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Post by bet on Nov 6, 2014 8:01:37 GMT
Bet, I’m looking forward to seeing your pics when you have time to post them. I’ve read up to day 5 of your tour, and I look forward to finishing the rest today and tomorrow. I’ve only been on one tour where most people kept to themselves, and that was in Holland. Usually, people like to mingle, and like to include the singles of the group to join them for meals and/or sightseeing. I’ve done two Insight tours, and I never had a problem finding people to have dinner with, etc., while on either tour. I hope to post some photos over the weekend. My Trafalgar tour was completely different and the group in general mixed in well.
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Post by tiffany on Nov 6, 2014 12:37:10 GMT
Bet, this sounds like a great tour, despite the tour director. I’m surprised that he lectured your group twice regarding “spreading rumors”, and I’m surprised no one spoke up at the time. I know I would have said something after the first lecture, letting him know that people are not spreading rumor, just comparing notes on how bad he is as a tour director. I had issues my tour director, but at least she was organized and kept us well informed on what was going on. Sometimes she gave us too much information! It sounds like there were not a lot of included meals with your tour, which I have to say I don’t like. I like the included dinners, especially at the beginning of the tour, because that’s when people really get to sit and talk and get to know each other. Maybe the reason the couples on your tour stuck together is because you didn’t have a lot of included meals at the beginning of the tour, giving you time to get acquainted. This is also one of the reasons I always do all of the optional dinners. It’s a great way to get to know the people on your tour. We had 4 people on our tour skip both the Matterhorn and Bernina Express optionals, and I couldn’t figure out why either. For the Matterhorn, I just figured that they were afraid of heights, but I couldn’t figure out why someone would skip the Bernina Express optional. Maybe they didn’t want to spend the money. I’m looking forward to seeing your pics and reading about your other tour. With a good TD I think this tour offers a good taste of Switzerland. There weren't many included dinners and I agree they should have some dinners at the beginning of the tour to help everyone get acquainted. It didn't bother me too much as I prefer to choose my own meals. I know one couple that didn't do the Bernina Express optional was because of the cost. I couldn't understand it as they spent a lot on the tour itself and the optional was only around 50 francs which wasn't excessive, but I guess it does all add up at the end of the day. They regretted not going and learnt you cant always put a price on some things. I agree that you can’t put a price tag on some things. Besides, if you’re spending that much money to go on the trip, you should at least budget for the main optionals, which the Bernina Express is. It’s too bad they regretted not going. Maybe they will go back again someday.
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Post by bet on Jul 5, 2015 9:06:16 GMT
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Post by chech on Jul 5, 2015 12:47:31 GMT
Great tale, Bet! And more recent than all the ones on the Insight board. I can see why you didn't like the guide. By the sounds of it, he rushed everything. I'll be curious to see if Vincenzo follows the same timings. I have some questions that you might be able to answer: 1. Is there time in the free afternoon in Lucerne to go see another mountain top? (Or time if I skip the carriage optional?) If so, which is the best peak to visit? (Or easiest to visit). 2. In other tales, I see people talk about walking down from the Matterhorn - a one hour walk. Do you recall this possibility? 3. Is there anything to do on the free day in Zermatt mountain/scenic-wise...would going back up to the Matterhorn be an option? 4. In other tales, they also talked about an 8 km walk around a lake...in Lugano maybe...or St. Moritz. Ring a bell? 5. I think you went in the end of August last year...any "cold" spots? (below 10 C) I plan to take all the optionals unless something else is appealing. Outside of the carriage ride, were there any other optionals you would have skipped cause something else was easily available and more interesting (ie mountain visit thx!
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Post by bet on Jul 5, 2015 14:53:05 GMT
Great tale, Bet! And more recent than all the ones on the Insight board. I can see why you didn't like the guide. By the sounds of it, he rushed everything. I'll be curious to see if Vincenzo follows the same timings. I have some questions that you might be able to answer: 1. Is there time in the free afternoon in Lucerne to go see another mountain top? (Or time if I skip the carriage optional?) If so, which is the best peak to visit? (Or easiest to visit). 2. In other tales, I see people talk about walking down from the Matterhorn - a one hour walk. Do you recall this possibility? 3. Is there anything to do on the free day in Zermatt mountain/scenic-wise...would going back up to the Matterhorn be an option? 4. In other tales, they also talked about an 8 km walk around a lake...in Lugano maybe...or St. Moritz. Ring a bell? 5. I think you went in the end of August last year...any "cold" spots? (below 10 C) I plan to take all the optionals unless something else is appealing. Outside of the carriage ride, were there any other optionals you would have skipped cause something else was easily available and more interesting (ie mountain visit thx! Hi Chech My TD definitely cut short our time with the Mt Pilatus excursion, probably so he could have the rest of the day free. Realistically you need 1-2hrs on Mt Pilatus so hopefully Vincenzo offers that and if you start the day early you could do a 2nd mountain trip, the easiest and closest would be Mt Stanserhorn, about 20 mins by train from Lucerne and the journey up takes less that 30mins. You will need to catch the train to 'Stan' or you can go by boat which takes longer (over an hour). There is also Mt Rigi which is nicer but more complicated, but you could do Mt Rigi in half a day. In Zermatt, there is also the Gornergrat (train) I personally prefer this to the Matterhorn Glacier Express, but both are excellent & expensive. You could do this easily in an afternoon, Gornergrat station is directly opposite the train station and 1 min walk from the hotel. If you do this, sit on the right hand side going up for views of the Matterhorn. There's lots of walking trails and beautifully scenery in Zermatt so you won't be bored in Zermatt. I did walk along the lake Lugano when we arrived as I had time as I didn't do the seafood dinner optional, nothing amazing though. But you can walk around the lake in St Moritz it's really nice and there's plenty of time. Some of the stops along the alpine passes were naturally cold including the Bernina pass optional and you'll need winter clothing for the Matterhorn & Jungfraujoch optionals. i personally wouldn't bother with Isola Bella optional, free time in Stresa is probably just as good. The Bellinzona optional should just be an included stop in the itinerary, instead of the driver having to drive back to Lugano to pick up the others then drive back to Bellinzona, before driving to St Moritz. Money making exercise, no doubt. I did really like Bellinzona, it's a pretty city and worth doing for that reason alone & better than staying in Lugano. The Jungfraujoch takes up a good chunk of the day and you need a minimum of 2.5hrs on top to do it justice. Your lucky as Insight have changed the itinerary this year and you'll be spending 2 nights in Grindelwald instead of Interlaken. Grindelwald is a real stunning alpine village and one of my favourite places in all of Switzerland, there are lots of walking trails & amazing views, if you have the time. I'm returning there for News Years. Far too much time was spent in Montreux. Little to see or do there, it's a bit expensive and tries to be fancy, but I didn't see the attraction except for the lake.
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Post by chech on Jul 5, 2015 17:54:16 GMT
Awesome. Thanks. I saw the other mountain in Zermatt. That would be my choice. The views look stunning. When you say winter clothes...given that it's 15 degrees out here now and I'm in shorts and a t-shirt, do you think I'd need much more than long pants...probably jeans and a long sleeved shirt with my windbreaker on over that? I would like to buy a fleece from Switzerland....any chances I'll get that chance in Lucerne or Montreux before I get to Zermatt?
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Post by bet on Jul 5, 2015 21:54:13 GMT
Awesome. Thanks. I saw the other mountain in Zermatt. That would be my choice. The views look stunning. When you say winter clothes...given that it's 15 degrees out here now and I'm in shorts and a t-shirt, do you think I'd need much more than long pants...probably jeans and a long sleeved shirt with my windbreaker on over that? I would like to buy a fleece from Switzerland....any chances I'll get that chance in Lucerne or Montreux before I get to Zermatt? You might be ok with a long sleeve top and a windbreaker but I would take a fleece as well, but I'm not used to the cold like you are, but expect it to be between 0 to 10 degrees at the top. The Gornergrat is a good choice and a lot less hassle than the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, just a single train ride to the top, unless you want to stop off along the way, but both have their bonuses. Ive only done the Gornergrat in winter but will do it again before the other one. The current price is 86 Francs If you have time, theres a couple of shops at Zurich Airport where you can buy a fleece and again in Lucerne. I can't recall about Montreux though and if you have no luck before Zermatt, you'll have plenty of opportunity when your there, every 2nd shop is either a souvenir shop or an outdoor adventure clothing store.
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Post by chech on Jul 5, 2015 23:07:44 GMT
Yeah, I was hoping to leave the fleece at home as it takes up a lot of room in the luggage on the way home. I have the whole afternoon in Lucerne to explore the Old Town and do some shopping the day I arrive. I'm looking for something like this...look familiar? I think Gornergrat will be a must with all the time I have in Zermatt!
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Post by bet on Jul 5, 2015 23:58:12 GMT
You'll have no problem finding what you want Chech, they're everywhere, airport and I've seen them in the souvenir shops in Lucerne. Enjoy Zermatt, hope you have sunshine while your there
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Post by tiffany on Jul 13, 2015 11:51:26 GMT
I'm looking forward to checking out your pics as soon as I finish reading Chech's tale. I didn't see the link you posted before. It's taking me longer than expected to read Chech's tale, but I should be done this week. I need to read your Spain and Portugal tale as well.
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