Recommend a Tour Group

Old Oct 13th, 2004, 10:25 AM
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Recommend a Tour Group

Hi All,
My future husband and I are planning on taking our honeymoon in Italy. Neither of us have ever been and would like to go with a tour. Can anyone recommend a good tour group for first time goers? Looking for a 10-14 day tour staying at nice (but not luxury) hotels that are centrally located (if a tour like that even exists). Plus, we were hoping to spend less than $6k -- again, think it's possible?
Thank you!
Chris
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 10:30 AM
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Hi green,

Not many tour types here, but if you have some idea of where you want to go on your HM, we can help you plan your independent travel.
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 11:51 AM
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You want to spend your honeymoon with a group of strangers?

I'd suggest you pick a few places in Italy you want to visit, read the threads on this board, and plan a trip on your own. Or, if you don't feel like you can, use a travel agent to make the arrangements - but go by yourselves! A tour would not make for a very romantic honeymoon, IMO.

Oh, and congrats on the upcoming wedding!

Karen
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 01:10 PM
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Kaudry - The reason that there are tour groups is because some people enjoy taking them (otherwise there wouldn't be any in business). I've done a lot of independent travel and as well as taken a few tours, and there's definitely a market for both. I realize that the majority of people on this board are pro-independent travel, but greenkr1 asked specifically for tour groups. As for "spending your honeymoon with a group of strangers", why not spend your honeymoon with a group of new friends?

On the last tour I took (to Italy...a business thing), amongst the group, there were about 10 women traveling either as singles, or with their kids. On night at dinner, one woman said, "you know, I've never done a tour before. I've always traveled as an independent person, and used to look at the tour buses driving by, shake my head, and say, stupid people! And now, here I am on a tour, I don't have to worry about finding a hotel room, I don't have to walk exhausted through the streets dragging my luggage behind me, I don't have to pay a porter to pick up my bags, I've seen out of the way places that I never would have found on my own, because I get lost a lot, and I've made wonderful friends in the last 10 days. So now, I'm looking at the people on the street, dragging their luggage behind them and I'm saying about them: stupid people!"

The point is none of us are stupid people. Some just have a different reasons for traveling the way they do. Some are on their first trip somewhere, and are uncomfortable with the language. Some get lost easily. Some just like traveling with other people. My point is, not everyone wants to trek out on their own, and independent travel is not for everyone. What constitutes a romantic honeymoon for one person may not be someone else's vision.

So for greenkr1- a few questions:
1 How old are you?
2 Do you like active adventure type of vacations, or history, or cooking, or what exactly were you looking to see/visit on this trip?
3 What time of year are you planning to go?
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 03:04 PM
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I'm with kaudrey, I'm sure tours are just the thing for some people, but honeymoons are about spending time with ONE other person, not making "a group of new friends".

~Liz
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 03:19 PM
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Agreeing with the above, especially because it's your honeymoon I couldn't imagine spending it on a tour bus with a bunch of strangers. You could so easily simply pick a single place and go on your own, that wouldn't be hard to plan or do at all (Venice comes to mind).

Having said that... There are two recent threads on exactly this subject. Use a search for "Tours Italy" and you will see: Recommended Italy Tours & tours worth it for first timers. Both these have a number of very specific suggestions for tour companies and include a few personal experiences and reviews.
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 03:45 PM
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In 2002, we took a tour of Italy and among the group were a young couple, late 20s to early 30s, on their honeymoon. They were both reporters for a major New Jersey newspaper. He was a foreign correspondent and had spent much time in the middle east and she was a feature writer.

They were each capable and intelligent enough, I'm sure, of planning their trip but chose not to. There was enough flexibility for them to detach from the group to do as they wished and eat where they wanted. With the conversations I had with them, they seemed satisfied they had made the right decision for them.
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 04:01 PM
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If you do decide on a tour, I HIGHLY recommend Insight Vacations: http://www.insightvacations.com/us/

They have a discussion board at: http://69.20.21.236/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

where many if not all of your tour specific questions can be answered.

--Marv
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 04:07 PM
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I think it depends on what stage your relationship is at - and how romantic you want your honeymoon to be.

If you have been together quite a while and are a settled couple - and this is really a vaction following a wedding - then a tour has some attractions: someone to do the planning, haul the luggage around and less work for you up front.

However, if this is intended to be a real, romantic honeymoon - I can imagine nothing more fatal then a tour. But then, I won;t get up at 6am on any trip never mind a honeymoon.

So I would ask yourself a couple of questions:

Is your idea of a honeymoon time for the two of you together? Romantic dinners, great room with a fireplace or jacuzzi, champagne and strawberries from room service, lots of relaxing and doing just as much touring as you want to make time for? If so - DO NOT do a tour.

If you want a vacation only - with lots of early mornings, full days and group activities/meals - then a tour may provide what you want.

Just be sure to read all of the details very carefully to make sure you get hotels/central locations you'll be satisified with (exactly where are they located and what are the rules for substitution if they're not available), that you see what you really want (understand the difference between a visit, a 5-minute photo op and a drive by) and that the meal package fits your needs (IMHO the fewer meals the better - since - except for the highest end tour groups - included meals trend to range from mediocre to abysmal).

Also, you don;t state your ages - but I would get very specific info on the ages of the other group members - and be sure you';ll be confortable if most of the group are seniors.

If you do a search above on tour companies I think you'll find some threads on specific companies.
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 05:19 PM
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We just got back from Italy. Try to do this as a twosome. It will be so much more romantic and it really is not difficult to organize if you have a little bit of time. This site is a wonderful place to begin. Many of the people on this site have travelled extensively and have wonderful insite and helpful hints. We have friends who were travelling in Italy during the same time we were on a tour and they were so structured and scheduled and taken to places that were so touristy and not very special. We had never been to Italy before and it was so exciting and fun to plan the trip. You will get to see what you want to see and not travel through a city with 50 other people at your heels trying to listen to a guide screaming at the top of their lungs so that the "people in the back can hear me." Also, you will make plenty of new friends just sitting in a piazza or restaurant - the people are so friendly. This is a country where you will do just fine on your own. Good luck and congratulations.
 
Old Oct 13th, 2004, 05:37 PM
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I wouldn't want to be on a tour during my honeymoon, too regimented, not enough alone time (long bus days) or room for spontaneity and exploring to your heart's content. I have done both. This Spring I returned to Paris without a tour and booked little hotels from what I found online and at this site. It turned out very well, but I am not sure I would want to take a chance on a honeymoon. Perhaps you could have a travel agent create a trip at one or 2 locales in Italy. That way you have someone to act on your behalf if things do not go smoothly, and have the thrill of discovering something toghether, and exploring or staying in on your own timeclock. There were a few honeymoon couples on the guided tours. If you do choose a tour, there are several moderately priced that you could do for $6k combined. The more inclusive or premium tours might be a stretch, but then, some of those operators attract a more mature group. By the way, in my experience, you won't get centrally located hotels unless you go premium. Have a wonderful trip whatever you decide.
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 06:13 PM
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I think the best idea is to check out the various tours offered, check out the hotel locations (you don't want to be stuck way out of the central town area). You can look up Rick Steves' tours but might be too pricey as they don't include airfare; however, they are smaller groups. Or, check out OAT who also has smaller groups.

Remember, you do not have to stay with the group all the time. The only criteria is to be back in time to the point of departure. Dump the group dinners (usually yucky) and go off on your own. Look up suggestions on Fodors for romantic restaurants in the cities you'll be in.

Most people on tours are very nice and want to be there - don't worry about that. The drawback on some tours is the long distance bus trips but you'll only be in one country.

It's a lot of planning to do a trip on your own. I know as I'm planning a trip to Italy for next May independently. Have fun planning your trip. Nancy
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Old Oct 13th, 2004, 06:23 PM
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I agree with Marv. Check out Insight Vacations. I've traveled with them several times and was very happy with them. Also, most of their hotels are centrally located.

Sue
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Old Oct 14th, 2004, 04:52 PM
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Are you under 35? If so, I would definately recommend Contiki tours. www.contiki.com

A lot of people will bag on tours -- I've done Italy both ways, and I really like the comfort and perks that come along with the tours.
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Old Oct 15th, 2004, 12:10 PM
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hi green,

i see that most of the other posters have suggested you not take a tour and i would have to agree. we just got back from our honeymoon in italy. we thought about a tour but ended up doing it ourselves. it was the best decision we could have made. i had been to italy before, 10 yrs ago. my husband had never been before. we found it was very easy to get around and figure things out on our own.

our trip was 13 days it probably cost us $7000 (haven't added everything up yet). you should be able to do the trip on your budget if you plan properly. we also rented a car for 5 days which you could avoid doing.

erin
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Old Oct 15th, 2004, 12:25 PM
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you didn't say when you were going and how much time you have to plan. I have traveled both ways...pros and cons always...of late have preferred to go on my own but can't say the I would never, under any circumstances take another tour. Actually, there were a couple of honeymoon couples with our group and they seemed to enjoy themselves...were always teased if they were late to breakfast..they took it in good spirits. There are some "group" message boards on foders and other sites. You might talk to some of those people and see what they say. If you have enough time to do a little investigation on your own you might find it is something perfectly doable for you to make your own arrangement. You have a lot on your plate obviously with wedding planning and all..well, I'm assuming...maybe your are eloping?..just kidding..I certainly think the $6K is a resonable figure. I'm not the Italy expert..actually I'm not an "expert" on much..but there are many here who will be more than able to assist you should you want to further explore planning on your own. My tour was with Brenden/Globus. It was fun, it was good, learned a lot, learned some of the things I didn't like about being with the tour, but overall, good experience. Don't see taking another tour in my immediate future but down the road sometime...who knows, maybe. Much good luck and happiness to you.
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Old Oct 16th, 2004, 01:32 AM
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I admit that i know nothing of tours first hand but from my observations I question their worth:

1. I only ever see tour groups in large american/internation style, soul-less hotels that i stay in only when "forced" to for business travel. for example, a while ago i had to stay in the paris suburbs and the medium/large hotel had a constant parade of tour groups. it had the typical american buffet rather than the real continental breakfast that everyone needs to experience when visiting europe for the first time. It wasn't that far from more central paris but the area was not good for strolling as you would experience in a more central location. I just kept feeling sorry for the people seeing paris like this. I have NEVER seen any tour groups in any hotels that i have chosen for my own vacations (most are too small and locally owned/managed so they don't have the connections).

Therefore, my advise is to carefully check the location of each hotel on the itinerary. Look up the websites of the hotels and see what they look like and who they cater to. If the specific hotel is not listed, i would never take the tour.

2. I have NEVER seen any tour groups in any of the restaurants that i have chosen (in my many years of living and travelling in europe). Most are too small and not configured to accomodate parties of more than about 4-6. In thinking about some of the restaurants we have eaten in, I can't imaging a tour group of 35-50 (typical coach tour) or even 10-15 walking into these kinds of places.

So i guess this is more of a question to those who take the tours...I see you at all the tourist sites but where are you hiding at dinner and sleep time?

People will say that all tours are different and there are good ones and bad ones. I agree to some extent but my point is that if you want to experience the old/charming/authentic of europe, this is incompatible with a tour group for practical reasons. People also say that you can go off and do your own thing and you can skip the dinners...but then why go on a tour if you are always going off to do your own thing rather than participating in the stuff that you paid for. For the most part, public transport is cheap and relatively easy to use in europe so if you are only using the tour to get around, it's hardly worth it when considering the cost and obvious negative aspects of a tour.
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Old Oct 16th, 2004, 01:49 AM
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I realize some prefer tours and some prefer independent travel...however I got the impression the original poster may be perhaps opting for a tour because it is their first time and not aware it can be easy to travel to Italy independently, even for first timers. I have to agree with those that recommend independent travel, who wants to spend their honeymoon with a bunch of strangers.
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Old Oct 16th, 2004, 06:24 AM
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Both touring with a group and independent travel are great. They each have their advantages. Those that have not done one or the other should not disparage which ever one they have not done, until they actually experience it.

Again, if you do decide on a group tour (and I have met lots of couples on their honeymoons on group tours and they love it), the I HIGHLY recommend Insight Vacations. I am not associated with them in any way, but have taken a lot of tours with many different companies, and, value for price, Insight is the best.

Again, here is their website:

http://www.insightvacations.com/us/

And this is their discussion board:

http://69.20.21.236/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

They have some EXCELLENT "country roads" tours (they, for some reason, may not show up on their website). Check them out with your travel agent, as well. Get their brochures from your agent.

What part of what country are you in?

--Marv
PS: I would be happy to email you a couple journals of some Insight Vacation tours, and other motorcoach and travel tips. Let me know.
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Old Oct 16th, 2004, 07:38 AM
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The reason I went on a tour the first time to Europe was..my older brother and sister-in-law were going, talking about it, my younger brother was taking some leave from work, and it all just "jelled". This was in 1999, and I know prices have gone up but the total cost of the tour was 2800.00. 16 days, included all taxes, air fare from SFO, all transfers, transportation, all breakfasts, etc. The hotels, were all first class, admitedly, not always central but always convenient to transportation. There were a lot of other meals included but we didn't always partake of them. For that price, we didn't care. They did offer extra excursions as most tours do and we could avail ourselves or not. Some people took them all, others none so they had quite a lot of free time, and others like us took some of them. There are so many tours with so many different styles. We were two and three nights at each city except for Florence...one night there and that was enough to let me know that I will never do one of those "if it's Tuesday it musy be Belgium" tours. As I said, of late I don't feel the need to do the "group thing" but I can't knock it. It was a great introduction to Europe for me, I learned a whole lot, got an introduction to several beautiful cities and countries, have since returned on my own, the price was great, so how can that be bad? green, you will ultimately have to make your own decision. With the time available to you I would go to some of the "tour group" message boards, this message board, and perhaps pick up some brochures at...I'm afraid to say it...a travel agency. Don't have to book through them if you don't want, but you can get some information on destinations, prices, how many nights they stay in a particulat place, etc. There are also airfare/hotel packages available that can sometimes be good value and your time is your own at your destination. If you can do it, I would suggest going the two weeks because you will loose days traveling. Just have a great trip no matter which way you choose to go.
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