Florence Private Golf Cart Tour Art Tuscan Landscapes and Wine

One of the most popular stops on the tour is Piazzale Michelangelo, the panoramic point par excellence of Florence. From here you can admire a breathtaking view of the entire city: the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and the Arno are revealed in an unforgettable glance. It’s the perfect time to take postcard photos and enjoy a moment of relaxation. The guide will tell you about the square, its nineteenth-century architecture and the iconic bronze copy of Michelangelo’s David overlooking the terrace.

A few minutes above Piazzale Michelangelo, one of Florence's hidden jewels awaits us: the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte dating back to 1018 AD. Considered one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Italy, it offers an even quieter and more suggestive view of the city. Silence reigns here, broken only by the wind and the singing of the Benedictine monks, who have guarded this place for centuries. The white and green marble facade, the millennial crypt and the beautiful Byzantine mosaics tell stories of faith and timeless art. It is the ideal point for a contemplative break, away from the crowds and immersed in the spiritual and architectural beauty of medieval Florence.

From the highest point of the route, an enchanting panorama opens up before us: the rolling hills of Arcetri, dotted with cypresses, historic villas and vineyards. Among these stands out the Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, one of the symbolic places of Italian science, built near the house where Galileo Galilei lived in the last years of his life. The gaze is lost among olive groves, silent villages and dirt roads that wind through the hills: it is the most authentic Tuscan countryside, just a few minutes from the Renaissance heart of Florence. A fascinating contrast between heaven and earth, art and nature, perfect to capture in a photo or simply breathe in silence.

Continuing towards the hills of Arcetri, we arrive in one of the most fascinating and less known places in Florence. In front of us stands the Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, surrounded by greenery and symbol of the Florentine scientific tradition. Just below, among cypresses and olive trees, is Villa Il Gioiello, where Galileo Galilei spent the last years of his life under house arrest. Here, surrounded by silence and nature, he continued to study the stars and write his most important works. The view sweeps over harmonious hills, dotted with villas, vineyards and farmhouses: it is the most authentic Tuscany, where history, science and landscape blend in perfect balance. An ideal stop to breathe beauty away from the chaos and feel part of something eternal.

Overlooking the hills south of Florence, Villa del Poggio Imperiale is a majestic historic residence that was the home of the Grand Duchesses of Tuscany and, later, the Lorraine princesses. Surrounded by an elegant park and stunning views of the city, it is one of the finest examples of late Renaissance and neoclassical architecture. Since 2013 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of the historic center of Florence, thanks to its cultural and scenic value. Today it houses the prestigious state high school “Internazionale Machiavelli” but retains its royal charm. A place little beaten by mass tourism, but full of history, art and nobility, ideal for a scenic and cultural stop off the traditional circuits.

Porta Romana is one of the ancient gateways to the city of Florence, located along the road that led to Rome. Built in 1326, it is the only Florentine door that still retains the impressive original wooden sashes, witnesses of the medieval defenses of the city. Here you can still see a long stretch of the fourteenth-century walls, which once surrounded and protected the entire historic center. Walking – or riding a golf cart – along this area is like stepping back in time, between towers, ramparts and ancient entrance roads. Today, Porta Romana is also a hub between the urban center and the hills: from here, tree-lined avenues lead to Boboli, Poggio Imperiale and the Chianti countryside. A place on the border between city and nature, where history embraces the landscape.

The Ramps of Poggi are an extraordinary architectural and landscape complex designed by architect Giuseppe Poggi in the second half of the nineteenth century, during the period when Florence was the capital of Italy. This scenic system of stairs, caves, waterfalls and terraces harmoniously connects the Lungorno with Piazzale Michelangelo, crossing a monumental garden that combines nature, architecture and nineteenth-century romance. After a long period of neglect, the Ramps were restored and returned to the city, returning to amaze Florentines and visitors with the fountains’ water features, the stone walls and the breathtaking views of the city. A hidden and poetic corner of Florence, to be enjoyed slowly as you climb towards one of the most famous panoramic terraces in the world.

Located just below Piazzale Michelangelo, the Rose Garden is one of the most romantic and surprising places in Florence. Created in 1865, on the occasion of the transfer of the capital of the Kingdom of Italy from Turin to Florence, it now houses over 300 varieties of roses from all over the world. Strolling through the paths you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city, among intense scents and colors that change with the seasons. The garden also houses a Japanese-style section – a gift from Kyoto’s twin city – and poetic sculptures by Jean-Michel Folon, which enrich the experience with a contemporary artistic touch. Cared with love by the volunteers of the "Angels of Beauty", the Rose Garden is a perfect break between nature, art and panorama, away from the crowds but a stone's throw from the heart of Florence.

From above or from the Lungorno, the view of Ponte Vecchio is one of the most iconic images of Florence. With its shops suspended over the Arno and colourful houses that seem to defy time, it is the only bridge in the city that survived the bombings of the Second World War. Originally built in wood, then rebuilt in stone in 1345, it is now famous for its historical jewelers and for the Vasari Corridor that overlooks it, connecting Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti. Whether illuminated by the sun, at sunset or reflected in the water, the Ponte Vecchio always offers a postcard-like glimpse, capable of thrilling every visitor.

Observing the Duomo of Florence from afar is a unique emotion: its imposing Dome by Brunelleschi dominates the profile of the city like a work of art carved in the sky. At 116 meters high, it is still the largest masonry dome ever built, an absolute masterpiece of the Renaissance. Next to it, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni stand out, creating an architectural complex that enchants from every angle. Seen from the hills or the riverside, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore stands out among the red roofs and silently recounts centuries of faith, art and Florentine pride. A not to be missed stop, perfect for a panoramic shot or simply to be amazed.

We are in the heart of one of the most fascinating places in Florence: Piazza Santa Croce, wide, bright and rich in history. Dominated by the majestic Basilica of Santa Croce, it is also known as the “Pantheon of the Florentines”: inside rest illustrious figures such as Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Machiavelli and Rossini. The square is also the stage of one of the city's most heartfelt traditions: Calcio Storico Fiorentino, an ancient game that combines football, rugby and wrestling. Every June, the tournament takes place here between Florence's four historic districts, in an explosion of colors, drums and Renaissance spirit. Today as then, Santa Croce is the place where spirituality, civic identity and entertainment meet, surrounded by historic buildings, artisan shops and cafes with authentic charm.

The San Lorenzo district is one of the oldest and most vital in Florence. Once the beating heart of city life, today it is still animated by markets, craft shops and scents of spices and leather. But above all, it is the Medici district, the powerful family that has marked the history and face of the city. Here is the majestic Basilica of San Lorenzo, designed by Brunelleschi, with its rough facade that hides a harmonious and art-rich interior. Behind the church, there are the famous Medici Chapels, mausoleum of the Medici dynasty: a place full of history, power and beauty. Inside, Michelangelo’s New Sacristy houses the monumental tombs of Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici, with the famous allegories of Time – the Dawn, Twilight, Day and Night – carved with extraordinary strength and symbolism. A neighborhood where every corner tells of art, power and Florentine everyday life, in an authentic mix of history and lived life.

The Santa Maria Novella district welcomes visitors from the very first moment: it is in fact the central station area, but also one of the most fascinating and authentic in Florence. Here you can breathe a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere, among historic hotels, boutiques, ancient pharmacies and elegant buildings. At the center of the district opens the beautiful Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, one of the most harmonious in the city, framed by columns, obelisks and porches. Dominating it, the extraordinary Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, with its white and green marble facade designed by Leon Battista Alberti, a perfect example of Renaissance classicism. Inside it houses absolute masterpieces: the Trinity of Masaccio, frescoes by Filippino Lippi and the famous Crucifix by Giotto, which opens an exciting look at the history of Florentine art. A district that combines spirituality, elegance and authenticity, where the past dialogues with contemporary Florence.

Crossing the Arno, we leave the monumental center and discover the most genuine face of Florence: the Oltrarno, a district of artisans, lively squares and local atmospheres. The beating heart of this area is Piazza Santo Spirito, always animated by markets, students, Florentines and travelers looking for authenticity. The square is dominated by the Basilica of Santo Spirito, a masterpiece by Filippo Brunelleschi, which surprises with its simple facade and the perfect balance of interior spaces. Inside is also kept a wooden crucifix carved by Michelangelo when he was just 18 years old. The Oltrarno is also home to artisan workshops: goldsmiths, restorers, framers and leather masters who pass on ancient crafts. Walking here means meeting the real Florence, where every street tells stories of art, work and tradition.