Best of Italy 17 Days Tour

Kate, I’m not in your tour group, but we have taken that tour, and it’s wonderful! So many exciting places to see!

I would definitely recommend arriving a couple of days ahead, so you don’t have to worry about jet lag when you meet up with your tour group. Plus, if your flight is delayed, it’s not an issue. For this trip, we flew into Milan and took the train to Verona for three nights. Verona was very easy to acclimate into Italy, and easy train connections back up to Varenna (Lake Como).

Thank you Jean for your reply!

I am not on the tour either, but couldn’t help myself from chiming in.
I agree with Jean 1,000%! If you have the time, get to Italy a few days before your tour. If you arrive the day before your tour, you will be a sleepy zombie on tour for the first three days. Much better to arrive 3-4 days early and acclimate slower before tour starts. Enjoy!!

Kate,
You didn't list the date of your tour. There are multiple Best of Italy tours in 2019. Have you received your list of tour mates? If so, be sure to bring the list with you. Then after you meet your tour mates you can make notes on it that will help you remember who is who. You will also pick a buddy that is used instead of roll-call each day on the tour. You will be amazed at how quickly you remember your mates' names. This is such a great tour. Since it is 17 days you really bond with the other members. The scenery, the duomo's, the art and especially the food are FABULOUS. Enjoy!

Thank you for the responses. We do have the first name roster.
Any info on what to make sure to pack and what not to bring to save space in the carry on bag?

Kate we did it last year in Sept. & first trip to Europe also!! You are going to be 100% please you choose this tour! Most of our tour group arrived early to spend 1 full day in Milan BUT we arrived early and spent 2 nights , 1 fun day in Varenna and so glad we made that decision. Milan was HOT and busy, Varenna on the lake AMAZING!!! hike to the castle on your extra play day there, slowly stroll the water front in the day & evening & on castle hike be sure you stop at the potters studio up there.
Andiamo!!
If you have Colleen as your guide tell her hello!!

Thank you for the info on the sights to take advantage of while we are in Italy! Can’t wait!

Hi Kate... Is your tour starting 8/30? If so we are on that tour. We arrived today 8/28 and are staying in Brunate.

We are on the September 8 one.

Hello. Is anyone starting on the Friday, September 20, Best of Italy?

Hubby and I, along with my 30 year old son are doing this one. Our tour begins September 29th. We are arriving a few day early and staying at an Airbnb. Our Airbnb hosts contacted us to inform us that there is an Air show from Italian airborne patrol the weekend we arrive. I'm packing this weekend and struggling with what to bring and what to leave.

My wife and I took this tour in 2015 and it was definitely the best vacation we have taken. What surprised me the most was how pretty Italy was. I had been to Rome and Florence before, but I was not prepared for all the beautiful sites Italy had to offer. Everyone talks about how crowded the Cinque Terre is and it was crowded, but mainly if you tried to take the trains between the towns. There were unbelievably long lines to get on the trains. We got an all day pass for the ferries. The cost back then was £23 each. It was well worth it. The views of the towns from the oceans were spectacular and when we got into a town, we walked thru the town to the trail above the town for a great view looking down. The longest we waited for a ferry was about 30 minutes and we were next to the ocean while we were waiting. That was much better than waiting for a train.

If you are looking for a good restaurant in Florence, I highly recommend “The Golden View.” You need advanced reservations unless you plan on eating around 6:00 pm.

I put together two, 10 minute videos of our tour that I think will get you even more excited about your trip. Turn up the volume when watching.

https://youtu.be/c5mdy0OzRC4

https://youtu.be/MZia6oOs8iA

Just realized you have already left. Maybe someone else could benefit from the videos.

Thanks for these Yosemite1!

Kate

Amazing how quickly 17 days goes by, isn't it

Kate,

I hope you will post a trip report on your tour.