Best of Tuscany in 11 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First, a great group of people, a great tour guide in Eleanora, and a great driver in Rodolpho made this trip a pleasure. I especially enjoyed the castle and the fortress and the agriturismo where we stayed. History from the Etruscans through World War II was included, and the hermits' cave was fascinating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The American Military Cemetery outside of Florence and the Gothic Line tour and guide were impactful. One of my favorite days was when almost everyone went to the Mediterranean, and I stayed behind and had the agriturismo pretty much all to myself. What a joy! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This being my first trip to Italy, I wanted to experience as much of Tuscany and the Tuscan culture, as possible. The tour was organized to do just that: cities and towns, museums ands art, cathedrals and architecture, cuisine and local food production and artisanal crafts. The accommodations provided the comfortable transportation and the knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide made the your exceptional... beyond expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many... But seeing the cathedrals and architecture for the first time took my breath away. The Doumo and the cathedral in Siena particularly..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing tour lead by an incredible guide! We were so impressed with the selected cities and sites.All the local guides provided important context for what we were seeing. Immersive experiences like seeing a mosaic or alabaster carving demonstration, wine tastings, pasta making, olive oil pressing, even listening to a performance of several Puccini arias heightened our appreciation for the culture. We were blessed with fabulous weather and tour mates. Who could ask for more? Bravo!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The central cathedral of Sienna was mind blowing. Also its progressive history in terms of one of the earliest hospitals if not the first in Italy, its care for the elderly and orphans was fascinating. But let's not forget its annual Palio horse race, which continues to this day. Just a fascinating and beautiful city!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was such a treat to get to focus in on the Tuscany region...there is so much diversity here! A special part of this tour were the unique "hotels". Between the traditional nice quality family-run hotels at the beginning and end of the tour, the Castle, Fort and Ranch/Animal Sanctuary were fantastic! Local guides were all splendid and overall guide Ella was the perfect balance of knowledge, kindness, positive energy and care for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ella arranged for an intimate performance with a fantastic singer & accompanist for our final night. Beautiful Puccini arias, sung & played by tremendous musicians (as a professional classical musician I really appreciated their talents). At the end of Silvana's final aria (from "Turandot") our tour group let out a gasp as her character commits suicide...exactly what Puccini composed for the chorus in the opera to do! It was amazing to hear this unplanned audience reaction from our group!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience was outstanding and a wonderful value for the price. Our Tour guide, Eleonora was outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Eleonora was a WOW through out the trip. The Etruscan archeological sites, both public and private, staying in castles, cooking classes and WWII cemetery and Borgo A Mozanno town visit. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of life's high points!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A 'lengthy' high! The attempt to bring the Renaissance to life."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good tour, liked that it was small. There is room for improvement.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Did the Tuscany in 11 days tour. The food and experiences were outstanding. There was more food than I could ever eat! The lodgings were top notch. The local guides were wonderful and knowledgeable. I felt like we got to see and experience things that I never would have gotten to traveling ony own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to stay in a 14th century castle"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Each tor stop was unique. Our guide was great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views in Volterra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great overall experience! From start to finish it exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to choose, there were so many! It was probably getting to stay in a castle built in the 300's. To climb the top of the tower, to see the views and hear the long and storried history. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

While this is our 1st tour ever, I cannot imagine traveling with any group other than Rick Steves! From fun local guides to out-of-the ordinary experiences, the Tuscany tour was foodie heaven!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The food, the wine, the inclusions, the people- Our favorite was definitely the Castello di Gargonza! WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Tuscany tour through Italy was the perfect combination of adventure, culture, cuisine and education. Our tour guide was outstanding packing our days with the perfect blend.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would be impossible to select one - from the magnificence of the Siena Duomo to rounding the corner of a perfectly nestled hill town to watching mosaic artisans crafting the most amazing art. The veterans memorial was also amazing and heartfelt. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything we expected and more! We had a wonderful group of fellow travelers and enjoyed our shared experiences throughout Tuscany. Our guide, Elenora, was a delight! Always energetic, knowledgeable and pure FUN. The local guides were incredible and really helped us to understand the local culture and sights we were seeing. We felt we had an excellent mix of tour time and free time. There were also many additional excursions, meals, and aperitivo's that we were did not expect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many that is hard to decide which one was the best. For me (Heidi) it would be seeing the city of Pitigliano for the first time. It is truly breath taking. For my partner (Will) it would be, touring Lucca and the environment that it offered. What a great way to end this wonderful trip. One unexpected moment that was "wow" for us, was when Elenora sang and danced with a local musician at the Tuscan Butteri ranch. She made the evening so very fun for the entire group."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour went above and beyond my expectations, with unique experiences, outstanding tour guides, excellent lodging choices and a nice number of participants in the tour group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh so many wow moments - but I would say it was the view of Pitigliano from the winding, hairpin turns to a sudden view of this city of a huge cliff! This visit of the old, medieval city had me truly feeling wonderment. Its history - from the Etruscans to the Jewish Ghetto - was so amazing and not something most tourists would see."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Italy is fabulous and so was this tour. I loved the small towns the most.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A walk through Pitigliano in the rain. We had the place to ourselves."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Lucca was the last stop in our tour, and both the city and weather (early October) were beautiful. Earlier in the tour it was overcast and/or rainy so not so great. Tour guide was exceptional and did a great job informing and entertaining our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking along the ramparts in Lucca on a sunny afternoon, enjoying the company of my fellow humans (mostly non-Americans)"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fun tour of Florence and the rest of Tuscany. Eleanora was terrific. She was knowledgeable, funny and a great leader who set the tone for the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Etruscan necropolis near Sovana. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RS tour. With all that I've read and heard of these tours, my expectations were high! Our guide Eleonora was outstanding! She was informative, gracious, funny and very good and herding cats! Tour bus driver was also outstanding. With all the winding roads we always felt safe. Hotels, food provided, clear directions for each day made this trip easy to navigate. Additionally the other travelers on this tour made our experiences memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "wow" moments...Pitigliano and Voltera were my favorite cities. High on the hills, you can see the country side and beyond. History of both towns was something I hadn't known. I adored the architecture of the buildings. Our Local Guides were beyond informative in all of our tour stops. And the food - oh Italy's food is outstanding. Getting off the beat and path we found some fun little spots to eat. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ella is an outstanding fun guide. Our fellow travelers were also wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The recently discovered Etruscan ruins were remarkable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Of the 15 RS tours this group was one of the most congenial. As usual, we had an outstanding guide and nice variety of education, group time and independent time.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful tour director and a very congenial fantastic group of people to travel with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Hermitage, the Roman ruins in Volterra and the Etruscan ruins"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time doing a guided tour. This was an excellent choice... using Rick Steeves and visiting Tuscany. First class tour all-around!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving along the cliffs in Pitigliano and visiting the town."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A truly immersive experience! This was our first trip on a guided tour and it delivered above and beyond our expectations. One of the best compliments that I can give is that we knew within the first two minutes of meeting your tour guide that we have made the right decision. It is very obvious that Rick Steves and his organization is focused on giving us (you) the experience of a lifetime. The evening we arrived home, we booked our second tour. Our grade for the overall experience - A+

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are too many wow moments to count. Each day presented with a new adventure. Each day we were immersed into the local culture. There is one particular moment that actually brought tears to my eyes. At the Corte Degli Ulivi Ranch in Grosetto we had a group dinner and we were entertained by some local musicians. My wife and I had the best time dancing in Italy like no one was watching. Truly memorable. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good tour. There was lots of history, art, architecture, scenery to see and experience. Our guide was really excellent and knowledgeable about Tuscany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Bargello museum in Florence was so impressive! It was a thrill to see Michelangelo’s. David and Donatello’s David"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Francisco was an excellent guide. He made the tour very informative and provided interesting historical reference to our travels. The local guides were also good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gorganza was especially beautiful. Volterra was very nice as well, although stormy and rainy while we were there."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour included a variety of small towns, cities and rural communities. Our guide, Francesco, was very knowledgeable and helpful. The local guides were also great. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It really is hard to choose just one. Seeing David was of course a thrill but drinking wine and dancing with the group at the ranch was great fun!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an amazing time on the Tuscany tour with our wonderful guide Francesco. Our group of Rick Steves travelers were all so fun and kind and the activities were great! Everything went so smoothly and every minute was fun. We learned so much!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to choose. Wine tasting with Francesco in Gargonza was special, or walking the Via Cava (sp) near Sovana. Seeing the David is always a treat, too!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was so well organized and we loved our guide, Francesco. Everything went smoothly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the Gothic Line. It was so interesting. The local guide was excellent"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spectacular. The places we visited were varied and many were exclusive and so instructive as to the culture and history of Tuscany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to the Etruscan ruins and the city walls that they built were my wow moment. To see the sophistication of their culture and architecture and experience the immense walls was very eye opening and thrilling to me. "

As with previous tours, the tour was well organized, very informative and with plenty of free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "wow" moment was more than a moment. My favorite time was the 6 nights in the Tuscan countryside! So nice to be out of the major cities and into the "real" Italy!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had never taken a Rick Steve's Tour before and were thrilled with our experience. The chosen itinerary could not have been better: from the villages and hotels (one being an 11th century castle), to the historic sites. And the local guides were all fantastic, with oftentimes generational family ties and a deep, personal knowledge and love for the areas. And David, our Rick Steve's tour guide, was beyond phenomenal: funny, kind, thoughtful, helpful, always ensuring everything went smoothly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmm, so many wow moments! My favorite wow moment was probably our stay at the 11th century castle. The location, the people, the beauty, the view of Tuscany from our balcony, the history, the wine tasting and beginning to know the people in our tour group better over delicious, cozy meals in this remarkable setting. What a special place and a special group of people; we will carry these memories with us for a lifetime. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Oh my goodness! We had never been to Italy or on a tour of any kind (my husband and I usually just travel together on our own). Everything about this tour was simply amazing!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say the entire trip was Wow. We absolutely loved exploring all the quaint hilltop towns in Tuscany. On our own for lunch or dinner we’d find small restaurants tucked away…the food/pasta/tirimusu and wine did not ever disappoint. Our group meals were out of this world too! Such beautiful cathedrals! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent curation of the tour. Fantastic main guide, David, and other local guides, especially Francesca in Firenze. Unusual one of a kind hotels, unique extra events, surprisingly interesting extra stops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just one? Hearing David's band, and also the accordionist and karaoke. The extra musical events really helped me get the feel of Italy, of Tuscany, and built comradery with the rest of the tour group."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The places we visited and stayed were amazing, especially out in the countryside. The real key was that David, our guide, helped us make meaningful and fun connections with the people, places, language, music, history, and culture. Oh - and glorious explorations and examples of the region’s food traditions and preparations! I also really enjoyed the local guides and hotel hosts. It was clear they enjoyed working with Rick Steve’s groups!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Highlights for me included visiting Pitigliano and staying at the castle and the agritourismo. But the biggest wow was really David. I so appreciated his explanations and facilitation of our experience. His sense of humor made the trip joyful. The memories that will last the longest are of two “surprise” musical evenings he arranged - one with his own band and the other at the agritourismo with a local musician. So. Much. Fun!!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was so much more than what we imagined it would be! David, our guide was perfect! Entertaining, so knowledgeable, caring and organized! We learned so much about the Italian history, culture, language, music, food, the Hill towns, WWII, and did I mention the food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many “Wow” moments! Staying at Castillo di Gargonza was such a treat! Visiting the winery and learning about the harvesting and pressing of olive oil, and the pasta making!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Impressed with leader David. Local guides. Their knowledge and enthusiasm passion was incredible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swimming in Pitigliano! Surprise concert at Sovana. How much I appreciated WWII history especially from local guide Carlos. "

This was a fabulous tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many. Listening to our guide David sing Voltaire with his trio band. Spectacular views from hill cities such as Volterra, Watching an alabaster craftsman make a bowl in less than 5 five minutes."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Looking deeper into a single region provided a better understanding of the area and the entire country. We saw Tuscany through music, art, archeology, modern culture and (oh yeah) FOOD and WINE! Spectacular tour with an exceptional guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Narrowing this to 3 WOWS: the visit to the Linea Gotica (and the visit to the American cemetery) were deeply moving and helped me to understand WWI and WWIi, as well as revealed the civil war. The private opera singer, introducing me to my first taste of opera. Exploring Roselle, seeing the Etruscan/Roman/Medieval cultures in layers upon the land. These 3 Wows all expanded my knowledge of the world and how, over millennia, human nature persists. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was outstanding but getting there and back was exhausting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our stay in the Castle was definitely my wow experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time during this tour. It was informative, invigorating, rigorous, and entertaining. Touring Tuscany hill towns truly gives you a new perspective on the history and culture of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Florence American Memorial & Cemetery outside of Florence. It was an eye-opener and sobering experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, well planned experiences and the right activity level.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The agrotourisim ranch."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time and our guide Francesco was terrific.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved Lucca!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall I had a wonderful time. Just the right amount of guided tours. Just the right amount of on my own time. Never had a moment of being unsure. Francesco, our guide, was very prompt and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. Very hard to choose. One of my "wow" moments was in Sovana, Italy. This town is amazing....very quaint, peaceful. Touring the Etruscan archeological park, touring the necropolis and hiking the "via cave" roads. I've never had an interest in this subject until I was exposed up front and personal to one of the sites. I loved it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved the variety of sites, from Renaissance art and architecture to Etruscan ruins to historic hill towns, rural farms and vineyards.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, visiting the Santa Julia family-run winery and farm and sharing a fabulous lunch with our tour friends was amazing! The scenery, food, wine and company were so enjoyable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great mix of different types of experiences. Some on the tourist hit list, and some off the beaten path. From tastes to history to architecture it made me want to come back to some of places we visited becuase I just did not get enough.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the hill towns in general and seeing the sites in person struck home. Photo's and videos can not capture it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and it exceeded my expectations in all ways. Each day was better than the one before!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After visiting Città del Tufo Archeological Park, our local guide took us on a beautiful and unexpected walk back to our bus through the Tuscan countryside. We strolled beside vineyards, old stone buildings, and stunning views. It was spectacular!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I wasn’t sure about this trip because it seemed a bit simple but boy was I wrong! There was so much packed into the itinerary. We had so many varied experiences. Our two guides, Ella and Victor were fabulous. They took care of us so well. Our accommodations were comfortable and often unique. I would highly recommend this tour as a wonderful way to know Tuscany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think my Wow moment was when we went to the Museum of Memory in Borgo a Mozzano and our local guide shared his family’s story of the war. It was heartbreaking and certainly brought the human element to the history of the war. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide and fun group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sienna"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Eleanora made our trip amazing! She was easy to listen to, friendly and fun, and had great knowledge of the areas and history. Hotels were nice and clean. It was hot for the first half of trip and hotels all had air conditioning. Breakfasts were all fantastic. Tours and guides were awesome. So much history learned and seen. The itinerary was laid out nicely. One day was a “guide’s choice day.” Eleanora chose to take us to Castiglione Della Pescaia. A wonderful day by the sea!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can’t name just one…loved the ancient ruins, some not open to public, loved the villages built into hilltops, loved the day at the sea. We also visited the American cemetery in Florence on 9/11. Amazing views, amazing food and wine. Loved the way we enjoyed the small towns and hidden gems!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Eleonora was absolutely the best! She made this trip go from good to Great. She is personable, spoke English well and was always very helpful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to know various people from different backgrounds and different areas of the country Sharing dinner with the group "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Cicilia was a wonderful guide and each local guide was also exceptional. The choice of hotels, attractions and activities exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Castle hotel in Pienza"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the first organized tour we have taken. We were impressed with the accommodations, the meals, the main tour guide (Cecelia), and all the local tour guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick a wow moment because we really enjoyed all the local guides, but the one that we keep talking about was the Sienna Tour with Roberto. He was able to relate to the group in a different way due to his wife being American which added to his insight about our country. He was also very knowledgeable and funny."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour of the Tuscany region from major urban areas to hillside villages, castles to farms, with plenty of wine and food tasting! Lots of history from pre/post Roman empire up to and including World War II independence! Our tour guide Ceci kept us well informed of the cultural differences between Italy and the US, and our local tour guides were very knowledgeable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many! Seeing David, sleeping at the Gargonza castle, and the beautiful mosaic demonstrations are standouts! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing. Cecilia was an excellent guide. We enjoyed the beautiful towns, the incredible food, the fantastic wine and fun activities. We had a great time exploring and learning more about a beautiful country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My husband’s favorite was visiting the American cemetery. I loved staying at the revived Castello di Gargonza and the charming town of Sovana. It’s hard to pick a favorite!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was great as have been all our prior Rick Steves tours. Our tour guide Cecilia was outstanding as were all the local guides we had throughout the tour. Hotels were excellent. The staff at each hotel was friendly and very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "WOW" moment was on the walk to the Hermitage the view of Val d' Orcia. The view was so spectacular and beautiful that it is hard to believe what I was seeing. It was just amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

WOW! What an amazing trip. It definitely exceeded my expectations. The accommodations were amazing. Working ranches, hamlets, and boutique hotels were delightful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is so hard to pick one WOW moment since I loved everything about the trip. I guess Sienna would have to be my choice because Roberto, the tour guide, was amazing! He was not only knowledgeable but also extremely funny. He made the tour so much fun."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our tour! Vanessa our tour guide was spectacular! The food and wine and olive oil, the history and hill towns, the architecture and artwork --- it was all so magical.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Gargonza was amazing! And getting to see David in person was heart-stopping."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Had a nice time travelling through Tuscany. Was as beautiful as I had imagined.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was visiting the Santa Giulia winery. The hospitality couldn't have been better. The wine was enjoyable. Have to say it was the cleanest winery I have ever visited. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have toured Europe previously, but the Best of Tuscany in 11 Days was my first Rick Steves tour. It was "fantastico." I will definitely tour with Rick Steves again. All senses were filled, sights, sounds, tastes and smells. Bravo to our tour guide, Vanessa, she was superb! She is knowledgeable, fun, entertaining, and always happy. Never a dull moment on this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments on the Best of Tuscany tour. The cathedarals, museums, the Tuscany countryside were all....WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide, Vanessa. Every town and place we stayed at was a joy. The weather was perfect. Just the right amount of busy time and free time. Our group was small and we all got along very well - hated to say goodbye. Realized I was NOT in shape for the climbing! Walking is one thing, but wasn't prepared for the ups and downs and rocky surfaces - all my bad!! Should have worked out! Learned a lot, met a lot of great people, saw absolutely wonderful things!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was an art history student in college and feel in love with the renaissance, so actually seeing many of the statues, paintings and frescos in person was my "wow" moment. Especially Michaelangelo's The David and the Baptistry doors. And the beautiful views traveling from Florence to all our other stops! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 5th RSE tour and was right on par with the other ones. We formed a merry band of travelers thanks to our fabulous guide Vanessa and toured the wonderful region of Tuscany. Great immersion opportunity for anyone wanting to explore the true culture and history of Tuscany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"From the many different views of the country side to seeing the “hill towns” up close and at a distance, the pasta making in Sovana makes it hard to pick any one adventure as a WOW moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was Vanessa. We consider ourselves lucky to have had her for our first RS Tour. Vanessa was energized, fun, well organized, knowledgeable about the sites, and a great person to be around. She was always working to keep everyone informed, engaged and laughing. We think that if she was guiding a tour through Hell we would have to sign up! And no, we are not related to her; and no, we hope she will not be giving such a tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"going to the farms and the Etruscan ruins"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellnt tour guide vanessa also excellent local guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"david"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

marvelous

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the mosaic studio in Florence "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guides and local guides. The meals provided were generally very good. The were very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Lucca a soprano sang Puccini arias for us during our aperitivo"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides and fellow travelers were very friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sleeping in a castle "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

No complaints. Well balance. Great guides. Interesting experiences. WOW moment: Tiny wine “bar” in Florence where we enjoyed a glass of wine in a plastic cup and a local bruschetta served by and older gentleman behind an ancient wooden counter. Totally unique experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"See previous section…I forgot to tab"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My husband and I had a wonderful time. The guides were outstanding, the accommodations were great, the food was wonderful, and the off-the-beaten-path locations made the trip remarkable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to choose, but one thing that sticks out in my mind is watching the residents of Pitigliano working together to decorate the city streets for the Feast of Corpus Christi. Watching them create bright, beautiful designs was enchanting, but watching folks of all ages work together was even more wonderful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip with Rick Steves. It was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Everything and I do mean everything was top notch. I have food sensitivities and was taken care with wonderful substitutions at every stop on our trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole tour of Tuscany was a wow moment for me. I think one of the memorable stops was our tour of the American cemetery. It was definitely one worth seeing. Ironically this tour came the day before Memorial Day for us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour I took to Tuscany was so interesting and filled with gorgeous views, sights and wonderful food and wine!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several. I was deeply moved by the experience of visiting the American Cemetery outside of Florence, where a local guide explained the history of the American involvement in that part of the world during WWII. Likewise, our visit to the Jewish "Ghetto" of Pitigliano; the synagogue and caves where the jews of the town carried out much of their work. Learning the history was enlightening for me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized. Exposed us to the diversity of Tuscany, from the large and crowded city of Florence to the smallest of Tuscan hill towns. The food was excellent and local guides were great. It was enlightening to see the most ancient of Tuscan history up to the more recent WWII history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As is typical of a Rick Steves tour, nearly every day has one or more wow moments. To choose only one, I would have to say that Gargonza was ganzo!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Too many good to single out any one thing

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really liked the David and The Castle"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and I was very, very impressed. Our tour guide was incredibly well informed, helpful, and entertaining. I wasn't sure what to expect and was a bit concerned about the overall cost; but having everything taken care of and getting to visit some out of the way places made the overall value of the tour far in excess of what it cost.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to see the hermitage cave complex on the private property in Pienza was incredible; as were the Etruscan tombs we got see."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always with the Rick Steve's tours: superb guide and off the grid experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably Gargonza, though there were so many others!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very full and enriching, and well planned

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing David in the Accademia for the first time."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, VERY GOOD! Karin was an outstanding tour guide. Itinerary still needs a few tweaks but this tour is very young. 1st bus driver was not up to the task. Only had 1 meal that was not up to RS standards.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking tour of Volterra and view of surrounding countryside."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fun tour because we explored busy Florence and Sienna with the wonderful historical sights before downsizing to the smaller villages and hill towns of beautiful Tuscany. Our guide, Karen, and assistant, Bob, made learning about Tuscany very interesting. I enjoyed the personal stories they shared about living in Italy. The food and wine was delicious and abundant. The group was smaller than usual and fun to travel with. Coach times were short, hotels unique and well located.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Approaching the hill towns, seeing them up above and then exploring them and looking down on the land below. Imagining living there centuries ago. Walking through the narrow lanes, stone buildings with beautiful flowers and the nice, warm weather. And of course lots of great food, wine and gelato."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

this tour was all I hoped it would be. The hill towns with the walls were so much fun to explore and had such interesting histories. Also enjoyed going to the mosaic and alabaster workshops. Enjoyed the variety of food and the wine tastings. So moving to visit the WW II cemetery outside of Florence . Fun to experience Puccini's opera in Lucca.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Pienza I enjoyed exploring the underground dwellings of the Etruscians. So amazing this was discovered after being used for the garbage dump and that it survived all this time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip to the "Best of Tuscany" is gratifying. During these 11 days, I learned and experienced so much about this region. The tour was carefully arranged by selecting unique medieval villages, tasting exquisite local wines and olive oil, participating in an Italian cooking class, experiencing Italian Opera, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was so impressed by the civil architecture design and city-state secular governing, which are still not fully adopted by some countries in the 21st century."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

lovely tour that includes locations less visited

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour of the best of Tuscany was on of our finest ever tours. We had a wonderful bunch of about 14 people in our group and the whole tour was filled with wonderful experiences of great times around Tuscany and interactions with our traveling conpanions in the group. We ate together, spent time in good hotels together and exclaimed together when we shared experiences we all enjoyed. Rick Steves, Eleonora, your generous and competent hq person were all part of it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Listening to the soprano and piano player playing Puccini."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Eleanora "Ella" was outstanding and really made the tour memorable and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Tuscan countryside vistas, the castle hotels of Castello di Gargonza and Hotel della Fortezza, and the hill town of Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall, we had a good experience with our outstanding guide (CeCe) and outstanding local guides making up for adequate accommodations and somewhat disappointing food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving through the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Sleeping in a beautiful hilltop town in Chianti."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves Tour and we thought it was beautifully managed and we enjoyed meeting the nice people in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was having lunch at the winery. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour delivered what I wanted - an introduction to Tuscany, its people, culture and history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of my favorite parts of the tour was the visit to the family winery and the dinner/wine tasting. They grew the grapes and made the wine; they grew the wheat and made the pasta, they raised the pigs and made the salami and prosciutto "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, we enjoyed the tour. We previously took two My Way tours and on this tour we were able to see unique things and go places we would never have found on our own. Our tour guide, Cecilia, educated us on the Italian culture and customs. Our local guides were also very knowledgeable (Roberto in Siena was informative and entertaining). We enjoyed our tour members and group meals, the wine kept flowing. Our only disappointment was the food at the agriturisimo. Otherwise, great tour. ).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stay at Castello di Gargonza was amazing. Neri, the owner, gave us a tour of the renovations and took us to the top of the tower. He provided a wine tasting and great food at the hotel restaurant. Also, the wine tasting and lunch at Santa Guilia in Montalcino with Kae was memorable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Was our first tour. Thought Cecilia was a terrific person and great tour leader. It was good to get up and go with a schedule of activities. Local guides were very good, as well. We found several people on the tour we would be happy to call our friends. Thought we got a good overview of Tuscany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our pregnant daughter was in a severe car accident at home and we communicated only to Cecilia about it. She, and the baby are ok. Cecilia was so caring and kind. At the end of the tour, she presented us with a small baby gift to bring home to our daughter. Also loved the winery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ceccilia was awesome. So much know and organization! The bus driver was highly skilled and professional. The accommodations were unique and interesting. I loved the local guides with their knowledge and I learned immensely

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many but the duomo in sienna was over the top and I really enjoyed the Gargonza town"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The experience was very good. We had a wonderful and informative tour guide, a nice group of people to travel with and nice places to stay along with good food and wine!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery everywhere was wonderful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely everything was wonderful, perfectly executed, well-paced, educational, enjoyable, everything we love about Rick Steves tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tie between knowledge gained on Gothic Line presentation and the group dinner at the ranch near Maremma "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved every day of this tour! Great variety, fun experiences, good guides, fascinating history and beautiful scenery!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick one! We loved the tour of Siena...Roberto was an interesting and endlessly entertaining guide! Loved staying in the castle in Gargonza! The tour of the hermitage was an incredible experience! We loved the inclusion of the American Cemetery and the Gothic Line museum and bunker! We loved walking on the Cave Roads! We loved Castiglione della Pescaia...what could be better than a medieval town with a beach!! We loved the night at the ranch with the accordion player! And much more! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual, our Rick Steves' guide was wonderful. The guides are why we keep returning for more RS tours. Francesco was informative, funny and did a great job of showing us his "home" part of Italy. The Tuscan countryside was gorgeous, and we learned so much about Renaissance art, the Etruscan civilization and much more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was the tour of the hermits' cave in Pienza - as it is privately owned, it felt like we were present at on ongoing archeological discovery (which is actually true), especially when we were shown the very recently discovered Etruscan carvings."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was just incredible. Very organized. My husband and I always knew that all details were taken care of… Rick Steves tours came highly recommended and this tour did not disappoint in any way!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The working farm/winery lunch and wine tasting at Santa Giulia. Food, service, and wine were perfect. The farm was beautiful. Our hosts went above and beyond. . "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our primary guide, Francesco made our trip an amazing experience through his caring and supportive explanations of the many sites visited and ready accessibility for any questions or concerns. He made the difference!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Francesco enhanced opera singer Silvana’s humorous performance of a Puccini composition in our Lucca hotel’s courtyard which helped me appreciate and understand why so many people enjoy operas. Priceless."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great overall tour...another group of interesting and nice travelers. Karin our guide was very professional and gave us great advice beyond her guidance, such as restaurants outside the group, sites we might want to see outside the planned tour itself, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was really moved by the American Cemetery outside Florence."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Karin, was amazing. Most of the hotel stays were also great. Saw a lot. Learned a lot.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The castle, fortress, and agrotourism hotels were the best! Seeing the Butteri work the cattle was cool, and the Gothic Line bunker tour was also very amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed all the various activities. We loved our overall tour guide and liked our local guides as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Agro tourism farm and surrounding area including beach. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed the Best of Tuscany tour. It fulfilled all my expectations for

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Listening to soprano singer Silvana Froli sing Puccini arias for our group in our hotel in Lucca"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, my experience was very good. I did feel that it was a little hectic at times and could have used a bit more relaxing downtime.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I love the small, medieval towns and the history of each. The stay in Gargonza was especially nice to me, could have spent another day there and the food was outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the best RS tour we've been on yet! Tremendous experiences, guides, art, culture, food, music... I could go on and on. The contrast of the art and culture of Florence with the stunning ancient beauty of the Tuscan hill towns was perfect! Our guide Karin was THE BEST!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, exploring the narrow streets of Volterra. Every view was just jaw-dropping. For my wife, walking through the Uffizi and not quite believing she was standing right next to the works of Michelangelo, Donatello, Da Vinci, etc."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my first time on a Rick Steves tour, and I find myself totally on board with the Steves’ approach to European travel. I really like the “no grumpy people aboard” admonishment, and the emphasis on a certain level of self-sufficiency (e.g., carrying my own bags). Traveling with a right-sized group of fellow travelers with whom you can share new experiences and cultural insights is far superior to traveling alone or with a partner. And my Rick Steves tour was an excellent value.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Castle Hotel. My first sight of the Castillo di Gargonza! I knew that the tour would include a stay in a castle, but I assumed an old building in an urban setting turned into a hotel. I was not expecting a perfectly preserved 13th Century hilltop fortress, complete with keep, isolated by its lonesome in the middle of the Tuscan countryside. The two-day stay in the Fortress Orsini was another stroke of genius by Rick Steves, but with Gargonza he has invented time travel!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was active, educational and varied filled with wonderful scenery, museums, unique lodging and experiences coupled with a great group of interesting travelers. Our guide, Karin, added lots of humor and fun to our tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"More than one - WWII American Cemetery outside Florence, Santa Giulia Winery Lunch and Maremma Farm Stay"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first visit to Tuscany, and the tour far exceeded my expectations. The size of the group was perfect. Our guides were very personable, knowledgeable and engaging, and the tour was very well planned, giving us an experience of city life, its countryside and beach alike. The hotels were very comfortable, well located and often unique (converted fortress etc), the food delicious, and I felt the tour gave us access to sights few other tourists are lucky enough to experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having a soprano sing Puccini's arias to our group on the 100th anniversary of his death on our last evening was very special."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Really enjoyed the tour with our tour guide, the local tour guides and destinations being the highlights. There was some duplication of small town visits (Sorvana/Sovana/Volterra/Pitigliano/Pienza/etc). This duplication tended to keep the group moving between hotels every 2 days which wasn’t ideal. A more immersive experience at a place like Volterra, Pienza, or Sorano would be preferable with hotel stay of 3 nights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Castello di Gargonza is an extraordinary place and Neri, his wife and daughter were wonderful hosts. Truly a wow moment. Thoroughly enjoyed the group experience there, the trip to Siena. . My sense is the group would have been happy to spend another day at the Castello with some walks or outings in nearby as an option. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour even though we had rain at the beginning and at the end.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Tuscany countryside. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Francesco, our tour guide, and Andrea, his assistant were outstanding, very good with logistics and keeping the group moving and together. Every individual guide we had was also truly outstanding in different areas - these were well chosen. We arrived in Florence a few days early and stayed later in Italy, and this helped us enjoy the tour. Our group was uniformly excellent travelers, caring, considerate, and we enjoyed them all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This was hard to say. The sights in Florence were great, especially the art. I also thought the presentation and visit to the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial was really moving. Volterra was very interesting and beautiful. We enjoyed being “off the beaten path” in small hill top towns in Tuscany. The walking was challenging but not too bad."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Tuscany was beyond anything I could have imagined. I was truly changed for the better. Francesco and Andrea made our time in Italy a true dream come true.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The accumulative knowledge all of the guides have."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Tuscany tour exceeded our expectations. We were fortunate to have a tour guide and an apprentice, both from Tuscany.They gave us a deeper understanding of what it was like to grow up in Tuscany, and live and work there as adults. They were not only very familiar with the places we visited but were close to the people we met. I have visited Italy three other times and was in awe of the experiences we had each and every day, too many to list here and more than listed in the itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "Wow" moment has to be from the last night of our tour which ended in Lucca. Lucca was the opera composer Puccini's home. Our tour guide arranged for a personal friend of his, the world famous opera soprano Silvana, to give us a private performance at our hotel. As we sipped champagne we listened to several arias from Puccini's operas. The atmosphere was very relaxed and Silvana was funny and fun and the performance was just perfect for our group. It was a once in a lifetime event. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 6th RS tour, and our 3rd extended time in Italy. The tour was extremely stimulating and interesting, as guides both from RS and local always have much to share. Even though we had been to several of the towns before, it was as if they were new to us due to what RS had planned for us to do and see. This was a great balance of learning, food and drink , staying in very interesting and comfortable hotels, fortress, hamlet and agriturismo. Our guides were exceptional in every way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the winery experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I think we lucked out with the most wonderful tour mates. We enjoyed every minute with them. Francesco and Andrea were t terrific tour managers. There knowledge and love of the area was apparent every second of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gargonza . Beautiful. We would have appreciated more time there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second Rick Steves tour, the first being Sicily. (Highly recommended!!) I couldn’t imagine our experience being any better. From start to finish, our guide Francesco was welcoming, enthusiastic, helpful and knowledgeable. Attention to detail seems to be a hallmark of RS tours - every day we had a fun schedule that balanced guided tours with opportunities to explore on your own. We lucked out with an additional tour guide, Andrea, who was training to do the Tuscany tour. Amazing guy!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wonderful memories! But in the category of going the extra mile (which is just the usual for Rick Steves folks!) we had a private performance of Puccini arias from a well-known Italian singer. Unbelievable! And in a stroke of luck we had an opera singer in our tour group. Francesco arranged for him to serenade another group member for her birthday, which was celebrated at our group dinner following a cooking class. You can’t even imagine how personal and professional RS guides are. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my second Rick Steves Tour and it was so wonderful. The accommodations, the food, and the experienced tour guides made everything very enjoyable. There were so many things to see!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments! Walking thru the Etruscan Ruins was really remarkable and something I will never forget."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every element of this tour was phenomenal. Our guides, the locations, accommodations, logistics, the group. I learned a ton, met some amazing people, saw unbelievable things, ate incredible food--we will definitely go back to Tuscany AND be back on another Rick Steves Europe Tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick one moment--but the overwhelming feeling of welcoming and inclusion I had the entire time is something I will never forget. I will say there was an evening when we got a tour of our hamlet castle/hotel in Gargonza, Castello di Gargonza, and we all just sort of looked at each other as we walked around and went "look at where we are...!" and really connected with one another as to how special this place and our experience together was!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip exceeded my expectations! Guides Karin & Chiara were wonderful and knowledgeable, and driver Carmine was amazing getting us around on challenging roads. This was our second Rick Steves tour and did not disappoint. The mix of cities like Florence and countryside like the castle at Gorganza were a great contrast. Just like the first trip, the knowledge shared by the tour guides and local guides were great! Things I would never learn traveling on my own through the area. Fun group!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many it's hard to pick! Staying in the castle and seeing the hilltop cities of Tuscany were amazing! So much history in a beautiful area. Walking the wall at Lucca, learning about the Etruscan people, seeing the olive oil processing, the wineries - all so much fun! I loved the contrast between the cities we visited with the urban activity, and then the country, waking up to birds chirping and the quiet of the countryside. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip and our fun group to travel with!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first time in Italy and we were blown away by the history and the culture! Great experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had so many “wow” moments it’s hard to pick just one. I guess standing next to a sculpture or church that was created or built in the 12th or 13th century was the most outstanding. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The effort put into developing the itinerary is much appreciated. This trip isn't just about art, history, and wine (although wine does have a significant role). Interacting and getting immersive with the locals at each of our tour stops was just as rewarding as getting to explore 2300 year old hermit caves in Pienza. Each lodging choice had its own character and unique attributes. The pacing and scheduling was well thought out and executed. The bus drivers get a standing ovation and bravo.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Those hermit caves in Pienza and the story behind their discovery and gradual uncovering. It felt like a special privilege to stand in a place carved out of rock that had been used as shelter thousands of years ago by humans who were the ultimate isolationists. Many thanks to the owners of the property for allowing our visit and for their preservation and conservation commitment. Told my wife I would like to go back and volunteer to dig and unbury more of the history in those caves this year."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about it was great- experiences and tour guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Actually have 2- the American cemetery was very moving and the demonstration by the butteri was interesting"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour experience due to the size of the group, the Rick Steves guide(s), the lodging, the meals and the places we visited. It checked all my boxes for a great trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to the mosaics workshop in Florence was a huge "wow"! Witnessing the craftsmanship that produced unbelievably beautiful works of art using stone was jaw-dropping!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour leaders, extremely unique places to stay, wonderful people on the tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying in a little hamlet, Castello dl Gorganza, with its own watch tower and church"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Karin and Chiara, and all the local guides were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The opera demo was a divine experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The team leaders along with the local guides were excellent. The choice of sites was well planned and worthwhile

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Florence was WOW especially out tour with Luca visiting the museum workshop housing the David"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour guides who partnered with local guides who provided an even more immersive experience in certain locations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the site where Maxiumus in Gladiator (my favorite movie) walked to meet his family in the movie. Beautiful scene in Val. D Orcia outside of Pienza"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience overall. Guide Francesco was excellent and the choice of hotels, locations, foods, cultural experiences all added to the experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My picnic lunch in Siena’s crescent-shaped square was sublime. But the American Cemetery Florence visit was unexpectedly moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The main guide and all of the local guides were fantastic

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mosaic workshop was amazing and unexpected coupled with the alabaster artisans. Seeing these masters at work was a highpoint"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip itinerary included the many treasures of Florence, the Florence American Cemetery, the Chianti area halmlet (Castello Di Gargonza), Siena, the incredibly beautiful area of Val d'Orcia, Pienza, Pitigliano, Portoferraio and the island of Elba (including the iron mines), Volterra, and Lucca.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I absolutely loved driving through the very scenic Val d'Orcia!!! One magnificent view after another."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was absolutely incredible and was beyond my expectations. Our tour guide, Alfio, was exceptional and kept us informed as well as surprised with each days new adventure. Everything was so organized and well thought out throughout the entire tour. While traveling on the bus with Alfio, we learned Italian phrases, history of the city or village we were traveling to, and were entertained with Italian music or opera.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each day of the tour had a "wow" moment which I did not expect. Each day kept getting better and better. Never a dull moment. My favorite wow moment was the last night when we were surprised to have a pianist and a tenor surprise with a private performance of 5 Arias of Puccini's music. The performance was fantastic and took my breath away. It was totally unexpected and was the icing on the cake of a wonderful 12 day tour of Tuscany."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Alfio was mosts informative about where we were traveling AND ITALY overall! He gave personal experiences, which made each location even more enjoyable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The FOOD! ! ! I am a retired professional yacht chef, and had traveled/worked parts of the Mediterranean for one season(four months). However, having the meals and foods explained and presented were my constant "WOW" 's!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour, and it was a magical experience. From the people on the tour with us to the incredible places we saw and stayed at, it was just incredible. x

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick out a single moment, but I would have to say the views in and around Pitigliano were breathtaking. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day was a real treat. History, art, architecture, culture, food and wine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The unexpected pre-dinner musical treat on our last night managed to outshine even the numerous previous wow moments on the tour! The tenor was outstanding. The pianist equally so. It felt so authentically Italian. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded our high expectations. Our guide, Eleanora, was the best we'd ever had and was superlative in every way. The bus rides from location to location were very enjoyable as the views through the windows were consistently stunning and the bus itself was very comfy. Our group was very congenial too--intelligent, curious, considerate, and fun-loving. We went to many sites we would never have seen on our own, such as the charming hilltown of Montecchielo and the Santa Guilia winery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing the tower at Castello di Gargonza. This hamlet was special and a perfect first stop after leaving Florence. The views from the top of the tower were magnificent.; this experience was indeed a sublime moment. The medieval origins of the place really sunk in. Another "wow" moment equally exciting was the recital of Puccini arias that we enjoyed at our hotel in Lucca, home of the composer. It made for a rapturous conclusion to the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the variety of experiences and destinations we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several - seeing David in Florence, staying at Gargonza and La Moscadella, walking the wall around Lucca."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first organized land tour and we went into it with some apprehension but those feelings quickly disappeared. This was the best vacation we have ever taken. Good weather, great guides, spectacular locations awesome travel buddies and outstanding food and wine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't choose just one because there were so many. The first glimpse of the rolling Tuscan hills and the accommodations at castle Gargonza with its tower view of the Tuscan countryside are my most memorable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a great mix of experiences. starting with the art in Florence, continuing with beautiful Tuscan villages and towns, and concluding in quaint Lucca. Throughout the food and wine was amazing. Ella, our guide, went above and beyond looking after us, giving up her free day to organize an extra outing for us on Elba.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our stay at Gargonza, an old village that has been restored and converted into accommodations. It was a unique experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The "Best of Tuscany" tour was one of my favorite Rick Steves' tours because of the incredible food, wine, countryside and people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was the view across the Tuscan landscape from Pienza. It's not surprising that is where the iconic scene from the movie "Gladiator" was shot. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Some of the hotels were out dated with very little room and the breakfast was just adequate. There was really no need to travel to Elba because most of shops were closed for the season.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The surprise visit to the American Cemetery outside of Florence. It was breathtaking and a privilege to see the thousands of American heros buried there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had never taken an organized tour vacation before and was concerned that I would not like it, but it was the best trip I have ever taken. Wonderful locations, excellent guides, delicious food, and great travel companions

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have to choose two moments (out of many).... walking into our hotel "apartment" in Gargonza, and visiting the archeological site on Nico's family farm. Oh wait.... I have to mention the amazing views of the hills in Val d'Orcia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides, and of course the art, architecture, culture!

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic guide; wonderful, friendly group of like-minded travelers. Great itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gargonza Castle hamlet. So captivating and unique. Unlike any previous experience I’ve had. I skipped the day trip to Sienna (we had been there previously on our own travels) just to explore Gargonza and its surroundings more thoroughly. Felt like I went back into history. I wanted to soak it all up. My 2nd “wow” moment was touring the mosaic workshop in Florence. I am not an artist but the unbelievable care and skill needed to create one of the pieces of art filled me with awe. Amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Top notch; Rick Steve tour guide, local expert guides, and bus driver. Lodging was varied and all unique. Meals were representative of local cuisine and fine. Tour destinations were all of great interest.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How well the Rick Steve tour guide managed the clients well being and enjoyment and every aspect of the tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour itinerary was excellent and exceeded my expectations. It included a nice mix of art, history, culture, food and wine! The other tour members were awesome, which made the tour even more special. Our tour guide, Karen, was fabulous! Being on tour with her was like going to Italy and hanging out with family! She was so knowledgeable, explained things well, told many fun stories of her family and went out of her way to set up tours on our free day in Elba when it was raining.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were too many to choose from so here are some top picks: the Mosaic workshop, the local guides making the art/history/culture come to life, Volterra, Lucca and the white pebble beaches at Elba."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed this tour. My favorite memories will be my fellow tour members and the towns and specific sitesI have never visited. I particularly enjoyed Elba and the iron mine tour! That was sort of a last minute addition due to the rainy weather we were experiencing during our "free day" on the island. Please add this in somewhere. It was a fascinating experience and the guide was excellent!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed our hilltop stay in Gargonza.That was truly a unique and wonderful experience!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Accommodations were good to excellent. Breakfast was Excellent-Every day! Tours and daily tour guides were superb and many were passionate and committed to their culture, history, art and food. Our tour guide was Karin Kibby. I can't add enough superlatives. She was incredibly knowledgeable in ALL things Italy! Smart, witty, extremely personable and helped the whole group bond and have a total WOW experience. Karin was just awesome. The tour itself, especially the Val D'Orcia was superb!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to narrow down....Mostly the Val D'Orcia! Second, seeing Castello di Gargonz, the first time, in a mist and almost dreamlike fog. La Moscadella, Volterra( our guide Annie !!) Pitigliano, Pienza, Santa Giulia Winery, San Gregorio Agriturismo, Montichiello, Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Lucca(despite the rain we encountered, AND our guide Gabrielle.) Siena was excellent, but I feel we needed more time there? Via Cava was a great history lesson- keep focus on the Etruscans!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour, our 30th Anniversary and it exceeded my expectations! The geography was stunning, the towns amazing, the artwork truly inspiring, the food delicious, the wines without fault, the guides fantastic, our driver, Danielle, was a magician, the Cathedrals and Sacred spaces filled my heart and soul and the people were so welcoming, friendly, down to earth, genuinely good people!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"THe Castle in Gorganza"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Visiting Tuscany was a 20-year goal of mine. I loved every stop on our tour. We were able to experience so much. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. As a solo female traveler, I felt safe and included. One stressor during the trip was my inadequate amount of Euros. Based on material I had read in the tour materials (or in an article on the website), I understood that I could exchange cash at banks in Italy. That was not true. I don’t use an ATM. Better communication is needed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Visiting the Etruscan Museum during our free time in Volterra was extraordinary. The opportunity to see the collection of artifacts from this pre-Roman civilization was truly a gift and one I wouldn’t have known about but for this trip. Sadly time was limited so the group of us ran out of time to see everything. We should have moved through the exhibit faster, but had taken our time with it all, soaking in every remarkable display. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well-organized and executed. There was a very good balance between appealing scenery, historical/archaeological, and practical hands-on experiences. Size of tour group seemed ideal, as there were plenty of people to share experiences with, while not feeling overwhelmed by a crowd. (This is important to me as I am a confirmed introvert and worried about having too much of personal interactions.)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Simply being in Tuscany I think qualified as a "Wow" moment for me, the spectacular food and wine definitely would be on my list, but I think that overall the one single "Wow" that stood out was staying in the medieval castle/village of Gargonza. Living right in the midst of the history of this place was awe-inspiring, and the chance to be only the second group to ascend to the top of their recently renovated Tower was an unforgettable experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an excellent time on our tour of Tuscany! David was an incredible guide who was informative, caring and fun. He went out of his way to make our trip memorable. I was so impressed with how professional yet personable he was. Thank you David and Rick Steves for an outstanding experience exploring Tuscany!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved staying at Gorgonza and Moscedella! Rich in history and wonderful to actually meet the families who lived there and worked the land. I loved spending the day on Elba. Swimming in the sea and soaking up the sun in October was magical. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an excellent guide. We went to places we never would have had access to. We met lots of friendly and interesting fellow tourists.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! If I have to choose, it was tasting bread that was drizzled with the first pressing of olive oil that was one hour old? We relished it as we ate outdoors at a farm, among their olive trees."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was much more than I expected it to be. Some of the accommodations were truly outstanding. Our guide David was amazing. All the impromptu music on the tour was really special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty and diversity of the Tuscany region."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Tuscany was wonderful. I loved visiting the little hill towns. We ate delicious food on the tour. I have been on 9 Rick Steves tours and have had excellent tour guides, but David was the best of the best. A++. Having him for our tour guide really made the tour special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As usual, there were many. I especially enjoyed our pasta cooking class at La Moscadella and the surprise concert by David's band there. Also, local tour guides Nico in Pienza and Annie in Volterra were really excellent."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Francesco and our driver were awesome as were the local guides. The one thing that I would have preferred was different was the tour of the Accademia. We spent a lot of time in one room and then about 30 minutes at the statue of David and then were given 10 minutes to see the rest of the gallery, use the bathroom and meet outside. I would have preferred less time at each of the two area and more time to look around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed the pasta making experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really great tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying at La Moscadella and the Medieval Hamlet"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous tour with great people, great experiences and our wonderful guide Francesco. I loved the mix of culture & history, great food & wine and the diversity of the Tuscan landscapes & villages we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about the Italian partisans and how they fought back against the oppressors during WWII was fascinating. Visiting the WWII American cemetery near Florence was very moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt I knew what to expect from the tour itinerary but this trip definitely exceeded my expectations in all ways...experiences, lodging, education, beauty, food and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many where I was amazed by the beauty and the age of everything but my total wow moment was experiencing our lodging at La Moscadella."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful in-depth tour of Tuscany. The food was fantastic; the hotels were lovely, the city guides were amazing; our guide David was incredible. The itnerary was well thought out. Could not have asked for a more thoughtful itinerary. Our travel group was so fun to be with , It all was an off the charts 11 on a scale of 1-10 (my reference to the Spinal Tap movie)

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Many WOW's on this tip -The afternoon at the Maremma farm visit- seeing first hand working with the cattle- Giddy-up ,indeed! Also the visit to the seeing the excavations in Pienza was something out of an Indiana Jones movie- fascinating to see history coming alive. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

To say that our Tuscany tour was a trip of a lifetime is an understatement. The 12 days spent with our absolutely fantastic tour guide, David, exceeded our expectations. David brought Italy alive with his knowledge of its history as well as the everyday workings of its government and citizens. David filled our bus rides with such interesting facts and observations we were able to feel his love and loyalty to his country which broadened our appreciation of Tuscany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! We visited the Florence American Cemetery where over 4,000 American soldiers who died in Italy during World War II were buried. A very sobering experience that I wouldn't have wanted to miss. Also the Isle of Elba!! Breathtaking!! Then there was the night David's band played a gig for us after dinner!! WOW!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was great Tours, lodging, food, David.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"David and his band surprising us after dinner with a concert."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What's not to love about Tuscany?!? The art, architecture, countryside, and of course the food, were all outstanding. Local guides were very good, but our tour guide David was truly extraordinary! We had a great group of people on this tour. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and mingled well. Its a good mix of larger and smaller towns with an appropriate mix of group and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the hill towns, learning their history from the guides, and popping into churches or museums. Always something to see and later discuss over some tasty food and wine!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was so far beyond what I could have imagined. Every moment was special and every day a new adventure! I had never been but always dreamed of visiting Tuscany. I would highly recommend a Rick Steve’s tour and am planning my next one. All of the people in our group were so great, we had so much fun together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can’t choose just one: Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea! Our final meal together, and the amazing entertainment from our fabulous tour guide, David Torde. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful selection of towns and villages. Food, hotels, guides and transportation were impeccable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views in Tuscany are a masterpiece "

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

This was our seventh tour. The first six were outstanding, inspirational, and thoroughly fun. The tour guide arrived late working on another tour she said and in doing she told us we weren’t important. At the end of the tour, she left early in the breakfast because she had something else to do. She lacked any warmth whatsoever, literally belittled tour members who answered her questions wrongly. In summary, if she had been the guide on our 1st tour, we wouldn’t have made a second tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The local guides Ana was particularly good and gave us a great tour of Volterra "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were able to experience and learn much more than we would have without our tour guides. Local insight was invaluable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Realizing that the Etruscan works that we were looking at are 2800-2900 years old. Unreal!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour covered areas of Tuscany I had not seen before. We were blessed with beautiful weather and scenery. We had wonderful guides and amazing accommodations. The food was outstanding and plentiful. Overall a great tour and I would highly recommend it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed our three night stay at La Moscadella, The Isabella Experience. Beautiful setting, great accommodations and food as well as a fun cooking class. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized, the itinerary was excellent, and the pacing was good. Francesco is an outstanding guide, so knowledgeable. The other guides were excellent as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the incredible view from the tiny village of Monticchiello. I also loved our stay at La Moscadella--the beautiful grounds and fresh air, hotel design, the view, fabulous food, and the pici-making class with the owner, Isabella, where she shared her touching story of how she learned to make pasta."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour, and it exceeded my expectations. The guides were great; I really wouldn't have gotten half as much out of most of the places we went without them. The accommodations were better than I expected. We had a nice mix of filled and open time. Most of all, our group of travelers was really fun and we thoroughly enjoyed one another, which made the whole trip more special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots to choose from, but I'll go with the emotional stop at the Florence-American cemetery and recalling the sacrifices made in the much-less-publicized campaign to liberate Italy. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very fun great people. Amazing guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The last group dinner. It was great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Tuscany in 12 Days Tour was outstanding! Our guide, Francesco, was so organized and did a great job educating us about countless things. We loved Tuscany, especially Volterra, Siena, Lucca and the Island of Elba. Our tour group was the best and made the trip even more amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Experiencing Volterra and staying at La Moscadella!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Was a very well planned tour with plenty of planned activities but also free time to go on your own explorations at your own pace

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 13th century private town we stayed at, could have spent the entire trip there but there were also multiple other memorable places we saw and stayed at."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was so well balanced with tour time and free time. Cici was great! She was patient and available to us for questions and concerns. The group dinners were amazing and the hotels were a treat, especially the Garganza hamlet, so fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many wow moments, but did especially enjoy the pasta making class, then enjoying our efforts. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well guided with lots of down time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stay at the Villa - facilities and staff were amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyable. I saw things I never would have found on my own. The trip was well-organized and Lisa, our tour guide, was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The opera concert at our hotel in Lucca."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tuscany is an incredible region of Italy. The countryside was magnificent, green, rolling hills. Our guide was amazing with deep knowledge of the area and the differences between living in the USA and Italy. It was fascinating. She also completely managed all of the unknowns of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Hermitage that had been found recently on a farmer's property was incredible. Seeing the caves dug out of the hillside and the images that had been carved into the walls, some early Christian, like the six-fingered Madonna, and others pre-Christian, like the mermaid. Getting to the caves was breathtaking, walking through the verdant forest down the cliff. Absolutely made the trip for us! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a tour with a fantastic guide, very skilled bus driver, and a very nice group of fellow tour members. Lisa's personal stories brought Italian culture and society to life. She was also super helpful with a medical issue. I enjoyed the in-depth focus on Tuscany, an enchanting area of a beautiful country. Be aware that this is a strenuous tour, especially if you've lost stamina in the last few years. Train now to be ready for this great experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying at La Moscadella, visiting the Hermitage near Pienza, and the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial. (Okay, that's three.)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We covered a lot of interesting places and the pacing of the tour was good to cover as much sites in a reasonable time. Our tour guide Lisa was also fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Siena and learning more about its history and traditions"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour. It was a great mix of guided and free time. It was our first time touring with a group (we are in our 50’s) so we weren’t sure what to expect. I possibly would have liked a few more activities added in the days, but if you came to relax, see gorgeous sights, spend time with happy vacationers, eat delicious food and sip the best wine I’ve ever had, then this is your trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The first glimpse of the Tuscan town of Pitigliano, a walled city built on toufa rock. Amazing! Also seeing the David in person, it was huge and just emanated the work of a genius."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I wanted to see parts of Italy I had not seen before, though I've been many times (3 other RS tours). It did not disappoint. The countryside was stunning, food and wine outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our first glimpse of the Val d'Orcia as we walked to the Hermitage in Pienza. It literally took my breath away."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was the first guided tour we have ever been on and it was so fun. Getting to know all the people on your tour and all the little "surprises" was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having our tour guide play my favorite opera song riding through Tuscany brought tears to my eyes. It was the fulfillment of one of my bucket list items! I could hardly believe it was true. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was rigorous, but evenly paced and informative. The Tao of Rick was evident in every way, from what was included, to what was not. Need to do the tourist shuffle? There’s free time for that! But check out this quirky museum, and try this unusual street food. Some folks in our group had done multiple Rick Steves tours; one couple was on their 16th. It’s easy to see why. No following of sing-song tour guides here, it’s about the lives of our fellow earthlings and the beauty of their world.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from Volterra, and every expansive panorama from the higher points of Tuscany. Yogi Berra said you can observe a lot by looking, and sometimes looking without analysis is what your soul needs."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed walking the varied (but similar) small hill villages. We like the Rick Steve's combination of group activities/meals and time to explore personal interests/meals on our own. Rewarding to learn history and culture of each village.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bargello museum"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Terrific guide for the overall tour and fantastic local guides at our various stops. I really appreciate the attention to cultural experiences and meeting the local residents.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Sienna"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We followed Ireland with a Tuscany tour. Turns out, the two guides are good friends, so we knew we were going to have a great time! Vanessa is a party with trainers. She's a whirlwind of energy, cheerful and informative, lively and always up for anything! Tuscany is physically challenging with many stairs, rocky and cobbled roads, and some long inclines. This was harder for my husband (had open heart surgery in Oct) than we expected. Vanessa went above and beyond to help tourers who had issues.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It has to be Gargonza. WOW. Not an activity per se, but an ancient Etruscan village we were thrilled to stay in. We got to know whose house we occupied, how the village operated, and how the current owners are stone-by-stone returning it back to a working village. The wine tasting and the views were equally thrilling. WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This was my first tour of any kind. The guide was excellent, Vanessa (Princess Peachy). The walking over Tuscany was a little difficult for me, and I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in. Several of our tourists missed parts of the tour because they couldn't do the walking/hiking. I noticed as a single guy, most of the activities were for couples. I felt a bit left out. The hotels were the worst part of the tour for me. The crowds in Rome and Florence were hard to get through.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Academie in Florence, the David."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved everything about this tour. Beautiful scenery, wonderful accommodations, great guides, and a very nice group of fellow travelers. Becoming acquainted with several local families and visiting their homes and getting to know how they live was something that we would not have experienced if we had been traveling on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose, but seeing "David" for the first time was awe-inspiring. And the beautiful views from the bus of the Tuscan countryside never failed to impress."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The only reason I didn't put outstanding was because I had a strained achilles tendon and walking was very difficult. Otherwise, it was a wonderful trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Castello di Gargonza and Santa Guilia family winery were absolutely wonderful. Definitely my favorites."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall, the tour was decent but not our favorite. Tuscany is beautiful, but there's just not enough there for us to recommend this tour to other people. The provided meals on this tour weren't memorable either, with a couple of exceptions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Michelangelo's David"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Our tour guides were wonderful and the sights we saw we enjoyed. Unfortunately, we caught Covid three days in and that ended our tour. Not a great feeling to be left behind with no Rick Steve's personnel contacting you, other than our tour guide who checked on us a few times.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite "Wow" moment was during our "on your own" time when we caught a bus to Fiesole. The view was breathtaking, the old monastery hauntingly beautiful and our dinner overlooking Florence was relaxing and delicious."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First time out of the country felt like a good overall experience and will probably do another in the future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The art was very impressive. Seeing the David in person was great and the landscape was picturesque."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fun knowledgeable guides. Well planned and executed Itinerary. We had a great experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The time at Moscadella Working farm and pasta making "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Tuscany in 12 Days tour was a fantastic experience and a wonderful tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Lucca is always a "wow" moment for me. I just love the city and each visit reminds me why!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded our expectations. There was a good balance of tour activity and free time. Meals were very good. Cecelia was an excellent tour guide, and she went the extra mile to help anyone's special requirements. Good accommodations, especially Castell di Garganza and La Moscadella.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. Every day, something was exceptional. I guess my "wow" moments were discovering the small Tuscan hill towns. Breakfast outdoors at Moscadella was memorable. The Museo di Borghello was really nice."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide, good balance of activities, good accommodations, comfortable transportation with a very competent driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s so hard to pick just one! I had at least one a day! Visiting the mosaic workshop, the alabaster workshop, the Accademia and the Bargello for starters. The Etruscan archeological site and Etruscan Museum were unexpected and fascinating. I really enjoyed every minute of this trip."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

it was a wonderful experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"walking through the Tuscany villages"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just an amazing tour with the best guides, itinerary, food/wine, accommodations, unforgettable scenery, and fun/interesting cultural experiences, and the best “tour family”! Especially loved the smaller towns with fewer tourists and more opportunities to engage with the locals. Special trip with breathtaking scenery I’ll always remember.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to choose from! (The workshop of mosaic artisans, the Brunello winery, cappuccinos on the terrace of La Moscadella overlooking Tuscan hillsides, etc.) But two stand out: First the breathtaking Tuscan scenery surrounding Pienza and buying a painting of it from a delightful artist. Also having a lovely meal with a dear friend in the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro—sipping wine, eating excellent pasta, and listening to the nearby musicians. A fun Italian memory!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very Enriching!! This by far was the best experience ever. I had never been on a group tour before but soon realized this was a very good decision. We started in Florence and went to many walled hill towns in Tuscany. I would have never driven to all these places on my own. Our tour Guide Cecilia made the trip unforgettable. Her knowledge about history and explaining life in Italy was very humbling. Eleonora her apprentice was just as warm and Knowledgeable. Our group of 18 was great. Do it

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had many great moments. I enjoyed the countryside stays, exploration of medieval villages, wine tastings and amazing food provided. My stay at the La Moscadella was phenomenal! I thoroughly visiting Santa Giulia for our wine tasting and lunch as well as Isabella’s family farm and winery and learning about the process of making olive oil. I even met Grandpa! Equally as impressive was my stay at Castillo di Gargonza. My visit to The American Cemetery in Florence was very moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour experience was exceptional in every way! The scheduled itinerary stops were interesting, beautiful and oftentimes, places we would have never discovered had we traveled independently. Our tour guide, Cecilia and her apprentice, Eleonora were phenomenal! They were knowledgeable and helpful which allowed us the opportunity to enlarge our minds as we listened to their stories and insight about life in Italy. I felt as though I were temporarily immersed in the Tuscan culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have several “wow” moments from our trip! Staying at the agriturismo, La Moscadella and traveling through the Val d’Orca countryside top my list. Pienza, Volterra and Siena were my favorite hilltop towns. Walking through the charming medieval villages was like a step back in time. Our stay on a hilltop at Castello di Gargonza was so enchanting. Wine tasting, eating delicious food, pasta making and the community built with fellow tour members also positively impacted my experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Francesco Gronchi, made the tour exceptional. I learned a lot more about wine and wine tasting and enjoyed the various experiences along the way. I had been to most of the towns on previous tours of Italy, but they are different each time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved visiting the working family farm, a sensory experience - seeing, smelling goats, pigs, sheep - and the olive oil."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was perfect from the time we arrived until the time we left. We saw, and learned so much about the culture and history and food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of the wow moments was the cooking class then eating what we made after. Pretty cool and fun! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fun, educational, beautiful, friendly group, great tour guide and local guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose from "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RS tour and I’m glad I did it! I saw, ate, and drank things I never would have on my own. Francesco was fantastic as were all the local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have many WOW moments but one that stands out was being at Ponte Vecchio during sunset. It was beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a wonderful time on this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Florence American Cemetery and Memorial blew me away. What an unexpected emotional moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour of Tuscany. Excellent guides, nice fellow travelers, and what a place!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra. What a gem. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The cadence of this tour was perfectly suited to my sensibilities, notably the 3 day stay at La Moscadella was perfection. There was less time on the bus on this tour than on previous tours which was by design and why I chose this tour. Francesco, our tour guide, was a multi-faceted and well-rounded individual, and uniquely suited to offer an exceptional experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to the American Cemetery, while sobering, was the unexpected "wow" experience. The beauty of the grounds was remarkable and a testament to the strong respect the Italians have for the service men and women who risked their lives to save others. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was incredible - knowledgeable, fun, kind, organized and went above and beyond in all aspects. The towns we visited were all excellent and many we had never heard of.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Moscadella - wow! and their family's farm tour, olive oil and wine tasting. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Francesco was absolutely fantastic. Knowledgeable, professional, and super enthusiastic. The tour was a perfect mix of activities, "experiences", and downtime.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Any number of the hill towns we were able to visit. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Being Toscano on both sides, this tour had special meaning and it did not disappoint. We had been to the major cities before so I was really looking forward to experiencing the interior. It was springtime and just beautiful in the valleys and rolling hills. The agriturismos and wine tasting were much enjoyed. I found the monastery experience lacking; too much time on frescos and not enough on the life of monks. There was COVID on our tour and I think guides should push people more to test.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of them, but the biggest surprise was entering the ancient hill town of Gorgonza and finding we were the only ones in that cool little place. I enjoy wine and the visits to the family owned wineries were a highlight. The extended stay at the Moscadella villa was incredible. I will always remember our visit to the American cemetery and the story behind the beautiful gardens of La Foce. Lucca was as charming as always. Our guide, Francesco, was excellent. Last but not least...the FOOD!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic. This was our 9th Rick Steves tour, so I guess we count as groupies. We visited places and met people we could not have visited and met on our own. Francesco is a wonderful guide, providing valuable insights about the places we visited, Tuscany, and Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying in Gargonza and Castelmuzio and visiting Pienza and Volterra all count as "wow" moments. I can't choose one above the others."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tuscany was full of pleasant surprises. I loved seeing the green hills. The countryside with all the spring wildflowers was beautiful and unusual.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a number. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I went into it with no tour experience or expectations. It blew me away. The amount of activities and the guide experience just left me in awe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My tour guide, Francesco was my wow moment. He made the entire trip worth every penny. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our 7th RS tour and, as always, a well organized trip with an excellent guide, enjoyable tour members, and interesting itinerary

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Beautiful Tuscan scenery and stays at the hilltop village and La Moscadella"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The first week was terrific—educational, food, drink, hotels, castles, outstanding guide, great fellow travelers. The 2nd week I tested positive for COVID. Florence was a great place to recuperate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking around the Costello di Gargonza—the natural beauty was stunning. Neri was such an interesting, charming person. Our room was magnificent! The food, the drink. Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 1 of 5

Flights cancelled at last minute, missed first two days of the tour, eventually caught COVID and missed last two days of the tour. The tour itself was boring with a great deal of up, down and up again walking to view repetitious, mediocre sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One guide talked about secular humanism with insight and passion. Also, a visit to one winery was both interesting and appealing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful. We got a really taste of the real Tuscany. Enjoyed our guide, the group and all the wine tastings and the food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sitting in the breakfast area at La Moscadella and viewing the hills of Tuscany - it was beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded my expectations on every level! Each site we visited was unique and the local guides were outstanding. Our own tour guide was excellent - well informed, enthusiastic and with a broad level of interests and expertise.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Hermitage archaeological site in Pienza that was owned and cared for by a local family, then visiting their family farm where the young guide and his grandfather showed us their animals, and how they produce wine and olive oil. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This long awaited and dreamed of tour was everything we had hoped it would be and so much more. The thrill of seeing renaissance masterpieces in Florence was equaled by the amazing countryside and beautiful hill towns of Tuscany. We saw many amazing things and learned much. It was a total delight we will always remember and cherish.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just realizing we were where we were and getting to experience Florence and Tuscany."

Overall rating: rating 1 of 5

My wife and I both got covid because a person on the tour refused to test and was sure her sniffles were just a cold. We appreciate that you have refunded a generous share of the tour price. In my opinion testing should be mandatory for any person on the tour who shows symptoms of covid.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very informative, first hand view of the local community and an outstanding guide and facilitator.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to describe. The incredible history of the area spans from Before Christ through WWII. The people are genuine and with the Rick Steve's connections are very accessible. The environment of the trip and the leader's approach foster a communal learning experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

included some cool off-the-beaten path accommodations and experiences, some wonderful food and wine, our guide was fantastic, we had a really nice group of people on the tour. Nice pace and a perfect mix - Florence and then beautiful historic towns in the Tuscan countryside and the island of Elba.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"seeing my covid test turn positive, haha. Seriously, there were so many it's hard to come up with just one. The drive up to Castello di Gargonza was a wow - realizing we were going to be staying so off the beaten path in such a unique and historic place, surrounded by such beauty, a place we'd never find on our own. And every time we wandered down to the incredible aperitivos and dinners in La Moscadella dining room with that beautiful view, it was like wow, we are really getting spoiled. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time traveling to Europe and participating on a travel tour. Everything about this trip exceeded my expectation. Guide, hotels, daily itinerary, free time, meals, selected towns to visit and stay in and our 20 person group was fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I’d say walking from our hotel on day 1 in Florence and seeing the Duomo, baptistery and piazza. It was an amazing sight in person. That set the stage for so many more “wows”. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved the tour and the wonderful itinerary. Our guide, Alfio, was well organized, very funny, kind and added so much to our trip with language lessons, history filled discussions and cultural insights. Ray and Cathy promise to never kill the pasta again. The local guides were fabulous and of course the food and wine was outstanding. Our fellow tour members added so much to the experience with their wonderful questions and helpful suggestions. The hotels were mostly outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My Wow moment was seeing Michelangelo’s David, the beautiful Tuscan country side and seeing Voltaire and Lucca. Our private concert of Puccini’s operas, in the town he called home, will be a lifelong memory. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour experience gave us something unique, surprising, informative & special each day. The variety of experiences was amazing; from staying in a renovated castle to visiting a cattle ranch.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In retrospect, Nikko's tour of the medieval/Etruscan ruins discovered on his family property in Pienza literally blew us away. His stories of discovery, cleaning/excavation, challenges with bureaucracy, etc. with regard to this site were enlightening & more often funny. It became very clear how important this was to his family. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best tour I’ve ever taken

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gargonza and Casa Moriccciani the best food, the best hospitality of any place we stayed, I felt like they treated us like we were family, the views were fantastic both places were my WOW moments "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip overseas and the first tour we've taken. We had a great time and found Francesco and his partnerTrina to be wonderful tour guides. The local guides were also fantastic. We learned so much about Tuscany and really enjoyed every minute of our educational experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments it would be difficult to pick one. The Duomo in Florence and the main Piazza in Sienna were amazing to see in person. Then there were the mountain villages of Pitigliano and Voltare, and the tour of a family owned vineyard and winery, no to mention the food. The entire trip was wonderful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Tuscany tour was a great combination of history, culture, beautiful rural scenery, and cuisine and wine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting multiple medival towns and the gorgeous spring fields and hills they were situated in."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my fourth Steves tour and it met all expectation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning that Christians had been forbidden from banking in early history. That fact explaining why the bankers were Jewish and also were able to concentrate wealth. Mind blown!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were impressed by the knowledge and friendliness of the guides, and were impressed by the variety of daily fine expereince on the tour. Bravo.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The artwork within the Piccolomini Library of the Siena Catherdal was unexpectedly beatiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful Tour! Francesco made our time together so special. his knowledge of the region and the wines gave us an even greater depth of understanding about the culture of Tuscany. we enjoyed being in Volterra and meeting his wife and the local people. The tour was well paced, the meals and entertainment (especially the opera singer ) were excellent. Loved all the wine tastings

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our hotel room in ValD' Orcia was phenomenal. We loved the alabaster carving and the Opera singer. I think seeing each of the hilltop fortresses was amazing and the fact they are all still standing and people live in the cities with all the antiquity that that brings is so amazing. We loved the stop at the WWII memorial site"