eva
Often uses her unique ability to close threads.
- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
What a fabulous trip! Just thought I would give everyone a few highlights of the trip.
The people on this tour were amazing! The CM's were awesome! I can't say enough about Tina and Cinzia. They really made the trip. I can't believe the energy and patience they demonstrated with all of us. The local guides that they had in each city were a wonderful surprise. Stephano in Rome was the best! Sit by him at lunch and ask about his background. Wow, what an interesting man. If you get a bus driver named Marius, tell him he is like Luke Skywalker. That will get him going! He was so hilarious! If you get a chance, sit in front of the bus and video tape the climb up to your Tuscan Villa. Marius will give you quite the thrill.
The tour was mostly adults, but we did have 4 children that probably ranged from 8 to 12. Everyone was so nice. And I think that at least 75% of the tour was made up of DVC members. So we all had a lot in common. We even met another couple from Peoria, IL. What a small world. Everyone seemed to gather in certain groups after a couple days. But DH and I really circulated at dinner and events and got to know everyone before the end of the tour. It was great seeing the history and adventures though younger eyes. So I dont regret not making the adult only tour at all.
We also had a number of chances to go off on our own for a bit of romance. Strolling through small alleys and finding out of the way cafes really brought home to us the real Italy. We had a wonderful dinner at restaurant along the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge in Venice. How romantic! One of our most romantic days was the day in Florence. It was the only day that it rained. After the group walking tour we ventured off and found a beautiful restaurant across from the post office on a small side street. We had the best meal of the trip, sitting outside under the awning of the restaurant watching the rain, with hardly a person in sight. If you find Ristorante La Posta, be sure to try the tortellini soup and the grilled veal with a bottle of Chianti Classico. We sat there for hours talking and drinking wine. The owner was very friendly and did all he could to make our meal memorable.
I guess that brings us to the food. On the tour I felt it was a bit hit and miss. The breakfasts were very good. I didnt hear any complaints about those. They were all buffet European/Continental style and included meats, fruits, breads, and some mornings with eggs and bacon. The lunches were pretty standard. The only one that was very memorable was the one after the pasta making class. The pasta with wild boar that they serve there is excellent. When it came to dinners, I felt that the ones we did on our own were much better. The dinners on the tour were not exactly what we were expecting. Two of the dinners that we had at the villa in Tuscany were very good. But the rest were more average to poor. Most of the others agreed. So hopefully it will improve after a few of us mention it on the review.
But I sure wouldnt let the food keep you from going on this tour. None of it was truly bad. It just wasnt all up to our expectations for Disney. Definitely it was the only thing we felt needed a bit more improvement. Everything else was absolutely fabulous! We are starting to decide which adventure is next for us. These tours will certainly be in our plans every couple of years.
The people on this tour were amazing! The CM's were awesome! I can't say enough about Tina and Cinzia. They really made the trip. I can't believe the energy and patience they demonstrated with all of us. The local guides that they had in each city were a wonderful surprise. Stephano in Rome was the best! Sit by him at lunch and ask about his background. Wow, what an interesting man. If you get a bus driver named Marius, tell him he is like Luke Skywalker. That will get him going! He was so hilarious! If you get a chance, sit in front of the bus and video tape the climb up to your Tuscan Villa. Marius will give you quite the thrill.
The tour was mostly adults, but we did have 4 children that probably ranged from 8 to 12. Everyone was so nice. And I think that at least 75% of the tour was made up of DVC members. So we all had a lot in common. We even met another couple from Peoria, IL. What a small world. Everyone seemed to gather in certain groups after a couple days. But DH and I really circulated at dinner and events and got to know everyone before the end of the tour. It was great seeing the history and adventures though younger eyes. So I dont regret not making the adult only tour at all.
We also had a number of chances to go off on our own for a bit of romance. Strolling through small alleys and finding out of the way cafes really brought home to us the real Italy. We had a wonderful dinner at restaurant along the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge in Venice. How romantic! One of our most romantic days was the day in Florence. It was the only day that it rained. After the group walking tour we ventured off and found a beautiful restaurant across from the post office on a small side street. We had the best meal of the trip, sitting outside under the awning of the restaurant watching the rain, with hardly a person in sight. If you find Ristorante La Posta, be sure to try the tortellini soup and the grilled veal with a bottle of Chianti Classico. We sat there for hours talking and drinking wine. The owner was very friendly and did all he could to make our meal memorable.
I guess that brings us to the food. On the tour I felt it was a bit hit and miss. The breakfasts were very good. I didnt hear any complaints about those. They were all buffet European/Continental style and included meats, fruits, breads, and some mornings with eggs and bacon. The lunches were pretty standard. The only one that was very memorable was the one after the pasta making class. The pasta with wild boar that they serve there is excellent. When it came to dinners, I felt that the ones we did on our own were much better. The dinners on the tour were not exactly what we were expecting. Two of the dinners that we had at the villa in Tuscany were very good. But the rest were more average to poor. Most of the others agreed. So hopefully it will improve after a few of us mention it on the review.
But I sure wouldnt let the food keep you from going on this tour. None of it was truly bad. It just wasnt all up to our expectations for Disney. Definitely it was the only thing we felt needed a bit more improvement. Everything else was absolutely fabulous! We are starting to decide which adventure is next for us. These tours will certainly be in our plans every couple of years.
So glad you guys had a fab time on your 
Happy days... 
