I have just booked the Rome to London tour but I am now having second thoughts. I have looked up some reviews on the internet of the hotels which we are going to stay in. I only found reviews for one of the hotels which was the Ergife Palace Hotel in Rome and the reviews were not at all complimentary.

Could anyone tell me of their experiences in this hotel or any of the ones below.

Mondial - Venice
Continental - Vares
Stanserhof - lake Lucerne
Campanile - Port D'Italie

All comments would be appreciated.

Hi,
Just back from Italy.
The Continental Varese is a beautiful hotel.

See my comments on the Ergife Palace thread.

Judy

Is there anybody who can tell me what time of the day would groups on the Rome to London Package arrive in London's Victoria?

Answers would be very much appreciated.

I would say Mid to Late day, probably around 4 or 5 pm.

Would it be possible that during the time alloted for Tour options in each city, we go out on our own and not join the ones taking the options?

The options costs a lot, I heard and not cost-saving.

Yes you can do whatever you choose, if you dont want to go onthe "Local tours" you can skip those too. Only thing you MUST do is be on the Bus when it leaves for the next city. Going out on your own can be a fun time just do some research as to where the Hotels are in relation to what you want to do. Check out what local transportation costs,availibility from the hotel and distance from same. Some optionals might prove to be better than forging out on your own, but the Adventure of doing it on your own in a foriegn country is a great feeling. Sometimes you can catch a ride with the ones on the optionals to & from the area they are going, again Remember to be back when they leave or have a way back figured out. We did that several times, but sometimes the optional is not near anything worth visiting (out in a rural farm or other Isolated areas) so it was either Optional or Go it on our own or stay in the Hotel and rest (we did ALL lol). . Do some research before you leave and you will be more comfortable and be relaxed, the better to Enjoy it all!