What do you think about these tours?

17 years ago

I'm planning and booking all the hotels, etc...for our trip this summer to Germany and France and am having a lot of fun doing it. I'm pretty comfortable about most of the trip, except for maybe Paris. Big city, have only been there once on a quick overnight trip with a bus tour group.

But, I am thinking of booking a tour within a few years with Rick Steves company to Italy or maybe Scotland where I don't feel so comfortable. I like their philosophy of traveling "thru the backdoor". They use inexpensive, small family run hotels so you get a better feel of the country and area you're staying in. They also pack lightly and have a lot of information on how to do things on your own. They teach you how to use public transportation in other countries, for instance. I think you would learn more about the history with a tour guide also than going on your own.

We are doing some of the things he suggests on our trip this summer, including using backpacks, one only per person. No checking our luggage at the airport, so it can't get lost and we don't have to wait around for it when we land.

Their tours are all smaller than most, on the same size bus that other companies use so you have more room. I think it would be lots of fun. They do a lot of walking and hiking on their trips so you kinda have to be in shape and you have to lug your own backpack/suitcase.

So, do you like to be catered to in 4 or 5 star hotels, with tons of luggage or do you like roughing it with a backpack or maybe one suitcase and a 2 or 3 star hotel? I thought I'd ask this question here because I think it would be a fun KT get together idea. Say, next year or the year after? Anyone interested? It would give all of us some time to save up for it if anyone wanted to do it. I just think it would be a blast.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rick Steve Tours

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Comments (7)

maryanntx
17 years ago
When Jammer and I travel we pack very lightly because we are usually on the motorcycle. When I travel by plane I still pack lightly and use a carry on suitcase and put it in the overhead area.

We certainly don't go to high priced hotels and want to be catered to. We only go to hotels to have a place to sleep and maybe a quick breakfast, so we want an economical, clean, safe place and that's all we care about.

The tour you mentioned sounds like fun. I don't like to have everything planned on a trip. It's fun to explore on your own some of the time.
zeetera
17 years ago
I used to hate tours until my parents convinced me to do the Big Red Bus Tour(?) in England. Now I'm hooked. It's worth it and you will learn so much more about the place than if you were to take in the sites yourself.

I'm thinking about doing the Yellowstone National Park tour with caravan.com.

If there's a language barrier where you're going, then I'd definitely suggest you do the tour even for the introduction.
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naughtykitty
17 years ago
I did one about 10 years ago called "Steve Austin's amazing vacations". It was a hiking trip thru Italy and the Cinque Terra. It was the BEST vacation I have ever been on! 13 people, some hiking every day, most meals included, hotels and bus taken care of, fun but non-touristy things every day except 1 touristy day in Rome. If the backdoor vaca is anything like what I did, you definitely won't be disappointed. I would love to do it again, but my budget won't allow it.
glenda_al
17 years ago
I'm booked thru my travel agency with Brandan Vacations.com for my Ireland & Scotland trip.

Looking forward to it.
bigbaby
17 years ago
Ron and I went to Italy twice using the Rick Steve method. No tours but we packed lightly and used his book extensively. It was a blast! Stayed in some really neat places, too. I would highly recommend it. I've never been on a tour.
OklaMoni
17 years ago
I have never been on a tour either. Like MaryAnn, I travel light, learned it via bicycle camping.

I am not sure, if I would like a tour, with only a pre set time at certain locations.

I am a do it yourself kind of gal.

Moni
Lindsey_CA
17 years ago
My sister and brother-in-law have "done" three Rick Steves tours - two in France and one in Italy. They loved them and highly recommend them. (And these are two folks who always fly first class and stay in the best hotels, yet they had no problems with any of the accommodations on the RS tours.)

What do you think about these tours?

Comments (7)

maryanntx

zeetera

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