Italy
New Year's In Florence
Program No. 19221RJ
Ring in the New Year in Florence, enjoying cuisine, culture, and artistic traditions as you learn about Renaissance architecture and the region’s fascinating history.
Participant Reviews
Based on 12 Reviews
SHOWING
It was wonderful to be in this historic city filled with holiday lights as well as a vast array of museums and churches featuring not only some of the best of the world's paintings and sculpture but also nativity presepe, The art historian lectures were a great preparation for our guided museum visits and we were well prepared for the time on our own in the Uffizi.
As I've said to many friends and family, Road Scholar does all the heavy lifting for its trip participants, taking the worry out of buying hard to get tickets and long lines. I combined the trip with Christmas in Rome, and they made the perfect holiday combination with an easy train ride of about 90 minutes ). Our tour leader had a special sense of humor along with her frank guidance to get all of us on time to various meeting points.
Free time options were varied, and I managed to include the Ferragamo Shoe Museum and a special and unexpected Helen Frankenthaler art retrospective. Only rave reviews for the food... a New Year Eve's dinner with some of the best pasta ever topped with shaved truffles, no less, and the best pizza options at one of the lunches.
The Rivoli Boutique Hotel has an old and very interesting story of its own along with a unique hot tub/pool that was very soothing, and the staff there was very accommodating when I requested a place to do my morning yoga stretches!
Next holiday season: Christmas in Assisi and New Year's in Sorrento. Can't wait.
— Review left January 13, 2025
New Years is a busy time in Florence, but well worth the visit. All the wonderful art museums, palaces, churches and other historic sites are open. Be aware that Italians celebrate Christmas on January 6 - Three Kings Day.
— Review left January 11, 2025
The trip to Florence for New Years included the major highlights of the city and our art historian was superb and added greatly to the enjoyment of museum visits. However it was very crowded on the streets and in the museums. The narrow sidewalks are hard to navigate and there is a lot of smoking. And the weather was cold.
— Review left January 6, 2025
Imagine experiencing Florence like a local. That's what "New Year's Eve in Florence" was like for me.
— Review left January 6, 2025
Florence was amazing. The speakers were fantastic, I really cannot speak highly enough of her. She was very knowledgeable, witty, personable, and was able to communicate her knowledge easily. I would have missed a good bit had i not attended her lectures.
The hotel was perfectly placed and it's staff exceedingly helpful, up to, and including getting me a doctor. They called and the doctor was at my room a few hours later. The doctor was thorough and professional. He diagnosed me with untreated bronchitis that had developed into pneumonia. He provided me with prescriptions that were very helpful.
The restaurants were good as were the selections of museums and sights. The Duomo, the Uffizi, and all else were just breath taking.
— Review left February 16, 2024
In the past the review questionnaire has been very specific. This completely open-ended questionnaire is not as useful.
We enjoyed the trip very much. Part of it could have been better, but overall, we had a great time. The order of the museums is great and should stay the same. The lecturer was great. The timing of the cooking class was good (at the beginning of the trip while we were just getting to know each other)- even if the chef didn't speak any English ?!?
I think you are right to emphasize the treacherous nature of the sidewalks. They were.
The New Year's Eve restraurant was particularly good.
Great trip.
— Review left January 11, 2024
Florence at New Years was gorgeous and less crowded than Rome with many Italian families active on the street which was a delight. The stunning exterior of the Duomo left me gasping when I first glimpsed it. It is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
— Review left January 9, 2024
Florence was a delightful somewhat less urban experience than Rome. Full of beauty and good food.
— Review left January 9, 2024
My wife and I, along with another couple, attended the New Year's In Florence program and we couldn't be happier. Our tour leader, Bianca, attended to every need or question with a smile. She was thorough and patient, making sure we reached each destination and no one was left behind. The guided tours of the museums and churches both entertained and educated. Tour guides Suzanne and Elena could not have been better. They possessed a deep understanding of the works of art and architecture we were seeing. The food was excellent, but hey, it's Florence.
Overall, we felt we received great value for our money and would recommend this program to anyone interested.
— Review left January 7, 2024
This is a great way to experience Florence for the first time! I highly recommend it.
— Review left January 20, 2019
I had been to Florence a few years ago and what I mostly wanted from this trip was free time for independent exploring. I was not disappointed. As a group we hit the major attractions like the Duomo museum (closed the last time I was there, the Bargello, and the Uffizi. There were three afternoons with free time so my choices were St. Croce which most everyone else also went to, the Brancacci Chapel for its frescoes, and the National Archeology Museum for its Etruscan collection. Several people choose the Pitti palace. The hotel could not be in a better location. It is on a busy street with lots of shops and restaurants but just away from the large crowds, and it is walking distance to all the major attractions. As a single traveler I had no intention of staying in my room, so in the evening it was an easy 10 minute walk to go out and have a beer, watch the crowds, and enjoy the spectacular Christmas lighting. The provided dinners to me seemed more "gourmet" than authentic, so although they were excellent I enjoyed the chances to walk in a restaurant and just pick something off the menu. I did get up enough courage to have a Lampredotto sandwich, but you need a cast iron stomach or a bottle of Tums to handle it. Marco provided very informative lectures before going out. I had taken some art history courses before, but he gave me a new perspective on how the splitting of the Roman empire, divisions in the church, a rigid system of art, and the rise of the merchant class led to the art of the Renaissance. The New Years day trip to San Gimignano, lunch at a farm, and evening concert of opera selections added to the enjoyment of the trip. Oh, and this is my second Road Scholar trip, and I remain very impressed with the organization.
— Review left January 13, 2019
The combination of the most famous art works of the Italian Renaissance plus an amazingly learned and articulate group leader made this a 5-star experience. Throughout the trip, my friend and I kept saying “Weren’t we smart to choose this trip!” Definitely recommended if you love art and love to learn. Well-paced. Excellent food. Comfortable hotel in a safe area and the group leaders made sure we were oriented so we could explore on our own.
— Review left January 5, 2019