 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back to Unique Lodgings
Kristen,
What can I say?...You made this the trip of a lifetime for my family and I...with your input we travelled Italy the way I always envisioned travelling in Italy.
First, the Car was incredible. Getting the car and dropping it off was incredibly easy, plus having the car gave us the freedom to get away from the 'herd' as they say, and really experiencing Italy as an Italian would. Being able to travel to our next destination in our own vehicle was a tremendous asset as well, we literally had door to door service...No shlepping luggage too and from a train station.
Next, your recommendation of the Grand Hotel Menaggio was simply incredible. Our stay there in the Gardenia suite was perfect, and I would highly reccomend Menaggio as a central location for those wanting to visit Lago di Como. The ability to have the ferry with a few steps of the hotel was so great for us, we effortlessly visited Bellagio and Varenna, plus getting the car onto the ferry for our next leg of the trip was also a major plus!
For the next leg of the trip, you guided us to 'Venezia Lines' and we took a ferry from Rovinj to Venice, and you booked us an apartment at Castello....Awesome!!! Nicola was a super host, and the place was spotless and pleasantly close, yet far enough away from Piazza San Marco. Venice was nice, but after spending time in Menaggio, Sirmione, Rovigno, it was tourist shock for us :)
But we had a great time, ate great meals, and my wife plunked down some Euro in Murano for a statue :)
Who would think that we arranged this trip without meeting face to face, and over the Internet??
People thought I was crazy trusting an internet site for recommendations and for making reservations for me... But I went with the feel of your emails; warm, friendly and quick to respond.
Thank You, Thank You...or actually….
Grazie Mille!
Frank V.
PS..expect to hear from me in about 6 months to plan phase 2 of the family’s attacking Italy :) We plan on doing the NW portion next!
Dear In Italy,
All hotels were fine. Great trip. The people in the Cinque Terre hotel were super nice and friendly - I would highly recommend it to anyone. Milan Airport Hotel is very convenient to airport - very good breakfast (complimentary) and nice rooms. Hotel Ca'D'Oro - nice rooms, on the small side and a little pricey for what you got.
Thanks for your help.
Ellen D.
Jessica-
Yes, I'm home and had a wonderful time. My comments are as follows.
1. AutoEurope........reservations made at home through your
site worked fabulously. Everyone drives very fast-it was fun!
3. Villa dell’Artista was great--especially the host Antonio---he is very gracious and accommodating. The location was good, but next time I'd rather stay in southern Tuscany because of Montalcino and Montepulciano---2 fabulous little towns.
Overall-the trip was great, made even better by you and your staff/website.............next year-Rome (I have a meeting there).
Peter N.
Hi,
All our accommodations were excellent, as good as portayed on the website if not better. All the bathrooms were new and pretty and the staff was very friendly. Villa dell'Artista, outside of Siena was a little hard to find. We should have bought one of your maps. I have already recommended In Italy to several people and will definitely use it again myself.
Thank you,
Lauren G.
Dear In Italy,
So sorry we have not written sooner. Reality is such a slap in the face! Our trip to Italy took place last May, and we officially have the "bugg"! We are already scanning the site for our next trip in May, 2005. Here are a few comments about our favorite places and experiences:
Our adventure began in Rome. Our room was gorgeous and the staff was very helpful. Our first evening in Italy began on the roof of the Mecenate with large glasses of what we would come to know as "magic wine". I cannot recall a more romantic evening. All I needed was a serenade. My husband (a professional musician) actually bought a guitar the next day in Rome and we carried it with us the rest of our trip! Needless to say, many serenades were to follow. Mecenate is a wonderful hotel in a great location!
In Chiusi, we fell in love with the Casa Toscana Bed and Breakfast and our sweet hostess Denise. We could not have felt more at home, and our room was enchanting. After our Tuscan bike ride, Denise kindly allowed us to use her personal washing machine to "de-mud" our clothing. We also enjoyed a wonderful wine tasting party hosted by Denise and husband Fabio.
Although our Italian is a bit "Spartan" and this is a very small town, we were pleasantly surprised by the helpful and friendly shopkeepers. It is more than possible to buy a picnic for two through "sign language" in Chiusi! The feeling is as if you have landed right in an Italian neighborhood and are immediately taken in by it's kind residents. The Etruscan ruins are fascinating, and the history of the town is truly inspiring.
Casa Toscana is situated on a small alley around the corner from what we have deemed our favorite restaurant in Italy: La Solita Zuppa. Our return trip to Italy in 2005 will most definitely include Casa Toscana and this restaurant. We highly recommend Casa Toscana B&B. Wonderful, warm, and charming...the location, inn, and hosts!
Our bike ride with Marco was a fantastic experience, and one we intend to repeat. The bikes were excellent and the scenery is unforgettable. Marco and Julliana were some of the nicest people we met in Italy, and they went out of their way to make sure we were safe and had fun! I was proud to have made it to within 50 yards of the end of my 20 mile ride. That last darn hill did me in, but a fantastic lunch and a glass of wine restored my strength! Marco is an interesting and well-traveled host, and Juliana is as sweet as they come. Thank you for helping us with this side trip. It was well worth every penny and more!
This hotel has an old-world-Palm-Beach style that is truly first class. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The hike up the hill behind the hotel is a must-do, with a remarkable view as a reward at the top. The room was delightful with a lake view... now that was absolutely unforgettable. On the first evening we watched from our balcony as the sun sparkled off of the lake and gleamed from the Alps. On the next, a lighting storm raced down from the mountains, kicking up white caps on the water.
We loved all the places we stayed, and enjoyed all of the tours. They were just as you described or better! I have referred dozens of people to your site, and will continue to do so. Our Italian lessons begin next Wednesday and we are excited about our return trip in May, 2005(our 20th anniversary.) For our next trip, we plan to include: Fly into Rome,Amalfi,Chiusi,Cinque Terra and Como out via Milan. We cannot thank you enough for all of your help! Our trip was a dream come true that we still think of on almost a daily basis!
Leah and Haggerty F.
Dear In Italy,
We absolutely LOVED our stay at Palazzo Bandino - the place was really gorgeous! We were delighted with our separate cabin, La Noce, just off the main house - the accommodations were perfect! We loved waking up each morning to a gorgeous sunrise and the cock-a-doodle-doo of the roosters!
We stayed at Palazzo Bandino while another couple was taking Bandino's week-long cooking class and we had the opportunity to dine with them, tasting their delicious Tuscan creations along with food made by Bandino's chef. The meals were always delicious and the food was ample - all for only 20 Euros, including wine - we didn't find a better deal anywhere in Italy! The pool was so peaceful and beautiful and we loved the fact that it was available to us any time of the day or night. We had some beautiful midnight swims to work off some of those delicious meals. Barbara and Enrica were such wonderful hosts - they helped us with anything we needed, even booking a wonderful massage for us in Chianciano and directing us to a near-by olive oil mill where we learned how olive oil is made!
We came home with bottles of wine and olive oil from Palazzo Bandino (and olive oil from the local mill!) and memories that will last forever! We are so glad we found Palazzo Bandino on InItaly.com - our stay there was incredible - it made our stay in Tuscany even better than we imagined!
Regards,
Karen and Mark K.
Dear In Italy,
We just returned from a wonderful trip to Italy. I want to thank Antonella, our contact from In Italy Online. When we arrived in Rome, our room, booked at the Pace Helvezia, had been flooded. The hotel manager apologized and placed us at a sister hotel, but it was very far out of the city. We had booked the Pace Helvezia based on its location...I called Antonella and she very quickly made arrangements for us to be transferred to Hotel Ponte Sisto in a beautiful deluxe room. The room and hotel were out of this world!!! Thank you so much. It was wonderful having the backing of your company-the customer service was outstanding.
Marilyn M.
Dear In Italy,
The car rental arrangements were perfect. The diesel certainly saves money on fuel. We didn't find the driving too harrowing. We simply kept to the right and stayed out of the way. Of course we didn't even try to drive in Rome. We had a few instances where we had to forego a site because we couldn't find parking that we were sure was legal but it just added to the adventure. All in all, the trip was fabulous and everything In Italy helped with worked beautifully. We will certainly use your services again and I've already recommended your site to others.
Thanks, again. Ciao!
Maryanna B.
Dear In Italy,
We had a wonderful time in Italy. The Castello apartments were very comfortable and in a very nice location. They met our expectations for accommodations. Everything seems to have been refinished rather recently. The owner Nicola was most gracious and very helpful when we asked about anything. Also was helpful in arranging private water taxis when they were needed. He offered suggestions for things to do and see in the area. It was also within easy walking distance of so many things. We absolutely love Venice. Would go back on a moments notice. For only 4 of us in a group of 11 people having been there before, it was great being able to show others the wonders of Venice. Certainly when we go back we will contact you for lodging information. On both trips that my sister and I have had to Italy you have given us excellent recommendation on our lodging needs. We enjoy planning trips on our own and you have been a great help.
Thank you.
Julie A.
Dear Julie:
Our apologies for not getting back to you sooner regarding our fall trip to Italy.
It was absolutely wonderful and given that we gave you the parameters to work with regarding type of accommodation, location and budget, your recommendations were excellent as far as we were concerned.
We wish to thank you for your excellent referrals, prompt e-mails and would recommend IN ITALY ONLINE to everyone wishing to visit this wonderful and charming country.
Sincerely,
Kathleen & Peter M.
Back to Unique Lodgings