Go Ahead Tours Ratings and Reviews

Customer Reviews for Go Ahead Tours A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera

Go Ahead Tours A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera

Culinary delights await you on this Food & Wine tour to Northern Italy. Savor locally produced cheese and wine, as you meander through charming medieval towns of the Italian Riviera.
Average Customer Rating:
4.706 out of 5
4.7
 out of 
5
(17 Reviews) 17
17 out of 17 100% of customers would recommend this tour.
Customer questions and answers:
9 Questions | 22 Answers
Customer Reviews for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Review 1 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
comfortable
Challenging
by KATBERRY  | 
Number of past tours:1
Traveled on:11/06/2011
Location:PA
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:with my spouse/significant other
by KATBERRY  | 
November 27, 2011

Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera

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Nice pace - not too strenous for my 82 year old Mother
Hotels were in the cities which was great so you could walk to all the sites
on free time and to restaurants (and gelato shops) on free time.
Tour guide was professional, friendly and very accommodating.
bus driver was the same.....
We traveled with a nice group of people - we all looked out for each other - many (if not all) had been on Go Ahead Tours before
We had a great time!
Recommended for: Anniversary Trips, Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Food & Wine, First Time Travelers, Relaxing Retreat, Experienced Travelers
+14points
14out of 14found this review helpful.
Review 2 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
comfortable
Challenging
by HANSEL  | 
Number of past tours:1
Traveled on:11/06/2011
Location:PA
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:with my spouse/significant other
by HANSEL  | 
November 27, 2011

Taste of Northern Italy and Italian Riveria

Enjoyed it very much.
Excellent hotels, food
Guide and bus driver went out of their way to accommodate tour
We had fun, learned a lot and ate well!
Recommended for: Anniversary Trips, Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Food & Wine, First Time Travelers, Relaxing Retreat, Experienced Travelers
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 3 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
comfortable
Challenging
by MHABINOWSKI1  | 
Number of past tours:13
Traveled on:11/06/2011
Location:NH
Age:60+
Gender:Male
I traveled:with my spouse/significant other
by MHABINOWSKI1  | 
November 27, 2011

Wonderful trip

If you like a leisurely pace to villages, villas and vineyards for tasting of wines , cheeses, and Italian cooking, then this is a tour that one can delight in.
The cities of Torino, Bologna, Verano and the Rivera towns proved to be enjoyable and unique.
Lastly, our tour guide Raf, was always there to help out and keep everyone happy.
Recommended for: Food & Wine
+6points
6out of 6found this review helpful.
Review 4 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
active
Challenging
by jebhawkins  | 
Number of past tours:4
Traveled on:5/8/2011 12:00:00 AM
Location:OH
Age:50-59
Gender:Female
I traveled:solo
by jebhawkins  | 
October 26, 2011

Fabulous Food & Wine Tour

I have taken several tours to Italy and this was by far the best. The itinerary featured places overlooked by other companies, and the food and wine experience was fantastic. This tour is a MUST for anyone who enjoys Italian food and wine. Our guide was terriffic. If you sign up for this tour I recommend you add a couple of extra days in Milan before the tour starts and join the group at the first location in Torino. Milan is easy to do on your own and is another "must see." Don't miss the Venice extension either!
Recommended for: Active Travelers, Anniversary Trips, Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Food & Wine, Experienced Travelers
+7points
7out of 7found this review helpful.
Review 5 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Value
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Director
3 / 5
3 / 5
Leisurely
moderate
Challenging
by JVONDRACEK3  | 
Number of past tours:3
Traveled on:09/25/2011
Location:CA
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:with friend(s)
by JVONDRACEK3  | 
October 16, 2011

A Taste of Northern Italy

It could have been the best trip ever, but I compared notes with someone who had Sabra as their tour leader and she got much more information that we really had to get on our own.
Of the three trips I've made with GoAhead, only the trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco had an outstanding guide.
Recommended for: Active Travelers, Family Vacations, Trip Of A Lifetime, Food & Wine
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
Review 6 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
moderate
Challenging
by NSCHREIER2  | 
Number of past tours:11
Traveled on:09/25/2011
Location:NY
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:solo
by NSCHREIER2  | 
October 16, 2011

A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera

This trip was one of the most enjoyable ones I've taken. Although there were 45 of us, Antonio handled the challenge with great tact and competence, in addition to enormous amount of knowledge. I was most surprised at the beauty of Torino. I had expected it to be a manufacturing city, but the culture was indeed a great thrill. I loved Verone and would like ,to return. The wine tastings were superb as was the food.
Recommended for: Active Travelers, Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Trip Of A Lifetime, Food & Wine, First Time Travelers, Experienced Travelers
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
Review 7 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Value
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
moderate
Challenging
by SHUTCHISON4  | 
Number of past tours:5
Traveled on:09/25/2011
Location:CO
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:with my spouse/significant other
by SHUTCHISON4  | 
October 16, 2011

Great trip

Our tour of Northern Italy was a great experience. It was our 4th trip to Italy and we really enjoyed seeing new places. The wine tastings and food were fabulous. Our tour guide Antonio, was an excellent tour guide. He was very patient and kind as well as very knowledgable. There were 45 people on our tour which we felt was too many but everyone was gracious and for the most part well traveled which helped us stay on schedule.
We felt there should have been at least one more day in Verona, it is a wonderful place, and less time in Bologna.
The only downer was that our bags were delayed and we didn't receive them until the 4th day. We are having a bit of a problem turning in a claim as we didn't have our ticket numbers, written proof of delivery etc. so I would encourage everyone to be sure to keep all of this information in case of a baggage issue.
We loved the tour for the most part and the Hotels were all pretty good by Euorpean standards.
Recommended for: Anniversary Trips, Food & Wine, First Time Travelers
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 8 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Value
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
challenging
Challenging
by JPELLEGRINO17  | 
Number of past tours:1
Traveled on:09/25/2011
Location:NJ
Age:60+
Gender:Male
I traveled:with my spouse/significant other
by JPELLEGRINO17  | 
October 16, 2011

Northern Italy and Italian Riveria

I did enjoy the tour however it was way too big. 45 people made it not so confortable. It would have been nicer if the tour was about 30 -35. I was disappointed in Venice ... been there in 1998 and stayed at the Europa in St Marc sq. very very nice . The area in the Lido was too far from the ferry service and the hotel less then desireable. It was coded as confortable which I think was wrong. I do believe Go Ahead tours gave us a lot for the money. Antonio was excellent.
Recommended for: Active Travelers, Food & Wine
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 9 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
moderate
Challenging
by BLINDBOE1  | 
Number of past tours:12
Traveled on:09/25/2011
Location:MO
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:with friend(s)
by BLINDBOE1  | 
October 16, 2011

Northern Italy and the Italian Riviera

This tour was full of pleasant surprises. I never would have predicted, for example, that Turin is the place to go to see the best Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo or that Verona has the best Roman remains north of Rome. Cinque Terre, with one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, was stunning. In Venice, I was able to tour the famous opera house La Fenice in the morning and attend The Barber of Seville in the evening. Our tour director was masterful, and the local guides were personable and very well informed. My only "complaint" was that the food was so delicious and abundant that I didn't walk enough to walk it off. This is a classy problem! The tour was wonderful in every way.
Recommended for: Anniversary Trips, Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Food & Wine, Honeymoons, Experienced Travelers
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 10 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Value
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
moderate
Challenging
by JMANOLIO  | 
Number of past tours:1
Traveled on:09/25/2011
Location:NJ
Age:60+
Gender:Male
I traveled:with friend(s)
by JMANOLIO  | 
October 15, 2011

Good Value

Good Value as tours go! Lots to see. Lots to do. Good pace. One very busy day followed by an "at leisure" day if you so chose.. It is truly a Taste of Italy with 3 wine tastings(one better than the last). A delicious and informative cheese tasting and a visit to a Balsamic estate in a great setting with an excellent host family! If you take this tour please ask if Antonio is your tour director.The best i've experienced.I am a senior who uses awalking stick and he constantly was aware of how I was getting along and wasn't left behind. My onlycomment has to do with the 2 day extension in Venice. As we were mainly seniors (45 tour members) the location of the hotel biasutti was not ideal. In addition the staff was indiffernt and the condition of the older part of the hotel left a lot to be desired. Ask where your staying in Venice. All the other locations were first rate!!!
Recommended for: Active Travelers, Anniversary Trips, Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Food & Wine, First Time Travelers, Experienced Travelers
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 11 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Value
3 / 5
3 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
challenging
Challenging
by MCERASOLI  | 
Number of past tours:1
Traveled on:09/25/2011
Location:FL
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:solo
by MCERASOLI  | 
October 8, 2011

A Taste of Northern Italy.....

A super-sized coach just too big! 45 tour members not a good idea. I do not chose to have dinner with 44 other people...most of whom I never knew their names. There should be a handout with all names to help us become acquainted. Tour director Antonio Capella was excellent....pleasant and knowledgeable. Weather extremely hot for Oct. so that was uncomfortable. Sightseeing guide in Verona most exceptional! Winery and cheese factory very interesting and new to me. It was my 10th trip to Italy as t focased on an area not before having visited. Maryann Cerasoli
Recommended for: Active Travelers, Food & Wine, Experienced Travelers
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 12 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
active
Challenging
by GLYNES1  | 
Number of past tours:1
Traveled on:03/20/2011
Location:LA
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:with a group coordinator/organization
by GLYNES1  | 
April 25, 2011

How soon can I go again!

It was too short; we focused on the wine and food, which was beyond wonderful, but next time I would like to stay much longer and also see the art and architecture. I could live there very easily, with the requirement that I learn some language and customs. I want to go again and do more!
Recommended for: Active Travelers, Solo Travelers, Food & Wine, First Time Travelers, Relaxing Retreat
+20points
20out of 20found this review helpful.
Review 13 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
active
Challenging
by Anonymous  | 
Number of past tours:1
Traveled on:03/20/2011
Location:AL
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:with friend(s)
by Anonymous  | 
April 22, 2011

wonderful tour director

Our tour director did a great job helping the travelers make the most of their
trip. She was a joy and delight ! Would love to travel with her again.
Recommended for: Active Travelers, Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Food & Wine, First Time Travelers, Experienced Travelers
+4points
6out of 8found this review helpful.
Review 14 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
comfortable
Challenging
by PRUNDQUIST1  | 
Number of past tours:8
Traveled on:03/20/2011
Location:NH
Age:50-59
Gender:Female
I traveled:with my spouse/significant other
by PRUNDQUIST1  | 
April 19, 2011

the best food

we ate better than any other tour, (8 so far). Sabra, our guide chose every menu, so it's the first time we didn't have the same exact menu for each dinner. standing in the cheese cathedral in parma, looking at all that parmigiano reggiano and the farmer was so proud of his cheese and generous with samples. i didn't think it could get any better. then we drove to the balsamico farm-it was heaven! my husband fell in love with verona. it was of course interesting , full of history and easy to get around in. venice was as wondreful as i remembered. i would redo this tour in a heartbeat.
Recommended for: Anniversary Trips, Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Trip Of A Lifetime, Food & Wine, Honeymoons, Relaxing Retreat, Experienced Travelers
+15points
15out of 15found this review helpful.
Review 15 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
moderate
Challenging
by SUKRACHAND  | 
Number of past tours:7
Traveled on:03/20/2011
Location:MA
Age:50-59
Gender:Female
I traveled:with friend(s)
by SUKRACHAND  | 
April 15, 2011

Get Ready to Feast

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This was my 7th trip with GoAhead and also one of the best. If you like good food and wine, you will love this trip. From the cannelloni and lasagna to the Barolo, Barbera and Amarone, it was all fantastic!
My favorite experience was the visit to the balsamic vinegar producer. Mario welcomed us into his home, showed us how he makes Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale in his attic and shared his family history and photos. His wife prepared an unforgettable luncheon where all the food could be paired with the balsamico, even the desserts. I have never tasted vinegar like this before!
The visits to the parmigiano-reggiano producer and the cooking school in Bologna were memorable as well. The local tour guides and our wonderful tour director, Sabra, were all excellent.
Bring good walking shoes on this tour and especially loose fitting clothing so you can really enjoy all the delicious cuisine!
Recommended for: Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Food & Wine, First Time Travelers, Experienced Travelers
+9points
9out of 9found this review helpful.
Review 16 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
moderate
Challenging
by Anonymous  | 
Number of past tours:1
Traveled on:03/20/2011
Location:OR
Age:60+
Gender:Female
I traveled:with friend(s)
by Anonymous  | 
April 14, 2011

A Wonderful Time

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My first trip to Italy was informative, interesting and delicious! Our guide did a wonderful job and was very entertaining. She taught us a lot, while letting us get to know the area by ourselves whenever possible after we were oriented to the city.
The side trips were beautiful. We had some great meals at some wonderful homes, hosted by some very nice people. The trip was well planned and executed. I would go again with Go Ahead any time. Thank you.
Recommended for: Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Food & Wine, First Time Travelers
+10points
10out of 10found this review helpful.
Review 17 for A Taste of Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera
Overall Rating
5 / 5
5 / 5
Tour Value
4 / 5
4 / 5
Tour Director
5 / 5
5 / 5
Leisurely
active
Challenging
by MKLUVER1  | 
Number of past tours:12
Traveled on:03/20/2011
Location:NE
Age:60+
Gender:Male
I traveled:with my spouse/significant other
by MKLUVER1  | 
April 14, 2011

One of our top 5 trips.

Sabra, our tour guide, was the hardest working, most attentive guide we have ever had. She was tireless in her efforts to see that everyone on the tour had the best possible experiences. All of our Go Ahead guides have been good, but Sabra was by far the best.
Recommended for: Active Travelers, Solo Travelers, Art, History, & Culture, Food & Wine, Experienced Travelers
+8points
8out of 8found this review helpful.