ITALY Review & Testimonial Input

Traveling on the Essence of Italy 10-day vacation tour was an exhilarating journey filled with breathtaking sights and a whirlwind of activities, all supported by expert tour guides. For the September 3-12 2023 tour, our group of six friends joined up to form a total of 15 travelers. We were all Americans, in middle to late-middle age, mixed men and women, mixed marrieds and singles and mixed experienced and newbies to Italy.

One of the undeniable strengths of the tour was the infectious high energy of our knowledgeable, meticulous and very fun tour guide Ilaria Mercuri. “Allora!” she exclaimed, as she kicked off the tour with great enthusiasm and set the tone for an immersive exploration of Italy's gems. Ilaria provided critical logistical guidance as we navigated each location. In addition, the three local experts for walking tours of the Vatican (Julie), Volterra (Annie) and Florence (Paola) were exceptional in presenting fascinating historical insights and local anecdotes that enriched our understanding of the stunning destinations.

The itinerary offered a nice mix of big cities, small towns, coastline and countryside. The tour, however, moved along at an aggressive clip and the physical demand of the trip should not be underestimated. The strenuous walking and luggage handling made the tour challenging – mostly, in a good way. For example, over our 10 days, we logged 155,804 steps or 68 miles and we burned 26,344 calories. Whew!

We typically plan and execute our own trips and this tour was our first experience with a commercial tour operator. We thoroughly appreciated that the tour managed all the usual and voluminous details. We also loved having our friends with us and found that this tour offered something for everyone. We did find that, overall, there wasn’t as much unscheduled time as we imagined from reading the brochures - - that is, we had enough time to do a bit of shopping or catch up on a nap but not much time to do alternative excursions. Indeed, we arrived 1 day early and rode the hop-on bus around Rome and we stayed for 3 extra days back in Rome; this time allowed for exploring Trastevere, Testaccio and the EUR district south of central Rome, with the Coloseo Quadrato and historic Art Deco architecture, at a leisurely pace.

Some highlights and some feedback:

• Cinque Terre: cruise ships unload tourists further south and they swarm and clog these towns during the day by using the local trains. These same trains are also the fastest way for you to move between towns and cover a lot of ground. Try to take a ferry back to Monterosso. Evenings are quieter and much less crowded.

• Volterra was our group’s favorite stop and the large group dinner at Podere Marcampo was an unforgettable experience. Some participated in the cooking class to help prepare the meal, while others arrived in time for the beautiful Tuscan country sunset. Very, very special.

• Hotel Etruria in Volterra boasts a back patio leading to an archaeological, open park with some ruins. It is both very beautiful and very quiet.

• Train travel was really fun but the trains were always late - - thus, eating into the limited time in these locations.

• There was an unscheduled detour from Cinque Terre through Pisa on our way to Volterra - - which was a major letdown, as it proved to be a total waste of time. We lost most of the day checking bags at the train station, schlepping over to the Tower and back, retrieving bags, and grabbing the surface rail to meet the mini coach. Our time would have been better spent going straight to Volterra and having more time to explore there.

• Siena was a fun and interesting stop but could have been handled as a day trip from Florence, thereby, reducing the number of hotel changes.

• The tourist crowds and the heat were crushingly oppressive. We bought the recommended portable fan and grabbed a second room key to keep the electricity running. Obviously, these issues come with the location…but, by the 8th day, I thought I was in a fever dream.

• Hotels in city locations were near the train stations which, in the case of Florence, was an uncomfortably dodgy experience, especially at night. It’s time to identify a better hotel.

• Meals: hotel breakfasts were generous and helped fuel the day. Tour dinners ranged in quality (lots of pasta), with the Rome kick-off dinner as the most disappointing. Boiled pasta and red sauce were served outside on a tilting sidewalk on Via Cavour, competing with bus fumes and dust. Not the best for opening night. Photos of Da Tudini 1969 show a lovely interior; maybe, let folks eat inside, next time.

• Pickpockets seemed to be most aggressive at the Rome Termini station subway stop. They work the crowds who are rushing for the doors. One thief will block you from entering the subway car while their partner stays outside pulling on your handbag. The thief who blocked us was a tall, sturdy adult male and his partner was a tiny female in an oversized visor and a surgical mask – thus, posing as tourists. We had locking zippers on our crossbody handbags and, thankfully, avoided a problem. You’ll see local Roman women riding the trains with a very tight grip on their handbags.

Some restaurant ideas:

• Baccano, Via delle Muratte, in Rome off Trevi Fountain square

• La Regina di Manirola, in Manirola up on Via Ettore Cozzani. Climb uphill on Via Antonio Discovolo. At Chiesa di San Lorenzo, turn right and back down a small alley. Via Ettore Cozzani is tucked into the hillside; enjoy for patios, umbrellas and great views.

• L’Osteria, in Monterosso on Via Vittorio Emanuele

• Ristorante Da Beppino, in Volterra on Via delle Prigioni

• Antica Trattoria Papei, in Siena on Piazza Mercato

• Casa Toscana, in Florence on Via Giovanni Verrazzano near Santa Croce

• Ristorante da Meo Pastacca, in Rome/Trastevere on Piazza dei Mercanti

The Essence of Italy tour delivered an exhilarating adventure, blending breathtaking sights and a flurry of activities. Led by the infectious energy of tour guide Ilaria Mercuri, our diverse group of 15 travelers explored Italy's gems with expert guidance from local specialists in the Vatican, Volterra, and Florence. The itinerary, though vigorous, offered a mix of big cities, small towns, coastline, and countryside, demanding physical effort but in a rewarding manner. Highlights included the unforgettable large group dinner in Volterra's countryside, Hotel Etruria's patio access to a serene park, and the captivating experience of Cinque Terre evenings. Despite some challenges, such as unscheduled detours and oppressive crowds, the tour provided an overall immersive and unforgettable journey through Italy's diverse landscapes and rich history.

We did the Best of Italy tour in May 2023, our first David McGuffin tour. Ilaria was our Exploring Europe tour guide and she was wonderful. We were shocked to find out that we were the only ones on the tour (except for another couple in Rome) and very happy to see that David didn't cancel the tour because of that.

Ilaria was very easy to be with and extremely helpful - a wonderful guide. We even invited her to stay with us if she travels to this area.

We loved all the destinations (the tour covers a LOT of ground) but have decided that moving every other day to another place is a bit more than we prefer, especially as we traveled mainly by train although there were some private vehicle trips which were much easier. When David suggests packing light, listen to his advice. It was tough pulling myself and my luggage onto the trains each trip.

Hotels were a mixed bag. Usually located near a train station, but in some areas (Volterra, Lake Como, and Venice in particular), we had either a good 15-minute or longer walk to the hotel from the town. We stayed in Lido, not Venice, which added at least 30 minutes to our trip to get into and return to Venice, which was less than ideal.

Water pressure in some hotels left something to be desired, so shampooing was sometimes postponed as I wasn't certain I could rinse out the soap. Keep in mind that you will have food, entrance, and transportation fees in addition to what your tour costs. We were on our own for lunches and half the dinners (and all drinks are on you). Usually, we had a day to ourselves in each city, which allowed us to do and go where we wanted.

Without pinching pennies, we spent approximately $800 each in addition. Ilaria would often give us suggestions on places to eat and give guidance on how to get around when we were on our own..

The other guides in Rome, Volterra, and Siena were all wonderful, although at the beginning, it appeared the guides weren't well informed that tips were included, which made it somewhat uncomfortable for us at the end of each tour not being sure if the guide was aware.

This tour is great for people who are comfortable getting to and from the airport on their own, want to see a lot of places in 2 weeks, are physically able to maneuver their bags on and off trains and up and down stairs and enjoy the mix of group travel and time to do what you want.

Suggestion - remove some items from your bags; you don't need as much as you think.

My husband and I had the good fortune of meeting David McGuffin at the Washington DC Travel and Adventure Show and were impressed by his years of experience in leading small group tours. Equally fortunate, he was offering the 10-day Tuscan Villa experience on the exact dates we wanted to travel - we booked immediately and never had one regret! David has traveled so frequently to these areas that it’s like a second home to him. Even more importantly, he intimately knows the people who live there - the owners of the villa, restaurants, shops and the tour guides that he has done business with for years. The tour guide, Paola, who led us on a private tour of Michelangelo's masterpiece, David, at the Accademia and an impromptu tour of the Uffizi, knew her subject matter so well and yet made it understandable and relatable. Annie’s tour of Volterra brought the town’s history to life, and her husband Francesco’s wine tasting taught us how to select and appreciate wine in general, not just the one label you happen to be sampling.

The itinerary for the Villa experience is very well cultivated. The opportunity to spend multiple blocks of time in Volterra allowed us to get to know the city, explore the back streets, and eat a meal at leisure without feeling rushed to see everything at once. The day trips to Siena, Lucca, and Pisa were an excellent balance of history and time to explore - don’t miss biking the castle walls of Lucca or climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

The stay at the Tuscan Villa at Marcampo is an idyllic setting, the room comfortable, the hostess/owner so gracious. Being able to come back to the same location makes the whole experience much more relaxed. Claudia’s cooking lesson was definitely a highlight - the hands-on experience not only taught the secret tips to making bread and pasta from scratch but had us each making our own bread and pasta dough, rolling out ravioli, collaborating on zucchini souffle, chocolate souffle, and sausage stuffed guinea fowl. The final result? Delizioso! And paired beautifully with the family’s Marcampo wines, which we also got to tour, taste and enjoy throughout our stay.

We were lucky enough to travel with David as our tour leader and enjoyed his easy-going manner and willingness to shift and add to the itinerary. Overall we heartily endorse David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe tours - an experience of a lifetime!

First-time traveler to Italy,(Amalfi Coast), and the tour did not disappoint!

Not being familiar with travel to Europe, we decided to travel with an experienced tour company, and David McGuffin's Exploring Europe was everything that we had hoped for. Everything on that tour, from the quality of the hotels, the comfortable transportation, the great food & wine, and the guided excursions, was everything that David said they would be.

The views were absolutely amazing! There was a nice balance between group tour activities and the individual time that you have to venture out and explore on your own.

Group dinners were filled with wine and laughter!

David's passion for travel and his sincere willingness to teach and encourage others to discover and experience new cultures and destinations is contagious.

Thank you, David, Charlotte, and all the wonderful people in our group, for making our trip a memorable one! We will definitely be exploring Europe again with David and his wife.

Our small group of friends just returned from the fabulous Tuscan Villa vacation with David McGuffin, Exploring Europe.

The itinerary was great: we explored big cities, many day trips to small towns, great restaurants, cooking class, wine tastings & relaxing days at a gorgeous small villa.

All our accommodations were first class: very clean, considerate staff & good breakfasts.

The eating experiences at the restaurants were superb! The local tour guides were excellent! They were all experts in their area, personable & fun to be with.

David had everything planned out but was flexible if we needed to vary the day's activities. We also enjoyed having the delightful Mrs. McGuffin on our tour! If you are looking for a full Tuscan experience, we highly recommend this tour.

I have been going through my photos of the "Tuscany Villa Tour" I went on In May 2022, with David. What GREAT memories!

Staying at the Marcampo Villa was wonderful, to say the least. It was great to have a "home base" and do all the amazing day trips. The photos of Marcompo does not do it justice. I think actually seeing it, feeling it, seeing the sunsets, and watching the sheep in the surrounding countryside, and sipping the wine helps make Marcompo a perfect Tuscan Villa.

Claudia, the owner of the villa, is such a wonderful and friendly hostess! She is also a wonderful cook! Part of our trip included cooking lessons from her. I have never taken cooking lessons before but I can't imagine anything could be better.

VOLTERRA was my favorite medieval hilltown but each place we visited had its own special qualities. I loved each of the guided tours we had in Florence, Volterra, and Rome ( we added the extension to the Tuscany Villa trip). and David always chose the BEST restaurants for our group dinners. BEST FOOD EVER!!

This is the second tour I have taken with David. The first tour was to Greece about 5 years ago. I knew then if I had the opportunity to go on another trip to Europe, it would be with David McGuffin! Hopefully, I won't have to wait another 5 years to return. Thank you, David!

In April, we traveled with David to experience the Tuscany Villa Vacation. We had previously traveled with him on The Best of Italy tour. The small group setting was extremely comfortable. David’s love of Europe and care for his travelers shows in his selection of accommodations and restaurants.

He has developed a network of expert guides who heighten the tour experience, such as the guide at the Uffizi.

On this trip, we had the opportunity to view local crafts persons at work in Volterra- alabaster carvers, custom shoemakers, weavers. Our side trips took us to Pisa and other Tuscan cities. Go to Italy. Eat gelato. Drink wine. Italy is my happy place.

Best of Italy Tour: October 2021 - My wife and I chose David's Best of Italy tour (September-October 2021) for our first visit to Italy. We could not have chosen better!

The variety of destinations made every day fresh and exciting. For example a day in Rome, featuring the awesome Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica, was followed by a day that introduced us to the natural beauty and small-town charm of Monterosso in the Cinque Terre.

David's relationships with local guides and families were another advantage of traveling with him. We will never forget wine tasting in the midst of gorgeous Tuscan countryside at the del Duca family's Podere Marcampo -- and dining on delicious

Pappardelle al Cinghiale (wild boar) and delectable steak at the same family's Ristorante del Duca in Volterra.

At every city or town, there was a nice balance between time with David (as he oriented and educated us), and time on our own. He knows where the good restaurants are, too! Also, our hotels and albergos were well-chosen -- comfortable, and convenient to the places we wanted to visit.

We will definitely travel with David again! The Amalfi Coast and Islands look intriguing.

It's hard to believe that a year ago today, we left for Italy. We had been planning this first trip to Italy for 3 years and everything was great. David and Charlotte made it interesting and challenging. We were there when the 2nd heat wave hit Italy. We accepted the challenge and hiked the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza in 2 hours and 20 minutes.

The private guides that David had for us in Volterra and Florence made us appreciate the history and art more than you can imagine.

The food was wonderful. Our favorite meal was at David and Charlotte's favorite restaurant on the last night in Volterra. They served basil bread, which was out of this world. (I still want that recipe!) They served the lightest pasta out of all the cities we ate at. David had everything arranged from transportation, (including his driving of the rental van and car), B&Bs and the group meals. There was never a bad meal, even at new locations he tried us "guinea pigs" out on.

Our group was small, 6, and just the perfect size to get to know the other couple, Leslie and Steve, and willing to try anything different.

We thoroughly enjoyed the trip with David and Charlotte and recommend to anyone going to Europe to book with David McGuffin. You'll be glad you did.

Although the tour is as described, it’s the details that matter.

In Rome, skip the line tickets are not part of the tour and we waited in public line for tickets when it was free day. There is no live audio tour; rather pre recorded info from David you need to download. Vatican tickets are not skip the line. Walking tour does not have headsets so often times hard to hear and scheduled in the hottest part of the day.

Menus for all dinners are set and you have no choices on what to eat.

Surprise stop to Pisa was another hot walk in the sun without microphones to hear and additional 10 euros to store bags that isn’t covered by tour. David charges 1 euro to have water on the tour bus

Volterra - local guide was fantastic, but no microphones so could not hear some of her tour. The market he delays next day to start sells household goods , not worth more than 10 minutes to visit

Sienna no local guide provided and no microphone to hear and again tour is in the hottest part of the day

Florence. Appreciate the microphones, but again scheduled this at hottest part of the day. Beware the free day scheduled in Florence is when all the museums are closed

I reached to David to discuss opportunities that were missed and I only received email exchange and was told that he wasn’t sure how my perception and the reality got crossed.

CUSTOM DESIGNED ITALY TOUR:  I have traveled with David on previous occasions in a group setting and this was our first experience having him curate a personalized trip for us to travel solo.

We gained so much more out of having David organize the details than if I would have tackled it on my own. Touring cities with personal local guides was a treat! I came away from this trip learning so much about the Etruscan culture, Tuscan cooking, Brunello wine, and Roman history that just could not be replicated through reading a book or listening to audio guides. David also solved for my main travel stress point which is how am I going to get from place to place?! He organized airport transfers, rail tickets, dinner reservations as needed, etc ensuring that we focused on enjoying our trip versus stressing about the logistics of it. The experience was a true collaboration between my initial framework I had researched on my own and his expertise and execution.

He played a critical role in how perfect this vacation was! It was the perfect blend of luxury and local culture. Thank you, David!!

Larry and I have shared with so many friends about our trip and with each, we have given you all the credit for such a fantastic trip. Your small group size and attention to detail made our experience so special. We loved having our hotel, selection of places to eat, tours with guides, and transportation planned out. All we had to do was enjoy it.

Our group was very compatible and soon felt like good friends. David, you are so knowledgeable, informative and fun to travel with. We need to do another trip when Charlotte can join us.

Our Best of Italy tour was outstanding. We were immersed in the local culture and experienced a broad cross section of the regions from Rome northward. Our guide was very knowledgeable and encouraged us to enjoy what each region has to offer, and to get a taste of their unique qualities. Where we had a local guide at a major attraction, they provided incredible insight into what caused the building or artwork to be created, and their cultural significance then and today. We had flexibility to adjust our activities to suit the interests and the capabilities of the tour members. Our accommodations were in the center of the area we were visiting, so we could easily explore on our own during our free time, which was ample. Group meals were at restaurants where David personally knew the proprietor, and we were treated as special guests. Travelers who wish to avoid certain types of food should let David’s team know that in advance, as the menu may be preplanned. We would have preferred to choose from a selection. Being in a small group was never more appreciated than when we saw large packs of visitors with earbuds following a guide with a flag. Something we never had to do. Overall a great experience. Highly recommended, especially for first time visitors to Italy. We arrived early and stayed late to expand our trip and avoid jetlag, which David’s team also arranged for us.

David made the trip more enjoyable by telling us something about what we saw in Italy. We enjoyed two local experts in Florence and Volterra. The wine tasting was fun too. David knows the good restaurants and the best hotels to relax in. His Italian is pretty good, enough to let us speak to the locals. When we had a bus driver who was less than stellar, David made a note so that driver wouldn't be used again.

Sept 11-23 2019 Tuscany villa vacation with Rome extension. This was our second tour with David, and like the first, a most relaxed way to see the essence of part of Europe without going crazy trying to see every last tourist spot. This Tuscany villa vacation was advertised as relaxed and lived up to its billing. A beautiful country villa with a most talented and charming hostess. We were fortunate to be there during the wine harvest and got to experience what goes into making quality wines. The cooking class is a definite must do. Claudia and her mom did an awesome job coaching 10 rookies in making a delicious multi course Italian dinner. Another highlight was every night watching the Tuscan sunset, each one beautiful and surreal. Thanks to David once again for exceeding expectations.

Best of Italy Tour: Molly was very professional as the guide/tour leader for our group. All of us were twice her age, which didn't matter she lead the group and made the whole experience enjoyable, educational and fun. Molly would say we aren't tourist were travelers. She encouraged us to become immersed into the culture and experience Italy which made the whole trip amazing. Molly is a wonderful young lady and represents your company very professionally. I am a business owner myself and its hard to find employees who treat the company they work for with respect.

THE BEST OF ITALY: Scott and I wanted to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in Italy. Neither of us had ever been and have always wanted to go. We went to the Dallas world and travel show to find out some information and how to go about organizing a trip of this magnitude, which in itself was overwhelming to both of us. We met one of David's representatives at the show who explained to us the itinerary of "The best of Italy" tour. Neither of us are organizers or even had the time to research and organize this trip, which made this a no-brainer for us. All of the highlights from each city along with hotels, meals, tours, and information were organized for us. This way, we were able to see all the important and interesting things in each city in a timely matter with time to spend alone together. Molly, our phenomenal tour guide, would make recommendations of great places to get the items that we were interested in finding along with the more authentic restaurants with foods specialized to the different areas.........she even had to save our seats from some very rude 1st class train seat pirates. This is where she earned her title of "super-tour guide". This whole trip allowed us to live in the Italian culture and lifestyle for 2 whole weeks and even make some lifetime new friends from Florida, Molly, Laura, and Marc. I put our title as "Trip of a lifetime", but Molly told us that this insinuates that this trip is a one-time occurrence but I plan on proving her wrong before my lifetime is over.

THE BEST OF ITALY: This was an amazing world win tour of Italy. Jammed pact with the best Italy has to offer and more. David and Charlotte McGuffin are the best tour guides you could ever want. They went out of their way to ensure each person on the tours’ needs were met. If they were not leading a particular tour the guides we had were knowledgeable and terrific. You will experience the big cities to the small villages in this amazing tour. The food was amazing, riding the rails thru Italy was an experience of a lifetime and seeing all those ancient sites brought the history books to life. I would highly recommend this tour.

THE BEST OF ITALY: We just completed our first tour (Best of Italy) with David (Sep. 16-29) and we enjoyed it immensely! We feel fortunate to have had David and his wife, Charlotte, guide us through various cities and regions in northern Italy. Staying about 2 days in each city was perfect as we were able to visit important and famous sites in each city and the surrounding region, but it also allowed us free time to explore on our own. David is very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Italy and he also utilizes excellent local guides, with whom he has developed a relationship over the years. Our hotels were very comfortable, and in every area we were treated to amazing food (and wines!) from the local region. Transportation to and around each city- whether just walking or by train, van, vaporetto or ferry was well planned. It is hard to pick a favorite city or moment as each area was beautiful and offered something different. David and Charlotte were so much fun and they made traveling with our group super enjoyable. It truly felt like a personal touch the entire time. We highly recommend David McGuffin's Exploring Europe tours and look forward to booking another European trip some day!

THE BEST OF ITALY - This was a fantastic, one of a kind memorable experience. The tour included visits to several cities of Italy that are normally not included in other tours. We experienced Italy with a husband and wife team who knew and loved the country, and were eager to share their knowledge and experiences with us.

We stayed at several nice, family owned hotels, travelled by trains, vans and ate dinners (several courses) at restaurants known to and researched by David. The meals were quite an experience!

The tour had a personal touch. The needs of each individual traveler was considered, and the husband and wife team went out of their way on several occasions to ensure that the need of each individual travelled was considered and met.

GREAT TOUR ! Would recommend it highly.

Sudah - It was a pleasure traveling with you. Charlotte and I both enjoyed spending time with you!

The Essence of Italy, June 2018 - When I typically travel with David McGuffin it is with 50-60 singers and chaperones plus and entourage of another 15-30 parents who shadow the trip on their own parellel tour. To celebrate my wife Wanda's birthday, we decided to leave the choir behind and enjoy Italy the way only David McGuffin can make happen. Rome, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Volterra, and Florence in 9 or 10 days was ambitious, but quite enjoyable. David's handcrafted tour gave us an up-close and personal experience, allowing our small group of 10 to be immersed in the history, culture, food (gelato!!), and the Italian people of northwestern Italy. You can expect a personalized experience no matter where you travel with David or Charlotte. This is the first-class tour you've have been looking for.

ESSENCE OF ITALY - There was so much to see, do, eat and be awestruck. David is so knowledgeable! He is a walking encyclopedia of fun and interesting facts about the things we saw. Our local guides were also great. Fabrizio was so interesting and knowledgeable about Rome, the history and the why's and why not's. Annie was the best in Volterra! The food was superb! Most dinners were a great experience, but I have to admit I enjoyed the breakfasts almost as much!

CUSTOM TOUR TO ITALY - The tour was well planned down to the final details. Volterra was simply beautiful. I could have spent a week in Volterra absorbing the atmosphere and culture. Al, our local guide in Rome, was full of knowledge and interesting lore. We are trying to determine where we will go next.

CUSTOM TOUR TO ITALY - The tour was well planned down to the final details. Volterra was simply beautiful. I could have spent a week in Volterra absorbing the atmosphere and culture. Al, our local guide in Rome, was full of knowledge and interesting lore. We are trying to determine where we will go next.

CUSTOM TOUR TO ITALY - Once again, we had a great time. The accommodations were perfect, the food experiences were fun, and the transportation went smoothly. David did a great job. All of the local guides were knowledgeable and informative, and the alabaster demo was awesome, too. I loved the hotel in Florence; the flat in Volterra was amazing; and the hotel in Rome was great, too. The restaurant in Volterra, Del Duca, had a beautiful atmosphere, and I enjoyed the restaurant on our last night in Rome.

TUSCANY VILLA TOUR - The Tuscan Villa Tour is advertised as a relaxing tour of the Tuscan countryside - and that's exactly what it is. With only 10 people on our tour, we were allowed to be flexible with the agenda which made for a very casual and relaxing tone for the week. The villa (or agriturismo) was beyond perfect and fulfilled my lifelong desire for a true Tuscan dream vacation. It's hard to pinpoint one "wow" moment, but the true highlight was visiting the small towns in the Tuscan countryside (Sienna, Lucca, & Volterra). Each of these quaint towns were enchanting with their own beautiful architecture and fascinating histories. Every local guide that we had on our tour was excellent. Each guide was very knowledgeable, fascinating to listen to, and truly passionate about the topic. Having these guides were imperative to truly enjoy these historical sights. Each hotel was the perfect combination of local charm with American comforts. As someone who can be picky about hotels, I was very satisfied. David knew the perfect places to eat at every location and the best things to order for our family-style dinners. It was a fabulous trip and I can't wait until my next one. 

TUSCANY VILLA TOUR - The Tuscan Villa Tour is advertised as a relaxing tour of the Tuscan countryside - and that's exactly what it is. With only 10 people on our tour, we were allowed to be flexible with the agenda which made for a very casual and relaxing tone for the week. The villa (or agriturismo) was beyond perfect and fulfilled my lifelong desire for a true Tuscan dream vacation. It's hard to pinpoint one "wow" moment, but the true highlight was visiting the small towns in the Tuscan countryside (Sienna, Lucca, & Volterra). Each of these quaint towns were enchanting with their own beautiful architecture and fascinating histories. Every local guide that we had on our tour was excellent. Each guide was very knowledgeable, fascinating to listen to, and truly passionate about the topic. Having these guides were imperative to truly enjoy these historical sights. Each hotel was the perfect combination of local charm with American comforts. As someone who can be picky about hotels, I was very satisfied. David knew the perfect places to eat at every location and the best things to order for our family-style dinners. It was a fabulous trip and I can't wait until my next one. 

ROME TO PARIS, June 2012 – David is amazing! His easy-going demeanor creates a comfortable and relaxed mood, even though I know he is working like crazy to make sure all is going well for us. He is so patient and focused when helping his clients as well. Local places are sooooo much better than the chains - LOVE the charm and warmth these places provide.  YOU WILL EAT VERY VERY WELL!!! This is a flat out guarantee- it’s my favorite part of the trip!

A CUSTOM-DESIGNED ITALY TOUR - We were on the shadow tour of the Niceville Singers choir. It was the best trip ever! They made our trip enjoyable and easy. We met some amazing people, and Charlotte and David were so knowledgeable everywhere we traveled. My husband is an airline pilot and I was a flight attendant. We have been to Europe many times. We went to places and restaurants on this tour I did not know existed!!! Not only were the places amazing but we enjoyed getting to know Charlotte and David. Such a fun couple!! We will definitely be taking another trip with them!!!!

CUSTOM TOUR PAIRED WITH STUDENT TOUR OF ITALY - It was a 10-day tour, in which we saw Orvieto, Florence, Volterra, Pisa, the Cinque Terre, and Rome. Since it was my first visit to Italy, I enjoyed getting an overview of large and small cities, with the usual tourist must-do's included (Statue of David, various museums and cathedrals, the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Forum, etc.). I was impressed with the way they wove our tour into the Chorus student tour so that our paths crossed on the dates they performed in various Italian cities, enabling us to see our children perform in beautiful, historically significant venues. Visiting the "city hall" of Volterra, which was the oldest and most beautiful municipal meeting room I've ever seen, was incredible. The amazing acoustics, gorgeous architecture and decorative elements made this a very special place to see and hear our high school student group perform. It brought tears to the eyes of many of the audience members. Charlotte was fun and real and always did her best to make this trip everything we had hoped for. She achieved it! I enjoyed all the guides, museums, wine tasting, etc. My favorite was Annie, in Volterra. There were some scary roads but the driver handled all well; no complaints. Group dinners were SO fun and enabled us to get to know many members of the group. Everywhere I turned, I saw architecturally impressive structures, beautiful art and breathtaking sculptures with thousands of years of history. People were helpful and new friends were made. This trip stands out in my mind as a treasured memory, and I plan to return to Italy again. Next time I'd spend less time walking in larger cities like Rome or Florence and more time in the smaller cities to soak up the local culture and enjoy the moment at a slower pace. 

CUSTOM TOUR OF ITALY - This is our second tour with David and once again, it was an outstanding experience. My favorite tour moment was eating wild boar-unexpectedly delicious! David provided us with the customized tour that we requested. We were interested in specific locations and historical landmarks at a pace that was comfortable. Once again, he did not disappoint us! His knowledge of the culture and history of the region was evident as we traveled through northern Italy. Our guides in Florence and Volterra were outstanding. Their in-depth knowledge and their ability to convey said knowledge was thoroughly enjoyable and extremely interesting. The hotels were primarily outstanding. However, our hotel in Florence, though conveniently located, was a little disappointing. Dining experiences were eclectic and delicious! We enjoyed the regional dishes, wines, and the ambiance of each restaurant. David was very accommodating in answering our many questions, the changes we requested and addressing our concerns. We felt totally prepared and at ease.

CUSTOM TOUR OF ITALY - Our tour was incredible! We really enjoyed all the places we visited and, as usual, David had everything well organized and planned out. The Volterra walking tour, wine tasting, and Florence guides were outstanding. The Vatican tour guide was at times hard to understand and the audio equipment she used was at times not working right. All the hotels were VERY nice with the exception of the one in Florence, which had furniture that was badly worn. ALL of the meals were fabulous.

CUSTOM TOUR OF ITALY - Our tour was incredible! We really enjoyed all the places we visited and, as usual, David had everything well organized and planned out. The Volterra walking tour, wine tasting, and Florence guides were outstanding. The Vatican tour guide was at times hard to understand and the audio equipment she used was at times not working right. All the hotels were VERY nice with the exception of the one in Florence, which had furniture that was badly worn. ALL of the meals were fabulous.

HIGH SCHOOL ARTS TOUR - Best food, never felt unsafe, had an authentic experience, and loved being able to experience so much in such a short amount of time. He can really tailor an experience to your interests and what you would like to do! Highly recommend.

CUSTOM TOUR TO ITALY - We enjoyed traveling with David. He was an excellent driver, provided us with friendly, knowledgeable tour guides, brought us to excellent restaurants, and arranged for our stay in a wonderful farmhouse in Volterra. The wonderful restaurant in Volterra "Del Duca" had amazing food and wine. The guides were very knowledgeable and well spoken. The hotel in Marcampo was lovely and the owner was very accomodating. We enjoyed the wine tour and tasting at the farmhouse. I would definitely recommend working with David McGuffin to our friends.

PRIVATE CUSTOM TOUR IN TUSCANY – Overall experience was outstanding. David picked us up at the train station in Florence and drove us thru the Tuscany area. He reserved a wonderful place for us to stay in the countryside, a little outside the city which was very relaxing, vineyards surrounded us. Very nice. The guides and tours that were set up for us could not have been better. Not only did he take us to places and explain the sites, the guides he set up were outstanding. We have been to Florence before – but our guide Paola who took us thru the Accademia and the Uffizi gallery was so good that she made this experience the best that I have ever had. Overall our experience was just outstanding and I wish we could just do it all over again.

THE ESSENCE OF ITALY TOUR &  THE ESSENCE OF IRELAND TOUR- This was my second tour with David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe. It was an amazing trip. A very relaxed pace during the day that allows you to see the sites and plenty of time to take pictures. Of course, the dinners and meals were amazing. It’s so very nice to travel with all lodging, schedules, and transportation already planned.  Possibly our group had just too good of a time! Our small group really enjoyed every minute and had an absolute blast with Charlotte (our guide). We just laughed and had fun every day. While that makes for a fantastic vacation…it does make the ‘re-entry’ to normal life just painful.

THE ESSENCE OF ITALY & TUSCANY VILLA EXPERIENCE - My husband and I just finished up our second Italy tour with David and were delighted every step of the way. David takes a personal interest in those that travel with him which makes traveling abroad a great adventure! The places we've eaten as well as the hotels have all been top notch. David provides a wealth of local knowledge and his relationship with the local people allows you to experience the best of cuisine and wine. All of the details are taken care of so you can focus on a stress-free vacation. I highly recommend and look forward to our next European trip!

The reason we chose David and this tour is because we wanted to be able to take advantage of David’s extensive knowledge of the areas visited to be sure we saw the best Italy had to offer. Having David take care of hotel and travel reservations and many of the meals was a huge benefit to us. Traveling with this size group (13) was great because we met some wonderful people and David is a delight to travel with.

The reason we chose David and this tour is because we wanted to be able to take advantage of David’s extensive knowledge of the areas visited to be sure we saw the best Italy had to offer. Having David take care of hotel and travel reservations and many of the meals was a huge benefit to us. Traveling with this size group (13) was great because we met some wonderful people and David is a delight to travel with.

THE BEST OF SICILY TOUR & THE ESSENCE OF ITALY – As my passion is archaeology and ancient history I was hoping and planning to see many ancient sites, and I was not disappointed. Most tours going to Sicily only cover two or three locations, but David’s itinerary covers pretty much the entire island. Good health and good walking-legs are required, as the terrain is steep and rocky in many places.  It is always a plus when a tour leader is knowledgeable and a safe driver, as David is, but more importantly it is essential that he likes good food and wine, even though we couldn’t always eat all four courses. And in one hotel we even had a cooking class especially for us: So much fun!

THE BEST OF ITALY TOUR – The David McGuffin tour experience was fantastic! I would not have changed a single thing about the experience! I thought we covered all the best cities, tours, etc. that were really important to anyone who may never have the opportunity to go but once. Although we covered a lot I never felt it was a “whirlwind” tour. Always had the time to see what was in each place.

THE BEST OF ITALY TOUR – David’s tours are always very relaxed & friendly, with much walking, touring the best of each city, but allowing time on travelers own to explore or to relax. Being in a smaller group, we became better acquainted while enjoying wonderful evenings of group dinners. David is a very easy-going and relaxed guide who is willing to share his free time with the group. I have never experienced another tour guide who would spend his free evenings with the group, joining with anyone who wished for dinner or for additional entertainment in the evening.

THE ESSENCE OF ITALY TOUR – David’s tours are a wonderful way to see and explore Europe. He does as promises in giving everyone a true local experience and getting you immersed in the culture. You not only get to see the “must see” attractions but he also gives you a look at “real life” in each destination. The dinner’s he provides are outstanding and are all ‘grand feasts”. We found all the accommodations he provided to be wonderful. No complaints whatsoever!

ESSENCE OF ITALY - Saw the highlights, still lots of tourists, excellent first-class train travel, lots of walking, great small villages and great food and wine in unique restaurants. Some hotels could be improved. David is a delight to travel with, but he thinks we're all young and agile like he is! Some days got to be a lot of walking and stair climbing. He tried to find restaurants near the hotels, which was a big help. It is very helpful to learn to use the local transportation and have that planned into the trip. Buffet breakfasts were very adequate. Dinners included were at neat restaurants - excellent cuisine and service. And David was helpful to suggest other restaurants for our free nights which were excellent as well.

ESSENCE OF ITALY - The food was excellent. The portions are substantial and wonderfully prepared. Anne Adair and the walking tour of Volterra, along with her husband Francisco, were excellent in every way.

THE ESSENCE OF ITALY – This tour allowed us to experience different regions of Italy from small villages to big cities. Andy and his wife, Mary Ada, were the perfect tour guide couple! I can’t imagine learning as much or having as much fun without them! The flexibility and organization of this tour were amazing! We can’t wait to go on another tour! The dinner in Volterra was the best food I have ever eaten! I was not so keen on the seafood mix in Monterosso; I quickly became a vegetarian!  I was shocked at how nice our lodging was. The breakfasts, accommodations, and staff were great!