Historical Immersion Tour of Tuscany: Siena and Florence

Zicasso’s travel company and every single guide and driver were stellar. All four hotels were good or excellent. There was one error on the schedule for the day outside of Florence when we had a driver to take us to the Siena region. The schedule stated three hours, so we paid for tickets to the Pitti Palace/garden, which turned out to be wasted money as the driving tour was actually nine hours. It was a beautiful day, though.

We had a fantastic trip, all thanks to our travel specialist. We spent a few days in Siena, touring different Tuscan towns like Montepulciano, Pienza, and San Gimignano, and then we spent a couple of nights in Florence. All of our drivers and guides were very thoughtful that we had my two-year-old nephew with us.

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.

Overall, the trip was perfect! The hotels were really nice and the itinerary was great.

A few things I would have changed. First, the Amalfi tour day. There was not enough time in Ravello or Positano. We needed more time to relax and shop.

The class of train could have been nicer for the Florence-to-Rome portion of the trip.

We've been to many wineries throughout Europe and the one we went to on our way to Siena was okay, but we have been to much nicer wineries, with better wine and food tastings. It was not a great wine tour experience.

Everything else was wonderful and we really enjoyed the trip with our sons!!!

Thank you!

We can't say enough good things about the trip planned for us in Tuscany and Cinque Terre. It was the perfect balance of cultural (museums, artwork, architecture), historical (tours of towns, churches), food (culinary classes, olive oil mill, winemaking/vineyards), and outdoor activities (hiking, truffle hunting, sunset boating cruise). The uniqueness of some of the activities made this vacation one of the best European vacations we have ever experienced.

The guidance of Zicasso's travel specialists was so appreciated and was spot on for planning meals and when to leave open time. The guides and drivers they provided were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and very friendly. Even when we had major air travel issues getting to Italy, they immediately came to our rescue when we had to arrive in Florence instead of Pisa.

Also, all of the accommodations which they booked for us were comfortable, spacious, and within easy walking distance of local attractions. We highly recommend Zicasso. We are looking forward to being able to plan our next Italian adventure with them.

Thanks for organizing a great trip to Italy for us. We had a great time. The entire experience working with Zicasso's travel company was professional. They were responsive, on top of things, and helped plan and execute a positively memorable trip to Florence, Venice, and Rome.

Hotels: All hotels met our needs. I would rate the hotels across quality of room/property and quality of service on a scale of one to five:

Our hotel in Florence: Quality of room 4/5; Quality of service 5/5.

Our hotel in Tuscany: Quality of room 3/5; Quality of service 4/5.

Our hotel in Rome: Quality of room 5/5 (best room); Quality of service 4.5/5.

Guides and drivers: All guides and drivers did a great job. They were punctual, gave us good information, and were friendly. I want to specially recognize our driver in Florence/Tuscany, our guide on June 26 in Florence, and our guide for the food tour in Rome for doing an exceptional job.

What could’ve been better: Given the hot weather, which is outside everyone’s control, some days felt cramped. In Florence, after the guided tour of Florence, we had the cooking class. As a result, we could not do the planned climb up the Duomo dome. In Venice, if we did it again, we would choose a different location and hotel.

Overall, we ended the trip with very fond memories of Italy. There is so much more to explore in your beautiful country and we will be back. Thanks to the team at the travel company.