walking tour of tuscany

great trip-wonderful weather and beautiful scenery and places to visit and shop and learn about Italy.

A Trip Filled with Beauty

I liked the variety of places we went - countryside, small ancient towns, and vibrant cities. The chance to see all the wonderful art in these places is beyond belief, and the food and wine were great. Our tour guide David Macchi is the best! He gave us so much information to absorb, but also was very friendly and caring towards all of us on the tour. I would love to travel with him again. The tour can be a bit strenuous at times because of the distance to walk and the uneven and sometimes muddy roads,but nothing else can get you close to the real Tuscany. My husband and I felt comfortable in doing as much as we were able to do. We, in fact, did a lot more walking than I thought we could do.

A Trip for the Fit

On paper this trip does not seem as challenging as some of us found it to be. We stayed in only 4 different hotels, so that aspect was not difficult. Because of airline problems we didn't have any opportunity to explore Montecatini. Since the airline caused us to arrive a full day late we did not have the opportunity to do the Optional Excursion of Lucca and Colle Verde. I do not blame Go Ahead for the fact that we just didn't get a chance to appreciate the countryside to a full extent. My decision to climb the stairs of the bell tower in Florence was perhaps not a wise one, as the following day we had a total walking time of nearly 3 hours, and the downhill parts over uneven terrain were quite challenging. (Although I am in my 70's I am an ardent walker, and found it somewhat difficult to manage my umbrella, my video camera, and avoiding the traffic.) There were many aspects of this tour that I found delightful. The Sant'Antimo Abbey, for example, was surrounded by perhaps the most beautiful Tuscan scenery imaginable. At the end of several days, however, I found myself feeling that there had been one or two items too many. I would love to have had time to absorb all that we saw. David Macchi, our tour guide, was incomparable. We have been fortunate to have been able to request him over the years, and his knowledge, humor, and of course his singing, have made every trip more enjoyable. I look forward to another future chance to do this trip -- when the airline doesn't cause us to miss 1 1/2 days of the tour. I can't wait to see the video I took to find out all we actually did.

AMAZING!

Once we arrived in Italy, no detail was overlooked. We received impeccable care and attention. David Macchi was a gift! A wonderful source of all things Italian - friendly, and entertaining. A great opera singer also! His knowledge and passion made this a most memorable trip. Thank You David!

The best tour director ever!

Disapointed in losing our first day of the trip and paying for a stay in Traverse City and...missing our tour of Lucca...

Second Time Around on Tour of Tuscany

We are just returned from our second tour of Tuscany with Go-Ahead . We had a marvelous time in large measure because of the efforts and knowledge and attitude of our Tour guide, David Macchi ,and our local coordinators, Martha Ryan and Jill McFarlane. I loved the walks, the food and the wine. The first enhanced the appetite for the latter. My only suggestion is that while the Garden Hotel in Siena is a very nice place and the food was very good,; its location on the outskirts of town makes it very difficult to enjoy any free time in Siena which we would very much have liked to have. The Jolly Hotel, which was used the first time we took the trip, was much better in that respect. David's insightful observations especially in Rome were a great addition to our understanding of its history. We also got opportunities in Rome to test our skills in figuring out its somewhat confusing bus system. John A. Scott

An incredible journey!

This trip created a new avenue of travelling for me in that the approach to end destination came from a different perspective. Instead of always driving to the historic site, we literally travelled off the beaten path and walked up and down hills, through the woods and down the lane to reveal the destination "reward" in a whole new, and almost magical, way. This was an adventure and journey I will remember always and smile whenever I think of it.

First Trip to Europe: Outstanding!

My first trip to Europe was beyond my expectations. Our tour director, Joel, certainly helped to make it so. Each morning he would proclaim the gloriousness of being there, as if it was his first time in Tuscany also. I knew no one when I arrived and met so many great travelers. Each hilltop town was unique and like nothing I have ever experienced. The accomodations for a single traveler were great. The only decisions I had to make were what time I should wake up and what I might want for a meal. The tour was so well organized which allowed for maximum experiences. The walks presented beautiful vistas with surprising destinations. The Rome extension tour director and guide were disappointing. However, I am glad I had the Rome experience. I soaked up every experience available and I now have the "travel bug". Thank you, Ann

A tour of Italy without being "touristy"

I felt like I actually experienced what life is like in Tuscany, not just doing the usual touristy things! This was a great trip and exactly what I was looking for. The trip to Colle Verde was one of my favorites. The tour director was so knowledgable and helpful in making the most out of our time in Italy, seeing and doing things that I wouldn't have known or thought about if I had planned the trip myself. Such as, stopping by the American WWII Cemetary. My only warning about this trip is, you should be in good physical shape. I am an avid hiker and found it much more challenging than I thought it would be!

Great experience

the best tour I've taken with go ahead. the tour director, walking along the trails in Tuscany, the food, and the charming small hill towns made this trip. I am looking forward to more walking trips and hope that you will add more walking trips. I also think that this review is redundant in view of the fact that you asked for a detailed assessment at the end of the trip..