Grand Tour of Italy’s Baroque Art & Architectural History

We could not be more pleased with the itinerary Zicasso’s travel specialist organized on our behalf. We were visiting Rome with our daughter, son-in-law, and 11-year-old twin granddaughters. From our pick-up at the airport to our final drop-off heading home, everything ran like clockwork.

The tours of the Colosseum and the Vatican, our cooking class, and fresco art painting experience were all well-suited to every member of the family. The guides and hostesses were all lovely, very knowledgeable, and made every experience memorable, especially for our grandchildren. We would not hesitate to recommend the travel specialist to anyone looking for a truly authentic Roman adventure.

We very much enjoyed our recent 15-day trip to Italy. Accommodations were comfortable and clean, and in good locations with a nice breakfast provided. All drivers were professional, polite, and on time.

The tour guides provided to the Colosseum/Forum, Vatican Museum, Borghese Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, and Accademia Gallery were all excellent and knowledgeable. We also appreciate the recommendations for restaurants near the hotel in Rome. All were excellent.

We felt that overall there was a good balance of planned activities and free time.

The trip was awesome. The accommodations were very nice. We just did not realize how much walking we would do, but we managed. There were a few hiccups, but nothing major.

Our transport from the airport to the hotel in Venice went smoothly. We definitely appreciated the private transfer after seeing the crowd on the public transportation. My sister was a little disappointed that the gondolier did not sing to us in Italian, but she thought the ride was very relaxing. The tour guide for St. Mark's was very knowledgeable and informative. Venice was a lovely and unique city. We were surprised by the narrow walkways/streets and canals; but came to appreciate them. It gave Venice its charm. The transport from the hotel to the train station was right on time and the guy at the train station was great. He explained exactly what we needed to do to catch the train to our next destinations. We really appreciated his help.

The transport from the train station to the car rental agency was okay. The driver spoke little English and the A/C did not work in the vehicle. The driver did try everything to work the A/C and did apologize that it was not working. The driver dropped us off at the wrong spot at the rental car place. He dropped us off where you turn in the cars.  We had to walk to where you rent the cars with our luggage. The car-rental line was extremely long and somewhat confusing. There were no instructions to take a number. We only knew because a nice couple informed us to do so. And there were so many other car-rental places with no lines. 

We explored Cinque Terre, Pisa, and Florence during our time in Impruneta. We really enjoyed the cooking class and winery tour you scheduled for us; our guide was a great teacher. Driving in Florence was a little confusing with the ZTLs, but I think we did okay. Little did we know how much we would appreciate the ZTLs while walking around in Florence. We walked and shopped in Florence. We even did a tour at the Accademia Gallery to see the statue of David. 

Returning the vehicle was way easier than renting it and our next transport picked us up right where we were dropped off. We felt very comfortable navigating the train station for our train ride to Rome, thanks to the train station lesson we received from the guy in Venice. The train rides went very smoothly. The transport from the station in Rome to our hotel went very well. He literally dropped us off right in front of the hotel.

Rome was different. It had the narrow, quaint streets between buildings which made Rome very walkable. However, we did not expect cars/motorcycles to be driving down these narrow streets as well. It made for interesting walks. We really enjoyed our tours with our guide. She was very knowledgeable and informative. She also allowed us to go at our own pace. Needless to say, our pace became slower than usual from all the walking we already did in Venice and Florence. Our feet were starting to hurt, even though we wore comfortable shoes the whole time. We also enjoyed the Vatican Necropolis. I was extremely humbled that I was able to kneel and pray before the actual remains of St. Peter. I am very grateful we were allowed to get into that tour. Although Rome was different, it was very historical and a lot to take in. There was just so much history everywhere you turned. Rome was really inspiring.

Our transport from the hotel back to the airport was on time and went very well. The driver spoke very good English and gave us some additional interesting facts while on our way to the airport. We were ready to go home, but also sad to be leaving.  

Thank you for putting the details of the trip together. The trip would not have been as great as it was without you.

Zicasso set us up with a wonderful travel agent. The process of choosing and communicating through the Zicasso system was easy and helpful.

The travel specialist and her team planned a wonderful 15-day trip, with nine days in Rome and four days in Florence. She found us great accommodations that included a kitchen, which was a must for us. Other travel agents were not able to provide such accommodations.

The drivers we had were professional and picked us up on time. The guides were experts in their field and generally had taught at universities. The guides were very personable and tailored the tours to our interests.

She arranged all the necessary skip-the-line tours. We went to the Vatican with three different tours: the Sistine Chapel, the Gardens, and the necropolis to see St. Peter's tomb.

There were a couple of hiccups in this perfectly planned itinerary. Each time, the travel specialist and her staff were immediately available and guided us through solutions, such as trying to get to the Colosseum during the Roman Marathon.

Our first trip to Italy was a romantic anniversary celebration, and thanks to Zicasso’s travel specialist and our travel company, it became one of the most extraordinary and meaningful travel experiences of our lives. It was everything we had dreamed of, and so much more!

From our very first conversations, she took the time to understand who we are as travelers: our love of art, architecture, history, culture, food, wine, and lifelong learning. She translated those passions into an imaginative, beautifully personalized journey through Rome, Tuscany, Florence, and Venice.

One of her greatest gifts is her intuitive understanding of the rhythm of travel. We wanted days filled with discovery, learning, and new experiences, but also leisurely afternoons and evenings to wander cobblestone streets, linger over wonderful meals, and simply absorb the atmosphere of Italian life. She struck that balance perfectly. Our itinerary was wonderfully rich, yet never rushed or overscheduled.

The private guides she selected were exceptional: not simply knowledgeable, but gifted teachers and storytellers who brought centuries of Italian history, art, architecture, and culture vividly to life. In Florence, for example, our guide helped us explore the Renaissance through fascinating stories of the Medici family, Michelangelo’s creative process, and the philosophy of Humanism. Our visits to the great museums and historic landmarks became intellectually stimulating and deeply engaging experiences.

She also introduced us to Italy’s living traditions: a fabulous food tour in Rome, wine tasting in Tuscany, explorations of enchanting medieval towns and villages, and boat excursions to Murano and Burano, where we discovered the centuries-old artistry of glassblowing and lacemaking. These experiences gave us a wonderful sense of the richness and continuity of Italian culture.

Her choices of accommodations were equally inspired. Each was distinctive, beautifully located, and full of character, from a charming, peaceful boutique hotel near the Pantheon in Rome, to a magical stay in a medieval Tuscan village, an elegant Art Deco hotel in Florence, and a fairytale suite in Venice. Every setting added another layer of romance and delight to our anniversary celebration. And the cuisine was heavenly! Every meal was memorable, culminating in a dreamy farewell dinner beside a Venetian canal.

Behind all this magic was the travel specialist’s impeccable planning, extraordinary attention to detail, and genuinely proactive care. Every transition, from airports and private transfers to trains and boats, was seamlessly coordinated.

One small example perfectly captures her approach. When our train from Florence to Venice was delayed, we contacted the travel specialist to let her know. She immediately reassured us that she was already monitoring our train and had informed our guide in Venice of the delay. There was nothing for us to do but relax, enjoy the ride, and look forward to the magnificence of Venice! That kind of thoughtful anticipation gave us complete peace of mind throughout our travels.

Equally special was her warmth and genuine personal connection. She was always accessible, and we found ourselves exchanging messages most days, not because anything needed fixing, but simply because it was such a pleasure sharing our experiences with her. She combines exceptional professionalism, creativity, and meticulous organization with kindness, generosity of spirit, and a contagious passion for sharing the beauty of her country. By the end of our journey, we felt we had gained not only an extraordinary travel advisor, but also a wonderful new friend.

Italy opened our minds, elevated our souls, and deeply touched our hearts. Our travel specialist didn’t simply organize a magnificent vacation; she opened the door to a country and culture we have now fallen completely in love with.

We cannot recommend our travel specialist and travel company highly enough. For anyone seeking a thoughtfully curated, culturally immersive, deeply personal, and truly unforgettable Italian journey, she is an exceptional choice.

We are already dreaming of returning to explore Sicily and Sardinia with our family, and there is absolutely no question who we will call!

Thank you for giving us far more than a beautiful vacation. You gave us an extraordinary gift: memories, discoveries, and connections we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

It was well organized and met my needs completely. The guides and drivers (except for the one to the airport on 6/23) were great. I was particularly surprised and pleased by the art tour on 6/22.