon. I will look into this. We are looking for a small group or possibly private to maybe pick what we want to see. But at first glance it looks like they have a few interesting options. Thanks!
Posted by
Fulda Germany and Rhode Island USA
332 posts
Hi! I was just in Siena and truly don't think you need a guide. I am not against guides I am using one for Rome myself. Someone also gave me another recommendation Through Eternity ...I am leaning towards booking with them for Rome and Florence. Also I drove a lot and just parked my car outside of Siena at the football stadium per Rick Steve's suggestion in his guidebook.