It was another fabulous Amber Road tour & we really enjoyed it. We were so lucky with the weather – only rain on that one day in Matera. Thank goodness for Luca & all the assistance he gave us. He really is a star & we appreciated (again) how he goes the extra mile for everyone. Nothing ever seems to be too much trouble & he manages to make everything “fun”. The group on the tour were lovely people & we all got on very well. It seems to be the norm with Amber Road Tours. They are something special. We especially liked the hotel in Ravello (what views from our room!) & we hope to go back there one day. We look forward to another Amber Road Tour in the future & look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for a happy, interesting, well-planned holiday.

Thank you for making it possible for us to tour this region in such style, comfort, and with great companions. We have returned to Canada with about 500 photographs of our trip, and they make us want do it all again! The Castel Del Monte got my imagination going and we particularly enjoyed Ostuni and Ravello! Keep up the good work!

We continue to reflect on the terrific time we had while on your Amber Roads tour of Sicily. We had traveled independently to Sicily during the month of May, many years ago. We both agree that May or early June is the ideal time to visit Sicily because everything is in bloom, and the profusion of colors is breathtaking. However, traveling with the Amber Road group in November was well worth every minute. The weather was perfect (only one day of rain and that while we were in the shelter of our bus). The food and wine was sumptuous; and all of the hotel accommodations were top-notch. We especially loved the Grand Hotel et des Palmes in Palermo with all its grandeur and history. Another of our favorites was Hotel Il Barocco, a new, very small & cozy, family-run hotel in Ragusa. Last, but not least, our tour escort, Mariaelena, was her usual upbeat self. She left no stone unturned to make sure that all of our group had the best time ever.

Overall, what we enjoy and appreciate about Amber Road Tours is that you all do such a thorough job in covering all the major tourist sights, and then surprise us by taking us to some great out-of-the-way places — such as that neat little “museum”,

Museo della Pietra, carved into the side of a hill by the owner who is a mason, a surgeon, does acupuncture, and is a fantastic host who really knows how to put together a fabulous Italian meal. And how can we forget the visit to a local winery. The owners gave us a wonderful guided tour, and then hosted a beautiful reception.  Bravo! Jonathan & Sonya! You did it again.

Ralph and I want to thank you again for the care, expertise and love you both so obviously put into organizing our tour to Tuscany and Umbria.  There is nothing, absolutely nothing that did not surpass our expectations.  It was the best trip of our lives.  Mariaelena would not fit in my suitcase, or I would have brought her home with us.  What an extraordinary and generous soul she is.  Our best wishes and gratitude to you both…..lovely, and most appreciated that you took the time to come and meet us.

It requires a leap of faith to deal with a company entirely over the internet, but you put us at ease and we are very fortunate that we found you. Thank you both for a unique tour experience. The quality, care and attention to detail made this a memorable trip to cherish for years to come. It was a perfect blend of fabulous food and wine, breathtaking scenery, fascinating towns, history and just the right amount of free time.  Each hotel we stayed at was unique and had a location convenient to all of the sites and amazing views. The opportunity to experience Tuscany and Umbria with an intimate, small group led by Maria Elena and her knowledge of the region, its history and treasures was absolutely priceless. We had the most fun mix of touring companions and met some truly wonderful Italians who made the trip incredibly personable. Maria Elena took us for wonderful walks (willingly making adjustments to our fitness level) and showed us parts of Tuscany and Umbria we never could have discovered on our own. Her warmth, enthusiasm and love of Italy are contagious, especially for Val D’Orcia, her “valley.” We could not have asked for a better guide. Carmelo was an amazing driver, impeccably dressed, courteous, always on time, and happy to make unlimited stops for “picture moments.” Your local guides were all entertaining and informative.
Days filled with great experiences, tastings of excellent wine, olive oil, and cheeses, touring monasteries and ancient hilltop towns…and did I say excellent wine tasting?  Our best memories are always of small things, and on this trip we felt that we had become involved in the local life in some little way. We became immersed in the Italian culture through artists, winemakers, tour guides, restaurant hosts, and innkeepers and tasted dishes we never had before – wild boar, truffles, spelt. It was a pleasure meeting both of you in Spoleto and chatting over dinner. Julian and I loved every minute of our trip and cannot wait to go back again. In fact, we are already planning our next one with the rest of our mates – perhaps the Amalfi Coast or Sicily! Again, thank you for giving us the opportunity to experience life as it was in the past and still is in Tuscany and Umbria.

What a great trip! We enjoyed every day with the help of Maria Elena and Ilario – their friendliness and professionalism made our holiday very special. Highlights for us were the cookery lesson and the Medieval Festival. Best wishes for the continued success of Amber Road Tours, we hope to join you again in the near future.

We all had a truly marvelous time.  The tour exceeded our expectations in every way.  We could not have been more pleased with Amber Road.  Grazie, grazie, grazie. Again, Amber Road did a superb job.  If and when Jane and I, or any of our group, return to Italy it will be with Amber Road.

First, let me tell you how thrilled Chris and I were with the tour.  We hope to return to Italy soon and take another of your tours.  Luca and Ennio were a great team.   I have no doubt that other small-group tours of Italy’s treasures are good and available, but Amber Road will be who we turn to when we do return.  I can offer no higher accolade.  I can tell you we are the envy of all who we have spoken to about the trip and have been pressed for Amber Road details many times.

We had never been on an organized tour before and were a little hesitant to try one – visions of large groups of annoying tourists leaving at 6 am each day for a new destination.  We were pleasantly surprised that this was not at all the case.  It was great to have a base from which to tour and only change hotels every two to three days.  The size of the group was perfect and the individuals were very easy to get along with – as you could probably tell from the fun we had the night you joined us for dinner. We had a terrific time and we would not hesitate to recommend your company to others, or to use your services again ourselves.

My Italian ‘interlude’ was enchanted – and absolutely enchanting – thanks in no small measure to the mega marvellous tours of Tuscany/Umbria and Tuscany/Liguria that I went on with Amber Road!!! I revelled in every moment I spent with the two groups, very different though they were – and relished every morsel of the delectable Italian delicacies (including the ‘divine’ wines – they undoubtedly qualify as heavenly libations!) that the two of you laid on for us. Superb selections in terms of venues (both places visited and restaurants in which we wined and dined) as well as consumables/’potables’! Must also pay tribute to Mario – what a pleasure to have someone like him, with his delightful sense of humour, his infinite patience and his intimate knowledge of the country and its history, art, architecture, culture, customs, etc, as your tour leader.  Oceans upon oceans of appreciations for everything the two of you did to make my time in Italy so truly memorable –  an elating and utterly exhilarating adventure from start to finish!

What a great trip this was.  Ravello was beautiful!  Apulia was interesting, different and charming.  Choices of hotels and restaurants were excellent. Thank you for making the trip to Ravello.  It was wonderful seeing you and Sonya.  Luca was very knowledgeable and charming.  Looking forward to trip number four with your company.

Having had a marvelous tour with you in Tuscany in ’05 we were excited to see that you were offering Southern Italy on a new tour, we were not disappointed. It was a perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation, each and every location was chosen with care and offered something different and interesting. From the moment you met us in Rome to the last ride from the hotel in Ostuni every detail was taken care of we never had to worry about a thing. We were spoiled from the first day, when we arrived at Villa Maria in Ravello and saw the spectacular view and the beautiful accommodations we knew we were right in choosing Amber Road Tours again. The group was small, we couldn’t have asked for a nicer group of travelling companions, we shared many a glass of vino together, the rooftop of Palazzo Mosco Inn in Gallipoli was a perfect setting for pre dinner cocktails!  We had some wonderful dinners, always beautifully cooked and presented as only the Italians know how. We loved especially the Amalfi coast and when Mr. Palumbo gave us an impromptu tour of his latest venture, the villa of Gore Vidal, we were just blown away by it, that this busy gentleman would take time out of his day to entertain and show our little group around his beautiful properties was just incredible, he is right, he does have the most beautiful view in Ravello.     Thank you all so much for a wonderful memorable holiday – we tell everybody about you.  Grazie e arrivederci!

We were well pleased with the tour and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We found the cities we visited, the  accommodations, the food and wines all to have been carefully chosen.  We were also very pleased with the enthusiastic and ever conversant Mariaelena. She gives a spirit and insight many other leaders lack. She is always looking for ways to enhance our experience, and succeeds very well. We will travel again to Italy. When we do, it will be with Amber Road.

Amber Road Tours is an amazing, very organized, small tour company.  I had the time of my life on this trip, and we had a great group of people; it was unbelievably terrific in every way. We stayed in the best hotels, ate the best food, and visited more things than were on the itinerary.

It was so lovely to think back on our wonderful holiday and especially our time with Mariaelena and our Amber Road group. When asked by friends and family the highlight of our 8 week trip which included London, Ireland, Italy and Paris, I always say the 12 days with Amber Road gave us the greatest insight into the art and culture of Italy and immersed us in life in Tuscany and Umbria. It is clear that you both love to share your country with others and cater for visitors who wish to do more than just ‘see the sights’. Thank you for a wonderful experience! It was a pleasure to meet you both in your beautiful Spoleto and we hope to save up and join an Amber Road tour again.

We cannot begin to thank the two of you and express our deepest gratitude for all the time and effort you and Sonya put into making our tour so enjoyable. Neither of us could ever imagine a trip that could exceed the previous tour we took with you to Tuscany, but we both feel the Amalfi experience was superior in so many ways.  Your personal touches were everywhere, from hotel room selections, to entre recommendations, superb vintages, and of course, tour guide Luca – a treasure no one can forget. In reviewing the 700 or so photos we took during the tour, including those taken during the unexpected private tour of the villa of Gore Vidal in Ravello, the superlatives which so aptly describe this tour are endless, as will be our memories of this trip.

I wish to thank you for the very best vacation.  I especially enjoyed the small group and would like to congratulate you on your choices of Museums, Restaurants, Back roads, the personal touch was very evident THANKS!!

I wanted to say thank you for organising yet another great tour [Southern Italy]. I had a wonderful time meeting old friends and making new ones on this tour, and seeing the gorgeous landscapes and towns that the South has to offer. The scenery was very different to what I was expecting but it was truely gorgeous and I’m so glad I chose to do this tour. I’ve never gone back to the same tour company twice, but am glad that I did with Amber Road Tours this year! My favourite place was definitely Matera…for its sheer ruggedness and culture – I would definitely like to go back there one day…and Ravello is a town which is unmatched in beauty and prettiness and cannot be faulted. Luca was a wonderful tour manager who was very knowledgeable, fun, light hearted, patient and professional and provided great advice for our activities outside of the group interaction and was wonderful in assisting with information for trains, and recommendations and advice for plans after the tour. Thank you again.

We arrived back home early this morning, and wanted to send you a note of thanks right away for all that you did to make our vacation in Italy so special. Your hard work, attention to detail, excellent choices, and outstanding customer service provided us with an unforgettable itinerary, a truly enjoyable trip, and that rarest of things,… a vacation with no stress, no worries, lots of walking, delicious food, lovely accommodations, lots of laughter, and the spectacular, heart stopping beauty of Tuscany and Umbria.
We absolutely loved Ennio and Luca, and want to thank you for selecting a coach driver and tour manager who are not only great at what they do, but make everyone feel special and cared for — and provide warm and hilarious entertainment along the way. It was particularly nice to be able to spend time with both of you, and we appreciate how you get to know everyone on the tour and are genuinely interested in the comfort, opinions and ideas of each person in the group.
The itinerary was fantastic, with very little driving time and maximum time for sightseeing, and each of the 20+ locations on the tour was a gem. We appreciated the convenience of being able to spend a few days in each hotel; every day’s agenda offered new and wonderful surprises, each better than the last; and we returned each evening exhilarated, exhausted, and inspired by the art, architecture, history and people of this beautiful country. We loved the excellent local guides, the free time to explore, being able to walk all day, all that wonderful food, and the chance to get to know the other travelers who made such a lovely contribution to this outstanding vacation. Without a doubt, this was the best tour we have ever been on — and we have traveled a lot!

I just wanted to let you know that the trip our group took surpassed all expectations. I came hoping for a great, relaxing trip and that is just what I got. The trip was well planned; the food was out of this world and the wine was the best I ever tasted. You gave us all a wonderful taste of Italy by going on the “back roads” and staying at the small Italian Bed and Breakfasts. All in all it was an absolutely wonderful trip and I do thank you for helping to make it such an experience for us.

I can not even begin to tell you how wonderful the 13 days were!!!!! … absolutely the best ever vacation! Each day was a wonder that ended with a great part of the Italian culture-great food and friends!!!!

Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip and have recommended your tour to several people. The accommodations were great, the towns won my heart, and Luca was very helpful and fun. I can’t say enough and it was very hard to come back, so if you ever need help, let me know!!!!!

When deciding to join a pre-arranged tour, what attracted us to you was your unique itinerary and small group size. Please never change your approach – I know this is what contributed most to our enjoyment. Everything went so smoothly, it was truly a pleasure.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with you which met and exceeded our expectations. What a joy to “see” Tuscany and Umbria through the eyes of those who know and love it. We are happy to recommend you to any and all. Special commendation to Luca who did an excellent job making the tour very pleasant. Thank you all! 

Dick and I thoroughly enjoyed the unique experience of seeing Tuscany and Umbria and touring medieval, well preserved towns. cathedrals and abbeys. It was perfect to relax and be driven through beautiful scenery and vistas of ancient, medieval hill top towns. The Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, built in the lovely forest setting, with the story told of St. Benedict in the frescos around the Great Cloister was a delightful sight. Then the Siena Duomo is an experience in itself, awesome! Tasting the regional foods and the wine and more wine was delightful and fun. Traveling with a small group not only allowed us entry into areas not traveled by others but an opportunity to meet new people in a most charming, beautiful setting.