I recently retired and so I'm looking for a reasonably priced package deal to Rome and perhaps Venice. I may also check out some smaller cities. I am determined to have anice room with a bathtub. There will be two of us. We will be going in late Oct. or early Nov. I'm thinking 12 to 15 days. Does anyone have a provider in mind? Thanks for your help in advance.

For a package deal without tours, try www.go-today.com

www.gate1travel.com or Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity.

Hi P,

If all you want is 2 weeks in Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome), you can easily do it yourself.

See www.kayak.com for flights into Venice and out of Rome (or VV).

See www.venere.com for hotels.

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

After you have a draft itinerary, come back and we will help improve it.

Enjoy your visit.

Try Globus for the most for your money.

P
As usual Ira has provided excellent advice. You can esaily do it yourself - why not price it that way and then compare with one of the providers that people here have suggested

You also might try checking some of the airlines for air/hotel packages. I did a United Airlines air/land package about three years ago. I felt it was a good value. It was just air and hotel, no organized tour. The final price of the package depended on the class of air fare and hotel of course, so it could be basically as inexpensive or expensive as one wanted. This was a London/Paris thing and it also included the Eurostar from London to Paris. You might nose around a few of the airline web sites and see who flys into Rome from your area and see if they offer multi-city.

A bathtub might be a bit tricky. Most often I've had a private bathroom but with only a shower.

Elderhostel is a good company but I believe they are not the cheapest.

thanks to all who responded to my inquiry especially Ira. When I get a draft itinerary I'm sure I'll have use for more of everyone's great advice.

You are welcome, P.

go to venere.com, book into a b&b. Most have private bath and ac, just ensure. Buy a eurrail pass for Italy for the week you want to leave Rome. Buy a good Fodor's guide book before you leave. The rest will work out. Hire the tourguides, we especially liked Tony of the company that dresses as gladiators at the coliseum but has several tours of Rome and they bypass lines into Vatican as well as explain the art for you. They'll also give you excellent restaurant advice.