I am traveling to Rome, Venice and Florence in late December, I have never been to Europe--is it necessqary to get a trvel agent?

That depends. Why did you pick that timeframe and those cities? What in particular do you want to do, and how long are you staying in each place? Give us some more information, and fodorites can help you with itinerary, accommodations, etc., and you might not need a travel agent -- I've never used a travel agent.

Thanks for the response--my wife and I have about 12 nights--5 in Rome, 4 in Florence, 3 in Venice. Late December (15th to 26th)--thanks again.

I have never used one either & have done a similar trip (w/the addition of Vienna). I might allow for a little more time in Venice. There is a ton of info on here. You might search those locales first & then pop back w/specifics (?).

If you're savvy enough to have found this board, you'll be just fine without an agent. we've never used one.

Hi Lon,

With the internet, no one needs a TA anymore.

If you are happy planning your visit yourself, you can easily do it with help from this forum.

I suggest flying into Venice and out of Rome.

See www.kayak.com

Also see Helpful Information: Italy 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568596

I see you are new to this site, as I was last year when we began planning our 3 week tenth anniversary trip to Northern Italy and southern Switzerland. Welcome.

We are not using travel agents for this trip but we love the research.

Do you like research? Can you put up with helpful advice and slight criticism?

We have modified our itinerary numerous times and it has only gotten better. I think planning your own offers more flexibility in the end.

VS :-"

There are trip planners who specialize in Italy and they are much better than travel agents, and seldom do they get kickbacks from hotels and restaurants.

I've never used a trip planner because I generally find I can't stand other people's ideas of fun -- which I why I go to Europe instead of Orlando or Las Vegas. Like guidebooks and any kind of tour, the advice you will get is designed to be middleground and "safe."

By the way, you are going to these 3 Italian cities at a marvelous time. You will really enjoy not having to fight the crowds. Venice is a popular destination for Italians doing Christmas shopping, but Chrismas Eve and Chrismas Day are wondrous in Venice because that is when families return to Venice to celebrate Christmas with their nonnas.

Many things shut down on Christamas Eve and Christmas, but the legendary cafes of Piazza San Marco are open and are great for breakfast or brunch (at a steep price).

Midnight mass is lovely as is Christmas morning mass. Pick your favorite church. Your hotel should be able to help you out with which restaurants will be open.

lon - before I discovered this site, I was absolutely computer illiterate, but now after spending maybe 2-3 hours a day since January, 2005, reading any and all postings relating to Italy France, and, previously, Greece, I am proud to say that I am not only STILL computer illiterate, but I am also in jeopardy of losing my 3rd wife! (just kidding).

But, in all honesty, if you have the time and the inclination, you will never have to deal with a travel agent again, and will easily be able to plean any trip easily yourself, armed with as much invaluable information as can be derived from the imput of what appears to be 100's of experts.

There is no better feeling than knowing that almost immediate answers and responses will be forthcoming in regards to any type of travel question or enquiry, and the dialogues that often ensue are almost always entertaining as well as informative.

I've now booked 2 European trips, myself, in the last 18 months, and am astounded at how easy it has all been.

One important lesson to be learned, however, is that you should always be wary of booking a hotel which has no cancellation privilege, or where the deposit is non-refundable. Many sites allow a free (or a nominal $25.00) cancellation privilege 3-7 days prior to arrival date, and as circumstances, or even rates at other better hotels change from time to time, I always try to have an "escape route" available.

Finally, before booking any hotel through the web, become conversant with the various sites which are available, such as tripadviser, venere, and, finally google the hotel name to see what prices are available both on the hotel's own site, as well as on countless other sites which would not be apparent without "googling" in.

The net result is that you can find everything yourself, without any need whatsoever for any third party.

Good luck.

That is what this forum is for, to help you plan your trip!

I agree with what's been said. As long as you have the time and the inclinataion to do some research on your own and ask the right questions here and elsewhere, you don't need a TA. I have noticed that some people who are innately indecisive may have more of a problem w/a a TA.

Hi Everyone!

I feel the need to clear up some misconceptions regarding travel agents.

Ira: I love you, you give great information, and thankfully my clients don't think that "no one needs a travel agent anymore".

This is my 12th year in business (previously worked for a cruise only agency for 3 years before I started my own); and 2005 was my best year to-date.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that people could research their own trip. Not everyone wants to do this. As a client of mine said "I already work 40 hours a week, why would I want to spend my free time on a computer - that's what I have you for!"

Further, agents also work with reputable wholesalers and consolidators to get the best rates -- I usually find the rates I get for international flights beat anything a client's found on the internet. (not 100%, but most of the time; just depends on the season, the destination, and who's running a special).

Nessundorma: Sort of semantics - a trip planner, travel agent, travel consultant = all the same thing. When I do an itinerary for a client, it's y tailored especially for them; so I am in fact, planning their trip, I just don't call myself a trip planner.

Travel agents (or planner) DO NOT get "kickbacks". We earn a commission -the same as a real estate agent would. Commission is paid on travel related components (airfare, hotels, etc), not restaurants; although I do provide clients with recommendations as part of our service.

A travel planner or consultant, if they were just planning the trip and not in fact, making reservations, would charge a fee, usually hourly - and that varies from each individual.

Remember, any good agent is working for YOU. As with any business -- you need satisfied clients which result in referrals and repeat business.


Regards,

Melodie

If you enjoy planning and research, there's no reason you can't do a trip like this yourself. Between this forum and others, the internet, and a couple guidebooks, you're good to go.

Basically all you truly need is plane tickets (book them into Rome and out of Venice - called open jaw) and 3 hotel reservations. You can take the train between cities but that does not have to be arranged ahead of time.

If for whatever reason you feel the need for someone else to plan it for you, as others have mentioned, make sure you use someone who specializes in and has traveled and loves Italy themselves.

You have found Fodors.

You will be unlikely to ever have to use a travel agent again.

Hi wlzmatilida,

>...thankfully my clients don't think that "no one needs a travel agent anymore". <

I knew that could have been expressed better as soon as I reread it. My apologies.

I meant no one "needs" a TA if they have the inclination, time and ability to do their own research, planning and bookings.

Is that better? (I hope)

Thanks for the clarifications, Melodie.

You're right that I know many busy, very well traveled people who off-load the details of e-mailing hotels, tracking down train schedules, etc etc, to a third party. And I once paid a consultant a small fee to vett my itinerary and book several internal flights in Italy.

But I'm something of a control freak, and one who likes to take responsibility for my own mistakes. If I end up in a hotel I can't stand, I get over it quicker if I can blame myself rather than somebody else!

Ira: apology accepted, and much better thanks!

Nessendorma: you're welcome for the clarification and thank you for taking them in the spirit given.

Regards,

Melodie

With all the resources available on the internet and in books, it really is quite easy to plan a trip without a travel agent. I actually enjoy the research, so it's no burden for me, although I can see why it might be a chore to others.

A travel agent can be helpful--if that person is truly resourceful, intelligent, and willing to work for you. While some, like Melody, may be excellent, I've found that there are those who only seem to want to arrange what is easiest for them. I once tried to work with a travel agent who quoted me a price considerably HIGHER than what was available on the airline web site. When I asked if she could get that rate, she grew angry and defensive. As this was for a European trip for four people (a $12,000 trip), I was a bit surprised by the attitude. I've had travel agents who tried to push the big tour companies (Globus, Trafalgar, Cosmos, etc.), but show less enthusiasm for independent travel or lesser known tour companies, even when I'd explained that I'd been to Europe several times before. I've met too many agents who only seemed to know about vendors who had provided them with free trips. I used to think travel agents were always the "experts," until I realized that sometimes, I know more about the destinations than the agent because I'm more willing to do the research.

Now, certainly, I do believe there are travel agents out there who might do a better job at planning a trip. However, finding them doesn't always seem easy, especially as more and more people are booking their own travel.

Hi Lenna,

You make some excellent points.

Obviously I can't speak for all agents -as in any industry, there are always a few bad apples that spoil it for everyone else.

And this is not the first time I've heard of agents being basically "order takers" or having a private agenda and trying to push higher priced tours, or something the client really doesn't want just so they can get the "sale".

What can I say? Those agents are stupid and short sighted. That's not the goal of any good agent worth their salt! The goal is to make sure your client is happy, trusts you, and you build a relationship that lasts for years.

Trying to fit a client into a "cookie cutter" type of tour like Trafalgar or the like when that's not what they want is just irresponsible and wrong.

I value 99%of my clients (believe me, I've had to "fire" a few over the years

Btw, just as further clarification, there are no "free trips" to travel agents. I think that used to be the case,waaayy before I got into the business (damnit), but no more. We pay for those fam trips. Is is full price? Well no! It's an agent price.

For example: I'm going on a fam trip on 3/26 to Tahiti & Cook Islands that I'll be paying nearly $1,000. That includes my airfare, accomodations and about 2 meals will be provided as well. I'll probably be doing site inspections of about 30 (yes THIRTY) hotels, so yes, I AM working but still still working in Paradise!

Does this mean that I'm going to recommend every hotel on the itinerary because they provided me a lunch or dinner, or a free hotel night?

Absolutely not. I'll be taking my video camera as well as making notes. As with every trip, there will be some hotels that will be a "winner" and some that I will think "well, if I have a young couple who like basic acccomodations, this is the place for them".

I agree that it may be hard to find the right agent - or at least I'm hearing that on this forum with people having bad experiences, as well as my own clients as well.

People need to ask questions and find out the agent's travel experience and what they can do for them. There are a whole bunch of us out there that have gone through an extensive program to become a Certified Specialist in a particular area of the world. Those agents have invested time, money and a level of experience and those are the people you want to work with.

Best regards,

Melodie

lonsmith, my first trip to Paris I booked thru Liberty Travel as I'd never traveled to Europe before and the only computer access I had was at work. All my trips since then I've done on my own. This board is great for planning and to soundboard your ideas. You will get reliable feedback. At www.slowtrav.com reside some Italy heavy hitters - you should definitely spend time on that board as well. Trip reports are particularly helpful for getting good itinery ideas you may not have thought of. Also,