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"Effortless. Serene. I'll travel no other way!"
"A Remarkable Adventure..."
What a remarkable adventure we had in Italy with NowJourney! From the delectable food and wine to the breathtaking scenery, the Italy trip was first class all the way. Our Tour Captain was beyond great. She took us to little known hiding places within each city and was not only knowledgeable, but entertaining as well. In Florence, Paszkowski restaurant is a do not miss for a fun time! The regional tour guides for every city were exceptional, and the hotels selected were top notch. When you visit Cortona, do not miss the opportunity for the cooking class…it was out of this world! This was a trip of a lifetime for my family and will be remembered always!
By Marina for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR reviewed on June 20, 2023
"An Amazing Experience that Exceeded Our Expectations."
We went on the Italy's Great Cities Tour with the Bellagio and Sorrento add-ons in May 2023. The trip was to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and it was everything we had hoped it would be! Neither of us had been to Italy before so this tour gave a good introduction to many different parts of the country. Our tour captain was THE BEST! He was knowledgeable, fun to be with, and made us feel comfortable the entire trip. I also admired the way our Tour Captain was able to deal with one of our tour companions who (had some issues while on travels). The hotels exceeded our expectations – they were all high end and located in walkable parts of the cities. The included breakfasts were all a good start to the day. The food and drink were fabulous! We always left the dinners very full!
The local tour guides were all very good. We had Emanuele in Venice, Giacomo in Florence, Cynthia and Daniela in Rome, and Antonietta in Pompei. I really liked that they were true locals – their love for their cities definitely showed. One of our favorite parts of the tour were the little surprises that our Tour Captain arranged! In San Gimignano we will never forget our Tour Captain walking us through winding dark passageways to an amazing view of the Tuscan hillside then pulling out a bottle of Vernaccia, salami, cheese and honey! Or having snacks and cocktails right next to the Pantheon! Or having prosecco on our hotel rooftop! Or going to a cute nightclub with live music after dinner in Florence! The private chef in the villa in Rome was also a highlight of the trip.
Our transportation was first class – not having to lug suitcases on and off the trains was a big plus. The vans were clean and comfortable and the drivers were all impressive. We are very glad we were not driving (especially to Bellagio, in the Amalfi Coast and in Rome)!
A couple of things that could be improved on: - The laundry service in Cortona was a big plus, BUT, we were misinformed about how the service worked. We were under the impression that each person could send up to 25 items to be laundered at no cost. When we checked out in the morning, we were surprised to have a large charge for laundry. The clerk explained that we had a 25Euro credit for laundry and anything above that we had to pay for. In addition, he explained that different items (socks, blouse, underwear, etc.) each had different costs. This makes sense, BUT the different prices were not provided to us on the NowJourney laundry form. If we would have been informed how the laundry service worked, we would have prioritized differently. We recommend that you make sure the costs of each item and the rules are clear to future guests. From Now Journey: We agree and apologize for this misfire — we've offered future trip credit and have made changes in the presentation of the laundry service. Thank you!
- The wine tasting at Tenuta Torciana Winery provided way too much food. I feel silly complaining about having too much, but the charcuterie board given to each person could have served 2-3 people, the soup was good but filling, the lasagna was amazing – but then they brought roasted meat and dessert! That much food distracted from the wine tasting. I would have preferred to have had a tour of the winery followed by wine tasting and a lighter lunch. I am not sure what other options the winery offers but I might look into a different winery experience.
Overall, the trip was an amazing experience that exceeded our expectations. We would highly recommend NowJourney to all our friends. We LOVE(D our Tour Captain) and would travel again with him anytime! We feel like we really benefited from being with a small group.
Sincerely, Beth & Chris
By Beth & Chris for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR reviewed on June 17, 2023
"NOW JOURNEY is 5 STAR PLUS EXPERIENCE"
NOW JOURNEY is 5 STAR PLUS EXPERIENCE, and exactly what we were looking for!! My wife and I are just back from a two week May tour of Italy through Bellagio, Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Cortona, Rome, and Pompei, to Sorrento. It was our first time in Italy, and we really wanted to become immersed in its magnificent culture, people, scenery, and history. Even if you are fluent in Italian, it would be extremely difficult to plan and execute the logistics of a trip like this without Now Journey. They made it easy, and we felt totally safe and pampered the entire time. We actually feel sorry for those travelers who try to tour Italy by cruise ship, because they have missed the vast majority of the Italian experience. We enjoyed spending at least two nights in 5 star hotels in each locality. Each hotel, restaurant, and Italian guide had already been vetted in advance, so we never had a bad experience. We never waited in an attraction line in Italy thanks to Now Journey, because they had already bought the tickets.
“SKIP THE LINES” makes a huge difference! We are so appreciative of our professional Now Journey Tour Captain! He had travelled Italy many times before, and worked hard to insure each of our group had a maximally wonderful experience. Our Tour Captain made all the difference, being extremely gregarious, kind, and supportive. Our Tour Captain was already personally acquainted with almost all the owners of hotels, restaurants, tour guides, and transportation companies who embraced him with genuine affection and friendship. As such, we received 10 star attention from them. I’m not going to detail every Italian attraction we experience we had, but what I would like to point out why this company is so valuable to the traveler. You get to go through all the usual major highlights of each locality, plus there is a planned amount of flexible time for you to persue your individual interests. Some of our group were able to attend cooking classes. We are art history fanatics, so we were able to spend extra time in the Academia Gallery in Venice, the Uffizi Museum in Florence, and the Borghese Museum in Rome. A Venice boat trip to Murano allowed us to tour the highest quality glass blowing facility in the world.. An exceptionally treasured experience was attending a Sunday Mass at the Ciesa Santa Margherita in Cortona Tuscany. Surprise wine and cheese parties at magnificent vistas throughout Italy created many romantic memories of happiness. Words cannot describe the spectacular beauty of the Italian scenery, the delectable cuisine, nor the warmth of the Italian citizens we encountered.
We travelled in early May, so I can provide a few tips to those who might be going at that time. Dress warmly, dress for rain, and learn some basic conversational Italian. You will be glad you did. I’m so glad we chose Now Journey, and we are already planning our next vacation to another country next year with them. THANK YOU NOW JOURNEY! One final tip involves how to circumvent the difficulty most international travelers have in obtaining the very valuable GLOBAL ENTRY card which makes return through US Customs a breeze. Go to www.appointmentscanner.com. You will be glad you did!
By Neil & Renee for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR reviewed on May 23, 2023
A 'dream vacation' was the consensus.
Just wanted to let you know that our entire trip from beginning to end was wonderful. No one was injured, lost a passport, got sick or complained about ANYTHING! Even the weather cooperated. (Tour Captain) Lisa was terrific as were the tour guides in the different cities. The food was exquisite thanks to the great choices of restaurants. My family had the time of their lives. A dream vacation was the consensus. So grazie mille to you, Lisa and Now Journey for providing us with this memorable experience.
By Prudy for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR reviewed on June 3, 2023
Perfect Way To Travel.
Now Journey is a company you can trust to provide you with an exceptional travel experience. I have been on over 10 of their small group tours and did a family tour for myself and my four daughters. I have three additional trips planned thru 2024 .I love having an American Tour Captain because it makes each day stress free. All you have to do is relax and enjoy. Knowledgeable local guides provide excellent commentary on the city and its culture and you never wait in line for attractions.. Each day is filled with the perfect amount of time for sightseeing and exploring on your own.. The hotels are first class and are located in the heart of the city allowing you to walk out and immerse yourself in the culture. Authentic restaurants with amazing food and wines are part of the Now Journey experience along with visits to breathtaking wineries and picturesque villages. I can't wait for my next Now Journey adventure.
By Georgia for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR reviewed on March 24, 2023
Exceptional.
Everything about this trip was first class from the accommodations and restaurants to the transportation between cities to the local guides chosen in each city. Our tour captain, ensured everything ran smoothly and seamlessly. Several times, he surprised us with little things which weren't mentioned in our itinerary, e.g., a transfer from city-to-city via private boat or an unscheduled stop for gelato or an impromptu wine and cheese picnic along a vista view. The little extras meant a lot! Every hotel in which we stayed was exceptional both in location and amenities. They were all well-located in city centers with easy access to historical landmarks and sites of interest. Restaurants were extraordinary and unique with meals which would delight anyone. Having optional dinners for the nights which did not include meals was much appreciated as it gave us yet another opportunity to explore a unique and delicious restaurant. Transportation between cities was either business class on the fast trains or in a comfortable Mercedes van. We believe the value received for the price paid was first-rate. Now Journey has gained loyal customers in us as we will definitely look to them for booking future trips.
By Cheryl for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR reviewed on March 23, 2023
Everything was first class.
After much discussion btwn myself an experienced traveler and my travel companion we decided on NOW Journey for our special bday celebration. The tour included the 3 major cities as well as stays in Lake Como, Tuscany and Amalfi Coast which truly exceeded our expectations. Absolutely everything was first class especially our tour capt Mark Story and I would highly recommend this tour/ company to anyone looking for an Italian adventure. The stated itinierary was delivered perfectly with spoecial additions/ suprises at every stop. We never had to deal with tkts for transportation or historical sites.Our luggasge was always delivered expertly to the next stop and again i thank Mark for all his help with my " overpacked " suitcase. The local tour guides were amazing and very informative and kept my interest esp in extremely HOT weather conditions. The hotels were great and always easily located for ease in touring. The included mwals were outstanding as well as the extra meals as we chose to attend together knowing that Mark Story is an expert in Italy and Italian food. Mark Story was our initial trip planner from Day 1 and handled all our silly questions wonderfully. We were both excited when Mark informed us before the trip that he indeed woukd also be our tour captain while in Italy. Mark I could not have asked for a better trip leader and will always remember you and the trip!! To mark we were niot just his customers but part of his family. As we were over the moon with our trip May 2022 we have now booked a trip with NOW Journey with Mark Story as our captain for this May 2023 to Puglia. Can't wait for our new adventure to begin!
By Fran for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR - May 2022
Planned and executed to perfection.
I couldn't possibly say enough good things about this trip - it was incredible! Every detail was planned and executed to perfection. The schedule was an excellent balance of planned events and time to explore on our own. Our tour captain was exceptional! He insured everything went according to plan and surprised us along the way with added fun and adventures. I'm not sure it would have been the same without him. Bravo! The individual tour guides in the various cities were incredibly informative and shared their expertise brilliantly. The hotels were great; the food was awesome; and our group was small, congenial, engaged and flexible.
By dotsdad for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR - Fall of 2022
Made our time exceptionally enjoyable and memorable!
It was a wonderful trip. (Our Tour Captain) and the others were fabulous. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and sincere. They created a 'family' atmosphere and made our time exceptionally enjoyable and memorable. Also, I want to thank (the Now Journey headquarters staff) for your assistance with organizing, planning, and guiding me through the various trip options. An outstanding team. Thank you! Warmly and with sincere appreciation, Ron
By Ron S. for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR: ITALY AT CHRISTMAS TIME on December 17, 2022
Highly recommended as an amazing way to sample and indulge in Italy!
Not enough words! This Italy trip was a bucket-list, once in a lifetime trip for us. The food, the wine, the people, the sites, the history, the art - on and on, you get the idea. Massimo, our journey captain was outstanding - fun, kind, knowledgeable, generous, blah, blah, blah (his term :). But seriously, Mark and Sherry made booking the trip easy, kept us informed before and along the way, they were wonderful. The tour was elegant, frictionless, joyful, easy and what vacations are meant to be. All of the big and little details were taken care of and this allowed us to simply soak in each 'port of call' in Italy and enjoy ourselves. Highly recommended as an amazing way to sample and indulge in Italy!!
By Sandra S. for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR: VENICE TO THE AMALFI COAST on November 2, 2022
We would definitely recommend Journey to others.
Outstanding trip made especially enjoyable by our Journey Tour Captain, Massimo. The trip was thoughtfully put together to expose us to the highlights of many regions. Our guide with us throughout the trip was very knowledgeable and made adjustments based on our individual interests. Local guides in Venice, Florence, Rome were brought in to share their specialties. Ample time to explore on one's own but our guide was always ready during unscheduled times to show us more of the area if we wanted. He did a great job of finding tasty meals and steared us to local specialties. The food was plentiful and high quality as were beverages. We would definitely recommend to others.
By Sally C. for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR: VENICE TO THE AMALFI COAST on October 31, 2022
We did so based on the recommendation of a friend.
Our first booking with Now Journey. We did so based on the recommendation of a friend who used them recently and raved about her trip. From the start they communicated very well about the tour and their staff were quick to respond to any questions we had. As soon as we arrived at the airport in Florence until our flight home He was an amazing guide in every way I could imagine. He has a charismatic personality, was well versed in describing the sights, did an excellent job in making everyone feel comfortable in the group and made extraordinary sincere efforts to make the entire tour enjoyable. His communication skills are great and his ability to keep everyone involved and enjoying the whole trip is a rare talent. I will also commend that the schedule, although busy is not so crammed as to overwhelm or not allow one to do some exploring or chilling on their own. He also made himself available during the "free" times which we did appreciate. This type of trip is not one I can do often but for some tour in the future I would use Now Journey and be thrilled to have (the same) tour captain(!)
By Todd B. for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR: VENICE TO THE AMALFI COAST on October 4, 2022
This was a fabulous trip.
This was a fabulous trip with an opportunity to explore the charms of both large and small towns in both Switzerland and France. Our Tour Captain was excellent and made sure we did and saw everything, while still affording us plenty of free time to explore on our own. Our hotels were right in the city center and were perfect for being in the midst of all of the attractions and beauty of the cities. We really enjoyed the food and the authentic restaurants that were part of the included dinners. I loved the family owned winery that we visited where we had a great lunch and wine tasting.
By Georgia B. for DISCOVERIES OF SWITZERLAND & FRANCE TOUR on October 24, 2022
Our Tour Captain was Exceptional.
This trip will not disappoint as it provides a relaxed pace to enjoy the adventure. You will begin in Basel, Switzerland and end in Paris, France. Transfers are provided. I suggest arriving a day earlier to become adjusted to the time difference. Many meals are included and you are able to order your choice from the menu at a local restaurant. All breakfasts are included. An orientation walk is always provided at each new place. No large buses are used for transport. Our tour captain was exceptional. Always available to answer questions, make recommendations, or provide assistance. All the hotels are first class and centrally located.
By Morna F.. for DISCOVERIES OF SWITZERLAND & FRANCE TOUR on October 22, 2022
I couldn't possibly say enough good things about this trip.
I couldn't possibly say enough good things about this trip - it was incredible! Every detail was planned and executed to perfection. The schedule was an excellent balance of planned events and time to explore on our own. Our tour captain was exceptional! He insured everything went according to plan and surprised us along the way with added fun and adventures. I'm not sure it would have been the same without him. Bravo! The individual tour guides in the various cities were incredibly informative and shared their expertise brilliantly. The hotels were great; the food was awesome; and our group was small, congenial, engaged and flexible.
By Don K. for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR: VENICE TO THE AMALFI COAST on October 10, 2022
An interesting and beautiful trip with many delightful surprises.
Discoveries of Switzerland and France (October 2-12, 2022) was an interesting and beautiful trip with many delightful surprises which greatly enhanced our experiences. Our arrival transfer in Zurich was excellent and our amazing tour captain saw to it that our driver was still there even when the flight was 3 hours late. (We had notified him prior to leaving the United States).
We had one orientation walk with our TC which was enjoyable - we even walked down and up! 5 flights of stairs to the edge of the Rhine river which was really an exciting experience. We had a delightful welcome reception at a cafe with pastries and beverages. The welcome dinner was in a lovely hotel; however, I didn't feel that it was representative of Swiss cuisine.
Our transfer between Basel and Strasbourg was by train and was excellent in every way - from the vehicles which took us to the station to the first class train tickets and the Swiss chocolates surprises from our Tour Captain onboard. Our luggage was transferred separately so we did not have to handle anything other than a purse or small bag. In Strasbourg, we were met at the station and transferred to our hotel. The Maison Rouge, an Autograph hotel, is very well- located near the historic center.
The city tour of Strasbourg was comprehensive and we all loved the panoramic boat ride. Initially, I was disappointed that our city guide did not arrange the times so that we could see the noon-time ringing of the astronomical clock which was to be part of our tour. However, once our Tour Captain realized that, he advised that he would see to it that we got to see it on our free day in Strasbourg and our admission tickets were paid by the company. Our Tour Captain also saw to it that we got to have a fondue experience which was planned on our itinerary. We had two days of exploration of the charming towns of Alsace and they were two interesting and beautiful days. We had two comfortable vans for transportation. We visited two towns each day and had walking tours with our tour captain and some free time. Each day we also had an included delicious and traditional lunch experience and both were great. One was in a family winery( which was wonderful and prepared by the family) and one in a canal side Alsatian restaurant. The food was excellent quality and so interesting. I really enjoyed the pace of those days and the fact that the days were full of activity. Our transfer to Paris - again, transfer to the train was excellent. The fact that we had to handle our luggage on the train would have been impossible had it not been for the fact that our Tour Captain was able to get the luggage on the train for us. The train was very comfortable and we had excellent first class seats.
This review was edited for content and space purposes. See the entire review at WeTravel.
By Jane M. for DISCOVERIES OF SWITZERLAND & FRANCE TOUR on 21 October, 2022
Thank you for organizing the perfect trip.
The value of the Tour Captain's knowledge and experience, along with the local city tour guides, is immeasurable, significantly enhancing our journey through the country. The familiarity and warm relationship between the Tour Captain and the guides, restaurants and hotel owners assured our group was well received. Unexpected specials like stopping roadside at the vineyards, cheese and wine at the top of Cortona , frequent gelato stops, etc. added spice!! Thank you for organizing the perfect (first) trip from Venice to Amalfi.By Heidi S. for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR: VENICE TO THE AMALFI COAST on 25 September, 2022
So sad to see my tour come to an end.
This trip has truly been a dream come true and Now Journey has exceeded all expectations! So sad to see it come to an end.
By Jennifer B. for ITALY'S GREAT CITIES TOUR: LAKE COMO TO ROME on 21 September, 2022
Personal attention to every detail.
We had a great time, had very hot weather (July) that hampered us somewhat but our Tour Captain was fantastic with personal attention to every detail and took the stress out of a most enjoyable tour of Italy. Accommodations and food were very comfortable and located to most attractions.
By Lewis M for FLORENCE TUSCANY & AMALFI COAST on 21 Jul, 2022
Everything was perfectly planned out for us.
Everything was perfectly planned out for us. Our hotels were lovely and comfortable with great breakfasts. We had the perfect tour captain. He took care of our every need! Was very knowledgeable about the culture and history of the places we visited. He made our trip perfect!
By Susan M for FLORENCE TUSCANY & AMALFI COAST on 21 Jul, 2022
We loved our hotels and our planned meals were fun and unique.
We had an incredible family vacation through Italy and Greece and made so many great memories! We loved all our hotels and our planned meals were fun and unique. We saw everything! Our tour captain was fun and organized and we enjoyed having her with us. This was my 9th trip with Mark Story of Now Journey and there is no way I could pick a favorite! I highly recommend!
By Gina M - Italy & Greece Adventure on 20 Jun, 2022
Everything about this trip was first class.
Everything about this trip was first class from the accommodations and restaurants to the transportation between cities to the local guides chosen in each city. Our tour captain ensured everything ran smoothly and seamlessly. Several times, he surprised us with little things which weren't mentioned in our itinerary, e.g., a transfer from city-to-city via private boat or an unscheduled stop for gelato or an impromptu wine and cheese picnic along a vista view. The little extras meant a lot! Every hotel in which we stayed was exceptional both in location and amenities. They were all well-located in city centers with easy access to historical landmarks and sites of interest. Restaurants were extraordinary and unique with meals which would delight anyone. Having optional dinners for the nights which did not include meals was much appreciated as it gave us yet another opportunity to explore a unique and delicious restaurant. Transportation between cities was either business class on the fast trains or in a comfortable Mercedes van. We believe the value received for the price paid was first-rate. Now Journey has gained loyal customers in us as we will definitely look to them for booking future trips. Rick and Cheryl Houser
By Cheryl H for Complete Classic Italy 15D on 24 May, 2022
Now Journey is a small group travel company that you can trust.
Now Journey is a small group travel company that you can trust to provide an amazing, stress-free travel experience. My 4 daughters and I just retuned from Italy's Great Cities trip with an extension to the Amalfi Coast. Every aspect of the trip was first class and exceeded out expectations. Hotels were in locations in the heart of each city with excellent accommodations. The food and wine was experienced in amazing local "ristorantes" where the culture and flavor of Italy was on display. Sightseeing was with local, knowledgeable guides and we never waited in a line to get in . Our American Tour Captain guided us to maximize our experience and make sure we had a stress free journey. I highly recommend Now Journey to everyone who loves to travel Thanks to Now Journey for the trip of a lifetime!
By Georgia B for Georgia's Italy: Venice to the Amalfi Coast on 21 May, 2022
She is undoubtedly the very best guide we have ever had.
Mark Story's selection of Cynthia as our private tour guide in Rome provided us 2 amazing half-day experiences. She accompanied my wife and me as we walked through the recently opened Domus Aurea (Nero's Golden House), the Colosseum, and the Palatine Hill on our first afternoon in Rome. The next morning she was our tour guide through the Vatican Museums. Cynthia's knowledge of Italian history, geography, archaeology, and art is unsurpassed. When she learned we were on our way to Cairo, she frequently pointed out the connections that Rome had with Egypt in ancient times. She is undoubtedly the very best guide we have ever had. We much appreciated her enthusiasm for all things Rome!
By Michael C for Michael & Jeannie's Rome Adventure on 17 Nov, 2021
Well-located hotels, no wasted time, terrific guides & wonderful food.
We had a wonderful trip with a great, well located hotel, no wasted time, terrific guides & wonderful food. Can't wait to go back!! A very special experience.
By Jean W for Jean & Sarah PARIS ADVENTURE on 15 Nov, 2021
My Italy experience was everything I dreamed it would be and more!
My Italy experience was everything I dreamed it would be and more! Thank you for your help from booking the trip during such a crazy time. I felt assured and confident. And my Journey "TD" was exceptional. Grazie!
By Sarah S on 15 Oct, 2021
The Farmhouse Villa was spectacular.
Treasures of Tuscany was a fabulous trip that exceeded all of our expectations. Our hotel in Florence was located in the city center close to many attractions, great restaurants and lots of shopping. The Farmhouse Villa was spectacular with wonderful vistas that will forever live in my mind. It was the perfect combination of relaxation by the pool and exploring nearby towns with a knowledgeable guide who provided great insight into each visit. Breakfast each day was a display of anything you could ask for including freshly squeezed juice. The nightly meals prepared by Chef Walter were excellent. It was like dining in a Michelin Star restaurant every night. His cooking class was so much fun and I have already prepared some delicious roasted potatoes for my family. I am looking forward to preparing fresh pasta as well. We did an extension to the Amalfi Coast where [Journey organized a private] boat and [we] marveled at the beauty of the sea and the cliffs. It was the perfect finale to a fantastic journey.
By Georgia B on 04 Oct, 2021
The service and care that was provided for us was over-the-top wonderful!
This trip was an excellent combination of a stay in Florence with city tour, a couple of days to stroll around the city, do some shopping, have pizza in an outdoor restaurant and enjoy the vitality of the city. We had an excellent Welcome dinner in a fine but authentic restaurant with friendly service. Our hotel location was central and extremely well-located. I have to say that when [our Adventure Leader] complained about our room, they moved us to a more acceptable room immediately, but I felt that initially the room was not the Superior room that was booked and described on their website. The breakfast was high quality and well-done while observing COVID precautions. I always felt safe in the hotel and they were very vigilant about hygiene. The villa experience was excellent in every way! The property was very comfortable and that was due, in part, to the fact that we all had our own rooms and en suites. They rooms were overall comfortably appointed and the storage was excellent.
The service and care that was provided for us was over-the-top wonderful! That made every minute of our week there so delightful. I can't say enough how hard the whole Journey team worked to provide us with delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners, apericenas, beverages and snacks, Welcome Home juices after excursions, chocolates on our pillows, plentiful clean towels. It was a unique experience. I think for several reasons this was the ideal holiday - it was a very small group of guests all of whom knew one another from several trips. It also felt like we were very safe even during COVID since we knew that everyone was vaccinated and we formed our own little bubble. Since Italy has rigid mandates about masks, distancing and testing, I never felt at risk.
By Jane M on 03 Oct, 2021
What a wonderful way to return to a place that is close to my heart.
I've always wanted to rent a villa in Tuscany to spend time drawing and writing. [The team of Journey] adventure leaders along with a fantastic chef, Walter, provided me with a fabulous experience. I felt like an Italian diva. I was wined and dined. My every wish seemed to be fulfilled by them. There were also day trips to the nearby towns with our local guide expert: Susanna. She truly is an amazing and knowledgeable woman. I have to confess, I didn't produce any artistic creations, but I have some wonderful memories that will last forever. What a wonderful way to return to a place that is close to my heart: Italy.
By Mikki F on 03 Oct, 2021
Each day was well balanced between free & organized time.
This was just a wonderful trip all around. Each day was well balanced between free & organized time. As always, the food & hotels were superior. We saw places & met people that we would have missed in other circumstances. What a treat!
By Jean W for Jean & Sarah's Italy's Undiscovered Treasures 9D (copy) on 23 Oct, 2021
The nightly meals prepared by Chef Walter were excellent.
Treasures of Tuscany was a fabulous trip that exceeded all of our expectations. Our hotel in Florence was located in the city center close to many attractions, great restaurants and lots of shopping. The Farmhouse Villa was spectacular with wonderful vistas that will forever live in my mind. It was the perfect combination of relaxation by the pool and exploring nearby towns with a knowledgeable guide who provided great insight into each visit. Breakfast each day was a display of anything you could ask for including freshly squeezed juice. The nightly meals prepared by Chef Walter were excellent. It was like dining in a Michelin Star restaurant every night. His cooking class was so much fun and I have already prepared some delicious roasted potatoes for my family. I am looking forward to preparing fresh pasta as well. We did an extension to the Amalfi Coast where we rented a boat and marveled at the beauty of the sea and the cliffs. It was the perfect finale to a fantastic journey.
By Georgia B for Georgia & Gina's Treasures of Tuscany on 04 Oct, 2021
The Chef taught us how. I'm so happy to have had that experience.
This trip was an excellent combination of a stay in Florence with city tour, a couple of days to stroll around the city, do some shopping, have pizza in an outdoor restaurant and enjoy the vitality of the city. We had an excellent Welcome dinner in a fine but authentic restaurant with friendly service. Our hotel location was central and extremely well-located. However, I felt that the management assigned us rooms which were not up to the standard that we expected. They were responsive when Mark questioned them on that, but I felt that they didn't go out of their way unless they were questioned on things. We had to call several times about our television. I have to say that when Mark complained about our room, they moved us to a more acceptable room immediately, but I felt that initially the room was not the Superior room that was booked and described on their website. The breakfast was high quality and well-done while observing COVID precautions. I always felt safe in the hotel and they were very vigilant about hygiene. The villa experience was excellent in every way! The property was very comfortable and that was due, in part, to the fact that we all had our own rooms and en suites. They rooms were overall comfortably appointed and the storage was excellent. Adding a comfortable chair to each bedroom would have made the room more comfortable. This is a farmhouse property, so insects are to be expected and I have to say that I did have to get rid of quite a few every day! The service and care that was provided for us was over-the-top wonderful! That made every minute of our week there so delightful. I can't say enough how hard the whole Journey team worked to provide us with delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners, apericenas, beverages and snacks, Welcome Home juices after excursions, chocolates on our pillows, plentiful clean towels. It was a unique experience. I think for several reasons this was the ideal holiday - it was a very small group of guests all of whom knew one another from several trips. It also felt like we were very safe even during COVID since we knew that everyone was vaccinated and we formed our own little bubble. Since Italy has rigid mandates about masks, distancing and testing, I never felt at risk. Observations about the property - I would like a gathering area with more seating space indoors. I think we could have utilized the living room areas in house B for relaxing. There was only one sofa in house A so we were always seated at the table. I have already mentioned that to Mark, but wanted to express it here. The table outside was very nice to gather for beverages, snacks and simple lunches. The pool was beautiful and there were plenty of lounge chairs. It was lovely to be there and look at the amazing scenery. Our Tour Captains were always willing to drive us into Cetona if we wished to go to the village. In my ideal world, I'd like a villa very near a town so that it was easy walking distance. The excursions to Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano and Arezzo were very interesting and enjoyable. Susanna is an engaging and very knowledgeable guide and it was so nice to have the continuity of her throughout the week. The arrival and departure transfers were seamless and it made for a very easy trip. In terms of future villa experiences, I think that the experience is one that lends itself to a group of friends or family as opposed to a group who have never met. I feel that there's not quite enough space for strangers. All it would take is a couple of sitting areas where people can have some separation if desired. That could be either indoors and/or outdoors. Regarding the dining experiences - they were very high quality, everything was delicious and beautifully presented. I did feel compelled to have more courses than I really wished to eat at dinner and I'd like the opportunity in the future to decline a course if I wished. I didn't want to offend our wonderful chef Walter who prepared so beautifully for us and was so kind, thoughtful, warm and friendly. One of the highlights of the week for me was the pasta-making class. I learned so much having such a hands-on experience and it was the most enjoyable and helpful class I've ever taken in Europe. In fact, yesterday I was able to make the pasta at home that Chef taught us how to do! I'm so happy to have had that experience. As with most Americans who are traveling to Europe in 2021, we had a few hoops to go through to get there, but once we were in Italy, the experience was happy, fulfilling and hopeful for a future of travel again. Thank-you so much to Now Journey for the superlative trip!.
By Jane M for Jane's Treasures of Tuscany on 03 Oct, 2021