We had a fantastic time. The choices made by ...
Italy | Oct 7 - Oct 19, 2024

T
Toby F.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024

We had a fantastic time. The choices made by Irene our agent were well matched to what we wanted. The tours were also excellent. The transfers were on time and friendly. We were very very pleased. Traveling by train was fine though one was cancelled last minute while the last one was quite late getting in. Nonetheless it was a good way to get to a lot of locations. I would say if I had to be critical that 1) City tours in both Rome and Sorrento would have given us a "grand view" we would have appreciated to have then struck off to the areas we liked the most. However, I know time was short. 2) The hotel in Venice while clean and comfortable, was overlooking the bus depot which was a bit of a buzz kill. 3) Because both trains were later heading to Rome and Venice, we had more free time in the previous cities which we thoroughly enjoyed. Felt like a bonus. The crowds were the worst part of this trip ( yes I know.. we added 2 more tourists to the mix ) and had I known it was going to be that crowded, I might have opted to move this trip to a later time, i.e., early Nov or late Nov. weather permitting.

Hotel Reviews
Palazzo Guardati Hotel Sorrento
Sorrento

The room was clean and comfortable. The breakfast was good. The desk staff was business only, not particularly friendly. The location was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Able to walk everywhere easily.
Staff
Friendlier and more engaging with guests.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Le Clarisse al Pantheon
Rome

Very very clean. Room was strange in that it was L shaped and the a/c was in the furthest location from the bedroom so it took a long time to cool down. It was clean, however, and the staff were all friendly and helpful. Breakfast was good, too. Location was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
A/C unit far from bed area so took a long time to cool off room.
Hotel della Signoria
Florence

Loved the chic and boutiquey feel of this hotel. It was super clean and very convenient for walking the city. The breakfast was great and staff were all friendly. The elevator was not always convenient to use (often busy) but we didn't mind walking the stairs.

Authenticity & Character
character was boutiquey, authentic to area. probably not so much. We didn't mind for all the other amenities.
Location
Perfectly located.
Staff
all good
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and room was comfortable albeit small.
Hotel Olimpia
Venice

Our hotel room had the view of the bus depot so it was a little less charming than otherwise had expected. Room was very clean and staff was friendly. Breakfast was not great compared to the other 3 hotels and it was very crowded always. It was a 27 minute walk to the main square which was a bit long after an entire day of walking. We had gone back and forth on where to stay in Venice. Staying on the Grand Canal would have been too expensive I believe?

Authenticity & Character
The room was nicely decorated and looked very Venetian.
Location
A bit far from the main square and our room overlooked the bus depot.
Staff
They were friendly just busy a lot.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was very clean and neat.
Activity Reviews
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento
Sorrento

This was cancelled so we had a private driver. It was expensive but excellent.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver was excellent.
Transport
Vatican Guided Tour
Vatican Guided Tour
Rome

Our guide was great. The crowds were horrific though.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Rome

Again huge crowds at this time of year but our guide helped steer us away from them. He was excellent.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trastevere Afternoon Food Tour & Wine Experience
Trastevere Afternoon Food Tour & Wine Experience
Rome

This tour was excellent. We had a fabulous guide and the locations she took us to were fabulous.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence with Chianti, Siena & San Gimignano
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence with Chianti, Siena & San Gimignano
Florence

This tour was also excellent. Our guide was fabulous and the areas she took us to were well worth it. Sienna was a disappointment as I had been there 26 years ago.. no real crowds then.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Florence Highlights Walking Tour
Morning Florence Highlights Walking Tour
Florence

The guide was wonderful. We were only 2 couples which was fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Prosecco Wine Tour from Venice
Prosecco Wine Tour from Venice
Venice

LOVED LOVED our guide Sebastian. He was fabulous and even took us on the less traveled path to our locations where the scenery and the lack of crowds was greatly appreciated. The wineries were wonderful too.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Venice Highlights Walking Tour
Venice Highlights Walking Tour
Venice

We had a wonderful guide. There was only ONE other couple of this tour ( possibly due to weather ) which made it more personal.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local transfer in Rome
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Irene Lappa