[b] I am taking the Leisurely Tuscany & Rome Tour #6200 (w/o the Sorrento extension) in May. Has anyone taken this tour or know any info?
[/b]

I have just returned from my first trip to Europe, Cosmos 6200 Leisurely Tuscany and Rome which departed April 22, 2004.

First off let me say there is nothing leisurely about it! Our group of 39 were up at the crack of dawn and on the road hither and yon, walking cobblestone streets until our feet were sore. We had a wonderful time but the "free" time just isn't there. We had 3 hotels in 1 week, the best being the Minerva Palace in Montecatini, a wonderful city to shop in. The 2 hotels in Rome were in noisy residential areas, with less than comfortable accomodations that need a serious face lift to get them out of the 1960's (Princess Hotel and Pineta Palace.)

Our tour guide Giampiero was fabulous! He went above and beyond to make sure that all of the guests were acccounted for and attended to and that all our departing transfers were squared away. One of the ladies in our group had a serious illness and was hospitalized for several days in Rome while we were in Montecatini. Giampiero got her hospitlized and made numerous phone calls to inform her traveling companions as to her welfare and condition. He also booked her flight home to the states as soon as she was stabilized and could be released. Our guide took care of everything! He and our bus driver navigated the tiny, narrow streets of the villages or the insane traffic of the city with the utmost precision. Our group agreed that we would have wanted several hours more wandering time in places like Siena (awesome!), Lucca and Florence. Our local guides in Vinci and Florence were difficult to understand due to the enormous amount of noise and people in those areas. Our local guide in Rome, Guerrina was phenominal! We were lined up outside the Vatican at 8am to get in with other tour groups before the general public is admitted. This woman had a fabulous art and history education and gave us so much information about the Vatican museum, St Pietro, and the Sistine Chapel. From there she took us to the Roman Forum and the Coloseum and she also pointed out important places along the way. We tipped her well.

Rome is a very dirty, crazy, traffic filled, noisy city. The history and the art are awesome. Tuscany is serenely beautiful and the little medievel villages behind stone walls are like walking back 500 years in time.

All in all, my friends and I had a fabulous time. The people in our group were so much fun. It would be great to spend more time shopping or wandering in Tuscany but as our guide said this tour is to give you just a taste of Italy. You need to return again to explore more and if you throw your coins in the Trevi Fountain like I did, you will go back.

I'd be happy to answer emails at JodyPoesy@aol.com[/b]

I have just returned from my first trip to Europe, Cosmos 6200 Leisurely Tuscany and Rome which departed April 22, 2004.

First off let me say there is nothing leisurely about it! Our group of 39 were up at the crack of dawn and on the road hither and yon, walking cobblestone streets until our feet were sore. We had a wonderful time but the "free" time just isn't there. We had 3 hotels in 1 week, the best being the Minerva Palace in Montecatini, a wonderful city to shop in. The 2 hotels in Rome were in noisy residential areas, with less than comfortable accomodations that need a serious face lift to get them out of the 1960's (Princess Hotel and Pineta Palace.)

Our tour guide Giampiero was fabulous! He went above and beyond to make sure that all of the guests were acccounted for and attended to and that all our departing transfers were squared away. One of the ladies in our group had a serious illness and was hospitalized for several days in Rome while we were in Montecatini. Giampiero got her hospitlized and made numerous phone calls to inform her traveling companions as to her welfare and condition. He also booked her flight home to the states as soon as she was stabilized and could be released. Our guide took care of everything! He and our bus driver navigated the tiny, narrow streets of the villages or the insane traffic of the city with the utmost precision. Our group agreed that we would have wanted several hours more wandering time in places like Siena (awesome!), Lucca and Florence. Our local guides in Vinci and Florence were difficult to understand due to the enormous amount of noise and people in those areas. Our local guide in Rome, Guerrina was phenominal! We were lined up outside the Vatican at 8am to get in with other tour groups before the general public is admitted. This woman had a fabulous art and history education and gave us so much information about the Vatican museum, St Pietro, and the Sistine Chapel. From there she took us to the Roman Forum and the Coloseum and she also pointed out important places along the way. We tipped her well.

Rome is a very dirty, crazy, traffic filled, noisy city. The history and the art are awesome. Tuscany is serenely beautiful and the little medievel villages behind stone walls are like walking back 500 years in time.

All in all, my friends and I had a fabulous time. The people in our group were so much fun. It would be great to spend more time shopping or wandering in Tuscany but as our guide said this tour is to give you just a taste of Italy. You need to return again to explore more and if you throw your coins in the Trevi Fountain like I did, you will go back.

I'd be happy to answer emails at JodyPoesy@aol.com[/b]

I've received quite a few emails from travelers with questions about the LT&R tour I took last month. I love sharing my Italian experiences with you and I never want to forget how wonderful a time we had. I've finally got my pictures and story online and it can be viewed at:
http://www.jodypoesy.com/html/tuscany__ . .. .. . _2004.html

Enjoy! Buon viaggio!
Jody in Minneapolis

JodyPoesy@aol.com

:roll

Just wondering if anyone has done this tour w/sorrento.I enjoyedreading jody poesys experience with this tour. any other input i would love to hear from . .
thanks missa: