Welcome to Santa Maria Novella
Anchored by its magnificent basilica, this ancient and intriguing part of Florence defies easy description – from the rough-cut streets around the central train station it’s only a short walk to the busy social scene around increasingly gentrified Piazza di Santa Maria Novella and the hip boutiques on the atmosphere-laden, old-world ‘back streets’ west of Via de’ Tornabuoni. Shopping here, intermingled with a multitude of attractive dining and drinking options, is among the best in Florence.
Top experiences in Santa Maria Novella
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Santa Maria Novella activities
Cinque Terre Full-Day Tour with Lunch Option from Florence
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Borgo Storico di Manarola, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaThe first stage of the excursion, offering stunning views of the Cinque Terre with crystal clear water and pastel color tiny housesDuration: 45 minutesStop At: Borgo Storico di Riomaggiore, Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaRiomaggiore, dating back to the early thirteenth century, is famous for its historic character and local wine. You can admire the houses leaning one against the other and stroll along the narrow cobble alleyways and sheltered paths.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Footpath Monterosso - Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaAn ancient fishing village considered “The Pearl of the Cinque Terre”, where you will be awed by its enchanting beaches and the lush vegetation encircling the little town.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Vernazza, Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, LiguriaA seaside town surrounding a small natural port. As well as comfortable clothes and shoes, we recommend you bring your swimwear!Duration: 1 hourPass By: Stazione La Spezia Centrale, La Spezia, Province of La Spezia, LiguriaThe ending point of your adventure, where you will board again your bus to get back to Florence by 7.15 pm
Pisa and Cinque Terre Full-Day Train Tour from Florence
Meet your expert guide at Santa Maria Novella train station in central Florence, then hop aboard an air-conditioned train to Pisa. Sit back and relax as you enjoy your scenic ride out of the city, arriving in Pisa approximately an hour later.On arrival, follow your guide to the Field of Dreams (Piazza dei Miracoli), a verdant expanse home to the city’s most important sights: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery and the Duomo. With 1.5 hours here spent at your leisure, perhaps pose for photos by the Leaning Tower and, depending on availability, head inside for a guided tour (own expense). Alternatively, make for the Duomo (own expense) to marvel at its carved pulpit by Giovanni Pisano, or head inside the Baptistery (own expense) to test the unusual acoustics.Next, return to the station to board your train to La Spezia, the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre National Park. Translated as ‘five lands,’ Cinque Terre is made up of five enchanting fishing villages that line the coast of the Italian Riviera.Just under 1.5 hours later, find yourself at La Spezia train station, where you’ll catch a local train to the historical village of Riomaggiore. Wonder at the tightly packed pastel buildings as you stroll along the cobbled streets with your guide.Continue by train to Vernazza, a seaside town that surrounds a tiny, natural port. Alight your train, then enjoy free time to soak up the sun on the pretty beach, or dive into the cooling waters for a swim.Your final stop is Manarola, a tiny village that is said to have more grapevines than any other Cinque Terre village. Wander along the harbor and spend a few minutes snapping photos of the picturesque buildings that cascade toward the sea.After, make your way back to La Spezia or Pisa aboard the train for the return trip to Florence, where your tour concludes.
Livorno, Florence and Pisa Low Cost Transfer
Departure from Livorno, Via Cogorano, close to the cruising shuttle bus arrival point, is at 9:15 and the arrival in Florence is expected at 10:45 in Piazzale Montelungo, next to Santa Maria Novella train station. There you can spend about 3.30 hours to vist the city center and go shopping. At 14.30 you leave from Florence and move to Pisa at 15.30 where you have at least 1 hour to visit the famous Piazza dei Miracoli. At 16.45 the bus leaves Pisa to come back to Livorno at 17.20. Times are subject to change due to traffic conditions and the the service provider is not responsible for delays due to events not under its control. Your journey will be in a Comfortable GT coach includes air conditioned, free WiFi on board and free map of Piazza dei Miracoli and emergency number. This service is on request, bookable up to two days before departure. Please check operating days because is not a daily service.
Dinner in the Chianti Vineyards from Florence
The Chianti region has lots to offer, from culinary traditions and good wine to history and stunning landscapes. Experience it all during your evening tour. Meet your driver at Santa Maria Novella station in Florence, and travel out of the city to the Tuscan countryside. You’ll be given your own wine glass to take with you as you visit different wineries in one of the region’s farm estates. Try Chianti wine, learn about the region and its winemaking heritage. When your tastings are complete, you’ll head to a candlelit table, laid out under the stars, for dinner. As music plays, feast on traditional dishes such as pappa al pomodoro (a tomato soup, thickened with bread) or the hearty Tuscan bean stew of ribollita. Enjoy barbecued meat and vegetables, and sip on Chianti wine, of course. Your experience ends back at the start point.Please note: If the weather is bad, dinner will take place inside the estate's restaurant.
Small Group Tour: Siena San Gimignano and Chianti Full Day
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Piazza del Campo, Siena, TuscanyVisit the squares of Piazza Duomo and Piazza del Campo, where the Palio is held.In Piazza del Campo admire the Tower of the Mangia, third highest in Italy, the "Public Palace" and Fountain Gaia. Relax in a local cafè.Duration: 1 hour 45 minutesStop At: Piazza della Cisterna, San Gimignano, TuscanyVisit the squares of Piazza Duomo and Piazza Cisterna in San Gimignano. Admire the towers of the Ardinghelli, tower Grossa and Rognosa. Learn about the Vernaccia wine and taste the world champion gelato.Duration: 1 hour 45 minutesStop At: Castello di Monterinaldi, Radda in Chianti, TuscanyTaste the world famous Chianti Classico wines. Taste rosè, Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Reserve and Supertuscan wines. Plus olive oil and vynegar. Learn more about the sangiovese grapes.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Piazza Matteotti, Greve in Chianti, TuscanyVisit the Greve in Chianti enchanting square. Admire the statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the church of Santa Croce and the historical market town of Greve. Visit the historical butcher shop.Duration: 45 minutes
Montalcino, Montepulciano, Chianti Wine Day Trip from Florence
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Piazza Grande a Montepulciano, Montepulciano, TuscanyVisit the historical Piazza Grande and walk along the commerciale "Via Il Corso".Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Contucci Cantine, Montepulciano, TuscanyVisit the Cantine Contucci and taste some "Vino Nobile" wines.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Fortezza di Montalcino, Montalcino, TuscanyVisit a winery to taste some "Rosso di Montalcino"and "Brunello" wines.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Castello di Monterinaldi, Radda in Chianti, TuscanyVisit the Castelllo di Monterinaldi to learn more about the Sangiovese grapes, and taste the world famous Chianti Classico wines; from the Chianti Classico Reserve to the Supertuscans.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Piazza Matteotti, Greve in Chianti, TuscanyVisit the historical market town of "Greve in Chianti". Visit the main square with the historical butcher shop, the souvenirs and wine shops.Duration: 30 minutes