recommended tour companies?

[Ducky]

does anyone have recommendations for tour companies?

preferably europe but open to other destinations...

don't have the time to do research...meaning rather choose an escorted tour in europe vs. researching myself what to see/do in each city...don't mean for anyone here to research vacations for me...

english speaking tour guide

reasonable pricing would be nice...

thx...

[Pete_Coach]

Without you not knowing what you want, what you want to do, where you want to go and the fact you don't want to do research, it is pretty difficult to help you. Surely if you have time to post on RFD over 2500 times, you can do a little searching.
Here is a tour packager but, you still have to do a little for your yourself.
http://www.trafalgar.com/can

[GemInite]

you might also want to state your age and who you're going with.

My first Eurotrip I did when I was about 24. We did a bus tour that did London / Brussels / Amsterdam / Cologne / Rhine / Lucerne / Paris. Although it was nice to see many places and have things organized there was just not enough time in each city so I swore off bus tours.

The only tour companies I'd go with now are Intrepid Travel or G Adventures as they are more about adventure travel.

[Ducky]

sorry, i wasn't looking for help in finding a vacation...

i am actually looking for tour companies with websites so i can browse to see where i want to go along with cost...

not looking for travel websites ie. expedia, etc...

but actual escorted tour companies...(preferably based out of GTA)....if any of you have joined a tour company before and had good experience...

sorry if i wasn't too clear...

[GemInite]

different tour companies cater to different regions / type of travel.

Please post some general details of what you're looking for.

If you want adventure travel look at Intrepid Travel or G Adventures

[Raggie]

A friend's daughter is going on a European Tour thru Contiki Tours this summer. I heard Contiki is aimed at ages 18 - 35 years.

[Ducky]

sight seeing in europe? i know europe is huge but never been so open to any cities really...

age group...30+...

try to build a list of tour companies...so far i see:

contiki
trafalgar
g adventures

i guess mainly sight seeing and not the physical type of tours...

basically looking for a longer list of tour companies...=)



different tour companies cater to different regions / type of travel.

Please post some general details of what you're looking for.

If you want adventure travel look at Intrepid Travel or G Adventures

[GemInite]

if you're 30+ and not heavily into drinking you should pass on Contiki. Contiki's main sight seeing will be the pubs.

Might best best to pop into a travel agency and grab some brochures.

A simple google search will probably be easier since you have no idea what you want to do.

[Ducky]

Sightseeing in europe...london, paris, italy, greece, etc...

I see a lot of these tours on group buying sites...problem is it is never applicable for july

So that's why I am looking for tour company websites so I can browse...

Ie. If I was looking for a tour of toronto, I would want to see the touristy stuff like cn tower, niagara, etc.
Not like pubs/clubs, atving, etc...


if you're 30+ and not heavily into drinking you should pass on Contiki. Contiki's main sight seeing will be the pubs.

Might best best to pop into a travel agency and grab some brochures.

A simple google search will probably be easier since you have no idea what you want to do.

[chemical_echo]

Did Contiki last summer, and saw a lot more than pubs/pub crawls.

The days were spent doing tours of the cities, but a lot of the time we were left on our own with maps and recomendations of what to see/do.

Sure, there were parties and pubs at night, but you dont have to go. I'm not a huge party guy and spent most of my time exploring the cities with like minded people on the tour. Don't get me wrong, I went to a few parties and pubs with everyone, but it was part of the experience of being in Europe.

[beach247]

Has anyone done the AirCanada Vacations - Essential Europe? 12 Days/10 Nights - Italy, France and UK

http://www.aircanadavacations.com/en/vacation_packages/tours_stays/Rome/Essential-Europe-12-days--10-nights/

My other option is to get a Land Tour only of Europe and pay for my own airfare. Or, I can do it on my own. I'm traveling solo. I've been to Europe as a teenager which was a long, long time ago! :)

Any suggestions?

[Pete_Coach]

Has anyone done the AirCanada Vacations - Essential Europe? 12 Days/10 Nights - Italy, France and UK

http://www.aircanadavacations.com/en/vacation_packages/tours_stays/Rome/Essential-Europe-12-days--10-nights/

My other option is to get a Land Tour only of Europe and pay for my own airfare. Or, I can do it on my own. I'm traveling solo. I've been to Europe as a teenager which was a long, long time ago! :)

Any suggestions?
You are kind of herded around and spending a lot of time on a bus.
Me, I would buy and open jaw ticket to London and return from Rome. 3 or 4 days in London. Train to Paris. 3 or 4 days in Paris train or cheap flight to Rome and 3 or 4 days there.
There are more than enough things to do and see in all those places and you are not spending a lot of time traveling.

[beach247]

Pete, I was thinking of the same thing. I've been on short escorted tours of Asia and really liked it. But, I also have gone solo and I liked the flexibility and freedom. I'm pretty friendly and laid back, so I get along well with people. But, you're right. That's a lot of time spent on the bus.

I like your suggestion about flying from Paris to Rome. When I get to Rome, I was thinking of taking a side trip to Tuscany and Venice (by train).

I'm also weighing the pros and cons of using my Aeroplan miles and/or hotel points against paying for it outright especially if I find a great deal.

Lots to think about.

Thank you!

[Pete_Coach]

Pete, I was thinking of the same thing. I've been on short escorted tours of Asia and really liked it. But, I also have gone solo and I liked the flexibility and freedom. I'm pretty friendly and laid back, so I get along well with people. But, you're right. That's a lot of time spent on the bus.

I like your suggestion about flying from Paris to Rome. When I get to Rome, I was thinking of taking a side trip to Tuscany and Venice (by train).

I'm also weighing the pros and cons of using my Aeroplan miles and/or hotel points against paying for it outright especially if I find a great deal.

Lots to think about.

Thank you!
Be aware that some cheapo airlines do not all land close to the city so, you will have to pay to get into the city. Also, there isa luggage fee that can add substantially to the fare.
The train to Florence from Rome is only 2 hrs. You could even do a day trip. Venice is another 2 1/2 hrs away from Florence. You could also head down to Naples/Pompeii/Amalfi or up to Cinque Terre.
We use our aeroplan points for executive class flying when we go to Europe. That makes it worthwhile.
The train to Florence from Rome is only 2 hrs. You could even do a day trip. Venice is another 2 1/2 hrs away from Florence. Hotels vary greatly in price. Luxury costs, but even reasonable creature comfort can be costly during certain times of the year. The big 3 in Italy never really have an off season.

[beach247]

Pete, I really appreciate your input. Planning my own itinerary will also give me more flexibility to see my friends who live in Paris and Rome. I was just tempted by the convenience of the Vacation Package deals. :)

Anyway, lots to consider. Thanks again!