Rick Steves tours

[KarenB]

We have been looking at the Rick Steves tours (mainly Italy) and wanted to get some opinions, pros and cons. Some basic background about us if that helps: two people/mid 60's/active/ have NEVER traveled out of the country except driving into Canada before passports were needed and a stop in Mexico and Grand Cayman on a Disney cruise.

Thanks for any information!
Karen

 

[Imzadi]

I was researching his tours before the pandemic. Various reviewers mentioned that his tours do a LOT of walking. Some excursions are several miles walking between each destination each day. Also, they choose smaller, older hotels and B&Bs off the beaten path. Some of it is for the local charm, some to save on costs. Most of these do NOT have elevators or bellhops. So, you will need to be able to lift up and carry your own luggage up and down 3-5 flights of stairs on your own. When you say you both are active, make sure it matches up with this level of activity.

Other than that, I saw lots of raves for his tours & the tour guides. There is alone time built in, along with the ability to leave the group at times and do something on your own, completely different instead, without the tour guides freaking out. They can be used more for their local knowledge and info during these times.