Your Tuscan wine day comes with a steering wheel. This vintage Fiat 500 convoy turns a standard tasting into a real, hands-on countryside outing, with guides like David and Bella keeping things fun and organized. I especially like the stop at a 15th-century villa and vineyard for wine and olive oil tasting, plus the easy pace that doesn’t feel rushed. One thing to plan for: you’ll need a manual-driving comfort level if you’re the nominated driver, because this is not an automatic-car tour.

If you’re starting from Florence, the meeting point at 500 Touring Club (near Scandicci) is the launchpad for the whole day. Then you’ll cruise quiet secondary roads through Florence and out into the Tuscan hills, usually drawing waves and applause from locals—part show, part seriously good scenery. Just remember this is a tight 4-hour format, so you’re going for experiences, not lingering.

Key highlights at a glance

• Vintage Fiat 500 drive through Florence and the hills in a guided convoy
• 15th-century Renaissance-era villa visit with grounds and vineyard time
• Wine-cellar tasting of wines grown on-site, plus olive oil sampling
• Lunch of traditional Tuscan delicacies that stays light, not heavy
• Guides who teach you the cars before you head out on real country roads

The 4-hour plan: driving first, tasting second

This tour is built around one big idea: instead of watching Tuscany go by, you get to drive it. The day runs about 4 hours, which makes it a good fit if you want countryside beauty and a tasting stop without losing an entire afternoon.

You’ll start by getting oriented with the iconic Fiat 500, then head through Florence with the group. After that, the convoy moves into the hills where the roads get slower, greener, and way more scenic. The tasting portion is the reward: you’ll step out at a 15th-century villa and spend time around the vineyard and cellar, then finish with a light Tuscan lunch.

Meeting at 500 Touring Club: how to get there smoothly

The meeting point is Via Franceschi, 23, 50018 Scandicci, at 500 Touring Club. The tour asks you to arrive 20 minutes early, which is a smart call because you’ll need time to park, meet your guide, and get sorted before the convoy rolls.

From Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train station, you have practical options:

• Taxi: call 0554390 (or use another taxi company) and tell them to take you to 500 Touring Club; it’s about a 10-minute ride from the center.
• Tram: take the T1 tram toward Villa Costanza, get off at De Andre, then walk about 20 minutes.

If you’re pairing this with a busy Florence itinerary, I’d schedule it earlier rather than later. You want daylight for the drive and photos, and you want to avoid turning this into a rushed start.

The Fiat 500 drive: manual car comfort is the real gatekeeper

Here’s the most important practical detail: the tour’s nominated driver must be used to a manual (stick shift) car. The guidance is clear—if you’re an automatic driver, you cannot drive on this tour.

This matters because the “fun part” is not just sitting in a classic. You’ll be learning and then driving in a convoy on quiet secondary streets at a relaxing pace, with the guide staying with you. In the experience details, guides are described as patient and hands-on—people mention a thorough crash-course feeling, and that confidence building is a big part of why this tour scores so highly.

If you’re comfortable with manuals, you’ll likely find the learning curve friendly. The Fiat 500 is small and simple, and the convoy format means you’re not white-knuckling traffic. If manual driving is shaky, do yourself a favor and plan to ride rather than drive.

Cruising out of Florence: why the convoy feels like a local moment

The drive starts in Florence, then turns into the Tuscan hills. The tour is designed for a road-trip vibe: you’ll drive in a colorful convoy and the group dynamic is part of the charm. The route often runs along streets where you may get waves and applause from locals and other tourists—yes, it’s a little theatrical, but it also feels like a playful reminder that Florence is a real city, not just a museum.

You’re not blasting down highways. The pace stays relaxing, and the guide is always in convoy, which helps with flow and safety. For many people, this is where the tour clicks: the drive becomes the activity, not just transportation to the winery.

Tuscany’s villa stop: grounds, vineyards, and a proper tasting

The signature moment is stepping out at a 15th-century villa and vineyard. Even if you’ve seen lots of Tuscany photos, this stop tends to land differently because you’re seeing the setting and the production side together.

You can expect a guided tour of the grounds and vineyards, then a move to the wine cellar for a tasting of the vineyard’s wines. The wines are described as award-winning, and the structure is built so you get explanations rather than just “here’s a glass, enjoy.” You’ll also do wine and olive oil tasting, which is important because Tuscany isn’t only about grape juice—it’s also about the oil culture tied to the land.

One thing I like about this format: the tasting is tied to what you’re looking at. You’re not tasting Tuscan products in a separate, generic room. You’re tasting in the place they come from, which makes the flavors feel more grounded.

Olive oil tasting and how lunch fits in

After the villa walk and cellar tasting, you’ll sit down for a light lunch of traditional Tuscan delicacies. The meal is intentionally “light” rather than a long, heavy feast, which keeps the tour on track while still giving you a real break.

If you’re an olive oil fan, pay attention during the tasting portion. One of the best-reviewed details from the experience is how guides explain the oil process and why “first press” oil can taste different from later batches. Not every day may include the exact same production walk, but the tour’s emphasis on olive oil tasting suggests you’ll get at least meaningful context, not just sampling.

Also, the lunch-and-tasting pairing is one of those smart travel combinations. You taste, you learn what to notice, then you eat something regional while your palate is still awake. That’s how wine days stop feeling like random sipping.

Value for money: what you’re really paying for at $186.92

At $186.92 per person for about 4 hours, this isn’t a cheap activity—but it also isn’t paying just for wine. You’re paying for:

• the vintage Fiat 500 experience (car hire plus standard insurance),
• the guide who handles convoy logistics and car instruction,
• and the tasting meal package: wine and olive oil tastings plus a light lunch.

When a tour includes the car and the driving time, value tends to work differently than with walking tours or bus trips. Here, the main “product” is access—access to the countryside and access to the production setting at the villa. If you’re the type who would otherwise rent a scooter or scramble for a DIY wine day, this can feel like the organized, low-friction option.

The one extra cost you should budget for is the €15 fuel surcharge per car, collected at the time of the tour due to sudden fuel cost increases. Also note that you can’t assume you’ll be able to take bottles home included in the price—bottles of wine and oil to take home aren’t included.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This tour is a strong match if:

• you want to drive in Tuscany, not just watch it,
• you’re comfortable in a manual car (and can be the nominated driver),
• you enjoy tastings that include both wine and olive oil,
• you like a structured day with a guide in control of the pacing.

It’s less of a match if:

• you’re only comfortable driving automatic cars,
• you dislike winding countryside roads or prefer private, self-paced travel,
• you want a long, slow winery visit with lots of free time. This is about doing the key stops well within a 4-hour window.

Practical tips before you go

Bring your driver’s license. That’s required. Beyond that, I’d plan like you’re going on a real drive, not only a tasting: comfy shoes for stepping around villa and vineyard grounds, and a willingness to follow instructions closely during the car orientation.

Because this is a vintage-car experience, small technical issues can happen with older machines, and the best reviews emphasize that guides are ready to help when things go sideways. Still, you’ll be happiest if you treat the car as part of the fun, not as a stress test.

If you’re tall, do check the car’s fit in your own comfort level. One review highlights that a very tall driver still made it work—still, classic cars can be tight, so it’s smart to be realistic.

Should you book the Florence Wine Tasting and Tuscan Lunch by vintage Fiat 500?

Yes, if you want Tuscany in motion. This tour stands out because you get the drive, the villa setting, and the wine-and-olive-oil tasting inside one tight afternoon. The near-5-star rating (4.9 across 180 reviews) fits the pattern: people love the car experience, the guided instruction, and the fact that the tasting happens in a real place tied to the land.

Skip it if you can’t drive manual or you’d rather spend your day wandering without a scheduled convoy. And budget for the €15 fuel surcharge per car so there are no surprises.

If your ideal day includes classic Italy vibes—small car, country roads, and tasting wine where it’s made—this is one of the more satisfying ways to do it from Florence.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 4 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Via Franceschi, 23, 50018 Scandicci (500 Touring Club). The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Can I drive if I only have experience with an automatic car?

No. The nominated driver must be comfortable driving a manual car, and an automatic driver cannot drive on this tour.

What is included in the price?

It includes car hire, standard insurance, wine and olive oil tasting, and a light lunch.

What extra costs should I expect?

A €15 fuel surcharge per car is collected at the time of the tour. Also, bottles of wine and oil to take home are not included.

What should I bring?

You should bring your driver’s license.

What languages are the guides?

The live tour guide speaks English and Italian.