Name: StayCation Florence October 2023
Start: 2023-10-02T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

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Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

StayCation Florence October 2023

Roads Less Traveled LLC

Single Room

Double Room

<p>6 Nights/7 Days insider's Florence</p>

About this trip

This trip was a delight for the senses. The color of the water, the delicious food, the interesting sights. All in the company of fun, vibrant people. Simply glorious. 

Turkey Sailing Staycation

To see Umbria in the fall is spectacular. To see Umbria on this itinerary, including grape harvests and little known palaces, and with such an amazing, fun, group was pure magic. 

Vintner's Select Umbria 2024

This was a wonderful, thoughtfully planned and well-executed tour with an outstanding guide (Lisa Anderson) and excellent local guides. We felt like we really got a sense of the uniqueness of Sardegna and the pride of its people, and had some great, authentic experiences with local people, curated and coordinated by Lisa. Highly recommend this tour!

Sardegna October 2024

This trip exceeded my expectations. Turkey is an amazing country, and this tour provided an excellent introduction. I got to experience not only Istanbul but the countryside and some of Turkey's rich historical sites. There was plenty of time for shopping and experiencing Turkish cuisine. I cannot say enough good things about Taylan. He is the perfect guide -- informative, organized, professional yet funny, and sensitive to the needs of tour members. I am very glad I went on this trip!

Turkey in a Tea Cup

It will be difficult to find the words to express how wonderful it was to tour Slovenia and Croatia with Gabor.  Everything was perfect.  First of all, my husband and I took a liking to all the members of the group almost instantly.  All of the travelers enjoyed the food, wine and touring together.  The restaurants selected did not just provide food, each one was a unique experience.  I learned much about the culture of Slovenia and Croatia from the winery tours.  Many of the wineries were family owned and the representatives spoke with pride about what they have accomplished in the short history of free Slovenia. Gabor was responsible for the success of our tour.  He had a good sense for when we were tired and was able to pivot with the weather and other circumstances.  Kristijan was not just a bus driver, he was an equal partner with Gabor in keeping all of us happy and safe.  I am truly happy with our choice to put our trust in the team from Adventures with Sarah.

Harvest Tour 2024 October with Gabor

We had a great time. The group of 12, plus group leader Gabor and driver Kristian, became tight within first 48 hours. Slovenia is beautiful and so varied in topography. I appreciated our tour showing us the various regions and highlighting the wine and food production thereof. For me there was too much food and wine, but I knew what I signed up for so just had to use self-control (of which I have a very limited amount!) The trip was tiring, and I attribute some of that to our having moved too many times. Slovenia is small enough that it seems a central location of 3-night stays could be arranged. For instance, we had a 1-night stay at a beautiful location (was that Croatia?) overlooking the Adriatic that was out of town of course. We arrived too late and left too early to take advantage of any hiking in the environs. Also, this particular location's restaurant was touted as quality. I found the fish dinner almost inedible because of the overly salted food. Generally, the food was superb and the wines were paired well. 

We did not stay at Hotel Mrak before the trip began. I contacted them twice to make a reservation and received no response either time. 

We had an excellent group leader, Gabor, and great bus driver.  We were blessed with an exceptional bus driver, Kristian.  With the exception of one overnight at a hotel on Mt Uckna, the accomodations and meals were very, very good.  We ate at Michelin starred gourmet restaurants and had exceptional meals at a goat farm and an olive farm.  
We were also blessed with an exceptionally compatible group of 5 other couples.  

Piemonte! Beautiful mountains, vineyards, forests...A part of Italy obviously influenced by the countries and cultures that share its borders. Remnants of ancient history. A grand and lavish royal history. Piemonte had much to do with shaping Italy as it is today. Turin is a great city to realize the effects of the innovators of this region on the world even today: automobiles, cinema, food (canned vegetables!). So many "firsts". And Cuneo! What a proud and lovely city.
Our guide, Lisa, made this the tour I will recall as a favorite. Her personal love of the area came through in her words and choices for adventure. Lisa connected me with nature. She wove me into the community in ways that felt real. It wasn't about delicious food and wine. Lisa made me feel that I was in a place that I could call home.

StayCation Piemonte 2024

What’s not to like about the Piemonte Staycation. Lisa has designed a great tour of the region that includes terrific and unique activities with amazing food and drink. Because we were located in just two places, Turin and Cuneo, we could settle in and unpack for days. Touring from a base location was good in this area because the landscape is beautiful, there is a wide variety of activities and the food and drink are delicious.

Having lived in the area since moving to Italy as a young woman, Lisa has personal knowledge of Piemonte and has relationships with the local guides and restauranteurs. We very much enjoyed her stories and experiences. She also invited collective conversation with the group that welcomed participation from all. 

Memorable activities include a 150 foot climb to the dome of a church for an up close view of the fresco.

An afternoon in Alba to see the donkey Palio with extraordinary costumes.

A truffle hunt.

A pasta and gnocchi cooking class.

Hikes in the mountains. 

Wine tasting. 

Grappa tasting.

Visiting a cheese farm

Local market and produce tasting.

Each day was both exciting and relaxing knowing that we were in good hands with Lisa.


This was a 10 star trip. With AWS you will have unique experiences and meet amazing people that have a passion for sharing their trade or skills and traditions. Book the trip. 

We had a fantastic experience traveling with Andrew.  The Harvest Tour exceeded our expectations.  I would encourage anyone to visit Slovenia and Croatia-beautiful scenery and people!   A great value too!

Harvest Tour 2024

This was an absolutely fantastic trip, and we couldn't have asked for a better tour guide than Lisa, who has made this area her home for many years.  She was so knowledgeable, as well as warm and kind.
The food and wine were incredible, and I loved going to spots frequented by locals.  We were given a warm welcome everywhere.
It's hard to pick out highlights, but I would have to say I loved our walks in the countryside, with incredible views, and our truffle hunt with our four-legged guide.
It was so nice not to have to pack and unpack.  Our Torino hotel was near the market, and our 7 day stay was at a Cuneo hotel which combined old world charm with modern conveniences.
Torino, while a big city, and Cuneo, much smaller, don't seem to have been discovered by many non-locals, yet they both have incredible assets--beautiful architecture, gorgeous scenery, great food and wine, castles, gardens, etc.  I would suggest going there before too many outsiders discover their charms.
Highly recommend.

This was a wonderful trip as all are when Sarah of Adventures with Sarah is leading.  Our group of 16 included wonderful people.  It was great getting to know them.  Our accommodations were grest-good food, close to everything, very clean and exceptional service.  We experienced sights that the normal "tourist" does not see or do.  I can't recommend this staycation more highly.

Rome StayCation 2024

This trip was a great introduction to Rome. The hotel was comfortable and in a fantastic location - on the edge of the Forum Archaeological park, near the Capitoline Hill and a 20-25 minute walk from many other things we wanted to see.  Rome has such treasures!!  While the tour itself avoided the most crowded tourist destinations, we had a wide variety of experiences and saw some spectacular art and architecture.  The tour was organized so that there was a balance of planned activities and free time, which also enabled us to explore on our own.  But the biggest strength of the Staycation was the guides: Sarah and the other guides she brought in did a fantastic job helping us understand what we were seeing, and of bringing the history to life.  

This was a perfect tour for people who love food and wine.   Each meal was different - tasting menus of Michelin-quality (or Michelin rated) with paired wines, cheese tastings, honey tastings, olive oil tastings, and lots of great meats - to describe just a few.   It was wonderful meeting the families that produce these products.   Andrew paid attention to every detail and was so much fun.   Christian was a terrific driver as well.   The small group size made this up close and personal tour feasible.   Accommodations were also lovely, especially the Forest Hotel Theodosius,   Highly recommend for foodies.

This trip was my first time on a tour and boy oh boy I picked the right one!  I’ve been to Europe before so I wanted something different than the usual places to explore. We went to so many wonderful and unique places. These hidden gems were just what I was hoping to get from this experience.  All of these artisans are so passionate about their craft whether it be wine, delicious food or oils and salts to enhance our food. Num!  It didn’t hurt that Andrew (our tour leader) had personal connections at these places so each experience made us feel welcome and special.  Loved it!

We thought we knew Rome. Boy did we see so many new and interesting sites. Things that were absolutely insightful and delightful. All in a great location and the most charming group of people. 

I was only on part of the tour but enjoyed my time immensely.  Great accommodation, activities, food.  Good crowd.  My fifth trip with Andrew.  Thoroughly recommend.

Veneto-Slovenia 2024

One reason I signed up for this tour is because Andrew was listed as the guide.  Only to find the first night there would be a "rookie." This young person was immature, inexperienced and not ready for the job. He needs more training in communication, leadership, and even social skills such as table manners.  And be aware of those around him and not step on toes, bump into others or push his way through the group. I can understand there is a training period, but perhaps start small. A couple hours over a few days, not full time for a whole tour.

However, I totally enjoyed the hotels, and the wonderful places we visited, the other tour members were fun, and the group lunches and dinners were fantastic. Andrew chose the best locations (farms, shops, castles) to visit and did a nice job handling the itinerary changes, choosing the restaurants and meal options.  I only wished he would have spent more time with us, had given more talks on the bus, and offered help with transportation info at the end of the tour.


It was an unbelievably amazing adventure!  Pretty much all I had dreamed about.  Absalom in Zimbabwe, the Zambian guide and Todd in south Africa went way above and beyond any expected duties to provide for our needs and our outrageous wants!  Africa is more than spectacular and, obviously, we could only skim the surface in the two short weeks we toured.  My favorite part was the game drives.  It was almost surreal to be out in the African bush seeing lions and elephants and giraffes and zebras, a leopard and even a somewhat rare black backed jackal.  Wow!!! (Lots of other animals and birds; I'm just not listing them all.) The accommodations were rather more luxurious than I expected and the food was marvelous.  I'd do another African tour next week if I could manage it,  

Private South Africa Trip

This trip was fantastic. It was my mother-in-law's dream trip and it exceeded expectations. From the accommodations, to the food, and the expert guides it was wonderful. We learned a lot about the different animals we saw and about South Africa. Our local guide Todd made sure everything went smoothly. I can't recommend Adventure's with Sarah and her team enough. 

We had a wonderful time.  The whole trip was a dream come true. It exceeded our expectations.   We would highly recommend.  Loved the small tour group and staying at one location.  

Sarah's Greek Birthday Staycation

Thoroughly enjoyed the Ireland trip with Stephen.  Comfortable travel, centrally located hotels, an amazing tour guide and wonderful travel companions.  Ireland is the most beautiful and welcoming of countries, the people could not have been more helpful.  Small tours is the best way to enjoy a country or a city.  I will be booking with Adventures with Sarah again soon. 

Ireland 2024

Stephen was a great tour guide! He and his brother(our driver) were very knowledgeable about Ireland , the sites we visited as well as the restaurants and pubs in the area. 

Our group was a good size of 10 - 2 couples and the rest women- some w friends and several solos- it was a very friendly group.  The trip was a lot of fun- quite a few unique experiences, a lot of knowledge gained about Ireland and the people of Ireland and loads of laughter! 

We were given very little detail in advance of the trip   Stephen gave us an update the night before as to what our basic agenda would be for the next day. 

10 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, and 3 group dinners were the only meals included in the $4800 price for the trip. We were on our own for all other meals. 

Staying at the Milltown House in Dingle was a real treat. The Falconry, gin and whiskey tastings , dinner and singing and dancing performance by Stephens River-dance friends made our stay extra special. 

Stopping at another of Stephens friends to feed and hold the baby lambs was a unique experience as well. 

Being a small group enabled us to see and do things large groups cannot easily do. 

Most lodgings were nice and in good locations. The one in Belfast was not in the best neighborhood and they did not have single beds in the rooms nor did they have a room for Stephen. He had to get a room down the street and also got rooms for 2 people so everyone had there own bed to sleep in.. You had to go to the lodging operator to get a cab as they don’t normally come to the area.  

It was my first trip to Europe and my first trip with AWS. It was a lot of fun! 


Stephem McPhilemy and his brother were awesome guides!
Pace of trip was excellent we did not walk until we dropped
Activities chosen were good
Small van and group was nice
 Hotel locations were good . Hotels were nice mid range and one high end.
Holding Lambs and the falconry experience were awesome
Learning the history, culture and great stories priceless
Communication with the company in the US and website/ itinerary changes need improvement

Loved the trip.  Interesting, fun, and a great group to travel with.  Morocco (as with other developing countries) is not easy to navigate.  Our guide Hicham did an exceptional job. He was always one step ahead and kept everything safe, fun and interesting. 

Morocco 2024

We combined Highlights with Pleasures; this review is based on that.
Kudos to Sarah and her team for putting this amazing journey together!  But for a weather-based cancellation of a boat day trip, this tour was flawless.  Bravo to the team for selecting quality lodging; the food along the way was remarkable and it showed on a 2 inch waistline increase-she’s right about bringing fat-pants.  Travel was efficient and comfortable and our drivers were professional and proficient.  Sarah’s adherence to just 16 people was great and the groups in both tours were fun and adventurous.  Sarah and later, Giusi, were attentive, instructive and just damned nice guides!  When we fell in love with a certain cookie that was used in a wine pairing, we left the winery in search of the cookie!  Once Giusi located the the aforementioned cookie in a shop seriously off the tourist track where no bus could go, we 16 pathfinders dodged local neighborhood traffic to visit that bakery, undoubtedly bringing a smile to the owner who likely did very well that day.  We were intrepid and our mother hens rose to the challenges.  There was plenty of free time along the way to explore sites and cities.  Yes, Sarah has a serious affinity for temples but there was a medley of things to see from salt flats and wineries, to castles and ruggedly beautiful coastlines.  If not for the carabiniere sending us off the island for our collective crimes against gelato, cannolis and espresso, we’d likely all still be there :)   Sarah, if you’re reading this, keep bringing us back to this delightful and magical island with diverse opportunities and those slated to receive our empire upon our demise will have less money than they thought.  In today’s parlance, this trip was EPIC and we have YOU to thank for this along with the Number ONE planner in this family-Charlie.  Regards to Otto—thanks again for the trip of a lifetime!  Bruce and Charlie

Sicily Pleasures 2024

Sicily Highlights 2024

Our trip was enjoyable.  We had times of relaxation and times we were busy visiting sites; we enjoyed both.  Due to personal reasons, Sarah left the tour midweek.  Guigi took over and did a great job considering the circumstances.  Our accommodations were top notch and the cities/villages in which we stayed were picture perfect.  We thoroughly enjoyed the Sicilian food and wine, delicious!  

We had an amazing time with Sarah! Delicious food and super fun itinerary. Would definitely travel with her again. 

We enjoyed Sicily!  The accommodations, food and wine were great. We enjoyed learning the history of the island, the sites we visited were interesting and our local guides were friendly and informative. Sarah was friendly and approachable. 
Our only disappointment was that of 16 tour members, 10 were a group who previously traveled together.  We would have liked to have been told of this large group beforehand, so we could reconsider taking this tour. We think a group of this size should consider a private tour.  

The trip was fantastic.  Our guide, Trish, made all the difference in the world.  

Private Spain tour

Wonderful trip! Great variety of activities and sites. Hicham did a wonderful job of organizing our days and teaching us about the culture, history and people of Morocco. 

Accommodations were very comfortable and their staffs very helpful and attentive. 

The size of the group helped us feel a bit less like tourists - more like a group of friends exploring together.



George is a great tour guide.  He is very knowledgeable about the history of Romania and shares his story with you.  George was very flexible with what the group wanted to do.  He added in stops in small villages, found an alternate activity when they day turned out to be too hot (92F) for us, had great suggestions of where to eat and what to see on our free time.  The hotels we stayed in were very clean and comfortable.  Romania is an up-and-coming country.  Go see it now, with George, before it becomes a true vacation destination.

Romania May 2024

Wonderful trip with great food and experiences

Private Puglia and Basilicata 2024

   I have followed Sarah for more than 4 years with her packing videos, The Guide Collective, the book club, Cucina Quarentena,  and the numerous videos about her travels. I would like to thank her for all the valuable on-line information. 
   As a tour guide, she was a disappointment.  She was unprofessional with a week-long display of  kissing and cuddling with her boyfriend which was difficult to watch.  Most of her attention was to her boyfriend and to her Italian friends she invited to join her.. She showed little attention to or interest in her tour participants.   Her rote descriptions showed little imagination or passion. Her main concern was elsewhere.   It was her vacation, her adventure. She seemed to be just going through the motions with the tour.  I would thank her for accommodating my food allergies.
   I can no longer recommend her tours.

StayCation Venice 2024

What a fantastic trip!  This was a well thought out experience that balanced traditional site visits, local unique experiences with time on your own that allowed you to explore.  The meals were delicious, the planning was meticulous and flawless, and the contacts with local people were exceptional.  In Venice, so much to see and experience.  Sarah and her team clearly have experience and first hand knowledge about the place and the people of Venice and offered an incredibly rich vacation that will be treasured.  Hands down, the most impressive tour I have ever taken.  Bravo !!

We had a good time but it was a little uncomfortable with Sara 
  It was like it was her vacation with Otto and we were extras. I would not go on another tour with Sara because of this.  Its was really about what they did all her friends and did not really engage with the other members of the tour.
     What we did, as the tour , the activities and things we saw were excellent.  We saw Venice not as a tourist but local.  But not helpful in giving information and where to go on our off times. It was like we’re were there to support her vacation.
  I wish her well but this was not for me because of the awkwardness of the situation with her and her boyfriend.
  
  
 

This was a wonderful introduction to a large part of fascinating Romania, with time spent in many rural, more traditional areas and balanced by energetic cities. Whether we were in Maramures, Bucovina, or several points in Transylvania, all regions were lovely and filled with interesting sites. The natural beauty of Romania was awesome but the true highlight was getting to learn about and interact with the locals; on this trip we had numerous cultural exchanges with people in their homes, sharing meals, or at local festivals. Our guide George was phenomenal and flexible. His knowledge, good humor and patience made the trip go smoothly, and his connections with the people and places we saw were invaluable.

This was amazing tour. Andrew is one of the best ever we loved him to death. He shared all of his family stuff with us. We shared ours with him. We really became binding and whether we were his favorite group or not he told us we were and guess what it made us feel also happy I would recommend them to everybody that I could. I have also booked another trip to go to Slovenia with Tom so I love the company and I’ll continue to use them as long as they continue to do the Unbelievable job❤️

We had a great time. Loved Trish our guide who truly made our trip AMAZING. Her attention to detail and support for all of us was crucial in our trips success. 

This was my first time in Romania, but it will definitely not be my last.  Romania is an undiscovered gem.
We had a group of six, led by George.  George was informative, flexible, funny, and very helpful.  It was really a delight being with him.
I thought the trip was a good mix, of larger cities, smaller cities, and countryside.  We were there for Easter celebrations, which was very special.
Everything was planned very well.  I especially liked that we stayed in most places for two days, and sometimes three.
Romania was beautiful: mountains and valleys, castles, history, palaces, and so much more.  it would be nice if more people would discover it.
I would absolutely recommend this trip, whether you  go for special celebrations like Easter, or just want to see a beautiful, country.


Romania is a surprise at every corner. The Romanian people are warm and welcoming. I had many meals in the homes of locals because our guide took time to get to know what's possible. And nothing takes the place of a local guide. George was phenomenal. His passion for his country and deep knowledge of history and culture provided experiences I could never had done traveling independently. And those who know me, know that's my preferred way to go. On this trip I adopted the motto: "Let go and let George." He never disappointed.

Over a year ago, a friend and I dreamed of a tour to the island of Sardegna. We asked Sarah and one of her guides (Lisa, who we knew and loved) if they could put something together for us and eight other travelers. Sarah and Lisa went to Sardegna last summer to scope out the island, and came back with a wonderful eight day itinerary for us. We chose April as none of us are beach people, and we hoped it would be less crowded.
This tour was amazing! We experienced so many special things. A few highlights were visiting the studio of one of the last artisans who spins sea silk and watching her very spiritual process; having lunch with a shepherd where all the food we ate was processed on his farm; visiting many pre-Roman archeological sites; exploring the political murals painted all over the streets of Orgosolo; learning and observing making pecorino and ricotta cheeses, as well as the special flat bread, pan carasau, eaten all over the island. 
These are just a few of the specials treats we experienced. We also ate great local food and drank great local wine.  All in all, this tour was a fantastic experience of a beautiful island that I will never forget.


Sardegna April 2024

Exceptional trip that provided all that was promised.  The attention to detail and respect of our time and interests made every moment of value.  We learned about Sardegna on a level you cannot gain from tour books or word of mouth.  Lisa was beyond amazing.  She had done her homework and truly worked (while making it look easy) to satisfy our every need, answer our questions and enlighten us about the region.  The size of the group was perfect.  Anything over 10 or 12 people would have impeded our enjoyment.  Our driver, Marcello, was also amazing.  A professional through and through with a wonderful knowledge of the entire region but also, out of the way sites that we were exposed to.  Most notably, the final stop of multiple tombs and the Tombs of the Giants found in the middle of nowhere.  Each individual tour guide at each location brought an insight into the world we were exploring.  I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who asked my opinion.  I am grateful to have had this opportunity for both the location and the professionals who made it so special.  

Had a beautiful trip with our guide Lisa Anderson and fabulous local guides Paola and Beppe.  The countryside is beautiful with varying terrains. The stay at Sella-Mosca winery was a treat. Throughout our tour we had many delicious meals and wine. This tour was full of archaeological sights, history, skilled artisan visits, the crystal clear ocean waters  and seeing the island from many perspectives, along with so much more. Many special memories were made and I would travel with Lisa wherever she goes!

Just got back from Estonia and all I can say is Wow!  This little known country was full of surprises. Andrew and our local guide, Helen, curated the best experiences for us. We were treated to special moments at every turn and really went deep into many of the Estonian subcultures. Great travel companions as well. Bravo!

Estonia April 2024

Japan is an excellent country to visit. The culture is one of discipline, friendly, quiet and so very clean. 
Traveling with Sarah is the BEST. She always finds such different adventures.
Our hotels were all superior. Food was authentic and diverse.
I totally enjoyed this trip.

Japan Private Group

Amazing trip! Japan is a beautiful country. Accommodations were good and centrally located. Day trips were well organized and not your typical tourist destinations. Plenty of free time to do your own thing.



StayCation Florence October 2023

StayCation Florence October 2023

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