Italy tours
Jul 30th, 2005, 06:42 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Italy tours
Hi Everyone,
I hope someone can help. My boyfriend who is 32 years old and I (I am 29 years old) are planning to go to Italy for the first time in September or October. We would like to go on a tour since we both aren't travel savvy. We only have about 10-12 days and would love to see all we can (he has never been to Europe), and would love to spend less then $6000 per person for the tour. So here are my questions...
1. Where do we "need" to go?
2. Are there any great tours for young people?
I saw trafalgars breakaway tour but wanted to have other options with some better hotels.
Thanks so much,
Lauren
I hope someone can help. My boyfriend who is 32 years old and I (I am 29 years old) are planning to go to Italy for the first time in September or October. We would like to go on a tour since we both aren't travel savvy. We only have about 10-12 days and would love to see all we can (he has never been to Europe), and would love to spend less then $6000 per person for the tour. So here are my questions...
1. Where do we "need" to go?
2. Are there any great tours for young people?
I saw trafalgars breakaway tour but wanted to have other options with some better hotels.
Thanks so much,
Lauren
Jul 30th, 2005, 07:09 AM
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I highly recommend the Insight Vacations tours. They are a sister company to Trafalgar (owned by the same parent company), but are upscale from Trafalgar, with generally more central or better hotels, more things included, etc.
The website is here: http://www.insightvacations.com/us/
They have first class and winter season tours.
We have taken several tours with them, as well as with several other tour companies, and have never been disappointed in the least with Insight.
While I have not been on a Trafalgar BREAKAWAY tour, my understanding is that breakaway tours generally stay in poorer hotels, there is less sightseeing, more partying, etc.
If you would like a journal of a couple Insight tours we have taken, write to me at:
LMarvinB at Yahoo.com
replace the "at" with @ and no spaces, of course.
The website is here: http://www.insightvacations.com/us/
They have first class and winter season tours.
We have taken several tours with them, as well as with several other tour companies, and have never been disappointed in the least with Insight.
While I have not been on a Trafalgar BREAKAWAY tour, my understanding is that breakaway tours generally stay in poorer hotels, there is less sightseeing, more partying, etc.
If you would like a journal of a couple Insight tours we have taken, write to me at:
LMarvinB at Yahoo.com
replace the "at" with @ and no spaces, of course.
Jul 30th, 2005, 07:14 AM
#3
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OR, you could plan it here with us and go it alone, how exciting would that be?
There are so many people here that love to assist first timers.
Just an idea Lauren, either way have fun and best wishes.
Tiff
p.s. VERY conceivable to spend less than $6000 per person planning it on your own too!
There are so many people here that love to assist first timers.
Just an idea Lauren, either way have fun and best wishes.
Tiffp.s. VERY conceivable to spend less than $6000 per person planning it on your own too!
Jul 30th, 2005, 07:20 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi LH,
May I suggest that for 10-12 days you choose 2 or 3 places and do it on your own?
There is no need for an "If it's Tuesday, it must be Belgium" trek. You will go back.
For example (in Sept - Oct):
Split equally between London and Paris (My usual recommendation for 1st timers.)
Paris (7) and Venice.
Split equally between Paris and Rome
Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Florence (6 with daytrips) and Venice.
Rome and Venice
Rome, Florence and Venice.
Hope this helps.
May I suggest that for 10-12 days you choose 2 or 3 places and do it on your own?
There is no need for an "If it's Tuesday, it must be Belgium" trek. You will go back.
For example (in Sept - Oct):
Split equally between London and Paris (My usual recommendation for 1st timers.)
Paris (7) and Venice.
Split equally between Paris and Rome
Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Florence (6 with daytrips) and Venice.
Rome and Venice
Rome, Florence and Venice.
Hope this helps.
Jul 30th, 2005, 07:23 AM
#6
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
p.s. That is a wonderful time of year. If you do decide to plan it yourself, a place to start would be...
Remembering you lose a day going over, so let's say you have 11 days actually in Italy. I would possibly go with and open jaw ticket (fly into one city and fly home from another)
Fly into Rome, stay 5 five days
Train to Florence, stay 3 days
Train to Venice, stay 3 days & fly home from Venice.
Once you start reading about which cities you would enjoy seeing etc, you can adjust it as needed, possibly do a day trip, etc...
I'll stop now, because I know you asked about tours, but I just wanted you to see you can do it alone, plus it would be way, WAY more romantic!
Also, Lauren, if you don't have your passports yet, get those now. Sept and Oct. is right around the corner.
Tiff
Remembering you lose a day going over, so let's say you have 11 days actually in Italy. I would possibly go with and open jaw ticket (fly into one city and fly home from another)
Fly into Rome, stay 5 five days
Train to Florence, stay 3 days
Train to Venice, stay 3 days & fly home from Venice.
Once you start reading about which cities you would enjoy seeing etc, you can adjust it as needed, possibly do a day trip, etc...
I'll stop now, because I know you asked about tours, but I just wanted you to see you can do it alone, plus it would be way, WAY more romantic!
Also, Lauren, if you don't have your passports yet, get those now. Sept and Oct. is right around the corner.
Tiff
Jul 30th, 2005, 08:24 AM
#8
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whatever you decide to do, book your trip rapidly if you're hoping to travel this fall. It is high season in many parts of Europe. We're going in mid- Septmeber and booked our hotels in June, and had trouble getting some of the hotels we wanted, especially in Venice.
Most tours, although not geared specifically for the middle to older aged traveler, attract that very age group. Most young people can't afford them and/or want to travel alone, though I expect that you can goggle and come up with soem more youthful. There are so- called adventure tours for bike or hiking travel, and I could recommend some tour outfitters. Most of us on this forum plan our own trips, and as others have said, it's fun and a wonderful way to extend the travel experience. My daughters in their late 20's travel a great deal, always planning their own trips- in fact, my 27 year old is leaving for Peru on Tuesday.
You're young and this is probably the first of many trips. As Ira said, you'll be back. We are planning our third trip to Italy, and many on the forum visit Italy almost yearly. Others enjoy more varied travel, but almost all start thinking about the next trip the moment we come back. With that being said, I think I'd suggest exploring one part of Italy in your 10-12 days. There's so much to see and do and it's wonderful to explore a region. I am not of the school to see the major cities first, though the Italian cities are wonderful and we almost always include one or two in each trip. The countryside - the villages, the sea, the mountains, the farms and vineyards- these are also what makes Italy so special. That's why people love regions like Tuscany or Umbria or the Amalfi coast. Think about what you might want to see and do. Do you love history, art, food, archeaology, etc.? During our first trip, we visited Rome, the Amalfi coast, and a small part fo Umbria. I always knew I'd go back to Florence, Venice, and so on.
With your budget, you could plan a lovely vacation with excellent accomodations and even priavte tour guides in each place you visit. Let us know what you decide to so and whether any of us can help.
- Margret
Most tours, although not geared specifically for the middle to older aged traveler, attract that very age group. Most young people can't afford them and/or want to travel alone, though I expect that you can goggle and come up with soem more youthful. There are so- called adventure tours for bike or hiking travel, and I could recommend some tour outfitters. Most of us on this forum plan our own trips, and as others have said, it's fun and a wonderful way to extend the travel experience. My daughters in their late 20's travel a great deal, always planning their own trips- in fact, my 27 year old is leaving for Peru on Tuesday.
You're young and this is probably the first of many trips. As Ira said, you'll be back. We are planning our third trip to Italy, and many on the forum visit Italy almost yearly. Others enjoy more varied travel, but almost all start thinking about the next trip the moment we come back. With that being said, I think I'd suggest exploring one part of Italy in your 10-12 days. There's so much to see and do and it's wonderful to explore a region. I am not of the school to see the major cities first, though the Italian cities are wonderful and we almost always include one or two in each trip. The countryside - the villages, the sea, the mountains, the farms and vineyards- these are also what makes Italy so special. That's why people love regions like Tuscany or Umbria or the Amalfi coast. Think about what you might want to see and do. Do you love history, art, food, archeaology, etc.? During our first trip, we visited Rome, the Amalfi coast, and a small part fo Umbria. I always knew I'd go back to Florence, Venice, and so on.
With your budget, you could plan a lovely vacation with excellent accomodations and even priavte tour guides in each place you visit. Let us know what you decide to so and whether any of us can help.
- Margret
Jul 30th, 2005, 08:30 AM
#9
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lauren,
While travel on ones own certainly has its advantages and rewards, so does taking a tour. Even though I am perfectly capable and willing to travel on my own, and do, I also enjoy leaving the details it the hands of others at times, and enjoy taking tours.
If you are not comfortable with traveling on your own, especially the first time, by all means, take a tour. Don't be dissuaded, if taking a tour is really what you are more comfortable with right now. If you do decide to go it on your own, great. If not, also great. Either way, you will have a GREAT time.
--Marv
While travel on ones own certainly has its advantages and rewards, so does taking a tour. Even though I am perfectly capable and willing to travel on my own, and do, I also enjoy leaving the details it the hands of others at times, and enjoy taking tours.
If you are not comfortable with traveling on your own, especially the first time, by all means, take a tour. Don't be dissuaded, if taking a tour is really what you are more comfortable with right now. If you do decide to go it on your own, great. If not, also great. Either way, you will have a GREAT time.
--Marv
Jul 30th, 2005, 08:58 AM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
The big revolution in travel is the internet. You can now get direct advice from individuals who have "been there" several times. With a little work, you can get better guidance on this website, and from experienced travelers, than you usually get from a travel agent. You also might want to look at the slowtrav.com website.
Budget $800 to $1,200 for round trip air fare, depending on where you are in the U.S. Flying open jaw will usually save you both time and money.
We travel with our ten year old son. We recently stayed in Italy in a beautiful lake front room, with brakfast and dinner included for 200 euro per night (total not per person). Most major cities tend higher. My point is that $6,000 per person CAN be made to go far.
Allow at least three days per location, anything less is too hectic.
DK/Eyewitnes and Michelin's Green Guide series are both good starting points to shop for destinations.
If you want to hit Rome, Pisa, Portofino, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Marseilles, and Barcelona in rapid sucession, then shop for Mediterrean cruises. In the end, you will probably settle on France or Italy or some combination of both.
Ask more questions and
Have a good trip.
Budget $800 to $1,200 for round trip air fare, depending on where you are in the U.S. Flying open jaw will usually save you both time and money.
We travel with our ten year old son. We recently stayed in Italy in a beautiful lake front room, with brakfast and dinner included for 200 euro per night (total not per person). Most major cities tend higher. My point is that $6,000 per person CAN be made to go far.
Allow at least three days per location, anything less is too hectic.
DK/Eyewitnes and Michelin's Green Guide series are both good starting points to shop for destinations.
If you want to hit Rome, Pisa, Portofino, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Marseilles, and Barcelona in rapid sucession, then shop for Mediterrean cruises. In the end, you will probably settle on France or Italy or some combination of both.
Ask more questions and
Have a good trip.
Jul 30th, 2005, 09:15 AM
#11
I also see nothing wrong with taking a tour for your first trip. However, as others have mentioned, you're planning this a bit late for Sept./Oct. 2005. Nevertheless, I'm sure you can find a tour with openings. Start looking now! (This would be a great time to use a good travel agent who has lots of European travel knowledge.) And please, please, please look for a tour that covers a small geographic area (preferably all in one country). Don't go for the Grand European Tour itinerary that covers three, four or more countries or you'll be moving so fast you won't remember what you saw and did where.
Jul 30th, 2005, 01:49 PM
#12
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did a google search and found the following.
Check out:
http://www.roadtoitaly.com/
They arrange travel for private or group tours and, although I haven't used them, they sound quite good.
Also,
http://www.artviva.com/
http://www.ladolcevitatours.com/
http://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/
You might find a local travel agent with more personalized info, so look into this if you decide to use a tour. A friend did this recently when she traveled to Greece with her 22 year old daughter and it was a ownderful trip.
Best of luck,
Margret
Check out:
http://www.roadtoitaly.com/
They arrange travel for private or group tours and, although I haven't used them, they sound quite good.
Also,
http://www.artviva.com/
http://www.ladolcevitatours.com/
http://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/
You might find a local travel agent with more personalized info, so look into this if you decide to use a tour. A friend did this recently when she traveled to Greece with her 22 year old daughter and it was a ownderful trip.
Best of luck,
Margret
Jul 30th, 2005, 05:24 PM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Lauren,
I'm going to "echo" what others have said on this board - don't take a tour.
I say this as a travel agent with 15 years of experience, and a traveller with a few more years of travel.
Although you say you aren't "travel saavy" I urge you to either do your homework on this board or find a really good agent to help you since you may feel overwhelmed, or not have enough time (and yes, the clock's ticking as September/October is just around the corner and high season to boot).
I've been booking Trafalgar's for years and they are a good company, but I honestly feel you'd have a better time without doing a tour. (I'm advising you as if you were my client).
Will you make mistakes? Will you feel silly at times? Are you going to get lost? Yes, to all! But that doesn't ncessarily mean a bad time - that's actually part of the FUN! It's all a learning experience and you'll do better on the next trip!
If you don't want to spend countless hours on the internet looking at websites or perusing this Board, then find a good agent. How to find one? Check your home town and make some calls. Ask alot of questions - like how many times have they been to Italy? When was the last time? Tell them what your interests are, what your budget is (this last bit is the one that many clients are LOATHE to mention to me -- I think they feel I'm going t spend their last dime! But even if you can give information such as "we don't want to spend anymore than $100 a night for a hotel" - that's helpful -this eliminates alot of time spent on both your parts and allows the agent to give you realistic information (such as "what? are you NUTS? You can't get a hotel in Venice for THAT!"
As to your question of "where do we NEED to go?" That's entirely dependent on what you like to do / see / experience. Most of my clients do the "standard 3" - Rome, Venice and Florence for their first time, but that doesn't mean you have to -- if you articulate your interests an agent should be able to "qualify" what the best fit is for your particular interests.
From your post,you have a more than a realistic budget and should have no problem at all!
Hope this is helpful!
Regards,
Melodie
I'm going to "echo" what others have said on this board - don't take a tour.
I say this as a travel agent with 15 years of experience, and a traveller with a few more years of travel.
Although you say you aren't "travel saavy" I urge you to either do your homework on this board or find a really good agent to help you since you may feel overwhelmed, or not have enough time (and yes, the clock's ticking as September/October is just around the corner and high season to boot).
I've been booking Trafalgar's for years and they are a good company, but I honestly feel you'd have a better time without doing a tour. (I'm advising you as if you were my client).
Will you make mistakes? Will you feel silly at times? Are you going to get lost? Yes, to all! But that doesn't ncessarily mean a bad time - that's actually part of the FUN! It's all a learning experience and you'll do better on the next trip!
If you don't want to spend countless hours on the internet looking at websites or perusing this Board, then find a good agent. How to find one? Check your home town and make some calls. Ask alot of questions - like how many times have they been to Italy? When was the last time? Tell them what your interests are, what your budget is (this last bit is the one that many clients are LOATHE to mention to me -- I think they feel I'm going t spend their last dime!
But even if you can give information such as "we don't want to spend anymore than $100 a night for a hotel" - that's helpful -this eliminates alot of time spent on both your parts and allows the agent to give you realistic information (such as "what? are you NUTS? You can't get a hotel in Venice for THAT!"As to your question of "where do we NEED to go?" That's entirely dependent on what you like to do / see / experience. Most of my clients do the "standard 3" - Rome, Venice and Florence for their first time, but that doesn't mean you have to -- if you articulate your interests an agent should be able to "qualify" what the best fit is for your particular interests.
From your post,you have a more than a realistic budget and should have no problem at all!
Hope this is helpful!
Regards,
Melodie
Jul 30th, 2005, 06:04 PM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The op stated that they WANT to go on a tour. It amazes me because every time I see someone asking about tour companies there are immediately people telling them not to do it. Some people do actually like taking tours Some people have a very hard time respecting that, and I don't know why.
So here is some info that has to do with the actual question-
With a 6k budget per person you can go with the 5* travel companies like Maupin (www.maupintour.com) or Tauck (www.tauck.com). Out of the two we were happier with Maupin, we did a 16 day tour with them, Best of Italy. The guide will be European whereas with Tauck the guide will most likely be American. We prefer European guides for obvious reasons
My parents did a 19 day Italy tour with Trafalgar and were very happy. The more expensive the tour the older the clientele will be. I am in my early 30's and am almost always the youngest, or next to youngest but I don't mind, I prefer being pampered on vacation.
Both Trafalgar and Insight have their own message boards and you can get some excellent advice from them.
Finally, and most importantly, by booking your vacation on line you can save 7% on the 5* tour companies and 14% on the lower tiered tour companies by booking with online travel agency consolidators.
www.trafalgartours4less.com will beat any other travel agency's rate, I highly recommend them for any tour group, they discount all tour operators. Then there's affordabletours.com and pavlustravel.com, and again this is for reference only because Trafalgartours4less will beat any competitor's rate.
Hope this helps. If there are any other questions please feel free to contact me through my email. Have a great trip!
Some people have a very hard time respecting that, and I don't know why.So here is some info that has to do with the actual question-
With a 6k budget per person you can go with the 5* travel companies like Maupin (www.maupintour.com) or Tauck (www.tauck.com). Out of the two we were happier with Maupin, we did a 16 day tour with them, Best of Italy. The guide will be European whereas with Tauck the guide will most likely be American. We prefer European guides for obvious reasons
My parents did a 19 day Italy tour with Trafalgar and were very happy. The more expensive the tour the older the clientele will be. I am in my early 30's and am almost always the youngest, or next to youngest but I don't mind, I prefer being pampered on vacation.
Both Trafalgar and Insight have their own message boards and you can get some excellent advice from them.
Finally, and most importantly, by booking your vacation on line you can save 7% on the 5* tour companies and 14% on the lower tiered tour companies by booking with online travel agency consolidators.
www.trafalgartours4less.com will beat any other travel agency's rate, I highly recommend them for any tour group, they discount all tour operators. Then there's affordabletours.com and pavlustravel.com, and again this is for reference only because Trafalgartours4less will beat any competitor's rate.
Hope this helps. If there are any other questions please feel free to contact me through my email. Have a great trip!
Jul 31st, 2005, 06:31 AM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
WOW EVERYONE!!!!
Thanks so much for all of your advice. This is great.
From what I gather for our first time in Italy we shouldn't do the Amalfi Coast on this trip and should probably save this for our honeymoon where we will need some time for R & R.
I think I now know that we should stick with Rome, Florence and Venice.
As for a tour....I think I am still unsure for a few reasons....
1. I don't want to fight with my boyfriend in the car (you know the typical man vs. woman getting lost scenario).
2. We are pretty social people and may (and this is a big MAY) enjoy being with a bunch of other people...but again still not sure.
However, before I was all set for a tour...now my eyes are wide open to do it ourselves. But as travelinwifey says, tauck is great (went to hawaii with my parents with tauck) and from what I see Maupin looks terrific. So maybe we will do independent travel with them for the 3 cities. But is the tour guide in your face for the whole day?
Did someone say $100/night at a hotel? Really? $6000 sounds much too much to spend now.....But again, I will do more research.
Thanks Ira and Tiff too for offering to take us on our tours
Everyone has been so helpful and wonderful, thanks so so so much for all your help. I really appreciate it. I will let you all know how it goes.
Thanks so much,
Lauren
And Tiff, I am going to look into planning it myself through this site right now.
Thanks so much for all of your advice. This is great.
From what I gather for our first time in Italy we shouldn't do the Amalfi Coast on this trip and should probably save this for our honeymoon
where we will need some time for R & R.I think I now know that we should stick with Rome, Florence and Venice.
As for a tour....I think I am still unsure for a few reasons....
1. I don't want to fight with my boyfriend in the car (you know the typical man vs. woman getting lost scenario).
2. We are pretty social people and may (and this is a big MAY) enjoy being with a bunch of other people...but again still not sure.
However, before I was all set for a tour...now my eyes are wide open to do it ourselves. But as travelinwifey says, tauck is great (went to hawaii with my parents with tauck) and from what I see Maupin looks terrific. So maybe we will do independent travel with them for the 3 cities. But is the tour guide in your face for the whole day?
Did someone say $100/night at a hotel? Really? $6000 sounds much too much to spend now.....But again, I will do more research.
Thanks Ira and Tiff too for offering to take us on our tours
Everyone has been so helpful and wonderful, thanks so so so much for all your help. I really appreciate it. I will let you all know how it goes.
Thanks so much,
Lauren
And Tiff, I am going to look into planning it myself through this site right now.
Jul 31st, 2005, 07:06 AM
#16
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You made me laugh out loud. I've been married for 35 years, and while traveling, we've settled on the plan that my husband always drives and I always navigate. Let's just say that it isn't always so simple, but we have worked it out, almost always happily!
It sounds like you'd really prefer the tour, and I'd trust others that some are truly enjoyable. I do know lots of folks who prefer them. Try to find one that is on the smaller side, so you don't feel part of the masses of tours that congregate at the typical sites, each one with a guide in front with a colored flag.
The 2 major cities are indeed beautiful.
Enjoy, and keep us up to date on your plans.
It sounds like you'd really prefer the tour, and I'd trust others that some are truly enjoyable. I do know lots of folks who prefer them. Try to find one that is on the smaller side, so you don't feel part of the masses of tours that congregate at the typical sites, each one with a guide in front with a colored flag.
The 2 major cities are indeed beautiful.
Enjoy, and keep us up to date on your plans.
Jul 31st, 2005, 07:12 AM
#17
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Lauren,
Regarding your concerns about the car thing... if you do go with the Rome-Florence-Venice itinerary, you really won't need a car if you don't want to. Just take the train. Rome to Florence is about 2 hours. Florence to Venice is about 3 hours.
I have been to Rome and Florence, and my husband and I are going to Florence and Venice in January/February of next year. There are a wide range of hotels prices everything from $ to $$$$. I found this site and tripadvisors.com to be very useful in researching accommodations. Two or three sources of info, in my opinion, is best.
Again, I feel an open jaw ticket (flying into one city and flying home from another) would serve you nicely, that way you don't have to back track.
Again, Lauren, this is all a matter of personal taste. Hands down, you will find more people here that prefer to travel independently, so when you stated that you may want to travel with a tour because you are not "travel savy" yet, you will see posts such as mine that are tring to be of an encouraging nature saying "SURE you can!". Truely, if you want to travel via tour because of a social aspect, then that is totally a different reason and I think you should.
Only you will know which is best for you!
Either way, we are here to assist and answer any questions. And either way, you will fall in love with Italy!
Happy journey, Tiff
Regarding your concerns about the car thing... if you do go with the Rome-Florence-Venice itinerary, you really won't need a car if you don't want to. Just take the train. Rome to Florence is about 2 hours. Florence to Venice is about 3 hours.
I have been to Rome and Florence, and my husband and I are going to Florence and Venice in January/February of next year. There are a wide range of hotels prices everything from $ to $$$$. I found this site and tripadvisors.com to be very useful in researching accommodations. Two or three sources of info, in my opinion, is best.
Again, I feel an open jaw ticket (flying into one city and flying home from another) would serve you nicely, that way you don't have to back track.
Again, Lauren, this is all a matter of personal taste. Hands down, you will find more people here that prefer to travel independently, so when you stated that you may want to travel with a tour because you are not "travel savy" yet, you will see posts such as mine that are tring to be of an encouraging nature saying "SURE you can!". Truely, if you want to travel via tour because of a social aspect, then that is totally a different reason and I think you should.
Only you will know which is best for you!
Either way, we are here to assist and answer any questions. And either way, you will fall in love with Italy!
Happy journey, Tiff
Jul 31st, 2005, 08:36 AM
#18
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last year on the AOL travel board, someone was planning to do the same organized tour as you - $12,000. She got a copy of my 20+ page itinerary for Italy & decided to try it on her own. She & her husband stayed in much better hotels that most tours would put you up in, had personal 3 day guided tours of the Roman Forum, Vatican Museum, etc. She rented a car and toured the beautiful Tuscany countryside on their own and saw areas that tour busses are prohibited to go. She particulary enjoyed the Gregorian Chants at Sant Antimo Abbey - way out in the countryside in Tuscany. She had a picnic overlooking the hill town of Montepulciano and enjoyed the serenity of the occaqsion - something you won't do with 50+ "on the road again" fellow vacationers. They had lunch in the very small and beautiful village of Monticchiello in southern Tuscany - in a restaurant that could not handle a busload of 50 tourists.
They stayed in excellent hotels and she saved about $5,000 over the "package" tour.
I would fly to Rome and visit for about 4 days. Take the train to Orvieto or Chiusi, rent a car & tour the Tuscany countryside for 4 days - staying in/near Pienza. Then drive to San Gimignano, and stay overnight there & visit San Gimignano & Volterra. Then drive to Siena, pick up a train to Venice & stay there 3 full days. Fly home from there. You could do this itinerary in reverse too. You could drop an overnight in San Gimignano (see it while based in Pienza) and stay in Siena instead.
E-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy of my itinerary.
Stu Dudley
They stayed in excellent hotels and she saved about $5,000 over the "package" tour.
I would fly to Rome and visit for about 4 days. Take the train to Orvieto or Chiusi, rent a car & tour the Tuscany countryside for 4 days - staying in/near Pienza. Then drive to San Gimignano, and stay overnight there & visit San Gimignano & Volterra. Then drive to Siena, pick up a train to Venice & stay there 3 full days. Fly home from there. You could do this itinerary in reverse too. You could drop an overnight in San Gimignano (see it while based in Pienza) and stay in Siena instead.
E-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy of my itinerary.
Stu Dudley
Jul 31st, 2005, 09:02 AM
#19
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lhb1075, there are tours to suit everyone's tastes. Personally I loved the guides because they are often historians (a requirment for Maupin tour guides) and quite personable. Also, when you have a specific question they will always know the answer. Maupin was terrific for Italy as they also chose some family-run establishments. Where we stayed in Assisi (can't remember name, but if you want to know I will look it up) the Italian grandma cooked breakfast herself each morning, it was excellent. Lots of homemade bread and pastries.
As for fellow travelers, it was great. You will be traveling with people that are quite experienced, they have been visiting Europe for years and are quite well traveled. We still share emails with a few from our Italy tour.
Plusses:
Having someone drive you to each spot
Will always have a good meal
Not having to schlep luggage
Knowledgeable tour guides, you will learn more vs. independant
Terrific hotels
Minuses
Sometimes you want to be alone.
Maupin was great because there was a lot of independant time.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip whatever you decide.
As for fellow travelers, it was great. You will be traveling with people that are quite experienced, they have been visiting Europe for years and are quite well traveled. We still share emails with a few from our Italy tour.
Plusses:
Having someone drive you to each spot
Will always have a good meal
Not having to schlep luggage
Knowledgeable tour guides, you will learn more vs. independant
Terrific hotels
Minuses
Sometimes you want to be alone.
Maupin was great because there was a lot of independant time.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip whatever you decide.
Jul 31st, 2005, 10:18 AM
#20
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>>Plusses:
Having someone drive you to each spot
Will always have a good meal
Not having to schlep luggage
Knowledgeable tour guides, you will learn more vs. independant
Terrific hotels<<
Some of your "plusses" would be minuses to many people.
Having someone drive you (and the rest of the large group) to each spot means you are likely to bypass roads where busses are not alowed (lots of these roads in Italy - and they are usually the most scenic). Also, you may drive past some very interesting small villages, hilltops with teriffic views, places where you might want to take a picture of the breathtaking scenery, take a walk along a dirt road and try to see how close you can get to that little church perched on a hilltop next to a grove of cypresses, etc.
Will always have a good meal - that depends. I prefer the smaller family owned restaurants where there are only a few tables, and in a small village that has limited access for large groups. To me, dining with 10 or so other people on the same tour and talking to them (in English), is not the Italian experience I'm after. When I go to Italy, I want to be surrounded by Italy - not other Americans.
Schlep luggage - that's a plus.
Knowledgable tour guides - that also depends. I prefer to hire a personal guide to visit places I want to visit - not necessarily the same as the tour operators choose. I hired one for 2 days to see the Roman Forum, Nero's Palace, Trajan's market, and other historical sites. I have no interest in painted art, so I did not want to visit the Ufizzi in Florence.
Teriffic Hotels. I've never been on a tour, so I'm making a guess here - I'm assuming that the hotels will be large places that can accommodate large groups. My favorite hotel in Italy is La Saracina - in the countryside between Pienza & Montepulciano. It only has 6 rooms, and all are fantastic. There is no lobby, nobody to carry your bags for you, no bar, no Concierge. They have a fantastic pool, and it's usually just me using it. They also have a tennis court. The owners live there and know all the restaurants within 20 miles.
http://www.lasaracina.it/menu_eng.htm
These are just my preferences. If you are just intimidated by planning your own itinerary & making your own reservations, lots of people on this board can help. My parents always took organized tours - they loved being with 50 other fellow American travelers - that's not for me, however.
Stu Dudley
Having someone drive you to each spot
Will always have a good meal
Not having to schlep luggage
Knowledgeable tour guides, you will learn more vs. independant
Terrific hotels<<
Some of your "plusses" would be minuses to many people.
Having someone drive you (and the rest of the large group) to each spot means you are likely to bypass roads where busses are not alowed (lots of these roads in Italy - and they are usually the most scenic). Also, you may drive past some very interesting small villages, hilltops with teriffic views, places where you might want to take a picture of the breathtaking scenery, take a walk along a dirt road and try to see how close you can get to that little church perched on a hilltop next to a grove of cypresses, etc.
Will always have a good meal - that depends. I prefer the smaller family owned restaurants where there are only a few tables, and in a small village that has limited access for large groups. To me, dining with 10 or so other people on the same tour and talking to them (in English), is not the Italian experience I'm after. When I go to Italy, I want to be surrounded by Italy - not other Americans.
Schlep luggage - that's a plus.
Knowledgable tour guides - that also depends. I prefer to hire a personal guide to visit places I want to visit - not necessarily the same as the tour operators choose. I hired one for 2 days to see the Roman Forum, Nero's Palace, Trajan's market, and other historical sites. I have no interest in painted art, so I did not want to visit the Ufizzi in Florence.
Teriffic Hotels. I've never been on a tour, so I'm making a guess here - I'm assuming that the hotels will be large places that can accommodate large groups. My favorite hotel in Italy is La Saracina - in the countryside between Pienza & Montepulciano. It only has 6 rooms, and all are fantastic. There is no lobby, nobody to carry your bags for you, no bar, no Concierge. They have a fantastic pool, and it's usually just me using it. They also have a tennis court. The owners live there and know all the restaurants within 20 miles.
http://www.lasaracina.it/menu_eng.htm
These are just my preferences. If you are just intimidated by planning your own itinerary & making your own reservations, lots of people on this board can help. My parents always took organized tours - they loved being with 50 other fellow American travelers - that's not for me, however.
Stu Dudley
