Hello Lucia,
Sorry for our delay, life just grabbed us when we got home. We finally have a quiet afternoon.
We had a wonderful time and felt happy that we used your company because everything went along smoothly. All of our drivers were exceptional; knew English, and had a professional and personable demeanor. Their knowledge of Italian history only added icing to the cake. They were always on time. Our favorite drove us around the Barbaresco and Barolo areas for our wine tour. He went above and beyond, taking us to a local grocery store and helping us shop for food items. Just a pleasure!
Our personal guides were also amazing. Their passion and knowledge made all the difference in our tours. Each had a favorite eatery for us to try. We could tell that they loved their jobs.
All our accommodations were very good. Friendly, great breakfasts, helpful front desk. Just great.
Our train ride to Venice was very comfortable in our first-class seating. The Italo club was a very nice touch. As this was our first train experience we were impressed.
What we liked the most:
Venice- Going off the beaten path to find hidden churches and canals. Enjoying Cicchetti. Getting lost and finding something wonderful to see. Dining by a canal and having a Fire Boat pass by and realize the complexities of the city. We found this restaurant where we had the most amazing meal of seafood risotto and an atmosphere that made 2-1/2 hours of dining fly by. Our waiters made it one of the most memorable dinners of our trip.
Florence- Our hotel was amazing. Thank you so much for the welcome bottle of Prosecco. A very nice touch. Very friendly staff with helpful recommendations. We should have spent another day there. Visiting the Statue of David with a tour guide opened our eyes to the many aspects of the sculpture you would never notice. She took us to another level of art appreciation. Boboli Gardens is a must. It was a short taxi ride.
Parma- The cheese tour gave us an appreciation of the complexities of the cheese-making process. We took some home. Great tour and guide. The Ham Tour was something we never would have expected. What a beautiful place. Very accommodating to us. The piece de resistance was the tasting. A charcuterie board of ham and cheese was brought out with bread and wine all made there. As we finished, we thought it was done. They brought out homemade cheese ravioli in a butter sauce that was the best we have ever had. I would recommend this tour. Was a hidden gem.
Piedmont- Driving in Italy was both fun and crazy. Italians do drive fast and I did have the fun of a six-speed manual-shifting car. Loved it. The monastery was exquisite. Made us feel a bit out of our element. Never have been to a place like it. We upgraded our accommodation and enjoyed an outside sitting area where we did enjoy our wine and snacks. We did eat at the resort one night. We found the tavern-style restaurant a bit too formal for our taste. We went out on our own with some suggestions from our drivers to restaurants where we could experience the locals. Had a great time dining at those places. So simple but a delicious meal. The owners could not have been nicer. People watching was so fun. Everyone having fun.
We were so glad we did the cooking class. We learned so much. I now know the secret to making perfect pasta! Wish we did Turin.
Milan- We thought we were going to be intimidated by Milan. Wrong. We loved it. We are not usually city people but Milan changed our thinking. The Hotel was perfectly located. The hotel staff was welcoming and helpful. The transportation system is amazing.
Our guide suggested we get tickets and go see the Duomo. Mind-blowing. She was so passionate about the whole city and its offerings.
She suggested a museum that was right around the corner from our hotel. On our last day there it rained so we took the 5-minute walk to it. Biblioteca Pinacoteca Accademia Ambrosiana. The hidden gem. We spent 4 hours in there. What a way to end the trip.
If you want some pictures we only have 600. Thank you for all your hard work putting our trip together. It was a trip of a lifetime. Can’t wait to do it again someday.
Ciao
Beth & David Obstgarten – (Litchfield, CT) – October 2023
