Let's talk Italy!

[WDWmom08]

We are planning our second ABD. We talked up our first trip so much our family decided we all need to go on one together. It will be us, mid-40s, and our DD 13, 5 people in their 70s and another couple mid-40s. I think we're settled on Italy but I keep going back and forth between itineraries. The Amalfi trip seems incredible; but I feel like if you've never been to Italy (and they haven't) how can you not go to Rome and Venice...but then there's Capri! Does either trip lend itself more to the grandparents? Is one a lot more walking than the other? Also, it seems the for these two trips there is a big difference between ABD prices and TB prices. Is ABD that much better than the TB? The itineraries are extremely similar. Thanks for any info!

 

[tink1970]

Italy is awesome! It is hot in the summer, so something to keep in mind with elderly folks. We actually did TB instead of ABD when we went b/c it worked better with our schedule. That said, I agree that it's hard to go to Italy and not hit the trifecta of Rome, Florence and Venice. If grandparents are into art and churches more than outdoor-sy stuff then I'd go with Rome/Florence/Venice (or if they're like my mom, who likes to hit the high points "Uffizi, check, Sistine Chapel, check, gondola ride, check...").

From my TB experience, it's the little things you notice when traveling with ABD (such as euro for the restroom, tissues for the restroom, dividing kids up and sending them with one Adventure Guide while the adults stayed with the other Adventure Guide, a movie on long bus rides, etc) that aren't there on TB. Hard to quantify if that's worth the price difference, for some it is, for some it isn't. The biggest surprise for me was when we went in the Etruscan caves in Orvieto; not on my radar but we had an excellent guide and it was an interesting experience.

With TB in Venice we were a quick walk to Piazza San Marco from our Westin; ABD uses a Hilton that has a water shuttle. In Florence, TB stayed at the Westin a quick walk to the Ponte Vecchio, ABD is in a beautiful Tuscan countryside hotel. My understanding is that ABD uses hotels which are truly family friendly (think swimming pools). Since I have a pool in my backyard, but not the Arno river or Venetian lagoon, it's less important to have that when I travel (but of course everyone is different!).

I think both ABD and TB are excellent family tour companies. Honestly for me I look at: dates, itinerary,lodging, tour company.

Have fun planning

 

[AdamEfimoff]

delete

 

[WDWmom08]

I would choose Belmond , Gritti Palace any day over the Hilton. And Four Seasons and Villa La Massa any day over a westin. I stated this before but everyone thought I was insane when I said it

Which trip is this? I don't see those hotels listed on either itinerary.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

delete

 

[sayhello]

none thats why I do not do group travel

Then I really wonder how your comment is relevant to this discussion. The OP poster is specifically asking for comparisons on specific group travel trips, which you have no experience with. Not opinions of hotels. Seems extremely off-topic to me.

Sayhello

 

[WDWmom08]

Then I really wonder how your comment is relevant to this discussion. The OP poster is specifically asking for comparisons on specific group travel trips, which you have no experience with. Not opinions of hotels. Seems extremely off-topic to me.

Sayhello

Thanks, my thoughts exactly.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Prices may be a bit high if the currently listed ABD's are filling up. It should be cheaper when the new dates are released for 2018 in the next month or so.

I've not been on either ABD. My last ABD was the N. Italy/Switzerland. But I've been to all the places you're looking at short of Capri (I've done the Amalfi coast but not Capri). I really like the idea of the Amalfi Coast and more time in Florence. You might even add 3 days in Rome on your own prior to that. The only downside to that ABD is Pisa is very overrated. Biggest downsides to the Rome, Florence, Venice ABD is there doesn't appear to be much time in Florence itself and the hotel in Venice is located on a different island rather than San Marco. I'm sure they're both wonderful though. You may ultimately have to do both.

 

[carpenta]

I would choose Belmond , Gritti Palace any day over the Hilton. And Four Seasons and Villa La Massa any day over a westin. I stated this before but everyone thought I was insane when I said it

The hotel that we stayed with TB in Florence was rated one of the top 50 hotels according to Conde Nast. Our french balcony doors opened every morning to look at the Duomo. Not too shabby for "group travel".

 

[AdamEfimoff]

delete

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Then I really wonder how your comment is relevant to this discussion. The OP poster is specifically asking for comparisons on specific group travel trips, which you have no experience with. Not opinions of hotels. Seems extremely off-topic to me.

Sayhello

I have deleted all irrelevant travel posts.

 

[Cousin Orville]

The hotel that we stayed with TB in Florence was rated one of the top 50 hotels according to Conde Nast. Our french balcony doors opened every morning to look at the Duomo. Not too shabby for "group travel".

Cool. What hotel is that?

 

[kmc33]

We are planning our second ABD. We talked up our first trip so much our family decided we all need to go on one together. It will be us, mid-40s, and our DD 13, 5 people in their 70s and another couple mid-40s. I think we're settled on Italy but I keep going back and forth between itineraries. The Amalfi trip seems incredible; but I feel like if you've never been to Italy (and they haven't) how can you not go to Rome and Venice...but then there's Capri! Does either trip lend itself more to the grandparents? Is one a lot more walking than the other? Also, it seems the for these two trips there is a big difference between ABD prices and TB prices. Is ABD that much better than the TB? The itineraries are extremely similar. Thanks for any info!

We are doing TB Italia Bella this summer. We knew we wanted Rome to be a part of the itinerary because we want to do the Sistine Chapel after hours tour. I was concerned that TB might not be as good as ABD because the price was better. I asked many questions on this board and received wonderful responses from others who have done both. Besides the cost, for us it came down to wanting to stay in Florence. It sounds like the Tuscany villa is a wonderful experience and I hope I have the opportunity to visit Tuscany in the future, but I really wanted to be able to experience Florence. Staying right in Venice appealed to me as well.

 

[tink1970]

I really wanted to be able to experience Florence. Staying right in Venice appealed to me as well.

Have fun-it's a great trip I really enjoyed the location of our Florence and Venice hotels (Westins). They were really centrally located and although the Rome hotel was a little less centrally located, it was beautiful and the bathroom was very nice.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Never been on an ABD trip but I can recommend Capri. It is a fabulous island. Beautiful hotels. The Blue Lagoon is not to be missed. Great food. You can walk a lot or not much. There are some great hikes. And there are these great convertible taxis which take you from the port up to Annacapri at the top of the island.

Having been to both Rome and Venice, I can say there can be lots of walking. The water taxis in Venice are fun though and just sitting in st marks square with a drink to people watch is worth the trip. Also the walking in Rome can be reduced by taking th Hop on Hop off bus around and getting off at various stops around the city. It's a great way to see Rome.

 

[CrazyZeus1]

We've done both ABD iteneraries and they're both amazing for different reasons! If you're REALLY wanting to see Rome, then obviously choose Viva and you'll have all kinds of great things there! There is a LOT of walking on Viva and it can be hot so be prepared. If Rome isn't a MUST, I would pick Bella Italia because the Amalfi Coast is so beautiful, the food was the best we've had in Italy, and there are so many beautiful things to see and do on that itenerary too. If we were to pick one to repeat, it would be Bella Italia. Let me know if you have any specific questions about either itenerary and I'll see if I can help!

 

[WDWmom08]

Thanks for the info. I'm still torn. I read a trip report on the forum of the Amalfi trip and it seemed like a lot of meals are on your own. Although the counts are pretty similar for the Rome trip. I just feel like if your spending that kind of money most meals should be included. We had very few on your own meals in Costa Rica.

 

[carpenta]

Cool. What hotel is that?

I will have to go through my files (I'm sorry I can't bring these names up quickly) but located right on the river close to the U.S. consulate. I will find that info.

We are doing TB Italia Bella this summer. We knew we wanted Rome to be a part of the itinerary because we want to do the Sistine Chapel after hours tour. I was concerned that TB might not be as good as ABD because the price was better. I asked many questions on this board and received wonderful responses from others who have done both. Besides the cost, for us it came down to wanting to stay in Florence. It sounds like the Tuscany villa is a wonderful experience and I hope I have the opportunity to visit Tuscany in the future, but I really wanted to be able to experience Florence. Staying right in Venice appealed to me as well.

We have done this trip and it was fabulous. If you have any questions I will try to answer.

 

[DisTXMom]

We've done 2 Italy trips, but both were on our own. Rome has so much history and culture, we did it on each trip. The rest of the places we visited, we ranked as follows from most to least favorite: Cinque Terre (we stayed in Monterosso, but visited all of the towns), Sorrento (Almafi), Tuscany (driving tour in rental car), Florence, Pompeii (day-tripped from Sorrento), Camogli (Rivera), Venice.

While we loved our time in the Almafi coast, it is such a small sliver of what Italy has to offer.