Trafalgar Tours
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
Is it like "Paris Week"..? I did that back in 1997, and I now know the package is much more expensive than if I had done it on my own. The reason for that was the hotel choices, primarily. They are nice, but I've been choosing 2-star hotels in Paris at much lower per-person cost.
All they are giving you is air (you can book it yourself), hotel (you can book that yourself), the crossing (you could do it yourself) and maybe a short tour of something (ie. Versailles in Paris) which you can book with local company or take yourself.
The representative only appears 1-2 times during your stay for questions.
So - I wouldn't do the city-stays via Trafalgar again because I can do it for less myself. I have enjoyed two escorted tours with them, however, my very first trip to Europe and later a tour of France. Trafalgar is fine, and if you prefer to let them handle the details, then you are paying more for the convenience but it might be worth it to you.
A lot of people have used www.go-today.com for package deals. The prices are lower, but also the hotels are not as 'high-end'. It may depend on your personal taste and preference.
All they are giving you is air (you can book it yourself), hotel (you can book that yourself), the crossing (you could do it yourself) and maybe a short tour of something (ie. Versailles in Paris) which you can book with local company or take yourself.
The representative only appears 1-2 times during your stay for questions.
So - I wouldn't do the city-stays via Trafalgar again because I can do it for less myself. I have enjoyed two escorted tours with them, however, my very first trip to Europe and later a tour of France. Trafalgar is fine, and if you prefer to let them handle the details, then you are paying more for the convenience but it might be worth it to you.
A lot of people have used www.go-today.com for package deals. The prices are lower, but also the hotels are not as 'high-end'. It may depend on your personal taste and preference.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,716
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...=2&tid=1353728
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...=2&tid=1357845
Here's a couple of threads re tour companies including Traflager; to find others like them, type "trafalger AND tours" in the text box.
The consensus seems to be that Trafalger's hotels can be located in outlying areas, so I'd certainly check them out carefully before you book.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...=2&tid=1357845
Here's a couple of threads re tour companies including Traflager; to find others like them, type "trafalger AND tours" in the text box.
The consensus seems to be that Trafalger's hotels can be located in outlying areas, so I'd certainly check them out carefully before you book.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
We did the Trafalgar Paris "package" our first time there. While we could have done it for less (and have since), the package was a good value. (It would have cost considerably more to book the same hotel on our own, and it was very nice and well located. The package also included a full, not continental, breakfast every day, which would have added considerably to the room rate.)
Having no previous experience booking travel to Europe, we apppreciated the airport transfers, the half-day bus tour of the city, the half-day bus tour to Versailles, the Seine cruise tickets, and having someone to call 24 hours a day (which was never necessary).
Having no previous experience booking travel to Europe, we apppreciated the airport transfers, the half-day bus tour of the city, the half-day bus tour to Versailles, the Seine cruise tickets, and having someone to call 24 hours a day (which was never necessary).
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,339
I have taken 1 Trafalfar Tour (8 countries, 1 Insight Tour (Spain, Portugal, Morocco), and have travelled independently world wide...I really enjoyed the Trafalgar Tour..We took a budget tour and I thing it was great value..We had a great time and met just tons of wonderful people of all ages (we were about 35 and 40 at the time)..Basically, you either like tours, or you don't..One thing I can say, is that we probably saw more than if we would have travelled to these countries on our own...The one drawback is up early every morning and sometimes you may feel rushed..But my theory is, that if you really liked one of those countries, then go back later...I highly recommend Trafalgar..They did a great job, the hotels were clean, in desireable locations, I can't say enough good things....And if you like tours, you will have a great time..These tour companies wouldn't have been in business this long if nobody used them!!
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Took a Trafalgar Tour several years ago in France and while I agree organized tours are, in many respects, a great way to travel, this one wasn't...with faults on both our side and Trafalgar's.
Our fault was picking ANY tour that claimed to be "the best of"...it wasn't so I've since always traveled independently.
The Trafalgar hotels were NOT well-located and tended to be on the outskirts at best in many cities. We also had tour guide and bus driver problems which I won't go into.
I would choose ANY organized tour very carefully....I think a lot of times you get what you pay for.
Our fault was picking ANY tour that claimed to be "the best of"...it wasn't so I've since always traveled independently.
The Trafalgar hotels were NOT well-located and tended to be on the outskirts at best in many cities. We also had tour guide and bus driver problems which I won't go into.
I would choose ANY organized tour very carefully....I think a lot of times you get what you pay for.
