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Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto

star-4184 Reviews
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Firenze, Italy
Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto
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Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto
Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto
Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto
Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto
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From $59.83

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Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon1 hour  (approx.)
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iconOffered in: English and 1 more

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Overview

Glide under the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge and across the Arno River on a Florence river cruise. Hop aboard your barchetto—a small traditional boat that is one of only four still operating in the city. As you see the sights like the famous Uffizi Gallery from the water, toast your fellow mates with a glass of Prosecco.
  • Florence boat ride aboard a traditional barchetto
  • Cruise down the Arno River and pass under the Ponte Vecchio
  • Enjoy a glass of Prosecco while gliding down the river
  • Pass beautiful Florence attractions like the Uffizi Gallery and the Corsini Palace
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From $59.83

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Mini Cruise on the Arno River aboard a Florentine Gondola (approx. 50 min)
Cool Wine "aperitivo" or soft drink
English speaking fully licensed History guide
Only in English for the highest quality
Gratuities
Food
Piazza Mentana, 2 , Piazza Mentana, 2, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
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FLORENCETOWN BOOKING OFFICE, Piazza Mentana 2red FIRENZE (opposite from the Arno River). Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour starting time.

This activity will end right where it started.
Your tour begins in central Florence, where you meet up with your guide. Travel through the bustling Piazza della Signoria, home to the impressive Palazzo Vecchio, and see the Uffizi Gallery before approaching the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s historic bridge.

Hop aboard your boat and enjoy a cruise down the scenic Arno River. Translating to ‘little boat’ in Italian, the barchetto was used centuries ago to transport building materials down the river for Florence’s city walls.

As you journey across the water, learn the stories behind the architecture and grand palaces that you pass. Cruise under the Ponte Vecchio and get a riverside view of the Uffizi Gallery. While your guide pours you a chilled glass of Prosecco, hear about the secret passageway of the Vasari Corridor, connecting the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti so that members of the Medici family could travel stealthily through the city. You also pass the brilliant Baroque design of the Corsini Palace and the Santa Trinita Bridge.

After your Florence river cruise concludes, return to your original departure point.
Itinerary
Pass By:  
Ponte Vecchio
see the Ponte Vecchio from the Arno River
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Pass By:  
Corridoio Vasariano
see the corridoio vasariano from the Arno River
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Pass By:  
Palazzo Corsini
see Palazzo Corsini from the Arno River
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Pass By:  
Uffizi
see Uffizi from the Arno River
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  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • RAIN POLICY:
  • The tour departure might be cancelled due to rain.
  • We will do our best to proceed with the tour. However rain or adverse weather conditions could prevent us from being able to offer an enjoyable and fully safe experience.
  • In case we cancel the tour (and only in this case), guest options are:
  • 1) Rain check to be used the following day or at any other time, subject to availability. The Rain check is a voucher given to client. The voucher is transferable and may be sold or given to others to use at a future date and lasts up to 1 year from date. It has a value that can be possible used in any other tour provided by our company.
  • 2) 100% refund for tour cancellation.
  • Please note that clients' safety and comfort are of utmost priority.
  • In any case, clients should show up at the meeting point at the scheduled time, or contact the office in advance.
  • No-shows will not be refunded.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Florencetown
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto?
A:The policy on social distancing is:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
See all safety measures taken by Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto?
A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by Florence River Cruise on a Traditional Barchetto.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "The boat is pushed by a a man with a pole, so the distance covered is not far, but the tour guide is knowledgeable and the wine is lovely." See review

Reviews

4.0
star-4
184 Reviews
5 stars
102
4 stars
44
3 stars
15
2 stars
12
1 star
11

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 184 reviews
star-4
Relaxing pre-dinner boat ride
nicolecochrane86
, May 2022
Staff are super helpful and accommodating, they let us change the date at the last minute free of charge. The tour is really picturesque and relaxing and our guide was so nice and knowledgeable. It does seem very expensive for 50 minutes, especially compared to what we paid for other excursions which lasted hours, so marked down a little for that.
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star-5
Gondola ride in Florence
Alicia_W
, Oct 2021
Our guide was fantastic! Super friendly s d extremely knowledgeable. She even surprised us with a bottle of wine on board a s we all enjoyed a glass. Highly recommend. She was thee best!
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star-5
A must do experience
Darren_R
, Oct 2021
Absolutely beautiful and unique experience. The tour guide was brilliant and made the tour even better with her funny explanations and background stories. Would highly recommend to anybody visiting Florence
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star-5
Amazing Sunset Perspective of Firenze
Kimberly_W
, Oct 2021
I am an American guide here in Tuscany and have just discovered this wonderful new adventure which I will always add to my clients itinerary when weather permits. Our guide was so knowledgeable and personable…and the pilot, most capable (and handsome!) A wonderful new perspective of Firenze!
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star-4
Fun boat ride
Beth_S
, Sep 2021
Our tour guide Sarah was wonderful. Knowledgeable and fun. She made the experience worthwhile. While it was good to be on the river, I wish it had been a bit longer.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Great Time with Great People
Reggie
, Aug 2021
Fabio was an amazing host and educator. Made us all feel at home and was adamant about getting all questions answered for us. Took time to have some fun with us as well. My only suggestion is that the tour be longer. Thank you again!
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star-5
Renaissance 101 in a romantic setting
Patrick_J
, Aug 2021
Martina was great and knowledgeable about everything that we were interested in. Great wine and beautiful scenery. German or French language support would have turned this into 6 stars.
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star-5
Great night!!
Shannon_V
, Aug 2021
Awesome views & knowledgeable guide- very enjoyable!! My son & husband & I had a great time out 1st night in Florence!
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star-5
Absolutely recommended.
John_D
, Aug 2021
Short but very beautiful boat trip. The guide was very nice and very informative. Information was given about the history and importance of the river Arno and the buildings at the riverbank. In addition the guide gave her insider tips where to go for good food and icecream.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-1
failed felxibility after no show
Lukas_R
, Jul 2021
we missed the original date, the tour operator called us nicely on the phone at a saturday shortly before departure telling is we sure will find an alternative date for the next days. then i tried to connect with them on sunday which failed because offices were close, upon contact on monday i never received their mail and since we had to depart on tuesday we could not make this tour anymore. i hoped that i would at least get parts of the pay returned but they keep telling that this is not possible. A pity that tour operators are unflexible in such turmoil times. But guess up to you reading this if you think this is understandable or not
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Florence by boat
lucjar07
, Oct 2019
A wonderful way to see the Ponte Vecchio! Highly recommend! We took the 6:00pm tour and our sunset was beautiful. Great for family or couples.
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star-5
Relaxing boat ride along the Arno at sunset with great views of Florence
Road829960
, Sep 2019
Our excellent guide Frederica made us feel at home as she led us from the center of Florence to the small boat dock on the Arno where we boarded Florence's version of a gondola, a 'barchetta,' which is pulled along the river by a boatman using a long wooden pole. We learned some history of Florence and its bridges, got some great photos, had a refreshing glass of rose wine made at a local Tuscan winery, and had a chance to get away from the throngs that clog the busy streets of Florence.
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star-5
A lovely evening boat ride!
Julie_B
, Aug 2019
A lovely traditional boat ride down the Arno river which was informative and relaxing in the evening sun. Everyone was lovely and friendly and we had a lovely glass of wine too!
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star-5
Lovely evening on the river with a glass of wine
Margo_M
, Jun 2019
The boat is pushed by a a man with a pole, so the distance covered is not far, but the tour guide is knowledgeable and the wine is lovely. The tour starts with a 10 minute walk through old Florence and down to the river, with the tour guide sharing information and answering questions. Then follows the boat ride, with more information about buildings on both sides of the river, while sipping wine (there is water and orange juice for non-drinkers).
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-4
The river was beautiful and we did...
Tara_N
, Jul 2018
The river was beautiful and we did learn some history about the Barchettos. Our guide Mario was fun, but didn't give us any information at all about the sites as we walked from the meeting site to the River other reviews said this was a great part of this tour. He also had to ask the Italian speaking only rower to give us information about the river and sites along the river. We went in July at the last tour of the day, but did not get to see the sunset as it sets so late in July. However the ride was relaxing and beautiful and the Prosecco and crackers afterwards overlooking the river was enjoyable. Overall I would recommend!
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star-5
If you are even considering doing this, book it!
Joshua_P
, Jul 2018
This was fantastic! Had a nice boat ride down the Arno River. Glass of wine. Tour guide was extreamly knowledgeable. If you are in Florence and want an experience you wot forget for a reasonable price, this is the way to go!
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star-4
This is a belated review of our...
George_M
, Jun 2018
This is a belated review of our Florence River Cruise - just forgot to write it up earlier. Since the river cruise is still the same, I can add to the positive comments preceding mine. Our disappointment was that the cruise was a short hour, and about the same to get to and from the boat launch. Nonetheless, a ride on the Arno River is another memorable way to see the historic city of Florence, enjoyed with a glass of wine on board!
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star-5
Tour was amazing. Really...
Laura_G
, May 2018
Tour was amazing. Really knowledgeable guide and it was made even better by the group of people I did the tour with. The glass of prosecco was a nice touch and seeing the sun set over the water was stunning. As something different to do it was lovely.
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star-4
This was a lovely way to spend the...
Cheryl V
, Jan 2018
This was a lovely way to spend the evening and to see Florence from the river. The guide was very knowledgeable and made it a fun night.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
We saw Florence from the Arno with...
John_C
, Sep 2017
We saw Florence from the Arno with some explanations of the city, river and bridges. A very nice way to quietly see some of the sights.
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