Questions about Italy tours

[holden]

We are going to book ABD Italy for summer 2014 (when we can). We are taking our 2 DDs (11 and 7 at the time of the trip) and both sets of grandparents. I was thinking that the Bella Italia trip might be better for us because it seems like its less "sightseeing" and more of a cultural experience. Can anyone confirm that? I know we'll miss Rome and Venice, but we can do those when the kids get older.

Also, when does Disney usually release the new dates? Should I be able to book by summer 2013? Do the rates change like the cruises do (i.e. book the day the new rates are released because they will go up as the trip gets closer).

Finally, we will be booking through Costco. Does anyone have any idea of the value of the Costco cash card? 6 adults and 2 kids will be going.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

 

[sayhello]

I did the ABD add-on to the Med cruise in 2010, and it contained a lot of the activities from both Viva Italia and Bella Italia. I know that the Bella Italia activities we did were more "cultural" than the Viva Italia ones, but since we didn't do *all* of the activities from both, I guess that doesn't really answer your question. Sorry!

I know there are some folks who have done both Italy trips. Hopefully they'll chime in here soon!

The new dates historically have come out end of July/beginning of August. Assuming they continue that way, you'll be able to book 2013 then. And yes, the trips tend to start out at their lowest point price-wise and then prices go up as the trips fill up. Occasional specials do show up, but they're usually for specific trips, and generally don't show up until around December/January if at all. The *down* side of booking ahead of time is that your deposit becomes unrefundable after 14 days, and changing to a different trip or date is considered cancelling the trip, so you'd lose your deposit. And new offers cannot be applied to existing reservations. If you're sure you know which trip and departure you want, then go ahead & book. But be aware that you'll be ineligible for any new promotions.

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

We are going to book ABD Italy for summer 2014 (when we can). We are taking our 2 DDs (11 and 7 at the time of the trip) and both sets of grandparents. I was thinking that the Bella Italia trip might be better for us because it seems like its less "sightseeing" and more of a cultural experience. Can anyone confirm that? I know we'll miss Rome and Venice, but we can do those when the kids get older.

Also, when does Disney usually release the new dates? Should I be able to book by summer 2013? Do the rates change like the cruises do (i.e. book the day the new rates are released because they will go up as the trip gets closer).

Finally, we will be booking through Costco. Does anyone have any idea of the value of the Costco cash card? 6 adults and 2 kids will be going.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

The max for the Costco Cash Card is $2000 and I suspect that's what you would get with 6 adults and 2 kids for the Italy trip. I've booked through Costco 3 times and the card has been close to 8% of the cost of the trip. Last year, for example, we took the Southwest Splendours trip. For 1 adult and 1 child, total cost of the trip was around $5700 and our Costco Cash Card was $450.

 

[mapsd]

We are going to book ABD Italy for summer 2014 (when we can). We are taking our 2 DDs (11 and 7 at the time of the trip) and both sets of grandparents. I was thinking that the Bella Italia trip might be better for us because it seems like its less "sightseeing" and more of a cultural experience. Can anyone confirm that? I know we'll miss Rome and Venice, but we can do those when the kids get older.

We had the same dilemma before booking our trip for this summer with our 2 daughters.

We went with Viva Italia for a few reasons:

• Hits more of the "classic Italy" spots & we're not sure if we'll ever be back
• Has the mid-tour siesta @ the Tuscan villa
• Were assured that if kids are in the group, it will be made more kid-friendly

We solved most of our issues though, by arriving early and speding 3 days in Sorrento @ the ABD hotel & seeing a lot of the other trip's highlights ourselves.

We're basically doing Viva Italia with the group and Bella Italia on our own!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Please note that Costco offers a Costco card, which is only good at Costco.

Dreams Unlimited Travel offers an American Express Gift card which is good anywhere.

If there are any questions I can answer, please drop me an email at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com.

 

[holden]

Thanks for all of your comments! Yes mapsd, we were planning on arriving a few days before so the kids could get adjusted to the time difference. We could also take in a few of the sights that we'll miss on the tour during those days.

Bobo912, thanks for the Costco cash card info too. It's nice to know we'll get a little cash back to use!

Sayhello, I'm glad you told me about the 14day no refund on deposit. That gives me pause. The grandparents are all in their 60s, so we might actually wait until closer to the date of the trip to book. You never know what could happen. Would travel insurance help with getting back some deposit money? I'll look into it.

DisneyKevin, Yes, I know that the Costco cash card can only be used at Costco. Unfortunately, we spend a ton of $ there. We will use it all...

Thanks again everyone!

 

[sayhello]

Sayhello, I'm glad you told me about the 14day no refund on deposit. That gives me pause. The grandparents are all in their 60s, so we might actually wait until closer to the date of the trip to book. You never know what could happen. Would travel insurance help with getting back some deposit money? I'll look into it.

If you cancelled the trip for a covered reason, then yes, the travel insurance would reimburse you for the deposit (generally it covers any non-refundable payments you've made). Check with ABD; sometimes the travel insurance they sell is a good deal. It really depends. I found that for my trip to London/Paris, the ABD policy was an extremely good deal. Other times, it hasn't been. ABD's policy now includes a pre-existing condition waiver if you purchase it within 14 days of your first deposit on the trip. (At least it did last year. Always ask before you buy!)

Sayhello

 

[holden]

Good to know! I'm glad to hear that trip insurance might cover any cancellation. A health scare would be the only reason we would cancel.

 

[carpenta]

Good to know! I'm glad to hear that trip insurance might cover any cancellation. A health scare would be the only reason we would cancel.

One thing to check on your policy is if the health scare is a pre-existing condition. Some policies are wriiten with a lot of exemptions (love 'em don't ya?). Just be safe than sorry.

 

[Turtlemom]

If you're still trying to decide between Viva Italia and Bella Italia, we chose to do Bella Italia with our two kids (DD's aged 10 and 13 at the time), and had a fabulous time. We did three days in Rome before the trip on our own, then took the train to Naples where we were picked up by ABD. (In Rome, stayed in an apartment and hired a private guide which was so worth the money).

Although Viva Italia does cover the "highlights" more, it seems to have more city time. Bella Italia was right for our family because it had more "outdoor" activities. The kids loved swimming in the mediterranean while we were in Sorrento, the side trips to Amalfi and Capri were beautiful, and the boad trip around Capri (with swimming again!) was a highlight of the trip. Florence and the hill towns were also amazing and more city/sightseeing based, but i liked the fact that we stayed in the city and were able to walk around in the evenings. In Viva--you will be staying out at a villa, which has its charms as well.

In either case, you cannot go wrong. ABD will make sure the kids are well taken care of, but if you are looking for a more relaxed, outdoor activity type vacation, consider Bella. Feel free to ask me if you have any specific questions.

 

[RSM]

Thanks for the insight Turtlemom. We are doing the Central Italy trip on 6/17, and chose it for many of the reasons you describe. We are also doing Rome on the backend of the trip. We will even get pretty much a full day in Dublin, Ireland on the way home (saved ~$450 per person on airfare by stopping in Dublin and flying out the next day).