the best of France and Italy tour

If you like to be in a big group and feel safe and comfortable, this tour had such a comfort - a big cushion of people. Our tour director, Susanne Danks, rose gracefully to the challenge and managed to make such a big bunch feel like an intimate gathering - without fail. I was especially impressed at her ability to keep 44 people together on several regional train changes on the Cinque Terre- portion of the tour. A big group however, does mean a sort of rushed,'herded' feeling when it came to the included meals.At least one part of each of those meals was excellent, but unfortunately, never the entire meal. (The quality of the gratis meals was probably commensurate with the group size, so no complaints.) The dinner with Monks was a cute idea, but was falsely billed - the food really wasn't very special, and certainly could not have been made by monks as advertised, though the tour of the monastery was quite interesting and evocative of a bygone era. By sharp contrast, the side-tour to the small Tuscan hill towns, with truly local foods, was absolutely magical, topped off by a surprise mini- picnic on the piazza provided by none other than our bus driver - a most endearing farewell to Tuscany! Hotels were excellent for the most part, and the breakfasts each morning , from my standard, were delicious and provided healthy choices along with scrumptious, decadent pastries. I could have wished for seeing fewer places and spending more time in each place, but if one wants a comprehensive and really beautiful overview of France and Italy , this tour is not to be missed.

Best Trip Ever

Aside from having a wonderful tour director, great weather and good food, this was by far the best , most fun trip ever. Having free time to shop, rest, eat , etc. was important to all of us and we had that. The extra excursions were terrific and keepingf the groups small is great as it is easier to get to know everyone.

Best of France and Italy

This trip exceeded all 16 peopole's expectatations that enjoyed it from our Hopsital. Filled with information and activities, not meant for those who want to spend their time relaxing in the sun. If you want your mind and imaginatin to be thoroughly stimulated then this tour is for you. The immense amount of walking is due to the fact that the ancient towns we visited did not accomodate any motor traffic. It was understandable to all participatnts that to keep these places in thier orignial situation, the traveler has to forgo the convience of being dropped off at each historial site. Our guide, Suzanne Danks, was outstanding. She went out of her way to add value to every day over and above the stated iterinary.

ENJOYABLE

Really enjoyed this tour even though it was a hectic pace. Our tour director, Adoran, was an excellent guide and made the trip. I would love to take another tour with him as our guide. The only complaint I have is that almost all couples on tour had king/queen beds and my husband and I had twins (don't know why) and our flight time accomodations going home was late in afternoon which made us spend extra $$'s for a hotel in NYC to connect with my airline the following day to get home. It would have been nice to have the option of leaving Rome earlier like other couples did. After contacting customer service and bringing this to their attention I got an apology but nothing else. I feel their should have been compensation for this discrepancy.

Food, wine and walking tour

Our Best of France and Italy trip was great. I knew it was rated a 3 as far as pace went, but it sure proved to be a lot of activity...with very little down time. Now that I have seen Paris and Rome....I can say, been there done that and go back and enjoy the smaller towns better. I cannot say enough favorable things about our tour director, Adoram....he was really really informative, and extremely conscientious about everyone's welfare and happiness. What a great guy!!!!! He was a real pro. Some of the hotels and the hotel meals left a lot to be desired. And I must add the bus driver, Antonio was terrific and I always felt safe. All in all it was a memorable, enjoyable time!

Far exceeded my expectations

Wow!! What a great trip. Just returned from the best of France and Italy tour. Addoram was our tour director and Antonio was our driver...... I've been on a number of guided tours and always been disappointed because we do less than I thought and usually directed to venues that are a 'sales pitch'...... This was a pleasant and surprisingly fun packed event that left me wanting more. This tour far exceeded my expectations and now I'm eagerly awaiting a repeat performance on my next Go-Ahead-Tour. Thanks for a great trip and for providing superbly informed guides and directors....... Oh, did I mention the food and the wine??????? Jim Maynard

Good tour for history and churches

We took this tour with six members of our family, ages 23 and up. Overall it was a good trip for all. We have taken eight or nine Go Ahead Tours. Nuff said!

A dood introductory tour for France and Italy

Our tour guide was excellent: informed; calm, and patient. The Novotel Accommodations were not up to Go Ahead standards.. We asked for double beds. We got lumpy, open-up sofas for one of them. The hotels in Italy were very good. We took this tour before. Thar speaks for itself. We have taken eight Go Ahead tours.

A good, not great, trip

I had been to Paris and Florence before, and they did not disappoint me, even the second and third time around, but I expected more (I'm not sure of what) from southern France. Italy, as usual, was wonderful. The hotels in Florence and Sienna were a very pleasant cut above. The others were OK. The optional Tuscan dinner was in town, which because of local bus restrictions, required extensive walking. I had expected it to be out in the countryside. The entire tour was just a bit more strenuous than I had expected. Our tour director was very good, as was our driver.

Beautiful trip ,Adorham, the best tour director,

Too little time in Rome without adding the optional (12 hrs to be exact);, group of 44 way too many people Areas visited were beautiful and interesting, enough time given on our own to explore and shop.