best tours
Sep 26th, 2002, 07:12 AM
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
I thought that Perillo was great. Dollar for dollar a great value. Tour director @ driver were very helpful. They made the trip a wonderful experience. I highly recomment starting off using a Tour Company the first time to Europe. I'ts a great value for the money, lets you know what you likes and dislikes for future trips.<BR>My only problem: Loud mouth New Yorkers (I got out of there 16 years ago to get away from those people) think being an "Ugly American" is a good thing. Perillo gets most of its clients from the Tri-State area. Many didn't listen to a word the guides had to say. They were rude. How much crap do you think it would take to make the Perillo Tour Director cry? They complained about everything... mindless dribble...they went on how good the Olive Garden is. They came with or shortly set up their little cliques to hog the dinner tables and sat in the back of the bus refusing to rotate when asked by the guide. <BR>Anyway, you might want to research the demographic of the tour companies you travel with.
Sep 26th, 2002, 08:12 AM
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just returned from a two week trip with Globus and it was excellent. We toured Switzerland and Austria. Many optionals offered--we took them all and it totaled $800 for 2 people. We had second row seats in a Palace in Vienna to see a classical music concert etc. Would highly recommend. We have also taken Trafalgar Tours which is comparable--with them we toured Italy (an independent tour which is no longer available) and Wonderful France another year. We preferred Globus to Trafalgar overall.<BR>We traveled to the alpine areas in July, France at the end of April and Italy mid-October. We were very fortunate to encounter almost perfect weather on all 3 trips.<BR>We have heard that CIE Tours to Ireland are excellent if you ever have any future interest.<BR>
Sep 26th, 2002, 12:40 PM
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
According to the 2002 Travel and Leisure reader poll, the best Tour operators are:<BR>1. Tauck<BR>2. Abercrobie &Kent<BR>3.Backroads<BR>4. Travcoa<BR>5. Overseas Adventure Travel<BR>6. Micato Safaris<BR>7. CIE Tours International<BR>8 Intrav.<BR>9. Lindlad Expeditions<BR>10. Maupintour<BR><BR>This lists includes tour operators and safari outfitters.
Sep 27th, 2002, 03:51 PM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
I took Globus' Italian Mosaic two week tour several years ago, and it was a great introduction to so many parts of Italy in a relaxed manner. You stay one place two nights, another one night, etc. Our accommodations were excellent and our guide superb.<BR><BR>After your first introductory tour, go back and spend more time in the places you enjoyed most. That's what I am doing now!
Oct 22nd, 2002, 06:50 PM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
I think May or early June is best time to go to Italy. Good weather less crowded.<BR>We did Trafalgar "Rome and Tuscan Highlights" in June 2001 and it was great. The tour director was very good and the group of people were very nice and diverse. Our group was made up of people from: USA,Australia, So. Africa,Canada, Britain,and Tazmania. Ages from:10 to 80. <BR>We liked the fact that you stayed 6 nights in one place and did day trips, instead of changing hotels every 2 nights. With plenty of optional tours if you want to see more than the trip covers.<BR>Also Trafalgar is fairly inexpensive compared to some others.
Nov 12th, 2002, 07:02 PM
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Took a 3 week tour with Grand Circle Travel to Italy this summer and it was our best vacation ever. Wonderful hotels, trains, buses, tours, boat rides etc. were all well organized and informative. Program Director traveled with us the whole time and was superb. I highly recommend GCT.
Nov 27th, 2002, 07:27 AM
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
My friend and I are planning on taking a tour to Italy next October. We are thinking of taking a Trafalgar tour or a Go Ahead Vacations tour. Have heard good things about Trafalgar from various people but no one seems to have heard of Go Ahead Vacations. Does anyone have info re them.<BR>
Dec 9th, 2002, 05:46 PM
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
As others have noted, Grand Circle is a very well organized company with several different trips in Italy. They are moderately priced, and well paced. Have been on several and cannot remember ever being less than 3 nights in one place, which we especially appreciate.
Dec 9th, 2002, 07:00 PM
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Globus is EXCELLENT!!! Went recently to Europe and they have improved nicely with age.<BR>Hotels were centrally located- as a matter of fact, we stayed in the same hotels as Tauck Tours- food was fabulous and many of the included meals were in local restaurants and lots of sightseeing!<BR>Next years brochure looks wonderful. I'm going again!<BR>PS; my travel agent was the one to recommend them and I am so grateful!<BR>Kelley
Dec 10th, 2002, 01:18 PM
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
I agree about Globus. Even Cosmos has improved over the last couple of years. This year, I did a Tauck tour and a then a Globus tour. Believe it or not, I liked the Globus tour a little better. There was more than enough food included and it was delightful. I think both companies include too much food anyway. I prefer finding my own little haunts.<BR>I will travel Globus again because I won't have to spend as much. Even when adding in the optional extra's, which weren't that many, it still didn't come close to the incredible amounts Tauck charge.
Dec 10th, 2002, 09:36 PM
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Quick question about demographics - <BR><BR>My sister and I are looking for a tour in Italy, and we're in our late 20s.<BR><BR>While we wouldn't mind being the youngest people on the tour, we'd prefer not to be the youngest by 30 years.<BR><BR>Contiki doesn't seem to be going where we'd like to go. Any other companies that appeal to multiple age groups?
