Originally Posted By LuLu >>Did you get to go inside of the casino?<< One couple that went to Monaco with us (there were 6 of us who stayed on after the tour) went BY the casino. I didn't care to catch another bus and spend the time just to see it up close. None of us were interested in going inside - Rick Steves book didn't make it sound like it was worth the money to go inside, but I don't know if it's gorgeous inside or what! >>Was the winery as cool as it appeared?<< Yes. Beautiful location and lovely hosts. The wine and food were delicious. Maybe my favorite part, tho, was that several of our tour group bought wine there, and about 18 of us shared it in our hotel suite that night (the neat room with terrace). I hope to get some photos of that from another tour member. We had such fun!
Originally Posted By LuLu Hi Lisann, I'd be happy to answer that for you! Let me get back with my thoughts in a bit, I have to get some work done!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Looking forward to hearing your thoughts further Lulu. BTW - the term condo is not used in the UK, hence why I asked the question. I also had not heard of Rick Steve's until Lulu started to talk about him (I assume he is a celeb travel writer in the US). Lisa, and alternative if you are considering tours is the Adventures by Disney tours of Spain. They may be worth looking into. I have heard wonderful reviews regarding the London Paris and the Italy tours.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Yeah, I looked into them. I'm not sure I want to do the whole Disney-touch to my vacation in Spain. LOL! Ok, back to LuLu and her trip, I don't want to derail it. Thanks LuLu, I have a lot of questions as I was this close >< to booking with Steves earlier this year.
Originally Posted By tiki tiki tiki tiki What wonderful photos Lulu! I´ve only been able to look through a few pages so far since I´m the kind who loves to really study all the great details. And what memories came rushing back of my honeymoon in Paris, ahhh! Lisann22, if you decide on coming out to Spain, I´d be happy to help you out in any way possible with travel plans. I have seen quite a lot of it (wish I could say all of it) and I think I could give you some feedback.
Originally Posted By LuLu >>The foliage was wonderful.<< Yeah, I'm sure DaveW can confirm that the rain has been excessive in France this year! Great flora anyway! :-D On to your questions: >>Was the walking too much, too little? Is he descriptions of strenous and light correct? << It could never be too little, as we had plenty of free time, and could walk as much *more* as we wanted, or could stand! There was SO much to do and see - the better shoes you wear, the more energy you have, and more accustomed you are to walking - the more you can do. Even tho the pace of this tour was NOT the most frenzied - we had 2-3 nights almost everywhere - there is just TOO much to see and do. For instance, we saw the Eiffel Tower, but never got back to see it in the evening. We were in France during the longest days of the year, and at the beginning of our stay, it didn't even *start* to get dark til 10pm. Almost everywhere we went, we were told that everything is lit up after dark, and you should try to go back and see it after dark. Well, I just didn't have that much energy! Many on our tour did, and many were older than us! I don't know how they did it! Anyway... the places with lots of steps and cobblestones were described as "strenuous" even if the walking distance wasn't great. I always wore my ugly oxfords on those days, and I was fine. I *did* do some hiking beforehand to be ready for the climbing aspect, and I think that helped. But I'd say I ran out of energy before my feet & legs gave up. Others went from 7am to midnight, I usually turned in around 10. >>Did you feel to confined with the group or enjoy the tour guide pace?<< The tour guide was very flexible about letting people opt out of excursions. In Paris we were given Metro tickets and Museum Passes our first day, and one couple took off to do something else in the morning, and met up with us after lunch. When we arrived at a new town, we usually had a short orientation tour after checking in to our hotel, but as long as you told the tour guide, you didn't have to join in. I felt the balance of group time and personal time on the tour was perfect. It was fantastic to have someone so knowledgeable to help with your plans of going off on your own. We could hook up with other tour members, or not, as we preferred. There was really no pressure to do so. Some people wanted to join in all the time, and some never did. It was cool to see other tour members around town just to say Hi! In general, I have to say that this tour delivered MORE than promised. The hotels were better than I was led to expect, the breakfasts were WAY better than I was told, and a few extra meals were included too. I was VERY pleased with the tour! And I would have had to spend literally days preparing ahead of time to have seen even 75% of what we got to see in the time we had. Not only did I save preparation time, but time on vacation just taking care of details like checking in to a hotel, deciding on a place to eat, finding transportation, etc, that was all taken care of for us pretty much instantaneously. Plus, the tour really timed everything for us to beat crowds, knew all the shortcuts and secrets, best local tour guides (they were amazing!) etc etc... I'm not trying to say a tour is the solution for everyone, or every trip, but I think it maximizes the amount you can see in a limited time. That's only 1 kind of vacation tho... there are many other ways to go. One gal on our tour had spent 2 weeks at a B&B and just kind of relaxed and soaked in the culture, which sounds great too! So it really depends on what you want. I'll be happy to answer any more questions!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ya, the rain is excessive right now, worst in 60 years.com 1000's are without power and water and $10 billion worth of damage. Only 5 none rain days since may.com We're really fed up of it!
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Lulu, I've looked at your first 2 selections. I really appreciate your pictures and especially appreciate the captions! I really enjoyed the trip around DP. Without captions, it would not have been as enjoyable. Thank-you for all your work in bringing these photo's to us.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 <<<Lisann22, if you decide on coming out to Spain, I´d be happy to help you out in any way possible with travel plans. I have seen quite a lot of it (wish I could say all of it) and I think I could give you some feedback.>>>> Thank you - I'll start another thread. ;>
