First Tour Trip Ever

We really enjoyed this trip. Our accomodations were very nice and our tour director work extremely hard to keep out trip issue free. We'll do it again. We just wish we had taken longer trip in hindsight.

What you would expect...

In a group tour. As someone who usually travels independently, it was refreshing having 22 other people to have fun with. And it was nice having Go Ahead do all the booking for me. Of course on group tours, you visit the low-hanging fruit, but as a first-time Italy visitor, this was fine, I needed to see the basics. But the tour also offers ample time to explore on your own (or with others from the group). This reminded me that traveling on your own agenda does have big advantages. You play to your tastes more, mix with locals or travelers from other countries more, have more time for shopping, and can take more interesting photos. One complaint, which I encounter throughout Europe, is an overdose on history lessons. History is important, but the present is too, don't ignore it. Oh, and the Iffuzi (the main art museum in Florence) should be included in the tour; I left Florence without seeing much art (oops). Oh, and the 9 day Venice, Florence, Rome tour is too short, take the12 day. But depending on location, I may use Go Ahead again! If/when I can write and execute a better agenda, I'll do so independently, but if not (like perhaps their Baltics w/ St. Pete's tour), I may get onboard with the group again.

9 day Venice Florence & Rome

This was our first time on an organized tour. We enjoyed the other people in our group immensley. There is a good and bad side to a group tour, the good- meeting new people, the bad- being on someone elses schedule. Knowing this going in, we would say it was a wonderful trip. The hotels could have been nicer considering the cost of the trip, they got better as we went along. The food was about what you'd expect for the paid meals with the exception of dinner in Florence, it was very fun and good food as well. The other food we ate on our own was wonderful. Our tour guide was very knowledgable about the sites we visited and was helpful with reccomendations for time on our own. She took time to help each person to make sure they were getting what they wanted in terms of shopping or site seeing at each destination. It was a very quick pace in terms of lots to see in 7 days, but we don't feel we missed a thing. The local guides provided at each site were mostly good, except for the Vatican which I flet was too hurried and the Vox boxes were not working well so it was almost impossible to hear much about the site other than what we could read. More time should have been alloted there I flet. All in all it was a great time, I was leary about doing the gondola ride after reading so many of the reviews, but ours was wonderful. We had 3 gondolas for our group and the accordian player, singer and champage made it very special. The trip was well coordinated and the tour guide kept everything on pace. It was nice to be able to walk up to an attraction and not have to wait in line. I wasn't all that hep on some of the stores we were taken to, like the lace shop in Venice, it seemed a bit like being hearded into a certain shop for others advantage. It was optional so to that end, it was our choice. If I were to do it again, I would consider another Go Ahead tour in the future. I would also highly reccomend this for a solo travler!

Could have been better

The buses and timing were great, we didn't have to wait for transportation. The tours were less than - the guides were dry. My biggest problem came in the way of meals, I took my daughter to Italy, we were so excited for the local food. We ate two meals in a TRUCK STOP!!!!!!! Are you kidding me, are you kidding me. How hard would it be to plan a bit and find a local place close to the highway. Very, very disappointed. The meals we did have with the group in a resturaunt weren't much better than the truck stop. We saw some amazing places and met some very nice people. I travel often and do not think Go Ahead will be on my list. Hugh Dwyer

A Wonderful First Trip To Italy

This was my first trip to Italy. It was an awesome trip. I can't believe how much I saw on your nine day tour. My tour guide was great. She utilized our time in a way that we experienced the culture and life in each city we visited. The Gondala Ride was so relaxing and breath taking. The history and shopping in Florence was great. Rome was terrific. We experienced the Vatican and the Colosseum. She even arranged to take us on a night tour of Rome. If you don"t have a lot of time and want to see and experience the Italian Culture, this is the tour for you. I highly recommend this tour.

25th anniversary - 1st time to Italy

This was a perfect tour for our anniversary and first time visiting Italy. We had an excellent tour guide and great tour group. It was a perfect balance of touring and free time and loads of fun.

First Best Trip with Go ahead

I went to Italy with my son and it was a great experience. Go ahead tour director Sylvana was very nice. She was lilke a family member taking care of us. Hotels were good. Itinary was also good. Food was OK.. we did not find food very great.. need to inprove. I will definitely use Goahead for my next trip

Pretty darn good!

This exceeded my expectations! I did feel a bit rushed..in Florence especially. But it was worth every penny! Some of the hotels were not up to my expectations for the cost, but youre barely there! I absolutely reccommend this tour! Get ready to walk!!

EXCELLENT TRIP!

Great Tour. The tour director, Stefania was EXCELLENT. Our tour director gave us great insight into the culture. Stefania also knew the best places to dine and to see. This tour gave you plenty of time to explore on your own. I will recommend this tour and this agency to all my friends.

BEST VACATION EVER!!!

I have always wanted to visit Italy and I am so glad that I booked my trip with Go Ahead Tours. As a veteran traveler, I have traveled to: Puerto Rico, Asia, Africa, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean, all with various companies. This was my first trip with Go Ahead Tours and I am very pleased to say it will not be my last trip with Go Ahead Tours. Everything was so well organized. We never had to waste time waiting for our turn or waiting to get tickets for something. For example, we literally bypassed 17,000 and walked directly into the Vatican. Our tour director, Stefania, was fabulous. She was knowledgeable, personable, and organized. Seeing the archaeology, monuments, and churches of Venice, Florence and Rome were made even more memorable through the information given to us by our tour guides: Stefania and Giancarlo. The optional excursion to Tuscany, Pompeii and Vatican City are highly recommended. This tour provides the perfect balance of structured and free time. I can truly say traveling to Italy with Go Ahead Tours was my best trip abroad ever!!!