Wonderfully planned trip!!!
Italy
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Oct 11 - Oct 18, 2025
My husband and I recently visited Italy - our first trip to Rome and Florence. This is the second trip Marina has planned for us - and once again she did a fantastic job!! We were able to see everything you should on a first trip - plus a few extras!!! The sightseeing tours were informative and well-timed - including a golf cart overview of Rome upon arrival - with interesting and knowledgeable guides. The private and semi-private tours of the Vatican, the Colosseum (and the Roman Forum), and the highlights of Florence were exceptional. The food tours in Rome were terrific, and we were introduced to many of the local dishes.
We spent a morning in Pisa where we saw the Leaning Tower and also had a day trip to Tuscany which included a private tour of a winery and olive oil producer. The tour concluded with a very nice lunch looking out over the rolling hills and beautiful landscape of Tuscany. We tasted multiple wines and some olive oil. That afternoon our driver took us to the small town of Vinci - where Leonardo grew up. We saw his childhood home, the church where he was baptized and an interesting museum containing models of the machinery Leonardo drew in his books.
Our accommodations were wonderful - in Rome we stayed in a hotel across the street from Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore where Pope Francis is buried and our hotel in Florence stands on the land once belonging to Lorenzo the Magnificent and home to his art school where Michelangelo was trained.
Our thanks to Marina for again giving us a very memorable trip. Her attention to detail and efforts to accommodate our particular interests was superb!!!
Hotel Reviews
Loved this hotel and the staff was wonderful. Conveniently located across from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (where Pope Francis is buried). Breakfast everyday was amazing and we enjoyed the rooftop bar in the evening.
Loved this hotel and the historical significance of its location on the property where Lorenzo the Magnificent built the art school where Michelangelo received his training. The staff was helpful and our room was very comfortable. Great location!!!
Activity Reviews
Great introduction to Rome.
Terrific tour guide - very knowledgeable.
Our guide, Lilly, was fantastic. The food was great and we enjoyed her company.
