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Activity #504 |
North End Market Tour |
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? Can I pay cash?
Tickets must be purchased in advance, and tours often sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book well in advance. Tickets can be purchased with a Visa, Mastercard or AmEx. Cash is not accepted.
Do you require a minimum number of tickets for the tour to take place?
Yes, we only run our tours with at least 6 people. Since this is a very popular tour, this is not usually an issue, but during the winter months it may happen a bit more frequently. If you would like to go on a tour that has not yet met the minimum, and you do not wish to purchase 6 tickets, you may place yourself on the wait list by clicking on the "place your group on the wait list" link on the purchase page. We will then contact you if the tour opens up so that you can purchase your tickets.
If a tour is sold out can I get on a waiting list?
We do not provide a waiting list. If a date is sold out, it is likely that we will add an additional tour. Please contact us via e-mail at info@micheletopor.com or by clicking the 'Contact this seller’ link to let us know what date you are interested in.
Do you offer custom private group tours?
We welcome custom group tours from 10-60 people on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. Please e-mail us at info@micheletopor.com or click “Contact this seller” link and let us know the details of your request. A North End Market Tour representative will contact you shortly.
Does the tour include lunch?
While we wil be tasting specific Italian food ingredients so that you have benchmark flavors, lunch will not be provided, so please plan to eat before or after the tour - think of it as an antipasto to whet your appetite.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
We will be tasting specific Italian food ingredients so that you have benchmark flavors. If you have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, diabetic, kosher), you could just simply refrain from those particular tastings.
Can I shop on the tour?
We ask that you wait to shop until after the tour so that we can spend more time learning about the fabulous Italian food ingredients and enjoying the tastes we have arranged. Hopefully, you will allow yourselves some extra time at the end of the tour to return to your favorite stores.
What is the maximum number of people on a tour?
Since the shops are very small, we limit the regular tour to 13-14 depending on the day. Saturday tours before Christmas and Easter may be limited to 10 people.
What if it rains or the weather is inclement?
The tour is held rain or shine. If the weather is very inclement, e.g. heavy snow or hurricane, the tour may be cancelled. Refunds will be offered in the extremely rare event that the company cancels the tour, but in all other situations, no refunds will be provided.
Who will be leading the tour? Can I register for a tour that Michele will be conducting?
Most tours are led by Michele’s personally trained assistants (guides). Depending on availability, Michele might be leading a tour but there is no way of knowing beforehand. Rest assured that Michele's standards are very high - her assistants are terrific and each one brings their own special style.
Where do the tours start?
Upon registration you will receive a confirmation indicating where you are to meet the tour group.
Where do the tours end?
The tour route will depend on how busy the stores might be on a given day. The weekday and Saturday morning tours will usually end at the corner of Richmond and North St. The Friday and Saturday afternoon tours will end at 46 Cross St.
I’m Italian American and have shopped in the North End for years – will the tour offer me anything new?
We have had many local North Enders on tour and they have been amazed at their new food finds. And most important, they are able to relive memories of their childhood and learn how their food culture evolved.
What if I don’t live in Boston, why would I want to take the tour?
To learn about one of the most vibrant ethnic neighborhoods in this country. Since the tour is like a walking cooking class, you will learn about how Italians eat, the best ingredients and how to buy them, special cooking tips, and what a feast for the senses! Since most of the stores also sell online, you will learn about great sources for ingredients. Your world and dinner will never be the same.
Is the morning tour different from the afternoon tour?
Both tours offer the very same information and food tastings. If you plan on staying in the neighborhood to revisit many of the stores after the tour, you might want to do the morning tour, keeping mind that most of the stores generally close at 6pm. Otherwise, many tour participants just want to stay on after the tour to enjoy dinner at one of our many fabulous restaurants.
I took the tour a couple of years ago. Has anything changed?
The discussion of the most important ingredients remain the same. Some ingredients change according to the seasons, especially during Easter and Christmas, when the neighborhood is most festive. As we learn more, we do our best to improve upon and enhance the tour.
Will there be any place to sit during the tour? Is it a fast paced tour?
Only one store has limited seating. The tour involves standing and walking as we wind our way through the neighborhood, visiting about 8 stores. You should plan to be on your feet for the length of the tour, so wear your comfortable walking shoes. We do walk at a relatively quick pace.
Can you accommodate people with disabilities? What about strollers?
Some of the stores have a step up to enter and are not wheelchair accessible. Most of the stores are also very tiny. If you are able to leave the wheelchair outside of the store and enter with a cane, the tour can accommodate you. Strollers will also have to remain outside the store. There is no problem with their safety outside the door of the store.
What about taking children on the tour?
Since the tour is three hours long and some children have a limited attention span, the tour may not be appropriate for them. Parents, who know their children best, should assess the situation individually. Since there is a lot of standing and walking, please consider this when deciding whether the tour is appropriate for your child.
Do you visit restaurants on the tour?
We don’t walk into restaurants but we provide you with a handout of our favorite restaurants and point out our favorites as we pass by. Remember, this is a very subjective commentary.
Are the tours offered only in English?
Yes, we only offer tours in English. If you would like to make arrangements for your own interpreter to join the tour, please contact North End Market Tours by clicking on the “Contact this seller” link or e-mail us at info@micheletopor.com.
Are gift certificates available for the North End Market Tour?
Yes, gift certificates are available for the North End Market Tour, and they make a perfect gift for holidays, birthdays or any other occasion! To purchase a gift certificate for the North End Market Tour please click on the "Gift certificates: Purchase" link in the yellow box above.
How is my gift certificate delivered? Can I print it out now and give it to the recipient myself?
Yes, you can! When you purchase your gift certificate online, you will be presented immediately with your gift certificate so that you can print it out and deliver it. If you buy it over the phone, a link to your gift certificate will be emailed to you as soon as your purchase is completed.
What if I want the gift certificate emailed to the recipient instead?
That's no problem, either! When you purchase your gift certificate, just select the option to have the certificate emailed directly to the recipient and provide their email address. You'll even be able to decide whether you want the email sent immediately or if you'd prefer to schedule it to be emailed on a future date. (For instance, if you want to buy it today so you don't forget, but you don't want it emailed to the recipient until their special day!)
Can we take photos during the tour?
Still camera shots are welcomed and with the characters in the neighborhood, you could find yourself with some memorable photos. Video cameras are not allowed.
Are bathrooms available during the tour?
Except for emergencies, bathroom stops are not available during the tour. Prior to the tour, all coffee shops have bathrooms for customers.
Do you offer discounts for travel agents?
The standard travel agent discount is 10% for up to 4 people. This discount is valid for travel agents who will be attending the tour, and requires the agent to provide a business card at the start of the tour. To use this discount, please contact North End Market Tours by clicking "Contact this seller" and providing your travel agency's name and contact information.
