quote:

Originally posted by Singermom4:
Plan B is to ditch dh and take my mother and brother instead!

I'm a married lady who has a husband who won't travel overseas, so I travel as a solo. My first tour was in 2000 and I got the travel bug. I've managed to visit overseas countries every year since then but this year I have to stay at home.
If your husband doesn't want to travel overseas, don't pressure him, just do the tour without him. You will be happy and so should he.

I have every intention of following this type of plan once the kids are grown, but until then it would be nice if he participated in most family vacations. It's not so much that he doesn't want to travel at all, he just wants to travel for a very limited time - not very practical when you spend a ton on airfare. We did do Disneyland last year without dh and had a marvellous time!

Doing BOI is a wise decision. It is very fast paced and so enriching. My husband was exactly like yours - did not want to go anywhere for long periods of time. However, once he got started he is now interested - still only at a limited time (I'll take anything). When we did BOI we brought our son along - he was 17. He learned so much from the trip and the shared experience is something that we will always treasure. Being in a different country also made him matured and self confident. Everybody in our tour group was pleasant and accommodating. The trip is fast paced but there are long bus rides so be sure to pack a game and entertainment for the kids. We joined all the optionals and it was all worth it.

Happy thoughts - and get excited. Excitement is contagious!

Still feeling undecided about which tour to take. I took another look at G****s BOI and they spend an extra night NEAR Venice (vs. Insight's 1 night IN Venice) - but this allows for either more time in Venice or the optional to Burano. The two nights in Capri eliminates an opportunity to go to Positano - however, some family members don't do well with winding drives so perhaps it won't be a possibilty. Also with Insight there is an optional excursion to Spello but with G there is an included trip (on a funicular) to Orvieto.

Most other elements are quite similar though G claims that they visit the Forum whereas it is only a sighting with Insight. Prices are about the same for both tours. Itinerary for G is a bit more appealing to me but I am concerned about their quality (hotel, food, TD). What to do? Btw, we are a family that is likely to do most/all optionals - I like the company of the group.

quote:

Originally posted by Sue Gillen:
Natalie
Start savin' those days again as this will be your first of many trips! I usually start picking my next on the plane going back home!
I agree...Pompeii is a must-see. But each stop on the trip will have some pleasant surprises for you.
And gelato...you will have one a day for me, won't you?
Sue

Sue... I am the same. I was thinking of my next trip on the way home from Italy. Am already planning my next trip. I loved travelling with Insight. Can't decide between Greece or Egypt.

Loved the IE tour. When I decide on a tour, the most important thing for me is accommodation. I often got up at 6am and explored the towns and villages before the others on the tour got up. Walking around Venice at 6am is just magical. So if the hotel is right in the centre of the city its great. But I found the one in Florence too far out to get up early and explore Florence on my own.

Maureen - is it safe to go out on your own at 6am? I'm trying to think if I can convince my husband to get up that early to go with me. I'm really interested in photography and they say the early morning light is some of the best. I will make an effort to go out early at least in Venice, and will try for the others if I can. I will live on coffee on this trip I think. I'll desperately need the caffeine.

I've started tentatively thinking about another trip. More in hopes that my husband will have such a good time that he will want to go back to Europe soon. If he does then I'll have a response waiting for him as to what I think is reasonable for us to try for (one of the Christmas market tours).

Natalie

Yes it was safe. My daughter slept and I explored Venice on my own (3 mornings). The Ralato Bridge at 6.30am was empty. I got some great pics on the sun rising on the lagoon from the bridge. Later I took Stacey (10am) to the bridge and it was packed with tourists. Could not find an area to stand to get some good pics.

I got up early in Assisi, Italian Lakes, Sorrento, Rome and Venice and Spoleto (on our own). Florence was too far from hotel. It was great. It was just me and the locals going to work. I saw many opening up their shops. These early mornings were my fav. part of the tour. There were no tourists up. I adored it. Got so many pics of the sun coming up over Lake Maggiore and talked to a couple of cats enjoying the sun.

Natalie... I desperatly want to go on another trip. I adored Italy. I am hoping to take my hubby to Greece and Eqypt in 2010. Need to save again. If I had heaps of money I would travel every year. I am addicated to travel. I have long service leave coming in 5 years. Hope to explore Italy on my own. Spend 3 to 4 months traveling around this delightful country.