Making the decision
Once that decision was made, another more important decision had to be made. I know myself and have traveled in the past. If I was going to travel to Italy on my own I had to join a tour. I have gone to Europe twice before but always with a friend and not on an arranged tour. This time a tour it must be.
But which one?
This one?
That one?
Which one? Which one? Oh dear me, which one? (Imagine my inner wail.)
Thus the search began for the 'right match' for me. (Oh no! The pressure was on!)
To be honest, it didn't take me long to find the right match - as soon as I came across the "Rick Steves' Tours" I instantly knew that it was 'IT'. I've used Rick's tour guide books in the past. I've watched his travel shows on PBS stations. Before my last trip to Italy two years previous I booked his DVDs out of the library. I liked all his products. I trusted him as a source.
And more research resulted in more motivating factors - to whit, his tours only have 28 or so people. His tours have dedicated, well educated tour guides. His tours stay in family run, smaller establishments. In other words, promises of a more intimate, more 'authentic' visit. So - taking a wild leap of faith for me, I am not an adventurous person - I booked my Venice, Florence, Rome adventure! ......
But which one?
This one?
That one?
Which one? Which one? Oh dear me, which one? (Imagine my inner wail.)
Thus the search began for the 'right match' for me. (Oh no! The pressure was on!)
To be honest, it didn't take me long to find the right match - as soon as I came across the "Rick Steves' Tours" I instantly knew that it was 'IT'. I've used Rick's tour guide books in the past. I've watched his travel shows on PBS stations. Before my last trip to Italy two years previous I booked his DVDs out of the library. I liked all his products. I trusted him as a source.
And more research resulted in more motivating factors - to whit, his tours only have 28 or so people. His tours have dedicated, well educated tour guides. His tours stay in family run, smaller establishments. In other words, promises of a more intimate, more 'authentic' visit. So - taking a wild leap of faith for me, I am not an adventurous person - I booked my Venice, Florence, Rome adventure! ......