5 things to do in the Tuscan countryside this spring

5 things to do in the Tuscan countryside this spring

Tours, picnics and boating in the Tuscan countryside

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Tue 11 Apr 2023 4:14 PM

Spring is a time to get outdoors and explore everything nature has to offer in and around Florence. Make the most of the warm weather by enjoying one of these 5 spring experiences in the Tuscan countryside.

Take an e-bike tour to Chianti

Hop on an e-bike and enjoy a half-day e-bike tour of the Chianti countryside accompanied by a local guide. Climb up to Florence’s most amazing viewpoint, piazzale Michelangelo, before pedalling (mostly) effortlessly up and down the hills of Chianti. Savour Tuscan extra-virgin olive oil halfway into the tour at a local olive oil mill on a centuries-old estate before visiting a boutique winery for a traditional Tuscan meal. Relax before getting back in the saddle for the return ride to Florence.

Go rafting near Florence

Head out to the river for a memorable rafting experience on the Sieve river
Head out to the river for a memorable rafting experience on the Sieve river

Head out to the river for a memorable rafting experience on the Sieve river, just 30 minutes from the center of Florence. The route alternates between calm waters to rapids and the experience includes a refreshing swim followed by a picnic by the river. You’ll have the chance to learn all about the local fauna, such as herons and deer, in their natural habitat. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit, a thermal top, wet shoes and a waterproof camera. Available from March to May and October to November.

Have a picnic in the Tuscan countryside

Head for the hills for a Tuscan picnic for two on the grounds of a renowned local farm

Head for the hills for a Tuscan picnic for two on the grounds of a renowned local farm. The finest local farm-to-table products are packed into a hamper, along with a bottle of Chianti, from Fattoria di Maiano. Tuck into your lunch in the shade of an olive tree, in the woods or on the banks of a stream before admiring the beauty of the farm’s botanic garden and romantic parkland.

Take a Florence city bike tour

Take a city bike tour along the narrow streets of Florence

Take a city bike tour along the narrow streets of Florence through piazza della Repubblica, past the Duomo and over the Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno neighbourhood, home to the city’s countless artisans. Along the way, an expert English-speakingtour guide will share insider knowledge about the historical sites. At the end of the tour, bikers will receive a gelato to cool down after the biking.

Visit the gardens of Florence

Camellia garden, in the Boboli Gardens

Nothing says spring like a garden tour of Florence’s majestic Boboli and Bardini Gardens. This 3-hour deep dive into two of the city’s most illustrious green spaces gives you a new perspective on Florence. Start in the 16th-century Boboli Gardens, tucked behind Palazzo Pitti, with its statues and fountains designed on commission by the Medici family. Next up are the Bardini Gardens with city views and a gorgeous wisteria pergola.

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