FLORENCE, Italy - Private Special Interest Tours Tours & Transfers Main | Italy Tours & Transfers JDB Tours do not have to be booked in conjunction with a hotel booking, private villa or apartment rental. Most vehicles used for tours are Mercedes vehicles: E-class, V-class or Sprinter, and 16 seat minibuses. However, JDB Ground retains the right to substitute a different vehicle if necessary. Tour itineraries are subject to change due to site closings, inclement weather, strikes or other unforeseen circumstances. JDB Ground reserves the right to substitute a venue or site during a tour in the event the scheduled site is not available. In rare instances it may be necessary to reschedule the starting time of the tour; in such situations, clients will be notified in advance. Entrance fees to museums and exhibits are not included in the rate unless indicated, nor are gratuities for drivers and guides. Unless otherwise indicated in the tour description, tours begin at either 9:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. and are available daily. Preference for either morning or afternoon tour must be indicated at the time of booking. The guide will meet clients at their hotel, unless another meeting point is designated in the itinerary. Clients staying in private apartments will be advised of the meeting point in their tour confirmation. Rates are subject to change. Custom tours, tailored to the special interest of the client, can be arranged to virtually any place in Italy by emailing your request to italyground@jdbhotels.com or calling JDB at 800.346.5358. IMPORTANT: Please read our Payment and Cancellation Policy and Pickup Procedures. Florence's Grand Palazzi 3 Hours Created for those with a specific interest in historic palaces or noble families, this walking tour visits three of the most famous famous palazzi and ancient homes in Florence. The 14th century Palazzo Davanzati, home of a noble family, is filled with furnishing and paintings from that era. Stroll the medieval streets to the Palazzo Vecchio, completed in the 1300's, that contains masterpieces by Vasari and Michelangelo, along with beautiful frescoed ceilings throughout. Finish the tour with a stop at the Palazzo Corsi, home of a collector of art filled with fine objects, paintings and rare furniture. Number of Persons: 1 - 3 4 - 7 8 - 15 € 220 € 237 € 272 NOTE: Available Monday through Saturday mornings, and the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. On these Sundays the Palazzo Corsi will be substituted by an external visit of Palazzo Rucellai and Palazzo Strozzi. Entry fees approximately € 11 per person are additional. The Jewish History Tour of Florence 3 Hours This unique tour includes the Synagogue and its museum, originally built in 1882 and considered one of the most important examples of a monumental temple in the Byzantine style, with a Moorish influence. The rich interior - lacy carvings in wood and bronze, inlaid marble floors, rich mosaics and stained glass windows - will astound you. Your guide will explain the building's history and will lead you through the museum housed within. Then begin a walking tour of Florence's historical Jewish sites, including what was once the Jewish Ghetto (now the city center). Trace the history of such places as Piazza della Repubblica, Santa Croce, Piazza Signoria and the David, Via Brunelleschi and Via de' Pecori while your guide elaborates on their importance in the historical context of the city. Number of Persons: 1 - 3 4 - 7 8 - 15 € 220 € 237 € 272 Not available on Saturdays. Shopping in Florence 4 Hours Spend an afternoon, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., seeing the best that Florence has to offer. Your local guide will help you find exquisite items from local Florentine artisans, including leather goods, gold jewelry, ceramics, silver, shoes, Florentine papers and hand made linens. Each tour will be structured according to the client's interests: visit a private leather designer's showroom, or the newest clothing designers or some of the oldest merchants with generations of experience in jewelry, mosaics and cameos. Sample Italian delicacies at a gastronomia and learn about local products. The guide will assist clients in the VAT tax refund procedures and shipping to the U.S. Number of Persons: 1 - 4 € 216 Not available on Sundays. NOTE: Shopping tour is also available mornings on request Shopping the Designer Outlets 5 Hours or 8 Hours Why pay retail prices for your favorite Italian brand names such as Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Armani and more? Depart Florence with your own personal driver for a half or full day of shopping the designer discount outlets. Number of Persons: 1 - 3 (Car) 4 - 5 (Minivan) Half Day: € 373 € 406 Full Day: € 439 € 453 Not available on Sunday mornings. Pizza, Pizza! 2 Hours Want to learn how to make REAL Italian pizza? Bring the kids for a fun family experience! Learn by working alongside some of Florence's best pizza makers, in front of their wood-burning ovens. Meet directly at the chosen pizzeria in the late afternoon where the English speaking staff will greet you with a glass of spumante to loosen up your hands! First have a lesson explaining the proper procedures of pizza making, and how to choose the correct flour and match toppings correctly. Then knead away to make your own specialties, and cook them with the supervision of the master pizza makers. Enjoy your pizza for an early dinner in the restaurant, accompanied by drink of your choice. Number of Persons: 2 3 - 6 Adults, per person: € 93 € 80 Children* 3 - 12 years, per person: *Must be accompanied by two paying adults € 53 NOTE: Includes a glass of wine, soft drink or 1/2 liter of water per person. Clients meet at 5:00 p.m. Cooking in Florence 3 Hours Experience individual, hands-on cooking lessons at a famous Florentine cooking school with expert chefs from the best restaurants in the city. Enjoy their personal and typical approach to Tuscan cuisine. Our Classic Italian Menu class gives you the opportunity to choose a personalized menu (clients will be sent a list of menu selections at the time of booking) consisting of Antipasto, Pasta, Entrée with side dishes and Dessert. Or, clients may choose to learn the Secrets of Jewish Cooking, with a choice of a general menu or a special Holiday menu. Students will enjoy the meal they have prepared, accompanied by local wines from the school's wine cellar. Classes begin at either 10:00 a.m., lunch included, or 5:00 p.m., including dinner. Choice of class time must be indicated at the time of booking. € 264 per person Four person maximum; minimum two persons required; not available on Saturday or Sunday. Cooking, Wine Appreciation and Italian Survival! 5 Hours This multi-faceted course includes an introduction to the Italian Language for Survival that teaches the basics of how to get by while traveling in Italy. This is followed by a Wine Appreciation Class with an expert sommelier who will introduce you to some of the most important wines from all over Italy; and finally, the Classic Italian Menu cooking class or the Secrets of Jewish Cooking described above with lunch or dinner included. Classes begin at either 10:00 a.m., lunch included, or 3:00 p.m., including dinner. Choice of class time must be indicated at the time of booking. € 354 per person Four person maximum; minimum two persons required; not available on Saturday or Sunday. Be a Florentine Artisan 3 Hours Florence is home to many of the greatest craftsmen ever known, and the quality of their workmanship has been passed down for generations. Even if you were not born into a Florentine family, we offer you the chance to apprentice to a local Master Leather Craftsman to learn his trade. Learn the ancient Florentine art of leather making as you work along side him to cut, assemble and finish a handsome book cover that is yours to take home as a souvenir of your lesson. Number of Persons: 2 3 4 - 10 Price per person: € 220 € 200 € 180 NOTE: Available Monday through Friday, mornings or afternoons. Full day lessons on request.