- Wake up in Florence.

- Breakfast at hotel/accommodation. 

- Meet at 9:30am. Walk together to meeting point for our private Street Food & Market Tour (10:30am start, ~2.5 duration) guided by an expert. Discover traditional foods, a look into the market food stalls and small family owned ”trattorias”. 5+ food tastings. Come hungry! This will likely fill you up for lunch. During this walking tour, you’ll also get a feel for the city of Florence and learn a bit about some of its central points of interest such as the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Santa Maria del Fiore.

- Afternoon: Free, walk, explore, rest, perhaps visit a historic site / museum.

- Evening: weather dependent, group walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views of Florence. 

- Dinner on your own: The walking route to/from Piazzale Michelangelo is full of options to stop for dinner on the way back (not included). Other options available near hotel or elsewhere.

- Stay in Florence (same accommodation as night 1). 

- Wake up in Florence.

- Breakfast at hotel/accommodation. 

- Optional Add-on: Join guided tour of Accademia (with skip the line entry) to see Michelangelo’s David, and other masterpieces. Tour ~1hr, with option to remain in galleries for extended time on your own after guide departs. 

- Afternoon: free, walk, explore.

- Evening: meet ~4pm to walk to our 5pm Hands-on Pizza & Gelato Making in the Oltrarno (literally “the other Arno” - on the other side of the Arno River where there are less crowds). Come to this culinary studio hungry and thirsty! This will be dinner: You’ll eat your creations and enjoy a refreshing beverage or 2 (wine, beer, non-alcoholic options). Take recipes home with you - a great, lightweight souvenir to share with others when you return home! (~3hr).

- Stay in Florence (same accommodation as nights 1 and 2).

- Wake up in Florence.

- Be packed and ready to depart by 9am. 

- We will walk or taxi to the train station and embark upon a regional train to a Tuscan town. Exact time TBA, depending on timetable. 

- Enjoy a direct scenic train ride (a quintessential Italian experience!). Train ride ~1hr. Dip your toes into navigating the Italian train system. 

- We will arrive and drop our luggage at our accommodations (early check-in may be available).

- Afternoon and evening are free. Explore, eat, relax, enjoy!

- Our accommodations include an “osteria” on site - once trip is closer, we will have the option to reserve a table for dinner (not included). I’ll be in touch to see who is interested and send a head-count. 

- Stay in Tuscan town. 

- Wake up in Tuscan town. 

- Breakfast at accommodation.  

- Pack up and be ready to depart by 9:30am.

- Comfortable private transportation will take us toward Rome with a couple stops along the way (luggage can be left in secure private transport). 

- Stop 1: Medieval Tuscan village. Free time to explore the labyrinth of tiny streets, snag a caffee latte, visit the Golden Tree. (1.5h) Meet back at private transport.

- Stop 2: We will visit Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo. Enchanting gardens in a private park (basic entry included, other options additional cost when there) full of stone sculptures of mythical animals and creates. Learn about the intriguing history of the park. (1.5h) Meet back at private transport.  

- Continue on to Rome. Check in to accommodation. 

- Dinner on your own. 

- Stay in Rome. 

- Wake up in Rome. 

- Breakfast at hotel/accommodation. 

- Optional add-on: Join a full-day group tour lead by expert guides to see “Rome in a Day”. See all of the main sites on this full day tour: the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Pantheon and more! (7hr, no meal included). 

- Option: Join Carolyn on a meandering walk. We will see a couple sites along the way (exterior) because that is the nature of Rome :) This will be an exploratory walk with a few ”idea stops” along the way, but will be overall very loose. Your feet will be broken in by now! Expect to put in some steps :) 

- Option: Free time! Ideas: See a couple sites that are on your bucket list (Carolyn can offer suggestions on how to do this versus the full day tour, and help you figure out how book ahead of time / Skip-the-Line options). Enjoy your own walk or gather for a stroll with some of your group members. 

- Evening: Group dinner, 7:30pm. 

- Stay at same accommodation in Rome as night 6. 

Some things to know going into this tour: 

- Participants must be 15 or older. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian with the right to travel with them. Future trips may be open to those under 15. Private custom trips can be designed to include any age. 

- Please review the Important information in the next tab. You will be required to sign and submit a Release of Liability / Assumption of Risk Agreement form before confirmation is official. 

- Walking is part of this itinerary. Cobblestones, uneven pavement and stairs are all parts of European cities and towns. Break in your good walking shoes before the trip :) There will not always be a convenient option to take alternative transportation (if available, alternative transportation may result in missing other parts of the itinerary). 

- Our accommodations are not 5-star luxury stays, and at times do not offer American-style facilities / services. This could range from slower internet connections, lack of AC, smaller sized furniture and spaces, noise from lively European nightlife. Accommodations are, however, located conveniently and provide a safe and clean environment to return to after a day of exploring. 

- Please pack light. It is highly recommended and encouraged that you bring a carry-on size luggage + a personal item *ONLY*. You should be able to carry this when needed. Luggage recommendations can be provided. Leading up to the trip, a suggested packing list will be provided. 

- Anyone in need of physical assistance must be accompanied by someone who can provide this assistance. 

- Please abide by CDC safety and health precautions, COVID and non-COVID related. Please abide by country-specific health and safety rules and regulations during our time of travel. 

- Please pack an open mind and open eyes. Please also pack flexibility! Itinerary is subject to slight changes between now and tour start date, as well as during tour. Travel is an adventure in a multitude of ways. Sometimes things go a bit. . .unexpectedly! Remember, things playing out a bit differently than the set itinerary can sometimes make for the best memories! “Traveling: It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” - Ibn Battuta 

By Booking This Tour, You Agree to All of the Following: 

PAYMENTS, DEPOSITS, CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS & MORE: 

- This tour requires the specified deposit amount to secure your spot. ($360 per person)

- Deposit is non-refundable.

- You may make payment in full or based on payment plan schedule. Payments can also be made on the schedule but be lesser or more than the value the plan specifies. 

- Final payment is due 45 days prior to tour start date. For this tour specifically then,  payment in full is due by March 12, 2024. 

- Full payment including deposit is fully refundable if Art of Travel needs to cancel at any time. 

-  Payments beyond deposit are *partially* refundable if you cancel 45+ days before tour start date. Deposit is not refundable. Payment amounts made beyond the deposit will be 50% refundable if cancellation is made 45+ days before tour start date. 

- Cancellations made 30 days or less before start date of tour are not refundable. If you have purchased trip insurance, your policy may cover you should you need to cancel. Trip insurance is recommended. 

- Tours require a 4 participant minimum (not including myself) to run. If tour has not met minimum capacity 60 days before tour start date, you will be notified that the trip will be cancelled. If this is the case, since it will be a cancellation made on OUR end, your tour payment is fully refundable. 

TRIP INSURANCE: 

- The tour does NOT include any Trip Insurance. No Trip Cancellation/Interruption,  Medical and Evacuation Insurance(s) or other insurance is included. It is recommended you purchase a policy based on your own needs and specific itinerary. 

RELEASE OF LIABILITY / ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT: 

- Tour Participant is required to read and consider the Release of Liability / Assumption of Risk Agreement form sent via email by dba Carolyn Votaw Art of Travel upon booking. Release of Liability / Assumption of Risk Agreement form *must be signed* and *returned* to Carolyn Votaw Art of Travel within two weeks of receiving form. If participant does not agree to Release of Liability / Assumption of Risk Agreement, Carolyn Votaw Art of Travel must be notified within two weeks of receiving form.