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.

 

[irlandaise]

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

As much as I love Rick Steves, his tours may not be the best option for older, first-time overseas travelers, for the reasons Imzadi mentioned. You might want to check into Road Scholar (originally Elderhostel), which specializes in older travelers and offers many different activity levels to suit the needs of different individuals. I haven't done any of their trips myself, but I have friends who've done so and have really enjoyed them.

 

[Praying Colonel]

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

I've not been, but I've watched a lot of his shows, listened to a lot of his podcasts and watched a lot of his travel videos on YouTube. They're pricey and he expects his guests to travel light and be prepared to move, but DW and I want to do his Best of Italy tour in a few years.

Here's one talking about whether a Rick Steves tour is right for you:

 

[KarenB]

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.

I am glad you mentioned this because this is EXACTLY what we want!