Thanks, everyone. I think we'll enjoy not having to deal with getting and returning the rental car, figuring out directions, finding gas stations, parking, admission fees, lines, etc. this time. As far as staying on Murano, it's okay. I've been in Venice before, so it's only my DH who needs to see the highlights. Murano, though small, will be new to both of us.

It looks like you have made a decision and I hope you enjoy this trip. I do not understand your comment though "as seniors, we don't want to do this in Italy."We have been to Italy seven times, independently, and is is no different than our trips in other European countries, perhaps even easier.

I think with some strategies you can get more out of tour. Here are some links. (I had read the Rick Steves version in one of his books but this is the on line version.)

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...ur-selfdefense

http://www.johnnyjet.com/not-your-gr...ght-vacations/

I hope you enjoy the trip. Do come back after the trip to tell us how it went!

<i> Do you want to be a tourist or a traveller? </i>

Unless you're traveling for business or a similar activity, you're a tourist. There's nothing wrong with that.

We are back, and as requested by a few of the helpful folks above, here goes: We picked up our bags at the airport in Venice and were immediately met by a tour rep and escorted to a boat that took us to our hotel in Murano. The hotel was new, clean, and had a great staff. Murano is about 15/20 minutes to Venice proper by boat and we appreciated the quiet of Murano after visiting Venice. After three nights there, we moved on to Tuscany for four nights. We spent a day in Lucca on our own and loved it. Also went to Cinque Terre by boat with the rest of the tour for the better part of a day. Lovely. Had a nice tour of Sienna. On to Naples, where our hotel was on the waterfront within walking distance to practically everything. Had lots of time to ourselves because we didn't do any of the optional stuff. Then on to Rome, stopping along the way for a detailed tour of Pompeii. Rome hotel, across the street from the American Embassy, contained the smallest bedrooms of the trip but was very clean and had a great staff. One of the posters above thought it was too close to the train station, but we never came across it, and we did quite a bit of walking on our own. Our tour director was extremely organized, professional and knowledgeable. Local guides were very good. Room keys were always waiting for us when we arrived (unlike the only other tour I ever took, where we sometimes waited 30+ minutes to get checked in). Included dinners plus wine were delicious; breakfasts just okay. All in all, we're pleased. Tour company delivered everything they promised. I do appreciate all the encouragement given to go it on our own, but we just wanted someone else to do the thinking this time.

Thanks for reporting back! I'm glad to hear that the tour worked so well for you.

Katherine,

thanks for coming back to us and I'm glad that you had such a good trip.

You might make some of us [including me] examine our prejudices about tours, so thanks for that too.

Thanks for reporting back. I'm glad to hear that your trip went well.
Diane