Are escorted tours the way to go?
Dec 19th, 2004, 11:40 AM
#41
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I too am in my upper 20s and I strongly recommend no on the escorted tour. I've made 8 trips to Europe over the last 10 years (including trips to France and Italy) and planned all but one myself. The only "foriegn" language I have is Latin, but I've never had difficulties navigating in any of the European countries I've visited. The vast majority of them are quite used to tourists and it's not that difficult get by with only a basic phrasebook. There are so many good guidebooks and other planning resources for European countries too that it's pretty easy to pick out the highlights yourself. Remember that you don't have to have all day every day planned out - if, before you go, you identify the attractions that seem most interesting to you, you can pretty easily make a schedule and logistics for them. Leave the rest of the time open for discovering fun and amazing things you didn't even know about. That's part of the fun! I've found that my favorite experiences have been the things I've uexpectedly stumbled across. There are many good budget accommodations and airfare deals that can help you match or beat price of a tour. If you want some more "expert" information on a site or location, there are usually guides or tours available that site or city that are of better quality and won't consume your trip (check out Context Rome www.contextrome.com for some great ones if you go there
I think that tours can be a very good option for older people or people with physical disabilities - tour guides and groups provide a lot of access by using motor transport and having staff on hand to assist people with things like steps, doors, know where the handicapped entrances are, etc. They're also probably a good option for countries without a well-established tourist trade, where you might have difficulties with language or getting around. Being that you're younger and going to some very popular destinations, I don't think these things will be an issue for you.
The one escorted trip I took (with my husband) was to Ireland. What we gained in not having to plan, we lost in the quality of our experience. As others have mentioned already, rarely is everything included in your price, so be sure to add up a total cost with all meals and outings you plan to take. While there are probably some exceptions, many tour groups are large in size and comprised of people that have far less mobility and stamina than you will. This will get really frustrating when you want to walk more, spend more time somewhere, go somewhere that's a little more physically challenging (e.g., taking a walk from the Spanish Steps to the Campo di Fiore or climbing to the top of the Duomo in Florence). Also, tours tend to book at larger hotels on the outskirts of cities, making it more difficult for you to go places on foot by yourself, which indirectly pushes you to sign up and pay for the additional tours or excursions. You won't be able to control how long you get to spend at a sight or to linger over what you find most interesting. We also found that many of the people in our group (and friends of ours have had this experience too) tend to be far less interested in truly experiencing a place and are often very focused on keeping their experience as "Americanized" as possible by demanding the same kind of food, accommodations, shopping, etc. that they would have at home in the states. And because those folks are paying for the tour, the tour caters to them, which means you get to experience less of the country you're in.
If you do pick an escorted tour, pick carefully. I've heard good things about the Rick Steves tours from friends that they have small group sizes, no hidden costs, stay in centrally located accomodations, and provide a lot of individual exploration time.
I think that tours can be a very good option for older people or people with physical disabilities - tour guides and groups provide a lot of access by using motor transport and having staff on hand to assist people with things like steps, doors, know where the handicapped entrances are, etc. They're also probably a good option for countries without a well-established tourist trade, where you might have difficulties with language or getting around. Being that you're younger and going to some very popular destinations, I don't think these things will be an issue for you.
The one escorted trip I took (with my husband) was to Ireland. What we gained in not having to plan, we lost in the quality of our experience. As others have mentioned already, rarely is everything included in your price, so be sure to add up a total cost with all meals and outings you plan to take. While there are probably some exceptions, many tour groups are large in size and comprised of people that have far less mobility and stamina than you will. This will get really frustrating when you want to walk more, spend more time somewhere, go somewhere that's a little more physically challenging (e.g., taking a walk from the Spanish Steps to the Campo di Fiore or climbing to the top of the Duomo in Florence). Also, tours tend to book at larger hotels on the outskirts of cities, making it more difficult for you to go places on foot by yourself, which indirectly pushes you to sign up and pay for the additional tours or excursions. You won't be able to control how long you get to spend at a sight or to linger over what you find most interesting. We also found that many of the people in our group (and friends of ours have had this experience too) tend to be far less interested in truly experiencing a place and are often very focused on keeping their experience as "Americanized" as possible by demanding the same kind of food, accommodations, shopping, etc. that they would have at home in the states. And because those folks are paying for the tour, the tour caters to them, which means you get to experience less of the country you're in.
If you do pick an escorted tour, pick carefully. I've heard good things about the Rick Steves tours from friends that they have small group sizes, no hidden costs, stay in centrally located accomodations, and provide a lot of individual exploration time.
Dec 19th, 2004, 01:45 PM
#42
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We met a couple yesterday who had gone on a Rick Steves Italy tour. The loved it. They are HIGHLY active people in their 50's..in fact they said the tour was very strenuous. They also said they had "free time".
Dec 19th, 2004, 08:14 PM
#43
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No easy answer, is there? Partly depends on how comfortable you feel dealing with other cultures, partly on how much you want to pack into whatever time you have.
We're in our 50s/60s, not especially adventurous or experienced travellers, and plotting a visit to Europe in a couple of years. We won't be considering a tour, but then we're hoping to have quite a few weeks in which to potter around. We'll do our research, bone up on a couple of languages and have the freedom to do things at our own pace and in our own way. Having just spent several weeks in China where, unless you're cocooned in a Hyatt and get led around by a guide, English speakers are few and far between. We think our experience was richer (albeit sometimes more tiring) for having done it our own way.
Admittedly we did see Vietnam on a small group tour, and the fact is that we wouldn't have seen or learnt as much on our own. But I was disappointed that, after the travel agent's airy assurance that it would be "quite a varied group", we found ourselves surrounded by other middle-aged Australians. And where we ate as a group, the food was "safe" rather than adventurous. Be warned.
I've heard a couple of people on "if it's Tuesday this must be Germany" type tours complain about the mediocre, bland food they were served in - wait for it - Italy and France, of all places. That strikes me as pretty sad.
We're in our 50s/60s, not especially adventurous or experienced travellers, and plotting a visit to Europe in a couple of years. We won't be considering a tour, but then we're hoping to have quite a few weeks in which to potter around. We'll do our research, bone up on a couple of languages and have the freedom to do things at our own pace and in our own way. Having just spent several weeks in China where, unless you're cocooned in a Hyatt and get led around by a guide, English speakers are few and far between. We think our experience was richer (albeit sometimes more tiring) for having done it our own way.
Admittedly we did see Vietnam on a small group tour, and the fact is that we wouldn't have seen or learnt as much on our own. But I was disappointed that, after the travel agent's airy assurance that it would be "quite a varied group", we found ourselves surrounded by other middle-aged Australians. And where we ate as a group, the food was "safe" rather than adventurous. Be warned.
I've heard a couple of people on "if it's Tuesday this must be Germany" type tours complain about the mediocre, bland food they were served in - wait for it - Italy and France, of all places. That strikes me as pretty sad.
Dec 19th, 2004, 08:36 PM
#44
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Neil, when you and your wife go to Europe, be it Italy, France or whereever you do not want to do a tour group as I think you already know.
You two have traveled to places that most Americans haven't been to. Europe will be a breeze for you. You will have so much fun.
And how about San Francisco? A dinner will be my treat!
Happy Holidays
You two have traveled to places that most Americans haven't been to. Europe will be a breeze for you. You will have so much fun.
And how about San Francisco? A dinner will be my treat!
Happy Holidays
