ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1151

Local Guides for Private Tours
Alessandra Marchetti, a Florentine who has lived in the US, gives private walking tours
of Florence and driving tours of Tuscany (€60-75/hour, mobile [phone], aleo-
[e-mail] ).
Paola Migliorini and her partners offer museum tours, city walking tours, private cook-
ing classes, wine tours, and Tuscan excursions by van—you can tailor tours as you like
(€60/hour without car, €70/hour in an 8-seat van, tel. [phone], mobile [phone],
www.florencetour.com , [e-mail] ) ; they also do private tours from the cruise-
ship port of Livorno.
Karin Kibby, an Oregonian living in Livorno who leads Rick Steves tours, also offers
day trips throughout Tuscany, including private excursions for cruise-ship passengers dock-
ing at Livorno. She'll work with you to find the best solution for your budget and interests
(2-10 people, mobile [phone], [e-mail] ) .
Roberto Bechi, a great guide based in Siena, can come pick you up in Florence
for off-the-beaten-path tours of the Tuscan countryside (mobile [phone],
www.toursbyroberto.com , [e-mail] ). If you book any tour with Roberto,
he can advise you on other aspects of your trip.
Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tours
Around town, you'll see big double-decker sightseeing buses double-parking near major
sights. Tourists on the top deck can listen to brief recorded descriptions of the sights, snap
photos,andenjoyadrive-bylookatmajorlandmarks(€16/1calendarday,€22/48hours,pay
as you board, www.firenze.city-sightseeing.it ). As the name implies, you can hop off when
you want and catch the next bus (usually every 30 minutes). But since the most important
sights are buried in the old center where big buses can't go, Florence doesn't really lend it-
self to this kind of tour bus. Look at the route map before committing.
Driving Tours
500 Touring Club offers a unique look at Florence: from behind the wheel of one of
the most iconic Italian cars, a vintage, restored Fiat 500. After a lesson in la doppietta
(double-clutching), you'll head off in a guided convoy, following a lead car with live
commentary via the radio and photo stops at the best viewpoints. Tours depart from a
15th-century villa on the edge of town; the Fiats are restored models from the 1960s and
1970s. Itineraries vary from basic sightseeing to countryside excursions with wine-mak-
ing and lunch; see their website for options (2-hour tour-€60/person, US tel. [phone],
Italian mobile [phone], Via Gherardo Silvani 149a, www.500touringclub.com ,
[e-mail] , Andrea).