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Date of purchase: 17 august 2016 Written: 27 september 2016 |
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Travel agency: КОТЭ (Kyiv) Service type: пакетный тур |
It so happened that I went on a trip to Georgia with the company "Kote" twice with a difference of a year - in August 2015 and in August 2016. The tour was the same - "Grand Tour of Georgia". The first experience was sharply negative, the second positive. Last year, she came very angry to the company, this year, in general, she and her husband were very satisfied. I'll try to deduce the "arithmetic mean".
1. The work of company managers on the phone. In general, everything here is set at a high level. From the site they call back instantly (there is a button "we will call you back"). A very important point is the type of bus (transformer-not transformer). A transformer is one where the seats fold out and you can sleep lying down at night. Last year the bus was not a transformer. I was warned about this, other members of the group were not (they promised a transformer). This year we had a transformer, but we were offered places without the possibility of expanding the seat at a discount in the front row of the bus. Manager Alina described to me in great detail the peculiarity of these places, we were fully warned. A friend from last year's tour now went with them on a tour to the Balkans, she was promised a transformer bus - as a result, the bus was ordinary and the glass was fogged up, nothing was visible. In the end, everything will be fine. The contract does not stipulate the type of bus, so it will not be possible to refuse the tour due to the fact that the company changed the type of bus at its own discretion. Transformers are generally more comfortable and their technical condition is better.
2. Accompanying and drivers. Your comfort on the road largely depends on them, they choose places to stop for a toilet and food. This year the toilets and cafes were much better. In general, I must say that Mikhail (he has already been mentioned here, he now often takes groups to Georgia) made a good impression on me. Thorough, attentive to tourists, friendly. Problems that arose along the way were solved to the best of my ability. Comparing him with Lesha, who accompanied the group last year, the comparison is clearly in favor of Mikhail. Mikhail worked honestly, Lyosha - hung out more. Tea, coffee, boiling water and the ability to charge electronics was in both cases. There are no complaints about the drivers, they drive carefully, it is felt that the guys have solid experience (considering Georgian roads, this is very important).
3. Bus. As I already said, the type of bus is as lucky, although sometimes managers honestly warn that it will not be a transformer. By transformers. By law, the bus does not have the right to travel with dismantled seats, so the seats are disassembled only late at night and only not during border crossings and checkpoints. Therefore, passengers do not stay in the supine position all night, but for several hours, as it turns out. The lower "floor" is quite cramped. Neighboring seats sleep close to each other. Here, who has what attitude to space, but this factor makes sense to take into account. Last year, the bus was out of order, at night near Vladikavkaz it took 6.5 hours to repair, then another hour.
4. Travel time. Not predictable. You can stand at the Ukraine-Russia border for 3 hours, or you can stay for 15. Last year, we practically didn’t have the first day in Tbilisi, we arrived late at night. This year, they were already there for dinner. The company does not compensate for all temporary losses on the road, they considered the repair of the bus “repairs on the road”, which are indicated in the contract as a factor for which the company is not responsible. As for the borders - you just need to be patient.
5. Accommodation on the tour. In general, it is beneficial to take a tour with accommodation. If you rent housing yourself, it will be more expensive. Last year I chose a hostel (I went alone), this year I went with my husband and lived in a hotel. The conditions are quite tolerable, although the hostels are mostly quite modest, such that a bunk bed is provided. Only in Kazbegi there was a good guest house with separate beds. In the hotel, of course, the conditions are much better. If you are traveling alone, a hostel is probably better, as there is always more communication and it is easier to find company. The hotel may be less well located than the hostel (further from the center). This year in Batumi, we were first settled in a hotel, which was located 6 km from the center. The tourists were indignant, Misha, to my great surprise, resolved the issue and we were moved to another hotel. Since this year, hostels no longer provide food, breakfasts in hotels were quite tolerable, in Tbilisi and Gudauri it is better (buffet) in Batumi - more modest.
6. Excursions. Last year I took almost all the excursions, this year I took only one, the cave city of Uiplistsikhe. In general, the price tag corresponds to the prices of local travel agencies, BUT. If you unite in a company of 4 people, then you can find local drivers who will take you along routes much cheaper and often with a more interesting program. Definitely overpriced to visit Mtskheta - $ 20 per person, really go for 7.5 lari (about $ 4), Batumi Botanical Garden and jeep ride to Mount Gergeti - $ 10 per person, and for local drivers it costs 10 lari ( 5 dollars). Excursions and local guides at Kote are not bad, but it must be taken into account that the excursion is designed for the average tourist, the route is chosen so that you can travel on a large bus, include big stops for food and buy spices-wine-churchkhela from "verified people". I advise you to decide for yourself whether you will bother with independent excursions. On the bus, the attendant offers to pay for all excursions at a discount. If you later change your mind, the money will not be returned to you. If the budget is limited, it is worth getting confused with independent excursions, especially if there is a company. There is enough information about Georgia on the Internet, the country is very friendly, traveling on your own is a pleasure.