Using British or other foreign tour companies
Dec 2nd, 2005 | 07:16 AM
#21
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,717
Likes: 0
Bringing things back to British tour companies:
I know that Cox & Kings organize some of the best tours of India for independent travelers. I met some of them while I was trying to fight Indian lassitude on my own; they had a much easier time on their travels than I did.
And Martin Randall are known for their cultural tours. They are not cheap, but they are considered excellent.
I know that Cox & Kings organize some of the best tours of India for independent travelers. I met some of them while I was trying to fight Indian lassitude on my own; they had a much easier time on their travels than I did.
And Martin Randall are known for their cultural tours. They are not cheap, but they are considered excellent.
Dec 2nd, 2005 | 07:31 AM
#23
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
One of the big rewards that I have found on British based tours is the mix of people. We took a tour of Ireland that had people from all over the English speaking world, except native Irelanders.
The mix included Canadians, English, Scots, Malaysians (?), Filipinos, New Zealanders, Australians, Indians, and South Africans.
Getting different points of view and sharing cultural differences, to say nothing of language nuances, was great fun.
Sometimes we find out that America as a nation is not as progressive or as intelligent as we might like to think.
The mix included Canadians, English, Scots, Malaysians (?), Filipinos, New Zealanders, Australians, Indians, and South Africans.
Getting different points of view and sharing cultural differences, to say nothing of language nuances, was great fun.
Sometimes we find out that America as a nation is not as progressive or as intelligent as we might like to think.
Dec 2nd, 2005 | 10:20 AM
#25
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,886
Likes: 0
I think that with most tour companies - US, British or otherwise - you essentially get what you pay for.
As far as I know there is no additional paperwork involved in using a foreign based tour company.
But - the person who told you that there are British company that charge much less than Rick Steves may not be telling you the reason why - they're either including much less - or they're choosing much less expensive types of travel and lodging.
(We met some British people on an english speaking tour at one of the Mad Ludwig castles - they were amazed at where we were staying and what we were paying for things- we were traveling independently - and we were amazed at the lodging and meals they considered acceptable [a mangy lookng B&B in the local town and a sandwhich and drink for lunch in an insalubrious looking dump on the outskirts of town]. So I think it's mostly just getting - at best - what you pay for.)
As far as I know there is no additional paperwork involved in using a foreign based tour company.
But - the person who told you that there are British company that charge much less than Rick Steves may not be telling you the reason why - they're either including much less - or they're choosing much less expensive types of travel and lodging.
(We met some British people on an english speaking tour at one of the Mad Ludwig castles - they were amazed at where we were staying and what we were paying for things- we were traveling independently - and we were amazed at the lodging and meals they considered acceptable [a mangy lookng B&B in the local town and a sandwhich and drink for lunch in an insalubrious looking dump on the outskirts of town]. So I think it's mostly just getting - at best - what you pay for.)
