Is it better going by yourself or in a guided group in Italy?

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Mom

By yourself and then take a few guided tours.That way you can go where you want and see what you want.Any hotel can hook you up with a tour when you get there.

spidermanwv

Id go in a guided group...but still have fun to explore places by yourself...just be careful and aware.

DramaGuy

Go with a group if you can find a good guide.

Myzz T

guided group..... so you know what your looking at and if there is anything special about it.

California Bear

Part of it a matter of personality. You will see more of the real Italy if you go by yourself but take a risk of getting lost and missing some things because you have difficulty finding them.

Being with a tour group will ensure that you get to see all the things promised on the itinerary. The downside of a tour group is that you are at the mercy of the tour guide and will not have as much freedom to spend time at someplace you find interesting.

When we went to Italy, we did most of our traveling alone and didn't have a lot of trouble for a couple of reasons. I am really good with maps and using mass transit so I was able get us around. The other reason is that my wife speaks Spanish so she was able to make what a lot of the signs said because the languages are similar.

We did take one tour group to get to Pompeii. We were glad to see Pompeii but were frustrated by the tour dropping us off at tourist traps while they pretended they were showing us "historical recreations".

tejadasammy

I would say to go on a short tour but of the entire city to help you get a feel for things and then go back on your own. The tours tended to be too fast paced and I didn't get to see everything I wanted to. But I also enjoyed the tours because, like i said, it highlighted the main things and showed me where they were. I went on a short tour in Rome and asked my guide where the subway and bus station was, then the next day, headed out on my own on the public transport system. I LOVED LOVED LOVED seeing Rome on my own! I HOPE YOU HAVE FUN!!!

aC.

The thing about Italy is that it's very safe, so you can enjoy being in a guided group or going by yourself. For me, when I first went to Italy, I did it by myself. I bought one of those "packaged" vacations that included hotel and airfare. It was up to me to book individual tours of the city of Rome and Florence.

For women, regardless, the Italian men will be hitting on you, guided tour or not. The basic different between guided tours and yourself is the time you have to explore places, museum, and places. The guided groups explores many sights to get you a "taste" of everything. Touring by yourself you get to stop and really smell the air, culture, and the way of life.

I say travel by yourself. You'll be safe, but important you get to do the continent on your terms and be able to sit down at a cafe and just people watch. You usually can't do that with a guided tour.

erre (it)

depends of what you want visit in italy

ontheroadagainwithoutyou

It totally depends on your nature and what works for you and your specific character type. I personally would despise being in a group. I hate schedules and being led around by someone else. I traveled through Italy on my own and loved the freedom to follow my whim. For example, I was on a train going from Cinque Terre to Venice and when the train made a stop in Verona, I spontaneously and instinctively got off the train and had the most magical and glorious time in Verona. Also, you meet more of the local people when you are on your own. Having said all that, that is what works for me. Other people prefer the structure of group tours. Different strokes for different folks-so look within yourself and decide what would be best for who you are. Have fun!

alexeverwander

Rome and Venice are best seen without a guide. That way you have time to take everything in and really enjoy it. However, if you go into the southern part of the country, like Naples or Sicily, you really need to have a tour group.

samsnedecker

I'd opt for to travel on your own and take tours of the things that are of high interest to you. You spend a lot more money on a group tour and be on their schedule. Meals on tours are usually in large, tourist restaurants. Again, do you want to eat when they tell you to?

Another thing to keep in mind is the hotels the group tours reserve are frequently outside of the city center of the big cities. That means if you have free time to explore on your own you will have difficulty reaching anything.

Don't be afraid of a "language barrier" in Italy. In the big cities you won't have any trouble finding someone to speak English.

It's more work to plan a trip on your own but planning is part of the fun!

Andr

Depends where you are going in Italy. Definitely go in a guided group in Naples.

Princess

Cost wise group travel is better. They have already negotiated cheaper rates for hotels, transport, tours etc. However, you need to choose a group tour that still allows you plenty of free time. You need a bit of time to explore on your own and just get feel for the city / country you are in. Meet the locals and have a chat. Get away from the group every now and again but you always have them to go back to and an awesome, knowledgeable tour leader that can point you in the right direction.

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