Escorted Tours
Apr 30th, 2017, 05:41 PM
#1
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Escorted Tours
Although most will cringe at my lack of confidence in a DIY first trip to Italy, I'm sure there are some people who have used reputable travel companies. My husband and I are hoping to join an escorted tour to Italy this fall without breaking the bank. I would appreciate suggestions I can look into. Thanks.
Apr 30th, 2017, 06:41 PM
#2
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours
I usually DIY but I have used this company. You have to pack light and carry your own luggage, but the guides are excellent, the hotels central, the included meals good and the groups 28 max.
I usually DIY but I have used this company. You have to pack light and carry your own luggage, but the guides are excellent, the hotels central, the included meals good and the groups 28 max.
Apr 30th, 2017, 06:51 PM
#3
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We also usually travel on our own, but we used OAT in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria a couple years ago, and we were very impressed with them.
The groups are small (16 or fewer) and the guide we had was superb. Most of our fellow travelers were over 50 (some way over), but there is a requirement for fitness level, and they were experienced and educated companions.
https://www.oattravel.com/?omtr_sem=...t=7RIUCBix_dc|
The groups are small (16 or fewer) and the guide we had was superb. Most of our fellow travelers were over 50 (some way over), but there is a requirement for fitness level, and they were experienced and educated companions.
https://www.oattravel.com/?omtr_sem=...t=7RIUCBix_dc|
Apr 30th, 2017, 07:27 PM
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I have done tours before the internet days when it was not easy to research logistics independently but not anymore for both value and the cost reasons. This is especially is the case for Italy with enormous DIY resources and reviews.
If you are concerned about the budget, be aware that the tours, especially the budget ones, can have appearances of low face value prices, but you have to do hard research on your own to find out the real overall cost. If you are ok "visiting" places, then any kind of stop would do. But if you have specific interests, you either have to carefully choose a specialized tour focusing on that aspect or DIY which let you allocate what you want to visit and how long to your heart content.
You might want to state what you think you are getting out of an escorted tour vs. DIY and validate if your assumption about a value of taking a tour is realistic. Currently, your description is very generic.
In case language is your concern, unless you are going to areas not frequented by foreign travelers inhabited mostly by old people, younger people especially in tourist facing businesses all speak good enough to excellent English in Italy.
If you are concerned about the budget, be aware that the tours, especially the budget ones, can have appearances of low face value prices, but you have to do hard research on your own to find out the real overall cost. If you are ok "visiting" places, then any kind of stop would do. But if you have specific interests, you either have to carefully choose a specialized tour focusing on that aspect or DIY which let you allocate what you want to visit and how long to your heart content.
You might want to state what you think you are getting out of an escorted tour vs. DIY and validate if your assumption about a value of taking a tour is realistic. Currently, your description is very generic.
In case language is your concern, unless you are going to areas not frequented by foreign travelers inhabited mostly by old people, younger people especially in tourist facing businesses all speak good enough to excellent English in Italy.
May 1st, 2017, 07:33 AM
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IMO, escorted tour is a good option for your FIRST visit (then come back by yourself).
Huge variation in what's included.
Premium tour companies will definitely have some extras: nicer lodging, better meals, & you'll never carry your own bag, but it comes at a price.
Keys:
-Group size: Large groups are aweful for doing anything efficiently
-Meals: I prefer included breakfast & about 50% of lunch/dinners on my own.
-Hotel location: Nothing worse than staying on the outskirts where free-time requires a bus/taxi to get anywhere. I'd pick location over quality every time.
Huge variation in what's included.
Premium tour companies will definitely have some extras: nicer lodging, better meals, & you'll never carry your own bag, but it comes at a price.
Keys:
-Group size: Large groups are aweful for doing anything efficiently
-Meals: I prefer included breakfast & about 50% of lunch/dinners on my own.
-Hotel location: Nothing worse than staying on the outskirts where free-time requires a bus/taxi to get anywhere. I'd pick location over quality every time.
May 1st, 2017, 07:39 AM
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Here are some to check out.
Insight Tours
Globus Tours
Trafalgar Tours
Perillo Tours
Collette Tours
Check out these web sites and it should give you lots of variations in itineraries and pricing.
I did not mention Rick Steves Tours since they were already mentioned.
Insight Tours
Globus Tours
Trafalgar Tours
Perillo Tours
Collette Tours
Check out these web sites and it should give you lots of variations in itineraries and pricing.
I did not mention Rick Steves Tours since they were already mentioned.
May 1st, 2017, 03:47 PM
#11
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I just wrote a long message and thanks to the miracle of technology- erased it somehow. In a nutshell, I took a tour of Italy with Globus and it was perfect. I needed a tour to acclimatize myself to travel again. I have since changed course and I am now working on my fifth solo trip. If you have any questions, please post thema nd ai would be happy to answer them.
May 2nd, 2017, 07:08 AM
#12
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How old are you and hubs? The tour companies MarthaT pointed out (especially Globus, Trafalgar and Perillo) tend to skew toward old and not-so-energetic.
Road Scholar tours are for altacockers with more energy.
Road Scholar tours are for altacockers with more energy.
May 2nd, 2017, 07:23 AM
#13
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I went on a Globus tour my first trip and liked them very much.
Be sure to read every word about the itinerary so that you are clear on what is a drive by and what sites you are actually visiting. Also they will give you an idea of how much free time you have. Usually there is either free time or you can opt for optional tours.
Every tour, every tour director is different. We were never pressured to take optional tours, they were offered both in the brochure and itinerary and during the tour, but if you did not want to partake, fine. We took some and not others.
Globus limits their tour size so the logistical difficulties mentioned by one poster didn't happen on my tour but I certainly can't speak to all. You can also see hotels offered and their locations and google them and check them out.
If you find a tour that looks good to you and you need clarification don't hesitate to contact the company. I think
I think one reason that tours often get a bad rap is people don't take time to know exactly what is offered.
I have not used a tour company for my other Europe trips. I think it's a great way to get your feet wet so hope you will find the right company and tour and love it and just keep traveling. It's wonderful.
Be sure to read every word about the itinerary so that you are clear on what is a drive by and what sites you are actually visiting. Also they will give you an idea of how much free time you have. Usually there is either free time or you can opt for optional tours.
Every tour, every tour director is different. We were never pressured to take optional tours, they were offered both in the brochure and itinerary and during the tour, but if you did not want to partake, fine. We took some and not others.
Globus limits their tour size so the logistical difficulties mentioned by one poster didn't happen on my tour but I certainly can't speak to all. You can also see hotels offered and their locations and google them and check them out.
If you find a tour that looks good to you and you need clarification don't hesitate to contact the company. I think
I think one reason that tours often get a bad rap is people don't take time to know exactly what is offered.
I have not used a tour company for my other Europe trips. I think it's a great way to get your feet wet so hope you will find the right company and tour and love it and just keep traveling. It's wonderful.
May 3rd, 2017, 05:51 AM
#14
Before you book, post the tours you are thinking about here to get some feedback.
If you are only going for a week or so and want to see Venice/Florence/Rome there are also packages that include flights/transfer/hotels/train transport between cities/orientation tour. You can select your own hotel and decide what you want to see in each city.
If you are only going for a week or so and want to see Venice/Florence/Rome there are also packages that include flights/transfer/hotels/train transport between cities/orientation tour. You can select your own hotel and decide what you want to see in each city.
May 3rd, 2017, 06:23 AM
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Monograms.com is a division of Globus and does the packages for flights/transfers/hotels and transportation between cities. They are not escorted but there are people at the hotels to help you with sightseeing etc. You might check them out also.
May 4th, 2017, 09:43 PM
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It's super important to decide what sort of tour you want as they are all very different. Tour size (max 14) and centrally located hotels would be at the top of my criteria. Also, more than one night in each place critical; and lots of free time. I have a strong preference for tours which use local public transport rather than being coached around. Others to consider are Intrepid and Explore.
Be aware that it will almost certainly cost you more to take a tour than travel independently (unless you are a lavish independent traveller of course). I normally travel independently and I've only ever taken one tour and, despite initial wariness, had a wonderful time.
Be aware that it will almost certainly cost you more to take a tour than travel independently (unless you are a lavish independent traveller of course). I normally travel independently and I've only ever taken one tour and, despite initial wariness, had a wonderful time.
May 4th, 2017, 10:08 PM
#18
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Hello,
My husband and I usually travel on our own but a few years ago we took a tour to Italy and it worked out very well for us. I did not have time to plan that year so we chose a Trafalgar tour to Rome, Florence and Venice with rail transport between cities (I would not put Mr. Wonderful on a long bus ride). We had included excursions as well as time on our own. The trip report is here if you would like the details: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...alian-tour.cfm
My husband and I usually travel on our own but a few years ago we took a tour to Italy and it worked out very well for us. I did not have time to plan that year so we chose a Trafalgar tour to Rome, Florence and Venice with rail transport between cities (I would not put Mr. Wonderful on a long bus ride). We had included excursions as well as time on our own. The trip report is here if you would like the details: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...alian-tour.cfm
