Heart of Italy in 9 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Lisa, as fabulous! We enjoyed that there was lots of walking, great tour guides, and freedom to do our own thing at times. It felt very balanced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We took a sunset boat cruise in Cinque Terre that was amazing. Second best would be the tour guide in Florence, Paul Costa and also the tour of the olive grove. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good balance between activities and free time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the statue of David."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide, Stephanie, was fantastic. Very knowledgeable, patient, and kind. Our hotels were all clean, comfortable, and centrally located. Each hotel served a delightful breakfast. Each group meal was delicious.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many ‘wow’ moments makes it difficult to select just one. For me, the Pantheon was tops. Followed closely by the pesto demonstration and meal at the Villa Steno in Monterosso. I’ve never had better pesto in my life. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was not only my first Rick Steve's Tour, but my first group tour ever.This experience exceeded my expectations in every way! Our guide, Stephanie, made every effort to make herself available to us as a group, and as individuals. Each day was well organized, with a healthy balance of wonderfully chosen group tour experiences, verses alone/unstructured time. Schedules always ran smoothly- gently and professionally managed by Stephanie. Group meals were lovely, with dietary needs considered.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Impossible to choose one! seeing the statue of David, in Florence, was spectacular. And I was grateful to be in a group, with a guide (all of the location guides were also wonderful) that could "shuffle us along" toward the most famous "must see" images (which would have otherwise been completely overwhelming and stressful for me to maneuver through!). Our location guide (name?) in Voltera was an excellent story teller. The Trevi Fountain, amazing. Our meal together in Cinque Terre-stunning!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour with Stephanie and a fun, friendly, energetic group of fellow travelers. Hotels, restaurants and transportation were all outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A couple of "wows" really. The first being our group dinner in Monterosso al Mare at - Cinque Terre. Beautiful sunset view of the sea while host Carla prepared her homemade Pesto recipe with dinner served by her family. My second was the Tuscany hilltop fortress town of Volterra with Panoramic views over the Tuscan landscape. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour, but definitely not our last! From start to finish, it was worth every penny. We were able to see so much of Italy in nine days, yet we did not feel rushed as we traveled from town to town. Having much of the trip planned allowed us to relax and enjoy the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While on a guided tour of Volterra, in Tuscany, we looked out over an ancient Roman Theater, with a stunning view of the rolling hills in the background. Because it was not a typical tourist destination, we felt more keenly the passage of centuries at the spot where we were standing, amazed at how many generations of people lived their lives in and around this historical town. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a wonderful trip with my wife. The weather was fantastic and the people we met were very friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking the coast of Cinque terre."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steve's tour and we absolutely loved the overall experience. Very well organized, with attention to every detail, making it a memorable trip. Each stop evoked a special moment, and did not disappoint. We met amazing people on the tour, fostering meaningful connections and lasting memories. Our guide Ceclia's passion for Italy, reflected her pride for her country, as she shared her wealth of knowledge on every aspect of Italian life and history. Amo l'Italia

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "wow" moments. I adored Cinque Terre and the view from our hotel's roof top garden terrace. The fresh air, crashing of the waves during walks along the sea side and the beauty of nature surrounding us will forever remain etched in my favourite memories."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was terrific! It was the perfect blend of experiencing portions of Italy as a group and on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having Cecilia explain the food, the wine, the history and customs from her perspective wowed my wife and I. She made the trip so relatable and engaging."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed our first Rick Steve's Tour. The guide was wonderful and we loved the spacing of guided tours and free time to explore on our own. The fellow travelers in our group were all great and we enjoyed getting to make 23 new friends during the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre, we loved the town we stayed in and visiting all the other four (seeing two from the ferry). "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed every minute. Rick Steves et all are exceptional. We will keep coming back!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rome Forum. The guide in Rome at the forum was just extraordinary. She poured her heart and soul into her presentation like I have never seen. Had me overwhelmed with tears about the humanity that was experienced and how it related to us as visitors and pilgrims. Magic of the hill towns in Tuscany is so special. Volterra was a jewel. I loved it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip was nothing short of amazing! The unique experiences were thoughtfully planned to provide a truly memorable trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was no single moment as every day was filled with new, memorable experiences. Our tour guide, Cristina, was a gem filled with knowledge, excitement and love every day of our tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was truly a dream trip! My husband and I have traveled with RS Guidebooks throughout much of Europe but this was our first organized tour and our only regret is not doing this sooner! Everything from the balanced itinerary, thoughtfully planned group meals, and perfectly located lodging, to the engaging yet peaceful bus ride with adequate (and fun!) rest stops, and, of course, the wonderful guides (DONALD!) and amazing art, food, and history, we can't say enough good things!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had so many "wow" moments on this tour, but for me, it was popping out onto Capitoline Hill overlooking the Roman Forum from above. I wasn't expecting to turn the corner and be so fully immersed in the history of Ancient Rome! And a special shoutout to my food "wow" moment, that first taste of Pallotte cacio e uova (cheese and egg balls), a house special from our Rome group dinner, was something I'll never forget! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful to have an organized, thoughtfully planned agenda, seeing parts of Italy and sites that I would have never seen had I been traveling on my own. The trip was so well balanced with time to be on our own, to shop or rest or see other sites that were not on the initial agenda. I really enjoyed meeting people from all over the United States and sharing experiences together. It was simply magical for me!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the town of Volterra, it’s ancient history, medieval buildings and streets. I could’ve stayed there longer and would actually consider immersing myself in that environment for months at a time! The other wow was Cinque Terra and the vineyard hike that gave an amazing view of Manola the water the surrounding vineyard in hills. It was simply beautiful! I was in awe of how the people could build their villages one building upon another into the cliffs. So inspiring and gorgeous."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves' tour and we loved it. Our group bonded quickly and all were super fun to travel with. The tour was very well organized with equal amount of time for touring and for doing your own activity. I loved all of the group activities and feel like that added so much to our experience. Our guide was so helpful and knowledgeable and added so much to the experience. Hightly recommend this tour for. a good taste of italy!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It seemed everywhere we turned it was a "wow" moment from the ancient ruins of Rome to the cute towns of Cinque Terre. Seeing Michelangelo's David was a big wow moment along with walking thru the stoned streets and walls of Volterre. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We met some very nice people in our group. I like that it was small - only 24 people. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and had a sense of humor. It was our first trip to Europe, so them doing most of the planning was helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Colosseum in Rome was fascinating. The way the tour guide discussed the period of time during the Roman civilization was story-like filled with emotion."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Forum in Rome"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My husband and I are in our mid-30s and we were looking to book a trip to help my parents in their 60s/70s join us for a fun, organized, and informative European country tour experience. We chose Rick Steves Heart of Italy because we felt it would be both fulfilling and approachable for our different energy levels and travel comforts. All four of us had a wonderful time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the Tuscan village of Volterra and learning about the strong nature of the people of the region - from the impressive pre-Roman Etruscans to the anti-Medici rebels, to the unwavering WW2 era community coming together to close up an ancient stone arch overnight to prevent the Nazis from destroying it in the morning. We were enraptured in the local tour guide's stories, especially since it involved her own family. The guides were amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour. Our group was awesome and Donald and our local guides were all excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Volterra and wished we had more time there to explore. Annie was a fantastic local guide. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Donald was incredible, insanely knowledgeable, calm, and so fun to be around, his humor was also great! We loved all the hotels except wasn’t a huge fan of the Levanto hotel but the others were above and beyond our expectations! The things we did were fun but still allowed us to have our own time to explore the cities as well. We loved our guide at the Pantheon (female) and most the other guides as well. The guide in Florence talked too much about fashion family rivalries and not other history

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra was incredible, the tour, the sight seeing it was like being in a movie! The dinner at the family run restaurant was so incredible and made you feel apart of the town. We also loved the olive oil tasting and tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour definitely met our expectations. We felt it was well planned; the hotels were good; the tours outstanding; and we had a very cordial group with whom to experience it all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think this was an unplanned moment in our itinerary, but we stopped at the American cemetery in Tuscany where many American soldiers who died during the Allied offensive to retake Italy during WW II are buried. There was a guide with another Rick Steves tour group there explaining what it was like for the Italians living at this time (his grandfather fought with the Italian Resistance). Hearing his stories and seeing all the graves was very moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I liked the balance of organized activities and free time; I thought it was a perfect balance. The main tour guide and the local city guides were all excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved walking around each of the places we went, and was wowed by the buildings and architecture. But the most wow moment is when we went to the Vatican on free time and entered St. Peter's! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Deborah was a wonderful tour leader who helped all of us have the best trip and local experiences possible. The tour exceeded our expectations. All of the local guides in each city did a great job at expanding our knowledge as well as having fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The city tour of Volterra in Tuscany with our local guide Claudia who had so much passion for her home as well as in depth information about the city and area. The views of the local Tuscan countryside in spring were very beautiful and she told us fascinating stories about the cities past as well as showing us her grandfather’s home. Cinque Terra was also amazing. With Deborah’s expert recommendation's we had a fantastic day on our own with other members of the group. . "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I did this same tour in 2018 and it was just as wonderful as the last time. My oldest daughter wanted to go to Europe, and I told her how much I loved Rick Steves tours (this makes my third) and she picked the Heart of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A wow moment for me was discovering that I was traveling with a wonderful, friendly, chill group that all got along great!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire tour was fabulous. Our tour guide, Deborah, was incredibly kind and had a wonderful sense of humor. She kept us organized and on schedule, and each day brought a new adventure. This was my fourth RS tour, and I especially appreciated how phenomenal each local guide was on this trip. They all conveyed such a genuine love for their city, and their enthusiasm truly enhanced the experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our 9-day adventure took us through Rome, Volterra, Cinque Terre, and Florence — packed with amazing history, stunning architecture, breathtaking views, and probably way too much gelato. 🍨 But my biggest “wow” was coming home with 27 new friends who made the experience even more unforgettable. The Rick Steves “merry band of travelers” catchphrase was absolutely spot-on for this group."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a great experince

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bus stop WW2 American cemetery"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A delight at every turn that only got better and better due greatly to our wonderful guide, Deborah. Each dining experience was delightful. It seemed we had an exceptional group which added much to the flow and overall experience.I loved the fact that Deborah made us all better travelers with common sense practices AND filled the time on bus rides with history and their relevancy to current events.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Armed with several options provided by our guide Deborah, the hikes and sites of Cinque Terra were thrilling and storybook like. Perhaps because it is compact, we were able to see and do a lot. And the fact that we were on our own, made it a little more exciting. Sharing the our adventure and excursions with others in our group at days end was fun and satisfying."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Having never been to Europe, the Heart of Italy tour was a wonderful introduction to traveling abroad. Our guide Dimitri was outstanding. He was friendly, yet professional, and extremely knowledgeable. Dimitri encouraged us to speak the language, visit off the beaten path areas when we were on our own, and have confidence in using public transportation. We would certainly book a Rick Steves' Tour again to explore another part of Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are many special moments, but our time along the coast at Monterosso del Mare in Cinque Terre made us say "wow". We took advantage of the Cinque Terre Train and Trekking card to explore different villages, hiking trails, and food. Because of the small size of the villages, it was fun to unexpectedly run into other members of our group. The water view from our hotel terrace was breathtaking. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really appreciated our tour guide, Dimitri! He went above and beyond to make the trip special!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to narrow down to one but I think the birds-eye views in each city (Rome, Volterra, Monterosso and Florence) were my favorite parts. Such amazing vistas and nice to see all of the areas that we toured from a higher vantage point."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Simply wonderful! Our guide was great. Great group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments. Wandering around the Roman Forum. Looking down from a hillside overlooking Monterosso, Enjoying the amazing food."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 2nd Rick Steves Tour,so we had an idea of what to expect. Dimitri and all the local guides were excellent. It was a bit if a whirl wind by packing so much art history and culture into a short amount of time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the statue David in the academia museum in Florence.It's overall size and beauty surprised me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and it exceeded our expectations. The itinerary was well balanced with guide time, free time and travel time. Dimitri our guide was outstanding, he was knowledgeable, warm and genuine. Hotels were locally owned as were the restaurants at the abundant meals included. The local tour guides in each community were very knowledgeable. We learned so much more than wandering around on our own. We averaged 16000 steps a day so plan on walking and many stairs!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra- the beauty of the area, the history and the sense of community "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great introduction to the Italy hot spots.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra Italy was an outstanding town to visiting Tuscany"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the guided tours and group dinners! The hotels were very convenient and charming. The roof top views from our Florence hotel were phenomenal! Our guide Dimitri was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He really made everyone on the tour feel comfortable right from the start! I enjoyed the wine tasting and alabaster carving demonstration, and the lunch at the olive farm was wonderful, (although the demonstration of olive pressing was a bit lack-luster).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have 2 “wow” moments: The beautiful views surrounded by lemon trees and the scent of citrus blossoms in Cinque Terre will stay with me forever! And secondly, the moment we arrived in Volterra was unforgettable! I couldn’t get enough of the beauty, charm, and rich culture there and I hope to someday return. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved this tour! Our guide Andrea was amazing and very knowledgeable. All of the local guides we had were great and we learned so much along the way. Would definitely recommend this tour 10/10

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is hard because there were so many wow moments. But I would have to say one of our local guides in Florence (Paul) taught us how to read architecture and art in a way I never had before, and I will take those lessons with me and use them again. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this tour! Right from the begining our guilde, Andrea, helped us get to know each other and quickly feel comfortable and excited about this tour We loved the blend of activiities and free time to pick specific places we wanted to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of my favorites moments was visiting the town of Voluterra! The informative guide, lovely meal wie shared ,and visiting the Alabaster workshop were all high points! The fascinating information we learned, delicious classic food, and experiences provide fond memories we will treasure. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time on our Italian tour. We were blessed with a small congenial group, gorgeous weather, and uncrowded conditions except for Libertation Day in Florence (can't have everything). Our guide, Andrea, was organized, shared interesting information and experiences and could not have been more pleasant. We had just the right blend of planned activities and free time to allow us to enjoy Italy without being overwhelmed. The hotels and restaurants were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the beauty and charm of Cinque Terre. Fortunately we were able to early hike from Monterossa to Corniglia and then hop on the train to Riomaggiore for a delicious lunch. The fellow hikers were courteous, the trail was safe.and were able to navigate the many steps. It was a unique experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Sarah was very attentive, informative and available for all. She explained every experience and made me feel safe and at ease in a foreign place. She made the tour amazing. All of our local tour guides were very knowledgeable and kept my attention on what we were learning about. I was so impressed with our private tour experiences at the wine tasting, olive press, pesto demo, and alabaster craft demo. Food choices were so delicious and so abundant. Comfortable, safe bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cutest towns, Voltara, Cinque Terre, beautiful countryside, breath taking art, churches, museums, Coliseum, Palaine, Roman Forum. The food was so abundant and so many choices. Wine every day, all so delicious. Our private bus was impressive. I felt safe, stress free, and enjoyed the scenery. Our hotels were excellent. Bedding very comfortable. Prime locations. The whole experience was perfect, beyond expectations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really enjoyed our Italian adventure. Everything was well run and enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My best surprise was how our group came together and enjoyed each other’s company. These were all wonderful people to be with and made the tour a joy to be part of."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my seventh Rick Steves tour. Once again, overall, I was pleased with the pace and itinerary. Pre and post tour I added additional days so I could see and do things that were not included. I only wish we had an additional day in Volterra and in Cinque Terre. The "two" days in each wasn't enough. Our tour leader, Sarah, was great, friendly, and knowledgeable. The local guides were outstanding! My fellow travelers were nice people. It was great getting to know them!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"These were my "wow" moments. Volterra!!! Monterosso Capuchin Church and Climb! Touring Cinque Terre by boat! Post tour time in Florence!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great taste of Italy, wonderful cities and towns to give a variety of experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being in the Pantheon; the Forum; witnessing the art all over Italy. Florence is a gem. Volterra is beautiful and breathtaking. Cinque Terra a must do."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

great group, great itinerary, exceptional guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra was beautiful"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great. Donato our guide was special. The itinerary was very well thought out. Hotels were nice, generally hot and noisy for sleeping but nice overall. Weather was nearly perfect and crowds were relatively small.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The moment I finally absorbed that all of the fantastic and famous art and locations were actually real."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved visiting all the different places, both cities and countryside. The weather was wonderful, and the group of people were very nice. All of our local tour guides were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Cinque Terre from Monterossa to Vernazza. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guide was very caring and conscientious. Always available and really knew what he was doing. Very informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sistine chapel "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Saw a lot. Food was good. Sites were good. Transpiration was good. Built in free time was welcomed. No complaints.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rome forum. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I liked everything about the tour from the food that was especially made for our group to the breakfasts the hotels prepared, to the main tour guide to the local tour guides and all the sights we saw

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Eating lunch at the winery Castello Del Trebbio"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed the selected hotels and attractions, and the guides made everything interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stop in the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in Rome. The guide Francesca brought that place to life for us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was well planned, local tours and dinners were outstanding, and the hotels were quality.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! Pantheon, David, olive oil farm, Volterra, basil pasta dinner!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my second Rick Steves tour and it did not disappoint. We experienced local culture and learned about history and art in a way that we never could have done on our own. My 14 year old grandson was traveling with us and the educational aspect was important to us. The local guides were knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. We appreciated the mix of group activities and free time. Our guide, Colleen, was knowledgeable and always on hand to advise and assist when needed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view rooftop bar at the Hotel Torre Guelfa was amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This Heart of Italy tour was very well organized and fun from our first meeting till our last group dinner. Coleen was very thoughtful about seeing that each group members individual needs were met with minimum fuss .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our "wow" moment was at the roof top bar at the hotel in Florence watching the sunset over the city from one of the highest points in the city. Great view, great company etc...."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Colleen was very attentive, and always responded in a timely manner to help us. The hotels and restaurants and their staffs were great and welcoming. Except our last dinner at Ristorante Bargello in Florence, I got snobbed by the owner, I didn't get a plate while my group was eating, and was also the last to have the dessert. I only told Colleen the incident yesterday. She will not bring her group there again! If I join Rick's tour, I would love to have Colleen again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When I was in Cinque Terre and saw the Duomo in Florence."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The individual guides Colleen worked with for the group were informative, knowledgeable, and presented information in humorous and insightful manner.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Volterra and learning more about the Etruscan People. Also the visiting the local family-run olive farm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was everything we anticipated it to be. We experienced so much without any stress of planning, watching the clock, worrying about crowds, etc. Colleen made it so easy and enjoyable. The local guides were all excellent. We got so much more out of our trip because of them. Finally, our fellow travelers were all such nice people. We loved getting to know them and hearing their stories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Very difficult to pick out. Possibly Francesca's making the Roman Forum come to life and the walk/hike between Monterosso and Vernazza."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour experience might be described as "Immersive". The guides were all local with depth of knowledge. I felt surrounded and included in the culture by being encouraged to learn some Italian as we traveled along.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments on the tour, art and sculptures were amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was very pleasantly surprised how fabulous the tour was. Andrea, our tour guide was terrific. She was so knowledgeable and made history come alive. The individual tour guides were also very knowledgeable and excellent. The accommodations were great, the dinner and lunch outings, as well as visits to wine tasting and an olive farm, and all of the connections went smoothly. Most importantly, all of the other tour participants were terrific and now I consider them my friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite part of the tour was visiting Volterra. It was an adorable mountain town tucked away, mostly from the crowds. Just wandering around after being on a great tour with Annie was lovely. Later we had a fabulous dinner at a local restaurant which was outstanding. And then to top it off a wine tasting. I thoroughly enjoyed that town."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a good balance of time on our own and time being "toured" by guides. Also a good mix of city, small town and rural visits.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traveling on the bus through Tuscany and thinking, "This really does look like all those pictures I've seen! It's real!""

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

9 day was the perfect duration and the itinerary starting in Rome and ending in Florence was exactly what I was looking for.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre and Volterra"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Better than very good! It was great! The combo of the structure plus free time is probably the best feature. Not having to organize those tours and hotels and every meal was wonderful. Andrea was super. So friendly and approachable and knowledgeable. I do wish the Vatican and St. Peter’s was included, although we did go a day early to do on own with another tour. The combo of different cities was also wonderful - great taste of different parts of Italy

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Turning street corners chatting with our guide then BOOM, there’s the Pantheon, or the Trevi fountain. Love that house wine was included. The wine tasting and olive farm were very fun add-ons. Volterra and the ride up there was amazing. My favorite city. Leaving how we want to do Cinque Terre to ourselves was smart. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and I will never consider using another company in the future. EVERYTHING was executed perfectly!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My biggest WOW was our Tour Leader, Andrea She was outstanding and I give her full credit for creating, coordinating and directing many wonderful experiences and memories. Everywhere we went the locals knew her and loved her. She is incredibly knowledgeable about everything Italy and truly enjoyed sharing her insights and experiences with us. She was friendly and fun and never missed a beat. She deserves big reward!!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

first trip to Italy made logistics important. nailed it! appropriate amount of time guided vs free. local guides splitting the group in 1/2 worked great in Rome and Florence. setting group expectations for 'no whining' and being prompt important and effective.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"from the RS perspective, the intercity transport and group meals made us feel first class. unable to sufficiently express how the art (including ancient buildings) amazed us. perhaps the single most impressive moment was initial entry into St Peter's Basilica. although this was not technically on the Heart of Italy tour, we used your audio app and toured the Vatican one day prior to tour start."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well-organized, great tour leader, seamless logistics, great hotels with character.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the cobblestone streets of Florence and thinking about all the people who had been there over the centuries - talking, laughing, working, living."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful, active trip! My first visit to Italy, and I can’t wait to go back!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s tough to choose—maybe viewing Michelangelo’s David, but I was also wowed by the view from our hotel rooftop in the Cinque Terre."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour leader, Rhianne, was wonderful. She did a great job of bringing everyone together on our tour and making sure everyone was comfortable and getting the most out of the experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking the Cinque Terre was my favorite day of the tour, but my biggest surprise was how lovely the day in Volterra was. It is a beautiful medieval town and our tour guide that day, Annie, was spectacular. She seemed to know everyone in town as we walked around and gave an excellent history of the Etruscan society and the rise and fall of Volterra as an important city state. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized. Rhianne, our tour leader, was fantastic. There was a good balance of organized time (e.g., tours, group dinners) and free time so we never felt over scheduled or rushed. The tour guides were all very knowledgeable. Hotels were all in good locations and fine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the time in Volterra - such as great little city in a terrific hilltop location. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Rick Steve's 11 day Italy tour was incredible. The host, Nina, was fantastic and kept us engaged, informed, organized, and full of joy. From Rome, to Volterra, to Cinque Terre, to Florence the hotels, dinners, and experiences far exceeded my expectations and gave all of us a true Italian experience. There was a wonderful mix of guidance and free time that made exploring a new country exciting and comfortable. Highly rec'd this tour. Bellissima!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hikes of Cinque Terre ranked as one of the highlights of trips. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great mix of structured activities and an opportunity to explore and discover things on you own. So nice to let Rick Steves do the heavy lifting of lodging and transportation and allow the traveler to do the fun stuff. I enjoyed that we ate as a group one time in each city… that was nice to share experiences. Nina was a fantastic tour guide/ leader. She was fun, funny, and informative…and very clear that we were expected to be on time. Local tour guides also great and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a lot of food related wow moments…so good. Just walking the streets of Rome and Florence and imagining who has been there before is pretty cool. As far as sights, St Peter’s Basilica is pretty breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third and best Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Heart of Italy Tour was wonderful. Professional and very knowledgeable guides, friendly and fun group of fellow travelers, itinerary was well planned and excursions were great. Good balance of time with the group and free time. Excellent value for a paid tour vs going on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre was amazingly beautiful"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was astounding. It was well organized. The hotels were wonderful. Our particular guide could not have been better. It was a very compatible group and we enjoyed meeting each and every one of them. Every sight that we saw in Italy was overwhelming.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wife and I ate a late lunch at Trattoria dar Billy in Mariola in Cinque Terre. It was a restaurant that was at a very high elevation, almost the crest of the town, and we ate on a balcony at a table for two. We were outside and the view down the pisgah out onto the Ligerian Sea was overwhelming. This was my wow moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the travel pace, the hotels, our tour guide, and the sites for the planned visits. I very much appreciated the expert descriptions and information provided from the local guides: loved the blend of history and culture. Also, the size of the group - under 30 people - is perfect. These tours have the right blend of group activities with individual time to explore on your own. In particular, the full solo day at Cinque Terre hiking along the coast was unforgettable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking along the Tiber River on the grassed pathway above the banks of the river: beautiful trees, high flying wild parakeets, and perfect views of Rome. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This being our first Rick Steve's tour experience, we were impressed with how well everything was organized; from the tours in each city, to the transportation, and dinners, and also being allowed free time to explore on our own. Our guide Nina made every day special with our "word of the day" and getting us to become enriched with the Italian culture and language. The entire tour was "Che meraviglia"!!! (Amazing). We are already researching where our next Rick Steves Europe trip takes us!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is so hard to pick just one WOW moment, but I think mine was when we checked into Hotel Pasquale in the Cinque Terre and opened the drapes in our room to the most beautiful view of the seaside. We sat with the windows open listening to the waves crash on the beach for nearly an hour enjoying the relaxing and peaceful view before regrouping for dinner which included a pesto making session before. A close second WOW was watching the alabaster craftsman in Volterra create a bowl. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From beginning to end, this tour experience beat any and all expectations. Nina, our tour guide, is knowledgeable, clear, and knows how to keep a group on track! All of the boutique hotels were class-act and situated in great spots. The planned tours were outstanding including the restaurants chosen and food experiences. We had a variety of guides with a wealth of knowledge. Nina gave us plenty of time and daily suggestions to experience the uniqueness of Italy!

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire tour was a class act from beginning to end. Our tour guide, Nina, was amazing and I would give her a grade of 12 on a scale of 1-10. The logistics of the trip were spot on at every turn. There was not even one hiccup. Accomendations were amazing and the meals were fantastic. The itinarary was well thought out. The mixture of planned tours and free time was just right. I can't say enough about the value I received on this Rick Steve's tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was looking out over the Cinque Terre from our hotel room window."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very knowledgeable guides, excellent food, centrally located accommodations, comfortable transportation. A great balance between planned activities and time for ourselves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we saw the statue of Michelangelo's David, we had the entire room to ourselves. Just my wife and I walking around the statue by ourselves in awe. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very well organized and had a great balance of tours and personal time to explore on our own. We had such a nice group of people and our guide Nina was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying in Monterosso. I could have visited the Cinque Terre for days!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was well organized. Not too slow or too hurried. And free time to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the remains of Ancient Rome. And staying in an ancient town 800 years old!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All details were attended to. We felt confident that travel and activities were organized and we could concentrate on enjoying our experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several, for me, seeing Micheal Angelo's David was a stand - out moment"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic trip. Daniela our guide was wonderful. Everything was well organized, people were kind, and we had a wonderful time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The alabaster workshop, olive oil farm, wine tasting "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour far exceeded expectations. Led by our very knowledgable and personable guide Daniela, I felt like our time was very well organized but allowed plenty of time for free exploration. Though we only had a couple of days in each location, I felt like I got a real understanding and experience of each place. Additionally, I enjoyed getting to know the others on the tour which was a significant part of the experience. Looking forward to another tour soon. Thank you, Daniela!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but perhaps the least expected was getting "lost" in Riomaggiore. Having just hiked a trail with spectacular views over the Mediterranean, we took a more obscure cliff trail to get to town and ended up in a maze of steep and narrow residential dead-ends that gave us a more intimate view of local life. We eventually came upon the harbor where kids were jumping into the sea, and with the help of a shop clerk (and a few Italian phrases) we found our way to town (and a gelato)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Daniela, was outstanding - very considerate, kind, knowledgeable and well-organized. The other guides who assisted were also really good. I hadn't expected that much input on the tour. I was really impressed with how well the tour was organized overall. Every little detail was explained fully, every question answered quickly. I really appreciated the recommendations for things to do, places to see, places to eat, etc. in our free time. In short, we were very well taken care of.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments, both large and small. I suppose my biggest wow was seeing the inside of the Parthenon. I had seen it from the outside before, but never realized how impressive it was on the inside. A small wow was seeing the nail on the Porta all' Arco in Volterra. The story that went with it was beautiful. I was also wowed by the massive gardens at the Palazzo Pitti. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was very pleased about our trip. The tour manager was great, the local guides fantastic. The group meals and lodging were better than I expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Opening up the window of our hotel in Cinque Terre and looking at the sea!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were pleased with everything-- the RS tour guide & local guides, most of the hotels, the activities, the pace, and little extras, such as being treated to gelato on our way to the Accademia. We also had a very nice group of people to travel with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Views in Cinque Terre were both beautiful & charming. The seafood stew in Cinque Terre and the flaming beef in Florence were wow meals."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful time visiting Italy. I went with my sisters so we had a group of 4. I appreciated having the hotels, many meals, transportation and activities planned for us. It made it easy to experience rather than worrying about logistics. It was a nice mix of group activities and plenty of time to explore on your own. I enjoyed my guide sharing her experiences and what it is like to live in Italy. The local guides were a nice addition -the ability to learn about the region.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My biggest wow moment would be seeing history and art in person - the coliseum, the Roman ruins, David, the birth of Venus, the Duomo so amazing. I loved visiting the National Park and hiking in Cinque Terre - we visited all 5 towns (last 2 by train)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in the Italian Riviera"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well coordinated in every way. I appreciated the pace and scope. The depth of learning and insights enhanced the experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Very difficult to pick a singular moment. So many things stand out. I loved Volterra with it's small town feel and slower pace. Memories of times with fellow travelers will be long cherished. Patricia as our guide was a gift beyond expectation."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

from the beginning of dreaming about a RS trip to planning it and preparing for it and then it going on it! questions often answered before i knew i had a question. Information sent out to help prepare was well done and it did make a difference in our overall experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"there were so many! every place we went. arriving into the city of Rome from the airport on our way to our hotel. coming around a corner and seeing ancient ruins and realizing i'm seeing that in real life, not a RS travelog! arriving in Volterra, the walls around the city, the beautiful cobbled streets, the views from the top of the town. ah, the Cinque Terre. A dream list item since i started listening/reading/watching RS. Love the ocean and that part of the world. Did not disappoint "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was excellent with a knowledgeable guide who had an amazing handle on the history of the area, an ability to explain things, a sense of humor, and was very organized. We got to see all the "hot spots" yet some off the beaten path surprises and smaller sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of Florence from our hotel, the grounds of the colosseum, and the streets of Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Smooth sailing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Cinque Terre. Awesome!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was GREAT!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoyed learning about the churches and the "story" they tell. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful hotels,guides and tours

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments,art,tours,museums,Volterra,etc"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My experience was great because all the tour guides were very experienced, enthusiastic and helpful. Furdie was the best guide. The food was excellent and all the hotels were beautiful, clean with an outstanding breakfast variety.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed all the cities. The 2 "wow" moments were getting to go to an Olive Oil facility and having lunch and the underground Wine Tasting Class. There were many more, but those were my favorites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have been a tour guide for 49 years and it was hard for me to hand over the reins to another company, but I am glad I did

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing things in person that I only saw in pictures, with the guides making them come to life"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first group tour. I was a bit concerned before the start but then I loved it all. Rhianne was a fabulous leader - organized, friendly, knowledgeable and more. The group was friendly, open and positive. We learned so much of the history and culture of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments - In Volterra, on a break from the tour, a group of us got the most delicious hot chocolate on a cool day. At the Pantheon, our guide described rose petals being dropped down through the open dome on Pentecost. Our guide in the Uffizi gave us so much information, viewing the art was much more meaningful. We watched a man make a bowl out of a chunk of alabaster. Seeing the cliffside clusters of buildings in Cinque Terre with my own eyes. And so on…"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Italy was amazing - the sights - the culture - the history and the cuisine were excellent. Rianna our tour guide was amazing as well. The tour was well organized the local tour guides were excellent. The tour was a great balance of planned activities and free time. Really enjoyed it and we had a greta group to tour with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to list! The history and excitement of Rome to Tuscanny/Volterra - exploring this hill town to the beauty and uniqueness of the 5 towns of the Cinque Terre on the coast to the amazing museums of Florence. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour leader, Rhianne……great energy and personality…….phenomenal knowledge of areas we toured.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre hike"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Planned itinerary was awesome. The people we were around were friendly and fun. We enjoyed every minute of our trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"it was so good it's hard to single any out. Food is up near the top."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The heart of Italy tour with Rhianne was fabulous. So much to see and learn. We were lucky with weather, blessed with great tour mates and guides, and had more fun than I expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many but I fell in love with the town of Volterra and their hot chocolate! I also had a "fangirl moment" when meeting Francesca from Rick Steve's tv segments as she guided my group thru the forum. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terra "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first Rick Steves' tour will be hard to beat as our tour guide Lisa was wonderful, the hotels were great, the experiences were amazing, and the individual tour guides were pretty good except for one in Florence. I will definitely be doing another Rick Steves' tour in the near future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was our time in Volterra, with its sweeping views and place in history, Annie our guide and her husband Francesco our sommelier were wonderful, the residents are friendly and the food is delicious, and we had a rainbow right as we arrived in town."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the 9 Day Heart of Italy Tour was well planned and met my goals in hitting the high points I’d hoped for on this trip. The extra Tour Guides provided for Ancient Rome, Volterra, and the Uffizi Museum were fantastic! They were very knowledgeable and made their subjects come alive for me. The meals provided by the tour were exceptional, as were the hotel breakfasts. Our bus travel was comfortable, safe, and timely. The various hotel staff members were kind and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My time in Cinque Terre. The ferry ride I took from Monterossa Al Mara along the Cinque Terre coast was so beautiful and everything I had hoped for. The hotel rooftop garden Happy Hour at sunset was perfectly lovely. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about this tour experience was fantastic! From the hotels, to the guides, to the food, it was all very impressive! And our group of fellow travelers made it all the better!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre! We were fortunate to have excellent weather for hiking the trails between these stunning little cliffside towns. Surrounded by the Mediterranean, terraced vineyards and charming shops and restaurants, it was a little slice of paradise in the middle of our tour! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From our booking to tour prep from the RS office to initial meeting with our group and throughout our 9 days together, our Rick Steves tour (led by the iconic and ironic Lisa) was a high energy and high reward experience. We saw incredible views, enjoyed historic sites and art, we learned, we laughed, we WALKED, we ATE and we made great friends while breaking even on calories ingested vs. burned!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many moments and experiences that qualified as "wow" moments but the one that most surprised me was the sight, setting and stories we experienced at the American War Veteran Cemetery just outside of Florence. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Though not on par with other Rick Steves’ tours I’ve taken, the tour was very enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cinque Terra is always a “wow” moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very good. Enjoyed everything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra, Cinque Terra hike/ view. Vatican Museum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really enjoyed it. Awesome tour guides and the main tour lead was sensational. She was totally organized and friendly and made sure everyone had an awesome trip. Great dinners and sites. OUTSTANDING

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Well the Italy experience itself was the Wow moment. Not sure I have just 1 Rick Steves wow moment. The RS tour was more of a continual good experience and not necessarily a specific greatest moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was excellent! Everything was just amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything really - our guide Susanna was so organized and responsive. Just excellent !"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was perfect! Karen was a fabulous guide, and kept us all informed of any necessary updates. The weather cooperated too...beautiful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have been on many Rick Steves' tours and also been to all of the towns on this tour before. I expected a good time. The tour amazingly far surpassed my expectations! Maybe it was the wide-eyed first timers in our group. I think it might have been the fact that this tour covered 5,000 years of history in 4 stops. Of course, Rome. Voultera, covered the Eutruscans, and the middle-ages. A break in the Cinque Terre. At the end, Wow! The Rennissance exploded into human history in Florence!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My Florentine steak that I got to share with a fellow tour member."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the entire trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How old Italy is and the local customs."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything I expected and then some experiences I did not expect. I enjoyed every moment with my wife , the others on the tour and the locals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say as I remember saying wow several times a day! However the views of the landscape absolutely was the best for me. Especially views while visiting Volterra, seeing the countryside from the hill city will stay in my memory for a lifetime. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Italy was on the top of my bucket list and this tour was a perfect introduction. From the sights, to the guides, the hotels, group of travelers, meals and free time, it was perfect!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was more than one! Every place/ experience where I learned about the history of the place we visited."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent experience. The tour was well done giving us the most complete experience in the time we had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip was a perfect combination of art, history and beauty. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic! Perfect balance of organized group tours and activities and time on own to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra Tuscany. The entire city. Wow. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall was adequate to good. Too much “time filler” with redundant walking. Hotels selection were “poor”, would have preferred American brands with more space and comfortable beds. Extremely disappointed tour didn’t include tickets to the top attractions (Colosseum, Vatican museum, Sistine chapel, St Peter’s Basilica). Don Chmura did a great job!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The architect of both Rome and Florence was extremely impressive!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide Don was wonderful, I was very happy with all the hotels we stayed and especially loved the fantastic breakfasts each morning. Some of the tours were a bit too much, too long. The size of our group, 26 people was just right. I loved our group dinners. All in all it was a wonderful experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t say I had a favorite, there were so many in beautiful Italy "

We had a wonderful time on this tour. There was so much to see and do, and the tour covered many of the expected highlights of each location. The hotels were great, centrally located, comfortable beds and quiet rooms. The breakfast at the hotels were very good, especially in Rome and Florence. The dinners that were included were pretty good. We had a terrific group of people and Don was a great tour guide. Unfortunately, it went by so fast!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra! I did not know what to expect and was incredibly pleased. It is a charming town. The local tour guide was wonderful. The best included dinner was here, and the hotel was lovely."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sonia, Annie, and Paul. Our local tour guides in Rome, Volterra, and Florence respectively. Paul especially, had me approaching a museum like I never have before. Brilliant. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The accommodations were very comfortable, tours were quite informative, free time to explore on your own, and great group of fellow participants. Plus the weather was perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning to look at art, not read about it; especially the statue of David by Michelangelo with the help of our very enthusiastic guide. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was very well organized. You pack A LOT into 8 days but we appreciated the diverse mix of experiences on the tour. It was our first trip to Italy and we felt we got a good idea for what we preferred and where we want to spend more time on our next visit. Also, our guide Susanna was wonderful. You could tell that she was a very experienced RS tour guide and that she loved her job.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pantheon was our "wow" moment. The outside of the building is one thing but then you step inside and the design and engineering of it, plus the sun shining through while we were there was just stunning. And our local guide Allessandra (sp?) made it even better with the specifics of the design, history and stories of it. It was one of our favorite parts of Rome."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great! Our fellow tour members were all friendly, considerate and fun to travel with. Our tour guide was excellent!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pantheon in Rome, all of Volterra and our sunset view in Florence from the top of the hotel!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour and I loved it! It exceeded my expectations. It was wonderful! I can't wait to go again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour guided, Susanna, was so good! She was wonderful. I really enjoyed spending time with her and her excellent insight. I was impressed with the quality of everything the tour offered (for example the meals that were included), and just the quality of the tour itself. It was well thought out and the guides were excellent! So much knowledge!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the group of people on this tour. Suzanna was a great tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre. It was just fabulous! That is why we picked this tour was to go there."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Pleasant enough to be in Italy, but the choices of destinations and time allocated didn't make sense. I don't know what the intent was, but the tour overall seemed disjoint and random.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning the history of the gate to Volterra and what happened there during WWII"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Virginia, was wonderful. And the individual tour guides were so knowledgeable and informative. I was surprised how walkable Rome and Florence are. It seems nothing of interest is very far from any other interesting site. Everywhere we went we felt very safe, even walking around in the evening.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Florence. The hotel was really amazing and centrally located to everything. Seeing David was really special."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 6th RS tour and it was just as informative and fun as all of the others!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra was a town we had not visited before, and we were simply enchanted. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Two days in each hotel was not enough time especially in Rome and Florence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the duomo in Florence."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great pace, excellent accommodations, great tour leader. Great food, great local tour guides, great group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Food quality, especially at the highway rest stops!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well-paced between tours and free time. Great hotels, tours and group meals. Loved our tour guide Donald.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

everything was well planned, timely and a lot of fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hill town of Voltera. The views and atmosphere was outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the diversity of experiences: big cities, small hill town, and a taste of the Italian Riviera. I also enjoyed the diversity of ages of participants. Unlike other tour groups I’ve been a part of, this tour was not just 55 and above. It was great to have some younger people in the group. The tour guide was great, along with the local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The unscheduled boat tour of the 5 Cinque Terre villages "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall the tour was as advertised. Really loved the local guides. I was disappointed at the amount of people (including the guide) who over packed and needed additional help with large bags. The group was diverse and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments including walking in the town of Volterra at night after the day visitors were gone, the views when hiking in Cinque Terra, the history around every corner. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour delivered what it promised. The traveling between locations and the accommodations were great but we learned that we are not suited for group tours. We like having our own schedule and not feeling so pressed for time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Volterra was the highlight. It wasn’t too crowded and feels like it’s still a bit of a secret. I hope it can stay that way."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour moved along really well and had just the right mix of group touring vs free time. I felt it hit most of the major sites in each city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra is a complete gem of a city. It's like walking around in medieval times. It's placed perfectly on the itinerary and is a welcome retreat from the heat, hustle and bustle of Rome."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed this tour, but it was really disappointing that nothing at the Vatican was included in the itinerary. We had to arrive early to Rome so we could schedule private tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was seeing the Pope in St Peters Square on Sep 14 and the Sistine Chapel--which were NOT included in the RS tour itinerary."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall we enjoyed the tour, however, a number of things could have been better in my opinion. We visited great historical locations, which while crowded, were still great. Our tour guide did not fit our "Rick Steve's Tour" expectations, and some of our fellow travelers did not either.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking early morning between towns in the Cinque Terre. Before the crowds and before the heat of the day. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a very active tour, covering a lot of ground at a rapid clip. We definitely saw many of the highlights of Italy, enjoying remarkable food, wine (including a delightful wine tasting), and visit to an olive grove. The museum tours in particular were well-done and impactful. The tour probably just scratches the surface of what Italy offers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While enjoying a limoncello outside our hotel in Monterosso, about 21:30, we heard a band playing. We found a religious procession underway. We saw clergy, police officers, firefighters, and ambulance crews marching with townspeople, carrying banners and floats, and candles. This was an event for the community, not aimed at tourists. It showed a tradition important to the local population, and we felt lucky to observe the event. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all, what a great group of people that became friends. Italy was everything I thought it would be and more. Every city was different than the last and gave me the Italian feel. Jamie was outstanding-kept everyone well informed and gave us time to do our thing. GREAT JOB.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tuscany area was my wow area. Loved the landscape! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a very good experience with an outstanding tour guide. My only problem was that I was the only solo traveler in the group. It became awkward at times.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Volterra. It was like no place I have ever been to."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed the well planned and executed tour. The choices of accommodations, food, tour guides, and museums was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the hills from Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was perfect, Jamie our guide was outstanding. The hotels, transportation, meals, activities and down time was just right

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra— it is exactly what we thought Italy is like."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was an excellent combination of historical and cultural experiences. Our overall tour guide, Lisa, coordinated with local guides in every location to complement all that she shared with us. She wove together all the pieces into a very beautiful look into what makes Italy a great place to live and visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Florence American Cemetery Memorial on 9/11."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was incredible Lisa was so caring, patient and helpful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The churches! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was just great, and the helpful tour guide was especially great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"3 of the places we ate at were outstanding. The one (I can't remember the name) owned by the family in Tuscany was so good that we had to give them a standing ovation. It was just so much fun. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I do not have one negative thing to say about the Heart of Italy tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several. First & foremost were the people in our group. Everyone was friendly, kind, thoughtful, and fun. I enjoyed all of them. There was not one "bad apple." Secondly, the Italian food was outstanding!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lisa Anderson was marvelous. She helped make the tour wonderful

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In a word - Volterra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Rick Steve’s Heart of Italy tour was “Bellissimo!!” It really met our hopes and dreams and BEYOND! All the accommodations- lovely hotels, awesome Local tour guides, “delicioso” group feasts AND Breakfasts, excellent transfers in very classy and Comfortable busses, etc.,etc…… and Lisa, our tour guide who facilitated all of the above was exceptionally gracious, Helpful, funny and FUN! Also, the 22 people who joined us on our journey were such a pleasure to meet and we miss Each one of them !,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, of course, but my eyes popped when we “Switch-backed” down the mountains (100x?) gazing at all the beautiful countryside, sporadic little homes on the way, until we reached our gorgeous third destination- Monterosso- the Cinque Terre and the beautiful Mediterranean 👍🏻🫶"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a really great trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the sense of history, walking down ancient streets, seeing the colosseum, seeing very old buildings that are still in use. Staying in the "castle" in Florence and seeing the city from the rooftop was a definite wow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Dimitri was an easy-going, funny, intelligent, excellent guide. The local guides hired were amazing - Paul Costa in Florence stands out as one of the best. We even hired him to educate us another 3 hours after the official tour ended. The hotels were well thought out and close to the city centers so that all activities could be done on foot. My only regret is we could only do 9 days instead of a month! We'll be back.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"EVERY stop was a WOW - that might sound over the top, but true. I think my favorite was Volterra. The town felt like a hug and the scenery was amazing. I even got up at 530 one morning to wander it alone, experiencing the sunrise and the town awakening. I have to say the drive into Florence didn't wow me, but the ancient city center quickly changed my attitude. Turning the corner and seeing 'David' was jaw dropping. The art education that followed was mind blowing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was wonderful to have all the hotels and logistics taken care of so we could enjoy the beauty of the locations we were visiting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying overnight in Voltaire and getting to watch the sunset and sunrise over a medieval city was absolutely amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good timing for tours early to avoid crowds.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra! Beautiful little town and very walkable and enjoyable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was phenomenal in every way. From the lodging to the tour guides (Dimitri is GREAT!) to the food, transportation and experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing David at the Uffizi Museum"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Dimitri was a fantastic tour guide. He shared history and travel tips with us all along the way and has built relationships with local guides that enhanced our experience. It was great to meet others in the group and build friendships. It was obvious that every part of the trip had been thoughtfully planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dimitri shared information about Edo's boat tour in Cinque Terre, lead by a family member of the family who runs the hotel we were staying at, and it was amazing to see the 5 towns from the water. Cinque Terre is breathtaking and it was also a really neat experience to hike between a couple of the towns. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Heart of Italy tour was an amazing experience from start to finish.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Guide (Dimitri) for sure! The hotels, food, restaurants, and all transportation were perfect."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip to Italy exceeded all my expectations. I loved that we could see Rome, Tuscany, Cinque Terre and Florence all is one trip! It was incredible to be in Rome & see so much history, art and beauty. Then on to Volterra in Tuscany with green hillsides, olive trees and vineyards. Next was Cinque Terre with breathtaking views of pastel houses built into cliffs overlooking the sea & finally Florence, with incredible Renaissance art and beauty. It was all amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I could not process all I saw in Rome. It was all bigger and more amazing than I could've imagined. Seeing the beautiful art of the churches & the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, Roman Forum & the Pantheon was incredible...and we enjoyed gelato and great meals in outdoor cafes! So wonderful!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good selection of places to see; excellent local guides, very nice people on the tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing St Peter's Basilica"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour, but it definitely won't be my last! Everything was wonderful - our tour guide, Dimitri, the hotels, the meals, the experiences, the local guides, the transportation between cities. All top notch!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We hiked the trails between the towns at Cinque Terre on our free day, something I've wanted to do for a long time. It wasn't easy, but it was so worth it! The views were incredible! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was Wonderful! Well organized, a fantastic Marianna as our caring and charming guide, and all the places we wanted to see. We had a great group of fellow travelers as well. I really appreciate that Marianna efficiently navigated the illnesses and injuries of our fellow travelers, not to mention her delightful sense of humor regarding things we observed and experienced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not sure there was One wow, as we just kept uttering Wow at everything. I did get thrown around in the sea at Montorosso; the Mediterranean let me know who was in charge, so yeah, WoW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the tour and look forward to another Rick Steeves tour. The local guides added do much depth and color, really made the tour great. Our guide Mariana was fantastic, lived her do much! I loved the blend of organized activities and unstructured time. Hotel locations were always central to the location and made it easy to walk and explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The moment I first saw the Forum was incredible! Slso loved the views on the drive into Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Marianna was incredible. She was kind, engaging, very knowledgable and approachable. There was a perfect balance of guided tour and time on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the churches in each city. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every aspect of the trip exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were great, the guides were amazing and we loved the history and culture of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the relationships we built so quickly with the other guests and the staff in such a short time. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an amazing tour, it felt genuinely local and had the perfect mix of down time and activities. Our guide Marianna was fantastic and I can't imagine it without her!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably visiting the alabaster workshop"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was incredible and surpassed my expectations. It was a great balance of organized time together, time on our own plus must see attractions and things off the beaten path. We loved our tour manager Marianna and all of the local guides!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had a few of these! The one that stands out is driving through Tuscany to get to Volterra. I also had two "Wow" moments seeing David and the Birth of Venus in Florence. For both pieces of art you turn the corner, and bam they are there! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Marianna was fantastic. Her guidance made the tour group become a family. We enjoyed her kind heart and knowledge of Italy. The people in our group become a family that enjoyed all Italy had to offer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Exploring and enjoying Volterre again. We had the same city tour guide. That night her husband, Francesco was our wine tasting guide of 11 years ago!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire tour experience from the places we visited, the guides we encountered, the welcoming and delightful group meals and of course our accommodations were centrally located and very pleasant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Uffizi Museum with the most outstanding art / history guide I have ever encountered, Cynthia Black. I had visited the Uffizi in 2019 which was ok but my experience with Cynthia shined a new light on the amazing works of art in Florence. Her enthusiasm combined with her personality and depth of knowledge were out of this world. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A fantastic tour that included all the experiences we were looking for. From the city, with its art and history, to the beautiful countryside and coastline, it was an absolutely wonderful way to see the heart of Italy. The food was delicious and the people were friendly and helpful. Our tour guide was fantastic and so were the guides along the way. Each of them shared their extensive knowledge with passion and with a sense of humor. Our best family trip thus far!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each place we visited had a wow moment and each one different in their own special way. The history and art in Rome and Florence were different wow moments from the beauty and breathtaking views in Volterra and Cinque Terre. All are a must see! One thing remained constant was the delicious fresh food and wine everywhere we visited. Another constant was the warm hospitality we were greeted with at each of our hotels."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Brad was excellent, Hotels, restaurants, tours, transportation were all wonderful.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was amazing. It was very well planned. The group tours to historic sites, museums etc. were enjoyable,informative and well paced. There was time each day to explore on your own. Our travel guide was more than a guide. He was a companion who was incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating and enhanced all areas of this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There is not just one moment that stands out as the entire trip was perfect. The travel to each town was comfortable and rest stops appropriately made. The hotels were great. The restaurants for group dinners were reflective of the area we were in and the food always delicious with wonderful service. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an exceptional tour. Well organised, fantastic guides, well balanced with scheduled activities and free time to explore. Great group to travel with that included first timers like ourselves as well as seasoned Rick Steve's travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too numerous to mention. So many incredible sites. One particular "wow" was our guide Cristina's wealth of knowledge, incredibly fascinating and never a dull moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I can honestly say that this was the best vacation I have ever taken. From the moment we booked our tour, we had clear communication to the moment we tearfully hugged our tour guide Arrivederci, every detail was well thought out and planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments, it is hard to choose one! However, on our last night I took a look around our dinner table and felt so grateful for the new relationships we built with our amazing tour guide and friends within the tour group! We honestly had such a kind, passionate, and informative tour guide and an amazing group of people that really all connected so well!"

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Overall, the tour experience wasn't great for me, as the value of what I paid vs what was rec'd just didn't compute. From the quality of the hotels, lack of choice in the group dinners, large amount of unexpected free time - where essentially, I did have to plan, walking 15-25 mins across cobblestones/steps/all kinds of uneven surfaces in extreme heat and damaging my suitcases, the rigidity and moodiness of the guide, it did not feel like a vacation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were no wow moments for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The location of the hotels were fantastic and within walking distance to iconic landmarks, great food, and shopping. Our tour guide, Nina, was amazing and I was impressed with her knowledge, speaking skills, and ability to engage our group. I learned so much from our guide as well as the local guides in each city we went to. There was a good balance between informative tours and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sightseeing, lessons and history, culture, and art, and food were amazing! My favorite parts of the tour were going to Volterra, wine and olive oil tasting, and visit to the Uffizi Gallery. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an amazing experience! I loved being immersed in Italian culture learning about anything and everything from history and art to cuisine and artisan craftsmanship.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alabaster demo"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour experience was amazing!! It was well organized, wonderful hotels, more history than our brains could hold, and an amazing tour guide, Nina, who was just the right amount of security and hands off care

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many wow moments, but mine was when I realized I wasn’t afraid to get lost in the cities and towns we were in and wasn’t timid to try and speak “Italian” to the locals! I credit Nina for instilling that confidence in me! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was great. Starting with a fantastic tour guide in Andrea, things went smooth and his communication was incredible. Hotels were in great locations and the beds were very comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had a great group of people from all corners of the US. We really liked all of our tour guides!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I would recommend this tour to everyone, all I can say is great things

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments. The guides, the food, the hotels. I was constantly in a wow moment "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 8th Rick Steves tour and as always it was outstanding. Our guide, Andrea, was knowledgeable, courteous, helpful and attentive to every group need. This was the shortest tour we’ve taken and even though we enjoyed it we prefer the longer trips to get to know the group members better. This was a great group of travelers and we would have enjoyed more time with them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We very much enjoyed the town of Volterra and hiking on the Cinque Terre."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Andrea, our guide, was WONDERFUL and gave 100% to make sure everyone was taken care of!! He was very personable and made the trip exciting. The tour is planned out so well, all we had to do was show up and have a great time. I have loved every RS trip I have been on and this one was no different!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pantheon and all the churches we visited. The group dinners were also very fun. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Andrea was a fantastic guide, knowledgable and entertaining. He put a lot of effort into the trip and it paid off.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hike in the Cinque Terre was strenuous but the view was rewarding!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour coordinator, the hotels, the local tour guides and locations, the meals, they were all fantastic and helped to up the experiences in each of the places that we visited. Would definitely recommend for those looking to truly learn and experience the locales as they should as a traveler and not just a tourist checking off boxes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the walking tour in Florence and seeing both the Duomo in person and the David. Things I have only seen on paper and video media, but to see those things in person really brings out the beauty and the history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, an amazing tour that was expertly and thoughtfully planned out. Hotels were all very nice and in good locations to sites, with friendly and hospitable staff. Our guide was excellent and took very good care of us, guiding us along way for the entire trip, ensuring our safety, answering questions and making sure we didn't miss out on anything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sistine chapel, Pantheon, St. Ignatious Church, The Cathedral and Duomo in Florence, and St. Peters Basilica were WOW moments. The beautiful hill top town of Volterra was charming and a nice break from busy Rome. The views from the Cinque Terre towns were breathtaking as was our walk down the Via Del Amore. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Heart of Italy tour group was fantastic with ages ranging from teenagers all the way to the 70's. Our tour guide, Francesco was kind and organized. We had the most amazing group meals. Our hotels were all air conditioned and central. We could not have asked for a better introduction to Italy. I loved that we were often split into smaller groups with the local guides. We also appreciated the free time allowed to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many highlights! But our most memorable moment was the amazing fireworks display for "St. John the Baptist Day" at Monterosso in the Cinque Terre. A bunch of couples from the tour group walked up the bluff and were treated to some of the best fireworks we have ever seen. The display went on for almost 25 minutes! So special and unforgettable. I wish we had stayed in the Cinque Terre longer."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves' tour after years of going our own way. We were looking for an introduction to Italy to help us get our feet wet on a part of Europe to which we had not previously traveled. The Heart of Italy tour provided us with the overview we were looking for, along with the knowledge and skills to be confident we could "go it on our own" for future Italian sojourns. The tour provided the right mix of locations, sites, & activities to give us a great introduction to Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite "Wow" moment was actually not part of the tour, but was something we did during our "free-time." We went on a tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel lead by a group with early entry that the RS office in Edmonds recommended. Prior to going I had read Ross King's "Michaelangelo and Pope's Ceiling." Walking into the Sistine Chapel and seeing all of what I had read come to life, and knowing the story behind all of it was a huge Wow! The book should be read by anyone going."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

tour was well-planned, visited the best places and ate wonderful meals

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the view from the trail connecting monterosso to vernazza"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In spite of the excessive heat, we had a wonderful experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The shared information from all the tour guides gave us an immense amount of history in detail. All were excellent!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was top-notch! Our guide, Donato, was fantastic, the group meals were amazing, and the city guides were the best. The people in our group became good friends in a very short time. This trip exceeded my expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Rick Steves brand truly practices what it preaches about travel. Every restaurant and hotel was family run, and all the city guides were local. The emphasis on relationships was very apparent. In addition, the tour did everything to help foster friendships within the group. It was amazing how close I felt to the others in the group after a very short period of time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Donaldo Donaldo Donaldo. He was outstanding in his preparations with attention to detail, attending to individual needs, and his ability to have each of us enjoy a fullfilling experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Voltera. All of it"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fabulous experience! My wife and I had a great time and plan on doing other Rick Steves' tours in the future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't think I can narrow it down to one "WOW" moment as there were so many amazing things and places we saw."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall tour experience was outstanding. From the opening group meeting to the final family dinner. The entire experience was great. Our tour guide Donato was well prepared, ever present with helpful information and involved in all 28 participants experience. Donato helped us navigate free time if we did not have a plan and discussed options with everyone. I enjoyed all the guided tours, group meals and looked forward to free time with my family. This was a vacation of a lifetime! Bravo!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had several WOW moments. The massive size of the colosseum, walking on the grounds of the Roman Forum with our tour guide were both WOW moments for me. The winery we visited in the Tuscany region was a WOW moment, and looking at the works of Michelangelo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour experience was excellent! Our tour guide, Andrea, was top notch, and made this itinerary come to life!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The gorgeous scenes of the Cinque Terre!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I could never have planned such an amazing trip. From the logistics, to the incredibly knowledgeable guides, to the unbelievable meals, it was perfection!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our group dinner in Volterra was the exclamation point to an unforgettable day of touring and free exploration."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a very well-designed and managed tour. Our guide, Andrea, took care of all the details flawlessly as we traveled from Rome, to Volterra, Cinque Terre, and Florence. And every day, we benefited from Andrea's deep knowledge of Italian history and culture. With only an occasional minor problem, all hotels were excellent, and the meals provided to the group were outstanding. The guides were excellent throughout, most notably Andrea in Florence and Annie in Volterra.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to choose just one "wow" moment given all the great experiences, but I was definitely wowed by the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence. Arriving at the first building-length gallery was a Versailles-like eye-opener, and the revelation that this collection is thought of as the first gallery or museum was very interesting to me. I was thrilled to see famous works of Medieval and Renaissance art, particularly those by Leonardo, Botticelli, and Lippi."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I love that all the arrangements have been made leaving me to explore and not constantly checking reservations and train schedules.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was all wow, but what interested me the most is how antiquities and more “modern” structures abut one another in Rome. I’ve read and studied how Rome was built in layers, one civilization on top of the previous. It was amazing seeing that in person."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My trip included a wonderful guide who made traveling in Italy a breeze. She coordinated our dinners and sightseeing seamlessly. The local guides we met were knowledgeable and provided information I would have missed if I visited the site without them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The alabaster tour in Volterra was wonderful. Truly something that I would never have seen without your tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all, the correspondence prior to the tour was exceptional, including packing strategies, a planning itinerary timeline, safety tips...really everything covering all the bases. Our tour guide was fantastic! Colleen was very knowledgeable, sharing facts and details everywhere we visited. Local tour guides were also hired to further educate. The choice of hotels-wonderful, food-wonderful, sites-wonderful and our group was compatible!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre was a masterpiece of architecture and visual beauty. Hiking the many trails and paths for spectacular views (and exercise) or riding the easy train between the villages provided continuous panoramic vistas to visit that I will always remember."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first RS tour. We wish there was a category between very good and outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swimming Monterossa Al mar near our hotel. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized, well paced, and overall very enjoyable. Out tour guide was great, and she went above & beyond when we had a need to see a local doctor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When touring the Forum the guide used 3d recreations to help visualize exactly what we were seeing and put things into context. It really helped and made the tour extra impactful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a fantastic experience we had with Rick Steve on our Heart of Italy Tour! We were overwhelmed by trying to plan a trip like this on our own, and the smoothness with which the entire tour went was incredible. Our guide Nina was helpful, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable about each place we went. The local guides really brought each city to life. The accommodations were in perfect locations and comfortable, and the meals were outstanding! I can't say enough good things about our tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't name just one. The backstories and history that we learned about Florence, the art, and the historical figures from our local guides! It was so informative. And then Cinque Terre.... OMG! What a place! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Cecilia (Cece) was outstanding. She worked so hard to make our tour experience awesome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The dinner on our last night featuring wines from our tour guide's family vineyard!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Saw a vast amount of beautiful Italy in a very small amount of time. Cecelia was a wonderful plethora of knowledge of a place she obviously loves. The little treats she brought on the bus each time we stopped at a rest stop was so sweet. LOVED her wines. Best for last!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swimming in Monterossa after hiking from Monterossa to Vernazza and taking the boat back. OR maybe it was the homemade pesto? Or Cecelia's wines paired with deliciousness in Florence. Wait, maybe it was seeing David. No, it was the alabaster shop in Volterra. So many!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RSE tour. We found it to be a great mix of exposure to culture, adventure, and free time. Our tour companions were all great to get along with and equally invested in the goals of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to nail it down to one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour and our guide Lisa made it an amazing experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No particular moment stands out, just an overall great time meeting new people, seeing the sites and having LOTS of great food."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour, we are planning another now! The experience was fantastic learning about the history of the places we visited, meeting new friends and such beauty. All of the guides were experts and made the experience more valuable with deep historical information . Our tour guide Lisa did a wonderful job looking after the group and enhancing each destination & daily. Eating authentic Italian food was delicious and each hotel was a unique hidden gem! Plan to walk a lot.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Tuscan or (Entruscan as we learned) village of Volterra was a distinctly beautiful collection of historical buildings and artifacts on a hilltop to be able to view the spectacular green hills and the sprawling vineyards. This charming town won us over starting with the beautiful ascent up. Our bus drivers were top notch! We would never have known about this little town and the best little hotel without RS. The history of this town is as amazing as is the alabaster that is made here."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every guide we had was fantastic and are main guide Lisa was fantastic

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Roman Colosseum "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall tour was outstanding, starting from our guide Lisa. She was the guide who brought everyone together on the trip, helping create such a wonderful environment. Each day's activities always included free time to explore, but in the mornings a local guide provided the tour. This was my first tour and I will be coming back to Rick Steve's for another tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was hearing about the history of each town/cities and the different local tour guides we listened from. The local guides each had a sense of humor to help us be engaged and learn about their towns/cities histories. Another "wow" moment was the group dinners we had. The whole group dinners allowed us to get to know each other and converse with one another on the different activities we did during free time. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was so thoughtfully planned out for our tour. Our guide Lisa was exceptional! She made us feel welcomed and at ease as it was our first trip to Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was Volterra. It is such a beautiful, quaint city with stunning views. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. Better than expected. Well planned, well coordinated, everything went according to plan,.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Roman Colosseum,. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well planned. Our tour guide Colleen was personable and so knowledgeable about everything! We learned and saw so much. Was a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traveling to some of the small rural areas and seeing the beautiful landscape and countryside."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves Tour AND our first trip to Europe. I'd started planning for a trip to Italy in early 2020 for 2021. Just took us 5 years. Looking at all options I decided on this Rick Steves Tour mostly for the itinerary. I trusted his name and believed we'd have a good trip. And boy did we!! Everything was great! The pace, the tours, the meals, our group and most of all Colleen, our RS guide. The meals we shared with our group were so much fun. The stop at the Olive farm!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! Probably the RS guides we had in Rome, Volterra and Florence. They were absolutely incredible! They told stories, and lead us through side streets to reveal something amazing around every corner. And our day spent roaming Cinque Terre on our own, well prepared by Colleen! Truly memories for a lifetime! We are planning our next Rick Steves Tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

THIS WAS A TOUR/TRIP OF A LIFETIME! (And yes I am shouting!) Being a retired band director, I had taken THOUSANDS of kids on various trips over my 33 years of teaching. I had dealt with different "group tour" companies over the years as well. This tour blew me away. Not only was the tour well planned out, but all of the tour "experiences" were magical. Our main tour guide Colleen - was SOOOO GOOD! I want to take another Rick Steves' tour, and especially with Colleen!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I believe that would be Cinque Terre because of the beauty and charm. However for me Volterra would be a very close 2nd if not tied with Cinque Terre."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves' tour and we couldn't be happier with our experience. We felt that we learned a lot of history and saw things that we would have otherwise missed. The hotels that were booked for us were very nice, the tour guides that were set up were excellent and full of knowledge, and the restaurants we ate at were fun and delicious. We met some wonderful people. This tour truly made our trip amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many great moments. I really enjoyed the city walking tours that our Rick Steves' guide set up for us. Each tour guide had such a passion for teaching about their city's history and culture. I felt their passion fill us each with an awe struck wonder of each city that we visited."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent group leader- Colleen and the guides she set up

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of the beautiful architecture and history"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip to Italy and we didn't want to miss anything. With the tour we felt we got the balance of guidance and independence. Our main guide Lisa was the best, so helpful and encouraging. She helped us to feel comfortable in Italy, sharing customs and language understanding. With the addition of other guides to share the history of each travel stop. Group meals were incredibly well thought out to experience the food at each stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were too many to pick just one. Each stop had a wow moment!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour! It had a good mix of big city/small town Italy, and historical sights/cultural experiences. All of the hotels were lovely, and the group dinners were outstanding. Visiting Volterra and the Cinque Terre in between Rome and Florence made for a nice break from the larger, busier cities. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many great moments, but my favorite was the views from the Cinque Terre. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Another was seeing Michaelangelo's David - being right there gazing at the most famous sculpture in history was surreal!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide and the local tour guides were amazing. Very informative and you can tell they enjoyed their jobs which reflected in the groups enthusiasm.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"People are asking too many questions. My favorite wow moment was arriving in Volterra. Amazing town. Loved everything about our tour and Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was all so great! Dimitri, our host, and the local guides were all incredible! There was such variety in our activities, and we loved the museums and art museums.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra was amazing, and the stop at the little castle for the olive oil tasting was like a page from a fairytale."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first time traveling solo and I couldn't have asked for a more supportive and welcoming group of travelers! We experienced so much of Italy in one week yet the tour did not seem rushed. It had a good balance of organized events and time on your own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum and seeing the Coliseum. Just breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great balance of scheduled tours and time on our own. Our tour guide Dimitri got us to our destinations with ease, made recommendations and interacted with everyone in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That’s a hard question. Probably seeing the Collosseum and the Forum in the midst of this big city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My over all tour experience was a completely positive one. Intelligently structured with ample time to explore individual interests. It was a bit more physically demanding than I was expecting but we were adequately cautioned from the early informational literature. The accommodations and breakfasts were far better than I was expecting and i honestly can't see much room for improvement on what was offered.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Borghese Gallery (not on the tour itself) and oh, the food!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really felt like I saw a lot of Italy in a very short amount of time. There was a lot of variety.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from the hilltop town, Volterra. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Lisa, was wonderful. She was a fountain of historical information but maintained a nice balance of when to share and how much to share. The local guides were outstanding. They provided the intimate knowledge of the community we were visiting. Our tour group was comprised of a wonderful mix of personalities from all over the USA and Lisa was great at getting to know each one of us and helping us to get to know one another.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole tour was a "wow", but if I had to pick one it would be visiting the American Military Cemetery outside of Florence. This was not listed on our itinerary so it was a nice surprise to visit. It was personal for me since my Uncle Ian Raeburn is buried in this cemetery. His B-17 went down over Italy on Sept 10 1944. He was 21 years old. It was very special to be able to share his story with our group. Thanks, Lisa!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my third Rick Steves Tour and I found it to be very well balanced with excellent tour group time and independent time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We just happened to be in Rome when the Conclave was happening and the city was even more energized than usual. We were at the Vatican Museum just an hour before the white smoke. There was so much joy in the streets, it was contagious. Definitely a moment I will always cherish."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour. The experience was well rounded and enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Destinations aside, the coordination as well as the execution were laudable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The destinations, hotels, and meals were all great. The guides, from our tour guide Lisa to the local guides in each place, were wonderful and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views of the Tuscan countryside as we wound our way up to Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A True Taste of Italy. I had never been to Italy before and this was an amazing introduction to the culture, history, food and land. Lisa is an outstanding tour guide who took her job so very seriously. The local tour guides were so knowledgeable and helpful. I can't wait to book my next Rick Steve's experience. Thank you for making the most of my vacation time!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many of the views were breathtaking and the historical sites were truly awesome. Tour guides drew my attention to all of the special sites to see. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good mix of guided time/free time, well-run logistically, great guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Francesca's walking tour of Rome and first night in Volterra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lisa, our amazing tour guide, lead us on an amazing journey through Italy, experiencing the sights, food and people of Italy! And not only was Lisa great, along with the other local guides and bus drivers, but the group of people who were on the tour with us were delightful. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one as so many great moments, but maybe being in Rome when Pope Leo XV, an American pope was elected"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steve’s makes traveling so easy. You get to see several cities with no hassle.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the family dinners. Servers keep bringing you lots of outstanding foods to try. I loved that the wine was also included. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour of Italy. It included all types of cities, towns, villages and gave a great perspective of this wonderful country. Our guides were fabulous and enhanced the experience. The accommodations were all very good and the food was so delicious and varied by region specialties. This trip certainly exceeded expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything was just amazing but I think my biggest wow moment was stepping off the train platform in Monterosso and seeing the sea and coastline. Pictures just don’t do this justice. It is breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized with just the right amount of structured time and free time. I love that the tours are capped at a smaller size. Each stop on the tour was unique and different. Rome was busy and electric and then we went to Volterra where is was so different; charming and quiet. The contrast was lovely

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not sure I can decide on just one moment! As a lover of architecture, I was wowed everywhere I turned. Beautiful buildings and stunning natural sites"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour with Karen as our guide. Well planned and fantastic local guides at each stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Cinque Terra from Corniglia to Monterosso. Super rigorous at 21,000 steps and 84 floors but the views were worth it and the weather was outstanding.."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Karen was an exceptional guide. She demonstrated caring vigilance always being tuned into our wants and needs. I came away from Italy feeling inspired.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When a I saw Volterra, I didn’t want to leave. Ever. My only regret is that I didn’t purchase alabaster earrings there. Guess I’ll need to return. "

A fabulous tour! Best tour guide ever, great breakfasts in the hotels, learned a wealth of knowledge about the Etruscans and the great artists and sculptors of the renaissance.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing the Acropolis!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful small group trip with a helpful guide and amazing tour guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved our tour guide in Firenze, "Paul". He gave some much history behind where we were walking and what we were seeing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was as represented. The hotels were fabulous, the guides (Don the main guide and all the local guides) superb and the itinerary was well planned. The group size (22) made for a tight knit gang with a chance to get to know people well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me it was the statue of David at the Academia Gallery in Florence."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RS tour and it was absolutely outstanding! Truly EVERYTHING was first rate! I would recommend this to any and all, but especially to newer travelers. You provided enough structure for success, but coupled it with freedom to do our own thing as well. Thank you so much for making the world a smaller/more connected place.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each and every guide that we had at our stops/walking tours. They were local, filled with pride, and had outstanding knowledge (several were PhDs in art history, architecture and related degrees). They truly made the history come alive! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour experience was excellent! Very much enjoyed this tour and the cities included.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Putting my feet into the Mediterranean at Monterosso in Cinque Terre. Seeing David in Florence."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Trip was well planned, and made great use of the time. Hotels were comfortable and located in central locations. Tour lead was very knowledgeable and attentive to group needs. Local tour guides provided great insight and history.