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Best of Italy

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13-Day Italy Sightseeing Tour of Rome, Lake Como and Sorrento

13 days, 2 countries and 14 cities

Accommodation

12 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners

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Discover the Best of Italy, from the ancient treasures of Rome to Renaissance Florence and everything in between. Imagine staying overnight in a renovated Franciscan monastery in Assisi, lapping up the chic lifestyle on Capri, and taking a private guided visit to Pompeii to see a Roman city frozen in time.

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Deals, savings and exclusive private touring options available plus if you need a different date or itinerary change we can create a custom trip. Contact us for more details

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Trip map & itinerary

Day by day itinerary

13 days itinerary trip from Rome to Rome visiting 2 countries and 14 cities

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Fast-Track to the Vatican Museums

Explore Rome, Pompeii, Capri, Assisi and Florence with a Local Specialist

Discover Venice, Milan and San Gimignano

Visit Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Rome, the excavations at Pompeii, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, a glassblowing factory in Venice, Lake Como and the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial

View Juliet's Balcony in Verona, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, the Cathedral and La Scala Opera House in Milan, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo in Florence

See the ancient sites of Rome and the Abbey on Monte Cassino

Scenic Cruise Ferry to the Isle of Capri, private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice

Travel highlights

Specific transfer information can be found here:

Airport Transfers

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

All porterage and restaurant gratuities

All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Return cruise to the Isle of Capri

Optional Experiences and free time

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

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Net-zero by 2050

Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Support Local

Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

Sustainable Practices

Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

Philanthropic Efforts

Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER REVIEWS

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Rome and Tuscan Highlights (9 Days)

• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided
• Coach / Bus

Places You’ll See

• Stroll through the ancient streets of Rome
• Enjoy panoramic views of the Tuscan Hills
• Follow Leonardo da Vinci's footsteps to Vinci
• Grab a photo against the Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Introduction
• Day 1 Welcome to Rome
• Day 2 Journey to the Tuscan Hills
• Day 3 Explore Renaissance Florence
• Day 4 Montecatini Your Way
• Day 5 Discover Pisa and Vinci Dive Into Culture Connect with Locals
• Day 6 Off to Siena and San Gimignano
• Day 7 Tuscan Lifestyle Experience
• Day 8 Onwards to Rome and the Vatican City Dive Into Culture
• Day 9 Journey Home

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Operated by trafalgar.

Trafalgar has been hand crafting unique guided holidays for nearly 70 years. They were the first to introduce travellers to the local experience and continue today where destinations come to life through their hand-picked insider experiences. They pave the way by presenting locals who share their stories, culture, and cuisine With over 230 holidays in Europe, North, Central & South America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia Trafalgar offers new ways to travel every year. Choose between 11 travel styles created to satisfy even the most travelled individual. So whether you wish to explore in an intimate group to less visited destinations or travel with your entire family, Trafalgar offers the perfect range of tours that tailors to your needs.

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.6
• Itinerary Excellent 4.8
• Guide Excellent 5.0
• Transport Excellent 5.0
• Accommodation Good 3.9
• Food Excellent 4.4
• Tour Operator Trafalgar 4.5
• Most Recent
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• Highest First
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• L LisaMaguire · 15th July 2018 Fabio was an excellent tour guide. He emailed us prior to arrival to let us know about a change of schedule which was much appreciated. He was very well versed on history and customs and knew the cities well, giving us a complete picture of past and... Show more Trip date: June 2018
• TT Thomas · 8th May 2017 I am pleased to report that my holiday was everything I expected and hoped for. Trip date: April 2017
• CA Carla · 24th April 2016 The later start to the day and more free time was really appreciated. Nice to have Montecatini as a base for 6 days. Trip date: October 2015

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025

Space on this tour is not guaranteed. Book this tour to request your place and the operator will confirm availability.

• Friday 10 May, 2024 Saturday 18 May, 2024 English Sold Out Based on Twin €2,625 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 24 May, 2024 Saturday 1 Jun, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,625 €2,362 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 7 Jun, 2024 Saturday 15 Jun, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,625 €2,362 Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Friday 21 Jun, 2024 Saturday 29 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out Based on Twin €2,625 Only Pay €100 Deposit See Similar Tours For These Dates
• -15% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 5 Jul, 2024 Saturday 13 Jul, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,595 €2,195 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -16% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 19 Jul, 2024 Saturday 27 Jul, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,575 €2,175 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -16% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 2 Aug, 2024 Saturday 10 Aug, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,550 €2,150 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -16% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 16 Aug, 2024 Saturday 24 Aug, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,550 €2,150 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -15% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 30 Aug, 2024 Saturday 7 Sep, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,625 €2,225 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h

Frequently Asked Questions

This tour only runs from April to October in order to make the most of the beautiful weather!

All accommodations are subject to change until 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and your specific accommodation details will be listed in your final tour documents. This is a list of accommodations that the operator will typically use on this tour: Villafranca Columbia Sheraton Parco De Medici Please note that these will all be of a 3 - 4-star standard. Hopefully, this list will give you a better idea of what kind of accommodation you can expect while on tour.

The maximum group size of this tour is 45 passengers.

Got a question about this tour?

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Good to Know

• Currency € Euro Italy and Vatican City (Holy See)

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, L.

• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 7th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 7th June 2024, a minimum payment of €100 is required to confirm your booking with Trafalgar. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Trafalgar will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Trafalgar" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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BEST VALUE TOURS

If you like hassle free travel with everything handled for you – looking to meet great people, eat great food, enjoy great sightseeing, and have immersive experiences, Trafalgar is for you.  From the iconic not-to-be-missed to one-of-a-kind local experiences, including Be-my-Guest dining and stays with stories, you’ll connect deeper to your destination, and every tour has at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER immersive impact experience included advancing one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering you the chance to take a deep dive into culture and community. As the world’s leading tour company and trusted by more than 5 million guests, Trafalgar tours are simply the best value for your vacation dollar.

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Why choose trafalgar tours.

Trafalgar guided vacations offer the best value in touring and introduce you to new places, people, and experiences in genuinely authentic ways. Imagine unmissable icons you’ve always dreamed of, more profound glimpses into a regional culture, and having everything taken care of every step of the way. Add in Be My Guest moments, with meals in the homes of locals and shared hidden gems you didn't expect, and you'll feel like an insider, not a tourist.

Where does Trafalgar travel?

You can take a Trafalgar tour to Europe , Australia , New Zealand , Asia , Africa , the Middle East , the United States , Canada , or Central and South America . Book a Trafalgar Scotland tour to trace your heritage on a Wonders of Britain and Ireland tour. See the Highlights of Spain and Portugal . Or, go on a Trafalgar Italy tour and experience the Best of Italy . Go on a European Whirl of a tour to visit top cities and find your favorite ones to revisit. Explore North America on a Trafalgar tour of the USA and see the country's  Autumn Colors , Historic Highlights , or Natural Park Wonders with new eyes. Traverse Canada's Rockies . Go on an adventure through the jungles of Costa Rica or relax on the beaches of Greece , Hawaii , or the French Riviera with Trafalgar as your guide. Each trip is carefully designed to leave you free to be in the moment and enjoy your vacation without worry.

What's included on a Trafalgar tour?

All your essentials are covered, from accommodations and meals to sightseeing. Think Swiss fondue to Italy’s best pasta. Every trip includes daily breakfasts and the right mix of local meals versus time to find your flavors. Plus...

• Fully loaded itineraries — perfectly balanced for included sightseeing, visits — and free time
• Guided sightseeing with local experts in major cities
• Immersive ‘Be My Guest’ experience on every trip
• Visits to top attractions and must-see sights
• MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® experiences on every trip
• Multiple meals, including breakfast daily and local wine with most dinners
• Trusted hotels, including Hilton and Marriott, and unique cultural 4-star properties. From centuries-old castles to historical homesteads, you’ll be immersed in the stories behind each property, allowing you to live the legacy yourself.
• Expert Travel Director and Driver
• Luxury motorcoach
• Porterage luggage service in all hotels
• Choice of optional excursions available for purchase to complement your destination
• Departure and arrival airport transfers with purchase of air/land package (excludes North America tours — conditions apply)

Is Trafalgar a good tour company?

Yes. Every year, Trafalgar wins some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world - from the Travel Globes to the Agent's Choice Awards. With more than five million guests, a 97% approval rate, and a dedicated base of loyal travelers, Trafalgar tours are an excellent choice for guided vacations worldwide. Like Grand European Travel, Trafalgar is a Travel Corporation (TTC) company - a family-run business with 100+ years in service. When you travel with TTC brands, you are choosing to make your travels a force for good and support our goal to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. We recognize our responsibility to ensure we positively impact the planet we call home, the people we visit, and the rich wildlife we find.

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Email Sign-up Travel Credit: Receive a $150 per person ($300 per couple) discount toward your first tour (operated by Trafalgar or Insight Vacations) when you sign up for GET emails; valid for each full-paying adult who signs up with a unique email address. Valid for new bookings only made from 01 January to December 31 2024 for travel from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2025. Discount is not combinable with any other discount or offer, including GETAWAY Deals, Limited Time Offers, AARP member discount, Past Traveler Global Tour Rewards discount, Groups or Multiple Trip discounts. Offer cannot be booked online. GET reserves the right to validate bookings and will remove any additional offers added online that are not combinable. Other conditions may apply.

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9 Best Italy Tours to Take in 2024

Explore italy without the hassle of planning every detail with the top italy tours of 2024..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

An Italy vacation is a chance to visit historic sites, sample some of the world’s most iconic food and wine, and simply enjoy a slower pace of life. When you join a small group guided tour in Italy, you’ll have time to visit these distinctly Italian delights without any of the hassles that come with trip planning. You can explore Italy and have time to enjoy being there.

2024’s Best Small Group Guided Tours in Italy

Whether you’re looking for an active adventure or a more laidback vacation with plenty of free time, there are excellent Italy tour packages tailored to your interests. Some of the best Italy tours give you the chance to see everything from the Roman Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican to the stunning cliffside homes of Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast, plus some of Italy’s famed wine regions.

You’ll also be accompanied by local guides who can arrange meals and assure every aspect of your Italy vacation runs smoothly. And what could be more la dolce vita than that? Here are my picks for the best Italy tours to consider in 2024.

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1. Grand Italian Experience Tour

The Grand Italian Experience tour of Italy offered by Trafalgar is a deep dive into the highlights of Italy in a single 17-day trip. The Italy tour starts and ends in Rome, where you’ll explore Vatican City, sit on the Spanish Steps, and see the Trevi Fountain. While touring the Alberobello region, you can stroll through the magnificent gardens of Tivoli and try local delicacies from a local farmer. 

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As the trip continues, you’ll spend time on the Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri before moving on to Pompeii. In Venice, you’ll be able to watch highly skilled artisans blowing glass and see St. Mark’s Basilica. While exploring Pisa, you’ll get up close to the Leaning Tower; and in Florence, you’ll see Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Santa Croce Basilica. 

• Length: 17 days
• Starting price: $5,695
• Average group size: 45 people
• More tours:   10 Best Trafalgar Tours to Take in 2024

2. Italian Espresso Tour

For young adults looking to explore Italy and make some new friends along the way, the Italian Espresso tour from Contiki is a perfect fit. This 10-day Italy tour is geared to 18- to 35-year-olds, making it a fun way to meet new people of a similar age and have help navigating Italy, all without feeling out of place on a tour geared to older adults.

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This tour of Italy includes popular experiences like a visit to the Duomo in Florence, a gondola ride in Venice, and a tour of Vatican City in Rome. One other big highlight is a cruise around Lake Como (which is an additional cost, but so worth it), where you can marvel at the dramatic foothills of the Dolomite Mountains as you watch adorable towns like Bellagio pass by. Foodies will also love the food and beverage walking tours of Venice, cooking classes in Florence, and wine tastings in Lucca. 

• Length: 10 days
• Starting price: $2,285
• Average group size: 39 people
• More tours:   10 Best Contiki Tours to Take in 2024

3. Italy Real Food Adventure Tour

Intrepid travel.

Culinary-minded travelers will enjoy the Italy Real Food Adventure tour from Intrepid Travel. This eight-day Italy vacation takes you to Venice, Bologna, Rome, and other cities and towns to try some of the best bites in the country. While exploring each destination, you’ll have the chance to try real balsamic vinegar in a vinegar loft, make tagliatelle al ragù in Bologna, and sample wine in San Gimignano. 

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Even with the built-in food and wine classes and experiences, there’s still plenty of time to get out on your own in each city. The expert guides who lead the trip can give you recommendations about where to get certain dishes and drinks away from the tourist traps, ensuring you get an authentic Italian experience. 

• Length: 8 days
• Starting price: $2,873
• Average group size: 12 people

4. Sicily, Puglia, and the Amalfi Coast Tour

Abercrombie & kent.

The 2024 Sicily, Puglia, and Amalfi Coast tour from Abercrombie & Kent takes you through some of the most beautiful regions of Italy over the course of an 11-day tour. After arriving in Palermo, you’ll explore the port city and the hillside town of Monreale, where the cathedral in the town dates back to 1170. Later in the journey, you’ll be able to see Mount Etna before heading to a cooking class where arancini are the star of the meal. 

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There’s another foodie delight waiting in Paestum, where you’ll learn how to make mozzarella cheese before heading to Naples to try the delicate cheese on authentic Neapolitan pizza and other iconic examples of Italian food. The tour ends with a day on the island of Capri, where you’ll be able to explore the town’s cafes, shops, and grand villas. 

• Length : 11 days
• Starting price: $8,795
• Average group size: 24 people

5. Piemonte Wine Country Biking Tour

Butterfield & robinson.

Butterfield & Robinson tours are known for being quite active, with biking and hiking trips that invite multiple generations of family members to travel together. Adults looking to mix in both relaxation and biking in Italy should check out the guided tour company’s Piemonte Wine Country Biking tour. The trip is specially curated for cyclers of all ages and skill levels, especially since you’ll be tasting wine along the way. You’ll also get to hunt for truffles and take a pasta-making class. 

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For this Italy tour, you don’t need to bring your own bike, because a hybrid or a racing bike rental is included in the cost. The bikes also have a handlebar-mounted tablet so everyone can keep up with the route if they end up falling behind because, say, they stop for photos.

• Length: 6 days
• Starting price: $7,695
• Average group size: 16 people 

6. Lake Como, Venice, Florence, and Rome Tour

If you want to see the big highlights of Italy, the Lake Como, Venice, Florence, and Rome tour from Tauck might be the one for you. The trip is offered from April through October each year, giving you the best chance for good weather and seeing the most sites possible. It starts in Milan before heading to Lake Como on day two. (Star Wars fans will love seeing the Franciscan monastery, which was a filming location for Attack of the Clones .) 

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Other highlights on the tour include seeing the Duomo and Michelangelo’s David in Florence, and a private after-hours tour of the Vatican Museum. Travelers will also visit the Roman Forum and the Colosseum in Rome. 

• Starting price: $9,490
• Average group size: 44 guests 

7. Italy Private Adventure

Adventures by disney.

Families looking to explore Italy with an expert guided but without other travelers should consider the Italy Private Adventure from Adventures by Disney . The tour starts in Rome, where your family will have a privately guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and a private walking tour of the city, including a stop at the Trevi Fountain.

DISNEY MAGIC: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Adventures by Disney Trip

In Tuscany, everyone in the family can participate in a pasta making class, then the adults head off to a wine tasting while kids are able to do a flavored olive oil tasting. The trip concludes in Venice where you’ll get a private tour of Doges Palace, enjoy a Carnevale mask making class, and ride in a gondola. As with all Adventures by Disney trips, this private tour is led by an expert Adventure Guide who can take your family to almost anywhere in the city, make dining arrangements, and snap photos while you sit back and enjoy the trip through Italy. 

• Starting price: $7,399
• Group size: Just your family 

8. Christmas in Rome

Road scholar.

Traveling to Europe during the Christmas holidays is equal parts exciting and enchanting. With the Christmas in Rome tour from Road Scholar , you can combine the winter holidays with the traditions of Italy for a unique and memorable trip. The tour takes place over nine days and gives you the chance to explore everything Rome offers, including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Museums, and the Colosseum. 

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Near the end of the tour, there’s a day on which you learn about holiday traditions in Rome, and your group leader can share where to partake in various holiday activities. Be sure to ask about the Roman Christmas markets, where you can buy gifts for friends at home, try traditional treats, and take in all of the festive vibes. 

• Length: 9 days 
• Starting price: $3,799
• Average group size: 12 people 

9. Mediterranean Gems: Southern Italy and Sicily Cruise Tour

National geographic expeditions.

For an epic Italy tour with a price tag to match, consider the Mediterranean Gems: Southern Italy and Sicily tour from National Geographic Expeditions. While this 12-day cruise ship expedition starts in Dubrovnik, Croatia, the city is really just a launching point to get onto the beautiful Sea Cloud sailing ship before cruising around the boot of Italy, stopping at memorable travel destinations along the way. 

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Highlights of the tour include the medieval town of Otranto, seeing Mount Etna from Taormina then enjoying a private dinner at the historic Castello degli Schiavi, and exploring the charming town of Amalfi. History fans will enjoy the day at Pompeii, where you’ll be able to explore the city that was once blanketed in ash and debris from Mount Vesuvius. 

• Length: 12 days
• Starting price: $18,602
• Average group size: 58 people

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Avoid at all costs

Had a problem with the travel portion of a tour I just booked. I called immediately to cancel literally minutes after I did an online deposit. I called immediately to cancel and they refused to refund the deposit which was probably not even processed yet. I would not use this company and I would not recommend this company.

Date of experience : April 02, 2024

Gorgeous Greece

Gorgeous Greece. Moraig, our guide and Dimitri were excellent, they provided the best service- nothing was too much and the attention to detail was second to none. Brilliant tour, well organised, interesting and jam packed- awesome value for money. They were helpful, thorough, thoughtful and considerate. The local experts were phenomenal and passionate, our tour was the best of Greece and that’s definitely what we got.

Date of experience : March 01, 2024

Reply from Trafalgar Travel

We are delighted to receive your feedback and happy to know you had a wonderful experience. It's great to hear that you received exceptional service from our On The Road Teams, who are a valuable asset to our company. We are pleased that they provided outstanding service, enabling you to connect with the local people, contribute positively to the local ecosystem and economy, and fully immerse yourselves in the culture. We appreciate your feedback and want you to know that it has not gone unnoticed.

i trusted these folks

i trusted these folks, had a family emergency -took emergency custody of a 9 yr old girl from drug home- tried multiple times to cancel/reschedule trip and in the end i lost trip and ALL money, Thanks Trafalgar for turning a once in a lifetime trip into a nightmare.

Date of experience : February 11, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your review. We are glad to hear that the child is recovering well. We apologise for not meeting your expectations during your interactions and appreciate you bringing your concerns to our attention. Please email our Guest Relations Department at [email protected] with all your booking information. The team will assist you with the necessary paperwork for your travel insurance and conduct a full investigation into the booking. Thank you again for sharing your feedback.

A decent tour with room for improvement

Overall, the tour was pretty fun, but there were some things that could have been done better in Milan. The hotel that was provided was fine, but it didn't have as many amenities as the other hotels that were part of the tour package. still, the itinerary was complete, including a lot of interesting things to see in the short amount of time that was available. The hotels were only average, but that's because they were on a tight budget. the coaches used for transportation were always clean and comfortable during the tour.,

Date of experience : October 12, 2023

Thank you for sharing your review with us. We are delighted that you had a fantastic experience with us and that our On Road Team contributed to your unique itinerary. We understand that ensuring our guests experience all the beautiful attractions in our itinerary can result in busy schedules and full days. However, we are aware that our guests would like to visit all the sites mentioned in the itinerary. Our Contracting Team puts a lot of effort into selecting the hotels we work with to ensure we offer comfortable, well-located accommodation at a great value. Nonetheless, we acknowledge that hotel standards vary from country to country. Some hotels may differ in size, character, and amenities from what our guests are accustomed to. However, we expect all our appointed hotels to meet our high standards. We have shared your comments with our Quality Control team to ensure our accommodation continues to offer our guests the best experience. Thank you for choosing to travel with Trafalgar. We appreciate your feedback.

Never again with Trafalgar Tours

We booked a Splendors of Japan Tour with Trafalgar and my husband was medically unable to go. We gave them 3 months notice and had to write 23 emails and make over 12 calls to get a partial refund. Their service is so poor and the right hand does not know anything about the left hand. We would NEVER use them again and tell all our friends how poorly they treated us. We mostly received these automatic, "no reply" emails and when you actually speak to someone, they put you on hold several times, for a lengthy hold and have nothing to offer except lip service! Terrible business, terrible service and we booked, they never shared with us they would penalize us for canceling 3 months advance!

Date of experience : January 09, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge receipt of your concerns and express our apologies for the level of service you have received from our Contact Centre that did not meet your expectations. We would like to acknowledge the cancellation you submitted three months prior to your scheduled travel date. We understand that you are aware of our booking conditions, which stipulate the industry standard cancellation fees. We cannot investigate the conditions surrounding your booking as we need your booking information. We are committed to providing our customers with the highest level of service. As such, our Guest Relations Department would be happy to assist you with any necessary documentation required to claim your travel insurance. Once again, we would like to thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

Never will we travel with Trafalgar…

Never will we travel with Trafalgar again. Paid top price and got budget tour from Madrid to Barcelona bus tour. Very little stopping to take pictures and shown very little tourist attractions. All about going from start to finish and nothing in-between. So disappointed after travelling hard way around the world.

Date of experience : August 05, 2023

Thank you for your review. We hope you had the chance to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture during your trip and enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of the locals, the delicious cuisine and the country’s rich history, which is all unique to this beautiful country. However, we were concerned to learn that you felt certain aspects of the trip could have been improved. Exploring this beautiful country in a condensed amount of time can be quite an adventure, and we strive to include the perfect amount of time at each location for in-depth discovery; there are certain towns where we wish to stay longer. We have shared your feedback with our Operations team as we constantly strive to see where our itineraries can be improved. That said, we still hope you have taken some lasting highlights during your time away with us.

Best of Italy Tour for 13 days, really 11 days. Recommendation: Do NOT take a Trafalgar Tour of any kind!

Best of Italy Tour for 13 days--actually 12 days. This was our 2nd Trafalgar tour--1st was Egypt---also terrible! 1) Could ONLY understand about 10 % of the travel director's harangue. Her name was Frederica. The same situation occurred in Egypt. 2) The bus driver named Theo was surly and rude. 3) The Travel Director constantly sold the extra excursions. These were 2.5 times more expensive then privately-made tours. Example in Rome--Crown Tours. 4) The food was terrible. 5) The hotels were at best 2-3 star. NO AC, low water pressure, and the breakfasts were poor. 6) Many hours were spent most days on the bus--4-8 hours. There were 49 passengers on this bus! You could not relax on the bus because the tour director constantly was speaking and selling optional excursions. Again, could not understand but 10 % of what she said. 7) We pre-paid gratuities, but wished that we had not done so. Neither the driver nor Travel Director thanked us. We will not prepay again, however, we will NEVER take another Trafalgar Tour.

Date of experience : October 27, 2023

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. We value your honest opinion and are sorry to hear that certain aspects of your trip did not meet your expectations. Our On The Road Team is integral to ensuring our guests have an enjoyable and comfortable experience during their travels. We carefully select team members who are passionate about travel and possess extensive knowledge of their respective regions. We are disappointed that your experience did not reflect this. Your feedback has been shared with our Operations Manager, and appropriate measures will be taken. We understand that our guests appreciate having the freedom to explore and engage with the local culture, which is why we provide a range of Optional Experiences. These experiences are designed to enhance our guests' understanding of the places we visit and are separate from the itinerary. Our Contracting Department ensures that our accommodations are of a four-star standard or higher. We apologise if the hotel standards did not meet your expectations. Similarly, we apologise for any disappointment caused by the meals provided during your trip. We appreciate that the cuisine of Italy is world-renowned, and we will investigate your feedback to ensure we offer only the best to our clients. We understand that the long coach rides may have been tiring, but we hope that the unique attractions outlined in the itinerary made up for it. Our luxury coaches can accommodate up to 52 guests, although we typically have an average of 40-48 guests. However, if additional space is required, our sister company, Insight Vacations, offers specially reconfigured coaches with only 40 seats, providing business-class legroom. A Classic Insight Vacations tour has a maximum of 40 travellers, whereas their Small Group departures have just 24. We understand that guests may have different preferences when it comes to gratuities. Therefore, we offer the option to prepay gratuities or pay during the trip. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve our future departures. We hope to host you again and provide an authentic Trafalgar experience.

Traveled all night USA to Fr

Traveled all night USA to Fr, can’t wait to get to see the hotel to freshen up and do some sightseeing. When I arrive with 4 pieces of luggage, at 9am, I am told, with an attitude, check in is 2pm, so here I am sitting in the lobby with my luggage, my very, very costly vacation is already ruined, never again

Date of experience : September 24, 2023

Thank you for your review. We are sorry that during your booking process, you were not well informed that the official check-in times vary from hotel to hotel. Should your flight arrive in the early morning into the city where your trip begins, you may find yourself arriving at the hotel before noon, and it could be early afternoon before your room is ready (Two pm or Three pm). Hotels try to prevent this from happening, but check-in times cannot be guaranteed. The hotel can suggest how any spare time could be used to sightsee, relax or enjoy local restaurants while your room is being prepared. When arriving at your first hotel, check in at the main reception desk. The reception staff will need to know your name and that you are travelling with Trafalgar. When your trip begins, check-in will be managed by the Travel Director, who will advise you on procedures and hotel features before arrival. They will secure keys and oversee the delivery of your luggage to your room. Thank you for choosing Trafalgar as your travel partner, and we hope that you have an unforgettable travel experience.

Horrific Tour Director Maja

If zero stars were only available!! STAY AWAY from Trafalgar-Tour Director Maja was rude and condescending.

Date of experience : November 03, 2023

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Our Travel Directors are essential in ensuring our guests have a pleasant and comfortable trip. We carefully choose team members who are passionate about travel and service. We are sorry that your experience did not meet your expectations, and we have shared your feedback with our Operations Manager to improve our services in the future. Although it's rare, we hope you have some positive memories of your tour.

Trafalgar overcharged us for pre paid…

Trafalgar charged us for pre paid gratuities. Suggest you don’t pay these in advance to Trafalgar. We found Trafalgar asked for almost NZ$80 ( allowing for local currency exchange rate) more than the tour leader and driver expected or would have got. So far Trafalgar hasn’t responded to our request for a refund of the overpayment. Also the ‘included’ meals at local venues were very poor quality with the exception of one. Only one hotel had air conditioning. Very few USB charge points on the bus worked. However The tour itinerary and tour leader were great.

Date of experience : June 17, 2023

Dont risk your money with Trafalgar

Trafalgar cancelled our tour booking without our consent because I asked about if there was availability on another tour. Never did they mention that enquiring about another tour they cancel your existing booking. Now the tour is full and I have spent $18,000 on Qantas airfares and accom. Tour booked in Jan 2023 for Sept 2023 tour. Nobody takes responsible and nobody will call me to discuss. Family of 4 holiday ruined,.

Date of experience : May 26, 2023

Wish I had read the reviews before…

Wish I had read the reviews before booking with Trafalgar - I will NEVER travel with this tour company again. In September 2023 myself and a travel companion traveled to Northern Spain. The experience for the most part was awful. Some hotels were lovely, some meals were good, wine was plentiful but other hotels and meals were terrible. Biggest complaint was the pressure and fast paced walking to keep up with the tour director. It was rush, rush, rush with little to no time to explore, take pictures, etc. There were 52 passengers on the bus and little time to use the restrooms when we stopped, get a refreshment or look around. The whole trip was exhausting and grueling and it was clear the tour director just had a schedule to keep (not his fault). I was so glad when the tour came to an end.

Date of experience : September 02, 2023

Thank you for your feedback during your time spent in Spain. We aim to provide the best travel experience for our guests, and it is only through your valuable feedback that we can continue improving the standards we are known for. Our team strives to provide the most unique and enjoyable guided vacations for all our guests, and we’re saddened to read that you feel we missed the mark in this instance. We understand that an active itinerary can be tiring and that some valuable guests prefer smaller groups. We apologise that you were not well informed regarding the group size for this trip at the time of the booking. We have designed our Trafalgar tours to accommodate up to fifty-two guests on our luxury coaches, although we average forty to forty-five guests. If smaller groups are a must and a leisure itinerary is what you prefer, our sister company, Insight Vacations, has small group departures with a maximum of twenty-four and offers some selected itineraries at a leisurely pace. That said, we still hope you have taken many lasting highlights away from your time in Spain.

Trafalgar is a company that DOES NOT care…

Trafalgar is not a company that cares about it's customers at all. I paid for insurance for my Italy trip and paid to upgrade my flight both ways. On my way to Italy I was downgraded by United last minute.....literally 5 minutes before boarding. We won't even get into how awful United has been during this, but I thought for sure Trafalgar would make sure everything was made right....HAHAHA.....nope! Yes, I know United only gave them a 1/4 of what I paid for, for my flight, but Trafalgar should make sure their customers are treated right after such a horrible experience during a trip. I own a business and if I have to take a slight loss to make sure my customers are taken care of then thats what it takes. I have lost THOUSANDS and Trafalgar does nothing to make it better. What an awful company and they will never see another dime from me. Not like they care tho.....too busy just trying to take everyone's money.

Date of experience : September 07, 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. At Trafalgar, we value all feedback and take it seriously. We are pleased to hear that our Guest Relations Department was able to assist you in facilitating the refund from United Airlines. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the downgrade you experienced. Please note that we have no control over the airline's policies and procedures. However, we appreciate your valuable feedback. Once again, thank you for your feedback, and we look forward to serving you better in the future.

Best of Italy

Best of Italy, Best of my trips! This trip exceeded my expectations! The tourist guide, Romeo, was a 10! The hotels were very comfortable,(a couple of them luxurious, a couple of them excellent and a couple of them very good./ Food offered pretty good. Dinner in the Tuscany Hills unbelievable. Coach very comfortable and clean. I traveled with the "other " company before, the one starts with "G", and definitely Trafalgar was the best (My second tour with them).Hopefully I can make many more tours with them.

Date of experience : September 29, 2023

Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback during your time in Italy, and it's always great to learn our frequent travellers continue to explore the world with us. We are pleased you had the opportunity to witness the breathtaking attractions in Italy and immersed yourself in Italian culture. It pleases us to learn that our Travel Director demonstrated exceptional knowledge of the destination and provided a high level of service to ensure your enjoyable experience. Our team of Travel Directors are passionate about travel, and we are happy to know that they continually strive to provide professional and outstanding service to our valuable guests. It was great to read that our coaches met your expectations and that you travelled comfortably, as this is a crucial factor in enjoying your time on the road. That said, we hope to have the opportunity to host you again in the future; in the meantime, please know that we are committed to providing the best possible experience for our guests.

DO NOT RECOMMEND!!

DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! Trafalgar cancelled my trip too Santa Fe (which is understandable and accepted as their may not have been enough people booking, or COVID or whatever). The 90-100 days quoted to get a refund for the trip the company cancelled is NOT ACCEPTABLE. It has now been six weeks and Trafalgar still has my $3300. Calls to the service center take HOURS on hold. Horrible customer service. Horrible refund policy. Definitely disappointed.

Date of experience : April 13, 2022

Excellent experience

I have no idea what all these reviewers are complaining about. I recently returned from a Best of Scotland tour and it was the best tour I’ve ever taken. Our tour guide was exceptional. He packed so many experiences into a day we got back to our hotels exhausted each night. Our driver was the best, too. Several people had issues, the airline lost two couples’ luggage and Trafalgar sent them shopping for anything they needed on its dime. One woman fell the day she arrived in Scotland, breaking her femur and the tour guide did everything possible to make her trip successful. Most importantly, even with all the issues, no one complained and most of us signed up for all the optional experiences because we had so much fun together.

It is unfortunate that Trafalgar can no…

It is unfortunate that Trafalgar can no longer afford to supply name tags for guests. I don't know about the rest of you readers, but I am not sure how many days it is going to take me to remember 47 people's names

Date of experience : September 19, 2023

Thank you for your feedback. We regret that there may have been a miscommunication regarding name tags on our journeys. Indeed, as marked in our literature, we are trying to eliminate single-use plastics as part of our Make Travel Matter strategy. That said, we hope you have a pleasant journey with us and make many new friendships.

Trafalgar is a money scoop

Trafalgar is a money scoop, Kiss it goodbye. The trip Guides are Phenomenal, the company is DIRT. I think they are in financial trouble. Trying to get them on the phone is impossible. Have been through Europe Rome to London, Then Portugal and Spain. Quality of Excursions are poor, and cheaply done. Hotels are outside of city centers to make you dependent on them. Most provide dinners are Minimal. The Guides where Professionals and made the trips worth it. They keep this company going....they should give up!

Date of experience : August 08, 2022

Just finished a Croatia and Slovenia…

Just finished a Croatia and Slovenia tour. The hotels and coach were ok BUT to really see the destinations we went to you had to take the options which are really over priced for what you get. If you don't take the options you are left at the hotel and have to make your own way. Included meals were way below par with limited choices and the meals were rushed. Would never recommend this company .

Date of experience : June 09, 2023

Hotels were 1 star

Hotels were 1 star. No air conditioner, old, dated, some had no stairs others were just gross. Like drink some wine and fall in bed so you don’t notice the grunge. It seemed unorganized and chaotic. Not enough variety. The included meals had no choice. We usually ended up having to pay out of pocket for meals after the free ones. The only redeeming quality was the coach driver.

Date of experience : May 08, 2023