Hi Flame,
Interesting report and great info - esp about the food!

I will be going to Florence area in early June, with my family and from the sounds of it, Luca sounds like a great knowledgeable person to have around as a guide.

Just to confirm the costs though - sounds like a whole day trip of about 8 to 10 hrs would be about 300 Euros plus minus. Is that for the entire party of 3 or per person?

wc091 suggested regular tours - any idea how much it would cost in total for 3 as a comparison?

Having someone really knowledgeable would be fantastic seeing this is my first trip to Florence/Tuscany...

Any help wld be appreciated - thanks!

SusanP,

I read with great delight your trip report. Wonderful!! I loved it, thank you very much for directing me to it. Looks like we have similar interests!!

Greenham,
I am glad my report helped you out. In answer to your questions, yes indeed Luca is quite a treasure and I highly recommend him, especially for people who cannot or don't want to rent a car or for those that are not very well acquainted with the area. You should check out his web site but I can tell you that he charges 35 Euros per hour for 3-4 people, meaning that a tour of 8-10 hours, as you write, will be in the area of 300 Euros for everyone. It is NOT per person. I do believe it to be quite reasonable, and competitive to other places that I wrote to and received replies.

As for regular tours, I am not sure what exactly that means but if you mean bus tours with 40-50 people where you get wisked by very quickly from gift shop to gift shop, I did not even entertain that thought in my search.

Since you write that you will be going with your entire family, I want to once again suggest the Casci Hotel in Firenze. They have family rooms for up to 5 (or maybe even 6) people.

If you need anything further, don't hesitate to ask again.

Hi Flame,

Thanks!

I am convinced! So I wrote to Luca and I sure hope he is available that week I am in FLorence! BTW, just 3 of us...

Got your recommendations for Florence - any similiar recommendations for a short stay in Venice and Rome (probably a couple of days hit and run on the way in and out of Florence).

Thanks again!

Greenham,

Be patient with an answer from Luca. He often is out on long touring days and does not always immediately answer his e-mails. If he does not answer within 2-3 days, mail him again.

As for Rome and Venice, what exactly are you asking for? A hotel suggestion, an itinerary, or what?

We were in Venice about 6 months ago and we NOT enamored of the B&B that we chose. But so many people have written on this board about Locanda Orseola, which I did try for but they were fully booked. They are #1 on trip advisor and I suggest you read the reviews and see whether you can get a room there.

In Rome, I have stayed at several places, again none of them would I highly recommend (San Carlo near the Spanish Steps, Intercontinental de la Ville (on a business trip so I personally did not pay and they are way out of my league), another small hotel whose name slips my mind right now.

Hi Flame,

Thanks again for the help - yup, will wait for Luca and hope for the best!

You guessed right - was referring to accomodations in Venice and Rome, which you have kindly pointed me to...

Really need to get down to doing something here else it will be all booked out, if not already!

Thanks again.

Tagging to enjoy later.

Hi Flame123 ~

I am so glad you enoyed your journey. Isn't Luca the best? My DH and I visited some of the same places you did, and found the experience so delightful. He is worth every Euro.

Thanks for posting, your trip report was fun to read!

Tiff

Dear Tiff,

Thank you for your lovely comments, they are much appreciated. And I am glad you enjoyed the trip report.

Indeed Luca is a gem and I am so glad I "found him" through this board. When did you go with him on a tour?

Hi folks,

I think I need some help with accomodation for Venice.

I have tried the places recommended on the board, and so far, some of them have come back indicating they are full for the period I will be passing thru (late May). Rest, still crossing my fingers...

As a back up, I am thinking of staying just on the mainland, near the train station. Not the best of choice but I guess ok as I am passing thru on way to Florence.

Does anyone know of a decent hotel within walking distance from the train station? Any pointers would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Hi Flame,

Is knowing the language a big plus? Do you recommend any cd or books that help with learning the language.

Dear Dybar,

I believe knowing any language is a big plus. But most people in Italy that I have encountered, and even those in small-ish towns, know enough English to help you. More importantly, they as a people are so friendly and willing to help, that they will use whatever means necessary to help you to understand what they are saying. Having said that, I always take a phrase book with me (I have Lonely Planet with me this time) and I try to use as many Italian words as I can/know. It makes them feel better that at least we as foreigners are "trying" and it is a nice gesture all around.

Hi Flame123 ~ We had the good fortune too, of finding Luca here on Fodors and rightly so, he was very much recommended. We spent a Sunday with him at the end of January. Ours was a rainy day but we didn't mind, it added to the mystic of the day, just in case you don't get all sunshine next time. Feel free to click on my name if you want to scan my trip report and the details with Luca.

Welcome home and thanks again for posting!

Hi Tiff,

I did read your trip report, even before we left on our trip. I just had not made the connection until you actually wrote me now to click on your name. It was a wonderful report and I loved reading it. So happy that we have this wonderful board and people who post their experiences so that we can benefit and learn from them. I already cannot wait for my next visit to Bella Italia !!! Thanks for your good wishes.