Italy for 50th. Guided tour or on our own?

[Anonymous]

We decided on Italy for my 50th next year. Anyone taken a small group guided tour like Perillo or Tauck and have feedback to share? I’m always the planner but I’d like to actually enjoy this trip. Having the activities and transit arranged for us sounds lovely. Here’s an example from Perillo:

Day 1 - Departure from the USA
Day 2 - Arrive in Rome
Day 3 - Ancient Rome & Colosseum
Adventure
Day 4 - Rome - Vatican Museum - Sistine Chapel - St. Peter's Basilica - Dinner Out
Day 5 - Pompeii - Sorrento - Dinner Out
Day 6 - Capri - Sorrento
Day 7 - Sorrento - Your Day, Your Way
Day 8 - Amalfi & Positano - Dinner Out
Day 9 - Flight Home - USA

[Anonymous]

I think this is mostly about how you like to travel. If you want a trip where someone else makes most of the decisions for you and you spend time with the same group then I’d go for it. I’ve heard Gate 1 is another good option (and I’ve also heard they have different kinds of trips— some more guided than others).

[Anonymous]

I mean… if it sounds appealing to you then you’ll probably like it. I would not enjoy eating at restaurants selected for me and being with a group the whole time but if that is ok with you then it will definitely be an easy way to do this travel

[Anonymous]

I also am always the travel planner in my family and while having everything arranged for once sounds nice in theory, I know I’d end up annoyed both knowing I could have gotten better bang for the buck in terms of quality by self booking and also having to wait around for others and stick to a group schedule.

I would just book myself and use the cost difference to splurge on nicer accommodations and/or a few private day tours or transfers between cities.

[Anonymous]

I would go on my own but book individual guided tours for some of the experiences.

[Anonymous]

What is your budget? If it is super high, just have a travel agent do this.

[Anonymous]

What month? Italy is amazing, if you're going in the summer I prefer the north.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been on guided tours with Insight and Tauck and have always had great experiences. Italy is super crowded in the summer so I liked being able to skip the line at the Vatican and have meals booked. We still had free time on our own in most places. Check to see how much free time you have any how many meals are included.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go on my own but book individual guided tours for some of the experiences.

+1

I was on 2 guided trips through GetYorguide and they felt so rushed - like go, go, go and I really enjoyed the day trips we took on our own even if it meant more planning.

If you are okay with being on someone else's time table, go for it. If you think you may not and want to keep it flexible, just book a few guided trips through Viator or GetYourGuide.

[Anonymous]

I think the upcharge is probably not worth it for Rome and you do lose flexibility on it. Rome and similar is very easy.

I’ve thought about it for Sicily mainly because the trains aren’t there and I don’t want to drive.

[Anonymous]

I'd arrive days early in Rome and I'd extend on the Amalfi Coast and not Sorrento btw

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd arrive days early in Rome and I'd extend on the Amalfi Coast and not Sorrento btw

I think that day she’s visiting the town of amalfi and their home base is Sorrento.

[Anonymous]

Italy is easy. I would do it on your own. Unless by enjoying it means being mindlessly shepherded with a crowd and being beholden to their timetable.

[Anonymous]

I traveled to every continent as a single woman. It was so much easier to have Tauck or A&K get me and my luggage from place to place and then strike out on my own in the various destinations.

[Anonymous]

I don't see the point of questions like this. People who don't like tours are not going to recommend a tour. And in Italy? I just land and grab a car and go like anywhere in Europe. There's nothing to it at all. I just can't stand the idea of being on a forced itinerary on a vacation, especially in Italy of all places.