My husband and I are considering a trip to Tuscany for 2 weeks next April using Untours. Would like opinions from anyone who has done this. We would be able to explore on our own - which we like - while they take care of all the details like flights, apt., car rentals, etc.

First off, I have not used Untours but am familiar with their opderation.

Arranging flights, cars, and an apartment, and figuring out a few daytrips, is a relatively simple matter when you have a computer and a couple of guidebooks. It's also interesting to invest your own efforts and see what happens.

I'm surprised that people who really want to do their own thing still use Untours.

I rented an apartment this summer in Germany, not knowing at first that it is used by Untours. It was a nice place, but booking it, finding it, and enjoying it on my own was very uncomplicated. I reserved via e-mail and paid no deposit. The owner spoke English and had sightseeing and daytrip materials in English in a binder, as many owners there do, in case I had not done my homework. My cost was spectacularly less however, than what the Untours people end up charging you for a place.

If you don't need to be led around, I'd suggest spending a few hours on the weekends doing a little research on your own and seeing if you are comfortable with what you discover. Chances are you'll save a bundle on everything and feel a greater sense of satisfaction.

I have only taken one trip with Untours, to Switzerland, but I felt it was well worth every penny. They provided so much local information that I would never have been able to discover on my own. They also offered 4 or 5 totally optional activities that were all interesting strictly local things I would never have discovered on my own. It was a wonderful vacation, and I am looking forward to going on another trip with them, maybe to Tuscany!

Luciarose:

We are going to Tuscany with Untours in May, I would like to hear about your experience. My e-mail is [email protected].

thanks

We would all like to read what luciarose has to say. I hope that she will NOT honor your request for info sent (exclusively) to you by e-mail.

How would this forum exist and provide anything useful, if information was not shared PUBLICLY?

I will give you the benefit of the doubt, since you are relatively new, alan - - and assume that you simply had not thought about how this undermines the forum.

Best wishes,

Rex

It seems fairly obvious to me that Alan was not trying to "undermine" the board, and that a nicer post would have gently let him know that. Perhaps I'm just reading the post the wrong way, but tone doesn't come off well online and it "sounds" a little harsh to me.

Something like: "If luciarose would be kind enough to post her experiences on the forum upon her return (instead of or in addition to e-mailing to an individual), it would help many other future and current users of this forum, so that more people can read what she has to say."

I haven't used Untours but have been on their mailing list for ages. People who have used them will have specific pros/cons. But I am not at all tempted to use them - to me their prices seem VERY high for what you get. It is just so easy anymore to find really good villas/cottages/apartments on your own at much lower prices. And I have yet to rent a place that did not include books and binders chock full of local info. Every town and many villages have tourist offices that can give you detailed information about what's on and what not ot miss.

I just don't get the draw except that they do arrange your transport too - but that is easy to do on your own as well.