Italy

Linda - And a lot more will shout - NO Buses !!!
How about a car?? Easy driving in Italy - Just get an IDP to go along with your U.S. License. Don't be afraid!! it's like driving in Virginia Beach - Only Better !!!

Ciao, greg

You can get the airline ticket yourself on line and for a cheaper price. For the tour in Italy, check out RS tours elsewhere on this site. Happy Travels.

NO TRAVEL AGENCIES!

Linda, you have so much time to plan this, and you really can do it yourself and save hundreds of dollars PP. I booked almost EVERYTHING for our upcoming trip to Italy myself. When I compared what the travel agents wanted to charge with what I could pay, I was shocked. For example, transfers from the airport to hotel averaged 25 more PP, tours averaged 25 more PP, the hotel was 100-200 more for a few nights, etc. It all adds up. Get some good travel books (Rick Steves, Frommers, etc.) and use this website and you really can plan an excellent trip.

I'll join in the no-travel-agency chorus with an added particular. TA's make their money partly from commissions paid by hotels, usually big chain types. Most of the small, family-run hotels, agriturismi, and b&b's, that are so much a part of the charm of Italy, don't pay; and, therefore, are not recommended by TA's. People on this site will help you, once you decide on where you want to go.

I will toss in my two cents, even though my trip is yet to come! I'd agree to plan on your own though. I decided relatively "last minute" on my trip, and have had 3 months to plan. Sometimes I do feel like I spend most of my free time researching everything, from hotels, to the most important sights in each stop, transportation, restaurants, and all the other little details- but in the end, it will be a trip perfectly tailored to what we want to do, and I feel like I've gotten a better sense of each city overall simply by doing the research on these topics. With over a year to plan, you shouldn't feel nearly as pressed as I have, even if you are also an overplanner! This Helpline as well as Tripadvisor (particularly for hotels) have both been incredibly valuable!

If you are simply looking for a tour group though, a co-worker went on a Rick Steves tour recently and raved about how wonderful it was. I am borrowing her books for my trip!

Why not the best?

ricksteves.com has all the info needed for booking this trip. Have a great time!