Overview Itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Florence: The City Experience

with Venice extension

Duration: 7 or 10 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 7

The food, the art, the architecture—this city leaves nothing to be desired.

Settle in and immerse yourself in the beauty of Florence, the gateway to the greater Tuscany region. This hub of modern culture and influential history is lined with cobblestone streets, is overflowing with masterpieces from some of the greatest minds in Renaissance art, and is the place to go for world-renowned food and wine. Unpack only once and discover why the city shines as the Tuscan capital.

Your tour package includes

5 nights in a well-located hotel
5 breakfasts
2 dinners with beer or wine, including a signature farewell dinner experience at an Italian villa
Sightseeing tour with a local guide
Expert Tour Director

Included highlights

Accademia Gallery
Florence Duomo
Giotto's Campanile
Ponte Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria

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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Florence today.

Florence5 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Florence

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Italy! Get settled in to your hotel, then meet your group at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Set off on a guided sightseeing tour of Florence, the city distinguished as the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Step inside the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's iconic statue, the David (Please note: Entrance to the Accademia Gallery may occur during the afternoon instead of the morning on day 3, or may take place on days 5 or 6.)
View the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo, and walk through the city’s UNESCO-listed Historic Center
Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture
See the medieval Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria, the center of Florentine life

Later, enjoy free time or add an excursion.

Tuscan Cooking Class & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Free day in Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Florence or add an excursion.

Siena & Chianti Wine Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 5: Free day in Florence

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Florence or add excursions.

Michelangelo's Florence

Excursion (additional cost)

Florence Home-Hosted Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 6: Fiesole & farewell dinner

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Enjoy a full free day in Florence or add an excursion.

Tonight, journey to the scenic Etruscan-Roman town of Fiesole to say goodbye to your group as you enjoy a signature farewell dinner experience on a villa terrace.

The Pitti Palace & the Boboli Gardens

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 7: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Extension to Venice

All the pictures in the world couldn’t prepare you for the real-life sight of Venice rising from the water. After a train ride, find out why the Queen of the Adriatic has such a special place in our hearts on a tour with a local guide.

Venice3 nights

Day 7: Transfer to Venice

Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, climb aboard a high-speed train and take off across the Italian countryside to Venice. Upon arrival, take a water taxi ride to your hotel.

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Venice

Included meal: Breakfast

Admire historic churches, winding canals, and picture-perfect piazzas on a guided tour of the city known as the Queen of the Adriatic.

Step into the iconic St. Mark's Square and enter St. Mark's Basilica
View the stately Doge's Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style in 1340
Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, the link between Doge's Palace and the New Prison
See a glassblowing demonstration to learn about the city's most celebrated art

Enjoy a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion.

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 9: Free day in Venice

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Venice or add an excursion. This evening, gather with your group for a farewell drink.

Islands of the Venetian Lagoon: Burano & Torcello

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 10: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.3 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Fun

11/06/2019 by 4th time traveler Rosalie C.

Enjoyed the markets in Florence, along with the very friendly and helpful citizens. Also , our tour director, Dafne, could not have done more for us . By time I left, she felt like family!

11/06/2019 by 4th time traveler Beverly D.

Aaah Florence, Italy. My daughter and myself once again got to savour the delights of Italy through Go Ahead Tours. Our tour director Dafne was top notch as were the city guides. The sights and flavors of Tuscany came alive with Dafne's assistance. We are planning our 4th trip, to Greece this time!!...

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A very successful trip

04/10/2019 by 3rd time traveler Patricia S.

This was my first trip to Florence and GoAhead did its usual excellent job of orienting me immediately so I could strike out and explore the city in depth. Katia was professional, friendly and a wealth of information. Her choice for a docent for the Pitti Palace was brilliant. The lady knew her I...

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Florence

11/05/2018 by 3rd time traveler Thomas H.

A good balance between guided tours and free time, freedom to choose your level. Our guide was extremely helpful with our individual needs and interests. Great hotel in a great location. I could have used a few more days. Loved every minute.

Immerse Yourself in Florence

04/03/2018 by 3rd time traveler Laurel H.

On a previous tour we spent 2 days here — NOT nearly enough time for all we wanted to experience. This tour allows for ample free time AND Go Ahead-led tours. I recommend you go on as many as possible. GAT tour guides are exceptional, especially Monica: friendly & well informed; you learn SO much. O...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 04/03/2018

Hi Laurel, Thanks for sharing more about your ex...

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Hotel Pierre

This elegant hotel is located in the historic center of Florence. Guests enjoy room service, free Wi-Fi, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find the Duomo, Pia...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

Local weather

Florence, Italy

Weather averages

Today
High 57°F Low 47°F

Venice, Italy

Weather averages

Today
High 49°F Low 35°F

FAQ

Print FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for at least 2.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Florence. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Italy.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Tuscany is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breed of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.
For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.

Electricity & air conditioning

Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Museums in Florence

If you are interested in visiting any of Florence's many museums during your free time, we recommend that you make reservations in advance. See uffizi.org for the Uffizi Gallery or accademia.org for the Accademia Gallery. Please note that the museums are closed on Mondays.

Dates & prices

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20202021

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2020