Took this tour with our family of 7 adults and one 13 year old June 19, 2004. We had a wonderful time. All the accomodations were fine. Enjoyed the European hotel feel - each one had its own character. Our tour guide Nicholas was wonderful and a lot of fun. Found that all of the extra tours we took were well worth the money. We did about all of the extras except one or two. Found that where dinner was part of the tour, you couldn't beat it. The meals were good and probably would have cost us more than the excursion had we done it on our own. Wine flowed at each meal. It was the first time in Europe for six of us and it was a trip we'll never forget. This trip hit all the points we knew we wanted to see, plus many of our favorites that we would not have even known to visit.
This was a trip we all talk about often and will never forget. For us, it was the trip of a lifetime. Don't think we would have enjoyed ourselves half as much if we had not taken a tour!

Thanks for the info on this tour. Hubby and I are going in November. What were your favorite places? Any good shopping areas? Thanks!

Also took this tour - summer of '05 with our 2 kids. We all had a great time. Spent an extra 2 days in Rome after the tour.
Favorite places have to be Sienna, Florence and Venice.
Can't help you much with th shopping. We took all the optional tours and we were satified. The dinners that came with the optional tours were worth it. Most memorable, was dinner at this steckhouse in Tuscany, it was a fun evening , wine, music and dancing. We had an excellent driver in Salvatorre and a great TD in Sylvia.
This was a tour I won't mind going to again in the future.

We are going to Italy for the first time in late September. Anyone else planning on going? Is there anywhere you are not allowed to take pictures? I will have my digital with me. Thanks.