Pros:
- This tour is fantastic in taking you to all the main areas in Italy that you want to visit.
- The Vatican / museums are included in the tour, which is great as it saves time waiting in line to buy a ticket and you learn information about the Vatican that you probably wouldn't know otherwise - especially as there's no real signage anywhere.
- There's a lot of free time to do what you want to do. (Make sure you download offline google maps or buy data for your phone as the signage throughout Italy isn't the best and you can get lost easily and plan prior the main attractions you want to see/visit.. e.g. visit the colosseum on the day you arrive as you don't get time on the tour and it's not included).
- Paola the team leader is so friendly and helpful, simply tell her if you want to do something specific on the free days, and she will help you with directions, etc as best she can.
Cons:
- The hotels used throughout the tour are very poor quality (most were dirty / adaptors didn't fit in some sockets / breakfasts were very basic and unappetising / beds were an inch apart - get a single room throughout if you can afford to!).
- included meals were all pasta. It would've been nice to have something else.. Or at least given a choice out of 2 options - but you don't get a choice unfortunately, so pasta it is.
- Dinners didn't start until 8:00 - 9:00pm (make sure you have lunch so you don't start munching your arm off). It's definitely a culture shock.
- In Florence and Venice there were special surprises after dinner (Karaoke bar & a unofficial boozy night tour) - if these are not your thing, then go back to the hotel after dinner as you won't get back to your room until after 12am maybe even 2am depending on the group. It's a very long night, especially if it's not your jam.
