About Us

Hi—we’re Craig and Susan. We’ve been married for 43 years, raised a family, and now get to enjoy the fun part: kids, grandkids, and (finally) the time to travel a little slower and savor the experience. We both had rewarding careers, and now that we’re retired, we’re fully embracing these “go-go” years while we can.

Throughout all our travels, we have learned that the best recipe for a great trip is making decisions together and genuinely valuing each other’s opinions. When we do that, the whole journey feels lighter, more fun, and a whole lot more “us.”

Why We Chose This Tour

We looked at several Italy tour options before choosing this one, and this Rick Steves tour felt like the right fit for us. The 10-day length was a big reason—it landed right in the sweet spot between trips that felt too short to settle in and longer tours that can become more demanding (we have done both).

We also liked that this itinerary focused on three iconic cities—Venice, Florence, and Rome—without trying to do too much. That gave us the chance to experience each place more deeply instead of constantly packing, moving, and rushing.

Just as important, this tour offered the balance we value most: expert guidance, meaningful history, and built-in free time to explore on our own. That combination is exactly what makes travel most enjoyable for us.

In hindsight, it turned out to be exactly the right choice for where we are in life and how we like to travel now. 

Click here to check out the "Best of Venice, Florence & Rome in 10 Days Tour"

Trip at a Glance

Day 1 - (Venice): Welcome/orientation day • Local guide: No (tour guide orientation walk) • Free time: Minimal/none (4 p.m. meet, walk, group dinner) • Walking: Light (2–4 miles)
Day 2 - (Venice): Historic Venice walking tour • Local guide: Yes (morning local guide) • Free time: Afternoon & evening • Walking: Strenuous (2–8 miles)
Day 3 - (Venice + Lagoon): Accademia, lagoon cruise, Burano island, gondola ride • Local guide: No • Free time: Burano island lunch+afternoon • Walking: Moderate (2-6 miles)
Day 4 - (Florence): Transfer to Florence + Renaissance city center tour • Local guide: No • Free time: No • Walking: Moderate (2–6 miles)
Day 5 - (Florence): Backstreets tour + cooking class • Local guide: Yes (local scholar) • Free time: Afternoon • Walking: Strenuous (2–8 miles)
Day 6 - (Florence): Uffizi + evening Accademia/David • Local guide: No • Free time: Midday/Afternoon • Walking: Moderate (2–6 miles)
Day 7 - (Umbria → Rome): Winery tour & lunch + transfer + Rome at night • Local guide: No • Free time: No • Walking: Moderate (2–6 miles)
Day 8 - (Rome): Pantheon + Doria Pamphilj + Trevi • Local guide: No • Free time: Afternoon & evening • Walking: Strenuous (2–8 miles)
Day 9 - (Rome): Ancient Rome/Colosseum/Forum + farewell dinner • Local guide: Yes • Free time: Afternoon • Walking: Strenuous (2–8 miles)
Day 10 - (Rome): Tour over after breakfast 

Bonus Day - (Pompei & The Amalfi Coast): Post-tour day trip from Rome to Pompei and Positano/Amalfi Coast • Local guide: Yes (for Pompei). No (for Positano) • Free time: Limited at Pompei(mostly structured day trip with sightseeing/photo stops). Positano Free Time: Yes • Walking: Strenuous (Due to uneven surfaces/and many steps!) 

Why We Love Rick Steves Tours

Rick Steves tours strike the perfect balance for us: enough structure to see the “greatest hits,” and enough freedom to make the trip feel like our own. We love the small-group size (typically around 20–25 travelers), and we especially love the built-in free time—because that’s where the unexpected moments happen.

And then there are the guides. They are simply outstanding! Our tour guide had 28 years of experience, and it showed in everything—from the stories he told, to the small logistical choices that made each day smoother. Rick Steves also pairs these tour leaders with excellent local guides - one (or more) in each city, which turns famous sites into deeper, richer experiences (including a memorable deep-dive around the Colosseum in Rome).

One example of “free time done right”: our guide chose the island of Burano for us to explore on our own. Colorful streets, cafés, gelato—and shop windows filled with the delicate lace Burano is famous for. Then it was back to wandering with no agenda…exactly the kind of travel we love. 

Our Italy Tour Tips & Tricks

This trip was unforgettable—and a lot of that came from preparation. A little planning up front made our free time smoother, less stressful, and a lot more enjoyable.

Before You Go

• Spend real time with your Rick Steves guidebook. The more we studied it before the trip, the more helpful it became once we were there.

•  Take photos of all travel documents on your phone. We also made paper backup copies and kept them in a suitcase in case a phone was lost or stolen.

• If your phone has this option-and you are comfortable with doing it, turn on Location Services for your camera. This will pinpoint the exact location with each photo. This is very helpful if you need to get back to that location, and of course once you are back home and reviewing your trip pictures!

• Power outlet tip: Italy’s outlets can be different from the “standard Europe” adapters we’d used on earlier trips, so bring an Italy-compatible plug adapter (Type L) for your devices. We learned this the hard way and had to make an extra electronics-store stop. 

Free Time Planning (Tickets Matter!)

• Buy tickets for free-time activities well in advance whenever possible. This is especially true for high-demand attractions like the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.

• Compare options carefully before purchasing. There are many sellers, ticket types, and price levels—and they are not always easy to compare at first glance.

• Some purchases are vouchers, not actual tickets. That means you may need to exchange the voucher onsite before entering. If that’s the case, make sure the exchange point is close to the attraction.

• Use well-known, reliable sellers. When in doubt, check reviews and traveler feedback (including social media/travel forums) before buying.

Skip-the-Line Tickets (Worth It—With a Plan)

• If possible, buy skip-the-line tickets for major attractions. They can cost more, but when free time is limited, saving time in line can make a big difference.

• Plan around the time slot carefully. The catch is that these tickets are often timed, and it can be hard to know exactly when you’ll arrive if you’re fitting multiple things into a free-time window.

Don’t Overpack Your Free Time

• Be realistic about how long attractions take. We used a combination of Internet research and the Rick Steves Guidebook. Trying to do too much can turn a great experience into a rushed one

Safety & Pickpocket Awareness

• Pickpocketing in Italy is a real thing (Venice specifically). There’s no need to be paranoid, but it pays to be smart and prepared.

• We used a combination of anti-theft items that helped us feel more secure, including RFID sleeves for our credit cards, anti-theft bags, and a phone tether strap.

Click here to check out Rick Steves Travel Tips

Bonus Day: Pompei & The Amalfi Coast

Our tour officially ended in Rome—but we weren’t quite ready to be done. We added one extra day on our own to see two places we’ve dreamed about for years: Pompei and the Amalfi Coast.

It’s one thing to read about a city frozen in time; it’s another to walk its streets and realize these were real homes, real shops, real lives—interrupted in an instant.

And then… Positano. Pictures don’t prepare you for how it clings to the cliffs, stacked in layers of color above the sea. It felt like the perfect “final scene” to our Italy story.