taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Nov 3, 2018 3:30:15 GMT
That couldn't have worked out better Pauline And the guaranteed departures too. I only ever pick the guaranteed departures now - too scared not to.
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denise
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by denise on Nov 3, 2018 5:17:24 GMT
The Best of Sicily & Malta with Tempo Holidays in April. My first trip with this tour company but they have guaranteed departures on all their tours, price was good and include lots of meals. Looking forward to the history, Mt Etna and food!
Norwegian Fjords with Cosmos at the end of August - I managed to get a great return airfare Australia-Oslo with Singapore Airlines $1,193! so couldn't resist booking another trip. This will be my first trip with Cosmos, well aware it will be a more basic tour but hopefully the wonderful scenery will be worth it.
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denise
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by denise on Nov 3, 2018 5:20:00 GMT
I"m heading to Poland in July with Insight, on their Highlights of Poland and then doing their Russia, Warsaw and the Baltic States tour. The Poland tour finishes in Warsaw on the day that the Russia tour starts, so I'm really happy about that and thankfully, both the tours are now definite departures. I did Insight's Russia, Warsaw and the Baltic States in May 2017 - very good tour, I think I posted a tour review on this site. I'm sure you'll enjoy - any questions please ask.
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taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Nov 3, 2018 23:10:08 GMT
Gotta love those Singapore Airlines fares Denise We got in just before the earlybird sale ended and did a price match also. It's great when you can get your dollar to go further.
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Post by Tulips on Nov 4, 2018 16:32:32 GMT
I have this tour booked for April: Walking the Prosecco Hills
What I like about this is that it is small group and the same hotel is used for the entire tour allowing one to unpack. The other trip I’m going to book is a surprise destination for me. I’ve never really had much interest in this country. But, my travel agent runs a weekly Facebook show with representatives of different tour outfitters. I then had a change of heart on the destination. Discover India
I’ve previously done two other National Geographic Journey tours and they were phenomenal. They offer so much flexibility and are again, small group. They also use local boutique hotels as opposed to large chains. I no longer look at chains when booking hotels as a result. If anyone has been to India, i’d love to hear your experience.
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Post by kiwigrandma on Nov 5, 2018 2:04:00 GMT
Have booked tour to st petersberg and Moscow with insight. Wanted to go trafalgar but had to change to insight to get definite departure. Then doing 11 day cruise leaving from Venice and going to Croatia, Malta and Spain. Ends in Barcelona so will stay a few days there. On way will break up trip in Singapore for 3 nights. It's so far to fly for us from nz. Sometimes it's rather exhausting.
Just a a question when we fly to Venice from Moscow we fly Air France and stop in Paris. We have to change planes and terminals and there is only an hour between landing and taking off. Didn't notice this until had paid for flights. Last time we were in Paris airport we got completely lost. Has anyone else ever done this flight and had to change terminals.
We we don't go until august so a long way off yet.
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Post by Oz-T on Nov 5, 2018 8:39:57 GMT
The Best of Sicily & Malta with Tempo Holidays in April. My first trip with this tour company but they have guaranteed departures on all their tours, price was good and include lots of meals. ... I used Tempo for my tour of Turkey last June, Denise. Whilst they're a tour wholesaler rather than a direct tour operator, they do arrange tours with top quality local tour businesses. My only experience was that Turkey tour (operated locally by Neon Tours) but I'd have to give Tempo a 10 out of 10 - we were very pleased. We also had guaranteed departures (something Trafalgar couldn't do, having cancelled our Best of Turkey at a late stage). And extra meals and cheaper price. It was also a very small group so it felt like a private tour.
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Post by kiwigrandma on Nov 5, 2018 8:59:55 GMT
still looking at Canada/Alaska but that might be put off until 2020? Local travel agency have advertised an Israel & Jordan esp. Petra tour in May next year. I am keen as I have always wanted to go to Israel but Eddie is a bit diffident. I will not push it at the moment as I am on a waiting list for an urgent hysterectomy. When I'm over that I will get more proactive as it may be my one and only chance to go there. I was originally going to go after my teacher training back when I was 20 but I met Eddie and we got married instead - I said he now 'owes' me the trip I missed back then 😏✡ I too would love to go to Israel and Jordan. Can't convince partner to go. Might have to go on own. Won't be next year though as going to st petersberg and Moscow and cruise.
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Post by Oz-T on Nov 5, 2018 9:04:31 GMT
And for me..... a tour of China in June 2019. I've been there before, but Mrs Oz hasn't - so it's time to take her to the Middle Kingdom where I can try to recall several Mandarin phrases so that I can order in restaurants and hopefully not accidentally order fried wallpaper. Or cat dumplings on my plate. The tour is with TripaADeal which is renowned for cheap but well-packaged tours and we've had excellent feedback from someone who's gone on this particular trip. All up, we'll be 18 days and visiting Beijing, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Xian's terracotta warriors, Shanghai. Then a Yangtze cruise to the Three Gorges Dam, fortress etc.. Then a flight to Hong Kong before heading home. And if I get time I will check out Chech's outsourced sweatshops to ensure they're efficiently producing plenty of t-shirts with cat designs on them. Including the political ones...
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Post by kiwigrandma on Nov 5, 2018 9:40:49 GMT
Look forward to reading about it. I think terra-cotta warriors are on display in Wellington (nz) soon. Can't be all of them. I'll have to look it up.
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Nov 5, 2018 9:54:38 GMT
I"m heading to Poland in July with Insight, on their Highlights of Poland and then doing their Russia, Warsaw and the Baltic States tour. The Poland tour finishes in Warsaw on the day that the Russia tour starts, so I'm really happy about that and thankfully, both the tours are now definite departures. I did Insight's Russia, Warsaw and the Baltic States in May 2017 - very good tour, I think I posted a tour review on this site. I'm sure you'll enjoy - any questions please ask. Thank you Denise. Yes, I read your tour review when you posted it and have saved it, as I found it very helpful. I printed it and have highlighted some of your comments about the tour and cities/towns visited. One question, while I think of it. Did you take any foreign currency with you or just exchange AUD when over there?
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Nov 5, 2018 9:57:25 GMT
That couldn't have worked out better Pauline And the guaranteed departures too. I only ever pick the guaranteed departures now - too scared not to. The Poland tour was the only guaranteed departure when I booked, so I was checking out other tours for a Plan B, in case the Russia tour didn't become guaranteed. Was extremely happy when I saw that the Russia tour also a GD.
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Nov 5, 2018 10:27:07 GMT
The Best of Sicily & Malta with Tempo Holidays in April. My first trip with this tour company but they have guaranteed departures on all their tours, price was good and include lots of meals. Looking forward to the history, Mt Etna and food! Norwegian Fjords with Cosmos at the end of August - I managed to get a great return airfare Australia-Oslo with Singapore Airlines $1,193! so couldn't resist booking another trip. This will be my first trip with Cosmos, well aware it will be a more basic tour but hopefully the wonderful scenery will be worth it. I did a tour of Scandinavia in July 2017 and the scenery was spectacular, especially when you are on a ferry travelling along a fjord. I also had 4 days on Malta this past September. My hotel was in Valletta, so I got a heart workout every time I went exploring, as Valletta is very hilly. Some very beautiful old cities/towns/villages there.
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Nov 5, 2018 10:54:34 GMT
I have this tour booked for April: Walking the Prosecco Hills
What I like about this is that it is small group and the same hotel is used for the entire tour allowing one to unpack. The other trip I’m going to book is a surprise destination for me. I’ve never really had much interest in this country. But, my travel agent runs a weekly Facebook show with representatives of different tour outfitters. I then had a change of heart on the destination. Discover India
I’ve previously done two other National Geographic Journey tours and they were phenomenal. They offer so much flexibility and are again, small group. They also use local boutique hotels as opposed to large chains. I no longer look at chains when booking hotels as a result. If anyone has been to India, i’d love to hear your experience. Tulips, I did a tour of India back in February 2013, with Wendy Wu. I sent emails to family & friends while away and then a couple of years ago, decided to use the emails to do a blog of the tour, with photos. This is the blog link: indiafeb2013.blogspot.comYou need to have an open mind about India. It is an amazing country but the caste system is horrendous, in my view BUT it works for them. Just sad that so many people stay in poverty, because of it. It is getting better though, so I have been told.
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Nov 5, 2018 11:02:19 GMT
Have booked tour to st petersberg and Moscow with insight. Wanted to go trafalgar but had to change to insight to get definite departure. Then doing 11 day cruise leaving from Venice and going to Croatia, Malta and Spain. Ends in Barcelona so will stay a few days there. On way will break up trip in Singapore for 3 nights. It's so far to fly for us from nz. Sometimes it's rather exhausting. Just a a question when we fly to Venice from Moscow we fly Air France and stop in Paris. We have to change planes and terminals and there is only an hour between landing and taking off. Didn't notice this until had paid for flights. Last time we were in Paris airport we got completely lost. Has anyone else ever done this flight and had to change terminals. We we don't go until august so a long way off yet. What is the name of your Insight tour and when are you going? My Russia Warsaw & Baltic States tour is made up of 2 Insight tours. Warsaw & the Baltic States and Easy Pace Russia.
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Post by Tulips on Nov 7, 2018 2:28:24 GMT
I have this tour booked for April: Walking the Prosecco Hills
What I like about this is that it is small group and the same hotel is used for the entire tour allowing one to unpack. The other trip I’m going to book is a surprise destination for me. I’ve never really had much interest in this country. But, my travel agent runs a weekly Facebook show with representatives of different tour outfitters. I then had a change of heart on the destination. Discover India
I’ve previously done two other National Geographic Journey tours and they were phenomenal. They offer so much flexibility and are again, small group. They also use local boutique hotels as opposed to large chains. I no longer look at chains when booking hotels as a result. If anyone has been to India, i’d love to hear your experience. Tulips, I did a tour of India back in February 2013, with Wendy Wu. I sent emails to family & friends while away and then a couple of years ago, decided to use the emails to do a blog of the tour, with photos. This is the blog link: indiafeb2013.blogspot.comYou need to have an open mind about India. It is an amazing country but the caste system is horrendous, in my view BUT it works for them. Just sad that so many people stay in poverty, because of it. It is getting better though, so I have been told. Thanks for the very detailed account of your trip to India. Your tour pretty much covered everywhere the tour I’m looking at goes. I’ve never heard of Wendy Wu. What was the food like?
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Post by kiwigrandma on Nov 8, 2018 1:26:10 GMT
I have this tour booked for April: Walking the Prosecco Hills
What I like about this is that it is small group and the same hotel is used for the entire tour allowing one to unpack. The other trip I’m going to book is a surprise destination for me. I’ve never really had much interest in this country. But, my travel agent runs a weekly Facebook show with representatives of different tour outfitters. I then had a change of heart on the destination. Discover India
I’ve previously done two other National Geographic Journey tours and they were phenomenal. They offer so much flexibility and are again, small group. They also use local boutique hotels as opposed to large chains. I no longer look at chains when booking hotels as a result. If anyone has been to India, i’d love to hear your experience.
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Post by kiwigrandma on Nov 8, 2018 1:50:38 GMT
Tulips I'm sorry. Have ended up with your post on my reply to you. Don't know how I did that. You are interested in India and thought I'd let you know of my experience. Me and my two sisters all over 60 booked with adventure world. They organized a driver for us and a guide to meet us at every stop. We experienced old Delhi, marigold hotel (if you have seen the movie), Jaipur, Pushkar, Ganges River in Varanasi, udaipur, went looking for tigers in Ranthambore in jeep. We included a train ride from Varanasi to Agra. Very long but interesting. Hotels we stayed in varied but all 3 star or above. No complaints about any of them. Our driver was amazing. Tour guides varied but no complaints about any of them. Overall was a great trip. Cost was around about nz$7000 for three weeks but this included a couple of days in Kong Kong. We were picked up in Delhi and taken back to Delhi airport to come home. Hope you find this helpful.
Ps. We did a yoga session in Lodi park in Delhi and also attended a Bollywood movie. Didn't see it finish but worth going for the experience and to look at theatre. Did a tricycle ride and pleased I lived as it seemed touch and go for a while. Loved the food but never ate in any markets. None of us got sick.
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Post by kiwigrandma on Nov 8, 2018 2:08:47 GMT
Have booked tour to st petersberg and Moscow with insight. Wanted to go trafalgar but had to change to insight to get definite departure. Then doing 11 day cruise leaving from Venice and going to Croatia, Malta and Spain. Ends in Barcelona so will stay a few days there. On way will break up trip in Singapore for 3 nights. It's so far to fly for us from nz. Sometimes it's rather exhausting. Just a a question when we fly to Venice from Moscow we fly Air France and stop in Paris. We have to change planes and terminals and there is only an hour between landing and taking off. Didn't notice this until had paid for flights. Last time we were in Paris airport we got completely lost. Has anyone else ever done this flight and had to change terminals. We we don't go until august so a long way off yet. What is the name of your Insight tour and when are you going? My Russia Warsaw & Baltic States tour is made up of 2 Insight tours. Warsaw & the Baltic States and Easy Pace Russia. Hi
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Post by kiwigrandma on Nov 8, 2018 2:11:00 GMT
Hi Pauline. We are on Easy paced Russia 8 day tour. Starts 1st September finishes 8 September.
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denise
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by denise on Nov 9, 2018 6:14:31 GMT
I did Insight's Russia, Warsaw and the Baltic States in May 2017 - very good tour, I think I posted a tour review on this site. I'm sure you'll enjoy - any questions please ask. Thank you Denise. Yes, I read your tour review when you posted it and have saved it, as I found it very helpful. I printed it and have highlighted some of your comments about the tour and cities/towns visited. One question, while I think of it. Did you take any foreign currency with you or just exchange AUD when over there? I took Euros as these are used in the Baltic states, I didn't need to change any money in Poland and I had USD (leftover from my US 2016 trip) for Russia. In St Petersburg there was a money change next door to the hotel that was open until about 8p.m.
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Nov 9, 2018 6:21:34 GMT
Hi Pauline. We are on Easy paced Russia 8 day tour. Starts 1st September finishes 8 September. Hi kiwigrandma, I'll be following in your footsteps but 3 weeks after you. I think if I had half a brain it would be lonely. My tour is actually from the 21st July NOT September, so I'll be there about 6 weeks before you.
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Nov 9, 2018 6:25:35 GMT
Thanks for the very detailed account of your trip to India. Your tour pretty much covered everywhere the tour I’m looking at goes. I’ve never heard of Wendy Wu. What was the food like? Tulips, Wendy Wu has been in Australia for years. I went to China with them back in 2003. The food was good. Lots of spicy food and curries, as well as less spicy. My friend Mary can't eat spicy food but always found something on the menu.
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Nov 9, 2018 6:29:37 GMT
Thank you Denise. Yes, I read your tour review when you posted it and have saved it, as I found it very helpful. I printed it and have highlighted some of your comments about the tour and cities/towns visited. One question, while I think of it. Did you take any foreign currency with you or just exchange AUD when over there? I took Euros as these are used in the Baltic states, I didn't need to change any money in Poland and I had USD (leftover from my US 2016 trip) for Russia. In St Petersburg there was a money change next door to the hotel that was open until about 8p.m. Thanks. I have plenty of Euros left over from my Greece tour this year, so will just change some of them to Zloty and probably do the same for Russia. The optionals will all go on the credit card. I'm not a big spender, so should be okay.
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Post by bet on Nov 19, 2018 5:48:41 GMT
I have this tour booked for April: Walking the Prosecco Hills
What I like about this is that it is small group and the same hotel is used for the entire tour allowing one to unpack. The other trip I’m going to book is a surprise destination for me. I’ve never really had much interest in this country. But, my travel agent runs a weekly Facebook show with representatives of different tour outfitters. I then had a change of heart on the destination. Discover India
I’ve previously done two other National Geographic Journey tours and they were phenomenal. They offer so much flexibility and are again, small group. They also use local boutique hotels as opposed to large chains. I no longer look at chains when booking hotels as a result. If anyone has been to India, i’d love to hear your experience. Tulips, I did India in 2016 and loved it, it was one of my best ever trips. I visited Delhi and Rajasthan area and did put up a short tale in here. I went with Intrepid which are just like G Adventures. The tour I originally booked went to Udaipur and the Ranthambore NP but I changed tours so missed out but i went to Jaisalmer and the Keoladeo Sanctuary instead and both were great. I still want to return to India one day to see everything I missed so I hope you do a tale upon your return I know Udaipur is meant to be stunning and the Ganges and Khajuraho with its statues impressive. I loved the food as well.
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Post by bet on Nov 19, 2018 5:56:43 GMT
I’m heading back to Thailand in February and home to NZ in March. I’m hoping to finally visit Peru and Easter Island after having to delay it. Hopefully for Christmas and New Years if I can get the time off work.
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Post by chech on Dec 7, 2018 18:56:19 GMT
I just finished finalizing my 2019 plans. Galapagos land-based tour in February, two storm chasing tours in May and June with a drive to Yellowstone, Bryce and through the Colorado Rockies in between and my third kick at the cat for Tibet in October with a week in India likely before that.
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Post by solaria on Jan 16, 2019 2:32:58 GMT
still looking at Canada/Alaska but that might be put off until 2020? Local travel agency have advertised an Israel & Jordan esp. Petra tour in May next year. I am keen as I have always wanted to go to Israel but Eddie is a bit diffident. I will not push it at the moment as I am on a waiting list for an urgent hysterectomy. When I'm over that I will get more proactive as it may be my one and only chance to go there. I was originally going to go after my teacher training back when I was 20 but I met Eddie and we got married instead - I said he now 'owes' me the trip I missed back then 😏✡ well op went well and CT scan showed no further stray cancer lesions elsewhere, so I have been given the all clear and no need for any further treatment, only 6 monthly checkups for 2 years. I have however decided against any travels this year. Home feels the right place to be for now. To make it even more homely, after 2 years of no pets we have now adopted Chester - 11wks old! He was found on a farm track only 2 weeks old and hand reared by a lovely animal carer until he was ready for his permanent home, which is ours! Hasn't taken long to belong here - 2 days - he's now sleeping on my lap while I type this. so 2019 I will travel vicariously with all you intrepid explorers! 👍
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Post by sylvana on Jan 16, 2019 20:22:55 GMT
Pleased to hear all is well with you. Chester is gorgeous 😊
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taskaz
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by taskaz on Jan 18, 2019 3:21:01 GMT
So glad you had good news solaria and Chester is absolutely beautiful
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