Touring
Jun 3rd, 2003, 01:54 PM
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Touring
Has anyone had any experience, positive or negative, with tour guides? Specifically, if you have ever used a guide, what did you like? What would you have liked that you didn't receive? Would you recommend any particular companies or guides.
My reason for this question is twofold: first, for my own personal use, and second, I am doing a research project. Any responses would be appreciated, either to this board or to my e-mail address, [email protected].
Thanks so much.
My reason for this question is twofold: first, for my own personal use, and second, I am doing a research project. Any responses would be appreciated, either to this board or to my e-mail address, [email protected].
Thanks so much.
Jun 5th, 2003, 12:23 PM
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OK, I'll try to help. I took a 14 day tour to Italy in 2001. It was what was called an "escorted tour" where my aunt and I were with about 30 other people, we traveled between cities by tour bus, all the hotels were arranged for us, some excursions and meals were included, some were not. I like to travel independently, but at the time I didn't have time to research the trip, and the tour idea made my somewhat nervous aunt happy (I was 32 and she was 58 at the time).
Anyway, here's my view of the pros and cons:
PROS:
1) Travel and hotel arrangements were made for you. Saves on researching time, which I had little of for this trip. Since we took a bus everywhere, we didn't have to worry about finding train stations, taxis, airports, or whatever.
2) They moved our luggage whenever we switched places. Just had to put it outside our hotel door. No lugging. This was nice.
3) Didn't have to wait in line to get into popular attractions, because tours usually go in a separate entrance or are arranged to go in at a set time.
4) Time to ourselves. The tour we took gave us a decent amount of free time away from the group (but I wanted even more).
5) Bus was pretty comfortable - our bus driver was great fun, and we didn't have to drive - we could just admire the scenery out the windows.
6) We did things that I probably wouldn't have come up with on my own. For example, we stopped in Bologna on the way to Florence and had the most wonderful lunch in an adorable restaurant, and stopped at a winery one other time, which was fun.
Cons coming up...
Anyway, here's my view of the pros and cons:
PROS:
1) Travel and hotel arrangements were made for you. Saves on researching time, which I had little of for this trip. Since we took a bus everywhere, we didn't have to worry about finding train stations, taxis, airports, or whatever.
2) They moved our luggage whenever we switched places. Just had to put it outside our hotel door. No lugging. This was nice.
3) Didn't have to wait in line to get into popular attractions, because tours usually go in a separate entrance or are arranged to go in at a set time.
4) Time to ourselves. The tour we took gave us a decent amount of free time away from the group (but I wanted even more).
5) Bus was pretty comfortable - our bus driver was great fun, and we didn't have to drive - we could just admire the scenery out the windows.
6) We did things that I probably wouldn't have come up with on my own. For example, we stopped in Bologna on the way to Florence and had the most wonderful lunch in an adorable restaurant, and stopped at a winery one other time, which was fun.
Cons coming up...
Jun 5th, 2003, 12:32 PM
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CONS:
1) We had to get up early every morning for the tour - and there were some nights when a few of us "younger" people on the tour were out pretty late. I like to set my own schedule.
2) There were some REALLY annoying people on the tour, and you are with these people for A LOT of the trip - they can drive you crazy if you let them. However, I also made several wonderful friends (OK, that part should be on the PRO list).
3) Food: this is a pro/con also: we had MANY wonderful meals that were included, and actually only 1 really BAD one. However, again, after a while, I was tired of eating with the people on the tour and wanted to go off by myself sometimes.
4) Not enough "alone time". At one point, my aunt wanted to go down to the hotel bar and have a drink, and I asked her just to go without me so I could have an hour to myself. She totally understood what I meant, and I spent an hour on our balcony just relaxing.
5) I actually LIKE doing the planning, and having the adventure of renting a car, so I kind of missed that.
6) They had set stops and "places of interest" that were really stores that wanted to sell you stuff. They actually WERE interesting, but I wouldn't have spent that much time in them without the tour.
I do have to say that the hotels we stayed at were centrally located, which I know is not the case for some tour companies. We were a few blocks from San Marco Piazza in Venice, a long but not overly long walk to the Trivoli fountain in Rome, and a nice walking distance from the center of Florence.
We got tour guides for churches in Florence and for Pompeii and those were nice.
The company we went with was Central Holidays. They have a website.
Does this help?
Karen
1) We had to get up early every morning for the tour - and there were some nights when a few of us "younger" people on the tour were out pretty late. I like to set my own schedule.
2) There were some REALLY annoying people on the tour, and you are with these people for A LOT of the trip - they can drive you crazy if you let them. However, I also made several wonderful friends (OK, that part should be on the PRO list).
3) Food: this is a pro/con also: we had MANY wonderful meals that were included, and actually only 1 really BAD one. However, again, after a while, I was tired of eating with the people on the tour and wanted to go off by myself sometimes.
4) Not enough "alone time". At one point, my aunt wanted to go down to the hotel bar and have a drink, and I asked her just to go without me so I could have an hour to myself. She totally understood what I meant, and I spent an hour on our balcony just relaxing.
5) I actually LIKE doing the planning, and having the adventure of renting a car, so I kind of missed that.
6) They had set stops and "places of interest" that were really stores that wanted to sell you stuff. They actually WERE interesting, but I wouldn't have spent that much time in them without the tour.
I do have to say that the hotels we stayed at were centrally located, which I know is not the case for some tour companies. We were a few blocks from San Marco Piazza in Venice, a long but not overly long walk to the Trivoli fountain in Rome, and a nice walking distance from the center of Florence.
We got tour guides for churches in Florence and for Pompeii and those were nice.
The company we went with was Central Holidays. They have a website.
Does this help?
Karen
Jun 5th, 2003, 12:35 PM
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Elaine and Kaudrey, thanks for responding.
Elaine, I was thinking at first of tours within a given area or city, but the escorted tour angle is also interesting. Have you had any experience with themed tours?
Kaudrey, that's really helpful. I can't wait to hear the cons.
Merci.
Elaine, I was thinking at first of tours within a given area or city, but the escorted tour angle is also interesting. Have you had any experience with themed tours?
Kaudrey, that's really helpful. I can't wait to hear the cons.
Merci.
Jun 5th, 2003, 01:18 PM
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We had an escorted tour once that was even less structured than kaudrey's. We got air, hotels, bus between cities, and a hostess who travelled with the group. Otherwise we were entirely on our own in each city unless we wanted to buy the optional tours. No following the group around.
The only meals provided were the standard hotel breakfasts that anyone gets, a welcome dinner, a farewell party, and a couple of lunches while on the road. It worked very well. Didn't see the rest of the group enough to get tired of them. Some days we'd go off by ourselves, others we might hook up with another couple or two from the group. We even extended the tour 2 days each at the beginning and end because they only allowed 2-1/2 days in Venice and 3-1/2 in Rome. So we had 4 days when we weren't part of the tour at all.
I will say that the hostess was very knowledgeable and helpful--she knew her history and culture and gave a lot of interesting information during the bus rides between cities (Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Rome).
The only meals provided were the standard hotel breakfasts that anyone gets, a welcome dinner, a farewell party, and a couple of lunches while on the road. It worked very well. Didn't see the rest of the group enough to get tired of them. Some days we'd go off by ourselves, others we might hook up with another couple or two from the group. We even extended the tour 2 days each at the beginning and end because they only allowed 2-1/2 days in Venice and 3-1/2 in Rome. So we had 4 days when we weren't part of the tour at all.
I will say that the hostess was very knowledgeable and helpful--she knew her history and culture and gave a lot of interesting information during the bus rides between cities (Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Rome).
Jun 5th, 2003, 01:57 PM
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Hi
We do mostly independent travel and walking tours outlined in travel books so have not had a lot of experience with tour guides. However, there have been a few one day or 1/2 day affairs.
1. In Italy we took a one day tour of Rome that included the catacombs and the city. Not Good. They sped through the city and when they were talking the accent was bad (it was suppose to be an English speaking tour) that when the Guide left everyone booed him. Not enough stopping, too much whizing past and rushing.
2. In Austria (Salzburg) took the Sound of Music Tour - This may sound hokey and it probably was but absolutely everyone enjoyed it. (we were 50 but on a separate trip our 21 year old college student loved it also and was the one who told us to go). This too was an English guide who was great because you could understand them, took time to answer all questions, good variety of stops, not pushing to sell things, even had everyone singing on the way back. You got back feeling really good.
3. An all time favorite that we have been on twice is the Rothenburg Germany Night Watchman's tour. It is only about an hour or hour and a half. He does it in costume and his English is fine. The stories are wonderful, the cost is neglible, the atmosphere great (it is a walking tour discussing things as they were in the 16th century). There can be 20 tor 40 people but he speaks up so everyone can hear.
4. Australia, "Breakfast with the Kangaroos and Mountain day" Wonderful tour with the company we went with for the day. Guide very knowledgable, cordial, group only about 12 people which was nice, variety and quality of stops great (kangaroos, boomarangs (spelling), zoo, mountain vistas). Wonderful picnic breakfast, lunch was on our own which was a nice break from the group and time for shopping in a small town.
5. Australia rainforest - Great tour by an individual and just the 4 of us traveling together. The weather was rainy and he adjusted the tour to make it work with the weather. Extremely knowledgable, great food, early morning muffins (home made), picnic lunch cooked on site next to a stream, afternoon tea with home made cookies. Since it was only the 4 of us he found what we wanted to see.
6. New Zealand - Jet Boat tour. Another great day. Very knowledgable guides, good variety of hiking, riding and boating. Different people covered different aspects. Tried to respond to peoples requests to get everything in. Probably about 20 in the group.
7. Canal Cruise Tours
Brugge - Ok, Pretty scenery but it was conducted in 4 languages so you had to sit there while they went through each one.
Amsterdam - Very good, weather helps, all in English
Paris - Bateaux Mouche - Cigar smokers caused a headache, either the smell was bad or people were moving around to get away from it.
Budapest - Great evening cruise, headphones so you listened to your own language, TV monitor to augment sights, great sights and beverages.
I would highly recommend the Nightwatchman, Sound of Music and all the ones we went on in Australia and New Zealand along with the cruises in Paris (cigar exempt), Budapest and Amsterdam.
Most of our other "touring" has been self directed. We use Rick Steves a lot. We like being able to start and stop when we want to, shopping or at a cafe. We can eliminate any locations we would rather not take the time for. We have done this in Prague, Vienna city tour, Budapest, Nice, Venice, etc.
Also so many museums now have the ear phones and recorders so that you get all the information in your own language and can go at you own pace and no tipping to worry about.
Hope this helps,
Mary Ann
We do mostly independent travel and walking tours outlined in travel books so have not had a lot of experience with tour guides. However, there have been a few one day or 1/2 day affairs.
1. In Italy we took a one day tour of Rome that included the catacombs and the city. Not Good. They sped through the city and when they were talking the accent was bad (it was suppose to be an English speaking tour) that when the Guide left everyone booed him. Not enough stopping, too much whizing past and rushing.
2. In Austria (Salzburg) took the Sound of Music Tour - This may sound hokey and it probably was but absolutely everyone enjoyed it. (we were 50 but on a separate trip our 21 year old college student loved it also and was the one who told us to go). This too was an English guide who was great because you could understand them, took time to answer all questions, good variety of stops, not pushing to sell things, even had everyone singing on the way back. You got back feeling really good.
3. An all time favorite that we have been on twice is the Rothenburg Germany Night Watchman's tour. It is only about an hour or hour and a half. He does it in costume and his English is fine. The stories are wonderful, the cost is neglible, the atmosphere great (it is a walking tour discussing things as they were in the 16th century). There can be 20 tor 40 people but he speaks up so everyone can hear.
4. Australia, "Breakfast with the Kangaroos and Mountain day" Wonderful tour with the company we went with for the day. Guide very knowledgable, cordial, group only about 12 people which was nice, variety and quality of stops great (kangaroos, boomarangs (spelling), zoo, mountain vistas). Wonderful picnic breakfast, lunch was on our own which was a nice break from the group and time for shopping in a small town.
5. Australia rainforest - Great tour by an individual and just the 4 of us traveling together. The weather was rainy and he adjusted the tour to make it work with the weather. Extremely knowledgable, great food, early morning muffins (home made), picnic lunch cooked on site next to a stream, afternoon tea with home made cookies. Since it was only the 4 of us he found what we wanted to see.
6. New Zealand - Jet Boat tour. Another great day. Very knowledgable guides, good variety of hiking, riding and boating. Different people covered different aspects. Tried to respond to peoples requests to get everything in. Probably about 20 in the group.
7. Canal Cruise Tours
Brugge - Ok, Pretty scenery but it was conducted in 4 languages so you had to sit there while they went through each one.
Amsterdam - Very good, weather helps, all in English
Paris - Bateaux Mouche - Cigar smokers caused a headache, either the smell was bad or people were moving around to get away from it.
Budapest - Great evening cruise, headphones so you listened to your own language, TV monitor to augment sights, great sights and beverages.
I would highly recommend the Nightwatchman, Sound of Music and all the ones we went on in Australia and New Zealand along with the cruises in Paris (cigar exempt), Budapest and Amsterdam.
Most of our other "touring" has been self directed. We use Rick Steves a lot. We like being able to start and stop when we want to, shopping or at a cafe. We can eliminate any locations we would rather not take the time for. We have done this in Prague, Vienna city tour, Budapest, Nice, Venice, etc.
Also so many museums now have the ear phones and recorders so that you get all the information in your own language and can go at you own pace and no tipping to worry about.
Hope this helps,
Mary Ann
Jun 6th, 2003, 06:11 AM
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Toupary= there is a personal guide that people on this board recommend for Paris:
Tourjours Paris
If you're in the Ville Lumiere, do try Paris Walks (in English). They're given by a delightful English couple, Peter and Oriel Caine, and their superb team of Anglo-American guides. Not to be missed if you're in Paris! Contact them at:
Tel: +33 (1) 48.09.21.40,
Fax: +33 (1) 42.43.75.51
12 passage Meunier, 93200 St Denis, Paris, France
Email: [email protected]
Website
aris Walks
Here is the INFO from Paris Walks:
PARIS WALKS 2002
General Information No need to reserve, except where specified. Tours go
rain or shine. Prices are indicated on each tour. Tours last about two
hours. Meet your guide above ground at the metro exit. Paris Walks Tel: 01
48 09 21 40
Private Tours Our scheduled tours can be arranged for groups. Contact us
for details.
For families or small groups: make the most of your stay in Paris with our
Introduction tour: 3 hours in the company of a guide to show you Paris. A
selection of the famous sights or some of the typical neighbourhoods, or a
mixture of both. We have child friendly guides. Call us for more details.
The following walks are offered all season November to end March 30th
2002-3
For these tours there is no need to reserve. Tours run rain or shine.
(There are other tours to choose from on the full monthly brochure,
available about two months in advance)
Every Monday 10.30am Ile de la Cite and Notre Dame
Read the stories in the medieval sculptures and hear how this marvellous
gothic cathedral was built. We also look at the history and architecture of
the Ile de la Cite, and visit the poignant memorial to those deported
during the Second World War.
Meet at metro Cite. Price 10 euros
Every Tuesday 10.30am The Historic Marais Circuit 1. Saints and
Sinners
The Marais is the most beautifully preserved quarter of the city. Discover
medieval houses, atmospheric old streets, beautiful classical architecture,
two lovely churches, the antiques shops in the Village St Paul, and the
place des Vosges, Paris' oldest square. A host of colourful characters
lived here including dissolute duchesses and aristocratic poisoners.
Meet at metro St Paul. Price 10 euros
Every Wednesday (except Dec 25th) 10:30 am The Village of Montmartre
A picturesque route to see the unique vineyard, old streets, artists'
studios where Renoir, Lautrec and Van Gogh painted, quiet gardens, the
oldest cabaret in Paris, the lively place du Tertre with its artists, the
famous Sacre Coeur church, and a wonderful view over the city.
Meet at metro Abbesses. Price: 10 euros
Every Thursday 10.30am St Germain-des-Pres
With its wonderful cross section of Paris, this a perfect introduction to
the city: the old abbey church of St Germain, the oldest church in Paris,
the stately St Sulpice with the beautiful murals by Delacroix, charming
streets, old squares, artists' studios, famous literary cafes, the Paris
Fine Arts school, and the hotel where Oscar Wilde died.
Meet at the fountain in place St Sulpice, nearest metro St Sulpice or
Mabillon. Price 10 euros
Every Thursday 2:30 pm The Historic Marais. Circuit 2. Murderers and
Mistresses.
In this beautiful historic neighbourhood we hear tales of famous
inhabitants and enjoy elegant classical architecture and quaint old
streets. We see some splendid mansions: the beautiful Soubise Palace, the
Hotel Sale, now the Picasso Museum and the Hotel Carnavalet, where Mme de
Sevigne lived, famous for her witty letters telling of life at the time of
the Sun King. We walk through the Jewish quarter and finish at the lovely
place des Vosges, the city's oldest square.
Meet at metro St Paul. Price: 10 euros
Every Friday 10.30am Hemingway's Paris
The colourful Mouffetard district of the Latin Quarter. Explore this
charming quarter with the quaint old houses of the Mouffetard market
street, associated with James Joyce, George Orwell, and also French writers
Balzac and the disreputable poet Verlaine. Hemingway lived here and
describes the neighbourhood in his last book "A Moveable Feast" .
Meet at metro Cardinal Lemoine. Price: 10 euros
Every Saturday 10.30am The Historic Marais. Circuit 1 (See description
for Tuesdays)
Meet at metro St Paul. Price: 10 euros
Every Saturday 2.30pm There is always a walk on Saturday afternoons
selected from our repertoire. The details are published on our monthly
programme.
Every Sunday 10:30 am The Village of Montmartre (see description
for Wednesdays)
Meet at metro Abbesses. Price: 10 euros
Every Sunday There is always an extra walk on Sunday selected from our
repertoire. The details are published on our monthly programme.
Every Sunday 2:30 pm The Historic Marais. Circuit 2. (See description
for Thursdays)
Meet at metro St Paul. Price: 10 euros
AND THIS IS THE OTHER TOUR GUIDE THAT IS RECOMMENDED- MICHAEL OSMAN:
http://groups.msn.com/DestinationPar...pgmarket=en-us
Tourjours Paris
If you're in the Ville Lumiere, do try Paris Walks (in English). They're given by a delightful English couple, Peter and Oriel Caine, and their superb team of Anglo-American guides. Not to be missed if you're in Paris! Contact them at:
Tel: +33 (1) 48.09.21.40,
Fax: +33 (1) 42.43.75.51
12 passage Meunier, 93200 St Denis, Paris, France
Email: [email protected]
Website
aris Walks Here is the INFO from Paris Walks:
PARIS WALKS 2002
General Information No need to reserve, except where specified. Tours go
rain or shine. Prices are indicated on each tour. Tours last about two
hours. Meet your guide above ground at the metro exit. Paris Walks Tel: 01
48 09 21 40
Private Tours Our scheduled tours can be arranged for groups. Contact us
for details.
For families or small groups: make the most of your stay in Paris with our
Introduction tour: 3 hours in the company of a guide to show you Paris. A
selection of the famous sights or some of the typical neighbourhoods, or a
mixture of both. We have child friendly guides. Call us for more details.
The following walks are offered all season November to end March 30th
2002-3
For these tours there is no need to reserve. Tours run rain or shine.
(There are other tours to choose from on the full monthly brochure,
available about two months in advance)
Every Monday 10.30am Ile de la Cite and Notre Dame
Read the stories in the medieval sculptures and hear how this marvellous
gothic cathedral was built. We also look at the history and architecture of
the Ile de la Cite, and visit the poignant memorial to those deported
during the Second World War.
Meet at metro Cite. Price 10 euros
Every Tuesday 10.30am The Historic Marais Circuit 1. Saints and
Sinners
The Marais is the most beautifully preserved quarter of the city. Discover
medieval houses, atmospheric old streets, beautiful classical architecture,
two lovely churches, the antiques shops in the Village St Paul, and the
place des Vosges, Paris' oldest square. A host of colourful characters
lived here including dissolute duchesses and aristocratic poisoners.
Meet at metro St Paul. Price 10 euros
Every Wednesday (except Dec 25th) 10:30 am The Village of Montmartre
A picturesque route to see the unique vineyard, old streets, artists'
studios where Renoir, Lautrec and Van Gogh painted, quiet gardens, the
oldest cabaret in Paris, the lively place du Tertre with its artists, the
famous Sacre Coeur church, and a wonderful view over the city.
Meet at metro Abbesses. Price: 10 euros
Every Thursday 10.30am St Germain-des-Pres
With its wonderful cross section of Paris, this a perfect introduction to
the city: the old abbey church of St Germain, the oldest church in Paris,
the stately St Sulpice with the beautiful murals by Delacroix, charming
streets, old squares, artists' studios, famous literary cafes, the Paris
Fine Arts school, and the hotel where Oscar Wilde died.
Meet at the fountain in place St Sulpice, nearest metro St Sulpice or
Mabillon. Price 10 euros
Every Thursday 2:30 pm The Historic Marais. Circuit 2. Murderers and
Mistresses.
In this beautiful historic neighbourhood we hear tales of famous
inhabitants and enjoy elegant classical architecture and quaint old
streets. We see some splendid mansions: the beautiful Soubise Palace, the
Hotel Sale, now the Picasso Museum and the Hotel Carnavalet, where Mme de
Sevigne lived, famous for her witty letters telling of life at the time of
the Sun King. We walk through the Jewish quarter and finish at the lovely
place des Vosges, the city's oldest square.
Meet at metro St Paul. Price: 10 euros
Every Friday 10.30am Hemingway's Paris
The colourful Mouffetard district of the Latin Quarter. Explore this
charming quarter with the quaint old houses of the Mouffetard market
street, associated with James Joyce, George Orwell, and also French writers
Balzac and the disreputable poet Verlaine. Hemingway lived here and
describes the neighbourhood in his last book "A Moveable Feast" .
Meet at metro Cardinal Lemoine. Price: 10 euros
Every Saturday 10.30am The Historic Marais. Circuit 1 (See description
for Tuesdays)
Meet at metro St Paul. Price: 10 euros
Every Saturday 2.30pm There is always a walk on Saturday afternoons
selected from our repertoire. The details are published on our monthly
programme.
Every Sunday 10:30 am The Village of Montmartre (see description
for Wednesdays)
Meet at metro Abbesses. Price: 10 euros
Every Sunday There is always an extra walk on Sunday selected from our
repertoire. The details are published on our monthly programme.
Every Sunday 2:30 pm The Historic Marais. Circuit 2. (See description
for Thursdays)
Meet at metro St Paul. Price: 10 euros
AND THIS IS THE OTHER TOUR GUIDE THAT IS RECOMMENDED- MICHAEL OSMAN:
http://groups.msn.com/DestinationPar...pgmarket=en-us
