tour florence by bus

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City Sightseeing Florence: Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus

Activity schedule, key highlights.

• Inclusions & Exclusions

24, 48 or 72 hours

9am to 6:30pm, every 35-70 minutes (depending on the routes) 

Timings are subject to change.

You can board the bus at any of the route's stops and present your voucher

Timings and Stops are subject to change.

You can hop off at any of the stops

• Experience Florence at your own pace over 24, 48 or 72 hours
• Customize your itinerary and hop off at attractions of your choice
• Get up close with your favourite attractions using multiple well-placed stops across the city!
• From Santa Maria Novella to Accademia & Uffizi gallery, explore the city at your own pace
• Enjoy a self-guided walking tour included with your ticket
• Both printed or smartphone vouchers accepted!

Explore the historic city of Florence and surreal cultural vibrancy with this Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour. Valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, you can travel around the city at your own pace and visit your choice of attractions with minimal hassles. Hop off at attractions of your choice or simply enjoy an entire loop around the city while enjoying informative audio commentary in multiple languages.

With 2 bus routes - Line A and Line B, you will cover the whole city with one ticket. View the magnificent Cathedral (Duomo) and admire Michelangelo’s Statue of David at the Accademia Gallery. Art-lovers will enjoy the Uffizi Gallery or the churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce. Jump off at the Arno River and cross the famous Ponte Vecchio or take time out at the Boboli Gardens.

Attractions Covered

• Beccaria 
• Santa Crocei
• Teatro Verdi
• Porta Romana – viale Petrarca
• Piazzale Michelangelo
• Righi (ostello)
• Rotonda Barbetti
• Via Fabbroni

Please check the Useful Downloads section for the route map.

• City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus - 24/48/72 hours (as per option chosen)
• Audio-guide on board the bus in Italian, English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Portuguese
• FREE WiFi onboard
• Entrances to attractions

Useful downloads

Please note.

Voucher Type:  You can show your voucher on your smartphone (if you’d rather print a copy – that’s fine too!)

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes

Florence is a functioning city and weather, traffic and events may occasionally cause disruption. Stops and times are subject to change.

Timings and stops are subject to change. The updated map will be available on the bus.

Customer Reviews

Cindy loeppky.

Not enough description of locations. On red route there was no commentary given. Stops were not announced making it challenging to know where we were

Jessica Konen

This was well worth the money, especially during the peak of the summer in Florence. I would highly recommend to see the most popular sites around the city. The bus picks up at each location every 20 minutes, which is super convenient. I felt like you could spend plenty of time at each stop as needed. Pay attention to the start and end times though since the bus does not run 24/7.

Vic Reynolds

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City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

The City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour presents a seamless way to uncover the treasures of Florence with its array of enticing features. As visitors embark on this exploration, they can enjoy the flexibility to tailor their journey at their own pace while seeing the city’s renowned landmarks. With an extensive itinerary and insightful commentary, this tour promises a blend of convenience and cultural enrichment . Whether one seeks a glimpse of history or panoramic views, this tour offers a multifaceted experience that caters to diverse interests.

Just The Basics

• Unlimited rides to top attractions in Florence.
• Multiple duration options: 1, 2, or 3-day passes.
• Two lines (A and B) covering key landmarks and points of interest.
• Operating schedule from March 23 to May 31, 2024.
• Flexibility to hop on and off at various stops for exploration.

It's also worth checking out some other tours and experiences nearby.

• Cinque Terre Day Trip From Florence With Optional Hiking
• Tuscany Day Trip From Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery
• Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class at a Tuscan Farmhouse From Florence
• The Best Tour in Florence: Renaissance & Medici Tales – Guided by a STORYTELLER

Tour Overview

The City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers visitors a convenient way to explore the beautiful city of Florence at their own pace. With 1,735 reviews, this tour in Florence, Italy, provides unlimited rides to top attractions like Piazzale Michelangelo and Santa Croce church.

It includes a Fiesole tour for stunning Tuscan views, free Wi-Fi, a mobile app, and a walking tour in 5 languages. The Visitor Center at SMN Train Station offers assistance. The ticket excludes food, drinks, and hotel pickup/drop-off.

Line A has 13 stops, while Line B offers 14 stops. The operating schedule runs from March 23 to May 31, 2024, with wheelchair and stroller accessibility , as well as service animals allowed.

Duration Options

Explore Florence at your own pace with the City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. The tour offers duration options of 1, 2 , or 3 days for unlimited rides to top attractions. Opting for a 1-day pass allows for a quick tour of the key sights, while the 2-day pass provides more time to delve deeper into Florence’s cultural treasures.

For those wanting a comprehensive experience, the 3-day pass offers ample time to explore at leisure. With the flexibility to hop on and off at various stops, visitors can tailor their itinerary to suit their interests. Whether it’s the iconic Piazzale Michelangelo or the historic Santa Croce church, each day presents a new opportunity to discover the beauty of Florence.

Itinerary Details

Regularly navigating through Florence, the City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers two distinct lines with multiple stops and points of interest along each route.

Line A consists of 13 stops and 12 points of interest, with a duration of approximately 1 hour.

Line B includes 14 stops and 4 points of interest, lasting around 2 hours.

Points of interest encompass renowned landmarks such as Basilica of Santa Croce, Palazzo Pitti, and Piazzale Michelangelo.

These routes provide convenient access to key attractions, allowing travelers to explore Florence at their own pace while enjoying informative commentary on board.

Operating Schedule

Navigating through Florence, the City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour operates on two distinct lines with various stops and points of interest along each route.

Line A, with 13 stops and 12 points of interest, offers a 1-hour duration, while Line B , featuring 14 stops and 4 points of interest, is a 2-hour journey.

Both lines follow the same operating schedule from March 23 to May 31, 2024. This convenient schedule allows visitors to explore the beauty of Florence at their own pace, hopping on and off the bus to visit attractions like the Basilica of Santa Croce, Palazzo Pitti, and Piazzale Michelangelo.

Whether you’re interested in a quick overview or a more leisurely exploration, the City Sightseeing Florence bus tour offers flexibility and convenience for all travelers.

Points of Interest

Visitors on the City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour can discover significant landmarks like the Basilica of Santa Croce, Palazzo Pitti, and Piazzale Michelangelo as they travel through the city. The tour provides an excellent opportunity to explore these iconic sites at your own pace.

Here are three key points of interest along the route:

Basilica of Santa Croce – Known as the Temple of the Italian Glories, this church is the burial place of many famous Italians like Michelangelo and Galileo.

Palazzo Pitti – A grand Renaissance palace that houses several museums and the beautiful Boboli Gardens.

Piazzale Michelangelo – Offers panoramic views of Florence and is a popular spot to capture stunning sunset photos.

Cancellation Policy

When planning to experience the City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, it’s important to be aware of the straightforward cancellation policy in place for this excursion. If canceled up to 24 hours before the start time, a full refund is provided. However, no refund is available if canceled less than 24 hours before the start time, and changes are not accepted within this timeframe. It’s crucial to remember that cancellations are based on the local time of the experience. Make sure to plan accordingly to avoid any inconvenience. Below is a summary of the cancellation policy:

Customer Reviews

Travelers’ feedback on the City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour provides valuable insights into their experiences exploring Florence. Here are some key points from customer reviews:

Positive Experiences :

• Many reviewers appreciated the tour for its convenience in exploring the city.
• Some found the tour helpful in discovering areas outside the city center.
• The opportunity to see greener parts of Florence was a highlight for several visitors.

Challenges Faced :

• Some customers mentioned issues with the frequency of buses.
• Others found the information provided lacking or confusing.
• A few travelers faced difficulties due to unclear signage at certain stops.

Traveler Feedback

Several reviewers shared their experiences and opinions on the City Sightseeing Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, shedding light on various aspects of the tour. Some travelers found the tour helpful for exploring the city , praising the opportunity it provided to see greener areas of Florence beyond the city center. Positive feedback highlighted the tour’s convenience and the chance to visit top attractions like Piazzale Michelangelo and Santa Croce church.

However, there were complaints about issues such as missing buses , unclear signage, and challenges with bus frequency . Some reviewers also noted problems with non-operational bus services without prior notice during certain months.

Despite mixed feedback , many visitors appreciated the tour’s flexibility and the chance to explore Florence at their own pace.

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.

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• Chianti Safari: Tuscan Villas With Vineyards, Cheese, Wine & Lunch From Florence
• Uffizi Gallery Small Group Tour With Guide
• Florence Vespa Tour: Tuscan Hills and Italian Cuisine

Frequently Asked Questions

Are headphones provided for the multilingual walking tour.

Headphones are provided for the multilingual walking tour. Enjoy the convenience of listening in your preferred language while exploring Florence’s attractions. The headphones enhance the experience, making it informative and engaging for all visitors.

Is There a Designated Area for Storing Luggage on the Bus?

There isn’t a designated area for storing luggage on the bus. Visitors might find it more convenient to travel light or keep personal belongings secure with them while enjoying the sights and stops offered.

Can I Bring My Pet on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus?

Yes, travelers can bring pets on the hop-on hop-off bus. However, it’s advisable to check specific guidelines beforehand. Ensuring pet comfort and safety is crucial. Bringing pets can add a fun and memorable experience to exploring Florence.

Are There Restroom Facilities Available on the Buses?

Yes, there are restroom facilities available on the buses. They offer convenient onboard restrooms for passengers’ comfort during the tour. This amenity ensures a more pleasant experience for travelers exploring Florence’s top attractions.

Is There a Discount for Children or Seniors on the Tour Tickets?

Discounts for children or seniors on tour tickets vary by provider. It’s wise to check the specific tour details for eligibility criteria and any reduced rates. Exploring Florence can be more affordable with these potential discounts.

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Final Words

Experience the best of Florence with the City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, offering flexibility, convenience , and expertly curated itineraries .

With multiple duration options and top attractions covered, visitors can explore at their own pace while learning about the city’s rich history and culture.

Don’t miss out on this popular tour that has received rave reviews from travelers worldwide.

Hop on board and uncover the beauty of Florence in a hassle-free and enjoyable way!

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FLORENCE CITYSIGHTSEEING Hop on - Hop off

Comfortable, interesting and fun. What are we talking about? The Florence City Sightseeing bus - the famous red double-decker tourist bus (city sightseeing Florence open top bus and also covered) - will take you to get to know the city. Three different lines allow you to reach the most charming places such as Piazzale Michelangelo, Ponte Vecchio and, since 2015, beautiful Fiesole, with the tried and tested city sightseeing Florence hop on hop off system with which you can get on and off from your heart's content in total freedom.

City Sightseeing Florence 48 hours

The Ticket City Sightseeing Florence 24 hours is valid only on the Florence City Sightseeing buses and allows unlimited rides on all the three lines (A, B and C) for 24 hours, during the operating hours of the service. The lines A and B cover the entire historical centre and stop near the main points of interest.

REDUCED TICKET for children from 5 to 15 years. FREE for children up to 4 years.

How to book

• Remember to read important info
• Choose the date of your visit and select the quantity of tickets.
• Enter your personal information.
• Verify the accuracy of the information submitted: once the payment has been made, you can collect you ticket only on the date indicated on the voucher and the booking cannot be modified nor cancelled.
• Pay by credit card.
• Your voucher will be sent to the email address you have filled in the form.
• Please make sure you provide a valid email address.
• Print the voucher and bring it with you the day of the visit. It is compulsory to print the voucher and show it on the bus the first time you get on board in order to convert it into a valid travel ticket.

Book a visit

The interesting digital audio system with commentary in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Russian (included in the ticket price) will accompany you on the way by providing explanations on palaces, museums and monuments but also telling curiosities, local proverbs, real events, culinary curiosities and so many other things to help you learn about the most authentic side of this beautiful city .

WHY 'FLORENCE'?

Florence is a paradise for lovers of culture and art in fact, right here, there are wonderful works of art known and appreciated around the world. The Uffizi and the Accademia Galleries are the two most visited museums in Italy. The first houses famous masterpieces such as ' La Primavera' by Botticelli' , ' The Venus of Urbino' by Titian, 'Annunciation' by Leonardo da Vinci and other paintings of the most important Italian artists of the caliber of Mantegna, Giotto, and Gentile da Fabriano, just to name a few. The Accademia Gallery instead, is home to many works of Michelangelo - including the famous 'David' - the Museum of Musical Instruments, a valuable collection of Russian icons and other precious paintings of the Renaissance period.

Really amazing is also the Duomo complex , where you can admire the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, characterized by its white and green marble façade, the majestic dome by Brunelleschi and the Baptistery of St Giovanni.

The historic centre of Florence deserves to be visited in full: we are sure that the narrow streets of the medieval part of the city, the many ice cream shops, craft shops, the Ponte Vecchio and the rich boutiques of Via Tornabuoni, will remain in your heart!

Great news! The Red bus tour Florence is enriched by gleaming new buses to inaugurate the new route with the Fiesole bus . Fiesole is an ancient Etruscan town situated on a hill at the back of the Tuscan capital. In addition to offering a breathtaking view of Florence - thanks to its elevated position, Fiesole boasts a vast territory rich in monuments such as the Roman amphitheatre, the Cathedral and the Civic Museum - valuable evidence of its ancient past - and a large number of fascinating nature paths surrounded by green forests and hills. You should not miss the new tourist Fiesole bus to visit this fascinating place!

Aboard our Florence City Sightseeing Bus, you can enjoy all this in an even more exciting way: the plan discovered will see the city from a privileged perspective! In the hours of sunset, the red sun tinges the panorama ocher of colours and terracotta offering an unforgettable view...

...FLORENCE: THE TOURIST BUS AND THE LINES

Florence, but not only art! If you want to know more about this fantastic city from 360 degrees then we advise you to put aside your car and get on board a red bus: City Sightseeing of Florence : you can relax, enjoy the listening to the audio guide and get to your favourite destinations without any stress of being behind the wheel or finding a parking space.

The practical City Sightseeing of Florence hop on and hop off system allows you at your leisure to get on and off from Santa Maria Novella station and a few stops later, visit the centre and take the next bus to Fiesole, or switch from one line in total flexibility . What can be better than City sightseeing in Florence on an open top bus?

Florence rainy day activities will not be ruined when you use the City Sightseeing of Florence bus. The tour Florence City Sightseeing bus is the solution to your problems! Not only does it save you from having to walk for hours under an umbrella but, thanks to the useful audio guides it will help you to learn about the city while being covered by your comfortable bus . Visiting Florence in the rain has never been so easy with the bus tour in Florence, Italy!

The available lines will allow you to admire the historic centre of Florence, along the long Via San Domenico, get up to Fiesole and return to the city. Two of the Florence-city bus tours depart from Santa Maria Novella station, while the third begins its run from Piazzale Montelungo - about 900 metres from the station - after which each line will follow a different route but with a fewer stops where you can change your bus .

• The tourist bus Florence route of Line A - available all year with 18 stops - takes about an hour: starting from the train station, it runs along the old town until it gets to Piazza Santa Croce and then crosses the Arno river, up to the picturesque Piazzale Michelangelo, where we suggest you to stop and admire the beautiful view of Florence from the terrace. The route then continues to the Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace and then reaches the stop 'Barbetti' stop, not far from Santa Maria Novella station terminal.
• The bus tour Florence B line is also active all year round , departs from the station and has 24 stops : the first part of the route is around the historic centre of Florence and similar to the Line A, but the journey is performed in the opposite direction. As already mentioned, the itinerary of this bus tour Florence City Sightseeing was recently extended: the bus in fact will continue its run up to Fiesole – the picturesque town that absolutely deserves to be seen - and then return to the centre of Florence and end its run at Piazzale Montelungo, about 1 km from the train station. If you need to get out of the bustle of the city, this Florence red bus tour, which lasts about two hours and with 24 stops , is the one for you. You can sit at the edge of the Florence red bus tour and let yourself be guided through the quiet country roads, a real blessing for your body and mind!
• The bus tour Florence hop on and hop off Line C , active from April to November with 24 stops , starts from Piazzale Montelungo, passes by the Santa Maria Novella station and about half-way, leaves the centre of Florence to head towards Fiesole, where there are 3 stops . After leaving Fiesole our Florence red bus tour continues its journey back to the historical centre, then crosses the Arno river and continue towards Piazzale Michelangelo, the Boboli Gardens to Via Vittorio Veneto where it concludes.

The main feature of the City Sightseeing Florence bus tour is the ability to use all the lines at your convenience using a single ticket (respecting the expiry date).

To purchase tickets online is simple : simply choose the duration (24, 48 or 72 hours), select the date, proceed to payment and download your voucher which you need to print and present it when you board the bus. Bear in mind that the printed voucher is mandatory as staff at Florence City Sightseeing on the vehicle do not accept documents on smart phones or other electronic devices.

Once you have boarded the bus (at any station and any line) your printed voucher will be withdrawn by a member of staff who, in return, will give you a real journey ticket that you must show whenever you board a new bus of City sightseeing Florence bus. In the event of a large turnout, especially in summer, sometimes the buses could be already full, in which case you'll have to wait for the next one.

If you arrive by train in Florence , the Florence tourist bus are the most convenient way to visit the city: all three lines, in fact, stop in the square opposite the entrance to the Santa Maria Novella station. In addition, at platform 16 until the end of October, you will find the desk of the new Visitor Centre Sightseeing Experience, open to the public from 8am to 6pm, designed to ensure maximum customer support.  We also suggest you download from your smartphone 'Sightseeing Experience Mobile App' , the new free app that will help you find your bearings and travel around the City Sightseeing bus tours in Florence, Italy and other 15 Italian cities.

If instead you are travelling to the Tuscan capital by car , then you can choose the most convenient place to park your car according to the itinerary you want to follow… close to the historic centre of Florence, there is  certainly no shortage of car parks!

If you have more time at your disposal and the Florence tourist bus is finished, then by visiting our webpage devoted to excursions and activities in Tuscany , you will find many interesting day trips in Florence but also in other locations of this beautiful region!

At this point we just have to wish you a good trip and enjoy the Florence city sights!

The City Sightseeing Florence 48 hours allows unlimited travel (hop on / hop off) for 48 hours, during the operating hours of the service. The service is available all year, every day. The frequency of service varies depending on the line and season. The buses are equipped with digital audio language system (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Russian).

For knowing the routes and stops of each line, we suggest you to consult the Florence City Sightseeing map. Please take note that you can start the tour wherever you like and hop on / hop off at any stop.

Once payment is made, you will receive by email the voucher with your reservation, which must be printed and shown to the staff the first time you get on board the bus to be converted into the actual ticket of the trip. The period of validity of the ticket (48 hours) starts when the voucher has been exchanged (this means, for example, that if you board the vehicle at 4pm the ticket is valid until 4pm the next day and you can use it for your movements during the actual hours of service operation - from 4pm until the last departure of the day, from the first departure available until 4pm the following day). Every time you board the vehicle you will have to submit the travel document issued by the City Sightseeing personnel.

PLEASE NOTE : The date inserted at time of reservation is stated on the voucher and it is the effective date of Service. You are therefore advised to check the accuracy of the information entered: once payment is made, the reservation cannot be changed or cancelled and the voucher can only be exchanged for the booked date.

Please note that the ticket does not guarantee the availability on board the bus : if there are no seats available, you will have to wait for the next service.

Ticket prices shown on toscanainside.com are the official prices guaranteed by Firenze City Sightseeing . 

Cancellation Policies

As indicated in our Terms and Conditions - Cancellation Policies, we would like to remind you that, once the booking has been made, City Sightseeing tickets cannot be refunded nor modified. Please make sure to enter the correct data required!

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Florence bus tour

Guided hop-on, hop-off coach tour of florence..

Explore Florence using these 'hop on, hop off' guided bus tours - set your own route and pace.

There are two distinct tour routes for Florence, one taking in the bulk of the sites both to the north and south of the river Arno (Line A), the other concentrating on a slightly smaller, central section before heading out to Fiesole (an Etruscan hilltop village) and some of the finest views imaginable of the splendid city of Florence (Line B).

Bus tour, Florence

The routes criss-cross each other at multiple points, and you are free to switch from one route to the other as many times as you wish. Tickets are valid for 48 hours, and are also valid for travel with the two local bus companies, 'ATAF' and 'Linea'. The accompanying audio tour is available in 8 different languages (Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Japanese and Chinese). The tours operate on a 'hop-on, hop-off' basis, meaning you may leave and subsequently rejoin the buses at indicated points as often as you like! You can download a (PDF) map showing the routes here and a timetable here .

Policy on the admission of pets:

Small/medium domestic animals will be permitted on the bus only on the understanding that they are inoffensive and do not pose a risk to the bus or passengers' security. If the driver at any point decides that the animal poses a risk to passengers or the bus, they can insist that the animal is denied access to, or is removed from the bus, at any point and at their incontestable discretion and with NO right of refund.

The animal must be kept on a leash and muzzle at all times. Animals that cannot for whatever reason use a muzzle must be kept in a pet carrier. The pet carrier must be in good condition, clean, must not contain food, and must not pose a risk to other people on the bus.

4.1 stars out of 5 from 7 ratings.

Why Tickitaly?

We use industry standard Stripe for all-secure payments.

You'll be charged nothing until we have confirmed your tickets and tours.

All prices are displayed in full - there are no additional charges 'on-site' and you will be arriving with the confidence of carrying fully-paid tickets.

Tickitaly is a Licensed Italian Travel Agency Registered at the Florence Chamber of Commerce P.IVA 05144650487

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Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours of Florence

This post will provide details about hop on hop off bus tours you can take in Florence, including information about ticket prices, stops included and how to save money on admission.

• Pros and Cons
• Free Walking Tours of Florence

PROS AND CONS

There are a lot of great reasons to consider taking a hop on hop off bus excursion, but this service isn’t necessarily going to meet everyone’s expectations. 

With that in mind, this section will cover some of the areas in which these tours excel and some features they might lack.

There are a lot of advantages to taking a hop on hop off bus tour, and we will cover some of the best examples here.

Overview of the City

These bus tours provide a lot of great commentary about Florence, helping visitors to not only learn about the history of this city but also find their way around town.

April and November see Florence's historic center bustling with admirers of Renaissance icons like Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's masterpieces.

Strategically near Piazza della Stazione, the Santa Maria Novella train station directs visitors to the Duomo and Palazzo Pitti.

Artisan shops and boutiques line the streets, while a free app with an interactive map ensures effortless exploration.

Always note the generous free cancellation policies when planning.

If you’re looking for basic information about the area, this is a great way to become acclimated to Florence.

Time to Explore

A hop on hop off bus tour will allow you to jump off at any stop and explore the area at your leisure.

Since this service lasts for at least one full day (6-8 hours) and the tour itself only takes about 2 hours to complete, you’ll have plenty of time to look around and discover the city both on and off the bus!

Reasonable Prices

With tickets starting at €23 per day, this activity is a very affordable and open opportunity to explore the city. 

Each additional day is only €5 extra, so you can really take your time with this tour and spread it out across several days to get the most out of your experience without spending much more!

Although most people will get a lot out of a hop on hop off bus tour, there are some factors to consider that some guests might not enjoy. Here are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing a ticket.

General Commentary

The information provided on these tours is very basic and it doesn’t cover a lot of the history behind the city.

If you want to learn more about Florence, you may want to consider another type of tour.

No Assigned Seating

While most guided bus tours will assign you a seat, hop on hop off services are first come, first serve. 

What this means is that you might not even get a seat depending on when and where you hop on the bus.

If you want to ensure that you’ve got somewhere to sit, consider another type of tour.

Not Very Efficient

If you’ve only got a limited amount of time to explore Florence, you won’t get as much out of this tour as you would by taking your time to look around.

Consider a Florence walking tour instead if you’ve only got a few hours to see the city.

The only hop on hop off bus tour currently available in Florence is provided by City Sightseeing, an internationally recognized tour company.

Tickets are available for 1, 2, or 3 days in a row and their service runs from 9 am - 5 pm each day.

The tour takes between 1 ½ - 2 hours to complete, giving you plenty of time to explore the city at your leisure.

Commentary will be available in 8 different languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Portuguese.

Children under the age of 5 ride for free as long as their parents or guardians have tickets of their own.

• 24-Hour Ticket: €29/Adults | €15/Children
• 48-Hour Ticket: €35/Adults | €17/Children
• 72-Hour Ticket: €39/Adults | €18/Children
• Purchase tickets or learn more .

You can also get hop on hop off bus tour tickets in combo packages which include additional activities and attractions at a concession.

Please read our deals and offers section for more details about how to save money on these tickets.

City Sightseeing currently offers two routes in Florence: one in the city centre and another which will take you through Fiesole.

Each ticket includes admission for both routes.

The Florence City route will take 1 - 1 ½ hours to complete and it has 17 stops including the following:

• Teatro Verdi
• Piazza Ferrucci
• Piazzale Michelangelo
• Piazza Indipendenza
• Piazzale Donatello
• Porta Romana

The Fiesole route will take approximately 2 hours to finish and there are a total of 27 stops including the following:

• Artemio Franchi Stadium
• San Marco Museum
• Teatro Romano
• Convent of San Domenico
• Piazza delle Cascine
• Museo Civico del Borgo

Buses for both routes run every 20-30 minutes throughout the year.

We recommend choosing 5-10 locations that you want to explore and hopping off at those stops throughout the day to take a closer look.

If you choose a 2 or 3-day ticket, you could fit even more stops into your journey!

For more details, please read the route map provided by City Sightseeing.

How long is a Florence hop-on hop-off tour?

The Florence hop-on hop-off tour offers a sightseeing experience that lets you explore the city at your own pace. That said, you can expect one full route to take around 1-2 hours.

How frequently do Florence hop-on hop-off buses make stops?

The buses, like the next bus and line B, make regular stops at renowned landmarks such as the Ponte Vecchio and Piazzale Galileo every 30-40 minutes.

Is a hop-on hop-off tour a good way to get around Florence?

The Florence hop-on hop-off tour offers an immersive sightseeing experience, while walking is the easiest method; alternatively, the "tram via" is a €1.50 affordable travel choice.

DEALS AND OFFERS

This section provides details about the best ways to save money on tickets for hop on hop off bus tours in Florence, including tourist passes, combo packages and more.

Tourist Passes

The City Sightseeing hop on hop off bus tour is not currently included with any Florence tourist passes, but you can save money on this activity using some prepackaged passes.

As of March 2024, both the Florence Pass and the Uffizi + Accademia Pass include a 10% off on several attractions, and hop-on hop-off bus tours just so happen to be one of the services included as part of this deal.

These tourist passes include admission to popular attractions like the following:

• Uffizi Gallery
• Accademia Gallery
• Brunelleschi's Dome

If you're interested in visiting these locations in addition to your hop-on hop-off bus tour, this could be a great way to save money on both activities.

For more details, please read our post covering Florence tourist passes .

Combo Packages

If you’re not interested in going to several different attractions while in Florence, these packages are an excellent alternative to a tourist pass. 

Each combo deal includes one hop on hop off bus tour ticket along with at least one additional activity at a concessionary rate.

Hop on Hop off Bus Tour + Uffizi Gallery

• 24-Hour Ticket: €86/Adults | €51/Children
• 48-Hour Ticket: €74/Adults | €36/Children
• Includes guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery.

Concession Sites

When all else fails, you can usually rely on sites such as Groupon to provide concessions for hop on hop off bus tours in Florence.

In addition to any deals they offer to begin with, these concession sites also frequently have extra promo codes you can use to save anywhere from 10% - 25% off on local activities.

Before you make any purchases, make sure to check the top and bottom of the page for any banners that may include promo codes you can use to save even more money!

RELATED POSTS: 

• Free Walking Tours
• Tourist Attraction Concession Passes

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Florence Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours

City Sightseeing: Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
• Florence, the 'Cradle of Renaissance,' is your playground with the 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off ticket and soak up the city's rich cultural tapestry.
• Choose between not just 1, but 2 routes, dotted with 25+ stops across hidden gems waiting to be discovered, and buses swing by every 20 to 60 mins.
• Tune into the audio guide in 8 languages, which reveals secrets of must-see spots from the open decks. It's like having your tour guide in your pocket.
• Soak in Medieval and Renaissance artisan shops near Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, visit the historic park of Villa Cora, and more.
• 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off unlimited tour
• Access to Red and Blue lines
• Audio guide in Italian, English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Russian & Portuguese
• Onboard assistance
• Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking

Please click here for timetable and here for detailed route maps.

You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Line A: Blue Line

• First bus: 9am from Largo Alinari
• Last bus: 6:31pm from Largo Alinari
• Frequency: every 20 mins
• Popular stops: Porta Romana, Piazzale Michelangelo, Donatello

Line B: Red Line

• First bus: 11am from Piazzale Galileo
• Last bus: 4pm from Piazzale Galileo
• Frequency: every 60 mins
• Popular stops: Fiesole, Museo Del Calcio, San Domenico
• Tip: Hop off at Piazzale Michelangelo for a great shopping experience and panoramic views of the city like Duomo and Ponte Vecchio.
• Keep in mind bulky luggage or big backpacks are not allowed on the buses Pack wisely!
• Wheelchair users can only board buses equipped with a footboard and dedicated space.
• Passengers with wheelchairs are required to secure themselves and their wheelchairs with safety belts while the bus is in motion. The wheelchair must be locked with its brakes and placed in the designated space.
• The service provider allows only one wheelchair on the bus at a time.
• Small and medium-sized pets in leashes, muzzles, and pet carriers are allowed.

Combo (Save 10%): Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Accademia Gallery Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

• Huge savings on the go! This cost-effective combo offers a 24-hour Florence hop-on hop-off tour and access to the celebrated Accademia Gallery.
• Hop on and off at any of the 2 routes featuring 25+ stops across popular sites such as Piazzale Michelangelo, Museo Del Calcio, and San Domenico.
• Climb the open-top buses for the best views of Florence and make use of free Wi-Fi and an immersive audio guide in 8 languages.
• Slash your wait time in half with skip-the-line tickets to Florence's famed Accademia Gallery, where you can marvel at Michelangelo's iconic 'David.'
• Explore 7 historic halls showcasing centuries of Italian art, and enjoy tours in your language of choice, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German.

Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

• 24-hour hop-on hop-off unlimited tour

Accademia Gallery

• 1-hour guided tour of Accademia Gallery with skip-the-line entry
• Expert local guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian, or German
• Headphones (for a group of 5 or more)
• Audio guide

Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points.

• First bus: 9:46am from stop 1 (Piazzale Gallileo)
• Last bus: 6:31pm from stop 1 (Piazzale Gallileo)
• First bus: 11am from stop 1 (Piazzale Gallileo)
• Last bus: 4pm from stop 1 (Piazzale Gallileo)

Join a tour at any stop and freely hop on and off throughout your ticket's duration.

• Tip: Take advantage of the free walking tours available on the app and explore the areas surrounding the historic Pitti Palace and Ponte Vecchio bridge.
• Tip: Michelangelo's unfinished sculptures, such as Prigioni (Prisoners), offer a glimpse into his creative process, showcasing figures emerging from blocks of marble.
• Keep in mind large bags, beverages, and drones are not allowed on the buses Pack wisely!
• Shutterbugs, take note: Flash photography is a no-go inside the venue.
• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
• Just a heads up, the ticket allows you to skip the ticketing lines and not the security check.

Combo (Save 10%): Florence Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Uffizi Gallery Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

• Why buy individual tickets when you can get maximum savings with this combo offering a 24-hour hop-on hop-off tour and Uffizi Gallery guided tour!
• Visit iconic sites such as Santa Croce, the final resting place of Michelangelo, and the luxurious Villa Cora hotel on the hop-on hop-off tour.
• With over 25 stops across 2 routes, delve into the city's history on the open deck buses, free Wi-Fi, and audio guide in 8 languages.
• Go on a guided tour of the world-famous Uffizi Gallery, with audio guides in 5 languages to learn about great arts from the Renaissance.
• Discover the masterpieces of Michelangelo, such as the "Doni Tondo," and admire Leonardo da Vinci's "Annunciation".

Uffizi Gallery

• Guided tour of Uffizi Gallery with skip-the-line entry
• Expert guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German
• Booking fee
• Tip: Treat yourself to some delicious Italian gelato from one of the gelaterias in Piazzale Gallielo or Beccaria, a perfect way to cool off.
• Tip: Don't miss the classical sculptures, such as those from the Medici collection, on display at the Uffizi Gallery, alongside the paintings.
• Re-entry is not allowed once you leave the gallery.
• Keep in mind drones and food & beverages are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!
• Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
• Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue with advance notice.
• Every first Sunday of the month, the museum follows normal opening hours and entry is free for everyone.
• Leave your umbrellas, large bags, and backpacks in the cloakroom at the museum entrance free of cost.
• Sometimes good things take time. Expect a wait time of 15 mins before your experience begins at the security check.

Turbopass Florence All-Inclusive City Pass: 25+ Attractions

• Skip the ticket-buying bore. One pass unlocks over 25 Florence attractions, museums, guided tours, and more at a fraction of individual ticket prices.
• Score up to 30% discounts on Salvatore Ferragamo Museum and Cinque Terre day tickets, and enjoy exclusive savings on Eatwith experiences.
• Pick your Florentine adventure! You’re spoilt for choice with Uffizi Gallery, Leaning Tower of Pisa, guided walking tours, and more.
• Time-crunched or ready to explore? Flexible passes with 2 to 7 days validity let you experience Florence at your own pace.
• Hassle-free mobile tickets whisk you past long lines and grant skip-the-line access to top attractions.
• Validity: 2/3/4/5/6/7 days
• Museums: Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery, Jewish Museum and Synagogue & more
• Attractions: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Florentine Cathedral, Cathedral of Siena & more
• Guided tours: Florence walking tour (English-speaking guide), Guided bike tour of Florence & more
• Activities: Shuttle bus to Barberino Designer Outlet
• 1-day hop-on hop-off tour with audio guide
• Discounts on Salvatore Ferragamo Museum & more
• Get complete details here
• Entry to Brunelleschi dome
• Booking will be made to the Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria dell’Accademia for you in advance to guarantee admission without waiting times.
• For the first valid day of your City Pass the entry ticket for Uffizi will be booked between 8:30am - 12am.
• The entry ticket for Accademia will be booked on the second day of your City Pass between 8:30am - 12am.
• Each included attraction can be visited or used only once free of charge.
• Opening hours and terms and conditions of certain attractions may sometimes vary. It is recommended to check the website(s) of the attraction or museum before your visit to plan accordingly.
• The HOHO bus access is only available for 1 day irrespective of the validity option you choose for the city card.
• Check your e-mail inbox for the link to your digital pass and booking app sent by Turbopass.
• Click on the link in the e-mail sent to you by Turbopass and activate your pass for the date that you would like to use it.
• Check which attractions require you to pre-book, then book your slots following the instructions in the booking app included with your pass.
• Your pass is activated as soon as you visit your 1st attraction.
• Every attraction can be visited for free once.
• The pass is valid for the chosen number of days in a row from the first day of use.
• Get the most out of your pass – it's valid until midnight on the last day.

Combo (Save 5%): 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Florence + Santa Croce Basilica Complex Tickets

• Combine a 24-hour hop-on hop-off tour of Florence with skip-the-line access to Santa Croce Basilica, maximizing both experience and value.
• Navigate the Cradle of Renaissance freely with a 24-hour bus pass; immerse in its rich Renaissance charm across 2 routes and 20+ stops.
• Enjoy multi-lingual audio guides, free Wi-Fi, and an interactive map app. Don’t miss the historic park of Villa Cora and the artisanal marvels near Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral.
• Bypass queues to enter Santa Croce. Discover art by Giotto, wander through serene cloisters, and pay respects at the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo.
• Marvel at Santa Croce's Medici Chapel and Sala del Pozzo featuring a vaulted ceiling and octagonal columns, a testament to Florence's golden age.

City Sightseeing: Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Florence

• 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass
• Access to 2 routes
• Audio guide in 8 languages
• Free 'Sightseeing' app with interactive map

Santa Croce Basilica Complex

• Skip-the-line entry to Santa Croce Basilica
• Access to cloisters, Pazzi Chapel, and Last Supper
• Access to Medici Chapel, Old Sacristy, and Sala del Pozzo
• First bus from Santa Maria Novella Train Station: 9:20am.
• Last bus: 6:30pm.
• Frequency: Every 25 mins.
• Popular Stops: Porta Romana, Teatro Verdi.
• First bus from Galileo: 10:15am.
• Last bus: 5:15pm.
• Frequency: Every 60 mins.
• Popular Stops: San Domenico, Piazzale Michelangelo.

Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

• Tip: If you visit Calcio Museum at stop #6 on Line B, you could learn all about the history of Italy's national football team!
• Download the app ‘Sightseeing Experience’ to make the best use of the interactive map that shows you the position of the buses in real-time.
• Audio guide available in English, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Portuguese.
• Facilities: Wheelchair Accessibility, Free WiFi.
• Tip: Seek out the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and other prominent Italian personalities. Many of the tombs are marked with inscriptions or statues, making them easier to locate.
• Facilities: Wheelchair Accessibility, Restroom.
• Guide dogs are allowed on this experience.
• The audio guide is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German.
• Note that the following are not allowed on this tour: pets, food and beverages, smoking, flash photography, tripod, and large bags.
• Strict Dress Code : It is required to wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders. It is not allowed to wear shorts.
• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Florence , located in the heart of Italy's Tuscany region, is a cultural gem renowned for its Renaissance art and architecture. Its attractions include the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and the masterpiece-filled Galleria dell'Accademia, housing Michelangelo's David.

With Florence's Hop On Hop Off Buses , you can get to explore all the top spots in the city, and all you need is one ticket! Read on to learn more about Florence hop-on hop-off bus tours.

Why Choose Florence Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours?

• Visit Top Landmarks: See all of Florence’s top attractions from the open-top buses.
• Easy and Convenient: Explore the best of Florence with just one ticket without any worry about getting to the city's top attractions.
• Save Money: Hop-on hop-off bus tours will help you save money as you won’t have to spend money on local transportation.
• Add-Ons: You can also combine your hop-on hop-off bus tour with other experiences, like a Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour.
• Pre-Recorded Commentary: There are audio guides in 8 languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Portuguese.

Please check your tickets for more information on the special features and inclusions.

Florence Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour Timetable

City Sightseeing

• Timings: 9:20 AM to 6:30 PM
• From: Santa Maria Novella Train Station
• Frequency: Every 25 mins
• Timings: 10:15 AM to 5:15 PM
• From: Galileo
• Frequency: Every 60 minutes

Florence Hop On Hop Off Visitor Tips and Guidelines

• Know the Inclusions:  Florence hop-on hop-off bus tour operators have multiple ticket options. You can choose between 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour experiences.
• Plan Your Route:  Know the route that your hop-on hop-off bus will take so you can decide which stops you would like to get off at beforehand and which major attractions are nearby. 
• Schedule Your Stops:  If you want to visit any attractions near the bus stops, make sure you know how long you'll spend there, and when the next hop-on hop-off bus will stop. 
• Attraction Tickets: Many attractions require entry tickets, be sure to buy these in advance online to avoid standing and waiting in long queues.

Frequently Asked Questions About FlorenceHop On Hop Off Bus Tours

A. Yes, Florence has a hop-on hop-off bus tour.

A. You can buy Florence hop-on hop-off tickets online.

A. Yes, you can avail Florence hop-on hop-off tickets online.

A. Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour ticket prices start from €29.

A. Hop-on hop-off buses in Florence allow you to get on and leave the bus at any of the designated stops to see the major city landmarks whenever you want.

A. Florence hop-on hop-off buses run between 9:30 AM to 5 PM.

A. Yes, Florence's hop-on hop-off bus tours are accessible to wheelchair users.

Florence Hop On Hop Off Bus

• 7.80 / 10 415 reviews | 6,776 travellers Very comfortable, comfortable trip, they only have problems with the schedules, that will improve 10 Alberto Gonzalez
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service starts
• X (Twitter)

Discover Florence’s top sights, monuments, squares, and streets at your own leisure along the route of this Hop-On Hop-Off tour bus and hop off and back on as many times as you wish. Sit back and relax on an open-top double-decker bus and admire the 360º panoramic views of the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

There are two different sightseeing bus routes, one that lasts 1 hour and another that lasts 2 hours. You'll be able to enjoy the recorded commentary in English to learn about the city’s thrilling history.

Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo, Basilica di Santa Croce, and Santa Maria Novella are some of the most popular stops. 

Check out the  routes and the list of stops in the following link:

• Sightseeing bus routes and stops

How it works

Purchase a 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour ticket , and depending on which you have chosen, your ticket will be valid for 24 or 48 hours from the first time you use it . For example, if you use your 2-day ticket for the first time on a Monday at 2 pm, it'll be valid until Wednesday at 2 pm.

You can hop on, hop off and back on as many times as you wish while your ticket is valid. Discover the Piazza del Duomo, il Duomo, Boboli Gardens, or Piazzale Michelangelo, one of the city’s best viewpoints.

Operating times & frequency

Below you'll find a schedule of the buses operating times and frequencies:

• Blue line: from 9 am to 5:50 pm running every 20-minutes daily
• Red line: operates daily from 11 am to 4 pm with a frequency of 60 minutes

You can see the schedule in more detail at this link .

Please note these schedules may be subject to change.

Between the 3rd and 27th of July 2024, stop number 11 of Line A will not be active.

More Information

1 day - 3 days.

The activity takes place with recorded commentary in English.

24, 48, or 72–hour tour on a sightseeing bus

Individual headsets

When to book?

You can book up to the start time, as long as there are places remaining. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. An accompanying person is required.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• The activity helps the dissemination of local cultural heritage.
• No single-use plastics are used.
• The indigenous community participates in the management of the activity.
• No printing of documentation required.

Sightseeing Experience Srl Show more

Corporate name: Sightseeing Experience Srl

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities .

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

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Hop On Hop Off Florence Bus Tours

City Sightseeing: Florence Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

• Explore the entire city from a different perspective. You are free to hop on and off as many times you want
• You can explore the city according to the spare time you have with Florence Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour
• The Free APP “Sightseeing Experience” gives the real-time position of buses and waiting time at every stop.
• Walking Tour includes English, Italian, French, Spanish and German.
• Social distancing is maintained in vehicles
• Smartphone Voucher Accepted!
• 24, 48 & 72-Hours Florence Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Ticket
• Pre-recorded commentary in 8 different languages: Italian, English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Portuguese
• Free Wi-fi on board
• Assistance on board
• Sightseeing Experience Free App
• Audio-guide of the historic centre in 5 languages!

Free Wi-Fi Onboard:  Yes Facilitated access for disabled people:  Yes Domestic Animals:  The access to the bus is permitted for little and medium domestic animals only if they are inoffensive. Using muzzle and leash is mandatory, as alternative to the muzzle it is possible to use a pet carrier. The holder must also assure that the animal doesn’t disturb or damage other passengers or the staff on the bus and that doesnt’ get the bus dirty, the penalty will be the full reimbursement of the damage. The owner or the holder of the animal is liable for the damage caused. Policy Baggages on board:  For safety reasons it is strictly forbidden to bring luggages, awkward bags, big backpacks or builky baggages on board the City Sightseeing buses.  Mobile App:  Customers are advised to download the  "Sightseeing Experience"  app to see the most up to date bus stop locations and timings. It is available in five languages. Useful Contacts: Need any help at destination, please contact our local partner on +39 3459909786 . You can also email them at [email protected] ( Open: 9:00am to 3:00pm) After Tour Complaint:  If you have after tour complaint, please write us at  [email protected] .  Important:  Please note the stop name/number that you were waiting at and the time when you were waiting  for the bus. If possible please take picture of bus number and staff name also. These information will help us to investigate further in your complaint. It may take 5-7 working days to investigate and our support team will get back to you during this period. Tours operate in all weather, rain or shine. Refunds due to weather will not be granted unless the service is suspended as a result of weather. Disclaimer:  Due to traffic issues, public holidays, weather conditions, cruise ship arrivals and unforeseen circumstances, there might be sudden changes in the route or on the schedule. In "normal times" Florence is a busy city, especially during special events, summer holidays and at weekends. Traffic congestion and road closures - may cause delays, reduced frequency and changes to the route. We’ll do all we can to provide a smooth and frequent service! No refund possible in such conditions.

No Cancellation Charges  up to 24 hours before the chosen travel date. 100% cancellation fee applied within 24 hours of travel date. Ticket is Amendable:  If your travel plan change and you need to amend your ticket, kindly inform us at least 2 days before your tour. Changes will only be honoured as long as the voucher has not been used.

City Sightseeing: Shuttle Bus Barberino Designer Outlet from Florence

• Daily three shuttle rides from Florence to Barberino Designer Outlet
• Choose departure and return at your convenience
• Wi-Fi facility available on the bus
• Shop your favorite brands at the outlet
• Shuttle round-trip from Barberino Designer Outlet

The Tuscan hills, illustrious palaces, a remarkable showcase of Italian Renaissance masterpieces and bright weather of Florence metropolis city offers its tourists a lifetime of memorable sightseeing experience. Hop on Hop off is an excellent way to get an overview of the entire city on your trip. Tourists can enjoy sightseeing on our open-top double-decker buses.   Start your trip from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Piazza Duomo which is considered to be the classics of Italian artistic treasure. Move forward to visit sites like Piazzale Michelangelo from where you can get the most scenic view of the city, one of the world’s top art museum Uffizi Palace and Gallery, art-filled church and mausoleum Santa Croce and many other museums. Tourists can hop off at the Florence food market Mercato Centrale to buy some candied fruits and nougats.   Florence has a rich history that can be successfully seen everywhere around the city. Florence Hop on Hop off bus tours comes with the facility of a multilingual audio guide which will provide valuable knowledge about the sites you will visit. Our buses are well sanitised. Book your tickets from our user-friendly website, Pack your bags and start your trip to Florence.

Customer Reviews

Good tour of Florence. Similar to experience in other cities. Traffic is a bit busy at times that prevents the bus makin... Read More

Good tour of Florence. Similar to experience in other cities. Traffic is a bit busy at times that prevents the bus making progress/being on time.

Thank you for your valuable feedback. Happy to hear your thoughts. It is always interesting to see what our travelers think of our service.

The recorded guide and where you were in real time didn’t always match so many photo ops missed. Read More

The recorded guide and where you were in real time didn’t always match so many photo ops missed.

Florence hop-on hop-off - everything OK! Read More

Florence hop-on hop-off - everything OK!

All people from the bus are very helpful and friendly. Line blue show us all important about Firence and line red aroun... Read More

All people from the bus are very helpful and friendly. Line blue show us all important about Firence and line red around Firence.

Very efficient with an interesting commentary. Clear audio, and we'll thought out route. Read More

Very efficient with an interesting commentary. Clear audio, and we'll thought out route.

I loved the tour but the sound through the earphones wasn't always great Read More

I loved the tour but the sound through the earphones wasn't always great

Know More About Florence

Florence In 2023: What to Expect & What to Do This Year?

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For groups of 12 or more, you may send us an inquiry at [email protected]. Although we do not guarantee bulk deals for all our tours, there are some tours for which we can offer discounted pricing. Ordinary hop-on-hop-off bus tickets are entitled to group savings. Attractions, pass items and combo tickets aren't.

Due the nature of this type of tour and varying demand, group travellers should be aware that there is no guarantee that the group will be able to travel altogether as the available seats vary from stop to stop and depends on demand each day. The group may need to split up and/or wait for the next bus(s).

As, we cannot guarantee that the group shall be able to travel together as one group, therefore we will reduce the group size down to 4-5 smaller groups per ticket (depending upon group size).

City of Florence Blood Drive - August 8, 2024

The City of Florence is excited to announce another blood drive scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2024. This event will take place at the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence, Kentucky, with the donor bus stationed in the south parking lot (Aquatic Center side).

The blood drive will be held in two convenient time slots: from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. To encourage community participation, all generous donors will receive a Hoxworth FC Cincinnati t-shirt as a token of gratitude.

To streamline the process and ensure a smooth experience, donors are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments online through Hoxworth at the provided link - https://hoxworth.org/groups/florence or by calling their dedicated phone number at (513)451-0910.

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National night out – august 1, 2024, florence community band – summer tour 2024, city of florence art & vendor festival.

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Tour de France 2024 stage-by-stage guide: Route maps and profiles for all 21 days

This year’s tour de france will take the peloton from florence to a time-trial finish in nice via some epic climbs in the pyrenees and the alps, article bookmarked.

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The 2024 Tour de France is a truly unique race beginning in Florence and ending – for the first time in its 121-year history – outside Paris .

This year’s Tour will wrap up without the usual procession to the Champs-Elysees, where security resources will be focused on the Paris Olympics starting five days later. Instead, organisers have opted to end the race with an individual time-trial in Nice, adding the possibility of the yellow jersey changing hands on a dramatic final day.

Before that, riders face a typically gruelling challenge, with a hilly start in Italy before crossing to France where a perilous gravel stage awaits in Troyes. Week two leads the peloton south to the Pryenees and the monstrous Col du Tourmalet, before a series of days in the Alps including a particularly brutal stage 19 with a summit finish in Isola.

It all concludes in Nice on Sunday 21 July, where the race winner will be crowned.

Stage 1: Florence to Rimini (hilly, 206km) | Saturday 29 June

The opening stage of the 2024 Tour de France will be a beautiful ride, starting with the Grand Depart on the banks of the Arno river in the centre of Florence before heading through Tuscany to the finish line on Italy’s east coast, on the beachfront of Rimini. The route also takes in San Marino, the Tour’s 13th country. But it will be tough on what is the most hilly first stage in the race’s history with 3,600m of climbing to conquer. It could be a day for Tadej Pogacar to immediately make his mark, or for an outstanding classics rider like Mathieu van der Poel to target, while young puncheurs like Ireland’s Ben Healy and Belgium’s Maxim Van Gils could be outside bets.

• Stage 1: Romain Bardet shakes off peloton to finally claim yellow jersey

Stage 2: Cesenatico to Bologna, (hilly, 199km) | Sunday 30 June

The second day throws up a more gentle ride, though it still contains six categorised climbs to test the legs. The purest sprinters will get left behind but the small ascents are unlikely to put off the more hardy fast men, like Wout van Aert , who will like the look of the fast finish in Bologna.

• Stage 2: Kevin Vauquelin earns debut win as Tadej Pogacar assumes yellow

Stage 3: Plaisance to Turin (flat, 231km) | Monday 1 July

The long third stage will be the first opportunity for a bunch sprint to the finish line. Expect Alpecin-Deceuninck to try and control the final kilometres in an effort to position Jasper Philipsen for the win, but there is a stacked list of sprinters ready to challenge him including Arnaud de Lie, Dylan Groenewegen, Sam Bennett, Wout van Aert and Mark Cavendish, chasing a record 35th stage win to finally eclipse the great Eddy Merckx.

• Stage 3: Biniam Girmay makes history as first black African to win a Tour stage

Stage 4: Pinerolo to Valloire (mountainous, 140km) | Tuesday 2 July

A tough fourth stage takes the riders into France via a couple of testing category-two climbs and to the foot of the Col du Galibier – the first hors categorie ascent of the race. The gradient averages only 5.3% but at 23km long, it is a draining slog of a climb to the top and the strongest climbers will come to the fore. Expect some attacks among the big hitters like Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard as we get our first real sense of the battle for overall victory.

• Stage 4: Tadej Pogacar makes statement with dominant win to regain yellow

Stage 5: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas (flat, 177km) | Wednesday 3 July

The second sprint finish of this year’s Tour contains some small hills but nothing that should disrupt the power riders from reaching the finish near the front, where they will expect to battle for victory.

• Stage 5: Mark Cavendish makes history with record-breaking 35th win

Stage 6: Macon to Dijon (flat, 163km) | Thursday 4 July

An even flatter day looks ripe for a bunch sprint on the streets of Dijon. One small categorised climb early in the stage precedes an intermediate sprint which might be targeted by those hunting the green jersey, and a breakaway will almost certainly then take to the front of the race. But it is likely to be caught by the sprinters’ teams before the finish as the peloton’s power riders fight for the stage win.

• Stage 6: Dylan Groenewegen wins photo finish in Dijon

Stage 7: Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin, (ITT, 25km) | Friday 5 July

The first individual time-trial of this year’s Tour de France sweeps through thick forest before opening out into the picturesque vineyards of Burgundy. The only climb is the short Cote de Curtil-Vergy (1.6km at 6.1%), followed by a descent into Gevrey-Chambertin, and here Remco Evenepoel – the reigning time-trial world champion – will plan to take some time from his general classification rivals who are less adept against the clock.

• Stage 7: Remco Evenepoel claims ‘crazy’ time trial win

Stage 8: Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises (flat, 176km) | Saturday 6 July

It may be officially listed as a flat day, but stage eight contains five categorised climbs and plenty more undulation, along with an uphill drag to the finish which should be enough to shake out some of the pure sprinters from contention. This could be a bunch sprint, a day for the breakaway or even a bold solo attack if the situation presents itself for an opportunist near the front of the race.

• Stage 8: Biniam Girmay secures second stage win in sprint finish

Stage 9: Troyes to Troyes (hilly, 199km) | Sunday 7 July

The Tour de France takes on the gravel roads of the Champagne region to see out the first week, and the white dusty terrain could take down a few unfortunate victims. The 14 sections of gravel span 32km in all, and they are similar to the roads of the iconic Italian race, Strade-Bianche. The past winners of Strade-Bianche – Tom Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar – will fancy their chances here.

• Stage 9: Frustrated Tom Pidcock narrowly beaten on chaotic and dusty day

Rest day: Orleans | Monday 8 July

Stage 10: orleans to saint-amand-montrond (flat, 187km) | tuesday 9 july.

The Tour heads down to the centre of France, where on paper it is a nice-looking day for the sprinters, but they will need to stay alert to winds which could split the pack along this twisting route south to Saint-Amand-Montrond in the Loire Valley. A short, sharp climb 8km from the finish could be the launchpad for a brave attack, though the muscle men of the peloton will hope to fight it out against each other at the finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond.

• Stage 10: Jasper Philipsen capitalises on Mathieu van der Poel leadout for stage win

Stage 11: Evaux-les-Bains to Le Lioran, (mountainous, 211km) | Wednesday 10 July

Six categorised climbs pepper a hard up-and-down day through the Massif Central. The third-from-last ascent is the toughest, the Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol (5.4km at 8.1%), with a painfully steep final 2km to conquer, and strong climbing legs will be needed to win the stage. A good day for a breakaway to escape and potentially stay away to the end.

• Stage 11: Tearful Jonas Vingegaard battles back to pip Tadej Pogacar

Stage 12: Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot, (flat, 204km) | Thursday 11 July

The ‘flat’ categorisation disguises the numerous small hills dotted through this picturesque route to Villeneuve which will drain legs if the pace is high. Expect a determined breakaway to make it difficult for those teams hoping to set up a bunch sprint at the finish – twice before, the day has been won by a rider in the breakaway here.

• Stage 12: Biniam Girmay seals hat-trick of sprint stage wins

Stage 13: Agen to Pau, (flat, 165km) | Friday 12 July

Pau is a staple of the Tour de France over the years, acting as the gateway to the Pyrenees mountains. The hilly finish to the stage might slow down some of the pure sprinters but they will be determined to reel in a breakaway – especially if they failed to do so a day earlier, and with so much hard climbing to come.

• Stage 13: Jasper Philipsen pips Wout van Aert as Primoz Roglic abandons

Stage 14: Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, (mountainous, 152km) | Saturday 13 July

The iconic Col du Tourmalet stands in the middle of this mountain stage, with the road peaking at 2,115m above sea level. The 19km climb averages 7.4% gradient and once it’s conquered, two more big climbs await including a summit finish at Pla d’Adet. The GC contenders will surely trade blows on this brutal day.

• Stage 14: Tadej Pogacar wins wild stage after fan throws crisps in leader’s face

Stage 15: Loudenvielle to Plateau de Beille (mountainous, 198km) | Sunday 14 July

A nice relaxing weekend in the Pyrenees is rounded off with five climbs over a 200km route, all rated category one or harder. Expect fireworks among the yellow jersey contenders as they race to the finish atop Plateau de Beille.

• Stage 15: Tadej Pogacar lands major blow to extend advantage over Jonas Vingegaard

Rest day: Gruissan | Monday 15 July

Stage 16: Gruissan to Nimes (flat, 189km) | Tuesday 16 July

This is the final chance for the sprinters to bag a stage before the road kicks up into the mountains once more. Those in contention for the win will need to keep their composure as roundabouts punctuate the long final strip into the line in Nimes.

• Stage 16: Jasper Philipsen seals hat-trick of sprint wins

Stage 17: Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Superdevoluy (mountainous, 178km) | Wednesday 17 July

The peloton reaches the Alps for a day that will be draining as the road tilts from the start. There are bonus seconds to be collected at the top of the category-one Col du Noyer, before a fast descent to a small summit finish which caps a tough second half to this stage.

• Stage 17: Richard Carapaz rides to victory as Remco Evenepoel takes time on Jonas Vingegaard

Stage 18: Gap to Barcelonnette (hilly, 180km) | Thursday 18 July

A breakaway will certainly have a go at escaping up the road to clinch this stage, and they should be able to make it stick. The five official climbs are all category-three ascents which might mean some of the more well-rounded riders with a fast finish can clamber over them and be a threat at the end.

• Stage 18: New dad Victor Campenaerts claims emotional maiden Tour stage win

Stage 19: Embrun to Isola 2000 (mountainous, 145km) | Friday 19 July

Perhaps the most eye-catching stage when the 2024 route was unveiled was this one: three monstrous Alpine climbs, back to back, with a summit finish at Isola. The middle climb of the trio is the giant Cime de la Bonette (22.9km at 6.9%), the highest road in France at 2,802m. If the fight for the yellow jersey is still alive at this point in the race, this will be a thrilling stage for the story to unfold.

• Stage 19: Peerless Tadej Pogacar tightens grip on yellow jersey

Stage 20: Nice to Col de la Couillole (mountainous, 133km) | Saturday 20 July

It may be a little shorter at only 133km, but this is another brutally tough mountain stage featuring four climbs and another summit finish, atop the Col de la Couillole.

Stage 21: Monaco to Nice (ITT, 34km) | Sunday 21 July

The race will finish without the usual procession through Paris and instead see the riders contest an individual time-trial from Monaco to Nice that could decide the outcome of the Tour. The last time-trial finale saw Greg Lemond pinch the yellow jersey on the Champs-Elysees, beating Laurent Fignon by eight seconds. This route is longer than the stage-seven time-trial, and a little more hilly too, so there is potential for some significant time gaps.

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Top 13 trips to Europe

From hiking over the twisted lava flows of Iceland to exploring the sun-drenched ruins of Greece, you can spend years exploring Europe’s cities, villages, and landscapes. If this is your first time planning a trip to Europe, you may want to focus on the highlights, like a double-decker bus ride through London, as well as include less-common tours, like seeing Rome from the back of a classic Vespa.

Or you might choose to explore thematically and have your specialist build a trip around your specific interests. A culinary journey might introduce you to local winemakers in France and Croatia, include a pretzel-making class in Bavaria, or see you eating “Viking sushi” still dripping from the North Atlantic.

Below, we've spotlighted Europe trip ideas that our clients have particularly enjoyed, using routes that work well. Whether you’re looking for a deep dive into Renaissance art or a chance to explore several ancient capitals, we can plan a trip that’s exactly what you’re looking for.

1. London, Paris & Rome

If you're planning a trip to Europe for the first time, visiting London, Paris, and Rome offers a great introduction to the highlights of the continent. These three cities are some of the best places to delve into European history in the places where it happened, from the ancient ruins of the Colosseum to the medieval Tower of London to the modern masterpiece of the Eiffel Tower.

Where the trip could take you:

All three cities have international airports with excellent connections, so it’s easy to hop between them. For example, a nonstop flight between Paris and Rome takes less than two hours. Paris and London are also connected by the Eurostar, a high-speed train that can whisk you between the two capitals.

Experiences you can have:

Expert guides provide new perspectives to recognizable sights in each city. You might visit Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, St Peter’s Basilica and Notre Dame, as well as the Louvre Museum and Palace of Versailles.

We can also arrange for you to experience some of the foods the cities are known for. Take afternoon tea while riding one of London’s classic double-decker buses, make a traditional baguette with a master baker at a boulangerie, or take a walking food tour through Rome’s Campo de' Fiori and the Jewish Ghetto.

Oenophiles can add short visits to vineyards in France and Italy. You can sip Champagne at a small, family-run operation just a short drive from Paris, or include several days in any of the countries’ wine regions, including the Loire Valley , Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tuscany, or Barolo.

2. Rome, Venice, Florence & Tuscany

Planning a first-time trip to Italy is complicated by the wealth of options, but a visit to the art cities — Rome, Venice, and Florence — is a great introduction to the country. There, you can delve into the ancient history of the Romans at the very seat of the empire and see Renaissance masterpieces in the settings that inspired their formation, like Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Where this trip might take you:

You could choose to start your trip in Rome, Venice, or Florence, moving from one city to the next in a circular route. Thanks to the robust train network, you can catch high-speed trains between all three. From Florence, it's easy to reach Tuscany’s countryside and medieval towns.

We can connect you to local experts who’ll take you on private tours through these renowned sights. They’ll uncover hidden corners you didn’t know existed — including a behind-the-scenes look at the secret chambers of the Doge’s Palace in Venice — as well as provide insights into renowned artworks.

The route also includes plenty of opportunities to indulge in Italy’s regional cuisines. You could hunt for truffles in the Tuscan countryside, make pasta in a private cooking class, or sip Chianti in a converted 11th-century monastery.

To dig more deeply into Rome’s long history, we can arrange a guided visit to the Basilica of San Clemente. This 12th-century church was erected over the 4th-century ruins of the previous basilica, which was itself built on a temple to Mithras.

3. Southern Italy & the Amalfi Coast

With cliffside villages, glittering coastlines, and ample sunshine, Southern Italy is a destination ripe for leisurely exploration. If you’re planning a trip here, you can idle away your time in the glamorous villages of the Amalfi Coast and sip wine on the deck of a private yacht while cruising through the hidden coves of Capri. It's also the best place to see ancient Roman cities, perfectly preserved by a long-ago eruption.

The Bay of Naples is bracketed by its eponymous city in the north and the jutting Sorrento Peninsula at the south. Just off the peninsula's tip is the glamorous island of Capri and along the southern side, sits the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast, with its many tiny villages looking out over the glittering gulf of Salerno. Slightly inland, you’ll find Mount Vesuvius, now a park, as well as Pompeii and Herculaneum, the ancient cities that it destroyed.

To add a new perspective to the sunny scenery, we can introduce you to expert guides who’ll unpack the culture and geology behind the coast and the surrounding region. With them, you could sample street food in Naples, explore the frozen-in-time cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and hike the slopes of Mount Vesuvius.

We can also introduce you to some of the people who live here, including Laura, a real Italian nonna who’ll show you how to make regional dishes in her family’s kitchen.

And, of course, there’s getting onto the water to enjoy the views of the coast from a different vantage. We suggest a private boat ride to the island of Capri, with its hidden grottoes — stopping en route for a swim.

Readers of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels may want to include a tour of the city’s hidden corners. You’ll explore key locations from the books, starting in the isolated Rione Luzzatti district and ending with a pastry from a local bakery.

4. Italy’s Puglia & Matera

The sunny heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia is one of the best regions to experience the bucolic side of Italy. You’ll be able to drive through sun-baked olive groves, see fields of golden wheat, and glimpse ancient stone buildings, both conical trulli and cave dwellings in nearby Matera. You can while away your time at coastal villages, the Baroque city of Lecce, or at a “masseria”, one of the region’s fortified farmhouses.

The capital of Puglia, Bari, perches on the coast, while the troglodyte city of Matera is further inland, technically just outside the region's borders. At the very tip of the heel is Otranto, a whitewashed port town that recalls the region’s Greek roots. Between, you’ll find small agricultural villages, coastal towns, and the historic Lecce.

Climbing up and down the stairs in the cave town of Matera, your expert guide can explain the long history of the troglodyte churches and residences. A different guide will help you learn more about the mysterious conical stone houses called trulli that line the streets of Alberobello .

In the Baroque university city of Lecce, you might take a guided cycling through the “Florence of the South” and explore the uniquely flamboyant decor known at “Barocco Leccese”.

There’s also plenty of time to enjoy the coast here, both beaches and seaside towns like Fasano, Polignano a Mare, and Otranto.

Gourmets might include a bread-baking class in Altamura and learn the secrets of a local DOP-protected loaf from a fifth-generation baker. Or you can visit the underground mills in Presicce to learn about the region’s long history as a producer of olive oil.

5. Athens & the Greek Islands

If you’re planning to visit Greece for the first time, a visit to the ancient capital and a handful of the islands offers a great introduction to the classic highlights of the country. On a trip here, you can take a private tour of the Parthenon and its museum, enjoy authentic personal encounters, like a cooking class on the island of Santorini, and relax in the Aegean sun.

Athens is the starting point of almost any visit to Greece, but from there you can head out to any of the country’s thousands of islands, each with its own personality, history, and beaches. There are ferries from the mainland or, depending on the destination, you can opt for a short flight.

Almost everywhere you go, you can see the classical history that Greece is known for. You might opt for a private tour of Athens’ Parthenon or the island of Delos, once thought to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Your guides will unpack the complicated history and archaeology behind these sights and offer expert perspectives on the distant past.

We can also introduce you to the people who live in modern Greece. You might share a meal with an Athenian chef, learn to make local dishes from Teta in Mykonos, and explore the small, rarely visited villages of Santorini.

The relaxed atmosphere of the islands means there are plenty of ways to slow down and linger, whether you choose to visit the car-free Hydra or take a trip to the photogenic and bustling caldera-side town of Oia on Santorini.

For a look at more modern Greece, we can arrange a guided tour of Athens’ ever-changing street art . Or you can spend a day cruising around the island of Milos on a private catamaran, exploring the hidden bays where few visitors ever reach.

6. Greece’s Cycladic Islands

With their white-washed, sugar-cube houses and distinctively blue accents, the Cycladic Islands are arguably the most recognizable archipelago in the Mediterranean and an obvious destination for anyone planning a trip to Greece. Here, you can balance exploration and relaxation in equal measure — you might spend the morning exploring an island’s unique geology, and then spend the afternoon lounging on a beach or diving off a private yacht into a remove cove.

Most trips to Greece start in Athens. The Cyclades are linked by a robust ferry network, so it’s easy to bounce between them. You can opt to visit as many or as few as you like, but we suggest a mix of at least three so you can get a feel for the variety — consider Milos, Paros, and Naxos .

You might join a geologist on a 4x4 tour of Milos’s rugged interior, learning about the volcanic natural history of the rocky island and how it’s influenced the people here for centuries. On Paros, you can take a guided hike down paths laid down in the Byzantine era, visiting the tiny hamlets where visitors rarely go.

Of course, there will still be plenty of opportunities to unwind on the beaches and swim in the Aegean. For example, you might opt to spend a whole day cruising on a private catamaran along the coastlines of the Lesser Cyclades Islands that dot the blue waters off Naxos.

To explore more of the region’s ancient history, you can venture out of Athens to visit the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. We’ll arrange a guided kayak trip to allow you to see the Sea God’s soaring pillars from the water.

7. Lisbon & Porto

Together, cosmopolitan Lisbon and medieval Porto offer a comprehensive introduction to Portugal’s culture, cuisine, and history. On a trip here, you can spend your time exploring Lisbon’s districts and blue-and-white tiles, listening to Fado performances, and sipping port wine on a Duror River cruise.

Both Lisbon and Porto boast international airports, and they’re connected by a train, so it’s easy to visit in whichever order you prefer. If you want to venture outside the city limits, you can visit Sintra, a resort town once thought to be a place of mystical power and today packed with whimsical architecture. You might also take a cruise along the Douro River.

The most delicious way to experience Portugal is a tasting tour of Lisbon with an expert guide. Sample delicacies like pastel de nata as an expert guide leads you through the Chiado shopping district and the riverfront Praça do Comércio neighborhood.

Portugal is also home to some of the continent’s oldest protected vineyards, and you can explore the renowned wine estates — called quintas — on a daylong cruise along the Douro River . Or you could take a guided tour of the city of Porto, ending with a tasting of the city’s eponymous wine.

For a look at the country’s fishing heritage, take in a live fado performance — these haunting ballads tell melancholy stories of fishermen’s wives’ heartbreak and loss.

To take the tastes of Portugal home with you, you can opt to include a private cooking class. You’ll learn to make a four-course traditional meal in a bucolic family home.

8. Switzerland

There are many reasons to plan a visit Switzerland : mountain panoramas and Alpine lakes, creamy cheeses and rich chocolates, rare wines, and plentiful hiking trails. On a trip, you can easily hop between the Swiss lakeside cities, storied resort towns, and pastoral dairy villages, all connected by efficient luxury trains and some of the best hiking in Europe.

The country has several large cities with international airports, including Geneva, Zürich, and Lugano on the border with Italy. Connected by an efficient network of trains, they are easy to hop between. The trains can also take you up into the most renowned mountains in Europe — Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Jungfrau.

Take in the endless views of the Matterhorn from the hiking trails through Zermatt and see the sweeping panoramas of the Mont-Blanc and Jungfrau peaks from the Glacier 3000, a scenic lookout high in the mountains that you reach by funicular.

You’ll also have the chance to cruise along the glass-smooth Lake Geneva on a wooden boat. Soak up the sunshine as you explore the medieval villages and estates that dot the lake’s shoreline with an expert captain.

No trip to Switzerland is complete without enjoying the country’s renowned cheese and chocolate. Visit a traditional Alpine farm to see where the cows live and enjoy a guided tasting. You’ll also take a private food tour through Lugano, sampling cured meats, regional cheese, sweet treats, and some of Switzerland’s wine.

9. Royal Scotland & Ireland

Both Scotland and Ireland are replete with castles and grand manor houses, including many that have been converted into luxe hotels. Whether you’re in the historic cities, visiting bucolic villages, or exploring the countries’ landscapes, you can spend your trip here delving deep into the different cultures, while relaxing in a style fit for a lord.

Both Dublin and Edinburgh are built on medieval cores and have international airports, making them good places to start or end your trip. To explore the Highlands north of Edinburgh or the counties west of Dublin, you can opt for a private driver-guide, especially to reach the more far-flung castles. To get between the two countries, a short flight is the fastest option.

We can arrange private tours of castles across the two countries, including Edinburgh, Scone Palace, Urquhart, Eilean Donan, and Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the Blarney Stone itself. You can also take an after-hours tour of Dunvegan Castle once all the other visitors have gone home — the caretaker will tell you stories from the McLeod clan’s history and share a wee dram of whisky.

Along the way, you’ll spend the night at a variety of opulent hotels that are set in converted castles and grand manors, including Culloden House, as well as Fonab, Inverlochy, and Dromoland castles.

Private guides will also tell you the history and myths around some the countries’ most storied landscapes, from the misty dales of the Isle of Skye to the dark depths of Loch Ness to the wave-lashed shores of the Dingle Peninsula.

Edinburgh has a thriving culinary scene that you can explore on a walking tour that includes whisky, local gins, artisanal cheese, handmade chocolates, and even a few traditional dishes like haggis and ”neeps and tatties” (turnips and potatoes).

10. Croatia's Dalmatian Coast

The Dalmatian Coast isn’t just Croatia’s best coastline, it’s among the Mediterranean's best coastlines. On a trip that focuses on its southern stretch, you can jump easily between the star attractions of Split and Dubrovnik and the islands, sipping local wines, kayaking through blue water, and relaxing under the reliable Dalmatian sun as you go. Exploration and relaxation come in equal measure here.

Split and Dubrovnik are the main cities — each with a medieval heart — and you can fly into one and out of the other. Between the two, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the islands and the water. Split connects by ferry to the island of Hvar, which in turn connects to the island of Korčula. From here, it’s another ferry across to Dubrovnik.

What to experience along the way:

Expert guides can take you through the Roman-era Diocletian’s Palace in Split and Dubrovnik’s marble-paved medieval Old Town.

The Dalmatian Coast is one of the sunniest places in Europe. You can embrace the abundant blue skies with guided outdoor adventures like kayaking around the Pakleni Islands, just off Hvar, or hiking through Krka National Park to admire the many waterfalls.

If you simply can’t get enough of the waters, we can arrange a cruise around the Elaphiti Islands , a tiny archipelago off Dubrovnik where you can snorkel and swim.

And, the region gives you plenty of opportunities to sample Croatia’s wine and food. We can set up a private tasting at one of Hvar’s best wineries or at an oyster farm in the town of Ston.

11. Southern Spain

Once home to great Moorish kingdoms, sunny Andalusia is a great place to explore the region’s singular melding of cultures. On a trip here, you can easily hop between grand palaces and intimate, hand-on experiences of cultural influences, like cooking classes, flamenco performances, and wine tastings.

Seville , Córdoba, and Granada were once the leading lights of Europe and remain excellent destinations for exploring the Moorish legacy. You can also use them as a base for exploring the countryside around the cities. From there, you might want to end with a few days relaxing on a beach in Marbella.

In Córdoba’s Mezquita and the sprawling Alhambra Palace in Granada, you’ll have expert guides who’ll help you understand how the extraordinary architecture illustrates the history of these two buildings. While in Seville, you can see the Alcázar and Giralda Tower from inside a horse-drawn carriage.

Attend a small flamenco performance so you might enjoy the passionate music while eating tapas. Or for a more in-depth look at regional cuisine, we can arrange for you to visit Jabugo, just outside Seville, to see where jamón Ibérico is made. You might also wish to take a tour and tasting of a sherry producer or try your hand at Andalusian food with a cooking class.

Outside the cities, you can follow a guide on a leisurely hike among the Alpujarras to see the whitewashed villages that still thrive there.

12. Winter in Iceland

The Land of Fire and Ice really shines in winter — literally. A visit here dramatically improves your chances of seeing the northern lights’ cosmic show. You might glimpse them from your hotel, perched on Iceland’s south coast, or while riding a Superjeep into the interior, far from any light pollution.

All international trips to Iceland start in Keflavík Airport, the international airport outside the capital of Reykjavík. From there, you’re well positioned to explore the South Coast, including a guided tour of the area’s many waterfalls, like Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, as well as the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara.

During the day, explore the rugged terrain with expert guides who can help you safely navigate them, as well as explain the primal forces that have created the landscape. You’ll hike across Sólheimajökull glacier, watch geysers erupt at Geysir, and even walk along the fault where the tectonic plates are slowing — tearing apart the crust of the earth itself — in Þingvellir National Park.

You can also take an Icelandic cooking class to learn how to cook traditional Icelandic dishes while hearing how they relate to the Icelandic sagas.

Or you might embrace the fiery side of the country by including a visit to the LAVA Centre, a trip down into the throat of Þríhnúkagígur (an extinct volcano), or spend the day soaking in the naturally steamy waters of the Geosea hot springs .

13. Germany: Bavaria & the Romantic Road

Nowhere does the Grimms' Fairy Tales version of Germany seem more alive than in the Bavarian towns and villages along the Romantic Road. The route culminates at the fairytale-like towers and spires of Neuschwanstein Castle, built to suit the tastes of the eccentric Ludwig II.

You can fly into Berlin to include time in the capital, before heading south to the Romantic Road via Nuremberg. Along the way, you can stop at Munich, Freiburg, and Heidelberg to round out your introduction to this part of Germany. Frankfurt — and its international airport — are a good place to end the trip.

In Freiburg, take a private guided tour of the market, sampling sausages and cheese while browsing through the local crafts. You can also explore medieval villages along the Romantic Road, where the cobblestone streets are lined with half-timbered houses. Additionally, this part of the country is filled with breweries where you can enjoy the beer that Germany’s known for.

In Munich, a private guide can reveal the country’s turbulent 20th-century history on a walking tour, while in Nuremburg, your guide might help you explore the red sandstone tunnels under the old town.

If you want to delve more deeply into the Rhine Valley, you can include a leisurely cruise and driving tour . Covering land and water, this tour enables you to see castles around every bend, takes you on a cable car for a sweeping view, and leads you to the cobbled streets of Rüdesheim.

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Start thinking about your experience. These itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy some of the same experiences as our specialists. They're just for inspiration, because your trip will be created around your particular tastes.

Further reading

• Top 5 European river cruises
• Where you can enjoy the outdoors in Europe
• Experiences in Spain & Portugal's wine regions
• How to avoid the crowds in Europe
• Explore the Renaissance

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