I have read mixed things on this topic. Is it advisable to use a touring company if you don't speak Italian? My husband and I would prefer not to use one but we don't want to make an uneducated decision about this--<BR>Advice? Thank you.

You might consider the "middle ground" that we selected for our initial trip to Italy. We booked what is called an "Interpendent Tour" with American Express, which covered Rome, Florence and Venice. It only included hotels, trains and a half-day tour in each city. Otherwise, we were on our own.<BR>We decided that we didn't want to be part of a tour that took care of everything; yet, we weren't that confident at the time to do it totally on our own. This worked out wonderfully for us.<BR>I know that Delta also offered the same type of package.

I think you have to base this decision on how organized you want to be. Meaning...do you mind getting lost.<BR><BR>I like to wander around without a rigid schedule and play it by ear, so to speak. Others want to have every activity structured. There's good and bad in both approaches.<BR><BR>As far as speaking Italian, I wouldn't let that stop you from venturing out on your own. You'll find no shortage of english there. Still, its easy to learn a few phrases to help you along.<BR><BR>You don't say how mobile you are. Are you comfortable lugging your bags up stairs, over bridges, in and out of trains and boats and buses? If not, you'd probably be better off with a tour. Tours have the advantage of always having a parking space, getting you to the front of the line at all of the sights, and handling your luggage at every stop.<BR><BR>There are varying degrees of organized tours...fully escorted, on-your-own, etc...Perhaps one in the middle of the pack would suit you.<BR><BR>http://www.jimtardio.com

Whether or not -- and to what extent -- you do a tour depends a lot on you and your preferences, but to address one of your concerns: I wouldn't worry too much about the language thing.<BR><BR>Most Italians are willing to "work with you" to overcome the language barrier. That's especially true in hotels and restaurants. As long as you don't come off as The Ugly American who's insulted when an Italian's English isn't perfect, you'll be fine.<BR><BR>I happen to speak a little Italian, but one of my favorite ways to warm up a conversation with, say, a hotel waiter is to give him a word or phrase in English and ask for the Italian translation. Often, they were happy to help and would also respond by asking for my help with an English word. So, in summary, Italy is not intimidating for those who don't speak Italian.

kathy<BR>no one can answer the tour vs independent travel question for you; it's personal.<BR>If you're looking to save money, you'll need to do a little homework to compare pricing of the tour vs going independently. However, if you decide that you do want a tour, you still have lots of options. For example, many tours allow you to add on extra days in a city that interests you and a company may allow you to combine two or more of their tours into one trip. <BR>The optional daytrips offered by the tour companies are comparatively expensive, but you can still pick and choose. For example, if you are in Rome, you could skip an optional daytrip to Ostia Antica, if only because it's incredibly easy (and cheap) to get to on your own.<BR>I personally would avoid tours that include too many meals, especially dinners. Too often the restaurants the tours deal with are not interesting or good enough. It's much more fun to walk around the city you are in and find a great little place on your own.<BR>As mentioned above, the airlines also offer hotel-air packages, most with included transfers to and from the airports which may be a good compromise between completely independent travel and an escorted tour. <BR>Whichever tours you consider, please have maps ready before you book and find your hotels on the city maps (or on internet maps). Sometimes tours use business-oriented hotels that are more convenient to the airport and train stations than they are for tourist sites. You don't want to waste your precious travel time shuttling back and forth to a hotel on the outskirts of the city.<BR>Get brochures from several tour companies, and read the itineraries. There is a whole other language that you have to learn to interpret. A phrase like "and on our drive we'll see the famous leaning Tower" may mean that all you'll do is literally see it out the bus window as you drive by, not that you'll actually stop there. <BR>If it is important for you to see a particular site check the tour itinerary and a calendar to make sure that what you want is open on the day you will be in the city. <BR> "We'll arrive in Rome in the late morning" may mean that by the time you get caught in traffic, unload the bus, check in, and get settled, you don't get out for sightseeing until 2 or 3pm. If you're moving on the next morning, that's not much time in that particular place.<BR>Finally, remember that you are not a prisoner, and even on a group visit you can strike out on your own for an hour or two, as long as you are back before the bus leaves. If you'd rather shop while the group eats lunch, or if you'd rather relax at a local caf&eacute; or stop into a church while the group shops, feel free. Again, just know where the bus is, and when it's leaving, and tell someone you'll be back in time. <BR>You just need to know where the compromises lie.<BR>An article about things to consider about a guided tour (Info by Rick Steves, Aug 2001)<BR>http://goeurope.about.com/library<BR>/weekly/aa000217a.htm<BR>By the way, if you want help in planning, this be the place!<BR>

No,no no! Don't take a tour. You can plan a wonderful trip just from all the information on this site and many, many Italians in the restaurants, cabs, and hotels speak some English. Besides, Italian is one of the easiest languages to learn. Learn the basic courtesy words and directions, and you'll have no problem. They appreciate the effort. I planned our first trip to Europe (Florence, Siena, Cortona, Assisi)last year from everyone's good advice on this forum and we had a wonderful time. I can send you some notes it you wish - e-mail me. (They're messy, but they helped me a lot.)

If you choose to not take a tour, booking it yourself is very easy. Almost all the hotels have email and fax and respond to English in English. If you prefer not to go on a tour, don't. You'll be fine. This board alone provides great information as do many books and other websites.

No, Kathy, without tour: you're born free and you must travel free: far from the prisons of the organized tour all included. You haven't the best dinners and you'll never discover the finest places which are far from thu usual itinerary.<BR>Other matter is a customized tour where you declaare what is your aim and which are your must and someone suggests you ( only suggests, not reservation and nothing mandatory ) the right places.<BR>I can help you if you wish. E-mail me: no problem.<BR>Ciao.<BR><BR>

Carin,<BR>My friend and I are planning our first trip to Italy the end of February through the middle of March. I would love to get my hands on some of your notes regarding Assisi, Florence, Sienna, etc. Anything in that region. We are considering renting a car from Sienna or Florence and driving around Tuscany a bit. Did you take trains only, or drive? <BR>Does anyone have any recommendations about car rentals, which area to rent from, or possible travel routes?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Tara

I would agree with most of the previous posts. My wife and I have spent a total of 6 weeks in Europe in the last 3 years and have always done it ourselves. We prefer to buy a train pass and use the Fodors and Rick Steves guides to help plan the trip. We have been to Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, and the Cinque Terre in Italy and don't speak any Italian. We have never had a problem with the language. A very high percentage of Italians speak English. I would also try taking a backpack with only the minimal amount of clothes and other stuff needed. It will allow you to be much more flexible.