Accommodations were outstanding. Francesco was fantastic as were all the local guides. Our tour experience was fantastic - everything from the guide, the tour members, the activities and the hotels. "Every day was a "wow" moment! Perfect about of scheduled activities and on your own time. Relaxing on a cool bus after a busy morning is Heaven. We had opportunities to meet locals and be welcomed into their homes. We were all overjoyed and overwhelmed. Unfortunately, we caught Covid three days in and that ended our tour. Meet local family farmers and taste their fresh products. Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning. Today we'll make our way to lovely Lucca, but first we'll stop at the charming hill town of Volterra. "Having arias by Puccini sung to us by a local opera singer, accompanied by a pianist in Lucca was definitely a WOW moment. We covered a lot of interesting places and the pacing of the tour was good to cover as much sites in a reasonable time. It was a perfect combination of the beautiful Tuscan countryside, art, history, food and wine. As I'd never been on a Rick Steves tour before, the immediate 'first' impression was positive with great optimism. He was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and patient. "Our tour was a series of WOW moments! Walking through the charming medieval villages was like a step back in time. "We had so many wow moments, it is difficult to chose one. Tuscany is physically challenging with many stairs, rocky and cobbled roads, and some long inclines. This was our 9th Rick Steves tour, so I guess we count as groupies. After a break for lunch, we'll meet our coach and driver and embark on a scenic journey over the hills of Chianti, ending at our family-owned countryside hotel. "The entire experience was excellent. Terrific guide for the overall tour and fantastic local guides at our various stops. I share a dozen of my favorite Tuscan experiences here. It was the first guided tour we have ever been on and it was so fun. A little too much art and churches for me. We stayed at a couple of wonderful hotels including a 1000 year old castle. We loved the stop at the WWII memorial site". Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Each day, and every moment was more spectacular than the next thanks to the outstanding people at RS. The first was when at Moscadello, David and his bandmate, Antonio gave us an impromptu concert. I will do it again. Francesco made everyone feel welcome and was always there to answer questions or solve problems. I truly enjoyed all of the extra tours and activities that we got to do and all the local guides were amazing. The small group tour worked very well for the sites we visited. Rick Steves Italy (2023 Travel Guide) - amazon.com I would have never driven to all these places on my own. I loved the smaller group of seasoned travelers. The meals; traveling companions; and tour sites were wonderful. Lido, our bus driver, is the BEST! It became very clear how important this was to his family.". I learned a lot about their rich history and culture. Unbelievably beautiful. "La Moscadella - wow! "One guide talked about secular humanism with insight and passion. This was our first RS Tour and we were a little concerned about being with a large group, BUT we had a wonderful time! "There were so many wow moments, I cant pick just one. Sorry, two "wow" moments.". "Any number of the hill towns we were able to visit. Tour Guide Karin was excellent ! Food and lodgings were excellent. The pace was intense at times, and I would have liked to have had more "down time" to linger and explore some of these amazing places on my own. "Seeing Siena and learning more about its history and traditions". There were too many "wow" moments to include them all in the next answer as I ran out of space!! "La Moscadella Hotel in Castelmuzio. "I had 3 WOW moments. "All the hilltop towns! "There are so many, but I loved making pici with Isabella! Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Italy. "Experiencing the beauty of the Val dOrcia and staying at La Moscadella.". The variety of experiences was amazing; from staying in a renovated castle to visiting a cattle ranch. The thrill of seeing renaissance masterpieces in Florence was equaled by the amazing countryside and beautiful hill towns of Tuscany. The whole experience was one wow after another. Lastly it would be the Etruscan burial area outside Pitigliano.". At 12:10 drive for 01:00 hours towards Winery. It was picture perfect. All European Tours 2023 | Rick Steves Europe Felt we got to really see things not seen by most tourists. The rooms blew us away. "Wowed" by what I learned of the culture and history of Tuscany. Every days itinerary was varied and interesting and we met many local people. We could get our laundry done for 25E for a large bag full! The first castle and then the Isabella experience. David, our tour guide, was a superb leader ensuring everyone's needs and concerns were met. Overall, the tour was decent but not our favorite. Neri was such an interesting, charming person. The itinerary is outstanding and our guide (David) was truly exceptional. We like the Rick Steve's combination of group activities/meals and time to explore personal interests/meals on our own. I enjoyed the things we saw and did, and we had a great group of people on our tour. And the opera singer in Lucca was amazing. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, patient, & fun to be with. You may want to consider skipping it for late season tours and adding stays at Orvieto or Pitigliano or another hill town. Discovering the fizzy joy of Prosecco. Group sightseeing events subject to change. Lisa was a great guide. We'll learn how Tuscany's proud agricultural traditions are kept alive and sample the family's wine and olive oil. Yes I will keep on Traveling. I felt like I got off the bus and stepped into a fairytale!". It was an amazing sight in person. The Rick Steves Best of Venice, Florence & Rome tour begins with Venice's timeless St. Mark's Square and Basilica, continues on to Michelangelo's stunning David and the Uffi. "When we arrived and stood at the balcony terrace of VILLA LECCHI and witnessed the splendor of the Tuscan countryside laid out before us, I audibly gasped! "So many to choose from! A first class hotel. This is a moderately active tour! A fun Italian memory! "One is impossible. Amazing opportunity! We had a great experience! She's a whirlwind of energy, cheerful and informative, lively and always up for anything! Best of Tuscany in 11 Days Tour - Rick Steves Europe Terrific. ", Very Enriching!! This was our 4th Rick Steves tour (all have been in Italy) and like the others, we had an amazing experience. I really appreciate the attention to cultural experiences and meeting the local residents. Tour offered a great balance between planned activities and free time! One couple, who had toured with our guide, David, celebrated upon learning that David would be our guide for this tour. Oh, can't forget opera in Lucca. I would like to get peoples opinions on the itineray I'm thinking of. Overall the tour was very interesting and informative. Seeing Michelangelo's David is always stunning and our local guide Lucia was incredible at bringing out all the details in the exquisite sculpture. The overall tour was fantastic. We learned SO much! However, the months of April, May, September, and October are best for combining the convenience of peak season, fewer crowds, and the most pleasant weather. For us, our list of things has gotten longer--we have many more places to visit on our next foray into Tuscany. So many "wow" moments! We appreciate that you have refunded a generous share of the tour price. "There were too many "wow" moments to choose just one favorite! Some folks in our group had done multiple Rick Steves tours; one couple was on their 16th. My wife and I both got covid because a person on the tour refused to test and was sure her sniffles were just a cold. Grazie e ciao! Tasting the food and walking in the small walled towns dating back centuries.". Our adventure begins in Florence, the capital of Tuscany. "Staying at La Moscadella, visiting the Hermitage near Pienza, and the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial. Going on the Rick Steve's Tour is just so easy. "Our favorite "Wow" moment was during our "on your own" time when we caught a bus to Fiesole. Sleep in Florence. Overall, the tour was nice. "One of our hotels was like a high end resort with wonderful meals and a fun cooking class. This should be included in every tour.". Amazing! "Having Silvana Froli perform for the group on the last night in Lucca. Our host, Laura, welcomed us with prosecco and appetizers as she shared her family's story. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and caring. Also seeing the David in person, it was huge and just emanated the work of a genius.". "Its so hard to pick just one! No bus. What a delight!". Need to do the tourist shuffle? "I have to say that our 3 day stay in La Moscadella was superb. Everything was perfect from the time we arrived until the time we left. Our trip was greatly anticipated after covid delay. Moderate walking: 26 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Vanessa went above and beyond to help tourers who had issues. It was my first time in Italy. My husband passed away 5 years ago this December and then Covid hit so I have missed traveling. We covered a lot of great towns and history! Interacting with Italian local families and experiencing their lifestyle was an authentic way to learn the regional culture. Florence Itinerary: Where to Go in 1 to 4 Days by Rick Steves Our tour guide, Cecilia and her apprentice, Eleonora were phenomenal! How about a private opera performance on our last night together in Lucca.". After a tasty gelato break, we'll provide admission to the Puccini museum and you can visit on your own, or spend the afternoon wandering through Lucca, walking atop its scenic wall, or taking a short train ride to nearby Pisa. Also having a private session in Lucca with an opera singer and pianist was extremely special for me. Cecelia was an excellent tour guide, and she went the extra mile to help anyone's special requirements. At 4 p.m., we'll gather at our centrally located hotel for a brief welcome meeting, followed by an orientation walk through our favorite Renaissance city. Francesco is a wonderful guide, providing valuable insights about the places we visited, Tuscany, and Italy. There was a good balance of tour activity and free time. "Visiting the Duomo in Siena, particularly seeing the mosaics on the floor, the pulpit and the Piccolomini Library.". Good food, hotels (La Moscadella was spectacular). By Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw So much to see, so little time. We learned so much about Tuscany and really enjoyed every minute of our educational experience. Tuscany itinerary advice - Rick Steves Travel Forum Loved all the wine and food! Loved the pool, the food, and all the extras. That fact explaining why the bankers were Jewish and also were able to concentrate wealth. Housed in a 13th-century palace (and 18th-century prison! I felt as though I were temporarily immersed in the Tuscan culture. Sleep in the Chianti countryside. Loved that place!". He taught each of us how and what being part of an Italian family meant centuries ago and what it means today. The Tuscany tour was a great mix of history, culture, architecture and fabulous food! Join us for the Best of Tuscany in 11 Days! The food, the drink. Numerous 'wow' moments come to mind, but none at a level that pointedly exceeded others. There were a lot of unique things that I would not have been able to do without this tour!". "Gargonza and Casa Moriccciani the best food, the best hospitality of any place we stayed, I felt like they treated us like we were family, the views were fantastic both places were my WOW moments". Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities: 3 days: Florence He arranged unforgettable experiences that fed all the senses; seeing, hearing, tasting, touching. Flights cancelled at last minute, missed first two days of the tour, eventually caught COVID and missed last two days of the tour. Tuscany was full of pleasant surprises. The countryside was magnificent, green, rolling hills. Montalcino Wine-lovers' paradise boasting a dramatic 14th-century castle, encircled by olive groves and famous vineyards (and a manageable home base for nondrivers). One month prior to your tour's departure, you'll find directions on how to get from the airport to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying in the Documents section of your tour account. Pitigliano, group dinners (one with a band), cave roads and free day on Elba with a climb to the top of the fort, followed by a swim in the Mediterranean! Sampling my first taste of Florentine steak. Getting to know all the people on your tour and all the little "surprises" was great. Tuscany itinerary Jump to bottom Posted by Dennis (Lahaina, HI, USA) on 02/03/09 06:39 AM After spending 2 1/2 days in Florence I plan to depart around lunch time via rental car for six days. Just amazing. From the organization of the tour to the outstanding communication to the variety of experiences, WOW! "There were 2 wow moments on the tour for me the Castello Di Gargonza and Lucca. Considering the state of "high anxiety" most of us have lived through over the past 2+ years, it was great to be back out in the world. The ranch experience in Maremma was disappointing. we enjoyed being in Volterra and meeting his wife and the local people. I could hardly believe it was true.". "I have many WOW moments but one that stands out was being at Ponte Vecchio during sunset. Francesco was absolutely fantastic. Positive with a good balance between planned activities and free time. The tour exceeded our expectations. Overall, a fantastic experience and the RS company seems to be doing about as good as could be done to deal with Covid and helping us to travel as safely as possible. (And getting to eat the efforts of our labors afterwards. Also, the unexpected Roman ruins in Volterra.". In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is available in the Itinerary section of your tour account. "I'm unable to come up with a specific "wow" moment. "Staying in Gargonza and Castelmuzio and visiting Pienza and Volterra all count as "wow" moments. Getting to the caves was breathtaking, walking through the verdant forest down the cliff. Sleep in Maremma. "Learning that Christians had been forbidden from banking in early history. But what really took this tour over the top was our tour guide, David. We went from big city Florence to wonderful Val d'Orcia where the views of the hill towns was amazing. My first time in Europe, my first formal tour of any kind; it was FANTASTIC. Davids knowledge, interaction, professionalism, and his willingness to share his talents and personal experiences regarding his family history, (wwII) , brought much unanticipated meaning and value to my trip. Soak up the Tuscan sun and fall in love with everything about this beautiful region. We'll begin our day with a walk on one of Tuscany's Cave Roads, "Le Vie Cave," pondering the mystery of these ancient passageways. I always wanted to take a "deep dive" into Tuscany and this tour satisfied this desire. Making new friends (Colleen, Chris, Bonnie, Mary, Tony, Sarah, Mario, Mara & more). Here's what you'll see and do on our Best of Tuscany tour: Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. (Okay, that's three.)". He made each individual on the tour feel like he was personally there just for you! "Hard to choose, but seeing "David" for the first time was awe-inspiring. Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. In Lucca, we enjoyed Silvana and Manuele perform a selection of arias by the composer, Puccini.". Our guide, David was fantastic. Elba island was pretty but hotel rooms cramped, although hotel close to beach. "The Florence American Cemetery and Memorial blew me away. My thanks and gratitude to all those that put this trip together. Bus: 1 hours. That place was magical in every way! I learned and experienced so many new things. "There are so many because every day was but Lucca was definitely a highlight.". All were beautiful, moving and highly memorable experiences.". Our guide said this was a fairly new tour and they were tweaking things as they go, so understandable. The Castel experience was unique, gave us all a real Tuscany view and appreciation of the beauty and uniqueness of this ancient area of Italy. Our guide Francesco was so knowledgeable about the Tuscany area and I loved sitting back and enjoying the ride. In my opinion testing should be mandatory for any person on the tour who shows symptoms of covid. Also, a visit to one winery was both interesting and appealing.". Also a fine jumping-off point for exploring the Tuscan countryside with a driving tour of the Crete Senesi region. "We stayed at some beautiful locations. After a short scenic walk along the town wall, we'll venture underground to find a unique piece of Etruscan history. Loved that we had plenty of time to explore and Francesco's wife, Annie, was such an interesting perspective.". His love of Italy and its food, music, art, history was so contagious. The other members of the group were seasoned travelers and it went so smoothly. We got our first hint that we were in for something special during the intro session. For me, there was no one favorite 'wow' moment. No bus. Especially loved the smaller towns with fewer tourists and more opportunities to engage with the locals. We immediately knew we were going to have a blast. The tour was fabulous - wonderful people, exquisitely beautiful towns and scenery, excellent lodging and food. In particular Gargonza and Moscatello as our hotels was nothing short of fabulous. Very well organized.
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