"Independent" Travel w/ Abercrombie & Kent: Hong Kong ofc?
Oct 28th, 2011, 03:39 PM
#1
"Independent" Travel w/ Abercrombie & Kent: Hong Kong ofc?
Hi,
Just beginning to look at traveling to China next fall...and an article I've saved from CondeNast Traverler (2008?) "Iconic Itineraries: 12 perfect days in Classic China" extols the virtues of booking through Abercrobie & Kent's Hong Kong Ofc, specifically with Gerald Hatherly. I really like the sounds of this itinerary and wonder if anyone has booked through him or A & K's Hong Kong office. We really would prefer to travel independently, but I also don't want the hassles of trying to do this myself this time. I had originally thought of booking through one of the companies (Viking, Uniworld) who combine a Yangtze river cruise with a land tour, but now I"m reading that a river cruise is kind of a waste of time and not that great. We really hate bus tour groups so are reluctant to be part of one. I originally thought it was unavoidable, if we're on a river tour. All you China experts, please chime in! Thanks in advance.
Just beginning to look at traveling to China next fall...and an article I've saved from CondeNast Traverler (2008?) "Iconic Itineraries: 12 perfect days in Classic China" extols the virtues of booking through Abercrobie & Kent's Hong Kong Ofc, specifically with Gerald Hatherly. I really like the sounds of this itinerary and wonder if anyone has booked through him or A & K's Hong Kong office. We really would prefer to travel independently, but I also don't want the hassles of trying to do this myself this time. I had originally thought of booking through one of the companies (Viking, Uniworld) who combine a Yangtze river cruise with a land tour, but now I"m reading that a river cruise is kind of a waste of time and not that great. We really hate bus tour groups so are reluctant to be part of one. I originally thought it was unavoidable, if we're on a river tour. All you China experts, please chime in! Thanks in advance.
Oct 28th, 2011, 07:26 PM
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Many Chinese tour agencies will arrange private tours. There have been a number of reports here. I don't have the sense that there is one that is much better than the others. If you know what you want, any agency can set it up.
Oct 29th, 2011, 09:57 AM
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Barefoot - I am surprised that a seasoned travelor like you is considering such a tour! I'm sure it would be wonderful, but I also think that china is far more manageable than you think.
We have also decided to travel to china next year and will likely go oct/nov. This time we want to avoid the heat at any cost. My husband just got off the computer after beginning to research the high speed bullet trains system in china and they look very manageable. One can even book sleeping compartments with private bathroom facilities.
How long do you have to travel and where are you considering traveling to? We really haven't gotten any further than deciding this will be our next trip.
We have also decided to travel to china next year and will likely go oct/nov. This time we want to avoid the heat at any cost. My husband just got off the computer after beginning to research the high speed bullet trains system in china and they look very manageable. One can even book sleeping compartments with private bathroom facilities.
How long do you have to travel and where are you considering traveling to? We really haven't gotten any further than deciding this will be our next trip.
Oct 29th, 2011, 05:35 PM
#6
Hi dgunbug, good to hear from you! Yes, you know we hate organized trips, but I thought China seemed pretty daunting. I'm ready to have someone else arrange things for me. Actually, if I could duplicate our experience in Africa where Africa Adventure Co. set everything up according to where I wanted to go,, arranged our transits, and we traveled alone to the different camps, that would be perfect. All I know is, I don't want to do the Yangtze river cruise and Xian circuit. We've just got back from five weeks in Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, so i have to get thru the post-trip photo editing, etc. from that before I really look into China. (I'm a bit burned out from that trip so that's why I'm thinking of some type of tour) I think we'd go in October sometime also. I hear you about the heat as we both suffered thru SE Asia at the same time last year. I'm thinking of Beijing, Lijiang, Zhongdian (Shangri-La), Guilin, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hong Kong for a little over 3 weeks. I've come to the conclusion that 5 weeks is too long of a trip, no matter how enticing the destinations.
Oct 30th, 2011, 02:28 AM
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www.KensingtonTours.com
www.AffordableTours.Com
Both god lots cheaper than yours...
Got a great rate 40% off for upscale tours with
travelzoo.com has some specials usually with
affordableasia.com best rates
smartours.com BBB.org A+ rated great price point sales
I did a tour as a newbie there I do not regret it.
ctrip.com top local good values too for more DIY
Happy Planning!
www.AffordableTours.Com
Both god lots cheaper than yours...
Got a great rate 40% off for upscale tours with
travelzoo.com has some specials usually with
affordableasia.com best rates
smartours.com BBB.org A+ rated great price point sales
I did a tour as a newbie there I do not regret it.
ctrip.com top local good values too for more DIY
Happy Planning!
Oct 30th, 2011, 04:25 AM
#9
qwovadis...that's what I'm looking for!! Thanks so much for the links and your comments! The only one I've heard about before is Kensington, which was recommended as an adventure operator by Nat's Geo Traveler, and Globus, which I'll check if they have any small group sizes. I do want upscale hotels, if they're not "business" or atmospherically expensive "Aman" types....and love smaller, atmospheric inns.
Thanks again!
If anyone's used some of these operators, I'd love to hear of your experience.
Thanks again!
If anyone's used some of these operators, I'd love to hear of your experience.
Oct 30th, 2011, 06:24 AM
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barefoot: we too were spoiled by our private Africa arrangements with Africa Adventure Company! I've been looking at Wild China tours; these are primarily private arrangements (ala AAC) and they are also (like A&K) on Conde Nast's list of China experts. I'm intrigued by their China for Foodies!
I'm looking for Beijing, Xian, Chengdu (pandas), Guilin/Li River, Hangzhou, Shanghai -- without a Yangtze River cruise. Easy Tour China and China Odyssey seem to offer some comparable private options and probably less expensive?
I'm looking for Beijing, Xian, Chengdu (pandas), Guilin/Li River, Hangzhou, Shanghai -- without a Yangtze River cruise. Easy Tour China and China Odyssey seem to offer some comparable private options and probably less expensive?
Oct 30th, 2011, 07:42 PM
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A & K is expensive but not the best. We used them for India and was really disappointed. There were some good guides but some were quite ordinary. Also there were glitches with the non-appearance of guides etc. I ended up feeling like a tour leader having to deal with so many different people at each town ie a meeter and greeter, a local guide and a driver. I also feel that they were all expecting tips as recommended by A & K. What they suggested for a tip for a local guide was enough for me to hire a local guide. We did that one day via the hotel and he was the best guide. Most of the guides were freelance and that would be the same in China.
Oct 31st, 2011, 09:10 AM
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Barefoot:
In 1984 we did an introductory 28 day tour with Pasific Delight..there was no other practical way to do it independently at that time. But in '07 we went independent , only hiring some day guides in BJ and Quilin, We found that air travel was very inexpenive and hassle free and we bought tix in advance, and they were delivered to the concierge at the BJ hotel..all in order (BJ-Xian-Guilin-Shanghai...and on to Japan). We thorughly enjoyed the independence, only using the aforementioned two local guides mainly for their cars to take us to specific sights/sites. A few times we taxi-ed with no problems.
Try it...can be done easily.
stu (same suggestions for djunbug...we did mid-March to mid-april and the weather was very comfortable.).
In 1984 we did an introductory 28 day tour with Pasific Delight..there was no other practical way to do it independently at that time. But in '07 we went independent , only hiring some day guides in BJ and Quilin, We found that air travel was very inexpenive and hassle free and we bought tix in advance, and they were delivered to the concierge at the BJ hotel..all in order (BJ-Xian-Guilin-Shanghai...and on to Japan). We thorughly enjoyed the independence, only using the aforementioned two local guides mainly for their cars to take us to specific sights/sites. A few times we taxi-ed with no problems.
Try it...can be done easily.
stu (same suggestions for djunbug...we did mid-March to mid-april and the weather was very comfortable.).
Oct 31st, 2011, 07:05 PM
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barefoot....they were Kong Lin in BJ/Mutianyu section of the Wall...and Jade Leo in Guilin/Yangshuo/terraced rice fields in Longshen district.
[email protected]
[email protected]
These should still be OK...EKScrunchy also used Konglin as did several other Fodorites. Jadeleo has also proved popular.
Stu
[email protected]
[email protected]
These should still be OK...EKScrunchy also used Konglin as did several other Fodorites. Jadeleo has also proved popular.
Stu
Nov 4th, 2011, 06:41 PM
#19
Stu,
I hope you check this again, but what exactly did you do in Guilin with your guide? Did you go on a river boat cruise for a few hours, or was it land based?
And, in BJ, did you just use your guide for the trip to the Wall? Did you walk it for awhile and did she accompany you? Did you need her for the Forbidden City or to navigate BJ?
Thanks for more details.
I hope you check this again, but what exactly did you do in Guilin with your guide? Did you go on a river boat cruise for a few hours, or was it land based?
And, in BJ, did you just use your guide for the trip to the Wall? Did you walk it for awhile and did she accompany you? Did you need her for the Forbidden City or to navigate BJ?
Thanks for more details.
Nov 4th, 2011, 07:50 PM
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barefoot contessa:
In Gulin, Jadeleo picked us up at airport and took us to our hotel Sheraton in Guilin. Next morning we did our own thng in and around Guuilin, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Hill (both places I had been before but wife hadn't), etc. Jade's drivers
picked us up the third morning, took us to the docks to catch a Li River boat (they took care of ticketing, etc.) They met us late afternoon in Yanshuo, arranged for us to see the Night Light spectacular...got us "native" tickets at a pittance...we took them to dinner.,Ater the shw, they drove us back to Guilin. The next day, they picked us up early for the drive to longshen district and terraced rice fields...made all arrangements for us to get the best views, had lunch together at one of the "hotels" in the district...left to return to Guilin that evening....two days later when we were to drpart thet took us to the siport.In BJ, Konglin took us to Mutianyu and stayed with us for a few hours of walking...I took the tobggan down the moutain..but we chairlifted to the wall prior to that. Konglin arranged for all ticketing...en route back to BJ, stopped for an outstanding dumpling lunch, visited the obligatory porcelain factory, Sacred Way, took us to the summer palace where we spent the afternoon, Kong Lin leading the way...then we spent the next four days on our own....did not want any guiding beoause I had recalled a lot from 1984 (FC, Tiananmen Square, etc...arranged taxis and took a few busses (Temple of Heaven, etc....walked the streets all over town, love Dazhalan Street and vicinity... Xian, we did everything with out a guide since our guide (the highly touted guide failed to show...so we taxied to the warriors, took in several other sights...etc. Hope this helps. Like I said before, getting us to and from the sites was all we really wanted. Worked out well.
Stu
In Gulin, Jadeleo picked us up at airport and took us to our hotel Sheraton in Guilin. Next morning we did our own thng in and around Guuilin, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Hill (both places I had been before but wife hadn't), etc. Jade's drivers
picked us up the third morning, took us to the docks to catch a Li River boat (they took care of ticketing, etc.) They met us late afternoon in Yanshuo, arranged for us to see the Night Light spectacular...got us "native" tickets at a pittance...we took them to dinner.,Ater the shw, they drove us back to Guilin. The next day, they picked us up early for the drive to longshen district and terraced rice fields...made all arrangements for us to get the best views, had lunch together at one of the "hotels" in the district...left to return to Guilin that evening....two days later when we were to drpart thet took us to the siport.In BJ, Konglin took us to Mutianyu and stayed with us for a few hours of walking...I took the tobggan down the moutain..but we chairlifted to the wall prior to that. Konglin arranged for all ticketing...en route back to BJ, stopped for an outstanding dumpling lunch, visited the obligatory porcelain factory, Sacred Way, took us to the summer palace where we spent the afternoon, Kong Lin leading the way...then we spent the next four days on our own....did not want any guiding beoause I had recalled a lot from 1984 (FC, Tiananmen Square, etc...arranged taxis and took a few busses (Temple of Heaven, etc....walked the streets all over town, love Dazhalan Street and vicinity... Xian, we did everything with out a guide since our guide (the highly touted guide failed to show...so we taxied to the warriors, took in several other sights...etc. Hope this helps. Like I said before, getting us to and from the sites was all we really wanted. Worked out well.
Stu
