We are considering taking a trip to Italy in May with either Grand European Tours (Tour of Italy - 15 days) or with Insight Vacations (Italian Escapade - 14 days). We would appreciate any feedback on either of these companies.

Have you looked at advesntures abroad a Canadian company from BC? My husbnad and I are going May 30/03 for 14 days on this tour. We arrive rome then wokr the way up to venice where we depart. We are staying on for 5 extra days by ourselves but had looked around as some of these tours and felt this one was the best for us any other information just email me

Don't even begin to consider Grand European Tours. We were terribly disappointed with our trip with them last summer and would not recommend Far&Wide/Grand European. The bus was terribly uncomfortable (one of the rows of seats had only 4 inches of leg room, many others had little more than that) and the location of the hotels in Paris and Venice (Mestre -- not Venice) was also disappointing. Three of the travel days on the bus were from 10 to 12 hours long wish rushed stops for lunch! Try an independent trip. The people on Fodors Talk will give you most the information you need as well as a few good travel books.

Please see this thread and make your own decision: http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&amp;tid=34367924<BR><BR>It is wise to research hotel locations before you book with any group tour, since they are often rather far from the center.

I have only used Cosmos and been very happy with them but they do use hotels on the outskirts, usually a few minutes walk to a train station tho'. their prices are the best by far. On the other hand a friend used Trafalgar in Italy and loved it and other friends used Insight and I know they use very nice hotels and have a great reputation. Give them a go, I don't think you will be disppointed.

Dear Barb<BR><BR> We have used Globus they are they are a first class tour company. We have been very pleased on all our tours with them. They use nice hotels and have very nice buses and awesome tour guides. Give them a look. They provided alot for the money. KathyNZ above mentioned Cosmos above. They are the budget tours also owned by Globus.<BR>Happy traveling.<BR><BR> Peace, Raven