What a wonderful tour that was! Thank you and Hugh so very much for all you did to make it so enjoyable and completely smooth-running. I can’t think of any improvements that could possibly made. The hotel was perfectly placed and very comfortable. We had some truly delicious meals and, of course, the art in Florence speaks for itself. Even the weather was perfect!

- Painting the Divine: Beato Angelico & Quattrocento Florence 2025, Miss H Somerville, London

It proved to be an exceptional few days for the study of art in Florence and all aspects of the tour were excellent or very good. Nothing disappointed and we met with blue skies and sunshine. The tour was highly organised and ran smoothly, lunches and dinners were of a very high standard and in well chosen venues. Both James and Hugh contributed a huge input at every museum and church we visited and I was very grateful for having time to absorb and appreciate every art work. The Fra Angelico exhibition was outstanding and had clearly required considerable research and organisation to bring all the exhibits together in Florence. All in all it proved an unforgettable exploration of Florence and I enjoyed every moment of returning to a familiar city.

- Painting the Divine: Beato Angelico & Quattrocento Florence 2025, Mrs A Blaseby, Buckinghamshire

I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Everything worked like clockwork and from the hotel to the drivers, the meals and the timed visits was excellent. James is very attentive to detail and very responsive to the individual needs of the group members. This is what makes a James Hill Tour so very special and such a treat. Our lecturer, Hugh, was superb. He was extremely knowledgeable but excited our interest and nurtured it rather than overwhelming us. It was extremely well judged and a delight to be guided by such an expert. Many thanks to all involved for making this such a wonderful trip.

- Painting the Divine: Beato Angelico & Quattrocento Florence 2025

James and Hugh were superb guides. I learnt so much about the history of Florence as well as the art. Hugh was particularly good on architecture both inside and outside buildings and took us to some additional sites as we were walking. James was a fount of knowledge and very caring – he made sure that everyone was comfortable with the itinerary and took special care of those that found longer walks difficult. They both had a very good manner to keep us all engaged – helped by excellent headsets.

- Painting the Divine: Beato Angelico & Quattrocento Florence 2025, Mrs J Day, Surrey

It was a fabulous trip to Florence with the cultural immersion, good food & good company. James and Hugh were professional, welcoming and made the experience a trip to remember. The tour was just the right amount of visits and length for me. I liked the immersion for a few days and some time off to make my own way around. Both James & Hugh were excellent guides, providing a great context and detail of the subject matter. There is so much to see in Florence, so it was a great way to concentrate the mind by selecting a period to focus on. Thank you so much for your efforts - all the arrangements went to plan & I had a lovely room. I know a lot of work must go into make these tours a success & I very much appreciate the personal touch.

- Painting the Divine: Beato Angelico & Quattrocento Florence 2025,Ms MV Chisholm, Somerset

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The visits to the homes of Signora Fernanda Guilini and Signor Vittorio Guilini were most memorable as was Tosca at La Scala.

- Art and Invention: Milan & La Scala 2025, Mr R Mrs S, Cambridgeshire

The Milan Art Tour went beyond our expectations! James’s magisterial performance was astounding in the academic field and his excellent choice in culinary matters was most enjoyable. The group was congenial and we were most impressed by the access James provided to Museums, private collections and of course the pièce de résistance for me The Scala and the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie for Leonardo Da Vinci’s seminal work.

- Art & Invention: Milan & La Scala, Mrs G Navidi-Walker, London

We would just like to say what a wonderful time we had under your guidance in Sicily. Thank you very, very much. One of the main reasons we like coming on your tours is that you provide things that we could not experience if we were travelling on our own. This time you excelled yourself with visits with drinks, lunches or dinners in palaces and gorgeous private gardens.

- Mediterranean Kaleidoscope: Autumn in Sicily 2025, Mr and Mrs SA Mortimore, London

James’s knowledge and enthusiasm is phenomenal. It would be impossible to see these places without the excellent planning and leadership that James gives in spades. It was a very enjoyable holiday.

- A Hidden Europe: Discovering Slovenia 2025, Mrs RA, London

“That was the most fantastic trip - the best group holiday I’ve experienced. Rachel was an outstanding guide - her insights into design as well as planting were invaluable. And she was endearingly open and straightforward. I feel I learnt a huge amount.”

Cardinal Virtues: The Villas & Gardens of Lazio, 2025, Ms. L, London

The Slovenia tour was one of the most pleasant I have experienced. An unknown country to me and, I suspect, to many of the group. What a beautiful, green and clean gem! The art was a revelation and the people we encountered a delight. Of course, your attention to detail to all aspects of the tour was the cherry on top.

- A Hidden Europe: Discovering Slovenia 2025, Mrs JM, Somerset

“Thank you so very much for organising our wonderful week in Rome. I thought all your arrangements were second to none and it was a huge privilege to see a lot of the beautiful things we saw and in such perfect circumstances.”

- Connoisseur’s Rome 2025, Helen Somerville, London

“It was truly superb and everything in your control went like clockwork. Our fellow guests were delightful and I’m sure that they will all have been as delighted and indeed impressed as we were. Your access to very beautiful places is surely unsurpassed in Rome and we felt very privileged to be able to benefit from it…your prodigious knowledge so readily shared remains the object of our awestruck admiration. We look forward to another trip with you.”

- Connoisseur’s Rome 2025, John & Ros, Hertfordshire

My first tour with you, flying under your own flag, was a delight and I look forward to as many more. Your attention to every possible detail from destination to accommodation to day to day planning of sights and sites, to restaurants and menu choices were all spot on. It was particularly impressive to experience you rustling up activities to keep us out of the unforgiving weather on our last day …. Your kindnesses to and endless patience with us all are truly special and made for a very happy few days with congenial travelling companions.

Cultural Fault lines: Discovering Trieste & Istria 2025, Norma B.

We enjoyed our tour with you tremendously. Every detail to ensure our comfort was perfect, very good clean comfortable hotel rooms, with good pillows! More than excellent food and wine and most of all your indeed superlative self guiding us so well. You shepherded us around so carefully, and your extensive knowledge and really great style of lecturing was truly appreciated. Thank you for a fascinating tour.

Cultural Fault lines: Discovering Trieste & Istria 2025, Charles & Angela H.

“Thank you for a lovely trip, it was a unique experience. I learned so much and the whole experience was wonderful. Having exclusive visits to the various venues and your ability to identify specific works of art allowed us to focus our attention and get so much more from the experience.”

- Connoisseur’s Rome 2025, AP, Oxfordshire

Thank you so much for a most interesting and friendly trip with such a delightful group. The lunches and dinners were especially well eaten, and a lot of thought went into the arrangements. Such highlights were too many to mention other than La Scala, The Last Supper and the charming sister and brother evening.

- Art & Invention: Milan & La Scala, AT, London

“My understanding of Italian art, architecture and history was expanded thanks to your extremely full and interesting commentaries and notes. The breadth and depth of your knowledge is astounding. You had clearly put so much thought into planning not only the programme of visits but also the choice of hotel and restaurants. You looked after us all so well and created a real sense of friendship and companionship among the group.”

- Connoisseur’s Rome 2025, BMG, Oxfordshire

Testimonials

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The visits to the homes of Signora Fernanda Guilini and Signor Vittorio Guilini were most memorable as was Tosca at La Scala.

James’s knowledge and enthusiasm is phenomenal. It would be impossible to see these places without the excellent planning and leadership that James gives in spades. It was a very enjoyable holiday.

“That was the most fantastic trip - the best group holiday I’ve experienced. Rachel was an outstanding guide - her insights into design as well as planting were invaluable. And she was endearingly open and straightforward. I feel I learnt a huge amount.”

“Thank you so very much for organising our wonderful week in Rome. I thought all your arrangements were second to none and it was a huge privilege to see a lot of the beautiful things we saw and in such perfect circumstances.”

“Thank you for a lovely trip, it was a unique experience. I learned so much and the whole experience was wonderful. Having exclusive visits to the various venues and your ability to identify specific works of art allowed us to focus our attention and get so much more from the experience.”