Although we ultimately did not get to go on this tour, I wanted to give them a shout out for great customer service.  I contacted them when they were still closed for the season, but they still responded promptly and gave me updates on their boat’s status as our dates drew near.  Once it was confirmed that their boat would be in the water by our visit, we booked the Evening Tapas Tour, one of their three options.  The day of our tour, the waters were quite choppy and they decided it would be best not to go out.  Their …

Hotel Villa Steno is a family-run hotel high in the hills of old town Monterosso.  I can’t say enough about this hotel.  We absolutely loved it.  Finding it and getting up to it were a bit of a challenge, but it was well worth it.  Built high up in the hills with a commanding view over old town, the grounds were covered with beautiful flowers and the air was filled with the smell of the lemons and oranges that grew in their gardens. Fourteen of the sixteen rooms in the hotel have a balcony.  When we originally booked, a non-balcony …

We booked our Tuscan wine tour through Italy and Wine.  They have 6 Tuscan wine tours to choose from, as well as a truffle hunting tour and some wine tastings in Florence.  We went on the Castle and Chianti Wine Tour and it was fabulous.  I gave the full details of the trip in my Tuscany blog but suffice it to say, the tour was one of the highlights of our entire trip.  The booking process was easy, the tour guide friendly and informative, the wineries well chosen, and the overall experience fantastic.  (Note: this is obviously an adult activity …

Hotel Porta Rossa is an NH Collection hotel and claims to be the oldest hotel in Italy.  It is located on a narrow street in Florence, close to the Uffizi Gallery and a short walk away from the Duomo and other sites.  The historic building has modern updates but retains its charm. The staff at the hotel was fantastic.  They were friendly and helpful in making reservations and providing us with directions and suggested activities. We had read widely positive reviews about the hotel but there seemed to be one underlying complaint… the noise level.  Surely it can’t be that …

Well, I wish I could write a more informed review about this hotel but unfortunately I missed our night there because of my flight issues.  But I will say that my husband absolutely loved it.  Seriously, I had to tell him to stop talking about how great it was because it was making me sad.  The hotel has a wonderful central location, close to it all yet still quiet and secluded.  A converted 5 story townhouse, the inside is impeccably decorated in a modern yet understated manner.  With only 15 rooms (hence the name), this boutique hotel provides wonderful personal …