Wine Tour of Bolgheri from La Spezia
Immerse yourself in the birthplace of the legendary "Super Tuscans" and the idyllic landscapes of the Etruscan Coast on an exclusive private chauffeured shore excursion from the Port of La Spezia.
The Tour
Your day begins as you take the quick port shuttle from your ship to the cruise terminal exit, where your professional English-speaking driver greets you in a premium luxury vehicle. Setting off south along the scenic coastal highway bridging Liguria and Tuscany (~1 hour and 20 minutes), you will journey into the Alta Maremma and the sun-drenched hills of the Etruscan Coast to your morning destination: the charming medieval village of Bibbona.
Perched atop a gentle hill overlooking rolling countryside and the Mediterranean Sea, Bibbona retains the authentic, untouched rhythm of ancient provincial Tuscany. Spend your morning exploring its historic stone core, built as a fortified circular citadel to defend against medieval coastal raids. Stroll along peaceful cobblestone alleyways, view the twelfth-century Romanesque Church of Sant’Ilario, and admire the striking Renaissance Church of Santa Maria della Pietà nestled at the foot of the town. Take in panoramic vistas spanning dense Mediterranean macchia, silvery olive groves, and the shimmering coastline beyond.
Leaving Bibbona, your driver escorts you a short distance south to the world-renowned wine region of Bolgheri, approaching the village via the legendary Viale dei Cipressi (Cypress Avenue). Immortalized by Nobel Prize-winning poet Giosuè Carducci, this iconic, five-kilometer straight road is flanked by over 2,400 towering, centuries-old cypress trees, creating one of Italy’s most photographed countryside landscapes. Enter Bolgheri through the arched gate beneath the imposing red-brick Castello dei Conti della Gherardesca into a fairytale hamlet of flower-lined stone houses, artisan workshops, and lively wine bars (enoteche).
Midday brings time to pause and savor the rich culinary heritage of the region. Settle into a traditional village osteria or a panoramic vineyard estate to enjoy authentic Tuscan fare—such as handmade pappardelle with slow-simmered wild boar ragù, local pecorino cheeses, and grilled Florentine beef, paired with an introductory glass of regional red wine.
In the afternoon, dedicate your time to exploring the elite viticultural landscape that has earned Bolgheri international acclaim as the "Bordeaux of Tuscany." Here, a unique microclimate—blessed with abundant coastal sunshine, cooling sea breezes, and gravelly, mineral-rich soils—fosters world-class Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc) rather than traditional Sangiovese, giving birth to the revolutionary "Super Tuscan" movement. Visit a prestigious local boutique winery estate to tour the barrel cellars and learn about the meticulous production methods behind these celebrated vintages. Your visit culminates in a guided tasting flight featuring structured, elegant Bolgheri DOC and Super Tuscan wines. Following an unforgettable day pairing medieval coastal charm with world-class viticulture, sit back and unwind on a smooth, punctual return drive back to the Port of La Spezia, arriving comfortably ahead of your cruise ship’s departure.
Important Shore Excursion Details & Custom Options:
Port of La Spezia Meeting Instructions: Due to strict port authority security regulations and physical space limitations at the Port of La Spezia, private vehicles are not permitted directly along the ship’s gangway. Guests must take the complimentary port terminal shuttle directly from shipside to the main cruise terminal exit, where your private driver will be waiting holding a personalized name board.
Perched atop a gentle hill overlooking rolling countryside and the Mediterranean Sea, Bibbona retains the authentic, untouched rhythm of ancient provincial Tuscany. Spend your morning exploring its historic stone core, built as a fortified circular citadel to defend against medieval coastal raids. Stroll along peaceful cobblestone alleyways, view the twelfth-century Romanesque Church of Sant’Ilario, and admire the striking Renaissance Church of Santa Maria della Pietà nestled at the foot of the town. Take in panoramic vistas spanning dense Mediterranean macchia, silvery olive groves, and the shimmering coastline beyond.
Leaving Bibbona, your driver escorts you a short distance south to the world-renowned wine region of Bolgheri, approaching the village via the legendary Viale dei Cipressi (Cypress Avenue). Immortalized by Nobel Prize-winning poet Giosuè Carducci, this iconic, five-kilometer straight road is flanked by over 2,400 towering, centuries-old cypress trees, creating one of Italy’s most photographed countryside landscapes. Enter Bolgheri through the arched gate beneath the imposing red-brick Castello dei Conti della Gherardesca into a fairytale hamlet of flower-lined stone houses, artisan workshops, and lively wine bars (enoteche).
Midday brings time to pause and savor the rich culinary heritage of the region. Settle into a traditional village osteria or a panoramic vineyard estate to enjoy authentic Tuscan fare—such as handmade pappardelle with slow-simmered wild boar ragù, local pecorino cheeses, and grilled Florentine beef, paired with an introductory glass of regional red wine.
In the afternoon, dedicate your time to exploring the elite viticultural landscape that has earned Bolgheri international acclaim as the "Bordeaux of Tuscany." Here, a unique microclimate—blessed with abundant coastal sunshine, cooling sea breezes, and gravelly, mineral-rich soils—fosters world-class Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc) rather than traditional Sangiovese, giving birth to the revolutionary "Super Tuscan" movement. Visit a prestigious local boutique winery estate to tour the barrel cellars and learn about the meticulous production methods behind these celebrated vintages. Your visit culminates in a guided tasting flight featuring structured, elegant Bolgheri DOC and Super Tuscan wines. Following an unforgettable day pairing medieval coastal charm with world-class viticulture, sit back and unwind on a smooth, punctual return drive back to the Port of La Spezia, arriving comfortably ahead of your cruise ship’s departure.
Important Shore Excursion Details & Custom Options:
Port of La Spezia Meeting Instructions: Due to strict port authority security regulations and physical space limitations at the Port of La Spezia, private vehicles are not permitted directly along the ship’s gangway. Guests must take the complimentary port terminal shuttle directly from shipside to the main cruise terminal exit, where your private driver will be waiting holding a personalized name board.
Duration
9 hours
Flexibility
Itinerary and pace managed directly with your private driver
Services include pickup from and drop-off back at either your hotel or at your cruise ship in one of our luxury vehicles by an English-speaking driver.
Lunch, gratuities, and any entrance fees to attractions are not included. Also please note that we may change the order of the itinerary at our discretion.
Multiple booking discounts are available when you book more than one tour or excursion with us. Please note that these discounts do not apply to airport or port transfers.
