Author Archives: Larry Norton

Italy Private Tour | Kathleen F. – NY

Larry, I would like to thank you for a wonderful trip.  The start was a little hairy when we didn’t get our apartment and we were standing out in the rain, but we were able to get another one that was stunning.  Each one of the tour people was very knowledgeable and very personable.  We were able to get within a few feet of the Pope which was very exciting.  I am recommending you to two people in my office who asked for a recommendation…  Thanks again for a wonderful trip.

Customized trip to Italy – April 2014

Italy Private Tour | Michelle D. – PA

I apologize that it took me so long to write to you.  We have been very busy and I wanted to wait until I had the time to give my message some thought.  There were so many things we loved that I didn’t want to forget any.  Please feel free to share my review on your website.  I’ve been recommending you to everyone who talks to me about the trip.

We were very happy with everything about the trip, starting with the first contact with Eco Italia.  I sent the same request for a custom trip to several places and you were the only ones who actually responded with a proposed itinerary.  Everyone else wanted me to provide details about all of the places we wanted to go and what we wanted to see.  I felt that if I had that much knowledge of Italy, I wouldn’t need a travel agency to plan the trip.  I didn’t want to miss any “must see” sites just because I didn’t know about them.  Although you responded with a great itinerary, we didn’t make it to every city as planned.  We enjoyed Gubbio so much that we decided to spend a second day there and skipped Cortona.  The nice thing was that your planning allowed us the flexibility to make changes even during the trip.  You were very responsive to our questions both before and during the trip and were always available to answer our questions. The first time we went to Italy, we did so with a typical travel agency itinerary.  We saw a lot of things but it was not at all flexible and it was exhausting.  We felt like we didn’t have time to really experience the places we went and wanted to do it differently this time. I felt like this trip provided a much more authentic Italian experience.

My brother commented on how well planned  the trip was and my husband said that the villa was the nicest place he’s ever stayed. My mother could only say that everything was perfect.  The accommodations were in a perfect location and were exactly what we had in mind.  The food there was outstanding.  It was very convenient to have breakfasts and dinners there. They even surprised us with some snacks on the days we got back early enough to enjoy their beautiful patio.  The only thing I would recommend for future travelers who stay there is to get a room on the side of the building that faces the restaurant if possible.  The internet connection was not good on the other side and the peacock, who woke up very early in the morning, was also much louder on that side.  We had three rooms, all of which were very large and would have comfortably slept 3-4 people.

We hope to return to Italy to tour another region in the future and will definitely contact you to plan our next trip.  Thank you for providing our family with such a wonderful trip.

Customized trip to Italy – May 2014

 

Italy Private Tour | John and Rosanne B – WI

A Note of Gratitude and Appreciation:    Carlo and Larry:     Thanks a million for a wonderful customized trip to Italy. It worked to perfection!! The accommodations were wonderful. The guides, drivers, and transportation means made the trip very enjoyable and educational. Details for pre-trip planning were excellent. All questions were answered in a very professional and honest manner.  We highly enjoyed the many recommendations to enhance our experience. We would highly recommend your service to anyone planning a trip to Italy. A customized trip is the preferred way to go.

Customized trip to Italy – May 2014

Italy Private Tour | Lisa W. – CA

Hello Carlo and Larry,  I just wanted to let you know that we had the most spectacular trip. Everything was perfect! We had drivers and tickets etc all at the time that we needed. The guides were fantastic! The food was excellent and the hotels were great. Rome was very hot- and one of the air conditioning units in one of the rooms was not functioning well- luckily it was not the parents – so the kids had to suffer, I asked the person the day we arrived to check it – he seemed to think it was ok. I think he was just filling in for the owners. None the less we would highly recommend Eco Italia and have to all who want to see Italy – see you in Sicily next year.  Thanks for all your help.

Customized trip to Italy – May 2014

 

Italy Private Tour | Arun and Sarada P. – FL

Dear Carlo: Just wanted pen a note to you. Got back into town late last night after the 2 week trip to Italy and Switzerland. The arrangements including the hotels and the guides were excellent. Except for the confusion at Venice railway station and the transport to the hotel in the rain storm, all the other arrangements went well without any hitches. I would like to thank you for making the arrangements and would galdly recommend your services.

Custom trip to Italy – August 2014

Italy Private Tour | Dolly L. – WI

Hi Larry and Carlo, I want to let you know that I loved everything about the trip other than the accident and the Calatrava bridge!  The transfers all worked so well and the drivers were great! We, and especially Rosanne, have a warm spot in our heart for Pietro. The guides were all very good. Our favorite was Guido.  The Hotel … worked well for us.  We loved the Villa…! I did not notice that the bed was hard. I did notice though that 3 of the 4 places we stayed had 2 twins put together to make the king size bed. It didn’t bother us too much, and I’ve seen that before, but not quite as frequently…. I am so pleased with everything though, and thank you soooooo much for all you did to make it a very memorable trip. Helping us with getting the wheelchair and crutches was instrumental in making those last couple of days go smoothly, so Rosanne could enjoy it too.  I would highly recommend your services to anyone going to Italy!!!!

Customized trip to Italy – May 2014

 

Italy Private Tour | Lisa W. – CA

Hi Carlo, Thanks so much for the response and resolution. I apologize for the drama and appreciate the customer service. Please know that we truly appreciate all you did for us and had an incredible trip! Ciao for now, Lisa”

Customized trip to Italy – June 2014

 

 

 

Italy Private Tour | Sue R. – NY

Many thanks for all the work and planning you put into our family’s trip to Italy this summer. We had a fabulous time! The villa was outstanding – larger and more recently re-decorated than advertised. The cottage, for example, had one queen and two singles allowing us to sleep 4.  Because it was larger than we expected and because my sister’s family had to cancel, we squeezed everyone into the one villa and cottage for the 3 nights that everybody was there. Bernardo was helpful, the women serving breakfast every morning and cleaning every day were fabulous. The wheelchair was there as promised. The chef and server for the dinners at the villa were accommodating – even the first night when an additional 6 people showed up without warning an hour before dinner! …”

Customized trip to Italy – August 2013

Italy Private Tour | Brent C. – MT

Carlo, we are greatly enjoying our trip to Italy. You have done a great job placing us in great places and the hotels have been fantastico! In Camogli now…. We love being off the beaten path a bit.”

Custom tour to Italy – October 2013
Custom travel and tour planning to Italy by Eco Italia

Italy Private Tour | William and Anna S. – NJ

We wanted to say thank you for organizing such a wonderful and memorable trip to Italy. The Hotel Bellevue was magnificent and the view of Mount Vesuvius from our balcony was breathtaking. Gaetano was the perfect driver and guide for our trip along the Amalfi coast. Vincenzo’s tour of Pompeii was also incredible. We loved Florence and your restaurant recommendations were perfect. Our hotel in Rome(Albergo del Sole) was made more amazing by being able to walk out the front door and have the Pantheon staring us in the face. Guissy was an amazing guide and was just loaded with enthusiasm and information of all the historic and religious sites we visited. We will recommend you enthusiastically to anyone who asks about our trip and we look forward to having you plan our return to Italy in the not too distant future. Thank you again.”

Customized tour to Italy – October 2012
Custom travel and tour planning to Italy by Eco Italia