Heart of Italy in 9 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall quality of everything, from the hotels, the guided tours, the travel arrangements, was superb!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through Volterra. I didn't know quaint little middle-aged villages made of stone on a hilltop still existed!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide, Patricia, really made the trip so enjoyable and learnable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Arriving in Florence"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Patricia was awesome. Third RST and the best one. The group was outstanding, intense walking, hill climbing and moving but we all worked together to cheer each other on! Adjustments to the itinerary due to crowds, bus strike but it all worked out. Food was great especially the seafood feast.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cinque terre and the boat ride on our day off where we could do what we wanted. The coastline was beautiful, weather was perfect, way of life simple and the gelato!! Also the David statue was a sight to see, the detail was incredible when you think of the tools that were available to them."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Patricia the guide was amazing! She was very attentive and handled all logistics flawlessly. I really enjoyed the walking tours, especially the olive oil tour. I was a little disappointed in the wine tasting because he seemed to indicate that the wines he provided were not very good. And it was not anyone’s fault but the museums were extremely busy due to the holiday weekend.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Volterra, the alabaster studio especially. I also loved the Etruscan museum. I could have spent a week there!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire tour was great. The guide, Patricia, was informative, friendly and very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Volterra and the beautiful views. Seeing “David” was also a WOW for me in Florence. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From start to finish it was evident that our tour guide was a seasoned pro. I am in a service industry for my own work and I noticed small things that could have developed into something greater but our guide saw them and pivoted quickly and made the whole experience delightful!

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour. Plenty of information from the tour guide and more than enough free time to explore on our own

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Vatican and visiting the small towns along the shore"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fabulous experience-- Our guide, Patricia, was a true treasure! We had the BEST people on our tour... so much fun. Perfect balance of group time and time on your own. We are already trying to decide where to go to next!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So much of what we saw was WOW! But we really enjoyed our time in Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great people, wonderful guide, Could not believe how crowded Rome and Florence were. Perfect weather, great food. Only one hotel a little less than expected.Would have liked more time in Florence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the Cathedral and Duomo in Florence."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a really nice experience. My only concern was dealing with the mass of humanity in Rome and Florence and walking on uneven surfaces. And the lack of "face cloths in all the hotels. The mattresses varied by hotel, some good some not so good. Our guide was top notch and helped us considerably.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cinque Terrre boat ride"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rhianne was a fabulous guide and this is a great tour of this area of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra and the stories our local guide told us. The local guides always bring so much to every Rick Steves tour I have been on"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group. Rihanne was wonderful. Hotels were good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The American Cemetary outside Firenze. The guide there was very passionate "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved the Heart of Italy tour. It was a great way to see multiple cities and get a glimpse of the culture and history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I cannot think of a specific thing. The entire experience was wonderful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, my experience was outstanding! I was impressed how the tour had just the right amount of tour group time and free time. I really enjoyed the small, intimate moments that our group had. For example, the olive oil farm and the alabaster workshop. I would not get those types of experiences if I was traveling on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hands down...Volterra!! What an incredible place! Our Volterra guide, Annie was incredible. Her story telling literally brought me to tears. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

positive, good balance of planned activities and free time. Tour schedule was very good, great value

Favorite "WOW" moment

"no wow moment, but very much enjoyed the authentic activities, Olive oil farm, Alabaster workshop, wine tasting"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had no bad surprises. Everything promised was delivered. It was a very good balance of structured vs. free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't know that I had a "wow" moment. This was my sixth "tour" of Europe and it met all my high expectations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rhianne had us well organized while remaining flexible for inclement weather in Cinque Terre. Taking the train between towns got us there, but not as much fun for us as hiking would have been had the trails not been closed. Overall, I preferred the smaller towns of Volterra and those of Cinque Terre, although I appreciated seeing the historical sites in Rome and Florence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing the Bell Tower in Florence to look out over the city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My expectations for a Rick Steves tour were high, and I'm happy to say my expectations were met! Our trip leader, Rhianne, was wonderful: knowledgeable, organized, friendly, responsible, fun! The guides along the way were all very good too, providing valuable and relevant information about the areas of their expertise.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Florence delivered with the history of the Piazza Vecchio as relayed by our guide and the awe of the Piazza del Duomo, but the tour of the Uffizi Gallery was the cherry on the top! Our guide was excellent and was sure to get us up close and personal to the paintings of note. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good tour with no glitches.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Tour Guide was Exceptional! Our Tour Group was also so fantastic to get to know, and spend time with. To see Italy with Family, and new Friends was a Trip to Remember!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My WOW moment was to see the beauty of Italy"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent, well rounded tour jam packed with with sightseeing, cultural experiences, great food and also down time to do whatever you want.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I honestly can’t pick a favorite moment. The whole tour was wonderful from start to finish."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The hotel locations and guides were fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Very hard to say but St. Peter’s Basilica was truly a humbling experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very professionally coordinated, from the preparatory communications to the tour events and accommodations, to the ever cheerful and unflappable tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two big ones - the profound magnificence of the Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel, and the natural beauty of the Tuscan landscape. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was as good as expected with respect to hotels, guides, and travel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pantheon was awe inspiring, along with Volterra. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful! It was our first tryp and was concerned about being with a group of people I didn't know and they were all fantastic. Many newbies and many experienced folks to listen to and share with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the Basilica. Just overwhelming. Also the scenery in general. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall this tour is a great way to see the big towns (Rome, Florence) and smaller towns by the Mediterranean.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"See Michelangelo's David, Michelangelo's only painting, and paintings by DaVinci."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was the first time we participated in a group tour. It was wonderful to have a company that shares our values make accommodation and other arrangements. We were very happy to stay in locally owned establishments and restaurants. We were also very grateful for the advice and care of our tour guide, Francesco. The local guides and the history and context they provided were wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bus ride from Tuscany to the Cinque Terre. What a beautiful country! Rolling hills low line fog, amazing. Two of our group dinners stand out, in Cinque Terre and our final dinner together in Florence. Both were delicious and wonderful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fantastic trip even in spite of some of the rain and just barely getting out of the Cinque Terra, but what a place to get stuck.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The early morning sunrise in Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Tour manager was the best and the tour exceeded our expectations in every way. 5 *****'s all the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole tour was WOW great great great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide Alfio, hotels, food, special guides, fellow travelers, overall plan, and entire flow were all spectacular. We loved the Heart of France last year, and the Heart of Italy far exceeded our expectations. A+.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Uffizi in Florence with guide Cindy."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved the sites and the specific local tour guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say for me it was Volterra and the cobblestone streets and the Tuscany views. For my husband, Scott’s wow moment was the Roman Forum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour had a great guide and the other tour members were wonderful. I loved the extra stops (the US Memorial and the Olive Oil tasting) and the tour guides in the different cities. What a trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were two. One is the village of Volterra. What a beautiful place and the group dinner there was amazing! The other was the Castle visit (winery and olive oil farm)."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall my my first Rick Steves tour was very good. I loved our tour guide Alvio as well as all the specialized tour guides in different locations. The pace of the tour was balanced across activity and free time. Our hotel rooms were all clean and well located but our Florence and Voterra rooms were very small, with no room to roll out a yoga mat for some stretching. The group meals were lots of fun but the food was mostly average with one very good meal in Volterra.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was seeing Michelangelo's statue of David for the first time. I had high expectations because this work of art is so famous. The precision, spirit and pure beauty of the statue is breathtaking. When I first saw it, I think I actually said, "Wow!""

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So enjoyable to travel without the concerns of booking and transportation. Beautiful sites and first rate guides that really brought each site to life! Great Rick Steves staff.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking over Florence at night from the top of the tower of our hotel. What a view!!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Feel like we saw and heard all the highlights of the cities we visited. Nice mix of big city, amazing art/architecture and beautiful scenery of Tuscany. Also appreciated the mix of group dinners and lunch/dinner on our own. Local tour guides were excellent, and early start to the day helped avoid the worst of the crowds.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really appreciated Virginia taking the time to share so much about the culture, history and society/politics while riding the bus to next location. The other "wow" was Cindy's tour through the Uffizi Gallery that brought to life the transition of technology and subject matter/statement that I'd have never noticed touring on my own."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very pleased with the Heart of Italy tour as a first time visitor to Italy. The itinerary was just perfect and our guide Virginia was outstanding! She added so much to the experience with her knowledge and her cheerful personality. Our local guides were also outstanding and quite knowledgeable. The combination of city and countryside sightseeing and activities added balance and interest to the tour. Very happy that I chose a Rick Steves tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Impossible to pick one. For me, I was intrigued by the history of the Roman Forum and Colosseum. I also enjoyed learning about the Etruscans and strolling the charming town of Volterra and enjoying the views there. The art in Florence was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and it was fantastic. The guides were passionate about their subjects and this showed through in the discussions and answers to our questions. Wish I started decades ago.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the Wow was the professionalism, friendliness and all the care of the tour guides and hotel staff. They made our tour exciting and rewarding in the learning and expericing of new things. I believe that they bent over backwards in order to make our experiences exciting and rememberable.."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The success of this tour can be attributed to it’s organization and planning along with the high quality people employed by Rick Steves. Detailed scheduling and event coordination make for a wonderful experience for the first time traveler to Italy

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but the views of the Tuscan countryside from the town of Volterra were amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip to Italy and first Rick Steves tour. Overall it was a wonderful experience, everything meshed seamlessly. Our guide, Donato was knowledgeable, experienced. personable and had our safety & best interest at heart.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmmm….so many! Seeing the Duomo in Florence certainly stands out, but loved Volterra & our authentic dinner there and The Cinque Terre (Monterosso and Vernazza). "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Donato kept everyone engaged. He did a fantastic job.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing at the gate in Volterra was my WOW moment and what the people did during WWll. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful. While I was initially disappointed that we would not have a guided tour of Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, I arrived early to take those in on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Trevi Fountain and Florence Duomo. Just amazing architecture, monuments and artwork. The mob crowd at the fountain prevented me from simply marvelling at its uniqueness but like everyone else. I made my wishes and took advantage of the photo op. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought the tour was a good overall highlight of Italy for first time travelers as well as for return visitors . I truly appreciated the local guides that we had in each location as they added so much and I learned more . Saw things through a different lens this time around .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from Corniglia in the Cinque Terre was the best and the weather spectacular. Never went there even though I have been to the Cinque Terre on other RS tours . Worth the climb up the steps from the train station . Also Volterra and its town high on the hill . The people there were magical "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful Tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire tour was so well run and the tour guide was very knowledgable about the towns we were visiting. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Informative and well organized...and we enjoyed it

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the entire trip! Our guide, Lisa, was incredible, and all of the local guides were great. The tour showed us the beauty, the history, and the variety that Italy has to offer!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick a single view, or even a single location - loved the variety!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

With our amazing guide, Lisa, we enjoyed so many wonderful experiences in Italy. We had the perfect balance of big cities and small towns, ancient and Renaissance history, art and vistas, and and well- known and lesser- known sites. The personal touches and opportunities to interact with people who live there enhanced the entire trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Mediterranean Sea and Cinque Terre (and the drive there) were so beautiful in person. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time taking an organized tour trip and we had a wonderful time. Everything was very well planned and executed allowing us to focus on our experience. We were expecting some "hiccups" along the way, but Lisa and her team have done this so many times that everything went of pretty much perfectly. I most appreciated the level of expertise of the local guides (think we had 7). Saw many other tour groups at our stops and could overhear their guides and made me appreciate our even more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bar at the top of the medieval tower at our hotel in Florence. Maybe the best 360 view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world and it was just upstairs from our room. Amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved the entire trip! We really felt like the tour gave us so much more in terms of knowledge, history, and venues than we possibly could have gotten on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"David in Florence!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lisa was fantastic. Organized, patient, helpful, fun, and so much more. The hotels were great except the one in cinque terra. Would not recommend using that one again. All the rest were great. Group dinners were fun and enjoyable and buses comfortable. I would have had one less day in volterra and an extra day in Florence. Loved Florence. My top three days of the trip were the visit to the castle in Tuscany (best food!!), our exploring day in cinque terra, and our exploring day in Florence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from the hotel tower in Florence "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very good we’re not the couple that would venture out and do our own trip. This was a great way to see Italy with assistance from experienced guides. Also meeting people from all over the U.S. and mingling with them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing all the history and beautiful architecture in Rome. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great meeting people from all over the U.S. and being able to have a structured itinerary each day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the architecture and learning the history in Rome"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful experience! Out tour guide Susanna was amazing and we had such a great group of people to travel with. The whole experience exceeded my expectations. We loved all the places we stayed at in Italy and were especially drawn to the smaller towns of Volterra and Cinqua Terra

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was looking over the Tuscan Hills in Volterra! It met all of my expecations! My other wow moment was the the Olive Oil Tasting. I loved that it was owned by two young women that were so knowledgeable, warm and friendly. They prepared a beautiful lunch for our group that was truly a highlight for me"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Everything was well organized and ran well

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not one moment, there were many "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved Suzanne, our tour guide. Our days always began early with a great breakfast then first to sites to avoid lines and crowds. Each guide was so knowledgeable and interesting. I enjoyed the bus rides to see the Tuscany hillsides. We walked 5-7 miles a day (at least) breaking out on our own by noon. The special dinners and events were fantastic! Always felt safe and comfortable. Also enjoyed getting to know the other travelers in our tour group. Can’t wait to go back for my next tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The inside of all the churches were jaw-dropping. The ceilings, floors, columns, paintings, sculptures, and gigantic size is breathtaking. My favorite place was Voltera."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was extremely well run—Suzanna our guide was terrific, as were all of the local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olive oil tasting at Antico Frantoio Doglia. It was a unique experience and the sisters running the mill were smart and inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Susanna was a wonderful guide and the tour choices were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking Cinque Terre"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our tour! Great locations, great tour guide, wonderful travel companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rick Steve's Manarola walk, in the guidebook, was the perfect way to get in a little hiking in the Cinque Terre without doing one of the longer hikes. The views were incredible! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

this was my second tour to Italy- was as good as the first one...

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Best wow moment was the olive oil farm tour- was a more down to earth experience than the museums and gallery tours. Loved the small business and family feel of this tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The organized tour took care of many details for us, such as transportation between cities, hotel reservations, best places to visit, city tour guides. Our main tour guide (start to finish) was informative, fun and kept the group on schedule.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The efficiency and organization of the planned tour, to allow us to seamlessly and easily travel to and visit highlights of 4 Italian cities in 9 days. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an excellent tour- all of the “big sights” were seen in a carefully choreographed fashion, and we also had ample time to explore on our own. Not overwhelming, and the group size was manageable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Coliseum "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 9 days in Italy tour was just as described on RS website. It was just what we wanted from a tour. Education, experienced, knowledgeable, personable guides. Cristina made the trip by going over and above any expectations we may have had prior. We followed all advice and schedules, which left us with no surprises. Amazing trip and experience for our first out of the USA retirement trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many Wow moments, but you cannot go to Rome and not have the "wow" moment of St Peters Basilica. The Vatican Square local tour guide was so beneficial prior to entering the basilica. We listened to RS audio for the basilica time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time out of US and could not have had a better experience. Sites, hotel locations and tour guides were exceptional. Amount of “ free time” vs. scheduled tours with group was appropriate. Very busy and active over the 9 days but enjoyed every minute of it

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several “wow” moments throughout the tour but favorite was entering St Peters Basilica"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our tour and our tour guide Cristina!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful scenery of the coast was just as awe inspiring as the sights in Rome."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RS tour and my first time in Italy. Everything seemed well planned and all the guides were great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our guide Cristina was so wonderful!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great overall. We got a taste of some of the best parts of Italy and I felt like I was being taken care of the whole time. Nearly everything was well thought out and accounted for ahead of time and I felt safe in my travels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning how to navigate a new country and develop a sense of independence almost right away in each new city we visited."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was fantastic. The tour was well organized and had the right mix of tours and time on your own, it was the best of both worlds. It was a good group of people on the tour and each place visited had something different to offer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Cinque Terre was as good as I imagined. Everyone on the tour seemed to love Volterra which was just the right change of pace after Rome. Cinque Terre looks like a post card and was more beautiful than the pictures can do justice. Walking down the hill from the hotel to swim in the Med will be a lasting memory. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We visited all the sites that I wanted to be able to do in the short amount of time. The local guides were terrific! I learned so much and gained an appreciation for even more of the history. I loved our free time to roam about as we liked. We are seasoned travelers of the U.S., so just needed the skills to branch out in another country. The 9 day tour is phenomenal..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmm….each city/town had its own “wow”! That I was standing in the presence of the Trevi Fountain, or the statue of David, or the artwork of Michaelangelo , or overlooking Cinque Terra…each a wow of its own."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The overall tour experience was very good. There was a lot to like from the local guides to the hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Volterra was a highlight. A good break from the hustle and bustle of Rome. The small walkable town was brimming with life and energy. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Covered a lot, learned a lot, great guide and great group of tourist. First time and hopefully not the last time! Enjoyed it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra, such a charming, step-back-in-time town. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I am now a Rick Steve Tours super fan! Our experience exceeded my expectations. The tour went off flawlessly and was so fun and informative! Our tour guide Colleen was warm, funny, friendly, and flexible which made the trip so enjoyable! The hotel accommodations were unique and comfortable with central locations to wherever we were touring! The food was delicious and felt authentic to the region! We couldn’t be happier!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but the beauty and charm of Volterra was such an unexpected surprise! I fell in love with the many statues and fountains of Rome and Florence and was captivated by the architecture and the craftsmanship created so many years ago!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved seeing the cities and classic icons of Italy and especially enjoyed the unique Cinque Terre and Volterra.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in the Cinque Terre and being able to see 3 villages along the coast. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We felt so comfortable knowing that we were in good hands in a place we hadn’t been before. Also that the hotels and experiences were chosen so that we could make the most out of our trip. For example getting us to the museums early in the day to avoid the long lines.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Florence and Rome blew me away with the art and history that is around every corner."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guides were animated and informative. Our hotels were welcoming and accommodating to our schedule. Enjoyed meeting other tour members and spending time with them. The buddy system is genius. Enjoyed the meals provided with the tour because of the regional offerings and experiences. All were interesting and yummy!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a hard one! Each location had its own wow moments! Viewing the coliseum in Rome, the Pantheon at night, Volterra’s piazza at night, the terrain of Cinque Terre, the hotel terrace view, the Florence hotel rooftop view, David. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Have to say , Christina made the whole trip just fantastic. So knowledgeable and just an absolute wonderful person. She made the whole trip so interesting. I learned so much and had a great time. I think everyone in our group would say the same. Thanks for a fantastic tour !!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Would have to say from the Roman Empire. The history and how long ago it was. Just blows my mind."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Cristina our tour guide was outstanding, knowledgable and all around wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many moments with all the history of Italy, not sure there was just one "wow" moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Guide Christina was amazing. Every part of the tour was organized. .She was very knowledgeable and was available to answer all our questions as well as making suggestions to enhance our ex.the experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cinque terre"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves Tour. We can not say enough how much we enjoyed this experience. Our Tour Guide Cristina was outstanding. She introduced us to Italy in beautiful ways; where we enjoyed the rich history, magnificent art, and culture. She has a wonderful way of bringing the group together to enjoy the tour as one. Made so many friends. The local travel guides selected, for each city we visited, were amazing. 500 characters is truly not enough to express travel experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not good at picking favorites when there were to many to choose from. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was full of a lot of educational content about Italy. Specific to the areas we visited. Thus making it very interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tuscany and Volterra"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This Heart of Italy tour was our first Rick Steves tour and a trial for us to see if we liked tour group travel. We loved all four of the locations this tour hit and felt we really saw most of what these four sites had to offer. Enjoyed having the local guides, it was fantastic not having to deal with the logistics of hotels, transportation and tickets to museums.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terra is a sight to behold. The views are spectacular and each town has its own personality. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent, Lisa shared her knowledge and experience with us which made the trip more personal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the Pantheon"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I thought the tour was well organized. Overall a great experience! Lisa was great! She is very thoughtful and never forgets when you ask her something and she remembers to answer your questions. I would have liked a little smaller tour group but still went smoothly. Rome was amazing! Lisa goes above and beyond to make sure all is well. Their was another guide for the ruins. I don't recall her name but she was englush/British and is an Archeologist, wrote books on toilets. She was grear!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved all the art! Too many wow moments to list! Really loved the town of Volterra. We started early. Streets were quiet and peaceful. Just how I hoped it would be. Loved swimming in the ocean, Cinque de terre. Nice to have some down time. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Lisa our tour guide was fantastic. Everything was well organized. She took time to make sure everyone's needs were accommodated. I really enjoyed the walking tours. The recommended tour pre-planning really helped us prepare for our first trip to Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking the boat ride in Cinque Terre! Outstanding!! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lisa was an excellent guide. She added a lot of fun and context to our experience. The tour covered a number of locations we would not have experienced otherwise. There were a number of great people on the tour with whom we connected meaningfully.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Views over the Cinque Terre on the hike between Montorosso and Vernazza."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fast paced, very active, Many, Many experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the American WWII cemetery near Florence. My Stepfather served in Italy during WWII and there is a chance he knew some of the soldiers who are memorialized there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thought our tour was very well organized and saw some places that we would not have seen on our own! Karin was very knowledgeable about Italy and kept us busy in a good way!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were impressed with the amphitheater in Volterra and the WWII American cemetery "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I recently took a Rick Steves tour, and it exceeded all expectations! Our guide, Karin, was simply fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and always ready to share a laugh. The food was outstanding; every meal felt like a local experience. The hotels were comfortable and perfectly located, making our stay even better. Each city guide brought a unique perspective and enriched our understanding of the culture and history. This tour was a perfect blend of adventure, education, and enjoyment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Volterra, combined with its rich Etruscan history, left us in awe, reminding us why Italy is so captivating."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

What a fun and interesting trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to count! The Coliseum, the Sistune Chapel, a mass at St, Pters. Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guided tours, the hotels, the food and our tour guide was fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking down from Volterra to see the countryside (Tuscany) and know that people walked here hundreds of years ago. Amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was very organized and well planned out. It was simply amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of Italy was a wow moment for me but I especially loved the villages in Cinque Terre."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We recently returned from the Rick Steves - Heart of Italy tour, it was an incredible experience! Our guide, Jaime, was absolutely fantastic, expertly leading our group through the stunning contrasts of big cities like Rome and Florence, as well as the charming smaller towns of Volterra and Cinque Terre. The balance between city exploration and picturesque countryside was perfect, allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in Italy's rich cultural tapestry.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had our own cultural Renaissance in Florence. Jaime & Paul (local tour guide) opened our eyes to the story of the Renaissance. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It's impossible to see everything in nine days,but the tour was so well planned, that we felt it covered everything we were looking forward to. It gave us a taste of what to expect,see and do when we return.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the statue of David, finally seeing the Roman Forum and the Coliseum after a lifetime of seeing them only in books. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So hard to decide! I loved it all. If I had to pick one though it would be the visit to the Hill Town of Votterra. I loved the history and quaintness of the small town. The pace was much slower. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RS tour and would definitely recommend the Heart of Italy. It's quite fast-paced but with a nice balance of time spent with the group and time to explore on your own. The breakfasts and included dinner were delicious and very high quality. The group was a nice mix of friendly Americans ranging in age between about 30 and early 70's. We arrived a couple days early to explore Rome before joining the group and spent a couple days after the tour in Venice. Worked out great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many incredible moments but I think my favorites were those that involved the tours provided by the local guides in both Rome and Florence. Their passion and knowledge of their home cities was outstanding. They genuinely wanted us to love Italy as much as they do and were so warm and welcoming. They provided us with insights into Italian history and culture that can't be absorbed by reading even the best guide book or watching a video. Wonderful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was extraordinary experience of one life time. The trip was great. I will do it again if l get an opportunity.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Roma is amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was so much fun - the perfect mix of time with the group and time on our own. This is one of the best vacations we have ever taken!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Drinking wine with new friends on the rooftop of our hotel in Florence. The view of the Duomo from the rooftop was beautiful at night, and it was a fun time!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well planned. Patricia is an outstanding tour guide. Each activity and meal was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra was my favorite town. From the wonderful dinner on the piazza, to the marble craftsman and the wine tasting. Everything was memorable. Claudia shared her knowledge using people and events to make the history come alive. I remember the most about her tour. The olive farm was also memorable."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Really loved seeing Italy on a guided tour. I felt the guides for Rome and Florence were really chosen with care. Cinque Terra and Volterra also beautiful and charming. The wine tasting and olive oil tour also added a special touch. Only downside was bedbugs in hotel in Levanto.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking tour of Florence. I also had an impromptu run-in with the pope at St Peters."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was dedicated to our needs. She was an excellent communicator, and followed up with action, like booking train travel for us since we were traveling to San Marino after the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra!! A wonderful combination of history and modern life. Walking the narrow streets outlined not by curbs and trees but by the exterior walls of dwellings and shops. Enjoying a group supper on the piazza on the day of our arrival. A tour of the city the next morning lead by our vibrant and charming, guide Claudia. Listening to her tell us about the ancient Etruscan civilization, for that moment in time, seemed to bring the Etruscan civilization back to life."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first Rick Steves tour experience was excellent. Our guide Patricia was fantastic and we had a great group of fellow travelers. There was just the right amount of tour time vs free time. We'll definitely do another tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sitting on the rooftop patio of our hotel, drinking wine and gazing out over Florence at the Duomo lit up in the distance."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was very reluctant to the idea of joining a tour group, but this was a changing experience.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the tour was excellent . Our tour guide Cristina was fantastic - same for our museum and sightseeing guides! The timing of where we went and what we experienced was very helpful in not having to fight crowds. The hotels were quaint and though they had some quirks each was very special in their unique way. I learned quite a bit of history, a bit of the culture and meg some great folks asking the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Though there were a lot of wow moments, the boat rides seeing Cinque Terre were awesome"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first time vacationing with a tour group, and it will be difficult to top it. I made connections with the people in our group immediately, and found the walking with a large group easier than I thought it would be. Our tour guide Cristina was so welcoming of questions, and she thoroughly met individual needs of group members with patience. The guest tour guides for various sites were also engaging, friendly, and generous with their time and information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to list here!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

With our amazing host Christina, she is a very patient, kind and helpful. She has so much knowledge of Italy and all of the questions you never had thought of asking. I would love to take a tour with her again Christina has great energy!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The ruins! The blood,sweat and labor to build these amazing buildings and to be so in tact is mind blowing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, this was great. I didn’t know what to expect but this experience has left me looking forward to my tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Duomo in Florence! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide...interesting venues and activities...food never failed...most hotels were good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olive farm visit and the alabaster workshop"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent! Local guides did a great job with telling stories and asking us to imagine things, which really helped to understand appreciate what we were seeing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking from the train station to Monterosso, Cinque Terra, and seeing the sea!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Really lovely. It was our first group tour experience and our first time abroad together as a family with our young adult children and it met or exceeded our hopes for what we would experience and see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really every local guide provided us with a wow moment on the tour. Hard to imagine traveling anywhere without a Rick Steves local guide going forward!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Incredible trip with a fantastic host and a great group of travelers

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra and the Florence Cemetary for the US Soldiers"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience was overall fantastic. Our main tour guide, Marianna, and the local guides were professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Groups members were great people. Hotels were very comfortable. Dinners were all delicious. Buses were comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing David! He is majestic and I will never forget him. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour experience was far and above my initial expectations. Our tour guide Nina and even the other tour members felt like family by the end of our trip. It was the perfect blend of group activities and free time for your own individual activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was hiking in Monterosso and seeing the beautiful Mediterranean coastline and then relaxing on the beach with my wife. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was absolutely amazing!!! It was my first tour experience and we will be back!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of it. Touring the Forum in Rome. Volterra was so lovely and welcoming. Monterosso was absolutely beautiful. I loved wine tasting, learning how olive oil is made and spending a day relaxing on the beach. Each tour of the cities we visited provided a wealth of information."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I absolutely loved my experience on the tour! This was my first time in Europe and I was so overwhelmed trying to plan a trip on my own. Having the option of choosing a tour where it’s already set up for you made it so easy. Our tour guide was amazing, and the local guides were all very knowledgeable as well. There was plenty of down time to venture off for your own (or take an afternoon nap!). This tour was such a great experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moment was in Florence when we turned the corner and the massive Duomo stood before us. Completely incredible and jaw dropping as it is so massive and so beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful mix of people. The food was great, the hotels were wonderful and our guide was superb. She had a great sense of humor, a deep knowledge to share (but not too much information) and a wonderful generous spirit

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When our guide taught us the Italian custom of licking the dessert plate"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to Florence and visiting the sculptures created by Michaelangelo!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was packed with history and adventure, and the local guides brought it all to life, especially Ricardo in Florence. Our guide Nina was exceptional. She must be a genius, as she was full of knowledge that she made understandable and interesting to us. She also was hilarious, pulling an epic prank on my husband that we all loved. Being with my family made it all the better, and we were lucky to have a great group of people to travel with on this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to beat the beauty of hiking the Cinque Terra trail by the ocean."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

This is the first Rick Steves tour in which I've been disappointed. I just wanted it to be over with, and I've never felt that way before with the previous 8 tours. The Italian countryside was beautiful and the people were friendly and kind, but I thought the tour itself was mediocre. The guide provided very little information and guidance over and above what I had read about previously. She talked about herself a lot. However, the local guides were outstanding in every location we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being in Volterra: the surrounding landscape, the ancient Etruscan history and artifacts, and the lovely village were the highlights of the tour for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved my tour guide Christina, and the tour saved me so much time and hassle by having everything planned out for me. It was a good balance of guided group activities and solo time to explore on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our local guide in Rome, Francesca was amazing. She made an already impactful experience at the Vatican even more profound with her eloquent and passion words about the history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing-I loved everything we did, all the museums, sights, sounds, and scenery. Christina was so engaging and knowledgeable-I hung on her every word.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre; the water-those views!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments. Having local tour guides in the towns is very beneficial. They had so many stories and connections. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely fantastic. Logistics were so smooth and our guide (Alfio) expertly managed anything that didn’t go exactly according to plan. We had so many special experiences that we almost certainly wouldn’t have had if we’d planned the trip on our own but still had plenty of flexibility to see and do things that were important to us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing to the top of the hill in Monterosso to look out over the Mediterranean was incredible. I also loved all of our group meals and getting to spend time with other like-minded travelers. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great! There was a wonderful balance between planned tour time activities and free time in which to explore on our own. Similarly with scheduled meals and those on our own. That allowed our family of 5 the chance to try a little of this here and a bit of that there as we went. The places and sites we were treated to were incredible and well chosen. We appreciated further recommendations provided by our guide as possibilities for exploring on our own. We appreciated our accommodations also

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dang! That’s a hard one! But the tour of Volterra comes right to mind. Annie (guide) was wonderful and really drew me into the stories. I was THERE as she told of the retreating German troops as they were blowing the arches that had stood for so, so long in the ancient walls of this noble and lovely city. And I was there when the town’s folk saved this last arch in heroic dignity. Go Annie!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very nice guide who helped us enjoy our trip. We learned a lot from him

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The charm of Volterra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour planned for everyone to take in lots of sites. Alfie was a great guide with lots of knowledge on any of the sites that we visited. He also offered up information on the bus in-between sites plus gave time for any questions we had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre. The view is incredible! Favorite spot on the tour!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well laid out. Great balance of your and free time. Fun and delicious group meals. Good locations and hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alfio, our tour guide, made the trip to from good to wow! 😀"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a perfect balance. We didn't have to plan lines/tickets/transportation and got access to experiences we would never have thought of/been able to do like wine/oil tasting. But we also had free time to do things that weren't on the itinerary by ourselves. Alfio. Alfio is what made this trip outstanding. Kind, hilarious, patient, and very knowledgeable. He went out of his way to get to know us and have inside jokes with everyone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra. The amount of history is such a small place was astounding. I also loved that it was a living place--unlike Venice, people still put life into it."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tourist sites chosen for the tour were excellent and it was very well organized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting St. Peters."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. Our tour guide plus the additional ones where very well prepared and had a depth of knowledge.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the statue of David and the St Paul's cathedral "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was so great. Perfect balance of tour time and free time. Best possible tour guide. Fun and informative local tours and meals together. Hotels with character. Absolutely loved it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip was so full of wow moments. Maybe my favorite was seeing the medieval streets of Volterra. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Was everything we were hoping for and more. Got to see everything we wanted and also spent some time on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Colosseum, Roman Forum, Cinque Terre, Statue of David, Duomo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Heart of Italy tour was amazing. I'd been to several locations multiple times, but Marianna made the tour especially fun and memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wine tasting in Volterra. All of the local guides were exceptional, but this was a really fun event."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Hard to pick but really enjoyed the small towns of Volterra and Montorosso.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to pick just one Sistine Chapel, walking Cinque Terre, seeing the statue of David and sitting on our roof top tower of hotel in Florence with a glass of wine! You could see the whole city and it was fabulous."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was wonderful. Marianne was the best guide. The locations of the hotels were perfect. The city guides were all amazing. Our group really bonded and it felt like a family by the end. I have nothing but great memories from this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary while in Volterra. Our amazing guide helped us with restaurant choices and even made the reservation for us. It was an amazing evening and perfect way to spend this special day. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a fabulous time our guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour fascinating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to see the David was really amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I had an excellent time. She was worried about all the walking needed but there was enough down time to recover in between activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to Quinta Terra is unforgettable. It is such a beautiful sea shore with a range of activities to participate in. You can hike, swim, relax on the beach or take a boat or train ride to all the towns. Not to mention the shopping and restaurants. We enjoyed the boat ride, shopping and tasting the sweet cannolies."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an excellent experience. David was an excellent guide and struck just the right combination of fun and background information, Hotels were central and comfortable. Breakfasts were included and were excellent with good variety. Provided evening meals were fun group experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The guided tour of the Uffizi was the best of lots of tour highlights."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour. We saw wonderful things and got to experience some Italian hospitality.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two things, the ancient and amazing structures and churches, and David's enthusiasm and hospitality."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I fell in love with Italy on this trip. The guide and local guides were all excellent. The food and beverages were exceptional. I also enjoyed the mix of visiting big cities (Rome and Florence) versus slower paced Volterra and Cinque Terre.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza at Cinque Terre cannot go unmentioned for the incredible views, there was definitely a surprise "WOW" moment at Volterra when we walked onto an overlook near our group meal restaurant our first evening there. It was right at dusk and the view across the Tuscany countryside is not one I will soon forget. It felt like I was on a movie set, almost as if it couldn't be real."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Staying two days in each city gave us a real feel for each city. The accommodations and travel was top notch. The timing of our walks were perfect for optimizing what we could see and avoiding the worst of the crowds. Our guides were fantastic and unflappable - even a local slowdown train strike was handled with aplomb.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Basilica, the David, the first view of the sea walking into Cinque Terre were all 'wow' moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful blend of busy historical city in Rome to more laid back historical Volterra. Excellent visit to family estate that cultivated olive oil, wine, lemons and wheat. They provided a lovely lunch with many of their products along with wine and olive oil taste testing. Then off to the beautiful coast at Cinque Terre to explore 5 villages. Ending in Florence was the perfect ending with shopping, art and architecture with the magnificent views continuing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coming out of the train station in Monterosso to see the gorgeous coast line at the Cinque Terre."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first time on a Rick Steves Tour and we absolutely have no regrets. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to maximize their enjoyment without worrying about hotels, where to go, what do to, & how to get there. Our personal guide Donato was fantastic as well as all of the local guides we met. A perfect balance of free time and guided tours. All hotels & restaurants were wonderful and perfectly located. Loved every minute & can't wait for our next-in Rick Steves we trust! Thank you!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St. Peter's Basilica & Michelangelo's David"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing. We had just the right amount of structure and free time. The guides were incredible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Duomo in Florence was unbelievable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful. It was a great group of people and our tour guide was outstanding. I really enjoyed the structure of the tour which included just the right amount of planned activities and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the trip we took to Volterra. The walking tour was amazing!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our time with the Rick Steves Tour and Francesco was beyond my wildest dreams.    Francesco made us feel like family,  we learned so much from him and the local tour guides  (Claudia !).   The balance between tours and free time was perfect,  the food, the interaction with the other members of the group will live with me forever.  I can't wait for our next Rick Steves Tour! Watch out Francesco  we just may show up at your door to help harvest your olives.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our time in Volterra. What an amazing town. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good experience excellent tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sistine Chapel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Was very good especially because of our guide, Francesco

Favorite "WOW" moment

"people watching at a plaza in Florence"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Perfect amount of scheduled and free time. The minimizing of waiting in lines was awesome. Our tour guide Karen was really great. Patient, organized, fun and very knowledgeable. I really liked that she was originally American and had assimilated into the Italian Culture. She understood Americans and let us see the Italian Culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite Wow was that there wasn’t just one. Every scene or moment was just as awe inspiring as the last. The Coliseum, Vatican, Volterra….Each was so much better in person (than in a book or video)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fun! Great guides. We built confidence touring on our own after the tour ended with all the Knowledge learned on the trip. Most importantly, we always felt safe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The history we learned from the tour guides. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a superb tour experience! I loved it all. The people on our tour with us and our guide were amazing people. Loved getting to know them. And of course, ITALY was amazing and exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many WOWs to even begin to list but will try. The fact there are Roman ruins still standing. The amazing artists from Renaissance period. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Heart of Italy tour, led by Karen, provided the perfect balance of core Italian sites, culture and food complimented with a great group of fellow tourist with common interests in getting to see and learn about the best of Italy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rick was right about the crowds in Rome, it is real. Our tour though worked around the crowds with the help of local guides and experts to deliver an overall experience that exceeded my expectations. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and it will not be our last!! What a fantastic experience! It was a perfect combination of planned activities and free time. We weren't sure what it would be like being on vacation with a group of strangers, but our tour group soon evolved into a little family! There was not a single thing I would have changed about our trip. Our tour guide, Karen, was exceptional, giving us both info about the area and the tools we needed to explore on our own! Perfetto!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Its really hard to pin down a favorite "wow" moment on our Heart of Italy tour since there were so many, but I would have to say the Tuscan town of Volterra was my favorite. There were times I felt like I was on a movie set! As we were walking to our hotel after first arriving, I looked at my husband and said, "Okay, I'm ready to move here!" It's absolutely beautiful. The people were kind and our group dinner the first night was amazing! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had an exceptional experience throughout the tour. I will definitely be doing another trip with Rick Steves tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each place we stopped on the itinerary was fascinating to me. The local guides were informative and provided the deeper dive that I really enjoy about the tours. If I had to pick one it would be the Cinque Terre. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a marvelous time on our Heart of Italy tour. Our tour guide, Karen, was patient, helpful, knowledgeable, and resourceful. All of the sites on the tour offered different perspectives of central Italy, giving us a good assortment of fantastic experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Finally seeing Michelangelo's David in person!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour of Italy was fantastic. We were not given a "glazed over" tour from afar, but rather were immersed in the culture and history that you can only get from being in the middle of things with guides that know the people, land and history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra was absolutely amazing. You see advertisements showing rustic hilltop towns in Italy that seem too good to be true, but the really do exist!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were very happy with our tour experience. It was the right mix of group and alone time. The tour was accurately described in all of the materials. Susanna, our guide was FANTASTIC! She was knowledgeable, funny, experienced, caring, and extremely competent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved hiking between the towns of the Cinque Terre, and the surprise of what a lovely experience the Tuscan town of Volterra turned out to be."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a good itinerary - fun events for the group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The piazza in Florence with the replica of David all the other sculptures. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip to Italy was amazing and far exceeded expectations in every way. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, the hotels were comfortable and perfectly located, and the food was delicious. Special mention to our lead tour guide, Susana, who went above and beyond to ensure we had an unforgettable experience. Every aspect of the trip, from the excursions to the cultural experiences, was exceptional. I would highly recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking with the group as we departed the train station tunnel in Monterosso and stepping out to the spectacular Mediterranean beach was a breathtaking experience. The moment we emerged from the tunnel and saw the stunning coastline was unforgettable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was better than I could have imagined. The Heart of Italy tour was amazing. Our tour guide Susanna guided us through each destination with wit and wisdom which made our time so enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cinque Terra region was the most beautiful area we visited. It was a welcome gift to see the beauty of Monterosso for some time by the sea after many art and architecture visits. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 9-day Italy tour was excellent visiting a variety of scenic places in Italy. We loved that we started in the busy city of Rome, then had a change of scenery going to the Tuscany area and quiet town of Volterra, then to Cinque Terre, a beautiful beach town on the Mediterranean, then to Florence. All of the local guides were very knowledgeable and interesting. The location and quality of the hotels was great! The pace was very active and strenuous, but the bus rides helped you get some rest

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre was definitely our "wow" moment because it was so different from the rest of the places and so beautiful. Another "wow" moment was the flambe' beef we had in Florence for our final group dinner. What a presentation and the dinner was so delicious!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Each lodging choice was unique, charming, and perfectly located. Group meals absolutely fantastic. The meals showcased the regional cuisine and included delicacies that I really wanted to experience. Artichoke in Rome, wild boar in Volture, pesto in Cinque Terrea and steak in Florence. The regional guides in Volterra and Florence AMAZING. The one in Rome just shared every thought that came to her in a none linear fashion. Could not wait for that to end.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The olive oil tasting. The property is an example of beautiful renovation. The care and passion could be felt throughout. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fantastic experience on our heart of Italy tour. Our tour guide Suzanna was very informative and fun and we enjoyed getting to know her. All of the other Rick Steves guides at the attractions we went to really made whatever we were touring come to life. The free time and group activities was very well thought out and a great balance for us. We are already trying to plan our next trip with Rick Steves!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved the olive oil, wine tour, and lunch at the old castle! Such a quick little activity but one of our favorite parts on the way to Florence!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time in every city we visited. Our tour guide, Susanna was amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the view from the top of the Dome in Vatican City"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best way to travel Italy - wonderful hotels, group meals were amazing, plenty of free time to explore on our own, tour guide provided so much good info we could easily explore, buses comfortable and so thankful not to be driving. We will definitely take advantage of another tour in the future. So not the typical herd the tour group off and on a bus!! Wonderful experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Group meal in Volterra. They allowed for sampling of a variety of foods. All very delicious and things I might have never tried. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day started with a great breakfast and our tours were led by energetic and knowledgeable tour guides. The concept of a comfortable but structured tour for part of the day followed by free time in the afternoons was such a great way to ease into feeling more relaxed in a new environment. I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of locations in the "Heart of Italy in 9 Days" tour. The bus ride between locations was every bit as comfortable as Rick had mentioned and so were the hotels

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While I enjoyed the historical and cultural aspects of Rome, Volterra and Florence, it was the beauty and charm of Monterosso in the Cinque Terre area that still wows me and my wife. We'll never forget how beautiful and clean the town was along with hiking between Monterosso and Vernazza on a primo kind of day. The pictures we took on that day will be a lasting memory until we get to do it again! After the tour ended in Florence, we then traveled for 8 more days ending with a day in Annecy Fr"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour of Europe was terrific because we had Rick Steves experience and wonderful tour guide Rebecca to make our experience even more than we had anticipated. The money we spent on our trip was very well spent. There’s not much that you can buy worth the money these days but our tour was worth the money. Thanks for the attention to detail and years of experience it required to offer such a tour🤗🤗

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the sculpture of David and Mary with Jesus on her lap after the crucifixion brought me to tears"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent, well organized, clear instructions, kind tour organizer

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Countryside of Tuscany"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well run and exceeded all of our expectations. Rebecca was a fabulous guide and we loved the mix of group time and independent time on the tour. Rebecca was wonderful and seeing to each persons needs and questions and had such a great sense of history and adventure. She made our family trip very special. I really loved all of our hotels. They were 'extra' special and provided such perfect locations in each city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think my favorite moment on the tour was having the local guide Francessca give us the back story on Rome and prepare us to enter St. Peters Basilica. It was such a magical day and the Basilica was truly something to behold. Made even better with Francessca's introduction. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a dream! Very well organized, wonderful food, gorgeous scenery, so much history, architecture and art! Our guide, Rebecca was wonderful. She was thoughtful, kind, funny, informative and kept us all on schedule!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments every single day! St. Peter’s Square and Basilica was very moving, the 50 shades of the green hills of Tuscany, the unique landscape, hiking and coziness of Cinque Terre. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned, great tour guides, with lots of tips and tricks. SHH don't tell... this is so GOOD!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing near the Oculus in the Pantheon and watching rain lightly fall into the center of the 2000 year old building. Magical.......Hillsides of Tuscany!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was excellent, starting with our tour guide, Rebecca. Rebecca was an outstanding guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's tough to pick because everything was beautiful. Rebecca took us to the American Cemetery, which was not in our schedule, but it was terrific to pay respect to those who gave their life for our freedom. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned and well led. All of the local guides were excellent.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was wonderful. from the pace of the tour to our hotel accommodations, to the food to our tour guide Jamie.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The overwhelming beauty of the artwork. It was everywhere!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, small group (24 people), a correct amount of free time, fantastic experience with excellent guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pantheon in Roma!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

All I hoped for to see different parts of Italy, experience the history the food , the city and country and the people in a short time. The guides in Rome and Volterra were absolutely fantastic. They had passion for the history the culture and brought it all alive. The dinners with the group were definitely a high point with the locals who wined and dined us with fabulous food and care.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra was definitely what I pictured the country and old towns of Italy to be. The history the beauty and the amazing views and food.! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed all the cities we visited and all the experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Cinque Terre was a WOW moment! A dream come true. Enjoyed the hike between Monterosso and Vernazza."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed our first Rick Steves tour 10 years ago, but this was notably better by nearly every measure, beginning with the improvement in lodgings. The overriding reason for the special memorability of this tour has to have been our guide, Jamie - knowledgeable, humorous, charismatic and conscientious. The fine quality of the restaurants was equal to those of ten years ago (the one aberration having been a nightmare of an owner in Rome back then). All in all, a 5 star experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Florence is always special because of my family's place in its history. We'd already had the thrill of visiting the Sassetti Chapel in the Church of Santa Trinita. Discovering the Via Sasseti, Canto Dei Sassetti, and the Palazzo Sassetti was gratifying in the extreme, but the pinnacle wow moment came with the discovery of the bust of Francesco Sassetti by Verrochio in the Borgello. That one we didn't see coming! A close 2nd would be the view of Florence from the top of our Torre Guelfa."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very organized good information, sometimes a little too much

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Cinque Terre, inside the coliseum The basilica "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My 9-day Heart of Italy tour was EXCELLENT!My first trip to Italy, & it was WONDERFUL! I liked how we started in AMAZING Rome, went north to BEAUTIFUL Volterra, to GORGEOUS Cinque Terre, & ended up in MAGNIFICENT Florence! The hotels were all very good! W/very helpful & friendly staff at front desks and great breakfasts & a dinner & the very nice “drinks on Rick”- -BEST red wines EVER!!:-) Our WONDERFUL tour guide, Sarah was SUPERB, THE BEST! She made everyone’s experience GREAT!❤️

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rome- - the THRILL of just walking along, & WOW, Trevi Fountain!& WOW, the Colosseum! &❤️The Vatican & Sistine Chapel - -WOW!❤️& I Loved Volterra, WOW, the history & Beautiful hills! & WOW, Mediterranean Sea in Cinque!& WOWIE, the beauty & glory of the art & architecture & glory of Florence, w/full moon!🌕& WOW the DELICIOUS food & gelato & wine in each town! & WOW, Best Guide Ever, Sarah!🙌🏻😀🙌🏻"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Heart of Italy tour was excellent and Sara was the quintessential tour guide; organized, knowledgeable, and funny ... with a ting of sass. The tour was a great value for our entire family of 5 and the perfect blend of structured activities and "on your own time." I will definitely take another of Rick Steve's tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"At the Accademia Gallery of Florence ... walking down the aisle studying Michelangelo's prisoners with David standing in the background."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque Terre "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized. Amazing tour guide. Overall experience was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Colosseum - I was in awe."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful; a great mix of City and Countryside. Beautiful Art, Wonderful Food, and around every corner, more history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the trains in Cinque Terre. We did it! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It is said "“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Everyday day of our Heart of Italy trip was an exceptional page of new sights to explore-excellent tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The spectacular view of the seaside coast and villages on our hike between the villages in Cinque Terre. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was wonderful. It would be helpful to know about other sites in the cities that need reservations and how far in advance to make them. Loved having free time to explore on our own. Our first time in Europe so it was great having all the travel details taken care of and guided tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! Volterra was my favorite. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were highly impressed with the quantity and quality of the experinces at each stop on our 9-day Italy tour. The pace of the tour was just right, the locations were all beautiful and helped showcase the diversity of the country, and the history/geography/cultural stories in each of the guided tours were very helpful, informative, and fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A single Wow moment is difficult to pick from so many great places. From the magnificence of the ancient ruins in Rome, to the splendor of St Peter's Basilica, to the beauty of Volterra and charm of Cinque Terre, to the outstanding art works in the Uffizi Gallery, I am at a loss to pick one. OK, since I am not only interested in the Artistic and Cultural aspects, but the Engineering capabilities when they were built, the Pantheon is my pick for now. What a place!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic. From the hotels, the accommodations, the locations, the tours, and of course the most wonderful tour guide, Dimitry.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Fully experiencing Cinque Terre, one of my "bucket list" places to go. But, surprisingly, I loved Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 5th RS tour with two more already scheduled! I think that says it all! Lisa was a fantastic guide - knowledged, flexible, personable with all participants.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra was an unexpected pleasure, wandering the streets, taking in the countryside, learning the history. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall experience was very positive! For the price, the quality of the food, hotels, transportation and above all, the leaders, was unbelievably excellent.The balance of group and individual activities was brilliant and allowed us to learn about each location and also explore according to our own interests. And it was fun to share our experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So hard to choose! Probably eating gelato in the park in Volterra at sunset looking out over the Tuscan countryside."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Nice having a coordinated tour with someone who knows there way around to all the attractions. The group was a good collection of traveler's to have the experience with. We went to several museums and the art is something that is nice to see but too much of it at times I would rather keep moving and seeing the outdoors not as much time inside. Everybody has different taste in food , wine & art.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The size of the churches & Cinque Terra area was amazing "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

1. Very positive with just a couple blemishes 2. Expertise of guides, both Lisa and local guides, was very good to outstanding 3. Quality of the hotels 4. Our group was fun to be with 5. Rick Steve's provided meals were very good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We don't have a favorite "wow" moment, the overall tour and sights of Italy provided our wow experience, although the churches were outstanding"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the streets of Volterra. It's like being in a Ghibli movie!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and it did not disappoint. Lisa our guide was outstanding. She was very knowledgeable and fun. The tour was a great balance of organized tours and freetime. The local guides we had to Rome, Volterra and Florence were excellent with a vast knowledge base. I enjoyed the tours, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, and galleries. I enjoyed an opportunity to meet fellow travel lovers form across the country, We have already signed up for another

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cinque Terra landscape was definitely my wow moment. I have never seen anything so quaint and beautiful. Seafood there was amazing!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner with group at Cinq terre "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lisa was a fantastic guide and host for all of us. The entire trip was wonderful, great food, Sights, guides and first class service! I appreciate all the flexibility that Lisa demonstrated in dealing with changes and some of the transportation challenges getting into Cinca Terra. We have had the privilege of going on a few Rick Steve’s tours and my wife brought her brother and adult children and the unanimous comment was two of the best weeks of their live’s! Thank the entire team!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Voltere was so cool to see and learn about the history of the architecture and enjoy the small hilltop village tour, food and shopping."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My 2nd Rick Steves tour. It was active. We learned much from our guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Michaelangelo’s lifelong pursuit of sculpture "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Truly a great experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra was my favorite. A hidden gem!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip to Italy and I was unsure what to expect. Honestly, I was skeptical about being in a tour group. I was concerned it would take away from the whole experience by being with people I did not know and possibly not having anything in common. Boy was I wrong! Our group was full of kind, energetic people from all over the states who I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the adventure with and feel they actually enhanced the experience rather than taking away from it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole trip was a wow moment for me but I really enjoyed the beauty of Volterra and the kindness of the people. Also, I loved Rome with all its history. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The olive farm tour in Tuscany."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well-organized and met my high expectations. Karen, our guide, did an excellent job managing the logistics, planning the group activities and dinners, and keeping the group well-informed about the schedule. . Our local guides were superb, sharing their knowledgeable expertise while sprinkling in humorous anecdotes. Italy is a beautiful country worth visiting, with incredible art and history. The only detraction to the trip was the huge crowds almost everywhere we went.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Volterra, which was not overcrowded, and offered a more relaxing opportunity to absorb the medieval surroundings. The Pantheon, the Forum and the Colosseum were impressive. The art, and history, and architecture in the various galleries were amazing. I really enjoyed learning about making olive oil at the local farm. As with previous tours, meeting new people on the tour enhanced the whole experience. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Since this was our first tour, I have nothing to compare it to, so I’m saying it was very good! It was all very well planned, we stayed well informed about departure times, all of the group meals were excellent, local tour guides were wonderful, the hotels were excellent, and it was fun getting to know the other travelers. Karen did an amazing job guiding us to trains, giving out information daily and filling us in on the ins and outs of Italian life and our tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery was breathtaking- but I guess especially in Cinque Terre. Hiking the trails was so much fun! The Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum were also very “wowing” but the crowds definitely put a damper on the enjoyment of the museum and chapel. I loved Volterra- a quieter little Italian town- so quaint and easy to maneuver. Gelato every day was amazing and their cocoa was quite an experience!! Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steeves tour. I have used his books for many different trips to Europe and have found them exceptional as guides. I lost my confidence for independent travel since the pandemic and so tried a group. Very impressive!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This trip was a Michelangelo trip for me. I reread Stone's book about his life, "The Agony and The Ecstasy" and wanted to see as much of his work as possible. Seeing David, the pieta, and many other of his famous works again had a much larger "WOW" factor after reading about Michelangelo's intentions and efforts."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was third Rick Steves tour and my first time in Italy. Italy did not disappoint, the food and history were as great as everyone says. Would love to go back!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was seeing Cinque Terre. The towns were so gorgeous and no matter how many pictures I took they don't do the place justice. Seeing David, the Pantheon and Colosseum were also WOW moments. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra Group dinners @ local restaurants Choice of hotels Local guides Balance of guided tours vs free time"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide, Karen. Hotels were good- location, food, staff, amenities. Food at local restaurants were also outstanding . Crowds were turnoff but Karen, drivers and local guides were knowledgeable about how to work around them. Site selected to tour were amazing and well vetted

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra and the alabaster shop- amazing. The wine taste- educational and fun. Florence museums. The olive oil taste visit. The Etruscan museum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well curated tour with a focus on the "must see" attractions while also providing time for our own exploration. Hotels & groups meals were unique and outstanding! The special extra experiences were especially appreciated. Felt like a customized experience but know that your team does week after week.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one "Wow" experience but the tour of the olive farm run my the two sisters and fantastic lunch felt very special. I must also add, our tour guide Cecilia having her family wine delivered to Florence and paired with our final & amazing meal was very memorable as well. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved that everything was taken care of and we just needed to follow the guide's instructions. Our guides were exceptional, especially Cici, our principal leader. Met great people and befriended many. Would recommend and do another RS tour in a heartbeat!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra Alabaster shop demo"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the tour thoroughly

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Cinq Terre"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Lots of information, good choices for cities visited, great guide, congenial group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cinque Terra was beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought the tour was well managed and full of interesting sites and lots of information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I thought Tuscany and Volterra were my favorite places to visit. I loved the ambience and the wine tasting."

It was honestly all I could have wished for! For a compact tour, we did so much and even though I was a bit hesitant knowing the extent of the activity, but turned out to fine and very doable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had been to the Colosseum before and a little of the Forum, but this time we came in walking from the Pantheon, and the views there were outstanding. The scope of history really hit me this time. Also, the views from the hotel patios in Monterrosso were a surprise "wow" moment. Gorgeous!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a marvelous time both seeing and learning the “heart of Italy.” Our group became cohesive quickly, and our tour group leader — Lisa — was simply wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing and learning about the Parthenon — an incredible marvel in construction."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip exceeded our expectations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the Roman Forum and Cinque Terre "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well taken care of!! Well planned. Enjoyed the boutique hotels, food, sights and especially our guide Lisa.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Vernazza "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hills of Tuscany"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well run, the hotels were good and the group meals were outstanding. The guides were very good with particular standouts being the local expert guides in the locations that we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two come to mind. The walking tour of the Pantheon and Roman Forum with our expert guide was outstanding, and I'm not particularly interested in ancient Roman history! The second, the story of the birth of the renaissance through art in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence with our expert guide for that city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour ran smoothly, hotels & food were great. Fellow travelers enhanced the experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite is hard to pick but I would say the Cinque Terra town of Montorosso "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was incredible from start to finish! Everything was planned and organized perfectly. There was no stress involved in getting to the next sight. We hit all of the highlights in each spot and there was ample free time included to explore more or find your own restaurants. The group dinners were a highlight- I enjoyed getting to know the other travelers and discussing our favorite parts of the trip. The accommodations and breakfasts were also great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The olive oil farm in Chianti region "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Heart of Italy in 9 days was a tour filled with amazing sites, people, and food! All of our tour guides were very knowledgeable about their own cities and museums within them. The group dinners were so fun and a great way to try local food specialties and get to know your fellow tour members as well. We had an incredible time being able to see so much of Italy in such a short time. I would definitely go back with another Rick Steve's tour soon.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of the many "wow" moments that I experienced was eating dinner at La Carabaccia in Volterra. Our travel group of about 27 people had the entire restaurant to ourselves. We were able to sit with new people while trying different courses that highlighted what the town/area was most known for. It was really special to have a private dinner with the Mom & Daughter chef team working behind the scenes. They even came out for a little applause at the end and we could celebrate their talent. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lisa, our tour guide, was incredible! She was knowledgeable about where we were going and what we would be doing; she went out of her way to help us. (For example, she helped me with directions on how to get from the train station to my hotel in Venice [not part of the tour].) The local guides were amazing. (Claudia in Volterra was fabulous!) Each place was unique and full of interesting information, though a little overwhelming at times. There was a good balance of planned and "free" times.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had a unique experience in Volterra... after Roberto Chiti demonstrated making an alabaster bowl, I commented that I would like to have that bowl, to which he said, "yes." Not only did he let me buy the bowl, but also he had me come up and stand beside him so I could have my picture taken with him. Oh! he "autographed" the bowl as well. It's definitely a special memory from the trip!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour with like-minded individuals. Tour guide (Sarah) was top-notch as were the local guides. Good mix of group and individual time allowed. The bus, which we thought might be an issue, turned out to be most comfortable and a welcome respite.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring through the Tuscan hills."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Although my husband and I have traveled to Europe two other times, once on our own, and once with another tour company, this was our first Rick Steves tour. It was great--it exceeded my expectations! I enjoyed everything about the tour, especially the people...the other members of our tour group, our guide, and the local guides. My sister and brother-in-law were also on the tour, and we added two days pre-tour in Rome and spent two days in Venice post-tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't think I can pinpoint just one, but among the top three: views of the Tuscany countryside from Volterra; seeing the Duomo in Florence for the first time; and the magnificent art (painting and sculptures) we saw in the Galleria Borghese (Rome).the Accademia Gallery (Florence), and the Uffizi (Florence)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A wonderful way to explore Italy planned for us by the travel experts of Europe! Our vacation was delivered in style by the meticulous planning and the arrangement of our lodging, group dinners, excursions, guided tours and comfortable transportation between the great cities, towns and villages we visited. We could not have planned this any better ourselves. As a first time Rick Steves excursionist, I highly recommend this format of travelling. Amazing time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Volterra! What a beautiful place to visit. Tucked away in the mountains of Tuscany, it was like being in a fairytale. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first Europe trip and I was very afraid of how I would navigate in a strange country.. Rick Steves tour took all my fear away because they walked me through the basics of transportation, area restaurants, and answered all my questions along the way. Our guide Sarah was so patient and simply amazing!!! All the hotels were above my expectations because they were not cookie cutter hotels. And the meals were also just outstanding!! Just the right amount of guided time to free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"They were the small moments, like teaching us language and history lessons while riding in the bus to the next destination.Every location was a wow moment for me, but Florence was extra special!!!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour was good and Sarah, our tour guide, was very good. The weather could have been better but RS doesn't control that. This tour was scheduled in conjunction with a 4 day holiday weekend in Italy and the crowds were insane. I am disappointed that RS did not let us know of the holiday which made normally busy locations packed, shoulder to shoulder. I would like to have had the chance to book a different weekend but did not know of the holiday.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The forum and ancient Rome."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a way to see the Heart of Italy. This tour provided a right-sized balance of targeted site/museum visits and enough free time to do what you please. Along with a very knowledgeable tour host, local guides were brought in to give in depth expertise to make each city come to life.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My WOW moment was an excellent guided tour of the Uffizi gallery in Firenze. The art work came to life with just the right amount of back story and art history. So much "I never knew" moments happened on this visit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Been to Europe on our own several times and were unsure if joining a planned tour would be worth the extra expense. We were pleasantly surprised! Our trip was greatly enhanced by a wonderful tour guide and city guides and all the history, information, and language they taught us. It was more relaxing knowing the majority of the logistics were handled for us. Unforgettable experiences that we would have never planned on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stunning scenery in Tuscany that led us to the quaint village of Volterra and the most delicious meal at La Carabaccia."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third Rick Steve's tour. My husband and I had a wonderful time on all the tours. The "Heart of Italy" tour was very informative. We learned a lot about the ancient Romans and the Etruscans and the way they lived. We tried new delicious foods octopus, homemade kale soup and many pasta dishes. Made many new friends and found the local guides to be knowledgeable and passionate about their work. We saw many of the highlights of Rome and Florence. We loved it all!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved hearing about the construction of the Pantheon and the Forum. The guide Antonella gave us a wonderful history lesson as we walked around the ancient ruins. The guide Claudia explained about the lovely art and paintings in the Etruscan Museum in Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From beginning to end, I so enjoyed the Rick Steves Tour of Italy. The tour guide was wonderful, very kind, had us where we needed to be at the right time, and gave us free exploring time on our own. It was great! Enjoyed the specialized guides that joined our group for special times in Rome , Voltera, and Florence. The overnight accommodations were wonderful; very unique and comfortable stays. The meals were fantastic. I have shared with my friends how great this Rick Steves' Tour was!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of my favorite "Wow" moments was the beautiful Mediterranean Sea at the Cinque Terre region. We stayed at Monteroso, which was amazing I would like to go back and see more of Italy someday. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, a wonderful experience. The cities we visited during the "Heart of Italy" tour were just the right combination of sites, experiences, food and people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiked the blue trail from Monterossa to Vernazza. Coming down the trail into Vernazza, the view of the colorful town and the Ligurian Sea was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded my expectations. It was a perfect balance of spending organized time with the group enjoying tour sites and spending time alone with my husband to explore on our own. From our hotel check-ins, to bus transfers, to accessing the most popular tourist sites, everything ran like clockwork. The group was full of friendly, interesting people, we really gelled. It was like an art lover's summer camp for grown-ups. So much fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wows, so hard to choose just one. I'd say it was my very first 360 degree view of glittering Florence at night from the rooftop terrace of our beautiful hotel. Stunning! We made a point of ending every day in Florence up there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Heart of Italy Tour exceeded our expectations, we were impressed with our guide, the itinerary, the food and having so many great fellow travelers made the trip very special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have two that immediately come to mind, walking around Rome and visiting sites that go back a couple of thousand years ago. And the second would be going to Volterra to soak in the beauty of the Tuscany hillside communities. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The itinerary was a nice mix of city sights, village and nature. We had a good group and an outstanding guide in Nina.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although I came to see art and architecture, it was thrilling seeing the Cinque Terre villages from the water. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the tour very much. It covered all of the highlights of Rome, Florence, Tuscany, and the Cinque Terre.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having the free day in the Cinque Terre to explore the region."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous!! Outstanding!! Exceptional!! From the fantastic local guides who provided an in-depth, passionate story of their city to the boutique hotels that made you feel part of the fabric of the history, I felt wholly entrenched in the Italian culture for all nine days of our tour. With Nina's knowledge and passion for all things Italy, I was inspired to dive deep into the ever-present opportunities to learn and explore all that Italy has to offer - I can't wait to go back!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As I had been to most of the areas we explored on our tour, my WOW monument came near the end when I realized that Nina and her local guides had written the most beautiful love letter to Italy. Listening to the passionate stories of the rich Italian history, I felt their undeniable love for Italy, as it oozed out with every word. I don't know if every Rick Steve's tour has this roster of amazing people, but I'm inspired to find my next WOW moment to find out!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an amazing tour! Nina was a wonderful guide, the local guides added such great perspective, and we hit all the important places. Once we had the tools to be successful on our own, the tour also provided a nice balance of structured time and free time at each location. In addition, the experiences in each location were unique, giving us perspective on the patchwork quilt that makes up the country of Italy. We would highly recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is difficult to narrow down the WOW moments because there were so many (and each location offered so many different sites and experiences). We weren't originally excited about visiting Rome but after experiencing it with guides, it was an experience beyond words to stand in the exact footsteps of history and in places where civilization began. The passion and knowledge of our guides weaved it all together perfectly. We loved the walled city of Volterra, sites of Rome, and soo much more!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cinque terra and Voterre"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first RST and it was above and beyond what I expected. Our tour guide Nina was exceptional and had interesting stories to go along with the history and culture of each location along the way. Well organized with plenty of free time to explore on your own. I like how she threw in new Italian words each day for us to learn and practice. The tour bus rides were very comfortable and scenic. Nine days through the heart of Italy was a great introduction to this beautiful country! Grazie!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments on the tour. I was fascinated by Rome and the Vatican City. The beauty of the coastline of the Cinque Terre and walking through the medieval village of Volterra. I was really wowed by the group dinner and feasts we shared together in family run restaurants. These were 5 star quality cuisines! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent, well organized, very knowledgeable guides and pleasant and friendly experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Italy in general was a wow moment for me, beautiful country, friendly people and amazing history "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Going to Italy had been a dream of mine for a long time. Being on your tour made that dream come to life! Our tour guide Nina took us under her wing on a magical journey through her homeland. I came home with a great understanding of Italian culture. Looking forward to another trip in the future!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Michelangelo’s David in Florence was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Heart of Italy with Nina was fabulous. She was professional, hotels were good, and food was excellent. Saw some very special places and I was exhausted by the time I got home.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Piazza Navona on our first night. It made it all very real and I went with my friend who had never been to Italy before and she was truly in awe. There were wow moments every day and it is impossible to name one. At each stop there was something new and exciting. I love learning something every day and that is why I keep booking RS tours. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was wonderful from start to finish! I loved all the different hotels, they each had their own unique personality. The restaurants we ate at were fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the ruins in Rome"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our overall tour experience was fantastic. Being first timers we were not sure if being part of a group tour was for us. It turned out that our group was terrific, the pace was perfect and our guide was exceptional. Now we’re trying to decide which Rick Steve’s Tour to book next.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many incredible moments. I loved Volterra for the scenery but walking into the Pantheon was breath taking. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An outstanding, energizing introduction to Italy. Nina was the absolute perfect group leader!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to choose from, but I will go with the Roman Forum, hearing Francesca describe the people and history behind this miraculous ancient ruin."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My tour experience was amazing. We had so much fun and so many wonderful memories to take home with us, plus new friends as well. It doesn't get better than that.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Volterra hands down. So beautiful and unspoiled, plus our guide Annie was so knowledgable and funny. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fantastic time on this tour. The locations were great--loved the mixture of big city vs. small towns. The accommodations were great as well. We really enjoyed the people on the tour and our tour guide, Colleen.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many....it's hard to pick just one.....it was really cool to watch the man make an alabaster bowl in Volterra."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed the information and education received, and highly appreciated the direct and easy access to many of the tour sites. The group dynamic evolved nicely and all the hotel accommodations were wonderful. Transportation was similarly well organized and efficient. Our guide Colleen had a huge experience base to enlighten and entertain us with, along with a wonderful personality.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved walking through the forum in Rome and learning more about the Etruscans in Volterra"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Colleen was a wonderful, knowledgeable, organized, warm & friendly tour guide who took excellent care of our group. The local guides (Paolo in Rome, Annie in Volterra, and Cindy & Ricardo in Rome) were excellent. The special experiences were great - olive oil farm & tasting in Tuscany, alabaster carving in Volterra. We really enjoyed the other people on our tour. Poor or no wi-fi in our hotels in Volterra and Florence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many moments - The Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel, ancient Rome walking tour, The Accademia and Michelangelo's David and prisoners, boat ride from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, and Uffizi Gallery."