A wonderful time

“Dear Matteo,
Thanks so much for organizing our holiday, you did a brilliant job. My mother and I had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
There were some really great positives, and above all our guides, all of whom were excellent. Alex in Naples and Sorrento was a brilliant driver and we really enjoyed our time with him. I particularly liked the restaurant he took us to above Positano and the beautiful view of the Amalfi Coast from there. Natale in Siena and San Gimignano was thoroughly charming and I really enjoyed our conservation with him about Italy and food! We were especially impressed by Lisa in Florence, who showed us round the Accademia and the city, and Nicole in Rome, who showed us the Colosseum, the Fori and the Vatican. Both of them taught us so much, and they completely made the experience of visiting the sites a pleasure. If you could let them know just how much we enjoyed their company, we’d appreciate it. All our other drivers and guides were great – informative, courteous, and friendly.
The hotel in Rome was in a very good location and had helpful staff. The restaurant you booked us into on the Saturday night in Rome – Sabatini – was great and one of the best meals we had. The Sorrento hotel was a great choice – my mum loved the room and the receptionists were very friendly and helpful. If we’d had a sea view, it would have been perfect, but I understand that it would have been difficult to get given the notice we gave you.
There were a couple of small negatives. One you know about already – the B&B in Firenze, which my mum didn’t like very much. I think she was expecting a small modern hotel rather than small bread and breakfast, and she didn’t like the fact that it was in an apartment block without its own entrance on the street. I think she was also not too impressed with the area. But I understand that we were working to a budget, and as it happens I actually quite liked it! I should also say that the receptionist really made an effort to make amends after you had spoken to her, which we appreciated.
The other small negative is that we felt that we had perhaps slightly too long in Florence, and that it might have been better to take the train to Rome on the Friday afternoon after we’d been to the Uffizi in the morning. We felt we only just scratched the surface of Rome, so an extra night would have been good.
So overall it was a fantastic holiday, and it’s left me wondering why I left it forty years to visit Italy! Most importantly, my mum had a wonderful time. While she’s been to Italy before, she really felt she saw and understood much more than on her previous visits.
I’m thinking of visiting either the lakes or Sicily, perhaps next April/ May. For that visit, I probably won’t use private guides, but would you be able to help me out with hotels, trains, etc.?
Best wishes,
Jason Edwards”

Jason Edwards and mother (Lundon, UK), JULY 2012

Ravello, panoramic view of the Amalfi Coast, Italy