First Trip to Italy- July or August 2012
 

Traveling from Pennsylvania, USA. What tour company would you suggest for a first tour of Italy in July or August?

Perillo seems to be the biggest and thus probably most competitive and has been around a long long time



for more personalized tour check out www.ricksteves.com - another highly credible long time around company.

for a trip to Italy in July/august, one that guarantees air conditioning in every hotel and in the bus.

I don't have any tour company suggestions, but just a warning. Tours will generally take you to the most touristed, crowded sites and cities in all of Italy - something I would think twice about doing in the biggest international tourist month of the year (July). If you don't mind being surrounded by people while you try to enjoy Italy, it does make it less work to plan, but I find it overall more stressful than just getting off the beaten path a bit on your own. Italy is very easy to travel independently!

Don't go to Italy in August as half of the population is gone on vacation to the seashore;the great restaurants are closed along with the smaller shops.Seriously,the heat and humidity are also horrible which makes sitting out in piazzas unbearable.

Perillo tours along with some of the other big tour companies will have you staying outside of the big cities in conference center type hotels and eating at places that include "your one glass of wine" with each meal.Its NOT the way to see Italy! You will never get a chance to do and see things at your pace;stop and smell the wine and roses,etc.

As others above have suggested-Italy is very easy to travel independently in even without knowing the language.Let us know your ages,interests,where you are leaving from,dates,etc. and you will be surprised how much info and help you will get from everyone here!