I think my review would be more succinct using bullets:
*Overall: Fabio Ilardi did many things that preceded the final plan and were crucial to its success. He was knowledgeable, patient, he LISTENED to all my suggestions and concerns, he conveyed an enthusiasm for the task following through at every juncture resulting in a near flawless itinerary that was easy to navigate and access.
*Transportation: From planes to trains to vans, all went so smooth. Even though he had nothing to do with the airline reservations, he knew the details and incorporated into the itinerary. Vans were there without fail and drivers clearly communicated pick-up locations when access to certain areas was restricted or inconvenient. Trains were great. Having been to Italy 9 times (most of those trips doing my own driving), I was really pleased with the convenience of train travel.
*Accommodations:
Venice, Ca Negra Lagoon Resort. convenient location although the difficulties in trying to convert a 400 year old villa to a modern hotel were evident. No air conditioning as we were told the city did not allow it until May. That made for a stuffy room so we opened windows where possible. Shower plumbing was difficult to figure out (I wish hotels everywhere would opt for the simplest plumbing fixtures instead of fancy and complex.)
Florence: Frame Hotel. Great place. Great location. Loved the provenance associated with the Mona Lisa, discovered there after its theft in 1911.
Naples. Eurostars Hotel Excelsior. What a jewel! Way past expectations. Beautiful rooms. Elegant throughout. While all the included breakfasts were very good to great, here it was over the top...... buffet was 75 long! Waterfront construction made it a little tricky to negotiate but when completed, this will be quite a gem on the waterfront in the shadow of Vesuvius .
Rome. Terrace Pantheon Relais. Again, great location. Convenient to many of the common sites. Rooftop lounge.
*Activities:
Mask painting in Venice. We all had a ball and the kids loved it. Nice people.
Gondola Ride: Wonderful guide (Giada, as I recall) who commented that the traffic on the Grand Canal was unusually light making for a very relaxing excursion. Lots of fun facts.
Murano: all enjoyed the tour and demonstration. Very pleased that a family run business continues to thrive.
Burano: an unexpected treat. Had never been there. Lonardo(?) was fun to be with and seemed to know everyone. The only disappointment was that we had no real time to spend in the beautiful and unusual shops. We did visit a lace making shop and were amazed at the short demonstration and the intracacies of the goods on display.
Truffle hunt in Florence: Probably the highlight of the trip especially for the kids. Out for close to two hours and back with 3-4 lbs of truffles. Guide was a lot of fun and informative. Roberto and his dog, Dora, stole the show and everyone got a shot with the shovel. The luncheon at La Cantina dei Tartufi was, hands down, the best meal we had on the trip. Beautifully presented with wine pairings and exquisite food. Paola and his wife were the kind of people you'd want to be friends with. It was clearly evident they love what they do. I would go back there in a heartbeat.
Leonardo Da Vinci Interactive Museum. This was described as an "interactive" exhibit and it was. Not as impressive as the one we visited in the town of Vinci but fascinating none the less.
Herculaneum: Having been to Pompei on two other occasions, this was the more perfect initial introduction to the tragedy of Vesuvius. It was much more manageable and not at all crowded. Our guide, Veronica, was terrific, a wellspring of information and great at fielding questions from the kids.
Galleria Spada in Rome: My wife and I had been here twice before. Even though this is not a typical stop on most itineraries, everyone found it fascinating.
Pizza and Tiramisu making in the "In Rome Cooking School" . Gianlucca was a talented, captivating host. Everyone's creation passed the test for deliciousness especially the Tiramisu. Would not have missed this for sure. Tricky to find. No signage, only a discreet number and an unmarked door. Walked right passed it twice.
Rome Tour: Definitely a marathon but worth the craziness. Did not expect the crowds. Giorgio, our guide, had his challenges. The Vatican was a zoo and they wouldn't accept the bar code for the group tour. We had to email all our individual tickets to each other's phones before they would allow entry. Different lines for different groups and we weren't the only ones caught in the confusion. Giorgio, an excellent guide, did his best despite the lack of accommodation on the part of the Vatican personnel. Can't imagine that place in the summer during high season. The first time I was in the Sistine, 56 years ago, I was able to lay down on the floor and photograph the ceiling. This time, I would have been crushed under foot. They wouldn't have found me until closing! Our other stops (Coliseum, etc.) were much less difficult.
All in all, a great trip enjoyed in different ways by a diverse family group. I don't believe any one of us will be forgetting this one any time soon. Thank you to Fabio for his patience, resourcefulness and for delivering the goods. I am blessed that I had the luxury of not having to be overly conscious of the total cost (including airfare, three times that of my first home). And you know the old saying, "You can't take it with you!"
Hotel Reviews
Terrace Pantheon Relais
Rome
This was a good fit. Close to a lot realizing Rome is a difficult city to navigate. The transportation people made that easy despite oppressive traffic everywhere.
Eurostars Hotel Excelsior
Napoli NA
I asked for clean, comfortable, well located hotels in safe locations. This place was over the top. Luxury and provenance evident everywhere despite its age (108 years). Exquisite rooms and location, right on the water. Rooftop restaurant and bar with breathtaking views. Breakfast buffet was 75 feet long and delicious served in an elegant ballroom.
The Frame Hotel Florence
Florence
The building was formerly an apartment hotel where Vincenzo Perugia (the Louvre employee who stole the Mona Lisa in 1911) hid the painting under his bed until 1917. The Mona Lisa was a repeated presence throughout the hotel. Great job converting this structure to a comfy modern hotel. Great location in the antique section of Florence, a stone's throw from the Duomo.
Location
In the old section of Florence, a short walk to most of the high points.
Ca' Nigra Lagoon Resort
Venice
Authenticity & Character
As I recall, this place was over 400 years old.
Location
Convenient to the arrival area. 20 minute walk, or less, to just about everything
Activity Reviews
Private Luxury Tour: Explore Rome’s Wonders in a Day
Rome
full day, whirlwind tour but a must if you only have the one day like we had. Crowds were unexpected for this time of year (April). Lines everywhere but this is Rome so you have to deal with it or stay home.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Roman-Style Pizza Making Masterclas with Tiramisù
Rome
Making your own pizza and tiramisu with the guidance of a trained chef. Then, to dine on the results of your labors. What's not to love. Appetizers, wine, pizza and tiramisu.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Galleria Spada Timed Entry (self-guided), Including Borromini’s Perspective
Rome
This is an "off the beaten path" site which is not on any standard list but is fascinating none the less. The Boromini perspective is amazing and a shock to the viewer. You have to see it to appreciate it
Guides, Drivers and Staff
No real staff or guide. Pretty much self guided.
Transport
They were always on time!
Afternoon Visit to Herculaneum Archaeological Site
Naples
A much smaller version of Pompei but much more easy to negotiate and not as overwhelming. Veronica was a great guide.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Truffle Hunting Experience With Lunch and Wine Tasting
Italy
Start to finish, this was great. It was good to be out in the country wandering between vineyards and olive groves. Our guide was informative and amusing with a great sense of humor. Roberto and his dog, Dora were the stars. 3-4 lbs of black truffles in and hour and a half. Kids loved it.
The Luncheon at La Cantina dei Tartufi was the best food we had on the trip and that's saying a lot as we had some fabulous meals. The owner/host, Paolo and his wife, were perfect hosts.
Quality of Experience
The outdoors, exquisite countryside, a fun activity and a fabulous luncheon
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fun and educational at the same time
Evening Gondola Ride with Guided Tour
Venice
Our guide, Giada, was great, although while tooling down the Grand Canal with motor craft around, hearing her was a challenge.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Murano and Burano Tour: Discover the Magic of Venice's Islands
Venice
Great to see a very old family business thriving. Beautiful factory and showrooms. Excellent explanations. Fascinating demonstration.
Burano was an unexpected gem. Wish we had more time to explore the beautiful shops.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vaporetto ride was reasonably comfortable. Someone prone to seasickness might want to prepare.
Learn How To Decorate Venetian Masks - Families And Small Groups
Venice
Lots of fun. Helpful instruction. Many choices and the freedom to be creative. The introduction into the history of the Venetian mask was new to all of us and very interesting.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
