Hi all, we are down to the decision point on our trip to Italy in September 2006. The packages available for the time we need to travel came down to Cosmos Leisurely Tuscany & Rome and Trafalgar Rome and the Tuscan Highlights. There is quite a price difference in the two, although the packages have virtually the same itenerary (Trafalgar has one extra day in Montecatini). . Other than a tour of an olive mill, the tours are also nearly identical. SO, is there really a difference worth an extra $2,000 to go with the Trafalgor tour? I understand Cosmos hotels are not quite as nice (?), but if we spend a good deal of time touring and little time in our hotel room - does it really matter?

Advice please from anyone who has had experience with Cosmos and Trafalgar tours to Italy!

Thanks so much.. ..would appreciate input ASAP since we need to book air tomorrow. **Just found this site***

Good question.
O.K. I'm looking at both tour descriptions. If budget is your concern, I can see why you would want to select the Cosmos tour even though it is a full day shorter than the Trafalgar.
Major differences and features:
- Cosmos has an additional day in Rome while Trafalgar squeezes in your Rome sightseeing before starting the drive to Montecatini
- Trafalgar spends 6 nights in Montecatini while Cosmos is there for 4 only. (An additional day at leisure in Montecatini that isn't in the Cosmos tour)
- Trafalgar's day 7 looks interesting because it combines the visit to Pisa with the seaside town of Torre del Lago Puccini.
So - if money is tight and you just want to make sure you hit the Tuscan highlights (Pisa, Florence, San Gimignano, Sienna) then both tours do that.
If you want to appreciate Tuscan Italy at a more relaxed pace then you're looking at the Trafalgar tour.
Both companies do a good job. Trafalgar tends to look down its nose at those of us who tour with Cosmos. Cosmos, in my experience, is totally unpretentious and even goes out of its way to remind you that they are the budget company. They do, however, provide a fun and interesting trip. In fact, my Cosmos Tour Directors have always impressed me more than those on Trafalgar.
If you have even more time to tour and bit higher budget, my favourite tour of Italy with any company was the Jewels of Italy with Cosmos!! Loved it!!

Thanks Zelda for your input. The budget isn't really our consideration, we are happy to pay more if we truly get more. I did notice that the extra day on Trafalgar was in Montecatini but it says "relax by the pool" which I can do at home. I don't know if the hotel is centrally located at walking distance to other sights or town as I notice many of the hotels on both tours are out of town. So, that brings me back to wondering if it is worth paying the extra to Trafalgar if they also have hotels without central locations for sightseeing on our own. Unfortunately, we do not have more time for this vacation so I'm trying to make the most of our time.

Another question, we are considering taking the Cosmos tour and extending a day at a hotel in Rome of our choice. I think after either Trafalgar or Cosmos iteneraries we will be exhausted and need a day of rest and revisting sights we missed?

Any thoughts or advice?
Debbie

That's a good idea. By the end of the trip people are either eager to get home or want to put to use suggestions that they picked up from other tour members. Of course, if you tack on an extra day in Rome, you're probably on your own for getting to the airport.

(When I did a Globus tour in Jan 2006 that left from Rome we stayed at the Visconti Palace and I felt quite comfortable with the location and the hotel in general)

You can read my 2004 Leisurely Tuscany and Rome experiences on my travel blog at www ..com. . I would have loved another day in Montecatini. It's a small city and lots of things to do and see are within walking distance. Although there was nothing leisurely about it, I would love to take this tour again! Siena, Florence, Pisa.. .. . bellisima!

Buon viaggio!