Time for solo photography?

I think you need to clarify your question a bit.

Regardless, I believe that all of Rick Steve's tours allow time for solo exploration and certainly photography if that's your jam. It should be listed on the itinerary for each tour. And of course you can always bring your camera with you when you're out with the tour group.

John, as Mardee suggested, just check the itineraries for each tour to see where free time has been scheduled. For instance, the itinerary for the Venice - Florence - Rome tour provides free time in Venice the afternoon and evening of Day 2, and the afternoon of Day 3. Free time in Florence is the afternoon and evening of Day 5, and afternoon of Day 6. Rome, you're on your own in the afternoon and evening of Day 8 and afternoon of Day 9.

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy/venice-florence-rome

In addition, a fair number who book tours arrive at the first scheduled city a day or two early, or stay in the last city on the tour for another day or two to extend their solo exploration time.

Make sense?

John, I travel independently a lot in Europe and also do some RS tours. My favorite time to take photos for either is early in the morning. You can capture the photos without people in them, plus the color hues are richer. Some days you may be taking the bus early to the next city, but otherwise; take advantage of that special time of day. ; )

John, we've taken a lot of RS tours, and one of the things we love about them is there is almost always plenty of free time. How much varies with the tour, but I can only think of one or two tours (of 20+) where we felt we didn't have as much time on our ownas we would have liked.

And it is also okay to skip any group activities, as long as it isn't a travel time. You just have to let at least two people know you're going off on your own: the guide, and your tour "buddy," - the person with whom you lock eyes during "buddy checks," to make sure nobody is missing.

We've done this ourselves, several times.

I agree with Jean about getting out in the early morning before the tour day starts if it's light enough. I have some super photos of the Charles Bridge in Prague nearly empty.

As noted, each tour itinerary has specified free time. However, if one of the scheduled group visits or tours is at a place you wish to linger, and there isn't free time allowed at that place, you may not have time for solo exploration and taking all the photos you want. The itinerary will give you clues but you might not know until you're there. As noted unless you're in route to somewhere else, it may be possible to stay behind the group and continue explorations. That would require clear communication with the guide, and on tours that move around a lot, you probably won't be able to do that very often. That is a pitfall of a group tour but there are many positives too.

It's also possible to opt out of any activity and do your own thing. It's recommended to coordinate with your tour guide a day in advance.