Jen
New Member
Posts: 13 
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Post by Jen on Oct 4, 2014 9:36:22 GMT
I have recently returned from an 11 week trip, which included five tours with four different tour companies. I have previously completed quite a few tours with Trafalgar and Globus and enjoyed them all. However, in planning this trip I was looking for something different … I was looking for small group tours and I was looking for tours without the expensive optionals and excessive single supplements (not all companies charge huge single supplements). As with any tour, the itinerary, dates and cost were really important.
I spent a lot of time researching and planning the tours before booking. There’s a lot of tour companies out there and it’s worth the effort to look at all the options before outlaying thousands of dollars. Of course it’s always a risk to try out something new but for me that was all part of the adventure.
Here’s the companies I used:
Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania): I did Historic Baltic Republics with British company Explore. They are a large company that offers tours worldwide – walking, cycling and bus tours. My tour had 18 people, which was the maximum number, on a small coach with about 25 seats. This was a low cost tour but the driver and guide were excellent and the accommodation was good. No dinners were included (which I prefer) but the guide was happy to make reservations and join the group for dinners. Overall this was a very good tour with an excellent itinerary – many companies cover the tourist route between Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius but this tour also covered rural and coastal areas.
Ireland and Scotland: I did All Ireland Explorer and Iona, Mull, Sky and Orkney with Scottish company Rabbies. Rabbies are well established in Scotland and offer a large range of Scottish tours but the Irish tours are new. The driver is also the guide and they talk about the history/tell great stories/play music while driving along. At the stops you are free to do what you want. In both Scotland and Ireland I did combination tours (two tours joined together) – in Scotland each tour had 16 people in a 16 seater coach, while the Irish tours had only about nine people. When you book you advise Rabbies of the type of accommodation you want (hostel, B&B, 3 star or 4 star hotel), they book it for you and you pay for accommodation as you go along. Only breakfasts are included so you are on your own for lunches and dinners. The driver has a set itinerary but also has a lot of freedom to stop at other places depending on the interests of the group. I loved this style of travel.
Iceland: I did the Natural Wonders of Iceland with Icelandic company Nordic Visitor. The tour had a great itinerary, good accommodation and included dinners. I had a few issues with the driver/guide – but he was very knowledgeable and we saw everything on the itinerary so I still really enjoyed the tour. My tour only had six passengers so we could spread out in an 18 seater bus. As with the Rabbies tours, the driver was able to add extra stops to the itinerary or just stop for photos along the way. Nordic Visitor also organise self-drive tours in Iceland, which would be quite easy to do in the summer months because the roads are very good. Iceland … WOW … if you love spectacular scenery put Iceland at the top of your ‘must see’ list.
Norway: I did the Fjords of Norway, which was booked through Norwegian company Authentic Scandinavia but the tour was run by Robinson Scandinavia. This was the only large coach tour I did, and it was booked because of the itinerary. The tour had a maximum of 40 people but we started with only 20 people and picked up another four along the way. This was an excellent tour with quality accommodation and very good meals – all dinners and most lunches were included, which is a real bonus in Norway where food is very expensive.
All these companies provided the product as set out their website, they were responsive to my emails and provided friendly and helpful advice to my questions. Maybe I was just lucky, but I tried four new tour companies and they were all very good.
I hope this information is useful to someone else in planning a trip to any of these areas. I’d be happy to answer any questions about the tours I did.
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Post by Tulips on Oct 4, 2014 13:04:02 GMT
Thank you Jend!
I have come to realize that there is more than just Trafalgar. Local companies really do a good job and I have started looking at many different companies for upcoming travels.
I am debating between going back to Chile or doing the Galapagos next year. Either way, i won't be doing them with Trafalgar.
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Post by tiffany on Oct 4, 2014 17:05:59 GMT
Hi Jend, it's good to know that you were happy with your selection of tour companies. I always go with Trafalgar and Insight because I know what to expect with them. I'm open to trying another company, but I would want to make sure that the quality would be the same as Trafalgar. Unlike you, I like included meals as it means not having to search for a place to eat, and it's a great way to get to know your travel companions. Also, as a single traveler who doesn't like to eat alone, it's a good way to make sure you have company. On my last tour of Switzerland and Austria, we had four free nights for dinner, and I have to admit that I found it to be too many free nights, and wish that optional dinners had been offered during those nights.
I do like the idea of less people on the coach though, and the ability to be flexible with the itinerary. My last two tours were pretty full with 52 people on one tour and 40 on the other, and I found it to be too many people. Just getting on and off the coach took forever and there was always a long wait for the ladies room.
I'd eventually like to try Tauck Tours, which has everything inlcuded, but it's a very expensive tour company. Maybe one day!
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Post by mary on Oct 5, 2014 15:00:04 GMT
Jend - Thanks for posting the information about those tour companies. It's great to be aware of the variety of offerings that are available.
So far, like Tiffany, I've been happy with the Trafalgar and Insight tours I've been on. I'm fairly certain one of my 2015 trips will be to the US National Parks. I'm considering Trafalgar and Insight, but I'm also looking at Grand Circle's Majestic National Parks tour, which is 18 days with a 3 day extension to the Dakota Badlands. There is no single supplement with this Grand Circle trip. I'll be weighing all three to decide which one will be best for me. I met a couple on my recent Copper Canyon tour who had been on 10 Grand Circle tours and this is how I found out about Grand Circle. So I would add them to the list of tour operators to check out. |
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Post by chech on Oct 5, 2014 15:14:06 GMT
I'd eventually like to try Tauck Tours, which has everything inlcuded, but it's a very expensive tour company. Maybe one day!
I looked at Tauck too and found them expensive. Then I went on Insight's Wonders of the American West and there was a Tauck tour that met up with us at a couple of overnight spots and at Moab and Bryce we were in the far better hotel....especially at Bryce. We were right on the rim. They were outside the park. I look at other companies when planning and have lucked out with Trafalgar/Insight/Brendan so far. My experience in South Africa is an indication why I like the large company...the snafu on arrival was settled in an hour and a half even though it was the middle of the night in the US when they called. That being said, especially for North American tours, I'll go for the best itinerary. For Australia, Globus still offers the better itinerary with a stop in Tasmania and a ride on the Ghan to Alice Springs. The only problem with Globus is tours fill up quick and I'd have to book that one a long time in advance. (Whereas the TT Australia tour is designed so that I could book it a month out and there would be spots...it's actually a string of 'day' tours at each stop...so a different TD at each flight)  |
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Post by californian on Oct 5, 2014 16:29:07 GMT
I just found the perfect tour: It is ran by Insight, Treasures of the Balkans, it goes to all the places I have wanted to see for long time, starts in Budapest and ends in Bucharest, 18 days, 10 countries, just hoping I can do it soon, half promised my friend to go to Alaska with her, so I might have to wait perhaps until 2016. I might convince my daughter to come with me, we both have wanted to go back to Budapest, I think the price is about right for a tour of this length, the single supp is not too bad either, I think this one will be a present to myself for my 75th, after that, I will probable have a garage sale with all my suitcases!
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Post by chech on Oct 5, 2014 16:31:44 GMT
I have my eye on that tour too. A lot of travel but the leg room and smaller group would be ideal. |
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Post by californian on Oct 5, 2014 16:49:03 GMT
I love to travel by land and coach, I never get tired, I went to a Viking Cruise presentation: not for me! when she said that the speed is 4-5 knots, I was bored instantly! I remember a couple of cruises on the Rhine, it gets old pretty quick! I have never taken an Insight tour, looking forward to more room, although it has never been a problem for me, but smaller groups are good, we were only 34 in my last tour, and it did move quickly. Chech, do you know if the discount for repeat Trafalgar traveler applies to Insight?
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Post by chech on Oct 5, 2014 17:24:56 GMT
Yup, you can get the repeat customer discount between Insight and TT. |
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Post by tiffany on Oct 5, 2014 23:48:20 GMT
Jend - Thanks for posting the information about those tour companies. It's great to be aware of the variety of offerings that are available.
So far, like Tiffany, I've been happy with the Trafalgar and Insight tours I've been on. I'm fairly certain one of my 2015 trips will be to the US National Parks. I'm considering Trafalgar and Insight, but I'm also looking at Grand Circle's Majestic National Parks tour, which is 18 days with a 3 day extension to the Dakota Badlands. There is no single supplement with this Grand Circle trip. I'll be weighing all three to decide which one will be best for me. I met a couple on my recent Copper Canyon tour who had been on 10 Grand Circle tours and this is how I found out about Grand Circle. So I would add them to the list of tour operators to check out. Hi Mary, I met a couple on my UK and Ireland tour a few years ago, and before going on that tour they had only gone on Grand Circle tours and loved them. I believe they are only offered to Americans though, and I don't think Canadians can book a tour with them. |
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Post by tiffany on Oct 5, 2014 23:51:25 GMT
I'd eventually like to try Tauck Tours, which has everything inlcuded, but it's a very expensive tour company. Maybe one day!
I looked at Tauck too and found them expensive. Then I went on Insight's Wonders of the American West and there was a Tauck tour that met up with us at a couple of overnight spots and at Moab and Bryce we were in the far better hotel....especially at Bryce. We were right on the rim. They were outside the park. I look at other companies when planning and have lucked out with Trafalgar/Insight/Brendan so far. My experience in South Africa is an indication why I like the large company...the snafu on arrival was settled in an hour and a half even though it was the middle of the night in the US when they called. That being said, especially for North American tours, I'll go for the best itinerary. For Australia, Globus still offers the better itinerary with a stop in Tasmania and a ride on the Ghan to Alice Springs. The only problem with Globus is tours fill up quick and I'd have to book that one a long time in advance. (Whereas the TT Australia tour is designed so that I could book it a month out and there would be spots...it's actually a string of 'day' tours at each stop...so a different TD at each flight) I'm surprised to hear that the hotels used by Tauck Tours are not as good as expected, given the price of their tours. I only know one person who went on a Tauck Tour, and she loved it. She said it was very expensive, but she liked that fact that everything was included, and she said the hotels were great. I guess every tour is different. |
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Post by tiffany on Oct 6, 2014 0:00:11 GMT
I just found the perfect tour: It is ran by Insight, Treasures of the Balkans, it goes to all the places I have wanted to see for long time, starts in Budapest and ends in Bucharest, 18 days, 10 countries, just hoping I can do it soon, half promised my friend to go to Alaska with her, so I might have to wait perhaps until 2016. I might convince my daughter to come with me, we both have wanted to go back to Budapest, I think the price is about right for a tour of this length, the single supp is not too bad either, I think this one will be a present to myself for my 75th, after that, I will probable have a garage sale with all my suitcases! This sounds like an interesting tour and I'll have to check it out myself. Hopefully you'll be able to convince your daughter to go with you. |
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Post by chech on Oct 6, 2014 0:17:41 GMT
I'm surprised to hear that the hotels used by Tauck Tours are not as good as expected, given the price of their tours. I only know one person who went on a Tauck Tour, and she loved it. She said it was very expensive, but she liked that fact that everything was included, and she said the hotels were great. I guess every tour is different. We were surprised too. A few chuckles would resonate throughout the coach every time the TD pointed out where Tauck spent the night.  |
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Post by mary on Oct 7, 2014 3:08:19 GMT
Jend - Thanks for posting the information about those tour companies. It's great to be aware of the variety of offerings that are available.
So far, like Tiffany, I've been happy with the Trafalgar and Insight tours I've been on. I'm fairly certain one of my 2015 trips will be to the US National Parks. I'm considering Trafalgar and Insight, but I'm also looking at Grand Circle's Majestic National Parks tour, which is 18 days with a 3 day extension to the Dakota Badlands. There is no single supplement with this Grand Circle trip. I'll be weighing all three to decide which one will be best for me. I met a couple on my recent Copper Canyon tour who had been on 10 Grand Circle tours and this is how I found out about Grand Circle. So I would add them to the list of tour operators to check out. Hi Mary, I met a couple on my UK and Ireland tour a few years ago, and before going on that tour they had only gone on Grand Circle tours and loved them. I believe they are only offered to Americans though, and I don't think Canadians can book a tour with them. Tiffany, I didn't know that only Americans could book Grand Circle. When I'm deciding on a tour, not having travelers from other than my own 'backyard' would be a negative for me. I enjoy being with a mix of travelers.
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Post by tiffany on Oct 7, 2014 11:55:01 GMT
Hi Mary, I met a couple on my UK and Ireland tour a few years ago, and before going on that tour they had only gone on Grand Circle tours and loved them. I believe they are only offered to Americans though, and I don't think Canadians can book a tour with them. Tiffany, I didn't know that only Americans could book Grand Circle. When I'm deciding on a tour, not having travelers from other than my own 'backyard' would be a negative for me. I enjoy being with a mix of travelers.
Hi Mary, I’m not 100 per cent sure about that, however, if I remember correctly, Grand Circle was only offered to Americans. You should double check that though as I could be wrong. The American couple from my UK and Ireland tour really liked them though, and had only done Grand Circle tours before our tour. |
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Post by chech on Oct 8, 2014 23:09:40 GMT
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Post by tiffany on Oct 9, 2014 12:16:38 GMT
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Post by tassiedevil on Oct 14, 2014 2:32:02 GMT
I just found the perfect tour: It is ran by Insight, Treasures of the Balkans, it goes to all the places I have wanted to see for long time, starts in Budapest and ends in Bucharest, 18 days, 10 countries, just hoping I can do it soon, half promised my friend to go to Alaska with her, so I might have to wait perhaps until 2016. I might convince my daughter to come with me, we both have wanted to go back to Budapest, I think the price is about right for a tour of this length, the single supp is not too bad either, I think this one will be a present to myself for my 75th, after that, I will probable have a garage sale with all my suitcases! I have that tour booked for next year in May. My father is retiring in May and this is a retirement present to himself and of cause being the good son I will go and keep him company. Like Chech said you definitely get the discount for repeat customer, even if you have only used Trafalgar. I booked early and got the 10% plus the 5% repeat customer discount. |
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Post by Tonnet on Oct 19, 2014 1:16:02 GMT
There is certainly no shortage of Tour companies in the world.
In Asia I found great satisfaction using both Travel Indochina and Wendy Wu. However I must admit that most of my touring has been self-organised and that has been best of all. I like working to my own timetable and always plan my days and timing to completely suit myself.
A classic example of this is when we arrived in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on a cruise ship. Shore excursions could be booked for $AU69.00 each and were of short duration. After disembarking I grabbed a cab and negotiated $AU40.00 for the entire day and we toured ALL the sites that could be done in the time frame we had ashore - personal experience of the town - and I was able to thrill Mrs. T with it all.
It certainly pays to do your homework well before you travel! |
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Post by Oz-T on Oct 19, 2014 21:10:04 GMT
Which cruise ship did you go on Tony?
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Post by Tonnet on Oct 19, 2014 21:27:22 GMT
Which cruise ship did you go on Tony? That was the Pacific Sun. Quite an old ship but very comfortable. P & O (Peninsular & Orient) are the owners. There are not many of that flag that I haven't sailed on, starting back as far as 1963. These days the cruise ships are not much more than floating RSL clubs. I was very spoilt in the old days as I often travelled as 'Super Cargo'. Dinner and cocktails were black tie affairs - no jeans or runners. |
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Post by Oz-T on Oct 19, 2014 21:45:56 GMT
We went on one of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships when we went to Vanuatu. It was indeed a floating hotel.
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Post by Tonnet on Oct 19, 2014 22:03:23 GMT
It would be remiss of me not to mention my favourite ship, Burns Philps 'Bulolo'. I was fortunate to sail on her several times from Sydney, calling at Brisbane then on to Port Moresby and other New Guinea ports. The quiet grand décor of the vessel which only carried a few passengers was appreciated by everyone. The efficient manner in which every port was worked was indeed a compliment to the captain and crew. Cargo/Passenger vessels can be a great way to travel. |
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Post by tiffany on Oct 20, 2014 11:49:55 GMT
There is certainly no shortage of Tour companies in the world.
In Asia I found great satisfaction using both Travel Indochina and Wendy Wu. However I must admit that most of my touring has been self-organised and that has been best of all. I like working to my own timetable and always plan my days and timing to completely suit myself.
A classic example of this is when we arrived in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on a cruise ship. Shore excursions could be booked for $AU69.00 each and were of short duration. After disembarking I grabbed a cab and negotiated $AU40.00 for the entire day and we toured ALL the sites that could be done in the time frame we had ashore - personal experience of the town - and I was able to thrill Mrs. T with it all.
It certainly pays to do your homework well before you travel! I met a couple on my Best of Turkey tours a few years ago, and they traveled through Asia with Wendy Wu and loved her. They said they had never been on a better tour or received better service than when traveling with her group. |
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Post by sherrie74 on Nov 6, 2014 4:11:49 GMT
For Canadians ... We used Royal Irish Tours this spring for their Shamrock Tour and loved the tour, it was more relaxing than others (Trafalgar or Globus) we have been on before. We lucked in with only 14 people on a big coach but it was in April so not a peak time. This is a Canadian company which also runs Royal Scottish Tours as well and both are connected to an organization in Ireland. Their price includes air. All hotels were very good and you had your choice of 3 different meals at dinner which we got most every night.
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Post by tiffany on Nov 6, 2014 12:42:32 GMT
Hi Sherrie, I’ll have to look into this tour company when I have a chance. I’ve been to the UK and Ireland, but I do want to go back to Scotland someday, as I didn’t see enough of it when I was there. On another note, we had a choice at every included dinner on our Trafalgar tour as well, and I think this is something that the UK and Ireland offers all tour companies. On the other tours I’ve been on, we usually only had a choice at the optional meals, not the included meals.
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basrickens
New Member
Setting up my next adventure. Fiji here I come
Posts: 2
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Post by basrickens on Jan 29, 2019 11:56:19 GMT
On my first trip to Europe was a business trip to London. I managed to book off two weeks after the conference for a Euro trip. As a very social extrovert traveling alone, I wanted to join a group tour. After shopping around I ended up booking a European Tour <advertised link removed by moderator> . It was a 12-day trip through 8 countries in Western Europe (England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, The Netherlands and Belguim). The schedule was busy, but that was what I wanted. Being my first time in Europe I was ready to explore as many countries as I could. The people on the tour ranged from an age of around 25 years old to almost 40 years old. While most people were keen for nightly drinks, nobody's trip was centered around partying every night. I was slightly worried the overriding memory of the trip was going to be being hungover in a bus, but that was not the case. Everyone was keen to use their days exploring site and cities, although some days were slower than others due to fantastic French wine. |
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