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Every December, Florence becomes a wonderland of light and festivity—the dazzling "Florence Lights Up" festival illuminates the city, a towering Christmas tree anchors the Duomo's piazza, and shop windows overflow with glittery ornaments and traditional Italian sweets. The historic center dresses up for the season while locals go about their lives—sipping warm drinks, roasting chestnuts, and shopping at holiday markets.
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With far fewer tourists than summer, you'll experience Tuscany at its most authentic. The sacred art of the Magi Chapel in Palazzo Medici-Riccardi brings Christmas devotion to vivid life. Markets brim with panettone, Sienese panforte, and delicious ricciarelli. Even in the winter, gelato rules—and we know all the best spots.
This week-long trip offers the must-see sights, the hidden gems, and intimate experiences hosted just for your group: an immersive cooking class in the Tuscan hills, a family winery tour, markets ranging from artisan crafts to monthly antiques, and a day trip to medieval Siena. You'll explore art, taste authentic Tuscan cooking, and create your own Renaissance-inspired works to bring home.
Please note that this is a sample itinerary. Accommodations and activities may change but we will always replace them with something of equal or better value.
An exceptional guide. Shannon is a visual artist, art historian, and Florence insider who brings the city's art and culture to life with expertise and warmth. And she's tons of fun.
The Tuscan countryside. Cook with a Nonna at a farmhouse in the hills, then tour a family-owned winery where you'll learn about the vines and sample the wines.
Hands-on art classes. Try your hand at fresco painting and gilding in private classes led by Shannon—you'll take home brilliant mementos you made yourself.
Markets to explore. From scrumptious food markets and wondrous holiday stalls to the monthly Fortezza de Basso antique market (furniture, paintings, trinkets, and treasures), there's plenty to discover.
A day in Siena. This gorgeous medieval town, famous for its summer Palio horse race, offers brick architecture, winding streets, and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe.
Shannon Faseler is a visual artist and art historian who works across media. Born in Texas, she holds a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin and an MFA in painting and drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
After exhibiting and teaching in California, where she ran the University Gallery, Shannon returned to Texas and now works from her studio in Wimberley. She continues to exhibit and curate at home and abroad, and delights in leading tours for college students and adult groups to Italy and beyond.
Settle into your hotel, then take a gentle walk through hidden corners of Florence with Shannon. You'll visit her friend Mossimo's fabulous leather shop before gathering for a relaxed dinner at a favorite trattoria—your first taste of authentic Tuscan cooking.
HOTEL CALIMALA is a unique luxury art hotel in the heart of Florence, where classic elegance seamlessly blends with modern design.
With a perfect integration into the city’s architecture and rich cultural history, it offers an unparalleled experience that can’t be found anywhere else.
Try your hand at gilding in a hands-on morning class. You'll learn one of the artistic skills Florence is famous for and leave with a brilliant memento. Then stroll through the design district, visiting traditional craft studios of perfumers, leatherworkers, and printmakers.
Bonus: We've timed this trip around the monthly Fortezza de Basso Antique Market—everything from small trinkets to large paintings and furniture. Last year's group loved it so much we made sure to include it again.
Dinner at a favorite chic eatery (bring your best outfit).
Shop for ingredients at a vibrant local food market, then spend the day learning to cook from a Nonna at a Tuscan farmhouse. You'll dig into your own culinary creations paired with wine. When we return to the city center, we’ll explore the festive Santa Croce Christmas Market.
Shannon leads an immersive walk through Florence's art treasures (including Michelangelo's David) and architectural marvels, with stories of the city's scandalous history woven throughout. Florentine street food lunch, free afternoon, then aperitivo with a view from the hotel rooftop. Traditional Tuscan dinner at a trattoria loved by locals.
Spend the day at a delightful family-owned winery in the Tuscan hillside. Learn about the vines, how the wine is produced, and—of course—sample the results along with lunch.
Travel back in time in gorgeous Siena, a medieval town centered around its famous piazza and brick architecture. Visit the remarkable Siena Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Europe, and explore the old streets that transform into a racetrack twice a summer for the legendary Palio horse race.
Try the time-honored fresco technique in a private art class. Fresco painting was used particularly during the Renaissance and refers to the application of pigments on wet plaster. This method allows the colors to bond with the plaster as it dries, resulting in a long-lasting and vibrant artwork.
Afterward, you'll visit the Galleria Degli Uffizi--one of the largest and best-known museums in the world, which holds a collection of priceless works, particularly from the period of the Italian Renaissance. The experience, which will be guided by a museum expert, will be even more impactful experience after you’ve worked with gilding and frescoes yourself.
Farewell dinner at Casalinga.
All good things must come to an end. Sigh. Departures today.
This trip allowed me to get to know a beautiful city with an amazing group of women without having to plan anything, if I didn’t want to. Shannon led us from one wonderful experience to another. I’d take another trip with the same people in a heartbeat!
--Tammy C.
The trip reminded me of who I am, what I really love, and what I should be spending my time on. My brain rested, and my eyes were happy.
--Lisa T.
This trip brought Florence to life in ways I never expected. Art, culture, food, architecture, and history, all woven into days that felt genuinely magical. It set a new standard for what travel should feel like.
--Colleen M.
Inclusions
7 Nights Lodging
5 Dinners
5 Lunches
7 Breakfasts
Ground Transportation
All activities and classes noted in the itinerary
Exclusions
Roundtrip Airfare
Airport Transfers
Alcohol not mentioned above
Travel Insurance
Gratuities to local guides, drivers, maids etc.
Passport & Visa Fees
Personal expenses such as laundry, baggage, phone calls etc.
After Booking, you will receive a travel guide for this trip, which will include more detailed logistical informaton.
Arrive in Florence on Saturday, December 12th
Most flights are overnight, arriving early morning in Italy.
Please arrive at the hotel by 2:30 on the first day of the trip
If you want to fly into Rome, it's easy to get a train to Florence, so that is also an option.
Depart Florence on Saturday, December 19th at any time.
We require all international travelers to purchase travel insurance. We strongly recommend adding trip protection insurance to protect your investment. (Scroll down for more details about insurance)
No visa is required for US Citizens to visit Italy. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip.
Starting in late 2026, you will need an ETIAS authorization. Read more here.
If you have any questions, you can contact our travel manager, Marcy, at travel@nexttribe.com
Next Tribe requires all international travelers to purchase travel insurance.
Travel insurance can be a helpful and valuable resource to pack! It can protect the investment of your trip and you while traveling.
We partner with Wanderwell, a Certified B Corporation travel insurance provider that makes it as simple as possible by not overwhelming you with options.
They offer just a few modern, benefit-packed trip protection plans that can cover the most common travel perils related to trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, travel Medical Expenses, baggage & personal effects, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and more.
Click Here to create quotes and purchase a plan through Wanderwell from our partner page.
If you prefer to talk to someone, please email support@gowanderwell.com. They will set up a phone call with you and can answer your questions.
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So many travel choices…so little time. You could spend days and days trying to put together just the right combination of destination, activities, and price.
Or you could stop shopping and start traveling with us for something that feels like the greatest girlfriend trip ever–even if you come solo. We specialize in experiences that deeply connect you to other women–travelers and locals–and create life-lasting memories. Experiences you can’t get on your own. And do it all with flexible payment options.
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