Taste Of Italy New Year
Taste Of Italy New Year
$1650
Taste Of Italy New Year
8 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Rome
Visiting: Italy, Rome, Orvieto, Venice, Lake Garda, Florence, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Tuscany, San Gimignano, Siena
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ITTNY
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Experience an unforgettable New Year's holiday with our Taste of Italy tour! Begin in Rome, tracing the paths of emperors and gladiators. Explore Venice's canals and Florence's beauty. Celebrate the new year in Tuscany with Italian flair! Discover stunning sights in Cinque Terre, Siena, San Gimignano, and more. Admire the countryside, sip fine wine, and savour local cuisine. In eight days, you'll immerse yourself in Italy's finest offerings during this enchanting season!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Rome
Location: Italy, Rome
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Rome, where your Taste of Italy New Year tour begins! This morning, meet your tour leader and group at the hotel. Then, venture into the city centre for free time to wander the historic streets of the "Eternal City". Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner and bond with fellow travellers over Italian cuisine. Afterwards, embark on a guided walking tour led by a local guide and discover Rome's iconic landmarks, including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Piazza Navona. Immerse yourself in the rich history and beauty of this ancient city as you begin your unforgettable journey through Italy.
Explore Rome with a local guide
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Rome
Day 2: Rome - Orvieto - Venice
Location: Rome, Orvieto, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrivederci, Rome! It's time to hit the road and see more of Italy! Journey through scenic Umbria, renowned for its produce and stunning mountain vistas and arrive at Orvieto. Take a funicular to its historic centre atop a volcanic cliff. Explore freely, admiring the Cathedral of Orvieto facade and the Albornoz Fortress. Next, continue to Venice, the iconic floating city. Tonight, enjoy free time to wander through Venice's enchanting streets and soak in the festive atmosphere, or opt to experience the city's allure under the stars on an optional Venice by night excursion.
Visit Orvieto; a historic city perched on a rocky cliff
Day 3: Venice: Free Day
Location: Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore the city at your own pace today. Glide along the canals on a gondola, an essential Venice experience, and enjoy sightseeing from the water! Opt for the Venice Lagoon Tour to discover the islands of Murano and Burano, which are famous for their artistry in glass-blowing and lace-making. Alternatively, visit iconic landmarks such as St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Doge’s Palace at your leisure.
Explore Venice; Italy’s famous floating city
Day 4: Venice - Lake Garda - Florence - Tuscany
Location: Venice, Lake Garda, Florence, Tuscany
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The tour continues full speed ahead! Today, journey to Florence in Tuscany with a scenic stop at Lake Garda to admire the beautiful scenery. Afterwards, arrive in Florence and immerse yourself in the Renaissance charm with a guided walking tour led by a local guide. Marvel at iconic landmarks like the Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, and Basilica of Sante Croce during your leisure time after the walking tour. Tonight, enjoy dinner in Florence before setting off to tonight’s hotel in the charming Tuscan town of Montecatini.
Explore Florence with a local guide
Watch a leather-making demonstration
Day 5: Cinque Terre - Pisa - Tuscany (New Year’S Eve)
Location: Cinque Terre, Pisa, Tuscany
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to the old year and greet new travel adventures! Today, journey to Cinque Terre via La Spezia, the gateway to this stunning coastal region. Explore the five picturesque seaside towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. No cars or motorcycles are allowed in these towns, which are connected by rail and footpaths, making them wonderful destinations to explore! This afternoon, return to Tuscany, pausing en route at the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa for that must-have snapshot. Tonight, join the optional excursion for a memorable exploration of Montecatini including a New Year’s Eve dinner, marking the occasion in style.
Explore Cinque Terre’s villages
See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa
Day 6: San Gimignano - Siena - Rome (New Year’S Day)
Location: San Gimignano, Siena, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Kick off the New Year with excitement as you hop back on the coach! Marvel at the breathtaking Italian countryside on your way to San Gimignano, a small hilltop town renowned for its 12 medieval towers. Enjoy an orientation tour and free time amidst its Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Then, treat yourself to an included Tuscan wine tasting and authentic antipasto. Continue to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for the Palio horse race held in its main piazza biannually. End the day with an included dinner at the hotel, and relish in the day's discoveries.
Visit San Gimignano and see the famous skyline
Experience Siena; famous for the Palio horse race
Taste local Italian wine and antipasto
Day 7: Rome: Free Day
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Embrace the sweet life with a free day in Rome! Explore a millennia of history, from ancient monuments to modern marvels; there is no shortage of fascinating landmarks to explore today! Join today’s optional excursion to deep dive into some of Rome’s most fascinating ancient sites - the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Or, set off on your own and visit the Vatican City to admire its famous Christmas displays or embark on a culinary adventure, sampling authentic local delicacies at charming cafés. Alternatively, wander the city streets, immersing yourself in its unique atmosphere and soak up the beauty of this historic metropolis.
Day 8: End Of Tour In Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Buongiorno! It's the last morning of our Italian tour. After 8 fantastic days and an Italian-style New Year's celebration, the tour concludes after breakfast. Don't forget to exchange contact information with your newfound travel companions before sayingarrivedercito Italy!
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
7 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request -
Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
7 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Experiences
Explore Rome with a local guide
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Rome
Visit Orvieto; a historic city perched on a rocky cliff
Explore Venice; Italy’s famous floating city
Explore Florence with a local guide
Watch a leather-making demonstration
Explore Cinque Terre’s villages
See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa
Visit San Gimignano and see the famous skyline
Experience Siena; famous for the Palio horse race
Taste local Italian wine and antipasto
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Friday - Friday
Dec 27, 2024 - Jan 03, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.