We went on the Trafalgar Italian Concerto Tour in '08. That vacation was simply stunning and I have placed a high priority on returning to Italy. My future plan has been to take a Greek cruise that departs from Rome. Seeing more of Rome is my highest priority (we had 3 days in Rome on the Tragalgar tour). That tour has been our only European Tour which we took for our 30th anniversary. We spent 3 nights in Rome, three in Miori (Amalfi Coast) and 2 in Florence & Venice each. I have always wanted to see Southern Germany and Austria. Rick Steves has a perfect 14 day tour of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, however my wife can't get 2 consecutive weeks off of work. So that tour is out. Well our 35th is in '13 and I had hoped to return to Europe. A cruise is unlikely. I am researching either the Trafalgar Sound of Music Tour (Munich, Innsbruck,Salzburg and Vienna) or a Rick Steves Heart of Italy tour. We went to the Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks in our '12 vacation.
So we had a bit of the Alpine experience (even stayed at the Alpenhof hotel in Teton Village). So I am really torn. Do I go back to Italy and see Rome & Florence for the second time and see Lucca and Cinque Terre or go on the Sound Of Music tour where I have never been? Both are "pricey" and I don't want to make a mistake (if there is such a thing in these 2 options). Both tours don't cover too many miles and have no 1 night stays. I love photography and history. Italy had that in spades. I have no great desire to see the Gazebo or do re me steps in Salzburg. But there appears to be enough blend of scenery and history on the Sound of Music Tour to make it appealing. I am soliciting comments on people who have some actual knowledge of the above itinery's.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
Wally, Is it possible to take both tours, perhaps one this year and one next year? That way you could see both areas that you're interested in. Of the two, my preference would be the RS Heart of Italy tour. I've taken five RS tours so far and will definitely be taking a sixth. As you've already been on a Trafalgar tour, you might find it helpful to try a different tour for a change. Happy travels!
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3049 posts
I don't think you can make a mistake here, you already know you love part of one tour, and I can tell you that all the stops on the SOM tour are fantastic. The Austrian alps don't really look much like the Tetons, so i's hard to compare, I wouldn't say that you can substitute one for the other! Salzburg and the environs are lovely, I wouldn't worry about being bored by SOM sights, because the scenery and architecture are lovely and worth seeing no matter where in that area you'll be. It's a tough choice but I'd lean towards trying something new. You can always return to Italy another time.
Posted by
OP
Greensburg
34 posts
Ken We will be 59 this year and hope to retire @ 62. I honestly can't answer how many big vacations we have left in us. I still want to go to Alaska, my wife wants to return to Hawaii, and who knows from there. I unfortunately broke my crystal ball in the second grade. Boy could I of used that crystal ball, but I have been winging it ever since. I would love to take the 2 week Rick Steves 14 day Germany, Switzerland, Austria tour soon after we retire. I have seen Rick Steves shows in Halstatt Austria and I would love to see that place (can't find any other tour companies who go to Halstatt). Then I could go back to Italy now. But to spend ~ $7,000 with air is a heck of an investment to do something I have already partially seen. We have been to Hawaii 3 times. Alaska has been on my bucket list as well. Would love to do a 1 week Alaska cruise with a 1 week land tour. But that 2 week vacation requirement is a killer. Plus every Alaskan fishing show I watch, it is raining. Likewise Princess Cruise Line has Youtube type ads for it's shore excursion. I watched the ones I was interested in and it was raining in every one (can't believe they could video one stinking day without rain). The saddest part is my wife has 41 years of service with the hospital she works at and she can't get back to back summer weeks off. Late fall/winter she can, but not in May-October. I recently received the Rick Steves brouchure ('12) and older DVD with it. That DVD is an outstanding ad for his tours. I hated to see that DVD end as they followed a multi country tour through Europe. I am normally pretty decisive about decision-making. But this one has me flopping in the breeze. I know very few people who have been to Austria. Two I know have been to Vienna with mixed results-1 didn't like it the other loved it.
Posted by
NYC area
2908 posts
Hi Wally, While we haven't been to anywhere in Italy except the Dolomites, we LOVE Austria. We taken trips that included Austria 7 times since 2001 and 9 trips overall. Have you considered going on your own and not with a tour? I have to say you can get around easily and save quite a bit of $$. With airfare, hotels (B&B's actually), car, gas, etc, etc. we normally spend around 4K or under on a trip of 10 nights. Easy to fly into/out of Munich, Salzburg is about 2 to 2.5 hours away and Hallstatt is about an hour from Salzburg. Maybe add Zell am See, the Zillertal, Innsbruck area, etc. and then back to Munich. Just a thought. Regarding your wifes vacation schedule at work... Depending on what you decide for this next trip, a visit to Austria in late November/early December would be ideal in my opinion. We did this in late Nov. 2010 to visit the Christmas/Advent markets in Salzburg, St. Gilgen, Rattenberg, Innsbruck and Hall in Tirol. We had an absolutely wonderful time. While we've been to most of these places before, it was simply "magical" to visit during the markets. Would do it again (and hopefully will!). Just some thoughts. If interested in our photo's of the markets: http://www.worldisround.com/articles/362536/index.html We have many photo's of Austria, etc. at: http://www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/index.html Paul