Indulge yourself in the unforgettable flavors and vistas of Italy as you travel through the hill-towns and vineyards of Tuscany and Umbria. From the Renaissance treasures of Florence to the grape-laden groves of Siena and all the way to the chocolate hub of Perugia, you will encounter only spectacular scenery and decadent cuisine every step of the way.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Florence

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Florence aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Florence

Welcome to Italy! A Go Ahead representative welcomes you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for strolling along the cobbled streets and stone bridges of Florence or just relaxing in your hotel. This evening, become acquainted with your fellow travelers as well as the region’s famed cuisine at this evening’s Welcome Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Florence

Discover the timeless city of Florence, birthplace of opera and the Italian language. Today’s guided tour introduces you to the city’s Renaissance splendor. Marvel at Brunelleschi’s masterpiece— Florence’s massive pink, white and green Duomo. Then enter the church of Santa Croce, where the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo as well as the Dante Memorial are displayed. This evening, learn to make cuisine the Italian way at a private Tuscan cooking class. Then enjoy the freshly prepared meal with your fellow chefs.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Santa Croce, Tuscan cooking class

Day 4 - Florence

Bask in a free day to explore the Renaissance City on your own. Browse the shops of the Ponte Vecchio or simply people-watch as you sample some tasty gelato. Or opt to join a pastoral excursion to the walled city of Lucca and Colle Verde, a rural farm where olive oil is pressed. Tonight, join an optional dinner at a historic trattoria-style restaurant in the heart of Florence’s old town.
Included meals: breakfast

$99 USD

Florentine Dinner Sit back as you sip a glass of wine and are charmed by the rustic beauty that is Florence, the Tuscan capital, on this traditional Tuscan dinner. This evening promises to be not only an exceptional dinner, but an authentic Tuscan experience.

$99 USD

Lucca & Colle Verde This pastoral excursion begins with a visit to Lucca. You’ll have free time to browse in this inviting town before continuing on through the rolling green hills above Lucca to Colle Verde, a rural retreat and farm where some of Italy’s best-quality olive oil is pressed. During your half-day excursion, learn about the process by which olive oil is extracted and refined. Then enjoy a light lunch and an olive oil tasting session.

Day 5 - Siena

En route to the enchanting city of Siena, stop in San Gimignano, “the city of beautiful towers.” Take in views of glorious scenery before continuing to a local wine tasting, where you’ll have the opportunity to sample some of the region’s fine wines. Arrive in Siena for this evening’s included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Tuscan wine tasting

Day 6 - Siena

This morning, travel through vineyards and olive groves to the hilltop town of Montalcino, famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wine. Enjoy the opportunity to taste this local treasure and an included light lunch. Follow a local expert guide on this afternoon’s tour of Siena, longtime rival of nearby Florence. Visit Siena’s Romanesque Duomo, which houses major works of art by Donatello and Nicola Pisano. Walk along medieval streets to the Piazza del Campo. Each summer, daredevils race horses bareback around this main piazza during the famed Palio.
Included meals: breakfast, light lunch
Included entrances: Brunello wine tasting

Day 7 - Perugia

Continue your travels across the Italian landscape to reach Cortona, perched on a Tuscan hillside for panoramic views of the plains below. Meander through the steep, narrow streets and look for the remains of the original city wall before a visit to the Museum of the Etruscan Academy of Cortona, home to an impressive collection of Etruscan artifacts. Cross over the Tuscan border into the Umbrian region and arrive in Perugia. After checking in at your hotel, venture into the Umbrian countryside for a dinner of regional specialties.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Cortona Museum

Day 8 - Perugia

A local guide introduces you to the vibrant streets and landmarks of Perugia, the medieval town symbolized by the Etruscan Arch. See the Palazzo dei Priori, the gorgeous medieval palace begun in 1298, and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Enjoy a free afternoon by wandering along the stately Corso Vannucci, an avenue reserved for pedestrians, to visit some of the cafés and shops.
You might also wish to visit the Duomo, with its elaborately carved choir stalls, or the renowned Archaeological Museum. Or join an optional excursion to the beautiful Assisi, a pilgrimage site and home to the church of St. Francis, and the lesser-known but equally-picturesque Spello.
Included meals: breakfast

$65 USD

Assisi and Spello Embark on an afternoon tour of Assisi, a hilltop  medieval town that was the birthplace of Saint  Francis. Then take a guided tour of the town of Spello, known for its tiny stone houses that dot the countryside.

Day 9 - Rome

Journey across the Umbrian valleys today en route to Rome. Stop along the way in Orvieto, which you’ll reach via funicular, for a wine tasting followed by a light lunch. Arrive in Rome, the Eternal City, in time for this evening’s Farewell Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, light lunch, dinner
Included entrances: Funicular ride, Orvieto wine tasting

Day 10 - Rome

Linger in Rome for two nights on our tour extension. Otherwise, a Go Ahead representative accompanies you to the airport for your flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be included.)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home.

No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Italian consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Italy.

Travelers should be in reasonable health to take our scheduled walks, although we will make every effort to accommodate those who chose to stay behind.

It is always advisable to check with your doctor or local health-care provider for the latest updates and personal travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in either Florence and depart from Rome. When you first arrive at the airport in Italy, a Go Ahead representative will meet you after clearing customs. 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.

All other included transportation on A Taste of Tuscany & Umbria is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the major cities of Florence and Rome by public transportation. Florence is split up into
two separate sections by the Arno River, with most of the attractions spread out around the Duomo. The city is walkable, although frequent local buses are also available. Purchase tickets at tobacconists or at vending machines.

Rome has one of Europe’s best metro systems, serving all the major attractions from the Roman ruins to Vatican City. Tickets can be purchased separately or in bulk and also cover bus and tram travel.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised.

If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Italy rather than in the United States, although it is 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 access 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.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide.

Tips can only be paid in cash.

Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.