Honeymoon Highlights: Rome, Florence, Venice Tour

The tour company did everything we agreed upon.

All aspects of the trip were laid out and executed, with absolutely not one item missed or left out. It truly took all travel pressure off; we just had to show up, wake up, and start each day and end each day with a smile.

Zicasso’s travel specialist was a fantastic travel advisor. This tour operator helped us plan our perfect Italian vacation by listening to our desires, from wanting boutique hotels with a view to private tours. They secured transportation from Sorrento to Florence to Rome.

Our driver to the winery was exceptional. He went above and beyond to find a quaint restaurant that served my favorite meal: white-truffle pasta. We also had an amazing guide in Pompeii. He was very informative and even surprised us with his beautiful singing voice in the amphitheater inside Pompeii. This trip was magical. We could not have asked for a better organized, non-stress trip.

Overall, this may be too much, but we were happy to have written it down as it allowed us to relive the experience. This was a wonderful trip and we absolutely recommend Zicasso and our travel agent. We are already thinking about our next adventure in Italy. Here are the details...

Planning: Zicasso’s travel agent did a wonderful job of helping us plan a trip, making adjustments and ensuring the adventure turned out perfectly. We interviewed several approaches to planning the trip and our choice with Zicasso’s tour company was the right one for us. The trip app was great and kept everything right at our fingertips. We will definitely reach out to this travel agent when we return to Italy.

Food: How is it that when we stopped on the highway to Florence for a coffee, the food was as good as any high-end restaurant in the United States—organic, fresh, and tasty. One of our crew is gluten sensitive in the United States… in Italy, it’s not the gluten, it’s the chemicals used in the United States. We ate bread at every meal and had no problems. We learned that more simple fare is better fare and just amazing. No need for exotic tasting of cheese, bread, wine, pasta, salad, olive oil, vinegar, with fresh vegetables in the sauce, is all one ever needs… until the gelato at least twice a day.

Logistics: The logistics were great and absolutely essential for first-time travelers. There were guides and drivers to meet us at every stop. They seemed to know what we looked like and were just so very helpful.

Guides: Great choices across the board! Their knowledge and love of their various cities was detailed and charming. It was clear that each city fancies itself as the origin of culture and much more. We loved the perspectives and personalities of the people, and of our guides in Rome, Florence, the Tuscan farm, Venice, the Venice water tour, and Pompeii.

Drivers: Our three drivers, especially the one who got stuck with us on the way to Florence due to an auto accident. He really had an extended day and we really appreciated his patience. We got to know him a little and he was delightful.

Travel by train: It was so easy, fast, and comfortable. We loved the time together and the scenery. The added benefit of the lounge made a big difference from the busyness of the train station. We loved this, all at 300 km/h!

Hotels: The hotels were exactly as described—centrally located, convenient, and very comfortable.

Rome: The best beds and staff!

Florence: The best location—convenient to shops/cafés and breakfast.

Venice: Great location, with window views of the canals; it was very nice, but a bit dated in decor in the lobby. We would still stay there next trip!

Planning and sites visited: Overall, each of the cities and sites were outstanding. They gave us a great insight into Italy as a country, as well as its culture and people. Everyone we engaged with (including hotel staff, restaurants, and locals) was friendly, helpful, and engaging. The pervasiveness of English speakers was incredible. Our single-language approach is something we need to work on in the United States! We always felt safe and well taken care of. The added benefit of this support was that it allowed all of us to focus on the city and countrysides, not the driving. It may cost a bit more, but we felt it was totally worth it.

Roma: Here is the only mistake we made in planning our trip. Doing the Vatican and ruins/Colosseum in the same day is too much. This was clearly our decision and our travel agent suggested that it was “a lot.” Having said that, the pre-purchase and guide is clearly the way to go in whatever city you visit. The three sites are incredible.

Pompeii: We thought this would be neat to see, but not as amazing as the other sites…we were wrong. Pompeii is an incredible site and the pace of the tour was just about right for us. This is a place where you can walk the streets where people have walked since long before Christ. The opulence of their living (steam baths, frescos, statues, and mosaics) is incredible.

Tuscan countryside: The organic farm and cheese-making visit, including a quick trip to Pienza, was an absolute highlight. The lunch was fantastic and inspired us to eat organic! We also loved that to get to the farm you had to travel on gravel roads (well maintained, by the way) and got to see working farms.

Pienza is a beautiful, small village where we could spend an entire day exploring. Next visit, we will carve out a day to shop there and spend the night. There was so much to do in a limited time!!!

Florence: It's just beautiful. The work by Michelangelo just defies explanation and leaves you breathless. The churches are a monument to the wealth and dedication of generations of craftsmen engaged in centuries of work. The cooking class was wonderful and fun, and there was so much food. Making your own tiramisu, pasta, chicken dishes, and sauces was just wonderful.

Venice: We skipped the gondola ride because the tour of the Grand Canal was just incredible. Some of us were a bit spooked by the narrow “streets” or, better yet, passageways. However, we all loved the tour and exploring. One of our crew took off later in the day after the tour and tried to get lost… successfully. But with a bit of iPhone maps and the kindness of the people, they found cafés, open-air markets, an antique shop, children playing football, and a delightful adventure.

Our time in Italy was fabulous. The drivers and the guides were top-notch. They were exceptionally knowledgeable and obviously ecstatic to share their knowledge with us. Our drivers were very friendly and helpful throughout. We could not have asked for a better trip than the one Zicasso provided through their travel partner. We are looking forward to the next time we can use your services and plan our next travel. Thank you for providing us with such an unforgettable trip.

Zicasso’s travel consultant and the entire tour operator were beyond wonderful: their customer experience is second to none. They are accommodating, providing the ultimate travel organization and follow-up. I would highly recommend their team and services to everyone. In fact, I've already done so! I am deeply grateful for their knowledge and expertise in planning an unforgettable experience for my first trip in 15 years.

My deepest appreciation to all!