Discover the Best of Italy with David McGuffin

by David McGuffin | Oct 9, 2025 | Blog, Culture & Customs, Destinations, Essential Travel Resources, Experiencing Europe

I’ve been traveling in Italy for the last few weeks and recently encountered a fellow who said he was touring Italy, too. We struck up a conversation and come to find out, he was on a big bus group tour and was visiting Rome today. This fellow was worn out, hot and sweaty, and decked out with a “whisper” audio device hanging around his neck, the earpiece dangling down to his knees. He said, “Rome is challenging. Fifty of us have followed this woman up there with the umbrella all morning. She’s Italian, with a heavy accent. She probably has some good information, but I keep falling behind and losing the audio signal, and when I can hear it, I can’t understand her.” He went on to tell me his tour had 50 passengers, and the tour was not at all like he had envisioned. I chuckled and was reminded of this SNL skit with Adam Sandler, where he promotes the fictional Romano Tours to Italy.

This guy said he hoped he and his wife would have time to slow down, have a glass of wine, and enjoy Rome. But, if today is like all the others, they would shuffle through their sightseeing, get back on their bus, and return to the hotel for a group dinner. He hoped to see Italy’s beautiful landscapes, learn about its history, and experience tasty pasta. Instead, “we are led around like cattle, packed on a big bus, rushed through sightseeing, and whisked off to the next thing on the agenda.”

You Deserve a Better Tour Experience

If you are looking for a slower, more relaxed tour experience in Italy without the stress of massive tour groups, my Best of Italy Tour promises small groups (no more than 18 people) delivering an intimate European adventure that seasoned travelers rave about.

The Complete Italian Journey: 15 Days of Authentic Experiences

In 15 days, we will visit our favorite and famous destinations north of Rome. Beginning in Rome, you’ll experience the essential tourist sights and classic destinations. Then, travel to the delightful villages of the Cinque Terre, and enjoy two days exploring this coastal region where the mountains literally fall into the sea. Volterra, my choice for the quintessential Tuscan hilltown, is sure to win you over to the “la dolce vita” lifestyle. Florence, the “cradle of the Renaissance,” will have you walking in the steps of Michelangelo, DaVinci, and the Medici. The romantic canal-laced city, Venice, rounds out the big three tourist sites. Finally, we will cap off the tour by relaxing on beautiful Lake Como and then take a quick look at Milan’s bustling city center. (Watch David’s highlight video here.)

Why Travelers Choose our Best of Italy Tour

If you’ve been considering a big-bus or big company Italy tour, but want something more personal and off-the-beaten-path, my approach offers the perfect balance. Recent travelers praised their guide, Ilaria, for being “well organized and detailed” while “avoiding the tourist traps, selecting great restaurants serving authentic cuisine.” You can read plenty of honest reviews and accolades here, https://davidmcguffin.com/testimonials-all/italy-tour-reviews/.

Unlike big bus tour operations, my mission is to encourage Americans to broaden their cultural mindset through engaging and exciting travel experiences in Europe, focusing on authentic connections rather than checking boxes on a rushed itinerary.

What Sets This Tour Apart for Discerning Travelers

Stress-Free Planning: No need to worry about tips and gratuities; we take care of all that. Hotels are clean and safe, have private baths, and are in the center of the tourist sites and city centers. We include all your breakfasts and about half of your dinners in the costs.

Expert Local Knowledge: Tour leaders and local guides are experts who share destinations’ art, history, and culture, bringing each location to life with insider stories and hidden gems.

Flexible Pacing: The tour balances guided activities with free time, allowing you to explore independently or rest as needed. Physical activity is rated from “light” to “your choice,” accommodating different fitness levels.

Smart Travel Investment for Your Time and Budget

Given that you are laying down a sizable chunk of change for a tour, you deserve more than cramped buses and rushed schedules. Value, comfort, authenticity, and meaningful experiences far outweigh bargain-basement prices. All our tours include guaranteed small groups of 6-18 travelers, all tours and admissions, traditional dining experiences at favorite restaurants, a full-time Exploring Europe guide, and plenty of free time to explore on your own.

ScalaTurkiGroup

Scala dei Turchi – Sicily

IMG_2203

Eiffel Tower – Paris

Sinj Croatia

Ready for Your Italian Adventure?

If you’re tired of reading about Italy and ready to experience it, my Best of Italy tour offers the perfect introduction to this captivating country. With decades of experience guiding Americans through Europe, David understands what travelers want: comfort, authenticity, and memories that last a lifetime. Don’t let another year pass, wondering “what if?” Italy is there waiting for you, and with our expert guidance, you’ll discover why travelers consistently rate this as a trip of a lifetime. Visit https://davidmcguffin.com/tours/italy-tours/ to begin planning your Italian adventure today.

Experience Laid-Back Tuscany: My Villa Vacation Adventure

by David McGuffin | Sep 12, 2025 | Blog, Culture & Customs, Destinations, Essential Travel Resources, Experiencing Europe

There’s something magical about slowing down in Tuscany. After years of crisscrossing Europe at a whirlwind pace, I’ve found that the best memories are often made when you simply let Italy happen around you. This week, I am trading the busy multi-country itineraries for a week at a sun-drenched villa near Volterra—and I can’t wait to share what makes this Tuscan Villa Vacation so special.

La Dolce Vita: Slow Mornings & Vineyard Views

Waking up to rolling hills, sun baked wheat fields, fog settling in the valleys, and the scent of cypress trees and herbs, our days begin with strong coffee and no agenda. The villa—modern, comfortable, and perched right in the middle of a working vineyard—becomes our home base for a different kind of Italian adventure. Some mornings, I’ll wander the grounds or just relax by the pool, soaking up the peace that only Tuscany can deliver.

Cooking, Wine, and True Tuscan Hospitality

One of the highlights of this trip is rolling up my sleeves and putting on an apron, for a hands-on cooking lesson right in the villa kitchen. Guided by the Del Duca family, we will learn to craft traditional Tuscan dishes—then we will sit down together to enjoy the fruits of our labor with plenty of local wine. The laughter, stories, and flavors always contribute to an unforgettable experience.

Day Trips: The Best of Tuscany at Your Own Pace

Each day brings new adventure—without the rush. We will explore the medieval charm of Volterra, marvel at Siena’s grand piazza, and wander the ancient streets of Lucca and Pisa. There’s always time to linger over lunch, chat with locals, and discover hidden corners most tourists miss. And always, we returned to the villa for sunset and camaraderie.

Your Invitation: Join Me for the Next Tuscan Villa Vacation

If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing Tuscany at a gentler pace—savoring local food, sipping Chianti in the vineyard, and enjoying the company of fellow travelers—this is your invitation. My Tuscan Villa Vacation is all about authentic moments and genuine relaxation, with all the details handled so you can truly unwind. Spots fill up quickly for 2026, so take a look at the dates and join me for a taste of la dolce vita!

May 22–31, 2026
September 3–12, 2026

Ready to make memories in Tuscany?

Find all the details and reserve your spot for the Tuscan Villa Vacation.

Your adventure starts here!

Christmas Celebrations are so much different in Europe!

by David McGuffin | Aug 9, 2025 | Blog, Culture & Customs, Destinations, Essential Travel Resources, Experiencing Europe

Christmas Market Memories

Strasbourg Christmas 2009

Sixteen years ago, I visited my very first Christmas market in Strasbourg, France. The air was crisp, the scent of mulled wine and roasted nuts drifted through the cobblestone streets, and everywhere I turned, locals were celebrating centuries-old traditions. That night, I realized there’s nothing quite like the magic of a European holiday season — and it’s a joy I’ve loved sharing with fellow travelers ever since!

I had long heard about Europe’s Christmas Markets, and even though I had been bringing people to Europe for over a decade, my teaching job kept me from traveling during the school year. But this year, everything lined up with my holiday break, so we hopped on a plane and off we went to Zurich. Being a Florida boy, anytime snow is involved, it adds an extra element of fun. And oh my, we encountered lots of snow as we drove from Zurich to Neuschwanstein. Waking up the next morning at Hotel Ernberg, near Reutte, Austria, I opened the balcony doors to mountains steeped in fog and blanketed with snow, an alpine winter wonderland!

Leaving Austria’s Tyrol, we drove through the vineyards and hills, beyond Lake Constance, and into Bavaria’s Black Forest. This time of year, the higher elevations were dusted with fresh fallen snow, mountain streams rushing downhill beside the road, and Christmas decorations everywhere. The normally tourist-laden vacation towns were mostly shuttered for the season, but even so, they beamed with twinkling lights, bright ornaments, and smoke gently wafting from chimneys.

Christmas Markets come by many names in Europe, and each region has its own term for its Christmas Market. However, the common factor is that they all focus on Christ’s birth. You see, the Christian heritage runs strong across Europe, and there is no doubt Christ is the underlying purpose for all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Markets. That’s why around the first week in December, folks in these areas prepare for the arrival of Jesus and Christmas Day, with celebrations, worship, prayer, and personal spiritual preparation. Many count down with Advent wreaths and even huge Advent calendars on building shutters and windows, awaiting Christ’s arrival on December 25.

The idea of “Santa Claus” doesn’t even enter the mind when associated with Advent and the preparation of Jesus’ birth on December 24 and 25. Santa-like figures, such as Saint Nicholas, Weihnachsmann, and Sinterklaas, usually arrive on December 6, commonly known as Saint Nicholas Day. Usually, children are visited by these figures in the early hours of December 6 and given small gifts, such as fruit and candy.

In some Alpine locales, such as Austria, Bavaria, Slovenia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, the Krampus arrives on the evening of December 5. This half-goat, half-demon creature has a wretched face, curvy horns, wicked fangs, a long, pointed tongue, and carries a whip. The Krampus arrives to torture and punish naughty children. The creatures often appear in restaurants, town squares, and on the streets of villages and cities. However, I’ve never seen them in a Christmas Market, perhaps because the Christ-child and St. Nicholas keep them at bay.

Why Christmas Markets there instead of here?

Europe’s Christmas markets are more than just a place to shop — they’re a living tradition. From the classic red and white stalls of Nuremberg to the storybook medieval charm of Salzburg, each market is a window into local culture. You’ll find hand-carved ornaments, regional treats, and festive music echoing through historic town squares. For many, it’s the highlight of the year — and a perfect way to connect with the heart of Europe.

Our Christmas Market Tours: Experience the Magic

Christmas Markets fun!

If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering through snow-dusted villages, sipping glühwein under glowing lanterns, and discovering classic holiday traditions, our Christmas Markets Germany & Austria Tour is for you. This journey takes you to the best markets in Salzburg, Schwangau, Rothenburg, Munich, and Nürnberg — each with its own unique flavor and festive spirit.

Looking for something a little different? Our Christmas Markets Germany, France & Italy Tour blends the best of three countries: France’s Alsace, the Black Forest in Germany, Strasbourg, Füssen, Bolzano, and Munich. And if you’re craving even more variety, the Christmas Markets in Central Europe Tour journeys through Nürnberg, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest — each city with its own festive flair.

What Makes Our Tours Different?

Small Groups: 6-18 people traveling with a close-knit group of like-minded explorers.
Local Connections: Meet artisans, sample regional specialties, and experience traditions first-hand. Enjoy relaxing at our small hotels with character in the thick of the Christmas market action.
Stress-Free Planning: We handle the logistics so you can soak up the magic. Our prices are all-inclusive; there are no extras or add-on costs.
Expert Guides: Our team brings decades of experience and a deep love for European culture.
Free time every day is built in for you to get out and explore on your own.
Eating well is a priority, so you’ll enjoy about half your dinners at some of David’s best choice restaurants and inns. Enjoy breakfast every morning at our hotels.

Special Holiday Offer!

Book any of our discounted tours by August 15, 2025, and enjoy $300 off 2025 departures. This is the perfect time to secure your spot for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday adventure!

Ready to Celebrate the Season?

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned market-hopper, there’s always something new to discover. Take a look at all our upcoming tours and destinations, and let’s make this holiday season unforgettable — together!

I learned to ride the Subway in Munich

by David McGuffin | Jun 10, 2025 | Blog, Culture & Customs, Daily lfe, Destinations, Essential Travel Resources, Experiencing Europe

by David McGuffin

I learned to ride the subway in Munich. Thirty years ago, I was teaching band at the local junior high school, and one summer, I gathered up six students and headed off to Europe. That was not my first trip to Europe, but Bavaria and Munich were new destinations for me. Previously, I’d traveled to rural destinations in the Swiss Alps, French villages, and the big three Italian destinations of Venice, Florence, and Rome. None of which required me to use public transportation to get around.

Arriving in Munich, our group did the usual tourist sightseeing activities. Our guide took us to see the historic town center, the Glockenspiel, Residence, and Nymphenburg Palace. Then, we were left to explore on our own for a few hours. I decided to buy a public transit day pass, which provided access to city buses, trams, and subways. In Munich, the U-Bahn and S-Bahn are primarily underground trains that run through the city center and into the suburbs. Being from a small town in Florida, I’d never had the opportunity to venture down into the depths of the underground tunnels and zip from one neighborhood to the other. It was fascinating to me to think about all the work that went into digging the tunnels, laying the track, and mapping out the underground routes.

First, I had to learn how the underground system worked. With the help of a map of the underground system, I determined my final destination and the direction of travel. Each train was color-coded and numbered, such as Blue U4. With this knowledge and an overground city map, I’d decided where I wanted to go and how to get there underground. I made a good many mistakes, sometimes riding the right train in the wrong direction or riding the wrong train in the right direction.

I recalled reading about the September 1972 Munich Summer Olympics and the terrorist massacre. And although we were now 20 years beyond the event, the massacre and the unique Olympic pavilions still drew sightseers. So, off I went on the U-Bahn to Olympic Park. As I emerged from the underground, I found myself not in the busy city center but in an urban park, lush and green, with the acrylic glass-paneled Olympic stadium gleaming in the distance. Although I didn’t have time for a proper tour, I did manage to wander into both the large track and field stadium and the swimming pavilion. While exploring, I came across a group of German public works employees, apparently on their lunch break, sitting under the trees, eating sausages and bread, and drinking lots of Hofbräu beer. To this day, I still don’t know how one can go back to work after a beer or two during lunch.

Back on the underground, I headed toward the city but decided to hop off at the Theresienwiese, the site of the famed Octoberfest. I was disappointed when I emerged from the underground only to find an empty 100-acre limestone parking lot with not a beer festival tent in sight. Later, I found out the place was empty except during the spring fair, the Christmas fair, and the Octoberfest celebration in September and early October. Disappointed, I headed back to the U-Bahn entrance but was distracted by the beautiful St. Paul’s Church, its red steeple, and bells tolling the noon hour.

While returning to the town center of Marienplatz, I decided to exit the underground and try my luck on the tram. These streetcar-like trams run on tracks, primarily in the streets, throughout Munich’s neighborhoods. I headed in the direction of the University and English Gardens.

Somewhere, I’d read about a swiftly running stream where surfers gathered to ride the one wave created by a waterfall in the river. I decided to rent a bike and take in some of this 900-acre city park. It didn’t take long to find it! There was a big crowd of onlookers cheering on a slew of “surfers.” There was a system; the surfers qued on the riverbank. When one surfer fell or dipped out of the wave, the next hopped in, making an endless surfing show.

Soon, I was pedaling through the park on an easy path between the forest and the stream. All of a sudden, I was stunned and almost ran into a tree! There, right in front of me, was a man and his son (I assume) playing Frisbee. They were both completely naked, running and flopping around with vigor, leaping and dashing to catch the Frisbee. Looking around, I noticed I was the only one around who was clothed. Men, women, boys, and girls, all in their birthday suits, were perfectly happy to soak up the sun, picnic, play, and enjoy life on that grass meadow by the stream. Later, I learned that many Germans, including those from Munich, are not shy about their bodies. Although one is required to wear clothing on the trams, it’s perfectly fine to bare it all in the English Gardens!

Since I wasn’t prepared to join them and take a dip in the stream, I turned in my bike and took the U-Bahn one last trip to Marienplatz, the center of the old town. From there, I wandered a few blocks over to the Hofbraühaüs, the world-famous beer hall. Walking in the front door, I was immediately enveloped by oom-pap music, thousands of voices, and a sauna-like damp heat, all mixed with the underlying, slightly pleasant smell of yeast and hops.

This place was huge! There were several hundred long plank tables, each about 30 feet in length, filled, thigh to thigh, with people eating and drinking. There are no saved seats here… find a space and settle in! Soon, a waiter came by to take my order and bring me a liter-sized mug filled with frothy Hofbraü beer. Bratwurst and sauerkraut followed, accompanied by a big dollop of spicy brown mustard.

In Munich that day, I learned to make the most of what I had and turn it into an adventure. A subway pass, bike rental, and curiosity taught me a lot about exploring Europe. Now, even after scores of visits to Munich, I always seek out a new adventure, but none will ever top that first thirty-something years ago.

1977 Lunch in Rome on flight layover to Athens

Munich Frauenkirche

Munich Oylmpic Stadium

OctoberFest fun

English Gardens?

Prost from the Hofbraühaus

Why Italy is my Favorite Country

by David McGuffin | May 8, 2025 | Blog, Culture & Customs, Destinations, Eating & Drinking, Essential Travel Resources, Experiencing Europe

by David McGuffin

I often get asked, “What is your favorite destination?” Years ago, that question was difficult, but after almost 50 years on the road, I’ve got my answer. Paris is my favorite city, and Italy is my favorite country.

Since we are focusing on Italy this month, let me tell you why I love Italy. In 1977, I went on my first international trip. Although Italy was a destination on that three-week tour, I thought Greece was our first destination. Back then, I was along for the ride with the rest of my friends, and a detailed study of the itinerary did not happen. As it turned out, our flight went overnight from New York JFK to Rome, and we had a long layover at the Rome airport. Back in those days, before 9/11, security checks and leaving the airport were not a problem. So, we left the airport, got on a bus, and went to a countryside restaurant for lunch.

I only had a Kodak 110mm Instamatic camera and a limited number of rolls of film, but some of my first pictures from the tour were of me and my friends sitting at a table, eating pasta and drinking Coke. That was the best pasta I’d ever eaten! Later that day, we returned to the airport, flew to Greece for a week, and then to Israel for a week, before returning to Italy for our final week. That countryside ristorante lunch experience set the “tone” for my upcoming travel adventures. If only I had liked wine back then!

In the years since, I’ve visited Rome and Italy a hundred times, and it never gets old or redundant. What keeps me coming back? It’s the combination of the people, culture, places, food, wine, history, art, and local friends. Italy, like its history melds varied cultures into one, so is my love for the country and its people.

After college, with my music education degree in hand, I landed a job teaching band and choir at a middle school in my community. Little did I know I would spend thirty years at the school teaching middle, junior, and high school students. After a few years, I was ready to take my band “show on the road,” so like my college choir director, I gathered a few students and took them to Europe. And guess what? Italy was the first country I wanted to share with them.

On that first trip, I chose a noted student tour company to make all the arrangements, and we basically came along for the ride, without any input on the experiences. My group consisted of maybe eight students and several adult chaperones, and me and Charlotte, my wife. We were loaded on a 50-seater bus along with a few other student groups and teachers. I think we began in Zurich, but most of the tour visited Italy from Venice, to Florence, to Rome.

Being a newbie European tour sponsor teacher, I was happy to let our tour escort and a few other student tour “veteran” teachers lead the way and set the daily plans. It wasn’t until we got to Venice, Florence, and Rome, destinations I’d visited a decade before, that I felt a little more comfortable. I enjoyed sharing Italy and my experiences with my students and Charlotte. They were all first-time international travelers, and I had at least one tour experience under my belt. So, I felt confident showing them the Piazza San Marco, the canals of Venice, Florence’s Duomo, the Colosseum, and Saint Peter’s Square in Rome.

Now, forty-eight years and a hundred journeys later, I don’t even need to think or worry about my travels in Italy. The history is unchanged, the culture changes with the passing decades, the food and wine are as good as ever, and the friendships I’ve made continue to grow. All this blends together and helps me offer my travel buddies an authentic and enjoyable peek behind Italy’s “tourist” curtain. Yes, one must see Venice, Florence, and Rome, but for my groups, the small hill towns, the off-the-beaten-path destinations, intimate restaurants, and visits with my Italian friends make a McGuffin tour group a cut above all the rest!

Want to read more about why I quit letting another tour company arrange my travels? Read about it here. “Why I Always Came Home Hungry.”

1977 Lunch in Rome on flight layover to Athens

Volterra -Happy Steak Diners 2025

Rome - Piazza Navona 2025

Volterra - La Vena di Vino Wine Tasting 2025

Monterosso - Spaghetti Ristorante Ciak 2025

Contactless Payments are the way to go in Europe!

by David McGuffin | Sep 30, 2022 | Culture & Customs, Daily lfe, Eating & Drinking, Essential Travel Resources

Contactless payments are the way to go, especially since the evolution of COVID-19 and pandemic panics. If you are not sure what this is, you need to study before going on your trip.

Contactless payment technology enables payment transactions via a contactless chip embedded in payment cards, tags, key fobs, watches, and mobile phones. The chip communicates with a reader device that uses radio frequency or Near Field Communication (NFC) standards.

Contactless payment “machines” and devices can be found in restaurants, bars, pubs, public transportation vending machines, food and soda machines, parking meters and payment machines, taxi cabs, buses, hotels, and many other locales.

Recently issued credit cards will have a “fan-shape” icon (like shown above) printed on them if contactless-enabled.

iPhones, SmartPhones, Apple Watch, GooglePay, and ApplePay will need to be “set-up” with credit card and account information BEFORE LEAVING HOME.

In Restaurants, split the bill, no problem!

If you are out dining with a group and want to split the bill, try this:

Don’t worry about telling the waiter beforehand. Everyone should order their meal “on one tab.”
Enjoy your meal.
Ask for the check when you are ready for it. Don’t ask for it to be split!
Look at the check, take out your calculator, and add up the total for what each person (or couple) is paying. Add 5%-10% tip if you want.
Ask the waiter to bring the “machine.” He will show up with a portable credit card device.
Tell the waiter how much you want to pay. Swipe, insert, or tap the machine and that about will go on your card.
Repeat the process with the others at the table.

« Older Entries