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Northern Italy during recent heat dome
Italy | Jun 21 - Jul 4, 2026

Mary
Mary R.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2026

We had a wonderful trip despite temperatures 15-20 degrees above normal. We loved all the cities we visited- Bellagio at Lake Como, Ortisie, Venice, Florence and Monterosso in the Cinque Terre. The tours were great- especially the 2 women (Paola and Lucia) in Florence. The hotels went above our expectations- magnificent!! All of our arranged drivers were so professional and went above their prescribed duties to help us navigate from city to city and from train to water taxi.

Hotel Review
Classic Hotel Am Stetteneck
Ortisei

This hotel could not have been a better location to enjoy the Dolomites and Ortisei. The staff were wonderful and professional and helped us find the gondolas for 2 days of hiking. The food at breakfast was so delicious and freshly made. We loved this hotel

Authenticity & Character
The hotel displays the unique German and Italian blended culture of this area of Italy.
Location
Staff
Very friendly and helpful with directions to hiking trails. Their English was very clear.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Accademia Gallery - skip the line entrance (with guided tour)
Accademia Gallery - skip the line entrance (with guided tour)
Florence

It was very crowded and so an arranged tour was invaluable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our personal guide through this museum helped us understand David and other sculptures in a way we could never have done on our own. Wonderful tour!!!!
Transport
Lake Como Guided visit (Bellagio, Varenna and Villa Carlotta)
Lake Como Guided visit (Bellagio, Varenna and Villa Carlotta)
Italy

Very interesting tour of the Lake District and villa Carlotta and the general area.

Quality of Experience
Loved learning about the history of the Lake District
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The drivers were always on time and very professional.
Transport
Hidden Venice and cicchetti experience
Hidden Venice and cicchetti experience
Italy

This tour was interesting and explained parts of the city of Venice.

Quality of Experience
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Guides, Drivers and Staff
The staff at our hotel were very attentive and helpful with dinner reservations.
Transport
These people couldn’t have been more helpful. Our kimkim representative Andrea had guided that helped us from the transport can to the ferry and off the ferry to the hotel. Then upon leaving the hotel we had guided that helped us on and off the ferry to the train station. There was even one at the train station to help us fine the right platform. This is what kimkim excels at - the details of traveling - helping tourists navigate from one place to another without stress.
Uffizi Gallery Guided Visit (private guide)
Uffizi Gallery Guided Visit (private guide)
Florence

We didn’t have to wait in long lines and our guides were so knowledgeable about the art we were looking at. We would never have understood the art and architecture without their discussion.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The 2 guides we had - Paola and Lucia were our favorites of all the tours we did in Italy on this trip. They were very friendly and knowledgeable and patient with our numerous questions. Despite record heat , they had patience and seemed to enjoy talking with us
Transport
Wonderful and smooth connections - very professional .
The Jewels of Venice (St. Mark & Doge Palace)
The Jewels of Venice (St. Mark & Doge Palace)
Venice

Both St Mark’s and the Doge palace were interesting places to visit. It was great to skip the lines to get into them. I would definitely do the tour again.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Uffizi - skip the line entrance
Uffizi - skip the line entrance
Florence

We loved our tour of the Uffizi. Definitely worth taking a tour rather than doing it on our own. The tour guide Lucia was wonderful and shared so much information we would never have understood on our own.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Lucia was wonderful.
Transport
Florence private guided walk including Accademia Gallery
Florence private guided walk including Accademia Gallery
Italy

The tour guide Paola was wonderful. We loved learning all about the history of Florence. We would never have understood this on our own. She gave us tips on other museums and churches to see on our own in Florence.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide Paola and the guide Lucia were our favorites for the whole trip.
Transport
Local specialist: Andrea Gambino
Andrea
Andrea Gambino
Local specialist in Turin, Italy | Replied on Jul 07, 2026

Thank you very much Mary for this great reviews and for the details. It was very helpful and I'll be always happy to assist you for your next trips.

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