Beautiful Italy!
Italy
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Sep 26 - Oct 9, 2024
My sister and I had a wonderful trip to Italy! Every arrival/departure was met on time and with very attentive drivers, the cars were all beautiful and clean, and we were also treated to bottles of water and even candies with each trip.
The trains ran beautifully - on time every time!
All of our guides were knowledgeable and very professional. They were well versed in the locations and engaging in their presentations, providing much historical information and details that we would otherwise have missed. They clearly demonstrated a love of their work and their country.
All of the accommodations were lovely and the staffs were very friendly and helpful. My only suggestion would be for the Venice location - we were on the ground floor and although we were quite comfortable, there was a musty odor due to the proximity to water levels. In the future, I would request an upper floor room, even if there is a higher room rate. Venice was beautiful and we also visited Murano & Burano. Lots of walking and LOTS of steps! What a workout :)
Bologna was definitely the highlight for food! Best lasagna in the world! It was nice to be in a city that didn't feel so crowded. We even got to see the President of Italy who visited and gave a talk the day we were there.
Florence was the jewel city that I'd heard so much about - it certainly did not disappoint! So much to see and experience in such a short time! The silk factory tour was fascinating and our guide was great! We enjoyed our visit to the vineyard/farm but it would have been better had we been able to arrive earlier in the day so that we could really appreciate it. We arrived after dark so there was no opportunity to see the actual vineyards. Perhaps taking into account the season with earlier sunset times would help. I'm happy to say that the wine I ordered from them arrived yesterday, YUM!!
Milan was also a fascinating city. We attended the opera and La Scala was very beautiful. We wished that our seats had either been on the main floor or in the front row of our box. We didn't have chairs, but rather stools, and it was difficult to view the stage.
We fell in love with Stresa! The hotel and staff were wonderful! The town was everything we had hoped for in our visit to Italy. The driving experience was
Overall, our trip was wonderful and I thank Eirini for all of the planning and arrangements. She was wonderful to work with! I have already recommended kimkim to several friends and those who have asked how we were able to arrange such a great experience. I will certainly use your company for future travels. Thank you so much!!
Hotel Reviews
The stay at Ca' San Giorgio in Venice was charming overall. Our room was on a lower floor, and it had a musty smell due to its proximity to the water, which was understandable given Venice's nature. Had we known, we would have requested a higher floor. Other than that, the room itself was great.
Our stay at Art Hotel Commercianti in Bologna was delightful. The room was beautiful, and the staff were very friendly. Bologna offered some of the best food I've ever had. Despite being a city, it felt less crowded than others, which made the stay more enjoyable.
Activity Reviews
Visiting a silk factory in Florence was an incredibly fascinating and unique experience. It felt off the beaten path, and with just my sister and I, it provided us a personal and memorable tour.
Seeing the Last Supper in Milan was simply breathtaking. It was one of the highlights of the trip, an unforgettable experience.
The half-day tour of Isola Bella and Fishermen's Island was lovely. The guide we had made the experience rich with history and personal interaction, making it stand out as a memorable part of the trip.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear that we were able to create a smooth and memorable experience for you in Italy. We take great care in selecting our collaborators, and it truly means a lot to know that our drivers, guides, and hotel staff made a positive impression with their kindness and passion. We’re proud of our team, and I’ll be sure to pass along your message to them. It was a pleasure planning this trip with you, and I look forward to... Read more