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 an enjoyable affair, with the gratification of eating a wide range of delicious food locally - Italian food, of course, delicious!  And going from one place to another was equally positive on a deluxe coach with first-class comfort and an abundance of room. To add to it, the coach drivers were as enjoyable, humourous and as pleasing as the coach.  

But it was especially the attention given us by our tour guide that made the trip really pleasurable and enjoyable. Helen Sheehan our guide, ensured we did not have to worry about a thing. She was always conscious of organizing us efficiently and easily, our safety was a major consideration of hers (but she kept it quiet), and she made sure we knew how to enjoy ourselves wherever we went, and with ‘insider’ information she added to each of our experiences. Her personality was light, fun, entertaining – she was quick to laugh - and she was devoted to giving us great knowledge of our next destination as we travelled on the coach to where we were going. The people aboard were always silent during these times as they were so interested. Without her the tour would have been much less! Helen however, really knew how to look after her travellers. She had several requests that required her patience, her expertise, her assistance and her understanding. She was exemplary in responding. She made us feel safe and cared for. Thank you, Helen, for extending the pleasure of our wonderful tour in so many ways – you were a delight!  

As an experienced traveller over many years and in many ways, this Albatross Tour was one of the most memorable, enjoyable and totally gratifying I have experienced. All of us aboard were made to feel special and entertained, with destinations, wining and dining, big and small experiences but gratifyingly with our own time given major consideration, as unhurried, and indeed with much ‘my time’ to discover, relax and enjoy at our own pace. 

 In a nutshell; amazing destinations, luxurious accommodation, an unhurried pace and looked after by an amazing, delightful, informative and helpful guide. I would take as many Albatross Tours as I could. Travelling doesn’t get much better. And thank you Helen again! 

Some tours simply stand out, and having recently experienced Albatross Tours’ Italian Lakes and Tuscany, I can say this was truly one of them. What made this trip so exceptional was the thoughtful planning and attention to detail that Albatross Tours is renowned for. Every day was filled with effortless travel and experiences far beyond what any of us could have organised ourselves. 

The destinations were, of course, iconic and beautiful — but what made it even more special was staying for several nights in luxurious hotels. This meant no constant packing and unpacking, plenty of relaxation time and the joy of exploring nearby towns and attractions at an easy pace. We’d spend our days discovering remarkable places — from Genoa to the charming Santa Margherita and the stunning Cinque Terre coast.  And from Lucca to a day in Pisa. Add Verona, Firenze, Vicenza, Bellagio and more, and the itinerary was truly exceptional. 

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!