We could use any suggestions...what to pack ??? Money to bring??? Any advice

Hello and Welcome to Slow Travel Talk, the message board associated with the Slow Travel website.

Most of us don't have much experience with tours, but we have lots of helpful advice about traveling to Europe. Click HERE to read an article about planning your first trip to Europe.

Good luck!
Colleen

What's your tour called?
What cities are you seeing?
How many days is your tour?
When does it start and when does it finish.
What optionals are included?

I have been on tours, but this information would be helpful.

Elly

Our tour starts May 10 of 2007...We start in London..and go to Paris...Lucerne...Florence...Venice...Rome
The tour is 16 days...I have been to Europe( stayed with a friend) but never on a tour. My husband and I are clueless.......

I've only been on a few tours, but my best piece of advcie is to be prepared to be exhausted!! Tours get you up at the crack of dawn (they have to get the bus loaded while you're eating breakfast!) then run well into the night!

For two of the tours we were on (Turkey and Greece), we choose a tour because of the difficulty with getting around and reading the signs! We had excellent guides and would take the same tours again without hesitation.

We took a tour of Italy with another couple when my son was first stationed here, in order to see and do as much as possible in our limited amount of time. For us it was a chance to see lots of different areas so that we'd know which ones we wanted to explore at a more leisurely pace on future trips. Once again, an excellent guide made all the difference.

Try to look at your tour as a quick overview, because that's what it'll be. Hopefully you'll want to return to each of the places for a more leisurely visit in the future.

I totally agree with Barb. Get fit and be prepared for a whirlwind holiday. It can be exhausting but oh so much fun too!

My only advice would be to do all the optional (although expensive) side trips on offer. You will benefit from the expertise of professional local guides, no waiting time and just the most wonderful experience.

The optional tours are usually suggested to travellers once aboard the coach and payment can be made by credit card. The adage 'Do you save to go on holiday or do you go on holiday to save' will come to mind.

I also agree that you must keep in mind that all you will get is a taste of places to visit and you will undoubtedly return at your own pace with more experience and knowledge of what you would like to re-visit and/or explore more of.

Also pack lightly. Clothes must be comfortable for the coach trip and good walking shoes. Don't overdo the 'good night out clothes.' Nobody really remembers that you wore something twice or even two days in a row. Everybody is in the same position. Wash clothes when you have a two night stay somewhere and hang on a line over the bath.

The less you pack in your suitcase going...the more you can bring home.

Have fun and make many new friends.

Elly

Thank you so much for the advice....good advice. The comfortable clothes you talk about for the coach...cotton takes longer to dry..correct..jeans?? khakis??

Hubby and I took only one pair of jeans each, slacks and track pants. A few washable tops, light jacket or cardigan.

We didn't pack much and didn't miss not having too much to choose from. Mix and match what you have and above all, be comfortable as you will be sitting a lot on the coach.

Elly

HI there although not a well travelled person I was speaking to a colleague who is doing something similar and for what ever reason he asked me for advice. All I could offer was to make sure to ask for a tour itinery to help with overal planning of packing and depending on one's age and mobility it helps to know how to pace oneself also.
Have a FAB trip
Aindre