Hello. Thanks to a prior post I was able to book a home in Panzano, Tuscany for a group of 16 people ages 11-75 in July 2025. We will all be arriving in Florence a day or so before our week long rental in Tuscany begins. My primary concern is how to transport such a large group to the home in Tuscany and then what to do about day trips to Vineyards and small towns while we are there. It didn’t seem to make sense to have so many cars. I have been to Tuscany a few times and I know that getting in and out of towns like Sienna and San G with many cars is not easy. Also on days when I would like to visit a few vineyards, how is that best accomplished? Should I rent a few large vans? Or are there any tour company recommendations? Also, a week for such a large diverse group seems like a lot of days to fill. Any recommendations for activities? Thank you!

I'd go for vans, 16 people need two.
Spa visit
Wine visit
Olive oil visit
Monestry visit the Mount of Olives would be good
Market visit
Seaside visit
Lots of Roman and pre-Roman sites to visit
A boat trip
Painting
cooking
horse riding
Swimming
Tennis

If you decide that you want a private driver (not a guide) instead of a tour, www.hillsandroads.com is very good, although it would be expensive. If you look at their website under Custom Tours, they show prices for up to 8 people, so you would need 2 of their vans for 16. This would allow half the group to do one itinerary and half to do another if you have different interests, or of course, both could do the same.. You can tell them what you want to do and they will tell you if it's feasible, or if you're not sure, you can tell them your interests and they will help you plan an itinerary.

If this were my group I would put some planning burden on other able bodied and/or able minded adults...

and also allow others to rent cars if they wish. The group doesn't need to stay joined at the hip the entire stay...

Also, is the home within walking distance of anything, or is it more rural?
If it is within the town itself, then others have the option to go out and shop for foods or dine on their own. They can also take local bus to towns like Greve, or wherever else there are easy bus routes.
If it is more rural, you have to think any comings and goings more carefully. Getting the name and number of a local taxi could also help....

Thank you! These are all great suggestions. I think we will get some vans and a car to provide flexibility. I will be looking for private tours for vineyards. We are staying in Panzano but I not sure how easy it will be to walk to the town. Any suggestions for other private driver/tours? I’ve also never seen the Tuscan seaside, that may be a nice trip even though it’s a longer drive.

How many drivers do you have? Renting two vans probably means only two people are allowed to drive them unless you pay extra for extra drivers, and you have to have drivers confident enough to drive such vehicles on Italian roads. The chances are they will have a manual gear box too.
Maybe rent one van and a couple of cars to give more flexibility.
When we do family trips we tend to rent more cars so people can do their own thing during the day, and just meet up at the end of the day to talk about what we have done. Doesn't mean we don't go out together on some days, but it gives the freedom to decide.

For guides have a look at this page, found with a quick search. No personal experience of them:
https://www.panzano.com/recommended-...driver-guides/

https://www.belitalytours-limo.com/
I used this company a couple of times in November 2023 and thought they were fantastic. They are based out of Florence but you could see if they would do pick up in Panzano.

Me? I would have a private driver for day trips..no way you want to be following each other and trying to find parking for 2 vans. I'd also have a couple of cars available for people to take supply runs and do small outings. I imagine van rental would be so expensive and you could all share the price of the private driver so no one has to have the annoyance of doing the driving, especially on the winery visits..... Does everyone want to do everything at the same time? I'd want flexibility.


I think you already know about the famous butcher in Panzano, Dario Cecchini. If the group wants a meat (set) meal with him, you might want to check into that and book ahead of arrival, but I imagine, without having been or knowing anyone who has been, that its strictly for tourists now. The beef comes from Spain! But I bet you can find super bistecca around there...

He now has a panini truck...that might be fun!

https://www.dariocecchini.com/cecchini-panini-truck/?lang=en





https://www.dariocecchini.com/cecchini/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/MENUOFFICINA-09.2022.pdf


Sorry for the digression here..leave it to me to turn any conversation towards food!

A couple of other considerations. Make sure that the vehicles that you rent are big enough to fit everyone's luggage. And that the drivers, particularly of the 8-person vans, know that they will be driving on many roads that, while beautiful, are narrow and winding.

When we were staying in Lucca (north of Panzano) in 2022, we decided to drive to the ocean, on a whim. We enjoyed it, even though it was a cool and blustery day in early May, and had a fantastic seafood lunch - the good side was it was easy to find parking. In July, I would guess that anywhere on the ocean would be a parking challenge, and depending on where you go, could be up to a two-hour drive. Honestly, especially if people in your group have never been to the inland portions of Tuscany, there's more than enough for your group to do without that kind of journey.

It sounds like you'll have a very special trip and celebration!

I had lunch at Dario’s restaurant in November 2023 and it was delicious. We also got to meet him and he is very congenial. I don’t know about it being just for tourists now- we were certainly tourists and there as part of a fantastic wine tour out of Florence but all the tables around us were definitely Italians.

In Italy a lot of the Italians you see are tourists just like you. This is especially true in cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice.

Maybe I should not have written what I did. I've never been but I thought it might be touristy (forgot about the domestic tourists) because he has been on a lot of food tv shows.
I'm glad you had a good experience!

Yes I know, maybe I should have said English speaking tourists.

Of course you should say whatever you want ekscrunchy! I know you can't resist talking about food
You would have liked the food I think, because Dario's whole thing is about using all parts of the animal there were a lot of interesting dishes using different parts of the cow, it wasn't just bistecca which quite frankly is not my favourite.
I suppose it is a bit touristy as he is very well known but it wasn't horrible touristy if that makes sense. And he is really very down to earth and chatty.
I guess it is sort of a not very well kept secret about the source of the beef because I have heard that before about it coming from Spain....I really don't know if that is true or not.

Thank for all the comments and suggestions. I love this group so much. Of course once we figure out transportation logistics I will be focused on food! I had heard about the butcher. I will make sure to book a reservation there.

Thank you, thank you!

A few years ago, I took a group of 12 to a rental villa near Panzano. We rented three cars which we used to drive from the airport to Panzano and some independent travel during our stay. On three of the days we had two vans pick us up at our villa and take us to sightsee with a guide.
I loved the Panzano area. Have a great trip