Ciao Italy Tours — Attraction in New York

So far, the trip has been very good, however, there have been some issues that have required us to contact Ciao Italy to get corrections. First day, arriving in Venice after an overnight flight, we got to the hotel and there was no reservation. After 30 min or more, it was finally determined that the reservation was in the name of our travel agent and not in our name. Very frustrating. Also, the paperwork from Ciao Italy said the hotel stay included breakfast and lunch. Not so! Hotel told us only lunch is included. Ok. The stay in Venice was very nice and we enjoyed the tours. Next stop was Florence. Breakfast included with stay and it was a very nice stay. Then on to Naples/Sorrento. Arriving at Sorrento, we were told we did not have rooms with a sea view as promised in the Ciao Italy paperwork. Contacted our travel agent and she began trying to get Ciao Italy to correct the issues. After an hour (we had already checked into the hotel), Ciao Italy came back with a resolution - transfer to another hotel with rooms with sea view. So packing up and then traveling by taxi to the alternative hotel. It was a very nice hotel - nicer than the original but still VERY inconvenient that we had to move to another hotel. The new hotel, while nice, is not located nearly as close to shopping and restaurants. These issues should have never happened if Ciao Italy had paid attention to the details. The resolutions have been good, but we should not have to involve the travel agent after our journey begins. It has been inconvenient.

• Update after trip was concluded *

Final stop was in Rome. We were booked in Hotel Imperiale, in a good central location for seeing the ancient city of Rome. The hotel is touted as a 4-star hotel but this hotel is older and has not been updated in the last couple of decades. There were no electrical outlets near the bed (no good if you use a CPAP machine). I would barely rate this hotel a 3-star. The staff was very helpful - truly the bright spot for this hotel. I would recommend that Ciao Italy review their hotels so that when they recommend a 4-star hotel to their clients, it is truly a 4-star hotel.

We had some issues on the trip that could have been avoided with more careful follow up; however, the issues were handled - but should never had occurred in the...

I rarely write reviews, but I feel compelled to warn others about my experience with Diana. From start to finish, the planning of our trip to Italy was frustrating and disappointing due to her lack of professionalism, preparation, and accountability.

We relied on Diana to help us plan a special group trip for 12 people across 10 days in Italy. Unfortunately, she did not plan anything beyond booking overpriced, underwhelming hotels—some of which were poorly located, outdated, or downright uncomfortable. For the amount of money we paid, the accommodations were a massive letdown and clearly not vetted with any care.

Worse, when things inevitably started to go wrong—missed reservations, logistical confusion, issues with hotel check-ins—Diana was extremely unhelpful and defensive. She never offered real solutions, only excuses. Every issue that came up was somehow “not her fault” or “out of her control,” and she often redirected us to deal with things ourselves.

The most baffling moment was when we asked for help arranging dinner reservations for our group (a very reasonable ask for a travel agent), and she told us to “just ask the hotel concierge.” For a group of 12 during high season in Italy, that’s not exactly a viable or thoughtful plan.

This trip could have been so special, but Diana’s lack of organization, communication, and follow-through made it far more stressful than it should have been. We felt completely unsupported and misled.

Travel is expensive and time is precious—do yourself a favor and work with someone who actually cares about the experience they’re creating. Sadly, Diana is not that person.

Updated 7/14 to include photo showing this is the...

I have been using Ciao Italy Tours for many years for all of my customized tours to Italy and Sicily....as well as their escorted tours. They have been outstanding in customer service and professionalism especially during the pandemic all of my clients, and there were many were taken care of, with a refund or voucher... Guido and Renee and the other agents at Ciao ,know Italy and will go out of their way to make sure your clients get the best experience ever...You never have to worry they are there for your clients 24/7 ... For my agency Mystic valley Travel there is no other tour company that I would use without hesitation then Ciao Italy Tours Rita Cornelio President Mystic Valley Travel...