Best of City Tour Magic Moments
Real Experiences From Our Tour Members
Our goal as tour organizers: to pack your trip with "magic moments." Here are just a few of the many magic moments our gangs experienced on a Rick Steves' one-week city tour recently. For the inside scoop on all of our tours, check out our uncensored tour member feedback page.
Coming out of Victoria Station on Sunday and walking along Buckingham Palace Road to the hotel. I thought the mix of old and new in the city was fascinating. It's incredible to see structures that are many hundreds of years old, next to buildings that are less than a decade old. The Southwark walk was great, again because of the age of the buildings and structures. The boat trip down the Thames was fascinating. Riding through London at rush hour on the top of the double decker bus was a rush for me. I loved the hustle and bustle. Also, the Cabinet War Rooms gave me goosebumps. I am not a military history buff, but I felt a real appreciation for what Londoners suffered through during the Blitz, and gained perspective and was reminded of the important role of a charismatic leader during times of crisis.
— Jane in Bellbrook, OH
London, Jul 11, 2004
There were many, but the one that particularly appealed to me was the "Turning the Pages" opportunity at the British Library. This is a virtual reality opportunity where several of the incredible ancient documents there are put on computers where you can actually "turn the pages" so that you can see much more of them than you would be able to do otherwise.
— John in Norcross, GA
London, Jun 27, 2004
My "wow moment" was just being in a place with so much history to it. To think that I was walking in places where Dickens, Shakespeare, kings and queens walked. Seeing paintings by the masters that I have only seen in books. It is amazing.
— Diana in San Mateo, CA
London, May 30, 2004
I guess my wow moment was when I felt confident enough to travel around on my own around London without Martin's help. I did great and did not feel overwhelmed because he had made me feel comfortable and gave me the tools to do it.
— Heidi in Austin, TX
London, Oct 26, 2003
There are so many, but here are two. I attended church at St. Paul's Cathedral the Sunday that our tour began. It was such an amazing and emotional time to be sitting in that church, worshipping — I really felt like I was taking part in history. That day they had a boys' choir singing, and also offered communion. A wonderful experience! That day I also walked over to The Globe Theatre just as King Richard III was beginning. I bought a 5-pound "groundling" ticket and witnessed some of the best live acting I have ever seen. I am not well-read in Shakespeare and have never really cared much for it actually, but that play just sucked me right in — I was mesmerized!
— Julie in Modesto, CA
London, Jul 6, 2003
My "wow" moments kept changing! The trip to Ostica Antica was amazing. The tour through the ancient forum and the Colosseum was a "wow" due to the guide that your company used. She was so passionate about what she was sharing with us. Our trip to Lumi de Sicily for lunch was indeed the best meal. Not only was the food delicious (as were all our meals), but our host Salvatorrie made the luncheon as much fun as it was tasty.
— Linda in Zephryhills, FL
Rome, Jul 4, 2004
The morning we spent in Ostia Antica. WOW!!!! I am a HUGE archaeology buff and seeing Ostia was a dream come true. This was the main reason I chose this tour, outside of seeing Rome, of course. I was like a kid in a candy store, running all over the place to try to see as much as I could. And the lunch in a lovely restaurant with a gorgeous view of the sea and picking up seashells on the beach. Absolute heaven! Thank you so much for giving me that experience.
— Cathy in Findlay, OH
Rome, May 16, 2004
I'm not sure if I can limit a favorite "wow" moment to one. There were many. I loved Taunya's philosophy on visiting the churches. I enjoyed her discussions on the artwork as it relates to religion. We saw sculptures and paintings in the churches that we would never have found on our own. Each work had a story and Taunya was such an expert at telling the story. She has left me wanting to learn so much more about the artists and their other works. Taunya took us on a church walk that was spectacular. Each church was beautiful and so different from the others. I love that famous works of art are housed in churches that you may not really notice or think to step in.
— Suzanne in Atlanta, GA
Rome, May 16, 2004
I was truly awed by the Colosseum, the walk through the Forum, and the Pantheon. The ancient history of Rome is just mind-boggling. The Sistine Chapel ceiling was beautiful, but I didn't expect the "Last Judgment" wall to jump out at me even more than the ceiling. It was awesome!
— Kathy in Collierville, TN
Rome, Apr 18, 2004
Yes. Every day. And that's what makes it so magical. Every day was a WOW! moment. Honestly, the very first day I was amazed, and I'd think to myself this is the highlight — how can I possibly see anything older, with more history or anything more beautiful than this, but then we'd wake up and go out the next morning and I did! Day after day! The entire trip was completely amazing for my first time in Italy. I felt lucky to have been in such a good seat in the Papal Audience, and of course seeing the Sistine Chapel will be memorable, but it was also the little things we did, like a cooking demo in an Italian restaurant, or the little antidotes our guide added that really got you involved. I'm telling you, I didn't think it could be done, but if you take this tour you might come close being worn out from being "wowed" so much!
— Michelle in Maumelle, AR
Rome, Mar 14, 2004
Ostia Antica was amazing. The Bernini sculptures at the Borghese Gallery. Francesca's tours. Anything in ancient Rome. Belonging to the wine club. Making gelato a part of every day. The meals — especially the Sicilian cooking demo and meal, the Hotel Columbus lunch after the Vatican, dinner at Sacred and Profane — oh, pretty much all of the meals. And all of the sights. And the siestas.
— Kathryn in Lindsay, CA
Rome, Feb 15, 2004
I'd have to say the entire trip was a "wow" moment. From the first bus ride to acquaint us to the entire city, to our first meal with a serenade by an opera trio, to the walk through the ruins with Francesca, to the monumental Colosseum, to the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's, and who could not fall in love with the Trevi Fountain? ... Truly, the wow moments never ended. Not to mention the Borghese Gallery. You've got to love that Bernini. However, Rome in all its splendor truly was made better by Brad. He was very knowledgeable, and gave us a lot of insight regarding the what's and the why's and the who's. It made the trip all that much better.
— Janice in Naperville, IL
Rome, Dec 14, 2003
Walking in to the hotel. It was just like the picture. Very friendly staff. Not at all like Americans depict of the French. They were kind and most helpful even though we didn't speak French! Gathering picnic foods from the Rue Cler was so much fun. Several times we met with other people from our tour group and picnicked by the Eiffel tower. We will not forget the festival of music on June 21st either. All night long...all over town.
— Kathy in Clackamas, OR
Paris, Jun 20, 2004
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