Best of South Italy in 13 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt like this was a good overview of Southern Italy. This was our 3rd time to Rome, but we had never been to the Capitoline Museum. I also enjoyed the unusual towns that I had previously not known about (Vieste, Alborello, and Matera). There was a good mix of organized experiences and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say Pompeii - I had always wanted to go there, and it did not disappoint! The boat ride through the grottos was amazing! Also, when we all got to the hotel in Vieste and we all looked out of our balconies at the Adriatic Sea - that was a wow moment! When we were in Maiori, we took the ferry to Ravello, and that was absolutely beautiful and quiet. We visited Villa Cimbrone there. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Love the trip, but would like to have more morning time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompi-tour guide was outstanding!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There were so many items to praise: the sites visited, the enthusiasm, knowledge and care of our main guide, the other guides, the hotels, the meals, the expert driving of the buses, and the wonderful other folks on the tour. I recommend this tour highly if you are prepared/in shape for plenty of walking and are aware that the buses don't have strong wi-fi or charging ports for phones etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is too difficult to pick a single "wow" moment since there were multiple ones from every day on the tour. I will narrow it down to four "wow" moments: entering sea grottos by boat in Vieste, the Capitoline and Naples museums, and the meal with the Italian family."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Catarina was not only knowledgeable but very passionate about Italy, its people and history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner with the family and our tour guide in Pompei was exceptional. Can't remember his name."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. There were some early mornings but understand the necessity to have the best experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat tour of the grottos on the Garganto Peninsula near Vieste. Catarina was able to arrange for a private boat tour which allowed for our group to have an outstanding experience. The Captain/Pilot was so skillful at maneuvering into and out of the 5 grottos that we visited. It was gorgeous, marvelous and a special memory."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was very well organized and our guide, Andrea, was very knowledgeable and did an excellent job of keeping us on schedule, It was jam packed with spectacular scenery, fascinating historical information and sites. My traveling companion and I did have to skip a few events to relax and rest! Andrea helped us with our after tour arrangements as we needed to get back to Rome to catch our flight home.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was very moved by the tour of Pompeii and imagining the life of the denizens of that ancient city. The supper hosted by the family in Sorrento was fantastic! I loved talking with the patriarch of the family about his life experiences and meeting and talking with two of the grandchildren. The meal was abundant and regionally sourced. Also, the small venue musical performance in Naples by the group Napulitanata was wonderful! The lead singer and piano player were excellent!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was outstanding, though more difficult than I expected. Thanks to our wonderful guide, Andrea, I was still able to thoroughly enjoy it. Ever since I was in elementary school, I’ve been fascinated by ancient European history. This tour covered an area full of opportunities to see & experience ancient sites. One of the big draws was the inclusion of Pompeii, which did not disappoint!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments, but probably the biggest was Matera. Opening the door to our room in the Hotel Locanda di San Martino, which was in a cave in the Sassi area, probably elicited the biggest “WOW”, because it was so unexpected. Other “wow” moments were the boat ride from Vieste, on the Adriatic, our visit to the water buffalo dairy, the abandoned Ancient Greek city of Paestum, our tour of Pompeii with Gaetano, Maiori on Tyrrhenian Sea, etc., etc!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We think it was very well done we had always wanted to tour southern Italy

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having dinner in the family home the hosts were so gracious "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We learned so much but were not overwhelmed with too many museums or ruins, time to absorb what we had seen and learned with plenty of time to explore on our own and relax and enjoy the food, locations and wine!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The in home dinner in Sorrento was our favorite meal, sitting talking with Theresa and Luigi and tasting all of her wonderful food was beyond our expectations. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour did exactly what I expected it would in we efficiently saw many highlights of Southern Italy with a great guide and no hitches in transportation or hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii, after a lifetime of hearing and reading about the eruption standing in the city streets was a definite "wow"."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my second Rick Steves Tour and it did not disappoint. It was a beautiful combination of historical perspective, art appreciation, and natural beauty. We arrived two days early in Rome (my first visit there) which allowed scheduled visits to the Vatican (with a private guide from those recommended in the Italy guide), and the Borghese Museum. Our guide Andrea, had so many personal experiences living in Italy that made us feel like insiders.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments included: magnificent sculpture including works by Michelangelo in Rome and Naples, and the Veiled Christ in Naples; Pompeii, and Paestum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and, overall it was a fun experience! Our tour guide, Andrea, was funny, well organized and very knowledgeable. Each day was different and educational, not to mention scenic. Some days we were on the bus for hours, but I didn't mind. Activities and rest stops were planned so that it all seemed to flow easily. I'm not particularly social, but it was fun meeting and chatting with the other tour members, most of whom were seasoned Steves' tourists.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two "wow" moments- one was the tour of the Capitoline museum with Francesca. Francesca taught us to look at art work in the intended context and that remained with me through the rest of the tour.The second was the huge family dinner with Teresa. Amazing table with delicious food and wonderful conversation. Definitely a highlight!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Southern Italy was a surprise!...especially the east coast from Vieste thru Matera and Paestum. Many times it felt like we were in Greece, Turkey or even the middle east. The trulli houses of Alberobello and the cave dwellings of the Sassi were just magical. All of this juxtaposed against Rome, Amalfi Coast and Naples made for a great blend of WOW!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tough question! Francesca made the Capitoline Museum come alive with her heartfelt tellings of the peoples and their accomplishments from millenniums ago where she challenged us to imagine walking the streets of Rome and surrounds from so many centuries ago. She made the museum relevant yet with emotion. I also loved Matera...simply WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The South of Italy tour offered a long-awaited exposure to the stunning vistas and unique archaeology & living environments of Puglia, Basilicata and Campania, along with historical and art history explorations I especially enjoyed. Our traveling companions were friendly and congenial, a nice cross section of mostly-retired Americans. Tour hotels were comfortable and well-situated for exploring both with the group and on our own. October was the perfect time to visit this magnificent region!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The azzure Adriatic seen from Vieste on the Gargano Peninsula, Matera’s sassi caves, & the incredible detail of the marble "veins" in the Veiled Christ in the Sansevero Chapel in Naples come close to being the tour's strongest visuals. But I return over & over to Francesca Caruso's personalized exposition of Roman layers. Guiding us through the Capitoline Museums, she coached us to seek the meaning and significance of ancient (and all) art through studying it in context. Her master class: WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the first tour of any kind that my husband and I took. We never thought we were tour people, but we were very wrong. This tour was handled professionally and efficiently, the group was very inclusive and the things we saw surpassed anything we could have done on our own. From beginning to end we were very impressed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I believe my favorite "wow" moment was the Trulli Village. That would be followed closely by the Sassi Community. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide, Alfio, and fun fellow travelers ( (thank all of you for your help and concern). I enjoyed every aspect of the trip.. towns, boat rides, back street exploring,, culture , museums and food . Our guide Alfio was Informative, caring and a great person all around. The steps/ stairs were a challenge for me but I was happy to be a part of this wonderful trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No specific WOW moment..all was interesting .. I loved the back streets, history, people watching, aperzol 😋, museums . I was charmed by Nativity/ Christmas Street in Naples.. totally unexpected... "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Itinerary was great and very active. There were only a few long days on the bus, but always were interesting stops along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Pompeii and the museum in Naples were the highlights. Also really liked Vieste."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guides and local guides. Wonderful meals and interesting and pleasing accommodations. Rome

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rome and Pompeii tours and the guides."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great! We enjoyed the cities, the tour guide was wonderful and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Blue Grotto, on the side trip to Capri. What a beautiful site!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very well organized

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Capri"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour experience was amazing from beginning to end. It was very efficient, and handled professionally.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick one "wow" moment, but if I have to, I will say having dinner with the local family in Sorrento was the highlight of the trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The scenery, the food, the people and the culture were all great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Adriatic Coast and Vieste."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour! We have done five Rick Steves tours. All were great, This was either number twoor three favorite. Had a great tour guide Alfie.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I’m torn between the tour of Pompeii and Matera. Both were extremely fascinating."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my 3rd. Rick Steves tour. I loved all of them but have several suggestions. I have 4 suggestions. 1) Do a better job of use of time; at Hadrian's Villa, we were only given one and a half hours to do the tour. 2) Offer a choice of tours; i.e. museums in Rome and Pompee. 3) Speaks on tours ( museum in Rome and Pompee) Both were boring and rambled on and on. 4) Hearing devices, good idea but when you only hear out of one ear, in noisy areas, the other ear can hear the noise, which makes?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Paestum on the Amalfi Coast to view the Greek and Italian temples. I loved this part primary because I could wonder and view these great temples alone and spend time taking photos at my leisure."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a great adventure into a part of Italy we had never visited. Other than our stops in Rome and Naples the areas we visited were much less crowded. Our group and guide were among the best group of people you could ask to travel with. The historical parts of the tour were well tempered with current events including the lifestyle of the locals and the fine cuisine they enjoy. We got plenty of exercise and also had ample time to recover.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We particularly liked the boat ride along the coast of Vieste seeing what the fisherman were catching and going in and out of caves."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall tour experience was amazing! The pace, the destinations, the incredibly knowledgeable guides, food, and hotels, were first rate. Our tour guide Alfredo, was the icing on the cake!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to narrow down one favorite wow moment, but I will list two... the private boat tour through the grottoes during our stay in Vieste, and our stay the city of Matera."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well planned. Our guide was very knowledgeable and charming. Our accommodations were very nice. We were able to have sometime on our own with suggestions for dining and shopping.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While visiting Vieste we got to tour some amazing grottos !"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour guide Alfredo did an awesome job of keeping up our energy, getting us engaged & knowing when we needed a different pace. Rooms & amenities exceeded my expectations after your materials told us what not up expect! Several on our tour were repeat RS travelers. Loved seeing the RS Fraternity & felt welcomed in by all. Hoping to tour again with RS!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wine/Food tasting lunch in Alberabello (sp?), Matera! & family meal with Teresa & Luigi. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guide and the additional local guides were fabulous (with one exception). The balance of the structured time and free time was great. This was my first RS trip and I was very pleased and would do another one. We had a great group that got along well. The couple of things that I wish were a bit better were the quality of items sold on RS website. Quite frankly, they are poor quality and mostly siding work.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I must of said “wow” a million times! The beauty and the history of the area were all “wow” moments for me"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As a single traveler I enjoy the loaded itinerary of sights and activities balanced by free time to further explore on your own format. The peeps from all around the country were of the same mindset and got along well with each other. While we ended up visiting the Amalfi Coast and popular cites like Sorrento and Napoli, I rather enjoyed the Adriatic side of the 'boot' and less familiar destinations like Vieste and Matera. Hotels were centrally located, and group meals were pretty decent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sleeping in a cave hotel in Matera and the pizza in Napoli were up there for me. The handling of logistics on those tiny roads on the Amalfi Coast by the bus drivers was admirable too. Well planned and well executed RS tour; number six for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Being able to explore South Italy in a stress free way was an amazing experience. It is exciting to travel in another country, but it can be difficult. Our guide, Alfredo, who was native to the area, made the trip. He assisted us with a command over the few words we needed to communicate with the locals. He helped us make the most of our free time. He told us the history we needed to know to appreciate where we were going. There was enough built in free time to explore on your own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Franchesca, our guide in Rome, gave me tools to feel confident in exploring museums. She was the perfect person to have as our first official local guide. She addressed frustrations you can have when visiting museums and ways to deal with this. Our Pompeii guide and our first guide in Napoli also had the ability to relate information, almost in a story telling style, so that you were not just being rained upon with facts. Wine tasting in Alberobello, dinner at Theresa's, Buffalo farm "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, we enjoyed the tour experience very much. I would suggest a few changes in the itinerary to allow more time at some of the sites and less time at others.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera was a definite wow moment for me. Though I thoroughly enjoyed Hadrian's Villa and the temples at Paestum. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This is my first tour of any kind and so there is no comparison to make, but all in all, it was educational, and very well run. I would not do it again, though as 26 people is too large a group for me, and the sheer number of amazing places we went and works of art we saw within such a short span of 13 days, felt like too much content to absorb without enough time to really take in and contemplate what we were seeing. We did have amazing passionate guides..I just needed a more relaxed pace.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments, but clearly the marble sculptures and amazing paintings seen in the Musei Capitolini in Rome were beyond amazing. The marble sculpture by Giuseppe Sammartino of the "Veiled Christ" in the Sansevero Chapel actually has to be seen to be believed. The marble actually seems to be alive with a beautiful energy."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was easy and enjoyable but a little too strenuous for my ability to keep up with the group. In saying that our guide went out of her way to assist me in getting around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Capitoline Museum and the guide who was fantastic. Our night walk across the walking bridge with the view of St Peter Basilica at night. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Our guide Caterina was fantastic and very knowledgeable. Southern Italy came alive in a way I didn’t know before. We went to lovely towns I would not have been able to go if traveling on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera The boat ride on Amalfi coast The bus ride on leaving Amalfi coast Veiled Christ "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about this tour was outstanding, from meeting our guide Caterina in Rome to our farewell hotel in Naples.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was gliding into a gorgeous grotto on the Adriatic Sea by Vieste. No, it was the celebratory dinner at the home of Teresa and Luigi. No, it was Francesca’s illuminating and moving walk through Rome. Or was it Gaetano’s high energy, informative tour of Pompeii? I had been looking forward to Matera, but Nadia transformed my understanding of the relocation of the inhabitants after WWII. Every single day brought wow moments I will treasure. It is impossible to choose!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 10th Rick Steves European tour. The overall tour experience ranks right near the top. Tour leader Andrea was fantastic. All of the tour members brought unique perspectives and experiences with travel that enhanced the experience. The pace of the tour was appropriate and we were able to navigate the crowds in post-COVID Italy. Everything met or exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Exploring southern Italy was significantly different than northern Italy. My wow moment(s) were being in the presence of iconic art and artifacts. Having Francesca for our museum tour in Rome took art and context to the next level. Her theme of "The more you know, the more you see" was profound and provided a narrative that was transformative. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our best tour ever!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a good mix of fun activities, remarkable sights and educational experiences. Our guide Andrea was terrific as were many of the local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The restored Vettii House at Pompeii. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had excellent guides, and the tour was a good combination of scheduled events with plenty of free time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompei"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our trip leader Andrea was amazing, her warmth and professionalism really added to the trip. There was a great mixture of stepping back in time at ancient sites, beautiful scenery, amazing food, and opportunities to rub shoulders with locals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii and the archeological museum in Naples. I never expected that so much of Pompeii would be so well preserved, that I could walk into a home and admire the frescos that the people who lived in that home gazed at. As well, I never expected to see everyday objects that were used then that looked so much like the baking pans and colander that I would use today. There is one fresco in the museum, and I got chills feeling like I was looking at a photo of a couple who lived in 79 AD."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour, with outstanding tour guide, great local guides, good weather, and a fun group of tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii, both the site and the recovered artifacts in the National Archeological Museum in Naples. Close second place is the water buffalo farm and lunch. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide, Andrea Wolf, and a great group of people

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii or the trip on the Amalfi coast"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

What started out as what was going to be a great tour was cut short after 3 days due to my wife coming down with Covid.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian’s Villa was pretty awesome and the beach on Vieste was very relaxing, but that was as far as we got."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An outstanding tour - it offered variety, interesting less-touristy towns, lots of cultural and language tips, insights into history, good food, and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of them, including all of the many surprises that Vanessa arranged for us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Southern Italy was a fantastic tour. It was a great variety, from seeing the touristy seaside towns on the Almalfi Coast to visiting Vieste on the Adriatic. We were able to emerse ourselves in the history as we toured Pompeii as well as enjoy the present day culture of Naples. It was such a bonus that we had well seasoned Rick Steve's travelers in our group. It was just one of those groups where we all enjoyed each others company.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moment for me was Matera! I had read about it but seeing it was different than I imagined. It is just one of those places you need to see and experience for yourself. The other wow moment was seeing Pompeii through the eyes of our fabulous local guide, Donatello. Local guides make a huge difference! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Such a wonderful, well organized experience. Vanessa, our tour guide, made everything seem so seamless and easy. She took great care of all of us! Arranging taxis for those in our group with mobility issues, to having multiple little surprises for us (limoncello spritz, aperol spritz, hosting a happy hour) she was always several steps ahead of us in planning.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coming around the bend and seeing Matera for the first time! It was jaw dropping!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

guide Vanessa was extraodinary

Favorite "WOW" moment

"almalfi coast/ lemon trail, Vieste"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

wonderful variety of experiences, food, hotels and destinations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lemon trail on Amalfi coast- boat ride group dinner in Vieste"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sarah was fantastic! She is so knowledgeable, fun, great as herding all of us around which was a daunting task and always excited to show us the next thing she loves about Italy! We had a wonderful mixture of people - from Canada and all across the country from New York to California! And all of the research that is done finding places to stay and things to see and do is always appreciated. And we loved seeing Francesca in Roma who was our guide 7 years ago!! THANK YOU.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Buffalo 🦬 mozzarella ranch and petting the buffalo. I loved that entire experience and secondly the Naples Cathedral seeing Jesus under the veil. Those two items probably should not be together but that shows the diversity of a Rick Steves Tour!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sarah was an excellent tour guide, gently pushing us to try different foods, speak Italian, and keeping us together as a group that interacted well with each other.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sorrento was my favorite destination, as it was large enough to offer many different eating and tourist venues, and yet retained a beautiful shoreline that was lovely to visit. And the other 'wow' moment was just realizing that I experienced a wonderful smorgasbord of Italian places, people and food and feeling satisfied that I got a chance to sample it all."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour leader. Wonderful couples to meet and travel with. Most excellent experts to help us navigate the story behind what we were experiencing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from the chairlift of Capri to view the Amalfi Coast. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour was fabulous from start to finish. Our quite Katerina was amazing, so knowledgeable and made the tour very enjoyable. We met some great people, saw wonderful sights, ate amazing food

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going into the Blue Grotto at Vieste "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our sixth RS Europe tour and was happy to return to Italy. The itinerary of the Best of South Italy in 13 Days Tour was outstanding. The tour offered a good balance of walking tours, must-see museums and historic sites to free time on own to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera (UNESCO World Heritage Site) was breathtaking and surreal! It was a pilgrimage of sorts that I will treasure. Even with research and preparation, nothing compares to being there. Making the trek during our free time, of the ravine to Parco della Murgia Materana or the “park” and taking in the views of Matera was absolutely incredible- just wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This first RS tour for my wife and I was outstanding. From location selection, to tour specialist Deborah, to hotel selection, to transportation - all top drawer!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Greek temples at Paestum and walking on Roman build roads. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned to appreciate Southern Italy! Our guide, Deborah, kept us informed always. Our tour group was one big happy family for twelve wonderful days!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “wow” moments, but the one which stands out was the tour of the Capital Museum in Rome. Our local guide, Francesca. She mesmerized us through the museum explaining rich, Roman history. In so many words, she said, The more one has knowledge of the past, the more we understand and appreciate. It wasn’t built for us, but built for us to remember."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved all the sites we visited, many on the UNESCO list. Deborah, our tour leader was very knowledgeable about all of the sites and cities we visited. Our guides in each city were remarkable and had lived there all their lives--Francesca stands out! People on the tour were friendly and easy to hang out with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As I had not traveled to Europe in a very long time, I was "wowed" in every city we went to. The sheer amount of history was staggering. Each place was fascinating in its own way. I really enjoyed the boat ride into the grottos in Vieste and then another one that some of us did in Capri. I was fascinated by Pompeii--the beautiful frescoes, statues, and tiles that survived. Seeing the Veiled Christ in Naples and the priest showing the people that the blood of San Gennaro had liquified was cool."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved our guide, good hotel rooms, no real glitches overall.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Both the boat ride at Vieste and the caves at Matera "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Veiled of Christ in Naples "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fantastic tour. Almost all guides were excellent. The hotels were great. The experiences were terrific. The efficiency was incredible. Communication was good except for Day 11 when the itinerary stated free time for lunch so I scheduled a reservation at a restaurant but had to cancel it and eat at a restaurant with the group at our cost. Entire tour experience was lessened by the loss of 7 tour members and guide to Covid and worries about interacting with anyone for the duration of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going into the grottos on the boat tour from Vieste along the Gargano coast. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was one of the best trips of my life. I shared it with my daughter, which made it even more special. My only regret is that I didn’t start doing Ruck Steve’s tours years ago. I’m 73 and not sure how many more I can do because of the miles of walking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera! I was fascinated by the 9000 year old Sassi neighborhoods. Loved our hotel!"

Overall rating: rating 1 of 5

Our tour was great--until it wasn't. The first half of our tour was a delightful immersion into a foreign culture with educated and experienced guides and exciting and mostly unknown locations. It was everything we had hoped and expected from an RS tour--until we got Covid and were forced off the tour. Woe to those who get a sore throat and self-test. You will be abandoned by the company, despite them saying they do not abandon travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite 'wow' moment was touring the Capitoline Museum with the amazing Francesa in Rome. What could have been a dull and dry museum was brought to life with Francesa's passion and knowledge of art and Roman history. She moved us to tears. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall another great tour! Our 3rd with RS! We can’t say enough about the quality of the guides, hotels, and experiences; along with a good balance of group and free-time. That said, this trip had a major hiccup with the loss of 7 tour members and our guide, Sarah, to COVID. It was sad and scary to witness the sudden departure of those directly impacted. Thanks to Alfio, our new guide, and the remaining group members who "kept it together" to ensure a pleasant experience for all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to say just one, but favorites were the beautiful coastal views, the ingenuity at Pompeii, and the delicate details of the Veiled Christ at the Sansevero Chapel Museum in Naples. Wow!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a great experience traveling to South Italy. The places we stopped were all unique and have their own charm. Going in September gave opportunities for fewer crowds except of course in Rome and Naples where it is always busy. There was plenty of down time to enjoy the water and beaches or go for a hike. And the Vieste in Love festival! We did have some bumps in the road as covid is not gone. We lost several people and our guide along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are several wow moments. Matera and sleeping in a cave hotel was an awesome experience. We took a boat ride in Vieste and visited a number of grattos along the beautiful coastline. And last but not least, the meal we had with the family in Sorrento was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very informative regarding history, culture and language of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A fantastic itinerary led by my favorite guide, David Tordi!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Making gelato in Naples! Who doesn’t love gelato!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, David was the tour. Knowledgeable, polite, engaging and just great. This was our first but not our last Rick Steves Trip. Already planning on another. Southern Italy was enchanting and unforgettable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to say which was a wow. Every stop we made was a wow. But, if one stop was an awe-inspiring event it would have to be the Stassi in Matera and our tour of the city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall description of the "Best of South Italy" only enhanced the adventurous surprises ahead. The intermingling of our small group led by David Tordi just jelled. Learning the norms of Italy, keen details for traveling abroad while enjoying each environment and each other. Notably , all the chosen sights, with the local friendly passionate Tour Guides impacted each experience. Many of us will be "Buddies" forever!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely, the Hotel Locanda di San Martino with The Spa in Matera. Discovering the life of the Sassi residents in their ancient Cave - dwellings!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

More than I ever expected. Pompei has long been on my bucket list and it was fabulous when coupled with the Naples archeological museum. So many small town attractions that were pleasant and memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How big Pompeii was"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience was tremendous! Our exceptional guide, Nancy was fantastic and always went above and beyond and was there for guidance and help. Her knowledge of her home country was amazing and made the bus trips fun and interesting. She was energetic and kind. All the local guides added another layer of valuable information. I highly enjoyed the itineraries of each day and will never forget such a memorable and fun trip. Another terrific Rick Steves experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The magical town of Matera! I really felt like I was in the heart of Italy, its ancient fascinating history. In Matera I was outside my hotel on a Saturday night, and I saw a father and his young son marching down the street playing the accordion and flute and its little moments that are truly special. Finally, Therea and Luigi’s homemade delish dinner at their lovely home. I loved each taste each city had to offer and miss my trip already."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We visited places I never would have thought to visit, enjoyed learning and experiencing in six very different towns/cities, shared space with wonderful folks, had fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmmm... kinda like which of your three daughters do you like the most? All of the experiences were different & fun."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was wonderful. A bit intense with regard to time restraints, but it was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Pompeii was amazing and the site of the Adriatic Sea from our hotel room was breath taking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Traveling with a group of great people to a beautifully great country on a tour with great tour guides leads to a great tour; I thoroughly enjoyed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to Pompeii. Not for any one moment in particular. It is someplace I’ve always wanted to visit"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Trip of a lifetime. All went smoothly. Marianna was above and beyond any expectations as our guide. Thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sansevero Chapel tour in Napoli. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Marianna was the best tour guide. So kind and helpful. It really bonded out group together. Our entire group became so close. We were sad to leave but loved the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Almafi coast is just breathtaking. I absolutely loved it. So was Vieste. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was great to visit the number of towns in Italy we did. The tour gave a good illustration of the heart of Italy's culture and we made several new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Something we did we could not have done on our own was the family dinner at a locals home. We enjoyed a fantastic home cooked dinner all at the same large table. The food was delicious and authentic Italian. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The South Italy Tour far exceeded our expectations in the beauty of locations, quality of hotels and restaurants, excellence of local guides, and unique experiences created for us. Our main reasons for choosing this tour were to see Southern Italy and visit Pompeii, but the surprise for us was the exotic locations (Matera!) and added attractions (boat ride in Vieste, family dinner in Sorrento). Our guide, Alfio, was knowledgeable and friendly and our kind driver Massimo kept a clean coach.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera was one of the most unique places we’ve ever visited, and staying in a cave hotel will remain a favorite memory. Learning the history of this town and seeing how it has become a beautiful and popular destination made it even more remarkable. And you just can’t take a bad photograph anywhere in Matera! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Pompeii was amazing and the view from the top of Mt. Solaro on Capri was fantastic"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my fourth Rick Steves Tour and it was everything I expected and more. Alfio was an incredible guide that was well prepared and full of knowledge and insights. He handled tour member tardiness with tact and respect for the rest of us. We thoroughly enjoyed the itinerary and the attention to detail throughout the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our two "wow" moments were the boat tour along the coastline in Vieste (Vieste as a whole was a wonderful surprise), and the afternoon spent at Paestum. What an amazing, off the beaten path, site that was unexpected and delightful. Both very much felt like Rick Steves "through the back door" experiences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded my expectations - I loved the mix of included tours and free time, and meals together and on our own. I thought the size of the group was great (27 of us plus our guide, Alfio). Who was wonderful !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompei"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was incredibly well curated, guided and planned. We were able to both see and participate in so many amazing experiences. Every day brought new adventure, wonder and joy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sassi in Matera was humanizing. We were fortunate to have a cave room as our hotel for a few nights. Although our room was new, clean and comfortable, it was amazing to occupy a space where people had lived and evolved for thousands of years. Our tour guide, Dora, helped us to really understand and to feel what life was like in the Sassi. The frescoes on the walls of the church and the tour of the Sassi home brought the humanity of the ancient Sassi to life. It was truly incredible."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had an excellent time, and especially loved our guide, Alfio's incredible knowledge and enthusiasm for the history of every area we visited. I learned a huge amount about important episodes in history (the forced move of the Sassi, the discovery of the Paestum ruins, the Jewish Ghetto of Rome, and much more) as we travelled. Traveling in the bus was surprisingly pleasant (I didn't have my usual trouble with motion sickness); and much enhanced by Alfio's humor, history, and music!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swimming in the beautiful, buoyant water of the Adriatic Sea at Vieste and then, days later, in the Tyrrenian Sea off the Amalfi coast. Absolutely peaceful, calm, and so beautiful! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fast paced but excellent. I enjoyed the wide variety of experiences and sightseeing. I also enjoyed the itinerary, which attracted me to this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera was just amazing - and I hadn't expected that to be a wow moment. I knew it would be interesting but it was amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour greatly exceeded our expectations. It was well-organized, educational and fun. A great tour can only happen with an amazing tour guide. Alfio is a resident of Italy and provided us with much info and anecdotes. Food and wine were delicious. All of the visited areas were different from each other with a mixture of small towns and large cities. Our group of 27 mixed well and we enjoyed and cooperated with each other.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We don’t have just one but a wow moment in each area. In Rome, the Capitoline museum. In Vieste, the grottos and narrow streets. In Madera, the caves and our cave hotel. In Paestum, the Greek temples. Amalfi coast,the coastline. In Sorrento the meal with Luigi and Teresa. Pompeii is in its own category of wow. Naples, the archeological museum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall tour experience was amazing. The tour was organized and well planned so we could make the most of time. I appreciated the opportunity to meet local people, learn some Italian and experience the culture beyond seeing the incredible sights. The tour enable me to make memories that I wouldn't have made traveling on my own such as dining in an Italian home. The greatest surprise was the friendships formed with my fellow travelers including our guide. I was truly sad to say goodbye.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I thoroughly enjoyed having a home hosted dinner in Sorrento. It was incredible to meet the family and be welcomed into their home. It felt like I was sitting around my grandparents' dinner table. The food was outstanding. I savored tasting so many local dishes and experiencing a bit of typical family meal. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This was our second RS Tour and there was much more self-directed time than on our first tour. We enjoyed the guide led activities better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's Palace was simply amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

wonderful way to see parts of Italy that are off-the-beaten path

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The shrouded Christ in Naples was the most exceptional... awe-inspiring and enlightening."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Bea was an amazing tour guide. She went the extra mile to provide insight on each of the tour stops and helped us to organize events/transportation for our free time at each stop. Her deep knowledge of the cities we visited and Italy as a whole enhanced the experience as she shared historical and cultural information with us during the long bus rides. She also put together aperativos at several hotels which helped the group to get to know each other and endowed us with a sense of community.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat tour around the Gargano peninsula in Vieste and the boat ride to our hotel in Amalfi were excellent. I also really enjoyed the dinner at the local family's house in Sorrento."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an amazing tour! Our guide, Bea, terrific! She was well organized and made the trip exciting and interesting. We visited many places and had wonderful experiences that we would not have done on our own. We liked the balance between organized touring and free time for exploration. The local guides were all enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and added a lot to our understanding of the places we were visiting. This was our first Rick Steves tour but it won’t be our last!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “wow” moments. One magical moment was sitting at dinner on a terrace in Sorrento looking out over the Bay of Naples at a lightening storm over Mt. Vesuvius. My wife especially enjoyed the group dinner with Luigi and his family in Sorrento and the wonderful conversations that took place with him. We both found Vieste to be a beautiful place and thoroughly enjoyed the boat ride along the Gargano Peninsula and entering numerous grottos. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Had a great time with a great guide and a great group. Covered a lot of Southern Italy territory. Enjoyed the Italian people and the experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera was my favorite experience. The history of what it WAS and how it came to be the delightful place it is now was beyond comprehension. Staying in our "Cave Hotel" was a wonderful experience. Our room was beautiful. The food there was excellent. The surroundings, amazing, like no other place I have ever visited. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was beyond my expectations. From the tour guides at each location, to the sights, restaurants, cities, as well as our head tour guide, Beatrice; every detail was incedible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As a foodie, I must say that the highlight of the tour was the family meal. What an incredibly generous thing for the host family to do. I only wish that I would have had the opportunity to spend the day in their kitchen as the "sous" chef helping them prepare that meal."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enthusiasm of our guide"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My experience was outstanding! Our guide, Bea, was phenomenal. I honestly don't think the tour would have been as successful without her. The organization and the pacing of the tour, was perfect. The balance of tour required time and free time was just right and Bea orientation to each location was extremely helpful. The individual guides really enhanced the tour as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. But if I must, I can narrow it to two. The caves and cave hotel in Matera and the dinner with Luigi and Theresa family in Sorrento. I guess I would give the edge to the dinner in Sorrento. However, there truly were wow moments all along the way."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing tour! and tour guide Beatrice Richichi was wonderful. At every stop, she provided us with unique opportunities, from restaurant recommendations, to taxi rides. So much history on this tour, absolutely wonderful. Areas for improvement - (1) fewer places to stop? we moved so often, that wet laundry didn't have a chance to dry in our hotel room. (2) air quality in Matera hotel caves with a wet spring was not good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dining in Maiori on salt-crusted sea bass while a religious procession walked by. Or wait, maybe the dinner in Sorrento overlooking the Bay of Naples watching a thunderstorm approach Vesuvius. Or dancing and singing on a bridge over the Tiber the night before the tour started."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of South Italy tour was an outstanding experience. We went to so many interesting locations that I would never have thought of visiting. The members of our group were up for anything and our guide was refreshingly entertaining and quite knowledeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is difficult to narrow it down to only one "wow" moment for this trip. Our stay in Vieste and boat trip around the Gargano peninsula was magnificent. I will never forget our self-guided walk from Ravello back to our hotel in Maiori both for the scenery and the distance!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

very good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"it was many … but my favorite was family dinners "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This trip was amazing!!! this was my fifth time in Italy and first time in the south and I'm so glad I selected this tour. I saw so many wonderful places that I'm convinced that I want to go back again to the south to explore more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have so many favorite moments of the tour but my two "Wow" moments were when we were in Matera (specially our room which was a cave) and when we took the boat ride in Vieste."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 3rd Rick Steve's Tour and did not disappoint. We had so many fun experiences, learned a lot and gained different perspectives. All of our guides were phenomenal. We also had time to ourselves and even enjoyed a day at the beach. Meeting like minded people also contributes to the joy of a trip like this. Visiting big sites like Pompeii as well as lesser visited like the water buffalo farm is something we are so grateful for, and the boat ride along the Amalfi Coast and the grottos.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many wow moments we can't pick just one! The boat rides, our cave hotel room, dinner with real Italian family, Pompeii, the sculptures in Naples."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was one if my husband and I best vacations! Our tour guides Ann and Nancy are absolutely the best.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved our dinner with our host family Theresa and Luigi! Absolutely delicious 😋 "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was an extremely rewarding experience.  Our tour guides, Ann and Nancy, were amazing.  They provided interesting cultural insight as well as managing the trip logistics with great professionalism.  Their experience helped us make the most of our free time.  The itinerary, much of which was off the typical tourist route, was scenic, historically significant, and interesting.   Group meals were fun and delicious.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had so many incredible experiences that it is impossible to pick only one.  Local guides brought sights to life, especially Francesca in Rome-Jewish ghetto and Capitoline Museum. The Sassi of Matera and staying in our cave hotel room were remarkable experiences.  The ingenuity and automation at the water buffalo farm gave us a new insight into the production of mozzarella.  Our best group meal was the dinner at the home of Teresa and Luigi in Sorrento.  What incredible food and conversation!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well-organized and I appreciated the places we visited were off the usual tourist path such as Vieste and Matera. The hotels were of the Rick Steves quirky mixed bag variety. Our tour guide Ann was wonderful, knowledgeable after many years of guiding and with a quick wit. Nancy was an excellent asset to our tour as well and I really appreciated the WWII information she shared.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Without doubt, my favorite “wow” moment was having the amazing Francesca as the local guide in Rome for our tour of the Jewish Ghetto and of The Capitoline Museum. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for her city and its history made this a stellar experience. This was my second visit to Rome. Francesca definitely helped me to appreciate Rome far more than I did on my first visit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing mix of cities, natural wonders, history and cultural interaction in the 2-week tour of southern Italy. Great mix of free time with scheduled events and meals. It seemed as if everyone on the tour was really enjoying it. Maybe would have liked a bit more time at the most impressive historical locations, but the 2-day per stay overall format really worked for us, and I would recommend this tour to anyone interested in an overview of southern Italy. Very impressed with the guides, too!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one. Really enjoyed Hadrian's Villa, Paestum, and of course Pompey, Rome, Naples, Salerno and the Amalfi Coast. If you are fit (130 flights total), take the stairs from Minori to Ravello after the Lemon Trail from Maiori. Few tourists on this beautiful path and incredible views along the way, and payoff. No taxi required, just a bottle of water!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour! Sarah Corfield was a well informed, kind and gracious guide. The group had great dynamics. Loved the ability to be together for highlighted tours and yet to have individual time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We arrivied in Matera during an unusual lightening and thunderstorm. I was impressed that Sarah was able to arrange for transportation rather than have participants walked in pouring rain. Once the storm passed, the beauty and history of Matera had an incredible wow factor!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second tour with Rick Steve’s and it was even better than the already wonderful first tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Paestum and the concert before our last dinner in Naples that was a great unexpected surprise! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Definitely exceeded expectations! Every city, hotel, dining experience and local site tour was what I had hoped it would be. Our tour guide Sarah Corfield really made the difference between a great tour and a really exceptional one. Her calm and steady demeanor coupled with her fun sense of humor instilled a sense of confidence that all would go to plan. She also provided the right balance of talk and silence on the bus for me. Very knowledgeable too! Did I mention her fun personality?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many favorites, but the boat tour of the Amalfi Coast from Salerno to Maiori was hard to beat. Special mention: the very fun Napulitanata private concert."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was run very well. Sarah gave good information on the bus. She checked with tour members regularly to see if they needed help with their free time. Sarah encouraged me to engage with locals which elevated my experience. I enjoyed having two nights at each tour stop. It was nice to have the big cities of Rome and Naples at each end of the tour and the small towns in the middle. The small towns were wonderful places with unique experiences that I would never know to visit on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Eating a family style Italian meal at a local Sorrento couple’s house. The vegetables that were part of the antipasti were amazing. The hike to La Belvedere Mugia Timone for the view of the Sassi in Matera"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 2nd tour was just as amazing as our first in 2019. A great guide Sara Corfield. Great local guides and great sights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one. The boat ride along the Amalfi Coast and Matera. Also Teresa’s wonderful meal."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely wonderful tour. Great itinerary and outstanding guide. I took an earlier version of the same tour several years ago and liked it but this version is much improved. Expanded time on the Amalfi coast is perhaps the biggest upgrade. Having two nights in each location makes the trip more enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many it’s impossible to choose just one. Viewing the Roman Forum from the Capitoline Museum while listening to local guide Francesca’s narration of the meaning of the many monuments around us was very moving. On an entirely different note, views of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples from Sorrento was another outstanding moment. The Veiled Christ statue in Naples moved me to tears. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Listening to the guides, dinner at Teresa’s home in Sorrento, experiencing Vieste, boat ride around Capri.. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing thirteen days! We saw and experienced so much history, art, awesome food and delicious wines. Our guide, Sarah, went above and beyond to provide the best tour ever for our group. We had near perfect weather and enjoyed blooming (very fragrant) jasmine in almost every city we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't mention just one. There was so much to see and absorb in Pompei! Vieste was a little gem of a town and going into the caves was thrilling. We actually were there when a Rose Wine Festival was happening. Bonus! My Zen moment was on the chairlift in Anacapri. We had a beautiful day, the ride was beautiful and so quiet... except for the birdsong and we had a lovely lunch at the top with magnificent views."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the mix of large cities and smaller less known towns. Guides were incredibly knowledgeable and brought the places and experiences to life

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to narrow down to one! Boat ride in Vieste, Matera, Pompei, Vatican"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The organization, sites we visited and the staff, including the director

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When some Italian guy fed me enough limoncello to fill a bathtub and asked me to throw away the trash to grab my wife's ass, it was classic Italian; well done. He plays me correctly. I'm still laughing about it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Seeing the smaller cities in Italy allowed our group to experience the culture in an intimate way. The larger cities gave us the experience of the "organized chaos" that was characterized by the hustle and bustle of everyday life in a city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views from Vieste and the Amalfi Coast."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide and all of the local guides were outstanding and gave us a greater understanding of the culture, people and history of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to recall. The entire tour was a "wow.""

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It's not just a tour. It's an eye-opening transformational experience that includes education, beautiful scenery, with organized amenities to make travel as smooth an event as possible - such as wonderful hotels, excellent/safe transportation, and regional food to satisfy every palate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera! Immersing ourselves in the culture, vistas, and lifestyle of ancient Greco/Romans (including sleeping in a cave), with it magnificent walking tour and majestic views (day and nighttime!) - It was all overwhelming and astonishing at the same time. And after a full day of walking and dinner, to have the underground spa at our disposal with steam room and swimming/wading pool (all underneath the hotel). The restaurant was great, and our expert guide (Caterina Moore) just capped it all off!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized and ran on schedule. Packed a great deal in two weeks. Our tour guide Katarina is outstanding and must operate on Red Bull. I have not toured since per covid and since then diagnosed with celiac disease. Needless to say I was quite apprehensive going to the land of pasta. On all meals provided by the tour Katarina was ahead of my needs in every restaurant and at one point grabbed a dish I was severed by mistake. The site guides at different points of interest were all great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The guided tour through Pompeii. The local guide was amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour of southern Italy far exceeded our expectations ! We knew the tour would be good because we did Europe through the back door with Rick Steves in 2010. Our guide Caterina was fantastico! She had so much knowledge and experience that she shared with us. She went above and beyond to make sure that we had the best time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wife and I tried to pick a Wow moment since we got home Every day was a WOW moment ! Our guide , the people , the food , and all the fantastic sites we visited, we’re all WOW moments ! Thank you Rick Steves for helping us experience Italy in a special way. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, punctual time table, great tour buddies, the tour lived up to its expectation and beyond, I loved the South Italy Tour of the Amalfi Coast, so beautiful and full of rich history all included and seen in on the tour with a fleet of outstanding docent guides, good meal experiences and the opportunity to have a family style dinner hosted by Luigi & Theresa at their home, the hotels were great, but some had access issues having to haul luggage up flights stairs to lobby, elev, Room!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many Wows: Seeing Greek ruins “Posteum”, Pompei, experiencing the rich history, art, music in the streets of Roma by a group of musician, such an uplifting and Happy Moment being able to share this with new friends met on tour. It is so incredible that these civilizations were so advanced and developed so many conveniences and infra-structure. How well prepared our tour guide was and the docent tour guides on the museum, Pompei, archeological, vail of Christ, and Roma."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The South Italy tour was my 4th Rick Steve's tour. It was a good tour but not as many special moments as previous tours. For example, on the Scotland tour, we sampled foods on a picnic, regional music was played on bus, and more history shared on bus. Plan ahead for Capri/Blue Grotto. Francesca, the guide at Capitoline is amazing. Would have liked the name games. Overall, it was good. Bea was professional. Tour got rocky start due to Covid issues. Hotels were perfect. Plan to eat a lot of food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera was amazing. Loved how interesting it was! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very interesting and informative , enjoyed every place we visited. Our trip guide Bea and the local site guides were all extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend this trip to anyone with an interest in the history and people of southern Italy.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour had been postponed by us since 2020 and was well worth the wait! It exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide Beatrice was wonderful and I would travel with any of the fellow group members again on future tours. There was a nice balance of archeological sites and seaside activitie The only downside was the threat of Covid that hung over the group. Six members did not join the group because they tested positive before we even left Rome. Thankfully the remaining 21 stayed Covid free.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention -- Ravello on the Amalfi coast, Pompeii, Capitoline Museum in Rome, evening meal with a lovely family in Sorrento. I could go on and on..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was organized. I loved all the places we visited. Our guides at the museums and sites were amazing. Very impressed

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Honestly the first museum we visited, Capitoline Museum and tour of the Jewish Ghetto was fantastic. Francesca did an incredible job. I learned so much and was so moved by her commentary on various aspects of Macus Aurelius and the tour of the Jewish Ghetto. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent variety - from the large cities (Rome & Naples) to the small (Vieste and Matera) with each venue presenting it’s highlights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 2 guided presentations- 1. Francesca in Rome. 2. Gaetanno in Pompeii. Both were presented with passion and the right mix of personal connection. Both were done with "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

covered so much ground, saw so much history with exceptional tour guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The initial sight of the Sassy in Matera was awe inspiring… neolithic era?! Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the tour experience was phenomenal! Loved all the places we visited, the hotels we stayed in, the tour director, the tour guides in the various locations and the bus driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sorrento, Capri and Ravello"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the tour was a great chance to see Southern Italy with an excellent guide and friendly group of people. The hotels were lovely and group dinners memorable for both the food experience and the company of new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We took the Rick Steves shared tour to Capri through Mondo Guide and it was fabulous. It was a beautiful ride on a lovely boat and we enjoyed the island of Capri with its colorful open air taxis and walking paths. The Monte Solaro chairlift at Anacapri was a highlight as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience! I really like our guide, MaryAnna. Maryanna was patient, informative and authentic. She didn’t just know southern Italy, she was southern Italy. I was humbled and inspired by hearing her real life stories of southern Italy. I was also deeply inspired by the sense of pride she had in the region. And she was a great guide providing just as much information as required without being over being. I especially enjoyed our other guides as well all of whom really knew their areas.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My goodness, there were several but I think I especially enjoyed and was dazzled by Matera. I was very unfamiliar with the area and that part of Italy. And we had a great guide in Cosimo. The story of the families living in the caves and frescoes in the cave church were amazing! I also very much enjoyed the boat ride to Maiori. The weather wasn’t great but seeing the rugged and beautiful coast from the sea was fantastic! And i would add Pompeii as our guide, Gaetano made it come alive! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded my expectations. Best tour guide ever.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Buffalo Farm experience-and I’m lactose intolerant! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well done well organizef

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ravello view"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fun group, great guide. I think this tour should be moved to Most strenuous rating. Many up hills and steps. !!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Caves of Matera"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a terrific trip-our guide Mariana was superb and the itinerary was amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to count! Matera, the Amalfi Coast, our farm to table dinner in a private home, the buffalo mozzarella farm, Pompeii, the amazing archeological museum in Naples "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour with our head guide Marianna and great local guides. The logistics were superb.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The family dinner in Sorrento, boating around Capri, and the concert in Naples. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent Itinerary. Plenty of free time. We loved that we had the opportunity to share meals together in many of the cities we visited. We especially enjoyed the group dinner at Teresa and Luigi's home.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera. The way the city is built into the rock and the buildings are stacked and so densely spaced is amazing. It was an amazing site in the evening when all the lights came on. The statue going into Pompei. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about the tour was outstanding--the hotels, our tour guide, and the amazing places we visited!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Pompeii was even more incredible than expected and the local tour guide did such an excellent job of making the place come to life. I can't imagine trying to absorb that experience without someone who could explain everything from before we entered the city until we entered the homes. Breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fantastic trip that included many aspects of Italy that most tourists never even hear about. The cave village of Metara was fascinating. True to advertisement, the local guides were unerringly exceptional and really brought to life cultural nuances that would not be obvious to the casual visitor. We'll be back for more!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the Jewish ghetto of Rome with Francesca. Her keen observations painted a brilliant picture of Italy from past arcing forward to the present."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A very enjoyable time with an amazing tour guide who was personable and approachable. An excellent mix of people who interacted well with each other.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our day trip to Capri"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very enjoyable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visit to Pompey"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The itinerary was fantastic

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going into the grottos was an amazing experience "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Consistent with past Rick Steves tours that I’ve participated in - educational, enlightening, focus on cultural immersion, exceptional quality - that’s why I keep coming back!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tough choice - so much was “wow” - but I guess I’d have to say Matera. To gaze out upon the Sassi which goes back 9,000 years... but most impactful was the realization that people were living there into the 1950s, impoverished and forgotten... Carlo Levi’s mural in the Palazzo Lanfranchi Museum was especially touching and poignant along with his real life photographs that captured the uncertainty and despair reflected in the faces for the world to see,,,"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a very extensive itinerary which was very well managed to allow breaks and excursions during long bus transportation days. The long bus times were kept interesting by a very upbeat and knowledgeable tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat tour off of the coast of Vieste with several different grottos. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful itinerary with magical destinations, our outstanding guide, Caterina, and most local guides, and great primary bus driver (Franco). Group meals were good, especially being hosted by the wonderful family in Sorrento. Good mix of scheduled and free time. Wonderful group of fellow travelers! So many layers of history to discover. Impressive museums and historical sites. A feast of great experiences!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many “Wow” moments! Walking tour of Rome’s Jewish Ghetto, the beautiful Gargano Peninsula and boat ride along the Adriatic Coast to experience the grottos, the charming Trulli houses and lunch at a local shop, amazing, ancient cave dwellings of Matera, water buffalo farm and lunch, gorgeous Greek temples at Paestum, stunning Amalfi Coast, amazing Pompeii, beautiful Sorrento, and finally interesting, gritty Naples. Can’t just name one!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Italy is amazing and Rick Steve’s tours are so well put together, but the culture, history and people were really brought to life by our tour guide Catarina. We had a wonderful time despite the rain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat ride from Vieste along the coast and into the grottos"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was good, we had torrential rain fall on the coast, which we cannot blame the tour for, lol, and some things had to be cancelled but our group was great and although disappointing, everybody took it with grace and carried on. Our guide Alfredo was interesting and gave pertinent history and background but wasn’t overwhelming in his information. He had to leave the tour toward the end and his replacement Rianne(sp?) was also wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The smaller towns like Vieste—thankfully got a boat tour in there—and Matera was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Busy, fun and educational.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" The boat ride along the Gargano coast out of Vieste and going into the caves."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide willing to share his personal insights. Very good accommodations. Tour schedule with local experiences was very rewarding

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Pompeii - blown away by the size of the city and the conservation of the ruins."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Despite the weather, limiting our experiences on the Almalfi coast, it was a wonderful tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Matera and the sites in all the areas. So much history"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experiences and wonderful tour guide. Best group of tour members ever.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A very good experience with excellent local tour guides in Rome, Pompeii and Naples.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Pompeii though I feel the experience would have been even better had we split into 2 groups with 2 local guides."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The overall experience of the Southern Italy tour was what we have come to expect from a RS tour. Excellent guides, places that we would never have dreamed to go to on our own, and great people on the tour. We were disappointed when I came down with COVID at the midpoint of the tour. While we had to leave the tour at that time, we were supplied with excellent support from our guide Alfredo, the Rick Steves office and our fellow travelers. We were able to complete our travels with this support.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Vieste and the blue grottos along the coastline."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour (my fourth) may have been the best yet! Caterina was just a stellar tour guide and the locations we toured were phenomenal in terms of beauty and history. I gained a new appreciation and understanding of the artwork and engineering skills of the ancient Romans and that of the whole region of southern Italy. Francesca our local guide in Rome was also fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many on this tour but a standout was the beauty of the Gorgano (sp.?) Peninsula and the charm of the seaside town of Vieste"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best tour I’ve ever done. The smaller group size made the tour feel less like the herding cattle experience of larger tours. The balance of planned and free time was excellent. Our tour director and local tour guides were outstanding. Staying two nights in each of the destinations made for a much more relaxed experience. The hotels and meals were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Boating along the Gargano coastline on a spectacular day and entering 8 grottos was a huge wow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was much impressed by the excellent planning and organization of this tour. Our guide Caterina was incredibly energetic and organized. She took care of all the details that made this a smooth an enjoyable experience throughout. The itinerary was thoughtfully selected. Hotels were central and very pleasant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour of the Capitoline museum was a top moment for me, with Francesca setting the tone for the whole trip and bringing the collection to life in a way I have not seen in many previous museum tours. The coastal boat trip in Vieste was a close second as an unexpectedly exciting tour of sea caves. The Matera hotel was like a window into a long-past way of living."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was awed by the depth of information we received from the highly qualified guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera was my "wow" visit. I could not believe I had no idea that it even existed, and the story was so interesting and compelling."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was what I expected from a Rick Steves tour. Sixth one and all have been consistent with good guides and the right amount of free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stay in Matera. No alterations on outside of buildings preserve the visual past of the city. Seeing multiple grottoes in Vieste during a sunny day which allowed multiple different colors to be displayed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was everything that was explained in the itinerary and then some. Our lead guide and the city guides were very knowledgeable and really shared their passion for their region, the art, the food, everything. It was a lot of walking, but we were prepared. I would call it more of an adventure rather than a vacation. It was a lot of learning, busy days (even when we had free time), relaxing bus rides, beautiful country side and coast lines. Awesome!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments. It is difficult to choose one. Seeing the historical sites really got to me - in ancient Rome and in Pompeii. Seeing the art work, mosaics, and sculptures of the famous and unfamous in various museums, in the many churches, and the Veiled Christ in Cappella Sansevero, really wowed me, and I am not even what you would call a person interested in art. The coastlines and the towns along them on the Gargano coast and the Amalfi coast - just beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about our tour was outstanding, beginning with our guide, Caterina. She is passionate about her adopted country, knowledgeable about its history, geography and culture, and her buoyant spirit made our tour fun and special in so many ways helping to bond our group into a real community The food and drink were excellent, the hotels clean and comfortable, the pace and rigor very manageable, the local tours led by guides well-versed in the particularities of their town or locale.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many: Being guests of a delightful & welcoming Sorrento family who prepared a delicious meal for us; learning about the cave-dwelling Sassi people in Matera and the transformation of that community (and southern Italy in general); the boat ride along the coast of the Gargano peninsula & ducking into its colorful grottos; experiencing the colorful chaos of Naples! Pizza! Pasta! Gelato!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding tour with a great guide and good driving skills of a driver, comfortable lodging. I was impressed by the updated bathrooms in the hotels we stayed at. Last year’s lodging in Greece was disappointing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wows moments. Matera and a boat ride to see the grotto. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip to Southern Italy gave us the opportunity to see and learn about the history of the Roman Empire and this important region, so the area is amazing in and if itself. Add to that an excellent guide like Caterina Moore, knowledgeable local guides, amazing scenery, and fellow travelers who added so much to the journey, and you have a trip that exceeded our very high expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Pompeii was an incredible experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour experience, and it was a great. We saw and learned so much on this tour! Actually this tour made me want to do more Rick Steve tours. Our guide, Caterina Moore was excellent. She was knowledgeable, fun, and a joy to be around. She was attentive to the needs of the group and always ensuring that we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I read other "wow" moments from RS travelers before I went on the tour and now, I understand why it is so hard to pick one. Although I enjoyed visiting Vieste and seeing the sunrise over the Adriatic Sea and thought the Buffalo Farm, Tenuta Vannulo was a lot of fun, I was intrigued by Matera. It is just so beautiful and unusual, especially at night when it is lit and of course its history. So interested in this town, I ordered the book Christ stopped at Eboli because I wanted to learn more."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The South of Italy tour was magical. Everything fell in place for a wonderful 2 week adventure. We explored so many new places and learned so much about the history and culture of each area. Our hotels were unique and not cookie-cutter. The wine, cheese, pasta, dolce and pizza were top-notch. We even had a few surprises. Caterina was a fantstic guide as well as all of our local guides in Rome, Matera, and Pompeii. The many relationships Caterina has built with the locals made us feel special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many WOW moments to choose from but my favorite was the boat ride on the Gargano Penisula. The Adriatic coastline with the many grottoes and coves, was breathtaking. We even saw some dolphins. It is such a pristine and non-touristy area and the beauty was awe-inspiring. Blue skies and turquoise sea!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The ancient history was brought alive by the quality of guides (Capitoline Museum, Pompeii, Naples' National Archeological Museum). Caterina was absolutely outstanding, constantly focused on her group's needs.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the Gargano Peninsula."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized. No feeling of pressure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hotel in Matera"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything went very smoothly on this whole tour. The itinerary is just fanatic with a great mix of museums, history, hiking, churches, beaches, Food & Wine, ruins, shopping, scenery, farms, Cliffs, grottos and graffiti. We got both the country and the city. Caterina led our wonderful group and enhanced not only this tour, but my entire appreciation of all things Italian!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Naples/Napoli was full of energy and excitement. The pizza/wine/pasta were amazing. The streets and alley ways were all decorated for their futbol team. Their team clinched the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years. The scene was beautiful, everyone/everything decked out in Napoli’s colors. Victory fireworks went off at 4 different locations for a solid 2 hours all around the city center. The streets were partying until 4 AM. The next day all the locals were SO happy to be champs!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Seeing Italy beyond Venice Rome and Florence was thrilling. The tour was perfectly scripted and met my every expectation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sleeping in a cave in Matera"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nina and the local guides were excellent and the tour was the perfect mix of group and free time.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves advice to your members is to become a “merry band of travelers…”. After 15 RSE tours, I have found this to be mostly aspirational. However, on this tour, Nina Bernardo actually melted down the barriers between her members with her quick sense of humor, easy laugh and technical expertise. Nina is an exceptionally successful guide. The

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Entering and then successfully exiting the limestone caverns on the Gargano Peninsula."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nina was a wonderful guide - very knowledgeable, kind and so enthusiastic about Italy. I especially loved her great laugh!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the statues of the Veiled Christ and the Disinganno fisherman in Naples. Amazing. I also really enjoyed the boat ride along the Amalfi Coast which took us into caves/grottos. It was fun and surprising that the boat captain could navigate in narrow, rocky spaces. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide, the food, the sites were incredible. All consistent with Rick Steves' tours I've taken in the past.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a lot but the one that makes the top of my list is the statue "The Veiled Christ" in the Museo Capella San Severo in Naples. It rates with the best works of art I've seen."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day is a good day in Southern Italy. The itinerary was great with a good mix of busy days and relaxing days. Nina was a spectacular guide. All the local guides were A+ with Francesca in Rome leading the pack. The group was very congenial and coalesced beautifully.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The grotto visits in Vieste, Matera at night. Dinner with Luigi and Teresa. And the cab ride from the hotel in Naples to the airport (Yes…I’m aware it wasn’t technically part of the tour)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We truly enjoyed the tour. The balance between the group time and time on our own was perfect. We loved the hotels and transfers already set for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The buffalo mozzarella farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Better than I had expected. My first Rick Steves tour and it was fabulous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The history lessons while in route to our destinations on the bus. Nena had great knowledge of the history of Italy."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Because of our wonderful guide, Sarah, and the itinerary incorporating local guides, every day was exciting. Sarah's choice of music on the bus added flavor to what we were seeing and learning, and I loved her stories of contemporary Italy as well as the historical highlights she gave us on the bus and as we wandered. All hotels were good - especially the views from the rooms once we left Rome. I learned more than I expected - like a university course on Greek and Roman history and art history

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Local guide Francesca in Rome gave us a way to understand Italy by incorporating the layers of history into the present - it was eye-opening ... Greek myths, Italian movies, great artists, war, a new understanding that I'll take with me wherever I go"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the itinerary, starting and finishing in Rome and Naples, visiting lesser-known places along the way. Our guide, Sarah, was exceptional; the weather was great, the tour group convivial. The local experiences – the Vieste boat ride, the buffalo mozzarella dairy, the gelato shop – add so much value to the trip, and the local guides are outstanding. The group dinners, with one notable exception, were very good, and it was nice to have luggage transported a few times. Excellent tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So hard to choose – the grotto visits in Vieste, seeing Matera at night from the belvedere, Paestum in the sunshine, the chairlift to Montesolaro on Capri, dinner with Luigi and Teresa and their family in Sorrento, the super-twisty narrow road along the Amalfi Coast, the Lemon Walk on Maiori. Honestly, this trip was filled with wow moments. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

They should rename this The Rick Steves' Best of South Italy "Nothing is Flat" Tour! Gaining calves of steel is only a minor bonus when compared to the incredible views offered at each of these amazing locations. We never could have managed to cover this much ground on our own, or have had the connections to have such wonderful experiences along the way. Our knowledgeable guides (Hi Sarah C. and Vanessa!) were amazing and ensured that we were prepared and felt confident every step of the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's so hard to pin down one "wow" moment, but Matera was absolutely stunning throughout. I'm astonished at the amount the tour was able to pack into just two days there - it feels like we were there much longer for how much love I have for the location. I cannot recommend watching night fall over your sassi enough. The way everything glows at night is something I won't soon forget."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded my expectations. Will definitely return to another Rick Steves' tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing frescos that were over 2000 years old and still rich in color and detail. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sarah Carfield our tour guide took us to all the great places. Everything went smoothly and the weather was perfect

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really liked Sorrento "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sarah, our guide, was outstanding. The tour group was friendly and it was a very comfortable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of Pompeii was absolutely amazing. The local guide made it come alive. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour far exceeded our expectations! It was all fascinating from the tour in Rome, the buffalo farm experience to the cave hotel room. We thoroughly enjoyed all of our guides & our fellow travelers. Sara was exceptional as well as the tour guide in Rome & Pompeii!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely Pompeii!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Naples. The city had so much energy on the streets plus the Capella Sansevero and the Archaeological Museum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Sarah as well as the local guides we’re knowledgeable and helped the history of our sites come alive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii and traveling in Southern Italy."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized! It was the right amount of on our own time and group activities. I loved getting to know our tour members. It was a part I had not expected to enjoy but it was fun to interact and build relationships.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first “wow” moment was the boat ride in Vieste when we went into several grottos. It was a beautiful sunny day and the scenery was magnificent. The second was the live concert, Napulitanata, in Naples. It was so intimate and beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The highlights for me were staying in Vieste, a fabulous dinner in Matera, and Pompei with Gaetano (and a visit to the National Archeological museum in Naples. Beatrice Richichi was a fabulous tour guide the entire trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompei with Gaetano."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Southern Italy tour with Beatriac Richichi was outstanding.I was surprised at every moment of the tour with Bea's knowledge of the history and present knowledge of each stop on the tour. The hotels and restaurants were great and very helpful. Bea helped with directions to different spots and showed consideration to all members. I would take another tour with Bea.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "WOW" moment was staying in a cave in Sassi. One of the oldest inhabited cities in the world was a place of awe and wonderment. The home cooked meal in Sorrento was a look into Italian daily living and delicious food. The boat trip in Viestie was a surprising adventure and so much fun. In Alberobella, the unusual cone homes and the wine an cheese tasting. Buffalo farm and making of mozzaarella cheese was interesting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall Experience was amazing. The tour itself was spot on! Loved staying two night in places. Our tour Guide Beatrice made everything easy and comfortable. She really went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a great time. The time away from the group was a great idea and needed. We enjoyed our private time. Beatrice encouraged us to do things on our own. Loved it! We got lost and then we were found. The experience changed the way I have always traveled (NOT in a group). EXCELLENT!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The WOW Moment for me was having dinner at the local's house. I literally cried when we left. We had authentic, food, conversation and laughs. It made me feel Italian. I also enjoyed our Guide Beatrice VERY VERY Much! Pompei was a lot more than I thought it would be and the guide was super cool, funny and informative. You can tell he really loves his job!"

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

The Southern Italy tour is not a good value. The itinerary does not capture the wonder of southern Italy. Four of the 13 days were unscheduled. Promoted experiences and sites such as the Naples Archaeology museum were not available. Long hours on the bus with long breaks. There was not a cultural event. I provided our guide with names and emails of people who could perform music or dance. No Rick Steves book with the tour destinations sites except for the cities of Rome and Naples/Amalfi coast.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii was breathtaking. Loved the tour guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was so capably led by Bea, the destinations very interesting and the tour in general well organized. We felt it was really good value for the money too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing "The Veiled Christ" in the small privately owned Cappella Sansevero museum in Naples. The workmanship was mind-blowing, but it was the emotional impact I especially wasn't expecting, that was my favorite "wow" moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great it was a great experience to see Rome Italy through the eyes of an Italian! Baea brought the energy and love of Italy to the whole experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything I saw and experienced was a wow The most memorable was at Scala visiting a ceramic shop a gentleman came out and asked American? We nodded and followed him He brought out the American flag wrapped around him all smiles and said One Day I will come there!! It’s quite moving that no matter our American warts people still see our country as a beacon of opportunity!! That’s why traveling gives those insights So keep on traveling "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an excellent tour, as always. Vieste and Matera were nice contrasts to the hustle & bustle of Rome and Naples. I really enjoyed the non-touristy areas. I think we were the only Americans in Vieste at the time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Matera caves and the "family" dinner in Sorrento. Strolling in Maiori at dusk was awesome as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing tour that included beautiful small towns and archaeological sites I never would have traveled to on my own. A nice variety of activities where included from a scenic boat ride and wine tasting to walking tours and museums. The tour had a nice balance of large city and small village experiences that went beyond the standard tourist sites and is great for travelers who have previously visited Italy and want to explore its history and landscape even more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera was my favorite town that we visited, so different from any place I've been before and the history there, amazing! The biggest "wow" moment came when visiting the Cappella Sansevero, in Naples, and viewing the incredible statues, especially the breathtaking Veiled Christ."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed all the cities. Our guides, Ann Long and Deborah were knowledgeable and helpful. Ann has a wonderful sense of humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have to say that of all the fantastic things we experienced Pompeii had to be at the top of the list. What a treasure. They had just opened a new house/villa in Pompeii to visitors after 15 years of working on it and were able to go through it. Pretty spectacular and pictures do not do it justice. What an experience to walk the streets and visit the homes in this old Roman city. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ann Long made the trip!!!! Wow - because of her I will never forget southern Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Veiled Christ sculpture by Sanmartino in Naples was my miracle - I will never forget that sight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was fantastic. Both of the RS guides are first rate. It was a magical trip. Every single day was better than the day before.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First thing that comes to mind is dinner at Theresa in Luigi’s. There are just no words. It was like being with my family it filled my heart."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I love getting a walking tour to familiarize myself with the new city. I enjoyed learning about the culture. The balance between guided time and free time was perfect

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Francesca's tour of Rome and The Blue Grotto on Capri"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An outstanding tour and one that I would recommend to anyone wanting to see Italy

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several "wow" moments: The Capitoline Museum, Paestum, Alberobello, Pompeii, the Archeological Museum in Naples, the Amalfi Coast"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized and relevant. Smaller more interesting hotels. Plenty of room on the bus. Our tour guide was very good at communicating what to expect at each step, withou providing too much information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Borghese Gallery. Walking tour of Rome with Francesca. Tour of Pompeii. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the combination of exploring history, art, natural beauty, Italian culture, food, and making new friends. I loved the planned activities that offered me opportunities to learn and experience that I would not be able to do on my own. I liked the free time to sketc and journal so that my heart could really connect with the country. Our Guide Ann Long was so laid back and fun. Since she lives in Italy as an American which makes her so relatable and inspiring me to look at living in Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the boat tour up the Amalfi Coast. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Wonderful. Ann was a great tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii. Loved discovering this progressive ancient city and absolutely loved our local guide Gaetano."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall tour was well organized, included everything stated plus some.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Ann Long, was fantastic in taking care of our group, and me in particular especially with regard to food issues. I have a gluten allergy, and for religious reasons do not eat pork or shellfish. Ann went above and beyond in arranging for each restaurant to provide me gluten free items that were excellent - - I was the envy of the others in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The dinner hosted by the family friends of Ann's - - they were so gracious and welcoming, and the local dishes they prepared for us were amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The lighthouse at Anacapri"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve’s tour. I have been on other tours before but this tour was outstanding in comparison. The tour guide, the local tour guides and the itinerary provided me with an excellent experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but a few include the expertise of the local tour guides who brought museums and locations visited to life. Spending an evening with a local family was also a wonderful and unique experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have been long term Rick Steves followers we enjoyed his PBS shows, Monday Night travel and his travel books using them extensively in previous years. As Rick Steves tour newbie’s we were not sure what to expect. We liked the Covid safety protocols. The tour exceeded all of our expectations. Our primary tour guide was wonderful. The city guides really brought Europe to life. The accommodations and transportation were excellent. We are recommending Rick Steves Tours to all of our friends!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Vieste for location, sheer beauty and a unbelievable hotel room view and Pompeii for the outstanding tour provided by our enthusiastic guide."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"interesting historic sites with good local guides Vieste boat ride on Adriatic was the WOW"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was equal to our past experiences on RS Tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary on the Amalfi Coast. Our Tour Guide arranged for us to have a special dinner at a restaurant that had excellent food and a view of the Maiori night lights. Second to that would be the boat trip we took in Vieste, which toured the coast and took us into many Grottos."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was billed as one of the more strenuous tour and it certainly was. It was a good thing it only rained one day because some of the terrain would have been very slippery. That said I did do the lemon walk and the trek to castle St. Elmo for some spectacular views of Napoli. Our group was wonderful. It was nice to have our bags brought to our room and there was wine at the meals. The sites were unique and mind boggling, tour guides as expected where very knowledgeable. Came home happy but tired.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a lot of wow moments on the trip. So picking out a favorite is hard. I would say it is a toss up between the Greek ruins in Paestum and the incredible carving of the statue of the veiled Christ."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour was a good one. But, did not enjoy as much as the three previous Rick Steves tours we have taken. Primarily, I felt it did not rise to the same level as others due to the bus, guide and accommodations that were better on all three of the prior tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the Capitoline Museum and especially Francesca who offered an inspired and insightful description of many pieces focusing on the time dimension that is frequently overlooked."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

The tour was strenuous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting home and getting covid"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is the only area in Italy we have not been, and it was just breathtaking. Beyond what we expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As the sassi in Matera came into view as we entered the old town. It was just astounding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mariana is a pro guide. There were some wrinkles along the way (Covid cases, Rocky boat weather) and she smoothly got thru all the arrangements for them. I liked the mix of city and small town experiences. I felt like I got a very accurate taste of southern Italy life!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Believe it or not, I loved the Buffalo Mozzarella farm! Of course Matera was great, but I never would have seen that farm without Rick and his crew looking for totally off the path places! We also loved the solitude of the chairlift ride from Capri to Anacapri to the top. Beautifully view. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Marianna was fantastico!!!! This tour like any other Rick Steves' tour is well organize and the structure allows free time to explore on your own

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Matera. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the South Italy Tour. An incredible experience of history, scenery, food and wine led by a caring and knowledgeable guide that truly enhance the experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several, however I have to call out beautiful Matera. Had never heard of the city before and the history of the city and its caves was truly heartbreaking and remarkable. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our experience was wonderful, yet we should have paid more attention to the strenuous warnings in the description. We walked an average of 6.5 miles a day, with many stairs and hills. You need to be in good shape to take part in this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were Wow moments at every turn. Local guides were amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned. Guides were highly knowledgeable and professional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner in an Italian home! Guided walk through Pompeii. Gary’s o was a superb guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall great trip. A good variety of big and smaller towns. Good mix of group time and free time. Alfio was a fantastic guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going up the chairlift at Anacapri on Capri and seeing the 360 degree island view from the top! The whole day from the ferry from Sorrento to the island, the convertible taxi ride to Anacapri town on winding switchback roads, the lunch up there and champagne at the top were all a highlight. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our fourth Rick Steves Italy Tour and like the other three this one was a wonderful experience. We felt very fortunate to have Alfio as our guide. His knowledge, humor and efficiency created a wonderful tour. The tour was expertly designed and managed with a rich blend of experiences that highlighted the treasures of Southern Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For us, our “Wow Moments” were the time we spent with the intelligent and passionate local guides (particularly the incomparable Francesca) who demonstrated a wealth of knowledge about the history, art, and culture of Italy. They pushed our thinking and left us wanting to learn more."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There were a lot of amazing historical sites on the tour coupled with fun excursions like gelato and mozzarella making demonstrations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Matera's landscape and the unexpected contrasting shopping area were very surprising. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day was different and extraordinary! From the gorgeous aqua waters and grottos of the Adriatic, to the incredible hues of blue and pastels of the Amalfi Coast! I had a truly amazing time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The most exciting and memorable moments happened from the chairlift on the Isle of Capri. When I hopped off the lift at almost 2000 feet at the top, I was absolutely mesmerized by the 360 degree views of the curving edge of the cobalt blue Mediterranean Sea from the rugged Sorrento Peninsula to majestic Mt. Vesuvius to the huge ivory sprawl of the gritty city of Naples!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip was a delight from beginning to end. We enjoyed the company of a wonderful group of fellow travelers and an exceptional guide, Alfio Di Mauro. His pride in and love of his home country, coupled with his encyclopedic knowledge of Italian history and culture as well as his personal charm and humor made the tour for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to count but the unspoiled delight of Vieste and the tour of its grottos was a highlight. We have to mention the incredibly enriching, thought provoking tour of the Capitoline Museum and Jewish Ghetto of Rome with Francesca and our guide Gaetano who brought history to life at Pompeii."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Informative, fun, challenging and inspiring!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but Rome holds my heart for its ancient history. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably to many to mention in this short space"

Our tour guide, Ann Long, was terrific! She was knowledgeable, friendly, funny and always helpful. We were all in awe of (and thankful for) our driver’s amazing skills maneuvering the narrow, winding steep roads of southern Italy. The sights, sounds and tastes of Rome, Vieste, Matera, Māori, Sorrento, Naples and everywhere in between were amazing and unforgettable. Our tour group was interesting, friendly and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many from the amazing art, preserved structures and ruins in Rome, the serenity of Vieste, the beauty of Māori, the pampered water buffalo that produce the milk for buffalo mozzarella, the stark contrast of modern Matera to the “Sassi” below and the fascinating ruins and history of Pompei. Once you descend into the “Sassi” in Matera and hear of its history, you can’t help but say “WOW”."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The food, the history and the guides were all outstanding. We saw so many amazing towns and ruins and learned so much about Italy and Italian culture, it’s hard to explain how incredible Southern Italy is.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of the pizza. Every single pizza, even the gas station pizza is better than pizza in the States."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We rate this tour as one of our top vacations ever! Ann Long is an excellent guide, with intelligent, updated information, always concerned for our safety, and a great "cat herder" keeping us all together, while allowing us to stray a bit when we found something interesting. This tour was amazing and very educational, which we loved. We travel to learn something, enjoy the local cultural differences, and the sights did not disappoint.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "wows" packed into this tour, where to start? We were amazed at St. Peters Basilica discovering what the largest church in the world is about and amazed with the art and sculptures. Another was the Gargano Peninsula and the boat ride along the coast while taking the boat into the grottos made for an unexpected surprise, especially since the weather did not allow us to go to the blue grotto on Capri. Another "wow" was staying in a hotel cave room in Matera! Many more to describe."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Ann Long was an excellent guide, my 9th with RS. She was so much better than my Ireland guide, Roxanne Stringer who was completely sub-standard. I was very pleased with Ms. Long. She is the kind of guide intelligent, well-informed, thoughtfu and personable l guide I expect to get with RS.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii and the guide there, Gaetano, were excellent. He set me up for really getting alot out of the Naples Arch. Museum. I also thought I learned a great deal from Francesa in Rome. she explained sculpture to me as I never knew it before. I will see sculptures differently now! And the food was great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved the whole experience. We visited towns and cities in Southern Italy that were totally new to us (except Rome and Naples) and loved the sights, sounds and the learning we had along the way. Our tour guide, Sarah Corfield, we OUTSTANDING and shared so may of her personal experiences to truly bring everything to life.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many WOW moments that it's hard to pick our just one - but if have to, I'd say the visit to Matera where we had a hotel in a cave was certainly beyond anything we had expected. That whole town and exploring the Sassi with our local guide was a genuine WOW moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The history of Rome, Hadrian's Villa, Pompeii, and the Archeological Museum in Naples wove together to create a coherent thread from the beginning of the tour to the end. Every stop on the tour provided more context to develop a much deeper understanding and appreciation of Italy generally, and this part of Italy specifically.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The combination of Pompeii and the Archeological museum in Naples was very powerful. The group dinner at Teresa and Luigi's home was unforgettable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing artifacts from Pompeii at the Archeological Museum in Naples after visiting Pompeii."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I was very happy with the tour. Our guide (Sara) was excellent and the pace and information were also excellent. I am not a big fan of the cooking demonstrations but did enjoy the pasta making demonstration in Viete. It was quick, informative and I enjoyed the chef's story about learning from his nana.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We went to a number of great places, but I was unaware of Matera. and I have to say, this was my favorite place because of the history of the area and the hotel we stayed in."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing, educational, fun, memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's Villa, standing on the overlook with a 360-degree view and seeing Rome in the distance. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved our tour and guide, Sarah Corfield, she was terrific. The local tour guides were also wonderful and made some of the tours way more interesting than we anticipated. The cities/towns we visited were very special. Particularly Vieste, Sorrento and Maiori. All very memorable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say my special WoW moments we’re visiting Vieste, Sorrento and Maiori. They were so pretty and very special places to me. Even though it rained most of our time in Maiori and I didn’t get to go to Positano, the Amalfi coast was beautiful "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sarah Corfield was an excellent guide. Everybody in the group was enjoyable to be with. We had some very good meals throughout the tour and all the hotels were quite nice. Overall a very fun and interesting experience that we would highly recommend to all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sassi in Matera"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour with nice people, great tour guides, and wonderful sights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably Matera. Loved Vieste too, which was beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I am still overwhelmed by the intensity of the “Southern Italy” tour. The stunning breadth of history- bc to present, the crowds, the number of staircases and wobbly cobblestones navigated and the wealth of info and perspective offered by our tour and local guides, leaves me with a great deal to process.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Theresa and Luigi’s genuine warmth, hospitality and the sheer number of dishes during the dinner in their home feel like one of the special gifts of a Rick Steves tour. The “Veiled Christ” sculpture is another “wow”."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was enlightening, exhausting, exhilarating and full of unexpected experiences. This was our 7th Rick Steve's tour and the 4th time visiting parts of Italy. The south of Italy is a very special place. Each place we stayed was unique with surprising things to experience. The food was delicious and different everywhere we stopped along the way. It was great to be able to see some other regions of Italy and that are part of my heritage.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "Veiled Christ" marble sculpture in Naples was a stand out. Words can barely describe it. Another wow moment was seeing the amazing artifacts from Pompeii in the Archeological Museum after experiencing the Pompeii ruins."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our overall experience was great! We had some challenges as my husband hurt his knee while we were there. Our guide Marianna was very helpful with suggestions on modifying walks (taking taxis to museums to meet us) etc. we had Ann to start the tour and then Marianna, and both were excellent!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into old town Matera, also the views in Vieste. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were with a wonderful group and had two great guides. Each day was loaded with "wow" moments: the art, the food, the architecture, the people. Each local guide was passionate about their area and it showed. We enjoyed having the free time to go exploring on our own and we were given the tools to feel confident in doing so. I had been a little nervous about Naples but by the time we got there, I was ready. It was chaotic with the traffic and noise but we loved and embraced it! "Gritty" is FUN!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into the Sassi in Matera was awe-inspiring. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. The family dinner in Sorrento was a highlight. Teresa and Luigi were so welcoming and the food and wine was plentiful and out of this world! And I will always remember Pompeii in the pouring rain! We practically had the place to ourselves."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was very good organized and very interesting

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour with Francheska "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Family dinner in Sorrento and Neapolitan songs Concert in Naples."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Vieste and Matera were true "wow" moments. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Andrea was a knowledgeable and skilled guide who not only led us confidently through Italy, she also expertly herded cats (aka the tour group). All stops were fantastic and tours were passionately and well led. 5 of 5 stars!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Matera for the first time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What an adventure! Our guide Andrea was perfect to lead this challenging itinerary as we ate and drank our way through Southern Italy. The weather was perfect for grotto-seeking boat rides, city tours and tours of history-laden sites. This is advertised as a strenuous walking tour, and it is. We have already booked Germany/Austria/Switzerland for next fall, and hope that Andrea is our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pompeii. I had no idea how many of our “modern” conveniences were perfected by the residents of this coastal town. Our local guide Gaetano was careful to balance his description of these marvels with the sobering thought that they were built by slaves of the Roman Empire. My husband’s “wow” moment was the statue of The Veiled Christ in Naples’ San Severa Chapel. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Andrea Wolf, did a wonderful job. She showed appropriate attention to our health and safety. All was perfectly arranged and we were surprised and delighted by the adventure of touring Southern Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to ancient Matera, and accommodations in the limestone caves. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had eagerly anticipated this trip to southern Italy, which was our sixth RSE tour. It was wonderful! Andrea, our amazing guide, did an excellent job of keeping us safe and making sure we didn't miss any of the places and experiences we had so looked forward to over the past three years and many Monday Night travel shows later.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments on this trip. The excellent local guides in Rome (Francesca) and Pompeii (Gaetano) made those sites come alive. An absolutely picture perfect day on the Isle of Capri and the breathtaking view of the Amalfi Coast from Ravello are right up there too. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Trip of a life time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each day was amazing. Rich Steves South of Italy tour was extra special. From the grotto boat tour on the Adriatic Coast to the Napulitanata music concert in Naples. All so fabulous."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt our guide, Andrea, was excellent. She was very knowledgeable about the area, and was very helpful when small problems arose with individual travelers over the course of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was looking especially forward to the Greek temples at Paestum, and they didn't disappoint. "