Hi everybody. This is the first time I am taking a tour. Some people say that, besides the tour program, there are options. What are they? Can somebody, who was on the Italian Mosaic tour (or a similar one), list the options and your opinions about them. I am also comparing the Italian Mosaics from Globus to Insight's Italian Escapade. The latter is about $600 more expensive. Can anybody recommend one tour (or the tour operator) over the other?

Although the tours are different, I can say that the list of optionals tours was somewhat different from the mailed list in the booklet than what we received on the bus. However, they were better when we heard them described by our tour director. He did not push them. He has been a guide for 25 yrs. and was honest. We took all the optionals (had not planned to) and were happy. My husband and I are putting together a web site for our recent tour. www.lanesworld.net/italy Globus did a great job and we saw much more thanks to the optionals.

WE JUST RETURNED FROM THE ITALIAN MOSAIC WITH GLOBUS & HAD A GREAT TIME. THE DIRECTOR WAS EXCEPTIONAL, THE FELLOW RIDERS ALL GOT ALONG & WE HAD A VERY GOOD TWO WEEKS.
RE THE OPTIONAL TOURS, THE TUSCAN DINNER WAS EXCELENT, AS WAS THE VENETIAN NIGHT OUT & THE GONDOLA RIDE (HINT: BRING A BOTTLE OF WINE & SOME PLASTIC CUPS & ENJOY YOUR RIDE). . SINCE WE GOT TO ROME 3 DAYS EARLY, WE HAD ALREADY VISITED AT OUR OWN PACE MANY OF THE SIGHTS THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE ROME OPTIONALS - IF YOU HAVE THE TIME, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GETTING THEIR EARLY & DOING YOUR OWN THING. WE HIRED A DRIVER FOR A HALF A DAY & VISITED CASTEL GANDOLFO, ST JOHN LATERAN & THE SAN SEBASTIAN CATACOMBE, ETC. MAYBE THE BEST MONEY WE SPENT.
I SUGGEST YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK IN ADVANCE, KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE & KNOW WHEN YOU WANT TO DEVIATE FROM THE TOUR.

What other optionals were offered? Was it mostly dinner ones? We are going in October. Thanks.

[quote="guest222"]What other optionals were offered? Was it mostly dinner ones? We are going in October. Thanks.[/quote]

We are going in Oct on the 17th. When are you going?

We are going on Oct 7th

I'm an Insight supporter tho I have to admit, Globus is a good company. Go to Insight Vacations and find your tour . .. .. . usually there is a list of optionals that MAY be offered. (Also compare the included features with both tours.) You'll LOVE Italy no matter which operator you chose.

Just did the Italian Mosaic from May 23-June3rd, 2005. Wow! Great job by Globus. Good logistics, great leader(hope you get Ornella), we saw all the sights, hotels 3-4 stars, bus excellent.

We are considering another Globus Tour next year. Probably will not risk trying another tour operator since Globus was excellent.

Options: Once you get on the tour several optional meals and side events will be announced for that tour. Example: Tuscany dinner outside restaurant overlooking Florence.

I know the tour lists several sites that they include in their all inclusive, and yes they mention optionals. I probably would consider some optional exercusions. Is what is listed in the brochure sufficient or do you need all of the options to have a really good time?

My experience has been . .. .. . not all optionals listed are ever offered. Absolutely not enough time to do all. You'll be told by your TD what is available and you can "pick and choose" those that interest you.

We went on the Italian Mosaic tour from May 26 to June 7 2005. Our Guide, Rudi, was absolutely fantastic. We took all of the optional tours except for the additional museum in Florence. Only about 10 people went on this tour. The total cost of the optional tours was approximately $700 for 2 people. We thorougly enjoyed all of the tours. Most of the group took all of the optional tours.