Hi all, just returned from an Italy trip that we loved, except for the massive crowds in Rome and Florence. As we look to plan the next trip, are there recommendations for interesting tours (particularly with good food) that are not SO crowded? (we're simple country folk and the big cities just overwhelm us). Grazie.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1535 posts
If you are specifically asking about Rick Steves tours, I highly recommend Village Italy and the Basque Country tours - no crowds and outstanding food. In addition, Scotland in 13 days had mostly non-crowded locations (Edinburgh was the only truly crowded place) as well as South Italy, although not completely free of crowds but the food was great.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
yes, specifically RS tours. thanks
Posted by
Washington
1039 posts
Denise, it's been years since I've been on the Germany, Austria, Switzerland RS tour, but that one seemed calmer than Best of Rome or Venice-Florence-Rome. The GAS itinerary has changed a little since I took it, but there's a mix of towns, villages, smaller cities, and while Munich and Vienna are big cities, I didn't sense/feel the intensity of people and crowds like I did in Rome and Florence. I hope you find future tours that meet what you're seeking!
Posted by
Minnesota
683 posts
Any of these tours would fit the bill: Village Italy, Basque Country, Bulgaria, Switzerland, South Italy (although it starts in Rome). I loved all these tours!
Posted by
Freedonia
17993 posts
Time of year also matters. Try to get on a tour at the beginning or the end of the season. While the tour might be full, the areas you visit should be less crowded.
Posted by
KY
19 posts
For few to no crowds and great food, I highly recommend the Best of Bulgaria tour. At most museums, we were literally the only people there. Several museums had exquisite exhibits, with fine artifacts like pottery and gold. At the archaeological museum in Varna, we saw the oldest gold works in the world. No line, no crowd, just walked right up to the exhibit. At so many archaeological sites and museums, my partner and I said to each other, "If this was in Rome, it would be packed with people".
We also had amazing meals on the tour. At our welcome dinner, we enjoyed shopska salad, a main dish of eggplant layered with cheeses, and possibly the most delicious bread I've ever had! Another delicious meal was tarator soup (made with cucumbers, dill, and yogurt) and fried peppers stuffed with cheese. I also ate lots of banista (filo pastry layered with cheese). Can't recommend this tour enough!
Posted by
3 posts
As someone mentioned above crowds often depend on the time of year. I did the Sicily tour end of February to early March and not only were there no crowds but some of the towns we visited we were the only ones visually on the streets. I did the Brest of Greece starting in mid October and again this was also the case. Now this year I did my way Alpine Europe and this being the only tour I've done in the summer I was surprised most of the small towns on that trip were fairly crowd free except our last stop in Chamonix which was much more crowded that the last time I visited there in May on the Eastern France tour.