“Which is the best tour?”, “How do the tours differ?”, “Why are deluxe tours more expensive (other than the obvious connotation of “deluxe”)? These are questions so frequently asked and I’m going to try to answer as succinctly as possible.
For Question One, the answer is very simple: the best tour is the one that suits your needs as closely as possible. The tour goes where you want to go; the tour fits your time frame; you’ll be visiting the sites of greatest importance to you; the price is right. But what about value? Why should I pay for “first class” or “luxury/deluxe” when the fountains of Rome will look the same no matter what I pay to see them?
Question Two: as I wrote in my previous blog comparing budget and first class tours in Spain, you must read the brochure carefully and compare how the length of time you spend in each city or town, what sights have entrance fees pre-paid. How long will you be on a coach, traveling from one city to another? It’s also wise to obtain the names of the hotels in which you will be staying and check them out on Google.
Now, for Question three…first class vs deluxe. I’m going to use, as my example, Globus (first class) “Italian Mosaic” and Tauck (deluxe) “Classic Italy”. These tours have very similar itineraries and thus can be compared…apples to apples.
Similarities: both tours are listed as 14 days, but Tauck’s Day 1is in Italy; Globus Day 1 is “Board your overnight transatlantic flight” (in other words, your Globus tour actually begins on Day 2).> Tauck starts their tour at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Naples, overlooking the Bay of Naples. Starting in Naples allows the traveler to travel the very next day along the Amalfi Coast, enjoying Ravello, and Sorrento, and luxuriating in the Grand Hotel for a second night. Globus begins its tour in Rome, “Day 2”, in Rome with the day “at leisure” (i.e. you’re on your own…there is a welcome dinner that evening).
Tauck takes you to Pompeii for a very full day of sightseeing with a local expert; Globus visits Pompeii three-quarters of the way through the tour after a long drive from Assisi (188 miles) and you wont have much time, because the coach leaves for Sorrento too soon. One day from Assisi to Pompeii to Sorrento? That’s a stretch!!
Tauck takes you to Rome (131 miles) after your extensive tour of Pompeii (take a nap, the coaches on budget, first class and deluxe are usually very comfortable). You’ll be staying at the Weston Excelsior on the Via Veneto…how fashionable is that! During your stay in Rome, you will have an after-hour tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. NO CROWDS!! You’d appreciate this even more if you’ve ever been to Rome and attempted to view the Sistine when the day trippers are present. Another day in Rome and you will visit all the major sights, with inside visits wherever/whenever possible.
Globus Rome will cover as much ground as can be traveled in a full day, but there will be some venues which will be left for your “leisure” time (if you have any) and may incur an extra fee. Note: Tauck does NOT offer optional tours…everything that can be included, is included!
Tauck will take you to the hill town of Orvietto and Torgiano and Assisi, staying two nights at a 17th century patrician home, with wine tasting in the private winery. Detailed sightseeing in Assisi will include St. Francis Basilica and some time in town. The evening will consist of a cooking demonstration by an Umbrian chef and then dinner. Globus will also include the Basilica and time in town (dinner on your own).
Tauck travels into Tuscany, stopping at San Gimignano, then stays by the sea in Viareggio for two nights. Then you’ll be driven through historic, beautiful Cinque Terre on your way to Florence, where you’ll stay for two evenings. Globus takes you from Rome to Florence by way of Pisa (yougotta go to Pisa!! and Tauck doesn’t take you there!!!!) and you’ll be in Florence two evenings. Both tours offer walking tours in Florence (it’s a traffic-free city), with views of David, the Baptistry “Gates of Paradise” and other treasures. Tauck will also take you to the Uffizi Gallery, with Globus you’ll have to use your “leisure” time.
Now here’s where the two tour differ greatly: Tauck takes you on the Eurostar high-speed train to Venice where you spend two luxurious days at the Weston Europa & Regina on the Grand Canal; Globus also stays in a fine hotel, near St. Mark’s Square. Both tours provide all the major sights; Tauck includes a gondola ride, Globus offers this as an “optional”. But Tauck tour ends in Venice whereas Globus has gone from Florence to Lake Maggiore (for two nights) and thence to Venice, by way of Verona (remember Romeo and Juliet?). Lake Maggiore is a restful place, a vacation spot…very little sightseeing, but very relaxing. However, on your way to Lake Maggiore, you will pass through Milan where you will see the glorious Duomo and glass-domed Galleria…Tauck does not go to Milan on this tour (they do go there on their tour “Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence & Rome”, a ten day tour).
Other details: Globus includes full buffet breakfast every morning, five (or four) 3 course dinners, including a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome. Tauck also includes full breakfast each morning, plus eight dinners and three lunches.
How about the bottom line? I’ve noted the major similarities and differences…here comes the price tag: (2010 prices) Tauck: $5990.00/person in July; Globus $2769.00/person, also in July, 2010…but think of the bragging rights!!!!
N.B. We also represent Abercrombie & Kent, a luxury tour provider. Their ten day “Signature Italy”, for mid-July 2010, was $11,775.00. I know you’re interested and I’ll be glad to discuss the details with you.
Arlene N.
arlene@atlastravelweb.com
