Kimkim Trip Reviews for Italy

Our family vacation through Italy was wonderful. With KimKim's help there was something for each member of our family. We experienced tours that engaged everyone from our seven year old, our teenagers and ourselves. The experiences were designed with each of our interests in mind and tour guides were extremely knowledgable and personable. Everything from the amazing food tour and winery to the cultural experiences were carefully planned during a busy travel season.
There was confusion over a locale to begin one of our tours which Kim Kim quickly solved by ensuring we were able to join another tour an hour later and the problem was quickly resolved.
Our transfers went smoothly between cities and within cities and drivers were quick to explain details about locations and make suggestions on activities.
Thank you for your assistance in having a wonderful time with our family.
Kimberly & John Emmert

The trip to Italy and Greece is one of our most memorable trips. Eleni understood our requirements perfectly and arrange the stays, travel and other arrangements to perfection.

We were given choices of unique farm stays, borgos which we would not have found otherwise. Especially in Greece, we would have never ventured into Meteora and Zagori region without Eleni's inputs. That part of the world is magical and is one which we would have never figured out without the advice of a local specialist like Eleni.

She was very patient with my multiple queries and made changes as needed.

Would love to travel to Greece and Italy again with her support.

Best wishes

Our trip to Italy was AMAZZZING! Thanks to Andrea's help, it was flawless. I will always recommend and use KimKim when I plan international trips. Every detail from hotel choices, train schedules, car pickups and the selection of tours were impeccable. Andrea checked in with us multiple times throughout our trip and it was comforting knowing that Andrea was a phone call away if we had any issues. Andrea is extremely professional as was the entire Kim Kim crew. I could not be happier with our trip and Andrea's recommendations at every level. Thanks for helping our family plan the trip of a lifetime! You are aweome!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel L'Orologio

Authenticity & Character

Location

beautiful views of the Grand Canal

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Palazzo Murat Positano

Positano

The setting is beautiful and I loved the view of the Mediterranean from the pool. The entire staff was very helpful and Rosita was amazing! So lovely and warm!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Degli Artisti

Rome

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

The Jewels of Venice (St. Mark & Doge Palace)

Venice

Cicchetti guided experience

Venice

Giovanni was lovely

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Florence private guided walk including Accademia Gallery

Florence

She as an excellent guide and very knowledgeable and friendly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Uffizi Gallery Guided Visit (private guide)

Florence

She was a very knowledge and interesting guide with a vast knowledge of the art history. Enjoyed the tour a lot

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day trip to Capri Island from The Amalfi Coast - small group

Italy

In retrospect, I would have preferred to have rented a more luxurious faster boat. The captain was excellent, but the boat was not very comfortable. It was a long ride, over an hour and a half, and the seats were not very comfortable. I had a better experience in Nice renting a faster and more comfortable boat. We did enjoy swimming in the grottos, but I should have selected a more comfortable boat.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Colosseum and Roman Forum - Private guide

Rome

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

St. Peter's, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter Basilica - private guide

Rome

She was an excellent guide with tremendous knowledge.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This past July my wife, daughter, and I enjoyed the most incredible trip through central and southern Italy. Francesca, our travel specialist, arranged wonderful hotels, engaging tours, and very reliable transfers. Our trip began in Rome at the 47 Boutique Hotel which, while small, was modern, charming, and ideally located. We were a short walking distance from Trastevere and all the sights in Centro Storico. Then, in Sorrento, we stayed at the Grand Hotel President which had stunning views of the coast. While there, we took trips to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello with Colomba from I Go Travel. Colomba could not have been more friendly, and she was wonderful with our 10 year old daughter. We were also driven by her brother Giuseppe from Naples to Sorrento and then from Sorrento to Pescara. I would highly recommend Giuseppe (also from I Go Travel) for any transfer travel needed in Central/Southern Italy. In Pescara, the final leg of our trip, we stayed at Villa Maria Hotel which had gorgeous grounds, a delicious restaurant, and a number of beautiful pools. While in Pescara, we got to meet Francesca and thank her in-person for helping to arrange the ideal itinerary. From the planning to the trip itself, she was available, collaborative, and highly responsive. We will be forever grateful to her and all the guides for helping create a trip rich with such beautiful memories.

We cannot describe how happy we were with the level of professionalism and attentiveness we had working with kimkim. Andrea and Giustino took excellent care of us virtually. If ever we had a question they were right there to answer us. They made sure we had everything we needed, hotels, train tickets, restaurant recommendations, excursions, etc. Perfection. Truly.

The experience they booked us was better than we could have hoped. Our guides were excellent, especially Isadora in Bologna. She was very knowledgeable and a blast to spend the day with. Peter at the Hotel Gardena was very helpful and a hoot. Everyone at the family owned and operated Hotel Reginella in Positano were lovely. We would definitely stay with them again. And we cannot forget the boys on the boat to Capri. They made the day super fun. We really did have a trip of a lifetime. Turning 50 in Italy was a dream come true.

My sister was so impressed with kimkim she is booking her Argentina trip with them.

Thank you so very much Andrea for being so wonderful. We hope to work with you again someday.

Jennifer, Jeralyn, and Melissa

Brilliant! Do not hesitate!! This is our second time using Kim Kim as a travel service. Their team was incredible, there for us at every stop, and moment of need. Even when things didn’t go as planned (which can happen) their members were diligent & present by phone, text, email immediately. Cannot recommend them strongly enough. Their suggestions for things to do as a family, excursions, hotel recommendations were perfect!

Hotel Reviews

Borgo di Pietrafitta Relais

Castellina in Chianti

stunning

Authenticity & Character

Location

Vistas

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Howard Firenze

Florence

Fun & well located. Great staff recommendations

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Modigliani

Roma

Good location & helpful staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

G

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Vatican Guided Tour

Rome

Wonderful ! Was not enough time - even at 3.5 hours

Quality of Experience

Seeing everything

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Answered all my questions

Transport

Great guide & experience

Vale was a dream to work with as we planned our trip only weeks before. She seamlessly moved us from Rome to Sicily and back to Rome and took my husband's medical restrictions into consideration for daily activities. All of the drivers and guides were top-notch.

Activity Reviews

Etna Wine tasting

Italy

Our guide, Dennis, was one of a kind. Not only did he have personality for days, but he was also so very caring. My husband has a few medical issues and could not quite make it up to the top of our tour. Dennis ensured he was comfortable and safe as we continued our trek, always keeping my husband in sight. The winery...gorgeous! Everyone was so friendly, and the food and wine were superb.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dennis!

Transport

Private Colosseum, Forum Tour & Palatine hill

Rome

Our guide was a scholar and kept us engaged for the entire 3 hours. She was so wonderful that we were spoiled, and no other guide after could quite compare.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Small group tour of Vatican City , Sistine Chapel & saint Peter's Basilica

Rome

The place is just dripping in art. It is very obvious that the guide had a script that she had to stick to, so asking questions was sometimes futile.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rome Underground & Catacombs Tour

Rome

Super interesting tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private golf cart tour

Rome

This was a perfect way to the city. Our guide took us to locations we would never have seen if we had tried to walk or take individual tours. The cart was pleasant and quiet, which allowed us to ask questions quite easily.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This trip was beyond expectations. Every detail was considered and the places visited were amazing. In Venice, Bologna, and Rome we began our first day with a walking tour. This was a great way to orient ourselves to the cities and sights. The highlight for us was a tour with Isadora in Bologna where we visited a parmesan factory, learned about Balsamic Vinegar, made our own pasta, and visited a Proscuitto factory. She was spectacular and the tour owner was a hoot! With all there is to see and do in Italy we would not go back to Bologna again. Positano was one of the most magical places visited. The Amalfi coastline is just as beautiful in person as it is in pictures. You will need to spend some time on a boat to fully appreciate the beauty!

If planning a trip to Rome, give yourself at least four full days in this magical city. There is so much to see and absorb. It's incredibly hot in the summer so plan to get out VERY early before all the tourists swarm the popular spots and take a break in the afternoon. You will do A LOT of walking so bring comfortable shoes.

Our trip was arranged with plenty of time for exploring on our own and private planned excursions. Andrea was our point of contact at KimKim and was ALWAYS available to answer questions. I can not recommend KimKim enough and if you are planning a trip to Italy then Andrea and Giustino are the people to pull this together for you. Amazing experience and I will 100% use them again to plan our trip back!!!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Gardena Venezia

Venice

The people here were amazing and the location was perfect. However, hotel is very outdated with stained furniture and carpets, barely functioning A/C, hair dryer from 1970, and uncomfortable beds. This is a 2-3 star hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Reginella Positano

Positano

A family-owned and operated hotel that was so lovely!!! It was in a perfect spot with a 15 minute walk to the beach.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Continental

Sorrento

Beautiful hotel in a central part of Sorrento! Loved the roof top pool and bar!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Parlamento Boutique Hotel

Rome

Hotel was in the heart of Rome! However, it is VERY small and located in a building with 2 other hotels. There are virtually no amenities so don't expect anything beyond a room and a 1 person elevator. The staff was okay but overall not very friendly. This is a 3 star hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Art Hotel Orologio

Bologna

This was not our hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hidden Venice and cicchetti experience

Italy

Bologna guided visit

Bologna

Food day including Balsamic Vinegar, Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano - from Bologna

Italy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Winery visit and wine tasting in the Amalfi Coast

Italy

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day trip to Capri Island from Sorrento - small group

Italy

Rome Private Guided Walk

Rome

Rome food walk - private group

Rome

This was underwhelming and did provide anything new. Waste of time that could have been spent doing other things.

We had a wonderful and dream trip to Italy. This was our first time using kimkim and Jessica from Storywalking. Jessica could not have have been more helpful with her suggestions. She was spot on with our itinerary. We visited Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi. We also did day trips to Cinque Terre, Sienna, Pisa, Lucca and San Gimignano. We thoroughly enjoyed all the activities that Jessica had booked for us. We would rate Jessica 10/10 for last minute flexibility, given we had an 11 and a 14 year old with us. Not only was Jessica understanding and accommodating, she provided on the spot alternatives based on the changing weather and moods 😀Thank you so much Jessica!!! We can't wait to come back to Italy!!

Activity Reviews

Cinque Terre Private Day Tour from Florence with Lunch

Italy

Beautiful place. Loved it.

Quality of Experience

Everything

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Awakening the Duomo: exclusive early entrance to cathedral, baptistery and Brunelleschi's Dome

Florence

Such an wonderful experience

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Pisa and Lucca Tour from Florence

Italy

Loved Lucca. Awesome place and food.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private sunset Boat tour

Italy

Vatican Tour & Sistine Chapel

Rome

Loved the tour and the guide

Our family is usually hesitant to use travel agents, we prefer to do everything ourselves. This year though, we decided to take a chance with kimkim, and we couldn't have been more happy with the results! We had 7 perfect days in Italy and Greece, with just the right mixture of seeing as much as possible while taking days off to relax. Our tour guides were all very knowledgeable, friendly, and more than happy to customize our experience. The travel team is also very responsive and flexible, able to make changes with short notice. One morning we had missed our timeslot for a Colosseum tour, but our tour guide and travel agents worked together to get us there and squeeze us in, despite the usually strict time slots. Ina, our travel agent who coordinated the trip, offered to give us a tour of Athens. She was really friendly and fun to be around, and we greatly appreciated her time and knowledge of the area. Overall, we couldn't be more impressed with this company and are looking forward to future trips with them!

I had used Kim Kim previously for a trip to Greece in 2018 and was very pleased with their services so I contacted them again and Chris Gravas was assigned as my travel specialist. He is fantastic! From the very beginning he was on top of things. First he wanted a phone call to get a feel for what I was looking for, after that we corresponded via text and email to make sure my trip was tailored exactly the way I wanted it. He responds to emails and texts within minutes (of course during work hours). All through out our trip he was in contact with me making sure everything was going according to plan. I always had a way to communicate with him during the trip so I was always confident that IF something came up I could contact him. However he is so organized and so on top of things that nothing "comes up". Chris is so fantastic that I also had him plan my son's honey moon in Greece and he has also planned trips in Italy for 2 of my sisters in law. Chris has planned the most amazing tours, activities, etc for our trips! The great thing about Kim Kim is that you can personally request a travel specialist and Chris is my ONLY choice! As mentioned above he has planned 4 excellent trips for our family!!

Chris did an amazing job orchestrating every event and excursion and tour for our trip to Italy! From the smallest detail, his directions were clear and precise!

We were greeted at the airport by a water taxi in Venice and taken to the sweetest hotel!! We felt like guests in someone’s home and the service there was amazing. We enjoyed watching the gondolas drivers out front with our breakfast. This hotel set the tone for our entire trip to Italy!

Andres, our tour guide in Venice, was TOP NOTCH!!! His background was in architecture, he was born and raised in Venice, and was extremely personable. His accent was beautiful but he was able to communicate easily in English!!

The quick train ride to Florence was a nice way to see the surrounding area. We enjoyed our tour but our guide wasn’t as seasoned but communicated well. Unfortunately, we were only there for 24 hours and that just wasn’t long enough to get a feel of the area. Next time, we will plan to spend some time at a Vineyard outside of the city.

We loved Rome and all of its history! The Colosseum was unbelievable and our guide was extremely knowledgeable. He poured tons of information into 3 hours. However, his broken English made it very difficult to understand much of what he said.

Later that evening, we took a FABULOUS cooking class. Davida and Aaron taught us how to make two types of pasta, two kinds of sauces, and homemade tiramisu. It was a small group of eight and so enjoyable. It will be one of our favorite memories of Italy.

The next day, we went on a food tour and also saw the marketplace. Luca was our tour guide and made sure our experience was very enjoyable. We also had an evening food tour that we canceled so our last night in Rome could be at an enjoyable restaurant. It was an exhausting but AMAZING adventure for our family! We plan to go back so we can also see the coast line areas. I imagine that trip to be more relaxing. I will definitely be calling Chris with the Kimkim team to make those arrangements.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Antiche Figure

Venice

This was our favorite hotel by far!! ❤️🇮🇹 It was quaint and sweet and comfortable. The owners went out of their way to make us feel completely at home. They had an enormous breakfast spread and little tables out front where we could watch the gondola drivers prepare for the day. I highly recommend Hotel Antiche Figure in Venice!!

Authenticity & Character

The decor was very authentic to Venice and it was charming!

Location

Gondolas out front and just over the bridge was the train station and lots of shops and restaurants.

Staff

The staff went out of their way to be helpful and accommodating in every way. They kept saying to us, “Please, you are as if at home!”

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was immaculate and very comfortable too!

Grand Hotel Baglioni Firenze

Florence

Our hotel room was very comfortable and nice. We were able to get checked in a little earlier than normal and the staff was very accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Hotel Palace

Rome

This hotel was very beautiful. Because of our early tours we never got to eat breakfast but the bar and dining area seemed nice. I wanted so badly to give this hotel a higher rating but we weren’t able to get much sleep because the bed was extremely uncomfortable. The hotel sheets were very scratchy and the pillow was as hard as a rock which was disappointing for such a nice hotel. My husband and I could feel every spring in the mattress and we tossed and turned literally for hours both nights and woke up feeling exhausted and sore. I don’t understand how a Hotel of this caliber can miss the mark in such a big way on the bed. I feel it’s so unfortunate to give what “appeared” to be a five star hotel only three stars. Sadly, we would not recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Nothing very memorable except that it was nice.

Location

This was a 10 minute drive to anywhere we were going so we did need a taxi for most anything we did.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Needs new mattresses, hotel quality pillows and sheets!

Activity Reviews

Day at Leisure in Venice

Venice

Our tour guide was fabulous!! He had a beautiful accent but his English was easy to understand. The pace of the tour was leisurely and enjoyable and so informative. Our guide with native to Venice and an architect major so he shared many things that most guides may not know. Left this tour and highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our amazing guide!!

Transport

Easy access to train station!

Essential Venice

Venice

Excellent experience with our tour. Our guide was an architect major and was able to share details that I don’t think many guides would know. He was exceptional and easy to communicate with. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour.

Quality of Experience

Our first excursion was to ride the train into the alps. We loved it. It was so beautiful. Recommend highly. Great experience.
Our visit to Lake Como was great. Very beautiful lake. We rode around it on a ferry. Then went to a fabulous restaurant for lunch. We were celebrating our anniversary (50th) and my son and Daughter-in-law’s 20th anniversary. Our grandkids went swimming in the lake after lunch. Very nice day. Roberta did a great job.
We stayed in the Santa Rosa Grand Hotel in Milan. Very nice hotel.
Florence: I can’t remember the name of the hotel in Florence but it was nice. This hotel had the best breakfast.
Half our group went into the Tuscany wine region next. We visited several wineries and also went to the Italian/US WW2 memorial for US soldiers killed in this region. Very moving! Extremely well done. Thank you Claudio for taking us there.
The other half had a rather harrowing experience riding bikes on a bike tour in the old city. The guide was not good. She actually rode off and left them. The gelato making was a success though. Everyone loved that.
The Cinque Terra was kind of a disaster due to the fact that our driver spoke NO English and had never been to the area before. We were expecting an English speaking guide but that didn’t happen. Our driver just dumped us out and indicated we should meet him back there at 4. Because we had expected to have a guide we didn’t really look into the possibilities. We ended up riding the train to Monterosso where the kids went swimming and we did some shopping. The tour company offered to pick us up there to try to make up for the completely non-English speaking driver. Since the driver had never been there before, we had a hard time finding each other. Definite an experience.
We had great helpers with our train transfers. They all did a good job.
Venice: Nice Hotel, my son had a private terrace. Large private terrace. We went on a city tour through Basilica San Marco-and the Doge palace. Nice tour with Allyssa. She was very knowledgeable but a bit overly so. We were pretty exhausted and struggled a bit…maybe if it hadn’t been so hot! Our visit to the Academy was, of course, one of the highlights. We also did a food tour. The adults enjoyed it. The kids, not so much. The gondola ride was great. Everyone really enjoyed it.
Train transfer back to Milan was great and uneventful. Flew out the next day.

Cecilia was amazing and very helpful. Me and my wife had an amazing time. We needed to make multiple adjustments due to the heat and other things and Cecilia made it all happen. Thank you so much!!!

Activity Review

Morning Colosseum, Roman Forums and Palatine Hill

Rome

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We only dealt with Giustono in the beginning, but then were being expertly managed by Andrea, whom we cannot say enough about. He answered our calls, texts, questions in a timely manner and KILLED IT every time!!! I loved the experience so much, I’m working with another KimKim referral for next year’s trip to Argentina. 😊

Fabio was very nice to work with. I think he was a little busy as sometimes we didn't hear back. We also didn't quite get the level of detail and communication that we would have liked to understand what he had planned and feel comfortable and confident in our trip. For instance, we asked for a boating experience and didn't realize until we got to the boat place that what he booked was a 9-hour excursion that was more focused on visiting towns than boating.

We did very much appreciate some of the concierge's help while we were there. Our luggage was lost and she was very helpful in tracking it down and getting it to us. And the drivers were always on time. We didn't understand the purpose of the person who met us in Sorrento, as he didn't live there and didn't provide any helpful info. Neither he nor the concierge could help us with local restaurant info, etc.

We also didn't really understand who to ask for questions we had and felt like one person would say, no ask the other person, etc. which wasn't great.

We did really love the person who was with us in Radda, Felipo. We are glad we did too as even though we thought we were getting booked on totally different excursions, he ended up leading them all - a biking tour, a hiking tour, and even a cooking class.

All in all, we had a great trip, but feel there are some kinks that Kim Kim, etc. should work out.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Balestri

Florence

Very nice people, updated rooms done quite nicely. Very bizarre collection of Goofy figures in the lobby area that clashed with the vibe of the hotel. Great location. Not a very sound proofed room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Palazzo Leopoldo

Radda in Chianti

Very bare bones hotel. Cheap towels, toilet paper, sheets. You have to pay to get a robe or an extra towel. We could hear word for word conversations of the people outside. It also wasn't cleaned very well, and the AC could not keep up with the extreme outdoor heat. I found most of the staff to be overly formal and one, when we requested an upgraded room, to be on the rude side. It is super old, so if you are looking mainly for historic character and not a higher-end experience, this may work for you.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Hotel Capodimonte

Sorrento

We ended up enjoying this hotel, but giving it 3 stars because the first room they put us in smelled strongly of mold and had black mold around two of the vents in the room. It was also right next to the pool so we could hear the people at the pool in our room, and it also did not have hot water. The hotel initially said sorry we are booked when we tried to get another room, but I was persistent and magically they gave us a different room that did not have these issues. We loved that room. The other thing that was a bummer about this hotel was the pool. We had not had a break from our kids in years and so were bummed that the pool was full of kids being kids - it just was not at all relaxing and so we didn't use it other than the initial time we went. Very good breakfast. Really pretty hotel overall.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tough one - the initial room they put us in would get 0 stars, but the one we finally got did not have issues and was great.

Activity Reviews

Private biking tour with lunch & wine tasting

Italy

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Organic cooking class in a typical farmhouse - semi private

Italy

Quality of Experience

It was lovely, but quite hot

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Absolutely perfect trip top to bottom. White glove service all along. Alessandro was fantastic at both his plan for us and his willingness to work with us as the trip played out. Wonderful trip!

Our trip to Italy was a bucket list trip for us without the kids to celebrate an anniversary milestone. Sonia, our trip planner, was diligent in putting together an itinerary that suited what we were looking for and diligently tweaked the plan until it was perfect. She found a real balance of city/lake/mountain that we wanted.

We thoroughly enjoyed our private organic Prosecco tasting overlooking the hilly countryside, private pasta making class taught by the most personable chefs, and hiking in the Dolomites with tour guide.

We usually plan trips ourselves, but in addition to putting together the trip plan, an unexpected benefit arose when our flight from the US was delayed by a day and Sonia’s team scrambled to adjust all of our arrangements without us having to do the extra work.

We highly recommend KimKim and Sonia in particular!

Words can't describe just how excellent Jessica and the kimkim team were in making our trip to Italy unforgettable. We had never used a travel agent before, and were visiting Italy for the first time. We are so glad we chose kimkim and Jessica for planning the trip. Our family went back and forth about which cities to visit, what to do, and how long to stay. With each change in our plans Jessica came up with great ideas and a new plan. Jessica arranged our tours and transportation, leaving ample room for free day at the beach or to explore on our own. Private car drivers were prompt and personable and the tour companies for Rome (Lorenzo, walking tour guide extraordinaire!), Pompei (Mena!), Capri (grazie, Francesa and Gabriele!), Lake Como (Renzo, who made us feel so welcome we felt we'd known each other or years) and the Vatican were top-notch, helping us navigate Il bel paese through crowds and summer heat! When a slight hiccup found us off the Pompei tour list, Jessica spoke personally to the tour company! Amazing. A special mention to the Hotel Mignon in Sorrento -- a very special place!

Hotel Reviews

Bettoja Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio

Rome

Gilded, Old world feel -- like a movie set! -- with lots of modern touches. You really feel like you're somewhere special at this hotel. The staff is incredible. We arrived mid-morning and got to check in early instead of leaving our bags in storage. The room had high ceilings, great air and a large bathroom, and an actual writing desk! Breakfast was really spectacular (the "homemade cake" was different each day but always a special treat.) Great restaurant and lots of other food choices, including a Coop market, nearby. The hotel is a block from the terminale (transit hub) -- buses, trolley and trains -- but the area never seemed crowded and there was no noise. SS. Maria Maggiore, Colosseum, Minerva Temple ruin, and several archeological and historical sites and museums are within walking distance (all within about a mile, although it felt like more in the summer heat). And just a few blocks from some cool residential neighborhoods, shopping and theatres. Highly recommended.

Authenticity & Character

"Authentic" and "character" are exactly how I would describe this hotel. It's a work of art in itself. I found myself saying "this is what I always thought I European hotel should be like."

Location

the hotel is close to rains and other transit but it's like a quiet oasis. I loved that I could go out for morning run each day of my stay and could see something really interesting in every direction.

Staff

Staff always say hello and ask how you're doing. Professional but never standoffish.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel is pristine.

Hotel Mignon Sorrento

Sorrento

This hotel is amazing! Combine a resort-spa with boutique hotel: tile everywhere, Mediterrenean-themed rooms, with great closet space and big shower. Incredibly helpful and friendly staff (you'll know all their names and the kitchen staff will seem like family by the time you leave.) Sunshine, lemon and orange trees are literally within your grasp from the room's balcony, and you're steps away from the best shopping, dining and some incredible sights, like local churches, woodworking, ceramic and photo galleries and a medieval fort is right next door! The hotel is a little way from the beach (and uphill from it, like just about everything in Sorrento) but the path is easy to find and there are cool things to see every step of the way. We were truly sad to leave Hotel Mignon. We would stay there again without hesitation.

Authenticity & Character

Feels like a spa: it's exactly like a Sorrento vacation should feel like. Peaceful.

Location

It's a quiet place steps away from everything -- sightseeing, tour pickup location, restaurants, churches and museums.

Staff

Incredibly knowlegeable and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It's beautiul.

Uptown Palace Milan

Milan

The Uptown Palace was very nice -- Of the three hotels we stayed at on vacation this one was the most urban and modern-- and the one that felt most like a New York business hotel. Ironically, it was also the one at which we saw the most families. There was a conference taking place during our stay but this was not at all a distraction. There are quite likely "rooms with a view of the Duomo" as per the adverts but ours overlooked U Milan and the ancient church of S. Gregory Nazianzus. It was a nice view, but both of spaces were sadly unavailable for us to visit. Fortunately there is a nice 18th-century park around the block with fountains and a fish pool-- a real find for us. Room was well appointed but on the small side for three adults: we had originally scheduled a delux double but were put in a standard room, and we believe this was an oversight by the staff as they were just finishing up accommodating the guest in line ahead of us who booked online but then wanted adjoining rooms for family members! Staff was otherwise very attentive and there was turn down service. Breakfast was a bit crowded but there was lots of room and the meal was great. It is indeed walkable to the Duomo (we did the whole Duomo package, including the museum and outdoor film screening so we spent a lot of time there), the Sforza castle, the da Vinci Museum AND the da Vinci exhibition (one's near the Duomo and the other isn't), and La Scala, as well as several area churches and an architectural self-tour. There is great food on the Sforza, the De Amicis, and around the Duomo but it was harder to find closer to the hotel, especially on weeknights after eight. This was made a little more problematic as it was very hot during our stay, there was a taxi strike and there were several construction detours in the area for pedestrians and vehicles alike. The airport was a short ride away which was also a plus, but overall, we would prefer to stay closer to a transit hub as the city can be challenging to navigate.

Authenticity & Character

Location

I think it would be great if there were recommendations for area restaurants, shuttle servces and other transportation more readily available. We loved the bathroom design but were a little concerned the height of the tub might be challenging for shorter guests (like one of us).

Staff

Staff were very available. We checked out very early in the morning and were given options to make it as smooth as possible the night before.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The place is spotless and very modern.

Activity Reviews

Exclusive Private Walking Tour of Rome

Rome

We love tours where you can see the sights AND at the same time learn what it's like to live in a city - what is Roma like to Romans? How do they live, travel, etc.? Lorenzo was perfect for the job! We saw areas of Roma that were famous, and gorgeous, but we might not be able to get to during a short stay, even with help from the tour bus -- Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navonna. I'll never forget Lorenzo showing us the "how to turn the downspout water fountain into a drinking fountain" trick! We talked history, architecture, politics, economics, and, yes, how to find out if the gelato is well made just by looking at it! In the end we walked for two hours and hardly noticed the distance or the time. Lorenzo was also very mindful of when we needed a brief break. This was excellent.

Quality of Experience

It's like walking with a friend or colleague. This was an awesome way to learn the city and a lot about the people who live and visit there. I've rarely taken a walking tour but as a result of this one, I'm sold on the idea.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lorenzo is a great conversationalist, who walks my pace but readily adjusts to the group as a whole.

Exclusive Capri Boat Tour from Sorrento

Italy

This was a highlight of our trip! Very easy transportation from the hotel to the marina. Francesca and Gabriele were incredibly friendly and thoughtful. Francesca easily addressed a child's case of Male di mare, while Gabriele sang and talked with me about the sea. The ride was smooth and the water and sky were brilliant blue. Even the wait for the blue grotto rowboat was enjoyable (tip: bring a couple extra euros to tip the rower, ours did an expert Dean Martin impression.) Food and drink aboard ship was plentiful, including a caprese sandwich for our time ashore. I cannot say enough about how wonderful Capri and Anacapri were (Take the skyride! Visit San Michele Chiesa! Stop for coffee at the caffe in between!) We will remember forever swimming in the golfo and making a circuit of the island. We were a family of three with another family of three aboard: I think this was ideal. Such attention to detail, such personable tour guides. Bravi!

Quality of Experience

Everything!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Francesca and Gabriele were excellent. I really liked talking with them and learned a lot. They really care about what they do.

Transport

Very comfortable ride to and from the marina. The Capri harbor can be seem deceptively large and crowded, but if you look for where you got off the boat, it will be easy to know where you should re-board in the afternoon.

Lake Como and Bellagio – Full Day Trip from Milan with Cruise

Italy

A true vacation highlight! Meeting Renzo and the train station in Milano was like meeting an old friend or family member. He put us all at ease, and was very easy to talk. The train to the Lake and then the ferry was so seamless. Renzo knew the region intimately, and wove the story of the villas, the flora, the local fishing and silk economy, Lake Como celebrities past and present and so much more into wonderful stories. The Lake, and Bellagio itself, are beautiful and fun, but we would not have had had half as great a time if it weren't for Renzo's fabulous tour. The shopping and restaurant recommendations were spot-on, too, and learning from Renzo about all there is to do in the area (touring the villas, cycling and mountaineering) will make the Lake our destination for our next vacation rather than a day outing.

Quality of Experience

There was so much to see and Renzo guided us in a very relaxed, easy manner.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Renzo made the lake feel like home.

Transport

Ferries were easy to find and easy to purchase tickets. (We know this only from observation, as we had them in advance)

Just got back from our 12-day trip to Italy, and we could not be more pleased with all that Jessica arranged. I have to say, I was a bit nervous planning and paying someone online having never spoken to them on the phone, but everything was exactly like she stated it would be. Jessica did a fantastic job on many levels. To begin with, she really listened to what we wanted and the rhythm in which we wanted the trip to take. The places in which she chose for us and our accommodations were incredible, and what I found to be one of the most impressive parts of the vacation. The accommodations added and helped make the experience, as opposed to just being a place to stay. She also checked in with us daily to make sure we were enjoying our time or had made it okay to our destination. Twice, we had a last-minute change of plans and needs, and Jessica was on it, and made sure we had the needed transportation and ability to get where we needed to go.

Hotel Reviews

Al Palazzo del Marchese di Camugliano

Florence

Out of our 12 days in Italy, Florence was my family's favorite place to visit and a lot of it had t do with staying at the Al Palazzo del Marchese di Camugliano. The staff and setting were incredible. Having breakfast in the garden and the late-night glass of wine over cards made it one of our favorites.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Torretta

Manarola

The view from our balcony made this one of our favorites of our 12-days in Italy. Most nights we opted to have dinner on the balcony. The staff was always eager to please and accommodating. The breakfast was delicious, complete with the freshest of fruits. Easy to access the train station and absolutely beautiful setting of vineyards and town if you choose to rest and enjoy.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Always there to meet your needs.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private Day Tour from Florence to the Jewels of Tuscany

Italy

What can I say? The car was immaculate. Massimo was incredible. Very accommodating and full of information regarding the region and towns, with plenty of suggestions of what to do. He even had printed maps--two for each family highlighting the areas we should check out, complete with bathrooms marked for convenience. His communication regarding pick up and checking on us regularly to make sure we didn't have any questions.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport