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Help Planning a Trip to Italy
Posted on 1/12/23 at 1:11 pm
Posted on 1/12/23 at 1:11 pm
Are there any travel agencies or something like that I can use to help plan a trip to Italy? I have never been out of the country and have been reading some of the threads on y’all’s travels there but would like some help planning a trip like this for the first time. TIA
Posted on 1/12/23 at 1:17 pm to wryder1
The first thing I'd ask is what cities or regions interest you. Italy has a lot to offer. Don't bite off more than you can chew.
The other thing I will add is that a "travel agent" is going to sell you a tour. If you're ok with being shuffled around like a herd of elephants it may be for you.
What I'd suggest is that you post what interests you most about Italy and the good people on this board will help you plan an itinerary.
The other thing I will add is that a "travel agent" is going to sell you a tour. If you're ok with being shuffled around like a herd of elephants it may be for you.
What I'd suggest is that you post what interests you most about Italy and the good people on this board will help you plan an itinerary.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 2:25 pm to VABuckeye
quote:
If you're ok with being shuffled around like a herd of elephants it may be for you.
I had friends that went with a tour group
to Italy. A day trip on Monday to see the statue of David was included. When they got to the location it was closed. And is always closed on Monday. I don’t know the name of the tour but that’s enough to keep me away from all group tours.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 2:40 pm to VABuckeye
I am torn if I want to explore the Florence/Venice or Amalfi Coast and Southern Italy. That is why I’d like to talk to a travel agent to see what they recommend, where to stay and help set it all up. Someone with a lot of experience and knowledge of the country. I don’t want to do a tour group at all but want someone to help set up the trip.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 3:07 pm to wryder1
Gotcha.
Honestly you can ask those questions here and probably get answers that won't be prompting you in a certain direction. I've been to the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Venice, Lake Como, Venice and the Piedmont region. There are plenty of others here who've done different regions and some that are more well-traveled in Italy than I.
Honestly you can ask those questions here and probably get answers that won't be prompting you in a certain direction. I've been to the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Venice, Lake Como, Venice and the Piedmont region. There are plenty of others here who've done different regions and some that are more well-traveled in Italy than I.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 3:16 pm to wryder1
I don't typically use them, but we won a 8 day/7 night villa at a charity auction in Tuscany that is through Hill Town Tours. They have been great so far with helping us plan as we typically don't stay in one place for a week when we travel.
If you're just looking for places to stay, I've used Paris Perfect (They have expanded around Europe) to locate apartments ion multiple occasions in both Paris and Florence
Paris Perfect
If you're just looking for places to stay, I've used Paris Perfect (They have expanded around Europe) to locate apartments ion multiple occasions in both Paris and Florence
Paris Perfect
Posted on 1/12/23 at 3:47 pm to wryder1
Take a look at the following links. I have never used either but have looked at their trip packages and itineraries to get a rough estimate on pricing to different destinations across Europe.
https://www.tripmasters.com/europe/italy/vacations
https://www.perillotours.com/italy/escorted-tours
https://www.tripmasters.com/europe/italy/vacations
https://www.perillotours.com/italy/escorted-tours
Posted on 1/12/23 at 3:50 pm to 2 Jugs
I have used Tripmasters multiple times and have been very pleased with the experience. Can modify it to nicer hotels, change flights etc.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 4:10 pm to BootheelSoldier
When he/she said travel agent I don’t think they meant a big tour group.. moreso someone to help them plan the trip. Which is what this board is for and there are plenty of people here well versed in Italy travel to help you. I also recommend the tripadvisor Italy forum
Posted on 1/12/23 at 4:45 pm to wryder1
YMV, but since it’s your first time out of the country, would recommend you focus on the big cities and not southern Italy (and yea sure southern Italy has cities).
How long are you looking to go? Let’s assume a week. You could easily spend that in Florence and tack on a day trip or two into a hill town or other Tuscan city. Or go to rome and do the same thing.
Sometimes the more rural aspects of Europe (such as say provence in France) require much more driving and logistics. This can be frustrating if it’s your first trip.
But to be honest, this board has more people I’d trust with travel advice than one random travel agent you may find.
How long are you looking to go? Let’s assume a week. You could easily spend that in Florence and tack on a day trip or two into a hill town or other Tuscan city. Or go to rome and do the same thing.
Sometimes the more rural aspects of Europe (such as say provence in France) require much more driving and logistics. This can be frustrating if it’s your first trip.
But to be honest, this board has more people I’d trust with travel advice than one random travel agent you may find.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 4:52 pm to BootheelSoldier
Before I got comfortable planning big trips myself, I would look at itineraries from companies like Tripmasters, to get an idea of options. Then I would do it myself. I spend many, many hours planning out my trips now so I would understand if you are strapped for time, or simply don't want to do that.
To plan a ~10 day trip in Italy I would likely spend about 20-30 hours doing research and building out my trip. But I enjoy that very much.
To plan a ~10 day trip in Italy I would likely spend about 20-30 hours doing research and building out my trip. But I enjoy that very much.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 5:32 pm to wryder1
Travel agents have become obsolete because it is so easy for people to be their own travel agent by using the internet. It is easy and I consider it enjoyable. I know a bunch of travel agents ( many of them former travel agents) and most of them don’t know as much about Europe as the people on this board.
I am sure there are exceptions.
I would be concerned that the travel agent’s recommendations would be based not on the quality of the accommodations but where they have their connections to get commissions.
I am not pushing guided tours but we have taken two Globus tours and have enjoyed them very much. We took one on our first trip to Europe.
I am sure there are exceptions.
I would be concerned that the travel agent’s recommendations would be based not on the quality of the accommodations but where they have their connections to get commissions.
I am not pushing guided tours but we have taken two Globus tours and have enjoyed them very much. We took one on our first trip to Europe.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 6:42 pm to PrettyBird
quote:
I would likely spend about 20-30 hours doing research and building out my trip.
Those are rookie numbers.
Just kidding.
Planning travel is easy these days if you are the type of person that likes doing it.
This last trip, I was really busy with work and relied heavily on my buddy to do a lot of the planning and research.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 6:45 pm to wryder1
Also check out https://www.ricksteves.com/.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 6:53 pm to midlothianlsu
quote:
had friends that went with a tour group to Italy. A day trip on Monday to see the statue of David was included. When they got to the location it was closed. And is always closed on Monday. I don’t know the name of the tour but that’s enough to keep me away from all group tours.
Same thing happened to my parents and pretty much the only thing my mom wanted to see was David. She was so so upset.
I will avoid doing tours for eternity.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 7:03 pm to Fun Bunch
do some research and find the best itinerary for you.
I still like reading Lonely Planet guides to get an overall feel for each country.
some of the tours in Italy can be good ... the small ones of course (less than 10 people). I rarely book Airbnb in the states, but did so in every city on a recent solo 21 day Italian trip. And through the site you can book interesting boat trips, food tours, historical sites etc. Most of them were really good and intimate. Not busses or nonsense.
I still like reading Lonely Planet guides to get an overall feel for each country.
some of the tours in Italy can be good ... the small ones of course (less than 10 people). I rarely book Airbnb in the states, but did so in every city on a recent solo 21 day Italian trip. And through the site you can book interesting boat trips, food tours, historical sites etc. Most of them were really good and intimate. Not busses or nonsense.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 8:27 pm to JW
I appreciate all of the responses. I will talk with my wife and narrow it down to location, number of days there and etc.
Posted on 1/12/23 at 11:01 pm to Fun Bunch
If the Accademia is closed you can just go to the Piazza della Signoria and see the replica where the original stood for centuries. That is probably the most historically accurate way of viewing it.
Then there is always the one at Caesar's Palace.
Then there is always the one at Caesar's Palace.
Posted on 1/15/23 at 7:40 pm to wryder1
Tuscany and Umbria are the best regions to visit and it’s not even close. Plenty of towns with way fewer people and tourists but just as much history and amazing food as you’ll find in bigger cities, along with even more spectacular landscapes. Volterra, Pitigliano, Siena, Todi, Orvieto and Cortona were some of our favorite spots. My all time favorite of those is Todi. Spend most of your day in one of these towns and mix in some dinners at agritourismos as well.
Do not recommend driving in the bigger cities, but driving in the countryside is easy enough. Then just park at a parking lot just outside the smaller towns I mentioned, not worth risking driving into the city center and getting a huge ticket for entering a ZTL area.
Do not recommend driving in the bigger cities, but driving in the countryside is easy enough. Then just park at a parking lot just outside the smaller towns I mentioned, not worth risking driving into the city center and getting a huge ticket for entering a ZTL area.
This post was edited on 1/15/23 at 7:43 pm
Posted on 1/15/23 at 8:24 pm to GeneralLee
You misspelled Piemonte.
There are many great regions to visit in Italy and they’re as varied as the north, south, east and west are in the US.
There are many great regions to visit in Italy and they’re as varied as the north, south, east and west are in the US.
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