Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about Taste Florence Food Tours
Tour Info
Q: Can I join a Taste Florence Food Tour if I'm a solo traveler?
A: We encourage individual guests to join our Taste Florence Food Tour. Tours can only run with 2 guests minimum, but single bookings are welcome once the tour is confirmed to run. Solo travelers: if the ticketing page won't let you book 1 ticket, please email us.
Q: How long are the tours?
A: Our morning food tours are about 3.5 hours, and our evening wine tasting is about 2 hours.
Q: I don't speak a word of Italian. Is the tour in English?
A: Our guides speak fluent English and Italian, and our group Taste Florence Food Tours are hosted in English.
What You'll Eat & Drink
Q: Are food and drinks included in the price of the Taste Florence food tour?
A: Several tastings of food (enough to replace lunch) plus drinks (water, wine, and coffee) are included in the price. For comprehensive details on what you'll try, click here. You'll taste Florentine and Tuscan specialties around the San Lorenzo neighborhood and surrounding areas, and inside the historic Mercato Centrale.
Q: Is it worth my time and money to book a Taste Florence food tour?
A: Yes. Our food tour includes enough food and drinks to substitute lunch. It may cost a little more than other companies, but we offer a variety of high quality foods and drinks included in the price. This is not a simple "taste of Florence." We are inviting you to Taste Florence with us. Local flavor is not just what you eat, but who prepares it and how it ties into our culture and traditions.
Q: What is included in the evening wine tasting?
A: The wine tasting includes cheeses, meats, crostini paired with 6 wines and served by a Sommelier in the Oltrarno area of Florence. You'll learn a lot while enjoying each sip.
Some guests say they do not need dinner after, while others might go for a light meal after the wine tasting.
What to Expect
Q: What is the group size on a Taste Florence Food Tour?
A: We offer food tours for 2 to 11 guests. Our average group size is about 8 people, but in busier months we host up to 11 guests on our morning food tour.
Our Evening Wine Tasting with a Sommelier is for 2 to 6 guests, as the wine bar is a small setting in the Oltrarno. Private food tours are available for groups of all sizes and can be arranged via email.
Q: Do the tours run on rainy days?
A: Our tours run rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather events which occur very rarely (tours are refunded in such rare cases).
How To Book a Tour
Q: How can I book the Taste Florence Food Tour ?
A: The best place to book the Taste Florence Food Tour is right here, on www.tasteflorence.com - press the red Book Now button or click here. You can email us any time if you prefer booking directly.
Q: How can I book the Evening Wine Tasting with a Sommelier?
A: To enjoy a sommelier hosted wine tasting in Florence press the red Book Now button or click here.
Q: How can I book a private tour?
A: We offer private tours for families, student groups, corporate groups, and anyone who wants to enjoy a Florence Food Tour. Email us and we'll help you plan the private tour you desire.
Discounts
Q: How can I use a discount code ? I don't see where to enter it.
A: When booking via our website, enter the code for each person you are booking. (You'll find an area for discount codes below the allergy questions.) You can also email us with your discount code if you prefer to book via email.
Q: Are there discounts for kids?
A: While we welcome children, we cannot offer free entry for children as we have limited space on our tours.
Please email us for options for families if traveling with 2 or more children.
Q: How can I book a private tour?
A: We offer shorter, private food tours for families who are traveling with 2 or more children. Email us and we'll help you plan the private tour you desire.
Dietary Requests & Allergies
Q: What if I'm vegetarian, avoid gluten, or have other dietary requests?
A: We offer vegetarian, pescatarian, and gluten free items for those who ask during booking. (Celiacs will receive most but not all options due to possible contamination in some venues.)
Q: What if I have nut allergies or other food related allergies?
A: Taste Florence can host guests with allergies, and requests detailed information prior to the tour to safely host you.
Q: What if I just dislike something and I'm afraid you'll make me eat it?
A: We will always offer a substitute if you tell us during your booking. We prefer to know it isn't an allergy so we can still serve you things from a place that might serve the food you dislike without adding extra work for the venue.
Mobility
Q: Can I join a Taste Florence Food Tour if I'm in a wheelchair or have a child in a stroller?
A: Most of our favorite venues are accessible and we would pleased for you to join us. Please mention if you'll be using a wheelchair or stroller while booking, so we can be sure to plan ahead.
Our evening wine tasting is a seated experience and is wheelchair accessible except during inclement weather.
Q: Is there a lot of walking on the tours?
A: Our Florence food tour is user friendly for people of most physical conditions. We walk short distances, stand, and sit occasionally.
Our evening wine tasting is a seated experience, located about 5 minutes on foot from the Ponte Vecchio.
Tour Day Logistics
Q: Should I tip my guide? If so, how much?
A: Tips are not mandatory, but guides do appreciate tips of all sizes. The average tip for a guide is from 5 to 15 euro a person. For example, a family of 4 might tip anywhere from 20 to 50 euro, while a couple might tip 10 to 20 euro. Tipping is entirely up to each guest.
Q: What should I wear on a food tour?
A: We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for current weather conditions, and very little perfume or cologne as these can interfere with tasting and smelling food & wine, and many people are allergic to perfumes.
Cancellation Policy
Q: Are Taste Florence Food Tours refundable?
A: Taste Florence has a clear cancellation policy with partial refunds. We cannot offer refunds for no-shows or last minute cancellations.