I am going on the 14 Day Best of Europe in Sept 2014. I am as single woman and traveling alone on the tour. I would love to know what advice, tips, comments, observations you have about this tour and what you thought was important to bring. Please share your thoughts and advice. What did you not bring, that you wished you did? What did you bring that you did not need. I know that the less your bring the better, but was wondering what was worth carrying. And where did you go as far as sightseeing on your own that was a must see. Any recommendations on places to eat, especially if they were near your hotel? This may be best answered by people who went on the tour this year. I am sorry that they did away with the full reviews as I found that very helpful.
Thank you for your sharing your thoughts, feelings and ideas! Much appreciated.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
ann we did this tour a few years ago.. but the best tip I have will still apply... I am not kidding. Pack light and bring a smaller bag for Venice!!!! For Venice you can simply take a small pack for the two nights.. since you can leave your suitcase on the bus which stays parked on mainland. You then jump on the boat for Venice and when you arrive you will walk to hotel ,, over those little cute arched bridges you see everywhere.. but get this..they are mostly STAIRED not ramped.. so be prepared to lift bag.
We loved the tour.. and as for places to eat.. don't worry, guides give good advice and many times you will likely ( if you wish) be asked to join others.. we usually had folks join us for dinner. The hotels are well located for finding places close by too.. so no having to wander too far away if you don't wish to.. and the few hotels that are more isolated will be the ones that have a tour dinner provided ( or that was our experience)
You are going to have a blast.. I am envious!
Posted by
OP
New York
1206 posts
Thank you for the helpful suggestion of bringing an extra bag for Venice. And thank you for the advice of the stairs. Perfect for me to know, as I hate stairs and have been lifting hand weights (no kidding) for the luggage! Happy to hear you had a good time.
Posted by
TN/USA
214 posts
The only time you will really be alone is the time you spend getting to the meeting place the first day. After that, you will make many new friends and will be part of a great group of people. If you wish to do something on your own on your free time, you can do that or you can usually do things with others in the group. I enjoyed some time on my own as well as being with others.
Meals were never a problem and there were always great suggestions from the guide, Enjoy a great two weeks in Europe.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14655 posts
Wow Pat, I have not seen that advice before but I am taking it to heart for my 21 day tour in a few weeks. Brilliant idea. I think putting the 2 days worth of clothing in one of my packing cubes would work well. Thank you so much.
Ann, there are reviews listed under each tour now.
http://www.ricksteves.com/tours/europe/europe-14-days
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Pam I learned that tip on tour, I did the 14 day Best of Europe Family tour and I was alone with my child , as were three other moms also alone with kids( hmm dads what's up, three of us were married only one widow and we were all doing the tour to have special one on one time with our kids! )anyways the guide suggested for Venice that we share one of our suitcases so that the kids didn't have to haul their bags( which the kids did fine on all other stops with) and most other folks on the tour split bags for Venice to make it easier. It was a great idea.