The Verdict

After hearing from the majority of the extension travelers, it looks like the 11-Day tour will not be able to run. About 1/2 of the enrolled participants indicated they would not be interested in paying more to make the extension a "private" tour. Thus, for any remaining travelers who did want to pay, the cost would be considerably more than $145 (probably at least double), on top of the already higher program fees.

It's a bummer, but I think we'll still have a great trip for a couple of reasons:

• The most frequently cited reason for travelers who wanted to go on the extension was an interest in Pompeii. Luckily, this is still an "optional excursion" even on the regular tour, it just comes at the expense of a "free day" in Rome. So if you want to see Pompeii, you still should be able to do so. :)
• Our second choice tour (if we cannot get the one we requested due to numbers) also includes Pompeii and is one day longer. Should we have to switch to that itinerary, those now signed up for the extension would probably already have the cost covered based on what they had previously paid.
• Anyone currently signed up for the extension will have the extra cost refunded. You can request a check in the amount of the overpayment, though I would wait on that until we have our tour confirmed (in case there are changes in cost due to a switch to the 2nd choice tour) or until we're able to enroll you on the Pompeii excursion.

I appreciate your patience and flexibility as we go through these planning stages. It's always a bummer when things don't work out as we hope, but I think this change will still allow everyone a great tour.

Decision Time: Tour Extension

I have some potentially sad news to report. I received an email yesterday from our tour consultant that affects all those currently signed up for the extended (11-day) tour. He tells me that the chances of us being consolidated with another group also choosing an extension are quite slim...so it's looking like the extension will not have enough participants to run (20-22 are needed...we have 13).

HOWEVER...if travelers still wish to go, we could elect to pay the extra costs involved to make the extension a "private" tour. If all 13 travelers elected to do this, it would be an additional $145 per person.

I realize that $145 is a considerable cost, so I'm leaving it up to you guys. I need to get back to the tour consultant by Friday with our decision, so please let me know ASAP what you would like to do. Essentially your two choices are this:

• Pay an extra $145 to go on the extension we had planned OR
• the extension would be cancelled and the extra fees you already paid would be refunded.