To those whom have been on the Simply Italy Tour, do you get much free time? If yes how would you suggest to spend that time, from your own experience? Just don't want to get over there and wish I'd planned ahead a bit more. Anyone out there thinking about the 7th May 2008 tour? I am booked and can't wait.If you arrive in Rome prior to check in time do the hotels let you leave your luggage with them or check in early for a bit extra $ if the room is available?

In general you don't get a lot of free time at all. Although at some places you do get plenty like at Cinque Terre region. Some of the best stops on the trip we had very little time. In San Marino we only had about 1 hour which is crazy since that place is beautiful. A also would have loved to have more free time in Verona. But being on the go is a nature of the tour. Definetly plan out what you want to see before you leave. I got "Top 10" book for Rome, Venice, Milan and Florence. It definetly helped me plan out my free time. Have a great time.

I did this tour last May, and I had the best time. The weather was great and the crowds weren't too bad yet. I agree with Natka this is a quick paced tour. It's a great tour to give you an overview of Italy...you basically see a little of everything. there wasn't much free time, but I expected that. I didn't go on this tour to lay around the hotel or hang out at a beach all day.

We only had one full day in Venice but most of the morning was filled with a glass blowing demo and a lace making demo which is purely optional(they don't really tell you though) I wish I had skipped that so I could explore Venice a little more. We had a lot of free time in Monterosso(Cinque Terre) which was nice to relax on the beach for a couple hours. Florence, Milan, and Capri had a good amount of free time too.

You can basically do everything on your own if you want..just be back at the bus or they will leave without you.

The dinners that are included with the tour are ok. Don't expect much..if I knew the dinners were as bad as some of them I(and many others) would have went somewhere else and had a much better dinner.

With the hotel. If it's the Prime Cassia one you can leave your luggage there(no extra fees) and head out to Rome, but it's not in the city which is a 10-15min taxi ride.

It goes by so fast so remember to enjoy every moment!!!

Have fun.