PRIVATE EXCURSION: Volterra & San Gimignano + wine tastings (from Livorno Port)

Explore Tuscany’s Iconic Towns and Vineyards on a Private Day Trip

This private excursion from Livorno offers an immersive taste of Tuscany’s most celebrated spots, with a focus on history, wine, and local cuisine. For $312.34 per person, travelers enjoy a comprehensive 8-hour experience led by a local expert driver. The tour departs at 8:00 am, with pickup included, and promises a personalized journey through Italy’s rolling hills, historic towns, and renowned wineries.

What sets this tour apart is its private nature, ensuring direct attention from the driver and flexibility in exploring each stop at your own pace. The highlight for many is the wine tasting at Podere La Marronaia, a biodynamic farm offering five Chianti wines paired with a hearty Tuscan lunch. While the tour offers ample sightseeing, the self-guided visits at Volterra and San Gimignano give guests the freedom to explore these stunning towns without the rush.

This tour is well-suited for those eager to combine cultural exploration with culinary delights, especially lovers of wine and history. It balances well-organized stops with enough free time for personal discovery, making it a reliable choice for a full-day experience in Tuscany.

Key Points

• Private, personalized tour with a local driver and flexible pacing
• Visits to Volterra and San Gimignano, two of Tuscany’s most iconic towns
• Wine tasting of five Chianti wines at a biodynamic farm, paired with a traditional Tuscan lunch
• Self-guided exploration at each stop, offering freedom to customize your experience
• 8-hour duration, departing from Livorno with pickup included
• High satisfaction, with a perfect rating of 5.0 from 5 reviews

Meeting Point and Tour Logistics in Livorno

The tour begins at Livorno Cruise Terminal at 8:00 am, with pickup included for your convenience. The private vehicle ensures a comfortable ride through Tuscany’s scenic landscape, including the famous Chianti wine road and its gentle hills. The group size is limited to your party, allowing for a more tailored experience.

Throughout the day, bottled water is included, and the air-conditioned vehicle keeps everyone comfortable. If booking in advance, the tour can accommodate most travelers, and additional guides are available upon request with a one-week notice and a small supplement.

Discovering Volterra’s Etruscan and Roman Roots

The first stop is Volterra, a hilltop town built over the remains of one of the Twelve Cities of the ancient Etruscan civilization. The self-guided visit lasts approximately 1.5 hours, giving ample time to explore without feeling rushed.

Highlights include the Roman Amphitheater, built into the hillside, and the Medici Fortress, which offers commanding views of the surrounding landscape. The Town Hall and the central Square with the Cathedral and octagonal Baptistery complete the visit. The town’s historic gates and relics in the dedicated museum showcase Etruscan and Roman artifacts, making it a perfect spot for history enthusiasts.

The drive from Livorno to Volterra takes you through Tuscany’s gentle, rolling hills, offering stunning vistas of olive groves, cypress trees, and vineyards.

From Volterra to the Chianti Wine Road

After exploring Volterra, the tour continues along the famous Chianti wine road, renowned for its picturesque scenery and world-class wines. The drive takes around an hour and a half, providing many opportunities for photo stops and scenic views.

This route is celebrated for its olive groves, cypress trees, and vineyards, which form the quintessential image of Tuscany. The journey culminates at the Podere La Marronaia- Le Colonne Biodynamic Winery & Farm, a panoramic farm perched on the hills and dedicated to promoting traditional Italian food and wine culture.

Wine Tasting and Tuscan Lunch at Podere La Marronaia

The highlight of the tour is the wine tasting at the biodynamic farm, where five different Chianti wines are sampled, including Chianti, Chianti Riserva, Sangiovese, Vernaccia, and a Super Tuscan. The tasting is complemented by a hearty Tuscan lunch featuring bruschettas, homemade pasta, cold cuts like salami and prosciutto, Pecorino cheese, and extra-virgin olive oil.

Visitors also enjoy tastings of pepper oil, balsamic vinegar, truffle oil, and olive oil, making this stop an authentic culinary experience. The two-hour visit allows plenty of time to savor the wines and food, learn about biodynamic farming, and appreciate the farm’s scenic setting.

The Charm of San Gimignano’s Medieval Skyline

Post-lunch, the journey proceeds to San Gimignano, a medieval hilltop town famous for its tall, well-preserved towers. The self-guided exploration lasts about an hour, during which visitors can admire the famous skyline of over 70 towers, once a symbol of wealth and power.

San Gimignano is also known for its white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, produced from grapes grown on the sandstone hillsides. The town’s main square offers the chance to sample the best gelato in the world at Gelateria Dondoli, renowned for its creative flavors.

While exploring, visitors can admire sights like the Town Hall, the Cathedral, and the medieval walls. The town’s layout feels like stepping into an open-air museum, with cobblestone streets and historic architecture.

Tour Inclusions and Optional Extras

The entire experience includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, a three-course Tuscan lunch, and wine tastings at the winery. An expert driver guides the group throughout, ensuring smooth transitions between stops.

Optional added guides are available if requested a week in advance, providing deeper insights into the towns and wine culture. Please note that entrance tickets for sites are free, but additional guided services are at an extra cost.

The Experience of a Private, Flexible Tour

One of the key advantages of this tour is its private setting, which allows for flexible timings and personalized attention. The self-guided visits at each stop mean travelers can spend more or less time exploring according to interest.

The pacing is well-designed, with enough time at each location to enjoy the sights and tastes without feeling rushed. The full-day schedule ensures travelers return to Livorno with plenty of time before their cruise departs, making it a reliable shore excursion choice.

The Quality and Consistency of Reviews

All five reviews rate the tour 5 out of 5, emphasizing knowledgeable guides, spectacular views, and excellent wine selections. Reviewers highlight the well-organized itinerary, the delicious three-course lunch, and the informative yet friendly approach of the guides.

Many appreciate the personalized experience of the private tour, and the quality of the wine tastings and scenic drives receives consistent praise. Travelers also mention the value for money, considering the full range of experiences packed into the 8 hours.

The Sum Up: A Well-Rounded Tuscan Day Trip for Enthusiasts

This private tour from Livorno offers a balanced mix of history, scenery, and wine in a manageable 8-hour window. The self-guided exploration at Volterra and San Gimignano provides enough freedom to enjoy each town’s unique atmosphere, while the wine tasting and Tuscan lunch deliver authentic flavors and insights into Italy’s wine-making traditions.

Perfect for those seeking a personalized experience, wine lovers, and history buffs, this tour combines comfort, flexibility, and quality. The high ratings and rave reviews speak to its reliability and enjoyable pace. However, travelers should be comfortable with self-guided visits and plan for the full day of activity.

This well-reviewed, private Tuscany tour delivers a memorable day filled with cultural highlights, scenic drives, and delicious food—ideal for anyone eager to experience Italy’s heart in a relaxed yet enriching way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the price?
The tour includes private transportation, bottled water, a three-course Tuscan lunch, and wine tastings of five different Chianti wines at the winery.

Are guides available during the stops?
The tour is self-guided at Volterra and San Gimignano. Guides can be arranged upon request a week in advance for an extra fee.

What is the duration of the tour?
The entire experience lasts approximately 8 hours, starting at 8:00 am from Livorno.

Is this tour suitable for all physical levels?
Yes, but travelers should be comfortable walking around towns with cobblestone streets and some inclines.

Can I customize the stops or timing?
Since this is a private tour, there is flexibility to adjust timing or stops if requested in advance.

What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.