My first day back at work and my fourth day back in London and I have to express that my first JustYou holiday was a tremendous success, why I hear you ask? Simple... I am having major withdrawal symptoms and I miss Tuscany really really bad.
I impulsively booked this holiday because I've always wanted to go and didn't want to do it alone, so this was right up my alley. I have to admit though, my impulsiveness made way to anxiety with the days leading up to departing but once you meet your fellow tour travellers, you realise everyone is near enough in the same boat as you and everyone is just as keen to make friends and I found the experience to be one I will forever treasure.
So, please find my review below of The Highlights of Tuscany - 13 - 20th June 2013.
Gatwick Airport
Arriving at Gatwick Airport on a dismal Thursday morning, I was greeted by Noel who was a representative of JustYou (and another competitor) who checked me in whilst reassuring me that from then on, it would be smooth sailing. He was friendly and happy and I felt at ease straight away. I then met, a handful of fellow first timers and we eased into conversation like we'd all known each other a lot longer then five minutes.
Pisa International Airport
Jonathan Clarke our tour manager greeted us at the airport, checked us in, did a head count and we all made our way over to the coach. It took about fifty minutes from the airport to the hotel. Jonathan filled us in on the preliminaries of the trip and you notice straight away, what a great sense of humour he has.
Il Settebello - Accomodation
The family run hotel definitely made the holiday that more special. The hotel is nestled on the corner of a street, where the beach is under a minute's walk. The restaurant where breakfast/dinner are served is across the street also.
Salvatore the owner is a gem, he is really warm and welcoming, as is his wife Rita and family. Who definitely go the extra mile in accomodating their guests (Salvatore also helps out at the restaurant too). Maurizio, Salvatore's brother who is the head waiter in the restaurant has a great sense of humour and they really do go the extra mile, they even sought out Soya based gelato for one of our group as she was lactose/dairy intolerant.
Excursions
I really enjoyed Pisa, Lucca and Siena the most. You can't fault the Tuscan scenery with it's rolling hills and cypress trees. Every town visited had their own personality, in the people, the architecture, the food and everyone was so friendly. Free time was given to explore the towns and soak up the atmosphere.
Be advised though that between visiting towns, the coach does go through winding roads and a few passengers had to throw up. Jonathan was a remarkable guide, he was funny as well as never leaving out the facts. It was never boring. And Jonathan loves his quizzes, which was a real hit amongst us all.
Overall
This was my first JY trip and I loved it. Our hosts at the hotel and our tour guide and coach driver were ever the professionals without coming across as ingenuine or fake. They were always interested and always made an exceptional effort. I definitely recommend this as an apertif to the main.
Thank you so much!!!
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Thank you for such a wonderful review. I am going to book this for next year, probably Aug/Sept; what with Calabria booked for 31 August and thinking about Austrian lakes in June, it will have to wait until later - unfortunately - , but I can't afford three holidays in one year!
Regards and thanks
Sylvia
