A wonderful 7 weeks in Italy, organised and orchestrated by the knowledgeable, and ever helpful Gemma!

One of the cornerstones of our trip was to experience the great opera houses of Italy – La Fenice, La Scala, the Verdi Festival and Teatro Regio in Parma, San Carlo – and we saw great performances in them all!  All of the tickets were pre-arranged – heaven!

The tours and guides that Gemma and her colleagues arranged were outstanding.  I was amazed at the knowledge of the guides and their capacity to communicate and inspire.

We were early at the Vatican (with a surprise visit to a part not normally visited), a small intimate group for the Vasari corridor in Florence, the Doges’ Palace in Venice, the catacombs in Rome, beautiful and surprising Naples, not to mention amazing Pompei….it was all so beautiful and easy.  There is nothing like experience, knowledge and a passion for the country!

The places we stayed at were works of art themselves with beautiful views (Montepulciano, pictured) and wonderful staff.

What memories!  We will have to go back.  We will be in touch, Gemma!

Ifor and Catherine Sept Oct 2012

This mother/daughter trip was my Sarah's 21st gift..........It was the hardest trip I have ever prepared for and also the easiest.

This was to be the first time I have travelled without my Husband,  on my own, in a country I knew very little of the language. And as Sarah couldn't find a tour that she liked with a travel agent, and we did try, it was left up to us to organise our own itinerary. Fortunately for us my husband found 'Passion for  Italy ' while searching the net. At first I was nervous about using a company that operated over the internet, Skype.

Our meetings on Skype were effective and Sarah and I were blown away by Gemma's knowledge and enthusiasm to find the right trip for us. Our contact with Helen, the travel agent who booked our flights and train travel was also extremely easy as Gemma had done all the hard work , working out times and dates.

Our trip went without a hitch no dramas at any point, the accommodation Gemma booked was exactly as she had described. Each place we stayed in was clean and friendly, and as we opted for the cheaper end of the price range, they were a good 10min stroll to the centre of town.

This was more of an advantage than you may think as we got to see that little bit more of each place. Things I learnt in Italy;  If you're using a cash passport over there, DON'T pay for your meals with it if you can help it.......they add an extra 10% to your bill that you never see till you check your balance on line. Plus if you don't want bread with your meal, say no when they deliver it to your table, or you will pay for it, per person......There were plenty of ATM's in the smaller villas, a little hard to find in Florence other than at the train station.

Taxi drivers weren't that bad, just make sure they are a taxi. 40 or 50 euro is norm to and from the airport. The euro is so good now, I wish I were there again............

Thanks Gemma

Karen and Sarah Hislop

Thank you Gemma and Passion for Italy for a well planned and memorable holiday.

Your selection of accommodation for Florence and Venice was charming, well situated and gave us a good sense of the local lifestyle.

In Tuscany and Veneto we had the opportunity to wind down and savour the beauty, history, cuisine and wine of the regions in shear comfort and style.

A touch of everything Italy has to offer.

Marsha Sept 2011