No E-Mail

Looking into take a 10~11 day package tour to Eurpo from one of the tour
operator (Trafalgar, Cosmos or Globus) and wonder how their itinerates
look like. From their brochures, it seems they all have a morning
sightseeing tour in the morning when we first arrive in a city. Does
this mean we are on our own in the afternoon and evening? Or we will
need to sign up with their optional tour for the afternoon/evening
because the hotel may not be centrally located? What price range is
their optional tours?
Thanks

Rita

On Sun, 09 Jan 2005 09:20:50 -0800, no e-mail <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Looking into take a 10~11 day package tour to Eurpo from one of the tour
    >operator (Trafalgar, Cosmos or Globus) and wonder how their itinerates
    >look like. From their brochures, it seems they all have a morning
    >sightseeing tour in the morning when we first arrive in a city. Does
    >this mean we are on our own in the afternoon and evening? Or we will
    >need to sign up with their optional tour for the afternoon/evening
    >because the hotel may not be centrally located? What price range is
    >their optional tours?
    >Thanks

From what I've been able to glean, these tours usually choose hotels
at the periphery of a city and that makes it difficult to wander about
on your own. Which is a shame, as seeing Europe only under the tutelage
of a guide is not the way to do it. Or seeing Europe from the windows of
a bus. I was in the Luxenbourg Gardens in Paris, enjoying a beautiful day
and a coffee and people watching when a tour guide marched his group briskly
in and to the fountain, where they paused for five minutes, and then marched
briskly out. I felt sorry for them.

Pick a couple of cities and see them on your own. You could, if you wished,
take one local tour in each city and then do the rest with a good guidebook.

Mark Hewitt

"no e-mail" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Looking into take a 10~11 day package tour to Eurpo from one of the tour
    > operator (Trafalgar, Cosmos or Globus) and wonder how their itinerates
    > look like. From their brochures, it seems they all have a morning
    > sightseeing tour in the morning when we first arrive in a city. Does this
    > mean we are on our own in the afternoon and evening? Or we will need to
    > sign up with their optional tour for the afternoon/evening because the
    > hotel may not be centrally located? What price range is their optional
    > tours?
    > Thanks

Ask them? I doubt this newsgroup is the best source for very specific
information such as that.

Ronald Hands

    > On Sun, 09 Jan 2005 09:20:50 -0800, no e-mail <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >
    >>Looking into take a 10~11 day package tour to Eurpo from one of the tour
    >>operator (Trafalgar, Cosmos or Globus) and wonder how their itinerates
    >>look like. From their brochures, it seems they all have a morning
    >>sightseeing tour in the morning when we first arrive in a city. Does
    >>this mean we are on our own in the afternoon and evening? Or we will
    >>need to sign up with their optional tour for the afternoon/evening
    >>because the hotel may not be centrally located? What price range is
    >>their optional tours?
    >>Thanks

Probably contrary to the opinion of most denizens of this n.g., I
think a tour is an excellent, low stress introduction to Europe if
you've never been there, or never been to that part of the continent.
My wife and I have been on three of them, all with Trafalgar: France
(Paris and then down to the Riviera and back); Italy (Rome, Florence,
Venice, etc.) and Greece (two days in Athens and then a cruise to four
or five Greek islands, with a stop at Ephesus in Turkey). Great fun,
with entertaining and knowledgeable tour directors; no worries about
luggage or where to stay; too much time on the buses, of course, but it
seemed to go quickly; and a good checklist of sights to examine more
thoroughly on subsequent trips. And lots of photo ops.
The only thing to watch for on the tours is the "optional
excursions." They're not really optional if you want the full flavor of
the trip and they do add to the cost, although not outrageously so. You
can spot them in the brochure through the code language used: "You may
want to . . ." or "Why not enjoy . . .?" Usually there's at least one
optional excursion each day, and sometimes several. Often, they involve
a meal, which is usually quite good. (The best meal we had in Italy was
on an optional excursion to Burano during a boat tour of Venice and
vicinity.)
I think the usual suggestion is to budget about $50 a day (U.S.) per
person. Of course, if it's an outing to something like the Moulin Rouge
or Paradis Latin in Paris, you can probably double or triple that.
Every tour, it seems, include a visit to a perfume factory (obviously
the guides get a payoff) but we managed to avoid them by pleading
allergies.
We've since been back to Paris on our own and saw pretty much what we
wanted at our own pace -- and loved it. But the earlier tour gave us
the confidence that we could handle it.
Now visions of Spain are starting to stir, and I wouldn't be
surprised if it takes the form of a tour.
Good luck in whatever you decide,

-- Ron

I. Wilson Gittleman

Along with Hewitt's post:

All brochures I've seen make it very explicit what is included, whether
it is a half day or whole day, what part of a day (or all day) is 'on
your own', etc.

You are wise to know exactly what each day is like, and if you are not
able to tell this from the day-to-day 'itinerary', ask very specifics.

It is also true, as mentioned by others, that most hotels are not in the
center of town; but usually (1) hotels offer periodic transportation;
(2) hotels/tour operators will advise regarding public transportation;
or (3) unfortunately you are often on your own way out of town.

One solution is to get several people together and share a taxi.








"Iti is better to be vaguely right than precisely wrong.
--J. M. Keynes

The Reids

Following up to no e-mail

    >From their brochures, it seems they all have a morning
    >sightseeing tour in the morning when we first arrive in a city. Does
    >this mean we are on our own in the afternoon and evening? Or we will
    >need to sign up with their optional tour for the afternoon/evening
    >because the hotel may not be centrally located?

It would check the address of your hotel is central then be happy
with one giuded tour a day maximum. Personally, I dont think
guided tours areent the way to enjoy a country but thats just me,
I like to stroll around, try bars and restaurants,
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

No e-mail

Ronald Hands wrote:
    > Probably contrary to the opinion of most denizens of this n.g., I
    > think a tour is an excellent, low stress introduction to Europe if
    > you've never been there, or never been to that part of the continent.
    > My wife and I have been on three of them, all with Trafalgar: France
    > (Paris and then down to the Riviera and back); Italy (Rome, Florence,
    > Venice, etc.) and Greece (two days in Athens and then a cruise to four
    > or five Greek islands, with a stop at Ephesus in Turkey). Great fun,
    > with entertaining and knowledgeable tour directors; no worries about
    > luggage or where to stay; too much time on the buses, of course, but it
    > seemed to go quickly; and a good checklist of sights to examine more
    > thoroughly on subsequent trips. And lots of photo ops.
    > The only thing to watch for on the tours is the "optional
    > excursions." They're not really optional if you want the full flavor of
    > the trip and they do add to the cost, although not outrageously so. You
    > can spot them in the brochure through the code language used: "You may
    > want to . . ." or "Why not enjoy . . .?" Usually there's at least one
    > optional excursion each day, and sometimes several. Often, they involve
    > a meal, which is usually quite good. (The best meal we had in Italy was
    > on an optional excursion to Burano during a boat tour of Venice and
    > vicinity.)
    > I think the usual suggestion is to budget about $50 a day (U.S.) per
    > person. Of course, if it's an outing to something like the Moulin Rouge
    > or Paradis Latin in Paris, you can probably double or triple that.
    > Every tour, it seems, include a visit to a perfume factory (obviously
    > the guides get a payoff) but we managed to avoid them by pleading
    > allergies.
    > We've since been back to Paris on our own and saw pretty much what we
    > wanted at our own pace -- and loved it. But the earlier tour gave us
    > the confidence that we could handle it.
    > Now visions of Spain are starting to stir, and I wouldn't be surprised
    > if it takes the form of a tour.
    > Good luck in whatever you decide,
    >
    > -- Ron
    >
    >
Thank you for your comments. The information you provided is exactly
what I looking for. As others suggested, I need to contact the tour
company to get specific info but this helps a lot.

No e-mail

The Reids wrote:
    > Following up to no e-mail
    >
    >>From their brochures, it seems they all have a morning
    >
    >>sightseeing tour in the morning when we first arrive in a city. Does
    >>this mean we are on our own in the afternoon and evening? Or we will
    >>need to sign up with their optional tour for the afternoon/evening
    >>because the hotel may not be centrally located?
    >
    >
    > It would check the address of your hotel is central then be happy
    > with one giuded tour a day maximum. Personally, I dont think
    > guided tours areent the way to enjoy a country but thats just me,
    > I like to stroll around, try bars and restaurants,

Thank you for everyone's inputs. I agree that doing tour on our own is
the best but I don't have 5 week vacation every year.

Leland Windreich

In my retirement years I have found group tours most practical in terms of
relieving me of all the tiresome mechancis of travel. I have used Globus
for the UK and Eastern Europe and Cosmos for Spain. Globus is magnificently
organized and offers you a highly efficient and enjoyable tour.

Yes, most local tours seem to be in the a.m., which allows one most of the
day to wander unattended.

There are frustrations: often there is not enough time to do justice to a
site on the route. And MUCH too much time is spent on the road in places
featuring shopping. Wool factories and pottery shops are invariably away
from major points of interest, and one is captive for 1-2 hours while others
spend their money gladly.

"Optional" excursions should be selected with some prudence. Read up on the
sites proposed before you leave home and make choices wisely. Invariably
one must sign up for these in advance, so that the management can make
reservations for bus space and restaurant tables. I was disenchanted with
"typical local meals and entertainment" in Cardiff and Edinburgh and found
the entertainment low brow and the food unexciting. I would avoid these in
the future and take my chances on finding a good local cafe, selected from a
guidebook.
"No e-mail" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Ronald Hands wrote:
    >> Probably contrary to the opinion of most denizens of this n.g., I think
    >> a tour is an excellent, low stress introduction to Europe if you've never
    >> been there, or never been to that part of the continent.
    >> My wife and I have been on three of them, all with Trafalgar: France
    >> (Paris and then down to the Riviera and back); Italy (Rome, Florence,
    >> Venice, etc.) and Greece (two days in Athens and then a cruise to four or
    >> five Greek islands, with a stop at Ephesus in Turkey). Great fun, with
    >> entertaining and knowledgeable tour directors; no worries about luggage
    >> or where to stay; too much time on the buses, of course, but it seemed to
    >> go quickly; and a good checklist of sights to examine more thoroughly on
    >> subsequent trips. And lots of photo ops.
    >> The only thing to watch for on the tours is the "optional excursions."
    >> They're not really optional if you want the full flavor of the trip and
    >> they do add to the cost, although not outrageously so. You can spot them
    >> in the brochure through the code language used: "You may want to . . ."
    >> or "Why not enjoy . . .?" Usually there's at least one optional
    >> excursion each day, and sometimes several. Often, they involve a meal,
    >> which is usually quite good. (The best meal we had in Italy was on an
    >> optional excursion to Burano during a boat tour of Venice and vicinity.)
    >> I think the usual suggestion is to budget about $50 a day (U.S.) per
    >> person. Of course, if it's an outing to something like the Moulin Rouge
    >> or Paradis Latin in Paris, you can probably double or triple that.
    >> Every tour, it seems, include a visit to a perfume factory (obviously
    >> the guides get a payoff) but we managed to avoid them by pleading
    >> allergies.
    >> We've since been back to Paris on our own and saw pretty much what we
    >> wanted at our own pace -- and loved it. But the earlier tour gave us the
    >> confidence that we could handle it.
    >> Now visions of Spain are starting to stir, and I wouldn't be surprised
    >> if it takes the form of a tour.
    >> Good luck in whatever you decide,
    >> -- Ron
    > Thank you for your comments. The information you provided is exactly what
    > I looking for. As others suggested, I need to contact the tour company to
    > get specific info but this helps a lot.
    >

Frank F. Matthews

I. Wilson Gittleman, M.D. wrote:

    > Along with Hewitt's post:
    >
    > All brochures I've seen make it very explicit what is included, whether
    > it is a half day or whole day, what part of a day (or all day) is 'on
    > your own', etc.
    >
    > You are wise to know exactly what each day is like, and if you are not
    > able to tell this from the day-to-day 'itinerary', ask very specifics.
    >
    > It is also true, as mentioned by others, that most hotels are not in the
    > center of town; but usually (1) hotels offer periodic transportation;
    > (2) hotels/tour operators will advise regarding public transportation;
    > or (3) unfortunately you are often on your own way out of town.
    >
    > One solution is to get several people together and share a taxi.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > "Iti is better to be vaguely right than precisely wrong.
    > --J. M. Keynes
    >

I have found that there are massive differences in the location of
hotels used by group tours. So far I've stayed in convenient places in
Copenhagen, Cairo, Oslo, Bergen, and Budapest. In each case there was
convenient transportation nearby and no problems. As far as I can tell
I suspect that the tours that leave you in the hinterland are on the
really cheap side. I guess that the place for the first visit to Cairo
was technically out in the sticks but since the place was immediately
adjacent to the pyramids it was high class.