Any good tour package from US to Europe?

We have 2 weeks of vacation coming up and we're planning on visiting
Europe for the first time. Since we've never been there before, we'd
like to sign up with one of those tour package. Any recommendation?

I'd like a package that includes airfare, 2 weeks in a decent 3 star
hotel, 3 quality meals a day, transportation, and visiting just 3
countries during that time frame. Maybe France, Italy, and Belgium or
Austria.

I'm not looking for anything extravagant, I just don't want to sleep in
cheap hotels eating hamburgers. Are there any website out there that
rate these tours? I'd like to get an idea first before talking to a
travel agent.

On 6 Oct 2005 06:57:52 -0700, "Frazier" <upinsmoke349m.ph> wrote:

>I'd like a package that includes airfare, 2 weeks in a decent 3 star
>hotel, 3 quality meals a day, transportation, and visiting just 3
>countries during that time frame. Maybe France, Italy, and Belgium or
>Austria.

It's a fine idea, except, IMO, for looking for meals included. Wandering around
and eating out is your primary way of getting to know the place you're visiting.

Look for a package, but not including meals (except perhaps breakfast).

-- Larry

pltrgyst wrote:
> It's a fine idea, except, IMO, for looking for meals included. Wandering around
> and eating out is your primary way of getting to know the place you're visiting.
>
> Look for a package, but not including meals (except perhaps breakfast).

Hmmmm... that's a good idea. Now I'm glad I've asked you people first.

If you have some time left, you should try to organize your trip on
your own
as B.Vaughan suggested.
By poring over maps and guides to decide where to go, what to see, you
will gain some knowledge of the places you plan to visit.
Depending on wether you want to see the city or the country, castles or
museums, scenery or restaurants you will be able to tailor your trip to
suit your tastes. And no hassles about the group's schedules...
And never forget the 90° turn rule! When you are in a touristic place,
get lost! I mean take side streets away from the tourists and walk five
minutes in the same direction. You will be surprised to find sights,
shops,
restaurants... you would have missed otherwise.
Do not take too many pictures of monuments (2 àr 3 with you on it just
to
show you were there...) and prefer buying photo books (at a genuine
bookshop and not in tourist booth). It will be less expensive, of high
quality, with lighting you are not allowed to use and access to places
forbidden to visitors... And it will free your mind to observe your
surroundings.

If you travel in the low season, very little planning in advance would
be
necessary since availabilities in hotels are plenty. Most people in the
tourist branch in europe will speak english.

Have a good trip!

"Frazier" <upinsmoke349m.ph> wrote in message
news:1128607072.414529.297990@g49g2000cwa. o...
> We have 2 weeks of vacation coming up and we're planning on visiting
> Europe for the first time. Since we've never been there before, we'd
> like to sign up with one of those tour package. Any recommendation?
>
> I'd like a package that includes airfare, 2 weeks in a decent 3 star
> hotel, 3 quality meals a day, transportation, and visiting just 3
> countries during that time frame. Maybe France, Italy, and Belgium or
> Austria.
>
> I'm not looking for anything extravagant, I just don't want to sleep in
> cheap hotels eating hamburgers. Are there any website out there that
> rate these tours? I'd like to get an idea first before talking to a
> travel agent.
>

For a first timer, I would recommend one of those whirlwind group tours
from Trafalgar or Globus. Something like 14 cities in 15 days or something
like that. You get the idea. These tours are mostly done by bus, once you
arrive in Europe, most likely in London. This will give you a bird's eye
view of the some of the main cities in Europe and get the lay of the land.
Later, I would recommend you go back to the cities you liked and do it on
your own.

You say this is your first trip to Europe -- the more important
question is, do you think it will be your last?

My first trip to Europe was a week in Florence. It was lovely. But I
knew that I would keep visiting, so I was in no rush to cover a lot of
territory in one trip. Since then, we've made separate trips to
Emilia-Romagna, Le Marche, the Veneto, and other parts of Tuscany, as
well as a couple weeks in Paris. We're headed back in a few weeks,
this time to Rome, then working our way north via train, and flying out
of Venice. That's just they way we like to travel -- on our own,
relatively small areas, either renting a car or using public
transportation.

Any kind of tour would be a completely different type of experience.
(A not very pleasant experience, IMO.) You should try planning a trip
yourself -- you'd be amazed at how easy and fun it is. Remarkable what
you can accomplish with email and websites!

*>UncaMikey