Frequently Asked Questions


Read below for a selection for frequently asked questions, if you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out through our Contact Us page.
Where and when is the next tour?
We are currently accepting expressions of interest in 8-day art history tours of Florence and Venice, running late October 2025, early November 2025 and early January 2026. Please contact us for exact dates.
What is the tour size?
Artes Tours offers boutique tours in small numbers of like-minded travelers. The minimum group size is 6, and the maximum is 10.
How do I get to Florence?
Tour participants need to independently make their way to Florence for the start of the tour. We are happy to advise on the best way to get to the tour starting point from other Italian cities.
What should I pack?
Late October/Early November in Italy is the end of Autumn, however, they can still have quite balmy days. We suggest packing layers, as well as a raincoat or umbrella, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Early January is Winter in Italy, so we suggest bringing a winter coat, scarf, hat and gloves.
What is free time?
Each day in the itinerary includes some scheduled 'free time'. You can use this time to explore the city at your leisure, including shopping, relaxing, or other activities. Included in your tour price is a list of recommendations of other things to explore in the cities.
What transport is included in the package?
Included in the package is a premium train ticket between cities, as well as a taxi to/from our Florence accommodation to/from the train station. For the majority of the tour we will be walking as both cities are very flat and central, making for short easy walks between trips.
How much does it cost?
The indicative price for the tour is NZ$6000 (approx. US$3400), however, this price may alter slightly depending on the the number of tour participants, exchange rate at the time of booking, and whether you would like a private room or shared room. Please discuss with us the option of arranging your own accommodation, as this will also change the price. Artes Tours partners with high-quality accommodation partners to ensure a hassle-free tour, but you are welcome to book your own. To see what is included in your tour price, please visit the 'The Tours' page above.
Are there any additional costs?
What is the jubilee year in Italy?
Why are the tours held in late Autumn and Winter?
Your package includes two substantial main meals with drinks, as well as snacks in between activities. Some of the included meals and drinks are also pre-ordered to allow you to experience the true taste of Italy. Any additional food and drinks outside of this will need to be paid for separately by the tour participant.
​
Any additional activities or transport undertaken during your free time will also need to be paid for separately by the tour participant.
​
​
​​​​​​
In 2025, the Catholic Church is celebrating a jubilee year (which occurs every 25 years). Italy is expecting a large influx of tourists from December 2024 - December 2025 to celebrate this milestone. Despite this, Artes Tours is confident that this will not affect our tours. The busiest seasons will be Summer, and around important holidays for Catholics, both of which we are avoiding. Rome will also be the city that will see the largest influx of tourists due to its proximity to Vatican City. Your tour with Artes Tours will also involve pre-booked activities, accommodation, travel, and restaurant reservations to ensure that the jubilee celebrations to not disrupt your trip.
​
​
Our tours are held in late Autumn and Winter as this is the off-season in Italy. Following COVID-19 and with the ever increasing use of social media to promote travel, the last few years have seen a real boom of tourism to Italy, and the crowds can sometimes be overwhelming and can disrupt the enjoyment of your trip. Late October, November and January are quiet periods for tourism, with October/November still providing some balmy weather and January providing beautiful Winter vistas for those who don't mind the cold.​
​