I took my very first trip to Europe on a Trafalgar train trip.. ..a recently added tour of their many offerings.. .. .. ..that was the way to go.. ..on a train not on a drawn out bus trip.. .. .. ..there are pros and cons.. .. .. ..they need to sell the optional packaged excursions and true if you don't sign up for it the tour guide would avoid you.. .. .. ..is it because it's such a business or they don't want to lose people as they wander off on their own.. .. ..the tour guide is a babysitter so to speak.. .. .. .. ..but we are ADULTS that don't need pampering.. .. ..so Travulgar tour was very good overall even though my guide did not offer any help in finding the way to San Gimignano for me on that one day of leisure via the train even though the station was directly across the hotel.. .. .. ..being discouraged and not speaking the language I took the recommened highlight optional excursion on my leisure day which was a dinner in Tuscany and it kinda - though the scenery was awesome.. .. .. ..win some lose some..ain't nothing perfect so I'll use trafvulgar again.