Skip to Main Content
A scenic view of Florence, Italy, highlights the iconic Duomo and surrounding red-roofed buildings with mountains in the background.
Italy

Italy: Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence

Program No. 19715RJ
Participant Reviews
4.84
Based on 52 Reviews
SHOWING
This participant did not give a star rating.
Natalia – Class of 2024 | Sleepy Hollow, NY
We enjoyed the trip a lot. We had 2 wonderful ladies, Lara and Johanna, who were helping us with everything. Lara's lecture was quite interesting too. The trip was arranged quite well with goods guides, especially Umberto Cattani. I personally did not like Donatella too much, she was too quick for me. All tours and visits were excellent , we would not be able to see so much as we did with this tour. One point. I did not like prearranged meals. In all previous trips with Road Scholars we could choose a meal (choice of 2 or 3). I am not fan of Italian pasta or pizza and I would rather choose fish or chicken and salad. I hope in future we will be able have a choice for a meal. We will definitely travel with RS in future, my next plan is to go back to Africa and maybe to Italy to study art and language. Thanks, Natalia
— Review left November 17, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Thomas – Class of 2017 | Naperville, IL
We had a wonderful adventure and were glad to focus our travel and learning on one region, Tuscany--the three cities and the sorrounding countryside. Our group leader, Lara Mattioli, was outstanding--in people skills and cultural knowledge. And we benefitted by the wide experience and guidance of Trinity College We were especially impressed by Marco, the cultural anthropologist who lectured two days on the Palio Race; and the Art Historian who lectured before our tour of Uffizi. Marco was able to get us in to the most exclusive areas of Siena related to the Palio Race and the Victory Celebration Banquet during our visit for the Goose District!! We truly enjoyed our visit to Lucca--less crowded and most accessible. And the bike riding on the Wall thanks to the availablility of bike at our hotel. The food was wonderful. The planned variety and local specialties were much enjoyed. We thought the division of planned events and free time was just right. Suggestions for our free time was helpful. It was a special privilege to be members of such a small group of ten travelers. We were impacted by the large crowds of tourists. The large crowd at Uffizi dimimnished our visit and appreciation there. We applaud Road Scholar's commitment to sustainable tourism. We are concerned for the future--can these wonderful sites bear the large and growing crowds of tourists And concern for the climate impact of our travel--it seems that we should be paying a carbon tax for our jet travel.
— Review left November 14, 2025
Roger – Class of 2011 | North Potomac, MD
We really enjoyed the Road Scholar trip to Tuscany. The educational content and excursions/day trips were excellent. The hotels were all very nice and well maintained, and centrally located, although the hotel in Sienna was showing a little age. The food was some of the best we have ever eaten on a Road Scholar trip. The pizza at La Bussola in Florence was as good as any pizza we have ever eaten. We went back on our own. Trinity staff know(s) all the good restaurants. Lara and Johanna were excellent group leaders. They seamlessly handled all arrangements for hotels, meals, transportation, lectures, museums, and other sightseeing. The local instructors were all knowledgeable and wonderful to learn from. We enjoyed traveling with the other participants on this trip. I think we were given more free time than we were accustomed to on other Road Scholar trips.
— Review left November 14, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Marc – Class of 2023 | Wilmette, IL
A fun, interesting and well-planned trip in a lovely area. The trip provided a good mix of historical and current information about the area and places we visited. The group leaders, Lara Mattioli and Johanna Merriman, were knowledgeable and very helpful.
— Review left November 13, 2025
Cynthia | Yarmouth, ME
Very well organized and planned and delivery was exceptional. This program provided life-long memories.
— Review left November 9, 2025
Natalie – Class of 2023 | Barrington, IL
This trip was lovely in every way: Our guides, Lara and Johanna, provided an experience filled with amazing art and architecture, delicious food, fascinating history, kindness, and great energy. My favorite parts were visiting the wide variety of villages and cities in the Tuscany region--from a peaceful, tiny hillside spa town to a walled city with twisty, small streets to bustling Florence with all its art and scenic river views. The lectures and guides helped prepare us for our visits in each location so that details carried more meaning. I especially enjoyed the Renaissance art lecture in Florence, given right before we visited the Uffizi Galleries. Without the lecture, I think I would have lacked focus and wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. Now it is a wonderful memory, and I hope to learn more about Renaissance art in the future. Most of all, our group was easy going, friendly, and adventurous; the first morning I woke up back at home, I missed our travel companions!
— Review left November 9, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Chris – Class of 2025 | Quincy, CA
I write this note after just returning from a wonderful Road Scholar visit to Tuscany. I and 19 other intrepid folks and our exemplary and hyper- competent guides, Lara and Johanna, stayed at fine hotels in Lucca, Siena, and Florence. WhileI know there must be much planning that we don’t see behind the dashboard, I felt the travel was well planned, well described and seamless. The Road Scholar restaurant experiences were thoughtfully chosen, so that our group could be together and somewhat sequestered from the rest of the restaurant hubhub. The food was wonderful and portions, generous to a fault! We received in-city tours as well as forays afield, each time led by an expert local guide. For example, when we visited the Carrera marble quarries, we were led by Umberto, a native of Carrera, and an experienced guide. He explained historical, as well as modern, techniques for harvesting this magnificent product. He then met us in Florence, and took us to visit Michelangelo‘s ‘David’, giving us a rich glimpse of Michelangelo‘s life, and his sculpture techniques. All so rewarding! I am hopeful of future Road Scholar experiences, and highly recommend these wonderful people.
— Review left November 7, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Erica – Class of 2010 | Winston Salem, NC
Despite my asthma attack, this was a simply wonderful trip, beautifully planned and executed. Bravi, Lara and Johanna (and everyone behind the scenes)! We saw most of the art we had hoped to see (the room with the Simone di Crocifissi Nativity of Christ at the Uffizi was closed, despite the website saying the painting was on display), but everything else I had on my lists was there. We especially appreciated seeing the Allegory of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in Siena. One minor complaint - it would have been helpful to know that our tickets to the Siena Cathedral were good for the Opera Della Metropolitana as well - since we didn't know that, we had bought tickets over the internet before leaving home. That is a very minor complaint, but an extra line in the Final Day-by-Day Itinerary would clear that up for others like us who wanted to go to that museum. The night of Puccini arias in Lucca was very sepcial. Despite being art history buffs, the days in the Tuscan countryside were our favorite parts of the trip - our time at Bagno Vignoni stands out in my mind as an oasis of calm and quiet. We loved the cheese tasting, the wine tasting, the lovely white cows, and all the food was outstanding. My personal goal had been to try a different flavor of gelato every day but I was just too full! That said, The "Rosemary Baby" (Raspberry-Rosemary) gelato in San Gimignano was un-forgettable. Delightful fellow travelers, beautiful music, art, architecture, and scenery - the entire trip gets an A+ from both of us. All three of our European Road Scholar trips have been outstanding and we recommend your trips to everyone we know. Thank you for 50 years of educational travel done well.
— Review left November 7, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Phillips | Yarmouth, ME
This was an exciting, informative and educational experience for our first Road Scholar adventure. Very well organized and managed so well. A broad range of experiences and sites to visit. Lara and Johanna were exceptional leaders and guides. Took care of every little detail. Food was outstanding and very comfortable accommodations well located in each city. The local experts (especially Umberto) were so well prepared and enjoyable to interact with. They enhanced our experience. Flight plans were flawless.
— Review left November 3, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Barbara – Class of 2025 | Turner, ME
It was a great trip. I thought we spent too much time in Lucca- although it was a fun place, glad we went. I had never been to Florence, so I needed more direction than the others. My biggest suggestion And wish is that we had a list of places to consider visiting ahead of time, and which ones required advance reservations and how to buy tickets. We panicked about getting everything in and ended up missing one of the time slots. I did buy a few books (Rick Steves) and that was helpful, but not up to date. Your list of restaurants wasn't great- I wish we had more direction on where to go. We loved Professor Marco. He was so full of great information and we loved his perspective!
— Review left October 24, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Dena – Class of 2025 | Chilmark, MA
This was a great trip. Bianca is a masterful tour leader. She was knowledgeable, resourceful, and kind to all. Hotels were fine. Restaurant choices were great. I've recommended this trip to others.
— Review left October 8, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Patricia – Class of 2024 | Falmouth, MA
This trip was absolutely outstanding. It exceeded my expectations. I liked that there was history and local guides (Marco Ceccarani in Sienna was the best). The visits to the small towns led us by scenery which was breathtaking. The cheese tasting at Caseificio Cugusi was fabulous as was the dinner at Fattoria Poggio Alloro. We had an especially nice group of 15 people and they were a pleasure to be with. Our guide Bianca added to our enjoyment. The only downside was the very tight connections in both Munich and Zürich. It was very stressful to try to find the correct gate in a crowded airport after walking, going on escalators and trains. We made the connections but only barely. I would recommend booking flights with a 3 hour layover rather than the 1 1/2 hours we had. This trip set the bar very high in choosing another tour. Congratulations on setting up an awesome tour.
— Review left September 26, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Lynda – Class of 2024 | Overland Park, KS
We had a smaller group of 14 who bonded well with each other. Our tour guide Lara was exceptional and dealt patiently with everyone's needs. Loved all the activities and free time to shop & explore. Thought all the hotels were very nice. Had incredible dinners at some of the restaurants scheduled. Thought our itinerary included some unusual, one- of-a-kind experiences. Can't wait to go back to Italy on another of your trips.
— Review left July 20, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Deanna – Class of 2024 | Leander, TX
The trip was amazing! The only thing that would have been better was more days in Florence, even just one more day. There is so much to see and since it is at the end of the trip, we were somewhat more tired than earlier in the trip. Favorites: Organic farm for wine tasting and dinner; Carrara marble quarry; Lucca. Did not really enjoy Sienna the city very much. Did appreciate the day trips while based there but the city itself was very commercial. Much preferred Lucca and the other small villages we visited. Marco was an amazing guide the entire time he was with us.
— Review left May 29, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Gail – Class of 2023 | Lawrence, KS
I greatly enjoyed this trip and will have many wonderful memories. I think the combination of structured vs. free time was just about right. After almost too many churches and religious sites, I appreciated the visits to other places, with the Carrara marble studio and quarry and the Florence American Cemetary being my favorites (I do think the cemetary visit was rushed and would've appreciated more time there to read the displays, reflect, and properly pay my respects). I enjoyed the lecture on Tuscan cuisine, which dispelled some myths for me. I'm really looking forward to trying some of those recipes. The Uffizi visit was unpleasant: there were just too many people for me to absorb anything. I thought I might spend most of the day there but ended up leaving after 1 1/2 hours. It's a must-see, I suppose, but with caveats. The trips to the countryside to the winery and farm were wonderful and bucolic. The Hotel Ilaria was my favorite hotel. It was charming, quiet and relaxing. My second favorite was the Hotel Berchielli in Florence. The hotel in Sienna was centrally located but a bit impersonal and in the middle of a high-traffic area. Our guide Matia was great and kept us on track with clear instructions and a sense of humor. Our group was a good size; just right to get to know people a little better, but not claustrophobic. Overall, I really enjoyed this trip and would recommend it. It was like a dream and I still can't believe I was really there!
— Review left May 27, 2025
Carolyn – Class of 2025 | Frederick, MD
The Italy: Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence was a magnificent program. Our tour guide was absolutely brilliant, engaging, and compassionate. Our lecturers and local guides provided fascinating insights and information. The exploration of the regional landscape, culture, foods, and more were exceptional. I highly recommend this program.
— Review left May 27, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
debbie | Fernandina Beach, FL
An amazing trip from start to finish! Our guide Matia was outstanding, keeping us all on track but making everyday enjoyable. I loved the food- the best I’ve ever had. Loved Lucca especially and the hotel there was outstanding. You could find a better hotel in Siena- it was impersonal. All the guides were terrific and I learned so much. I didn’t like the excursion to Carrera. As an environmentalist I found it disturbing. But everything else was so interesting.
— Review left May 26, 2025
Ellen – Class of 2022 | Cordova, TN
I enjoyed the trip very much. There was the right mix of guided time and free time. The speakers were very enjoyable, and the food was good.
— Review left April 26, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Todd – Class of 2007 | New York, NY
The trip covered a lot of ground and went to very interesting places. The local guides were knowledgeable The guide for the tour kept us on time. Luka is a beautiful town and the hotel was modern. The visit to the war cemetary was quitre moving. The visit to the marble mine was interesting but involved too much time in a bus for what we saw. The sights and lectures in Seinna good to see. We felt the hotel was well located but not up to current standards. Florence was great The Hotel was on the Arno on the same block as the Ponte Veccio. We would have liked another day in Florence and an afternoon in Pisa.
— Review left December 18, 2024
Peter – Class of 2024 | Pearl River, NY
Great trip we had a very nice time, all the instructors were well informed and knowledgeable.
— Review left December 8, 2024
Robert – Class of 2013 | Portland, OR
Wonderful value. Sometimes a bit over-stimulating. But I vote for the Baker's Dozen ...
— Review left November 25, 2024
Debra – Class of 2015 | Willowick, OH
Enjoyed it very much. Group leader was excellent. Group really blended together
— Review left October 8, 2024
Beth – Class of 2024 | Las Vegas, NV
I could not possibly have had a more enriching, more meaningful, more delightful experience. A couple of weeks before the trip I began to worry that my expectations were too high, but that was needless–I loved every day of it! Group Leader, Bianca, is fantastic at managing both the big picture and the details as well as inevitable teeny glitches. She added a great deal to the trip with her experience, knowledge and good humor despite our group sometimes seeming a bit like herding cats. I'd sign up for another tour with her no matter where it is. The sessions with local experts were outstanding: good speakers with deep knowledge in their areas and obvious, contagious passion (yes, all of them!) The food was--well it's ITALY!! The food was terrific, fresh, sometimes amazing, always too much but we ate it all, anyway. Accommodations were great and it was nice being in different types of hotels in each city: intimate boutique hotel in Lucca, corporate in Siena, old-European elegant in Firenze. Some days there wasn't quite as much free time as I had anticipated, but it didn't matter. My friend and I just walked even more, wandered where we could, saw art, shops, sights, talked with locals, left those encounters with hugs, kisses, smiles and warm feelings. We crashed every night saying how fun the day was. I'm extremely glad I chose RS for this trip; they are great at communicating, organizing, supporting and follow-thru. I would never have seen/done/gone to as much on my own and feel this was truly a comprehensive, wonderfully exhausting trip. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat, and in fact, am planning to return next year for a similar adventure.
— Review left September 29, 2024
Sally – Class of 2013 | Camarillo, CA
The Road Scholar tour to Tuscany is highly recommended. The excellent instructors provided unique perspectives which let us appreciate what we were seeing and experiencing.
— Review left May 26, 2024
Ellen – Class of 2024 | Lewes, DE
Excellent trip from start to finish. Every detail was well planned and thought out for maximum appreciation. Can't wait for my next trip with Road Scholar.
— Review left May 7, 2024
This participant did not give a star rating.
Antonio – Class of 2024 | Ashburn, VA
The Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence was fantastic! Our two guides Lara and Barbara were attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. They had everything ready for visitors at all of our locations and events. Presentations and events both connected and complimented the next. It was brilliant throughout with experts instructing us at each church and museum. I highly recommend Road Scholar to those who wish to continue their education while enjoying the delights Italy has to offer. In addition, I signed up for other travel events through Road Scholar. Once again, many thanks to Lara Mattioli and Barbara Gigi! They were awesome!
— Review left April 29, 2024
Sharon – Class of 2019 | Tumwater, WA
My trip was even better than I had expected. My fellow travelers were welcoming and made the trip a joy. The sites we visited were fascinating and the lectures were a huge plus to the overall experience.
— Review left April 29, 2024
Peggy – Class of 2023 | Yukon, OK
Our Tuscany trip was a phenomenal experience from start to finish. Our guides Barbara and Lara were so kind and attentive. Not only did we learn a lot, and enjoy so much wonderful food, we made many new friends from the fellow travelers. We can't wait to schedule our next trip with Road Scholar.
— Review left April 28, 2024
Barbara – Class of 2016 | Beverly Hills, MI
For anyone who loves Renaissance art and architecture and the beautiful landscape of Tuscany, this is the trip for you. It is a fantastic combination of scenery, art, architecture, and food. I came away with a much richer understanding of the culture and history of this part of Italy. I am eager to learn more and visit again and again.
— Review left November 30, 2023
Dennis – Class of 2023 | Arlington, VA
A dream trip for someone interested in witnessing the beauty and culture of Tuscany, exploring the region's deep history, and coming face to face with the centuries old architecture and amazing artistic treasures that abound.
— Review left November 27, 2023
Julie – Class of 2023 | Waukesha, WI
Taking this tour with Road Scholar is one of the best decisions I ever made!
— Review left November 18, 2023
This participant did not give a star rating.
Beverley – Class of 2023 | VALENCIA, CA
The Classic Tuscany & the Treasures of Florence was my first Road Scholar Trip and it exceeded my expectations on every level. Bianca, our Group Leader, was exceptional! Bianca's knowledge and expertise of knowing all of the in's and out's of the areas we traveled combined with her great sense of humor and light hearted manner made for an incredible and unforgettable experience. All details of our trip were handled with such grace and ease. Thank you so much Bianca for making my first trip over the top! The tour guides and lecturers for each of the areas we visited were also amazing - more that I could have hoped for. They added context to all of the sights we toured so that the experiences were so much more meaningful and alive. I loved the way they wove their information with wonderful stories and humor. The Classic Tuscany & the Treasures of Florence was a perfect blend of the historical cities and all they had to offer combined with the beauty and richness of the Tuscany countryside and smaller towns. I could not have asked for a better first experience.
— Review left October 30, 2023
Barbara – Class of 2023 | Camano Island, WA
This trip was absolutely excellent! Everyone was caring, experience, fun and professional. Worth every bit of the cost of the trip if not more. I will travel exclusively with Road Scholar from here forward.
— Review left October 18, 2023
This participant did not give a star rating.
Debra – Class of 2018 | Monterey, CA
Another really good trip with RS. Yes, it's "let's go" pacing, so be prepared! But you'll enjoy it, too. A good mix of attendees, a varied schedule of art/history/food/in-house lectures/LOTS of field trips to interesting places and people. The lecturers and guides ranged from very good...to outstanding. Accommodations did as well. We also enjoyed the balance of time with the group and free time to either kick back or explore on our own. And a shout-out to the bus drivers who safely steered us up (and down) a mountain of pure marble, through cities of pure traffic pandemonium, along winding country roads. A bit of advice: pack light, but bring 2 pair of shoes good for cobblestones, etc.
— Review left October 12, 2023
Jane – Class of 2023 | Port Orange, FL
Our program included the arts, history, cuisine both rustic and current, and visits to multiple fascinating destinations over the course of our tour.I can't say enough about how enjoyable it was!
— Review left October 2, 2023
This participant did not give a star rating.
Jane – Class of 2023 | Conway, AR
The Tuscan trip was delightful. Full of good information, low guide to guest ratio and wonderful people to travel with. This was my first trip abroad and I am ready to go again. I would definitely use Road Scholars in the future.
— Review left September 29, 2023
Carl – Class of 2015 | Arlington Hts, IL
The incredible art was the major highlight, but we also enjoyed the visit to the Carrara marble quarry, the World War II memorial, the opera singing, and the wine and cheese tastings.
— Review left June 2, 2023
Michael – Class of 2019 | West Seneca, NY
We knew nothing about Italy before this, and found it to be a wonderful sampling of Tuscany and everything it has to offer. The itinerary focused on architecture, history, and food. The locations, the destinations, and the guides were EXCELLENT. Lucca is an old walled city of walkable neighborhoods, Sienna has a cathedral that rivals St. Peter's, and our visit to Florence had us right in the middle of things. We couldn't get enough: Carrara marble, farm-to-table beef, wineries, olive groves, cheese farms, mountain-top towns, cathedrals, hot springs, markets, opera, pizza & pasta, lamb, risotto, and pastries. Road Scholar was doting, and very responsive to our travel needs (including a pending transit strike). Bianca couldn't have been more helpful. We were very sorry it ended. This was our second Road Scholar trip, and we're fans.
— Review left November 7, 2022
Camille – Class of 2019 | Elma, NY
- we started our trip in buffalo, NY with a delayed flight to Chicago due to mechanical problems and missed our connection - after 1 hr on hold on the EMERGENCY line and about 1 more hr speaking with Heidi, she said we had new flights - after another hr with Heidi we were assured we had flights and got further instructions - we had an unplanned overnite, therefore, in Chicago - we received emails stating flights were CONFIRMED, - arriving at UA Chicago the next morning, we got boarding passes for Frankfort - arriving in Frankfort, after no sleep due to screaming child, we were told to pick up boarding passes by Heidi for "confirmed flight" - at desk were informed we had NO FLIGHT, they told us to go to gate - at gate they said we had NO FLIGHT and they couldn't help, - another call to RS emergency number - we were told to go out of security to United desk - after walking again a long distance, United desk person got us tickets We missed Orientation, dinner and ONE night stay in Lucca, WHICH WE PAID FOR, INCLUDED IN THE TOUR The day before we were scheduled to leave an email was received - our flights home were cancelled - we were rescheduled for FOUR day later - went through the same process as our arrival flights, speaking to RS emergency number - they insured us our flights were CONFIRMED - we had no flights, nothing CONFIRMED - got flight to Frankfort - had to spend ONE UNPLANNED night in Frankfort - we missed Thursday tour, dinner and A NIGHT IN FLORENCE, WHICH WE PAID FOR AS PART OF OUR TOUR. Your literature states that if we book flights through RS they would help us if there was a problem. Heidi and others were very nice, however flights that were listed CONFIRMED in their emails WERE NOT. We had no flights and had to do everything on our own. I am requesting CASH REIMBURSEMENT, NOT CREDIT as we do not plan on travelling with RS and therefore can not use credit. The actual tour was mostly fine, see review in evaluation sent by RS c buckley
— Review left October 23, 2022
Margaret – Class of 2022 | Frederick, MD
As a single, recently widowed traveler, I was welcomed by the trip leader and other participants. I am no longer hesitant to travel by myself after going on this Tuscany adventure.
— Review left October 17, 2022
Janet – Class of 2017 | Leland, NC
Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence was a fabulous combination of history, culture, landscape, art, and food. It was nice to base ourselves in a few key locations for several days and take field trips into the countryside or to the Cararra marble quarry. The experts were all very enthusiastic about their subject matter and made the presentations both educational and fun. In many cases, we had access to places that the average tourist would not. Road Scholar also provided good prep materials and gave us sufficient time to explore each city on our own. Since Pisa is not included in the tour, we arrived three days early to see the Field of Miracles in Pisa and take a day trip to the Cinque Terre before meeting up with the group in Lucca. I highly recommend this tour if you want to experience the best of Tuscany.
— Review left October 9, 2022
Cheryl – Class of 2016 | Hudson, WI
Excellent program with Road Scholar quality. This was our fifth tour and we loved it. It is strenuous. At the end of the day, your feet will be tired and your head full. But you will experience the art, culture, food, wine, people, beauty of Tuscany and Florence. Accommodations are centrally located to allow walking to most all sites. Group leader and instructors were extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
— Review left October 8, 2022
Bonnie – Class of 2022 | Oakland, CA
It was my first tour. I went places I would not have thought of going or could not have arranged myself, I learned about the cities, I met funny and interesting people, I ate food I never would have picked from a menu and loved it. It ws well worth the price and I will go again on a Road Scholar tour.
— Review left June 11, 2022
Steven – Class of 2022 | Lewisburg, PA
Road Scholar provided a memorable pilgrimage to Florence and Tuscany. A brilliant itinerary with the perfect balance of learning, experience, camaraderie, wine, and fun. All in all, a magical and transformative journey.
— Review left May 21, 2022
David – Class of 2015 | Danville, KY
GREAT PROGRAM. Tuscany is a wonderful region. This RS program does an excellent job in introducing Americans to the places, the food and the culture of Tuscany.
— Review left October 6, 2021
Judith – Class of 2018 | Leominster, MA
I thought this was a great tour - It's my third RS program and my favorite! It balanced out time spent in the city as well as the countryside. There was so much amazing history and included activities that were fun to do in a group- such as cheese tasting and wine tasting. I loved the field trips and the pace of the trip. I would highly recommend this
— Review left February 4, 2020
Saralea – Class of 2014 | Los Angeles, CA
Loved every minute! great people with whom to travel, terrific guides, and of course, the food and wine!
— Review left January 13, 2020
Kathleen | Bellingham, WA
All the hype about Tuscany is true, so much so that the crowds can be a little much. Road scholar's expertise, guides and leaders mitigated much of the unpleasantness with timing tours and visits that avoided the crush. We saw and learned so much! Oh did I mention the wonderful food and wine? I may have just contributed a little to the crowds but if you are with Road Scholar you will be in good hands
— Review left October 28, 2019
This participant did not give a star rating.
Karen – Class of 2011 | Vancouver, WA
Loved everything about the trip including our tour guide Laura. The excursions were interesting, inspirational, and tasty. I enjoyed the cheese tasting, wine pairing with lunch, and visit to the modern farm. The hotels were beautiful with plentiful breakfast options. Florence satisfied my desire to see some beautiful classic art and to extend our trip to include tree more days there. Top notch!
— Review left October 27, 2019
Carol – Class of 2016 | Spring, TX
If you want to learn about Italy, past and present, then this trip is for you.
— Review left May 27, 2019
Linda – Class of 2019 | Ann Arbor, MI
I just returned from my first Road Scholar tour, and it was fantastic! I can't say enough wonderful things about every aspect of my experience on the "Classic Tuscany and the Treasures of Florence" trip! I also want to mention that traveling as a single person went really well, and I felt very welcome by all of the members of my group.
— Review left May 11, 2019
This participant did not give a star rating.
Susan – Class of 2017 | Exeter, NH
It's been almost a month since returning from Italy. Everyday I think about the beautiful places visited, incredible guides, delicious food and the lively spirit of the tour. Just the right number of people, just the right amount of activity. I'm a morning person so I just loved the early mornings, delicious breakfasts and never hurried. Whether we were off on a bus excursion or walking tour I was ready to go... full of anticipation and excitement and never disappointed. I enjoyed every single adventure, everyday. The guides, there were many specialists and all were outstanding. The food, we had a nice variety of restaurants and wonderful meals, loved eating the regional foods. Some days I was so stuffed and tired that I just fell into bed..only to do it again the next day. Always plenty wine and olive oil. The trip was definitely fast paced with multiple activities each day, lots of walking but a perfect fit for me. I loved the mix of Lucca first, traveling through the country side with stops at the most beautiful small villages, everyone unique so I never felt like we were repeating ourselves. Great balance of art and culture. I also appreciated the free time to explore on our own. Last, Bianca was superb, a professional in every way, very nice women, in another life I would like to be friends. Jules is a jewel, helpful, pleasant and so accessible. Thank you for a wonderful trip. My only negative comment is regarding the air travel, there was a strike in Italy which challenged our arrival, the group leaders were very supportive but the guy at the other end of the emergency call line was not helpful..he actually created more anxiety and stress, he got us involved in a crazy cycle of phone calls with no assistance, he was frustrated as well.. Wonderful trip. Good job Road Scholar. Sue
— Review left May 2, 2019