CICERONI Travel Traveller Reviews

Cicerone provided a first-rate tour, not only of the phenomenal art treasures to be found in the hill towns of Umbria, but also of the beautiful villages and countryside!

James Hill and Tom Duncan wre incredibly well-informed about the area we were visiting and about the art works that we were seeing. They were both extremely accommodating to the desires of the group as well as to needs of the individual members of the tour.

Tom Duncan led a group of about 26 people around part of County Cork, mainly to look at houses and gardens, some of which are not open to the public. Ballymaloe House Hotel was superb and has completely spoilt me for anything but that level of comfort and service.

Tom Duncan and Ciceroni travel are the best! He, Tom, is extremely well informed and has the ability to impart information on many topics. I have travelled with his company to New York, and am shortly going to Verona too, and have every confidence that the high standard will continue

An instructive, entertaining and enjoyable holiday. We did everything as described in the company's brochure.

A friendly, entertaining and most caring company. The depth of knowledge imparted by the tour leaders is amazing. Value for money.

This was a pleasantly intensive visit to a delightful part of southern Ireland which my wife and I have visited several times in the past. However these five days revealed how much we had failed to take in previously. Doors were opened to us which would have remained permanently closed but for Ciceroni. The houses were delicious and their treasures introduced to us in an enthusiastic,amusing and inimitable style. The gardens were,to us,a wonderment in their variety and in the cross section of large/small,formal/ non-standard,developed/work in progress...even some reminding us of our own semi-neglected plot.

We have travelled with Ciceroni and never failed to sing their praises wherever there are people to listen. They care for their clients as if they were friends.....and in many cases they are just that. But certainly not to excess. As ever this high standard of subtle service and care was ever-present on (and before) this trip. First class.

Well organised and brilliantly guided. A mix of art galleries, architecture, gardens and beautiful mansions. An historical and artistic introduction to Philadelphia.

A delightful companion who informed us, entertained us and guided us around Philadelphia. Good organisational skills which ensured the smooth running of the tour. Also knowledgeable, giving us a overview of the history. Highly recommended.

Ballymaloe was a perfect place to stay and overall it was a very good holiday.

I am always happy with the arrangements made by Ciceroni

we were looked after extremely well

A most excellent tour of the County Cork during which, as well as enjoying the most wonderful weather and good company, we were taken to see an excellent selection of interesting gardens, as well as some well known and lesser visited historic houses. The Hotel Ballymaloe provided the perfect respite after a days touring and replenished minds and bodies most deliciously!

Ciceroni Travel always give us a great holiday experience, and stimulate us to investigate further both historical and horticultural matters that interest us.

The holiday "Lucca and the Renaissance Garden" was a 4 night tour of this city's heritage of great villas and gardens located in the countryside around Lucca as well as the wonderful treasures within the city walls. We had access to the elegant and historically interesting interiors of the villas and met some of the owners. During the tour we enjoyed authentic Italian cuisine and wines. Our 4 star hotel San Luca Palace was very comfortable and handsomely appointed, bedrooms were large and breakfasts a marvellous smorgasbord. The staff were always responsive and helpful.

Ciceroni provided courteous and smooth arrangements concerning tour information, bookings and payments. The commentaries/lectures by tour leader Dr Tom Duncan were unsurpassed in their erudition and graceful presentation. The tour manager James Hill who speaks fluent Italian, added his extensive knowledge of Italian and Papal history while also ensuring that the tour ran smoothly for all participants.

We were visiting churches and museums demonstrating early and late medieval frescoes and paintings in the hill towns of Umbria. We stayed the whole time in Perugia, which was much more comfortable than having to move hotels each night. The lectures were excellent, frequently amusing, and at all times informative.

I have been with this tour operator on many occasions, and would certainly go again. The hotels chosen are excellent in comfort and situation, though we could probably do with shorter "official" lunches! We are always well looked after and shepherded to our meeting points at all times. It would have been helpful sometimes to have been given maps of the various towns before being given free time to wander, but otherwise I have only high praise.