Loved the tour -I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who's up for a lot of exploring in a limited time frame -it was really not just a tour but an adventure of a lifetime from star to finish for us :) Highlights were Innsbruck, Paris , Venice and Switzerland. Very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, organized, fun tour guide with excellent communication skills- Jarred and the most skilled and professional coach driver Damien who drove in narrow streets and reversed and parked like a pro-hats off to both of them-they bioth deserve promotions :) I traveled with my husband and we both enjoyed how amazing the tour was -different landscapes every single day, you see so so much-would never have seen this much if I went by myself-previously been to Rome and Venice for example, and spent a few days there exploring but a single morning tour through expat covered more and I saw more and learnt a lot more in half a day than I did in a few days-same applies to other areas. It was great having a guide on where you are vising, value for money +++ (even hotels alone for 12 days exceeded the amount expat was asking for which is what made us initially book the tour), optionals were well organized and good choices, the meals were all really tasty with good local flavors specialized to the region, great to interact with people from all over the world who became your family for 12 days... Negatives being really nit-picky here are that some days were a bit tiring (probably also because I picked up flu) cz although we saw so much , visit many sights in amazing locations we did have early morning and late nights but I was expecting that because we could never see so much if we don't spend the majority of day out /in the coach. Being in our 30's and well it was fine for us and we had people close to 80 in our group who did great but if you are older /unwell or want to relax more maybe don't do all the optional tours and occasionally have a few evenings off is my tip for you :
Francesca could not have been more gracious, clear in her explanations,or better informed on the history of Pompeii. She knows her subject well and was able to answer all questions with good background information. If she did not know something obscure, she did not speculate. I would go on another walk with her any day.
A comprehensive taster of a beautiful part of Italy This trip really packs in a lot into a week, giving you a taster of the best locations in and around Naples and the Amalfi Coast. There is not much scope for relaxation or quiet time, but you do get to visit a wide range of places. The trip is described as "leisurely" but we found The Walk of the Gods hard going and it took its toll on our joints. The ascent to the crater of Vesuvius is not easy either: steep and heavy underfoot. It is a full-on itinerary and we were glad of our decision to extend the trip by a week to relax at the hotel.