NovaJoe

My wife and I are deciding between Pacific Delight and General Tours. Pacific Delight (17 Day China and Japan Escapade) includes Hong Kong, but we miss the Yangtze River. Their hotels look nicer than those offered by General Tours (From Japan to China's Yangtze 19 day tour). Any suggestions on if the Yangtze River is a must see? There is a 3 day cruise included with General Tours, Three Gorges Dam, Shennong Stream, ends in Chongqing. Is the cruise boring? I like to keep going, and don't know if I will get ancy on a boat. My wife is in her late 20's, me in my early 30's...Thanks!!

Cicerone

See my reply to your other post. The river trip is NOT a must. You also don't need a tour.

rkkwan

Yes, the hotels with the Pacific Delight is significantly better than those on the General Tours. Many of the ones PD uses are true 5* hotels, like the Peninsula in Beijing and other Shangri-Las. I read some reviews of those used by GT, and they are usually decent 3* ones. Adequate, but definitely not luxurious.

There are many views about the Yangtze cruise. Cicerone doesn't care too much about it, and I've read some really nasty comments against me - from somebody else - after I recommend the cruise. Anyways, I've done it many years ago as a kid so it was definitely different then. It was definitely NOT boring.

My parents and other relatives have since returned a few times, and while the Gorges have changed, it's still a decent journey. And the ships definitely have gotten nicer. The Victoria Katarina is pretty new, launched in 2004, with private balconies in all room. I think it'll be a very nice 3 day to slow down a little after almost 10 days in Asia.

And like it or hate it, I think one might want to see what the montrous Three Gorges Dam look like.

BTW, there's a huge differene in the Japan part of the itinerary between the two trips. The GT visits Hakone and Kyoto before Osaka, while PD is Tokyo only.

I think the GT tour is more interesting, and I'd think your tourmates will be younger and more adventurous. Those joinig PD will most likely be older types who care more about 5* accommodations than the sights.

I am in my mid-30's and even if I could afford PD, I wouldn't go on a trip like that. Just not me.

And I agree with Cicerone. You may want to do a trip on your own. To me, I feel like I learn so much more on an independent trip than on a escorted one.

NovaJoe

Thank you both very much. We REALLY appreciate your detailed and quick feedback.

I think we are going to do the PD tour so that we have the nicer hotels, Hong Kong and Guilin. But we are going to continue after the tour ends on our own, and do Kyoto in a ryokan, with side trips to Nara and Osaka. This way we get to see more of Japan and have some time on our own without the tour. While we will be missing the Yangtze, we've seen some questionable reviews. I saw a review on Frommer's from someone who just returned from the cruise and said there wasn't much to see. That was the only review I've seen since the water started rising.

We'd love to see Yunnan province but unfortunately won't have enough time to extend. I have heard such great things though that if we ever get the chance to go back, we will keep that in mind.

Thank you both again! I'll probably start a new threat with questions about travel and sights in Japan.

NovaJoe (and his wife)

landlcochran

We did the PDT of China including the Yangtze River, Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian. It was the Luxury Tour (Red) and was outstanding. The PDT guide, Lei Wi, was fantastic so accomodating and flexible. The Hotels were first class (except the one in Xian was a little worn). The food was also very good.

Japan is very easy to get around on your own. I highly recommend the book, Japan Solo. Also, you can get passes on the bullet train - day trip North to Nikko and South, stay in Kyoto and take a day trip to Nara!

Have a great trip.

Linda