rhy

I will be in Florence in late October and am looking to take a tour of the countryside and see some olive oil production. We won't have a car so need a guided tour. Does anyone have any suggestions on a company?

kybourbon

The Florence tourist office will have a list of tours/companies. Some tours only run certain days and I don't think you will find too many tours that are oil only. Harvest is more likely to be November.

loumartinez

Why don't you invert terms of your stay and take a tour to Florence while staying in a farmhouse with olive oil production? In this case I could suggest you should try http://www.relaisvillalolmo.com/the-resort-a-the-wines. They organize one-day or half-a-day guided trips throughout Tuscany and to reach Florence city centre only takes 10 minutes (without traffic, of course).

astreltravel

Hi, I have been in Tuscany on last June and was simply great. I stayed in Mugello, 15 minutes North from Florence. I was there for nature and my accommodation Monsignor della Casa organized local olive oil tasting. I learned that olive oil is some cultural topic for Italians when they take us to visit the old mill. They even use it for beauty treatments. http://www.monsignordellacasa.com/tastings.html

kybourbon

The Florence tourist board lists some (not all) of the tour companies on their website, but will have more info if you stop by. Some on this list offer day trips and some don't (more vacation type agencies). Most that offer day trips don't tend to focus on just oil although I'm sure there are some that offer that. You might try e-mailing the tourist board and asking. Often tasting tours are only on certain days. If you start to book a tour, ask if it runs no matter what. Some companies will cancel if not very many sign up.

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/

List from their site:
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/images/...ieincoming.pdf

CAF tours offer some wine tasting day trips that usually include a bit of oil tasting.

http://www.caftours.com/excursions-and-day-trips.html

While this day trip focuses on Montalcino wine and Pienza cheese, I'm sure there is some oil you could sample.

http://www.florencetasting.com/tours...e&code=Tuscany

This company offers some oil tours.

http://www.vinaio.com/oil-food-tours...ting/oil-tours

It's also possible to take a local bus (about 3€) to a few towns in the Chianti area (such as Greve) and visit something like the Cantina where you can taste wine/oil. The bus station is near the train station.

http://www.lecantine.it/cantineUtent...?cambialang=en

rhy

Thanks for all your info, it is very helpful. I would love to,stay in one of the towns close to,Florence, but we are taking our 20 year old daughter for her first trip to Italy and I think she would prefer to stay in Florence.

Scotia

I have stayed at Relais Villa L'Olmo mentioned by loumartinez above. It is a working olive farm and is only 20 minutes by public bus from Florence. I have posted a few reports on this establishment and would definitely stay there again as it is within walking distance of Impruneta where there are shops, banks,and restaurants. The hosts are so very helpful and friendly. However, I can understand a 20 year old wanting to be right in Florence as the last bus from Florence to Impruneta leaves early evening.