faith77

Hi Everybody,

I enjoy taking tours during Xmas/New Years or when going on a more complicated itinerary.

In 2003 (Xmas) I did the Mexico/Copper Canyon trip with GCT (Grand Circle Travel) and in 2004 I did a trip with them to Thailand. Both were great trips but, with any tour, there were +s and -s. Would be happy to give details to anyone who is interested.

My ? for the group is, if you do tours, which tour was your favorite and why.

Faith

Danacat

Hi Faith. My favorite tour I've done was Contiki's Greek Island Hopping. I loved it because it was so relaxing and the people on the tour were alot of fun. I was 24 at the time, so this was a great way for me to see the Greek Islands.

LEANNA

Great question! I use only tours as my hubby HATES to travel and I have to go off on my own. So far I have used Insight 2, Grand European 1, Maupintour 1, Pacific Delight 1, Uniworld 1, a smaller company for Turkey, and all have been different and fine.

Maupintour for Egypt was perfect. The group we had was very compatible, the guide super, and the sights amazing. China was also good but the group was not as perfect!!!

I first choose the country I have a passion for at the time, then do my homework till I find a tour company that gets to the places I want to see...THEN I book. Itinery is always my first consideration.

This year I hope to get to Switzerland w/ Insight.....if the tour fills up!!

atravelynn

Since I like wildlife, my favorite tour company is Natural Habitat in Boulder, Colordo. They do wildlife trips all over the world. Most recently I did a polar bear trip to Churchill with them.

faith77

Thx everybody for your feedback.

I'll be doing a tour/river trip in St Petersburg/Moscow this summer. I am really excited. I love spending time on the water as a part of a tour. What sold me on this trip was that I'll be spending 4 nights in St Petersburg, 6 nights cruising thru river towns, and the trip ends with 4 nights in Moscow. I thought that this would be a good mix of seeing something of the major cities of Russia and enjoying river cruising.

Faith

LEANNA

This is a wonderful tour and you will greatly enjoy it. The splendor of Peterhof (sp!) is fabulous and I think they have restored many more rooms from when I was there. Also the kremlin museum in Moscow is also amazing. Its a nice tour.

faith77

Leanna,
This trip is more than I usually pay but I felt that the itinerary was pretty much what I wanted.
I love booking 3-6 months out so that I can read and dream. I have been having fun looking at guidebooks and putting the names of the river towns in google to see what comes up.
So, do you know where your next trip will be?
Faith

LEANNA

Oh Faith...you are talking or actually writing to another fanatic!!! I usually pick my place about a year out, then book about 6 months out and then start reading all the guides books I can check out of the library. I make an outline of the tour itinery and then fill it in w/ more facts that I read up on myself. THEN....am I nuts or what....I read ONLY books that have something to do w/ where I'm going...fiction or non that does not matter. I mean...talk about obsessive!!

This year I was tossed off my usual set of habits cause I only had a few weeks of travel time available due to family events, and I wasnt sure what the open time was till just after the new year. But I'm going to do 10 days in NYC which Im studying up on ...and then 17 days in Switzerland w/ Insight. So when I get home from NY I will get to reading up on Swit etc.

I just figure w/ the cost of the tours, I also need to get a bigger kick for the buck and studying and all that helps me stretch out the tour.

When figuring the cost you have to add in single supplement, all meals or only some, all optionals inc or not, etc. I find often the higher end tours cost more up front but then I spend a lot less on the road so they wind up sometimes being cheaper. Also tour group size makes a diff....and smaller is always better when you can get it.

Once this travel bug gets you....there is no cure...you just get greedier. Isnt' it wonderful!!!!

faith77

Leanna,

I'm originally from NY and my dad still lives there. I do have a suggestion for you--you can do your own bus tours by taking local buses.

I'm sure you could find some detailed info about this by checking out a current guidebook and calling the bus company in NY or asking questions on a USA/NY bb.

Usually, on each of my trips to NY, I try to do one local 'bus tour'. My most recent one was just to/from the Met from mid town Manhattan. I wish I could be more help with bus lines but it has been 25+ years since I've lived in the NYC area.

Faith

LEANNA

Thanks, this is a good tip. I"ve had lots of people tell me to stay off the subways cause you cant see anything! If you walk and take buses you are above ground and can see the sites. I know this is true for London too! Im always on the tube and still have not figured out how the land lays/lies? Whichever!

I've only spent 1 1/2 days in NY so this will be a fun trip as I'll have 9 days in all. I'm staying w/ a pal who has an apt so that $$ is saved, plus she'll help to point me it the right directions!!

Now which tour group are you going w/ to Russia?

luv2fly

I've taken 3 Tauck trips as a single. Loved each one but my fav was the Heli-Hiking in the Cariboos, Western Canadian Rockies. The best 50th birthday present I could have ever given myself.

LEANNA

WOW Luv2fly...you are adventurous!!!! I think that is super.

When I turned 50 was also the time I decided to get into the accomplishing of my dreams and started traveling very soon after.

I've not done Tauck, but did do Maupintour to Egypt and it was amazing! Really ther perfect tour in all respects.

faith77

It is good to see that this thread is still alive!
Luv2fly & Leanna--I'm 50+ too and just started travelling again recently. I love having a trip to look forward to. I also enjoy doing cruises for short trips--I just love spending time with the sea.
Leanna, I'm doing the Russia trip with Grand Circle Travel. I took 2 other trips with them and they specialize in the over 50 crowd. The itinerary of this trip is what sold me--4 nights each in Moscow and St Petersburg and the river cruise for 6 nights.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your NY trip.
Faith

Poohgirl

Faith, your trip sounds awesome. Please consider posting details of your trip after you return home. I've heard a lot of different opinions about Russia and would love to hear about it from someone who has recently been there.

LEANNA

I have done a couple of ocean cruises and they were OK! But have done several river cruises and really liked those. I just felt I saw more than I did when I did the ocean cruise. Just my opinion.

I too love the water and fell in love w/ Paris I think just because we did the Seine cruise first thing. Also was able to adjust to Hong Kong finally cause we got out and into the harbor and that made me happier!!

faith77

Poohgirl, I will post info on the trip when I return.
I'm really excited--Just 3+ months to go. I've actually started to take an art class thru my local adult school. I'm hoping to expand my knowledge of art thru the class and appreciate/understand more of what I'll see on the trip (and future trips).
Leanna, I find that I really enjoy the ocean cruises for short (7 night) trips. Sometimes I'll just hook on a cruise to my trip to NY (this way it feels more like a vacation).
Anyone watching the awards tonight?
Faith

LEANNA

I did. I never miss them!!!! I was very happy that Morgan Freeman won!! Just seems I have never ever seen him in a bad movie....he is always so dependable and good!

Poohgirl

This probably makes me older than dirt, but does anyone else remember Morgan Freeman in the kids' PBS show Electric Company? I believe it was based out of the Bay Area, and he played a character named Mark. This was in the early to mid 1970s.

LEANNA

I remember him from the show!!! Infact someone said last nite that....they had to vote for MF cause he taught them how to read!!! I thought that was cute. I have to say though I really was not THAT impressed w/ him till I saw Driving Miss Daisy!!!!