Florence Off The Beaten Track Tailor Made October 8 2022

What You'll Do

This tailor made tour of the beautiful Italian city of Florence will be a truly unforgettable experience. Explore the city like never before with a cooking classes to really learn about the local culture and cuisine and a private guided tour of the iconic Uffizi Gallery.

Your tour will start off with an amazing Tuscan cooking class after checking in to your hotel. You will learn the tips and tricks of Italian cooking from an expert and then enjoy your delicious creations paired with some fitting Tuscan wine.

Your next day will be an immersion into Florentine art, sculpture and architecture with a private guided tour of the iconic Uffizi Gallery. The gallery needs no introduction, housing some of the finest artworks in the world. You will see wonderful artworks by Giotto, Raffaello, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and of course Michaelangelo.

On your third day you have the day at leisure to revisit some of the places you have visited with your guide, or to discover a new part of the city. Your guide will be happy to help you with suggestions and recommendations. Florence is full of beautiful palaces and churches which are worth a visit as well as the famous Oltrarno neighbourhood. There are lots of boutique shops with famous florentine handmade jewellery, and of course plenty of wonderful cafes to stop, linger and absorb the atmosphere whilst sipping an espresso or an early afternoon spritz.

Note: The Italian tourist tax is not included in the prices as it must be paid to the accommodation on the spot; this is €6.00 per person per day for 2022 (subject to change )

On day 4 you have a fabulous Pizza and Gelato making class, working alongside others to join in on the fun! The rest of the day is yours to enjoy.

On the fifth day, it is time to enjoy a Florentine breakfast before heading off with great memories. Your host will supply your transfers.

Experience
Highlights

Enjoy an authentic Tuscan cooking class

Discover the iconic Uffizi Gallery and its world renowned masterpieces with your expert guide

Become acquainted with Florence, led by a local passionate about the city.

Learn to make authentic pizza and gelato!

Experience Itinerary

Arrival and Cooking Class

Arrival in Italy at Florence, Peretola airport where your driver will meet you and take you to your hotel in the centre of town.

In the afternoon you will enjoy an amazing Tuscan Cooking Class. Based in a beautiful kitchen in a Florentine palace and you will start putting your hands on the ingredients to create your own meal, under the expert supervision of the local Chef.

The cooking class will end with a dinner of typical Tuscan dishes, paired with a selection of Tuscan wines.

Accommodation throughout:

Grand Hotel Minerva – a historic boutique hotel in one of Florence’s finest squares, Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Set right between the church of Santa Maria Novella and the new “Museo del 900”, the hotel is perfectly located.

The square was recently renovated and made a pedestrian area, graced with an elegant, completely fresh look. In the middle of the square is a lawn edged by fragrant roses and restaurants and cafes are on every side. A lovely scenic terrace from which to enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the world -the facade of the Church of Santa Maria Novella, the Duomo, Giotto’s bell tower and the Palazzo Vecchio are spread out before you in this sweeping view sure to take your breath away.

Side view of the rooftop view at Grand Hotel Minerva

Florence Art Tour

Today you will embark on a leisurely guided tour of the world renowned Uffizi Gallery, located adjacent to the Piazza della Signoria in the Historic Centre of Florence. Enjoy this unique opportunity to discover Italy’s most important museum with your expert guide who will share stories of the masterpieces, and of the artists and uncover the secrets of the Vasari Corridor, the Medici family’s secret passageway. Italy’s most important and renowned museum, the Uffizi houses the most incredible collection of artworks from the Middle Ages to Renaissance and beyond, a collection of masterpieces by Giotto, Raffaello, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and many more. You will spend a few hours here, enjoying the gallery at your leisure with your guide.

Accommodation:

Grand Hotel Minerva

Free Day

Today is a free day at your leisure to explore more of Florence on your own.

Browse around the heart of the city and admire the beautiful palaces and churches. See Piazza della Signoria with the elegant Loggia and the imposing Palazzo Vecchio, walk along via dei Calzaiouli, flanked by charming shops, and reach Piazza del Duomo, with its Baptistry and the gorgeous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its imposing Giotto Bell Tower.

Crossing the romantic Ponte Vecchio bridge, you will reach Oltrarno neighbourhood (literally “The other side of the Arno river”), where you can enjoy the true Florentine atmosphere, away from the tourist places. Florence is known for its artisans but, these are now found mostly outside of the main city centre most in the centre. Head across the Arno and go back to a time to discover small boutique shops selling hand made crafts.

The whole area around the Piazza di Santo Spirito still thrums with artisanal traditions. Some of the typical products you can find: bookbinding and handmade marbled paper, handcrafted mosaics; handmade and bespoke ladies shoes and purses, handmade jewellery, even if you’re not planning to buy, it’s worth the visit.

Accommodation:

Grand Hotel Minerva

hotel lobby in florence italy

Learn to make Pizza and Gelato

Today you will join a group to enjoy learning to make everyone’s favourite food ! Pizza and Ice cream …… using authentic Italian recipes and techniques, which you can master with the help of an expert and then you will have the skills for life! You can take them home and practice to become a master pizza chef and an expert ice cream maker!

You will of course enjoy the fruits of your labour and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying your final hours in the beautiful city of Florence.

Departure Day

Today you will be collected from your hotel after breakfast for your journey back to the airport. Taking with you wonderful memories of your time in magical Florence. We are sure you will return soon!

Location Information

Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region in Italy. This beautiful city is known for its culture, Renaissance art and mesmerising architecture. The enchanting city never ceases to amaze, with never-ending streets to explore, restaurants to try delicious traditional food, and beautiful artwork.