Highlights of France, Italy, and Greece Tour

We had a wonderful trip. Zicasso’s travel agency was excellent. We had a support group that we could rely on the whole trip. They were great.

We started in Geneva. Then went to a wedding in Saint-Sixt, where I had trouble getting a ride to the wedding. The travel company was able to help me, which was very appreciated. Afterwards, we went to Nice, Monaco, and Cannes. Then we took a train to Paris. All the hotels were wonderful and the tour guides were excellent.

I would have given the travel company five stars, but our trip to Florence didn’t go as smoothly. We probably should’ve left it out as it was a bit out of the way and we had to get back to Geneva to fly home. We flew to Florence and had an excellent guide for the Uffizi Gallery. Unfortunately, there was some mix-up with the Leonardo Da Vinci museum and we were given tickets to the kids' museum. It was a long walk to the museum and my back started to kill me, so it was too hard for me to get the right tickets and go later that day.

The next day we had a driving tour of Tuscany, which was very nice, with a stop for lunch at a winery. We had a lot of trouble understanding our driver. We do not speak Italian and the driver spoke English with a very heavy accent. He was very nice, but we did have a communication problem.

We had difficulty getting back to Geneva as our flight from Florence was, I think, canceled. I am not entirely sure, but the travel company hired a driver to take us to Rome to fly to Geneva. I never totally understood exactly what happened. The driver was driving 85mph in a van, which made the drive horrific for me. I’m not used to being in a car at that speed. I was so grateful when the trip was over and we made it to the airport alive. The rest of the trip was fine. We reached home with no other issues.

We did a lot of research on tour groups and travel companies, and are so pleased we chose Zicasso and their specialized Italy team. They organized every detail of transportation, first-class hotels, and cut-the-line attraction visits with extremely knowledgeable local guides.

We ran into some minor interruptions due to protests and our team quickly navigated around them with their in-country specialists. We felt we saw the best of each location, with additional free time to explore other local things like food, shopping, etc. These folks know their stuff and we will look to use them in the future.

I apologize for the delay in writing this review, but was very busy the last few months and wanted to dedicate the time it deserved. This review will address my wife and my trip to Italy from September 26, 2025, to October 6, 2025. Please feel free to share all or any portion of this review.

Trip Planning:

As a bucket-list event, I spent a great deal of time doing research, but would not have been able to put together the ideal vacation without the support of Zicasso and the travel company. Upon hearing my general interests, Zicasso provided two groups whom they thought would be able to plan and implement my trip. Both groups interviewed me and my wife about interests and price range, and then prepared an initial itinerary. Both groups would have done a fantastic job by their presentation, but it seemed I was slightly more in tune with the travel company and selected them. This proved to be a very wise choice, as the entire team at the travel company, particularly the travel specialists, were the absolute best and I would recommend their service without reservation. Fully responsive to my many questions before the trip, addressing all potential itinerary changes, and providing invaluable guidance throughout the entire process. Their response to inquiries while in the country was unbelievably prompt and thorough. At our request, the travel specialists made restaurant recommendations and reservations that were spot-on. I can’t say enough good things about these ladies.

Transportation and travel between locations:

Although not involved in the flights, the travel specialists provided great guidance concerning flights, trip insurance, and other logistics.

One key point that I fully expressed was that I did not want to flounder at the various transportation points and did not want to lug luggage in foreign areas on the way to and from lodging. The team took this to heart and provided me with either an escort or driver to and from every terminal. Everyone providing this task was friendly and provided information that made the travel much easier. Particularly valuable were our escorts, who adeptly negotiated our entrance and exit from Venice, and provided great insights into this historic city.

Venice:

Our hotel in Venice seemed to be right in the middle of everything, which allowed us to explore, and we have never had so much fun getting lost. At night, we opened our windows and fell off to sleep listening to nearby music; it was idyllic. The staff was professional and friendly. Breakfast was the best of all the hotels we stayed at in Italy.

The first full day in Venice, the travel company leveraged “skip the line” so we could make the very most of our time and is essential to any planning. Both guides were great and really good company. One guide’s knowledge of the Doge Palace really brought it to life for us. Another guide had a real insider’s view of Burano, as this was her family’s island. As private tours, we could go at our own pace, which we really liked. Probably the least enjoyable tour was the glass factory in Murano. We got the impression most of the tour beyond the initial exhibition was an attempt to sell their products. My wife succumbed and purchased a pair of earrings that broke the first time she wore them. Really disappointing, and I would advise you to spend more time in Burano.

Florence:

As with all the trains, the travel was very comfortable and we enjoyed watching the scenery. Our lodging in Florence was right on the Santa Maria square, superb for people watching. The staff was fine, nothing more. The hotel was near the world’s oldest pharmacy, famous as the world's oldest perfumery. Although there is a line to enter, it goes quickly and is historical, to say nothing of buying a scent more than 400 years old. I strongly recommend you go.

While knowledgeable, our tour guide for the Accademia and Uffizi Galleries was a little too technical for us, leaving us with the feeling that we were taking an art history class.

Dinner was based on the travel specialist's recommendation and it was delicious. A strong recommendation.

Day trip to Pisa:

The travel arrangements were perfect. The purpose of the trip was to take the obligatory picture holding up the tower—hokey, but we loved it.

The private cooking class with our instructor was a lot of fun. The view of the city from her window at sunset was beautiful. My wife and our instructor fell into a real rhythm cooking, and she was kind enough not to scoff at my ham-handed attempts. Her directions were simple enough for me to follow, theoretically. She followed up her lesson with an email containing detailed recipes. We have purchased all necessary utensils and are planning a pasta-making party soon. This was a fun change of pace.

Rome:

Our bed-and-breakfast in Rome was our least favorite lodging. Entry into the building was confusing and, as a B&B, the desk was not manned all the time, which made it difficult to secure a taxi early in the morning (we had to walk to a nearby hotel) or get assistance after 8pm or before 6am. When we came in, we attempted to coordinate laundry service with the person working the front desk, followed his instructions, but when we returned the next day, our dirty clothes were still where we were told to leave them. The initial response from the on-duty staff, who I believe was the owner, was that the individual was no longer an employee. Ultimately, the hotel comped and completed our laundry, which was nice. We would have preferred different lodging.

Our first afternoon, we took a four-hour golf cart tour, which was our favorite tour of the entire trip. Adding an extra hour to the traditional length and having only my wife and me allowed us to do everything we wanted to do. Our driver took us everywhere. He would drop us at the top of the Spanish Steps and meet us at the bottom, and would conveniently bring us closest to all other locations. I can’t believe how much we did in four hours. Our driver brought all these iconic sites to life with his marvelous insight and provided a great insider view of these monuments. This is a must-do for all first-time visitors to Rome. The only thing we were not able to do, due to no fault of our driver, was the Aventine Keyhole. When we got there in the afternoon, the line was 45 minutes and not a wise use of our time. If this is a strong interest, he recommends going early in the morning.

The travel specialists arranged tickets for the Papal general audience on Wednesday. Rising at sunrise was worth it to get the seats as close as we were able to secure. Most online sites suggest getting there an hour and a half before the start time, but I think that is much too late. I recommend you get there three to four hours ahead to get the best seats. The best seats are on the end near where the Pope drives by, ideally near an infant, and His Holiness will stop to personally bless these children. Facing the stage, the right side filled up quicker than the left side, so go directly to the left side of the audience. Being so close to the first American-born Pope was a memory I will never forget. His Holiness blesses all items in the audience's possession, so load up on rosary beads; they will make great Baptism and Communion gifts.

The afternoon was our first group tour at the Vatican Museums. It might be that we were spoiled with the previous private tours, but linking up with the group was chaotic and the quality of the tour was contingent on those in our group. Fortunately, all our groups were good, considerate, and friendly people. The main value was skipping the line for entrance. As with the Doge Palace, our guide was a little too academic and didn't really manage time well, potentially a victim of being in a group, but I would have rather spent more time in the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica. Taxis were extremely hard to get back to the hotel and I would arrange a ride if I were to do it again.

The Thursday tour of the Colosseum and Forum was also a group tour, but led by a guide who brought this ancient land to life. An archaeologist by trade, our guide seemed to know everything and also took a great picture.

The end of a very long but enjoyable day was another group tour of the catacombs and Santa Maria Maggiore. While the catacombs were the main attraction, the after-hours and behind-the-scenes access to Santa Maria Maggiore was an unexpected gem. Going through a second Holy Door, viewing the magnificent nighttime skyline from the roof, seeing the location of a relic from the baby Jesus’ manger, and being struck by the modesty of Bernini’s and Pope Francis’s tombs were all highlights. Unfortunately, taxis were again hard to come by.

Sorrento:

We took a train from Rome to Naples. While there was a national strike, it did not prove more than an inconvenience, no worse than New York City on a regular day. Our driver from Naples told us this simply provided us with a genuine Italian experience. I wish I could remember this driver’s name because he was the best of a very good group of drivers during this trip. En route to Sorrento, we stopped for a tour and meal at a winery and a private skip-the-line tour of Pompeii. We were so impressed with the quality of the winery that we made a large purchase of wines and olive oils that, thankfully, included free shipping.

During our drive to Sorrento, our driver took us through his hometown, which we really enjoyed. Going through the town, he pointed out the birthplace of Bruce Springsteen’s mother. Little did he know, we were from New Jersey and are HUGE Springsteen fans.

Our hotel in Sorrento was a nice place, close to the center of town. I would have preferred a hotel with a view of the coast.

On Saturday, we took a private tour up the coast. This was the most comfortable car I have ever ridden in, with heated and cooled seats, and a convenient icebox. The driver made clear he was at our disposal. The scenery was marvelous and it was a thrill to dip our toes in the Med. Our driver hooked us up with a restaurant on a cliff overlooking the water—beautiful and scrumptious.

Our last day was supposed to be the Gozzo tour of Capri, but was canceled due to weather. We refunded the canceled boat tour, but ate the driver and ferry fees. In hindsight, knowing this day was largely contingent on weather, I would have liked to have a contingency plan and would advise the travel company to plan this in the future.

Based on how smoothly things went, we will be contacting Zicasso to arrange a trip to Iceland and Ireland next fall, and hope they can refer a team as talented as this travel company.

For over a year, I planned this Greek getaway. This was going to happen, Kimbal and I on a Greek adventure for 14 days. On his first international flight, I just wanted him to be comfortable.  I am interested in learning about ancient artifacts and civilizations. I will take you on our journey…

San Diego to Munich and Munich to Athens. We arrived in Athens! Our driver pulled up in his Mercedes wearing a white shirt and black suit. Wow, this felt like royal treatment. He took us along the beautiful shores of the coastline that runs all the way from Athens down to Cape Sounion. He showed us a lagoon which people swear is healing. Next time, we will have to take a dip. We saw the Temple of Poseidon, a fifth-century archaeological site overlooking the Saronic Gulf and its islands – where the horizon meets the Aegean Sea, and where stories and legends unveil about the ship of King Menelaus, who stopped briefly at Sounio on his way back from Troy; or about the unfortunate King Aegeus, who drowned himself at that spot and the Aegean Sea got named after him; or about the people who built a temple using local marble to honor the god of the sea and safeguard the profits from the neighboring Lavrio mines.  

The next day, we would meet our first archeologist guide. She was about the same age as our daughter, Alexandria. We enjoyed her infectious enthusiasm for sharing some of the most important contributions of Ancient Greece to world culture: the amazing monument of the Acropolis and the timeless notion of democracy. We visited the Acropolis, the Doric gateway to the Acropolis, dating to 420 BC, and the spectacular Parthenon, the temple dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom and protector of Athens, that has become the most famous architectural embodiment of classical Greece. She talked about the Parthenon sculptures taken in the 1800s by Lord Elgin. Today, they reside in the British Museum in London. Greece wants them back and I am optimistic they will be returned one day. We saw Propylaia, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Temple of Erechtheion. We learned about the historical personalities and facts that led to the birth of democracy in Athens, its key values and principles, the purposes it served, as well as why it was considered a radical political system at the time. During our tour, we also had the chance to learn about the similarities and differences between ancient and contemporary democracy.  

Kimbal and I wandered around the neighborhood of Plaka. This is a very populated area; there were so many active small businesses.  We saw no unoccupied storefronts. The nightlife was bustling. 

We would be meeting with the car rental agent at our hotel; Kimbal gets to drive in Greece, in Athens, where 3.1 million people live. Yikes. Oh geez, this was going to be interesting. We would be going to Crete and this would allow us to move around at our own pace. We stopped at Mer des Oliviers de Delphes to indulge at an olive oil producer and relax with the dazzling view of the ancient olive grove, Chrisso village, and the Gulf of Corinth, which unfolded beneath our eyes. We got a traditional lunch experience. The host introduced us to the history of their family, who, for five generations, has produced olive oil, while we tasted the fruits of their labors: the extra-virgin olive oil, the olives, and the tapenade derived from the local olive tree variety called "Amfissis".  

Next, we headed toward the Delphi Archaeological Museum. We were warned the archaeological site involves quite a steep uphill climb. Lesson learned; your eyes and legs and hips don’t always agree.  

Our next guide oozed with excitement about what she was to share with us – the Pythia, the mythical oracle of Ancient Greece that was consulted in all major decisions regarding the future of the Empire. With the dramatic landscape of Mount Parnassos as our backdrop, we explored the most sacred place in ancient Greek civilization, walking amongst stunning ruins and learning all about the secrets of the old Greek prophecies. Delphi, according to legend, is the center of Earth, with Zeus, father of the gods, sending two eagles to find it. Delphi also acts as a symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and is home to numerous renowned monuments, such as the Temple of Apollo, the Athenian Treasury, and further up, the well-preserved theater, with its beautiful view back down over the complex. Our guide shared insight into Delphi's religious and political significance in ancient Greece. After roaming the ruins, we walked up to the highest point of the archaeological complex for a stunning view of the Corinthian Gulf across olive grove-carpeted slopes. Next, we visited the Delphi Museum, where we looked at the bronze statue of the Charioteer of Delphi, the haunting Sphinx of Naxos, and what might be the very first recorded notation of a melody. At that moment, I thought of Alexandria and Ryan, and how they would love visiting and learning all this history of Greece! I wished all four of them were with us, enjoying this adventure. Another time! 

The next day, we were moving on to Galaxidi. The hotel was an old mansion, converted into a boutique hotel. The owner made the most delicious homemade breakfast, freshly prepared every day! The courtyard was surrounded by pink bougainvillea; absolutely charming. The next day, we drove from Galaxidi to Olympia and enjoyed the views of the Gulf of Corinth coastline. I thought of Heather as we crossed the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, one of the longest fully suspended bridges. Nafpaktos is a beautiful seaside town featuring an old port (where the Battle of Lepanto took place in 1571 CE) and a hilltop castle. The battle's victory launched Greece into the world's spotlight, as the people of Nafpaktos helped push back the Ottoman Empire of Turkey.  We passed through more olive groves than we have ever seen in our lives. After finally arriving in Olympia, we checked into our hotel. This hotel was built on the top of Drouvas Hill in Ancient Olympia, at the foot of which lies the sacred Altis, which encompasses the most eminent and significant buildings and monuments, as well as the ancient stadium of Olympia, where the Olympic Games were held. Visitors can admire a valley of outstanding beauty spreading between two rivers, the Alpheus and the Cladeus.  

Next we would visit Ancient Olympia with our guide. She took us on a trip to explore the ruins of Ancient Olympia, where the Olympics first started in 776 BCE. A fascinating fact: all Olympians competed nude. No women were allowed to watch the Olympics. Once a “copter” mom, disguised as a trainer, snuck into the Olympics to watch her son compete. When he won, they somehow noticed she was a woman and, from that point forward, all trainers also had to be nude. We explored the massive temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, in the ruins of which the Olympic Torch is still lit to this day, and the archeological museum of Olympia, containing many amazing artifacts found at the site. The Olympic torch is still lit in the same stadium where the Olympics first started. The Greeks have female dancers and one lead actress for the ceremony.  We also got to see the site's highlight, the ancient stadium and athletic training facilities where athletes competed and trained in the original Olympic Games over 3,000 years ago.  

Next up was a drive from Olympia to Kalamata and West Mani. Sound familiar? Yep, olives, olives, and more olives. We enjoyed a scenic drive from Olympia to Kalamata. We headed southeast through the rural countryside toward the Gulf of Kyparissia coastline. Kimbal drove from Olympia to Kalamata and West Mani. We were excited to see Nestor’s Palace. Our guide showed us the beauty and history of Nestor’s Palace, the best-preserved Mycenaean palace.  As an influential site in Mycenaean times, Homer described the palace in The Odyssey and The Iliad as Nestor's kingdom. I just happen to be reading The Odyssey. Nestor was a wise man from whom everyone requested advice before making serious decisions. Our guide spoke about this impressive site. Its primary structure sits within a larger, late-Helladic era. Then she took us to Niokastro (the New Castle), also known by its Venetian name, Navarino. It received the honorary name of Pylos in 1833 due to lack of evidence about the location of the Ancient Kingdom of Nestor.  We walked through the well-preserved walls of this 16th-century Ottoman castle, later reinforced by the Venetians and French. We admired the blend of architectural styles reflecting its rich history.  

Next, we checked into a boutique hotel located in the center of Kalamata. We were ready for the private Ancient Messene tour with our guide. This tour took us back in time to the fourth century BCE. We got to learn all about the ancient history and culture of the Messenians. The perimeter walls were erected in the third century BCE; the walls contain a massive Arcadian gate and eight surviving towers. Before its excavation, the area was nothing more than a field of green. Archaeologists have only unearthed a third of the site. We saw the gymnasium, theater, the Temple of Zeus, and more. Next up was the Kalamata olive grove tour and meal. We visited an olive grove with perennial olive trees; a beautiful, peaceful landscape, and we learned about the cultivation and harvest of the olive trees. We had the chance to taste fruits directly from the garden. In the heart of the Androussa village, we met family owners of an olive oil mill, where a demonstration of the extraction of the olive oil took place, as well as a tasting workshop with the different varieties and qualities of extra-virgin olive oils. We completed our tour with a food pairing with extra-virgin olive oil and a light meal with Greek traditional mezedes (similar to tapas). Our guide was the wife and owner of the olive grove, and a certified olive oil taster. We learned most of the olive oil that Italy produces is exported, so they buy their olive oil from Greece. I understood that to be a friendly rivalry over which country has the best extra-virgin olive oil. Customers of the town pay them with olive oil for processing their olives. It is more important to them to employ people of the town than to make more money automating the labeling and bottling process. She had two gentlemen handling that part of the process.  Customers would watch as their olives were converted to extra-virgin olive oil.  The facility would stop for five minutes between each customer to show their olives were not getting mixed with the olives of others. The Greeks take pride in their olives.  

Next, we left the beautiful castle of Androussa, driving toward Nafplio, the first capital of Greece.  We were told we could park in front of the hotel to drop off our luggage and then park in the lot by the oceanfront. Our GPS kept telling us we were two minutes from our hotel. We drove around the adorable town of Nafplio at least five times. We drove on sidewalks thinking we were just on a narrow road. Everyone was so kind. Finally, Kimbal parked and we got out and asked someone where the hotel was. Well, it was nestled quietly in a corner of the town. Our hotel was a neoclassical building of the 19th century. It had excellent architecture and unique and thoughtful interior design, with a beautiful and welcoming entrance. It was situated in the heart of the historic town of Nafplio on Syntagma Square, just a few steps from the picturesque port.  We met with our guide and our tour began with a beautiful panoramic view of the city. We discovered the streets and monuments of Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece and one of the country's most charming cities. We strolled through the colorful lanes and alleyways, and noticed a mix of Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek architecture. We started our tour from Acronafplia, from where we enjoyed the incredible views over the red rooftops and out into the sea. From here, we saw the Bourtzi Fort on a small island in the middle of the harbor and we continued to the old town itself. Then, we walked through the Gate of the Land, which was once part of the city's original walls. We visited the Vouleftikon building, the very first Greek Parliament, and Constitution Square, also known as Syntagma Square, the main square in Nafplio. Other tour highlights included the seafront, and the town hall, a beautiful neoclassical building. Next on our agenda was the tour of the Acropolis of Mycenae. With our guide, we were ready to visit the impressive Mycenae site, a massive monument built before 1100 BCE. If you are a fan of Homer's The Iliad, you may recognize the name. Mycenae's King Agamemnon led the Greek armies to the War of Troy on behalf of his brother Menelaus to bring back his beautiful wife, Helen. We visited the Treasury of Atreus, where you'll find the Tholos Tomb, assumed to belong to King Agamemnon. We stepped through the Lion Gate and visited the ruins of the palace and the castle. Along the perimeter, look up and admire the Cyclopean walls surrounding the triangular-shaped Acropolis. Their size indicates quite a historic feat for ancient times. Our guide had a baggie with dog treats that he gave the regular dog, which sleeps in the monument. Everywhere we went, we would see a dog or a cat. We marveled at the spectacular views from the top of the hill and headed to the Archeological Museum of Mycenae to explore the various artifacts revealing the Mycenae civilization's everyday life. You'll quickly understand why it was called "rich in gold" and learn about the city's olive oil production from the Bronze Age. Next, we headed to Pataia Epidavros Beach to meet our guide and get in our kayak. We would sea kayak above sunken Epidaurus at Gialasi Beach. This felt like we had reserved a private beach just for us. The water was so calm, the tide never changes. We snorkeled above the sunken remains of an ancient city! We paddled over the ruins of Epidaurus, which was built in 1200 BCE. You may know it better as Argolida’s Lost Atlantis. We saw an entire metropolis preserved under the sea. We had a homemade picnic made by the owner’s mom and grilled by his father; stuffed tomato for Kimbal and stuffed bell pepper for me; such a delicious lunch.  We continued snorkeling, held a Greek sea urchin, and saw an Indian sea urchin. We enjoyed swimming in such calm water among the fish.  

Next for us was meeting back with our guide for a tour of Epidaurus. He told us the remarkable ruins at this site are known as the world's starting point of medical healing. With this tour, you will have the chance to discover everything about their history and significance. The site includes several major monuments, making it perfect for a little exploration. We visited iconic buildings like the Temple of Asklepios, the Temple of Artemis, the Tholos, the Ceremonial Hall, the Stadium, the Greek Baths, and the Stoa. We learned about how the site functioned in terms of medicine and why it is compared to a hospital or "holistic therapeutic center." Next, we visited the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, known for its perfect acoustics. This is the best-preserved theater of its time in ancient Greece. I thought of Uncle Mike; he was quite a Shakespearean actor. I could picture him performing here like he did in the playhouse in Escondido. The Greeks performed many plays here, not only during celebrations and events, but also as an important part of the sanctuary's healing program. As we stood in the center of the Theater, I could only think of our daughter, Alexandria, and how beautiful it would be to hear her sing here. It reminded me of the acoustics in the center of the Integratron in Landers, CA. The only difference, this theater was open-air, while the Integratron was a closed dome. As our guide stood in the center of the Theater, he spoke using his diaphragm and the sound carried throughout. He said they do not need microphones here.

Next, Kimbal was to drive from Nafplio to Athens airport and return our car rental. While driving, we started from that which connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean, and it is the second-most important place to visit in Greece after the Parthenon. Our one-hour flight heading to Heraklion was the most efficient way of getting to Crete! Our driver took us to our hotel in Archanes Village in Crete, where Greek tradition, combined with modern comfort, comes to life. Crete is the largest island in Greece and having a car rental is the best and most cost-efficient way to explore it. I remember Kimbal said, ”I could imagine Fred Flintstone living in a place like this.” This had the steepest driveway. Of course, we parked our car at the bottom and then had to hike to our room. We enjoyed an authentic Cretan dinner.  

The next day, we were heading to the Minoan mythology tour with Knossos Palace. We met our tour guide, an archeologist, at the central square of Archanes. We followed her for an innovative introduction to the Minoan civilization in the mythical landscape of ancient Knossos. We explored the legendary past of Knossos and its palace, center of the greatest and most famous city of Crete. We got acquainted with fabulous mythical scenery, the landscape around the town, and palace of Knossos, learned about the control of space and time in Eastern cultures, and explored moments of worship of Bronze Age Crete. Knossos was the largest and most ancient city of Minoan Crete. Its king, Minos, son of Zeus and the oriental princess Europe, holds a prominent place in the mythical past of Crete. According to the oldest sources, every nine years, the legendary king ascended the sacred mountain of his territory, where he received the divine laws in order to renew his term. We toured around an important Minoan sanctuary and after that enjoyed a meal in a local tavern, following the ancient Cretan diet. Our guide asked me which was my favorite goddess. I had to think about it, then responded, Athena, courage and law and justice. I thought of my friend Sue; sounds right. After the meal, we headed to the archaeological site for a guided visit. In a Venetian building, the Palazzo d’ Ittar, within a total area of 460 square meters, we had the unique opportunity to get to know a relatively unknown aspect of Ancient Greek culture through the exhibition, "Ancient Greece - the Origins of Technologies,” which includes approximately 80 selected exhibits, from the robot-servant and the "cinema" of Philon to the automatic theater of Heron, and from the Hydraulic Clock of Ktesibios to the Antikythera Mechanism. It was the Antikythera that brought me here, the first computer found in a shipwreck, dating back to 200 BCE. The exhibits were fully functional and accompanied by rich audiovisual material. The explanatory information, the analytical designs, the images, the videos, the animations, and the references of the bibliography provide a complete experience of a visit.  

The next day, we took a speed ferry and arrived in Imerovigli, Santorini. We checked into our hotel, with 27 steps down a steep stairway to our room. We just relaxed in our hot tub, stared at the most beautiful view in the world, and rested. After hiking so much, we thought of our friends Tim and Irene and, of course, Jim and Diana. They are all avid hikers and would have done just fine on this adventure. Kimbal and I were feeling it! There's nothing like a Santorini sunset, as the island's viewpoints are some of the Cyclades' best. 

The next day, we headed to the historical Santorini tour with Akrotiri. We also visited the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira (where amazing murals are kept). It was very interesting to learn about the Aegean Sea's most significant prehistoric settlements. This archaeological site features an ancient city preserved by volcanic ash for thousands of years. We visited one of the two most important museums, offering various prehistoric and perfectly preserved artifacts.  We walked through the city's remarkably preserved ruins and learned why this site played such an essential economic role. Stroll amongst the ancient walls of the houses and hear stories about how its inhabitants lived. For example, each time the volcano erupted, they took their ships out to sea, only to return and rebuild their settlement from scratch! A fascinating fact about this site is that no DNA has been discovered yet. Our guide took us through different artifacts, spanning thousands of years, from both Akrotiri and Ancient Thera, including entirely preserved murals.   When done, our driver dropped us off in Oia. Kimbal and I decided to explore on foot and discover its curious side streets, unique shops, and dreamy terraces. You will have the chance to gaze at the pearly-white buildings stoically perched on the cliff side, as well as its infamous blue domes.  

The time to return home has arrived; three flights in one day – Santorini to Athens, Athens to Montreal, and Montreal to San Diego. I am so happy that I got to share this adventure with Kimbal. He is the hardest-working man on this planet and I was so happy we burned this into our hearts forever! I will never forget walking in Athens and we both see a McDonald’s. Two Big Macs in Greece made my man smile! 

Zicasso’s company is the best travel organizer I have ever dealt with. Everything was perfect!  Thank you to our travel specialist and the support team for always being available!!!

Zicasso's travel specialist asked for our interests, to which we replied history, art, food, and wine. When queried about accommodations, our preferences were that they have character and be varied. Our expectations were exceeded.  

We were two couples who had a spectacular survey trip of Italy. Our agent addressed our request for history by arranging private tours with expert guides. We visited multiple eras: ancient times at the Egyptian Museum in Turin and the Colosseum in Rome; medieval times at the Medici palazzos; Byzantine times with views of the frescoes in Puglia; and modern history during a delightful food tour of Turin that featured historical cafés renowned for their political meetings and plotting. 

We indulged in a smorgasbord of art and history, as it is readily available wherever you journey in Italy. The guides and drivers were knowledgeable, pointing out treasures in the palazzos, the Vatican, the public squares, cafés, the cathedrals, and churches. Food tours featured cheese, capicola and truffle tasting. Multiple types of wines and vineyards were sampled, the settings varied and the offerings enjoyed.  

Accommodations could not have been better chosen. We enjoyed staying at a converted fortified monastery and a historic 16th-century palace. We appreciated the sunset over Turin from the upper deck of the hotel and enjoyed hidden privacy in Rome in our suites.  

During the trip, our guide shepherded this complex trip and promptly addressed any issues that occurred (delayed trains and coordinating tour guides). Unequivocally, each tour was unique and well picked by our agent. We strongly recommend this agency to help you have a fantastic trip to Italy! 

A little disappointed in the level of the hotels, and missed the Cézanne museum because I wasn’t told to book online to ensure we got in. A bit expensive for the level of our rooms.