Everything turned out not so bad
Were in Italy with "Gartur". Having read the negative reviews, I was ready to keep the defense and was already set up in advance for unscrupulous escort. But everything turned out not so bad. Our guide Kostya left a very pleasant impression: unobtrusive, punctual, gave a lot of various information, helped with advice, answered questions and very gently organized the group, so we weren’t late anywhere and didn’t wait for anyone for a long time. Tourists who went to restaurants recommended by Kostya were satisfied.
The 4 * hotels in which we lived were almost all on the level, although the HOTEL SUNSET in Rimini was so tiny that you could only take a shower in one position - parallel to the door - turns in this shower stall would not work.
HOTEL TOP PARK in Bologna - in the style of the first renovations of the 80s.
The pools shown on the sites in the hotels did not work.
The most pleasant hotel with a quiet courtyard, despite the city center, was in Florence - PALAZZO RICASOLI. And the breakfast was pretty good too.
Some conclusions:
1. Italy is a beautiful country and it is worth going in any case. Do not postpone your dream until better times.
2. Add the same amount to the amount that you get in the "Not included in the price" section - this will be enough for unforeseen expenses and temptations. Of course, if you do not specifically aim for shopping.
3. When planning shopping, do not take a sightseeing tour. 1.5-2 hours of free time in each city does not give the opportunity to examine and try on the vending "cloth" of famous brands. It bothered me and overshadowed the process, so I limited myself to perfume (in Rome) and a bag (San Marino).
4. Going on a trip, look through the reviews on the Internet - it helped me a lot in choosing souvenirs and in choosing places that are worth seeing on your own.
5. Wine as a souvenir is hard to carry - you can miscalculate the weight. We bought a couple of bottles for ourselves, I wrote down the rest of the names. I liked the Chianti Classic (with a black cockerel on the label). And Parmesan is worth taking - it's delicious, but at home it's expensive.
6. Make a list in advance of those to whom you must bring a souvenir and, using advice from the Internet, estimate approximately what it could be. This will save you time and. . . money. So, upon arrival home, you will not find extra magnets bought with the intention of "I will give it to someone. "
7. Indulge yourself in pleasure. In Italy, very tasty ice cream, coffee, sweets. And pizza, lasagna, pasta, risotto and other typical Italian dishes - this is how lucky. As a rule - the farther from the tourist trails - the tastier.
8. Locals suggested a restaurant in Rome. If you find yourself in that area and there are free tables, order the fish menu. Some antipasti (snacks) brought us 8 plates, and we already ate the dessert with our eyes. As it says on their business card, 200 meters from San Pietro: I QUATRO MORI, via S. Maria alle Fornaci,
9. Of additional excursions, we chose Siena and did not regret it. Those who went to Naples and Pompeii were also pleased, but it was not the excursion that caused them more delight, but the guide - a certain Ivan. They say they laughed to tears. Those who chose "Evening Rome" were not very pleased, but not disappointed either. We took the 19E sightseeing bus around Rome. There are headphones and a tour in Russian. True, there were misunderstandings with our green bus ROME OPEN TOUR: at one stop we waited for him for more than an hour, but he never appeared. The red ones traveled more often.
Have a nice trip!
