Italy Trip Review: Rome, Florence, Milan, Tuscany, Wine Tasting, Vatican City, 12-Day Tour

We didn’t have the best experience with our hotel in Milan and I wouldn’t stay there again. The breakfast was fine, the room was fine, but no umbrellas were available to guests in near-flooding rains and we felt that even the front desk staff weren’t comfortable with some of the hotel's policies. Also, the hotel was not very convenient/walkable to restaurants, the Duomo/historic area, etc.

I had some concerns about the hotel before we left and addressed them with the tour agent. She provided a list of five or six hotels for us to choose from. However, I had hoped for a bit more guidance in that decision. It was good we only stayed there two nights.

Our tour guide for our wine-tasting day in Chianti was fine, but definitely not as warm and friendly as our other guides. We’re also having challenges getting delivery of the wine they helped us purchase and the cost to ship was not inexpensive. Just a note for future clients!

Tickets for the tour of the Pantheon weren’t provided to our tour guide and with the times set for the Colosseum by the agency, we missed the Pantheon. Our agent tried very hard to remedy this, as did our tour guide. However, the closing times should have been worked out sooner. Also, there was confusion about the 2023 requirement for a paid ticket for the Pantheon and unfortunately we missed entering. They tried to help us go the next day, but we had plans for our last day. Our guide, agent, and driver that day made a fuss over us and we were grateful to them!

I wouldn’t recommend the driver we had on our first day in Rome and the Vatican tour. He spoke no English and was irritable.

The hotel in Rome was outstanding and so historical. We loved it!! The hotel in Florence was awesome as well, the room in particular. Our train transfers and drivers to and from trains were fabulous.