Our 30th anniversary trip was a magical 12 da...
Italy | Oct 2 - Oct 12, 2026

David
David P.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Nov 06, 2026

Our 30th anniversary trip was a magical 12 days in the northern half of Italy. We started by experiencing the best of the art, food and historic sights of Rome and Florence with incredible guides. We sampled and prepared fabulous food and wine in Tuscany/Chianti areas and met some special local people and guides. We proceeded on to the vine-filled hills of Piedmont. We hunted for truffle, ate at a Michelin star restaurant, and toured some incredible Borolo wineries. From there, we traveled to Lake Como and had a few days of R&R and shopping. Finally, we wrapped up with a few days at Milan and an incredible tour of the Last Supper and shopping and dining at the Galleria.
This was an incredible trip that was made extra special as a result of Kimkim’s attention to detail. The logistics were extra special. Our tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable and our drivers and attendants were on time and professional. This was a trip that will be tough to beat!

Hotel Reviews
Umiltà 36
Rome

This hotel is a sleeper. It looks like any hotel from the outside. But the location is awesome and the rooms are incredible. They staff was very professional.

Authenticity & Character
They had a great breakfast and fabulous rooms
Location
Close proximity to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Stairs.
Staff
Very professional
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was perfectly appointed and the turndown service was a nice treat
Hotel Balestri
Florence

The location of this was excellent. I would have paid a bit more to get a hotel that’s a little fancier. The room was small and the bathroom was below expectations. The elevators were small and slow. The breakfast was adequate.

Authenticity & Character
There wasn’t much character, the bathroom was small and the shower was poorly designed and old.
Location
This is a great location.
Staff
The staff was decent, and acceptable
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel was clean. There weren’t any turndown services. I think the interior and facility is a bit old.
Palazzo Venezia
Como

The staff was impeccable trained and the location was the best. Our room was on the lake! A beautiful view.

Authenticity & Character
A beautiful property with high end service and staff
Location
We watched the boat races and the finish to the Lombardi Bicycle race from the open window of our hotel room. Incredible
Staff
Extremely helpful employees from the bar, butler, to the restaurant staff!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Just modern, clean and tastefully decorated
Hotel Relais Montemarino
Borgomale (CN)

We loved this hotel stay. It’s a beautiful retreat in the mountains.

Authenticity & Character
This is a beautifully updated property with incredible views
Location
The hotel was close to amenities of the city as well as the many vineyards.
Staff
I can’t say enough about the staff. The washed and folded out laundry, helped us with directions, and the food/bar staff were friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
This is a very clean and tidy property.
Hotel The Square Milano Duomo
Milan

We were only in Milan for one night. The hotel is pretty big and very busy. It’s a bit of a walk to the Galleria area but the hotel was functional and did the job.

Authenticity & Character
There isn’t much character to this property. It’s a large hotel without many amenities and an ok location
Location
I wish we were closer to the Galleria.
Staff
The staff was adequate. Not stellar but I have no complaints.
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was average to above average cleanliness
Activity Reviews
 Private Colosseum, Forum Tour & Palatine hill
Private Colosseum, Forum Tour & Palatine hill
Rome

We had a great tour guide, we got into the property before everyone else. We basically had the Colosseum to ourselves for an hour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We loved the tour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
On time, courteous, bi-lingual, and professional guides and drivers
Brunelleschi Pass- Access to all monuments of Piazza del Duomo Florence
Brunelleschi Pass- Access to all monuments of Piazza del Duomo Florence
Italy

This was a good pass. The directions to the access points with the pass were difficult to find. We struggled to know which museums and churches were accessible with the pass. I think a summary with directions in English from kimkim would help. The pass itself was tough to decipher.

Grape Stomping and Wine Tasting
Grape Stomping and Wine Tasting
Italy

This was a great experience. We toured the winery, stomped grapes, tasted wine and ate an incredible homemade meal.

Quality of Experience
Food
The homemade paste and the wines produced on premise were fabulous
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was an incredible interface with the lovely family/owners of the winery.
Transport
Our guide was also the driver. She also toured us through Castellina in Chianti. A gorgeous old village!
Private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica
Private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica
Rome

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and personable. I would recommend her to anyone. We got right into St Peter’s quickly and efficiently. This was a wonderful experience.

Quality of Experience
The knowledge of our guide and her familiarity of the property and its contents was incredible.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
O just an incredible experience!
Transport
Professional driver and a nice clean vehicle.
Private Tour of Legendary CRU in 4wd car and Barolo Experience with Lunch
Private Tour of Legendary CRU in 4wd car and Barolo Experience with Lunch
Italy

We went to the Giovani Rosso Winery for a personal tour and tasting. We also had an incredible meal with the tasting. The wine is superb and the guides and chef (Frederico) were so personable. We loved them all (and the wine).

Quality of Experience
The chef and tour guide were excellent. The wine was superb
Evening Aperitivo Tour
Evening Aperitivo Tour
Rome

We didn’t have high expectations for this tour but it was an incredible experience. We loved our tour guide! She brought us to a small suburb of Rome on the other side of the river. We met some wonderful shop owners, we ate at small bakeries and eateries, and had some great local wines from the Rome area. The Rome version of arancini was unbelieveable. Best I ever had!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Florence and Accademia City Tour
Florence and Accademia City Tour
Italy

We loved this tour. Visiting Michelangelo’s David statue was the highlight of our trip. We were excited to see this sculpture and our guide was incredibly helpful to us. We got a tour of Academmia City first and finished with David. A splendid tour that I will never forget.

Quality of Experience
Michelangelo’s works are simply fabulous
Guides, Drivers and Staff
What a knowledgeable guide!
Transport
Shared cooking class in Pienza
Shared cooking class in Pienza
Italy

We really loved this cooking class. We had 2 couples that made pasta and biscotti with our instructor. We cooked, toured the farm, ate our meal and had some wine. A great cultural experience. We met so many nice people, learned to make real Italian pasta, and enjoyed a mountainside meal with wine. What’s not to like

Quality of Experience
An intimate cooking and rural Italian farm experience.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver was a real pro. He had a beautiful Mercedes sedan and I felt safe at all times. We were with him for many hours and he was a great driver
Transport
Truffle visit experience
Truffle visit experience
Italy

My wife is a dog lover and we wanted to experience truffle hunting first hand. Our tour was fabulous. What a great time.

Quality of Experience
We got the insights of truffle hunting
Guides, Drivers and Staff
A real professional young woman! She had excellent control of her dog(s)
Express Milan Last Supper Tour
Express Milan Last Supper Tour
Milan

Seeing Divinci’s Last Supper is a special activity. Well worth it!

Quality of Experience
It was a good group tour with headphones
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The tour guide was very knowledgable
Local specialist: Valeria Arcangeli
Valeria
Valeria Arcangeli
Local specialist in Rome | Replied on Nov 06, 2026

Hi David,
I am so happy that the trip was exactly what you are looking for.
This is the major purpose of my job...
What my team and I truly want to share with you is our passion for Italy: our culture, our traditions, and all those little details that make this country so special.
Most of all, we want you to feel at home while you were here, and to create memories that stay with you long after you return home.

I am glad we could do it.
Looking forward to organise other Italian adventures soon,
A presto, valeria