Does this trip to italy and spain sound worth it to you?

Question

i know it's a crammed trip, but it's only $3000, including flights, hotels, most meals, and all tours. what do you think? i'm only a junior in highschool so it sounds good. plus i've never been to europe & don't know when i'll have this kind of opportunity again. here's a sample itinerary (a few changes may be made if they're worth it):

Day 1 : Fly overnight to Italy

Day 2 : Rome

Arrive in Rome

Day 3 : Rome

Take a guided tour of Vatican City:

Sistine Chapel

St. Peter's Basilica

Take a guided tour of Rome:

Forum Romanum

Visit the Colosseum

Take a walking tour of Rome:

Piazza Venezia

Pantheon

Spanish Steps

Day 4 : Assisi • Florence

Take a guided tour of Assisi:

Basilica of St. Francis

Continue on to Florence

Day 5 : Florence

Take a guided tour of Florence:

Piazza della Signoria

Ponte Vecchio

Gates of Paradise

Visit the Duomo

See a leather-making demonstration

Pisa

Answer 1

ooh wow sounds like a very nice trip... busy too!!!! seems to be very much worth it!! Italy and Spain are very nice, much for see.... I hope that you have an excellent time!!! :)

Answer 2

i think its very good, you can se two capital in one trip

i think it's well scheduled

Answer 3

The itinerary is packed and you will be exhausted.  By most meals I assume you mean breakfasts and dinners?  This price is not bad, just watch the extra costs.  Many tour companies for students have the price for the tour then add on registration and other fees.  EF Tours is notorious for this.  Also, don't expect to eat a lot at the organized dinners.  

On the other hand with the dollar to euro rate the price is good.  You will see a great deal and have a fantastic experience.  The fact that they are taking you to Assisi is great.  Assisi is one of the great treasures of Italy.  

A few words of advice.  Because you are going to be on a bus for a great deal of time you may want to take snacks with you rather than buying them along the way.  One of the easiest things is packets of peanuts.  They provide healthy energy and are easy to eat.  Soda is expensive in Europe.  Drink bottled water instead.

Answer 4

Only YOU can decide if this itinerary works for you.

Personally, it would make me crazy because I do not like to be rushed through all the jewels you will be flying through. One day here and one day there is too whirlwind for me, but it might be to your liking. People are different you know.

Answer 5

For the amount of money and considering your first time you should consider yourself lucky to be taking on such a culturally rich trip. You'll be on the move plenty and so my advise to you is to keep focused and keep a journal. Don't get boozed out - it's easy to do because at 16 & 17 years old you can get beer and wine at the bars but you'll loose time and may even get in trouble.

I think it a good trip and I'm sure you and your group will enjoy it very much. Do yourself a favor and study up (get a study group together) before going across. The more you know before you go the more you'll want to know when you are there.

Answer 6

Wow, this is a jam packed trip and I believe someone else already mentioned you will be exhausted - this is so true.  Jet lag will be an issue and you won't feel like your "normal" self until about the 3rd day.  However, other than that I would highly recommend going - most of us don't go to Europe to relax and unwind, rather to sightsee/explore/experience a different culture.  Italy is amazing!  Not sure when you plan to go, but Rome is ridiculously hot.  I went in September and and was overwhelmed by how hot it would get in the afternoon - just remember to drink a lot of water - you sound young and might be making the cut off for the drinking age in Europe (I think it might be 16 or 18, I can't quite remember) so don't over-do it if you decide to drink.  Definitely go - it's the trip of a lifetime and buy a large memory card if you have a digital camera - you'll be taking a lot of pictures!

Answer 7

A little to much and not enough.

Italy deserves at list ten days by itself. I took 2 10-days trips thru Italy, and one 12-days thru Spain.

Now, about 3000 dollars. I am assuming it is organized group trip. As adult, you can do better, as school trip, looks OK. You probably will travel by bus between cities and share rooms in hotels.

So, let say, you will share with another person. So it will cost 6,000, minus airfare for two - 1,800. 4,200 left, to much fro two people, unless you are staying in 5-star hotels and eating in 5-star restaurants.

Answer 8

Its well worth it you enjoy every second and take loads of photos.

Answer 9

Wow!! Too much!!! Too be honest, I'd shorten your list of points of interest.  You'll be exhausted.  I wouldn't go to Genoa unless you stop in Cinque Terre(not to be missed).  Assisi is cool.  It is better if you are Italian and a Catholic.  Focus is primarily on St Francis.  And it is so small.  Assisi is in Umbria and Umbria is gorgeous, but I would spend your time in Florence.  It is awesome.  With the Duomo, Uffizi gallery and the Academia, you will be entranced.  By all means don't waste time going to Pisa.  It is no big deal and the traffic is a pain in the butt getting back to Florence, which is where you will depart.  Spain you'll find plain in comparision to Italy.  You will find going to Spain after Italy a bit of a let down.  I am Italian and Spanish, so I know a little bit about both countries.  I would go to Lake Como, Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples and Capri.  Stopping of course in Sicily, peferably Taormina. But it is just me.  Places not to miss.  In Spain, I would go to Madrid, Barcelona, Cadiz, Sevilla.