Perhaps Venice, just first sight At night and at dawn Special". ahead of time and empowered us to feel brave and explore each city on our own with little to no fear. The gondola ride was outstanding. Very well organized tour. I dont know if I had 1 moment. This was my second time touring with RS and I wanted to spend more time in the places on the tour. Standing before the David, in St. Peter's Basilica, and the Colosseum. Our tour guide Lisa was excellent. This tour was everything we expected. Enjoyed our group meals and our guide was so informative and a great resource of information. No hiccups with our tour guide. Bea had managed to get us a reservation for the Pantheon. "It was exciting to see the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's David & Pieta, but I think my wow moment was the first sight of the colisieum.". Wish we could have spent more time there.". "I wish I could identify a stellar moment, but its like pointing out a specific star in the galaxy of wonderful experiences! It was an unforgettable experience.". "Walking into a near-empty Pantheon at dusk was definitely a "Mamma Mia!" We had a great time. The gondola ride, and walking into the colosseum.". It was so well organized and our guide was simply the best! Also, a wonderful evening with our new friends over dinner the last night in Venice. Being so close to these magnificent pieces were breathtaking.". So far I've got nine pages, and I'm not done. I enjoyed all of the tour activities as well as the extra activities that Lisa made for our group!! Our tour guild was amazing. With Rick Steves. "The Colosseum. Dimitri was a wonderful tour guide, he made the whole experience even better. Just imagining how many years and lives went into the building of this city's treasures is overwhelming.". A welcome break from Museums, castles, ruins, cathedrals and churches.". It was much more physically demanding that I expected, but I was able to survive. "I got engaged in Venice on the last night!! We loved every part of our tour in Italy. Fabulous tour of Venice,Florence, and Rome. "So many statues and artwork from talented people that I'd only just heard about. This was an outstanding tour. She made herself available to answer any questions and provide suggestions for times when we were exploring on our own. Love that tips are included! "There were so many I can't say! The tour was incredible and so well structured. Italy Audio Tours Rick Steves - Apple Podcasts It's an incredible experience.". Our tour guide Anya was outstanding in every way and the local guides were all very informative.! Such a beautiful place and our host was so welcoming and interesting. our tour guide Patricia's ability to foresee any potential problems and her attention to detail made this an unbelievable trip. Our stop at an olive and vineyard farm in Umbria was also a highlight of the tour!! Stephanie was amazing and truly a pleasure . The content focused on history, art, and culture. There is so much to see, and so much information to absorb, this tour did a great job of balancing that with time on our own. "The gondola ride was a wonderful surprise; some travel authors had downplayed the experience so I wasn't expecting it to be so wonderful.". My goal was to see the Italian masters and the tour did not disappoint!". I would highly recommend a Rick Steve's tour to anyone who likes to hit the ground running to see and do as much as you can. We hiked up to the top, Lisa brought wine and snacky poos, and the sunset over Florence did not disappoint. We learned so much. I would not have been without the local guides enthusiasm and knowledge.". The Rick Steves Best of Venice, Florence & Rome tour begins with Venice's timeless St. Mark's Square and Basilica, then on to Michelangelo's stunning David and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and ends with Rome's Ancient Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel. The guides were fabulous and we got to see so much more. We saw things we wouldnt have seen on our own. Who can chose, it like trying to pick a favorite child.". ", Our tour guides Sara and Thomas were so very personable, attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. We saw and experienced all the important well known artwork and historic sites in the three cities of Venice, Florence and Rome. The contrast in regions. After returning, we'll set you free to discover Venice's other famous sights and find dinner on your own in the tangled maze of alleys and trattorias. I cannot say enough good things about her, she was tremendous. Great accommodations! ", Beatrice was an amazing tour leader. The estate tour was informative, and the wine experience was delightful.". More than a week after we made our departure from Rome. our guide Dimitri was outstanding. Colleen was so great, so knowledgeable and pleasant. And our tour guide Dimitri was fabulous. It helped a novice like me appreciate each work. was great. Join us for the Best of Venice, Florence & Rome in 10 Days! The Roman Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the statue of David were all also wow highlights!". Rome was also one of our favorites: The Vatican Museum ending with the Sistine Chapel", I cant put into words how much our tour guide was. She was obviously knowledgeable about the area, made sure we were prepared on a daily basis, and handled any items that arose with ease. Her knowledge of the art history and the way that she explained it: fantastic". "Best moment was the sunset gondola ride with serenade in Venice. For new travelers - theres a difference between a Hard Rock Cafe and a Hard Rock Cafe Merchandise store.". We have always been solo budget travelers, but now this tour really changed my mind. We really appreciated the three nights in each location, which gave us time to feel familiar and to appreciate the wonderful architecture, art, history, and local life. Loved all the sites visited. Our tour director, Beatrice, was organized, fun, professional, and eager to share her country with us. "There were lots of wow moments, but three favorites from Rome were (1) Sistine Chapel, (2) St. Peter's Basilica, and (3) The Colosseum.". The itinerary had the perfect balance of group activities and time to adventure on your own. Patricia and Bea provided a variety of options during our free time. Powerful moment! Simply breathtaking!". Wonderful!! Half way into our trip I was hit with a cold ( tested negative for Covid x 2 ). "Dinner together as a group was wonderful. ", 10 days went fast! We truly enjoyed everyone in our group & absolutely loved our noisy dinners with friends! "There were many "wow" moments but I think my favorite was the wine tasting at a very old local winery in the countryside outside of Rome.". The group meals and times shared with the group, as well as our own times exploring together were also highlights". Moderate walking: 26 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. I am celiac and the tour went above and beyond to accommodate my dietary requirements. This is my first tour experience in my life. We had a wonderful time. As the tour progressed we became more and more impressed with the value of the product. For instance the value of the knowledgeable local guides was a surprise. "learning about and viewing The Coloseum and Forum from a humanistic perspective rather than a recitation of dates and facts.". Donaldson this was my second Rick Steves trip to Italy. Michelangelo, Galileo, Cosimo de Medici I, Florence Nightingale, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Chiberti, Machiavelli, Buonarroti,Napolean's wife & daughter, and more, plus oddly enough Mussolini. Everything was amazing and organized. Very knowledgeable and friendly too. Rick Steves Rome (2023 Travel Guide) - amazon.com Absolutely loved it! Exceptional tour guides, just the right amount of scheduled vs. free time, wonderful hotel rooms/locations a wonderful experience! Another was on our first night in Rome. It was a great group of 26. I loved each of our hotels (Guerrato, Silla and Ludovisi). Another: the cooking lesson at Tavola in Florence -- a hands-on experience which was not only instructive but another great way to enjoy the company of our traveling colleagues.". This was such a special moment for all of us.. I guess I would say my first glimpse of the inside of St. Peters Basilica was a major wow! I had grown up hearing about the Basilica, never imagining that I would one day stand within it. Loved Burano! "Getting to experience 3 very different cities and seeing the uniqueness and beauty of each of them.". this was my first Rick Steves tour. "The Sistine Chapel and St Peters Basillica.". The little things - Michelangelo's self-portrait on back of Prisoner stone. It might have been our tour guide Bea!! "I enjoyed the winery, cooking class and St Peters Basilica most of all. I enjoyed being part of a group of strangers more than I thought I would. The cynic in me would have thought it a cheesy moment. Both Bea and the local guides. I was surprised to find that many of the venues we visited were very crowded, a lot of pent up demand I guess. "That's very hard to pick one, but if I had to I guess it would be seeing St. Peter's basilica. Appreciated the structure of itinerary including some great activities and also having free time to explore. Nina went out of her way to provide us with plenty of food to eat! Every aspect, host, accommodations, guides and foodnothing lacked. We will participate in more Rick Steve's trips in the future. Venice is so worth it. "The spectacular view of Venice at sunset from the top of the dept store building, gliding through the canals serenaded by local musicians, the view of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo while we sipped aperol spritzes in the afternoon.". The amount of time with the group and free time was apportioned just right. I enjoyed every single activity, specifically the wine tasting, cooking class and group dinner in each city. I had a wonderful trip. From the Mediterranean to the Alps, from fine art to fine pasta, experience it all with Rick Steves! Our guide, Tina, added experiences thru her contacts with friends and artisans that really enhanced and personalized our trip!! In Florence, I fell in love with the city. "Too many to countbut the gondola ride in Venice, the cooking class in Florence, the wine tasting in Umbria, seeing the David, the Sistine Chapel and the Pantheon". The tour accomplished the advertised goal of seeing the best of Italy. It's a breeze to reach Rome's airports by taxi or train. I will be looking into more tours with her, for sure! Jaimie was also excellent. After our morning explorations, we'll create today's tasty lunch during a fun and informative cooking class. Perhaps add Orvieto as an overnight stay? The RS videos and blogs prepared me to really see and feel all our destinations as well as having a grasp of what was to come. This was my first tour and my first Rick Steves tour. She was on top of all arrangements. The tour guides and the historical references to the sites, paintings, etc. "Our guide had a surprise for us at the wine tasting. The tour exceeded my expectations. The Tour Guide, Tina, had years of experience, was very knowledgeable and her passion for Italy shone through. Our tour guide in Rome, Paulo, was an outstanding guide. ", "I had wanted to go to Venice for many years. Our tour guide was nothing short of exceptional! David, The Pieta, Moses and the Sistine Chapel all compete for top wow moment, as well.". Each of the local tour guides were excellent. "Marco's olive farm visit, with wine tasting paired with food prepared by his wife, and a view of Tuscany felt like it was such a privilege to be invited in to this intimate setting. Having watched midnight masses for so many years and then to be there to see the balcony spot where the Pope speaks to the people was amazing. "In our last hotel stay, our guide Cecilia introduced us to the hotel owner, we got to meet her family, and there was a surprise live musical performance! We will try to take another one of her tours! I guess seeing the ruins of ancient Rome and the Colosseum, simply because of the history of the place. All good things, all good things! Planning and details were excellent. Our guide Dmitri, did an excellent job managing the minutiae, keeping group dynamics running smoothly and educating us about what we were seeing, "I would say my favorite wow moment was each of the local guides. This my first Rick Steves tour but it definitely wont be my last! I am 65 years old. The tour was a good combination of activity and free time. No stress, well organized and a good balance of group activities amd time on our own. "Visiting the Santa Croce Basilicain Florence; the amazing families who are either buried, entombed or have cenotaphs, monuments, alters, plaques &/or memorials there. The tour was such an efficient use of our time. The tour was very good. Our tour guide is outstanding. "The Vatican was a "Wow" moment. The experience was amazing. Tour very well planned out in regards to activities and timing. Terms of Service | Privacy, Best of Venice, Florence & Rome in 10 Days Tour 2024, Florence's Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo's, Evening walk through Rome including Trevi Fountain. The entire trip was very well organized and everything flowed smoothly which allowed us to see and experience everything included in the tour as well as those things we planned outside of the tour. It was wonderful! Rick Steves Bio, Girlfriend, Divorce, Net Worth, Ethnicity, Height All of these places were very awe striking and really enlarged my perspective of the world and the regions during the times.". The gondola ride would have to be right up there. They knew so much and were fun too. In Venice our gondola ride was so much more than just a ride in a boat, In Florence turning the comer and seeing David and in Rome experiencing St Peter's were just lifetime memories..And how could I forget the visit to the agriturismo.". The special things that make us return time and again were mostly present, though there were a few small things that gave us the sense that perhaps some cost-cutting was at play in terms of meals and site visits. The scale and beauty was breaktaking!". I feel like I really got a feel for how to maneuver in Florence and Rome. I came away with new methods of understanding and appreciation and an eagerness to continue to learn more! Accommodations were lovely and well positioned in each city we visited. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying while on tour in the Documents section of your tour account. Rick Steves European Travel Talk | We'll visit the must-see sights of Italy's most famous cities and learn about their roles in shaping the Western World. The local guides so deeply enhanced my experience that I, as not much of a museum-goer, have a new appreciation for such visits. The organized time for museums balanced well with free time to explore further what we saw. Outstanding restaurant recommendations. I'm so glad I did not try to do this trip myself, having most things taken care of really helped my stress level. From the moment we arrived in Venice I knew that the tour would be a success. This was our fifth Rick Steves tour. Hotels were nice, only compliant was no elevator in Venice. Cooking Class as well so much fun". The overall experience was great. The music just added to the great experience. It was very memorable.". Even our guide was surprised. I had this stereotype that package tours would be boring and overbearing, but not Rick Steves! We loved that we hit the highlights as a group, but had a lot of free time to explore on our own. "The entire trip was a wow moment for me. The tour was very well organized, and the published itinerary was on target and executed. "Probably the sculpture of David which surprised me as I am not an art conisur.". It more than filled the expectations! "Seeing Michelangelos David was incredible.". That said, its difficult to say enough about how well organized and delightful the entire trip was, with the exception of a couple incidences which could happen no matter what the circumstances were(slipping and falling into a Venice canal being one of them! Cannot say enough about the great experience. A fun tour, and the guide was great. In spite of our delay to meet the group we had a fantastic time with our fellow travelers and our wonderful tour guide. This was my first tour with RS and I could not have been more impressed. "There were so many wow moments, it is hard to pick one, but if had to pick one, it would be the gondola ride with musical accompaniment. Wonderful! The hotel, food and restaurant choices were excellent. "My wow moment came in Rome. We had a wonderful time in Italy! The group consisted of mostly people in my peer group, everyone was friendly, well behaved and cooperative. Overall, it was a wonderful tour, and I hope to do it again soon. "Turning a corner and seeing the coliseum for the first time!". Very well organized tour, wonderful guide Lisa, and a congenial group of 28 made this tour so much fun. We particularly liked having time to ourselves to explore as well as partake in the tour activities. "The ancient ruins in Rome and Vatican City were the highlights of the tour.". We saw all of the most famous sights with very little waiting in line. All who were a part of the tour contributed to its success. Our guide was clear and efficiently directed our group (29 people). This tour was Easter week and so our tour group included an extended family of 9, including children ages 9-14 plus two young adults. This was an amazing experience from beginning to end. "I wasnt keen to see Venice as I had heard negative things like the smell of the canals. Everything from Venice to Florence to Rome went so smoothly. Dimitri was fantastic host and each of the local guides were top notch! Not sure if y'all orchestrated the woman falling in to the canal to get a good look at the singer. Donald and Chiara, our tour guides, were friendly, professional, knowledgable, and fun to "vacation" with. Our first stop will be at the beautiful Franciscan church of Santa Croce to admire the 13th century frescoes by Giotto and pay our respects at the tombs of some of Italy's greatest minds, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo. With your emotions? The hotels were modest as expected but clean and in good locations. Colleen and the Italian guides were outstanding! The tour was extremely well thought out with unique touches mixed in with all the classic sites. Touching its walls and walking the same paths taking by Roman citizens thousands of years ago.". This particular tour had wow moments daily. Curriculum Vitae of Richard S. Price, II We enjoyed the balance of activities: it was nice to mix the visits to museums and historical sites with the cooking class, farm visit, and gondola ride. "Probably the tour of the winery and the Olive Trees. Our tour through Venice, Florence and Rome was outstanding and explored many great sights and areas. It was sooo fun! From the initial booking, to the final day it was beyond outstanding. Having someone to work out the logistics for your trip and having local guides give you perspective and history was fantastic, "The wine tasting in Umbria. Fantastic tour experience. We felt the tour was very well organized with Anja as a great tour guide. We saw so many places and things that we had only seen in pictures. The incredible art and architecture was awe inspiring. Everything was so well organized. There were so many wow moments but this is at the top.". Italy's three greatest cities are a delight to visit any time of year. So fun! We saw and did so many things in the short two weeks. I loved that they utilize local tour guides in the individual cities. great group of people and great tour leader! The mix of scheduled and free time seemed perfect for us as we were able to spend extra time in some places of particular interest to us. I cannot say enough about our guide, Cecelia, what an excellent leader she was for our group that week. My tour of Italy was exceptional from beginning to end. It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. I think we will be doing more tours in the future to hard to navigate places. In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. Enjoyed the the trip very much. "Walking in and seeing Michelangelo's David! 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 Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and ends with Rome's ancient Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel.
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