We are looking to do a wine tour during our time in Siena. We don't want a private wine tour (seems weird just the two of us and a guide for an entire day), so we are looking for a smaller group (8 people or so) tour. Everything we have seen has people leaving from Florence. Since we will already be in Siena, we would prefer one that leaves from there.
Any suggestions? And, if you did a private wine tour, was it weird spending the whole day with the guide?
I believe RS has a suggestion out of Siena. If you go to www.tripadvisor.com forum you'll see recommendations out of Siena. I was originally going to do one but we ended up renting a car to do more extensive touring
Look into www.francowinetourexperience.com
I can't remember where I found the tip (RS, Trip Advisor or chat room) but I liked his tour desciptions and web-site. He was very qick to reply to my inquirey too. Since I am traveling with and 18 year old this summer, I have decided to forgo the wine tour but do plan to book him for an upcoming trip with wine lovin' adults.
Also, I think Tuscan Wine Tours gives an option for a Siena pick up for their either their Brunello or Nobile tours. I would write to them and ask.
Hope that helps!
I can personally atest to Franco Fadda. I took his tour in 2005 and it was wonderful. It started with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting..mmmmmm. Then a winery. Then lunch at a beatiful hill top town. Then another winery. He picked us up in a bus along with 3 other couples and we had a great day. Check him out. We learned a lot.
http://www.winestation.it/en/cipressi.html was recommended by a travel magazine. Our trip didn't work out, but they were very agreeable and easy to communicate with via internet.
We just returned from Italy and spent time in Florence. We did a full day tour with Accidental Tourist ( www.accidentaltourist.com ) that picked us up in Florence. I'm not sure if they pick-up in Siena, but it was an absolute perfect day. We toured a winery and Olive grove in Tuscany then did a cooking class, which ended at a Home in Tuscany where we ate the best meal ever. I was nervous about wasting a day too, but would do it again it a minute.
