Ground transfers, trains, tours
 

Two couples are planning our first trip to Italy in October (Venice, Florence, Rome). Our travel agent just sent us an itinerary from a company called Bellagio for pickup at the airport in Venice; half-day tours in all three cities; and inter-city train travel. For the four of us, it's like $3,600 (total). Does not include ground transfers besides the airport pickup in Venice. Does that sound high? Or are we just bumpkins? Has anyone ever heard of Bellagio or should we work with our hotel concierge? Advice?

If this ONLY includes one transfer (Venice...which can be expensive in and of itself depending upon the mode of gransfer used) no other transfers, 1/2 day tours, and train rides that somehow seems overpriced to me.

If it also included airfare that might be a bit different.

That seems like a totally outrageous price! See www.trenitalia.com for train prices. First-class tickets Venice-Florence are 39.25 Euro, Florence-Rome are 42.35 Euro, which is 81.60E per person for a total of 326.40E.

Even taking the most expensive way into Venice from the airport, a water taxi, it will cost approximately 80-90 Euro.

That is a total of around 415 E total, which at the current exchange rate of around $1.25 to the Euro is around $520 US. That means you are spending $3,100 US for three half-day tours!

Getting a water taxi in Venice and taking the train between the cities is VERY easy to do by yourself, no need to pay for this price-gouging. It's also easy to set up a half-day tour in each city if you like, just do a minimum of research and you will be able to do it on your own.
Hope you have a great trip! You have come to the right place to do these very easy things on your own.

Thank you very much for your advice! It really gives us confidence.

Just wanted to add one thing. Even Context Rome, which everyone here feels gives the most fantastic tours in Rome, charges around 60 E for a four-hour tour (they have many, Vatican, Ancient Rome, etc.) That's 240 E for the four of you. You could take three of their tours for the cost of your 750 E tour from Bellagio!

OK, 750 E is not $750, but you get my point! :-d

does this tour include hotel rooms?

No, the hotel rooms and airfare are separate. This is only ground transfers, train travel, and half-day tours in each city.