A truly ‘must-visit’ destination, this beautiful corner of Italy has solo travellers visiting from all four corners. So, tick off your bucket list exploring the vibrant city of Siena, soak up majestic art in Florence, stroll through ancient Lucca and experience the intriguing Leaning Tower of Pisa! An incredible Italian group tour to share with your fellow solo travellers, made all the more magic at this special time of year.
Extras
Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival at Pisa Airport, we’ll proceed through immigration, collect our luggage and transfer to our hotel in Montecatini. In the evening we join our other Solos guests for a welcome drink and dinner.
A full day of sightseeing takes us to the city of Siena with its maze of steep, narrow streets. Nestling in the Tuscan Hills, this vibrant university city is also one of the greatest art centres of Italy, with a profusion of fine architecture. In the afternoon, we return to Montecatini.
After breakfast, today is free for you to explore Montecatini as you wish.
This elegant spa town provides our base for the week and is linked by funicular rail to Montecatini Alto, with splendid views over the Tuscan landscape. Both are charming and surrounded by gently rounded hills quilted with woods, olive trees and vineyards.
Today, we go to Florence – picturesquely situated on both sides of the River Arno. We will explore the cultural sites and soak up the atmosphere of ‘la Bella’ (the beautiful). We’ll stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, wander through the Piazza della Signoria and marvel at the astonishing abundance of art treasures and magnificent statues this ‘city of art’ is famously known for. In the afternoon we return to Montecatini for a Tuscan dinner.
Today we visit Lucca and Pisa. Lucca is a colourful and ancient city rich in cultural heritage with an urban centre completely enclosed by fortifying walls. This fascinating city has many churches, monuments and gardens to explore. We’ll then move on to Pisa, where we can see the famous Leaning Tower. In the evening, we return to Montecatini for Tuscan dinner with music.
At 1pm, we gather together to enjoy a Christmas day lunch at our hotel. The Italian Christmas day lunch last around two hours so come prepared as you will be allowed to really tuck in on Christmas Day. Lunch is the main meal in Italy on Christmas day and is marked with traditional Italian Christmas food and dishes that Italians eagerly await all year.
After breakfast at the hotel, today is free for you to explore Montecatini as you wish.
After breakfast, we transfer to Pisa Airport for our return flight home.
This simple, traditional style hotel is set in the heart of the thermal town of Montecatini, only a stone’s throw from the famous spas, which can be reached by a pleasant stroll through the park.
Facilities at this hotel include a restaurant and bar. An indoor pool can be enjoyed by hotel guests (not open in winter months).
The rooms have a safe, hairdryer, satellite TV, air-conditioning, telephone and a minibar.
Frequently Asked Questions
The transfer time from Pisa Airport to your hotel is approximately 1 hour.
Italy is one hour ahead of the UK.
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:
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.
At Italian border control, you may need to:
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 area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:
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.
Euro
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
*Subject to availability and bookable locally. Prices will be advised locally.
We suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff of minimum €35.00 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. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
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.
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 °C | 2 °C |
| February | 12 °C | 3 °C |
| March | 16 °C | 5 °C |
| April | 19 °C | 8 °C |
| May | 24 °C | 12 °C |
| June | 29 °C | 16 °C |
| July - August | 32 °C | 18 °C |
| September | 27 °C | 15 °C |
| October | 21 °C | 11 °C |
| November | 15 °C | 6 °C |
| December | 11 °C | 3 °C |
“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”
“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”
“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
