We are planning a vacation to Italy in June. Would Trafalgar Tours be appropriate for children?We have 3 girls,12, 10, @ 3.

Sorry, not for a three year old under any circumstances. The tours are very hard work, you are not going for a leisurely holiday. They are very hectic, and a bit exhausting. Would you want to trave on a bus with someone else's crying 3 year old? Sorry, I know it may not be what you want to hear, but it IS the truth.

I don't think a guieded tour for anyone under 12 would be productive for all concerned. You have to consider the other 52 people on board. I think a cruise would be better for your brood at this stage, or a do it yourself tour and rent a car. Tour goers have to make many adjustments which childern would not fit into, Buck

Just thought that I would let you know that we booked in January for the Best of Italy and Greece with Trafalgar. We paid the entire fee up front for our July 17th departure. Yesterday, we learned that our tour was cancelled. They stated that we could leave a week earlier at an increase of approximately $2000.00. Another alternative was the Best of Italy tour, which was significantly less than what we sought from our vacation, and at an increase of $250.00. Needless to say, this was a highly-anticipated trip for us, which was the tour we wanted, and at the time we wanted to go. The alternatives suggested were an insult and there is no concern by the company for the upheaval that they have caused in our plans.

Book with them if you want, but we certainly never will again.

Oh, my God. Do they even allow children on these tours? Can't parents please be considerate of others that have spent $$$$thousands on a nice holiday? You can't be serious about taking children riding on buses all day long for several days. That borders child abuse! And, it's so rude and inconsiderate of others.

I read somewhere that the accepted age for children is over the age of 8 yrs for tours( even that might be too young). .

I just returned two weeks ago from the Best of Italy tour and I would not take a child under the age of 14 or 15 on this type of tour. It's very energetic, long days, late nights, long hours on the bus. It would be exhausting for a child and very stressful for the parents and other passengers.

We took a 21 day tour with our 2 kids ages 15 & 18 at the time, there were 4 other kids ages 10, 12, 15 & 16 and Everyone was just fine and had a great time. I do agree that the younger they are the more difficult it is on them and the other passengers and yes a 3 year old is too young (IMHO) to be on a bus hours a day and the pace of the tours plus a lot more bathroom stops.