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TOUR INFO |
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RICK STEVES:
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KENSINGTON:
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Choosing a travel agency that will organize a perfect trip for you is not easy, since most companies offer the same trips. However, as the saying goes, “The devil's in the details”. So, let's find out the details behind beautiful Italy tours organized by Rick Steves and Kensington travel companies. These tours, while both take you to the same three cities of Italy, they still differ in many aspects.
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First of all differences, and the most obvious one, is price. For instance 10-day tour from Rick Steve costs $2 595, while a 9-day program from Kensington costs almost twice as much $4 428. Although the price difference is justified by other features of the trip, it still impacts the decision, so let's not wait any longer and take a closer look at both itinerary options.
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GROUP SIZE |
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RICK STEVES:
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24-28 people
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KENSINGTON:
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Only your party
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When it comes to your travel party, size truly matters. If you join a group tour, which consists of more than 20 people - your experience becomes affected by other travelers.
Firstly, a more extensive group means less direct attention from your guide and, in return - fewer chances to ask questions you care about. Secondly, you will most definitely move from point a to point b in a big bus, as this is the most suitable option for a group of such size. |
Finally, while big buses might be comfortable enough, they are eating up your time - you need to wait for all 20+ people every time your bus makes a stop.
We could go on and on, but we believe that fewer people in your travel group equals a better overall experience and more time to get to know your destination like you wished. |
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HOTELS |
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RICK STEVES:
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Not listed in itinerary
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KENSINGTON:
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4-star centrally-located hotels
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Accommodation is an essential part of your travel experience. You need to feel well-rested to have energy for all of the great activities that await.
So, when choosing a program, pay attention to the hotel section. You want your hotels to be in the city center, so that you can make the most of your free time in the evening. Another important aspect of your accommodation is the star category. If you spend a good penny on your trip, you should expect no less than 4-star accommodation. |
Kensington travel company, for instance, is transparent with their hotel offering and shows potential travelers the hotels for every city before the purchase step. All three hotels seem to match our criteria - located in the city center, and offer 4-star comfort.
However, Rick Steve's itinerary doesn't display hotel options straight away, but there is a promising mention of centrally-located hotels. What is more, after looking around their website you can see some hotel reviews. One of them praises Pensione Guerrato hotel in Venice (the potential hotel of your trip), but that hotel is only 1-star, so make sure to clarify your hotel options before booking your trip, if possible. |
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TRANSPORTATION |
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RICK STEVES:
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Buses
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KENSINGTON:
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Trains & private drivers
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As we mentioned in the section about group size, it's apparent that Rick Steve's itinerary includes one kind of transportation - a big bus. It might not be a bad thing, as buses are relatively comfortable nowadays.
However, journeys on a bus take approximately three times longer than other means of transport and also when it comes to traveling in Italy, there are restrictions on entering city centers in place for big buses. |
What Kensington does instead is making sure to optimize your travel time by arranging private transfers from one location to another or comfortable train journeys between cities.
Since you travel on a private basis, you make your way around in a comfortable car and save time by not having to adapt to a group of travelers. |
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SIGHTSEEING |
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RICK STEVES:
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20 sights/activities
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KENSINGTON:
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25 sights/activities
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Program in Venice: Venice backstreets walking tour, St. Mark's Square and Basilica, Venice lagoon excursion, Venice's Accademia art museum, Gondola ride
Program in Florence: Renaissance Florence walking tour, Florence's Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo's David), Uffizi Gallery, Florence backstreets walking tour, Cooking class and lunch, Bargello Museum, Umbrian wine-tasting lunch Program in Rome: Rome orientation, Roman Forum, Colosseum, Church of San Clemente, Pantheon, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Evening walk through Rome including Trevi Fountain |
Program in Venice: Venetian Gondola ride, St Mark's Square with St Mark’s Basilica & St Mark’s Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Church of San Giovanni e Paolo, Rialto Bridge
Program in Florence: Cathedral Square with Florence Cathedral and, Giotto's Bell Tower, Romanesque Baptistery, Palazzo Vecchio, Neptune Fountain, Ponte Vecchio, Basilica di Santa Croce, Accademia Gallery, Enoteca Migliorini, Palazzo Antinori, Professional-led wine tasting session in Wine Bar Gastone Program in Rome: Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's, Basilica, Roman Forum, Colosseum |
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CONCLUSION |
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RICK STEVES:
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The itinerary includes must-sees and hands-on activities. However, you must prepare to spend many hours stuck on a bus and stay in arguably average accommodation options.
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KENSINGTON:
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While twice more expensive than Rick Steve's, Kensington offers more customization and better travel quality - more time with your guide, excellent accommodations, and comfortable, convenient transfer options.
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