Europe in 14 days anyone?

Kerry...GO! My wife and I did this tour last year at the end of September and had a great time. We also did it as a celebration for our 25th anniversary and I guarantee that you will be addicted to travel in Europe after you complete this trip. Just be ready to go at a very quick pace. I would recommend getting to Paris a day or two before the tour begins and if you have time, spend some additional time in Italy at the end of the tour. Besides all the great sites, scenery, food and wine, we got to share it with a fabulous group of travellers that RS tours seem to attract. Check out the following link for scrapbooks from other people's tours and then try to resist booking that trip! http://tours.ricksteves.com/tours08/
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Thanks for your advice and encouragement, Dean.

One more question. Did you and your wife stay additional nights in Italy after the tour? If so, any suggestions?

And, if we go, we do plan on getting to Paris at least a full day early if not two.

Thanks again!

HI we have not done this tour but just game back from our second RS tour in less than 12 months. If you are open to new ideas and don't mind a lot of walking you will have a wonderful time. If you can go early and stay a few extra days after the tour. There is so much to see in Italy and Paris you will be very happy to added the extra days. Enjoy.

I hope to take that same tour but the family one as soon as my youngest makes the age cut.

Sorry meant just came back not game back.

GO! GO! GO! It would be a great anniversary present for the both of you. And it will make shopping for an anniversary gift very easy. :) You are picking a very good time of the year to go. It won't be crowded and you won't have to worry about being stuck in a heat wave while being in a hotel without air conditioning.

Kerry - If you decide to go, and you don't already have a passport, apply for your passport as soon as you decide. More than a few people have been reporting hideous delays in getting their passport.

Thanks for the continued encouragement! I'm getting more excited by the day with all that I'm learning and hearing about RS tours. I've looked at a lot of the scrapbooks from people that have gone on the tours and it looks wonderful. (Thank you, Dean)Now I just need to finalize our date and push the "reservaton button!"
Thanks again, and I'd still love to hear more from others who've been.

Hi Kerry...I just got back from that tour and LOVED it!!!! I'd go again in a heartbeat! Several members of our group did arrive in Paris a day or two early...which I wish I did. I believe they all just stayed at the hotel the tour stated from. Some stayed a day or two longer at Rome...but we were all pretty tired at that point, so if you need to pick one or the other...I'd go early rather than staying late.
Do pack light!!!! You really do not need a lot of clothes...and we only had an elevator in the first and last hotels.
The buses that Rick Steve's Tours use are THE state of the art!!!! 50 leather seats for 26 people!
Reid was our guide and he was fabulous! Francois was our driver and he was great!
Loved every part of the tour! But take comfortable shoes because there is LOTS of walking and LOTS of stairs...but plenty of gelato or wine to help console you.
Please feel free to ask my any questions...June

Thanks June!

I almost always overpack for trips. Sounds like that would be really bad for this one! Did you find that you needed anything "dressy" throughout the trip, say for dinners? My other wardrobe question is about a jacket. If we go late April/early May, looks like it can be pretty chilly in the mornings and evenings. Any suggestions?
I had that thought that adding days at the beginning of the trip might be the better way to go because we'll be tired. It's just that I'm the most excited about seeing Rome and the surrounding areas which is at the end of the trip...as you know. I guess I will just have to book an Italy tour for '09! :)
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip and thanks for the tips! I may ask you more as I think of things, if you don't mind.

LIGHT JACKET + clothes you can layer worked for me...was co0l/raining in the Alps. I took a black lightweight, water resistant, flannel lined, hooded windbreaker. I carried it on so didn't have to pack it. I was able to carry on my suitcase + Rick Steves' day pack...because Air France didn't weigh them...but had to check the suitcase coming back since they weighed it then.

ZIPLOCK CLOTHES BAGS...worked GREAT for fitting more clothes in a small carryon + really keeps you organized during your trip...they're travel bags that you squeeze out the air then ziplock them shut. I put my pants and capris in 1 + shirts in 2nd + undies/sox in 3rd. My suitcase was always neat and it was easy to find anything.
DRESSY...Not needed...I did wear a black 3 tier, gauzy, crinkled, calf-length skirt on the plane (very compfy) and used it about 4-5 times...could dress it up or down.
WRINKLE FREE CLOTHES...usally too hot...don't breath!
LIST...I can e-mail you a list of what I took, if you want.