Use Travel Agent? First Time Traveler
Jan 31st, 2016, 04:10 PM
#21
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Searching for a "good" travel agent/consultant can consume just as much effort as doing on your own unless you know others whose travel preferences and budget matches yours.
I have been recommended many "good" TAs by others. Each one of them proposed idiotic itineraries. The reason for mismatch was that the type of trips they took matched what the TAs wanted to sell: simple round trip plus hotel plus prepackaged tours. Anything outside that, such as multi-destination open-jaw itineraries using non-commission accommodations, the kind I take, took too much time for them for too little revenue, so they just quickly slam-banged itineraries together hoping I didn't notice.
In my view, for a European travel, a TA is Catch-22. To find a good one, you need to know what itineraries make sense. But, if you can do that, you don't need a TA. I only use a TA to travel in areas not bookable using web resources on my own.
Pre-packaged tours are something TAs know how to sell and is at least proven to the provider's satisfaction with online reviews. However, unless you go for the high-end providers, the tour pace would be very rushed and you end up staying at out of town group hotels. "Custom" tours arranged by a possibly disinterested TA can be very risky. We have seen many idiotic itineraries booked by TAs that people come here to solve issues created by the TAs.
I know several couples who use TAs for all the trips. I presume that they being high-end frequent travelers encourage TAs to spend more time than usual on their trips - perhaps at the expense of other occasional travelers. All the TAs I have dealt with often gave me excuses why they were taking too much time, "I am very busy taking care of other (more lucrative) customers."
I have been recommended many "good" TAs by others. Each one of them proposed idiotic itineraries. The reason for mismatch was that the type of trips they took matched what the TAs wanted to sell: simple round trip plus hotel plus prepackaged tours. Anything outside that, such as multi-destination open-jaw itineraries using non-commission accommodations, the kind I take, took too much time for them for too little revenue, so they just quickly slam-banged itineraries together hoping I didn't notice.
In my view, for a European travel, a TA is Catch-22. To find a good one, you need to know what itineraries make sense. But, if you can do that, you don't need a TA. I only use a TA to travel in areas not bookable using web resources on my own.
Pre-packaged tours are something TAs know how to sell and is at least proven to the provider's satisfaction with online reviews. However, unless you go for the high-end providers, the tour pace would be very rushed and you end up staying at out of town group hotels. "Custom" tours arranged by a possibly disinterested TA can be very risky. We have seen many idiotic itineraries booked by TAs that people come here to solve issues created by the TAs.
I know several couples who use TAs for all the trips. I presume that they being high-end frequent travelers encourage TAs to spend more time than usual on their trips - perhaps at the expense of other occasional travelers. All the TAs I have dealt with often gave me excuses why they were taking too much time, "I am very busy taking care of other (more lucrative) customers."
Jan 31st, 2016, 04:43 PM
#22
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Agree there is a big difference between a small local agent (or one of the chains) versus a travel consultant who will give you a lot more attention and are usually expert in their area. But then they usually charge quite a bit more as well (or require that you book with expensive lodgings, etc that will pay them a commission).
Jan 31st, 2016, 04:57 PM
#23
For the trip you outline a TA is unnecessary and may create more problems than she solves.
You need flights into Venice and out of Rome - an open jaw or multi-city routing. Use sites like skyscanner and kayak to find flights and then book direct with the airline.
You need train tickets for Venice to Florence and Florence to Rome. Read the extensive info at seat61.com, and then buy your tickets from the train company using the advice there.
You need three hotels. I would use booking.com, also reading reviews at tripadvisor.
Reading some guidebooks first would be a big help. I would suggest "The Rough Guide to First Time Europe" and "Eirope Thr ough the Back Door" as starters, and then country guide books for Italy.
You need flights into Venice and out of Rome - an open jaw or multi-city routing. Use sites like skyscanner and kayak to find flights and then book direct with the airline.
You need train tickets for Venice to Florence and Florence to Rome. Read the extensive info at seat61.com, and then buy your tickets from the train company using the advice there.
You need three hotels. I would use booking.com, also reading reviews at tripadvisor.
Reading some guidebooks first would be a big help. I would suggest "The Rough Guide to First Time Europe" and "Eirope Thr ough the Back Door" as starters, and then country guide books for Italy.
Jan 31st, 2016, 05:02 PM
#24
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Feb 1st, 2016, 04:49 AM
#25
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Thank you everyone - very solid advice here! The more I read the more I'm sure the TA advice I got is not for us. I also am convinced Airbnb is also not a good idea, at least not our first time out.
FrugalTravler thank you so much for the offer - I'm going to look into some of the recommendations here AND light a fire under my husband to step up and help me as you are all right, I have no interest in being the travel guide.
I have a rough idea of where to go, just no idea how much time I'll need for each place and also figuring out prices. I think I'm fine with the main cities, its the day travel to neighboring towns that scares me a little (getting lost etc.) I'll let you know if I change my mind but truly appreciate the offer!
And just because some of you asked, our dates are flexible but looking at mid June through first week of July. I know its busy, more expensive time to go but not much leeway there. My son graduates HS first week of June and is off to college in August so June/July is our only window.
FrugalTravler thank you so much for the offer - I'm going to look into some of the recommendations here AND light a fire under my husband to step up and help me as you are all right, I have no interest in being the travel guide.
I have a rough idea of where to go, just no idea how much time I'll need for each place and also figuring out prices. I think I'm fine with the main cities, its the day travel to neighboring towns that scares me a little (getting lost etc.) I'll let you know if I change my mind but truly appreciate the offer!
And just because some of you asked, our dates are flexible but looking at mid June through first week of July. I know its busy, more expensive time to go but not much leeway there. My son graduates HS first week of June and is off to college in August so June/July is our only window.
Feb 1st, 2016, 07:25 AM
#27
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Hazel, I sincerely doubt that there is anyone here on Fodors who hasn't gotten lost at one time or another in Europe. I have made so many wonderful discoveries by being lost that I often purposely set out to take roads I am totally unfamiliar with. Think of it as part of the adventure.
Feb 1st, 2016, 08:40 AM
#28
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Hazel - one tip - try Gate1Travel or Go-Today.com, plug in your dates, choose what level accommodations, then you will have an idea on the price... If you book your own rail, you will save $15 per leg per person... also, Walks of Italy have wonderful tours..you might want to consider this instead of dealing with the summer tourists. Check the sunrise and sunset times in each city - those are freebies not to be missed !
Feb 1st, 2016, 05:08 PM
#29
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Dear "frugaltraveler" please help me! I have 6 days Italy in July 2016. My choice of cities to visit are Rome,Venice and Naples! I will be flying in from London and depart from Italy to Spain for another 6 days ( Grenada Córdoba and Seville). Can I fly or use trains from Italy). What's the best way to get to Spain from Italy? From Spain we will be flying back to New York!
We are a family of 4 with two children ages 11 and 9.
We are a family of 4 with two children ages 11 and 9.
Feb 2nd, 2016, 08:30 AM
#30
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Hi dzaman75 - I would suggest Venice ( stay on the island not Mestre )... train to Florence ( have a driver pick you up and take you to Pisa - he could hold your luggage while you are there )( also any other sights along the way to Rome ) since you would be spending that day getting from Venice to Rome - make it worth your while and see more. I have used TuscanyTours.net with Marco Miniati several times, highly recommend him. Check out his website and he will cater to your needs. From Rome - fly to Grenada and work your way up - or vice versa... you might want to check out the low cost airlines such as Ryanair or Easyjet...just make sure to check their fees on checked bags...with the kids along, it may be smart to stop and let them explore - San Giminango would be a wonderful stop for them to see and run thru a walled, medieval city. In Pisa - you only need less than 2 hours to see and climb the tower, go into the church and see the town...In Venice - pre-book any tickets ( Doge's Palace, - the dungeons were really interesting and maybe so for the kids ) .. take the vaporetto over to San Georgio Cathedral, go to the top and you can see the island of Venice..
