I have seen spot references to Trafalgar Tour Co., but was hoping to get a little detail about the company. Am planning an Oct. visit to Europe with them, and want to know what to expect. Thanks.

I've been on 2 Trafalgar Tours - one to England & Scotland in 1993 and one to Italy just this year. I went in the summer (early June), not in October though. Both tours were quite enjoyable. Are you going to either of these places? <BR>Tell me what you want to know specifically - the hotels, food, itinerary, etc. What type of tour are you taking -First Class or Cost Savers? <BR> <BR>The First Class tour usually includes hotels that are centrally located (inside the main city within walking distance to some sights but can be noisy). It also includes more meals and stops at more locations. Cost Savers tour usually have hotels outside the main cities, less meals and less stops. <BR> <BR>The tour normally starts early - around 8 AM. A schedule of activities is posted in the hotel lobby so you know what's up for the day. The tour director also goes over this schedule the day before or on the same day. <BR> <BR>In you are in a major city (i.e. London, Rome, Venice, Florence, Edinburgh), the schedule is like this: morning sightseeing tour, free afternoon, dinenr at hotel. They usually offer an optional tour in the afternoon to a major "sight" (musuem, gallery, church or noteworthy location outside town) which costs around $40-$80 extra. <BR> <BR>If you are "on the road" visiting smaller towns en route to a major city, then they usually give you about 2-5 hours to explore the town (unless you are spending 1 night there). I definitely wished I had more time in York (only 3-4 hours) and Assisi (1 night only!). <BR> <BR>I noticed that we stopped at least once at a "factory" - glass blowing factory, woolen mill, Wedgewood factory, cameo factory, etc. Hmmm, very commercialized!!! <BR> <BR>If you want more specific info, send me an e-mail! <BR> <BR>

I have also been on a Trafalgar tour and was most satisfied. I have found all the well know tour companies such as Globus, Brendan to name a few about the same except for the accomodations. Since taking my first tour, which was more of a cost saver, I've learned to pay a bit more for better hotels and closer to the cities where you also get a better breakfast. All the companies offer the optional tours. We did eastern Europe last October with Insight and unlike any of the other tour groups, they sent us a list of the optional tours before we ever departed so we could plan (all the other companies did not tell us until we arrived). The only company I have not liked was Central Holidays (Greece and Aegean cruise) but the hotels were wonderful. Let me know if you have any further questions!

Marsha, <BR>What did you think about Insight tours? My husband & I will be going on an Insight tour in October to Turkey. <BR> <BR>

We took an Insight Tour of Israel and found it to be beyond wonderful. The guide was very knowledgeable. The hotels were first class. Sightseeing was included that was extra with other tours. Everyone stayed in one hotel (as opposed to different price choices) and the group, while from different backgrounds, became very cohesive.

Thank you for the information Erni. One more question though. Approximately how many people are on a tour and how strict were they about the amount of luggage? I know the brochure said one piece of luggage but can you also bring along a carry on?

Ronanne, there were about forty people in the group. <BR>I had an extra case (2) plus carryons and a backpack(supplied by Insight), much to my husbands dismay. I was told that they might charge extra for handling the additional case, but they did not.

Marsha or anyone who knows... <BR>What did you think of the Globus tour with 4 star hotels? I'll be taking the Alpine Country Tour in October.

I have done a bTrafalgar tour (Italy) last year, and they do a fine job, but you need to be care in terms of what you expect to see and how much time you think you will be somewhere - we found we were spent exordinarily long periods on the bus (7-9 hours, with stops, of course) between cities and would arrive just in time for dinner and then out again the next day and repeated the same. Fortunately it did wet your apetite to return to your favorite spots, but at the time it was not the please I expected. All of these lessons make you a much "savier" traveller.

I have been on several Trafalgar Tours. It is a good tour company. The hotels are nice, the guides are knowledgable, food is good and entertainment is enjoyable. You do have some control over your free time. You can opt not to take and optional excursion and do whatever you want to do. It is true that you do not get a lot of time in one place, but if you are not an experienced traveller or you like being escorted, it is the best way to go. I don't think that you will be disappointed with Trafalgar. If you will let me know where you are going maybe I can tell you more as I have been to several countries with Trafalgar.

Sue, I absolutely loved Insight! Our guide, Trudy, was the best we have ever had - kind, knowledgable, accomodating, etc., etc. I can't say enough good things about her. I hope you are as lucky as we were. We went to Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and she was raised in Hungary so we really received first hand information from her about what it was like living under communism. That was an added plus to the trip which also included fine hotels and food. I can only hope that my next trip is an good. Am planning on Turkey and I hope Insight goes there. Good luck.

Sorry, I got my names confused! Previous response should have been to Ronanne regarding Insight and please let me know how you enjoy your trip to Turkey with Insight. To Sue, re: hotels, the higher the class the better off you'll be but keep in mind that the European hotel ratings are different than the US although I find it is catching up so it's not so startling anymore. That or I'm just used to the differences. If the hotel has a pool you can be pretty confident that it