Iconic Italian Lakes and Tuscany

Iconic Italian Lakes and Tuscany

Some tours are just magnificent. And having recently experienced Albatross Tours Italian Lakes and Tuscany, this is one of them. What provided the wonderful pleasures of this trip was Albatross Tours creating exceptional considerations and experiences for we travellers. They provided carefree journeying but filled with experiences and pleasures beyond what we could plan and imagine ourselves – every single day.

The destinations themselves were iconic and beautiful. But it was staying in luxurious  hotels for four and three nights there that was so exciting. This allowed for relaxed times (and thank you, no pressure with luggage) but also the opportunity of visiting amazing places nearby during the day and coming ‘home’ to a lovely evening, with our own time to explore local places to eat or to join the group for an organised dinner. For example, from Genoa we visited delightful Santa Margherita on our way to the coastline of Cinque Terre. From Lucca, we spent a day in Pisa. And there was so much more – Verona, Firenze, Vicenza, Bellagio - and on it went. 

Dining was always a highlight, every meal an opportunity to savour delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. Travel between destinations was equally enjoyable aboard a deluxe, spacious coach, with comfortable seating and cheerful, professional drivers who made the journey as pleasant as the destinations themselves. 

What truly elevated the tour, though, was our guide, Helen Sheehan. She ensured every traveller felt cared for and completely at ease. Always well organised, quietly focused on safety, and brimming with insider knowledge, Helen turned each stop into a richer experience. Her light-hearted humour, engaging stories and infectious enthusiasm kept everyone listening intently. Helen’s patience, professionalism and genuine care were evident throughout, no request too big, no question too small. She made us feel safe, valued and wonderfully looked after. Thank you, Helen, for your warmth, wisdom and the joy you brought to every day. 

As a long-time traveller, I can say this Albatross journey was one of the most memorable and gratifying experiences I’ve had. We were treated to incredible destinations, fine dining, comfortable luxury and most importantly, the perfect balance between guided exploration and personal downtime. In short: stunning places, beautiful hotels, an easy pace, and a truly outstanding guide. I’d travel with Albatross Tours again in a heartbeat. Travelling really doesn’t get better — and once again, thank you, Helen!