Anyone have experience with travel tours in Europe, good or bad? Or any recommendations? In particular Greece (or possibly Italy). I have been to Italy before but never done any sort of travel tour anywhere. Going on a family holiday in September for only about 9-10 days and we are looking into the idea of a tour so that we don't need to plan much ahead of time. I've heard mixed reviews. Weighing the potential stress of trying to take trains or ferries across the country (catching trains in Europe with your parents always seem to cause family arguments in my experience haha) versus spending hours on a tour bus every day. I've also always done air bnb in Europe and had great experiences, and have heard the hotels on tours are generally not great unless you're willing to pay for the luxury ones.
Any insight would be appreciated!

A tour is extra expense and totally unnecessary for Greece and Italy.
The ferry system is incredibly straightforward.
As for trains in Italy, they are also straightforward.
There are always an abundance of people on the islands and in Italy at the ports and in the train stations who speak more than enough english to help you, should you have troubles.
Personally, I would book tours of specific things you want to see/do, such as the vatican.
Hotels on tours often aren't great, or are poorly located. Or both.
With that said, I've visited Italy both on a tour and on my own, and I definitely preferred setting my own pace. The only trouble is that there's much more in the way of planning and research, but that's part of the fun!
If I were you, Venice is a bust, a day max.. Florence and Siena are worthwhile, as is Rome.. The amalfi coast and Cinque Terre are both nice, but most beaches are rocky, and they are all made of stairs -- if you all aren't in great shape it will be an uncomfortable, hot struggle. Also the italians are 1000 times less friendly than the greeks... And if you want beach, party, or good food for reasonable prices the greek islands are much much better.
In santorini, which is wonderful and a must-go, stay in Fira. It offers wonderful views of the caldera etc, is less expensive, and more accessible than Oia.

I would stay away from Greece they are having a major money crisis watch the news or Google

http://www.busabout.com/
My niece just did Europe and used busabout. Looks like they have flexible and guided tours. Probably costs a little more than doing it yourself but you have the benefit of the guide and some of them include accommodation.
BUSABOUT.COM
Budget Travel For Freespirits | Festivals & Tours In Europe, Asia & North Africa

Oh, just read that you're planning on going for 9 days. 9 days is too short of time to go to Italy and greece, unless you want to run from tourist attraction to tourist attraction

We are looking at either country but not both! Thanks for the tips so far though

Never comment on these but... We spent 5 days in Venice and I can assure you that bust is not a term I have ever heard anyone apply to Venice!

How long ago did you visit, Linda?

I have visited several times and have used Insight Vacations. Hotels were in the centre of town and very nice. Often close to the subway.

We found one on tour radar. My friend spent two weeks at gate one.

Was in Venice two years ago. We went all over Italy and then to Greece. If any place was a little disappointing it was Florence. Not because it wasn't beautiful but because the wait times to get into the museums even pre booking were very long.

Check http://m.cosmos.com

following

Check out viator for 1 day type tours to popular attractions. It can be expensive but it takes the guess work out of getting to a destination.

http://cantbemissedtours.com/ - best organized tour of Rome, we saw pretty much everything in 8 hours - busy but great!