We had a wonderful trip! Maria really set up some wonderful experiences in Umbria for us, we especially enjoyed the private food event up in the hills of Umbria. The hotel in Montefalco was very nice, and a quiet town to explore and rest in at night as we bopped around the region each day. Nice central spot. Very happy she added Orvieto onto our first arrival day as it was spectacular esp the cathedral facade, unlike any we have seen before or since.
The Assisi mountain hike with the guide was also quite special. Part two was a visit to the Amalfi coast. We loved the hotel selection in Sorrentoβvery nice and great location for both walking and traveling around Amalfi. We had great drivers through the area and they always managed to work around traffic or other inconveniences in Amalfi. Our hike on the Walk of the Gods was spectacularβsuper clear day and great weather so tremendous views.
Our guide for this hike was also exceptional in that she knew her stuff and constantly ensured we were going at a good pace. A nice surprise was the stop at the local goat herder cabin for a simple meal he puts on during the weekend days for travelers. Great fun and bonhomie! Finally, the in-home experience lunch prep etc in Sorrento was exceptional, great hosts and a beautiful home. They were even kind enough to drive us to the wharf for our boat trip mentioned above.
Super generous people and the kind you want to stay connected with. I enlisted Maria to help plan a trip in the Piedmont area for me, my husband, and another couple before we joined a larger group in Florence. After a phone conversation with Maria, she came back with a proposed trip that started with a few days in Turin, followed by a stay in a converted monastery in the Barolo wine region and a quick overnight in Genoa in time to meet the group in Florence.
We had all spent time in Italy before, but this area was new for us. In addition to exploring the highlights of the unexpected Egyptian Museum in Turin, stops, tours, and lunches at several outstanding regional wineries and local restaurants, and an extensive cheese tasting at a particular multi-generational cheese shop, our superb guide also spent a morning with us hunting for truffles with a truffle hunter and her two adorable cocker spaniels.
