Trafalgar tours?
Dec 24, 2006, 11:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
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Posts: 2,591
Trafalgar tours?
Has anyone used Trafalgar Touring company before? Any reviews / recommendation on how to book...etc. Personally I am anti-escorted tour, but this one is a gift for our parents. They have never been to Europe, and are a little too old to get around themselves (plus a lot over their budget). Thanks in advanced.
Dec 24, 2006, 2:49 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
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Posts: 4,239
Has anyone used Trafalgar Touring company before? Any reviews / recommendation on how to book...etc. Personally I am anti-escorted tour, but this one is a gift for our parents. They have never been to Europe, and are a little too old to get around themselves (plus a lot over their budget). Thanks in advanced.
For escorted bus tours:
1. Lots of bus travel can get tiring and uncomfortable as time goes on. You may want to choose a tour for them that involves a lesser amount of time / distance on buses.
2. Escorted tours often have optional excursions not included in the package price. If you go on all of them, that can be expensive (figure $100 per day that is not mostly traveling).
3. Expect to do a lot of walking on any tourist trip, whether independent or escorted. If your parents are not up to walking a few miles per day, have them go on walks in preparation. Some areas may be hilly as well.
4. Have them ensure that passports are in order, and ATM and credit cards are suitable for use in the destination countries.
5. Look up maps and public transportation for each city, so that you / they can get around during any leisure time.
Last edited by tjl; Dec 24, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Dec 26, 2006, 7:10 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,554
Great advice!
I do not use touring organizations but do take city tours in European cities that are new to me.
I have an idea, which I assume you have considered already. Could you accompany your parents and act as their tour guide?
Whatever you/they decide, I hope they have a great trip.
I do not use touring organizations but do take city tours in European cities that are new to me.
I have an idea, which I assume you have considered already. Could you accompany your parents and act as their tour guide?
Whatever you/they decide, I hope they have a great trip.
I've been on an escorted bus tour, though I'm not much of a fan of them for Europe (relatives wanted to do it that way). For a given itinerary, the tour company probably matters less than the individual tour guide contracted by the tour company you get for your tour group.
For escorted bus tours:
1. Lots of bus travel can get tiring and uncomfortable as time goes on. You may want to choose a tour for them that involves a lesser amount of time / distance on buses.
2. Escorted tours often have optional excursions not included in the package price. If you go on all of them, that can be expensive (figure $100 per day that is not mostly traveling).
3. Expect to do a lot of walking on any tourist trip, whether independent or escorted. If your parents are not up to walking a few miles per day, have them go on walks in preparation. Some areas may be hilly as well.
4. Have them ensure that passports are in order, and ATM and credit cards are suitable for use in the destination countries.
5. Look up maps and public transportation for each city, so that you / they can get around during any leisure time.
For escorted bus tours:
1. Lots of bus travel can get tiring and uncomfortable as time goes on. You may want to choose a tour for them that involves a lesser amount of time / distance on buses.
2. Escorted tours often have optional excursions not included in the package price. If you go on all of them, that can be expensive (figure $100 per day that is not mostly traveling).
3. Expect to do a lot of walking on any tourist trip, whether independent or escorted. If your parents are not up to walking a few miles per day, have them go on walks in preparation. Some areas may be hilly as well.
4. Have them ensure that passports are in order, and ATM and credit cards are suitable for use in the destination countries.
5. Look up maps and public transportation for each city, so that you / they can get around during any leisure time.
Dec 26, 2006, 7:51 am
#4
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We have an excellent travel agent that takes all of the trips before recommending them. We like that because she knows first hand about the trip and not what a brochure tells you. We did Italy and it was wonderful. I usually prefer to drive but this was an exception. I would be happy to share the phone number with you.
Dec 26, 2006, 8:41 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: SPG GL, AA GL
Posts: 2,591
Thanks for the advice.
I don't think I can accompany them because of work schedule. Plus, they said this may be their first and last trip to Europe, so they want to see quite a few places. I think the best way to do is to put them on a bus tour, and hope for the best.
I don't think I can accompany them because of work schedule. Plus, they said this may be their first and last trip to Europe, so they want to see quite a few places. I think the best way to do is to put them on a bus tour, and hope for the best.
Dec 26, 2006, 10:04 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Austin
Programs: CO-Plat, DL-Gold
Posts: 518
My parents also traveled with Trafalgar. They said it was fine; the guide was decent, the hotels were as expected, and there were no major hiccups. On the flip side, nothing was exceptional.
They said they would consider traveling with Trafalgar again, but they would also consider other options as well.
They said they would consider traveling with Trafalgar again, but they would also consider other options as well.