janisj

I agree - I'd return home w/ the refund $$. Then you can use it for a trip more suited to your abilities later this year. The next tour looks slightly less strenuous than the one you are on. But it is still very hectic and you (and likely the next TD) will end up frustrated and dissatisfied.

Go home (make sure GTC covers the full cost of your travel arrangements) and then post her to get help planning a better/cheaper/more doable trip.

adrienne

<< has luggage tailored to her tours, and not necessarily her abilities to handle the luggage >>

How is she handling her luggage in Venice and Milan? She has about 10 days on her own between the two tours and is taking trains so she must have a plan for that luggage.

janisj

adrienne: Up thread she posted >>Of corse I am concerned about hauling my luggage, but I do have someone to meet my train both in Zurich and in Paris, so I have tried to cover my butt, as they say.<<

But IMO that is the least of things (from a long list) to worry about

suze

I wouldn't be sticking around for the next tour, if you can get a refund. Either to head home and start planning your next trip. Or continue on your own this time.

It's clear to me a tour like this isn't appropriate AND that you are perfectly capable of planning and taking a trip of your own, on your own, at your own pace next time.

starrs

Re the luggage - that's why I vote to choose a base and stay there and enjoy that base instead of hauling luggage around from place to place.

NewbE

I find myself inspired by this thread and by twoteachers' perseverance. I honestly would not have guessed that she could accomplish as much as she has under the circumstances, and so I trust her judgment now. She made a mistake booking the tour, but has thus far not significantly overestimated her own abilities. Why shouldn't she be able to handle the rest of the trip equally well?

< I was the only person I saw traveling solo, and I only saw one other person with a cane, so I felt crazy but also victorious .>
Sometimes you have to be a little crazy in order to emerge victorious. Or, to take a page from Thin, you have chosen to take arms against a sea of troubles! I say good for you. The safer route might leave you with regret.

kybourbon

I think the refund is more complicated than we know. Either the OP paid her own airfare apart from the tour company or made some other arrangement with GCT since she booked two trips (10 days apart) and only one airfare.

If she booked her own airfare, then she will need to change it herself and change fees/current prices apply. That can drive up her ticket cost quite a bit to come home early.

Any refund she might get from GCT wouldn't be immediate. Their policy states zero refund within 29 days (before departure). I will be surprised if all the verbal promises from the TD happen. It's been a long time since I was on a tour, but anyone unable to participate in a optional excursion for illness was refunded that day by the TD.

https://www.gct.com/home/termsandcon...#cancelrefunds

suze

Seems the worst possible scenario (which is not so bad) is that she finish this tour as previously arranged (making the various adaptations as she has been) and travel on her own next time, in the future.

socaltraveler

The safer route may leave her with regret, but it may also cut her losses, help her regain her physical strength and get some of her $$$ back so she can plan a better trip for her needs. There is no guarantee that the next tour director will treat her any better than this one has, and I would bet that GCT or this tour director has already had some conversations with the next one. Sometimes you just need to know when "to fold 'em".

And twoteachers, whatever you do decide to do, please get everything in writing, and demand copies of all e-mails, especially the ones the td has been reading to you.

IMDonehere

I lend my voice to the chorus of going home. It has been physically and emotionally grueling. You do not need the advice of strangers, you need the comfort of your home for now. And when rested you can consider new options.

Pepper_von_snoot

She can't go home.

Haven't you read of of this (worthy of Ibsen--I am calling it Peer Gimp)?

The OP is going to Venice on her own then training it to Zürich and on to Paris.

This all makes for great theatre.

I don't envy anyone the long train ride from Venice to Zürich with luggage.

We will see.

Thin

twoteachers

.Today the group went to Capri as an optional $135 tour that I couldn't do, so I used the day to go to the archeological museum. The logistics were very difficult for me, but I loved the museum and spent 4hours there while the group had done a cursory one hour visit. Leaving the museum was complicated by rain, there was hail while I was inside, and some kind of strike with a lot of confusion and different versions of what to do to get back to garibaldi. I was up and down stairs a few extra times with conflicting info. I finally board the CV for Sorrento , hoping to crash with my Coke Light, but, alas, the train was jammed and I am a pole hanger. A gentleman who was also standing "suggested" to some men comfortably seated that someone should give me a seat, and a young man looked reluctant but did. I was so grateful for his kindness I could've cried in appreciation but managed to keep my cool....
Now I would like to plan for myself a similar trip to Capri while they go to Pompeii tomorrow. There is a home hosted lunch tomorrow, so I don't know if I have time to do Capri before the lunch, or if it is worth rushing for....
BTW, my air travel was with GCT , they somehow combined the coming and going with the two tours, not sure how that impacts a refund....

IMDonehere

You are right I have not read every entry. We have different ideas as to what is compelling theater.

suec1

I would plan on Capri taking most of the day - don't try to cram it in before lunch.

I agree, this has been a most interesting thread. Whoever accuses the Fodor's crowd of being a nasty bunch should follow this saga.

Surely the OP does not expect an airfare refund? just for the second tour? I would think if she doesn't do the second tour and does NOT have to pay a change fee for the flights, that would be more than fair.

socaltraveler

Don't try to 'see' Capri and get back for lunch. Choose one or the other.

Just curious - has everyone on the tour paid extra for the optional tours? Are you the only one not going?

AlessandraZoe

Good going, twoteachers!

Judy

I just read this thread and you mention 10 days between tours but also mention luggage help in Venice, Zurich and Paris. When are you traveling to those cities?

Good for you seeing Pompeii and the museum on your own!

willowjane

I am impressed with your fortitude! Make the bet of what you have and keep moving forward !!

Pepper_von_snoot

Well, if you are going to take the funicular up to the piazetta, you could wander around and go shopping or have a lunch at Hotel Luna by the swimming pool.

There is Carthusia; you can buy some lovely perfume.

Or you can take the terrifying bus ride to Anacapri.

I would go on the walk to see the Farriglioni Rocks, but I don't know if you would make it back up.

Maybe you should put some Stoli in that Coke Light!

P_M just got back from Naples, Capri, and Sorrento. She told me is wasn't possible to see the Blue Grotto.


Thin

Marija

Another triumph! You deserve more than a Coke Lite to celebrate.