to tour or not tour
 

My wife and I are planning a well deserved trip to Italy. We are both 33 and will be traveling without our young children (thanks grandma). We are considering taking a guided tour (possibly Perillo Tours), but are unsure if it is for us. We have not traveled like this before. I have read several bad experiences with some having an entire group of mostly older people no where near there age.
Those who have gone this route, would you do it again? Is it possible to see just as much if on your own? Help me make the right decision. Thanks onebuc

Hi,

In my 30 years of traveling I have never booked a tour except for the orientation tours of a couple of hours.

Mainly because they are full of people my age and we don't share the saame interests.

I think you can do the same things (as are done in a group) but it takes a certain amount of planning in advance. I've traveled both ways and now that I've become more adept at finding out info about places via the internet, choosing hotels, making reservations, etc., I probably won't do another group tour any time soon. I think that sometimes a group experience is good for the first time in a region, but not absolutely necessary. Depends on how adventurous you are. This board can be helpful in finding out particulars about how to do things, etc. Guess it depends on how adventurous you want to be. Perillo has gotten some good reviews here, I believe, but it doesn't change the fact that it IS a "group" and there may be others who aren't your age..that doesn't mean they don't share your interests...but being of similar age doesn't mean they will, either.
The drawback to groups is, I think, a certain amount of required "regimentation"..for most folks it probably isn't needed...but if you've ever taken ANY sort of group tour, even those 1/2 or full day local ones and had to sit on the bus WAITING for the two or three who couldn't seem to get back in time, well....Good Luck!

How many weeks off to travel have you allowed and how many cities do you want to see?

Can you list the Perillo itinerary for a comparison so we can see what cities you are interested in?

As far as tours go....they are good if you need someone to carry your luggage up to your room and back down in the morning...Hotels tend to be more touristy rather than European charming, if you catch my drift..Most of the time at least 2 out of 3 meals are included limiting you to eating with the rest of your bus at a restaurant that may lean more to tourism than Italian dining experiences...

Ok- those are some takes on Tours-

Here are the positives:
You don't have to worry about a thing.
You will always have a tour guide to ask for help.
All hotels and transportation between cities will be included
Most meals included....
All sightseeing will be included....

Since you both are young, I think you can take the Perillo Itinerary and do it on your own at a more leisurely pace.
(Tours tend to be a hurry up and see atmosphere as they try to cram lots into one day).
You can call Perillo and see what hotels they are using and research them on this board....
You need to also get a good guide book and see what really interests you mostly...

We have done it both ways --we did a Chateau Tour in France years ago and 1/2 the bus was young and 1/2 was older- but we never ran into any problems..as there was a lot of free time to separate from the bus....
Having all your museum passes etc paid for ahead of times meant never having to wait in line to see anything....
Our tour only included full breakfast daily plus 2 dinners- so we had tons of time to do great dinners on our own....
We had a blast.....

But Italy is really a fabulous place- and I like doing Italy on my own....If you are capable and can do a lot of walking, you really do not need a tour.

BUT ,you really need to plan this trip out if you do it yourself so you do not overspend what you were planning with Perillo (unless you want to)...Tours get better breaks on there hotel rooms- so keep that in mind when planning your trip...

Figure out your trip BOTH ways-for cost comparions- and then make your decision...

onebuc - My wife and I are 35 and looked at Perillo when we decided to go to Italy. Once we started to do some research it became obvious to us that it would be just as easy, cheaper and more convenient to do it on our own. We went to Rome, Florence and Venice for two weeks last month and had the time of our lives. Have you decided which cities and at what time you are going? If you want any specific info from us just ask.
TNT

At your age I doubt if you really want to ride the bus with seniors like me.
You can do it on your own, but it takes time and motivation. Go to slowtrav.com and look at their PLANNING section for a good start.

I considered a guided tour when I first decided I was taking my kids to Italy next year but decided against it. Italy seems really doable on your own.

I don't think it's the age thing so much on tours - because nowadays I think people of all ages do tours and a lot of the older people I know who take tours are people whose company you may enjoy more than your own age!

The question is, how willing are you to let someone else decide where you are going, what will you see and how long you will see it? Sometimes, that's not a bad thing. I did a guided tour of Israel shortly after my husband died, and it was a time when it was just fine to have someone else decide what I was doing that day. If you are in a real stressful job where you have to make a lot of decisions, maybe that could be a break. Also you get taken care of on a tour. It's very nice to get off the bus and know that your bags will be in front of your room.

But if you are going for adventure and want to be able to decide for yourself where to go, how long to stay, then skip the tour I'd say.

Joelle

Why I have never taken a tour (& it has nothing to do with age, my own or others): the tour says when you need to get up in the morning and get on that bus, where to eat most of the time, where you will be going each day, what hotel you stay at, the sites you will see ...

A tour guarantees you will have a mid-range experience, not the best or most unique but not the worst - of any given region, city, town, hotel, restaurant, so may be the answer if you are timid about traveling.

The biggest drawback to me, I would absolutely hate being stuck as part of a group. Generally speaking Europe is fantastic, and quite easy to do on your own with a little planning.

You're going to find that most of the posters on this board are the adventuresome types that prefer traveling on their own.

I usually do, too, but just booked our first trip to Europe (Italy) as a tour. We'll have very little time there (I just started a new job and have very little vacation leave), and we didn't want to spend precious time dealing with train tickets, humping luggage, arranging tours on our own, standing in lines for admission, etc. Also, while I usually love researching hotels, museums, etc., I was unusually busy at work this winter/spring and didn't have as much leisure time as I'd like.

My husband and I figured that going to Italy first on a tour would ensure that we'd see the "big" stuff with relatively little hassle. We're sure we'll be back and, now that we'll be familiar with the lay of the land, we'll do things on our own next time.

Some things to check out carefully as you consider potential tours:

1. How much time is programmed vs. on your own? We picked a tour that gives us plenty of time on our own instead of constantly herding us through museums and the like.

2. How many meals are included? To experience good restaurants, you'll want to be able to eat on your own as much as possible.

3. How often does the tour stop at factories, shops, demonstrations, etc.? These are euphemisms for sales pitches. We didn't want to waste our time at such places, and we found that the low-cost tours had tons of such stops.

4. How many stops in how many days? You want at least 2, preferably 3, nights in each city, so you'll have a full day there. Otherwise you'll spend all your time in a bus. We added an extra night in Rome.

One way we saved a lot of money was to book the land-only package and book our own airfare. The only downside is you have to get yourself from the airport to the hotel and vice versa, but that's why God invented taxis.

We're leaving on our trip in a week and I'll report how it went when we get back.

Have you considered an "independent tour" as opposed to an "escorted tour?"

On an independent tour (I know Delta Vacations has one, and I think American Express does, too)airline tickets, hotels, and land transportation (trains between Rome, Florence, Venice, etc.) are provided, and usually half-day orientation tours of each destination. Other than that, you are on your own, to wander and see what you want, eat when and where you want. My husband would never have considered getting up every morning to get on a bus with a bunch of strangers, but he thoroughly enjoyed our first trip to Italy on an independent tour and we have been back (on our own) five times since.

The tour that intrests us the most is the 10 day Vesuvius (Perillo). This is fully escorted and includes most if not all breakfasts as well as most all dinners. 3 nights Rome, 3 nights Florence and 2 nights Sorrento. I guess The reason for intrest in a tour to begin with was I figured they know the place, and know where I really should concentrate on sightseeing and touring. My real fear is to go and not be as prepared as I could and end up skipping some of the better places. Thanks for all the help. onebuc

We are going on our first trip to Italy this fall. At first we were going to take a Perillo Tour because my brother in-laws(age 69) took one and enjoyed it. But I started to research the internet and books and found many statements or comments about the tours that made me realize I didn't want to take that kind of tour. I set about planning my own trip but because I too wondered if I could do it myself, so I consulted a travel agent . She booked some things for us and I did some booking myself and I can tell you don't do that because now I would like to change a few things and am locked in to her bookings unless I forfeit money. I only discovered Fodors.com after I did some planning and I can tell you there is a wealth of information out there so you can plan your own trip successfully. It does take time and patience but do it on your own, besides it adds to the fun! Either way enjoy and look for my trip report coming Fall 2003!!!! Ciao

We have toured independently 3 times and are now planning our 4th for this Sept. Our 1st in 1984 did not have internet and we were 36 at the time. We have spoken with people who were on tours and based on that and our research this is what I have learned

Here is what I see as the minuses for group tours:
1. Group meals with only a couple different offerings or Buffet in places that can handle the group. (How big is the group you are looking at?) Plus we like to do a picnic now and then.

2. Hotels - we like to stay in centrally located small Inns, 2 and 3* hotels or B & Bs. Many with history such as 600 year old pubs or 13th century farmhouses. With a tour you may not be in the city or at a larger facility that can hold the group.

3. Places of interest - We are not big on lots of in door museums. We like walking tours, sidewalk cafes, etc. On a tour you generally go with the group at their speed. That said, I know when we were in Rome (on our own) we did spend almost a whole day in the vatican museums, the chapel and the vatican. We ran into someone on a tour who was coming back on their own because their tour only spent 2 hours there and they felt they missed alot.

4. Flexibility - especially with weather! In the Swiss Alps the mountains were fogged in for the 2 days we were there. Then the day scheduled to leave it cleared up. Instead of leaving in the morning, we delayed and left in the late afternoon having seen what we came to see. This trip we are going to the D Day beaches one day and the D day museum another. The weather will determine which day we do each.

Pluses for a tour and related alternatives:
1. All hotels booked - I have learned to do this well on the internet for our last 2 trips and now the 3rd. We like having it organized in advance. It is nice to be able to email them for help on where to do laundry, dinner reservations, parking etc. I usually use 2 or 3 sources for whether or not the hotel is a reliable one that we would like (Rick Steves, Karen Brown, Fodors, and this forum) So far only 1 out of 12 have asked for a 1 night deposit in advance.

2. Transportation is arranged - Since we are going for 25 days, we are leasing a car with another couple. For 2 probably by rail is more economical. A little adventure may be needed here but the European system is better than ours and you are only doing 1 country.

3. Luggage is taken care of - Pack light and you should be okay.

4. Guides are there for you - We went on a day tour and the guide spoke terrible english. Now we do a lot of walking tours with our books or in the case of say Shoenbrun castle use their headsets. We did take a 1/2 day tour in Salzburg that was just wonderful. We have now learned that our guide books usually recommend good 1/2 to full day tours in some cities.

Guided Tours provide organization, less worries and regimen - Independent travel is more casual, provides adventure, and can be more unpredictable with a little worry at times to be honest.

I hate to belabor Rick Steves but his books will tell you if you need 3 days for rome, etc. Michelin also does a good job of rating sites to see. Many recommend restaurants are in most books.

Obviously it boils down to what you are comfortable with. You do not say when you are going and how much time you have to plan. Good luck with what ever you choose.

I just thought of something else to check as you consider a tour...find out exactly where the hotels will be! Every reputable tour company lists in their materials the hotels they use. Check them out (just do a search for them on the Web) and look them up on a city map.

The big difference between less expensive and more expensive tours is location, location, location. Some tours put you up in the suburbs...and in Venice that can be the mainland--not where you want to be! Our mid-priced tour has hotels within walking distance of the sights in every city except one. They aren't right in the heart of the action, but close enough.

Hi Onebuc,

I would recommnd aginst a fully escorted tour.

You are still young enough to enjoy the adventure of visitng a new place, even if you get lost.

If you check the fodors mini guides, frommers.com guides and do a few searches here, you will find all of the major sights to see. Plus you will learn which hotels and restaurants are best for you.

Do it on your own. You will learn more than if you go with a tour.


You might not want to eat dinner at the time/place scheduled for your tour.

If you are doing Rome and Florence, the next logical stop is Venice, not Sorrento.

I didn't see it mentioned above, so I feel compelled to say it. Read the fine print in the tour brochure carefully. I noticed in many Italian escorted tour brochures the wording something like "with stops at....." or "seeing along the way....." Ask the tour company just what this means; do you actually get off the bus and GO INSIDE or does the bus slow down long enough for the 400 guy from Cleveland to lean over you to take a picture. I have done a few one-day escorted tour excursions, like a one day Rome-Pompei-Sorrento tour with Carrani tours. As good as they were, I was nonetheless glad to get off the bus and get back on my own. Being on your own provides so much more flexibility. Sleep a little later, no problem. Get up early for a quiet walk around Venice, no problem. Linger over a glass of wine with your wife, who all of a sudden looks just like she did 20 years ago, no problem. Go to bed early, also no problem. With the incredible amount of expertise that exists on this forum, you could virtually throw out any number of questions, have your itinerary planned, and I bet find at least a few people who will practically arrange your whole trip for you.

I forgot to mention the price. Wife and I went to Italy last year for two full weeks and together spent less than the cost of one person on the "10 Day Vesuvius" tour Perillo is currenty advettising on it's website. And our cost included airfare, virtually gluttonous eating, a couple of first class Eurostar trips, lodging, museum entrances, souvenirs, etc. We weren't backpcking or staying in hostels either.

At your age, the only kind of guided tour I'd consider doing in Europe is an active one (e.g. walking, cycling, multi-activty), or a very specifically focused cultural tour (e.g. cooking, art), where you either get to go or do something you otherwise wouldn't do (e.g. the activities noted above, with the benefit of having them schlep your bags while you walk from town to town) or you're getting specialized expertise and access (e.g. to chefs, vineyards, galleries). Otherwise, I think the suggestions noted by other Fodorites (independent tours) would be a better value. In addition to the suggestions noted above, have a look at Exodus.co.uk (and similar agencies that offer active vacations). You could probably find an Italian tour that combined easy walking for 3-5 days with several days in interesting cities (where you'll get a half day tour and then time to do your own thing).

Hi, onebuc - I've done both - tours and independent. Both have their advantages but if you don't generally like to be around strangers, don't go with a tour. If you're easy-going, you'll have a good time with any age group. Most of the older folks (I'm whistling in the dark here as "older" comes rushing at me with increasing speed) I've met with tours are fantastic, friendly, great company, solicitous and not at all the whiney type. I have met some younger people who were dumbfounded that they weren't the center of attention and changes made to suit their whims, so if I had my druthers, I'd travel with a senior crowd any day. Besides, they have an abundance of information, stories, and ideas that make a trip more interesting. I think I got my best impression on my first tour at age 23 when an elderly lady walked everywhere uncomplaining, even though her toes were curled with arthritis. She was great fun. Just make sure the tour is what you're interested in doing - mine have been leisurely, not 27 countries in 15 days, so I have never felt rushed, and the hotels have always been perfectly fine. The Perillo tour I took did 3 cities in 10 days and had half a day tour each city, then the rest we were on our own or they arranged side trips. Whatever you decide - have fun. Italy is just so fantastic!

I'm your age & have recently been to Italy twice. Don't try to do it all in one trip - save something so you can have an excuse to go back. We have a shorter flight from UK, but trip could be:Fly to Venice, drive to Florence, then stay in countryside around Tuscany (It's where Tony Blair goes on holiday). Going on an organised trip would destroy the whole reason of going in the first place. Make it an adventure, and your wife will thank you. It was our first wedding aniversary when we left Florence. I told my wife we were going to some boring place, whilst I drove secretly to Venice. Can you imagine what it was like when it finaly dawned on her. Last tip: if driving to Venice, park on a cheap car park around lagoon, then take waterbus to Venice. To see it's majesty steadily come toward you from the distance over water, is something that will stay with you forever. Believe me friend, it won't be the same on a coach tour!

One major plus for going with a tour is the information you get from the tour guide. I don't know several thousand years of history for all the countries I want to visit, and a good guide can really make that history come alive. With the internet, anyone can plan an itinerary; but will you know what you've seen after you have seen it? I'm not talking about brushing up on the Vatican; it's the local slant that visitors just can't know.

After taking a bus tour for 2 weeks I decided that I would not take another escorted tour again. The itinerary looks fine when you read it but what actually happens is that you spend much of your time traveling on the bus. When you do reach your destination it's a quick drive-by or a quick stop for photos or souvenir buying. Sure meals and hotels are all included with the tour but you are stuck to stay in the types of hotels your tour provides and the meals are the same. You do not have any time except for maybe one or two days on your own to sample local restaurants.

Also you are thrown together with others taking the same tour and although it's rewarding to get to know your fellow tour members, some are just thoughtless and delay the whole group either by getting up late or ignoring the allottted time to see a sight. One guy on our tour would be late every morning and we had to wait until he was ready.

I find that we did okay by traveling independently and making our own itinerary, travel arrangements, etc. It is challenging because you have to do research but it is rewarding in that you have the freedom to see what you want, spend as much time as you want, and eat what/when you want.

Man what a great site. You guys/gals? passion is really amazing. I have no idea why it took me so long to find this wonderful place with all my Internet travels. Probably a little too much time on ESPN.com, but I am getting better. First off thanks to everyone, for the wonderful ideas and experiences. But I must say I really am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this.

TNT, I just finished reading your trip report, dude you are amazing. Now I am really feeling incompetent and even a little more nervous about the thought of doing this on my own. How did you find enough time to plan all of that out? I am a pretty busy guy and really am intimidated after your report, thanks a lot! Jk I don?t even know where to start. How did you figure out what tours to do? Does the hotel recommend and book appropriate tour prior to you arriving? If you are still up to having your brain picked I think I could use ALL of your insight for this vacation.

I did I say this is a vacation right? I am not supposed to nervous about this am I?

Ira, Yes I know that Venice would be the next logical stop, but I really have a desire to visit Capri and the Amalfi coast. All the tours have had Rome, Florence, and Venice or Rome, Florence (with day trip to Venice) and Sorrento. I visited Capri while in the Nave and I swore I would go back.
Can I truly get a knowledgeable tour guide that would be with a guided tour by going on my own? I have been on vacations and visited places that to this day have no clue about the history of what I saw. I just don?t want to make a similar mistake on such a long trip that could or could not ever happen again. TNT had Rahul, on his trip, and he sounds about what I could use.

Although we all went to Rome but one month apart, my relatives did this: they took a day trip that included both Naples and Capri. But it looks like you wish to spend some time in Capri instead.

onebuc

Please calm down. This is not rocket science. This is your vacation. It can be whatever you want it to be. And Italy is great and easy to figure out. If something goes wrong, oh well, it will become a great addition to your trip report. No one will mark you wrong for mistakes.

Personally, I don't think your need an escorted tour but might appreciate an independent tour as mentioned by a previous poster--hotels and transport between cities arranged. Don't worry about "missing the best places." Who knows what would be the best places for you? You, not some tour company.

After 10 days of seeing all the best museums in Italy, you may decide "enough with Madonnas" and spend the day in a park or at the local supermarket. Independent travel gives you the freedom to change your plans with your mood. ("It's raining today...let's visit the Forum tomorrow instead.")

You can plan and plan and plan, but you don't have to do so. Skim a travel guide or this Forum to help you decide which cities to visit. Make your reservations. To keep things simple, as late as on the plane, look at specific sites in your guidebook, noting opening days and times, so you can think a bit ahead. After you arrive, museum and train tickets can be arranged a day or two ahead to avoid lines. Change your plans as the weather dictates. Choose very few "must-dos." Leave plenty of time for your own personal discoveries.

Relax. And have a great trip. (You will.)

We are old enough to be your parents and travel to Europe at least once a year. We would not even consider a tour. You would miss the charming inns and hotels and dining could be extremely limiting--tour groups are just too large for those wonderful small restaurants and cafe dining. And independent travel is so much cheaper! Purchase some travel books and maps and plan your own trip. Every trip is an adventure and learning experience. Do try to travel light. Excess luggage is a hassle. Our daughter in law (26) planned a trip to Italy for herself and our son --going to Rome in 2 wks and I have no doubt that they will have a fabulous time. Good luck!

onebuc - Step one: Decide how long are you planning to go.
Step two: decide what cities you and your wife would like to see and how long you want to be in each city(go to a bookstore and buy a travel guide on Italy. We used Frommers-Italy 2003). Step three-Book your airline tickets. Step four-research hotels on Fodor's and book them. Once you have done the above the rest is easy.
Step five - Decide the major things you want to do and see in each city.
Step six - Use the text search function here to help with planning. You can email me at [email protected] for any specific questions.
This was the first major trip we did on our own(we have been going on cruises) and had no problems so stay cool onebuc, I know you can do it.

Hubby and I have done both (32 & 40ish-in depth tours-7 single ctry tours 2) and prefer tours.

Pros: Very relaxing, can nap on the bus (esp recovering from jet lag), food is usually very good on higher end tours, most importantly the guides are well informed and you will learn much about the country's history, meet very nice people, can be social when you want. Do not have to drive.

Negatives: sometimes you must wake up early, sometimes you VANT to be alone.

Sometimes hubby & I will skip dinners to be on our own. Was going to take Perillo for Italy but decided on another w/ Maupin. We are still keeping in touch with former tour members via e-mail and photo sharing.
Please let me know if there are any specific ?'s. Have fun whatever you decide.

Onebuc,
I'm the same age as you, and would never consider one of those large group tours...not at this age, anyway. I took one at age 18 with about 60 other highschoolers. I didn't feel like I got much out of that trip, except a desire to come back without all those people and that awful coach bus!!

However...I have traveled on SMALL group tours with REI Adventures. They have about 8-12 people and are led by someone who lives there (who knows how to speak English very well too, of course). These are all "adventure tours" so they are based on hiking, walking, bicycling, etc. (many diff. intensity levels are offered- all mine were "moderate") and usually hit lots of smaller towns with less time spent in the larger ones. You NEVER eat at touristy places, only very, very good local joints. You stay at small pensions or B&Bs. The three trips I have taken with them have all been superb! I have gone to Europe several times on my own too...both ways have been fun but doing it yourself DOES take a lot of work and can be very stressful, esp. for a lazy-butt like me!

Hope you have a great time whatever you decide to do!

Most guided tours I've been on have had 15-20 people, I suspect Perillo will be the same as travel is not as high, also many tours are operating once per month.

Nataliemm, I'm glad you posted. The only tours I've been on have been with students, but as miserable as some of them were, they were so much easier than the ones we ran on our own.

I've often thought that for the first trip to Europe a tour is a good thing, just so you can get an idea of how things work and what you want to come back to see more of.

I think the main thing to look out for is that you spend 2-3 nights in one place, and have some free time. Check out the hotels (ask about them here) to be sure they are in ciity center. Then research what you might do in your free time (here and in books) and places you might dine on your own, to begin to dip your toes in the self-planned waters. I think a big plus for tours is exactly what you stated. You don't waste time getting oriented, finding maps, etc., and the pesky details are taken care of.

That said, if you were in Italy in the Navy, you do have some experience and may want to attempt it on your own.

Onebuc - you are getting great advice, and I agree that you don't need to be overwhelmed. Buy a guidebook, pick your cities, pick some hotels, and come to this board and ask people for help as you have already started doing.

I did a tour of Italy with Central Holidays in 2000. I am 34 and I went with my aunt and she wanted to do the tour. I LOVED Italy, and there were some benefits of the tour, but I would NOT do it again.

You get stuck with a bus load of people (some of whom were very nice), and all it takes is ONE person or couple to make you DREAD having to get on the bus again for a few hours. Plus, you are stuck on their schedule - I felt this even though my tour did give us quite a bit of free time.

You can do this on your own. TNT gave some great advice about how to break down the research, and I say go for it! It is part of the fun of traveling!

Karen

onebuc, I know you're feeling overwhelmed by our suggestions for further research, but I've got one more. Have a look at Karen Brown's book for Italy (Italy - Charming Inns and Itinaries). While her hotel/inn recommendations are sometimes a little too rich for my tastes (beautiful hotels with character are often expensive), she provides very detailed descriptions of proposed itineraries (with route, hotel and some basic sightseeing recommendations, plus tips on train travel etc). If you followed one or two of her routes, you'd benefit from someone else's experience, receive an itinerary for the cost of the book, avoid having to follow the crowd on a tour, and derive some satisfaction from making your own plans. Her book would also be useful as background reading against descriptions of escorted and independent tours.

TNT has offered excellent advice with his "Step" program. And, if you are mainly concerned about having some information on the sites you see, even if you travel on your own, you can take a 1/2 or full day tour in the city once you are there. In Rome, for example, you'll find a wealth of information on walking tours. Scala Reale is my personal fav, and they offer more services than just the tours, but there are many options.

You have the luxury of time in getting this trip set up. If you follow TNT's steps, you'll have it made! Either way, relax & enjoy.

I think half the fun of traveling is the research i do before I go. I personally do not like escorted tours. I like going it alone, to see what I wish to see, when I want to see it, and for as long as I want to see it. If I want to stop and have a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe, I can do it. I have taken orientation tours for 1/2 day as stated, these can be useful. Have a great trip. I just returned from Rome, Venice, Bellagio, and Paris. Had a great time.

Hey Onebuc, Don't let the hyper-micro-planners scare you off~ haha. I've done 4 trips to Europe, 3 of them solo (female, american, 40ish).

My method: Figure out how long your trip will be, buy plane tickets, and book your hotels using recommendations and internet or fax.

That's ALL I do ahead of time. Buy a guidebook or two to read on the long plane ride over! My advice: Stay at least 5 nights in each place (to avoid rushing about, packing & repacking, train travel time) and pack light (for ease of moving around).

You can make it simple or you can make it hard. If planning is not a joyous endeavor for you, maybe a limited type tour is OK for your first trip. Is this your 1st trip?