Classical Italy

Andrew Webster, 10 months ago

This was our first family coach holiday and we (perhaps naively) didn’t anticipate just how much travelling would be involved. We knew there would be a lot – pretty much the first two days and the last two days of the holiday were entirely spent on the coach or in motorway services, but it was not clear just how much travelling there was inside the rest of the holiday as well. We missed the appointed ferry on the way out and therefore arrived very late at our first hotel in France, which was very basic, and then had to get up very early the next morning. This happened so often, late arrivals, late dinners and early starts that the holiday felt like more of an endurance test than a relaxing holiday. One couple left around Day 4/5! There seemed to be no slack built into the schedule for delays, either through traffic jams or getting lost around Pisa for an hour when the Sat Nav tried to send us through an old stone archway too small for the coach, and we consistently seemed to arrive about an hour later than we were originally told. Things came to a head for us on Day 5 when, after another late arrival at the hotel for dinner, we were told that the next day’s trip to Sorrento meant another 6am start. We just couldn’t face it and had to cancel the excursion (thankfully the drivers were fine about refunding us). The “day trip” to Sorrento was over 130 miles from our hotel in Fiuggi! That’s over 3 hours (with a stop) each way! Surely there were closer places that could offer an equally nice day out? And as for the 3- and 4-star hotels – either they were 3 or 4 stars 30 years ago and they’ve just held onto the rating or the Italian system is quite different to the UK’s! Several of the hotels also seemed to be trying to feed us as cheaply as possible, and most seemed ill-prepared for the vegetarians on the trip, despite having been told in advance. Having said all that, after we’d taken the day off instead of going to Sorrento and caught up with ourselves, we felt a lot better. We did see a lot of great places and I’m sure over time those memories are the ones that will stick with us, but it really shouldn’t have been such a slog. We felt like we needed another holiday to get over this one! Also, a tip if you’re still reading – try to avoid having to eat in Switzerland if you can. Four regular Burger King meals at their services cost us £80!

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Amanda Harland, 10 months ago

Hi enjoyed the classic Italy holiday very much a long time on the coach and early starts. The only disappointment was the Rome sight seeing walking tour with a guide which said she had a sore throat and you could not here her even when you stood next to her very disappointed thank you

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LF Chung, 10 months ago

This tour is amazing which covers many scenery spots. Lake Garda and Lake Maggorie are very beautiful and it is worthy to visit Florence, Sorrento and Venice. However, the hotels are too far away from the destination which caused long travelling time.

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Moira, 10 months ago

Saw all the beautiful places described, some far too briefly due to the many, endless hours spent on the coach. Drivers were really great. Hotels variable but generally adequate, as was the hotel food.

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Christopher Freeman, 10 months ago

Simple....far too much walking, coach drop off points too far. Had to get ubers into centres and sights. Hotels very poor, food...pork, pork and more pork, not Italian food. Put another 2 hours on travel times. Reims to Garda 15 hours. Took two g turn went over mountains. 23.30 evening dinner! While trip needs 3rd thinking. Will never use Shearings again. About to complain before writing on trip advisor to get their reaction.

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Theresa Armstrong, 10 months ago

Great to get to see so many places on one trip. This made the trip special for us. Worth saying that lots of time spent travelling in a coach. This gave lots of opportunity to unwind and relax although could be far too long for some. I enjoyed it but a busy action packed trip. The drivers were not a good combination together on our trip as clashed far too much but this was trip entertainment for some !!!

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