Hi!
We're looking for a tour group for traveling to China this spring. Nothing too high-end, something not shopping-oriented, groups hopefully not too big. Traveled on our own for years, but now we're over 65 and...
Any ideas appreciated.
Thanks.

Hi: Where from? We took land content with Helen Wong Tours (booked from Australia). Well paced. We were taken to buying 'opportunity' spots but only browsed through some and bought what appealed. Maybe you could try Laurus Travel if you are American/Canadian.
Bye - G

I have posted a number of times with raves about our Japan trip with www.imaginative-traveller.com. Our trip leader in Japan had also lead a number of their trips in China. A good combination of "independent" and "organized". Our group of 8 was a range of ages from 30 to 70+. Enjoy planning your trip!

We went with National Geographic for our first visit to China two years ago-This is the only tour we have ever takne--we have always shied from them--too many people in a group--just the idea of a group--but we cannot praise National enuf==very small group--tremendous guides--wonderful experience
good luck jan

We are going to China with Odyyseys Unlimited in September. They are a small-group tour company that got started with tours for college alumni groups and art museums and institutes. We have been on four trips with them that were reasonable and outstanding. We stayed in four-five star hotels, and their tour directors were natives of the countries we visited and were outstanding. They have a web site that will give you more details. I'll post a trip report when we return at the beginning of October.

I don't know if you can avoid shoppping stops with any tour company that uses local guides who are required by the government to stop at government stores.

Ritz Tours! Hotels were nice and the food was good! Like lilla said, I don't think you can avoid the shopping stops if you go with a tour company.

We did a high-end tour with Uniworld a few years ago. It was a fantastic trip. Our guide, Angela, was wonderful. The trip was pricey since we stayed in 5-star hotels, but we thought it was worth it.

Last year, we went with Ritz Tours for much less cost. The hotels were probably a 3-star. The food and hotels were not as nice as Uniworld.

We would travel with either company again.

lilla-
I,m eager to hear how your trip went as we are considering them in the Spring.
What airline was used and how were the flights? How big was your group? Much shopping? Hectic pace or comfortable?
Which tour did you take?
Hope you had a wonderful time!

ttt