I have read some postings where the tour directors were less than satisfactory. My wife and I were really fortunate. We have just returned from the 17 day Italy/Sicily tour and it was great. In particular, our TD, Belinda Richardson, was truly first class....a real professional. She was warm, friendly, forever helpful, calm, efficient, effective and very very knowledgeable. She is an absolute credit to Insight and her profession. She made the tour for everyone a truly memorable experience.

David,

I am leaving on this same tour Friday. What were some of the highlights for you? Any recommendations? Hope I have as much fun as you did.

Thanks,
Sherri

Hi Sherri,
All the standard tours were excellent, although we preferred the north to the south. Our favorite stops were Venice, Florence and Lake Maggiorre. Hotels were generally good...some better than others. The lunch stops at the autogrilles were an experience, with really good light midday meals. Evening dinners were somewhat institutional. Don't expect too much at breakfast.
It is worth taking all the extra tours, even though it does add a bit to the cost. After all, when is one going to be back again. The options are, I believe, chosen by the TD, so yours may be a little different to ours. We particularly liked the Burano Isle tour off Venice, the evening in St Mark's Sq, the boat trip on Lake M to the castle on the island, valley of the temples in Sicily. In fact they were all really good. If you have as good a TD and as pleasant travelling companions as we did, your holiday will be great.
Happy Touring.
David.

hi david a

glad to hear you enjoyed your italy/sicily tour. we are planning to do this one in may 2003 and would love to hear more about the optionals if you can help. also, did you do the first class tour or the high value one? we have been sticking to the first class ones just for the sake of having our hotels closer to most of the sights as we have heard some horror stories about trying to get public transport at night etc if we want to go for a wander. hope to hear back from you.
thanks

di d

David,

Thanks for the reply. What was the weather like while you were there. Trying to decide if I should bring an umbrella.

Sherri

Hi Sherry,

It was warm and sunny where we were in September, however there was a lot of rain elsewhere in the country. If you have a small umbrella I would take it with you.
David.

Hi Diann,

If I were you I would take the first class tour. However, even then, not all the hotels are central.

The following were some of the options we took:
1) Visit to Pantheon, Rome.
2) Catania market and cathedral, and Mt Etna, Sicily.
3) Amalfi coast drive, and Positano.
4) Venice by night.
5) Cruise to Burano.
6) Lake Iso Bella.
7) Florence Tuscan dinner.
8) The Uffizi, Florence.
9) Spanish steps at night and dinner, Rome.

I hope this has been of interest. They were all good, some better than others. I would do them all.

Check to see who will be your Tour Director. If Belinda Richardson, you will be in luck. She is first class all the way.

David