Going to Itlay, need advice

[PURTYPAT1]

My DD11 & I are planning a trip to Itlay, in 2007 (haven't picked out a date as of yet(

I would love to go with Perrillo Tours, but they are too expensive.

Does anyone know of a good tour company, that is not too expensive, or any tour groups?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Patricia

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

We went last year and took Globus. The tour buses were very clean. All of our guides were very knowledgeable and spoke perfect English. Many of the hotels were clean but old. But then again, you're visiting a very old country where 200-year old buildings are considered to be "new". The most modern hotels that we stayed in were in Rome (the beginning and end of the tour).

We went with our children (ages 13 & 15 at the time) and we glad to see that there were other families with teens also in the tour group. I can't say that this is the norm, but you're more likely to have teenagers in your group if you tour during the summer months than during the school year.

We booked our flights separately from the tour group. I was actually able to get the same flights that Globus would have had us on for less than they wanted to charge us. I also booked our trip insurance with Travelex separately from Globus.

I'm sure that no matter what company you choose, you'll have a wonderful time. I loved Italy and want to go back as soon as we can.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You are going to love Italy! I wish I could offer you a cheaper alternative but the last time I went I did a Perillo Tour. Truthfully it was great because we saw EVERYTHING!!! But- we were exhausted. We went for 2 weeks and I can't wait until my kids are a bit older so I can take them and my dh. I love Italy and would love to own a summer home there. Capri was my favorite place. I would check again with Perillo. I know they had all different types of packages. We did not include a food plan and that was just fine as you can eat anywhere and it's not too expensive. Alot of tours are extra but some of them you could do without. I am so excited for you! Keep us updated on your plans!

 

[MyGoofy26]

Capri was my favorite place.

Isn't that place just GORGEOUS?! I've never seen another place on earth that begins to compare to Capri.

Back to the OP's question, I have no clue about tours as the couple times I've gone, I've had family outside of Rome that played tour guide. One thing I CAN suggest is going in the offseason. I've heard people talk about being less than enchanted by the crowds in the tourist hotspots, but we went in March/April both times and it was PERFECT. Things weren't very busy (until the Pope died - then it got CRAZY in Rome, but still an amazing experience to be in the middle of history) and we really got to go at our own pace and didn't have to worry about hurrying out somewhere to stand in line.

Plus I've heard that locals get somewhat irritated by all the foreigners when it gets busy, but we had nothing but wonderful encounters with locals. Very friendly and went out of their way for us.

And whatever you do . . avoid Alitalia!!

 

[Shagley]

We went in 2002 and took a tour by Trafalgar. I would highly recommend them. We went with them because they were cheaper than Globus, yet they offered more for the money than Cosmos (Globus' lower cost tour company). Also, our Trafalgar tour had an overnight stay in Capri, and that was one thing I really wanted to do.

The only lowlights about going with a tour is that we saw a lot of different places, but didn't spend very much time at any one place. For example, we only had two hours at Pompeii, and that entire time we had a guided tour. There was so much at Pompeii that we didn't get to see because we were rushed through it and back onto the bus.

We went the end of October, and the weather was different depending on where we were at. In Capri, the weather was in the mid 70 degrees F, but up north in Tuscany it was in the 30's and had snow flurries.

The best money saving tip I would have for going to Italy is to plan on not drinking any soda while you are there. It was always around 5 euro for a small bottle or can of coke. And make sure you eat plenty of gelato.

I know, that is way more information than you asked for. I can't help it, I loved Italy, and I am sure you will too.

 

[kimbac3]

DH and I would LOVE to go to Italy. (sigh) Maybe when the kids are older.
It probably would cost the same as a Disney trip anyway! Have fun and make sure you keep us posted!
Kimba

 

[MyGoofy26]

Yeah, going to Italy was cheaper than going to Disney, LOL! Of course for us, it was even cheaper because we didn't have to have a place to stay. We just stayed at my cousin's house - only needed hotel for quick little getaways, but most of what we did were close enough for daytrips. But there are deals on places to stay as well. We flew round trip for under $400 (including taxes and fees!) And even with the dollar so bad against the euro, things are still relatively cheap. You can get a pizza for 4 euro - and it'll be the best pizza you've ever had. And of course wine is SO cheap there. . . muh cheaper than Coke or Sprite, LOL!

 

[sk!mom]

The only lowlights about going with a tour is that we saw a lot of different places, but didn't spend very much time at any one place. For example, we only had two hours at Pompeii, and that entire time we had a guided tour. There was so much at Pompeii that we didn't get to see because we were rushed through it and back onto the bus.
/QUOTE]

It is for this reason that we have never gone with a tour group. We plan our own trips and then get to spend as much time as we want in each place. We can go at our own pace. For us this is much more relaxing. We sometimes take guided walking tours and did a one day tour of Normandy but overall we guide ourselves.

We have used Rick Steves' books in our planning and he does have a tour company. His niche is affordable travel so you might find his tours less pricey. I know that he offers family tours which would be good as far as having others your DD's age. Just something to check in to. Not a reccomendation since I haven't taken one.

Frommers has a pretty helpful message board. You might be able to get some feedback there on tour companies.

Your trip sounds wonderful- Italy is next on our list. Happy planning

 

[dylansmom1]

I will also recommend Trafalgar, though many of their tours are oriented toward older folks (Over 40). They have an excellent reputation and very good tour guides.

Another really good option is to book your own airfare and hotels and do "day" tours through american based companies. Most folks in the tourism business in Italy speak excellent English and getting around shouldn't be a problem.

Just make sure you keep your valuables close, especially in Rome. Pickpockets galore and they are so good that you won't know something is gone until you reach for your wallet.

Don't forget to order truffles!!! Yum!

Jane

 

[CarolA]

I am with SK!mom, go to your book store and/or liabray. Get Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door and his Italy book.

Plan the TOUR you want. No stops to be forced to buy something (the guides and bus drivers are getting kickbacks), no putting up with folks you don't like (My Globus Tour of Turkey had some REAL winners on it!) You can do it, I have and my mother did for years (until she turned over planning to me!)

 

[princessjv]

We LOVE ITALY!
Or as they say, "Italia"!

I would recommend bypassing the tour and booking it yourself. You can research the cities you would like to visit through great travel books. Book hotels on your own or book hotel packages through a travel agent. You can get a Eurorail Pass and travel through Italy for very little $$ (we always rode the 1st class trains).

I have traveled through Italy 2x booking, my own (1x in January & 1x Oct). Both times I have saved a lot of $$. My favorite cities are Florence, Venice and Rome (Milan is close in there too).

No matter what, you will have a great time!

 

[Octoberbeauty]

I am so glad this question was raised!! I am absolutely in love with Italy and dying to go there, even to the point of teaching myself to speak the language! lol I'm planning to visit within the next three years, possibly as early as next year, (My soon to be fiance and I may go there for our honeymoon.) and I've been wondering whether to do the tour thing or go it alone. Now, I'm still not sure. You guys have posted good and bad for both!! I think I'll definitely go ahead and get the recommended book though and start studying!
And definitely subscribing to this thread!

 

[corinascot]

I love Italy! I second the idea of gooing on your own. I think it's almost always cheaper than a tour and you get to do what YOU want to do. Italy's an easy country to get around. When I went, I researched places to stay ahead of time and phoned and made reservations from home. I think that would even be easier with email and the internet. Go to the library and get some books...Rick Steves is good and so is Frommer's. They both have websites. We landed in Rome and took the airport bus to the city center. We could walk to our hotel. After Rome, we took trains to Florence, Venice and Milan.

A good place to check if you are still interested in a package is Gateone travel. They have a website. THey have some great deals on air/hotel packages.

Have a great trip!!

 

[chipmunkfan]

I went to Italy last March and planned on my own. I was so glad I didn't choose a tour because I liked planning my own itinerary and eating where I wanted. I went to Florence & Venice and both places are very easy to navigate around. You are on your own time schedule and not held up be the rest of your tour group. If you want to spend more time at a certain place...you can! I would highly recommend doing it on your own. I booked hotels & flights through expedia and everything was perfect. Go on the fodors.com board, they have a message board (not nearly as good as the DIS) but hey at least it's some information.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Best pizza in the world! Make sure you eat lots of it! Also try to get to Tivoli. It is so beautiful!

 

[jmminarik]

Just make sure you keep your valuables close, especially in Rome. Pickpockets galore and they are so good that you won't know something is gone until you reach for your wallet.

A simple tip to foil and/or hinder the less skilled pickpockets is to wrap a thick rubberband around one's wallet. The rubber will catch on the cloth of the pocket. Keeping the wallet in a front pocket helps too, though a bit more uncomfortable.

-Joe

 

[MyGoofy26]

Oh, one more tip. . .

Once you make plans, be sure to save up extra money. . . the moment you leave, you're going to want to start planning the next trip back.

And be prepared to have pizza and ice cream ruined for you at home. Nothing will quite satisfy you once you've had gelato and a good margherita or quattro formaggi.

 

[NancyIL]

Another fan of Rick Steves' books here! If I wanted a great tour - I'd use his company. He has several different tours of Italy, and they tend to be pricey - but they include so much. Here are Rick Steves' 2006 tours of Italy: http://tours.ricksteves.com/tours06/findtours.cfm/rurl/category_ID/161/

 

[runwad]

I can't wait to go to Italy. I too have cousins there MyGoofy26, and they have been here numerous times and always ask when we are going to come visit them. I tell them we have to probably wait a good 7 years for the kids to become teenagers and hopefully appreciate the country before we plan our trip. But several members of my family have gone to Italy and just loved it, and the pictures I have seen, just beautiful. What my family always raved about was the bread and cheese. Have fun OP

 

[Disney Doll]

My neighbor has used Tauck Tours for touring other countries in the past, but I don't know if they do Italy.