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Village Italy vs Best of Tuscany

Trying to decide! We did HOI in 2019, only repeat would be 1.5 days in Cinque Terre. Doing Switzerland this year, but Italy is calling me again. Any advise?

Posted by
155 posts

I believe the Tuscany tour is new but you may want to check any reviews here. We signed up for this tour in Sept b/c we can't get enough of Italy. Some part of this tour will be a repeat for us (Florence, Lucca), but we don't care. After Tuscany we'll be going to Switzerland on our own for a quick scouting trip (Zurich and Lucerne only). Never been there, so considering Switzerland for 2023. We have done Villages of Italy before and loved it, too.
Why not do both? We are ramping up our travel after three years of restrictions. Life is short.

Posted by
13800 posts

I have not done Best of Tuscany but I loved Village Italy. Such a neat and interesting tour! Lots of experiential activities on this trip and well worth it. I also did HOI for my first Italy trip and this was so different because it focused on smaller locations. On HOI we stayed in Monterosso for the CT nights and in VI we were in Levanto so felt completely different. On HOI we stopped in Lucca for lunch but I really enjoyed staying there overnight on VI. Loved walking the wall early in the AM!

I hope you enjoy Switzerland! A friend from a long ago 21 day Best of Europe just finished it and her pictures were spectacular. Makes me want to do that one. Another forum friend is doing this the end of the summer so I can't wait for her to report back.

Posted by
3150 posts

I’m signed on to the October 31st Best of Tuscany tour, my 15th with Rick. On many of those tours and solo trips, I’ve been to locations more than once. When revisiting places, I’ve enjoyed seeing them again as well as finding new discoveries to make. This trip marks my 4th visit to Florence, 5th to Paris. Always something new to find or enjoy. If there is a group activity you’d rather not participate in, you have the option of striking out on your own. Discover your own “wow” moments!

I love Switzerland, one of the most picturesque countries in the world. Unfortunately, also one of the most expensive. My advice? Double your travel budget! 😄

Posted by
58 posts

I love Italy! I have taken Venice, Florence and Rome, South Italy, Village Italy and Sicily RS tours and loved each one. I would take the Tuscany tour, but I want to take Portugal and Ireland next. It's so tempting to go to Italy.

Switzerland is so beautiful! Enjoy!

Posted by
15 posts

Phillp, I'm glad you're going on Best of Tuscany. I went on the opening BoT tour this year. It's every bit as good as the Sicily Off-Season tour we were on in 2017.