I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who came on this trip for making a huge success. I was pleased with the outcome of the trip; everything went as planned. I believe that everyone enjoyed the 10 days. We had great tours & great food. All of our hotels were wonderful, Al Piave in Venice, Executive in Siena, Il Moresco, a 5-star hotel, in Ischia, Ludovisi in Rome. Our two bus drivers were great to work with. Giovanni took us from Venice to Naples and Gianfranco from Naples to Rome. Please let me know what you think and add your opinions on the trip to my website.

Venice

We landed in Marco Polo airport in Venice. After our water taxi ride, we arrived at our boutique hotel, Al Piave. Centrally located in the Castello section we were within walking distance to great eateries and San Marco Square. I took a small group on a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace & San Marco. The group had it’s first dinner at Da Bruno. We had 4 menu choices. Food was great and well served.

Day 2 in Venice I took a group to two of the islands in the Lagoon, Murano for a visit to a glass factory followed by a pizza lunch, and Burano, famous for its delicate lace.

Day 3 was a free day to wander and shop in Venice.

Tuscany

Day 4 we had a smooth transfer from the hotel to the bus. Our first stop was at the Acetaia del Cristo to see how balsamic vinegar is made. Lunch followed at a nearby Lambrusco farm, Garruti. Lunch was served under a grape arbor. Food was great.

After lunch a short visit to the Ferrari Museum in Modena and then on the road to Siena.Arriving at the hotel we took our bags to our rooms and left within the hour to a pizzeria near the hotel.

Day 5 we left for a morning visit to the wonderful city of Siena. Since time was limited, we made a beeline to the Duomo for a visit. Lunch was in a relaxing winery, Querceto in Castellina, for a tasting and light lunch. Dinner was at one of my favorite places in Tuscany, Dario Cecchini’s Butcher shop in Panzano. Menu is all beef (vegetarian menu available).

Ischia

Day 6,7,8: Bus loaded up for a 5 hours trip to Naples to take the boat to Ischia. Again, a smooth transfer. Our hotel on Ischia, Il Moresco, was so magnificent and beautiful that the group didn’t want to leave. We spent 3 days in the island. Everyone did what they wanted. Some went to a spa, others tour the island, some just relaxed for lunch at Salvatore’s on the water.

Rome

Day 9: Transfer from the hotel to the boat for Naples where Gianfranco was waiting to take our trip to Rome. All would have gone well, except for an accident that took place in front of us on the Autostrada. We stopped for a quick lunch and arrive at our Hotel Ludovisi in the afternoon. A bus was waiting for us for the group that was to go on my city tour of Rome.

Day 10: I took the group to Giulio for a pre tour lunch. Then meet our guide for the, skip the line visit to the Vatican Museum. The

tour is three hours and includes the museums, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of San Pietro. Our Gala dinner was at Da Memmo, near Piazza Navona. After dinner I took some of the group on a walking tour, Roma di Notte, which took us into Piazza Navona, pass the Pantheon, stop at Giolitti gelateria for one of Rome’s famous gelato. We passed Piazza Colonna on the way to the Trevi Fountain. From there we walked back to the hotel.

Day 11: Some of the group left early for a flight to Amsterdam while the majority of the people left at 7pm for Fiumicino and the United Flight home.