Just returned from China with SmarTours
Oct 29th, 2010, 10:30 AM
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JoyceM
Wow, we're think about taking the smarTour 18 day China trip with 4 day Thailand extension and I found your review! I appreciate all the insight you offered and assume that you would recommend this company.
We just returned from a 13 day tour of Egypt where it was just we 2, driver, and tour guide that was a trip of a life time. However, the cost to do the same in China seems too expensive so I happened to come across smarTours. I can deal with on the bus/off the bus, just wanted to get some insight as to cost/value and any significant problems other than the little ones you mentioned. Thanks again for any further postings.
Wow, we're think about taking the smarTour 18 day China trip with 4 day Thailand extension and I found your review! I appreciate all the insight you offered and assume that you would recommend this company.
We just returned from a 13 day tour of Egypt where it was just we 2, driver, and tour guide that was a trip of a life time. However, the cost to do the same in China seems too expensive so I happened to come across smarTours. I can deal with on the bus/off the bus, just wanted to get some insight as to cost/value and any significant problems other than the little ones you mentioned. Thanks again for any further postings.
Oct 29th, 2010, 04:15 PM
#42
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Re: Egypt. I'd like to hear more about the possibilities on this. I'll watch for a trip report on that forum! 
The only "bad" thing about SmarT is that it includes airfare, so there are no options on flights (such as lengthening the trip to include Europe, where my sister lives.)
re: inoculations. Our doc said they weren't necessary unless we were going to some remote/primitive region. We did get Cipro prescriptions to take as a precaution (didn't need them!)
The only "bad" thing about SmarT is that it includes airfare, so there are no options on flights (such as lengthening the trip to include Europe, where my sister lives.) re: inoculations. Our doc said they weren't necessary unless we were going to some remote/primitive region. We did get Cipro prescriptions to take as a precaution (didn't need them!)
Oct 30th, 2010, 08:41 PM
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Several years ago, my husband and I went on the SmarTour to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai. On our trip the tour to the Forbidden City and Summer Palace was an optional tour. We decided to go on our own to these two places and had a fabulous time. The Forbidden City was within walking distance of our Beijing hotel. We arrived before the gates opened, got an English map of the complex and toured for four hours. We went back to our hotel and got a taxi to the Summer Palace and spent an enjoyable afternoon there. Although we would have liked to have spent more time in both places, we still were able to see much more than we would have on the group tour with smarTour.
On the whole, however, we enjoyed our trip with smarTour and would not hesitate to recommend the China trip.
Sara
On the whole, however, we enjoyed our trip with smarTour and would not hesitate to recommend the China trip.
Sara
Nov 4th, 2010, 05:43 AM
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And there is something to be said for a tour that picks you up at an appointed time, takes you directly to the attraction, leads you past the hoardes of people waiting to buy tickets, then leads you to the main things. I spent half a day just working on getting to and from the Summer Palace, and trying to figure out the map of the grounds that I bought. While it's nice to do things at your own pace, sometimes the logistics of getting there and passing the lines is quite nice with a good guide or organized tour. While waiting in line in the very hot sun to get my ticket for the Forbidden City, I noticed the tour groups being dropped off, and marching right inside past those of us waiting and waiting.
Nov 4th, 2010, 11:48 AM
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When we traveled with Smartours, we declined the airtravel and got our own flights. We wanted to fly several days before and after the tour and go business class. We did not get equivalent money back for not taking the included flight but we did get some back. Friends have gotten flights with Smartours different from the included flights. I don't think that is easy to do, but have been possible.
Nov 21st, 2010, 07:16 PM
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We will be returning home mid-December and I will give a report of what we thought and how our trip goes...both with Smartours and with Tour-Beijing Thank you for all the great advice that has been given!
Thank you for all the great advice that has been given!
Dec 17th, 2010, 12:30 PM
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As Joyce says, it all depends on what you're looking for.
Just by coincidence my wife and I were on the same trip as Joyce. We tend to prefer a bit more freedom in our travels. Other SmarTours we've been on (Vietnam/Cambodia and South America) included considerable time for personal exploring. In contrast, the trip to the China was VERY controlled - and very touristy. There was little time to explore on your own, or wander around markets or try to communicate with real people. (In fairness to SmarTours, that may be standard operating procedure for China.)
As Joyce says, Mark the chaperone was terrific. However, I thought the local guides were uneven. A couple were great, a couple not-so-great, and couple were downright bad. Believe it or not, one guide actually announced how much we were supposed to tip him, and then passed around an envelope for us to put our contributions in. (I'm not sure what "Chutzpah" is in Chinese.)
For us, the trip was ok. But we had a vague feeling we'd been to Epcot.
Dave
Just by coincidence my wife and I were on the same trip as Joyce. We tend to prefer a bit more freedom in our travels. Other SmarTours we've been on (Vietnam/Cambodia and South America) included considerable time for personal exploring. In contrast, the trip to the China was VERY controlled - and very touristy. There was little time to explore on your own, or wander around markets or try to communicate with real people. (In fairness to SmarTours, that may be standard operating procedure for China.)
As Joyce says, Mark the chaperone was terrific. However, I thought the local guides were uneven. A couple were great, a couple not-so-great, and couple were downright bad. Believe it or not, one guide actually announced how much we were supposed to tip him, and then passed around an envelope for us to put our contributions in. (I'm not sure what "Chutzpah" is in Chinese.)
For us, the trip was ok. But we had a vague feeling we'd been to Epcot.
Dave
Dec 26th, 2010, 05:45 PM
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Hi Dave (and Nancy) and all,
Just remembered to check back here for Riverhawk who promised to report back mid-Dec...I agree with Dave: the guide who passed around the envelope (our last one, in Hong Kong) was over-the-top nervy! Truly shocking. When we first met him, we could tell he was "over it" as far as guiding tourists. A bit older than the other guides, he is the only one who handed out an itinerary for our two days...as if he didn't really want us to talk to him, just look at the handout. Maybe Hong Kong has had an influx of tourists for many more years than the rest of China and he was, let's say, jaded...?
As I said originally, the China trip didn't allow for "free" time, mainly because of the heavy traffic--China is just trying to cope with this--and there is no quick method of moving 44 people on and off a bus with only one door (and the tardiness of just one person each stop each day). We had no such problems on previous SmarTours (fewer people, no tardiness, buses with an additional back door).
I'd love to hear updates from other travelers.
Happy New Year, and happy travels!
Just remembered to check back here for Riverhawk who promised to report back mid-Dec...I agree with Dave: the guide who passed around the envelope (our last one, in Hong Kong) was over-the-top nervy! Truly shocking. When we first met him, we could tell he was "over it" as far as guiding tourists. A bit older than the other guides, he is the only one who handed out an itinerary for our two days...as if he didn't really want us to talk to him, just look at the handout. Maybe Hong Kong has had an influx of tourists for many more years than the rest of China and he was, let's say, jaded...?
As I said originally, the China trip didn't allow for "free" time, mainly because of the heavy traffic--China is just trying to cope with this--and there is no quick method of moving 44 people on and off a bus with only one door (and the tardiness of just one person each stop each day). We had no such problems on previous SmarTours (fewer people, no tardiness, buses with an additional back door).
I'd love to hear updates from other travelers.
Happy New Year, and happy travels!
Dec 28th, 2010, 05:19 PM
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JoyceM…sorry for the delay…we arrived back home in the US on December 10th and unfortunately I came home soooo sick (some kind of nasty respiratory virus) many others on our tour also had the same thing.
Well…..hmmm….overall I thought Smartours was a good value and the long and the short is that I would, and plan to in the near future travel with them again to Thailand in the spring. We were met at the airport with a friendly guide who gave us the run-down on the bus as we headed to the hotel; I felt very comfortable that I was in good hands. Our guide stayed in the same hotel, we had his room number and cell phone number and felt he could easily be reached if needed. Smartours should also be commended on the handling of a woman who fell and injured herself very badly…after a short stay at the hospital ER she rejoined the group and finished the tour. I was impressed by her positive attitude and ability to power on even though she was in enormous pain. This woman raved to anyone who would listen how well she was cared for and how the guides from Smartours were very professional, compassionate and quickly transported her to the hospital and stayed with her until she was transported back to the hotel. The management on her unexpected injury spoke volumes to me about Smartours and my willingness to book another tour..which we did.
That being said, the best part of our tour was in Beijing with our private guide from Tour-Beijing…the worst part was traveling with the Smartour group in Shanghai. I spoke with other couples on our tour and they agreed that the Shanghai portion of the group tour was sub-par and not the best experience they had. Many people went off on their own in Beijing and with the group for some or all of the Shanghai portion. My complaint with the group tour situation probability can not be blamed entirely on Smartours, but I did not feel that anyone cared we (and others) were unhappy. (I can say this with certainly because I spoke directly with the tour guide and he just shrugged and said there was nothing he could do) I felt the time we had to do interesting things (Museum) was very limited and the time to shop for knock-off Prada handbags was way to much. While everyone else was bartering for stuff we were talking to our guide. I thought without the pressure of having to herd cats he may be willing to share information about the city of Shanghai, he either would or could not. I understand that the limitations of moving a group of people is logistically difficult, but I think it may have been easier if more people were on the same page. I wanted to learn about history and culture and was annoyed that others could have care less. (I understand this makes me unreasonable, but I could not comprehend why someone would travel so far just to shop for stuff).
Perhaps we were spoiled by our tour guides from Tour-Beijing…I could go on and on about how enormously happy we were with our guide and driver in Beijing as well as our guide and driver in Xian. The amount of information we learned was enormous, our guides were knowledgeable, personable and flexible. We were brought to several shopping areas (silk, jade, tea) but spent very, very little time in these places and lots of time out and about in Beijing. Lesson learned, when we do Thailand we will hire local private guides on the days we are not traveling with the tour.
My husband and myself have been on many other group tours and always enjoyed meeting new people…maybe it was just bad chemistry…maybe I had unreasonable expectations…I am willing to take my share of the blame. Overall I thought we were well cared for on the tour and I never felt any apprehension or confusion about being left behind, missing our plane, etc..
I hope this helps...I will be happy to answer any questions about Smartours or Tour-Beijing that I can
Well…..hmmm….overall I thought Smartours was a good value and the long and the short is that I would, and plan to in the near future travel with them again to Thailand in the spring. We were met at the airport with a friendly guide who gave us the run-down on the bus as we headed to the hotel; I felt very comfortable that I was in good hands. Our guide stayed in the same hotel, we had his room number and cell phone number and felt he could easily be reached if needed. Smartours should also be commended on the handling of a woman who fell and injured herself very badly…after a short stay at the hospital ER she rejoined the group and finished the tour. I was impressed by her positive attitude and ability to power on even though she was in enormous pain. This woman raved to anyone who would listen how well she was cared for and how the guides from Smartours were very professional, compassionate and quickly transported her to the hospital and stayed with her until she was transported back to the hotel. The management on her unexpected injury spoke volumes to me about Smartours and my willingness to book another tour..which we did.
That being said, the best part of our tour was in Beijing with our private guide from Tour-Beijing…the worst part was traveling with the Smartour group in Shanghai. I spoke with other couples on our tour and they agreed that the Shanghai portion of the group tour was sub-par and not the best experience they had. Many people went off on their own in Beijing and with the group for some or all of the Shanghai portion. My complaint with the group tour situation probability can not be blamed entirely on Smartours, but I did not feel that anyone cared we (and others) were unhappy. (I can say this with certainly because I spoke directly with the tour guide and he just shrugged and said there was nothing he could do) I felt the time we had to do interesting things (Museum) was very limited and the time to shop for knock-off Prada handbags was way to much. While everyone else was bartering for stuff we were talking to our guide. I thought without the pressure of having to herd cats he may be willing to share information about the city of Shanghai, he either would or could not. I understand that the limitations of moving a group of people is logistically difficult, but I think it may have been easier if more people were on the same page. I wanted to learn about history and culture and was annoyed that others could have care less. (I understand this makes me unreasonable, but I could not comprehend why someone would travel so far just to shop for stuff).
Perhaps we were spoiled by our tour guides from Tour-Beijing…I could go on and on about how enormously happy we were with our guide and driver in Beijing as well as our guide and driver in Xian. The amount of information we learned was enormous, our guides were knowledgeable, personable and flexible. We were brought to several shopping areas (silk, jade, tea) but spent very, very little time in these places and lots of time out and about in Beijing. Lesson learned, when we do Thailand we will hire local private guides on the days we are not traveling with the tour.
My husband and myself have been on many other group tours and always enjoyed meeting new people…maybe it was just bad chemistry…maybe I had unreasonable expectations…I am willing to take my share of the blame. Overall I thought we were well cared for on the tour and I never felt any apprehension or confusion about being left behind, missing our plane, etc..
I hope this helps...I will be happy to answer any questions about Smartours or Tour-Beijing that I can
Dec 30th, 2010, 05:53 PM
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Hi Riverhawk,
That's very interesting, and thanks for reporting! We also had a traveler who fell sick (and another with a sprained ankle) and I think they were both treated very well...which is an emphatic vote in favor of being part of a tour.
I don't think we had the same guide in Shanghai, as I don't remember large-scale dissatisfaction whatsoever.
The shopping stops were annoying (for those who don't like to shop!) but most of them had snack bars and we sometimes found ourselves having a beer at 10AM...cheaper than silk or jade and more fun.
All in all it was a very good trip (we didn't get sick!) and we met a lot of nice people and have great memories. Maybe next time: more depth.
That's very interesting, and thanks for reporting! We also had a traveler who fell sick (and another with a sprained ankle) and I think they were both treated very well...which is an emphatic vote in favor of being part of a tour.
I don't think we had the same guide in Shanghai, as I don't remember large-scale dissatisfaction whatsoever.
The shopping stops were annoying (for those who don't like to shop!) but most of them had snack bars and we sometimes found ourselves having a beer at 10AM...cheaper than silk or jade and more fun.
All in all it was a very good trip (we didn't get sick!) and we met a lot of nice people and have great memories. Maybe next time: more depth.
Jan 14th, 2011, 08:51 PM
#53
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All of these reviews have been very helpful. I've never traveled with Smartours and I'm interested in taking the 18 day China trip in April. I have a couple of questions for those of you who have traveled with Smartours.
1 - I will be a solo traveler. I feel very comfortable going by myself. However, for those of you who have traveled with this company, were there solo travelers on your tour?
2 - I understand that these tours include several shopping stops. Although I don't like to shop, I would like to purchase a couple of souvenirs like a silk scarf. I'm assumming that the guides take you to places that sell overpriced souvenirs. Were there any stops throughout your tour that you felt were reasonably priced and had good quality souvenirs?
3 - Does anyone have experience traveling to China in April? What's the weather like during this month?
1 - I will be a solo traveler. I feel very comfortable going by myself. However, for those of you who have traveled with this company, were there solo travelers on your tour?
2 - I understand that these tours include several shopping stops. Although I don't like to shop, I would like to purchase a couple of souvenirs like a silk scarf. I'm assumming that the guides take you to places that sell overpriced souvenirs. Were there any stops throughout your tour that you felt were reasonably priced and had good quality souvenirs?
3 - Does anyone have experience traveling to China in April? What's the weather like during this month?
Feb 27th, 2011, 04:50 PM
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Travelexplorer
We met one solo traveler in our group, but we did not meet everyone in our very large group so I am sure there were more. This gentleman was in his late twenties and was having a wonderful time.
The shopping was very annoying...the rate limiting step was always the person who had to barter for one more thing while the rest of the group mills around the tour bus. That being said, I thought the quality of the items at the shops we went to were nice...I bought a few small items home as gifts.
I enjoyed Beijing the most...so much history and amazing places to visit!!
I am traveling with Smartours again in April to Thailand...the days we are not traveling with the group I have arranged our own private tours and activities. Another poster named her trip with Smartours in Thailand “shopping your way through Thailand”…sigh.
The price is amazing, Smartous is reputable and I feel confident we will be safe and well cared for. My husband and myself have to just make the best of the days we are traveling with the group and hope we can meet lots of interesting and friendly people!
We met one solo traveler in our group, but we did not meet everyone in our very large group so I am sure there were more. This gentleman was in his late twenties and was having a wonderful time.
The shopping was very annoying...the rate limiting step was always the person who had to barter for one more thing while the rest of the group mills around the tour bus. That being said, I thought the quality of the items at the shops we went to were nice...I bought a few small items home as gifts.
I enjoyed Beijing the most...so much history and amazing places to visit!!
I am traveling with Smartours again in April to Thailand...the days we are not traveling with the group I have arranged our own private tours and activities. Another poster named her trip with Smartours in Thailand “shopping your way through Thailand”…sigh.
The price is amazing, Smartous is reputable and I feel confident we will be safe and well cared for. My husband and myself have to just make the best of the days we are traveling with the group and hope we can meet lots of interesting and friendly people!
Feb 27th, 2011, 05:25 PM
#55
"we did not meet everyone in our very large group so I am sure there were more" - shudder. Now, if you traveled with Intrepid there wouldn't be more than 12 people, and no shopping ops. (Same small groups with outfits like Imaginative Traveler, Peregrine, etc. etc. and probably no shopping ops either).
"Another poster named her trip with Smartours in Thailand “shopping your way through Thailand”…sigh." - so why on earth are you going to Thailand with a tour? I did that (with OAT) after visiting China with the Smithsonian, and found it a complete and utter mistake. Too many shopping ops, dumbed down food, bad guide and poor logistics, but the really annoying thing was the realization that I could have done it so easily on my own. If you're planning on doing your own thing in your free time, why not go on your own and have nothing but free time? Same applies to China, especially in the big eastern cities - no need for a tour.
"Another poster named her trip with Smartours in Thailand “shopping your way through Thailand”…sigh." - so why on earth are you going to Thailand with a tour? I did that (with OAT) after visiting China with the Smithsonian, and found it a complete and utter mistake. Too many shopping ops, dumbed down food, bad guide and poor logistics, but the really annoying thing was the realization that I could have done it so easily on my own. If you're planning on doing your own thing in your free time, why not go on your own and have nothing but free time? Same applies to China, especially in the big eastern cities - no need for a tour.
Mar 5th, 2011, 02:15 PM
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I think I covered shopping earlier...it was more than we wanted or expected, but it probably helps keep the price so low (just a guess). There were some lovely things for sale, and we resisted!
Our group had one single traveler (a husband at home, unable to travel), and there was one on our Australian trip too. In our experience, travelers on tours enjoy meeting new people and make the singletons feel welcome.
I can't imagine a group so large that you don't even meet everyone! Our group was too large to be efficient, but we did get acquainted with everyone else.
Our group had one single traveler (a husband at home, unable to travel), and there was one on our Australian trip too. In our experience, travelers on tours enjoy meeting new people and make the singletons feel welcome.
I can't imagine a group so large that you don't even meet everyone! Our group was too large to be efficient, but we did get acquainted with everyone else.
Mar 8th, 2011, 03:56 PM
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Thursdaysd...I understand what you are saying and you are right. However, the price we were able to travel to China was unreal, I am sure in part because of the shopping trips (as JoyceM pointed out); the price on our Thailand trip was also very low.
That being said, the other reason we travel with a group is because I do not feel we are seasoned enough travelers to go it alone. We have done other English speaking countries alone …but the far east is another story…and out of our league. I truly envy the travelers on this site who have the experience to travel solo and appreciate all the trip reports! As time goes on and we become more experienced we hope to become more independent. As for now, I have booked private local guides for all the days we are not on the road with the group. My hope is to get as much depth out of the trip while not breaking the bank.
That being said, the other reason we travel with a group is because I do not feel we are seasoned enough travelers to go it alone. We have done other English speaking countries alone …but the far east is another story…and out of our league. I truly envy the travelers on this site who have the experience to travel solo and appreciate all the trip reports! As time goes on and we become more experienced we hope to become more independent. As for now, I have booked private local guides for all the days we are not on the road with the group. My hope is to get as much depth out of the trip while not breaking the bank.
Mar 8th, 2011, 10:57 PM
#59
riverhawk - I understand what you're saying - I started with tours too. But Thailand is very easy - maybe you could try one day on your own instead of having a guide everywhere just to get your feet wet? Really, language is not a problem in Thailand, or in many places. I only speak English and a little French, and I get by with smiles and signs and help from locals. Actually, the hardest places for language have been in Eastern Europe, not Asia.
