Just booked Best of South Italy for next spring. We've been thinking about taking this tour for years. We may tack on a second tour, Tuscany maybe? But right now we're thinking just the one, then taking 10 days or so after the tour to visit some places in Italy we've been wanting to see but RS tours either don't go, like Bologna, or don't spend more than a couple of hours, like Assisi or Ravenna. Or Siena.
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2547 posts
We are going to book that one as well as the Sicily tour (back to back) when we get home from Scandinavia in August. What dates did you book? Maybe we’ll be on the same tour.
Posted by
OP
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6525 posts
May 18 - 30. The timing works well for us, and if we decide to add on Tuscany (not likely at the moment) there are a couple that would work.
Posted by
Atlanta
2510 posts
Yay! I know this will be a wonderful tour. It’s on my top 5 list. I think Scandinavia is the one for me in September 2020. I need to wait for another month or so before making my deposit.
In the meantime I’m excited when my forum friends sign up for tours.
Posted by
OP
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6525 posts
Judy B, I know! Isn't it fun?
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7801 posts
Ah, you will have a wonderful time!
Thinking about the other towns you mentioned- I stayed two nights in Ravenna last year and definitely enjoyed all of that time there. And I never get tired of more days in Siena!
Posted by
Paris
10188 posts
Wonderful! You are barely back, and the planning and dreaming begins again!
Posted by
Florida
610 posts
Looks like a great tour! It's at the top of our list too. Can't wait to hear about it when you get back!
Posted by
Southern Oregon
627 posts
Excellent choice Jane! We’ve got our eye on this one but for 2021. What fun!
Posted by
1258 posts
Do a report or scrapbook please. This one is on my list as well but we chose Best of Turkey for 2020 as we our bringing my MIL with and all decided as a high intensity tour we should do Turkey sooner rather than later as none of as are getting any younger! :) :)
Posted by
OP
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6525 posts
jlkelman, I'm not a scrapbooker, but I love doing trip reports. You can be sure I'll do one!
Everyone else, thanks for your comments. Yes, I've been bereft the last week or so without a new tour for which to plan. Now, I can get to work! After all, only 307 days left until we leave (more or less.)!
Posted by
California USA
4100 posts
Jane that sounds like a wonderful trip. I do hope you’ll do your 10 day add on in some of those other cities you mention. We’ve been to all except Bologna and next week we land in Bologna on our way to Florence. So we’ll have the briefest glimpse of this city and will need a reason to return I’m sure.
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2547 posts
The one that will work for us is the May 23 departure.
Posted by
Pleasant Hill, Ca
255 posts
When we did South Italy, we took the train to Orvieto after the trip was over. Very easy and the parking lot/ drop off area around the train station was a hoot—cars everywhere and in all directions.
From Orvieto it was an easy train ride to Assisi. I even picked up enough rudimentary Italian to understand a mistake in my train reservation to Assisi that I corrected it right there—the attendant did not speak much English. Loved South Italy, though we hit several holidays with lots of Italian tourists.
Posted by
franktown, colorado
2252 posts
We stayed several extra days in Naples. I know it's not one of the most popular cities in Italy but I loved it! This is a really wonderful tour and I know you'll enjoy it. Several people on our tour went on to Sicily and some back to Rome but I think your other choices are good especially the add on Tuscany tour. Ravenna and Bologna are two on my favorites, too. Have fun!
Posted by
OP
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6525 posts
Patty, thanks for the tip. I haven't started looking up trains yet, so thanks for the head start.
Posted by
Boyertown, PA🐱👓
54 posts
Jane-I can't wait to hear about your next trip! That's one that is on my list for the future. We are pretty sure that we are booking the My Way Alpine tour for September 2020 but waiting to make the decision until the early fall.
The BOE 14 day trip was our first RS trip and I had planned it for so long (it was my 50th birthday trip!) that I was bereft when it was over. I love having the next trip as at least a twinkle in my eye when each trip is over to give me something to look forward to besides getting home!
Posted by
Placerville, ca, us
158 posts
Just book the Southern Italy trip for mid September 2020. Very excited. Will be celebrating my birthday in Naples now. Haven’t been there in 30+years and not been to Rome in 10. Excited tours are out! Will do a tour report/scrapbook on return.
Posted by
OP
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6525 posts
Mona, I've been wanting to go to Bologna and Parma for some time. I'm hoping this itinerary works out. I haven't laid anything out yet; I'm going to stare at a map and check some other guidebooks. Rick doesn't cover several of the places in which I'm interested.
Steph, I celebrated my 70th on a RS tour. That took some of the sting out of it!