VINCI VILLAGE WALKING EXPERIENCE
Discover the charming atmosphere of Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, through a relaxed one-hour guided walk around the historic village.
Leonardo da Vinci is considered one of the greatest minds in history: an artist, inventor, engineer, scientist, and visionary who was centuries ahead of his time. Born in this small Tuscan village in 1452, he grew up surrounded by nature, landscapes, and simple rural life, elements that deeply influenced his curiosity and imagination.
Walk in Vinci and lunch at a typical trattoria
During the walk, you will hear interesting curiosities about his life: how he studied birds to imagine flying machines, how he dissected the human body to understand anatomy, and how he combined art and science in a completely unique way for his time. Even his most famous works, like the Mona Lisa, reflect this extraordinary mix of observation, mystery, and innovation.
As you explore Vinci, you will also see the landscapes that inspired him: olive groves, rolling hills, and quiet paths that still reflect the world he once observed with such intense curiosity.
A simple and authentic experience, perfect to combine with a traditional Tuscan lunch at a local trattoria.
Tuscan biscuits, brigidini & hands on experience
During our journey through the Tuscan countryside, we stop in Lamporecchio, a small town deeply connected to the land of Leonardo da Vinci.
Here we visit a small family-run workshop where traditional Tuscan sweets are made with simple ingredients and careful handmade processes. The production is strongly linked to the local territory, using high-quality ingredients from selected Italian producers, with a focus on authenticity, seasonality, and tradition.
The atmosphere is warm and genuine. You will meet Valentina and Leonardo, who are happy to share their story and their passion for pastry making.
Inside the workshop, we observe the daily production and discover the traditional tools and techniques used every day. One of the highlights is the demonstration of the machine used to create the famous "brigidini", very thin, crispy wafers typical of the area, flavored with anise.
After the visit, we enjoy a tasting of traditional biscuits and local specialties, all made following Tuscan recipes. Simple flavours that tell the story of this land.
The experience continues with a hands-on activity: together with the artisans, we prepare cantuccini, or alternatively the "Biscotto di Leonardo," inspired by a Renaissance recipe adapted to today. It's a moment where history, culture, and gastronomy come together.
At the end, we taste what we have prepared, served with tea or coffee, enjoying a relaxed and convivial moment.
This is a list of specialties that you are likely to taste as part of the program of this tour. Please, note that the specialties of the tasting session and/or lunch may vary according to the season and the availability of the products in the day of the tour.
The Brigidini are traditional thin and crispy biscuits from Tuscany, especially associated with the town of Lamporecchio. They are made with simple ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, and anise seeds, which give them their distinctive aromatic flavor. Brigidini are a classic example of Italian regional pastry tradition: simple, elegant, and deeply connected to local […]
A plate of mixed bruschettas, topped with fresh tomatoes, cheese and sausage, arucola and lemon juice or simply extra virgin olive oil. Bruschettas are very common appetizers in all Italy and in Tuscany they are commonly called crostini. You can top grilled bread with almost anything that comes to your mind and served varied and […]
The most common coffee ordered at Italian bars is espresso. Its quantity is very small and it is supposed to be nicely creamy on the top. Many Italians sip it quickly while standing at a bar, so not sitting or longly debating around it.
Cantuccini biscuits in Tuscany are one of the most common desserts. They are made of sugar, butter and eggs and they are refined with almonds. In some versions they have other dry nuts or chocolate. Outside of Italy they are also called “biscotti”.
In our tour we like showing you places off the beaten track and introducing you to Tuscan people with their personal stories, careers and characters.
You will have one of our guides with your party during the whole tour. Please, see below all the guides who can be with you.
Yvonne
guide
Yvonne
Tour leader and wine expert at Arianna & Friends'
Dé – people smile at me, when I say it
But this is what Livorno, my beloved port town at the Tuscan sea, did to me – it placed itself into my heart. My name is Yvonne, and I have been living in several places on the world, but Tuscany kept calling me …
and here I am.
I love the wind, the sea, good wine and nature. In one word: Tuscany.
I love to share my passion and expertise about wine as a gift of nature with people. It makes me happy, when I hear people laugh while they enjoy a stunning E-bike ride through the rolling Tuscan contryside. And I love seeing their eyes shine when they discover the fascinating transformation of olives into delicious extra virgin olive oil.
Let’s enjoy it together – as your travel companion and tour guide, I am happy to make you discover the hidden gems and dive into the vibes of Tuscany.
Alessandro
guide
Alessandro
Tour leader at Arianna & Friends'
Buongiorno! My name is Alessandro. I was born and raised in a charming village near San Miniato, and I’ve spent my life immersed in the beauty of Tuscany. After traveling to England and Spain, I returned home to share my passion for my region. With years of experience in the hospitality industry, including roles in restaurants, hotels, and pubs, I’ve honed my skills in providing exceptional guest experiences. My sommelier training has deepened my knowledge of Tuscan wines and cuisine.
I am a thoughtful and patient person, always ready to solve problems and ensure every guest feels cared for and well looked after. Now, as a proud member of the Arianna & Friends team, I’m thrilled to share the stories and traditions of my homeland with visitors from around the world. Join me on a journey through the heart of Tuscany, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes come together.
Cristiano
guide
Cristiano
Tour leader at Arianna & Friends'
My name is Cristiano, and I live just outside the walls of Pisa, not far from the Leaning Tower. When I was a child, I lived in Mexico with my family, where I attended an international school in English. I graduated from a linguistic high school and speak English, Spanish, and French. I also worked for many years as a travel agent and managed tourist reception activities in Morocco.
Since 2024, I have been part of the Arianna & Friends team. Passionate about traveling the world, I love meeting new people and exchanging experiences and stories with them. I’ve been told I am a very charming and fun person, and many of the cooking classes where I act as the story-teller end with me singing traditional Italian songs alongside the chef, and sometimes even with our guests! I’m energetic, love sharing entertaining stories, and enjoy laughing with our guests while introducing them to Tuscan recipes, culture, and lifestyle.
My role here also includes being a tour leader for e-bike and Vespa tours, and my favorite activity to lead, beyond cooking classes, is the hands-on cheese-making experience
In my free time, I play tennis, love traveling to Asia, and enjoy hiking through the Tuscan hills with my friends and my dog, Ciccio.
I look forward to welcoming you in Tuscany and sharing unforgettable moments together!
Moira
guide
Moira
Pisa city tour guide & and tour leader at Arianna & Friends'
Ciao a tutti! My name is Moira, and I originally come from the north-west of Italy, from the city of Turin. I moved to Tuscany in 2012, immediately falling in love with the culture, the arts and history, the food, and of course, my favourite!, the wines of this beautiful region.
I started working with Arianna & Friends back in 2013 as an assistant at the Tourist Information Office of a small hilltop village, where our office was initially located. Later, I obtained my city guide license, and today I am the city tour guide on the team for the main towns of Pisa, Volterra, and San Miniato, as well as for some of our less famous tiny villages, which hide many secrets and have such a loooong history, such as Lari, Lajatico, and Peccioli.
I also obtained a license as an official truffle hunter, but I’m still mainly a truffle eater! My enthusiasm for learning new things never stops. I even learned how to become a professional olive tree pruner. When I’m not on tour, walking around our amazing places talking about art, culture, and history, or discovering local specialties together with our guests, you’ll find me in the office, taking care of bookings and reservations. I specialize in organizing active and fun weekends for groups of girlfriends.
I really hope to meet you soon to show you around our beautiful land, and since I come from another region, I can also reveal some secrets that Tuscan people will never confess!!
Luca
guide
Luca
Tour leader and websites content manager at Arianna & Friends'
Ciao Amici!! My name is Luca. I’m in my 40s and I’m probably one of the most energetic and fun-loving guides at Arianna & Friends
Like some of my colleagues, I have a multi-tasking role in the company. I am one of the content managers of our websites, especially during the winter, and when the season starts, I work as a tour leader.
Sometimes I also take care of bookings directly, and I often carry out site inspections to meet new collaborators and service providers, so we can be sure that every year the company offers new and interesting tours. From March to October, I lead almost all types of wine & food tours and cooking classes at Arianna & Friends. My favorites are truffle, olive oil, e-bike, and Vespa tours. Riding a Vespa through our wonderful hills is a must-do while in Tuscany, of course, only if you know how to ride a scooter!
When I started working for Arianna & Friends back in 2011, I was only able to prepare a very simple pasta al pomodoro (pasta with tomato sauce). Now, after so many years of cooking classes and thanks to our wonderful cooks, I am a very good chef (but please, don’t tell my wife!).
My motto is “Smile, you are in Tuscany.” I’m happy and very proud when I see people enjoying my country and having fun in Tuscany. Join us! Join me! Let’s have fun together!!
ACCESSIBILITY:
This activity does not present any particular physical challenges. However, if you have any accessibility needs — whether mobility-related, sensory, cognitive, or any other requirements — please let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate you. LOCATION OF ATTRACTIONS:
This tour takes place in the area of Vinci and Lamporecchio, in central Tuscany. MEET-UP LOCATION:
Unless differently specified, the tour guide meets you at a meeting point in or near Vinci. DURATION:
This program takes about 5 hours. Time for transportation not included. AVAILABILITY:
Available all the year through, from Wednesdays through Saturdays. LANGUAGE:
This tour is available in English language. German, French, Spanish or Italian are also available with no surcharge. DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Easy CHILD FRIENDLY:
Ideal for children CLOTHING:
No particular clothing required. FOOD RESTRICTIONS:
The foods served during this tour might contain gluten, lactose, nuts and alcohol. If you have any food restriction, please inform our personnel during the enquiry process. TRANSPORTATION:
This program and its rates do not include transportation and are set on a self-driving base. For further information see the box "transportation options".
The destinations reached during this activity are in the Tuscan countryside, in areas off the beaten track that cannot be reached by public transport. We highly recommend renting a car or a scooter in order to reach them. As an alternative, we can offer a valued service by chauffeured car, van or minibus. Any cost of transportation is to be added to the rates displayed on the rate table of this page.
The local public bus service is provided by Compagnia Toscana Trasporti, branch of Pisa. More information, timetables and ticket costs are available at the following links. Please, note that this website is available only in Italian language. PUBLIC BUS TIMETABLE TICKET FARES PLAN YOUR ROUTE
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