SmarTours Vietnam Discovery
Oct 8th, 2008, 06:09 AM
#21
Join Date: Aug 2006
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mercy-I took the Amazing Thailand tour 2 years ago and it was outstanding. I posted an extensive trip report if you care to read it. Most of the hotels were good to very good, and the tour guide, Nee, was excellent. We did our own thing by hiring a car and driver during the scheduled optional tours and during any free time. We flew out of JFK on Korean Air, and got good seat assignments at the airport with no problem. You will have a great time on this tour. Enjoy.
Oct 8th, 2008, 08:33 PM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Shellyk: I scrolled back quite a ways to find your trip report under your name, and found it quite interesting. I will read it in more depth, closer to our departure--around Feb. 10.
I wish more people would post reports--I've seen several people ask questions and mention a SmarTour, but never hear much after their return.
Taking an organized tour is not for everyone--and I understand that, since my husband & I used to "do our own thing" when we were much younger. But having someone else heft your bags, deliver and pick them up, and know what you'll be doing on a daily basis is attractive. Tours always give an opportunity to explore on one's own--if enough thought has gone in to the plans and research done. This BB is such a good source of information. Ciao!!mhm
I wish more people would post reports--I've seen several people ask questions and mention a SmarTour, but never hear much after their return.
Taking an organized tour is not for everyone--and I understand that, since my husband & I used to "do our own thing" when we were much younger. But having someone else heft your bags, deliver and pick them up, and know what you'll be doing on a daily basis is attractive. Tours always give an opportunity to explore on one's own--if enough thought has gone in to the plans and research done. This BB is such a good source of information. Ciao!!mhm
Apr 16th, 2009, 05:31 PM
#23
Join Date: Apr 2009
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My friend Bev and I took the Vietnam and Angkor Wat discovery trip with SmarTours 2 years ago. It was $2199 for 17 days. Incredible! She has traveled a lot more than I, with many more companies, and she thought this one was excellent.
The hotels were superb, the food pretty good, the guides very good. I loved the down comforters at all the hotels and got several myself, as soon as I got home. No top sheets, but just very clean-appearing comforters to snuggle down under at night.
The Nikon in Hanoi was excellent; I didn't want to leave. Our guide recommended several other restaurants for us on the nights dinner wasn't included. We were very pleased with the food.
The hotel in Hue was the Morin; it was of colonial style, with large rooms. I looked out on the bridge over the Perfume River at night. We had a nice buffet that night in the courtyard.
I LIKED the Hoi An Pacific Hotel! My room was much smaller there, but the friendly staff made up for it. I needed to go to the post office and the laundry lady's husband took me on the back of his motorscooter. Highlight of my trip! When we left, the staff stood on the front steps and waved and smiled us on our way! I've NEVER had that happen on a trip.
We had our laundry done in several places and it was extremely cheap, like $2-3. The only place I wouldn't recommend is the laundry lady our guide got for us at the Angkor Century Hotel (a beautiful place). The clothes we got back seemed to have been washed very diligently, but in dirty water..
I enjoyed our rushed time in Bangkok, because I got to see the Grand Palace, but I would recommend to others seeing Thailand on its own, in depth, the whole country rather than just Bangkok.
I have pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/scarlettudor100
The best part of the trip was Vietnam, which I do felt we saw in depth. The Halong Bay cruise and caves were wonderful. I would have liked to have stayed a night there, though. Preferably on one of the boats.
The boat ride in the Mekong Delta was very interesting. CuChi Tunnells were amazing. How could people live under those conditions?
The hotels were superb, the food pretty good, the guides very good. I loved the down comforters at all the hotels and got several myself, as soon as I got home. No top sheets, but just very clean-appearing comforters to snuggle down under at night.
The Nikon in Hanoi was excellent; I didn't want to leave. Our guide recommended several other restaurants for us on the nights dinner wasn't included. We were very pleased with the food.
The hotel in Hue was the Morin; it was of colonial style, with large rooms. I looked out on the bridge over the Perfume River at night. We had a nice buffet that night in the courtyard.
I LIKED the Hoi An Pacific Hotel! My room was much smaller there, but the friendly staff made up for it. I needed to go to the post office and the laundry lady's husband took me on the back of his motorscooter. Highlight of my trip! When we left, the staff stood on the front steps and waved and smiled us on our way! I've NEVER had that happen on a trip.
We had our laundry done in several places and it was extremely cheap, like $2-3. The only place I wouldn't recommend is the laundry lady our guide got for us at the Angkor Century Hotel (a beautiful place). The clothes we got back seemed to have been washed very diligently, but in dirty water..
I enjoyed our rushed time in Bangkok, because I got to see the Grand Palace, but I would recommend to others seeing Thailand on its own, in depth, the whole country rather than just Bangkok.
I have pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/scarlettudor100
The best part of the trip was Vietnam, which I do felt we saw in depth. The Halong Bay cruise and caves were wonderful. I would have liked to have stayed a night there, though. Preferably on one of the boats.
The boat ride in the Mekong Delta was very interesting. CuChi Tunnells were amazing. How could people live under those conditions?
