So I thought I might to take this tour..it's listed as First Class..so would this include many optional excursions that I've read about..or can anyone tell me how much to budget for these..assuming I do most of them.

Also, how would you rate Insight Vacations and this particular tour..or would you recommend another?

Looking to travel this September..anyone else?

I did Country Roads of Italy last year. The optionals on that tour cost around 800 Euros to take all of them.
Gen

Thanks..after reading more of the pkgs though I'm more confused about which tour to take?

I want to see as much as possible, but not on a drive by..but also not so much free time that I have to figure out what to do and where to go and how to get there??

quote:

it's listed as First Class

The Highlights of Italy tour is NOT a First Class tour. It is a European Essential (or CostSaver) tour. You can see the principal differences between these types of Insight tours in the topic: First Class Tours v's Super Saver Tours.

The Italian Escapade tour is a First Class tour that has a fairly similar itinerary to the Highlights of Italy tour.

As for Optionals, Insight recommend budgetting approximately €30-40 per person per day for Optionals on both First Class and European Essential tours.

phil

crissky.....we took the Italian Escape Tour mid-September last year. We had the time of our lives. It was definitely first class, we went on every Optional offered, and would not have changed one thing. We'd been planning on going to Italy for years and this trip was everything we hoped for and more. Which ever trip you pick, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. We hope to travel to southern Italy in a couple of years, and it will definitely be an Insight Tour in the same category.

By the way, how are you enjoying the weather? It is warm and humid, but at least it is summer!

Hi Please read my tour tale on Highlights of Italy. The tour was great for the most part. I saw so many wonderful sights but really suffered from the heat and exhaustion from 2 preveious tours. I would do Highlights again. Not sure of the cost difference but this was 1000 cheaper than a G****s 1st class with a similar itinerary. I used the saved money to do all the optionals and still had lots left. The hotels this year are mostly changed so maybe the meals won't be so repetitive. I have not done a 1st class Insight so can't compare it. The 1st class Trafalgar was better with meals and accommodations. Meals were fine as I'm no gourmet just a bit similar. Hotels were out of the city but that doesn't bother me as I'm not a bar hopper. i just want to hit my bed at night.
Good luck choosing. Let me know what you think after you read my tale and which one you decide to choose.
Sandy

Thanks everyone for your input...it might end up a family trip and visiting some family that popped up in the Northeast...not so much of a tour..at least not this time.