X-post from LIF - Italy

DH an I are talking about going to Italy next year and we definately want to do a tour.
Can anyone recommend a tour group they have used?

Also when is the best time of year to go to Italy?

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

I don't have any recommendations, but Don't use CHA Tour Group. The guide we had in Italy was a moron!

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

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Posted by Becca2010

I don't have any recommendations, but Don't use CHA Tour Group. The guide we had in Italy was a moron!

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Thanks Becca- I will put on my Do Not Use list!

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

i haven't actually used this company but they have some great deals sometimes on italy (and/or other country) tours .... HTH

Contiki

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

when we went in HS, we used EF Tours

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

No tour group recos but we went during mid Sept to early October and the weather was wonderful! It was just after their high season so less tourists than usual and prices were cheaper.
The weather was perfect for a long trip. No sweaters necessary but not quite warm enough for shorts and tank.

DEF try to go to Cinque Terre if you can!!! Paradise.
And Florence, Florence was BEAUTIFUL.

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

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Posted by AwaitingAugust

i haven't actually used this company but they have some great deals sometimes on italy (and/or other country) tours .... HTH

Contiki

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Thanks Mor i will look into this

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

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Posted by AngnShaun

when we went in HS, we used EF Tours

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Thanks Ang but I just looked this up and it for Student tours

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

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Posted by Gerbera

No tour group recos but we went during mid Sept to early October and the weather was wonderful! It was just after their high season so less tourists than usual and prices were cheaper.
The weather was perfect for a long trip. No sweaters necessary but not quite warm enough for shorts and tank.

DEF try to go to Cinque Terre if you can!!! Paradise.
And Florence, Florence was BEAUTIFUL.

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We were thinking of Sept or May. I definately want to go to Florence.

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

We used this company for our tour in Spain Globus

The prices are really good and they include all transportation while in your country of choice. The tour operators are well qualified and very knowledgeable. The buses they use are extremely clean and the hotels are usually very nice (for Europe.)

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

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Posted by daniellek730

We used this company for our tour in Spain Globus

The prices are really good and they include all transportation while in your country of choice. The tour operators are well qualified and very knowledgeable. The buses they use are extremely clean and the hotels are usually very nice (for Europe.)

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Thank you I just requested a brochure

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

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Posted by Gerbera

No tour group recos but we went during mid Sept to early October and the weather was wonderful! It was just after their high season so less tourists than usual and prices were cheaper.
The weather was perfect for a long trip. No sweaters necessary but not quite warm enough for shorts and tank.

DEF try to go to Cinque Terre if you can!!! Paradise.
And Florence, Florence was BEAUTIFUL.

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Ditto! we didn't use a tour, but also went in mid sept. we went to santa margherita and cinque terre. cinque terre is gorge!

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

no info on tours but the summer is very very hot especially in rome and further south. i would assume that venice, milan, and north generally would be just slightly cooler but not by much.

winters could be very cool, seems that there autumns are extended just a little farther than ny's and spring weather could start a little earlier than ny but generally the same

a lot of people like to go in september or may because its not overcrowded with tourists and weather is perfect.


btw, there is a week in august when a lot is closed

also in the south, many areas close their hotels, tourist attractions etc.

we are going in the beginning of april, a little cooler than i would like but not bad and great prices compared to a few weeks later

hth

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

I went in May & November which is nice, b/c it wasn't too cold (in fact, I was wearing short sleeves in Rome) and its off season.

Try w w w. tour vacations to g o. co m

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

don't go in july or august. i lived in rome during those months and it's hotter than the devil's kitchen. also august is vacation month - lots of stuff is closed (not like major tourist stuff, but more like a local restaurant, etc.)

i never used a tour company so i don't have recs for that.

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

I went with my Mom in 2004 and did a tour..we went in July ...I think the best time to go (from what I read) might be in June or early September..it's not too hot but still warm enough to not need a jacket and go to the beach.

We used Cosmos tour company..it was pretty affordable...(I think it was around $2k per person with airfare, hotels for 10 nights, the tour and some meals...but this was in 2004)..the tour we took hit Rome, Florence, and Venice in 10 days with stops in between...We saw alot but it was very fast paced..we had to be on the bus at times at 7:30 AM! However, we chose this particular tour and there are other ones that are more leisurly and have more days where nothing is planned so you can wake up whenever you want and do whatever.


This is the tour we took:


http://www.cosmos.com/Product.aspx?trip=16400&source=CO_Product_Italy

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

Thank you ladies- we are still looking into going. I have requested a whole bunch of brochures

Re: X-post from LIF - Italy

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Posted by Lisalana

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Posted by Gerbera

No tour group recos but we went during mid Sept to early October and the weather was wonderful! It was just after their high season so less tourists than usual and prices were cheaper.
The weather was perfect for a long trip. No sweaters necessary but not quite warm enough for shorts and tank.

DEF try to go to Cinque Terre if you can!!! Paradise.
And Florence, Florence was BEAUTIFUL.

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Ditto! we didn't use a tour, but also went in mid sept. we went to santa margherita and cinque terre. cinque terre is gorge!

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DITTO, again!