Laura

I am going on one of Trafalgar's escorted tours next month with my three college friends. Has anyone tried this company? We will be going to London, Paris, Geneva, Beaunne, Menton (French Riviera), Monte Carlo, Eze, Nice, Florence, Venice, Assisi and Rome. There will be escorted sigthseeing but we also have some free time to explore. Does anyone have any advice for people with a tight budget?

Prue

If you do a Search for Trafalgar Tours on this Forum you will find a lot of information that has been posted in the past. <BR>We travelled with them several years ago and they were very good. The only downside (in our opinion) was that most of the hotels were a considerable distance from the City's CBD and not very convenient. However, otherwise we enjoyed it very much.

Laura

Thanks for the info!

Kathy

I traveled with Trafalgar's escorted tour in Ireland. It was wonderful! The tour guide was fantastic and the whole tour was well organized. They had nice side trips to take. We were a day late because of a flight delay and we were treated like royalty. I would recommend this tour company!

Nancy

Laura, I have traveled with Trafalgar and they are a good company. As far as a tight budget goes, THeoptionals that are offered run into big money, so be careful. Meals on your own do not have to be expensive. Cafes and tratorrias can offer inexpensive worderful food.However, my advice would be:1) plan your first day in London. Get out of the hotel as quickly as you can and see the sights. Don't sleep during the day,you can hop into bed early that night and be ready to go in the AM. 2) Skip the orientation drink in Paris. This will probably take place at approx. 6pm and the timing of it will ruin your evening. You can get all the info from your tour director at another time. Why sit in a conference room when you could be out walking the streets of Paris...Find the Metro nearest your hotel, and pick a destination to walk. Just be sure you know what time you need to get up by in the morning. 3) If possible, skip the glass blowing factory in Venice. You won't be able to afford anything in that factory anyway, and your time in Venice is so short. Find the meeting time and place and SPLIT!! 4) Please, when you get to Assisi, skip the dinner in the hotel, and walk the streets at twilight. Magical. Even on a budget, you can find an inexpensive meal in Assisi. I could go on, but in short, be sure to make time for yourself. It's very easy on a tour to let yourself be content following the tour director around. Most optionals that are offered are good, but be sure you have time to wander, sit in those cafes. Reseach before you go as all your free time is precious. Know what you would like to do in each town, and be content to see half of it. Your last night in Rome, skip the "Farewell Dinner" yes, it would be fun, but take a taxi to Piazza Navona(or Trevi, or Spanish steps..) Eat in a little tratorria, and walk. We just returned from Italy (on our own this time) Our last meal in Rome was at a tratorria near Trevi, we sat outside, music playing. We had an enormous (too much) wonderful meal with wine that was less then $40. That was one of our more expensive meals!! Eat artichokes, try new foods. Then we walked past the Pantheon to Piazza Navona. Beautiful!!It will be easy to take a taxi back to your hotel and it will be a night to remember. Have fun...Nancy

Laura

Hi Nancy! <BR> <BR>Thanks for your advice. I will take your advice into consideration on my trip. I will be leaving on June 4th. <BR> <BR>Laura

Beth

Our experience with Traflagar was mostly positive. It was London,Paris and Rome last October. We were shocked about the cost of the optional tours.The bus left us no knee room.I am 5'9 and my husband 6'2. Otherwise everything was great! Trying BRENDON(maybe) this year, any comments on this company?