Andrea and Guiliana arranged an amazing 9 day...
Italy
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May 26 - Jun 4, 2024
Andrea and Guiliana arranged an amazing 9 day trip of Italy.
We have two Adult sons (19 & 23) and we wanted to take them to Europe as a family before out oldest started full time work. After deciding on Italy we were happily assigned to Andrea & Guiliana (they work as a team, it's really quite seamless between the two of them)
It seems like Guiliana did most of the specific planning for us (and she was the one we did the video chat with) so I'll refer to her mostly for the rest of this review (even though I know Andrea was working on it also)
After an initial back and forth she put together a initial itinerary - it's tough because we have two parents who would be happy sipping wine in a terrace, or who don't mind strolling through a church or museum and learning the history and two boys who want to 'do things'.
Anyway after we were sort of back and forth on the initial itinerary she set up a video conference -- this worked REALLY well, I think she was better able to understand our situation and she did a great job explaining what she was thinking. After another few weeks of back and forth we had settled on a plan.
You put a lot of faith in a travel agent like this -- You can read the descriptions of where you are staying and what you are doing but it's really hard to know how special it will be. Suffice to say it was incredibly special. The guides they arranged were extremely knowledgeable and super accommodating, the hotels were much nicer than we were expecting and the arrangements were perfect (the timing of trains, pickups, etc)
we mostly did private tours (a few small groups) and the folks they arranged for us were a delight (I get the sense that they have some good deep connections with really good guides who take on smaller groups)
The only little hiccup was weather related (which obviously no one can control) and our trip to Capris was cancelled due Andrea was in contact with me throughout the morning (we weren't certain until the last moment if it would happen or not) and he promptly issued a refund for that activity.
One little tip -- make sure you have whatsapp installed and linked to your number -- it's the best way to get ahold of them while traveling.
Hotel Reviews
cool little hidden hotel that is pretty central and easy walking to everything in Venice
Very nice small hotel that is centrally located with a nice breakfast and staff
Fun place in almafi Almafi is a small city and this little hotel is for old school. It's impossible to find so the manager meets you in the town square and walks you up to the room, the rooms are cute and quiet.
Activity Reviews
Our guide (Mariapaola) has an archeology background (but probably also an art history!?1) -- she is incredibly knowledgeable and has amazing energy. The Vatican is huge, what I really appreciated was her ability to point out a few small things to focus on (either a small collection or some small part of a statue or picture) and how she can put it in a greater context.
This is a must do -- you get out of the city and ride bikes in the hills around Florence. The day we went the weather was amazing.
Super fun local guide shows you around Venice and let's you sample food... what's not to like?
Don't worry, the back and forth at the beginning is really normal, the very important thing is that at the end we manage to undestand what would make you really happy with your trip...and organize it in order to give you an unforgettable experience !
It was a real pleasure to craft the itinerary with you and Jodie, and I couldn't be happier that you enjoyed the trip so much (what a pity for the Capri trip, though!)! I hope you will keep all... Read more