Airport arrivals to the coach was an interesting diversion including several lifts and a monorail but Sandra(TM) guided us out on arrival and back into departures on the last day.

The Hotel Tamerici Principe looked a bit dated and tired on first impression. The current owners great grandfather started the business in 1898. After unpacking and adjourning to the bar, like you do, the hotel starts to grow on you and in fact turned out to be an excellent stay. One of the restaurant staff had been employed there for 18 years and some of the others were long term as well and were all excellent. A 4 course dinner each night and you would never leave feeling hungry. Riccardo the barman joined in the fun with the group and was 1st class. I would recommend the £80 balcony upgrade as a few travellers ended up with a view of a wall and bins being emptied at 6.30am. There were 35 in our group but we all seemed to gel very quickly.

Our Tour Manager was Sandra Polidori again 1st class. All the excursions we were given maps and explanations etc. Although she didn't join the group in the evenings she was always on hand should she be needed.

Day 2 Pisa

Although some of the buildings were free to enter strangely you need to queue at main ticket office to get a ticket for them. No tour guide you were left to explore by yourself. Very pleasant walk down to the river and the Botanic Gardens were a peaceful oasis.

Day 3 Siena

Beautiful town but be aware some very steep streets and a reasonable amount of walking but worth it to see 'Il Campo' where the Palio Horse race is held twice a year. Local tour guide on this trip (about 1 1/2 hours)

Day 4 Free Day

You could indulge in some retail therapy today or a must visit is to Montecatini Alto via the funicular railway. This was a 20 minute walk from the Hotel and the rail cars took about 50 people and run every 1/2 hr. Worth it for the view alone especially on the opposite side from the railway exit. On the walk back to the hotel don't miss the excellent ice cream shop on the left.

Day 5 Optional Volterra and San Gimignano

The weather conspired to try and ruin this trip. Local tour guide (1.1/2 hours) again for Volterra we managed to stay dry for the tour and the Alabaster hand carving viewing was great and such a delicate bowl produced. Unfortunately after lunch just as we got to San Gimignano the rain decided that it would spoil our visit so unfortunately we didn't get to see it properly. However we did find an excellent cafe for coffee and local cakes/ice cream etc 1/2 way up the main street

Day 6 Florence

Coach stops at a view point which takes in the panorama of the city. Very crowded as our local tour guide explained that Tuesday was the busiest day to visit (2 hours). There was a least a 2 hour wait in the queue for entrance to the Cathedral. The gold jewellery in the shops on the Ponte Vecchio were stunning.

Day 7 Optional Lucca

Very good wind down self guided tour of a beautiful little town with very narrow winding streets and walk the town walls. Good cafes in the Piazza Anfileatro. Just a gentle chill out 3/4 day tour.

Overall an excellent holiday but does included quite a lot of walking and some of it reasonably challenging. Excellent Hotel top notch food and we had lovely group which made the trip. All the local tour guides were very good and we all had headsets to listen to the commentary.

However I would like to add a NOTE OF CAUTION Sandra (TM) did advise us about pickpockets and unfortunately one of our ladies had her purse taken from her back pack in Florence which obviously left her shaken and spoilt the visit somewhat. Sandra also said it had happened the previous tour in Pisa. SO PLEASE BE AWARE YOU ARE SPENDING YOUR CASH NOT THEM. When we returned to the Hotel from Florence they went out of their way and sent a member of staff with the unfortunate lady to the Carabinerie the following morning to report it.

Any questions I will try to answer if not I'm sure to rest of the group will.

Paul

On the subject of pickpockets, two of our group suffered from pickpockets when in Mallorca - they both thought their purses were safe at the bottom of their bags but unless you keep them in a body belt or at least in a zipped inner part of your bag the "experts" can get at them without anyone feeling a thing.

Ann

This bought back many memories of when I went, I also was in the other hotel so it’s been a few years.

I loved all the places that were visited, it was a very nice not to hectic tour.

Cindy

I also went on this tour and cannot expand on what Paul has already said.

The hotel, which had only experienced our trip for the first time could not do enough for us.

The reception staff, waiters and cleaners were all top notch.  They could not help us enough.

I was the person that Paul was referring to when I had my purse taken in Florence and cannot tell you how I felt.

I just felt numb and I cannot emphasize enough how important you must keep a back pack in the front of you.

If I had done that I would not have had the experience I did.

I am fortunate now that I have a good Travel Insurance company who has now repaid the cash into my bank.

The tour manager, Sandra, was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the tour and I hope when I book my next holiday we may get to meet again.

Kind regards

Jan

Like most people, initially, I felt a little trepidation since I had never travelled alone for many years.  I need not have been concerned since I was met at the outgoing airport and a fellow traveller made herself known to me as we were waiting to board the plane.  As said previously, Sandra, our tour manager was wonderful and ensured that no-one was left to flounder.  Nothing was too much trouble for her and she really appears to take great pleasure in helping every-one.

I adored the hotel and the wonderful staff who made one feel at home.  Any slight concerns in the beginning were quickly forgotten.

The group were fantastic.  Everyone naturally mingled and by the end of the week we felt almost like a big family, with many hugs and watery eyes as we separated at the departure date.  Lovely, lovely people .... many thanks to all.

I personally can't wait for my next holiday with Just You and would certainly return to Tuscany since I missed the optional excursions (a good excuse to return ha ha).

One trip I really wanted to do was the Christmas Rome trip but unfortunately, there is no flight from Manchester so I am considering the Andalucia trip instead.

Next year, who knows, but it will certainly be with Just You God willing 

:) love and best wishes to all in my group and thank you Just You xxx Mary/Maria to those who thought my name did nt suit me ha ha.

Easy TaiChi-Qigong DVD – 

Beginner LevelHi All and a special Hello to a great group of fellow travellers.

Airport arrivals to the coach was an interesting diversion including several lifts and a monorail but Sandra(TM) guided us out on arrival and back into departures on the last day.

The Hotel Tamerici Principe looked a bit dated and tired on first impression. The current owners great grandfather started the business in 1898. After unpacking and adjourning to the bar, like you do, the hotel starts to grow on you and in fact turned out to be an excellent stay. One of the restaurant staff had been employed there for 18 years and some of the others were long term as well and were all excellent. A 4 course dinner each night and you would never leave feeling hungry. Riccardo the barman joined in the fun with the group and was 1st class. I would recommend the £80 balcony upgrade as a few travellers ended up with a view of a wall and bins being emptied at 6.30am. There were 35 in our group but we all seemed to gel very quickly.

Our Tour Manager was Sandra Polidori again 1st class. All the excursions we were given maps and explanations etc. Although she didn't join the group in the evenings she was always on hand should she be needed.

Day 2 Pisa

Although some of the buildings were free to enter strangely you need to queue at main ticket office to get a ticket for them. No tour guide you were left to explore by yourself. Very pleasant walk down to the river and the Botanic Gardens were a peaceful oasis.

Day 3 Siena

Beautiful town but be aware some very steep streets and a reasonable amount of walking but worth it to see 'Il Campo' where the Palio Horse race is held twice a year. Local tour guide on this trip (about 1 1/2 hours)

Day 4 Free Day

You could indulge in some retail therapy today or a must visit is to Montecatini Alto via the funicular railway. This was a 20 minute walk from the Hotel and the rail cars took about 50 people and run every 1/2 hr. Worth it for the view alone especially on the opposite side from the railway exit. On the walk back to the hotel don't miss the excellent ice cream shop on the left.

Day 5 Optional Volterra and San Gimignano

The weather conspired to try and ruin this trip. Local tour guide (1.1/2 hours) again for Volterra we managed to stay dry for the tour and the Alabaster hand carving viewing was great and such a delicate bowl produced. Unfortunately after lunch just as we got to San Gimignano the rain decided that it would spoil our visit so unfortunately we didn't get to see it properly. However we did find an excellent cafe for coffee and local cakes/ice cream etc 1/2 way up the main street

Day 6 Florence

Coach stops at a view point which takes in the panorama of the city. Very crowded as our local tour guide explained that Tuesday was the busiest day to visit (2 hours). There was a least a 2 hour wait in the queue for entrance to the Cathedral. The gold jewellery in the shops on the Ponte Vecchio were stunning.

Day 7 Optional Lucca

Very good wind down self guided tour of a beautiful little town with very narrow winding streets and walk the town walls. Good cafes in the Piazza Anfileatro. Just a gentle chill out 3/4 day tour.

Overall an excellent holiday but does included quite a lot of walking and some of it reasonably challenging. Excellent Hotel top notch food and we had lovely group which made the trip. All the local tour guides were very good and we all had headsets to listen to the commentary.

However I would like to add a NOTE OF CAUTION Sandra (TM) did advise us about pickpockets and unfortunately one of our ladies had her purse taken from her back pack in Florence which obviously left her shaken and spoilt the visit somewhat. Sandra also said it had happened the previous tour in Pisa. SO PLEASE BE AWARE YOU ARE SPENDING YOUR CASH NOT THEM. When we returned to the Hotel from Florence they went out of their way and sent a member of staff with the unfortunate lady to the Carabinerie the following morning to report it.

Any questions I will try to answer if not I'm sure to rest of the group will.

Paul