Has anyone taken an escourted/guided vacation/tour? Any recommendations?
Jan 18, 2002, 3:37 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Elgin, IL, U.S.A.
Posts: 912
Sweet Willie:
The name of the show is:
International Adventure Travel and Outdoor Sports Show.
It used to be at the Rosemont Convention Center but I saw it in the Internet and this year is going to be at the Navy Pier on February-23-24. The Chicago Tribune usually has discount coupons for the show during that week.
The name of the show is:
International Adventure Travel and Outdoor Sports Show.
It used to be at the Rosemont Convention Center but I saw it in the Internet and this year is going to be at the Navy Pier on February-23-24. The Chicago Tribune usually has discount coupons for the show during that week.
Jan 20, 2002, 7:09 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Iowa
Posts: 229
Contiki tours sounds interesting.
These tours aren't 'pick-up'/singles tours are they? Even though I am single I am not looking for a vacation to find a date. I would just like to have a nice time with friendly people.
Thanks!
These tours aren't 'pick-up'/singles tours are they? Even though I am single I am not looking for a vacation to find a date. I would just like to have a nice time with friendly people.
Thanks!
Jan 23, 2002, 5:19 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Elgin, IL, U.S.A.
Posts: 912
rnmcd:
"These tours aren't 'pick-up'/singles tours are they? Even though I am single I am not looking for a vacation to find a date. I would just like to have a nice time with friendly people."
No, they are not. The advantage is that if you don't want to pay the single supplement you can share the room with another person. Everybody is single so nobody is going to bother you asking silly questions as Why are you traveling by yourself? People are friendly. I still keep in touch with friends from that tour by mail and e-mail (From Germany, Brazil, Australia and Singapore). I recently met my Australian friend when I went to Australia last month. There were people from other countries too and USA of course.
"These tours aren't 'pick-up'/singles tours are they? Even though I am single I am not looking for a vacation to find a date. I would just like to have a nice time with friendly people."
No, they are not. The advantage is that if you don't want to pay the single supplement you can share the room with another person. Everybody is single so nobody is going to bother you asking silly questions as Why are you traveling by yourself? People are friendly. I still keep in touch with friends from that tour by mail and e-mail (From Germany, Brazil, Australia and Singapore). I recently met my Australian friend when I went to Australia last month. There were people from other countries too and USA of course.
Jan 24, 2002, 7:49 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Starkville, MS, USA
Posts: 1
My husband and I recently took a trip to France with <www.jeffsainsburytours.com>. It is called a garden tour but my husband was delighted with the history and architecture included. Jeff is the most gracious tour guide, speaks several languages and truely spoils you the whole trip. There is adequate free time as well. We were to have returned to the USA on Sept. 12. Jeff went to extremes to care for us during the two day delay before we could return to the states with no extra charges. His tours are small groups of 16 people or less. Our group was only two couples with Jeff, who was also driving the van, and Ed Martin, a knowledgable landscape architect. I would certainly give it five stars. fish
------------------
fish
------------------
fish
Jan 24, 2002, 9:12 am
#22
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Santa Cruz CA USA
Posts: 1,643
Linblad and Tauck are upscale tour companies. Check out some of their itineraries for an overview.
The Smithsonian and many universities/colleges have tours with knowledgeable guides that focus on an area or subject.
Tours are efficient. I think the choice depends on how much time you have. Also possible is buying local day trip or several night tours.
Sylvia
The Smithsonian and many universities/colleges have tours with knowledgeable guides that focus on an area or subject.
Tours are efficient. I think the choice depends on how much time you have. Also possible is buying local day trip or several night tours.
Sylvia
Jan 24, 2002, 2:12 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Elgin, IL, U.S.A.
Posts: 912
[b]rnmcd:
Question:Viajera~ are all five(5) of those tour companies that you mentioned designed
for singles?
Answer: No, Contiki is the only company of the 5 that I mentioned that is geared to singles. There are other tour companies for singles but that is the only one that I have tried. It is very economical. When I used it, I needed a good bargain to travel to Alaska because I had two trips in a row and many things in Alaska are more expensive than in other states.
Question:Viajera~ are all five(5) of those tour companies that you mentioned designed
for singles?
Answer: No, Contiki is the only company of the 5 that I mentioned that is geared to singles. There are other tour companies for singles but that is the only one that I have tried. It is very economical. When I used it, I needed a good bargain to travel to Alaska because I had two trips in a row and many things in Alaska are more expensive than in other states.
Jan 24, 2002, 3:12 pm
#24
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 2,505
I highly recommend Pasha Tours for Turkey. Comfortable bus, good local guides.
http://www.pachatours.com/
------------------
The Personal Travel Experience of Gary Steiger - including how to get free frequent flyer miles on the web.
http://home.earthlink.net/~pgary/TravelFrame.html
http://www.pachatours.com/
------------------
The Personal Travel Experience of Gary Steiger - including how to get free frequent flyer miles on the web.
http://home.earthlink.net/~pgary/TravelFrame.html
Jan 25, 2002, 8:23 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Programs: AA,HP,MP,DL,SPG, MR
Posts: 2,092
I have a friend who is a widow and she travels with the Theater Development Fund travel group. It is always an educational trip with some free time and she has met lots of lovely people.
Jan 26, 2002, 3:08 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 1
I, too, am a single male who started traveling seriously five years ago. The escorted tour that best fit my bill (as far as needs go -- not pocketbook, as they are pricey) is Maupin. Small groups; excellent tour and city guides; and some good hand-holding for those in the group who needed same.
Jan 27, 2002, 3:25 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greenwich, CT USA
Posts: 11
I have been on several trips run by a company called Abercrombie and Kent. They are most known for their African safaris, but they also offer incredible tours throughout europe, asia, australia, and south america.
Although A & K is more expensive than other companies, they do offer the best guides, amazing hotels, and fantastic vacations. They also collect your bags after you leave each hotel, so you don't have to pack far before your departure. Also, most hotel stays are for more than 2 nights, so you don't have to repack too often.
Maupintour and taukk are also very good, but they don't offer the same amount of detail as A & K...
Good Luck and enjoy your trip!!
Although A & K is more expensive than other companies, they do offer the best guides, amazing hotels, and fantastic vacations. They also collect your bags after you leave each hotel, so you don't have to pack far before your departure. Also, most hotel stays are for more than 2 nights, so you don't have to repack too often.
Maupintour and taukk are also very good, but they don't offer the same amount of detail as A & K...
Good Luck and enjoy your trip!!
Jan 27, 2002, 4:54 pm
#28
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,040
My partner and I did a COSMOS guided tour in Europe two years ago. It was an economy tour... we had 15 days including travel to and from Des Moines, IA with all rooms and most dinners and breakfasts included... and it cost a total of $1,100 per person.
We really enjoyed it... 9 countries in 15 days.
William
We really enjoyed it... 9 countries in 15 days.
William
Jan 27, 2002, 5:04 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Tokyo,Japan
Posts: 13
Palace on Wheels luxury train tour of India's Rajastan is an absolute wonder. Available from many travel agent and includes all meals, accommodation and lots of interesting sights. I can tell you from experience it is impossible to see this much of northern India in as little time any other way unless the local tourism minister escorts you!
Diethelm Travel in Bangkok offers excellent Thailand, other Southeast Asia and Indochina tours for all budgets and in a variety of styles -- e.g. adventure, walking, relaxation etc.
good Asian travel info ayailable from http://home.kyodo.co.jp/pic/map.jsp
just click on the map for basic info on the country and links to lots of info
Diethelm Travel in Bangkok offers excellent Thailand, other Southeast Asia and Indochina tours for all budgets and in a variety of styles -- e.g. adventure, walking, relaxation etc.
good Asian travel info ayailable from http://home.kyodo.co.jp/pic/map.jsp
just click on the map for basic info on the country and links to lots of info
Jan 27, 2002, 8:14 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Iowa
Posts: 229
Oh my goodness. Thanks for all of the input!
There are so many beautiful and interesting places to see in this great big world of hours...as can be told by the various replies to my initial question.
Now I just have to find the time and the resources to enjoy/learn/visit all of these fascinating destinations!
Thank all of you again!
There are so many beautiful and interesting places to see in this great big world of hours...as can be told by the various replies to my initial question.
Now I just have to find the time and the resources to enjoy/learn/visit all of these fascinating destinations!
Thank all of you again!