Searching for a good travel agent:
 

Message: Hi. I live in the Boston area and I am looking to plan my Honeymoon to Italy at the end of June. We are planning to spend 3 nights in Rome, 3 nighs in Florence, (maybe a night in Tuscany, or we could just make that a day trip and spend a fourth night in Florence), and 2 nights in Venice.

Anyone have any suggestions on who I should contact?

Thanks in advance!
Pete

Who you should contact? Does this mean that you are seeking a travel agent who will make arrangements for you? Or seeking a tour?

There is a strong bias here on this forum towards "plan-it/do-it-yourself-ism". So, if you are prepared to buy into that spirit here, it breaks down to certain major steps:

1. Set the budget, unless the range of budgets you can afford is so broad that it is not the first and most important thing.

2. Scout air travel possibilities - - this is so that when a good deal comes along... and good prices are like random blooming flowers in an endless ocean of weeds... you are comfortable with jumping on it. Use orbitz, expedia and/or travelocity for this - - or if you feel like ask questions abouty consolidators or other cheaper options.

3. Choose lodging. A good place to start is www.venere.com - - but also the Rants'n'Raves section of this website, and there are many other good ideas.

4. Think about what appeals to you for transportation withIN Italy. Train will serve your needs generally, but you may want a car to get to Tuscany, or while you are IN Tuscany, or to get to Venice or all three. You will not want a car IN Rome, nor in Venice. And a rail "pass" is not likely to be something you will want.

5. Think about tweaking your allocations of days and nights. Many will argue for one MORE night in Venice or Rome (or both) ... at the expense of less in Tuscany/Florence. But that is your choice. Remember that you have chosen all cities (or mostly)... you don't really have time for a more balanced itinerary sampling urban AND rural Italy... unless you are motivated to have more balance.

6. Figure out what personal touches are important to you... and what are the "must-sees" that every one goes to see or experience... and you should too.

Whatever your choices, "we" (that are here all the time) welcome you and hope you will find this a useful framework. Come back often and ask increasingly specific questions as your plans evolve.

Most of all, congratulations on your new life in marriage... and...

Best wishes,

Rex

Good grief... How did I fail to read your message header?

Hope you can use this info even if you are going to approach it with a travel agent.

Rex, Have you been taking your medicine?

I think you have the hardest part of the trip already figured out, deciding where to go and for how long. The rest is easy. No need for a travel agent, do some text searches on this board about hotels and transportation and you'll find all kinds of good information. ANything else, you can just ask.

For starters you can research airfare using expedia (or any other booking site). You should do it for 'multi destination' or open-jaw (arrive Rome, depart Venice or vica versa).

PLanning is part of the fun of the trip. Enjoy!

I agree that you probably don't need a travel agent for this trip. If you post your budget and other requirements, you're likely to get a wealth of advice here on the forum. Also check tripadvisor.com and slowtrav.italy for hotel and other information.

However, if you're serious about still wanting an agent, I can highly recommend the one we've used over the years for bits and pieces of our trips to Italy and elsewhere. Her name is Diana Hechler, based in New York, and she can be reached at: 1-914-833-9411, and/or at DTOURS.com.

Diana lived in Italy as a young adult, and still visits Italy and Europe frequently. Her expertise and tenacity has been a real plus in planning our trips.

Good luck, and congratulations!

pete-- YOU can do this!, which is to the point Rex made. Agree with MF(?) that you have a good part of yur trip logisctics figured out already. Keep browsing this forum, there are, literary, hundreds of posts from Italy-bound honeymooners, who planned it all on their own.

Yes, you can arrange this trip yourself but for a special trip such as yours it is worth compairing your own independent work with a travel agent. As it is your honeymoon a good travel agent will ensure you get upgrades in hotels, reserve the best tables and will be able to ensure that special touch, should you want it. Try these:-

Richard Bruce. Based in Illinois, but previously lived in Italy. 630 717 777

If you prefer to talk in person and want someone local then try:-
Malmberg Travel based in Boston - 617 267 4200 www.malmbergtravel.com. Bob Malmberg is the owner.

Or:-
Navigant Travel on Broad Street 617-451 4151 www.navigantluxuryvacations.com

All the above are knowledgeable and reputable agencies. This is one trip you want to get right and a good travel agent may help in your case.

Hi Pete,

You have a good trip planned: 3 nights Rome, 4 nights Florence, 2 nights Venice, although there are those who would suggest + or -, one night in each.

Your next step is to find a good price for your flight. I suggest that you consider flying into Venice and out of Rome (it saves travel time). I have found http://airtravelcenter.com/onetrav.htm to be good, although others can give you some help.

Travel between cities is easy and not expensive. You can buy your reserved seat tickets at www.trenitalia.com.

You will get a lot of help on accomodations if you give us an idea of what you want and how much you have budgeted.

Likewise for restaurants and sightseeing.

I think that the combined experience of the folks on this forum is far superior to any single TA or guidebook.