Is anyone signed up for this tour? We are.. .. .

I'm scheduled on the March 23rd departure. Anyone else on that date? I booked about 6 months ago and I have checked this forum frequently. Thanks to everyone for their posts passing on advice. You have been a big help! Linda

My granddaughter and I are going on June 2. This is a wonderful itinerary!!! Counting the days
Ciao
Sue

My husband and I are scheduled for the March 23rd Italian Mosaic Tour!!

I went on the tour a few years ago. You are all going to have a great time! It's on the go, but that's what I like. You'll get a good taste of all the places, and if you added the Sorrento extension you'll get to relax in a great area.

marcyjeremy and Itchy-foot2
I'm sure you're all really excited about your upcoming trip. I don't leave until June 2 and am already counting the days!
Please.please.please Post a report when you come back. Hopefully you have gleened some useful info here, and you'll have much to offer when you return. This is the only source (that I've found) for info on Globus. Wish they had BBs like Trafalgar and Insight.
My last word of advise.. ..take half the clothes and twice the money And a daily dose of gelato is required
Ciao
Sue

Thanks, Sue! I will indeed post a trip report! Yes - I have learned so much from all of you fellow travelers - and I am grateful to everyone that has taken the time to share! I have been packing my bag this morning, and having a rough time as I am one of those ladies that will pack everything but the kitchen sink if given full rein. I am forced to pack light this time! We'll be back April 6th!
Linda

Hi Everyone,
As promised, I am checking in after returning from the Italian Mosaic tour from March 23 to April 5. Italy is gorgeous and the tour was great. Our group had 28 passengers, all of whom got along fine. That is not to say everyone fell in love with each other, but there were no dust-ups either! And for the most part, we all enjoyed each other’s company.

We flew out of New York with Delta. The flights to and from Rome were fine – we left and arrived on time. My traveling buddy’s luggage was lost in transit from St. Louis to New York. She finally got her luggage on our second day in Rome, and we suspect it was due to the efforts of our tour director, Francesca. We were getting nowhere on our own.

We took most of the optional tours, and felt like we got good value for our money. In almost all cases, we wished we had more time to spend in a particular location. However, we were well aware of such limitations when we decided on this particular tour. This one is an overview. If we have the opportunity to visit again, we will visit fewer locations, but stay longer in each.

The only complaint we had was regarding several of the hotel rooms. In Rome we stayed at the Crowne Plaza St. Peters when we arrived and our last night was at the Jolly Midas. Both of these hotels were fine. We weren’t thrilled with the others because the rooms were unusually small. (No, this is not my first trip to Europe, and I did not expect large rooms.) However, in two cases the rooms were smaller than those on a cruise ship. The bathrooms were about the same size as a cruise ship bathroom.

One of the dinners – (Milan at the Star Hotel Ritz) – was truly horrible. We were served boiled potates that must have cooked for hours – they were just slush with no seasoning. The meat was beef (or so they said) chunks stewed in tomatoes. No seasoning either. The meat was too tough to cut or chew. I have never seeen anything like it. I think we all wrote paragraphs of complaint on our surveys! The remaining meals were fine – neither terribly bad or wildly good.

To those folks that asked about hair dryers: I took a travel dryer that works on both 125v & 250v. It worked just fine, and I had no hair drying issues. Several ladies complained that their travel converters did no good with their hair dryers and curling irons, and the ones furnished by the hotels were terrible. So if the state of your hair is important to you, you might consider bringing a good one meant to be used overseas.

We had no problems charging our digital cameras – just be sure to bring a plug adapter as the USA plug will not fit in the Italian electrical outlet. But you should not need the transformer. However, be sure to read your manual just to be safe.

We heard many horror stories about pickpockets, but we had had no problems. On the other hand, we had invested in the money belts and special locking/slash-proof purses, so maybe we made poor targets.

As for the Globus bags, only a few folks brought them. Most folks brought the small backpacks to tote bags. There is sufficient room under the seat for a backpack, and almost no room above the seat. We used the small shelf above the seats for our coats.

Bring comfortable shoes as you will do LOTS of walking! But you will enjoy every moment!

Linda
Welcome back! Glad you had an enjoyable holiday and, my, weren't you lucky with such a small group!
What were your highlights and low points.. ..optionals you would do again and those you would skip?
50 days and counting for me Husband is surprised I'm not already packed!
Ciao
Sue

Hi Sue,
In Rome we took the Roman highlights and dinner. I would absolutely do this again. We walked to the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona and to the Spanish Steps and then we had dinner. I remember the meal was good and the wine was fine. There were 4 courses, although I do not remember the exact details. I think it was soup, salad, pasta and meat. I should have written things down immediately. I do remember there was a lot of food – far too much. Each meal was followed by dessert and coffee, cappuccino or espresso. Yes – I could have done this on my own, and this was the very walk I had planned out on my own. However, it was more fun to have a guide that explained what I was seeing along the way.

In Florence we did the Tuscan dinner. I would not do this again – but there are extenuating circumstances. I realized once we arrived that this was the same restaurant I had been to several years ago. I had the beef filet, which was very good, except there was a lot of vinegary sauce. I did not care for that. There is music and dancing. If I had it to do over again, I would seek out a place I had not seen before.

In Venice, we did the Venetian night out and the gondola serenade. I would do both again. I love Venice in the evening when most of the crowds have vanished. Of course, a gondola ride is not to be missed.

In Milan we took the Lake Como excursion and I loved it. It was a lovely ride to Como and a nice boat ride around the lake. We had a little time to shop and eat lunch on our own before we returned. This was well worth the 53 Euros.

In Sorrento, 3 separate tours were offered – the Sorrento evening, Sorrento musical and Sorrento dinner. We only did the dinner, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was very good. The musical and dinner were both on the last night before we returned to Rome and we wanted some time to repack our bags and get a good night’s sleep. We had dinner at the hotel instead and we were glad we did. It was pouring rain that evening and we were exhausted anyway.

On the last night in Rome we did the farewell dinner and it was great. I wouldn’t have missed it. But as I said, I enjoyed the company of most of the folks on the tour, so it was a pleasure to have one more night with them. Perhaps I would not feel that way if I didn’t like the company!

Low points: I am hard pressed to find low points. (Isn’t that wonderful?) Here are the irritations.

Hotel rooms: I did not like the tiny hotel rooms. More than once I stubbed my toes on suitcases, or tripped over my backpack, because there was NO ROOM to open the suitcase except on the floor. The really itty-bitty bathrooms irritated me after a week because there was barely enough room to place the toothbrush case and hairbrush.

Laundry: I brought 5 plastic coated wire hangars to hang laundry to dry in the bathrooms. Without those, I do not know what we would have done. The bathrooms are so small that there is no place to try to string a clothesline. We did laundry the minute we arrived at a hotel where we would stay for two nights. Even then we spent a fair amount of time at night with the hair dryer trying to dry clothes. We finally gave up half way through and sent out clothing to the hotel laundry. It was expensive, but worth it to us.

I think the laundry issue was the biggest hassle we dealt with. We had to pack sparingly because of the baggage requirements, so we each took 5 changes of clothing and by the time we arrived in Rome we were on our third change of clothes. Maybe it isn’t so bad if you fly straight to Rome from your home. We flew into NY on the 22nd then to Rome on the 23rd.

Please don’t let these comments discourage you though. If I had it to do over, I would go again with no hesitation! The hassles are minimal compared to the beauty of the country and fun of travel.

Linda

How was the weather while you were there? We are doing Italian Treasures in March of 2008. Thanks.

In general, the weather was good. We had some rain and it was cool most days. It averaged in the low to mid 60's during the days and into the low 50's at night. The tour director said it was cooler than usual for that time of year.

I took a long trench coat with a hood and leather gloves. I had a wool scarf that came in handy when the wind was really blowing - especally on the water and at night. Some of the men did not bring their gloves and they finally bought a pair there. When the wind is whipping around and you want to take pictures, your fingers get cold after a few hours.

Six years ago I traveled to Italy in March and it was warmer (daytime low 70's) with no rain.

Certainly pay close attention to the weather forecast in the weeks before you leave, but I think you will be safe if you plan on taking an all-weather jacket and a cardigan sweater. That allows you to wear or remove layers. Bring a small umbrella too.

Quick question.. .. .
When in Florence, did you "view" or actually go into the Duomo?
It's my favorite building in the world, but I've never been inside.
Grazie
Sue

Yes, we did go in, although only briefly - 15 or 20 minutes. As I mentioned earlier, this tour is meant as an overview. And I certainly knew that when we booked. But I really would have liked more time in many places. The schedule is simply too tight for that luxury.

One tip that might help future travelers: take advantage of the deli service and buy a sandwich or pizza for lunch - and eat it standing up. The food is just as good, but you will be able to wander around a bit on your own before you head back to the bus. Many restaurants have a deli counter at the front of the establishment and tables in the back. When you sit down at a restaurant, you will be there for an hour at the very least. Even when the restaurants are not busy, service is extremely slow by American standards. They aren't being rude, it is assumed that if you choose to sit at a table, you have set aside plenty of time to dine. And ALWAYS use the washroom when you purchase your food. You never know how many hours it will be until you find another!

Thanks Linda. I've taken 3 trips almost identical to Mosaic so I'm aware of the time constraints. But the itinerary is so good! Wouldn't know what place I'd want to skip if I return again. I'm so excited about seeing the inside of the Duomo, if only briefly.
May I add that ordering at the counter and eating standing up saves $$$$. . As well as time.
And never underestimate the value of a "free pee". . Those who have not traveled yet will understand, quickly
Sue

Thanks everyone for all the great advice. This is going to be my first trip overseas.. ..EVER. All of the tips are really appreciated.

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I am scheduled for the Italian Mosaic with the Sorrento extension on July 16th of this year.

Has anyone signed up for this tour?