Florence: Tuscany Bike Tour with Wine, Oil & Farm Lunch

4.83

(211 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I opened my eyes to the sound of bikes clinking together in the Oltrarno — not the busy side of Florence, but quieter, a little sleepier. Our guide Marco was already grinning at us by the gate (he actually rang the bell twice because someone forgot their water bottle). The city felt close behind us as we rolled past an old wooden door in the ancient walls — I could smell bread baking somewhere, or maybe that was just wishful thinking. It’s weird how quickly you leave Florence and suddenly you’re just out there among olive trees.

The first hill nearly got me — I’ll admit it. Marco kept chatting about Medici villas while I tried to pretend I wasn’t out of breath (he noticed, handed me a canteen, winked). There’s this tiny village up there where Galileo used to live; I didn’t expect much but it’s all narrow lanes and old shutters and a dog barking somewhere behind a fence. We stopped at a farm that makes its own olive oil — warm bread with that grassy green oil drizzled on top, plus salty cold cuts and a glass of Chianti wine. Honestly? That snack might’ve been the best part. The air smelled like rosemary and dust.

After that we coasted downhill for ages (thank god), passing rows of vines and kids waving from a garden. Marco pointed out San Miniato al Monte — apparently it’s over 1000 years old, which feels impossible when you’re standing there looking at Florence spread out below. The light was soft and gold over the rooftops. Someone in our group tried to pronounce “grazie” properly; everyone laughed except Marco who said it perfectly deadpan.

It wasn’t always easy — four hills is no joke if you’re not used to biking — but sharing bread and wine with strangers on a Tuscan hillside is something I still think about weeks later. You know? It just felt real.