However, I note that the dinners included at this wonderful, friendly hotel,  have been reduced from 7 to 4 and yet there is no information as to where we would have dinner on the other evenings.

Are we to organise our-selves on these evenings or will there be some provision for group meals elsewhere?

I thought the idea of an escorted holiday was that no-one would be left in limbo.

Having already enquired over the telephone, I was told that it was due to feedback and yet I have never seen any such suggestions on the community page.

Kind regards

Marie

For 2019 we have reduced a small number of meals and trips from some of our tours, including this one, to give customers more freedom and flexibility to try local food.

Our Tour Managers are fully informed about the tours that have fewer meals, so they’ll be ready to show you all the local places you can discover. They can also help with booking somewhere to eat, and come with you if you'd like them to join you.

There are lots of ways we receive your feedback, from Customer Satisfaction Questionnaires, speaking to travel agents, our live chat facility, on the phone, social media and on the Community Forum.

We listen to and value what you tell us, and a common theme has been that you want more flexibility and freedom around meals and excursions.

We look forward to hearing your feedback about the new tour itineraries.

Thanks,

Vickie

I’m looking at this holiday for sometime next year. As the tour has changed from a Thursday to Thursday holiday to a Monday to Monday in 2019 I was assuming that the running order of the itinerary would change. Can please confirm whether the order of the itinerary will change or not.

Thanks

James

When I did the Tuscany tour many years ago meals were in the hotel, but even then some people wanted to try other places....I have travelled the world with JY and on many tours especially the USA ones there is only breakfast included on many tours lunch and evening meal has to be arranged by the customers, tour managers vary some do have local information of where to eat but many do not...Unless I am wrong JY does not guarantee to escort you all day and evening. Many tours once the sight seeing has been done for the day, the Tour Manager is no where to be seen, on others the TM is available at a designated time and place if there are any questions etc..but as people split up for evening meals etc the TM cannot be with everyone.

Cindy

That's a shame that JY has decided to reduce the meals at the hotel as they were excellent every night and the local themed dinner we had was superb. I hope this doesn't put travellers off the trip as the Hotel was only changed last year and now the meals have been reduced. I hope this feedback is not about the quality of the food. I must say that was one of the reasons that I went on this trip in May this year. If you did all the day long excursions it was nice to get back to the hotel, chill and have a couple of cold ones change for dinner and then after adjourn to excellent Ricardo in the bar for Aperol spritzs etc and a have a few laughs together. The last thing I wanted to do was think about having to go into town to find dinner and split the group up as being together was all part of the experience. Marie if you do decide to go again next year a review would be useful to compare and contrast the trip. Whatever you decide Marie enjoy your next JY holiday. Calabria here I come next May.

Take care Paul

I did this trip this year in May and enjoyed it so much, that I wanted to return next year.

However, I note that the dinners included at this wonderful, friendly hotel,  have been reduced from 7 to 4 and yet there is no information as to where we would have dinner on the other evenings.

Are we to organise our-selves on these evenings or will there be some provision for group meals elsewhere?

I thought the idea of an escorted holiday was that no-one would be left in limbo.

Having already enquired over the telephone, I was told that it was due to feedback and yet I have never seen any such suggestions on the community page.

Kind regards

Marie

Hi Maria,

I'm certainly hearing you on this one and similar thoughts have crossed my mind. I've travelled on many a JY holiday and i will admit that there are certain times when i prefer to go out and try the local restaurant. However, that is a personal choice and will be dependent on my mood and confidence at the time, and the friendliness of the group you are travelling with, because i would never actually eat out alone as such. 

My concern is when i initially first travelled with JY some years ago, it was my first experience of travelling solo, I chose JY because i could see everything was done as a group, and it was - eventually you recognise on the tours that some will prefer to venture out, maybe as a small group, which is nice. However, if JY does not continue to offer the same group reassurance around ALL meal times, then it can be off putting for the less confident traveller, which is in my mind why i chose JY it's their speciality, less confident solo travellers.

From a personal perspective i do think it is important that JY keep in mind why people travel with them in the first place, and be careful around the meal time changes. Although i do remember tour reps saying in the past you do not have to eat alone, if you are alone, I will come with you - Long may that continue, but it is not a written in guarantee and that's where all those question marks start appearing when thinking of your next trip.

Thanks Kev

Here's the full itinerary for 2019:

Day 1 UK to Pisa

​Fly to Pisa today. You'll meet your travelling companions over a drink and dinner this evening.​

Day 2 Pisa

​Pisa is home to one of Italy's most recognisable sights, the famous Leaning Tower. Residing in the Field of Miracles, this 180ft campanile took 176 years to build and began to lean shortly after construction. Thankfully the structure has recently been secured yet it still retains its famous lean. We include a visit to the Field of Miracles this morning.

Discover more of Pisa this afternoon in the company of your fellow travellers - your Tour Manager will always be on hand to suggest interesting places to visit​.

Day 3 Siena

We'll visit Siena today, one of the most perfectly preserved medieval cities in Europe. Its enchanting narrow streets lined with palaces and mansions lead to the spectacular Piazza del Campo, which is the setting each year for the colourful and intense Palio horse race.

Day 4 Montecatini

Today is free for you to enjoy as you wish. Perhaps enjoy a stroll into town or maybe treat yourself to a Spa treatment. Alternatively you could head out with your travelling companions and take the cable car up to the hilltop medieval village of Montecatini Alto. The views from here are unmissable.​

Day 5 San Gimignano & Volterra

Enjoy another day at leisure in Montecatini Terme. Or, if you want to explore further, why not join our optional excursion to San Gimignano and Volterra.

San Gimignano is one of the prettiest hilltop towns in Tuscany, with beautiful palaces and churches, ornate frescoes and a fine baptistery within its ancient walls. It's also known as the 'town of beautiful towers' because of the impressive towers built here as status symbols by feuding families in medieval times.

We'll then move onto the wallled medieval town of Volterra. We will visit the Estruscan Museum, which houses a large collection of historic artefacts, and see a craftsman at work hand carving Alabaster.

Day 6 Florence

​Florence is known as Italy's 'Art City'. It is home to works by great masters including Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

Built beside the River Arno, explore the city's compact historic centre on your included excursion. Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, climb the steps of the magnificent Duomo and admire glorious architecture among the Renaissance streets and piazzas. Il Porcellino, the statue of a boar located in Mercato Nuovo, is surrounded by superstition – if you throw a coin into the grating at its feet and rub its shiny nose, legend has it that you will return to the city.​

Day 7 Lucca

Lucca is a traditional historic town surrounded by impressive walls. Explore the town on an optional excursion today. Take a walk along the ancient ramparts and admire the beautiful botanical gardens, the Basilica of San Frediano and fascinating architecture including a tree-topped tower.

Alternatively, take time to explore your resort, enjoy the bustling town and the local café culture.

Day 8 Pisa to UK

​Today we'll return to the UK.