Florence Evening Wine windows walking tour with Arno River barchetto Cruise

Oltrarno — literally "beyond the Arno" — is the neighbourhood on the south bank of the Arno River, connected to the historic centre by Ponte Vecchio and several other bridges. Unlike the tourist-heavy streets north of the river, Oltrarno has retained much of its artisan character: it is home to traditional workshops producing leather goods, frames, furniture, and jewellery, many of which have operated in the same buildings for generations. The neighbourhood also contains Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens, Piazza Santo Spirito, and dozens of independent trattorias and wine bars that serve a largely local clientele. For visitors who want to see Florence as Florentines live it, Oltrarno is the essential destination.

Yes — a semi-private mini cruise on the Arno River aboard a traditional Florentine barchetto (approximately 45 minutes) is included in this tour. After the walking tour through the Oltrarno district and the wine windows experience, the group boards the barchetto for a river cruise that passes landmarks including the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Trinita Bridge, and Palazzo Corsini. A glass of chilled wine (or soft drink) is included on board. The cruise may be cancelled in case of heavy rain — in which event, a partial refund corresponding to the price difference is issued. In lighter rain, both the walking tour and the boat ride operate as normal.

The Loggia del Porcellino is a Renaissance market loggia near Piazza della Repubblica, named after the bronze boar fountain (il Porcellino, "the little pig") at its entrance. The bronze boar is a 17th-century work by Pietro Tacca, commissioned as a copy of an ancient marble boar now in the Uffizi. According to Florentine tradition, rubbing the boar's nose and placing a coin in its mouth brings good luck — and ensures you will return to Florence. The coin falls through a grate into the water below, with proceeds historically donated to a local orphanage. On this tour, our guide tells the full story behind the boar and the market history of the surrounding streets.

Yes — two wine experiences are included in this tour. First, during the walking tour of the Oltrarno, a surprise tasting of a traditional Tuscan food specialty is included, along with one glass of wine served from a historic buchetta del vino (wine window). Second, a glass of chilled wine is served on board the barchetto during the Arno River cruise. Italy's minimum drinking age is 18; guests under this age will be served non-alcoholic alternatives.

Yes — the route of the Vasari Corridor is visible from the outside during this walking tour, and our guide explains its history and significance in detail. The Vasari Corridor is a 1-km elevated passageway built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari on the orders of Cosimo I de' Medici, linking the Palazzo Vecchio to the Uffizi Gallery, crossing Ponte Vecchio on the arches above the jewellers' shops, and ending at Palazzo Pitti in the Oltrarno. It was designed to allow the Medici family to move between their official residences without descending to street level. The corridor is visible from certain points along the Arno and from Ponte Vecchio; the tour traces its external route and explains the Medici political strategy that motivated its construction.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before the tour departure. For cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time, as well as in case of no-shows, the full amount will be charged.