Grand Circle Travel--any comment?
 

I am considering a 3 week tour with Grand Circle Travel to China (with Yangtze River cruise)in June. <BR> Any comments, good or bad, about either the tour company or the itinerary? <BR> Also, the 44lb. one suitcase rule has me worried. I am a terrible packer and I don't think I can make it for 3 weeks on that small amount, and still have room to bring back souvenirs. <BR> Any comments would be appreciated. <BR>Thanks! <BR>D

As for packing, I've found that the perfect solution is to take go through your closet and find a few items that you rarely wear anymore and take those on vacation and just dispose of them at the end of the trip so that you have room for your souvenirs. I can always find a few older nightgowns that are past their prime that I can take along as well as a few sweaters. Also built your entire wardrobe around black and just add a few bright t-shirts for color. Also make sure to keep to just two pairs of shoes. I travel internationally on a regular basis and have found that you really can get by with a very limited wardrobe. The attire in China is not fancy, so you won't have to worry about being overly dressed. I have a black knit travel set (pants, skirt and jacket) that I bought through Norm Thompson. It rolls up and takes up very little room in the suitcase. These pieces along with a pair of black jeans can get you amazingly far in travel. <BR> <BR>Have fun - China is a great place to visit.

Grand Circle, in our experience, keeps every promise they make. We can only sympathize with your packing problem. It is the price one pays for inexperience. Old hands learn to travel light, as the previous poster advises. We just returned from Southeast Asia where we traveled for a month in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The two of us -- husband and wife -- carried only 22 lbs. of stuff outbound, but loaded up to 35 lbs. returning, mainly artwork we bought along the way. Here's our system: make a list. This is best done on a word processor. Eliminate half of the stuff you "simply must" take. Two pairs of shoes, maximum. Grand Circle will give you guidance on what to take. China in June can be very warm and humid. Pack as if you were going to Memphis or Washington, D.C. Take drip dry stuff. Leave the cottons (Levis, sweatshirts) at home; they won't dry. Take one sweater. If you are coming out via Hong Kong, buy a second suitcase there and load it up with souvenirs. The best Chinese stuff is retailed through the Friendship Stores in Hong Kong; there is a big one near the Ocean Terminal shopping plaza, near where the Star Ferry comes in to Kowloon. Build your wardrobe around basic, mix-and-match things. Sportswear. Leave all your "dressy" stuff at home.

The 'disposable' clothing route is ideal for China trips. My wife and I do the very same thing on most longer trips we take. It's excellent for clearing out one's wardrobe, and you'll likely find that some of the clothes you wear repeatedly in China you won't want to take back anyway! <BR> <BR>I would also recommend taking one pair of very light sandals/shower slippers/flip-flops to China. You'll very likely be glad you have them at some point, and the ones provided in hotels and such are often too small for western feet. <BR> <BR>Also, the weather almost everywhere in China in summer (unless you're going to the far north, i.e. well north of Beijing)is flat-out hot, and the sun can be oppressive (I live in HK, and June here is a sauna enlivened only by steamy downpours). I'd also recommend taking a very light umbrella, and a good crushable sun hat. It's almost certain to be too hot to wear waterproof jackets or the like. <BR> <BR>Sorry to add items to your list! <BR> <BR>

Debbie, <BR>We have traveled with Grand Circle and have had very positive experiences.We are leaving April 22nd on the same China trip you are taking. Let me know if I can answer any questions when we get back. <BR>Bob Sinner