Hello, I plan to travel as a solo woman to Italy in Spring 2008.
Please send me feedback on Go Ahead Tours. Would you recommend them? Other agencies?
I appreciate your comments. Thanx!

Hi, if you do some searching, I think you'll find quite a few negative comments about Go Ahead tours. I think it was on the Europe board I saw some just yesterday. Probably search both as Go Ahead and GoAhead.

It must have been the same thread that people were mentioning other tours and which ones they liked best, so you'll get some alternative ideas, too.

Hi again, I can't find the specific thread that I'm thinking of, and to be honest, I've now seen some posters were happy with their Go Ahead tour, but the unhappiness was definitely there in whatever thread I found yesterday.

Read the fine print, go with an open mind, and hope you get a good tour director (he/she is the person who definitely can make or break a tour, IMO). Sorry to not be any real help.

I did Go Ahead to Kenya on a safari in 2005. It is full of retired American teachers to whom Go Ahead offers discounts. Incredible lodging where we stayed with the much more expensive Abercrombie and Kent tours. Good trip all around.
The one negative for me was that although I am an American, I prefer to tour with people from other countries. Even though I adore Americans in general, I travel to try something different including people.
I usually try to book with a foreign tour company. I am trying Peregrine for a walking tour in Tuscany this fall because Aussies are usually a hoot.

Thank you both for your comments. I will definitely broaden my search.
Happy Trails.

I did a multi-country Europe tour with Go Ahead.

Pluses: Covered a lot of ground and sites.

Minuses: Too many people (48 in our group). Food and hotel were just so-so but I suppose it was fair for the price.

Thank you!

I've traveled with Go Ahead twice - Paris & The Normandy Coast and Venice, Florence & Rome and will be taking another tour, Paris, Provence & the French Rivera with them in October '07. I had a wonderful time on both trips and am very satisfied with them. I have toured with several companies, so I do have a basis for comparison. Their guides are very interesting, well informed and accommodating. The hotels are well located, usually in the center of the city and if not, close to public transportation so you can get around on your own. They do not push their optional tours as other companies do. If you decide not to take an optional, the tour director is very helpful about suggesting other activities. I like being able to do my own thing if I want. They don't always have direct flights or even the same airline coming and going, but you have the option of upgrading if you prefer. I've done both and didn't have any problems either time. I think you get a lot for you money and will continue to travel with them.

I always dress with a nun's habit when I travel alone in Italy. I don't have to worry about makeup or doing my hair, and I even get discounts in Vatican City at gift shops and sites! When I go clubbing at night and have to pass the front desk, I always get sideways looks! It's hilarious and I don't have to worry about getting pinched or grabbed by any of the disrespectful men stuck in the dark ages.

Great tip since you can fly in the habit as well and avoid costly trains and planes.

I would also check to see if your tour host is from the country you are touring. Years ago,I did an Italy tour with Trafalgar and their local Italian guide Chiara who was so informative and entertaining throughout the trip. Her command of the culture and history of her native country was incredible. If anyone had a problem in a hotel or out on tour, she would always get it fixed rather quickly with her rapid-fire Italian and much throwing of the hands.

My teenage son and I recently toured Southern Italy and Sicilia with Collette. It was just not the same experience because our guide was from New York. She was very good with book knowledge and some decent language skills but lacked the passion and insider info of a native.

Don't know if you're still checking
this but my two teenage dtrs. and I
took the Venice,Florence and Rome tour
woth GoAhead tours and all of us had
a wonderful time! It was our first
trip to Europe and not knowing the
language or what to expect in a foreign country, we found the tour
guide invaluable - from navigating
the cities to good places to eat. Most
of the guides had years of experience
and were natives of the country. I
would ceertainly book with them again.
Also agree that they did not push the
optional excursions and we had plenty
of time to explore on our own.

scarlettohara, I don't know if you're serious or not but your post is a hoot!!

We used Go Ahead Tours about 10 years to go to Paris for a week. We were on their independent city tour so we were on our own; which we like. They did pick us up at the airport and take us back and the price included breakfast everyday. Their was one of their agents in the lobby every morning if we needed to take a tour or needed advice. I would recommend them.

An acquaintance of mine has been on several and highly recommends Go Ahead tours.

The Rick Steves website has uncensored feedback from tour alums.
www.ricksteves.com
Rick Steves' 2008 Tours
Tour Member Feedback

I spent six hours reading this feedback last year before signing up. I went on his 15 Days in France tour in July 2007. It was awesome! I rate it a 9.5 out of 10. I am going on his 15 Days in Great Britain tour on July 5.

I went on an EF Tours tour of Italy and Greece in July 2005. I liked the destinations, but not the tour company.

I have to say that dressing up as a nun suggestion to Italy was the best one I have ever seen.....Can you do that? I had an aunt that was a Salesian Sister and I never thought of that...what a great idea...that just blows me away!!

What is the age group that this tour group attracts?