Please sign in to post.

Day trip from Florence/wine tour

Hi all,

I made a similar post here (https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/tuscany-tours-from-florence) last year that I honestly had forgotten about. Life got in the way and my mom and I weren't able to travel to Italy, but will now be going in February. This is kind of a once in a life time trip we are taking, a trip to counter the rough life we had when I was growing up.

The only thing my mom has on her agenda (besides the typical stuff such as the Colosseum and the Vatican, etc.) is to visit the Chianti region of Tuscany. We don't plan on renting a car, so I was again looking at the types of tours mentioned in my first post on the subject.. tours such as Florence to a few towns for an hour or so, with a lunch at a vineyard in the Chianti region.

I realize that not being able to spend a decent amount of time in places such as Siena will likely make me feel somewhat unfulfilled, especially as a lover of Renaissance art and history. So, I was also looking at tours that were Chianti half day wine tours. The only problem is, I don't drink. I don't mind at all going on a tour like this for my mom, but didn't know if it would be odd or offensive to the vineyard for me to take this tour and not fully participate.

I wrote a lot but felt like I didn't say much. Does anyone have any advice or ideas or tours they enjoyed in Tuscany that somehow ended up in the Chianti region? I'm open to 3 hour tours, 6 hour tours, 12 hour tours, pretty much anything. I want to make it special for my mom.

Thank you and my apologies for the long winded message.

Posted by
8583 posts

The only problem is, I don't drink. I don't mind at all going on a
tour like this for my mom, but didn't know if it would be odd or
offensive to the vineyard for me to take this tour and not fully
participate.

I doubt anyone will care or be offended if you don't drink wine. Plenty of visitors don't drink. Just tell them you are designated driver if anyone asks- again doubtful they would.

Tour companies- there are many- a Google search will bring them up

Here are a few often recommended here

toursbyroberto.com
Walks of Italy
Walk About Florence

Posted by
176 posts

We did a day trip to wineries from Montalcino last fall with Fabrizio of Ciao Fabry Tours. This was specifically a wine focused trip, but he is very willing to customize it, and picks up from a wide variety of locations from Florence to the Tuscan hill towns. He also does cooking classes. We did lunch at a sheep farm in Pienza in the middle, which was lovely food and wine was served, but wasn't the focus. He seemed very knowledgeable, and was very charming and funny. We had a great day. Maybe could be a good option for you, or at least to talk to him and see what he can offer.

www.ciaofabrytours.com