Italy Wine Tour November 11, 2013
Hi Paul,
I will have difficulty in attempting to detail the amazing time we had in Italy. Thank You!, for working with Italian Travel Team (Antonio and Natalia). As it turned out, Antonio was an amazing guide. He challenged our preconceived ideas regarding Italy in ways that made our visit so much more. I can,™t imagine visiting Italy again without having him as our guide. (Yes, that already means that my wife and I are starting to discuss our next trip to Italy!)
Florence was a great starting point for our visit. The hotel was ideally situated for easy access to everything, and the view from the roof terrace bar was spectacular at night! Everyone at the hotel really put forth that little extra effort to make us feel comfortable and welcome. Our last night there, we ate at the La Loggia restaurant. What a beautiful location, and the food was outstanding. Martino, our waiter, provided the ideal recommendation for a wine that paired well with both of our meals.
Siena. What can I say? It may be the most perfect town on earth. The hotel staff were beyond gracious. The cooking class was great fun, as well as delicious! The location was ideal, the towns,™ people were genuinely caring and friendly, and the history (the Palio) was nothing short of awe inspiring. All of which would not have been as personal if not for Antonio,™s expertise. Of course, we would have had a great time in Italy with another guide, but Antonio really made the experience a trip of a lifetime!
The food and the wine at every stop created memories that will last a lifetime. From the smallest vineyards to the largest and oldest, the wines were spectacular. Antonio shared with us the best way to judge grappa, as well as add to our understanding and appreciation of the effects upon the grapes given the different climate and terrain of the Tuscan region. As great as the food was (and it was outstanding!), it was the people that we met that made the trip!
Rome. Well, from our brief, but amazing visit, we,™ll have to plan on a week the next time. There is just so much to see and appreciate. Stephan, our driver, was nothing short of brilliant. He got us in and out of places that I didn,™t think were even possible.
Anyway, I guess it,™s easier to write and our trip than I had anticipated! However, it,™s late and I must retire for a very early morning meeting.
Bravo, Travel Wizard !!!!
Jonathan
