Kerry and Michael share their experiences on our 10 Day Best of Italy and Sorrentine Coast
What prompted you to book this tour?
We were looking for a land tour which would take us around some of the best of Italy at the end of our European holiday. We only had 10 days and this tour itinerary suited us perfectly. We also liked that it was with an Australian company.
Did your expectations meet reality?
Mostly yes, in some ways no. The Tuscan countryside we travelled through was as beautiful as expected, but some places such as Venice and Capri were overcrowded which made the experience not as enjoyable as we’d hoped.
Any surprises?
Rome was chaotic and wonderful all at once, and some of our tours were very crowded, such as the Vatican Museums but there’s so much history and the ruins are cleverly interwoven into the life and design of the city. We loved our stops at some of the smaller villages along the way as they were quieter, and we got to spend time just wandering the narrow streets, eating gelato, and taking in the views.
What were the highlights of this tour for you?
The small villages we stopped at in the Tuscany region were delightful, such as Assisi, Montepulciano, and the larger towns of Siena and Bologna. They are so beautiful, with gorgeous cobblestone streets, quaint shops, historic churches, architecture and nice people. Our gondola ride in Venice was wonderful and definitely worth the extra cost. Other highlights include the view from our hotel in Sorrento, the extra tour to Pisa was also very good, we loved our Pompeii tour, and, of course, the gelato and pizza.
What do you say to those pondering whether or not to book?
If you’ve only got a short time to see some of the best of Italy, then this 10 day tour is a fabulous choice. Our local guide Stefano, and bus driver Luigi, took very good care of us, taking us to see bucket list destinations as well as to quieter, less touristy areas. We also had a good amount of free time to explore on our own, which is very important to us. We also met some lovely people touring with us, from Australia, New Zealand and Canada. We were able to take in the scenery and relax, without the hassle of trying to drive ourselves or organise other transport.
Any advice for future travellers?
We commenced this tour late May and had perfect weather, not too hot. This is a relatively fast-paced tour, which it needs to be in order to fit in so much of Italy in just 10 days. Comfortable footwear is a must, as is a sun hat in the warmer weather. Drink plenty of water and go to bed early; touring can be tiring but is so worth it! Try and go with the flow, take it all in, and make some special memories.
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