evyce

We plan to travel to Italy in the fall and are looking for a good tour that would take in Rome, Florence, Venice and would also like to see Tuscany, Sienna and some of the nothern lakes regions. We would also like to go to Milan and see a performance at LaScala if possible. Does any one know if there are performances in the fall? I read in a guide book that the opera season runs from Dec. to June. We are of retirement age and prefer the ease of an escorted tour but like to have some time to explore on our own. We hoping to do this in about 2 weeks. Any suggestions for tour companies that are reasonable but good?

Celestina

Tony at Three Millenia Tours in Rome could probably set this up for you.

Email him and see.

http://www.threemillennia.com/

Celeste

Lorac1127

evyce, if you are looking for tour companies, here is a previous discussion with some helpful suggestions: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

Also, this is the Web site for Teatro Alla Scala...the season seems to run all year:

http://www.teatroallascala.org/publi...a/EN/stagioni/

Good Luck!

Margaretlb

Last March, my mother did an 18night Globus Tour. She was as far north as the Lakes and Venice and south to the Amalfi Coast. Along with the must sees of Rome, Florence and Venice she also spent a night in Assisi. Tons of days trips;everthing from Capri & Pompei to Tuscany hill towns and Verona. Mom is 74 and was the oldest member on the tour (most were late 50's to mid-60's) and, even with a bad knee, was able to keep up the pace. There was plenty of on your own time, too. You might want to check into their tours. PS- mom also used Globus for Ireland and loved it.

wanderlust5

I have been to Italy on my own, and also with the following tour companies:

TAUCK
Expensive, but first rate tour of Italy. I highly recommend them if your budget can stand it. You aren't nickeled and dimed everywhere, as nearly everything, including tips to daily guides, are included.

TRAFALGAR
A first rate group, less expensive than Tauck, but we had to pay extra for many things, so our optionals added up to a staggering amount. Good fun though, and I recommend them as well

GOAHEAD VACATIONS
Will be leaving in 4 weeks on a tour with this company. I have thusfar loved everything - their communication and accessibility has been excellent. A big plus with Goahead is that airfare is included. We had some options, they include some, so it is a good balance.

Web sites:

www.tauck.com
www.trafalgar.com
www.goaheadvacations.com

Enjoy!

juniper8

I went on a GoAhead Vacations tour of Rome, Venice, and Florence a few years ago. They have a variety of trip combos, and you could probably find one that includes Milan. Here is what we liked about GoAhead: Airfare was included. They bused us from city to city, so we didn't have to worry about taking a train in a country where we don't speak the language. On the day of arrival in each city, there was a group city tour, which included admission to a major museum - the Doges Palace in Venice, the Uffizzi in Florence. On remaining days, we could do whatever we wanted. Optional activities were offered at extra charge, but my husband and I preferred to sightsee and visit museums on our own. We did go on a group trip to Sienna while we were in Florence. The only downside of this tour was there were about 2 included dinners, for which the company selected the cheesiest restaurants that catered to tourists. If we knew that in advance, we would have skipped them. On our own, we selected restaurants from the Fodor's guide, and we were not ever disappointed with them. Hope you find a tour company that works for you!