“Hi Matteo
I arrived home safely and still sick with the flu and cold, that started in Stresa and just now starting to recoup my energy.
I sent along some thoughts I had on the Sorrento and Roma parts of the trip after each segment, so that I wouldn’t forget. I am including some more thoughts in a different structure.
Housing
All 4 hotels were centrally located for me to venture out for food and exploration on my own.
They knew upfront my needs and requirements (elevator and shower and food allergies) and let me know they had the information. They were conscientious about letting me know when my transportation was available and making sure we connected.
In the case of the Rome hotel, the shower floor was extremely slick and they secured a mat for me to assure I wouldn’t fall. In Como, they sent a person with me to assure I could find the meeting place for the boat. Great attention to the customer.
The Stresa hotel was the least hospitable but, great location and they did provide a bar at the top of the hotel for food outside of restaurant times and which had a beautiful view of the lake.
Being American, my need for food existed outside of Italian eating times, so it was necessary to have alternative places to go to eat. All were great choices.
Transportation
All of the drivers were on time, knew where we were going and how to get there. All schedules were met and on time. For me, it was a hugh relief for me not to have to figure out how to get to the next location. All drivers were courteous and helpful. Having the cell phone to text them when I was ready for pickup helped tremendously.
Activities
I really appreciated your listening to my interests and developing my itinerary accordingly. Even though I spent two days on the Amalfi coast, both experiences were very different…..by boat and by land. I was glad to do both. Taking the boat tour first, which stopped in several villages for exploration, provided that I didn’t need to do any town exploration on the drive day. And, trying to find any parking for town exploration is not desirable. So it worked perfectly the way it occurred.
I had a great time exploring Rome on the Vespa. And, a great way to see it. Much better than in a car. Thanks for your last minute securing of the ticket to see the Pope. I’m glad that was included.
What you might not know, is there is a church within a block of my hotel that has interesting weekly events and I went to hear the 3 tenors from Naples. Attending any other musical events would have been one of the missing components to my trip. I did pay attention to see what I could find on my own.
The Como boat tour was great. It was what I was looking for. And, Stresa …..well, I just have to go back.
I loved Antica Moka in Modena. That was a wonderful treat and experience. My only feedback would be to be prepared for the length of time. It would have helped my driver too.
(One of our tv news shows just highlighted Osteria Franscescani and Chef Massimo Bottura in Modena and his tasting menu.)
Support
You listened to my interests, wishes, restrictions, and did a great job putting together my itinerary. Having the cell phone with me was a great comfort. Thank you. It allowed me to keep in touch with my drivers too.
Just a couple of suggestions …..the first itinerary I received, I immediately printed out. Then, along came revision 2 and 3. What would have helped, would be to keep a standard format of the days and events and then let me reprint the applicable page and not all of the pages again.
The one confusion for me occurred on the trip to Assisi when I missed that I was to meet the tour guide at 3 and I interpreted it as meeting my driver at 3. We were able to work it out though as he was available earlier. What neither you nor I anticipated was that I was going to be happy ending my day and be back at my hotel by 5. That allowed me recoup time and then out in the evening. That’s why the pizza making activity didn’t work …. I didn’t have any recuperation time.
I’m including a couple of my favorite pics!
Thanks again for everything. It’s one of the top of my trips to other countries.
Kate Schmidt”
Kate Schmidt (Tucson, AZ) – SEPTEMBER 2018
Amalfi coast Boat tour
Vespa tour in Rome
Trevi fountain, Rome
Antica Moka, Modena
