Pilgrimage (religious shrines) tours in Italy (incl. Rome); group best, or on-your-own?

Question

My daughters and I are in the planning stages of making a pilgrimage tour to Catholic shrines in Italy (at least ... would like to include parts of Portugal and France if feasible). We're at least a couple of years from actually making the trip, but want to plan carefully -- and need to save travel funds bit by bit. I've seen packaged tours offered that seem to cover everything; on the other hand, I'm wondering if we could save money and have a more flexible itinerary by doing it on our own. Any recommendations?

Answer 1

The advantage of the tour group is that they will have a coach and you'll be ferried around. Travelling around Rome is easy (I actually walked a lot) but it will add time, as will having to organise your own transport between other towns & cities in Italy. You'll also have to deal with the Italian language for announcements at railway stations etc. although most things should be on indicator boards (just make sure you know the Italian name for their towns, not just our Anglicisation ie Florence is actually called Firenze).

Tour groups also tend to get discounts on large bookings with hotels, but then, you can find excellent places at reasonable prices too, especially if you book some time in advance....don't always stick to large, chain-type hotels.  

On a tour, you may find that your time is limited in some places that you want to spend longer, or too long in others and travelling independantly, would give you the freedom to choose - and of course you could break for coffee as often as you want, eat in restaurants of your choosing etc.

If you have the confidence to do so, I would travel independantly - you'll have your daughters for company and I'm sure you'll get chatting to other people along the way. It would be worth getting a (detailed) itinerary from some of the tour companies that you've seen - feign interest in their tours - as they are a good guideline to use for your own planning.

One final point - when I was in Rome, albeit in 2001, Pope John Paul II gave weekly audiences each Wednesday; I assume that Pope Benedict does the same. As there will be a small group of you, you need to apply for tickets in advance - details are in Lonely Planet's guidebook (and probably others). If you do go - get there early as seating is first-come-first-served....you want to be near the aisleway in the centre (the popemobile comes down that way) or at the front, for great views.  

Have a fantastic trip...and enjoy your preparations as that's half of the fun.

Answer 2

best to go with a tour group like insight

i had a great time last time when i went to sapin and the group we had were fab