Italy Guided Tour or Do it Yourself??
Dec 4th, 2006, 08:15 AM
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Italy Guided Tour or Do it Yourself??
Hello,
I am a novice on this site, just signed up today. My family and I, (wife + 2 teenage boys 17 &15) are in the process of planning a trip to Italy. Very confused and frustrated with which way to go, independant travel or guided coach tour. We want to hit the toursist spots,Vatican, Venice,etc... (1st time overseas) but also do not want to be pushed into optional tours and shops from a commission based tour guide. We would like to spend 12 days in Italy. I have an uncle in Rome wih lots of 2nd cousins all about. My Grandmother was born outside of Rome in a small village. I'd like to hit the tourist highlights, but also spend time with my Italian relatives for a behind the scenes tour. I would very much appreciate and help, advice or suggestion from people more seasoned than I. Looking forward to Italy. One last hurrah before my eldest son goes away to college.
P.S. Since we have never done any type of tour before. We are worrried that our boys will be bored, and not have anyone their age aboard. Any opinions on companies to seek out or avoid???
Thanks in advance...
Jboz
I am a novice on this site, just signed up today. My family and I, (wife + 2 teenage boys 17 &15) are in the process of planning a trip to Italy. Very confused and frustrated with which way to go, independant travel or guided coach tour. We want to hit the toursist spots,Vatican, Venice,etc... (1st time overseas) but also do not want to be pushed into optional tours and shops from a commission based tour guide. We would like to spend 12 days in Italy. I have an uncle in Rome wih lots of 2nd cousins all about. My Grandmother was born outside of Rome in a small village. I'd like to hit the tourist highlights, but also spend time with my Italian relatives for a behind the scenes tour. I would very much appreciate and help, advice or suggestion from people more seasoned than I. Looking forward to Italy. One last hurrah before my eldest son goes away to college.
P.S. Since we have never done any type of tour before. We are worrried that our boys will be bored, and not have anyone their age aboard. Any opinions on companies to seek out or avoid???
Thanks in advance...
Jboz
Dec 4th, 2006, 08:48 AM
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Absolutely do it on your own. If you have an uncle already there, you have a built in edge. If you take an organized tour you would barely have time to have a meal with him.
There are enough independent travelers on this site alone who can help you tremendously.
Put words in the search box here and get some idea of what you want to visit and there will be many threads leading you in the right direction. Then come back and ask specific questions and you will be all set.
Happy planning.
There are enough independent travelers on this site alone who can help you tremendously.
Put words in the search box here and get some idea of what you want to visit and there will be many threads leading you in the right direction. Then come back and ask specific questions and you will be all set.
Happy planning.
Dec 4th, 2006, 08:51 AM
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For the least amount of hassle and time, you can book a rail tour on sites such as Gate 1 Travel. I did that spring break for Brussels and Amsterdam. They provide air, hotels, and rail between cities. You're on your own at each destination which I prefer. They have trips of varying lengths in Italy at a reasonable price.
After analyzing the options for our winter break trip to Italy, I decided I could do it myself cheaper, and would rather choose my own hotel locations and flight times. However I spent countless hours online researching hotels, which is not necessary to do but I got into it and I obsess.
So, basically, it depends on how much time you want to spend planning your trip.
After analyzing the options for our winter break trip to Italy, I decided I could do it myself cheaper, and would rather choose my own hotel locations and flight times. However I spent countless hours online researching hotels, which is not necessary to do but I got into it and I obsess.
So, basically, it depends on how much time you want to spend planning your trip.
Dec 4th, 2006, 09:08 AM
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I agree with the above posts. I lived in Europe for a few years while in university, and my sister and I frequented Italy as students. We had a great time and enjoyed ourselves immensely.
There is much more freedom if you plan the trip yourself. There are plenty of books, websites, and other resources to help you plan. Look for rail tickets within Italy (raileurope.com is an easy to use site and a good place to start), as you can get very flexible travel, discounts (including student discounts if your children get an ISIC card), and the rail stations are pretty much centrally located in the major cities. They are also safe and clean. I wouldn't try to drive yourself, it typically becomes a hassle. Plus most of the cities are great walking cities, the buses aren't that terrible, and walking from point to point is part of the fun of the Italian cities.
Good luck with your trip!
There is much more freedom if you plan the trip yourself. There are plenty of books, websites, and other resources to help you plan. Look for rail tickets within Italy (raileurope.com is an easy to use site and a good place to start), as you can get very flexible travel, discounts (including student discounts if your children get an ISIC card), and the rail stations are pretty much centrally located in the major cities. They are also safe and clean. I wouldn't try to drive yourself, it typically becomes a hassle. Plus most of the cities are great walking cities, the buses aren't that terrible, and walking from point to point is part of the fun of the Italian cities.
Good luck with your trip!
Dec 4th, 2006, 09:40 AM
#5
Welcome to Fodors. As was mentioned on your other thread, most folks on here are waaaaay pro-independent travel. Tours do have their place. But in you situation a tour wouldn't work at all IMHO.
Even on the best tours you will be quite regimented - how would the teenagers deal w/ having their luggage packed and out in the corridor by 0600 every morning? A lot of tours are geared to an older base - some kids do well as the buses "designated grandchild", others would find it a pain.
Plus w/ so many relatives in Italy, you'd want to tailor some of your itinerary to where they live.
And finally - independet travel will cost a LOT less than paying for 4 tours. You get economy of scale when traveling on your own. For instance, you can rent an apartment for less than the tour charges for 4 accomodations.
Even on the best tours you will be quite regimented - how would the teenagers deal w/ having their luggage packed and out in the corridor by 0600 every morning? A lot of tours are geared to an older base - some kids do well as the buses "designated grandchild", others would find it a pain.
Plus w/ so many relatives in Italy, you'd want to tailor some of your itinerary to where they live.
And finally - independet travel will cost a LOT less than paying for 4 tours. You get economy of scale when traveling on your own. For instance, you can rent an apartment for less than the tour charges for 4 accomodations.
Dec 4th, 2006, 09:58 AM
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Welcome to the board, Jboz1. So glad you have chosen to take your teenagers to Italy. I think it is a great spot for them. They can see the Colosseum & other sites which they have surely seen in movies, photos, etc. They can actually get a lot of history & culture lessons without realizing it.
If you don't take a tour, I think a great spot for that age group would be Ostia Antica. It is a large historical ruins site just 16 miles from Rome. The bonus with this site is you & your family can roam freely among the ruins, climb stairs to the tops of 2000 year old buildings, find unfinished excavation holes (pull the vines aside) & explore. An added bonus is if you go during the week (not weekends or holidays) there will probably be less than 50 other people there! The tour groups do not go there. Even without a car (which you do not want in Rome), it is easy to get to via public transportation.
My husband, son, & I have taken a 12 day guided tour (2005) & done it on our own (just got back). We liked it both ways. However, with your age children, I don't think they would like a guided bus tour (just my opinion). Unless you find a tour during school break & specifically for families with teenagers, I think they would be bored. Also, as mentioned before, on many mornings you get a 6 a.m. - 7 a.m. get on the bus now schedule. I don't think teenagers would like that on their vacation time.
Also, too much art & museums (a lot is included with the tours) are usually a no-no for teens. So, with some pre-planning you could find many things they would enjoy more - the Vatican Necropolis tours (2 of them now); the new Via Triumphalis tour has inground skeletons to view. Also the catacombs, which are kind of creepy (some teenagers like creepy!).
In my opinion, if you are going during the heavy tourist times (school breaks & summer) a cruise around Italy would be more fun for the teens & Mom & Dad! Royal Caribbean (RCCL) is a great line for teenagers (climbing walls & all!). Then Mom & Dad could be more pampered; not too much time touring but yet enough to see the major sites plus some free time; the cruise line or privately arranged tours do all of the work (during hot and/or crowded times, that means a lot!). You could schedule pre & post cruise days for visiting relatives. (We saw an RCCL ship docked in Venice for 2 nites.) If you decide on a cruise, cruisecritic.com is a great place to find out which ship, which cruise, & lots of help.
My last suggestion & then I will leave you alone! Since you will be visiting relatives, you will probably rent a car. I hope you will be sure to research a way to protect you & your family's assets from a liability claim in case of an accident (sorry to bring that up, but it always worries me!). Also, short rides help prevent grumpy & bored teens!
Hope you let us know what you decide.
Julie
If you don't take a tour, I think a great spot for that age group would be Ostia Antica. It is a large historical ruins site just 16 miles from Rome. The bonus with this site is you & your family can roam freely among the ruins, climb stairs to the tops of 2000 year old buildings, find unfinished excavation holes (pull the vines aside) & explore. An added bonus is if you go during the week (not weekends or holidays) there will probably be less than 50 other people there! The tour groups do not go there. Even without a car (which you do not want in Rome), it is easy to get to via public transportation.
My husband, son, & I have taken a 12 day guided tour (2005) & done it on our own (just got back). We liked it both ways. However, with your age children, I don't think they would like a guided bus tour (just my opinion). Unless you find a tour during school break & specifically for families with teenagers, I think they would be bored. Also, as mentioned before, on many mornings you get a 6 a.m. - 7 a.m. get on the bus now schedule. I don't think teenagers would like that on their vacation time.
Also, too much art & museums (a lot is included with the tours) are usually a no-no for teens. So, with some pre-planning you could find many things they would enjoy more - the Vatican Necropolis tours (2 of them now); the new Via Triumphalis tour has inground skeletons to view. Also the catacombs, which are kind of creepy (some teenagers like creepy!).
In my opinion, if you are going during the heavy tourist times (school breaks & summer) a cruise around Italy would be more fun for the teens & Mom & Dad! Royal Caribbean (RCCL) is a great line for teenagers (climbing walls & all!). Then Mom & Dad could be more pampered; not too much time touring but yet enough to see the major sites plus some free time; the cruise line or privately arranged tours do all of the work (during hot and/or crowded times, that means a lot!). You could schedule pre & post cruise days for visiting relatives. (We saw an RCCL ship docked in Venice for 2 nites.) If you decide on a cruise, cruisecritic.com is a great place to find out which ship, which cruise, & lots of help.
My last suggestion & then I will leave you alone! Since you will be visiting relatives, you will probably rent a car. I hope you will be sure to research a way to protect you & your family's assets from a liability claim in case of an accident (sorry to bring that up, but it always worries me!). Also, short rides help prevent grumpy & bored teens!
Hope you let us know what you decide.
Julie
Dec 4th, 2006, 10:14 AM
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My husband and I really dislike tours so I would suggest do it yourself! Some people are more comfortable with tour groups.
There is no reason to not do it yourself though. I was in Milan for business in September, on a whim my husband met me there the following week and without hardly any plans we took the train to Florence and then on to Rome. We found a hotel just outside of Rome and took the bus each day into the city we walked alot (once in the city it's easy to go by foot to most attractions). Have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions on this sight.
There is no reason to not do it yourself though. I was in Milan for business in September, on a whim my husband met me there the following week and without hardly any plans we took the train to Florence and then on to Rome. We found a hotel just outside of Rome and took the bus each day into the city we walked alot (once in the city it's easy to go by foot to most attractions). Have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions on this sight.
Dec 4th, 2006, 10:33 AM
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Jboz: Another vote for doing it yourself!
Are you in touch with your Roman relatives? Your desire to spend time with them may conflict with the usual Rome advice to stay in the historic district. You might rather stay on the outskirts. Anyway,they should be able to give you some options.
Are you in touch with your Roman relatives? Your desire to spend time with them may conflict with the usual Rome advice to stay in the historic district. You might rather stay on the outskirts. Anyway,they should be able to give you some options.
Dec 4th, 2006, 11:55 AM
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Jboz,
Can you tell us what town your relatives are in and how long you plan to stay with them? Also, do you also plan to stay at an apt. (preferred) or hotel in central Rome?
Generally speaking I would plan to spend 7 nights in Rome (or nearby, if with relatives for part of trip) and 4 nights in Venice. I'm assuming your 12 days mean 11 nights.
For apt. info in Venice and Rome, look at the reviews on slowtrav:
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/list.asp?r=Rome
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/list.asp?r=Venice
Can you tell us what town your relatives are in and how long you plan to stay with them? Also, do you also plan to stay at an apt. (preferred) or hotel in central Rome?
Generally speaking I would plan to spend 7 nights in Rome (or nearby, if with relatives for part of trip) and 4 nights in Venice. I'm assuming your 12 days mean 11 nights.
For apt. info in Venice and Rome, look at the reviews on slowtrav:
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/list.asp?r=Rome
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/list.asp?r=Venice
Dec 4th, 2006, 01:23 PM
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Hi JB,
With 12 days and relatives in Rome, I suggest that you plan it yourself.
Fly into Rome - 6 nights, 2 nights in Florence and 3 nights in Venice. Fly out of Venice.
Usually I suggest flying into Venice and out of Rome, but your Italian cousins might be unhappy that you didn't come to them first.
For more info see Helpful Information: Italy 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568596
Enjoy your visit.
With 12 days and relatives in Rome, I suggest that you plan it yourself.
Fly into Rome - 6 nights, 2 nights in Florence and 3 nights in Venice. Fly out of Venice.
Usually I suggest flying into Venice and out of Rome, but your Italian cousins might be unhappy that you didn't come to them first.
For more info see Helpful Information: Italy 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568596
Enjoy your visit.
Dec 4th, 2006, 06:47 PM
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Jboz -
I had posted this response to your post on Beth's trip report before I saw this thread:
Why don't you purchase a couple of guidebooks and get some idea of what is involved in doing it yourself. Rick Steves' books are especially good for first-timers. Since you have family you want to visit (lucky you!) you may want to manage your time more independently than a coach tour would allow. At least with some information you can better determine what you feel comfortable with.
I know it seems intimidating, but Italy is really easy for travel. Why not do a little research and then start your own thread with whatever questions you have. The good folks on this forum are terrific and have lots of good ideas!
Linda
I had posted this response to your post on Beth's trip report before I saw this thread:
Why don't you purchase a couple of guidebooks and get some idea of what is involved in doing it yourself. Rick Steves' books are especially good for first-timers. Since you have family you want to visit (lucky you!) you may want to manage your time more independently than a coach tour would allow. At least with some information you can better determine what you feel comfortable with.
I know it seems intimidating, but Italy is really easy for travel. Why not do a little research and then start your own thread with whatever questions you have. The good folks on this forum are terrific and have lots of good ideas!
Linda
Dec 5th, 2006, 12:04 AM
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Sounds like a fun family trip! Maybe you should conisder using a travel consultant to plan the trip? You can still do the day to day activities on your own, but a little extra organization by an expert might help. We used Megan at http://www.bellavitaitalia.com last summer for our honeymoon and she made the trip so much easier (and so much more fun) for us. Just a thought!
Dec 5th, 2006, 04:02 PM
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Definitely do it yourself. Two teens would be bored stiff with a tour - and a lot of the tour members might not enjoy traveling with teens.
Plan a tour that YOUR family wants - not what's easiest for a company to herd a frequently elderly troup through (with maximum shopping stops) with poor food and maximum profit.
Plan a tour that YOUR family wants - not what's easiest for a company to herd a frequently elderly troup through (with maximum shopping stops) with poor food and maximum profit.
Dec 5th, 2006, 04:20 PM
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Independent travel in Italy is a breeze. I would suggest that you fly into Venice and make your way to Rome by train. Stop in Florence if you'd like. But I expect the Roman part of the visit with your relatives will be the high point, so I'd save it for last. However, I still think staying in the city center is advisable, as you can always get out easily, but getting in day after day might get tedious.
Hope you come back to share all those inside tips you'll get . . .
Hope you come back to share all those inside tips you'll get . . .
Dec 7th, 2006, 12:48 AM
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Good morning from Italy
If you would like follow an itinerary but at the same time have the independence, to stop when and where you prefer, the perfect choice could be a private and independent tour, it's cheaper and more comfortable than a group tour, where your boys could become more bored, driving a kart or playng soccer for example.
Buon Viaggio!!!
If you would like follow an itinerary but at the same time have the independence, to stop when and where you prefer, the perfect choice could be a private and independent tour, it's cheaper and more comfortable than a group tour, where your boys could become more bored, driving a kart or playng soccer for example.
Buon Viaggio!!!
Dec 7th, 2006, 03:06 AM
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Another vote for independent visit!
We are born in Romania and left in '86. From Romania we visited all communist countries by organized tours, and in Austria and Israel we went and stayed at our relatives. So, we had not experience as independent travelers.
From '86 we live in Israel. In '90 it was our first vacation outside of Israel or Romania, and we traveled for this first time independently, in Italy. It was a beautiful vacation, we had no problems at all, even we had no experience and at that time, also no so much money. I remember that even we had not a credit card!
So, if in these conditions we had no problems, for sure you will be OK! We spent a week in Rome (from here we take a day trip to Capri), 5 days in Florence and 3 days in Venice. We had no car, we traveled by train.
We are born in Romania and left in '86. From Romania we visited all communist countries by organized tours, and in Austria and Israel we went and stayed at our relatives. So, we had not experience as independent travelers.
From '86 we live in Israel. In '90 it was our first vacation outside of Israel or Romania, and we traveled for this first time independently, in Italy. It was a beautiful vacation, we had no problems at all, even we had no experience and at that time, also no so much money. I remember that even we had not a credit card!
So, if in these conditions we had no problems, for sure you will be OK! We spent a week in Rome (from here we take a day trip to Capri), 5 days in Florence and 3 days in Venice. We had no car, we traveled by train.
Dec 7th, 2006, 04:28 AM
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I think a coach tour would definitely be a bore for the boys plus it would make it difficult for you to visit family as they are somewhat rigid in schedule.
The reason people hire travel consultants is for a couple of reasons:
1) They are experts in the region they represent and can provide priceless advice and information.
2) They (usually) customize a trip to your exact travel wishes - something a coach tour does not, ever.
You can still "do it yourself" in terms of not having someone hold your hand to get from place to place - but as first timers overseas, a travel consultant can really help you in terms of organization and direction.
Good luck with your decision and happy planning!
The reason people hire travel consultants is for a couple of reasons:
1) They are experts in the region they represent and can provide priceless advice and information.
2) They (usually) customize a trip to your exact travel wishes - something a coach tour does not, ever.
You can still "do it yourself" in terms of not having someone hold your hand to get from place to place - but as first timers overseas, a travel consultant can really help you in terms of organization and direction.
Good luck with your decision and happy planning!
Dec 7th, 2006, 10:29 AM
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I am a backpacker so I say on your own. However when you are at certain sites it would adventagous to hire a guide or go on a day guided trip. I.E. the roman forum, vatican, possible michelangelo's florence. Some places will be rocks without a guide. My wife and I hired a guide for a forum tour, A very hot guide I might add, and got an incredible amount of knowledge out of it.
In summary travel, find places to stay, places to eat, struggle with the language, but at certain spots hire a guide- they will be readibly available around them.
In summary travel, find places to stay, places to eat, struggle with the language, but at certain spots hire a guide- they will be readibly available around them.
Dec 7th, 2006, 11:01 AM
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heres another vote for going by yourselves. this past summer my husband and i traveled to italy with our three kids, boy age 22, boy age 17, and girl age 12. we had never been to europe before and we absolutly loved it. we were in venice, florence, positano and rome. I used a travel agent for booking hotels and trains and planned the rest myself with the help of all the travel experts on this board. the whole trip worked out beautifully. good luck planning!
