This is it - the classic bicycle tour that we started with back in 1972! We begin in romantic Venice, make stops in the great art cities of Ferrara, Ravenna & Florence, and end on the Mediterranean coast in Pisa. Along the way, you'll enjoy gourmet meals from two of Italy's best culinary regions (Emilia-Romagna & Tuscany), take in local markets, and discover a side of Italy seldom seen by tourists. You'll also visit "the farm" (it's been in Paola Malpezzi-Price's family for more than 100 years) for a light lunch and a close-up look at rural life in Italy. This is our most popular cycling tour.
If this sounds great but you don't have time for the full 12 days, check out our Bicycling Venice to Florence tour, which features the first 8 days of this itinerary.Day 1: Tour begins in Venice, Italy
Highlights: The Lido of Venice, dinner at a trattoria
Welcome to Venezia! You really should try and come a day or two early to explore this unique city before we begin our bike ride to Pisa. We meet this afternoon at our hotel on the Lido of Venice where we'll fit bicycles. We'll enjoy an introductory aperitif before walking to dinner in a small trattoria on the Lido.Lodging: Hotel Atlanta Augustus
Day 2: Bicycle Venice to Po River Delta
Highlights: Venetian lagoon, fishing villages, bicycle in the Po Delta
The Lidos of Venice and Pellestrina protect the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. You'll follow these natural levees this morning as we work our way south via flat roads and ferries to Chioggia, at the south end of the lagoon. Enjoy lunch on your own there before continuing south to Taglio di Po in the Po River delta. Those who want extra mileage can enjoy a great ride into the delta this afternoon. Dinner together. Distance: 59 km (37 miles).Lodging: Hotel Tessarin
Day 3: Taglio di Po to Ferrara
Highlights: bicycle along the Po River, bicycle capital of Italy--Ferrara
It's another day of leisurely riding today as we follow the Po river upstream to the Renaissance city of Ferrara. Entering the city, we'll pass under the 16th century walls, one of the most intact Renaissance walls left in Italy. Other highlights of this UNESCO world heritage site include the many palaces of the Este court from the 14th and 15th century. We'll suggest some great restaurants for dinner on your own this evening. Distance: 73 km (46 miles).Lodging: Hotel Carlton
Day 4: Ravenna
Highlights: Comacchio, lunch at farm cooperative, mosaics of Ravenna
We shuttle this morning to the nearby lagoon town of Comacchio, once a port town more famous than Venice. After a small float around the canals with a local fisherman as captain, we'll ride across the "valleys of Comacchio", through the Po delta's rich bird habitats. Then it's on to the Anita di Argenta where we'll stop at a local agriturismo (farm cooperative), to enjoy a lunch of homegrown vegetables, homemade ricotta, and other local specialties. A short bike ride later we'll enter Ravenna, the last capital of the Western Roman Empire and home to more early Christian mosaics than any other city in Western Europe. You can walk to Dante's Tomb and the mosaics of San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia this afternoon, as our hotel is near all the city sights. Distance: 43 km (27 miles).Lodging: Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi Hotel
Day 5: Ravenna to Faenza
Highlights: Picnic lunch at ExperiencePlus! Headquarters and family farm, ceramics of Faenza
We'll head west from Ravenna today, stopping to visit a local Italian bike shop on our way to "the farm" for a light lunch together. "The farm" is our European headquarters and is located on land that Paola Malpezzi-Price's family has cultivated for more than 100 years. We continue on to Faenza, where we visit a local ceramist who will introduce us to traditional Faenza designs. Dinner, if you are still hungry, is on your own! Distance: 54 km (34 miles).Lodging: Hotel Vittoria
Day 6: Over the Apennines
Highlights: Olive oil tasting, bicycle the Apennine Mountains, small mountain villages
We head into the Apennines today, passing first through the medieval village of Brisighella for an olive oil tasting in one of Italy's most unique olive oil producing areas. We'll then begin climbing (easily at first!) over the Apennines -- remember to look around as you climb since the scenery changes dramatically as you leave the plains and enter the mountains. Just before we reach the toughest part of our climb to Ronta, there is a very conveniently located train station which allows you a choice in how you reach our destination! We'll enjoy dinner together in tonight. Distance: 15 - 63 km (9 - 39 miles).Lodging: Hotel La Rosa
Day 7: Fiesole and Florence
Highlights: Fiesole and its Etruscan ruins, Renaissance Florence, Uffizi Gallery
There's a small climb this morning to Vetta le Croci, then it's downhill to the old Etruscan city of Fiesole, where you'll enjoy a great view of Florence rising from the valley floor. We'll ride into town together, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore this capital of Renaissance Italy. Our hotel in Florence lies on the banks of the Arno River, close to the Uffizi Gallery. We'll have dinner together this evening. Distance: 41 km (26 miles).Lodging: Hotel Balestri
Day 8: Wonders of Florence
Highlights: Walking tour of Florence and time to explore on your own
We are offering a guided walking tour of Florence this morning so schedule your reservations to visit the famous Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia, home to Michelangelo's David after 12:30PM. At sunset, take a walk down to the Ponte Vecchio to engage in the passeggiata (or "evening stroll"). Dinner is on your own.Lodging: Hotel Balestri
Day 9: Birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci
Highlights: Olive groves and vineyards, Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace and museum
After breakfast, we head out of Florence and down the Arno River valley for a beautiful day of riding in the Italian countryside. There is a bit of a climb as we cross Mount Albano but what a spectacular view. Our destination is Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, where you'll have a chance to visit the house where he was born and a museum with scale models of his inventions. Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 41 km (26 miles).Lodging: Hotel Monna Lisa
Day 10: Lucca
Highlights: Medici villa, bicycle countryside of Tuscany, 17th century wall
Climb the stairway to the Medici villa in Cerreto Guidi today for a great view as we continue west to Lucca, where we'll stay the next two nights. Lucca was a Roman town and one of medieval Italy's most prosperous city-states. Today, Lucca retains its medieval charm with its small shops and sidewalk cafés, as well as the beautiful 17th-century wall that surrounds the town. Dinner on your own. Distance: 56 km (35 miles).Lodging: Hotel La Luna and Alla Dimora Lucense
Day 11: Pisa
Highlights: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza of Miracles, Lake Massaciuccoli
Our last day of pedaling takes us to Pisa where you can visit the Leaning Tower and the Piazza of Miracles. Our route to Pisa takes us by Lake Massaciuccoli, where Puccini wrote many of his operas. After a stroll through Pisa, head back to the less-touristy town of Lucca to enjoy an evening passeggiata along the main pedestrian way. We'll celebrate our adventure across Italy with a final dinner together this evening. Distance: 62 km (39 miles).Lodging: Hotel La Luna and Alla Dimora Lucense
Day 12: Tour ends in Lucca
Highlights:
After breakfast, our journey across Italy comes to an end. You're on your own now, prepared to face Rome and its many museums or to explore the Lakes District to the north. Buon viaggio!!-
HighlightsGourmet meals, Faenza and the Malpezzi family farm, Florence, Lucca, Pisa and Tuscany's countryside, Venice, Ravenna and Ferrara
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Includes"The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 12 days, 11 nights accommodation; 6 dinners with wine, 2 lunches, & 11 breakfasts; walking tour of Florence
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CountriesItaly
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Begin/EndVenice/Pisa
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Arrive/DepartVenice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) /Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA)
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Total Distance466 - 523 km (290 - 326 miles)
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Daily Distance15 - 83 km (9 - 52 miles)
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What to ExpectA wonderful introduction to Italy covering 3 regions. Fascinating small towns and some very special lunches.
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Rating201
Terrain starts out flat then builds over the Apennines. Rolling hills through Tuscany. Our most popular tour for cyclists. -
NotesIf this sounds great but you don't have time for the whole 12 days, check out our Venice to Florence tour, which features the first 8 days of this itinerary.
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Terms
| Dates | Price | Single Supplement* |
Notes | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26 - Sep 06, 2012 | $4595 | $600 | Book It | |
| Sep 16 - 27, 2012 | $4595 | $600 | Confirmed departure! | Book It |
| *We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour. | ||||
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Here on ExperiencePlus.com
- 1947 Tour Stage Winner encounter
Marco and Leigh were on the ExperiencePlus Pisa to Venice 2004 bicycle tour and encountered Aldo Ronconi, 1947 Tour stage winner, in a most unlikely way. - 36 Hours in Venice
Tour Leader, Sara Verlicchi, shares her favorite spots in Venice. - Book review of Salt - with links to Venice
Rich Young reviews the improbable bestseller Salt and finds it to his liking - Book Review: A Novel of Hannibal
Public policy generally changes slowly and reluctantly. Major changes, however, often occur in response to sudden catastrophic or cataclysmic events that act as catalysts for change. Hannibal's invasion of northern Italy is a case in point. - Book Review: Attila: King of the Hun's
Rick's review of Patrick Howarth's book, which will help you to understand the context of Venice and Ravenna fit between East and West during the last decades of the Roman Empire. - Book review: Birth of Venus
Paola reviews The Birth of Venus, set in Florence - Book Review: Love and War in the Apennines
Rick reviews Eric Newby's book about his WW2 adventures in Italy - Book Review: Too Much Tuscan Sun
Rick reviews this book, subtitled 'Confessions of Chianti Tour Guide', by Dario Castagno - Emilia Romagna at 19 Km Per Hour
Customer Chris Wesely shares her experiences riding across Italy. - Family Bikes Across Italy
ExperiencePlus! Computer Specialist, Ian Wells took his family on their first ever bicycle tour with ExperiencePlus! last June. Since they weren't exactly experienced cyclists, some members of the family were a little apprehensive about their adventure. Ian describes their experience. - How I Biked Across Italy in 12 Days
Traveler JR Meda shares his experiences biking across Italy in 2011. - Meet a Cycling Great!
How ExperiencePlus! customers met Aldo Ronconi, 1947 Tour stage winner, in a Bike Shop in Faenza, Italy. - Packing Tips
We've traveled enough and loaded enough luggage to have some useful suggestions to help you pack. - Pre-tour training
ExperiencePlus! has contracted with national fitness expert Joe Friel to create customized, day by day, training programs to ensure you are ready for your biking tour. - Read about the first Bike Across Italy
The story of how ExperiencePlus! got its start. - Rick Reviews Tuscany's History and Geography
Our own Rick Price, Ph.D., has prepared a brief introduction to the history and geography of Tuscany. - Rick's suggestions for cycling maps of Italy
- Shopping Tips
- The Artist, the Philosopher & the Warrior
ExperiencePlus! traveler Bill Giovinazzo reviews the latest book from Paul Strathren. - Three of the Many Faces of Italy
Bicycle Tours through Tuscany, the Po Valley and Puglia. - Understanding the Italian Landscape
Rick's essay on Hannibal's effect on the history of Emilia Romagna. - We Are ExperiencePlus! Meet your Tour Leaders
We'd like to introduce you to your tour leaders. We believe we have the best bicycle tour leaders out there, click through to see a slideshow about them. - What to do with 36 hours in Florence
The museum lover and art history buff will have their own list of what to visit in Florence. But for those who want a brief overview of the city and its art treasures, this short guide by Rick Price will help. - Women and Life in 16th-Century Venice
Paola's book, Moderata Fonte, chronicles a woman's life in 16th century Venice
Elsewhere on the Web
- Choosing Artisan Gelato
The Travel Belles have an article to help find the tastiest gelato in Italy - Customer photos from the Venice to Pisa tour
We use Picasa to host favorite photos from our customers (and staff members); this gallery contains photos taken on the Venice to Pisa tour. - Italian Recipes from Paola
University of Oregon's Alumni Magazine highlights three of Paola's recipes - Italy's Emilia-Romagna becomes a (wine) contender
Nice article on our home region in Italy where our headquarters are nestled among vineyards - NPR's Splendid Table goes to Emilia-Romagna
Listen to the October 8th audio track and see pictures as Lynne takes us behind the scenes as no one else can - into balsamic attics and kitchens of legendary country restaurants. She takes us to a town where people still set a place at table for the composer Verdi and his music spills out into the street. - The city of Florence in Wikipedia
- The city of Venice in Wikipedia
- The Magic of Lucca
On her last day of the Little Tour cycling tour in Tuscany, Lois Moss discovers magic, flowers and a mystery to be remembered. - Traditional Italian Food Fallacies
An article from The Travel Belles blog covering interesting aspects of Italian culture and food traditions
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
Map Key
Start
City (on route)
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City (not part of route, provided for reference)This trip was our honeymoon vacation adventure and when we got to the Lido we found that we had been assigned the honeymoon suite! This also happened at a few more hotels and we were just stunned. This is exactly the sort of thing that keeps me coming back to ExperiencePlus! and recommending it to my friends.
Gary B., Seattle, WA
What was your favorite experience on this trip?
The entire experience from Venice to Pisa and I loved every minute of it. An absolutely wonderful trip that I look forward to taking again and that I highly recommend to both family and friends.
JR M. Fort Collins, CO
My trip to Italy was a dream come true and more. When people ask me what was my favorite thing, I have to say everything!! Our guide's were the best and made our trip very special. With ExperiencePlus they take the guess work out of where to go and what to do. They take care and think of everything for you. I ate the best food ever, saw amazing sights, and stayed fit, and met wonderful people. My best vacation EVER!!! Live is good!!
Cheri M., Fort Collins, CO
What was your favorite experience on this trip?
The day from Florence to Vinci, beautiful ride, very scenic, great optional ride at the end. Really enjoyed the tour, definitely thinking of going on another tour. Tour leaders had a great impact on the trip!!!
Dean O., Calgary, Canada
Thank you for making our 20th wedding anniversary celebration one we will remember forever!
Carrie W., Bethesda, MD
The trip was more than I ever dreamed. The three trip leaders were so well informed, so willing to help and so much fun. Thanks to all. I loved the biking and all the stops, giving us a chance to experience the area and to rest a bit. Every detail was well orchastrated. Food was great and really fun to try all new things. Thought it was great the way the rooms were assigned, one night very special then the next night someone else got the special rooms. Loved the picnics. Day sheets are a wonderful tool.
Grazie mille
Pat F., Ft Collins, CO
When you go on vacation you always have certain expectations, hopes of what the experience will be like. This tour has exceeded every expectation. What really made this tour truly a terrific experience were the tour guides. They made this tour everything especially fun.
When I went on this trip I wanted to experience Italy, not just be a tourist that passes through, but to experience the real culture and people. ExperiencePlus! made that possible. The tour took us to great places where we saw parts of Italy those other tours would never go. We ate great, great food and had a wonderful time with some of the nicest people I have ever met.The last day of the tour really broke my heart. I so enjoyed our guides and I hated saying good-bye. We were especially fortunate that we were able to visit the farm (ExperiencePlus! Headquarters), everyone there is so so nice. In addition to our guides we got to know the bike mechanics, office staff, some additional tour leaders, and owner, Monica Malpezzi Price. I am sorry we were not able to get to spend more time with them. They only made the trip all the more fun.
I can't wait to go on my next ExperiencePlus Tour. I have told my wife, I will never go to another country unless it is on the back of a bike.
Thank you for making this such a WONDERFUL experience. I have recommended this to all my friends and co-workers. I will continue to do so.Bill G., Lake Forest, CA
This was a great tour. The tour leaders went out of their way to make sure everyone was taken care of. I would highly recommend it to a friend.
Judy G., Monument, CO
Just to let you know my daughter, Debra, absolutely loved this tour! She found the 3 tour leaders very warm towards her and inclusive, so knowledgeable about the region and life in general. She found the whole experience a personal growth experience and will remember it in years to come. She has fallen in love with the region, the people and the food!
Kathy D., Australia
My favorite things were visiting all of the towns along the route, trying to speak Italian, great food and wonderful tour leaders. The tour was well organized with knowledgable staff. We will definitely travel again with Experience Plus!
Jeff C., Pace, FL
My favorite thing was biking through all the small towns seeing the incredible scenery provided by the routes we took each day.
Bob C., Philadelphia, PA
What was your favorite experience on this trip?
Of course for me the riding was the highlight but the visit to the Experience Plus farm and that lunch were unforgettable. The relaxed atmosphere, the homelike quality, the pasta making demonstration, were all the types of things that make for a familial feel on a long hard trip. It was like coming home. I loved that the best and meeting the team that keeps us on the road. That had to be the best experience.
Mary G., West Tisbury, MA
I love going to the ExperiencePlus! Farm for lunch and meeting all of the employees. It was the best trip ever! The 2 tour leaders are the best and the office staff was such a big help to me in deciding to take this particular trip.
Susan C., Charlotte, NC
I can't imagine a better trip. It even beats sitting on the beach and reading, which used to be my favorite.
Deb S., Ft Collins, CO
Besides the wonderful food!!!! I enjoyed the private tour we had at the Medici Villa. Being able to go up in the tower was so memorable. Meeting everyone at the Farm (ExperiencePlus's European Headquarters) was great too! (And that soup....AHH pure bliss!) I was taken care of with my vegetarian meals each group lunch/dinner! The tour team was great: Christina, Sara and Damiano. They all got along so well and complemented each other. I felt very safe with them as I took on the experience as a solo traveler!
Felicia B., Carlsbad, CA
One of my favorite experiences on the trip were the levee roads on the Po Delta. I had never cycled on such straight, smooth, level roads. At times it seemed like we were floating through that incredible landscape. Second would have to be climbing the Passo de Colla, although I am very slow going uphill, this was so beautiful, and I really enjoyed getting to the top. I really appreciate all the work and planning, beginning with the office staff and continuing to our guides, that gave us such a marvelous trip!
Judy M., Lafayette, CO
You are absolutely right about the perfect mixture of art, history and culture on this tour! I saw everything that I wanted to see in Firenze - Accademia D'Arte, Uffizi and we planned time in Venice before and Rome after the tour to see what we wanted there. I also agree that not having a windshield between me and the landscape is one of the best things about biking.
Dan T., Highland Park, NJ
The tour leaders were wonderful, very helpful and accomodating. The group meals were very fun and the food was outstanding.
Mary Lynn G., Mendota Heights, MN
There were many pleasant surprises. Rounding a bend and seeing a postcard view. Walking out of the hotel after showering the first day in Florence and realizing we were a block away from the Ponte Vecchio. The taste of a tomato and the garlic in the salami at one of the dinners. But the most memorable experience was on about Day 7, after breakfast when we were getting on our bikes and I thought, "I could do this forever!"
Steve L., Saudi Arabia
We had a fabulous time. It was truly a carefree vacation where all we had to do each day was ride through the beautiful Italian countryside. Our guides took care of everything else. Our group had "met" beforehand via emails so we felt like we already knew each other.
Sari R., Glastonbury, CT
[My favorite part?] Can't pick just one...the tour leader's mom teaching us to make pasta, the farmers giving us gargantuan nectarines on the side of the road, trading my ExperiencePlus! hat for a sweaty Italian cyclists cap, riding in that movie set called Tuscany... I could go on and on. I had a great time.
Sharon M., San Jose, CA
[My favorite part?] Lunch at the agritourismo and lunch at the family farm. All that riding through the farmlands makes you just want to sit down and eat some of the produce! After those meals, the country seemed even more beautiful. Thank you Paola for the walk around the orchards and for having your cousin give us a pasta demonstration.
Chris W., Eugene, OR
The included meals were even more than I expected; they were wonderful! Overall a great way to experience local specialities. The agriturismo stop was great! Also enjoyed the side trips (both as part of the tour and on our own time.)
Pam B., Eugene, OR
Tour leaders were exceptional. Couldn't have been more helpful. Route was great. Other riders lots of fun.
Kent K., Menlo Park, CA
[Influences to take a tour?] Amount of freedom vs. guided. I did not want to be stuck with a group all the time, doing a group pace. What was really great about this tour is that it hit the sweet spot of balance between the two, in that I felt I had the best benefits of a group tour--logistics, preplanning, support during the day, luggage handling, meeting new people--and the benefits of independent travel, in that I could ride on my own, at my own pace, and see the towns we stayed at as I saw fit, without being stuck with a group if I did not want to. A hard balance to achieve, but achieved it was.
Steve B., Asheville, NC
I had no negative experiences. The pre-trip info and planning was perfect, as well as the tour itself. The marking of the arrows made the trip carefree.
Steve B., Asheville, NC
I must say it was all wonderful. [The tour leaders] were absolutely superb in not only how hard they worked, but their attitude during very very long days. I cannot say good enough about them. I did not hear a single negative word from anyone on the tour about them. Nothing but praise. They represented their country and company in the best possible way. They made a great trip extraordinary.
Steve B., Asheville, NC
Efficent way to see new places: ExperiencePlus! does the research, selects the best routes and sights, and makes the arrangements. I just have to follow the program. A great way to travel with friends: ExperiencePlus! makes the decisions about what-when-where so we don't have to negotiate about every activity, and ExperiencePlus! provides opportunities to make new friends so we are not trapped with our old friends for the entire trip ... Overall, a good tour. I recommend it. ... I am again pleased by ExperiencePlus!'s uncanny ability to select a good group of individuals to tour with.
Ron C., Berkeley, CA
Really enjoyed this trip. The route was fantastic, and all three guides were wonderful--conscientious, enthusiastic, and competent.
Hard to pick out one [thing we liked best]. One of the things we liked about this trip was that every day was different. You never felt 'I've done this before'. We really like the longer trips ... we like 2-week vacations, and it's fun to be biking the whole time...
It was a really great trip. We love Italy, and biking is a wonderful way to see the country.
Susan C., Berkeley, CA
Our trip was the best experience I have ever had! Before the trip, I thought I would enjoy myself, but we both just fell in love with Italy. Your tour organization was everything I could have hoped. The guides were invaluable and great fun to travel with. I especially liked how we were able to ride at our pace through the back roads. There were a couple of time where I could smell what someone was cooking!
This was a trip of a lifetime (unless we are able to return)! Thank you so much.
Bob C., Fort Collins, CO
The ExperiencePlus
guides were terrific! The hotels were very nice, the food was absolutely yummy, and we are regarding it as the trip of a lifetime! I even made it up all three "mountains" under my own power!!! We will be recommending "our" local company to anyone who wants to listen, AND to anyone who doesn't want to listen!!!
Barbara C ., Fort Collins, CO
We intended to write immediately about how great the tour was and especially note our three excellent tour leaders. Each of them added much fun to our travels, while at the same time, they were very responsible and took their work seriously. They are the #1 reason we would like to find another ExperiencePlus! tour.
Jane O.,Leawood, KS
I loved the trip and cannot wait to do this again! Excellent in all respects--extremely well-organized, great group, marvelous food and cultural activities..not to mention the feeling of accomplishment each day.
Suzanne B., Santa Monica, CA
All the meals were wonderful. I appreciated the special attention and focus on the regional favorites. You offer an excellent value for all you provide in your trips. I hope to travel with ExperiencePlus! to Costa Rica and France.
Penny S., Mountain View, CA
Your travel format allows one to see and feel the country. It is easy, economical, fun, and it sure beats riding in a tour bus. Cheap travel is an oxymoron, but your trip was a vacation value.
George B., Burleson, TX
Of all the tours we investigated, ExperiencePlus! offered and delivered the most complete Italian experience
Tom & Carol H., San Francisco, CA
The tour guides were wonderful. They were the best tour guides we've ever experienced. This is our fourth tour company and our favorite so far. We loved the trip and plan to travel with ExperiencePlus! again soon.
Tom & Cindy M., Landenberg, PA
I was back in the Middle Ages - lying on the bed in Firenze resting after a day of riding - when from the shuttered windows I heard a low murmuring river of sound. I slowly realized that it was the sound of humans, a multitude of shopping, chatting, living life three stories down on the road filled with shops. No cars, no discordant blares, only voices and bells. Magical!
Sheri C., Berkeley, CA
The trip was the most organized and well thought-through adventure I have been on to date. Marking the route with chalk dust arrows was a bonus. The meals were great and our tour guides made our trip perfect.
Kathy E., Norfolk, VA
