Hi Helen,

We had just one night in Como - Christmas Eve. We arrived from Venice around 2:00 after stopping in the very stylish city of Verona to see Juliet's balcony. After arriving in Como we had an hour boat cruise to see the homes of the Rich and Famous along the lake. This was an optional but almost everyone went. After that, the itnerary is free until dinner which leaves time to explore. The hotel in the Lakes area is not in Lake Como but in another town. It was very old-world - an old palace as I recall - with tons of character. The hotels were fine. Insight shakes things up by mixing modern and older hotels so you get to experience a bit of everything. However, as our TD pointed out, you go to Italy to see the art, the architecture, the ruins and enjoy the food and wine - not for the hotels. She kept telling us that the one in Venice was very old, and it was, but it was fine. It was located right on the Grand Canal and I would have far preferred it to a more modern one in the industrial city of Mestre whixh is where other tour companies stay.
I haven't been to Israel but have also done an Egyptian tour with Insight. It was also great but no question, you feel safer in Italy.
Once I get settled in - we've only just arrived home - I'll also post a Travel Tale. I did also post one after our visit to Egypt in March.

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. When booking a tour cenery is all that matters to me, but it was nice to know that you stayed on the mainland of Venice. I read your tour tale on the Wonders of Egypt tour and now I am even more confused !! Italy and Egypt both sound "must see" places, however I would like to see more of the Italian lakes area.
Travelling alone and mummy tummy make me lean towards Italy, but the history of Egypt would be amazing, but there are too many Egyptian tour choices !!
Helen

I noticed the Italian Splendours tour is very much like the Highlights of Italy tour that I did last summer with Insight Essentials. Looks very similar itinerary wise. I have written a tour tale on Highlights of Italy. It may help you. Mine is a costsaver and was a pretty good tour. A few disappointments but you can read about that.
Sandy

Sandry, you mention you have toured with Trafalgar in your posts. How do you compare the two companies.

My Trafalgar tours were both 1st class while my Insight was a costsaver- Insight Essentials. Both were very well run. More inclusions, nicer rooms and better meals on 1st class Trafalgar but not that much of a difference that I wouldn't travel costsaver again. I don't need the luxuries. Both companies were fine and the tours were great. I had a problem with the TD on one Trafalgar 1st class but not the other. It could happen on either. Insight is a sister company to trafalgar and it is the Deluxe version. So the regular Insight should be better- buses have fewer seats, more central deluxe hotels etc.
I think both are fine. I also did a G****s tour and it was good too.
One thing about costsavers- I didn't get to do alot of things I wanted to as they were optionals on the Insight Essentials. People didn't sign up for them either they couldn't afford them or weren't interested so I was very disappointed. I missed going to Capri, doing A lake Lucerne cruise and having a Gondola ride in Venice. These were all part of the itinerary on the 1st class but not on the costsaver. My Insight tour was a costsaver so this could have happened on either Trafalgar or Insight.
Hope this helps. Both companies are fine and run good tours and have good reputaions. Choose by itinerary is my recommendation.
Sandy

Hi Sandry,
I ended up taking the Trafalgar Tours 'Best of Italy' from Feb 14 - 26 and I have posted my photos and tale on their BB. I had the best time of my life on my Trafalgar Tour and I chose this tour over the Insight one because of the Itinerary and the price. Hotels were first class and the friends made from the USA and Canada will be life long friends.

So glad you had a great time. Will read your tale.
Sandy

Hi Sandry,
Did you enjoy London, I'm sure it was you on TT that was going, am I right?? I post under Aussie Miss on the TT boards. I loved Italy and threw my coin in Trevi fountain so I can return

Glad you had a good time. Yes I enjoyed london. So so many wonderful sights. I am an avid Duplicate Bridge player and there was a club right next door to our hotel. I went over to play one night and came first. I had a hard time getting around. All the stairs in the subways were very hard on my knees and the muscles in my legs kind of seized up and made walking difficult.
The weather was wonderful - betwwen 15-19 * C each day and sunny. No rain. Thanks for asking.
Sandy

Hi I am off to Ireland this summer. Have recuperated from London and now want to see the land of my grandparents.
sandy