THE BEST OF ITALY: 12 days / 11 nights
Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti, Tuscany,
Rome, Pompei, Sorrento, and the Amal Coast
Highlighting the very best of Italy, this tour has been
designed for people with limited mobility in mind. While
there are only three accommodation stops, staying in
central Italy allows us to maximize the number of places
that we can visit, creating an itinerary that is both varied
and comprehensive. Our private transfers and transport
will bring us from door-to-door, limiting the amount of
walking that has to be done. Our local tour guides will
be selected to ensure that we tour at our own pace. And
in bigger cities we will make the best use of our time by
using eco-friendly transport methods.
Italy is undoubtedly rich with culture and history and this
will not be neglected. Our tour will be split between ex-
ploring the extraordinary historic, art, and architectural
sights with experiencing in a more hands on way where
our famous foods come from and how they are made.
There will be breathtaking scenery as we travel through
some of Italy’s most iconic landscapes and adorable
townships that hark back to Italy’s illustrious past.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore the Renaissance city of Florence
and the Ufzi Gallery’s masterpieces
• Tours and tastings in Italy’s food valley,
Emilia-Romagna, home to Parmesan
Cheese and Balsamic Vinegar
• A day dedicated to Tuscan Towns. Visit
Siena, San Gimignano and the Chianti
countryside.
• Free day to explore Florence on your
own or take a day trip to Venice
• Stop in Tuscany’s most scenic countyside
for a pasta making class on our way to
Rome
• Discover the city of Rome from the
comfort of an eco golf cart - all day tour
• Guided tour of the Vatican museum and
Sistine Chapel
• Visit the ruins of Pompei
• Full day excursion to the breathtaking
Amal Coast with local lunch
• Take a ferry across the bay of Naples to
the enchanting island of Capri
ACCOMMODATION - 4 Star Hotels
• 5 nights in Florence
• 3 nights in Rome
• 3 nights in the Amal Coast
https://www.orenceandbeyond.com/the-best-of-italy/
DAY 1: Arrive in Florence
When you arrive at the Florence airport, there
will be a driver waiting for you at the arrivals
exit. They will bring you directly to the hotel
where you will meet your tour leader, check-in
and relax. Enjoy a stroll around Florence to shake
off your jetlag and then meet in the hotel for a
orientation meeting. We will have an early
welcome dinner in a Tuscan restaurant close to
the hotel.
DAY 2: Guided tour of the Ufzi Gallery
After breakfast, we will meet our tour guide in
the center of Florence. The Ufzi Gallery is home
to the world’s most important collection of
Renaissance artwork, bequeathed to the Tuscan
state by Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, last lineal
descendant of the House of Medici.
In the evening there will be a special Steak
Dinner, masterpiece of Florentine cuisine.
DAY 4: Free Day
Sleep in, book a tour, take the train to Venice,
shop--this day is yours to enjoy.
Your tour leader will be available in the morning
to answer questions and point you in the right
direction.
DAY 3: Parmesan Cheese & Balsamic Vinegar
Today we are going to head north to the region
of Emilia-Romagna, Italy’s famous food valley.
Start the day at a Parmesan cheese farm. They
will walk us through the steps of how this world
famous, delicious cheese is made followed by a
tasting and free time of course in their Parmesan
shop. Our afternoon will be spent lunching on
local specialties including Modena’s famous, orig-
inal and traditional Balsamic Vinegar. Our hosts
will take us into their family acetaia and explain
how balsamic vinegar is made.
DAY 5: Tuscan Towns & Countryside
Today will be a big one but we will have our own
private bus and tour guide to ensure we make the
most of it. Our guided tour of Siena we will also
include entrance to the extraordinary cathedral.
In San Gimignano, fondly referred to as the
medieval Manhattan (for its many towers),
amongst other things you can enjoy world famous
gelato. Lunch in a traditional restaurant and wine
tasting in the Chianti countryside are also
included.
DAY 6: Florence to Rome
Make sure your bags are packed and ready to
go! We are heading to Rome. But why not take
the scenic route. Val D’Orcia has some of
Tuscany’s most incredible countryside where we
will stop and make our own lunch! Learn how
to make pasta and then enjoy the fruits of your
labor!
DAY 7: The Eternal City
Rome is a big, expansive city lled with famous
monuments. To cover the most ground, today we
will take a guided, eco golf cart tour covering all
the history and sights. Pick up from the hotel and
lunch included.
DAY 8: Sistine Chapel
This will be an early morning. Access the
Vatican Museum an hour before its ofcial
opening. Enjoy a guided tour of the Museum and
Sistine Chapel without the normal crowds. The
visit will be followed by a breakfast, after which
you can continue to explore the museum.
In the afternoon you are free to explore Rome.
Evening: traditional Roman dinner
DAY 9: Rome to the Amal Coast
Our bus will pick us up from the hotel and on
the way to Sorrento we will stop for a guided tour
of Pompei. Our local guide will recreate from the
ruins, what it was like to live in this Roman beach
settlement in 79 AD. There will be time for a
lunch/snack after the tour and then we will
continue on to check-in to our hotel in the
coastal town of Sorrento.
DAY 10: The Amal Coast
Our bus and tour guide will pick us up from the
hotel. We will drive one of the most breathtaking-
ly scenic roads in all of Italy, stopping along the
way for photo opportunties close to the the town
of Positano. Our tour guide will take us to visit
the town of Amal and Ravello, high on top of
the hills with epic views of the coast. Lunch will be
included. Full day excursion.
DAY 11: The Island of Capri
Holiday location of the rich and famous, Capri
offers a luxurious place to spend your summers.
We will take a catamaran ferry from Sorrento to
Capri. Our tour guide will have local transport
waiting to take us to visit the sights of the Island.
Back in Sorrento mid-afternoon.
Evening: Farewell dinner all together in Sorrento.
DAY 12: Naples Airport
We will organize transport for everyone to go
together to Naples. We can drop you off either at
the airport or at the central train station. The time
of the transport will be based on when the
majority of ights are departing.
Special arrangements can be made for people
who are looking to stay on in Sorrento or extend
their trip (quote on individual basis).
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• 11 nights of accommodation in 4-star hotels,
sharing in double/twin rooms.
• 19 included meals:
- 11 hotel breakfasts
- 5 lunches
- 3 dinners
- 1 private dining steak experience
• Wine, water, and coffee with lunch and
dinner (sufcient, not unlimited).
• Transfers and transport by private air-
conditioned coach bus.
• Assistance of a professional, English speaking
tour director that lives in country for the length
of the tour.
• Comprehensive program of sightseeing and
experiences:
Ufzi Gallery Tour Enjoy the Renaissance
masterpieces with the insights and
knowledge from our expert tour guide.
Famous Food Day trip with Parmesan and
Balsamic Vinegar farm tours, tasting
and traditional lunch.
Day trip to Siena, San Gimignano, and the
Chianti countryside with lunch included.
Cooking/pasta making class in
Val D’Orcia on the way to Rome.
Full day tour of Rome, sights and history.
Sound exhausting? We will realx and enjoy
all the sights from our eco-golf cart.
VIP early entrance to the Sistine Chapel
one hour before the crowds with guided
tour and special breakfast included.
Guided tour of Pompei excavations.
Full day excursion to the Amal Coast,
including panormaic drive, guided tour of
Amal and Ravello and lunch.
Trip to the Island of Capri with transport
and local guide.
• Personalized arrival transfers from the airport to
the hotel.
• Group airport transfer from Sorrento to
Naples airport or train station.
• When necessary/required an audio system will
be provided so that you can hear your guide
from a distance.
• Hotel taxes and service charges.
• City taxes.
Note: this itinerary has taken into consideration
particpants with limited mobility. By this we understand that
you might travel with a wheelchair or walker but you do
not need it 100% of the time. There may be some occasions
where it is not possible to use your wheelchair.
PREFERRED HOTELS (or similar)
Florence: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
Rome: Grand Hotel Palatino
Sorrento: Grand Hotel Vesuvio
Included: double or twin rooms for sharing as
couples or friends. Single rooms available by
request.
This tour is intended as a private tour only.
Tour organized by authorized travel agent and
tour operator Florence And Beyond SRLS
Via dei Neri 1, 50122 Florence, Italy.
YOUR ORGANIZER AND TOUR LEADER
Australian living long-term in Florence.
I arrived in Florence in 2001, supposedly on a one year sabbat-
ical from my corporate career back in Australia. Back then very
few people in the city spoke English. Once I realized that I was
staying, my rst priority was to learn the language and then I
set about carving out a life and a career for myself. Since 2004
I have worked with international tourists of all ages, creating
itineraries and taking groups on tours.
Other than organizing tours, I currently work creating food and
wine experiences in Florence. Many people ask me if I am a
sommelier, although I have done and continue to do wine
courses I prefer to describe myself as food and wine curious. I
love tasting wine, talking about wine, and discussing with my
guests what they like about wine.
The food and wine in Italy has such a long and rich history
which is intrinsically connected to culture and society. Everything you eat or drink tells a story about the
place that it comes from.
In my free time I still love to travel and discover new places. In my home time, I am a mum to four cats, I
anxiously await the Italian release of the next season of Criminal Minds, and I read books about Florence’s
food history.
If you have any questions about the tour, please feel free to reach out by
email info@orenceandbeyond.com or by Whatsapp call/message +393287290848
Florence and Beyond is an independent travel agency licensed and registered in Florence. In Italy we not
only have to have special qualications and experience to open a travel agency but we are required to
have two types of insurance; one for insolvency or bankruptcy of the agency and one covering any
potential damages to third parties. This ensures that travel agents uphold their responsibilities to their
clients and the quality of their work and at the same time provides an extra level of security for the
customer.
The travel industry in Italy is highly regulated. There are many people operating without these
qualications. Tours organized by Florence and Beyond will only involve collaborators and third parties,
such as local tour guides, that have the appropriate licenses and authority to do so.
Florence and Beyond does not organize or book ights, international or local. Please carefully ready the
terms and conditions outlined by the airline when booking your travel between the United States and Italy.
Florence and beyond cannot and will not take responsability for cancellations, delays, lost baggage or
other issues that arise directly from or are the responsibility of the airline.
Please pay special attention to the terms and conditions of your tour including the cancellation policy.
The cancellation policy is put in place to protect both parties. It exists to cover any non-refundable
expenses incurred by Florence and Beyond on your behalf. I highly recommend covering unforseeable
events by purchasing a travel insurance policy. Note that you should purchase your travel policy at the
time of booking or the very least when you pay the nal balance of your tour. Travel insurance should
cover costs in the event that at the last minute you have to cancel your tour. Every travel insurance policy
is different and most have a copay fee on claims.
CANCELLATIONS & TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It is important to understand that tourism in Italy has relaunched at or above the pre-pandemic capacity. We are
required to reserve earlier than in previous years, not only to ensure availability but also to contain prices as much
as possible. As such our booking and cancellation lead times are now longer than usual. In many cases we will be
required to make not refundable payments in full well before your arrival in Italy.
This trip is subject to a minimum number of participants. If the minimum number of participants is not reached 100
days before departure, we reserve the right to cancel the trip. If this happens, any participant who has already
registered and paid the trip deposit, or paid in full, will be fully refunded.
To register for the program and secure your spot, there is a 1500 USD deposit due by March 31st, 2023.
The balance payment is due by June 30th, 2023.
We reserve the right in our sole discretion to accept, decline, or remove anyone from a trip (at or prior to departure
or during the trip) if we deem their continuation of the trip to be harmful or dangerous to themselves or other trip
participants.
If for some reason you need to cancel your trip, a cancellation will only be effective when we receive written
conrmation of the cancellation from you by email at info@orenceandbeyond.com. Cancellation by any other
means, including phone call or messaging services, are not considered by us and do not constitute a cancellation.
If you cancel your trip, you will be responsible for the below amounts based on the date we receive your written
conrmation of cancellation.
• 90 days or more prior to departure, full refund minus non-refundable bank
transaction fees and taxes (approximately 5% ).
• 89 – 31 days prior to departure, full refund minus the deposit.
• 30 – 16 days before departure, 50% of the trip is refunded. The rest is non-refundable.
• 15 days or less prior to departure NO REFUND.
No refund is due if a traveler fails to join a trip, joins it after departure, or leaves it prior to its completion for any
reason. There will be no refunds for unused services after a trip has commenced.
There are no exceptions to this cancellation and refund policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism,
civil strife, airline default, strikes, personal, family, or medical emergencies or any other circumstances beyond our
control. This means that even if you cancel because of medical issues, virus, sickness, quarantine, travel restrictions/
warnings, fear of traveling or any other reason, your booking will be subject to this cancellation and refund policy.
This is why we strongly suggest that you secure travel insurance in order to participate on a trip.
HEALTH and COVID: You must abide by any airport, airline, and /or immigration policies and procedures from
both the United States and Italy (or your home country) regarding Covid-19 in place at the time of departure. This
may include being fully vaccinated, wearing a mask on ights or in tourist locations in Italy. Participants are respon-
sible for checking rules prior to departure.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance at the time of booking. Travel insurance policies can cover not
only medical expenses in country but also expenses associated with cancellation in the event of illness or other
unforeseen eventualities.
You must carry a valid passport and have obtained all of the required visas, permits, certicates, proof of vacci-
nations, and other travel documentation for all the countries in which you will visit during your trip. Your passport
must be valid for 6 months beyond the duration of the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you satisfy all entry
requirements and that you are in possession of the correct visas, permits and certicates for your trip and that all
of the information on those documents are accurate. We are not responsible if you are refused entry to a country
because you lack the correct passport, visa or other travel documentation.
Participants should check with consulates for the latest health requirements. Participants must bring their own med-
ications, insect repellent or other recommended prescribed drugs, including but not limited to allergy medication
(e.g., EpiPen).
