General tour recommendations
 

Wife and I would like to take a "general" tour lasting 3-4 weeks of the British Isles and Ireland in the Spring of 2001, anyone have any recommendations concerning tour companies that should be avoided or those that have provided excellent service?

Hi Don, <BR> <BR>You can't go wrong with Tauck World Discoveries. They are the best. They are more expensive than other companies, but you get what you pay for! I have not done a tour to the UK with Tauck, but i just returned from Norway with them and am ready to go back. I hve also done tours in the USA with Tauck. I am not sure of their tour itineraries in the UK, but you should check them out. Whatever you decide, have fun!

Don, <BR>For both Ireland and the UK check out CIE tours at www.cie.ie. They have been running tours for the past 30+ years, choose great hotels and provide a great level of service eg you don't have to go through the hassle of checking out from the hotels (as long as you haven't rdered rooms service etc), as well as experienced reps and tour guides <BR> <BR>Hope this helps <BR> <BR>Cathy

Hi Don, <BR> <BR>I saw a bit of a flag in your question. I don't know if you've been on a tour before but wanting to go on a three to four week tour, I have to assume you haven't.. :) <BR> <BR>Tours can be tiring after a while. My advice is to take a tour of England/Scotland for 7-10 days, and then relax for a week or so in London, as you definitely won't have time to see everything while on the tour. And then hook up with another 7-10 day tour to see Ireland. <BR> <BR>You've got some good advice on the high end tours, the standard tours are Insight, Trafalgar, and Globus. Perhaps post whether you're going high end or standard, it wil help in the advise we can give you. Happy trails!

Don <BR>Take Rose's advice. If you want to allow plenty of time for your trip, that's great, but separate one or two tours with an extended stay in one location, London for one example. <BR>Three weeks or more of constant moving around will be tiring and perhaps even <BR>frustrating. Many companies allow you to combine two or more of their tours into one trip. 5-7 days in the middle, spent in London, will give you a great opportunity to really get to know London, and to not worry about packing and uppacking for a few days. You can relax, get some laundry & drycleaning done, and explore a wonderful city. London is easy to experience on your own. <BR>

Don, <BR>I have to agree with Rose and Elaine. Normally on an extended trip it is best to stay away for tours THey do not allow time to explore as they are meant to highlight. ALso, 4 weeks on a tour would be tough. A weeks tour and then visiting a major area like London for 5 to 7 days and then hooking up with a tour in Ireland would be best. It would allow you to decompress from the tour schedule while exploring new sights. Globus is another company offering quality tours that you may consider while developing your plans. I have done tours as well as independent travel. Both are rewarding.

Thanks for the great suggestions, suspect wife and I will act on information. Again , many thanks - regards

Hi Don: <BR>I took a 15 day tour with CIE in 1999 to Ireland, Scotland and London. It was wonderful but it was tiring...3-4 weeks and I would have been unconcious!! CIE provided wonderful service, decent lodgings and a knowledgeable tour guide. The driver was delightful. Whatever you and your wife decide, enjoy yourself. They are wonderful places to explore and discover.

Maupintours is excellent, staying in five star hotels, and making a leisurly trip without feeling like you're being rushed from trinket shop to factory to shop. As far as Budget travel, I can only recommend American Express.

I did the "Scenic England" tour with Trafalgar last summer and had a wonderful time (had the best Tour Director I've ever had with any company). I think the advice about breaking up the tours with a week in London is *very* sound.

Message: I have just booked a 15 day tour to England,Scotland,Wales & Ireland with Collette Tours thru AAA Auto Travel.There are 4 2-night stays throughout the tour. (You even spend 1 in a Castle!) Most of the dinners are included and so are most of the options I wanted(even theatre tickets in London). I have tour brochures from Trafalgar,Insight,Globus, Tauck and just about every other one. I was told that Collette is one step down from Tauck and a few steps up from Globus & Trafalgar. The hotels are very conveniently located and *very* nice. <BR>As far as price goes, even without airfare, it was only a few hundred more than Insight & Trafalgar,when you figure in the options that you have to buy, you really come out ahead. Check the website.www.collettetours.com. The only thing I will say is, whichever tour you chose, have your travel agent book the plane. The fare that was offered from Collette, was much higher than what I will pay. (maybe they cover themselves in case of an increase later) Anyway, the 2000 brochure from Collette is more than the 2001 prices quoted by both Collette & AAA travel.($200 less) You do have to pay for the transfer to the airport if they don't book it,it's $35.00 per person each way. <BR>The tour code is BI1A00-01. <BR>After that tour, I am taking 9 days in Paris with Trafalgar Tours. It is the free & easy hosted tour. The pay for the airfare, hotel, breakfasts, 1/2 day tour sightseeing and 1/2 day tour to Versaillies. A visit to Fragonard Perfumery & Museum, and a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral. Then the rest of the week, you are on your own around Paris. Collette will meet my plane, take me to the London tour,then at the end of the tour, take me to the plane to fly to Paris. Trafalgar will then pick me up (transfers are included)and I will fly home from Paris. It sounds confusing but it is really simple. Look into Trafalgar tours. The review on Fodors was mixed. I am going alone so I wanted most of the mindwork done for me. Try to get as many brochures as possible to compare the places you may want to go and the prices. Whichever you decide, I'm sure you'll love it. I know I will!