Ricky's Tours

Sydney, To begin with, I should specify that I've never taken any "other tours". However, I did extensive research on some of the more popular tours before choosing my first RS tour. That research included speaking informally to a number of people in Europe who were taking the "other" tours at the time. Their enthusiasm seemed to be "lukewarm" at best. To put it succinctly, the RS tours are FANTASTIC!!! I've taken four and I'm now booked for a fifth tour this year. You'll probably find that anyone who has taken a RS tour will not consider any others. > Price - while the price might seem high (especially as air fare isn't included), if you look at all the extras (especially the local tours as the Guides are exceptional), I believe these are really good value! There are NO gratuities expected on RS tours, so that's something that has to be factored in to the cost of other tours. > Knowledge of Guides - Rick's Guides are incredible! Read the "Tour Feedback" pages for some examples. They are ALL extremely knowledgeable, and many have Degrees. Most speak at least three languages, and some as many as seven! > Number of attractions - RS tours visit so many "attractions", it's almost overwhelming to try and remember them all. It's a fantastic way to learn the history and culture of each country! However, the pace of the tours is still somewhat relaxed. It's a perfect blend, IMO. > As a solo traveller, you have a choice on whether to pay the single supplement for a room. If you don't pay it, you'll be assigned a roommate (provided there's another single on the trip). I've been paying the single supplement lately. Note that single rooms are sometimes a bit smaller and more "spartan". I don't have a problem with that. Which tours are you considering?

This might not be the best place to get unbiased opinions on this topic. Where are you going that you want to do an RS tour?

Sydney, You might enjoy reading this Thread.... www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/68617/globus-tours.html

Sydney - have you read any of the tour evaluations or looked at the scrapbooks? There are links to both on the main tour page. I have taken tours with other companies, but not in Europe, where I mostly travel solo. The companies I've used elsewhere take smaller groups, often use public transport, stay in budget hotels, and are cheaper, so I tend to find RS tours a bit big and a bit pricy. However, the guides have been uniformly excellent, and the other people have been fun to be around. I've taken four RS tours and am signed up for my fifth later this year.

Sydney, I agree with everything that Ken said. I would also add that the people that you meet on your Rick Steves' tour are very interesting people. On my tour, we had a fighter pilot who worked with NATO, a CPA, an architect, a medical doctor who also taught medicine, a nuclear physicist, a Disney manager, a German teacher, and more including 16 year-old who really enjoyed her ice cream! Pam

Hi Sydney, In the past, I took two tours with other companies (however, I was younger, so they probably aren't the companies you are considering; one was in High School EF and one was a 'Contiki' tour with 18 -35 year olds on it). I've now taken 2 Rick Steves tours and I won't do any others!! I agree with the what the other posters have said, especially Ken's points, but I would like to add a few things. (1) I like staying in one place for more than one night (however, I think more companies are starting to stay two nights now; not just RS) (2) I also like the amount of free time you get. When I was on the RS Village Italy tour, we had about 2 1/2 hours free in Assisi. I could have stayed even longer. However, my tour guide, Lisa, talked to a girl who was also in Assisi that day on a guided tour (I forget what company). The girl said they ONLY had 45 min. of free time to explore thewhole town before she had to rejoin her tour. From what Lisa stated that the girl reported, this was fairly representative of her entire tour. (3) If you are checking other tours, make sure to note which sites are going to be 'toured' versus 'seen.' When I was on my tours when I was younger we would 'see' things by DRIVING BY them. Only if it says, 'Tour' do you actually get off the bus and walk around the site. While cost is certainly a factor (esp. when airfare isn't included), hopefully you can now better make a comparison to other companies. :)
Enjoy!

Traveled Europe w/ Rick Steves' tours twice - Heart of Italy and week in Paris. Ditto Ken's posting.....fabulous. Last year, we visited the Greek Isles and Istanbul with Silversea (cruise). Late this spring, we took a one-week Tauck Tour of the Amalfi Coast. The ONLY reason we chose those two companies vs. RS is because he did not offer those specific one-week itineraries. So, knowing we LOVE Rick Steves' Tours, here is the comparison: Tauck also has great tour directors and super local guides. Very high-end fab hotels, meals really superior, and some very special arrangements are included via Tauck, such as a private after-hours visit to the Vatican Museum/Sistene Chapel (crowds when on a RS tour), visited professor/lecture in her private Capri home. Cost with Tauck is higher, and most tours are 40-people group (we lucked out a/ only 22...more like RS number). 40 is a lot, though. Picked up at airport in Mercedes, and returned at the end of tour.. Luggage handling...didn't need to touch bag once landed...not a big deal to us, as we pack light. No extensive RS guidebook. Tour director/driver gratuity extra. Other gratuities included. Older well-traveled group. RS tours averaged approx. 15 yrs younger and generally more active. Would travel Tauck again. Silversea: (we got a special $ deal, also included air...cost since increased) small ships, high-end, butler, all meals (great), drinks & gratuities included. Shore excursions extra $s. See many places and only unpack/pack once. Lose a day at sea. Had a private concert under the stars in ancient theater in Ephesus with champagne/nibbles for just the 200+ people on our ship that was included. Would travel w/ them again. Wish Rick offered more one-week tours. Tauck has a wide offering of one-weeks. But we always check RS first, due to value offered and brand loyalty

I have traveled europe with 4 different tour companies and now limit my travel to RS tours and Tauck tours. As someone mentioned the Tauck tours stay at 5 star hotels and includes a lot of meals. Right now I am on a Switzerland tour with Tauck which is the best tour I have taken. My present hotel in Lugano is the Grand Hotel Eden which has a lakeside building and the view from my room is the best I can remember from any hotel. Tauck tours people tend to be a lot older than the RS tours. Since my wife has a medical condition this tour is a lot easier on her as they handle all the luggage. The vegeterian meals we have eaten have been great.
We will be going on a RS tour in oct to Istanbul. RS tours are much smaller and I like the tips built into the price.

I've (briefly) looked at Tauck Tours but they seem to be MUCH more "upscale" (ie: expensive). For example, their 10-day Italian Lakes tour is priced at $5590 PP. Paying ~$600 per day is WAY over my budget, especially as those prices DO NOT include gratuities! While the more luxurious travel style, luggage handling and amenities would certainly be nice, I won't ever be able to afford anything like that unless I win the Lottery (that also applies to flying "business class" - at my income level, I'm stuck with "sardine class"). I find that RS tours are a good compromise in terms of price and I feel they provide a more "authentic" and interesting travel experience.

Wow, thanks for your replies! Looks like Rick's tours are the way to go. I was considering the Italy and Turkey tours. Thanks again!

Sydney, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Many of us here start planning our next RS tour as soon as we return from the current one. Cheers!

Sydney, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Many of us here start planning our next RS tour as soon as we return from the current one. In order to get a better idea what the tours are like, you can order the free Tour DVD. It's a bit "dated" but provides a good glimpse into the way the tours operate. If you happen to be in the Seattle area in mid-January, you could also attend the free "Test Drive A Tour Guide" sessions, which are usually presented by the Guides that lead those tours (Rick flies them in from Europe for the occasion). That will provide a good opportunity to speak with the Guides, with Rick's expert staff and with other people that have taken the tours. The dates should be announced on this website in the Fall sometime. Cheers!

I haven't been on a Rick Steve's tour but when I was in Italy last month I met and spoke with several people on RS Tours and they were quite happy and enjoying their free time. Whenever we saw people on other tours they were always being corralled like sheep.