Florence Local Immersion & Homestays Tours & Trip Packages

Florence Local Immersion & Homestays Tours & Trips

407 Florence trips. Tours from 108 tour companies. 1,653 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

72 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Local Immersion & Homestays
Highlights of Italy
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cinque Terre, Florence, La Spezia, Pantheon, Rome, Tuscany, Vatican City, Venice

Highlights

  • Explore rocky coastal pathways and pastel-coloured villages with a Cinque Terre day pass, which allows you to hike at your leisure and use the coast's public transport.
  • Get lost in the floating city of Venice and wander the city's maze of alleyways, canals and lagoon islands, and choose whether to enjoy an optional gondola ride.
  • Spend two days in Florence, a city known for its beauty and rustic Tuscan cuisine, and choose to discover the cities culinary traditions on optional food excursions.
  • Mind-blowing squid ink spaghetti, rich Tuscan soups, a slice of pizza eaten while you gaze on centuries-old architecture – the food culture in Italy inebriate your soul.
  • Discover the landmarks of Rome with your leader and wander aroundthe Spanish Steps,Trevi Fountain the Pantheon andPiazza Navona.
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Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Switzerland & Italy in 16 days - Magic of the Alps & Eternal Cities - Charm
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By Exoticca
preferred
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
Although they’re cheaper than other brands, they still make sure all parts of the trip, like hotels, meet a high minimum standard.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Alps, Bern, Colosseum, Florence, Forum, Matterhorn, Pisa, Rome, Sistine Chapel, St. Moritz, Venice, Zermatt, Zurich

Highlights

  • Bad Ragaz
  • Interlaken
  • St. Moritz
  • Zermatt
  • Zurich
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"The trip was well laid out. Tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable. The only complaint is some of our travel documents that were sent out were not in English. If your sending documents out correspondence should be in both the native language and the language of the people the correspondence to. Other than that a great first time experience."

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Local Living Italy—Tuscany San Gimignano
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Florence, Rome, San Gimignano, Siena

Highlights

  • Share an apartment in our local friend ugo's home
  • Eat delicious tuscan cuisine and sample regional wines
  • Stroll the lanes of medieval san gimignano
  • Walk along the beautiful tuscan countryside
  • Make new friends at your home away from home

Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"

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Barcelona to Rome
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arles, Barcelona, Cinque Terre, Florence, La Spezia, Nice, Pisa, Rome, Siena, Tuscany, Vatican City

Highlights

  • Spend your free time in Barcelona visiting Gaudi's modern basilica, La Sagrada Familia – a Gothic masterpiece that embodies the city’s artistic and progressive heart.
  • Hike in the majestic Spanish Pyrenees mountains, revelling in the fresh air, panoramic views and an exhilarating sense of freedom.
  • Explore the idyllic Provencal landscapes of southern France and gain an understanding as to why this part of the world is so adored by artists.
  • The Leaning Tower may be Pisa’s most iconic image, but there’s so much more to discover – The Piazza dei Miracoli and Pisa Baptistry are masterpieces in Medieval-Italian architecture.
  • Enjoy plenty of free time in Rome to discover the ancient Colosseum, stroll through Vatican City and gaze up towards the gods inside St Peter's Basilica.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Best of Italy
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cinque Terre, Florence, Lake Como, La Spezia, Lucca, Milan, Pisa, Portofino , Rome, Tuscany, Vatican City, Venice

Highlights

  • Take to the Tuscan countryside and cycle along the Serchio River in Lucca, working up an appetite for the region’s delicious local food and renowned wines.
  • Spend a free day exploring the beautiful villages, estates and gardens dotted around Lake Como, criss-crossing the lake by ferry, and consider exploring the grounds of Bellagio's grand Villa Melzi.
  • Head with your local leader to a quaint rural village in the heart of Piedmonte to sample world-class local wines from unique grapes grown only in this region – saluti!
  • Test yourself on the hilly trails of the Cinque Terre, stopping by the picturesque pastel colour villages of Manarola, Riomaggiore and Vernazza. If you get tired, just jump on the train for the rest of your day!
  • Italy’s iconic Rome, Florence and Venice are a haven of renaissance architecture and historic sights. With plenty of time to discover at your own pace, you have the power to decide what you’d like to see.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Italy Experience
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cinque Terre, Florence, La Spezia, Perugia, Pisa, Rome, Tuscany, Umbria, Vatican City, Venice

Highlights

  • Take a day trip to Perugia’s ancient town – Spello. Walk among the decorated facades, winding laneways and cobbled streets and then sample the local wine and regional delicacies at a local enoteca for lunch.
  • See some iconic sites like the canals of Venice, the Duomo’s gorgeous exterior in Florence and the endless sights in Rome. Find out why these cities are loved by so many and enjoy plenty of free time to make your own discoveries.
  • Eat your way through this foodie’s paradise with a cicchetti (small bites) tour in Venice, a pesto-making class in Cinque Terre and a local leader to point out all the best spots for espresso, gelato, wine and pasta.
  • A series of walking paths connect the pastel villages of Monterosso, Corniglia and Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre. Explore this amazing region on foot with a group hike (and make sure you bring your camera).
  • Support the local community with a farewell dinner in Trastevere – a gorgeous area in Rome popular for its summer dining and aperitif culture – at a local cooperative that employs people living with disabilities and provides hospitality training.
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Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Dubrovnik to Rome
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cinque Terre, Colosseum, Croatia, Dalmatian Coast, Diocletian's Palace, Dubrovnik, Florence, La Spezia, Ljubljana, Pantheon, Rome, Split, Tuscany, Vatican City, Venice, Zagreb

Highlights

  • Stroll through Plitvice Lakes National Park – a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site – marvelling at luminous lakes and azure waterfalls that look like they’ve been sketched by an artist.   
  • Feast on Mediterranean fresh seafood, Italian-influenced antipasti and the crunchy, doughy dessert of fritule in the culinary capital of Croatia – Zagreb. Then if you like, explore the touching Museum of Broken Relationships. 
  • Journey to romantic Venice – like no other city in the world. Fall in love with its labyrinth of alleyways, canals, lagoon islands, and endless historic attractions and hop on a gondola if you want to explore the city from a different perspective.  
  • Explore Cinque Terre's rocky coastal pathways, calling into the sleepy pastel villages of Manarola, Riomaggiore or Vernazza. Then enjoy a full day to explore this picturesque spot at your own pace. 
  • Walk around Rome’s famous landmarks, including one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Colosseum – as well as Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Berlin to Rome
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Berlin, Berlin Wall, Bratislava, Budapest, Cinque Terre, Dresden, Florence, Krakow, La Spezia, Pantheon, Prague, Rome, Tuscany, Vatican City, Venice, Vienna

Highlights

  • Begin your adventure in Berlin – an exciting city with a complex history. In your own time, see the remaining fragments of the infamous wall that once divided the city but now unites it with murals and memorials.
  • Experience the artistic history of unique Vienna – the perfect blend of modern and historic personality – then enjoy some kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) at a local café that empowers older residents with employment and purpose.
  • Escape city life on the peaceful shores of Lake Bled in Slovenia. Maybe visit the iconic church on the tiny fairytale island in the lake's centre and treat yourself to a slice of Bled's famous cream cake.
  • Discover the landmarks of Rome with your leader and wander around the Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, the Forum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Via Dei Condotti.
  • With loads of free time in some of Eastern Europe’s best locations, you can choose your own adventure and customize your trip to hit everything you actually want to see! Get active with a hike to Bastei or hit the ruin bars of Budapest – why not?

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Florence Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
1,653  Reviews
See all Florence tour reviews
Excellent
1,514
Great
557
Average
96
Disappointing
22
Terrible
13
t

trekleaderdave

Sep 2016

Written on

Italy - All the Highlights!

I had been on a couple Intrepid trips and I had been to Italy a couple of times... however this was the best time that I've had on either. Really a great group with...

S

Sylvia

Oct 2015

Written on

The trip was very well planned and

The trip was very well planned and organized. I could not have seen or done as nearly as much on my own. Our leader Kent Benson was excellent. He kept us on trac...

L

Lynne

Oct 2015

Written on

Our guide, Kent Benson, was wonderful.

Our guide, Kent Benson, was wonderful. He was a wealth of information about...

T

Thi

Oct 2015

Written on

This Highlights of Italy trip was our

This Highlights of Italy trip was our third trip with Intrepid. Our Italy trip did not disappoint. The combination of locations, tour guide and experiences were fant...

n

narelle

Oct 2015

Written on

the group was too big. in

the group was too big. in busy rail stations it was easy to get left behind

Write a Review

Florence Tour Selection Trips

  • Prepare for long lines at most of Florence’s attractions, especially during the summer. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and something to occupy your time. With this being said, waking up earlier and booking a guided tour can help reduce line times. 
  • Florence is small enough to cover on foot. Though remember to take it easy; wear decent footwear, don’t overdo it, and allow yourself plenty of breaks.
  • You can book entrance to popular sites such as the Uffizi and Accademia in advance (for an additional fee). The booking will have a specific time of entry, allowing you to avoid the lines.
  • The Firenze card is valid for 72 hours, and covers access to most museums as well as local buses. If your multi-day tour of Italy focuses for more than 24 hours on Florence, your tour guide may suggest that you purchase this card, or may even already have one for you!
  • Like any city that is popular with tourists, Florence has its fair share of pickpockets and rip-offs. So keep your belongings safe and keep an eye out for anyone trying to overcharge you (such as taxis that take a roundabout route).
  • Placing a “lovelock” (a padlock engraved with the initials of yourself and your lover) on the Ponte Vecchio was once a romantic tradition for anyone visiting Florence. Today, however, most locks have been removed to preserve the integrity of the architecture, and those caught placing a padlock on the bridge face a hefty fine!
  • Most streets in the center of Florence are off-limits to drivers. Thankfully, the city is small enough that visitors won’t need a car, anyway.
  • Nearly all museums in Florence (and throughout Italy) are closed on Mondays.
  • Florence is often described as one big, open air museum. There are enough galleries, exhibits and sights here to keep visitors occupied for weeks. Plan which attractions you want to visit, and don’t try to take in everything- you’ll only exhaust yourself and end up not enjoying what you do see! Better yet, book Italy tours through Stride and have the planning taken care of for you!

Additional details

Things to Do in Florence

  1. See the Duomo. The symbol of Florence, this stunning renaissance church is not only known as one of the most impressive architectural feats ever built, but is also associated with Italy worldwide.
  2. Tour the Galleria dell’Accademia. Going a guided walk of this famous museum will put you face to face with art history’s biggest hunk, the David, among other famous works.
  3. Stroll through Piazza della Signoria. This square is essentially an open air museum filled with dozens of beautiful renaissance statues. Not only this, but it remains one of the few free attractions in Florence!
  4. Piazzale Michelangelo. This piazzale is a short hike up a string of stairs, making it one of the less accessible attractions in Florence, but the impressive views of the city, along with its beautiful flower gardens, make this square worth the trek.
  5. The Uffizi Museum. Another museum chock full of gorgeous art, this time focusing on painting and its hanging art. Inside, you will have a chance to see the iconic “Birth of Venus.”
  6. Mercato Centrale. If you want a taste of genuine Italian life, take a stroll through this open air market, and pick up a delicious, fresh lunch to go at one of the many stalls.
  7. Boboli Gardens. These beautiful, terraced gardens filled with extravagant fountains and statues. This garden used to belong to the ancient Medici family, and by walking through the quiet corners of the garden, it’s easy to imagine what their lives must have been like.

Florence Wine Tours

While not many wines are actually made within Florence, the city does lie in the center of some of the most prolific wine country in all of Italy.

Wine remains one of Italy’s main exports, and it is deeply interwoven in Italian culture and history. If you are interested in wine at all, or are interested in learning, then you should strongly consider going on a wine tour in Italy. A wine tour might take a couple of different forms.

It may just be a half-day activity to round out your Italian experience, or, depending on the length of your tour, maybe you will spend a couple of days in wine country with the chance to see how different wineries operate. On these tours, you will likely taste many different varietals from different producers, learn how to taste wine, and get an overview on the particular winery’s process and specialties.

If you are a true wine fanatic, then consider going on a wine tasting tour of Italy. On this kind of trip, you will gain a much more comprehensive understanding the winemaking process, and the intricacies of tasting wine, and probably a history lesson or two on each region’s contributions to winemaking. You will also, of course, get the opportunity to taste a lot of wine!

Private Guided Florence Tours

Florence, along with some of the other very popular Italian cities, is one of the few places that we strongly suggest getting a private tour. When you travel to Florence, you will immediately notice the number of tourists and the crowds. While these crowds are less in the spring and fall months, they can be overwhelming in the winter, and especially in the summertime.

The crowds are so intense that they can really make or break a trip to Florence, and it may be the last thing you need to get lost in a large group tour. For this reason, we highly recommend private guided Italy tours and small group escorted tours when traveling to Florence and Italy’s other main cities.

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