Doris

Does anyone know of a service that will allow me to bypass all the horrible crowds in Italy? It's getting so bad the last ten years or so with all the tourists. I hate getting jostled around, walking through sweaty, smelly people jammed like sardines and waiting in those huge lines everywhere. Do you know if there's a company or organization (other than a tour)that will ensure individual access to all the museums, attractions, restaurants, and so on without waiting in line with the masses? I would gladly pay extra for such assistance.

Snobbybeatch

Yeah, call 1-800-Queen-for-a-Day, you snob.

Sid

Go in January. No lines, no crowds, and people aren't as sweaty when it's cool.

Tracy

Doris, I cant remember any "smelly people jammed like sardines and waiting in huge lines" in my travels in Italy. Where were you? Were you escorted or alone? Were you lost?

Janice

I would highly recommend the Italy in a Bubble Tours. They take you through this wonderful country in a totally enclosed "bubble" which enables you to enjoy the scenery, etc., without being subjected to the horrid crowds and * those smells* . Food can be piped into your bubble from any reputable restaurant that has the appropriate equipment, and most of the main sites are outfitted to enable the bubble to pass through security and into the site. Just do it. You can find out all you need to know at www.italyinabubble.it You'll never need to really deal with Italian reality again.

xxx

Hmm, a tourist who doesn't want to be a tourist. Let's see now. . .you were in all the major tourist spots and there were tourists there!! How dare they. Shouldn't they have known that you and you alone have the right to visit these places? You don't want to mingle with the tourists, then go to a place where the tourists don't go. Avoid Rome and the Vatican, never go to Florence, and stay away from Venice, Sorrento, Capri, etc.

Doris

I think you all are missing my point. I don't mind being a tourist, it's just that it has become so bothersome since travel became so affordable for so many. We usually pay to stay in private exclusive areas with top quality service and food, but unfortunately, the best sights and museums in Italy are open to the public. Thus we have no choice but to go along with the crowds. I was simply asking if there was an alternative.

a--z

Yes, Italy has become a hugely popular destination. Truly the best way to avoid large crowds is to travel during off-season --- weather will be cooler and daylight hours shorter, but if you don't want to mingle with the hoi polloi, then visit during months of November thru February (gets busy again around Xmas). <BR><BR>If you'll be in Florence, you can get reservations to several of the museums there (Uffizi, Accademia, etc) and avoid having to queue up in a long line. Other than that, there's NOT a Rome version of the Musee Carte (museum card for Paris allowing entre without lines).

xx

Personally,<BR>I wouldn't want to mingle with doris either!

xxx

Doris, quit while you're behind! Your first message simply made you sound stupid, like you didn't know why other people picked the same places you do. But your second message shows you to be the snob that you must be. Now you tell us that you really like being exclusive and must now put up with the riff-raff who can afford to travel. Too bad, Doris, but get used to it. Travel is no longer just for the wealthy snobs who like to brag about where they've been.<BR>And horrors!!! Museums are now open to the PUBLIC!! What right do they have to do that? Shouldn't they be reserved for the very rich and important like you? Yes, I get your point, Doris.

x

I'll bet all the major museums have websites. You can visit them from the comfort of your own home and not have to mingle with the peasants.<BR>Okay this is scary.. It's semi funny if it's a troll post, but I get the feeling it isnt!

Capo

Janice, *LOL*!! "Italy in a Bubble Tours"...I love it! <BR><BR>Doris, Re: "We usually pay to stay in private exclusive areas with top quality service and food, but unfortunately, the best sights and museums in Italy are open to the public."<BR><BR>Well, whether that's "unfortunate" or not depends on one's perspective, no? I would guess the public doesn't find the fact that the best sights and museums are open to them to be unfortunate at all.

Frank

Simply getting to Europe these days is a nightmare. Used to be you'd fly first class and get the royal treatment. Now it's not much better than the service provided to the folks in the back. They don't even shut the curtain on many flights.

aint

Just proves once again that money and class are often mutually exclusive. I do believe, or at least fervently hope, that this is a troll.

xxx

Yeah, Ain't it a Shame: No money generally equals no class