Our travel agent was trying to talk us into a globus tour to italy for 2 weeks, visting venice, flornece and rome. We were going to pay roughly $8000 for two of us including airfare. Is this cheap? expensive?

Is it better to book the trip on our own? We've never been to Italy before, but it's a dream we want to make happen. I'm just not sure if we can swing $8,000. TIA!

tiffany946 - you are more likely to get a useful reply if your title more accurately reflects your request.

It is not budget that's for sure, and it kind of depends on what season you would be traveling, where you would be staying, i.e. quality and location of hotels, what is included in the price in terms of intracity touring, and whether it includes meals beside breakfast.

We are not budget travelers and our two-week trips (we travel independently) would easily cost that much, so I do not think that it is very expensive per se.

However, there may be ways to save if you travel independently and do some homework. And, there is a load of people here that could help you plan and save. Do repost with a clearer title.

Anna Roz

It seems rather high to me but it also depends on when you are going;what type of meals and hotels and also what they are taking you to in terms of sights and attractions.May I ask how old you are? Have you ever gone on a tour before? Would you be happy being taken to where they want to go and when they want to go? These are some of the things that one needs to look into before signing onto an expensive tour.Most of the people I know that have taken tours in Italy have gotten stuck with hotels that are really not in the central part of the cities and spent alot of time "going in" each day which kinda misses the atmosphere(ie. strolling at night,gelatos,etc.) that you want.

Personally, I would look into what airfares are from your home city and also look at less expensive hotels in each city to compare.
I know that I could do this cheaper flying into Venice and out of Rome on an open jaw ticket. I would use trains between the three cities and use 2 or 3 star hotels in each city.
Get some guidebooks and use the Fodorites to decide what you want to see in each city along with some suggestions for less expensive eating.You will be surprised how much money you could save!

Depends on when you're going, and what kind of hotels you're staying at. Although the figure does seem quite high.

You got some great suggestions and questions asked of you, especially from dutyfree.

Good luck. Italy is a dream.

Hi

Globus is a 5 star tour company. If you deduct the cost of your fares then you can arrive at the daily rate for 2. Google the hotels used by Globus to determine their tariffs then compare it to the Globus daily rate. Globus also includes breakfast and half the meals plus entry fees, first class coach, knowledgable tour directors and skilled drivers. If you take all this into consideration you'll probably find the tour good value and stress free. A cheaper alternative is Cosmos. I have taken 2 and they are excellent. They are a 3 star option. My only criticism is that the food was rather ordinary (except breakfast).

I think you pay more for a tour because
- the planning is done for you
- arranged transport
- nicer hotels than I would book myself
- paid local tourguides
- different restaurants than I would choose myself

Above the cost of the tour:
- tips for the director and bus driver
- tips for the local guides
- additional sightseeing or cultural outings
- meals that aren't covered
- local transportation if you go out on your own

Tours are a good option for inexperienced and nervous travelers - that's what we did our first time to Europe & we had a blast. $8000 for two full weeks is not bad but remember there will be additional costs as I mentioned. Perhaps you could scale back a bit and take a shorter version?

It just depends what you want.

Sure, you CAN book the trip on your own if you know how to plan & are willing to put lots of time into researching on the internet, reading guidebooks, etc. And if you aren't afraid to be on your own in a country where (I assume) you don't speak the language. Most of the people here on Fodor's LOVE to self-plan, but it's not for everyone.

All you truly need are 2 plane tickets (fly into Venice and out of Rome), and hotel reservations in the 3 cities. Then you take the train in between them (no preplanning required). You'd be on your own to figure out about seeing each city. It's easy really.

Another option would be to look at less expensive tours. They are many companies less expensive (and not as nice) than Globus.

Hi T,

The Big3 in Italy is about the easiest trip you can plan on your own.

Fly into Venice - 4 nights, train to Florence - 4 nights (visit Siena or Bologna), train to Rome - 4 nights (visit Orvieto), fly home.

Train schedules, prices and tickets are at www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Airfares are at www.1800flyeurope.com, www.kayak.com

As an example:

Sept 9 - 23, 2008 two people

Airfare from/to NYC $1750

13 nights hotel @ 110E = $2200

Transport 170E = $250

Meals @ 100E/day = $2000

Total = $6200.

Enjoy your visit.

Tiffany,

$4,000 per person is high, but less than I pay for my tours (including flights).

If you are going to pay that much, I recommend that you read the tour company reviews. Before signing up last year, I spent six hours reading reviews for the tour company that I went to France with.

I have gone on a low-cost and a high-cost tour, and they are worlds apart. So, be sure to do your homework.

Italy is easy to get around in. The train system is great. Those three cities would be easy to plan yourself. I am a pro-tour person, but the next time I go to Italy will probably be on my own.

Have a great trip, and be sure to take a gondola ride in Venice!

Our last trip to Italy cost $4,500 for two. We were away for 13 days, and spent all but one night in Florence. In addition, we traveled off season.

Hello tiffany, I have never taken a tour and have no desire to do so but each of us are so different of course.

I do not want to have to get up at a certain time to get on a tour bus (although I am an early riser), I want to plan the day as it suits me rather than having a forced itinerary. I want to chose where I will eat and when. I want the luxery of sitting in an outdoor cafe in a wonderful piazza enjoying a glass of wine or a Campri instead of "wishing I could". But that is just me and how I am.

Ira gave you some valuable advice regarding expenses if you go to Italy on your own. However do know you will be paying admission prices for various places so add that to the budget.

The bottom line for me is that if I had to chose between a tour and individual travel and if both cost $8,000.00 I would vote for the individual travel.

Best wishes to you with your decision. And may I say most Fodorite's also went to Italy for the first time on their own..read some trip reports tiffany and I think you will really enjoy them and most are very informative.