Oct 24, 2007
A tour of Italy's three greatest cities for $999, including round-trip airfare, is truly a remarkable deal
A friend who travels to Italy several times a year was recently lamenting that he was thinking of canceling a planned two-week trip because he simply didn't have the $2,500 he knew it would cost him.
That's why I'm happy to share the recent deeply discounted price of $999 for a six-night escorted motorcoach tour of Italy's highlights, visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Assisi, and including round-trip airfare to Italy, presently offered by Gate 1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com).
I'm not normally a fan of escorted motorcoach tours, and Italy is a country where you can easily travel independently. But if you have never been and are looking for an inexpensive way to get a quick taste of its major destinations, this guided tour may suit your needs.
The price of $999 (expect taxes and fees to add about $90) covers roundtrip air travel from New York to Venice and back from Rome to New York. But departures from other cities are available; for example, add $92 for Boston, $123 for Chicago, $210 for Miami, or $238 for L.A.
In addition to round-trip airfare, the price also covers two nights each in Venice (in a hotel on the Grand Canal), Florence (overlooking the Arno River a few blocks from the historic center), and Rome (in a hotel on Via Cavour, a short stroll from the Forum and Colosseum), breakfast daily, and bus transfers from city to city. Traveling by motorcoach has the added benefit that it can include pauses at Pisa to see (but not climb) the Leaning Tower and its surrounding sights, and at Assisi to tour the Basilica di San Francesco. Two things this low price does not cover are airport transfers or the optional sightseeing tours (except in Pisa and Assisi).
There are, of course, catches. The price is available only on a handful of winter departures early next year: Jan 12 and 19, and Feb 9, 16, and 23. You must also act fast and book by Oct. 31. Also note that you have to use the coupon code TZVFR200 when calling or performing an online booking to bring the list price of $1,999 down to $999.
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That's why I'm happy to share the recent deeply discounted price of $999 for a six-night escorted motorcoach tour of Italy's highlights, visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Assisi, and including round-trip airfare to Italy, presently offered by Gate 1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com).
I'm not normally a fan of escorted motorcoach tours, and Italy is a country where you can easily travel independently. But if you have never been and are looking for an inexpensive way to get a quick taste of its major destinations, this guided tour may suit your needs.
The price of $999 (expect taxes and fees to add about $90) covers roundtrip air travel from New York to Venice and back from Rome to New York. But departures from other cities are available; for example, add $92 for Boston, $123 for Chicago, $210 for Miami, or $238 for L.A.
In addition to round-trip airfare, the price also covers two nights each in Venice (in a hotel on the Grand Canal), Florence (overlooking the Arno River a few blocks from the historic center), and Rome (in a hotel on Via Cavour, a short stroll from the Forum and Colosseum), breakfast daily, and bus transfers from city to city. Traveling by motorcoach has the added benefit that it can include pauses at Pisa to see (but not climb) the Leaning Tower and its surrounding sights, and at Assisi to tour the Basilica di San Francesco. Two things this low price does not cover are airport transfers or the optional sightseeing tours (except in Pisa and Assisi).
There are, of course, catches. The price is available only on a handful of winter departures early next year: Jan 12 and 19, and Feb 9, 16, and 23. You must also act fast and book by Oct. 31. Also note that you have to use the coupon code TZVFR200 when calling or performing an online booking to bring the list price of $1,999 down to $999.
Write and read comments about this post.
Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
