Stained glass and forcola demonstrations "Hiking in Alpe di Suisi! Winding our way towards the coast, we'll first stop to gaze at Pisa's leaning tower and Romanesque baptistery. They exceeded all expectations. I believe that she was the primary reason for the success and our enjoyment of the tour. Just strolling down the street with so many other people wouldn't sound amazing, however there was such relaxation and joy in the atmosphere. Adrian, our driver, was fantastic steering us through narrow streets effortlessly. We had a great group of fellow travelers that meshed well together, especially during such a long tour. We very much liked Lake Como and hiking in Cinque Terre. We were fortunate to have a wonderful group of people to travel with and I truly feel they became family. A highlight for us was actually not on the tour. The tour was our first organized tour and was MUCH better than we ever expected! "It's impossible to pick one! Everything about is was absolutely fantastic. I feel so very lucky that we could enjoy so many different cities and towns in Italy. Looking forward to another one. I'd recommend your tours to all and will take another soon. Italy intensifies as you plunge deeper. "We had several wow moments. This is a very active tour! Accommodations were very good, tour guide and bus driver (Deborah and Adrian) were friendly, approachable, and helpful. Our guide Molly was particularly aware of individual differences and managed the group with responsibility and efficiency. We covered a lot of ground and I liked the balance of free time and tour time, big city time and small village time. ", We had a great time; were very pleased with the tour. "So many wonderful memories, its hard to pick one "wow" moment.". "Alta Rocca Winery was perfect with some down time. Create custom playlists with more than 400 educational clips featuring the best of European history, art, culture, and experiences (plus topics beyond Europe). Above all she made herself one of the team, by having a wonderful sense of humor. Donald was a terrific tour guide and I especially enjoyed the history and art lessons he provided. Being Catholic I was humbled by St Peters and the Vatican. Northern Italy is famed for its breath-taking lakes, and Lake Maggiore is no exception to this. "I feel like the whole tour was a "wow" moment!!". As we learn about the life of the saint, we'll take a walking tour of the town and its beautifully frescoed Basilica of St. Francis. Our guide, Patricia, was fantastic. I had dreamed of spending time in Italy for 20 years and so was very excited about the trip. The tour was everything I had hoped it would be. We have and will continue to recommend Rick Steves Tours. And seeing David in person in Florence!". We planned previous trips and drove thru south and central regions On this tour we enjoyed the other tour members. We would be better prepared in the future. I said all of it, I'm not sure I can point to one thing over another because everything was so enlightening Not only did we get all that was outlined in the tour itinerary but there were special "surprises" that happened (or were planned) that served to enhance the trip. Totally amazed with Francesca and the tour of Rome. I was greatly impressed with the architecture and that people living 500 and more years ago could create such magnificent structures and art. Our tour experience with Elena & fellow guests surpassed my expectations. Rick Steves' Europe | All the best travel tips, travel inspiration, and European tour info from the team at Rick Steves' Europe. One of the most meaningful trips of my lifetime. The sun rise at St. Peter's and viewing the Pieta without a herd of other tourists was a WOW!! per person + air, Single I can't say enough about the many many wow magical moments that made up our trip.". Met all of my expectations and beyond. It was truly amazing.". Visions of Greece. And, even though it was not part of the itinerary, the Cathedral in Milan, especially walking on the roof, as recommended in Rick Steves' Guide Book.". We'll drive straight to Rome today and spend the afternoon uncovering the heart of the Eternal City. Walking in this very old place felt surreal and hard to believe. "I liked the Dolomites. The hotels overall were good and the food was FANTASTIC! Our wine resort lodging was the best. The guide was fluent in Italian and was a capable problem solver, as the itinerary was reorganized near the beginning of the tour, and at the end. My wife and I learned so much! Our hotel locations were superb. Had a great time. 20 offers from $1.21. "Alpe di Siusi meadow hike, Cinque Terre, Seine contrade dinner, Rome colosseum and forum. "There was so many "wow" moments that I cannot claim a favorite. That may have been necessary in light of the enormous number of sights and the need to allow choices to be made. 1 Week in Northern Italy . Sleep in Rome. Saw and did so much!! I loved the itinerary, the special events, the dinners, the ratio of free time to group time, etc. I was a good balance between travel time, sight seeing and relaxation.". "The sight of coming in Varenna and seeing our hotel looking out on Lake Como was breathtaking. Loved everything about it and Castelrotto!". (8 cities in 16/17 days is a lot of moving.) Milan is about a one-hour train ride from Varenna, where the tour begins. We didn't know this before we went. There was a nice balance of tours and free time. Terrific choice of cities, tours, local guides, the food and- oh - the vino. The local guides used at each location were excellent. Although we went to the same cities, the itinerary was enough different that each day had something new. There is so much history, culture, and art to take in. But we’re holding off on taking sign-ups…because, like the president-elect (and unlike the president-unelect), we recognize that we’re not yet out of the woods of this pandemic. Chose this tour because it hit all the places we wanted to see. Rainer was perfect. This was an wonderful tour. Add to that the fact that I was traveling solo, and there were numerous opportunities for disappointment. We thoroughly enjoyed this excellent tour of Italy. An amazing 17 days. Twilight bathes the buildings and landscapes in the most amazing pastel glow. "Spending time in Lake Como (Varenna) and Cinque Terra (Monterosso) were the highlights of the tour for me. Really moving. Molly was great. Rick Steves tours was highly recommended to us by friends who had done the Best of South Italy a year ago. The itinerary was great, the accommodations were nice and very conveniently located and all of the guides and driver were exceptionally knowledgeable, friendly and patient. $8.99. The visit to the church of that won the 2019 Palio was my favorite experience of the trip. Someone told me the other day she had never seen NYC. Our group was also exceptional-all got along quite well. Encouraged by Paganini, French Romantic Composer Hector Berlioz wrote this opera inspired by Lord Byron's poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. It was great...more cities, tours and events than expected! Venice and Vatican city were wow from the standpoint of disappointment. "Our tour of Dolomites was breath taking views.". It had the perfect mix of organized and free time, and introduced me to places I hope to return to in the future. "Hard to pick one but our early morning trip to St. Peter's was the show stopper. and our tour guide was amazing, Molly. If our schedules had allowed, I would have preferred going in May or September when not so hot and crowded. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the hotels (some more than others). "There were so many it's hard to select just one. This was my fourth trip to Italy, so I had been to most of the venues on this tour before. A guidebook called Italy should cover the whole country, but Sicily, Puglia and Calabria (the heel and toe of the boot) are totally missing. Our tour exceeded expectations, especially the group dinners( particularly in ones in Varenna and Cinque Terre). Our tour far exceeded our expectations. It was better than I expected partly because as a Rick Steves' Europe rookie I didn't quite know what to expect. I loved the pace of activities, the knowledge and enthusiasm of Donald White, the "cultural special activities", the included tickets and fares, the size of the group, the comfort of a large bus, the quality of the accommodations, etc. Because I had toured Europe for 3 months when a college grad, I wasn't as excited as my husband about this trip. By Rick Steves. Mossimo was a great bus driver, "Performing with the men in our group in an impromptu water ballet at the Altarocca Wine Resort. Terms of Service | Privacy. Sleep in Monterosso. Around every curve, over every hilltop from Lake Como to Rome and inside every door from the smallest museum to the largest cathedral in the world, Italy will take your breath away. But, I have to say that just picking one "wow" moment is not easy. I would have preferred less religion (although I recognize it was a huge part of Italy's growth) more histo, "The City of Siena, the Palio horse race and the history of the race and the wonderful meal hosted by the region's volunteers. Being rookie tour folks, we didn't know what to expect & our trip was exceptional. Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. Our guide was excellent and always able to provide us with suggestions of things to do with our time based on her evaluation of our interests and abilities. Our view from our hotel in Varenna, overlooking Lake Como, was definitely a "wow"! Enjoy a lot free time, "Lake Como , Dolomites,;Cinque Terre . Starting on beautiful Lake Como, this tour treats you to Italy's must-see destinations: timeless Venice, Renaissance Florence, St. Francis' Assisi, and eternal Rome. This afternoon we'll return to our agriturismo, with plenty of time for a countryside walk before dinner together. It was the right amount of activity vs. downtime, structured vs. free time, big city vs. nature experiences, etc. Or, hike up into the alpine foothills for unforgettable vistas. -David Hotels and transportation all arranged by Rick Steves. "The David, the Colleseum and the Sistine Chapel.". Hard to beat 'The Last Supper', 'David', 'The Pieta', and 'The Sistine Chapel'. The food provided on the tour was wonderful. The guide gave tips on so many small details as well as leaving us on our own to make decisions on how to spend our days that I feel very confident in undertaking a trip on my own. My husband and I took this trip to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary. One wonderful surprise was the visits to two artisans, a oar lock maker in Venice and a stained glass maker in Sienna. Rick Steves' Europe. Downtime in the Cinque Terre. We liked the blend of planned time and free time which was really nice and our tour guide was absolutely amazing. Beautiful. The tour matched the description and was truly the Best of Italy! The statue of David in Florence was amazing as were the Coliseum, Forum and Pantheon in Rome. I enjoyed the tour immensely but that stop will be forever imbedded in my soul.". By Rick Steves, Tribune Content Agency on Dec 31, 2019 Nighttime's the right time -- and reservations are smart any time -- when it comes to seeing the great sights in Northern Italy. Osteria- A simple establishment serving mainly pasta/spaghetti. The Sistine Chapel. My intention was to feel a part of the culture rather than just rushing to see all the sights. I felt like Maria from the Sound of Music.". The Altarocca Wine Resort, The tour was designed very well, starting leisurely and quietly (Lake Como, Dolomites) and building towards the more crowded and hectic places, the most hectic being the Vatican on the last day. "There were so many, it's difficult to choose! Thanks Daniela (and Dino) for the trip of a lifetime. Rick Steve's local guides were very knowledgeable and very insightful. We did indeed experience the best of Italy. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Italy. The rooftop view of the Grand Canal in Venice at sunset. It was a college graduation trip for my daughter. We looked forward to shelving that chore and it was a delight. The itinerary was very well thought out and allowed us to experience many facets of Italy, from hiking in the north to duomi further south to seeing firsthand multiple icons of Italy that, until the tour, we'd only read about. Italy is a beautiful country with so much to offer. I was extremely disappointed by being left for the tour of the Uffizi. The "extra" things our guide arranged for us in between the major site visits made the trip especially memorable. Had we done on our own, we wouldn't have been exposed to these types of special things. The tour exceeded my expectations in all ways. I also enjoyed walking through the narrow streets in the small towns. "The tour was filled with "wow" moments: hiking in the Dolomites, the vibrant colors of the little towns on Lake Como, experiencing by chance the "witch's night" in Castelrotto, the gondola ride and evening music in Venice, the Field of Miracles, listening to Rick's podcast in the Sistine Chapel, the sunset in the Cinque Terre, enjoying a meal with the people of The Forest in Sienna, the pool in Altarocca, learning and using the language, the fresh food, the delicious wine, our group members...". Very organized & informational. This was a wonderful experience all the way around. The itinerary is interesting and nicely paced with plenty of free time built in. It was one of stop in your tracks and just be amazed by the sight. We stayed in some great hotels, had some delicious group meals, went to some great locations. Much Better than I expected. Beautiful. I have to say it was the Uffizi Gallery. But, there was something about Varenna........I fell in love with that little town. Probably based on past experiences, this tour relies on scheduling free time almost every day. It forced me to make decisions on what to bring and to pare down, which made it easier for travelling and walking with my luggage. Do not hesitate to take this trip. "I loved Varenna! My wife wanted a gondola ride in Venice. Navigating the island's alleys and bridges on my own and taking photos while getting a little lost in the early evening was magical. After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own. Every destination was a delight - there were no disappointments at all! My previous bias was based on Italy's and Greece's debt problems, but I was floored when I learned that Italy was an industrial powerhouse, possesses the world's six largest total wealth (by country), and is the world's #1 wine producer. Like minded individual who were excited to see new and interesting historical sites. Apparently no other tours know about the Seiser Alm, but what an idyllic place to spend a couple of days - serenaded to sleep by cow's bells in the pasture below. Our stress-free Italy vacations package together small groups, great guides, central hotels, all sightseeing — and memories to last a lifetime. Dino, our bus driver, was fun & one of the most skilled & safe drivers I've seen. I had seen it 41 years ago, but the brightness of the colors after it had been restored was breathtaking.". There were just too many all free days. Eleven in the group joined in on the fun - including Sarah! This trip was supposed to be a guided trip, and that might be a problem. I guess it was the places of natural beauty that wowed me the most, especially since I wasn't expecting it.". This was our first tour The information we received on how to pack, words to remember, insurance coverage, where were going, what were to see and what to expect walking was very good. The key words are variety and balance. We also enjoyed the extra surprise stops in Verona, Lucca, the American war cemetery. Getting to Varenna from the Milan airport was a challenge but doable. Smaller text Larger text. This was our first Rick Steves tour and it exceeded our expectations. My other favorite moment was spotting the town of Varnazza while hiking the coastal trail from Monterosso in the Cinque Terre. The "flash art" demonstration was also very cool. Our fellow tour members were a fabulous group and our tour guide was outstanding. That being said, I felt overwhelmed with Catholic religious basilicas, churches, shrines and art. In this travel lecture, Rick Steves describes Italy's north: the Cinque Terre, on the traffic-free Riviera; bustling Milan, with da Vinci's Last Supper; Lake Como, with mellow Varenna and glittering Bellagio; and Italy's Alps, the Dolomites. Italy's beauty and treasures lived up to our expectations. We had a great group that bonded well, and we shared fun times that made for some great memories. Enjoyed "workshops" about stained glass & gondola forcola.". Harold en Italie - 00:00 / 00:00. I had concerns about not knowing anyone else in the group but everyone was so friendly and open to new friendships. Such amazing ambassador !!! Bus: 2 hours. Today we'll hit the road and drive high into Italy's Alps (the Dolomites), where locals speak German first, Italian second. We learned so much and can't wait to return! It was nice to be able to have planned activities but to also have the free time to explore on our own was wonderful. This morning we'll devote our time to the breathtaking Renaissance art of the Uffizi Gallery — home to the finest collection of Italian paintings anywhere, including works by Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and more. Fast service, but not as fast as a pizzeria. Thanks to Trina who organized it.". And and kneeling inside the small church where St Francis used to pray. The lodging was great, the food even better, and the sites were fantastic! To be honest, my wife & I expected to be the oldest folks on the trip (we're both ~70 -- experienced international travelers -- not cruise ship types). Such snappy dressers. As it turned out, all of us were old enough to be on Medicare or pretty close. While it may cost a little more, I think it's worth it. The Best of Italy tour lived up to our expectations and beyond! Food was great. And Rick's guides will make Italy's art, history, and la dolce vita come vividly to life. Too many unforgettable moments to mention.". The limitations of a group tour made the pace of the scheduled group activities slower than I would have liked, but during free time I took full advantage of seeing more sites. "Rome, in seeing the old city and the Vatican, the museum, the Sistine chapel and St. We were told what to expect and what the demands of the tour would include and that is exactly as it happened. Only disappointment on my behalf was the unusual cold and rainy weather, especially in Lake Como and up North (Caselrotto). Donald was the best. I liked most of our accommodations (our Rome room was very noisy outside). I met nice people, saw interesting things, ate great food, and learned many things. Our guide Daniela was truly incredible. We greatly appreciated the comfortable, clean, and often beautiful accommodations, the ease of travel, the diverse destinations, and excellent tour guides in cities like Venice, Florence, Sienna, and Rome. Will definitely do more. Also, a suggestion for men to bring docker or chinos would have been great - my husband was so concerned about feeling out of place wearing shorts that he was limited in his pant selection. with facts, humor and personal anecdotes. 2021 Find out exactly where to go in this episode of "Rick Steves' Europe." "The day we visited the Italian Alps. Later tonight, your guide will help organize an optional romantic gondola ride for those who are interested. We loved the unannounced stops at towns not on our itinerary and demonstrations given by local artisans. Her efforts to make our tour smooth were seamless. It should be titled Northern and central Italy. "Hard to say as it was all "Wow"! The two of them worked together effortlessly and gracefully. A free afternoon or evening is fine, but 3 whole all free days is not a guided tour. We enjoyed the company of the other tour members and were extremely impressed by all of the tour guides and the many varied wonders (both natural and man-made) that we saw. "I was wowed with the opulence of the Vatican City.". Over 17 days on the "Best of" tour, I felt like I experienced so many different facets of northern/central Italy. Venice was such a unique city, only accessible by water transportation. You'll also get tips on booking a cruise, plus hints for saving time and money on the ship and in port. "Too many to list just one... My wife and I are seasoned (read older) travelers and have done most of our own logistical work. Like our previous tour to Ireland, this Italy tour was wonderful! It was the first guided tour for us. Going back over our photos and souvenirs brings back a flood of great memories of the country, its art, culture, and most of all, the wonderful Italian people.. "Common throughout the trip were the spectacular Sunsets - in Varenna, Venice (!!! Im hoping someone could help me out. We had a wonderful time and met some really nice people. It was a great tour with generally nice hotel rooms and action packed itinerary. Northern Italy - Audio Europe: Italy by Rick Steves Audio Europe published on 2013-10-01T21:48:30Z Ann Long and Riccardo Panareo, two guides based in Italy, share the highlights of northern Italy, from Milan to Lake Como, and recommend less-crowded small towns and lakes. I was highly recommend this tour. You'll also soak in Italy's quieter side: hill town vineyards, mountain-ringed alpine meadows, cliff-clinging Cinque Terre villages, and cozy fishing harbors — all accompanied by memorable meals and local wines. This was the first tour my husband and I have taken. n/a. Rick Steves' Northern Europe Cruise Ports explains how to get into town from the cruise terminal, shares sightseeing tips, and includes self-guided walks and tours. The Carrara marble quarry; It truly showed the "lasagna" that makes up Rome.". We went to Ireland last year. I had read about this painting for some time and heard it to be considered one of the most beautiful in existence. Enjoyed the variety and pace of the trip. ", "Going to the American cemetery outside of Florence. She is special. We had some unique opportunities to meet artisans,artists,families and farmers that I'm sure the typical tourist never gets to experience. 99 $27.99 $27.99. After a short walk we turned to the right and there was St. Peter's Square! They were absolutely outstanding. We'll send the notification email when a tour opens within a season (spring, summer, fall, winter) or region. "The Dolomites and the Colloseum were my two highlights of the tour. "I had been to many of the locations before, but still found much to experience anew or discover for the first time. We'll end our walk at the Accademia Gallery to marvel at works of sculptural genius: Michelangelo's rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, David. Our tour guide Elena, and our bus driver Adriano were wonderful! Rick Steves' Europe. With how well everything went, I would be hard pressed to go to Europe without being on a Rick Steves' Tour. It was a perfect mix of structured and free time. Thoroughly enjoyed stained glass tour; especially liked the dinner in the Forest/Rhino Contada, tour of the church/building with the drummer practicing in the background, and the video of the Paleo. ", Overall, a great tour. St Peter's Basilica, the gondola ride in Venice at sunset, the view of Florence from Michelangelo Piazzale, seeing David, the list goes on and on.". "I enjoyed Pisa, as I'd never been. The group was incredible and we bonded with each other very quickly. Our new friends from the tour were all so fun and we truly miss them now that we are home. "Hard to choose one the Duomo in Milan was probably the most awe moment I had but every day had a new wow, walking through the W W 2 cemetery near Florence caught me off guard and moved me tears while seeing the over 4,000 grave stones and realizing our freedom is in their shadows.". Enjoyed seeing other tour buses (same size) pull up and disgorge 60 people - thank you Rick! Crowded. `` finish exceeded my expectations question to answer questions friends who had been to rick steves northern italy richness of day. Done on our own and walking through the streets/alleys and exploring and executed as fast as a pizzeria 1,400 of... Travel-Savvy teachers every Monday night on Zoom as we explored northern Italy Skip. David '' in Florence was almost brought to my knees by the sight by to see all the and! And efficient.It was nice to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and even better, and could... 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