Testimonials

We welcome our guests' feedback - which we value greatly. Please feel free to submit your views via our contact page.

Learn Italian - September 2011
"I thought the balance of the programme was perfect (as was the weather and the company, of course) and we are all most grateful to you for providing such a great experience - a truly memorable week."
JE (Yorkshire)

Learn Italian - September 2011
"Just wanted to say a huge thank you, to you all, for a truly marvellous week in Tuscany.  From the moment I arrived in Pisa, I had a lovely time.  I Tre Baroni was stunning – the pool, the food, the staff, the rooms – everything was ideal.  In fact, special mention must go to Luigi, not only for his ‘day job’ and the singing but the wine tasting was so very interesting and informative."
JG (North West UK)

Le Marche- September 2011
"...how do Grand Tourist find these places? This is a real gem... from a medieval hill top town we have a 360 view over glorious countryside."
PS (South Wales)

Amalfi Coast - August 2011
"We enjoyed both places we stayed at thank you so much for arranging all the little touches they did not go unnoticed.... thank you again for all your help in arranging a wonderful honeymoon for us in the mesmerizing country of Italy, we will be back to see more."
A & W (Sydney)

European Touring - July 2011
"It was such a treat to have the benefits of independent customised travel wihtout all of the leg work! You were able to translate our wishlist into the perfect itinerary, tours & accommodation, it's impossible to single out highlights because each new destination brought exciting new discoveries!"
P & K (Canada)

European Touring - June 2011
"We can't believe how many wonderful places and world renowned sites we saw on one trip!"
P & K (Canada)

Tuscany - May 2011
"[our clients] had a fantastic time at the Tre Baroni. The staff and food were fabulous and the walks, scenery wonderful."
LS

Monaco Grand Prix - May 2011
"We thoroughly enjoyed our time with all of you at The Fairmont and watching the Grand Prix from such a wonderful vantage point including first class hospitality.
I can assure you that we are the envy of many of our friends in Australia and it is thanks to you and the team that enables us to let our friends know how good it was."
RP

Walking in Tuscany - May 2011
"…a fabulous four day trip to Tuscany staying at the Hotel I Tre Baroni in Moggiona. From the moment we arrived, until the moment we left, everything went so smoothly… most friendly staff, glorious al fresco 'light lunch' which set the standard for the rest of the trip."
GH

Tuscany - May 2011
"We all thoroughly enjoyed the pasta making experience and were delighted to be eating our homemade pasta for lunch - a great time had by all…The wine tasting with Luigi was great fun on the first night (a great Sommelier) and we all learnt something new"
GH & JW

Istanbul - May 2011
"Just back from a fantastic holiday in Istanbul, we can’t thank you enough for arranging such a wonderful experience. Everything went according to your itinerary, the hotel was in the perfect place and the restaurants you booked for us were amazing. We had a great guide in Ilhan Atesgoz who has a wealth of knowledge, was very patient with us and went out of his way to accommodate our extra requests and helped us with all our many purchases!!! He was an excellent guide. We will be getting together to discuss out next years ‘girly’ holiday soon so will be back in touch with you when we decide where we would like to go. Thanks again, will be recommending your company to friends and family."
CT, GO & PF

Istanbul - November 2010
"...we would like to thank you for organising our Istanbul trip so well. The guide on the first day was superb and his background as a history teacher equipped him extremely well for the tour. The Four Seasons is the most luxurious hotels....it felt like a special way to end the trip. Many thanks once again for arranging our fabulous holiday..."
JJ

Le Marche Learn Italian - October 2010
"...Ciao Janet, Tutti sono arrivati in punto dopo una settimana stupenda. Grazie Mille per i'esperienza ed i ricordi piacevole. Alla prossima!..."
AMB (Stockport)

Sicily and Athens Tours - September 2010
"...we had a great time on all your tours. Our guide was great and our wine tasting tour was fantastic..."
SP

Scotland - September 2010
"...it was perfect and we have many great memories..."
JH

Amalfi Coast - July 2010
"...the food, service, scenery and size of the rooms fantastic...the view over to Capri was unbelievable. I would definitely head back to Relais Blu again. The drivers that were arranged were all really fantastic and the waiter at Casa Calumbo was lovely and really made us feel special. The wine tasting at Palazzo Belmonte was fantastic as was the private dinner we had. The authenticity of the Italian food in this area was great. The grounds are lovely and the staff have a very caring feeling about them (Palazzo Belmonte). In terms of the itinerary it worked really well and we pretty much stuck to it along with plenty of relaxing..."
ST

Florence and Tuscany Region - July 2010
"...lovely location, lovely pool and the chef outstanding..."
SR

Le Marche Learn Italian - May 2010
"Thanks for all your efforts in making the week at Santo Stefano so easy, relaxing and fun."
DD

Le Marche Learn Italian May 2010
"Hi Janet, Have been meaning to write to congratulate you on a wonderfully well organised week in Le Marche. Superbly researched, splendid accommodation and great walking company too! It was great to meet you all - what a wonderful group of people."
AA

Le Marche Learn Italian May 2010
"It was the perfect holiday and I couldn't have wished for a better time. The organisation and attention to detail was truly astonishing."
RM

Le Marche Learn Italian - October 2009
"Hi Janet, hope you're well and arrived home safely. Thanks again for a superb week. You did a grand job!"
June x

Le Marche Learn Italian October 2009
"Ciao Janet, I don't think I have quite come down to earth yet since I got back home, I keep seeing visions of Le Marche in my head & probably will for some time to come. I wanted to thank you again for the wonderful holiday I had last week, I loved it, it was very memorable. I know you went out of your way to individualize the holiday to each person's particular needs & that's what makes you feel well looked after & makes all the difference. I can't wait to see Paola on Thursday to tell her all about it! I have told John he must come with me to Le March next year, perhaps for a walking holiday, & he seems keen on that. So thanks again Janet for everything & all the best, Saluti,"
Rose

Istanbul September 2009
"I just wanted to thank you for organising such an excellent trip to Istanbul earlier this month. We asked you to arrange an interesting visit that would entertain and inform our group of thirty plus Liverymen and their partners and you gave us a long weekend that will be remembered as outstanding and has set a new standard.
One of my main concerns in my year as Master was to arrange a successful Master's Outing and you have enabled me to achieve this; thank you.
The feedback from those who went on the weekend have been really quite moving."
The Furniture Makers Company

Learn Italian October 2008
"What a wonderful week we had – everything went smoothly thanks to Janet; Santo Stefano more than lived up to expectations and nothing was too much trouble for her or the owners. The food both at the villa and in restaurants was outstanding, the excursions were unusual, informative and very interesting. I had two slight misgivings before I went – firstly whether the week would be value for money, and it certainly was: everything was catered for and there was no skimping. Secondly I was apprehensive as regards the Italian tuition; there again I need not have worried. Although the members of our group were at varying levels of expertise, I was very impressed at how Marcello our tutor quickly assessed our individual abilities and tailored his instruction to suit our personal needs; I felt all of us made considerable progress during the week whether we had been learning the language for only a short while or several years. Well done Grand Tourist, and thanks for a memorable week."
VL

Learn Italian in Luxury – October 2008
"The house and its setting in Le Marche are simply stunning and the way it is set up makes you feel at home immediately. Sheila and John were so welcoming and the food, both in the house and in the local restaurants, was mouth-watering. As a complete beginner I found the Italian lessons very stretching and wondered if I would sink or swim but having returned to my evening class this week I realise I have absorbed much much more than I thought and feel far more confident when speaking Italian. The activities organised in the afternoons were such fun and gave an insight to the local culture that I would never have been able to access on my own, especially the two "nonnas'" pasta demonstration in the kitchen at La Chiesa, Marcello's tour of the arc haeological dig and the mushroom & truffle festival in Cingoli. My fellow students were so delightful too and the group worked so well together that I hope I've made some real new friends."
PW, Kent

Palladian Villas of the Veneto – July 2008
"We succeeded in seeing all 46 buildings (definitely attribute to Palladio) in a three week period. This holiday was, we think, a little unusual for Grand Tourist…But Janet rose to the challenge. Janet really listened to what we said and tailored her knowledge and skills to what we wanted. She even found some military maps for us which were extremely useful."
J & R

"We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and you made it a very special week. Thank you for your organisation and effort."
J & R

"The actual experience exceeded our very high expectations, as your planning was so brilliantly executed in every detail. Most of all we would like to express our gratitude to you. You gave us your undivided attention and your kindness was very much appreciated by all of us. Janet, we are so appreciative of everything you have done to make our holiday a memorable one, it is a time we will treasure for many years to come."
Chris and Jill (Gastronomy and wine tour - July 2008)

"Once again I want to say a big thank you for all the trouble you went to to organise our Italian trip & to say how much I enjoyed the week!"
Stella Bryant (Learn Italian in Style – October 2007)

"It was a great week, we did so many interesting things, with so many memories, and such a beautiful place."
Diane Green

"I said I would let you know on behalf of us all how well you put our tailor-made holiday together, and looked after us and our needs so well, we could not have asked for more!!"
DS

"I haven’t laughed so much in years and I learned some Italian as well!"
SJB

"Thank you for providing such a wonderful and personal insight into wine-making in the region of Le Marche."
RJS

"This was the most fascinating week I have ever spent in Italy; I learned more in a week with you than I could ever have learned on my own, thank you so much."
MWW

"Picked up at the door, whisked away to be wined, dined and entertained then dropped off again - a perfect holiday."
MB (July 2008)

Gastronomy & Wine - June 2008
"It felt such a privilege to experience such a range of culinary excellence in such beautiful surroundings."
M.R.T

"Your attention to detail ensured that my visit to Le Marche was unique and one I shall treasure."
D.A.O

"Thank you for providing such a wonderful and personal insight in to wine-making in the region of Le Marche."
R.J.S

"The venue was superb, the food amazing and the company charming, a truly exceptional experience!"
S.E.B

"A great deal of thought and planning has gone in to the schedule and in particular the gastronomic events which were memorable."
SH (June 2007)

"The beauty of the presentation in no way masked the superb quality of the food and left the flavours to speak for themselves."
Mark Tyler (Le Busche dining experience - July 2008)

"Uliassi’s dining experience is truly spectacular. Relaxing on the beach terrace whilst enjoying an incredible procession of innovative dishes has to be one of life’s most pleasurable moments."
Mark Tyler (July 2008)

Venice: the hidden city - September 2007
"Venice is a complicated city – we struggled to find our way around, it was great to have Janet there to help us and show us corners we would never have discovered on our own."
RM

"This was the most fascinating week I have ever spent in Italy; I learned more in a week with you than I could ever have learned on my own, thank you so much."
M.W.W. (Sept 2007)

Learn Italian in Style - April 2007
"Please thank Janet for the effort that she put in to her trip; her knowledge and enthusiasm were an inspiration."
S.D.H.

"We went to Venice in November last year to celebrate my husbands 50th Birthday. Janet found us a fantastic boutique hotel just by St Mark’s square. Her knowledge of the city’s history and culture - and fluent Italian - made the short stay so much more fulfilling. The night in the fish restaurant by the Rialto bridge was magical and the company of Janet and her husband Andrew absolutely delightful."
M.R & R.R (Nov 2006)