The Sicily tour was our second tour of Italy with Fausto. This time we encouraged our friends to join us and they were not disappointed. Once again Fausto and Alfredo looked after us very well, showing us the sights, sounds and tastes of Sicily.  We stayed mostly in historic buildings that had been converted into well appointed accommodation. The itinerary was varied so that it gave us an understanding of the richness and diversity of Sicilian culture and history, as well as a taste of contemporary Sicilian life.  We visited the vibrant Palermo and Catania markets where we could taste and see the local produce, we tried the delicious cannoli at the convent of  Santa Caterina in Palermo, we dined by the water in Marzamemi and swam in the Mediterranean near the Turkish Stairs. Other highlights were the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the Christmas lights in Ibla [early for us], the beautiful towns of Cefalu and Ortigia, and the visit to Mt Etna. We enjoyed it so much that we are planning another tour with Fausto in the future.

Fausto and Alfredo proved to be knowledgeable guides to Italy and they both bent over backwards to ensure that our travel in Sicily was enjoyable and interesting. They had obviously put a great deal of effort into planning this trip. The result was, we stayed in comfortable apartments in old palaces. Also, we travelled on the back roads which felt far more authentic than whizzing down a modern highway that could be anywhere in the world. We wandered through the historic streets of Palermo, explored the many ancient stairs of Ilba, and stood in awe of the majestic Mount Etna. Fausto and Alfredo gave us an unforgettable holiday. During our stay, we averaged between 10,000 and 15,000 steps per day, exploring cities and villages, ancient sites and myriad other attractions. We navigated countless steps, both indoors and out, as we ventured through ancient cathedrals and castles. The atmospheric and historic structures evoked scenes from "Game of Thrones" or "Raiders of the Lost Ark," immersing us in a sense of adventure and discovery. The Italian people we encountered were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Their warmth and hospitality made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. It was clear that they took great pride in their culture and were genuinely happy to share it with visitors. Their tolerance and openness created an inviting atmosphere that enhanced our travel experience. Thank you, Fausto and Alfredo, for creating a wonderful experience. I will definitely join you on another adventure. Many thanks.

I took this tour with my wife in April 2023. It was our first visit to Italy and was a great way to acquaint ourselves with the country. The accommodation was very comfortable and well located. Fausto was the perfect guide, who imparted his extensive knowledge of Italian history and culture along the way and was willing and able to answer our questions. Alfredo, our accomplished driver, kept us safe on Italy's sometimes challenging roads and was also an Italian historian. Together they were a great team.  Our itinerary took us to many and various places, from beautiful Lake Como, the amazing mosaics of Ravenna, the independent state of San Marino, the spiritually moving sites of Assisi and Eramo di Carceri, the pretty town of Spello with its Roman archaeological sites, stunning Lecce and the Salento coast, and finally to the beautiful city of Milan.  The accommodation was very comfortable and well located. The friendly and relaxed atmosphere and the small group made the tour feel like a holiday with friends. We enjoyed it so much that we booked the Sicily tour in 2024 and are planning the Wine tour as our next Italian adventure.