europeandestination.com

The best way is to do it yourself and not use some random website...

Perhaps there is a specific question we can help with?

it's a lot more expensive when I try to book myself. I've seen positive reviews on Trip Advisor for Europeandestination.com. I'm waiting on call back from AAA, I'm looking at the most economical way to book a package including air, hotels, and activities.

Actually, Trip Advisor does not have much recent info in terms of reviews. Some reviews that are there are quite negative.

You said: "I'm looking at the most economical way to book a package including air, hotels, and activities". The answer to this question is it's usually most economical to do this yourself, not through a website and not as a package. Packages will usually have an undesirable element-long layovers, lousy hotel, etc. Not sure I understand your attraction to this outfit.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/SearchForums?ff=14&geo=187147&scope=2&q=europeandestinations&pid=34633&s=D

That's why I'm giving them a hard look. So, you still say there is no company that can save me money booking my trip as a package?

You are paying them to organise the trip for you. This saves you time.
Possible disadvantage: You don't get exactly what you want, you get a standard package for the "average" customer. Often such companies go for the cheapest option. They may get a discount for a large booking, but most of that is their profit margin.

If you have no time, or inclination, to do the research yourself, then just accept an "off the peg" one-size-fits-all package.
Are you prepared to invest your time in getting the trip you really want?
If yes, then do the research, ask detailed questions on this or other forums and design your own trip.

What are you asking of us? Your subsequent posts to the feedback you are getting indicate that you have already made up your mind to use this group and you want validation, which is not coming. Perhaps you should read the many responses on the following discussion, which is ongoing: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/give-correct-and-concise-info

If you MUST have someone do the work for you, then at least use one of the larger more respected agents such as Orbitz or Expedia, at least you will get a decent set of choices and they are reputable.

no I have not made up my mind and have pretty much written off that prior site. I enjoy putting vacations together and don't mind putting in the time. I also greatly appreciate the input from others. I've never been to Europe and I'd like to send my wife and daughter for college graduation present. but, cost is an issue. they do NOT want large tour group, but want to enjoy the food experience that paris and rome have to offer. typically when I book a trip I use expedia for flights and hotels. I guess I'm wrong, but it just seems there must be something out there to save money by putting a package together. please don't take offense to my persistence.

I have no idea how you think you can save money by using a package.. I have never seen a package that saves money without sacrificing quality , by giving you bad flights with lots of connections.. and hotels usually in outskirts of tourist areas.There ARE good package deals perhaps.. but they are not the cheap ones.

This and other forums can be great resourses. First off.. set dates and start looking at airfare( where are you flying out of ?) and then you just fill it in.. suggest flying open jaw, which is also known as "multi destination" .. so they fly into Paris and spend how every many days there they wish.. then they fly on some inter europeon airline to Rome, spend how ever many days there.. then fly home from Rome.

Set a budget for what you want to pay for hotel in each city.. then go on the forums and ask for ideas.. you can easily check out peoples suggestions and book online directly..or check a booking site like booking.com or expedia.

I have used Easyjet and Vueling to fly between Paris and Rome.

It sounds to me like you've come to the right place, and that's a great thing you are doing for your wife and especially for your daughter. As has been said, specific questions will get the best response. As for packages, everyone is going to make their money somewhere in a package deal; it's less expensive and a better result to buy a la carte.

I would strongly suggest you get a copy of Rick's book, Europe Through the Back Door, it will not only tell you how to do it, but more importantly it will identify numerous pitfalls to avoid. Other guides will give granular info on Paris, Rome, etc.

I used European Destinations twice in the past and liked what I was able to arrange thru them.
I did my own air travel, and used them for hotels on various islands in Greece and in Athens.

Also used them for a quick trip to England for a quick hotel choice.
Folks who posted here are correct that you can probably find cheaper deals on your own,
but in my specific trips - I needed quick arrangements and didn't have time to shop.
I would recommend them.

ok for you specific question helpers - what website/airlines are best to book airfare from US to Paris, Paris to Rome, and Rome to US? is it best to match up hotels via Tripadvisor? What website is best for small group behind the scenes food activities in each city?

I'd suggest using kayak.com and/or skyscanner.com to research flights and airfares. Use the "multi-destination" category, plug in your dates and cities, and see what you get. It will probably involve multiple airlines, but maybe you can get the transatlantic flights on the same one. When you've made your choices, go to the airlines' own websites and see if they have similar fares. Other things (costs) being equal, you're better off booking with airlines themselves in case of problems later.

I'd suggest using booking.com to find hotels that look like good choices. You can choose areas of big cities like Paris and Rome, and you can filter for lots of variables. (We always look for elevators and this is the only site we've found that filters for that.) Then look at reviews of your candidates on Trip Advisor. Look for recent positive reviews and any recent negative ones (and see whether you think a negative review is about an isolated bad experience or goes to the real quality of the place). When you've made some choices (and you may need some backup choices), go to each hotel's website and book through that if the rates are similar to those on booking.com. Use booking.com if you can get a significant saving. Be sure to check on cancellation policies.

I can't help you with "small group behind the scenes food activities," not sure what you mean. Trip Advisor has lots of restaurant reviews.

"small group behind the scenes food activities,"

If you're looking for food tours or cooking classes, then I would start a new thread on here with that question for the countries/cities you're interested in. For Rome put a question in the Italy forum, for Paris put the question in the France forum. And try a search on those two topics on this website as there have been questions and responses on these pretty recently. When you get search results you can filter them by Travel Forum and then by within 1 year, 2 years, etc to narrow down the options.

j, with regards to food in Paris, for food tours/events and other special stuff, I will link a few sites below. These sites also have other blog listings so you can zero in a bit on what you may be most interested in. If you have some time before travel you can likely reserve spots on some of the in demand tours.

Paris By Mouth has lots of resources:

http://parisbymouth.com/paris-food-and-wine-events/#more-24793

There is also a guide per arrondissement on Paris By Mouth, very helpful as there are so many great restaurants in Paris, it's not always necessary to go across town:

http://parisbymouth.com/our-guide-to-paris-restaurants/

David Lebovitz has a somewhat dated but very useful list of restaurants he loves. From this list we have dined at A La Biche au Bois, La Regalade, Le Pantruche, Bistro Paul Bert, Breizh Cafe. All highly recommended-do your wife and daughter a special kindness and reserve a couple for them, just call the restaurant directly at about 4-6 pm Paris time, you'll almost certainly get an English speaker. Note the sage advice at the bottom of this page as to the etiquette and customs of French dining.

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/paris/

Here's a handy listing of Paris neighborhood markets from Clotilde at Chocolate & Zuchinni, great fun to check out a couple nearby their lodging. The Richard Lenoir market is a great one:

http://chocolateandzucchini.com/paris-markets/

For great walking tours-non-food related ;-(, check out Paris-Walks. You just show up, pay about 12 euro per person, and get about a two hour walking tour of a fascinating area, their Montmartre walk is terrific.

http://www.paris-walks.com/summer-walks.html

There's a chocolate tour, too:

http://www.paris-walks.com/chocolate-walk.html

Can't help you with Rome, yet.

Cheers, and bon appetit!

Jfinney, if I am understanding you correctly, your wife and daughter want to travel without you to Europe and visit Paris and Rome. You, staying home, want to make sure they have flights and hotels ready for them and that they are dealing with a reputable company who won't leave your women stranded overseas. It also appears that they don't want to take a full, organized tour (such as a planned Rick Steves tour) but instead want to experience some Rick Steves-style back-door travel. Very cool. Here is a place that might be a starting point:
Gate 1 Travel

This should link you to an independent Paris and Rome trip currently being offered on their website. It offers airfare and hotel for the two cities from the US, but no touring portion or entertainment, etc. I have used Gate 1 before to book hotels in China and they were just fine. They were business travel hotels and they were the same ones their escorted tour groups were using. Nothing fancy, but safe and centrally located. I have not taken their tours, but we met their tour members at the breakfast one morning and they seemed like Rick Steves style travelers. You can also periodically check Travelzoo to see if anyone is running a deal.

Another idea is to call your preferred airline and have them help you book an open jaw ticket from your starting point to the first city and then back out from the second city. I do that with frequent flier miles all the time. It's worth the $25 they charge you and you only pay if you book the ticket. If an open jaw ticket is not an option, then they could travel between Paris and Rome either on a cheap European airline like Easyjet or by train for approx. 100E each one way to return to their departure point.

One thing I will add, unsolicited, is that as a middle aged woman who travels either alone or with my mom, is that over the years, we have become more reluctant to simply wander on foot at night in unfamiliar cities. I have learned to have a few preplanned evening ideas so I don't sit alone in my hotel room. You may want to suggest to your wife and daughter that they take a look at some of the evening activities offered by various tours to get an idea of some of the things an organized tour would offer them and then make an independent decision whether those things appeal and book them on their own. Also, look at things that have both day and night hours, such as a boat tour down the Seine (you can do a ride-only, no dinner for about 15E each) and evening museum hours that can give them fun things to do at night. By 10 or 11, they'll be wiped and back at the hotel anyway.

I could echo literally everything Dick advised as that's how we do it: search flights on Skyscanner: book flights DIRECTLY with the airlines; search and book hotels on booking.com (after browsing reviews on multiple sites). Paris and Rome are also very easily done without any organized tours at all if you pre-book tickets to the biggest attractions or buy tourist passes, bring a good guidebook, and do the homework in advance. If cost is an object, independent sightseeing is a great way to save some $$.

Additionally, there are tons of free things to see and do in Rome, depending on what one is interested in. For Paris, the Paris Museum Pass can be a very good deal if they'll have the time and interest to see enough of what it covers.

And if at all possible, avoiding the High Season summer months - when accommodation prices tend to be the most expensive - is another cost-saving strategy.

What a nice group of travelers and what helpful replies - this website is the best!
I'd just like to add that in Paris, my most memorable meals were chosen at markets and individual shops for cheese, pastry, and wine (fun choosing it all) - and sitting on the banks of the Seine eating, drinking, and watching the boats go by. A cheaper alternative to some of the pricey restaurants listed (maybe choose a couple as a treat?).
An evening concert at Sainte Chapelle might be fun too - classical music in a gorgeous setting. Get Rick's book mentioned above and read. This is a wonderful gift for your daughter and wife!

Decided to just book one week in and around Paris. Too costly for my budget to try and do both Paris and Italy. Round trip flights out of NY to Paris are much cheaper than Philly. Can spend $600 for a night or two up that way and still save $1,000. Europeandestinations.com still offers the Paris/Rome trip out of Philly for $2,500 less than can be found booking flights and hotels individually. But, just not enough positive info on this company to make me feel comfortable enough to utilize them. I can't speak highly enough about the people on this site and their help!

Kathy, hotels are often discounted in Paris in August, I know because I often tsn go then and get great deals. June and September are actually the most expensive months for hotels in Paris( excepting the lead up to Christmas) . Many hotels discount from mid July thru end of August!

jfinney-that sounds great, there is a certain uncomplicated luxury in focusing exclusively on Paris. Paris is simply endless opportunity in all categories. Keep reading and researching to find the depth that is Paris! They'll have a blast.

Jfinney, I usually pay about 100-130 euros for a hotel room in Paris, I stay on clean, very well located hotels ( with ac , important in summer) ..alot depends on what you expect of course, hotel rooms are usually small in Paris, even pricier ones, and I do not stay on places with concierges or bell boys. Simply places but as I said, clean food locations and comfortable budget- moderate places, nothing like large American style chain hotels though.
Also of course seasonal rates do vary.
So I wonder what type of hotels you are looking at?

Pat, I'd forgotten about August rates so thanks for the reminder. Aug. temps can be doggone sticky in Rome, however. But our friend has his plan sorted now so it's all good! :O)

I researched alternative flights and booking direct for many weeks, but the best value was through European Destinations. I used them for a trip to Italy earlier this year and was very happy, but I trimmed down the part of the trip booked through them. You are able to remove hotel options entirely before you finalize your purchase. I went for 18 days and stayed in Venice, Florence, Sienna, Rome, and Naples. The cost for the trip when I first searched was over $3,000. I only purchased the plane ticket, major train tickets, and the hotel in Venice through ED for $1,400. The others I booked direct. The cheapest flights were through Turkish Air for $1,000 and would have connected through Istanbul, requiring an 18 hour layover before flying out the next day. I felt that the two extra days in Italy (counting the return connection also in Istanbul) were worth the extra $400. Other than Turkish Air, Plane tickets from Houston to Venice cost the same as the cost of the plane ticket through European Destinations plus the cost of the hotel in Venice (essentially I stayed in Venice and got high speed train tickets from Venice to Florence and Florence to Rome for free). I confirmed my reservation directly with the hotelier in Venice before leaving and I got email confirmation from KLM (the airline they used) immediately. No issues whatsoever but I spent a lot of time figuring out which flight to take and which hotel to keep on the itinerary.

I looked at this website alot before planning our first trip to London & Paris. The base price was good but when you dug a little deeper and added a nicer hotel in an area that you'd actually want to be in and better flight times, the cost went up quite a bit more than doing it myself, which is what I ended up doing both times we went to Europe. I love to plan the trip. It's almost, but not quite, as much fun as the actual going on the trip.

For both trips (London/Paris 2014 and Rome/Venice/Paris 2015), I ended up booking apartments (except for Venice where we stayed in a hotel for 3 nights) because we like the extra room and a balcony to relax on after a long day of seeing the sights. I used Home Away, VRBO & AIRBNB for the apartments, Trip Advisor for the hotel in Venice. Airfare was booked on the AirFrance website the first year and AirCanada the second year (it was much cheaper for us to fly out of Canada than Detroit). The other details I either booked online from at home or figured it out once we got to our destinations. Hope your wife & daughter have a wonderful time.

I love planning my own trips, every step of the way. I love having time to research, find the best deals, and love this Forum. Hands down my preferred way to travel.

However my friend and I did a trip through European Destinations in January to Rome, Florence, & Venice, which WAS cheaper than what I could find on our own. We only had 6 weeks lead time and flight/hotel/train package was a great bargain. It was also exactly as promised and everything worked. I also did a lot of research on the company before booking and not all was positive. However some of the problems seemed to be when people needed changes pre-trip. She and I also sat down for an afternoon and reviewed the proposed hotels. And the one extra flight change (as opposed to a direct flight) was worth it for us. I wouldn't recommend this for everyone and it doesn't meet every need. However at that time in that situation, it WAS cheaper than doing each piece ourselves.

We didn't purchase any "add-ons" like tours, so our days were still our own to arrange as we desired.

As with anything, you have to be careful. And you still have to plan. And I can't speak for everyone who uses European Destinations. But you weren't wrong in looking at it as an option. :)

Well, you are getting back to my original question. I just wanted to see if E.D. was a legitimate organization. I did not receive enough positive feedback to warrant utilizing Europeandestinations.com to book my trip, although advertised as less money.