Want to take a tour of Tuscany from Florence to include Siena and Pisa. Yes I know most people say Pisa not worth the extra time but my husband really wants that picture with the Leaning Tower. Anyhow should I book ahead online now (will be there end of September) or should I wait until I get to Florence. Any recommendations for tour companies? There’s one in viator but I know that’s a third party company. Thanks.
Posted by
New Orleans
1206 posts
In December 2017, Dear Friend and I did a one day bus tour from Florence that might be what you are looking for. We both thought that the day was well organized and we both enjoyed it immensely, although I am not usually a "big bus tour" sort of woman. The company is Walkabout Florence, walkaboutflorence dot com, so you can book directly with them on-line. We met up at the Florence train station and had a couple of hours (guided walking tour) in Siena with about a half hour free time there, a good lunch with several wines at a Tuscan winery in the countryside, then about 1.5 hours in San Gimignano, and ended with about an hour or so in Pisa - time enough to get the photo!
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2299 posts
hey kathy
come&seeitaly.com
getyoutguide.com
tuscanytours.net
selectitaly.com
italyxp.com
tours4fun.com
here's a few companies you can check out. not knowing your budget and dates, these are from budget to less than budget, depending on your wallet. you can also stop by a tourist kiosk in a piazza with things to do and see when you are there. hope this gets you researching and finding something that you like and will join. enjoy and have a fun vacation. you'll love it
aloha
Posted by
Chicago
85 posts
I had a tour booked with Ciao Florence that was ultimately cancelled due to lack of participation - they needed 2 and I was traveling alone so it was a no-go. :/ They were very nice and professional leading up to it and tried to get me on a different tour that ultimately didn't work out.
I did end up going on a tour through MyTour which took me to Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano and included a wine tasting and a cheese tasting. It was a fairly large group but well organized and the poor guide did the tour in 3 languages (I think he spoke at least 5!). It was a little hard to hear at times and he didn't give a ton of info about things to do/see in the towns for our free time, but I enjoyed it overall.
I think both of these companies had trips similar to what you're looking for. Also, keep in mind that for Siena, it's very easy to do an independent day trip from Florence via bus and RS has a good audiotour of the city. It's also really easy to get to Pisa by train on your own as well - and frankly, if you just want a picture of the tower, why pay for a guide?
Posted by
23 posts
We were very happy with our heart of Tuscany tour through City Wonders from Rome. I believe they also go from Florence. Their Pisa tour was separate.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
138 posts
We also did the Walkabout Tours - Best of Tuscany Tour and had a wonderful time. I, too, wanted that picture of the Leaning Tower and am so glad we were able to take this tour. We left by tour bus early in the morning and went to Sienna and had a tour of the city (which was very interesting), had lunch at a winery (which was very fun), went to San Gimignano (a very nice walled town with excellent gelato!) and our last stop was Pisa. We were there in late October and it was getting dark earlier but we had plenty of time to take pictures holding up the Tower and walk around the town. We met some very nice people, saw the Tuscan countryside and had such a fun day. I would definitely recommend them for a tour. And, it was worth it to get that picture and watch others trying for that perfect shot! Here is their website: https://www.walkaboutflorence.com/tours. Hope you have a fabulous time!