My Way® Italy in 13 Days

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was great exploring Northern Italy.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great experience! We loved how all of the main details were taken care of but with the My Way Tour we were free to plan our days as we wanted.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bus was very nice and the rest stops in Italy are pretty amazing with them all having espresso bars and good food. Also very clean. An unexpected pleasant surprise. We also really loved our tour group. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time on a Rick Steves tour and a “Your Way”. Was very impressed with the support throughout the entire tour! Michela was fantastic with communicating her knowledge and enthusiasm of each stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A side trip/stop at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting along with everyone and having fun "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guide, Mikaela, was exceptional in her knowledge, guidance, and enthusiasm. She was fun to be with. The transportation and hotel transition process could not have been better. We appreciated the stops al. ong the way. The optional group meet ups were nice. The hotel staff were friendly and we appreciated the central locations. Having travel and hotels arranged for us made it easier for us to focus on enjoying the sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Arriving in Venice for the first time was a 'wow' moment for us. Every meal on the trip were also 'wow' moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I had an amazing time on our trip. The places we visited and the hotels were fantastic. It was so nice to have Michela as our tour manager; she did an outstanding job. She made our trip extremely enjoyable and added so much to the trip. We cannot thank her for all she did and the extras she added, such as the stop at the Memorial outside of Florence, very touching. Her orientation walks when we arrived in each place helped us so much to navigate around. Thank you so much!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are too many "wow" moments to list just one. Each place we stayed at was so different and unique. We totally enjoyed each one and the memories from each place will be with us forever. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The My Way Tour was exactly what we had hoped for it to be. The details were handed for us which gave us the freedom to explore on our own with no worries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The convenience and comfort of bus travel (Massimo was an excellent driver) and the surprising quality of the AutoGrill roadside stops which were made for breaks and meals along our route to the next location were wonderful surprises. Our group meal in Monterosso al Mare was amazing. We had many other highlights as well with those with whom traveled. It was a very enjoyable group."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Italy My Way tour experience was a perfect blend of what my wife was looking for (hotel accommodations and transportation) and what my daughters were looking for (autonomy to choose activities in each city).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wine tasting at Saio Vineyard in Assisi. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was amazing. I loved the tour guide and our group, the locations we stopped at, and the accommodations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving down to Monterosso al Mare and seeing that area for the first time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Having the transportation and lodging handled was wonderful. We appreciated that each location offered a glimpse of the uniqueness of that region. It was also nice that our group had an experienced guide to assist with our travel experiences while allowing us to choose how we spent our days. The group camaraderie added to the overall positivity of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each place had it own “wow” moments! Very hard for me to choose just one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The few disappointments seemed to turn serendipitously into "wow" moments. Very happy with our tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Discovering Porta Venere...amazing meals...fun connections with fellow travelers. Too many to mention, but three stand out: the disappointment of being relegated to staying Como (one paragraph in Rick's book....) and then discovering its quiet charms. We'll definitely go back. Second is the "dinner cruise" in Cinque Terre, and having to re-route because of rough seas and discovering Porta Venere. The last but probably our favorite was our side trip (on our own) to Padua and Scrovegni Chapel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time traveling through northern Italy with a group of people who quickly became companions. The hotels were excellent - all of them were comfy, air conditioned, served full breakfasts and were located strategically. Our tour manager Michela was brilliant - fun and a font of information. Our driver Roberto was great too. The My Way option worked VERY well, we were able to focus on things we were most interested in and set our own schedule.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a bit of an unfair question. There were multiple daily "wow" moments. One of our very favorites was the hike from Corniglia to Vernazza in the Cinque Terre with all its scenery, the little juice bar en-route, the changing weather, the isolation and the exercise."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent! Michaela was friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. Having hotels and transportation between cities and site taken care of really enhanced the experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sistine Chapel. Even more beautiful and moving than I imagined."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We expected that Rick Steve's My Way would only provide basic logistics. Our guide far exceeded our expectations with her knowledge and leadership ability to pull independent travels into a bonded travel group. The group socials and dinner were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The unscheduled stops at the Florence American Cemetery and San Gimignano."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first Rick Steves Tour. We chose the “My Way” option. Were very pleased. Our next Rick Steves tour will be the traditional way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. If had to select one - perhaps seeing Michelangelo’s David."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We went to six different cities on the My Way tour and each city was incredible, just picturesque. The history of the places and the ancient structures and cathedrals was impressive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but if I had to chose one, it would have to be St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. I thought we had been in large cathedrals, but then we went to St. Peter's - so large and ornate. Also, the Sistine Chapel adjacent to it. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good tour group. Michaela was a great tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved san damiagno"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 1st tour so we were real newbies, but we never really felt like that!!! Our guide Michela was amazing! We weren’t sure about being with a group but they brought knowledge and fun with them as well. It was just a win from the beginning. O am already planning the next one!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How do I pick one?!?! From the moment we arrived in Venice to the Sistine Chapel in Rome. I don’t think we stopped saying wow!! When I asked my husband his he said when he walked into St Mark’s. He never knew a building could take your breath away. For my daughter it was taking in the views in Manarola. We have probably 500 pics from there alone!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful experience. Each day felt like a new adventure. Beautiful sites, towns and people in Italy. So much to learn and do. Michela our guide was fantastic. So knowledgeable and helpful. The hotels and food were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many wow moments ."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and first time in Europe. Taking the Italy My Way 13 Day Tour allowed myself and my family the freedom to plan our days while knowing that we had safe and quality transportation and housing. The RS Tour exceeded my expectations. I was very impressed with our tour guide Michela. She went above and beyond to help my family members with a couple of unexpected health issues, helping them get the medical care they needed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Michelangelo’s David."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Stress free for timing the bus pick ups and hotel registrations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking around Duomo"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every city was great to experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Venice for the first time "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide Margaret was fantastic. Very helpful with restaurants, gave us little tours at the start of each city and helpful with local attractions. Hotels were located in the heart of the area we were at and actually a step above a Rick Steves tour. I took 10 years ago Group I was with was absolutely wonderful and we all got along well. Our tour guide, arranged, a wine tasting, and the last night dinner for all of us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cinque Terre was absolutely beautiful and the pesto was great. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I chose this tour for our honeymoon, and our overall experience was wonderful. Having all accommodations and transportation handled was a big deal for us, and we enjoyed the flexibility that comes with a My Way tour (accompanied with recommendations from our tour guide). We explored each stop extensively (e.g. lots of walking), tried multiple restaurants and gelato spots, visited museums and cathedrals and simply had the time of our lives.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of our "wow" moments took place during a pesto-making class in Manarola. We had a world-class view of the town and the pesto-making experience was so much fun and full of energy. We also had a "wow" moment during a wine-tasting experience in Assisi, of which our tour guide organized for the entire group. Our experience took place in the plain beneath Assisi, which gave us spectacular views of the town. Coupled with great weather, this experience was one of the best surprises of our tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the pace, the transportation to the different cities, the choice of cities to visit, and the group dynamics.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The ruins of Rome. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We are RS tour veterans, but this was our first My Way. The freedom to explore each locale at our own pace was a bonus. Our tour manager, Margaret, provided an experienced, but easygoing frame of reference at every stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Assisi, nearly our entire group opted for a wine tasting set up by our guide. The setting, weather and wines were perfect in a vineyard beneath the Franciscan Basilica."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From beginning to end, this tour totally met - and often exceeded - my expectations. As an “introductory tour” to Italy, the itinerary was spectacular, providing multiple opportunities to see, taste and feel a wide range of this beautiful country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking a speedy water taxi across the Venice lagoon was a real thrill!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As this was our first tour with Rick Steves and to Italy it definitely lived up to our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Riding in water “buses” in Venice, and our gondola ride. Hiking the Cinque Terre goat paths (simple beautiful and worth every step). The museums in Florence and very yummy gelato. Our boat tour of Lake Como. Seeing St. Peter’s basilica and walking through the Colosseum and the Forum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I love that ground transportation and hotel reservations were taken care of. We had a wonderful bus driver and a delightful tour ‘leader’. Everyone in our tour group was friendly and interacted well together. The cities we visited were amazing! Such wonderful history. And the food… absolutely delicious! Overall, it was a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a few but we really enjoyed making pesto at Nessun Dorma in Manarola, Cinque Terre. It was so much fun!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

For my family the May Way tour was the perfect mix of being transported about, and time on our own to make our own plans.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The bus transportation and hotels were excellent. No trouble at all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View of Florence from top of the Duomo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time! We loved the my way tour. The guide was so helpful and the choice of locations was perfect. We loved the local hotels. We love to be able to go on our own with the my way tours. This was our second my way tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a tough question! It would probably be the views from the Cinque Terre ! It was stunning. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I love the my way type of travel! Our tour manager Martin was outstanding, giving us great information and history along the way, sprinkled with humor. I would love to spend more time in small to medium size towns.The larger cities are so crowded and a bit overwhelming these days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice was magical and a great place to start the tour! Wow moment was coming from the airport by water taxii in to the grand canal! Such an amazing city. Assisi was beautiful and relaxing! A nice treat between Florence and Rome."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was amazing! The "My Way" tour is a brilliant concept, as it offers the best of all worlds!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Realizing that our guide (Martin) was talented, committed, and knew his stuff! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We liked the freedom of the tour matched with the covering of hotels and transportation between cities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The water world of Venice "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the tour experience with everyone. Michela our Tour Gide was wonderful! She made the entire experience lots of fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking the slow boat ride on Lake Como It was breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had an incredibly rich experience. Michela, our guide was always a few steps ahead of our questions and concerns, not to mention incredibly thoughtful and organized. I also really appreciated the variety with in our sight-seeing locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I attended a Vivaldi Concert (The Four Seasons) in Venice, in Vivaldi's old church. It brought me to tears. And Michela brought us to a U.S Military Cemetery just outside of Florence. This too was an incredibly emotional experience for me. Both experiences were outside of one's normal sightseeing, but very personal and meaningful to me. I also met a theatrical mask maker, also in Venice. I will never forget. how lovingly he worked the leather of the commedia mask he was working."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Phenomenal! Our group! Our guide! Our tour bus! Our bus driver! It was all phenomenal!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The colosseum, and palatine hill."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire tour was fantastic. The hotels were in centrally located areas in each of our tour stops and close to all of places of interest. There was great attention to detail regarding our transportation from one venue to the next. Our tour manager, Mikaela, was awesome. She was very informative and approachable. It was nice to have several surprise stops along our journey including the Florence American Cemetary and San Gimignano. We had a very congenial tour group and enjoyed our happy hours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many WOW moments but one of my favorites was the cooking class in Florence. We started at the Central Market to learn about olive oil, balsamic vinegar and truffles and the meats that were to be used in our bolognese entree. We then went to the cooking school and made fresh pasta noodles, ravioli and tiramisu. Thru out the class the chef shared many good tips for these Italian dishes. She played Italian music which enhanced the entire experience to another level."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great tour. We covered a wide range of Italian sites giving us a good overview of what Italy had to offer. Our guide, Michela, was outstanding. She gave enough information to make our transition between locations smooth while giving us enough freedom to pursue our individual interests. I believe that is exactly what a My Way tour should be.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our stay in Monteroso al Mare in Cinque Terre was the best. We took the ferry boat to visit the other towns of Cinque Terre. The weather was beautiful. The crowds weren't too bad. The ferry boat was clean, modern and uncrowded. The water was clear and beautiful. Many people were swimming and sunbathing. We waded in the water but did not go swimming or sunbathing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the travel experience. Well planned, perfect tour placement in each city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The city of Venice. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The My Way Italy tour was all my wife and I expected and more. We have been traveling Europe and using Rick Steves' books since 1996 and loved doing things on our own. As we got older the lodging and transportation aspects of our journeys were beginning to add some unwanted stress to our adventures. The My Way tour was the perfect answer for us. We can now concentrate on doing the things we want to do and experience without the additional stress: and do these things on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite "Wow" moment from our tour was unquestionably the visit to Cinqueterre and the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza on the mountainous trail along the sea shore. We first hiked the trail in 1996, and the awe and beauty of the landscape and views are still as impressive now as it was then. And now the trail is part of a National Park. A visit to Cinqueterre would not be complete without experiencing this wonder of nature."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I've taken several fully guided RSE tours and worried a My Way tour would lack something. But through the thoughtful efforts of tour manager Margaret, I didn't feel that anything was missing. I still enjoyed good food, fun people, interesting experiences, and lots of gelato!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spending a day on Murano and Burano when in Venice, and spending a day in Manarola when in the Cinque Terre."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the 'My Way' format. I felt we had just enough support and guidance and the freedom to move through the free days as we pleased.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre - by far, such a magical place. I wish we had more time there to explore."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first time to travel internationally, so we were a bit apprehensive about how to manage the travel experience. It was reassuring to know we had the support of the Rick Steves team, including our wonderful guide. We did the "My Way" version and it suited our desires very well. We had the support and knowledge of the guide and the camaraderie of the fellow travelers, but flexibility to see what we wanted to.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! The place that sticks in my mind is Venice and seeing the ancient history for the first time.However we saw amazing things in every city and town. I really enjoyed observing how the Venetian families lived in their neghborhoods--fascinating and so different from us--school children lead by their parents down narrow, cobbled streets to their school, hardly noticeable in the side of the building. As well, just observing how they lived in old, narrow buildings along canals. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was nice not to have to worry about hotels and transportation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Doge's palace in Venice. Wow"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a wonderful time on our tour. The crowds were very large in most of the places we visited, but, ....you can't control the crowds, so you just learn to go with it! We very much enjoyed getting to experience so many different places. We will certainly recommend Rick Steves tours to all of our friends and family!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many, but to narrow it down, the Cinque Terre was breath taking! The views from the hill tops and from the water were something like we have never seen! However, the 2 great surprises were stoping in Orvieto, which was a village based in a book we had just read before our trip! BUT, for me (Karen), the most relaxing and peaceful part of our journey was Assisi. I could have stayed there for weeks on end!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Rick Steve's "Italy My Way Tour" was exactly what we wanted and exactly as the Rick Steve's team billed it. We wanted an overview tour of Italy but did not want to deal with the logistics of travel and hotels in multiple cities. Our tour guide, Martin was excellent, giving info and help when needed. The bus driver Mirco was wonderful as well. Hotels were nice and centrally located. Loved our group of travelers and getting to know them. Will whole heartedly recommend this trip to travelers

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many. 1. How much we liked and bonded with our travel group. 2. Venice, beautiful. No place on earth like it. 3. San Gimignano 4. Assisi 5. The people of Italy 6. The food and wine. Loved, loved the whole trip. Rick Steve's taking care of the logistics allowed us to focus on seeing Italy and not having to focus on details of getting to and fro, what a wonderful country and trip. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic Tour! Martin was our guide and couldn’t have asked for anyone better! Loved our itinerary and amount of time spent in each place! Was my first trip to Europe and absolutely loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything but especially love Florence and Assisi! Would definitely recommend this tour to my friends and family and hope to do another at sometime! A big Thankyou to Martin and also our bus driver Mirko🙌 we also enjoyed our Fellow tour buddies whom with organised happy hours and dinners we got to know better 🍷 will remember this trip forever with fondness 😊"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We met wonderful people and each stop was marvelous. We enjoyed it more than we anticipated

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I didn't have any expectations for Assisi and this place really "wowed" us"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The My Way tour was excellent. The tour took care of all the pesky logistics and we could plan our own activities and go at our pace. Our tour manager Martin was excellent. He was quite entertaining as well as informative. He planned happy hours, etc., for the group to get to know each other, and it was quite a group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wife's was seeing the snow covered alps from Lake Como and mine was just realizing I finally made it to Italy while taking the water bus to Venice via circling the city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The "My Way" concept was perfect for us. We loved having the travel and hotel accommodations (all in perfect locations) arranged for us, leaving us to plan what we wanted to do with our time. Our travel manager, Martin, was informative and fun. Our driver, Merico, was an incredibly skilled driver and just a nice guy. We couldn't have wished for a better tour group. Such a wonderful group of people! We will remember this trip forever!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many special moments. One of our best days in Venice was when Martin suggested a very out-of-the-way osteria to "go where the workers go" in his words. We had simple wonderful food and wine there, visited where the locals lived and shopped, and even found a lovely park to wander through. It gave us such a different view of Venice. Thank you, Martin!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good first impression with our tour manager Donato. Gave us helpful information and tips about navigating Italy and was very personable. Loved the location of our hotels. Just off the busy streets so we felt more relaxed and staff made us feel welcome. Transportation was very well organized and comfortable. The driver Elmy was very good! I've been a professional driver for years and I rarely am impressed by other drivers, he was amazing. So smooth and in control made us completely comfortable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several. Difficult to choose only one. Burano,Venice,Cinque Terre and so many more "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour, and we were beyond impressed and satisfied. Some of our fellow travelers had done many other RS tours, so that's a testament to Rick and crew. Everything was well planned and organized, with special attention given to hotel location, and convenience. We were on a MY WAY tour, which gave us just enough tour guidance, as well as free time to plan our daily activities and attractions. The accommodations were comfortable and always located near the city center.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had many favorites, but I found Venice to be a magical place and definitely a place I will return to. My husband enjoyed our time in the Cinque Terre the most, as he prefers the coastal towns to the city locals."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every location we went to was wonderful! Donato, our guide, was great. He has so much knowledge and always gave us wonderful facts and suggestions relating to every place we went.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a difficult one to answer. Every location was unique in its own way and every place had gorgeous scenery. I loved the history from every place we toured."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We chose the Italy My Way tour to have the flexibility of choosing where and when we wanted to pursue activities. It worked out perfectly for us. Having the lodging and transportation done for us, especially because it was our first trip to Italy, was extremely helpful. We learned a lot about how to get around in Italy, which has been helpful on the second leg of our journey. Our tour guide, Donato, was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and helpful. He's the Jedi master of tour guides!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That's very hard to answer. Everything was a wow moment for us, and I honestly can say that there were no bad moments. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I love, love, love the My Way Tours. Having the hotels and transportation planned out, and the expertise of the guide, while making our own plans for everything else is genius and exactly what I'm looking for in a tour. The My Way Italy tour did not disappoint.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing my parents experience the beauty of Venice for the first time!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

In general the tour was fantastic! I love the "my way" aspect of the tour which allowed us to do our own things throughout the day. My only issue was the snafu where my single supplement room was not booked for any of our hotels. Donato was quick to fix the issue, but I did have to sleep in my parent's room one night.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre was probably the biggest wow. I also loved Venice. I was impressed with Donato's knowledge and recommendations. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Third RS tour, first My Way tour. Our goal was to prioritize being there over hitting all of the "must see" sites, which worked out very well. Lunching on the terrace at the Uffizi while overlooking the Duomo in Florence was the best of both worlds, allowing for time to rest and be ready to go again, at our own pace. We had a great guide in Margaret, and a wonderful group of fellow travelers, with everyone sharing information and experiences. Another day in Florence would have been great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Out of many special moments, Venice topped them all. We had a great hotel, just minutes from San Marco, and things to do and discover in all directions. Our guide Margaret was always available to help us find special places, and the people of Venice, from the hotel desk staff to the artists in the mask workshop were always willing to impart a bit of history and share their pride in the city. Assisi was great for the views, the basilica and the peacefulness at the end of the day."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really have nothing but great things to say about what was my first Rick Steve's Tour. The "Italy My Way" tour was a great fit for me and my friend which allowed us the freedom to create our own daily itinerary while at the sametime having the support of our fabulous Rick Steve's Guide, the presence of our wonderful fellow tour members, the expertly chosen and pre-arranged destinations, hotels, and transportation. It was a beautiful marriage of freedom and yet support and compansionship.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That is a hard one to choose! We especially loved Assisi. From the moment we arrived you felt "This IS Italy." So beautiful and tranquil. I also loved hiking the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza in Cinque Terre and the wine tour at Saio Winery in Assisi was so enjoyable. However the real charm and joys of the trip weren't in even the art or architecture, the food or even the splendid beauty of this country but in the wonderful people we met in the peoples of Italy and our fellow tour members. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just a great trip. Great host and super people we traveled with

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rome sights and history that I’ve only read and seen pictures of. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was such a wonderful relief to know that lodging and intercity transportation was already taken care of. We could just sit back and enjoy the ride knowing we would arrive at our next location without any stress.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's difficult to decide - there were several memorable moments. We were delighted to find out our group would have a few hours in Orvieto as a bonus stop on our "My Way Italy" tour. And our group was also able to arrange to have lunch and a tasting at a winery in the valley below Assisi. And our "farewell" group dinner in Rome was a very special way to celebrate our time together as a group."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Margaret was the best ! The "My way" plan fit us perfectly ...enough flexibility but still a wonderful scaffolding to build our trip on . Our travel group was an adventurous and considerate group of wonderful people, all drawn by the excellent tour format. I only wish there were more choices for the " my way" tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Assisi. Everything about this beautiful little town. And we did a winery lunch set up by Margaret that was also a high point of the trip. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The hotels were great, bus driver was great. Tour escort was not very encouraging or helpful. He talked way too much about non essential items.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This was my second time taking this tour. The first time with my husband 8 years ago. This time with my sister. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved every minute of this tour. Donato, our guide, was outstanding. He was very knowledgeable and fun. Merco, our driver was also very knowledgeable, strategic driver, and fun. Everyone on our tour was so nice, and welcoming. We all got along really well. This was our first travel experience post-retirement, and we enjoyed it so much. The "My Way" was the perfect balance for us as we wanted to go at our own pace, but didn't want the hassles of transportation between sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My absolute favorite experience on the tour was hiking in the Cinque Terre. Also, Rome was amazing. Around every corner was something awe-inspiring. We loved Como and especially going up the Como-Brunate Furnicular. The views were spectacular. Everything was so beautiful and "Wow Worthy", it is hard to pick just a couple. We will be back!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My Way provided us with the location, accommodation and transport giving us the freedom to sightsee as we chose. Our guide provided invaluable local and cultural knowledge

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our early morning (6am) wanderings through quiet streets and sites, having cappuccino and pastries with local workers and watching the towns begin their day was a great experience for us."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First My Way tour. Loved the independent agenda. We booked event ahead of time. Tour guide was helpful and as expected. We got to know our fellow travelers which we enjoyed but did not expect. Transportation went well. The only reason I did not rate it as outstanding, was the hotel rooms/beds, and in some cities, we needed more that 1.5 days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice, I had never been there. Unique beautiful city! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The locations for each stop were centrally located. Some had spotty or no access to WiFi. I wish we had more time at each stop. Just when we got the lay of the land, it was time to pack and move. Italy is amazing and the tour was great. Donato, our tour guide was quite informative and has his home in a small town in Italy. My friend and I also met the best group of folks on the tour. We have made lasting friendships with them. Truly a trip to remember.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice was beautiful, Cinque Terre ,and the ruins in Rome. Also the amazing gelato!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This itinerary included the major cities we wanted to see and a few destinations we did not know we would love. We enjoyed the freedom to tour each town at our own pace, on our own schedule.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I never imagined how much we would walk on this trip. Even when we were tired and hungry, there was always something around the corner or up the next stairway that we had to see!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was amazing. Donaldo was very knowledgeable about local history and geology. Found his advice to be very helpful and made the experience fun. Hotel locations were close to sights except at Lake Como. Could have used another 1/2 day to see both towns up the lake. Did not get to see Varenna. Really enjoyed Venice, Monterosa, Florence and Rome. We traveled using cash and found it stressful finding bank atms. I enjoyed breakfast and talking with others from tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really wanted to see David in Florence, and St Peter's basilica in Rome. Both put big smiles on my face. Sharing happy hour with new found friends Steve and Janine in Belagio. Hiking to Montarosa and looking down on the post card setting of the town was amazing. I was surprised by easy of communicating with the locals. Funnest activities were lmpromptu dinnerswithourgroup for Florentine stake and Amphori which made more memories, thanks to Donaldo."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A wonderful experience beginning in Venice which was the perfect starting place and ending in Rome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to narrow it down to one! One of the biggest highlights was the Sistine Chapel. It’s been on our bucket list to see and it did not disappoint. Even the jam packed crowds did not deter from the beauty and grandeur of it. An absolute must is downloading the Rick Steve’s audio tour to explain it while you’re there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We traveled with a lovely group of people and Rich Earl was a wonderful tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cities were crowded so enjoyed the quiet of Assisi. Loved Venice even with crowds."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic accommodations, bus transportation was timely, clean, and allowed tour group to disembark near city center accommodations. Nice amount of group participation with happy hours. Buddy system presented an opportunity to get to know others on the group. Was pleasantly surprised with the niceties of bus stops between our destination cities. Montepulciano was a delightful 'resting' place for a four hour stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Art history bringing together a world history timeline. Seeing buildings built B.C, and continue to be preserved in amazing grandeur."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a “My way”tour which was just the right balance for us, we enjoyed exploring towns on our own, while being confident that a nice hotel was waiting at the end of the day

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A double rainbow at Michelangelo’s plaza above Florence -right at sunset"

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Compared to My Way Alpine trip, My Way Italy was much more arduous. I loved all the hotels on the Alpine tour, but these hotels, particularly Venice, Florence and Rome felt seedy, old and smelly. Rick Steves tour members are wonderful - we all bonded well and our leader could not have been better. Rich was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and thoughtful. However, I missed the Dolce Vita I'd been hoping the Italy tour would provide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" I loved the Rome golf cart tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Rick Steves (My Way Italy) tour was well organized and we enjoyed the company of other Rick Steves travelers. This was our 2nd Rick Steves tour and first "My Way" experience and we really enjoyed the flexibility, but with the tour advantage of transportation and hotel arrangements off of our preparation and anxiety list. Our tour "facilitator" was fantastic and gave us the added benefit of his familiarity with our tour locations. His ability to speak Italian came in handy numerous times.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each destination was filled with charm but we both thought Assisi was off the charts enjoyable, peaceful, and relaxing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It is a whirlwind tour, but you hit all the major spots and the hotels were all centrally located and easy to access all the sights. Rich, our guide was fantastic and a wealth of knowledge. It was a wonderful experience, and I am looking forward to another one.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose just one. The beauty and tranquility of the towns in central Italy were especially welcoming."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We didn't know if we were "tour people". Rick Steves My Way tour seemed like a great way to dip our toes in unknown waters. It was perfect for us. Not having to plan out transportation, nor accomodations, to an unfamiliar country made it seem even more like a true vacation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although this was a My Way tour, on our bus ride just out of Florence on our way to Assisi, we stopped at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial site that covers 70 acres. It was quite moving to say the least. Many US families were changed forever due to our citizens willing to help Italy in overcoming the Nazis. My father was a Marine in that war. A dear friend lost his older brother in that war. Our tour guide spoke from the heart of how appreciated the Italian people are. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My Way Italy in 13 days was my fifth Rick Steve's tour and my first my way tour. What my husband and I liked about the my way is it allowed us to slow down the pace of the tour. It allowed us to go for a nice walk or take more time for a leisurely lunch. It is a trade off because the other Rick Steve's tours got us into places we would never get to see on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoy art museums and Florence did not disappoint. We had a great guide through Viator and seeing Michaelangelo's David was spectacular!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were first time travelers to Europe and the Italy My Way tour was exactly the experience we were looking for. It was an excellent hybrid of great guidance and peace of mind from the guide, fun people to hang out with when we wanted to, and time to ourselves to explore and take the sights we wanted in at our pace.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The morning we saw the Sistine Chapel we were blown away and we were in the very first tour group of the day. When we walked in we were the first 25 people to see it that day. Amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide Martin was a highlight. He was very informative, helpful, funny. The big cities were too crowded. My preference was the smaller, rural places we went to. Our group was great, all good people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our room at Lake Como overlooking the lake."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Knowledge of guide Martin to provide experience to do in ALL cities

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St. Peter in the Vatican "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Martin was a great narrator and fun to be around. There when you had a question, just the right amount of “herding”. You got the feeling he was ready for any contingencies. We had a great group, interesting people. Only 2 heading in the direction of grumps. I guess covid isn’t over quite yet, we were able to get the latest vaccine- recommended.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the Uiffizi. Liked Venice a lot though, glad we spent extra days before the trip."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the tour was awesome. We toured some great places, met some great new friends and our lead guide(Martin) was absolutely fantastic. The only negative aspect of the entire tour was catching COVID towards the end.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Personally, I had two "WOW" moments. Venice has always been a dream destination and it did not disappoint. The people, food, hotel, and attractions were outstanding. My second "WOW" was Lake Como, Veranna. That place is absolutely beautiful. We are already planning a trip back there. We got confused about the boat routes and ended up all the way down in Como, but we were able to navigate our way back to Veranna. Scary, but fun in the end. Lolol"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guide, people on the My Way tour, the hotels, the efficient running of the trip all exceeded my expectations. The length of time staying in each location was just right. The bus driver was professional, courteous and helpful. It was not overly physically demanding as far as walking from the bus to the hotels or up stairs. Being able to choose our own activities and sights to see on the My Way plan and yet having hotels and transportation arranged was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rounding the curve in the road and seeing Lake Como and the mountains surrounding it was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved the itinerary and especially the flexibility of the On Your Own style tour. Martin, our specialist in all things interesting was superb. We hope more On Your Own style trips are added in the future for travelers who like the freedom to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are too many WOW! moments to list. We explored some of the main “timed entry” places but found many other out-of-the-way places we loved. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The My Way tour was more than we expected. Our tour manager, Rich, was readily available and patient with questions. Hotels were nicer than we expected and the transportation was comfortable. The RS part ran like clock work. There was opportunity to make new friends or spend days independently. We had prepared beforehand, reading the guidebook and booking museums ahead of time as necessary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moments were the small towns. Hotel Cipressi and the gardens was definitely a wow moment. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed the balance of busier cities with slower paced cities, which was clearly designed to avoid sightseeing overload for tour members. Our tour guide Rich was informative and had excellent suggestions particularly regarding dining. Our bus driver, Micro was outstanding! The potluck and the cocktail party were also nice icebreakers for the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the statue of David, and experiencing both Florence and Assisi."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This is my second my way tour and I really wish we had more time in the smaller villages! Cinque Terre, Assisi, Varenna and the way too brief day stop in Montepulciano were among the best memories. I had my adult children along and they agreed it would be worth extending the tour days to spend more time in these spots.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose and oddly enough not from any of the usual sites but just the beauty of the villages and the food!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We began in Venice, to Lake Como, Cinque Terra, Florence, Montepulciano, Assisi, and Roma. We were busy every day, generally following recommendations of our wonderful tour guide, Rich, but sometimes just walking and finding awesome little places. The food was great, and reasonably priced, compared to Denver, where we're from. I liked traveling on the bus ,from destination to destination, as we saw the countryside. A challenge is living out of the suitcase...but also part of the experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lake Como...our room had a balcony on the lake. I could move in there!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything went very smoothly and all the destinations were wonderful. Our guide, Rich, was knowledgable and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Basilica de San Francesco! Assisi was my favorite place we visited, but swimming in the Cinque Terre was amazing as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, I was most pleased with the logistics of transportation, hotels arranged, and the expert services of Cary, the tour guide. The “my-way” style is our style of travel. Cary provided just the right amount of structure to orient the group to each new venue, give individual advice on what and how to see things, turn us loose, round us up, and keep us on schedule. Most of the hotels provided excellent accommodations, many were excellent, and all were conveniently located.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many wow moments to choose one. The accommodations, gardens, and view from Villa Cipressi in Varenna was one. A hike to Parrocchia San Giovanni Battista (church of Capuchin Friars) for Sunday service in Monterosso was great not only to authentically experience the culture but the fantastic view of the hills and coast of the Ligurian Sea as well. The spiritual experience in Assisi of hike in the bosco followed by the Basilica of St. Francis. The Florence American Cemetery of WWII GIs who died"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour! Amazing to-die-for locations, wonderful one-of-a-kind hotels! After doing two other fully guided tours, we really liked the independence and freedom this My Way tour offered. Many fun events set up by our guide, Cary, were unexpected and made the trip very memorable indeed. Cary was a phenomenal guide, always there for any question or concern you had. She went out of her way to make sure everyone knew where they were going and what options were available each day. Loved her!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to say. Every location and every hotel were Wow's to us!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Exciting, fun and intense. Excellently curated in terms of cities included in itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Villa Cipressi in Varenna. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Michaela was a wonderful host, and naturally knowledgeable as an Italian citizen. Assisi was my favorite location - so beautiful! Florence was my least - way too crowded. Our tour group companions were wonderful and I came away with several new friends! The rooms were small and uncomfortable. I would have preferred to not be as centrally located, and instead, have nicer, more comfortable rooms.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The collesum inRome!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Well organized tour. Last hotel was below average/ breakfast was poor. Group leader did a nice job.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Como region"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I thought tour was managed well, loved our guide and bus driver. Hotels were quite good. I think personally, I do better on a fully managed tour and so would choose that another time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our guide arranged for a few social activities as a group and they were fun. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall this My Way tour met our expectations, providing accommodations, transportation, and guide that provided us with many tips and insights. In hindsight, I would say that this tour really crams a lot into the time allotted making for a somewhat hectic experience. But that is the price you pay for seeing many of Italy's top attractions in a short period. Hotels ranges from great to ok. Bus and driver were fantastic. Guide was entertaining and knowledgable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Doing a Vespa Sidecar tour in Rome. Great way to get an overview of the city and a fun manner."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an amazing experience. Outside of the huge tourist crowds everywhere, it was a wonderful trip. Our bus driver was kind, courteous and very helpful. Our tour manager, Martin, was outstanding, and went way beyond the call of duty to make this an excellent trip,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I only had “wow” moments "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every moment was better than the next , from when we first met in Florence to our last dinner in Fantastica, every thing was OUTSTANDING , Rich our tour guide/Friend was Fabulous, he could not do enough for all of us , Bus driver Fantastic, Everyday was better than the next we our looking into booking our next trip , one of our criteria is what is Rich is guiding , Everyone on our tour were very nice & Happy people . Thank You For a WONDERFUL TRIP !!!!!!! ESPECIALLY RICH !!!!!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Assisi "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the perfect way to introduce my husband to European travel! The My Way option allowed us the freedom we craved while taking care of the lodging and transportation, so we could just enjoy being in Italy. We got a great sampler plate of Italy and gained confidence that we can travel outside the US through the experience. Our guide, Rich, was fantastic and we enjoyed the friendship of the other people on the tour, enriching our experience. The food, the wine, the sights- wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We followed our guide, Rich's, suggestion to climb up the cobblestone path away from town in Monterosso in the Cinque Terre to the picturesque Buranco Agriturismo for dinner. We were greeted by the family that runs the restaurant and winery, met the risotto champion chef, Giovanni and his dog, Chloe and had an amazing meal and house wine pairing while taking in the vineyard and mountain views. We sat overlooking the lemon and olive grove, illuminated by twinkling lights and stars. AHHHHHH!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Rick Steves concept of "My Way"-Untours works well for us. Having hotels and transportation arrangements already made, leaving how we will fill our days on our own is the best way to travel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"experiencing the beauty of rural areas in Italy."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was way more than I expected! Cary, our guide, was fantastic. She organized options for dinners, wine tastings, boat excursions and happy hours for the group to take part in or not. Her knowledge and warm personality made each day wonderful. The group was so great! We all really enjoyed each other and shared our experiences each day. Just loved each minute—good pace, our own schedule and the itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had visited Lake Como, Florence and Rome before but thoroughly loved wandering off the touristy areas. Assisi was beautiful—peaceful and serene."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I've travelled on many Rick Steves tours beforeThis and enjoyed every one of them. This was my first My Way tour, however, so I didn't I didn't really know what to expect . I couldn't be happier with the result. It was so nice to set our own schedule and enjoy walking and eating and drinking wine in Italy with a wonderful group of travellers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't know if "Wow" moment is the appropriate word but our unscheduled stop at the Florence American Cemetary and Memorial was incredibly moving and meaningful. It still brings me to tears as I write about it. I'll never forget about it A more typical 'wow' moment was our walk in the vineyards outside Assisi looking up at the sunshining on the Basilica. Muddy shoes not withstanding"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall a good experience. A few fumbles with the Rick Steve's Tour Manager situation, had 6 different Tour Managers during a 13 day journey. Few spoke Italian or knew the area so that was disappointing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bus driver stopped at American WWII cemetery in Tuscany. Was a WOW moment to see that tribute to our fallen soldiers."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We saw a lot of territory in a very short period of time. The bus and driver were EXCELLENT, our tour GUIDES fabulous!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Coliseum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything I expected it to be. I would definitely recommend the My Way Tour and I would take another in the future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the beautiful views of Italy! "

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

original guide had covid after that we had a total of 7 guides , we went to all overly crowded areas ,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"none "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Italy was magnificent, breathtaking, fantastic, a "wow" around every corner.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick just one, maybe entering St. Peter's for the first time. It was amazing getting off the water boat after leaving the airport and setting foot in Venice for the first time after dreaming about visiting it, and Italy, for many years. Venice was much prettier and more pleasant than I had expected from news reports."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Ruth was an absolutely excellent guide as a last minute replacement. Although we did our homework and thought we knew what to expect, in cities and towns Italy was way too crowded for a good experience. It was like constantly trying to get to the turnstiles to get into a sold out rock concert. Far from a culural or relaxing experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sitting in the piazza in Assisi, mid afternoon during siesta with the piazza empty, drinking wine with my wife and enjoying a long and pleasant conversation with the waiter."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a fantastic time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many favorites but seeing Michelangelo's David was a real thriller"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a good overview of some special places in Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice continues to delight me. Despite the crowds this year, there are still many quiet nooks and crannies to discover. And all without dodging cars!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was the prefect way to travel in Italy allowing time to do your own excursions while having the benefits of being with a tour. The highlight of the tour was the magnificent guide Martin. He was very knowledgeable and lead the tour perfectly. The tour gave you just enough time to explore each city although some of the bigger cities needed one more day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tuscany/Florence and the Fiat tour we took. Awesome! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All in all, it was a wonderful, magical trip!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's very difficult to select just one "wow" moment. I loved the small towns, which were all a delightful surprise: Varenna at Lake Como, Cinque Terre, and Assisi. Each one of them were special in their own unique way. I loved the wonderful, leisurely dinners outdoors with good food, great company (my son) and beautiful weather. I loved all the wonderful sights we were able to see. I enjoyed meeting all the other people on our tour. And finally, the fantastic art pretty much bowled me over!!! "

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

The tour delivered as promised. This was my first group tour, and although it was a do as you please tour, I felt a bit rushed and herded.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sitting in a cafe near the Uffizi Gallery, sipping a Negroni and watching the crush of humanity."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a wonderful time with my wife. We weren't sure how the Rick Steve's set up was going to be not being to europe before and knowing we'd probably be the youngest there (34 & 30). The group we were with was fantastic and so much fun. We did the "Our Way" Italy tour and I couldn't recommend it enough. Rick Steve's tour makes everything so easy jumping from one town to the next. I also want to give a shout our to our guide, Laura, she was fantastic and I would love to have her as our guide again!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing all the towns and sites was our "wow" moment. We were blown away!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a wonderful group of people on our tour and Laura was great lead with the sharing of tips of things to check out. It was great to not have to worry about our accommodations and transportation. Just meet up when we are supposed to and viola, on to the next town. Perhaps it would have been great to have more days in places like Florence. The hotels were all in great location making an afternoon siestas possible especially when it starts to get hot by midday/afternoon 😀

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gubbio, Assisi, Varenna, & Venice. Love these places. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a wonderful time! The hotels were above expectations especially in Lake Como/Varenna. Transportation was prompt and comfortable. Loved our group and our leader, Laura.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to name but Villa Cipressi and the whole town of Gubbio were nice treats. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our family really enjoyed the tour. It was nice to have the connection with others in the tour as well as the guidance of Laura our tour guide. The bus was very nice and the driver was amazing! The trip was a great mix of city and small towns and that was exactly what we needed. It was a perfect introduction of international travel for our children.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably our time in Lake Cuomo and Cinque Terre the views, the mountains and the water. The beautiful grounds at our hotel in Lake Cuomo and of course all the delicious meals we had! The architecture, art and history are without question always a wow in Italy!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed having basics like transport and accommodation taken care of and giving us the freedom and flexibility to do what we wanted.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lake Como or the Cinque Terre"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Love the people

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tuscany area"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Varenna, Cinque Terra, and Assisi impressed us as much as Venice, Florence, and Rome. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Michela and Helen were wonderful guides from start to finish. Making sure we knew what was coming, where we were going, ideas for the afternoons and explaining the customs of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting great people"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was absolutely fabulous!! It simply takes all the logistical worries out of the equation. Everything is planned and you can either do as much or as little as you want to. The "My Way" experience was perfect!!! It allows you to pick and choose what you want to see and do!! You are not tied to your travel group and are free to experience what you want. This includes additional guided tours and restaurants.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire tour was fabulous but I think our favorite part was Lake Como and Assisi. The larger cities were nice and enriched with history and culture, but we really enjoyed the peacefulness and tranquility of the smaller Italian towns."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Dave was outstanding in his advice and knowledge of each area we visited. The coach was so comfortable and Rickado was professional in driving safely to each destination. The hotels were all good. The Rome hotel was quite a distance from sites for walking, which is what we did so we could experience the city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention, but one of my favorites was lake Como! So beautiful, and the villages were my favorite to stroll through. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Having the hotels and transportation taken care of with the my way tour was a huge stress reliever. We loved being able to spend our days with our own itinerary and we were able to see everything we wanted. Two nights in each city was a grueling pace yet the route was well thought out and balanced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice was magical! My absolute favorite moment was swimming at Monterroso with the scenery of the Cinque Terre towns."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized. My family and I appreciated that between the big cities of Florence, Venice and Rome were there was so much to do in a fairly short time we were able to go to smaller locations (Cinque Terre, Assiss and Lake Como) to recharge around smaller crowds and fewer activites while still feeling as if we were experiencing something very special and new.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had WOW moments really every single day! An unexpectedly great afternoon was the kayak tour we took between towns in the Cinque Terre. Assissi was especially charming and we enjoyed the spa built into the ancient ruins and a dinner at a restaurant that had just earned it's Michellin Star. It was fantastic after the crowds and walking we did the day before in Florence."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Super organized. Excellent guide. Great driver. Central Locations. Perfect size group. Wonderful people

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many! Assisi was a beautiful surprise! Love small times and “water” destinations otherwise."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the tour was fantastic. Our guide, Kathleen, was wonderful. She was full of information and was available when we needed her. I appreciated that everything seemed to run like a well oiled machine. Nice job!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our florentine steak was incredible but the wine tour we did on Florence was also fantastic. It was truly the moment it all hit, were in Italy, and it is in fact more tlbeautiful than imagined."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The travel was wonderful the bus driver was excellent. Love the ability to do whatever we wanted apart from the group. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful and had great suggestions suggeStions. Only hotel that was not so enjoyable was hotel California in Florence. Staff was very cold and unfriendly and a bit rude. The entire tour was fantastic. Enjoyed every minute of it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were tons of wow moments but we especially enjoyed hiking Cinque Terre and the tranquility of Assisi. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The My Way Tour was the perfect tour for me and my group. Our guide, Kathleen, was fantastic at explaining details about what would be happening the next day as well as information about each city before we arrived. She was available with maps in the lobby in the afternoon as well as at breakfast the next morning for questions. Everything was well organized and we couldn't have been happier with our experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire trip was a wow moment"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a great way to see and explore multiple places in 2 weeks. Italy My Way was a good balance between organized stay and departures and free time on our own to explore in each city. Kathleen was a wealth of knowledge and we have met wonderful people along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lake Como and Assisi were our favorite!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was exactly what we wanted. Logistics of transportation, rooms, shared knowledge with co-travelers/guides and latitude to tour on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"If forced to pick one it would have to be the "David"."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hill town of Assissi is a very pleasant surprise"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was just the right amount of organized vs. independent time. We traveled with our 80ish year old parents and this trip allowed us the structure and guide support we needed without the demands of highly structured itinerary. Kathleen was a wonderful guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The opportunity to visit authentic vineyards and olive groves with a view of the town of Assisi on the hill in the near distance was amazing. This was the real deal."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thought it was very well thought out. Going from a bigger place to smaller place back and forth was great planning. This allowed time to relax between Venice Florence and Rome. The hotels were wonderful and I know I couldn’t of gotten a better value if I planned the trip myself. They claim to be the best value in travel, they defiantly are. I challenge anyone to book this itinerary on their own for anywhere near their price.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoy wine tasting in Assisi, sitting in the vineyard looking back up at st. Francis’ Basilica. The scene was as pretty as a picture. Tons of people are going to go to Rome and Venice and see all of that. This was a one of kind and rare experience that felt very special and something unique to this tour. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Easy group to travel with and a kind, knowledgeable guide. Hotels were well located to large attractions and the restaurant recommendations were excellent!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having the stories come to life through an amazingly guided tour of the Roman forum and the Colosseum. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It went very smooth, driver and guide were top notch. The accommodates were from satisfactory to heavenly. All were within easy reach of walking to sights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monterossa- Chinque Terre the hotel had a front sitting area. That is where the people from tour really bonded and got to know each other. Made the trip fun. Second best was a group wine tasting in valley below Assisi where Assisi was the backdrop. Absolute perfection"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was an independent tour, my first RS tour, and I was a single traveler, so I was somewhat unsure how this would work. It was great. Camaraderie from the other travelers made me feel part of the group and yet I could get out and do my own thing. Hotels were excellent, very comfortable, and except for one hotel, I got the same double type of room that others got. Tour Manger was great, driver great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I've been to most of these places before, but I did love that cool early morning in Florence before the crowds were out, walking to pick up my Uffizi ticket. It was balmy, breezy, and I walked past the Duomo and marvelled at the brightness of it in the early morning sunshine, while savoring thoughts of the day ahead in my favorite city. What a wonderful day it was."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour provided a wonderful mix of the cultural and historical areas as well as a balance between visits to urban areas and smaller, less busy areas. We enjoyed the structure that the My Way tour provides as well as the many positive interactions we had with fellow tour participants as our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While all of the cities visited provided amazing experiences and rich culture and historical sites, I was most appreciative of the Cinque Terre. Simply sitting on the beach and relaxing or visiting the small villages was most appealing to me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have taken both organized tours and individually planned trips; the "my way" tours is the perfect blend of both options. Having travel and accommodation arrangements made for you is one of the best parts of the tour. The selected hotels and centrally located to the important sights in each city allowing a short walk from the hotel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments in our "My Way Italy" tour, from the jigsaw-puzzle streets of Venice to the beauty and serenity of Lake Como. My two best "wow" moments were the guided tour of the Statue of David that the guide actually brought to life the mind of the sculptor and the meaning behind the statue being one of personal responsibility. The other "wow" moment was St. Peter's Basilica, probably one of the seven wonders of the world. The immensity of the collection of priceless items."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So glad we took this option it was the right amount of guidance getting around and staying at strategic locations. Everything was a walk away from our hotel . Donato had so much insight he really helped us have a great time. On this trip you can see all the popular sights or you can do what we did and try to get lost and find little gem of places with family run restaurants. We ate foods that were out of our comfort zone drank local beers and wine. Remember to enjoy Italy and the people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When I came back everyone asked me this and there isn’t one, "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I initially thought that we wouldn’t have enough time in each city we visited, but it was about perfect. Certainly gave us enough exposure to know where we would go and what we would do if when we return!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to list…"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We met our tour group and tour guide in Venice at the start of the tour. The tour guide was available for an hour in the morning for questions and then we were off and running to see the sights. The tour guide gave us valuable information when we were on the bus going to our next location as well as recommendations for restaurants and what each area is known for. We had about 1-1/2 days at each location so it’s important to know what you want to see in advance and have reservations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose! We saw so much and each area was different in terms of “wows”. I was surprised that I loved Assisi so much. I wouldn’t have gone to Assisi on my own but it is such a great medieval town."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the my way tour. Great to have the tedious parts of travel (transport, hotels) planned out for me. Awesome group of people and wonderful guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When the skies finally cleared and we had a lovely sunny day on the Cinque Terre."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves' tours are run with precision and personalized service. I have been on three My Way tours and appreciate the well practiced organization of getting us from place to place, the choice of hotels and the information that the tour guides dispense while allowing guests to choose their own priorities and excursions. My Way tours are the perfect combination of stress free touring and self-guided exploration.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had actually been on the same tour back in 2018 with Kathleen, (our guide on both tours). I had also been to the same cities on my own a number of times, so my wow moments included enjoying the scenery with my kids and appreciating how this tour had actually been tweaked since the first trip. For example, we no longer had to lug our bags up the hill to Assisi."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The My Way Italy guide was amazing. She was very calm and was able to solve problems that tour friends had and also gave good recommendations on things to do and places to do laundry.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hike that we did in Varenna. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was perfect and provided a taste for various regions within Italy. Travel between cities was comfortable and the hotel locations were close to the major sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For us, seeing the villages built into the mountains were incredible and a site I will never forget. Each village has their own unique character and we enjoyed walking around to explore."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Kathleen was fantastic! The group size was perfect. The weather can't be controlled-we had rain every day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, each destination had a wow moment. Seeing David and La Pieta. The sunset in Assisi. The canals and seeing the high tide flooding Saint Marks square in Venice. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful! We had a wonderful tour guide, Kathleen. She was so nice and so helpful. We missed our Vatican tour and she helped us get a new one set up the next day. The hotels were wonderful/ I loved the hotel locations and they were very nice. The bus was great and we had a very good driver. The information that Kathleen provided us while riding on the bus really helped make it a better tour. Kathleen planned other things like happy hours, wine tasting, a dinner in Rome, and th

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had so many Wow moments that I cannot choose one. Every place I visited had wow moments as I had never been to Italy before. The places we visited were all unique and interesting. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. Loved how we went from a quiet place to a busy place. That was really nice."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved the hotels and their location. People we met on the tour were great. And Kathleen was a wonderful guide and advisor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The basilica di Santa Maria del angeli was a moving visit. Loved Assisi and the hill top village, San Gimignano."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really liked the self-guided tour. We spent just enough time in each city to decide where we wanted to return for a more in-depth visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I particularly enjoyed Lake Como. We made the arduous hike to the top of the mountain to visit Fume Latte as well as the Castle nearby. It was well worth the hike and was probably my favorite part of the entire trip."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour was interrupted due to an injury but up until that time it was good

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Great tour manager, enjoyed all of the cities visited, I thought the hotels were less than adequate in terms of size, comfort, and amenities. The hotels were in good locations. The bus was very nice and a great driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Venice for the first time, wandering the streets in Venice, Florence, art, beautiful cities. Loved Assisi"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a stress-free way to return to Italy after the COVID break. The itinerary worked well, the hotels were comfortable, and Suaro made the transportation a breeze. The best part of the trip was getting to know our tour companions and our outstanding tour manager, Martin.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wheels on the tarmac in Venice - we're finally back in Italy!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful, life-changing, in fact!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were multiple "wow" moments. However, Assisi exceeded our expectations (which were already high). The architecture of the city and the beauty of the surrounding countryside were simply stunning."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

After years of dreaming of doing one of these was disappointed and at times regretting/ wishing we had done something else. We chose the "My Way" tour variation thinking it would meet our needs and offer best of both worlds (independence plus access to expertise and ease of accommodations having been made for us) but came to the conclusion the 'My Way' design is still half baked or half assed or whatever you want to call it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had an absolutely fantastic bus driver named Sauro from the Alterini company in Florence. He went above and beyond for our group and helped to balance out some of the rough patches."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

For many years Rick Steves has travelled all over Europe with me (usually stuffed safely in my backpack);so touring with Rick was a new adventure. I was impressed with every aspect of the self guided tour. I especially want to thank Martin our tour manager; he made every effort on our behalf to ensure this was a memorable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day spent in that beautiful country is so full of wow moments I find it difficult to choose just one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good hybrid travel, with plenty of time doing what interests one. Yet, good information from the manager was essential.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking above Lake Como with people I met on the trail. One was a German living on the other shore and full of information and opinions on life in and around Varenna."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, good itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Day in Venice, boating to islands."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Totally amazing!!! A trip of a liketime 🇮🇹

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Lake Como. Breathtaking "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good tour. The other travelers were great to tour with .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Views in Lake Como"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The pace of Italy My Way was exactly what we wanted. Our guide, Donato, was a delight! Knowledgeable, approachable, and humorous. Our fellow group members were congenial and easy to get along with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Italy! We never imagined the diversity of the terrain and the plant life. Everywhere we visited, from Lake Cuomo to the Cinque Terre, we encountered unimaginable beauty. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Hotels were centrally located in each city/town which made it convenient to sights. Bus driver as well as our tour guide (Donato) were pleasant and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Arriving into the Lake Como area with the breathtaking views!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Don was a wonderful tour guide. Georgio was a fantastic driver. We had an amazing group of travelers that made the My Way trip a dream trip. Don provided us with great information and was there if we needed any additional assistance. I would do another My Way trip in the future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I am not sure there is a favorite wow moment. I think Cinque Terre and Lake Como were impressive and would return to each of those areas."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve's Tour and My Way. I have been recommend it to my family and friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That is hard to choose. Probably seeing the Alps at Lake Como."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Italy My Way was the perfect introduction to Italy. Our transportation and hotels were taken care of, so we could focus on the sites we wanted to visit in each location. Very fast paced but did not feel rushed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being in Venice with zero car/truck traffic. All transport was by boat or by foot. Loved it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous! Our group was a pleasure to travel with, the guide and driver were wonderful, and the experiences were amazing. It exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many wow moments to mention just one. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and the guide was an expert providing help along the way. Truly enjoyed being able to sight see on our own pace without having to worry about getting there and language challenges.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving up to Lake Como and seeing the alps appear before our eyes "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour provided a great introduction to Italy for this first-time traveler to the area, with just enough hand-holding on tour logistics, public transportation, language etc. A day and a half in Florence was not near enough, however.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I particularly enjoyed contemplating some of the less-visited Michelangelos -- Moses, and the sculptures of the Medici tomb. I also enjoyed random, early-morning wandering in Assisi."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The only reason I didn’t rate this trip outstanding was because of two of the hotels we stayed in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The way the group clicked. Each had their own personality and we all blended so well. The guide was also great about arranging get together celebrations for those on the tour celebrating birthdays in addition to the announced gathering in the tour description. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very positive experience. Rhianne Taylor was excellent, and we couldn't ask for a better guide. We could only suggest that one of the hotels was less than optimal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two of us so two answers: 1) Cinque Terre hiking. 2) Taking various boats on the Grand Canal in Venice."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Liked that hotels & travel taken care of while we were free to do what we wanted. Tour guide was excellent. Some interaction with group, mostly at breakfast, but not overly much. Everyone got along. Some places with low expectations were great. The opposite also true. Had several "must see" attractions and all were as good as I imagined. Had doubts about limited luggage, but it worked out. Big attractions meant big crowds.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Toss up between the Borghese Gallery and the food and wine in Florence."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour ! We had a wonderful time exploring all 6 Italy locations. Hotels were very good, food and wine outstanding, bus/train/boat travel was easy, and the other tour members very friendly and enjoyable to talk with. Rhianne was a wonderful Tour manager; providing great advice and guidance, resolving issues quickly, and providing excellent activity and restaurant suggestions via her posted QR codes at every stop. Fun dinner with everyone on the last night. Highly recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Early morning hike in the Cinque Terre, from Monterosso to Vernazza to Corniglia. Sunny day, very few people on the trail, beautiful views. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Great experience so glad we did the Italy My Way 13 day trip. Suggestion would be to stay 3 nights in some cities. It was somewhat hectic to pack up and leave every third morning. Really enjoyed the bus trips from place to place. The hotels were very well located near the sites and points of interest, although not high end, they were super clean and staff was excellent. Really enjoyed planning our own days and not dealing with transportation and accommodation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"What exceeded our expectations was the tour guide, Rayann. She was hands on with suggestions, answered questions and directed us. She was knowledgeable and interactive. We did not expect the assistance she provided and it was welcome and added to the experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour advisor, Rhiannon, was knowledgeable, available, helpful and patient. She and our driver, Maximo, kept us on schedule. With a start in Venice and a finish in Rome the tour allowed for pre and post tour extra days in these two great cities. However, I would have preferred an extra night in Florence since a half day is used for travel. One and a half days in Florence is not enough! The Victoria Hotel in Lake Como was a pleasant surprise. We will be returning there in the future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have two “wow” moments. The first being the number of steps and the hills to climb in Assisi and inside St Peter’s Basilica was just magnificent.You really need to experience the space of St Peter’s Basilica."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group, great tour manager, nice mixture of urban and rural stops. Bus driver was very capable, felt very safe and relaxed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Varenna and Lake Como. Assisi was above expectations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was absolutely wonderful! We loved our tour group and especially our tour guide, who was so knowledgeable and helpful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Varenna (Lake Como) and the Cinque Terre were incredibly beautiful and my favorite stops on our trip!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time to Europe!! Doing it Rick'sWay was the perfect way to get a taste of travel for the first time to Italy. The time was just long enough. So much to see, so much to take in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Guess the "wow" moment was really the whole time seeing and actually walking in history. Made everything that one had seen in documentaries or read about made onefeel this is all real."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I would highly recommend this tour to any of my friends and family, it was fantastic! Italy My Way, fit what we wanted to do precisely. Our guide Donato, provided excellent information about the history, food & culture for each region/city we visited, which was very helpful, interesting and informative. I liked the variety of each region/city we visited, from the canals in Venice, mountains/lake at Lake Como, seaside at Cinque Terre, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was all a wow moment! I am not Catholic, but I would say seeing the Pope in St. Peters Square and seeing my Catholic wife's emotional reaction, was my favorite moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was well thought-out, lodging was located centrally, transportation was excellence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Lake Como and Cinque Terre."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Donato was fabulous! Very knowledgeable about Italy. Mickela was also very knowledgeable. Italy is beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Pope. But the church he's were beautiful beyond words."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary took us through exciting cities and towns. We got lucky with wonderful weather. Even though this was a My-Way tour, our group leader Donato, shared helpful, thoughtful and interesting information with us during the bus rides in between sites. The hotels were centrally located and ranged from good to very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The food throughout the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This My Way tour was my first Rick Steves tour, and it exceeded my expectations. I wasn't expecting the tour manager to be as involved as he was, and he made the difference and made it an A+ experience! He provided a wealth of information on Italian food, culture and history on the bus rides, and was always happy to help.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were too many to choose one! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well organized and thought out. Transportation between cities was efficient and the hotels were in great locations. Our guide was knowledgeable about the area, was very approachable, and fostered camaraderie as a group. I loved the freedom of exploring the cities on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The magnitude of the Roman Empire is evident as you walk through the city. The individual is so small compared to the size of the monuments. The city mends the remnants of ancient walls with current construction. You cannot capture the size and beauty with a camera; you have to experience it."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This is my second RS tour and I'm still impressed with the level of organization! The hotels chosen, the comfort of the bus and the cities included were all so great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St Peter's Square...goos bumps!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group, interesting cities

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting the group and everyone being able to bond "

very good

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

With Rick's guidebook in one hand, Laura (our guide)'s "hand" in the other and refreshed from arriving 3 days beforehand (highly recommended to get over the jet lag before it all begins), we were in good shape to navigate this tour. The hotels were all located close to sights, had "family" atmospheres and delicious breakfasts! I appreciated that we stayed at least 2 nights at each place. My one regret: Booking the guided tour would have given me a more solid understanding and saved us time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many....the first sight of Venice at night was magical! Taking in a Vivaldi (a home town boy) concert at the atmospheric San Vidal Church there! Hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza at Cinque Terre! At Assisi, finding the 1st century Roman amphitheatre, the ruins underneath the main square, and taking in the breathtaking beauty of its back lanes...actually viewing Michelangelo's work in Florence in the flesh...the medieval charm of San Gimignano! Meeting lovely, friendly tour members! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Three words.....Awesome, Awesome Awesome

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing to the Cemetary in Vernazza, Cinque Terre......a spiritual, beautiful moment....life is to be lived, out loud and big, and shared with anyone around you at the time....after viewing those folks that are laid to rest there, there beautiful faces...Wow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the moment we signed up till the end of the trip, everything was so organized,so professional. We were given so much information to make the vacation exactly how we wanted.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to count!! But probably arriving in each new city thinking that we could not be awed as much as the last destination, and yet we were. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Extremely pleased with the organization of the “My Way” trip. I have used Rick Steves guidebooks for years, so navigating cobblestones and carrying luggage up flights of stairs was very familiar. Time on the bus was well-balanced between personal time and the group reviewing the guidebook section for the upcoming stop, led by our tour coordinator, who also gave helpful tips and was available but unobtrusive. Daily notices posted at the desk kept us all on track. Very positive experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Cinque Terre towns by ferry at sunset."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our “My Way” tour really fit our needs. It was great to have all accommodation and transportation arranged. And then we could tailor our days in all of the cities to fit our needs. Our guide was knowledgeable and the people we traveled with were lovely. I would definitely travel on another “My Way” tour in the future. It suited our needs very well and gave us a trip to remember.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monterosso al Mare was stunning. Our entire visit was a Wow Moment, from a hike along the Cinque Terre to a delicious outdoor dinner just steps from the Mediterranean with an almost full moon rising on the water. Spectacular! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

In spite of the crowds (I’m sure everyone is in Europe this fall), it was a great trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sitting in a remote piazza in Venice watching young boys kick soccer balls at the church walls while people ate by dim lights in corner restaurants and a dog waited patiently for its mistress outside the local coop grocery store. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to name"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

we loved northern Italy and the lakes region. Our tour guide Carrie was outstanding and very helpful whenever we needed some information or recommendation. Doing Italy "my way" was the best choice for us, but as we get older we will look at a tour possibility before choosing. For older folks like us (72 and 75) even being in good physical shape, the transfer process going to new hotels was a challenge at some places.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"ancient Rome , the forum, the pantheon, and walking on the same stones as Julius Caesar...wow !"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded my expectations in virtually every regard. As a "my way" tour I did not expect the level of personal service provided by our escort Cary. Although she did not act as a guide per se, she definitely made our transitions from place to place easy and pain-free. The places we visited were an excellent sampling of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had one day of rain during our tour. Unfortunately, it was a Lake Como. We made the best of it and went on a hike in the rain with some new friends we met on the tour. After a few hours hiking in the rain we came upon a four-star restaurant in the middle of nowhere. They welcomed us inside even though we were leaving puddles on their floor and served us an unbelievable meal with excellent wine. When we got the bill we were astounded at how little it was."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing guide, people and places!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our only rainy day of the entire trip. We hiked from Bellano to Varenna. Found a great restaurant on the way and enjoyed Amazing food with new friends."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire trip exceeded my expectation including the bus (clean and very comfortable), tour guide (knowledgeable, helpful - she went out of her our to help us & tried to connect everyone in the group to have fun)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 9 miles hike we did with our new friends at Cinque Terre on the upper trails. Amazing views!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our first tour with any provider. What I loved about doing this tour was the security of having transportation and lodging planned and provided and having guidance and follow-up from our tour guide. I truly enjoyed how our guide gave us so many options to places to mingle with locals and experience life as they do. It was so rewarding and enjoyable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That is a very hard question to answer! I love architecture, so Italy was amazing! I was always looking up at ceilings, windows, monuments, incredible beauty everywhere! But the thing that actually made me say WOW was the moment I entered the hallway at the Academia in Florence and saw Michelangelo's statue of David. It took my breath away! What an incredible talent he had! The fact that he shared his gift with the world is humbling. His touch is everywhere in Italy!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything went like clockwork...just as advertised and just as planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Without a doubt, Venice was my wow moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was lovely; we saw some beautiful areas of Italy that I hadn't seen before, stayed in nice hotels, and our guide/helper Cary Walker was a delightful, considerate and knowledgeable companion. The people we traveled with were lots of fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maybe sitting on the terrace at our hotel in the Cinque Terre, overlooking the town and sea. Or the terrace at the hotel in Assisi, watching the sunset with our group. There wasn't a lot of relax time, the trip was pretty packed, and, honestly, those quiet moments to sit and enjoy, to appreciate the wonders of Italy , were memorable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an excellent group of people traveling in our group. The leader (Kathleen) was great and very helpful. I really enjoyed the freedom of doing what we wanted to do rather than group activities. (This was a 'Your Way' tour.)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Assisi was great. I originally thought it would be too religious oriented for me, but it is a lovely little town, with segments of old Roman ruins and lovely streets to explore and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

The trip being My Way had two aspects: the portion arranged by Rick Steves and the portion we planned and did on our own. It was a good trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking Varenna."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The places we went were amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque terre"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Second Rick Steves tour, first My Way tour. Although the My Way involved more planning on our part we definitely enjoyed the flexibility on a daily basis. Pleasantly surprised we were still able to meet and spend time with other group members even though we were not doing group activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"David in Florence and the hill town of Assisi!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our experience was excellent. Our tour manager Kathleen was warm, friendly and very knowledgeable, and the group was great. Most in the group were experienced travelers and we all got along very well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments and I'm at a loss to pick a favorite. I'm a big fan of the Cinqueterre and it was really wonderful to be back, but the beautiful town of Assisi on the hill was a real surprise. A very special place. The major sights of Florence and Rome can't be equaled and are "must see", but the small towns are a great experience as well."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the tour was great. We loved the places that we went. We had a great tour guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving into the Lake Como/Bellagio area."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was great. It fit the big 3 cities with 3 other areas that I had not visited before. The length of the trip was good, but somehow I think Florence deserves 3 nights instead of 2. Our guides were all helpful(and we had 4 or 5 during the duration of the trip)and for a my way trip, they provided exactly what we needed with transportation and the highlights of each destination. Group size was perfect, and our bus driver, Sauro, was amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many wow moments to pick from, but our gondola ride in Venice is up there. It was magical seeing Venice from that vantage point. Also, the view from Doria Castle in Vernazza was spectacular. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

There were some hiccups in getting a guide for our group due to situations out of anyones control. As a result we had four different guides before one was able to stay with us. Since we were on a “My way” tour I had no expectations that we would have any assistance other than transportation. Each of our temporary and reassigned guides were fabulous and added different flavors to our experience. The hotel and transportation arrangements were excellent and all of the tips from the Rick Rocked.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How can you separate the wow of Venice from the wow of Florence and the wow of Rome…? The food, the wine, the afternoon spritz….the art, the architecture, the history and the churches….but the bells ringing non stop in Venice was one of my favorite memories."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good experience with all our guides being excellent. We had several since the first guide tested COVID positive before the tour and others had to pinch hit. They did a great job. Hotels were good but bathrooms are typical European and not as roomy As US facilities. All the people were nice at the hotels as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No one moment. Liked every place we went. The Vatican museum and the Uffizi can be overwhelming with all the people"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour started off on an awkward footing as our tour guide had to drop out at the last minute due to illness. We were amazed at how multiple staff members stepped in to cover the first 2 days of our tour until our new guide arrived and they made us believe that they were thrilled to be with us, even though it was more work and complicated their lives! That shows incredible loyalty to the company and to their colleagues. Every detail of the tour was organized and excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The first view of each place we visited was a WOW. Venice was simply magical. Lake Como and Cinque Terre were like stepping into a picture. In Florence, we turned a corner 3 blocks from the hotel and walked right into the Duomo. In Rome, we could see St. Peter's Basilica from our hotel and in Assisi, we walked the amazing medieval alleyways marveling at many of the same views St. Francis experienced."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another great experience with Rick Steves, this was our fourth tour and first time doing "My Way." I recommend both! The previous three fully guided tours prepared us for My Way, we were fully versed in the tips and tricks. I also heard a nice compliment from one of the hotel owners during one of our stays, she mentioned how much she likes RS guests. Apparently, we are organized, positive and polite. I concur, this is an accurate profile of the different RS travelers I have encounter.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gosh, every city was a "wow," however I have to say Murano and Burano, as well as the hill towns. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

As a "your own way" tour, enjoyed not having to worry about transportation or lodging, but also enjoyed the morning & evening company of similarly minded folks. Our guide did keep a low profile, but also kept us informed with info which was useful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Was not one single "wow" moment, but enjoyed the balance & contrast of Italy's "wild" country to its cultural & historic sights."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

People were nice. The My Way format gave me peace of mind because I didn't have to worry about how I was going to get to the next location or where to book a hotel in a city I had never visited was much appreciated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Breath-taking views along the coastal trails of the Cinque Terre, views of the coast of Venice from the water buses and seeing the Coloseum in person. Fabulous : ) "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

transportation was good. Hotel's were good. What I would have liked was three nights in Vience, Flourence, Two nights was just not enought

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Vatican"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing! This was our 7th tour, our 1st My Way Tour. We had such a good tour guide, Cary! We thought we'd arrive at a location, then we're on our own. Cary had SO many suggestions and we ended up doing many things with most of the group who chose to do things together. Cary had Great suggestions, we went wine tasting with most of our group, and it wouldn't have been as much fun without the group! We had plenty of time on our own, but Cary would offer great ideas for alone time too!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Once again, so many "Wow" moments! We can't get enough of the Lake Como area, and Cinque Terre continues to fascinate us! I'm so glad that Cary put together a wine tasting that had great views of Assisa in the background. Venice, we love Venice!! Sitting in St. Marks Square at night enjoying a glass of wine and listening to the music we could do every night!! Having dinner with new friends was also a simple "Wow" moment! We always enjoy ALL the people we get to meet on these tours!! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire Rick Steves experience was amazing! The accommodations were very nice and always centrally located. Our fabulous tour guide,Cary was outstanding. She made our entire trip so easy and comfortable. The unexpected wine tastings, dinners and happy hours she planned were delightful. She even went above and beyond staying by my side when I took a fall and needed to go to the ER. She was my hero!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many WOW moments it is difficult to pick just one. All the cities, towns and villages we visited were amazing. Each one of them so exciting, different and special. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The My Way Italy tour was fantastic. The hotels were quirky and fun, and right in the middle of what you wanted to see. Our tour coordinator, Cary, was TOP NOTCH. We'd travel with her anywhere. Loved the fact that we were on our own once we got to the destinations. No herding like cattle! We highly recommend the Rick Steve's My Way tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bellagio and the Cinque Terre were our favorites. The towns, the water, the scenery, and the narrow alleyways...just beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the moment that we met our tour guide, we knew that we were in good hands. All the hotels were fun and quirky, good locations and great breakfasts. Our guide added on a couple of optional, pay-extra experiences that were really appreciated and felt special and tailored to our group. The bus was comfortable and clean; the driver was excellent- his navigating that huge vehicle down the road to Varenna and then into Monterossa was very impressive!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favourite moment was the first vaporreto trip into Venice after a terrible experience with the airline. It was 1 am, under a full moon with light clouds floating across the sky, lit up like aurora borealis! The air was warm and humid. We were finally out of an airport! We were exhausted and full of anticipation. After reading about a place such as Venice, to get off at San Zaccariah station, it felt amazing! We loved Cinque Terra and Lake Como . . . Could go on and on!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a great time, met some wonderful people and got a good introduction to Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing 5th century mosaics in a church I just stopped in because I had extra time before heading to the airport. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was fast paced and we saw and did so many things. I wanted to see all the places we went but it made for only 1.5 days in each place. We made the best out of train and ferry strikes on 2 separate days. This was my first My Way tour and I really enjoyed it. Our guide gave us some great recommendations when we needed a little extra guidance.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the inside of St Mark’s Basilica, the bus ride into Bellagio seeing Lake Como, and experiencing the Roman ruins with a sound/light show are all worth mentioning. There were lots of Wows in Cinque Terre as well. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was great! Everything was right on schedule and our tour guide couldn't of been more helpful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Italian Riviera! It was beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour really exceeded my expectations in many ways. Cary, our guide, went way above and beyond in giving us helpful information as we travelled. She had great suggestions for sights to see at each stop and made herself available each day for questions and help. Our bus was super comfortable and our driver, Giorgio, was the nicest guy ever.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maybe when we walked out of the train station in Monterosso and saw the view in Cinque Tere."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our My Way tour was exactly as we wanted it to be. Our tour guide, Cary, was excellent. She went above and beyond to make sure everyone knew about the city or town we were in. She was available to answer questions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving to Bellagio down all the hairpin turns and seeing Lake Como surrounded by the mountains. Our Bus driver did a great job of maneuvering around all the turns. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything I hoped for. All of the places visited were incredible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First view of the Duomo in Florence"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an amazing group of people on our tour and Cary Walker was such a helpful, fun and outstanding tour guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think walking out of the train station in Cinque Terra was the best wow moment. The beautiful sunny beach welcoming us and the color of the water was just spectacular. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had an amazing experience overall. We enjoyed nearly perfect weather (65-85 degrees) despite variable forecasts. The travel schedules were accurate, the hotels were clean and had all the necessary amenities. We met some lovely people and saw 95% of what we went to Italy to see. Our bus was clean, nearly new and spacious. Our guide and driver were competent, prompt and pleasant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For us, the most stunning location was Lake Como. The incredible lake vistas - looking down from the mountain and up from the water - were equally breathtaking. Our favorite experience was a half-day golf cart tour of ancient Rome with an informative, congenial local guide. He provided an excellent overall orientation along with thoughtful cultural context. He was familiar with overlooks & back streets - and would park so we could enter churches and pedestrian areas (pia Trevi) while he waited. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is a wonderful way to travel and to visit a European country. This was our 4th Rick Steves trip, but our first My Way experience. The way Cary gently managed the tour was amazing. She really helped the group gel, and soon we knew we were traveling with 20 new friends. We really appreciate the freedom to see and do what we please, but are grateful for the logistical support of the My Way framework.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After a full day of being wowed by Venice's St. Mark's basilica and the Doge's Palace, the "wow" that topped it off was sitting at a café (recommended by Cary) in St. Mark's square in the evening, listening to the piano-accordion-violin trio playing the night away!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We’ll organized for the most efficient use of time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Assisi was very relaxing and gave us an opportunity to slow down, before heading to Rome. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was everything you could ask for! Loved each town we went to. Hotels were right in town. No need for public transportation if you are a walker.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Cinque Terre !"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We liked the My Way experience. Not having to handle hotels or transport from city to city, but following our own schedule and interests in each place. Our tour manager, Kathleen, was knowledge and helpful. She managed the group's time well, and tour participants were friendly and respectful of each other.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St Peter's basilica is pretty incredible! Our awesome driver, Marco, navigating the crazy roads and driving throughout."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This wss my first "My Way" tour. I had low expectations in terms of a tour guide providing information during the bus rides, or providing much support upon arrival in each new p;ace. This was not the case! For me, the one big difference from a standatrds tour was the lack of pre-booked, pre-scheduled activities. Our guide was extremely generous with her time. Kathleen helped many of us to book activities, provided detailed information about each area, including providing orientation tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had not previously experienced Assisi other than in a brief stop. I realized how relaxing and beautiful life in a hilltop town in Italy could be. Wow? The food in Italy! Steak in Florence, pesto in Cinque Terre, freshly made fuit-flavored gelato, all truly wonderful. Our tour guide, Kathleen Cavalier, turned out to be one long "wow" moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was so pleased with how the trip was planned. Our guide Laura was very supportive, knowledgeable and engaging.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I couldn’t pick one WOW moment. The entire trip was a WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

1st time in Italy so it was useful to travel from Venice/Como/Cinque Terre/Florence/Assisi/Rome to get an idea for future travel. The group was very friendly and fun to travel with. We set aside a week afterwards and using our tour experience, we stayed a few days in Orvieto from our guide's recommendation and on to Florence and rented an apartment across the river from the Uffizi Gallery. Loved it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The specialty seafood meal "Anfora" at the Belvedere restaurant in Monterosso. The seafood is cooked in a terra cotta pot and poured out steaming into a large bowl. Fed 4 of us. Also, the views of Lake Como in Bellagio."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour destinations were excellent with one exception; spending 2 nights in Assisi was 1 or 2 nights too many. Hotels were fine. Information supplied was sometimes incorrect, but I'm thinking this may have been due to covid issues

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Church of the Bishop of Rome was one of the most impressive churches I've seen."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the most notable sites in northern Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Florence. The facade of the Duomo as you enter the piazza from the narrow streets."