Walker Family Italy Experience

Italy | Sep 24 - Sep 29, 2026

Day-1: After meeting up with our driver Luca Borrini at the airport, the drive to the hotel was smooth. Mr Borrini was polite and a good driver. Hotel Kraft-the reception desk personnel were warm and welcoming. The rooms were spacious and nicely appointed. The hotel has a gym, a heated pool on the top floor & a roof top Restaurant Tarrazza Rossini with a beautiful view. The morning restaurant Manager's name is Roberto was warm, welcoming, and fun for our stay. We took pictures with him on the last day with our yellow cups to post on NBC Sunday Today Show. The evening restaurant Manager is Serafino. Serafino is a sommelier, and assisted us with pairing the foods with the special wines (Florentine & Super Tuscans). We received a lesson on the wines in the region. Serafino and his staff made it nice place to finish our evenings with a desert or night cap. For the evening we had dinner at Trattoriail Brindellone. The food was amazing, staff friendly and they advised us on the portions with the meal courses. Walking back to our hotel it was so nice to see the city lights and people out enjoying themselves.
Day-2 Shopping-We visited & purchased from Vintage Shop Momo's, and Mmega. Both store owners were friendly. On the central side close to the train station, we shopped at Barone Firenze Leather Shop. The 2 gentlemen were nice, and took the time to make sure all of the clothes fit. We shopped at Sephora at the train station and had our 1st run in with paying to use the restroom. We experienced our 1st pizza in Italy at TAV 65 and it was good. We went to dinner at Restaurant Santo Bevitore. The food was excellent and the staff was friendly.
Day-3: Morning culinary discovery walk: The tour was great with Diliana. The small groups were nice. The 97 year old female baker was nice to meet and try her food, the family business with the balsamic vinegar, the gentlemen conducting the wine tasting, the pastry shop, and the gelato were all great. The 2nd part of the day, we missed the scheduled cooking class because we had the old schedule. However, we did recover with a nice evening at our hotel restaurant.
Day 4: Day trip to Cinque Terre & Pisa: Another great tour with Gabriele from Towns of Italy. Gabriele is well informed on the history and the locations visited. We started in Manarola. There is a nice coffee shop next to the church. if you make a purchase you can use the restroom. The coffee and food were good. We went on a elevated path looking down on the village and water with beautiful views. On the path I would recommend not leaning on the wood railing because at some spots it has aged. There is a restroom near the building holding the cooking class that requires 1 euro to use. We did not have small bills or coins so we purchase a bottle of wine (white) to use the restroom before getting on the ferry to Vernazza. We ate launch at Ristorante Pizzeria Vulnetia sas, had gelato, did some shopping and sat on the stone seating next to the water. Vernazza is beautiful. Just before leaving we did not have any coins for the restroom. This time it was a bottle of red wine for use of the rest room. We traveled to Pisa and enjoyed the sights. There were a lot of people. The bathrooms are located behind the church and you can pay with card. We finished the day with a nice dinner at our hotel restaurant.
Day 5: Private San Gimignano & Siena Day Trip-another great tour with Mattea from Liv Tours. Mattea is well informed and was a lot of fun. The trip to Siena & the mid evil village visit was good with the sights, history and shopping. However, the prize of the day was the winery with the breathtaking views, the wine, the food and gentlemen conducting the tasting named Matteo. We did purchase wine & olive oil to be shipped home. it was a very enjoyable outing. After returning to the city, we went to Cafe Concerto Paszkowski which was recommended the restaurant manager. There is covered outdoor seating and well appointed wood work on the inside of the restaurant. There is live music and a really nice and comfortable way to enjoy the evening. We finished off the night with a night cap at our hotel restaurant.
Day 6: Nice breakfast, said our good byes to the staff and made our way to the airport. The transfer was smooth. The airport was crowded down stairs, but were able to secure a spot to eat & relax before boarding. We loved this trip, and already thinking when we can return. Thank you for working with me to make this happen for my family. Until the next time.