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
Meet your Tour Leader bright and early at Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train station to begin your one-of-a-kind Cinque Terre day trip. Pronounced a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, the Cinque Terre National Park is one of the most enchanting landscapes in Italy. Translated as ‘five lands,’ the Cinque Terre is made up of five uniquely constructed fishing villages that line the coast of the Italian Riviera.Your first stop is Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre’s southernmost village. The largest out of the five, the historical village dates back to the early 13th century and is famous for its local wine and jaw-dropping views. Admire the pastel buildings that lean against each other as you stroll along the tiny cobbled streets with your tour leader.Next on your tour, visit Manarola, a tiny harbor village that is said to have more grapevines than any other Cinque Terre village. As one of the oldest villages in the area, it is home to many priceless medieval relics. Walk along the harbor and spend a few minutes taking photos of the picturesque buildings that cling to the cliff faces.After exploring Manarola, board your boat (or train if the weather is bad) to beautiful Monterosso. If you have opted for the Tour with Lunch, it’s here that you will sit down for lunch in one of the village’s traditional restaurants and enjoy a delicious meal of seafood and pasta, served with water and wine. See the Itinerary for a sample menu. The rest of your time is spent at your leisure. Make sure you pack your bathing suit! Often referred to as ‘the pearl of the Cinque Terre,’ Monterosso is famed for its long sandy beach, so why not take the plunge and enjoy a swim before topping up your tan?Your final stop is Vernazza, a seaside town that surrounds a tiny natural port. Probably the most characteristic of the five villages, Vernazza is bordered by steeply terraced olive groves that are said to produce some of the finest olive oil in the entire country. Explore the village’s lively piazza and winding streets at your leisure, before boarding your train with your guide back to Florence.Finish in the early evening when arriving back at Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train station.Click on the 'View Additional Info' button to see the meeting point.
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
Meet your dedicated guide at Santa Maria Novella station in Florence at 8:30 am (for a full day tour). Climb into the tour vehicle and set off for the rolling countryside of Tuscany. Make your first stop in San Gimignano, a hilltop town with winding streets and historic buildings. Have a look around the town's impressive towers, which gives way to photo-worthy views over the surrounding countryside. Return to the motorway and move on to Siena, where you'll have some free time to look around on your own its amazing square Piazza “Il Campo”, Piazza “Il Duomo” and the "Basilica of San Domenico". After spending time in Siena. In the afternoon you will move to visit Chianti and taste some wine in a winery. Descend down the hill to visit a classic Tuscan winery. Once you arrive at the winery, meet an onsite guide to learn about the cultivation of the local sangiovese grapes and taste some wonderful wines. Return to your original departure point for drop-off after 11 hours of exploring the Chianti and Sienese region.
Montalcino, Montepulciano, Chianti Wine Day Trip from Florence
Meet a dedicated guide at Santa Maria Novella station in Florence at 9am (for a full day trip). Climb into the private vehicle and set off for the rolling countryside of Tuscany. Make your first stop in Montalcino, after a stop to a winery, the town of “Brunello” with winding streets and historic buildings. Have a look around the town's and taste some local wine in a wine bar and visit the castle, which gives way to photo-worthy views over the surrounding countryside.Return to the main road and move on to Montepulciano, where you will have some free time to look around on your own its amazing city center and the church of “San Biagio”. After spending time in Montepulciano, tasting “Il Nobile di Montepulciano”, move on to have lunch in a restaurant (own expense). In the afternoon, visit Chianti and taste some wine in a winery. Descend down the hill to Greve, where you will have some free time to look around on your own. If you are there on a Saturday, be sure to hit up the town's weekend market for some tastes of Tuscany and unique souvenirs. If you are interested, the guide can set up a wine or olive oil tasting in town (optional, additional expense) before heading out of town to visit a classic Tuscan winery. Once arriving at the winery, meet an onsite guide to learn about the cultivation of the local Sangiovese grapes and taste some wonderful wines. Return to the original departure point for the drop-off after 10 hours of exploring the Chianti and Sienese region.