Pasta factory, castle, cheese tour & gelato in Lari
Wine & Food ToursDuration: 6 hours - not available from 10 to 30 August
Rates
CHEESE, FOOD & HISTORY IN JUST A DAY!
A fascinating full day private tour with guided visit a cheese factory with cheese tasting. Visit to the medieval village of Lari with its unexpected attractions like the unique pasta factory Martelli and a medieval castle. Lunch in Lari with Pasta Martelli and gelato.
A Family Tradition of Cheese making Excellence
The private tour starts with the guided visit to a local cheese factory not far from Pisa. This cheese factory is one of the region’s leading producers of high-quality cheese. A family-run business for generations, it has perfected the art of cheese making, earning a reputation for excellence. It’s story began in 1955 when the two brothers, Alessandro and Remo, shepherds by trade, established a small production facility near the village where it still operates today. Nowadays, Stefano and his family continue this legacy, blending traditional techniques with modern innovation to produce some of the finest cheeses you’ll ever taste.
The factory utilizes a variety of milk sources, including cow, sheep, and goat, to create a diverse range of award-winning cheeses. You’ll have the opportunity to tour the facility, learning about the entire cheese making process from start to finish. The tour culminates in a delightful cheese tasting snack.
The smallest pasta factory in the world?
After the visit to the cheese factory we will move to the village of Lari. The experience starts with a visit to the Martelli Pasta factory, where spaghetti and penne are crafted in the ‘old way.’ Whether it’s the world’s smallest pasta workshop is debatable, but one thing is certain—it’s the most original! Our guide immerses you in the family-run company’s history, shedding light on how a small artisanal production reaches global markets. Explore the working rooms with an intriguing walk, tracing the journey from giant bags of flour to the iconic yellow packages, ready for shipping.
Lunch in town
After the visit to the pasta factory we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a restaurant in town with 1 type of Pasta from the company Martelli matched with a sauce (1 glass of wine per person included). Before lunch we will stop at a local bar to taste the very famous cherry liquor of the village.
The medieval castle of the vicars
In the afternoon, after lunch we will move to the majestic castle of vicars!
Ever wondered why castles are perched on hilltops? What was their purpose over the centuries? Why are dungeons so mysterious and gloomy? If you’re seeking answers to these questions while soaking in the enchanting views, the Castle of the Vicars in Lari is the perfect destination! Enjoy the atmosphere of a perfectly preserved century-old castle, personally experiencing the sensations prisoners felt in the ‘inferno’ dungeon. Enjoy stunning vistas from the castle walls as you delve into the intriguing history behind these iconic structures.
Gelato tasting, the perfect ending of the tour
The guided tour to Lari ends with a gelato tasting at a local gelateria in Lari. We will meet the gelato maker Federico who will show us all its creations and we will enjoy a refreshing Italian gelato which will be the perfect end of our day together.
What you taste
This is a list of specialties that you are likely to sample 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.
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.
During this experience you can also meet some of the Tuscan friends involved in the events. Please, see below which friends you are likely to encounter.
On the organic cheese farm of our tour some professional cheese makers are often in the process of making cheese. They are usually very busy with curdling the milk or creating the cheese wheels but they are very friendly and always available for questions and details during our visits. 
Mario and Chiara are two members of the family Martelli, a historical family from Lari who has been producing pasta in the old center of the village since 1926. They are proud of their company and family history and they are emblems of the Italian way to capitalism. 
The total rate for this activity varies according to the number of people in your party.
Check rates in the table below.
PASTA FACTORY, CASTLE, PROSCIUTTO AND CHEESE TASTING– RATES 2025 – |
|
|---|---|
NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY |
TOTAL RATE |
| 2 persons | € 420 |
| 3 persons | € 500 |
| 4 persons | € 580 |
| 5 persons | € 660 |
| 6 persons | € 740 |
| 7 persons | € 820 |
| 8 persons | € 900 |
| Extra Adult | € 80 |
| Extra Teenager (12-17 yrs) | € 75 |
| Extra Child (4-11 yrs) | € 70 |
Rates include
- A private English speaking tour leader for the whole tour. Also available in French, German, Spanish and Russian
- Guided visit to the cheese factory
- cheese tasting
- A visit to the pasta factory
- A visit to castle
- A tasting of cherry liquor at a local bar
- Lunch in town with 1 pasta martelli and 1 glass of wine
- A gelato tasting
- Tax
Rates do NOT include
- Transportation
- Tips to the staff. Not included, not obligatory but very much appreciated
Transportation is not included in the rates above. For more info on transportation, please see the box “Transportation options”.
This is an email we receibed from James who enjoyed our tour with Moira during his stay in Tuscany
Ciao Moira and Consuelo,
Thank you for the pictures. Richelle and I had an amazing day with you. We will always remember our tour of the cheese factory and Lari. We will book with you again when we are back in Tuscany. Thanks again for a great day.
Jim & Richelle
This tour takes place in the area near Lari, a small village just 30 minutes from Pisa, 1 hour from Florence, 15 km from Selvatelle, about 20 km from San Gimignano and Montaione.
MEET-UP LOCATION:
Unless differently specified, the tour guide meets you at our office in La Rosa or at an agreed meeting point
DURATION:
This program takes 6 hours. Time for transportation not included.
AVAILABILITY:
Available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (not available from the 10 to the 30 August)
LANGUAGE:
This tour is available in English language. German, French, Spanish, Russian or Italian are also available with no surcharge.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Easy
CHILD FRIENDLY:
Ideal for children
CLOTHING:
No particular clothing required.
FOOD RESTRICTIONS:
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.
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