A Week in Italy by Train: Venice, Florence & Rome
9 days | 11 days with Sorrento Peninsula extension |
- Group size
- 15–28 travelers
Drink in Italy’s three greatest cities—and the landscapes that link them—via some of the country’s most scenic trains.
With its millennia-spanning history and countless artistic treasures, Italy consistently ranks at the top of our travelers’ wish lists. And whether it’s your first visit or an overdue return, this train tour takes you straight to the heart of the country’s culture. In between stops, you’ll watch Venice meet the horizon as you glide away across its lagoon, traverse the seemingly endless stretch of the Apennine Mountains, cut through rolling Tuscan hills, and more. Want to sprinkle some extra sparkle onto an already dazzling tour? Add the extension to the Sorrento Peninsula, where the monuments of Pompeii and an optional jaunt to Capri await.
Your tour package includes
- 7 nights in handpicked hotels
- 7 breakfasts and 3 dinners served with beer or wine, including a farewell dinner with live music
- 3 sightseeing tours, diving deep into Italian icons
- 1 expert Tour Director, your storyteller and cultural insider
- 3 local guides, your keys to Italy’s best-kept secrets
- Pre-booked transportation, including 2 scenic train rides and a private deluxe motor coach
- Entrances to museums, landmarks, and more—so you can skip the lines
Included highlights
- Zipping along a high-speed rail network, crossing the timeless terrain that connects Italy’s cities
- Basking in the golden glow of St. Mark’s Square, surrounded by Venetian icons
- Strolling past palaces and over bridges along Venice’s Grand Canal
- Looking up at the red-tiled dome of Florence’s Duomo, a Renaissance marvel
- Gazing at the dome of the Pantheon and the precious marble of its rotunda
- Wandering the remarkably preserved streets of Pompeii, frozen in time by volcanic ash (if you add the extension)
Itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Venice today.
Venice2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Venice
Included meal: Dinner
Welcome to Italy! On the outskirts of Venice, you’ll transfer to a water taxi, or vaporetto, and zip across the Venetian Lagoon to your hotel. Later, meet your group at a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Venice
Included meal: Breakfast
Sitting atop more than 100 islands, Venice is a lattice of churches and piazzas, all connected by winding canals. Today, meet up with a local guide to get to know the Queen of the Adriatic and discover why the entire city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Step onto St. Mark’s Square and look at St. Mark’s Basilica—an opulent domed church built in the 11th century to house the body of St. Mark the Apostle.
- Spy the Doge’s Palace. Now a museum, this Venetian Gothic masterpiece once served as both the residence of the Doge (or Duke, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice) and the seat of the Venetian government.
- Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs. Built in 1600 to link the New Prison to the Doge’s Palace, it drew its name from the legend that prisoners would sigh at their last view of Venice before descending to their cells.
- See a traditional glassblowing demonstration and learn about Venice’s most celebrated art form, whose roots in the city date back to the 10th century.
Then, laze a free afternoon away at a canalside cafe, watching gondolas float by—or add an optional excursion to board one yourself and embark on a canal cruise with your fellow travelers. (You can also enjoy a private float for two!)
Florence2 nights
Day 4: Train to Florence & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Start your trek to Florence this morning by heading back into central Venice. There, at the city’s Santa Lucia rail hub, climb aboard a high-speed train and settle in for the ride. (Keep your camera handy: From the Ponte della Liberta crossing the Venetian Lagoon to the Apennine Mountains running the length of Italy’s boot, there’s plenty to photograph.)
This afternoon, you’ll arrive in Florence—Tuscany’s capital and the world’s greatest trove of Renaissance art and architecture—and strike out into the city with a local guide.
- Head to Florence’s UNESCO-listed historic center and stand in the shadow of the Duomo. The world’s third-largest church, this iconic cathedral dates to the 15th century; its dome was designed by Brunelleschi himself.
- Pass Giotto’s Campanile. Rising nearly 280 feet above the city, this Gothic bell tower features the same red, white, and green marble found on the Duomo’s facade.
- Walk past the Piazza della Repubblica, one of Florence’s main squares, to the medieval Ponte Vecchio, a bridge that spans the Arno River and has been lined with shops since the 13th century.
- Stroll along the Arno and through the Uffizi Gallery’s courtyard to the Piazza della Signoria. This beautiful square, situated just outside the Palazzo Vecchio, contains several notable statues, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David and the Fountain of Neptune.
This evening, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Please note: Porterage isn’t included on train transfers. You should be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into storage.
Day 5: Free day in Florence
Included meal: Breakfast
To strike out into the famous hills of the Tuscan countryside—and taste the region’s prized wines and olive oils—add today’s excursion to the medieval town of San Gimignano. Or, hang back in Florence and recharge for a spell. One good recommendation: Escape the crowds and wander through the Boboli Gardens, located behind the grand Palazzo Pitti.
Rome3 nights
Day 6: Train to Rome
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend your morning zipping across the Italian countryside aboard a high-speed train. Early in the afternoon, you’ll pull into Rome—and have the chance to spend the rest of your day however you’d like. Consider exploring some of the Eternal City’s monumental squares and fountains by twilight—and since you’re going to have your fill of pasta, why not also learn how to make it from scratch? Add a pasta-making class to your itinerary and end the evening dining on your own fresh, sauce-laden creations.
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Rome
Included meal: Breakfast
From the Forum to the Pantheon to the holy confines of Vatican City, Rome bursts with UNESCO-listed landmarks. Today, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the ancients as you explore the capital of modern-day Italy with a local guide.
- Stroll past the Spanish Steps, where Pietro Bernini’s Baroque-style Fontana della Barcaccia has stood since the 1600s, and head to the intricately carved Trevi Fountain. The latter, a Baroque beauty carved of Travertine marble, has served as the dreamy backdrop to “La Dolce Vita” and “Roman Holiday.”
- Step inside the Pantheon, home to the world’s largest unenforced concrete dome. There, you’ll learn about the engineering skills of the ancient Romans and how they created this well-preserved temple.
- End at Piazza Navona and see Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. Commissioned by Pope Innocent X in the 17th century, it symbolizes the four major rivers of the four continents where papal authority had spread at the time.
Afterward, you won’t want to skip our optional tour of St. Paul’s Basilica—one of Rome’s four major papal churches. Add it to your itinerary to view the final resting place of St. Paul and take a subterranean journey through Rome’s ancient catacombs.
If you’d like to stay above ground, treat yourself to a self-guided tour of the lively Trastevere neighborhood and its trattorias. Need a moment of respite? Use your free time to visit the picturesque Aventine Hill, home to the peaceful Giardino degli Aranci and its famous keyhole view of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Please note: You should confirm your passport information at least 30 days prior to departure to ensure we can secure your tickets to the Pantheon. Additionally, on some departures, the Rome sightseeing tour and Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs excursion may take place on day 8, and the Iconic Sights: Vatican City excursion may take place on day 7.
Day 8: Free day in Rome
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Use your final full day on tour to deepen your understanding of Rome’s Christian heritage during our optional outing to St. Paul’s Basilica and the catacombs. Or, head to the old Jewish Quarter, where museums and streetside memorials pay tribute to a once-established community. (Don’t leave without trying carciofi alla Giudia—simply seasoned, double-fried artichokes.)
Either way, you’ll join your group in the evening for a multi-course farewell dinner, served with beer or wine and accompanied by live music.
Please note: On some departures, the Iconic Sights: Vatican City excursion may take place on day 7, and the Rome sightseeing tour and Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs excursion may take place on day 8.
Flight Home
Day 9: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay a few more days. Terraced cliffs, glitzy islands, rustic coastal villages—it could only be the Sorrento Peninsula.
Sorrento Peninsula extension
Jutting into the Bay of Naples, the Sorrento Peninsula welcomes visitors with candy-colored villas, turquoise waters, and the delicate scent of its iconic lemon groves. On this extension, you’ll join your Tour Director aboard a high-speed train once more, traveling to Naples before exploring the excavated remains of Pompeii. Then, unwind in some of the region’s infinitely picturesque towns—all under the watchful eye of Mount Vesuvius.
Sorrento Peninsula2 nights
Day 9: Train to Naples & transfer to the Sorrento Peninsula via Pompeii
Included meal: Breakfast
Start your day by transferring to the Termini railway station—Rome’s main train hub and one of the busiest in all of Europe—and boarding a high-speed train bound for Naples. Then, trade the rails for the road and make for the Sorrento Peninsula, stopping at Pompeii en route.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this once-thriving port city lay buried under volcanic ash for 1,500 years. As you tour its streets, houses, and buildings, you’ll get a glimpse of life in first-century Rome—and discover how a cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. simultaneously wiped Pompeii out while preserving it for centuries to come.
Afterward, complete the last leg of your journey to the Sorrento Peninsula and settle into your hotel for the night.
Please note: The terrain at Pompeii is uneven and rocky in places and can be difficult for travelers with limited mobility to navigate. Also, shade and seating are limited throughout the site.
Day 10: Free day on the Sorrento Peninsula
Included meal: Breakfast
If you choose to add our optional excursion to your itinerary today, you’ll sail across the Bay of Naples to Capri—a villa-filled island known the world over as a playground for jet-setters. Alternatively, stay behind and roam the Sorrento Peninsula in your free time. Many of its towns are connected via public bus, so ask your Tour Director for a recommendation on what to see (and, more importantly, what to eat).
This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your groupmates.
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Naples airport for your flight home.
Start planning today
Have a quick question about tipping or what to pack? Give us a call at 1-800-590-1161, or talk to a Tour Consultant.
Reviews
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.
Venice - Hotel Villa Mabapa
This Art Nouveau hotel is located in Lido di Venezia. Guests enjoy a private beach area, restaurant and bar, and library. Nearby, you’ll find Lido Beach, the Golf Club Alberoni, and Palazzo Flangini.
Florence - Grand Hotel Adriatico
This charming hotel is located in Florence’s city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, courtyard, and fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find the Uffizi Galleries, Piazza del Duomo, and Ponte Vecchio.
Rome - Genova Hotel
This contemporary hotel is located in the Esquilino neighborhood of Rome. Guests enjoy the rooftop terrace, spacious rooms, and bar. Nearby you’ll find Colosseum, the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, and several dining options.
Sorrento Peninsula - Majestic Palace Hotel
This sun-drenched hotel is located in Sorrento. Guests enjoy a Michelin-starred restaurant, a rooftop cocktail bar, and a pool surrounded by lush gardens with sweeping views of Mount Vesuvius. Nearby, you'll find the buzzing...
Flights
Make your journey to and from your tour as smooth as possible by letting our travel experts handle your round-trip flights. We’ll select the best itinerary for you at a great rate, thanks to our airline partnerships.
Your Go Ahead flight package includes:
- A round-trip flight for your tour from your preferred home airport
- An EF representative waiting for you on arrival to whisk you to your hotel
- Your lowest price locked in, so you don’t have to track airfare
- 24/7 on-tour support from our dedicated flights team
- Complimentary luggage retrieval services through Blue Ribbon Bags
- Dedicated flight experts to help arrange early arrivals, longer stays, or upgrades, so every detail fits your travel style
- Stress-free rebooking if your tour itinerary changes
Find out more about flights
FAQ
- 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.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- Travelers visiting Venice during peak season from mid-April through the end of July must complete an online exemption form, which will generate a QR code as proof of staying overnight in the city. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code VFT.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Venice and depart from Rome (or Naples on the tour extension).
- Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Venice, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or one bearing your name. If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
- Please note that your arrival transfer may be via water taxi.
Physical Activity Level
This is a high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to be on the move on a regular basis throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a steady-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by train
- Occasional transportation by motor coach and boat
Walking, Terrain & Physical Considerations
- Travelers should be prepared to walk two to three miles per day on city streets and cobblestones, as well as up stairs and hills.
- Stone pathways and cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- The city of Venice is fully pedestrianized, with three to five steps leading up and down the many bridges throughout the city.
- The terrain around the Roman Forum and the Colosseum includes inclines and uneven stairs. Shade and seating are limited, especially at venues such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum (plus Pompeii on the tour extension).
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.
Climate Considerations
In the summer months (June-September), travelers can expect heat waves with temperatures consistently above 90 F.
- Venice experiences the acqua alta, or high water, during the fall and winter months. During this time, travelers can expect the lower parts of the city to flood for a few hours during the day.
Physical Activity & Tour Pacing Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage-handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a steady pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The group can’t miss any activities because of an individual’s needs.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, wheelchairs and walkers will be difficult to use and aren’t recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring any mobility aids with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
Transportation by Train
- Train rides from Venice to Florence and Florence to Rome are included in the price of your tour. The tour extension also includes a train ride from Rome to Naples.
- European train stations typically operate like airports, and security measures, like baggage and body scanners, are common. Platforms are often spread out across large distances and require travelers to manage their luggage on escalators or stairs. Porterage services are not offered on train transfers. Please keep in mind that trains may only stop at stations for a few minutes, so quickly boarding and deboarding may be imperative. For full details on luggage allowances and expectations, see the Baggage Allowance & Expectations FAQ.
Other Transportation
- All other included transfers throughout the tour are handled by water taxi and private motor coach, which uses steps for boarding and does not generally offer ramps or lifts.
- In Venice, water taxis are the primary way to navigate the city—these rides are included in your tour, though boarding typically requires stepping down into a gently rocking boat.
- Across all modes of transportation on this tour, you may encounter raised platforms or steps when boarding.
- As this tour relies on trains for the majority of your transportation, please pack with mobility in mind. Travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item per person, as storage on trains and motor coaches is limited.
- Make sure all bags are clearly labeled, and always keep valuables, medication, and important documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout the tour, as porterage is not guaranteed — this includes at hotels, airports, and train stations.
- Contact your airline(s) directly for size and weight restrictions prior to travel.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. You are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Train Baggage Allowances & Expectations
- Luggage storage on trains is extremely limited, and often requires travelers to lift their suitcases onto storage racks, sometimes above the seats.
- On the train from Venice to Florence, each traveler is permitted 1 piece of luggage and one personal item for the journey. Luggage tags are mandatory for this journey, so make sure yours are attached and visible before you board.
- Your larger luggage will be shipped separately as you journey from Florence to Rome (and from Rome to Naples on the extension). Be sure to pack anything you’ll need for the ride in your hand luggage and keep it close.
- Porterage is not provided at any station along the way; travelers are responsible for managing their own bags on and off the train and throughout the station.
- 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).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single-use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without one built in.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the air conditioning in European hotels and buildings is often not as strong or cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least three days prior to departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather, or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- 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.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides and Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that, at this time, not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code VFT.
- This tour includes three dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet-style with hot and cold options.
- Venice and northern Italy are known for abundant seafood, flavorful meats, and region-specific dishes like cicchetti (small snacks similar to tapas) and polenta (ground cornmeal boiled into a creamy porridge).
- 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.
- Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese, and pepper) and suppli (fried rice balls similar to Sicily’s arancini).
- For more authentic meals, try local trattorias—small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wine and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is 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 $10 USD to $12 USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $4 USD per person per day for your driver. We also recommend the equivalent of $2 USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- 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 bring debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit and 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.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To help you feel prepared before going on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There’s no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will lead your group. Their role is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each day’s activities, and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group and can’t provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is having access to our 24/7 Emergency Support Team.
- Our extensive network of global offices and our integration of ISO 31000 Risk Management Guidelines help this dedicated team anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible, iterative way.
- Using a combination of extensive training, thorough incident response planning, and decades of experience, this team assists travelers and Tour Directors in case of emergencies—stepping in for everything from personal health concerns and injuries to major world events.
- Our On-Tour Support Team can also provide additional help to travelers on tour, arranging assistance from outside specialists and liaising with local and international authorities as needed. And if there’s an emergency on the road or at home, the team will facilitate and support communication between travelers and their families.
- 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 6 p.m. on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- 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 many museums close on Mondays.
