cordelia

I have read many of the rants and raved about guided tours, and I have traveled both independently and on one tour previously. We have booked the Italy at Lesiure tour for the fall through Globus. Can anyone who has taken this tour give me some specific feedback about it in terms of:

hotel quality
- were they centrally located?
- clean?
Pompeii optional tour
- was it worth giving up a day in Rome
for?
- did it take up the whole day
(impression from the brochure is
that is a 1/2 day tour)
Were the included meals very "touristy"
-did you take any optional meals, or
venture off on your own
Do you feel you had enough lesiure time?
Ddi you feel rushed through the sites (ie., Vatican?)

I know I have asked several questions....believe me I searched for these answers prior to booking, but time was running short and I had to make a decision. Please,if possible help with some feedback to these questions....if nothing else, just to calm my nerves.

THANKS!!!

RufusTFirefly

Do you have a list of the hotels?

LJ

We had friends stay with us last week here in Italy that were just off the bus from their Globus Tour. They were delighted with it and seemed totally satisfied. However, they were novice travellers and were impressed with things that you might not be.

I can say that they raved about the cleanliness of the hotels, but did mention that some were not central in some of the cities they visited. I don't know if Globus uses the same list each time but surely you can tell locale by cross-referencing the hotel list with the mapfinder features on the 'net if this is a major concern?

Our friends are NOT foodies and were content with the tourist menus on offer at most of the Globus offerings. However, they did mention that they had plenty of opportunities to have alternative meals.

They seemed to have seen most of the "sights" one would expect from a tour and did not feel rushed. They were tired but not exhausted by the pace and still had stamina for hikes and beach visits when they arrived at our place. In short, for first-timers, it seemed like a good experience. Good luck with your trip!

AAFrequentFlyer

Here are some reviews of the possible hotels you'll be staying at on this tour:

ROME -

Grand Hotel Beverly Hills - The Hotel beverly Hills is great if you plan on spending alot of time around Rome. It is in an ok location and the rooms are neat and spacious. Not the classiest or nicest hotel I've been to but it was great for a quick trip to Rome!

Jolly Villa Carpegna - Great hotel, good breakfast, very nice rooom, albeit a little small and really comfortable bed (which rates highly in my book!). I was disappointed to find I couldn't book my first choice of hotels, only to save money by staying at this one, and enjoy a really good stay here.One piece of advice, this hotel is really hard to find when you arrive in Rome, and public transport is the best way to get there as the taxis are expensive. Use the buses from St Peters square, if I remember correctly it's the 881 or 94/95? Get off at the Piazza Pio IX, and it's just around the corner from there. Trying to find a map of that area is not easy either, so good luck.Otherwise, I'd recommend you stay here, you get good value for money.


FLORENCE

Jolly - Location was great - away from major tourist spots - but walkable (10 block to the Ponte Vecchio). Hotel is one short block from the Arno, there is a very pleasont neighborhood across the river. Bus access is great. Room was wonderful, clean comfortable beds, and an incredible bathroom, plus a balcony from which we could see the river. Lobby was nice to hang out in. Breakfast was OK, not great. Only complaint was the outragous price of the extra services, like laundry and meals at the hotel. I would stay there again. Oh, yea, the disco. 2 of the 5 nights we stayed there were very loud, but one of them was New Years Eve, so we didn't care. But, I would not want the windows open on those nights.

Starhotel Michelangelo - We stayed at the Michaelangelo for 2 nights in early May. We had a comfortable king room. The hotel offers parking but it was pretty steep at euros a night. Luckily we got a pretty decent weekend rate from starhotels.com.The hotel offers a decent breakfast ... but doesn't really offer a reasonable dinner option. Yes, the restaurant is open then... but the menu is very limited and you would likely be the only one in the place.The biggest downside is the location. It's a long walk from the central area and Taxi rides are amazing expensive for such a short ride. Especially since you have to *call* them to the hotel for a nearly 3 euro charge and then if it's sunday there's an additional charge, and if it's nighttime there's an additional charge... If you don't mind the walk or riding the bus... stay here... otherwise we recommend looking for someplace a little more central.



VENICE

Sant?Elena - We spent 4 days in venice at sant elana and dreaded leaving. This hotel was beautiful, the rooms were sophisticated and comfortable. Very convient location but far enoough away from the busiest areas to be peaceful. Guest staff was friendly and very helpful. Only downside is there are not very many places to eat within walking distances particularly after nine or so... But if you can remember to eat in san marco square before returning for the evening you won't want to stay anywhere else!


Starhotel Splendid Suisse - Overall this hotel was fine and we enjoyed our stay. The skyview bar and terrace was closed which was very disapointing but that side of the hotel is still being renovated. Don't worry about the workmen waking you at 8am on the dot, the bells of Venice will have already done that at 7am!The location is amazing, five minutes from Rialto, ten from St Marks and surrounded by shops and cafes. The rooms are clean, no you don't have a fantasic view because every building there is only a few feet apart but it doesn't matter, the staff are friendly, efficient and non-invasive and I would certainly stay here again.


MILAN

Starhotel Ritz - Very nice, clean hotel with in walking distance to Milan's main attraction: Duomo. They serve excellent breakfast. The staff is very courteous, knowledgeable and speaks good English


These are all very recent reviews. Some are very recent, like last weeks. It seems to me you have nothing to worry about as ar as the hotels are concerned. I actually looked at the itn of this tour and it does sound great. You get a mix of some group tours and lots of free time. It seems to me to be a nice even mix of about 50-50. Looks ok to me.

Have a wonderful trip!

BoulderCO

You didn't say how long you were staying in Rome. I would not give up a day to go to Pompeii unless you have more than three full days for Rome. I also don't see how it can be a half day tour. The tour itself may be half a day but you will use the other half getting there and getting back.

BTilke

I have stayed at the Star Hotel Ritz in Milan (on business) and wouldn't give it the same rave as AAFF posted. I didn't think the breakfast was that good, my room was rather dark and on the small side and while it is within walking distance of the Duomo, it's not a short walk. The staff were courteous and did speak English quite well, though. There's nothing wrong with the hotel per se, but it struck me as a typical tour group hotel.

cordelia

Thank you for the replys so far....we would be in Rome for about 2 1/2 days. I'm helsitent about giving up one full day for Pompeii. From looking at a the map I imagine its going to take up most of the day.

cordelia

The hotels we would be staying at are:

Rome: Grand Hotel Beverly HIlls or Jolly Villa Carpegna

Florence: Jolly or Star Hotel Michelangelo

Venice: Sant Elena or Starhotel Splendid Suisse

We are also extending our tour by 2 days to go to the Lakes Region - Como, and will be staying at the Barchetta Excelsior, any further feedback?

THANKS!!!

travel04

HI,

i had booked a Globus Italy at Leisure trip a while back for my parents. They just returned a few days back from their trip to Italy/Switzerland. They loved Globus. They said the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. In addition, he was very strict and said that if any of the other people on the tour were not on time at any point during the trip the motorcoach they were travelling in would leave without them. This made all the other tourists on the trip come on time each morning so that wasn't a problem.

They skipped the day trip to Pompeii, because as it is they had only 2 days in Rome. The time of arrival was around 9:00AM into rome, but I advised them of jet lag and sure enough while they had time for Pantheon stroll , they did take a nap in the afternoon. Skipping Pompeii they felt really helped them enjoy Rome more and they even went to the Bhorgese Gallery on their own - I gave them Rick Steves and National Geographic. They made reservations from the US for the gallery and managed on their own.

Regarding the dinners that were provided by the tour, they said the restaurants were versatile enough that you can sample a variety of available food..

Almost each day, they would tour the sights in the morning and afternoon they had their leisure time. Yes they had plenty of leisure time because since they were going with a tour, they were allowed into the Vatican at 8:00AM in the morning unlike regular tourists who were allowed in only at 9:00. Yes this means you start some of your mornings early, but they said it was worth it. Each afternoon they were able to get away with a small nap and still had plenty of time to see all the sights they wanted to see.

They didn't take the optional dinners - ridiculously expensive. They said they found their own eateries, enjoyed many of them and they also had Rick and National G to help them out - but mostly they said you couldn't go wrong with food.

Rome hotel : was not as close to the center of town but they still walked into town at least 1 of the days - took them 30 minutes.
Milan hotel: was clean and nice. convenient.
Venice: was gorgeous. But again a 15-30 mt walk into San Marco Square but since they loved that town they loved all the walks.
Florence: they said wasn't too at the center but nevertheless walkable to main sights. no complaints here.


But again it depends on your tour guide and how knowledgeable he is etc...but it sounds like Globus has improved their service. So you should be more than okay!

travel04

Oh and apparently Milan tour does NOT include Last Supper. If you're into art and DaVinci, don't miss the Last Supper - gotta book that on your own. Same with Florence and Uffizi gallery - again if you're an art lover, it is not included.
The Brera gallery is not included either in Milan - was worth seeing I'm told if you r into art.

Dottie

I haven't taken a Globus tour,but am considering it,for Italy. Have also thought I might extend our trip, with a few days at Lake Como.Please post a trip report when you get back. Would love to hear all about it. I am sure you will have a wonderful time.

robkoval

For what its worth... I went on a Globus tour of Italy for a week with my family back in the summer of 1998. We enjoyed it and didn't have any real complaints...

Although I just went through Italy on my own this year with a friend, and I must say that I really felt like I "saw" the cities so much more when I didn't have a bus driver to take me to each location.

Not a knock on tours though, because they're great for some peoples' tastes.

francophile03

Globus seems to have improved alot since my parents and I took one of their European tours in 1978. Well, that is quite a while ago. But we were not happy with our accomodations as they were not centrally located at all. You could not take a walk to St. Germain as the hotel was near the airport-the Novotel-in Paris-just an example. All the hotels were like that-far from the sights. And they were more like 2* rated. But the best thing was everyone on the tour got to know each other and it was fun.

cordelia

Thanks for all your help, especially travel04 for the details. I will definately post a trip report. We have planned on extending 3 days and traveling up to Lake Como. Thanks again.

Dorgal

I have friends who just rave about their Globus trip to Italy if that helps.

mgmargate

To go to Milan and not see the Last Supper seems odd.Other than that and the spectacular Cathederal I could think of a dozen other places I'd rather see in Italy.

Maureen

We took a Globus tour to Austria and Switzerland 2 years ago and it was excellent. We have toured in Italy in the past and one of my favorite sites was Pompeii--it was fascinating. In my opinion, Pompeii was one of the highlights of our trip.

Bubba2

We've taken three Globus tours in recent years - one to Scandinavia and two to Canada. They've all been excellent.

Dee_Vetri

My Globus Great Cities of Italy took place beginning September 29, 2005. I was a bit leery having read reviews of the hotels we were booked at and about the rudness of the locals and hotel staff. In 2 words, NO PROBLEM! In Rome the Starhotel Michelangelo was immaculate and lovely. Comfortable beds (although like most hotel pillows theirs were as hard as a slab of marble,) cozy robe, toiletries, and bidet in the well-appointed bathroom, friendly staff and a balcony view of St. Peter's Dome and an adequate breakfast buffet.
In Florence, the Grand Hotel Cavour was just as nice with a tall set of ancient looking windows that opened to a picturesque view of the narrow street below. Again, immaculate and when the maid discovered that my bidet's water pressure was little more than a dribble, she had it fixed immediately even though I didn't mention it to her. Plus, this was the only hotel that provided a coffee/tea service in their room. BIG PLUS! An array of 3 different teas, decaf instant coffee and sugar packets. No creamer though. Hey, whattaya expect? It's ITALY!!
Venice's San Elena Hotel was less impressive for me but that was because they were booked solid and I was in a ground floor room facing a busy and noisy courtyard. The bathroom was appointed for the handicapped with no bathtub, no border around the shower, a shower head in the shower area and one on the outside wall near the commode and an emergency string that I could not identify, so I kept pulling at it. Luckily the staff must be used to silly Americans testing everything so no one called an ambulance.
Back to Rome at the Villa Pamphillii. Talk about Italian ambiance! It had a furnished balcony overlooking the pool area and distant hills of Rome. Picturesque terra cotta tinted homes dotted those hills with fringes of palm trees and umbrella pines. The room itself was gorgeous! terracotta colored walls with warm orange/golden bed linens and the softest pillows in any hotel I've stayed at anywhere. A magnificent bathroom with large sink and counter area, massive closet and comfortable seating. Another immaculate room and adequate breakfast buffet.
As for the tour. It was a whirlwind. Our Tour Director, Laura (pronounced,
L-ow-rah was a darling and she knew how to get people to be on time. Well-informed during our bus time, pointing out the points of interest and answering questions to beat the band. In Rome, our local guide was Maria Theresa. This woman was straight out of a Fellini movie. Her asides were priceless. Example, when talking about the new Pope, who is German, and the previous Pope who was Polish, her comparison of them to the traditionally Italian Popes wa, "For-a many years-a, the Popes-a they always-a ate pasta. Then it was-a pirogis-a, now, who knows....wiener schnitzel?" Then a Japanese group tried to cut in front of us at the Vatican and Maria Theresa sprang into action, confronting the tour leader, punctuating her argument with an angry tarantella accompanied by unmistakable hand gestures. The other tour leader didn't even protest. She turned to her group, put both hands in the air and waved them back. Maria Therea returned to us, raised her silver umbrella into the air and marched us into the Vatican. What a gal!
I could go on and on about Florence, Pisa, Verona and Venice but It would take me days. Suffice to say, all the Globus guides were wonderful. The sights, magnificent. But my biggest kudos go to our driver Raphael, who parked that huge bus on the narrowest street in Florence to thunderous applause, endured horrendous traffic jams on the Autostrata and muscled 50+ pieces of luggage on and off the bus for 10 days and nights. God Bless his heart.
I returned exhausted though. Early wake up calls. Laura: "So-a, tomorrow-a we go to Fiorenza. That-a means-a, 6:00 a.m. wake up call-a, 6-a 30-a luggage-a out-a, 7:00-a breakfast-a, 7-a 45-a on-a the bus-a. Oy! So, hit the bricks, board the bus, take a nap and wake up to the most beautiful and art soaked country in the world! What a dream!

crefloors

I took a Globus Tour in 1999. The Italy part was fine. We were in Florence, Venice, and Rome. They usually hook you up with local guides for the city tours. The food was fine and my liver in Venice was the highlight!!! So good!!! I didn't go to Pompeii but did go to Hadrian's Villa, and that was wonderful. We were late in the day so the only group there and it was fascinating as well as beautiful and very peaceful. What a "place" that must have been in it's day. Some of the meals were "touristy" but I was a tourist on my first trip to Europe, so it worked. We had really quite a bit of time at the various sites and really never felt rushed that way. There was quite a bit extra time if you didn't sign up for all the options. Our hotels in Italy were very nice, very clean, room really rather spacious considering what I had heard about hotel rooms in Europe and the breakfast were good..usually buffet with the meats, cheeses, yogurt, breads, eggs etc. Was more than plenty for me. So, unless Globus has really lowered their standards in the last few years, I think you should be satisfied with your tour.