Going to Italy for the first time, help me to decide?

Question

I'm visiting italy for the first time this summer and i'm really confused because i dont know if i should get like a escorted tour package to visit all the cities that i'm interested in or if i should do it on my own. I really would like to have some free time to do others things that i like but i'm also thinking that i may get lost. if you know a good tour company that are flexible with the schedules i may get a escorted tour for a few days and the rest of the days doit on my own, then i will need a tour book that i heard is good that most of the tourist buy in italy.

Answer 1

Go with the tour,it is safer and you can see more points of interest.

Answer 2

Good morning,

I agree with Bill.

There is another option. Buy just stays at hotels at

www.expedia.com (if you get to find yourself in the Italian site www.expedia.it prices are even cheaper) and then travel from town to town on your own (by train for instance, see www.trenitalia.com for train schedules). This way you will have time on your own and if you want to have a guided tour you can buy one on site, for a reduced time.

Answer 3

I live in Italy and I suggest you to visit the country on your own.

Tour packages are for tourists, you should try to experience Italy in its complexity and beauty.

If you need any suggestion about tickets, places to visit and everything else, write me an e-mail on my msn address ([e-mail]) and I'd be happy to help you.

I am glad that you want to see my beautiful country!

Answer 4

I did travel to Italy (Venice, Rome) during last fall with my family and had wonderful time. I used Gate1 travel. They have flexible tour packages. Most of the travel, I planned myself. Get many  tour books and learn as much as you can. This way it would be a bit of adventure also.

Answer 5

How long are you going for?  Are you on a tight budget?  Do you want to "do" the whole country or are you expecting to only see a small section?   These are all important questions to ask yourself and take into consideration.  

Train travel can be expensive, buses less so. If you are on a tight time schedule and want to see as much as possible then a tour might be a good thing.  If you have time and want to be adventurous then skip the package.  You can always find 1-2 day trips once you are there.

Answer 6

Going on your own provides a lot more flexibility to see and do exactly what interests you. There are day or half-day escorted tours that may be worthwhile to help you get oriented and identify places where you might like to go back to spend more time.

The train system here is fairly easy to negotiate. The major stations in most cities are within walking distance of the tourist areas. I wouldn't worry too much about getting lost. I go exploring most weekends and just pick up a guidebook at the news kiosk at whatever destination I happened to pick.