My sister and I are arriving into Venice from Paris at 2 30 pm on the start date of our RS Italy My Way tour. Our group is asked to be at the hotel at 5 pm on our tour start date. I’ve been reading posts on this forum that say guides will often start the orientation meeting early…so we are concerned about being late and missing out on anything. Any comments would be appreciated.
Thank you! Cathleen -RS My Way Italy 13 Day September
I've never experienced an orientation starting earlier than stated, but there is always a RS tour daily itinerary posted in the lobby. You'd want to go to straight to the hotel when you arrive in Venice anyway. I definitely would not worry about it. Believe me, they'll catch you up if for some reason you're held up. It's introductions all around, what to expect, and that sort of important information. But, we've had people on our tours who arrived even the next day due to flight cancellations and what not.
You are cutting it close with no wiggle room for plane delays.
It's OK if you're late. The Tour leaders can deal with bringing you up to speed.
I agree that is cutting it close - are you flying in from the USA on that day? Or will you be in Paris already and are just hopping to Venice the day of? If the latter, see if you can bump up your departure from Paris to give yourself more breathing room.
I'd suggest contacting the RS office and ask if they can relay a message to the guide about your arrival time. Or, call the hotel and leave a message for your guide (you should already have their name). That way the guide will know that it's possible you have been delayed (if you are).