Italy
Under the Tuscan Sun: Italian Adventures With Your Family
Program No. 23580RJ
Under the Tuscan sun, you and your family will create memories that will last a lifetime as you discover amazing art, learn some Italian and explore ancient ruins together.
Participant Reviews
Based on 9 Reviews
SHOWING
This program was outstanding. The leaders, Erika and Chiara, were terrific at getting the group to work well together, terrific at organizing each day and transitions from one activity to the next, great with working with both kids and adults. The group clicked partly because of the participants, but also as a reflection of the superb leaders. The food was great, the hotel was great, the transportation was excellent, the mix of free time and programmed time was excellent. The only suggestion I have about the program is that the concluding activity of the day in Florence, which was a cooking class, should have stools or chairs available. We had walked or stood for almost all of the previous three hours before arriving there; being able to sit would have been great.
In contrast to the program, Road Scholar's transportation department needs to be blown up and started over. On this multigenerational trip, where we were paying for our daughter, son-in-law and grandkid, RS required the three of them to be on a separate account to which we didn't have access. So, we didn't realize that their flights hadn't been arranged because RS dropped the ball after they got their passports; when flights changed, as they did several times before the trip, we didn't know if they were still on the same flights with us. But the biggest issue was that we got to the airport at the end of our program, and the airline people told us that our flights had been changed a day or two earlier to the next day. (They were able to reroute us that day.) The change was known to RS, but RS didn't tell their group leaders (who sent us to the aiport based on our earlier flight plans) and didn't tell us. We'd love to do more trips with RS, but we'd never use RS's transportation department again, and having to arrange our own transportation would certainly be a barrier.
— Review left July 18, 2025
This program was organized well for multigenerational travelers. The activities were varied and absorbing, and of course beautiful. Each day was special, and there was a good amount of free time as well as structured, learning oriented activities. The accommodations were spacious, cool and comfortable for three people. The duration of the trip was perfect for us, and we appreciated the care and attention from the local Guides and the activities planners, making this both fun and memorable.
— Review left July 13, 2025
I, my daughter and granddaughter enjoyed our trip. Our tour directors were very knowledgeable and professional. They “really knew their stuff”. The day in Florence was hot and crowded. Also a little too long with the cooking classes at the end. The hotel was good with spacious comfortable rooms especially after they turned on the air conditioning from the front desk. Restaurants were good with a variety of authentic Italian foods. The activity level description was accurate with a couple of alternate choices for the high intensity sightseeing, I.e. bicycle riding and climbing Tower of Pisa.
The only disappointment was the airline reservations. We did not have enough time between flights, especially to and from Florence and Munich. When questioned about the short time, totally inaccurate information and explanation was given and we were assured it would not be a problem. It was. We had to run to make Florence flight upon arrival in Italy and stay an extra day in Munich because of missed flight back home. Our return flight to USA extended from 8 hrs to 10. I will strongly consider making my own reservations in future. Your travel service can’t be trusted.
Overall, the tour was well planned and worth the fees. Thank you.
— Review left June 29, 2024
Our guides (Guilia and Lara) were wonderful- knowledgeable and very helpful when we ended up sick- taking us to the doctor, etc. They also related very well with our granddaughters. The restaurants that Road Scholar picked were all very good. The transportation to various venues was excellent.
We weren't satisfied with our particular accommodation. While the hotel staff was very helpful, the room was not easily accessible- when you opened the door to the bathroom, you hit the toilet and you had to be very careful with the shower so that it did not overflow. The beds were very hard and a few extra pillows would have been nice.
— Review left June 29, 2024
The hands-on activities are great. Wish there had been more activities of interest to boys like about Italian cars, sports, school and family life …
— Review left June 23, 2024
Just back from a delightful Road Scholar trip to Tuscany for grandparents and grandchildren. This enriching experience will give us all much to reflect upon for years to come.
— Review left June 19, 2023
This is a great program for teens and grandparents! Our group leader Nancy was fantastic! Prepare for the heat!
— Review left August 8, 2022
Christina and Erika were wonderful group leaders!
The Bella Vista hotel and its enormous buffet breakfast are absolutely fabulous!
The itinerary is almost perfection. We enjoyed all the activities except the Pistoia Underground where we had mobility issues. The Montecatini thermal spa complex is gorgeous. Pisa was fascinating. The Florence Gelato Walk was great fun. The Agriturismo farm in Vinci was magical. The Lucca bike ride (regular bike or four wheeled carriage type bikes for two or four people) was leisurely and beautiful. The Pistoia lunch at Locanda, and the dinner at the Le Due Querce farm were two of the best meals in my entire life.
However, I would not recommend Tuscany in summer if you are sensitive to heat. There was lots of walking in 95 degree sun, and sometimes we ran out of water before we were able to refill our bottles or buy water.
Also, I would highly recommend that you go a day early and take a carryon instead of checking your luggage. Almost everyone in our group dealt with cancelled plane flights or lost or delayed luggage. The Florence airport was overwhelmed with delayed luggage, and we had to stand in line three hours just to report ours missing.
— Review left August 4, 2022
Christina & Erika made this program a success for us, even though we had transportation problems.
— Review left July 12, 2022