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This itinerary winds through 14th and 15th century Florence to admire a series of loggias constructed in different epochs and used for different functions. In fact, the loggia of Bigallo and those found in front of the ex-hospital of San Matteo, San Paolo and the Hospital of Innocenti, were used to host the numerous sick and pilgrims during times of pestilence and illnesses who, for lack of space, could not be hospitalized internally. Then there were the mercantile loggias like that of Pesce (fish )or the loggia of Porcellino used for commercial purposes, covering the numerous open air markets that were spontaneously springing up consequent to the economic development of the Florence Renaissance. Finally, the courtly loggias, like the Rucellai loggia or the Loggia of Lanzi, built to officiate public ceremonies. This route through Medieval and Renaissance Florence allows you to admire not only the buildings that constitute the main theme of this itinerary, but also the most grandiose and significant monuments of Florentine history of that period.

Route info
Length of route: approx. 3 kilometers
Time needed: approx. 3/4 hours, not including museum visits or bar/restaurant breaks.
Suggested refreshment stops: Drogheria Procacci, Cantinetta Antinori restaurant.

Route
From Borgo S.S. Apostoli go in the direction of Piazza Santa Trinita, dominated by the stately Palazzo Spini- Feroni . During the 12th century, civilian life in Florence was characterized by a long period of internal fighting which favoured the construction of houses and fortified palaces. The function of a palace fort is evidenced in the squared structure and the presence of ledges and Guelph décor. Today, the edifice is the seat of the Salvatore Ferragamo Shoe Museum. Pass in front of it and go towards the Church of Santa Trinità and enter into via del Parione, following it until the end reaching Piazza Goldini. Go immediately to your right into via della Vigna nuova and about half way down the street you will find a little piazza where Loggia Rucellai is found . Most likely designed by Alberti and constructed in 1468, it is the only loggia left in Florence that belonged to a private family.

Done in Renaissance style with the Rucellai coat of arms, shows a sail waving in the wind and symbol of fortune, on the pediment. It was used by the noble family to celebrate marriages, parties, and funerals. Continue on and get on to via Tornabuoni , considered the “salotto di Firenze” (Florence’s salon) because of the numerous high fashion and antique shops and beautiful palaces that line it (XI-XIX centuries) belonging to the most prestigious families of that epoch, from Palazzo Strozzi to Palazzo Tornabuoni, with his Loggia , Palazzo Larderel and others. Go to your left now and on the sidewalk in front of you, you could stop at Procacci’s , antique grocer’s famous in Italy and abroad for their mythical “truffled sandwiches”.

Farther on you will arrive in Piazza Antinori, dominated by the Palazzo of the same name , where the Cantinetta Antinori, noted for its refined Tuscan cuisine, is found. After having passed the piazza, go to your right in via del Trebbio, cross over via delle Belle Donne and arrive in Piazza Santa Maria Novella. In front of the magnificent Church, on the opposite side of the piazza, stands the Ancient Ospedale di San Paolo (hospital of Saint Paul) . In the first half of the 1500’s it was decided to build a portico on it, in Brunelleschi style, and it is characterized with waterleaf capitals in Renaissance style; the three lunettes in glazed terracotta placed above the doors, were done by Andrea della Robbia. It later became a hospice/hospital and, in 1558, Ferdinand I put it to use as a hospital for the convalescent. Until the end of 1800, the rooms hosted the School for needy spinsters, but during the second World War, it became a lugubrious place for depositing hundreds of political prisoners who left here for Auschwitz. In the loggia, nicknamed Leopoldine because Pietro Leopoldo set up some schools here, you find the entrance to the Alinari National Museum of Photography. Get back on via de’ Banchi and follow on to via de’ Cerretani and arrive in Piazza San Giovanni. Go to Piazza Duomo and stop in front of the parvis of Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Look to your right, on the corner that intersects with via de’ Calzaiouli, and see the elegant Loggia del Bigallo . It was built around the middle 1300’s for the Compagnia della Misericordia (Company of Mercy) and in 1425 it became the seat of the Compagnia of Bigallo, institution that provided assistance to orphaned children. Today, it is the seat to a Museum holding the fresco of the “Madonna della Misericordia” portraying the oldest panorama of Florence. From Piazza Duomo, follow on for via de’ Martelli and then, after having passed the imposing Palazzo Medici-Ricardi, go on to via Cavour. Arrive in Piazza San Marco where, on the right of the Church, you will notice another loggia, that of the ex-Hospital of San Matteo . In 1300, it held a ward for female employees of the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova. In 1784, Pietro Leopolo founded the first gallery of the Accademy here, donating to it a rich collection of antique pictorial works for the school’s pupils. In the last century, the sculpture of David by Michelangelo was transferred here and can be seen when entering the museum from the via Ricasoli entrance.

Now, go across via Cesare Battisti in Piazza Santissima Annunziata where, on the side of the loggia facing the Basilica of the same name, you find the Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocent) and the Loggiato dei Serviti (Loggia of the Servites). The first was dedicated exclusively to abandoned children and its construction was financed in 1419 by the Arte della Seta (Silk Arts). On the left front, a window square, later barred with iron where abandoned children were deposited, is still conserved.

The Loggia of the Servites began to take shape in 1516 following a design by Antonio Sangallo and Baccio d’Agnolo. The Oratory of the Brotherhood of San Girolamo and San Francesco Poverino in San Filippo Benizi are found here. Conserved inside are many works of art and furnishings that belonged to the three brotherhoods. On the full reliefs between the arcades, intertwined “S’s” are painted, emblem of the Order of Servants to Maria. Today a large part of the loggia arcade is used by a hotel. Go on to via de’ Servi and half way down turn in to via Bufalini. Follow along it and you will reach the front of the Ospedale di S. Maria Nuova founded in 1288 by Folco Portinari, Beatrice’s father. It is not only the oldest, but also the most important and still functioning hospital in the city. In front, find via Folco Portinari, one time called via delle Pappe (mushes) because of the soups of boiled breads served to the sick who waited on the streets. The 14th century hospital was later enlarged, absorbing the nearby convent of St. Egidio, to establish a center for scientific training for doctors and nurses.

The Loggiato grounds today, are a result of interventions carried out through different epochs. Go on to via S. Egidio and cut into Piazza Salvemini.

A bit farther ahead get on to via Pietrapiana and about half way you will find Piazza del Ciompi where, to your right, you will notice the magnificent Loggia del Pesce (fish loggia) . It was built in 1568 by Vasari and was initially found in Piazza del Mercato Vecchio, today Piazza della Repubblica. It was dismantled on the occasion of the “cleaning” of the piazza in 1955 and rebuilt in the place we find it now. The elegant loggia is towered with Medicean emblems and some full relief polychromes resembling fish. You might benefit by taking a walk around the piazza where the suggestive Mercato delle Pulci (flea market) is found. Small little shops, crowded with “grandma’s” objects, one after the other, lined up on both sides. Go back towards Piazza Salvemini and enter into Borgo degli Albizi until you reach the intersection of via del Proconsolo.

Turn right and passing in front of two magnificent buildings; on the right, the Bargello and on the left, the Church of Badia Florentina, you will arrive in Piazza S. Firenze. Admire the majestic Tribunal composed of a union of two twin churches; Chiesa e l’Oratorio dei padri Filippini (Church and Oratory of the Philippine Fathers) and the Convent in the center. Go on now to via dei Leoni.

Here, find the Loggia del Grano (grain loggia) commissioned by Cosimo II as a grain market to replace what is now the spot where the Church of Orsanmichele stands today. The food storage spaces are found on the upper floors above the loggias where the grain and cereal markets were held. In the middle of the main arcade, on the via dei Neri side, see the bust of Cosimo II. From 1960 the loggia has changed different destinations; it was Theater of the Logge and then Variety Theater and cinema, and today is occupied by a bar and restaurant.

Get on to the very narrow via della Ninna and you find yourself in Piazza della Signoria. The Loggia dei Lanzi, that you see almost attached to Palazzo Vecchio , was commissioned to Orcagna in 1347, by the Municipal of Florence, in order to have a building to host official ceremonies. It is composed of three arches and supporting half circle arches. Between one column and another you can find lobed forms with enamelled bottoms portraying the Virtues. With the affirmation of the Medici power, the loggia slowly lost its functional purpose, becoming an annex of the residence of the Princes. Today it is a splendid open air museum where among the masterpiece sculptures, emerges the recently restored “Perseo” done by Benvenuto Cellini, Go now in the direction of via Vacchereccia and enter into via Por Santa Maria. This short street opens up into Piazza del Mercato Nuovo where, during Medieval times, the most refined merchandise; wool, silk and others were sold and where businesses trading in precious monetary means, was done. Note, in fact, a book shop called “del Porcellino” that was at that time the seat of the “Art Exchange”.

In 1547, Cosimo I de’ Medici had the large loggia, that you see here, built where you can also see the basin of the wild boar in bronze (a copy) by Pietro Tacca. From the name that the Florentines affectionately gave the wild boar, today the loggia is called Loggia del Porcellino (porcellino meaning wild boar). Return now on to via Por Santa Maria, pass via delle Terme and the next street on the right is Borgo SS. Apostoli.

Along the way

Church of Santa Trinita
open from Monday to Sunday from 7am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm

Ferragamo Museum
open from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6 pm; Closed Tuesdays

Church and Convent of San Marco
open from Monday to Fridays from 8:15 am to 1:50 pm; Saturdays and Sundays from 8:15 am to 6:50 pm.

Galleria of the Accademia
open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 am to 6:50 pm; Closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day , May 1st and Christmas

Basilica of S.S. Annunziata
open from 7;30 am to 12:30 pm and from 4 pm to 6:30 pm

Ospedale degli Innocenti
open from 8.30 am to 2 pm; Closed on Wednesdays

Museum and Loggia of Bigello
open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2 pm and again from 3 pm to 7 pm; Closed on Mondays, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

Museum and Cloister of S. Maria Novella
open from 9 am to 5 pm on Weekends and from 9 am to 2 pm during the week; Closed on Fridays and Sundays

Alinari Museum
open from 9 am to 7:30 pm; Closed on Wednesdays

Palazzo Vecchio and quarters
open from 9 am to 7 pm during the week and from 9 am to 2 pm on Sundays and Holidays

Bargello Museum
open from 8:15 am to 1:50 pm

Church of Badia Fiorentina (Cloister of the Aranci)
open on Mondays from 3 pm to 6 pm; Closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Easter Monday and Christmas

Basilica of S. Maria del Fiore
open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm;
on Thursdays from 10 am to 3:30 pm;
on Saturdays from 10 am to 4:45 pm;
on Ash Wednesday from 10 am to 4:30 pm;
on Holy Thursday from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm;
on Good Friday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm;
on Holy Saturday from 10:30 am to 4:45 pm;
Closed on the Epiphany

Cupola of S. Maria del Fiore
open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm;
on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 5:40 pm;
Closed on New Year’s Day, Epiphany,
Holy Thursday,
Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Easter, June 24th, August 15th, September 8th, November 1st,
the Monday and Tuesday before the first week of Advent, Christmas,
December 26th; on May 1st open from 8:30 am to 5 pm

Santa Reparata
open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 5 pm;
Saturdays from 10 am to 4:45 pm; May 1st from 8:30 to 5 pm;
Closed on the same holidays as the Cupola

Giotto’s Bell Tower
open from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm;
Closed from February 4th to the 14th; Closed in January, on Easter, September 8th, and Christmas

Baptistery
open from 12 midday to 7 pm; Sundays from 8:30 am to 2 pm;
the first Saturday of the month from 8:30 to 2 pm; on Easter Monday, April 25th and May 1st from 8:30 am to 7 pm;
Closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, September 8th, Christmas Eve

Palazzo Medici-Riccardi
open everyday from 9 am to 7 pm

Cappella of Benozzo Gozzoli
open from 9 am to 7 pm; Closed on Wednesdays

Uffizi Gallery
open from 8:15 am to 6:50 pm; Closed on Mondays

Porcellino Open air Market
open from 8 am to 7 pm; Closed on Monday mornings and Sundays

Pulci Open air flea Market
open from 9 am to 7:30 pm: Closed on Mondays

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This itinerary winds through some city “suburbs” or borgo, that in Florentine terms indicate the streets on the edge of the historical center. They began to form in the year 1000, with the growing demographic development, and were built to correspond to the main communicating streets with settlements outside of the city walls. Successively, the suburbs were included inside the wall circle that was slowly getting bigger. The ones that are referred to in this itinerary, like Borgo San Santissimi Apostoli and Borgo San Iacopo, still conserve the characteristic medieval imprint that one notices with the presence of tower-houses and narrow and winding streets. The “new” part, that of the Lungarni (along the river) and the Ponti (bridges), presents itself smoother and certainly more spectacular from a panoramic aspect. Walk through some of the most popular areas of the city like San Frediano and Santo Spirito along the picturesque avenues where the Florentine artisan still survives. You can also stop in to a typical diner to savour the genuineness of the Tuscan cuisine.

Route info
Length of route: approx. 2.3 kilometers
Time needed: approx. 3 hours, not including museum visits or bar/restaurant breaks

Route

You will find yourself in one of the museum streets that presents a series of buildings, above all medieval, of rare quality. At no. 8, the majestic Palazzo Acciaiuolo, at no.10 another Acciaiuoli house in 16th century style, at no. 12 the Altoviti house, typical 14th century with arches, and at no.19 the grandiose Palazzo Borgherini, attributed to Baccio D’Agnolo.

When leaving the hotel, turn left towards the little Piazza del Limbo, named so because of the children who were buried here before being baptized. Here, the Romans set up one of the first thermal establishments because of the very nearby aqueduct; to remind us of this, an inscription in stone on the building facing the little square where in 1825 a certain Antonio Peppini constructed his ” bagni nelle Antiche Terme” (baths in the ancient thermals).

It seems that a good part of the ruins of the aqueduct were used later to construct the Church of the S.S. Apostoli, in pure Roman Florentine style where, on the façade, a medieval tombstone falsely states that the sacred construction was founded in 805 by Carlo Magno, in the presence of the paladins Orlando and Oliver. In reality, the small Roman style temple was constructed at the end of the 11th century. Internally, the first chapel on the left conserves a silver and golden copper brazier that on Easter morning is brought to the Duomo with shavings of flints, originating from the Holy Land in the times of the Crusades, which serve to light the small dove during the ceremony of the Scoppio del Carro (exploding of the wagon). Leaving the little piazza, passing under the arch of Palazzo Altoviti, you will be led onto Lungarno Acciaiuol named so after the powerful family who, in the 12th century, were merchants of steel in the city of Brescia and who later, with the Barbaric invasions, settled in Florence. Later, they became wealthier still thanks to the commerce of textiles and spices and in the 1600’s, purchased a large palace on the Arno River, successively building the splendid complex of Certosa del Galluzzo, south of Florence. Turn to your left now and go towards Ponte Vecchio. The name “Vecchio” (old) reminds us the first Florentine bridge. It was destroyed by a flood in 1333 and reconstructed in 1345 with three arches. Butcher shops, fish vendors, and delicatessens were once found on the bridge.The area was evil smelling and degraded and that is why in 1593, the Grand Duke Ferdinand I, substituted these shops with goldsmiths instead.

In 1564, in only 5 short months, the Vasari Corridor was created above the bridge by the architect Giorgio Vasari. It was the Grand Duke Cosimo I of the Medici’s who wanted the corridor constructed as an above ground means of passage to unite Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, his new residence, passing through the Uffizi Gallery where his offices were found. The job was commissioned for the occasion of the marriage of the Grand Dukes son, Francesco, to Giovanna of Austria. Cross over the bridge and turn right to another borgo set parallel along the Arno; Borgo S. Iacopo. The “medieval artery” of Florence, that more than sustained damages from the mines, sparing Ponte when the German command blew up only the streets leading to it and not the bridge itself. Along this road you can notice the remains of some tower houses like that of the Rossi’s where a tub with a statue of Bacco, attributed to Giambologna, now stands. Continuing to no.54 we find the tower of the Barbadori, and at no.22 a second tower of the Barbadori, while on the opposite side at no. 9, covered in good part by an ivy plant, the Tower of Ramagliati.

But the most beautiful tower is that of Marsili at no.17; on the main door you will notice a pair of bas-reliefs representing the Annunciation. Arrive now at the Church of San Iacopo on the Arno, erected in the 12th century, called so seeing that the river touches it’s apses. The church has a splendid white and green marble colonnade (XII -XIII century). Inside we see six eighteenth century paintings from the Florentine school and a fifteenth century wooden crucifix.

Pass the Frescobaldo Palace at no’s. 1,2 and 3, where Carlo di Valos once lived, and after the crossroads with via dello Sprone, where the splendid Buontalenti fountain from the second half of the 1600’s sits, you will arrive in Piazza de’ Frescobaldi. The powerful family of international bankers, and lords of the Santo Spirito quarters, interrupted the isolation of the area, where they owned numerous properties, and had a new bridge built on the Arno, the Ponte Santa Trinita, with their own money; the third bridge after Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Carraia. From Piazza de’ Frescobaldi go towards your left to via Maggio, (maggio meaning major) called so because it was the most beautiful, longest and spacious street, where the noble families of Florence had their palaces built. Today it is the street of antiques.

Follow along it to the left, and you will pass in front of the sumptuously decorated grotesque graffito palace of the noble Venetian woman Bianca Cappello who Francesco de’ Medici was infatuated with. They both died mysteriously within two hours of each other. Getting on to the first street to your right, via Michelozzi, named after the family who owned the Palazzo here, a palace you will notice for its characteristic arches laid on twelve stone mantelpieces. You have arrived to Piazza Santo Spirito where, around the mid 13th century, the followers of Saint Agostino had a small church built and dedicated to the Holy Spirit, later enlarged, up to the point of arriving at a completely new construction designed by Brunelleschi, and finished at the end of the 1400’s.

The Church of Santo Spirito, whose internals reproduce the fundamental motifs of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, has become more beautiful over the years, with priceless works of art which has made it a real museum. To the left of the church at no.29, you will find the entrance to the Cenacle of the Santo Spirito, frescoed by Orcagna. Numerous edifices of remarkable architectural value contribute to the beauty of the piazza among which include Palazzo Guadagni, with its beautiful open arcade, la Fontana a due tazze con la vasca ottagonale (the Fountain with two cups and octagonal basin), and the Statue of Cosimo Ridolfi. Now get on to via Sant’Agostino, cross over via de’ Serragli and proceed straight on to via Santa Monaca, and you will be led into Piazza del Carmine.

In 1268, the Carmelites constructed a monastical complex here. A fire, in 1771, miraculously spared the two chapels on both sides; the Corsini Chapel, masterpiece in marble from Florentine baroque, and the Brancacci Chapel, where, between 1425 and 1427, Masaccio and Masolino created a cycle of frescoes that changed the history of European painting with new prospective and naturalistic principles. From the piazza go towards Borgo S. Frediano. The most popular area and at one time peripheral to the quarters where artisans and antique shops alternated. Follow along it for a way until you turn right into Piazza del Castello where the Church of San Frediano in Castello dominates, initiated by the Cistercian monks in the 1300’s and terminated in the 1600’s, as you can see by the different overlaying styles. Now you find yourself on Lungarno Soderini, cross over Ponte Vespucci, and turn right on to Lungarno Vespucci, until you reach Piazza Ognisanti where you will find the Church of the same name (church of all saints) built in 1294 by the Umiliati monks.

The order of the Benedictine monks built a large work center for wool around the convent which gave the area a remarkable boost in economic development. The church was built more times and the façade, rare example of Baroque in Florence, was completely restructured in the 1600’s by architect Nigetti who preserved the lovely Coronation of the Virgin and Saints, most likely done by Giovanni della Robbia, above the main door. Inside the church you can visit the beautiful Cenacle of Domenico Ghirlandaio as well as the tombs of illustrious personages like Amerigo Vespucci and Donatello. Go to your left to Borgo Ognissanti until you arrive to Piazza Goldoni, and go towards Ponte alla Carraia but before you get to the bridge go to the left on Lungarno Corsini.

The Ponte alla Carraia was the second bridge after Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) and it is for this reason that it was originally called Ponte Nuovo (new bridge) and then later “alla Carraia” (Carraia meaning carriage) because of the carriages that went back and forth with the processed wool. This bridge too, was ruined during the flood of 1269; it was later reconstructed but later it collapsed again from the weight of the crowd of people that took part in the popular festival of Calendimaggio. The bridge was destroyed and reconstructed again another three times due to another two floods and German mines in 1944 and it was redone permanently in 1951. Walking down Lungarno Corsini you can’t help but notice the massive Palazzo Corsini whose late Baroque style can be seen in different elements like the foreparts, the central terrace, the arched elliptical windows, the attics with a balustrade decorated with vases and statues, and often copied, above all, in suburban edifices. You are nearing Ponte Santa Trinita considered “the most aristocratic bridge” in Florence. In fact, for many years it was used for processions and manifestations. At each corner of the bridge sits a statue of the four seasons.

This bridge too, was destroyed more than once by flooding of the Arno River and reconstructed again, and after it was bombed by the Germans, during WW II, it was re-done still again, in 1957, with the same elegant arch design which originally characterized it. You have now arrived at the corner of Via Tornabuoni, turn left and you will arrive in Piazza Santa Trinita dominated by the Church of Santa Trinita. In this piazza Cosimo I de’Medici had the Colonna della Giustizia (Column of Justice), made of precious oriental granite, erected in 1565 to celebrate the victory of Montemurlo. Gift by Pope Pio IV, originating from the Thermals of Carcalla and taking five years to be transported to Rome by sea and then across the Arno River. The antique Church of Santa Trinita was found outside of the city walls of Florence and was one of the first examples of Florentine Gothic. Restored, and later enlarged, today it presents a Baroque façade. Inside you can admire remarkable frescoes in the Sassetti Chaple by Ghirlandaio representing the Adorazone dei Magi (Adoration of the Three Kings).

Among the palaces around the piazza, the significant Palazzo Spini-Feroni whose construction dates back to the 13th century. Around 1300 the edifice arrived up to the Arno River and it was used for defensive purposes as you can see from the form similar to that of a fort. Later, after construction was done along the lungarni, a part of the palace was destroyed. Today the building is property of the Ferragamo family and is the prestigious seat of the atelier stylist and Museum of Shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo. From Piazza Santa Trinita go in the direction of Borgo S.S. Apostili and then towards your hotel.

On the route

Church of S.S Apostles /Church of Santo Spirito
Open Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 9 am to 12 midday
Closed on all other days including Christmas, New Year’s Day and May 1st.

Cenacle of Santo Spirito
Open on Saturdays from 9am to 5 pm.

Corsini Chapel/ Brancacci Chapel
Open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
On Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm
Closed on Tuesdays, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, May 1st and August 15th and 16th.

Church of Ognisanti
Cenacle of Domenico Ghirandaio
Open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 4 pm to 5:30 pm
Sundays and holidays from 3 pm to 5:30 pm
Closed on Wednesdays.

Palazzo Corsini
Church of Santa Trinita
From Monday to Sunday from 7 am to 12 midday and from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Ferragamo Museum
From Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Closed on Tuesdays.

Historical Businesses Cantica Antica Capponi
borgo S. Frediano,26/r

Trattoria Cammillo
borgo S. Iacopo 57/r

Paolo Pagliai Silver
borgo S. Iacopo,41/r

Bongini Antiques
borgo S. Iacopo 70/r

Bini, Hat shop
piazza S. Spirito, 5/r

Marchiani Frames
via s Spirito, 16/r

Munstermann Pharmacy
piazza Goldoni, 2/r

Gallery Masini – piazza Goldoni, 6/r

Description

Discover the Tuscan countryside in a delightful, unusual and somewhat adventurous way… on horseback! Our signature private riding tour leads you horseback riding near Florence, through vineyards and flower-studded fields. Discover the Chianti hillside in full comfort, with the added value of a private experience designed for you and your family or party of friends.

Meet your dedicated private English-speaking driver and travel to the Chianti region, birthplace of world-acclaimed wines. Blessed with splendid landscapes made of rolling verdant hills covered by shimmering vineyards and silvery olive groves Chianti offers heavenly views and fresh country breezes you’re bound to enjoy!

Upon arrival in the heart of the hillside meet your English-speaking horseback riding guide, a knowledgeable expert, and horses. Skilled and experienced your guide will find the perfect horse for you and your fellow riders!

All ready? Off you go alongside vineyards and meadows. Follow your guide along a splendid trail, admire lush vineyards, thick shady woods and olive groves, and catch breathtaking unforgettable views. Stop along the way for a break and a fascinating visit to an ancient winery owned by a noble family, and learn all about traditional Tuscan wine making. Crown your day exploring a Chianti boutique wine cellar which produces exceptional blends.

Finally treat yourself to luscious local fare: typical Tuscan light lunch paired with excellent Chianti blends.
Private horseback riding near Florence is an authentic Tuscan experience.

Inclusions

• Transportation from/to Florence city center
• Orientation horse riding lesson
• Approx. 1 hour relaxing horseback ride through the Chianti countryside
• Professional horse Guide & Tour Leader
• Helmets
• Guided visit to 2 different boutique wineries
• Typical Tuscan Meal with Wine tasting
• Free subscription to our Food & Wine Club (25-Euro value), to access special discounts online on wine and typical products

NOTES: No previous riding experience is required; horseback riding hats (helmets) will be provided; children under 14 years old are not allowed on this tour

Difficulty: easy, relaxed ride suitable for all. Please do not expect to trot or canter.
Please wear suitable clothing and closed toe shoes.

Meeting Point

FLORENCETOWN BOOKING OFFICE – Piazza Mentana 2red – Florence – SEE ON MAP

Notes

Please note that this tour is not permitted for children under 14.

Long-leave pants and sports shoes are requested (no flip-flops please!)
Horses can bear up to 220 lbs (100 kg)
Please let us know in advance any special need or impaired mobility of the clients and we will do our best to accomodate them.

Please inform us of any food intolerance or allergy in advance.

Rain Policy

The tour departure might be cancelled due to rain.
We will do our best to proceed with the tour. However rain could prevent us from being able to offer an enjoyable and fully safe experience on the horse.

In any case, clients should show up at the meeting point at the scheduled time, or contact the office in advance.
In case we cancel the tour (and only in this case), guest options are:

1) Rain check to be used the following day or at any other time, subject to availability.  The Rain check is a voucher given to client. The voucher is transferable and may be sold or given to others to use at a future date and lasts up to 1 year from date. It has a value that can be possible used in any other tour provided by our company.

2) 100% refund for tour cancellation.

In case the tour departure is not cancelled but anyway there’s a chance of rain during the day, we will do our best to proceed with the tour, doing all we can to provide the horseback riding, possibly carrying out the tour with our minivan if and when the rain falls. If it does not stop raining, the entire tour will be conducted in the safety and comfort of the minivan.

Guest options in this case are:

1) Proceed with the tour hoping for clearing weather – with the understanding that no refund or discount will be given if horses are not ridden due to rain, or if the horse riding tour is abbreviated due to rain. We will do our best to get you on a horse, weather permitting.

2) Rain check (of the same amount clients paid) to be used the following days or at any other time, subject to availability. The Rain check is a voucher given to client. The voucher is transferable and may be sold or given to others to use at a future date and lasts up to 1 year from date. It has a value that can be possible used in any other tour provided by our company.

Please note that clients’ safety and comfort are of utmost priority, and proper rain gear is mandatory for guests choosing to “ride in the rain”.
No-shows will not be refunded.