My wife and I took our first trip overseas last year. Never having done international travel before, we wanted our first trip to have some structure and yes, maybe some hand-holding. All this, with the idea that we would be able to branch out completely on our own in future trips.
We couldn't have had a better experience. Our guide was fabulous. The Vatican, the coliseum, the louvre, almost zero wait times. We bypassed every line we saw and went directly into the venue to be hooked up with yet another guide that took us thru. In Rome at the coliseum we had as our guide, the young lady that is often seen on his PBS show. To say that she was amazing was an understatement.
What I liked about our guide, is that in our walks (and there is a fair amount of walking) he always presented the sites in a dramatic way. Let me explain. There are long boulevards in Rome where you can see the coliseum from a distance. Walk up the street and it just keeps getting closer and closer... no big deal. Our guide would take us thru back streets, talking about architecture or whatever and we would turn a corner, and BAM... theres the coliseum. Right in front of us, Dramatic as all get-out. Same with the Trevi fountain. He says we're going to dinner tonight and then walk back to our hotel. Again thru small ally's etc. Again, turn the corner, there is the fountain, all lit up and beautiful. He could have brought us the main way, and we would have again seen it from a distance but it would not have been as impressive.
Your experience may not be like ours but we thoroughly enjoyed the participants, the activities and more importantly the background info you get from a knowledgeable guide.
Finally, they treat you like adults. They say, "if you get separated from the group, go ask someone for directions to the subway. Read the transit map and go back to the hotel." They don't hold up any parasols or give you name tags. If the group wasn't tightly bunched up walking down the street, you might never know it was a tourist group. And heck, nothing stops you from doing your own thing. You don't have to participate in every walk or event.
One thing you may consider is "My way Tours" (I think that is what they are called) offered thru RS. It's my understanding that the only thing they do for you is arrange lodging and transportation to the various cities. Once there, you are entirely on you own. No Guide. That might be a good fit as driving seems to be a concern (as it would for me as well)
