Elaine and I are hoping to go to Italy next year. While we have gone on a few trips outside of the US, they have mostly been to specific resorts. I have also been to Europe on business trips and have had some limited time for sightseeing.

Planning a 2 to 3 week trip to multiple locations is not something I have done. I have looked at agencies such as a Road Scholars, GET (Grand European Travel) and the agencies that Costco offers, There are some benefits to using them such as not having to arrange for transportation, multiple hotels and having our luggage handled. I think they are too structured and don’t allow much room for us to do other things or go at our own pace.

How have some some of the travelers here planned long trips? Did you do all of the planning and booking, do you work with a good agency. (Can pm me or reply with info?) telling the what your priorities are, any opinions on staying in locally owned hotels vs. worldwide chains, or VRBO?

thanks,

jim

 

I don't have any specifics, but if it was me I would try to pin down some nice agricultural tourism locations throughout the regions you want to visit, staying on vineyards and farms, where you get a night's stay , some great home-made local food, wine, olives, cheese, etc , rather than staying in stuffy big name hotels. You can rent cars to drive between locations / regions, or take the trains, bus tours, renting cars in Europe is easy and affordable.

At my age I'm done with tourist traps, so you won't find me at the Trevi fountain, or waiting in line for hours to get into chapels and museums. I wouldn't care about the roman ruins, or the leaning tower. I would spend more time in the Tuscan region, then over to Positano on the west coast, then down the Amalfi coast, exploring the real parts of Italy I say. The busy tourist traps are full of pick-pockets, and I have no desire to pay 16 dollars for a bottle of coke on a restaurant patio just because it is near a statue or a fountain, etc.