Tour "Colors of Provence" by DSBW

Tour "Colors of Provence" by DSBW

Excursion tour (Marseille, Avignon, Orange, Nimes, Pont du Gard, Aix-en-Provence, Cannes, Grasse, Saint-Paul-deVence, Nice, Monaco) with accommodation in 3* hotels.

The impressions from the tour were ambivalent: I really liked the south of France, but the organization of the DSBW tour is simply DISGUSTING.

1. ORGANIZATION OF THE TOUR.

Tour "Colors of Provence" DSBW from 06/09/2012. we paid back a month before the start of the tour.

10 days before the start of the tour, we changed the air carrier and flight. Instead of a comfortable evening scheduled Air France flight at 20.30. to Marseilles (approximate ticket price 24 tr.) we were shoved onto a Tatar Airlines charter at 05.40. to Genoa + transfer to Marseille 417 km, i.e. 6 hours (approximate ticket price 14 tr.). There was an “underload” on the charter and the tour operator decided to save 250 euros for us from each tourist. Moreover, the office managers said that "the tour has become even better because of this, and we will be able to see the entire coast."

It is a dubious pleasure to admire the beauties of nature after a sleepless night!

The attitude of DSBW managers to the current situation was especially unpleasant: no hint of an apology and offer of compensation, lack of reliable information (the employees were confused in their testimony), outright lies on any controversial issue, counter-accusations (“and you bought our tour yourself”). IF WE HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT IT AT THE TIME OF PAYING THE TOUR, THERE WOULD BE NO SPEECH OF ANY PURCHASE. The tour has lost all the advantages declared in the announcement and has acquired intractable shortcomings.

It was already too late to refuse the tour: the vacation had already been issued, the visa documents had been submitted to the embassy, ​​and the penalty for canceling the tour was 30%.

The documents were received on the last evening, the office was full of people, a complete mess. At 18.30. we were still given the documents, but WITHOUT TICKETS! Their "courier has not yet brought"! Although the tickets are in electronic form, and they do not need a courier.

Tickets were sent to us by e-mail at 21.20. Then it turned out that we were flying out of Domodedovo, and returning to Vnukovo, because. We're being driven back by a Red Wings charter.

With hotels, too, there was an overlay: we had to stay 1 night in Marseille, 2 nights in Avignon, and 4 nights in Nice. But, because DSBW did not book hotels in time, then accommodation in Nice was divided into: 2 nights in Nice, 2 nights in Cannes. Those. added an extra move and collection and analysis of suitcases. Yes, and the hotels are rather miserable, they don’t pull on 3 *.

Flying with Tatar Airlines is not fun for the faint of heart. Aircraft TU-154, decrepit, dirty, sagging seats are located so close to each other that there is nowhere to put your feet.

The return flight also impressed us. We had to leave Nice for Genoa airport on 16.06. at 01.00. night and fly to Moscow at 06.40. morning.

What was our surprise when, returning to the hotel in the evening, we found an announcement on the elevator doors that “the flight was rescheduled for the next day at 23.10.” And at 10 am we will be evicted from the hotel! And we don’t have tickets for the next charter!

As a result, we still flew to Moscow, although in Genoa the charter was 2 hours late.

As for the organization of excursions, this issue is also poorly thought out. Upon arrival in each city, free time is first planned, and only the next day a city tour. As a result, we ourselves examined the city (well, do not sit in the hotel!), And the next day the guide took us along the same route.

Our tour guide Natalya Malanina is a separate topic for conversation. We have not seen such blatant lack of professionalism and incompetence for a long time, although we travel very actively.

Information is scarce (we read much more on the Internet before the trip), cannot answer any questions (“oh, I don’t know, I haven’t been in this city for 10 years”, “we don’t bring tourists here”, “well, I not a historian, how should I know!”). The main task of the guide was to visit various perfume factories (apparently there was a commercial interest). The tour program was adjusted by the guide at his own discretion: visiting some objects had to be "knocked out" (for example, Monte Carlo in Monaco). The rest of the objects were visited with the wording "well, if we are lucky and it will be open ... (there will be no traffic jams ..., etc.) then we will see everything." It's like he's doing us a favor.

The main problem of the tour is that it is a "branded", i.e. there is no host. The guides are DSBW employees and do not live in the country they are supposed to tell tourists about. And, accordingly, they do not have information.

They work on different routes and have picked up information "on the top", something that we ourselves can read on any site.

Already in the process of writing a review, a friend sent a link to a review about DSBW, as if it was written about us:

http://www.turpravda.com/%D0%A2%D1%83%D1%80%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BC%D1%8B/DSBW-TOURS-%D0% 9A%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82-4738/%D0%98%D1%81%D0%BF%D0 %BE%D1%80%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B4%D1%8B%D1% 85-1274#c

Marseille is gearing up to become the capital of Europe in 2014, so be prepared for the fact that much of the city is construction. Everything is dug up (especially in the port area). You can see the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde (open to the public), the abbey of Saint-Victor.

From the port you can take a boat to the Chateau d'If (approximately 15 minutes, the boat departs from the left side of the port) and to the calanques (boat trip 2 hours, 22 euros, the pier opposite the town hall on the right side of the port). Before the walk, ask how calm the sea is (this is not visible in the port), otherwise the “pleasure” may drag on for 3 hours, and the beauty will not be a joy.

There are many restaurants in the port area where you can have lunch or drink coffee.

Mercure Marseille Centre, very decent, new rooms, varied breakfast buffet, located 10 minutes walk from the port. There is a shopping center next to the hotel.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/mercure-marseille-eurocentre.ru.html

3. Avignon.

Avignon is a charming country town. The old city is surrounded by a fortress wall, which goes around the Rhone River. All the most interesting is inside (Papal Palace, Notre-Dame-de-Dome Cathedral, churches, narrow streets with shops and restaurants). A visit to the Papal Palace and the Sant Benezet bridge is paid (tickets can be bought near the bridge, outside the fortress wall, 9 euros and 4.50 euros), open until 19.00.

There are gates along the perimeter of the fortress wall and getting inside is not a problem. There is only one central street in the old town, along it you can go from the station to the Papal Palace. You can also eat at numerous restaurants there.

There are many souvenir shops on the streets of the old city (prices are lower than on the Cote d'Azur).

Hotel Ibis Center Pont De L'Europe, classic 3*. Breakfast is modest buffet, rooms are small but clean. Located near the fortress wall, next to the Rhone, 10 minutes walk to the Papal Palace. walk.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/ibis-centre-pont-de-l-europe.ru.html

A small town famous for its triumphal arch and ancient theater (ticket costs 8 euros). There is a hill next to the theater, which offers beautiful views of the city.

The city is famous for its ancient buildings (arena, Maison Carré, temple of Diana). A visit to the arena is paid (about 8 euros). Near the arena there is a monument to the dead torero. In the city center there is a beautiful square with a fountain, next to the cathedral.

6. PONT-du-GARE.

Aqueduct bridge over the Gordon River, near Nimes. A grandiose building, very picturesque. Visiting is free, there is a complex with a cafe, a recreation area, souvenir shops, toilets nearby.

7. AIX-EN-PROVENCE.

A wonderful provincial town, the birthplace of Cezanne. Many fountains, a flower market, Mirabeau Boulevard, narrow streets of the old town - everything is very picturesque. Aix is ​​the birthplace of callissons (marzipan cookies) and pastis liqueur. Calissons can be bought everywhere: from the Monopri supermarket to branded confectioneries (both are available on Mirabeau Boulevard). The atmosphere of Aix fascinates, you do not want to leave it.

A small pretentious town with luxurious hotels. A lot of Russians. Beautiful port with expensive yachts. There are few sights: DK Festivals, Croisette, Suquet hill. In 3 hours you can get around everything. A locomotive runs around the city (if you are too lazy to climb the hill on foot, you can use it). Sandy beaches are mostly paid, but there are also free ones.

Hotel Hôtel Ligure - modest 3 *, continental breakfast, old rooms, very noisy (near the railway station and transport interchange). Located 7 minutes walk from the Palace of Culture Festivals and the sea.

Monopri supermarket nearby.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/hotelligure.en.html

Actually, we saw the city only from the bus window. The main purpose of our visit was the Fragonard perfume factory. A sightseeing tour at the factory is quite interesting, after it there is an opportunity to buy products presented in a fairly wide range (perfume, face and body cosmetics, shower gels, soap, etc.)

But there is one “but” for people with a sensitive sense of smell: the factory has a VERY STRONG smell of perfume (headache and lack of appetite for 3 hours are guaranteed). I was just happy to leave this "wonderful" place.

10. SAINT PAUL DE VENCE.

A very small picturesque town in the mountains, located about 20 km from Nice. Wonderful views, narrow cobbled streets, houses twined with bougainvillea, many art galleries, restaurants, shops. Marc Chagall is buried in the Saint-Paul-de-Vence cemetery.

3 hours is enough to explore the town.

11. MONACO.

Despite its miniature size, Monaco can be interesting to spend the whole day in any weather. There are quite enough sights, museums, gardens and picturesque views. In Monacoville, you can see the Prince's Palace, the Cathedral (Grace Kelly is buried there), the Oceanographic Museum, the Prince of Monaco's Auto Museum, the Maritime Museum, Exotic Gardens, etc. The main attraction of Monte Carlo is, of course, the Casino (from 06/01/2012 admission is free and no passport is required). Next to the Casino there is an opera house, a garden and terraces of the Casino. Nearby is the Formula 1 track. All car parks in Monaco are hidden underground and, like many streets, are connected by multi-level elevators.

Nice is an unusually democratic city. You will hear Russian speech at every step. Entertainment for every taste: attractions (Cours Saleya, Old Nice, Castle Hill, Old Port, Place Massena, etc.

), beaches (rocky, unlike Cannes) paid (with sunbeds, umbrellas, cabins) and free, English promenade, many restaurants and pastry shops, shopping.

Nice is very convenient as a base for trips around the Cote d'Azur (close to everything). Bus 98.52 runs to the airport. By the way, next to the airport there is a huge Phoenix Park (entry 2 euros) with a greenhouse, fountains, an aquarium, flamingos, etc. The bus station is currently under renovation, but the railway station is working quite well.

In the port area and in old Nice, there are many restaurants with national and Italian cuisine (you can eat for 20-25 euros). I really liked the local ice cream, especially the lavender one. In pastry shops (Florian, etc.) there is simply expanse for gourmets: callissons, macarons, candied fruits, chocolates, lollipops, etc. A good assortment of sweets and Cour Saleya (Flower Market).

The Hôtel Mirabeau hotel barely draws on 1.5 * instead of the declared 3 *.

Old rooms with decrepit furniture, broken plumbing, faulty sconces and telephones (short beeps were constantly heard from the tube, which was difficult to turn off, the wire was built into the wall tightly). Meager continental breakfasts, to which our entire group came with their own food. Extremely unfortunate location - to the sea 2 km on foot. To the train station 3 min.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/mirabeau-nice.ru.html

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