Italy December 2 weeks. First time travelling alone - Group tour or solo?
Oct 11th, 2015, 08:41 AM
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Italy December 2 weeks. First time travelling alone - Group tour or solo?
Hi Everyone!
I'm travelling alone in Europe for my first time and would really appreciate some advice. Really looking forward to this trip, it's my last holiday as I finish Uni and before I start full time work. So it may be awhile before I get to do something like this again!
I have around 2 weeks from mid December and I'd really love to see: Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Pompeii.
I'm particularly interested in the historical aspects of Italy. (Renaissance, Mt Vesuvius etc)
I'm not a huge art fan and wouldn't spend all day in a gallery but I wouldn't mind some of this also!
Budget wise I'm not too bad, I have some savings from working while studying. However if I don't decide to go in a group tour I'd definitely prefer hostels or airbnb's as it's just a nice way to meet others and immerse yourself in the city over hotels in my opinion.
I was actually considering taking this Contiki tour as I've never travelled alone before and haven't been around Europe very much. http://www.contiki.com/destinations/...-italy-winter#
I've read around these forums and saw that many attractions have quite variable hours in Italy so I feel like going on a tour would be very helpful for a fairly inexperienced European traveller like myself!
However, I am also aware that Contiki tours are fairly party orientated and may not allow me to see as much of the sights as I would like? I'm not much of a nightlife type of person. However, most other group tours as far as I am aware of are not really running in this time period, and those dates are actually perfect for myself.
Does anyone have any recommendations on other group tours? Or would you recommend travelling solo?
Thanks so much!
I'm travelling alone in Europe for my first time and would really appreciate some advice. Really looking forward to this trip, it's my last holiday as I finish Uni and before I start full time work. So it may be awhile before I get to do something like this again!
I have around 2 weeks from mid December and I'd really love to see: Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Pompeii.
I'm particularly interested in the historical aspects of Italy. (Renaissance, Mt Vesuvius etc)
I'm not a huge art fan and wouldn't spend all day in a gallery but I wouldn't mind some of this also!
Budget wise I'm not too bad, I have some savings from working while studying. However if I don't decide to go in a group tour I'd definitely prefer hostels or airbnb's as it's just a nice way to meet others and immerse yourself in the city over hotels in my opinion.
I was actually considering taking this Contiki tour as I've never travelled alone before and haven't been around Europe very much. http://www.contiki.com/destinations/...-italy-winter#
I've read around these forums and saw that many attractions have quite variable hours in Italy so I feel like going on a tour would be very helpful for a fairly inexperienced European traveller like myself!
However, I am also aware that Contiki tours are fairly party orientated and may not allow me to see as much of the sights as I would like? I'm not much of a nightlife type of person. However, most other group tours as far as I am aware of are not really running in this time period, and those dates are actually perfect for myself.
Does anyone have any recommendations on other group tours? Or would you recommend travelling solo?
Thanks so much!
Oct 11th, 2015, 09:22 AM
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Your call! I am firmly committed to solo travel, as are a number of other Fodorites. We have a thread with some our trip reports -- you might find some inspiration there:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm
As you note, you will have much more freedom if you go on your own. You can look for lodging (including hostels) on booking.com Be sure to get a really good guidebook or two, which will cover things you might never even think to ask -- for low budget travel, Let's Go can be useful. I also like the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet. You might browse a few at a library to see which seems to suit your needs best.
BTW, with 2 weeks, your goals are a tad ambitious. (For better and worse, tours can move you along a bit faster.) Pompeii is the outlier of your wish list; you might consider visiting Ostia Antica from Rome instead -- but that won't get you to Vesuvius.
If you decide to go on your own, spend some time with the guidebooks planning out a route based on opening hours and transportation options and leaving time on either side of each relocation for getting to / from the train station, packing / unpacking, checking in / out, etc.
Hope that helps!
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm
As you note, you will have much more freedom if you go on your own. You can look for lodging (including hostels) on booking.com Be sure to get a really good guidebook or two, which will cover things you might never even think to ask -- for low budget travel, Let's Go can be useful. I also like the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet. You might browse a few at a library to see which seems to suit your needs best.
BTW, with 2 weeks, your goals are a tad ambitious. (For better and worse, tours can move you along a bit faster.) Pompeii is the outlier of your wish list; you might consider visiting Ostia Antica from Rome instead -- but that won't get you to Vesuvius.
If you decide to go on your own, spend some time with the guidebooks planning out a route based on opening hours and transportation options and leaving time on either side of each relocation for getting to / from the train station, packing / unpacking, checking in / out, etc.Hope that helps!
Oct 11th, 2015, 09:32 AM
#3
I think that this would be achievable by yourself, with a couple of day trips, and splashing out on an organised tour to Pompeii and Vesuvius to make the most of the day.
you should think about flying into one place and out of another [into Venice and out of Rome is the conventional itinerary from the US but sometimes it works better the other way] - you need to look for the "multi-city" button on the airline website.
assuming you can do this, you could do 4 nights in Venice, 5 in Florence [allows a day for a day trip to Pisa] and 5 in Rome [from where you do your day trip to Pompeii and Vesuvius using one of the many tour companies that offers this].
I would suggest early on in each place doing a guided walking tour where you may meet other sole travellers with whom you might be able to meet up later if you decide that you want to - you don't know how you will feel travelling solo and this can be a good way of meeting other people on a "no strings' basis.
there will be plenty of advice here for you if you decide to go it alone - and even if you don't!
you should think about flying into one place and out of another [into Venice and out of Rome is the conventional itinerary from the US but sometimes it works better the other way] - you need to look for the "multi-city" button on the airline website.
assuming you can do this, you could do 4 nights in Venice, 5 in Florence [allows a day for a day trip to Pisa] and 5 in Rome [from where you do your day trip to Pompeii and Vesuvius using one of the many tour companies that offers this].
I would suggest early on in each place doing a guided walking tour where you may meet other sole travellers with whom you might be able to meet up later if you decide that you want to - you don't know how you will feel travelling solo and this can be a good way of meeting other people on a "no strings' basis.
there will be plenty of advice here for you if you decide to go it alone - and even if you don't!
Oct 11th, 2015, 09:57 AM
#4
The question of on your own vs. organized tours is a very personal one. There's no right or wrong answer, just about what fits you best.
That said, I LOVE to (plan and) travel by myself and for me would never join a tour unless it was some place that had a special need for that (Galapagos islands comes to mind).
Italy for what you describe, would not be hard to plan on your own and get exactly what YOU want, rather than being on someone else's itinerary like happens with a tour group.
That said, I LOVE to (plan and) travel by myself and for me would never join a tour unless it was some place that had a special need for that (Galapagos islands comes to mind).
Italy for what you describe, would not be hard to plan on your own and get exactly what YOU want, rather than being on someone else's itinerary like happens with a tour group.
Oct 11th, 2015, 10:55 AM
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If you have a look at the itineraries of any group tours I think you will find that they give you only 1 day - or 1.5 days in each place - just enough to whip around the outside of several major sights and then expensive "optional" day trips - and a whole lot of time sitting on a bus. Except for Con Tiki most tours groups will be made up primarily of people the age of your parents - or grandparents.
This is a very easy trip to organize on your own. If you give people your budget and specific dates they can help. Also have a look at The Let's Go Student Guides - which will give a lot of tips on how to travel on a budget - and reviews of the various hostels (most of which are good but a few of which are dumps with drug and theft problems).
This is a very easy trip to organize on your own. If you give people your budget and specific dates they can help. Also have a look at The Let's Go Student Guides - which will give a lot of tips on how to travel on a budget - and reviews of the various hostels (most of which are good but a few of which are dumps with drug and theft problems).
Oct 11th, 2015, 11:22 AM
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As an ex contiki tour manager there are both pro's and cons, the beauty is you are in a win/win situation - you're off to Italy for 2 weeks!
As for the tour I see it this way
Pro's- you will see more (not so detailed) in less time, almost everything is included (price wise) so value is hard to beat although you seem comfortable on this one, the party orientated aspect I'm sure exists but to a much lesser state now days and you choose to participate or not, stress free travelling, experienced guide and local guides, generally good quality of accom- given the bulk buying power of a large organisation, truly unique opportunity to meet people and share experiences and build friendships
cons -restricted free time to really get to know a place, you are on tour ie no flexibilty with itinerary, with so much information easily accessible such as here, I love the learning and finding small hidden gems off the beaten track when planning a trip, I am not a fan of dining alone.
good luck and enjoy!
As for the tour I see it this way
Pro's- you will see more (not so detailed) in less time, almost everything is included (price wise) so value is hard to beat although you seem comfortable on this one, the party orientated aspect I'm sure exists but to a much lesser state now days and you choose to participate or not, stress free travelling, experienced guide and local guides, generally good quality of accom- given the bulk buying power of a large organisation, truly unique opportunity to meet people and share experiences and build friendships
cons -restricted free time to really get to know a place, you are on tour ie no flexibilty with itinerary, with so much information easily accessible such as here, I love the learning and finding small hidden gems off the beaten track when planning a trip, I am not a fan of dining alone.
good luck and enjoy!
Oct 11th, 2015, 12:08 PM
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Just having finished university and then considering a tour group out of fear for some uncertainties? Shame on you!
You book flights in and out, as suggested above. You by a guide book to orientate yourself on what's on offer and to make an educated guess how long you want to divide your two weeks between Venice, Florence and Rome. (Pompeii you leave for the future; instead you go Ostia Antica, which is an easy train ride from Rome.) You make reservations for accommodation. Go to trenitalia.com for advance train bookings for Venice to Florence, and from Florence to Rome. It saves you lots of money! (Nice introduction to Italy, by the way: trenitalia.com speaks English if you select the right button, but only listens to the Italian originals of city names.)
All information you need is available online, from train timetables to museum opening hours.
Success! Enjoy!
You book flights in and out, as suggested above. You by a guide book to orientate yourself on what's on offer and to make an educated guess how long you want to divide your two weeks between Venice, Florence and Rome. (Pompeii you leave for the future; instead you go Ostia Antica, which is an easy train ride from Rome.) You make reservations for accommodation. Go to trenitalia.com for advance train bookings for Venice to Florence, and from Florence to Rome. It saves you lots of money! (Nice introduction to Italy, by the way: trenitalia.com speaks English if you select the right button, but only listens to the Italian originals of city names.)
All information you need is available online, from train timetables to museum opening hours.
Success! Enjoy!
Oct 12th, 2015, 05:50 AM
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Hi Everyone,
Wow thanks for such a great response!!
I think you've all convinced me to travel alone
I definitely like the sound of that alot more, and hopefully I'll still get to meet a great bunch of people on group tours and hostels!
This would be from the 14th of December, and I will be starting from Paris! I am travelling around France and some parts of Switzerland with family around that time and then look forward to my Italy trip alone after.
It definitely sounds doable to plan this trip out myself.
The Let's Go guide is very helpful.
I think it would be best to start my trip by taking a train from Paris to Venice!
4 Nights in Venice.
4 Nights in Florence with a day trip to Pisa
5 Nights in Rome with a day trip down to Pompeii and Vesuvius
Sounds like a great starting plan and a good point for me to start looking around for accommodation, travel and group tours!
I'm mostly concerned about attractions not being open but hopefully group tours will help me get around this!
Wow thanks for such a great response!!
I think you've all convinced me to travel alone
I definitely like the sound of that alot more, and hopefully I'll still get to meet a great bunch of people on group tours and hostels!
This would be from the 14th of December, and I will be starting from Paris! I am travelling around France and some parts of Switzerland with family around that time and then look forward to my Italy trip alone after.
It definitely sounds doable to plan this trip out myself.
The Let's Go guide is very helpful.
I think it would be best to start my trip by taking a train from Paris to Venice!
4 Nights in Venice.
4 Nights in Florence with a day trip to Pisa
5 Nights in Rome with a day trip down to Pompeii and Vesuvius
Sounds like a great starting plan and a good point for me to start looking around for accommodation, travel and group tours!
I'm mostly concerned about attractions not being open but hopefully group tours will help me get around this!
Oct 12th, 2015, 06:13 AM
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Wise decision! Be master of your own interests.
Don't worry about those attractions. Keep in mind that many museums are closed on Monday. They all have a website, which you can check. Usual closing time for churches is between 12.00 and 15.00 to 16.00.
The website of the Italian railways will be a good help for daytrips: http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en (remember to use Italian place names). Their ticket machines are one of the best in Europe.
If Venice should get too much, interesting Padua (Padova) and Vicenza are nearby with cheap regional trains (Regionale or Regionale Veloce).
You can easily combine Pisa with nice Lucca, which you will pass on the way. Just jump off on the same ticket.
Enjoy!
Don't worry about those attractions. Keep in mind that many museums are closed on Monday. They all have a website, which you can check. Usual closing time for churches is between 12.00 and 15.00 to 16.00.
The website of the Italian railways will be a good help for daytrips: http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en (remember to use Italian place names). Their ticket machines are one of the best in Europe.
If Venice should get too much, interesting Padua (Padova) and Vicenza are nearby with cheap regional trains (Regionale or Regionale Veloce).
You can easily combine Pisa with nice Lucca, which you will pass on the way. Just jump off on the same ticket.
Enjoy!
Oct 12th, 2015, 06:26 AM
#10
if you can swing it, Monday is often a good day to travel as quite a few museums [and a few shops] close on that day.
most attractions are open towards Christmas [they'd be mad not to]; for Rome, you can see most of what is open here:
http://en.museiincomuneroma.it/ne_fa.../museo_di_roma
for Venice, here [but you have to get past the hard sell at the beginning]
http://www.veneziaunica.it
and for Florence:
https://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/
most attractions are open towards Christmas [they'd be mad not to]; for Rome, you can see most of what is open here:
http://en.museiincomuneroma.it/ne_fa.../museo_di_roma
for Venice, here [but you have to get past the hard sell at the beginning]
http://www.veneziaunica.it
and for Florence:
https://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/
Oct 14th, 2015, 06:46 AM
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Congrats on your first and wonderful trip to Europe, that too, in ITALY! You would come back with innumerable unforgettable memories for a lifetime.
May I urge you to travel solo, instead of any package tour? Whether you know it today or not, you are more than capable of handling the eventualities that travel will throw at you. You will come out of this experience with lot more confidence in yourself, a better understanding of yourself as a person, and in general better cost management. Although the last point is debatable.
Don't make the mistake of wanting to see too many things because you might not travel extensively or return to Europe in the next couple of years. Have faith that you will get opportunities to return again and again. You have a lifetime ahead of you to travel. Travel to handful places but make them count.
For 2 weeks total, how about:
6N - Rome (including one day trip to Pompeii if you are really really keen)
5N - Florence
3N - Venice
May I urge you to travel solo, instead of any package tour? Whether you know it today or not, you are more than capable of handling the eventualities that travel will throw at you. You will come out of this experience with lot more confidence in yourself, a better understanding of yourself as a person, and in general better cost management. Although the last point is debatable.
Don't make the mistake of wanting to see too many things because you might not travel extensively or return to Europe in the next couple of years. Have faith that you will get opportunities to return again and again. You have a lifetime ahead of you to travel. Travel to handful places but make them count.
For 2 weeks total, how about:
6N - Rome (including one day trip to Pompeii if you are really really keen)
5N - Florence
3N - Venice
Oct 14th, 2015, 06:40 PM
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I have been on Contiki and Trafalgar tours. I did 2 G Adventure tours last year to Italy and LOVED them. Small group and the focus is on the travel. I did the Cinque Terre walking tour (5 days) and the Amalfi Coast agriturismo tour(1 week). These trip were obviously targeted to a region. I preferred GAdventures tours. Contiki was great as a 25 year old. Almost a rite of pass for Australians And it set me up for travel over the last 15 years. I was addicted!
Solo travel is great because it gives you so much more independence, flexibility and the ability to make friends as you go.
Whatever you do - just remember that this is your first trip and probably the first of many......
And it set me up for travel over the last 15 years. I was addicted!Solo travel is great because it gives you so much more independence, flexibility and the ability to make friends as you go.
Whatever you do - just remember that this is your first trip and probably the first of many......
Nov 4th, 2015, 02:36 AM
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Hi everyone,
Just want to say thanks for convincing me to travel solo!
Almost finished planning out my entire trips, booked accommodation at some really great hostels and booked a ton of interesting group tours in each city I'm visiting!
While alot of the attractions could probably be visited by myself, I enjoy having a guide to explain the history of the attraction and they aren't too expensive! Most cities also have a free walking tour.
Travelling solo really allows me to see more vs a Contiki tour.
Also has left me alot more confident to plan out more solo travel in the future!
Really looking forward to my trip
Thanks everyone!
Just want to say thanks for convincing me to travel solo!
Almost finished planning out my entire trips, booked accommodation at some really great hostels and booked a ton of interesting group tours in each city I'm visiting!
While alot of the attractions could probably be visited by myself, I enjoy having a guide to explain the history of the attraction and they aren't too expensive! Most cities also have a free walking tour.
Travelling solo really allows me to see more vs a Contiki tour.
Also has left me alot more confident to plan out more solo travel in the future!
Really looking forward to my trip
Thanks everyone!
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