rex

The suggestion from WillTravel is really the best by far, or perhaps, as an alternative, three days Florence (as "ease into it&quot, followed by five days Rome.

Margie

Fairhope had a good suggestion. Also look at Virgin Vacations, they offer air and hotel combinations at a reasonable price, especially in the winter months. http://www.virgin-vacations.com/site_vv/index.asp will take you to some of the trips they are offering now to give you an idea of what might be available for next year. Although not a day by day escorted tour, the air, hotel, transportation between cities etc., is taken care of. You can also add sightseeing options our do them on your own. I have used Virgin Vacations and would not hesitate to do so again. Also look at go-today.com

Fairhope

Forgot to mention --the optional tours added on to your set tour will really kill your budget--and give you no free time!!

Melissa5

You don't need to wait in any long lines when travelling independently. Good research will enlighten you on which museums accept advance reservations, how to make those reservations, and also good research will show you what are the least crowded times to visit museums.

We didn't wait in any lines at all on our independent family trip to Italy in June. It is a myth that independent travellers need to wait in long lines!

parisnow

Kendu, Melissa is right with good research you don't have to wait in long lines. For example, you can buy a museum pass in Paris and avoid any lines. But if you are in Paris the first Sunday of the month, many are free (if you wish to stand in line and spend your money elsewhere). It all comes down to good research, budget, convenience, how much time off you have for your vacation vs. where you are going and what you want to see. Only you know your family, their motivations, and how much effort they want to put into it before and during the vacation. You asked for our experiences, I have been to almost every country in Western Europe/Great Britain more than once. I have done tours (made friends for life), apartment/cottage rentals, and self drives. I have even bought a guide book/train pass/no itinerary and went with whatever came to mind that day. I am fortunate enough to be able to travel extensively. I have had good and bad experiences with all the ways of traveling mentioned above. I loved my Trafalger tour in Italy because over half the group bonded (ages 16 to 72)because of a common theme...Lets Shoot the Tour Director. My point, we didn't let the negative ruin our vacation. Why am I posting again? Was there only a few of us that read your first two sentences... finally decided and heard enough stories. The advise you actually asked for...inexpensive tours. Travel agencies will probably give you the names of Globus/Cosmos, Trafalger/Supersaver, Brendan, Brennan, Collette, Destination Europe/(EEI?)as the most affordable. I also get e-mail newsletters from Frommers Budget Travel, Smarter Living, and Travelocity. They give some good recommendations. They have also mentioned some of the companies Gate1, Affordable Tours that some of your posters mentioned that sound reputable. If you are going to be on your own in the major cities, I have found Tripbuilder Guidebooks to be very useful but don't rely exclusively on their map. Did I miss it? Did you specifically mention that you were going to Italy? If this isn't the case and you post back on where exactly you are going you may get some more hits with useful information.

kendu

Attention Parisnow and others, I am going to Rome, Florence and Venice next February unless I get an outstanding deal on air, (I need 5 tickets) this summer. I would love to plan my own air and own hotel but have some tours thrown in. To make it more difficult to do in eight days my wife wants to consider brief visit to Turino for one olympics event. We are troopers, though. Realizing it will be rushed for eight days. If we can't do Turino, so be it.
So far, I have seriously considered all previous postings. Keep it coming.
Thanks
Ken

nhmom

We are also a family of 5 and have done four trips on our own (Eng, Belgium & Netherlands) and 2 with Globus (Spain last year & multi country tour 4 years ago). To save $$, we typically travel in February and stay in B&B's or hostels when we are on our own. As the family tour guide, I found the tours convienent and a good value. There were few arguments as we went where the bus went (typical tourist sights we would have gone to on our own plus some museums/churches I would not have convinced them to try). The boys liked the 2 bedrooms in a "nice" hotel. I compared price, itinerary (optional tours add up quickly), and hotel location (import as we walk or public transp) when choosing tour. My kids were among the youngest. We didn't view this as a problem as we "stuck together" anyway. If given a choice, my kids would choose a tour over my tour! There are many advantages to doing it on your own. In 2 weeks, we are going to Rome & Venice on our own (1st time Italy!). However you do it, go!

parisnow

Kendu- Keep in mind that many flights to Europe are night flights and when you add on the time zone difference you will not be arriving until the following day. I have also found that the day you leave the only thing you accomplish is the whole airport scene. So do you have 8 days or do you in reality have six days? You may want to take this into account when planning your itinerary.