ChristmasinTuscany

We include 3 full days of sightseeing: Florence with a guided tour included; Lucca with a guided tour included, an excursion to Pisa and a trip to Siena with a guided tour included. Please note

• A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling & walking, some with early starts.
• The order of the itinerary and events may be subject to change.
• This tour includes visits to some of Italy's most popular sites, where there is an added risk of pickpockets - so caution is advised as far as money and jewellery. Your local guides will advise on care in the most crowded sites.

• Head up to the charming village of Montecatini Alto (Approx. cost € 7.00 return)
• Taste the delights of Tuscany with a wine-tasting lunch at a local vineyard (approx. cost €25) plus transport
• Climb the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa (Approx. cost €20)

*Subject to availability and bookable locally. Prices will be advised locally.

There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.

Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters, and hotel staff of approximately €35 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it, accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.

Dressing in layers to allow for changes in temperature is recommended as the winter can be quite cool. Comfortable shoes are a must for sightseeing. Smart, casual wear for the evenings.

Passport validity requirements If you are travelling to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check if your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. Check with your transport provider or travel company that your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Passport stamping At Italian border control, you may need to:

• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address if visiting your own property (for example, a second home)
• show proof of insurance for your trip – check FCDO’s travel insurance guidance
• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay. The minimum amount required depends on your accommodation
• follow procedures if you are hosting a guest at your property in Italy

Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Italy as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit. You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets. Visa requirements You can travel to countries in the Schengen areafor up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

If you are travelling to Italy and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

Compulsory vaccinations: None. At least 8 weeks before your trip: All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. 

Euro

The transfer time from Pisa Airport to your hotel is approximately 1 hour.

Italy is one hour ahead of the UK.