Nancy
New Member
Posts: 10 
|
Post by Nancy on Oct 21, 2016 3:10:07 GMT
Hi all,
I found you guys from the old Trafalgar Forum!! I am Nancy from California, for those who may have remembered me before. I know not to say much more than that on the personal information. I was always switching around my tours. I was anxiously waiting the countdown to the Treasures of France, when Trafalgar decided to take down the forums, and change their site around. After, that I had gotten a little nervous with things, and cancelled my tour. I kept checking and following up on things, and feel a little more comfortable now going ahead with my booking. I am deciding to stay with France, and booking the Wonderful France tour. This time, I am not cancelling, changing, or switching my mind. I am going to see if I can find any older tales on France that is similar to what I am going on. I feel a bit better now that I have found the old forum again, and the regular people that were here before.
I have been on a few cruises in the meantime. It has just been my dream to travel to Europe and explore places that I dream about, and Paris has been on my list forever. Next to Italy, Switzerland, Austria, lol. I figured I would start with a little simpler tour and work my way up once I get the hang of things.
Glad to have found this forum again,
Nancy
|
|
|
|
Post by chech on Oct 21, 2016 10:35:47 GMT
Hi Nancy! Glad to see you found us. And yes, there are some old France tales in the Travel Tale section. Starting with a simple tour is best. It's how I started in 2009 with the Bohemian Highlights...and now I'll do anything....I just got back from the Northwest Passage and in the next year I'm going storm chasing, to Everest base camp and back to Egypt! Once you start, you won't stop.  |
|
|
|
Post by purvis on Oct 21, 2016 14:18:02 GMT
Nancy: Welcome to this travel site. It's always nice to find info on an upcoming tour from people who have done this tour and whose info you trust. The old Trafalgar tour site helped many folk that had questions and who were helped by the experiences of others. It's a shame that it was closed down but this site has many of the former travelers so has efficiently replaced the Trafalgar site. Purvis
|
|
Nancy
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by Nancy on Oct 21, 2016 16:22:09 GMT
Thank you,
Yes, I was surprised when they took down the forums. It made the site a little different than the other places with the forums to go to for questions and such. I feel at ease again. It is my dream to do one of the longer tours. I can barely handle a 7 day cruise. I did 10 days in Hawaii once, covering Maui and Kauai and that was a long time away from home. The longest flight I have taken was to Puerto Rico, and realize I get clots. I have to get up and move around. I am off today so I will spend some time with the older travel tales, and see what I can find.
Thanks again,
Nancy
|
|
|
|
Post by Oz-T on Oct 24, 2016 10:39:14 GMT
G'day Nancy; great to see you here! Yes, we've been lurking here since just before Trafalgar trashed its forum. You're in for a treat with Treasures of France. If you're interested, you can read about our private self-drive tour two years ago: travel-forum.freeforums.net/thread/460/france-benelux-belgium-netherlands-luxembourgWe drove to many places on your tour - just skip past the Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg stuff and read through what we did in France. You'll trace a similar wide arc through the French countryside. Oz-Traveller  |
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on Nov 1, 2016 11:33:23 GMT
Welcome to the board Nancy! I’m glad you found us! I’m sure you will love France. I went on Trafalgar’s Best of France tour in 2012, and it is still one of my favourite tours. You will have to tells us about it when you get back.
|
|
Nancy
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by Nancy on May 14, 2017 2:41:57 GMT
I am back again!!
I was away for a while, I took my computer in to have it fixed, I ended up getting a virus from letting my antivirus protection expire. They wiped my computer clean! I lost all my files, school files, and couldn't think of the name of this forum. I tried searching everywhere and nothing would come up. Until I recognized some one in another social media site and gave me the link again. I want to say thank you so very much. I appreciate it. Guess my computer is all fixed now.
I still haven't booked my first tour yet. Wondering if I will ever go. I have been looking though. I was thinking of France, but a little bit nervous on the terrorism over there. I guess terrorism is everywhere. I will be traveling solo, that still scares me a little because I stick out like a sore thumb. I was thinking of booking around my birthday in March next year, but booked a cruise for April instead, so that takes up a little time. My next vacation time is around September time, so just waiting til the brochures pop up for that time in 2018. How do you decide where to go first? I am looking at a 7-10 day to start my first tour. The farthest I have ever traveled was to Puerto Rico and that was an 8 hour flight. I have never been out of the Country before. Is there such thing as a travel, friendly place for first time solo people? I do think I will stick with the 1st class tours, for the convenience of things.
Time to get caught up on the Travel Tales!
Thank you so much for the link!!!!
Nancy!
|
|
|
|
Post by chech on May 14, 2017 15:05:19 GMT
Hi Nancy! Anywhere in Europe is a great place to start. Don't let the oversensationalized incidents steer you away. Just think about it...in the US, there are, on average, a mass shooting every single day. (A mass shooting is defined by a shooting that injures or kills 4 people not including the shooter). Just imagine if the national or international media covered every single one? We wouldn't go near the place! LOL I wrote a blog post on the odds of getting hurt in a "terrorist" incident that really gives you an idea as to how rare it is. (And the odds are based on worldwide statistics which include incidents in high risk countries we'd never go to....so the odds I've listed are actually even better when you go to a western industrialized nation). You can read it here: niume.com/post/241746In Europe, as a solo, you won't stick out in the least. They're used to tourists and when the tours operate, the cities of Europe are full of tourists. I did Italy with a semi-independent company and did a lot of stuff on my own including walking around all of Venice on my own. I didn't look or feel any different than if I had been walking the streets of Toronto. The UK, France and Italy are great places to start. Switzerland with Insight would be an awesome way to start. No one is bothering the Swiss at all and the tour is one of the best I was on in Europe. You can't beat mountains and chocolate all at the same time! |
|
Nancy
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by Nancy on May 14, 2017 19:05:54 GMT
Thank you Chech, I enjoyed reading your tale, Switzerland is on my bucket list. I think I will stay with my first choice and do the Treasures of France. I have it narrowed down to three choices. Looking at keeping things a little short on the first tour next year as it will be my first time out of the Country. My choices are:
1. Treasures of France-I really like the little history buff in this one (I am a little bit nerdy).
2. Simply Italy- Just because I have always wanted to go to Venice.
3. European Dream- Covers a little bit of everything, but too much time on the bus.
These are the 3 options that I seem to keep going back and forth on, but really considering The Treasures of France, a little fast paced is fine for me, I know there's some bus time. I can not seem to find the at leisure tours any more. At least if I do this one, thin on the bigger or longer trips I can get the returning discount! I am planning on going around Sept, 2018 hopefully. You are right about the terrorism, guess that is another way to look at things. I do go to the Caribbean a lot. I am aware of the vendors, and pan handlers. I have heard a lot of attacks on Paris, and it being a dirty place. Guess there is only one way to find out! I think I have made my mind up with the Treasures of France when the itinerary comes out! I am sure I will eventually go on them all.
Nancy
|
|
|
|
Post by chech on May 14, 2017 19:31:42 GMT
Of the three....I would go for Italy. All three cities are magical! The one thing I don't like about Simply Italy is that it arrives and departs Rome so that one valuable day is spent driving unnecessarily. If you could find one that starts in Rome and ends in Venice, that gives you the option to extend in Venice (cause on Simply Italy, you only get one full day there so that you have limited time in a city that needs three days to see properly....including one day of just walking the street aimlessly!). Flavors of Italy does a lot of what Simply Italy does but gives you more time in each city and you'd have the option to add extra days at the start or end in Rome/Venice. Or the Contrasts of Italy where you go by train between the cities. (I did it that way with Monograms). That means less time on the road and more time in the cities cause it's only a couple hours between them...and the option to add extra days in both Rome and Venice. Costs a bit more than Simply Italy but you really get the best bang for the buck with that one. The Treasures of France looks good too and it doesn't have long bus days cause the distance from Paris to the coast isn't that far. It would be a better option than European Dream. That's a lot of time on the road with barely a glance at each city. The regional tours are so much better. The only reason you'd do the European Dream would be if you expected you'd never go back to Europe. |
|
|
|
Post by Boop on May 15, 2017 17:03:17 GMT
Hi Nancy!
I'm a single traveller as well. I swallowed all my fears and went on the Best of Italy tour in 2009. It was a little on the longer side as far as days go but it was the best experience of my life and I've never regretted my decision to go. It was a fantastic tour, I like travelling with Trafalgar, they really are so professional and think of everything. In 2011 I travelled to Switzerland and again, it was a most wonderful tour, shorter than Best of Italy but just as fulfilling. In 2012 I took my two grandsons on an independent trip to Prague, we took the overnight train to Amsterdam and home from there. Again, it was a longer trip but took a great deal of planning. In 2015 I travelled to Prague where I spent several days on my own, then picked up the Trafalgar Christmas tour of Prague, Vienna and Budapest which spent three days/nights in each place. This tour was absolutely magical and I would do it again. Nothing can beat the European Christmas markets and since I love to shop more than anything....it was a dream come true. Never be hesitant to travel as a single on a tour as you can have as much or as little company as you choose. It really is the best way to travel.
|
|
Nancy
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by Nancy on May 17, 2017 17:07:32 GMT
Thanks everyone,
It is fun planning and deciding where to go! Yes I have been looking at the Best of Italy. I just thought I would get homesick, run out of money, or end up in the Italian prison like Amanda Knox. Maybe I watch too much tv. I have been reading some reviews on the tours and they all seem to be good reviews. Mostly on the 1st class tours. I am still thinking of doing the Treasures of France, and then the Best of Italy, at least I will have a return guest discount. I also have been looking at the Imperial Europe tour, but again, really checking things out, as I don't want to spend the whole time on the tour bus. I miss looking at those at Leisure brochures. I have a big cruise coming up in April that takes up some vacation time. Hopefully I will be able to start actually going on one of these tours!!
Nancy
|
|
axl
New Member
Posts: 18
|
Post by axl on May 19, 2017 1:28:14 GMT
Hi Nancy A couple of days ago I received an email from Trafalgar showing Great Cities of Italy it shows it as an at leisure tour so they must still have some?
|
|
|
|
Post by tiffany on May 19, 2017 11:22:59 GMT
Nancy, I've been to Italy twice and loved it. You can't go wrong with a trip to Italy. I went on Trafalgar's eight day Italian Holiday tour, and on their 16 day Best of Italy and Sicily tour, both excellent. I'm sure whatever you pick will be a great tour.
|
|
Nancy
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by Nancy on May 27, 2017 21:41:06 GMT
Thanks axl, I will have to look that one up.
Tiffany, I was looking at that Italian Holiday tour, and Simply Italy tour as well. Choices, choices, what to go on first!! I am sticking with the first class tours though, just for the convenience and location of the hotels, because I like to get out and explore things, I do like to rest and relax in the room as well, but like that easy access in case I want to get out and grab a quick snack. I am still looking at The Treasures of France, but now considering Italy, You're right no matter which one I choose, it will be a good tour. I have been reading reviews, and they all seem really good. Just have to choose one and GO!!
Thanks again.
Nancy
|
|
daphne
Junior Member
LOVE Travelling!!
Posts: 58
|
Post by daphne on Jun 7, 2017 9:54:27 GMT
Hi Nancy!! 5 years ago, I also travelled for the first time out of South Africa, to Europe, don't know how we came across Trafalgar and an Italian trip, but we decided to do Best of Italy with Trafalgar, best decision ever _ and 2 weeks is not long enough LOL!! 2 Years later, we did Best of France and back to back the Cost Saver Italian Dream (just HAD to go back to Italy). Then last year, we did Best of Greece with a 7 Day Cruise and once again Italy (First Class) Rome and Tuscan Highlights... Italy will always be my first love, just a wonderful country to visit for a first timer to Europe... very relaxed and friendly people and the food and of course the scenery. But as you also said, I would never go on a Cost Saver again, the hotels were to far out from the main centre of towns, we mostly stayed close to an airport or had to take the bus to get somewhere in the evenings... you could not take a stroll into town ... a taxi at a price, lesser meals included, lesser sightseeings included, so in the end if you add up all the extra costs and effort from your side to do and see stuff, it just safest to do a First Class tour (in my opinion, if affordable). Happy planning and dreaming, I am mostly dreaming from the moment I set foot back in South Africa, till the next trip, even have a countdown till next July .... less than 400 days now.... Enjoy!!! Daphne |
|
