Published on Apr, 2024
Our guide Leonardo was waiting at Infopoint Sirmione well ahead of the prescribed meeting time and greeted the tour group with a welcoming warmth. This good start bode well for the rest of the time we spent together. Leonardo was very relaxed and gave the impression of having all the time in the world to help us have a satisfying tour. With his degrees in history and business, he was able to paint a picture of words that helped us traverse across the centuries that the amazingly beautiful peninsula has been populated and built up by humankind with different cultural influences.
Leonardo (aptly named, yeah?) knew of and took us along walking paths, nooks and crannies that were less crowded and more picturesque. We got to learn about the history of various mansions that dot the peninsula, the beautiful castle, the Roman ruins, the waterways, secluded beaches and of course the central area of the small town. We got good pointers for lunch and the right places to find clean toilets.
At the end of the tour, Leonardo helped guide our group members to their ferries, buses and boat-buses. Again, he did not rush any of us, but instead spent as much time as needed to help us feel well-taken care of. Thank you, Leonardo.
Ways Tours Verona is an amazingly good tour organizer. Right from the moment I booked the tour to the time the tour began, Giorgia and Martina were always willing and available to guide and assist. When my bus appeared to be late in arriving at the starting point, I sent a message informing them, and they immediately responded to me with a reassuring message and passed on the message to Leonardo that I may be a bit late. Fortunately, all was well and I arrived well in time.
One must be prepared for a lot of walking on this tour. While any guide that Ways Tours assigns is sure to be very considerate of those who may need an occasional rest or slow down a bit, it is still a lot of walking and steps involved. In warmer months than April, it would be a good idea for the tourists to take some bottled water along.