Family tour Amsterdam to Venice

Dates & Prices
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I think a phone call to the RS office is the thing to do

Yeah, I did read that. I was just hoping somebody who went in the last year or two might have an answer that did not have to wait until Monday. Plus I’m guessing if I call they are not going to be willing to give me an approximate cost.

Tracy, they might give you a ballpark figure for 2021, but I doubt they're ready to think much about 2022.

For ballpark, I'd say $3000 - $4000 per person. I know that's a broad range, but I'm looking at the 2020 catalogue. Belgium and Holland in 11 days: $3295 - $3595. Best of Scotland in 10 days: $3095 - 3495. Best of Andalucía in 10 days: $2995 - 3195. There were two family tours listed. London to Florence in 13 days: $4395 - 4495. Amsterdam to Rome in 14 days: $3995 - 4195.

So think maybe $300 per day, minimum? It's a place to start. When the catologues for 2021 come out, be sure to request one. You'll see that the "daily" price varies; Spain and Ireland, for example, are much cheaper than Scandinavia. But you can at least get an idea of the projected costs from the new catalogue, and can start planning and budgeting accordingly.

Happy planning!

Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for!

When you add in the airfare to those prices - that's just astronomical! Just do it on your own. Jump on the train and just go.

Also, if you are 4 people do you generally get two hotel rooms?

Suspect that could be dependent on the age of the grandaughters

It might actually depend on the hotels and whether they have 4-person rooms or not.

I suspect four-person rooms would be scarce, given the smaller hotels these tours often frequent. But I imagine if the grands are pretty young, accommodations (so to speak) will be made. That's something else Tracy will have to discuss with the office.

Tracy, we've had a number of email and phone exchanges with the RSE office over the years, and the staff are always very helpful. Don't be shy about calling or emailing them.

I definitely do not have a problem calling them and I will do that. The soonest we could go is 2022 because my understanding is the minimum age is 8 so at that time they will be 8 and 10. I am not loving the price of a tour but like the idea if other kids being on the bus. It’s a lot to think about before we decide what route to go as fas as tour or on our own.
Thank you for the replies!

Tracy, not a direct answer but this appears to be a new replacement to the Amsterdam to Rome family tour in 14 days (13 nights) by ending it on day 10 (9 nights) in Venice. They are cutting 4 nights. The old prices were $3995-4195. I would expect at least 25% off those prices PLUS at least for 2020 there is an additional discount of $200 per child. Rick typically also offers a $100 discount per person for early boomers. You could end up under $2000 per child and $2100ish per adult. Just a GUESS.

Obviously the impact of Covid- driving prices down or up are totally unknown. Arguments exist for both...hotels and airlines hungry for business discounts vs fewer flights and hotel rooms cause price inflation. No correct answer Right now.

Of course please call RS but don’t be surprised if they do not (they won’t) disclose pricing nor schedule- I can guarantee they do not have either anywhere near locked in and are 3-15 months from setting prices and dates. And RS NEVER gives out pricing/dates etc early on the qt to folks. If you call the day or two prior to the web information going live they may release it but that is clearly not the situation here.

Rick travels with 24-28 folks in a bus...no social distancing. Just because travel opens for individuals do not make any assumption that that travel opening will include RS tours in 2021. 2022 is very far off in terms of the world’s economy and how things shakeout post Covid in financial terms. But plan a budget of $10,000 and you should be in the ballpark.

And Tim- no those prices are not astronomical. I’d spend double that taking my wife and I to Rome for 2 weeks. Hell, $10,000 wouldn’t cover air fare unless I strike a major sale. For a family trip with young grandchildren this is a very smart move for Tracy. The kids will have a blast.

Thank you so much, I really like the idea of doing a tour for their first trip and I’m not opposed to spending a decent amount to do it. For me the memories are priceless!

Onefastbob: you’re saying you’d spend $10,000 on airfare for two people round trip to Rome?? Heck, Bob, do you charter your own plane??

I have been travelling independently to Europe since early 80s - do all my own bookings , trains, planes , hotels etc . for trips running 3-5 weeks .

I have taken one tour - and that was the 14 Family Europe Rick steve’s Tour , with one of my three kids ( my 11 yr old daughter ) . Took this tour about 12 years ago . It WAS more expensive than travelling independently , and was in fact only part of our 28 day visit to Europe .

It was then BEST money spent !

My daughter had the best time - there were many other kids on our tour and they all got along so well - it really made the visit for her - and it gave me a much needed break now and then ( when one travels alone with a child which I had already done with one of her older brothers ) it can be a bit more tiring .

Most of us travel to see and do things beyond our experience- meeting new people and seeing new customs . Even the other tour members themselves provided this for my child - other tour members were from all over Canada and the United States ( where we were surprised to learn on girl saying her school had two “ shifts “ we had never heard of the before so it was interesting! )

So the value of the tour isn’t just about money - you most certainly can do it cheaper - but watching my child happily socializing with other child from other countries in the courtyard of our Italian Agristourismo was priceless

Tim- try pricing Business or First on an overseas international flight. Will run you $4-6k. Times 2 puts you in the $10k neighborhood. I’m not a marine, I believe in my comfort.