Best of Italy Tour Magic Moments
Real experiences from our tour members
Here are just a few of the many magic moments you can experience on Rick Steves' Best of Italy tour! For more information, check out our uncensored tour member feedback page for the inside scoop on all of our tours!
The "wow" experience was St. Peters in Rome. But my "magic memory" was in the small graveyard in Kastleruth (Castrlrotta)in the Dolomites. I took an early morning walk up to and behind the church to the small. The black and gold metal grave markers, beautifully decorated by fresh flowers, drew my attention. I walked to the back, and viewed a simple war memorial. On the left side of the memorial were the names and dates of death of those local young men who died in World War II, and on the right were the names and dates of death of the residents who were killed in World War I. Painted on the back was a picture of women and children in tears, and a bombed church. In front was an upturned military helmet. I guess that I have never been confronted with evidence or given much thought to the fact that thousands of young innocent lives from these small rural villages were also lost to their families and societies. This was early in the tour, and we were to see countless memorials and monuments to the lives and deaths of individuals that history has dubbed great. However, this small monument to forgotten simple people was most memorable to me.
— Les in Bellevue, WA
Jun 20, 2003
Seeing the David at the Academia made by knees weak. To see the real work of art in all cases dwarfs the meager attempt of slides and books.
— Carl in Santa Clara, CA
Jun 20, 2003
There were several. Hiking in the Alpe di Siusi and watching a bright red fox squirrel run up a hillside. Sitting in a local square listening to music that celebrated a civic event in Monteross — Imagine wine, music and the stars overhead. A wonderful bruschetta place in San Gimignano — on our own, catering to locals, and the food to die for. The Sistine chapel. The Borghese gallery, where I decided that Bernini was 'better' than Michaelangelo. The Gesu church, proving that you can get to heaven thru' the church ceiling. As a cultural clutz this trip was overwhelming, and yet, courtesy of our R. S. guides and experiences throughout the tour, I now have a grasp of art, history, and our connection to the ancient and modern world.
— Wayne in Hillsboro, OR
May 9, 2003
Sipping cappucino, walking the up and down trail of the Cinque Terre, choosing just the right flavors of gelato (for THAT day), incredible and inexpensive wine, our bocce tournament at the Agriturismo, dangling from a one-person chairlift above the island of Capri, wildflowers next to snow in the Dolomites...and so many more wonderful memories.
— Holly in Anacortes, WA
Apr 20, 2003
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