Excursion Rimini-Venice-Florence-Pisa-Rome-Tivoli-San Mariino-Rimini
Italy is a wonderful country where modernity, the Middle Ages, and antiquity are combined. When you get off at the airport of any country, you feel the smells inherent only in this country. Italy smells of coffee, expensive perfumes, fruits, flowers. Be sure to visit Italy if possible, but not with Gar-Tour. Our excursion took place just with this tour operator. I read a lot of negative things about this operator. If I had not been issued a visa with tickets, vouchers at the airport of my hometown (due to delays of the Italian embassy, this is the norm for them), then of course I would have chosen another operator. Expected the worst of the reviews. Unfortunately, many guides and tour operators spoil the impression of any country. They are afraid that there are thieves and deceivers around. Take excursions only from them, in the cafe there are only those where the Gour-tour leads (cold pasta with ketchup), otherwise you will supposedly get poisoned. We did not obey and dined on our own in wonderful pizzerias, cafes for 7-10 Ev. without wine, not for 30ev. with Gar-tour. Breakfast and dinner were included in the package. The hotels stayed normal, but 2 times changed to a level, two below. In Montecatini (a suburb of Florence) they tried to settle in some kind of ragged 2 *, where cockroaches were apparently carefully killed in front of us. The hotel was empty, the owner arrived on a bike. We paid 4 *, the whole group refused to settle and spent on the threshold of the hotel until 1 night. We contacted the leadership of Gar-Tour, with Russia. With a creak, we were settled in some Chinese hotel. But he was about 3+*. With Gar-Tour, there is constant deceit, ripping off, confusion, damage to nerves, imposing excursions. At the sights - 20 min. , and in the store from which the operator receives agency 1-1.5 hours. Do not buy wines at tastings, 3-4 times more expensive than in the store. Remember the name of the wine, if you liked it, then buy it. We were lucky with the group, all decent people. Of course, the family is not without its black sheep. One family was constantly waiting, then they buy fruit, then they get stuck somewhere else. We called them "The Addams Family" among ourselves. One of our tourists in Rome had her bag pulled off her shoulder by motorcyclists. Be carefull. Our accompanying guide was named Svetlana. She told little about the country, only when we got questions, although, according to her, she has been living in Italy for 9 years. She did not stay in hotels with us. All her stories are only about Italian men and leather jackets. As if whoever allowed himself a tour to Italy does not have a leather jacket. Of course we bought things along the way of the tour, but not on the advice of the guide. In Florence, visiting the sights, galloping around the city, free day on their own, everyone walked around again and bought in stores. In Florence, prices are lower for bags, shoes, leather items (own factory), jeans. Even in other cities, bags are sold from Florence. In Rome, you can buy everything on Via Corso and nearby streets, Spain metro station. Souvenirs I advise you to buy immediately in the city in which you arrived. For example, in Rome there are no statues of Pisa, Venice, etc. Be sure to visit the Vatican. Indescribable. Licensed disc about Italy, books can be bought in a shop near St. Peter's Cathedral. Our guide to Rome Paulo advised, but did not impose. The Italians are very friendly, responsive people, they always tell you with gestures if they do not know English. It is customary when you enter a store, cafe to greet the owner or sellers. In general, despite the Gar-tour in Italy, I really, really liked it. If possible, I will come again, but I will choose a different route and another resort for recreation. Rimini, where we rested for the 2nd week after the excursion, is a very hectic city, hotels are stumbled on every piece of land, the sea is unclear. Relax, but not with Gar-Tour, Prima-Tour (Italian side). There will be questions, I will answer with pleasure.
