Looking for opinions on the Rick Steves Village Italy. Looking to go in September, 2012. Good Time? Understand groups are 20-24 people. What are age ranges of people? I am hoping to be with an active group, and want to avoid a tour that is likely to have to deal with people with mobility issues. Good value? Have been to major cities in Italy, plus the Cinque Terre, but am looking for a tour that really gives an opportunity to see Italy and learn about its culture and people. Thanks for any opinions you might offer.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I've had friends go on the RS tours and they've told me that they sometimes felt a bit rushed. The tours themselves are advertised as NOT being for people with limited mobility, since you often have to heft bags up and down stairs. The other criticism I've heard applies to all tour groups, I imagine, and that is that being part of a tour group makes it more likely that you'll stay in the group "bubble" and not have many interactions with the locals. The plus side is that you'll likely make some good friends with others on the tour, and that makes it more fun. Happy travels.
Posted by
Lakewood, CO
248 posts
Lorrie - We have been on 6 RS trips and Village Italy has been our favorite. We went in Sept. 2008 and had a wonderful time. Good food, wine and great tour members. Ages have ranged from mid 30's to 80 over all the trips. We have never had any people with mobility problems as the trips are advertised as very active. Read some of the tour feedback on the RS web site and get some ideas on what other tour members think about the tour.
Posted by
Hiawatha, KS, USA Now Liberty Missouri
63 posts
I assume you have not been on a Rick Steves tour before. As I would think that if you had been on one you would know that the tour department works real hard to keep grumps, whiners and those with mobility problems off of these trips. I just reviewed the (legal) agreement I had to sign to go on my RS tour this May. The agreement is pretty clear about the physical requirement of the tour and it is also clear about the type of tours they run, the type hotels they use and that they do not allow you to be grumpy. So I wouldn't worry about the make up of the group. They will be fun to be with no matter what their age. In fact the like minded and fun travel buddies you will have will be one of the highlights of your vacation. (IMO) The Village Italy tour was my first RS tour and it was an amazing tour. A good time and a great value. You will do things, see places and eat food you would not have known to do or find on your own. Check out the tour member feedback section on the tour page of this website for more thoughts on your concerns.
Our group's age range was from early 40's to retired. Robert
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2788 posts
We have signed up for a September, 2012, 14-day Village Italy Tour which will be our 10th RS tour. Smaller group? Yes, as advertised we hope, as most of RS tours now have around 26 to 28 members. Active itinerary? Definitely. Lots of walking (and standing). Only on one tour did we have a mobility challenged member and he was deft and did great. We have penciled out the costs of RS tours with doing it on our own and found that given all that is included on his tours, it is a good deal especially not having to make all the arrangements that are necessary if doing it ourselves. We have had several single people on every tour so far. Ages have ranged for teenager (only 2) to 80's and one 80+ y/o
woman left most of us in the dust. We go to Europe before the tour starts and spend time then and/or after the tour. We usually stay one month. PM me if you need any additional information, or, contact RS Travel Department.
Posted by
Seaside, CA, USA
57 posts
My husband and I went on the Village Italy tour in June/July 2011 and I can highly recommend it. We had an amazing time and really feel like we learned a lot about Italian culture. We are upper 40's and the age range on our tour was 18 yrs.(two recent HS grads with their parents) to upper 70's. There weren't any mobility issues in our group. RS does not allow that. The trip is very active, lot's of walking, stairs, being responsible for your own luggage to and from hotels.
September sounds like a great time to be there. We were fortunate in that Italy was having a cool spell last July, and in fact, we had rain on several days. If at all possible, see if you can get on a tour with Nina Bernardo. She is a gem!
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1318 posts
Lorrie - In addition to reading the tour feedback, check out the tour scrapbook section of this website. I believe there are some scrapbooks from this tour.
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
I agree that Village Italy is the best Italy tour I have been on. I happen to prefer small towns and this tour was amazing. A lot of the info and "education" given on the tours depends on the guides.
I think that all Rick Steves' guides are great.