Four of us will be traveling throughout Italy in October. Is it possible to jump in on a rick steves tour at sites if they're available on the days we are in the vicinity. Such as the Florence Academia to see the David? If so, how would I find the schedule? Thanks!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17100 posts
Staff would have to answer that but I wouldn't think that's possible. The escorted tours are limited to a set number of people, and that they're smaller groups is a selling point. Open them up to independent tourists and, well, those groups sizes could become unwieldy: annoying for folks who signed up and paid good money for the small-group experience. I also don't know how they'd bill for it.
Signing up for a shared Mondo tour - endorsed and partnered by RS - is possible for Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Amalfi Coast, however:
It may also be possible to sign up for tours which may be conducted by the same guides used for the RS tours but on different days days/times than for RS groups.
Posted by
OP
18 posts
Thanks for your quick response!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I doubt it. The RS tours form a group of travelers, and while tour members can opt out of activities, why would they open a tour to drop-ins?
The RS guidebooks have recommendations for local guides, if you want to book a partial or all-day tour. Or use the guidebook self-guided tours. Or download the relevant podcast(s).
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
My best guess would be NO. But you can certainly "jump on" the Rick Steves free audio tours by downloading them via WiFi and listening as you walk through the city/ museum. (I have had Rick in my ear in many places.)
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17100 posts
But you can certainly "jump on" the Rick Steves free audio tours by
downloading them via WiFi and listening as you walk through the city/
museum
A swell idea that lots of independent tourists have taken advantage of.
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32455 posts
On eight RS tours, I've never encountered anyone "jumping in" on a tour. I doubt that would be possible but as someone mentioned above, only the RS staff can answer that definitively.
Posted by
OP
18 posts
Thanks all!
Posted by
San Jose, CA
100 posts
We used the RS audio guides every time we had the chance and felt we had a personal guide with us. Even the teens enjoyed them! And they are free!
Just be sure to download them all at home. Wifi is common in Italy, but generally not as fast as we are used to at home.
Posted by
California
1625 posts
Op-We book walking tours in cities that have major cites to see, such as the Vatican and Colloseum in Rome. You usually pre-pay through the website and show up on the date and time at the meeting place. We love tour company Walks of Italy and we even used them for the Academia in Florence, as we also got a walking tour of the city and it allowed us to skip the line at the Academia. We prefer a guide over the audio tour because we can ask questions and we just feel we get more out of the experience and the site we are visiting. Depends on what your budget is.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16899 posts
The above commenters are correct and have suggested good alternatives. Rick Steves Tours are only booked for the full 7 - 21 day advertised length. The Mondo Guide meet-up small-group options around Naples are unique, as that company was so enthusiastic about offering them. Some local tour companies suggested in the guidebooks occasionally offer a discount (when specified) for travelers with the current RS guidebook.