We've never traveled to Italy and the Tuscany/Umbria regions seem to be a wonderful destination for a post wedding trip.<BR>The question is - should we do this with an escorted tour or plan it on our own with some guidance from a travel agent?<BR>Have done prelim. research on tours with companies like Perillo, but still not sure which way to go. Will have approx. 2 weeks to travel. Thanks for any suggestions...

Tours can be wonderful but they generally don't offer much flexibilty. It also depends on how old your are. I used to run groups tours for a very high end company and the guests are quite a bit older. There are many short walking tours, museum tours, day trips (which can be arranged through your hotel all over Italy. You'd need to have a car in Tuscany but otherwise the trains in Italy are very convienent. Personally, I don't think the idea of sitting with 40pp at dinner, over pre fixe menus, every night is the most romantic way to honeymoon. <BR><BR>I would suggest planning an itinerary on your own, using your hotel concierges to guide you (the concierges in Italy will be a great resource and they are more than happy to help you), and taking short tours and day trips while you are there.<BR><BR>

My advice would depend on weather you love to cook or not. If you do, split your time with 2 one week rentals. One should be in the San Gim or Castellina area and the other in/around Orvieto area. That way you are a short day trip from almost everywhere. For example Orvieto to Montalcino is about 1hr and 15 to 30 minutes, San Gim to Montalcino is about the same. San Gim to FLorence is 45 minutes and San GIm to Pisa is 1hr and 30.<BR><BR>I would rent a car then just wander as you see fit. You should see the highlights like Montalcino, San Gim, siena, Florence, Voltera, Assisi, Gubbio all on day trips. Reserve plenty of time for just hanging out at local cafes and for stopping randomly.<BR><BR>Having a kitchen will allow for light dinners and for making picnics if not for making full on three course meals. <BR><BR>The idea of an escorted tour strikes me as less desirable then spending 2 weeks in jail. Just my opinion tho....

I think that the current exchange rate is two weeks on an escorted tour ("big bus company") equals five days in jail.<BR><BR>wink...<BR><BR>and...<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

topping<BR>

Susan - there is a bias on this forum in favor of independent travel. People come here to supplement the info they get from travel books and to plan their own itineraries, accomodations, etc. I admit to having that bias, but also feel tours have their merits. HOWEVER, given that this is a delayed honeymoon, I think you will be happier in the end to travel independently.<BR><BR>While tours offer convenience, guides dispensing information as you go, as well as human companionship..it is so true that these tend to be more retirement age companions. You also, have much less opportunity to get connected to Italians so your 'people' experiences are more likely to be with other Americans which is not so broadening as meeting the locals.<BR><BR>If you really desire to spend the two weeks in Tuscany/Umbria, then I'd assume you don't want the whirlwind speed that most tours (even regionally focused tours) provide. There are so many romantic villas, bed and breakfast, agriturismos for you to stay in. Some even offer cooking classes, if this is of interest. Others offer group dinners/breakfasts with the other guests which can be alot of fun and enriching as these guests tend to be Italians and other Europeans.<BR><BR>I don't think most travel agents will provide you the breadth of information you can get here and/or in your local bookstore. What could be more romantic than taking a few hours to visit your local Barnes 'n Noble together, grab a latte, a handful of picture books and guidebooks from the travel section, & find two big overstuffed chairs. Also, grab one of the road maps of Italy in the rack next to the books. Leaf through all these with your husband...take notes...buy the map and a few books. Then return to this forum and do searches on the words "Tuscany" and "Umbria".."Florence" "Siena" etc. <BR><BR>Here are some towns to consider visiting. You can do searches on these too:<BR><BR>San Gimignano<BR>Lucca<BR>Siena<BR>Pienza<BR>Montepulc iano<BR>Montelcino<BR>Sinalunga<BR>Orvieto<BR>Assi si<BR>Todi<BR>Gubbio<BR>Spoleto<BR>Spello<BR>Bevag na<BR>Cortona<BR>Arezzo<BR>Cinque Terre (coastal area)<BR><BR>Check out these websites for inspiration:<BR><BR>www.initaly.com<BR>www.charmingitaly.com <BR><BR>Also on (dare I say it)www.frommers.com under the destination guide for Italy, they list there "best of" list including most romantic towns.<BR><BR>Plan on renting a car for touring most of these towns. Pick roles, driver and navigator. You can also arrange some guided tours such as walking tours in Florence and Siena. I personally had an all day tour with Anne Robichaud in Assisi and loved it (www.annesitaly.com)....<BR><BR>When you come home, you and your husband will have wonderful memories of the adventure you created for yourselves and the people you met. I'll bet you will also say how glad you were you did it without a bus tour and 50 other people.<BR><BR>Enjoy your planning and your trip.

Fabulous post, Leslie.<BR><BR>I am not the original poster, but I will copy this one for future reference.<BR>

WOW ! Very well said Leslie.

Susan,<BR> My fiancee and I just got back from Italy on Sat. We rented a car and flew into Rome. After seeing much of Rome, we went up to Perugia and Assisi. After two days between these two towns, we went to Montepuliciano and Pienza. (my personal two favorite). Then after two days, Siena and San. Gimi. Finally, we spent two days in Florence and then drove back down to Rome. It was the best. The roads are very well marked and the parking wasn't too bad either. If you want more info, please write me personally. I can give you tons of details!

Thanks to all for the informative responses. This helps to reinforce my initial decision to plan our own trip to northern Italy. We're certainly not interested in the "AARP" tour of Tuscany/Florence. Planning to leave in late Sept./early Oct., so the weather should be nice and the crowds a bit less than summer. And yes, food is a priority - so would love the experience of a regional cooking lesson. I'll take all the above information and put it to good use.

&lt;&lt;the current exchange rate is two weeks on an escorted tour ("big bus company") equals five days in jail&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>LOL!<BR><BR>In light of previous discourses on the subject of currency exchange...<BR><BR>Is that the rate of exchange in the airport? or at the bank window?<BR><BR>Does the rate fluctuate? Is there a website where up-to-date exchange info can be seen?<BR>

Susan - please just be careful what you say about AARP members....My 50th is coming up and I just know that soliciation letter for AARP membership is on its way!!! When I referred to seniors I was thinking of my dear parents who are 81 and 82, taking tours all over the world and enjoying them immensely!

Sounds like we'll hit membership eligibility about the same time, Leslie.<BR>

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