Excursion to Italy.
Rest time: March 28-April 04.2009
I want to share my impressions about the trip to Italy on the ex. tour. Of course, before the trip, all the reviews on the Internet were read and impressions were formed about the hosts, especially Gartour. When buying a Discovery tour (class. Italy No. 1) from Natalie Tour (in a last-minute tour store) for a special offer for 399 euros, it was clear that the tour was economical, in principle, any trick was expected, we were assured that the host party was Natalie Tour. Surcharge was for dinners under the program 40 euros + 75 euros visa.
On the eve of departure, we were informed that we would receive our documents at the Dom-vo airport, that Natalie Tour did not pick up a group and the well-known Gartour would be the host. There was no time to change the situation and on March 28 we safely flew without delay to Rimini (Vim Avia airline, Boeing 757).
After reading the program at the airport, I realized that it differs from the program I paid for, in terms of reversing trips around cities and paid excursions (initially, Siena was supposed to be included in the tour, but in reality it turned out that you need to pay 35 euros for it. But after the proceedings with the accompanying group (Natalia, a separate conversation about her), it turned out that we had paid for an excursion to Naples and Pompeii (60 euros from each! ), We thought and agreed. There are a lot of complaints about the organization of the tour and the accompanying group, if you find fault spoil your vacation with these moments. It so happened that our group walked in parallel with the other along the same route, accompanied by Mandy, we, as previously noted in the reviews of other tourists, often crossed paths, because.
we were collected for optional excursions from two buses (ours and Mandy), Mandy had everything clearly, organized, fun, in the course of the journey she willingly answered questions, talked about passing cities. Everything with our Natalya was crumpled, poorly organized, she answered questions with reluctance, she was not even in a hurry to solve problems. Everything that is written about making money on tourists in shops where tasting is true. In San Marino, at a tasting, Fragolino wine costs 14 euros, and in the supermarket there 4 euros, the same situation for the rest of the drinks offered. In San Marino, try to go on your own to shops not indicated by the guides.
The tour went like this:
arrival in Rimini, Konstantin met us, a trip to San Marino, accommodation at the Apogeo hotel in Rimini (the hotel is not a fountain, it’s cool in April, the hotel is designed for summer holidays, there is no heating, the air conditioner did not cope very well),
breakfast at the hotel, a trip to Venice (the voucher says (tickets for the boat in Venice are included), but they still charged us 10 euros each) Naturally, we visited a glass workshop, the issue of setting up headphones was resolved for a long time (we did not take them at all, at the end of the trip we realized that in vain, because all the guides speak quietly into the microphone, and if you are not standing nearby, then hear what they say it’s impossible), but there were also enough problems with them, then someone could not tune in to the wave, then the batteries ran out, and if this happens already during the tour, then no one is waiting for you and does not help resolve the issue.
In Venice, we sailed along the Grand Canal on a small boat in a pose, like sprats in a jar, no one told us anything (accompanying Natalia was silent like a fish), upon arrival, a visit to the stack. workshop, free
time (very short), a sightseeing tour of Venice included only a survey of the square and an excursion to the Doge's Palace (entrance tickets are paid additionally 12 euros), if it were not for the weather, then we would probably ride gondolas for 18 euros from the nose, again free time, which is very, very short, and the way back, but already on a large boat along the Judeca canal to the bus.
In the evening, accommodation in Pianoro (Park Hotel) dinner.
Breakfast, transfer to Florence, optional excursion to Siena (additional 35 euros), because we went in a joint group with Mandy, we liked the excursion very much, the weather was wonderful (+17, sunny), amazing guide Daniela (special thanks to her) .
Upon returning to Florence, a sightseeing tour of the city (the guide's name was Jordan), running, but with taste, properly, with the arrangement.
Accommodation in the center of Florence, which was a pleasant surprise (since I did not pay for either the center of Florence or the center of Rome in Moscow !!!
) (CALIFORNIA hotel, very decent hotel, hot tub) two minutes from the cathedral, in the evening we walked around the city on our own, but after 20:00 life goes on only in restaurants, all shops are closed). Dinner at a restaurant near the hotel.
Breakfast, an optional excursion to Pisa (27 euros), with our Natalia, without an excursion, we visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa on our own (15 euros), interesting sensations when you climb the stairs, from a height a magnificent view of the Square of Miracles opens up, visiting the cathedral, running along Souvenirs, by the way, many of the group bought leather bags in Pisa, etc. , they were very satisfied with the price and quality.
In the evening, an excursion to the Uffizi Gallery, very interesting and informative. Dinner there (in a restaurant).
Breakfast, departure for Rome, stop on the way (tasting of sweets, truffle pate, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, etc. ), prices are not much more expensive than in the shops of the city.
Sightseeing tour of Rome, galloping in the rain with the guide Paolo, even felt the Roman metro (disgusting, dirty, smell, etc. ). He spoke very quietly, but interestingly. Dinner at the city restaurant (Archi Romane), accommodation at the San Marco hotel, add. night tour of Rome (23 euros), quite tolerable (although the bus waited 40 minutes), but in the rain it is not very clear from the windows of the bus the sights that the guide enthusiastically talked about.
Breakfast, an excursion to Naples and Pompeii (who did not include 60 euros in the tour), for the whole day, I liked it very much, the guide Asya. Dinner in Rome, overnight.
Breakfast, sightseeing tour of the Vatican Museums (indescribable beauty) with guide Paolo, departure back to Rimini. On the way, visit the town of Tivoli (visiting Villa D "Este at will 6.5 euros), in the evening around 20:00 accommodation at the Bolero hotel (the most disgusting hotel, reminded the pioneer camp, cold, wet clothes, etc. )
Breakfast, the way to the airport (very close), our Natalya surprised us for the last time, appearing in the morning on the last day with another group from the bus, she left without even saying the words goodbye, not to mention the others, but Mandy, who escorted us to the airport with more than eliminated this moment, expressing her gratitude to us for the fact that we used the services of their company, flew to Italy, said goodbye to us and invited us to fly to other tours with the GAR TOUR company.
The flight was already delayed on the runway due to weather conditions for 40 minutes, but in principle there are no complaints about Vim Avia, well done, thank you very much.
I would like to say once again for the notorious Oksana (Gartour) that despite the thriving business, and a sufficient number of tourists, it is necessary to think about the quality of the accompanying people and remove them from the company (not fish, nor meat accompanying people), then the flow of tourists and positive, grateful reviews will appear more and more about you.
It just seems like you don't need it at all??!!
For tourists, one piece of advice is to enjoy and soak up only positive emotions, do not pay attention to overlays and inconsistencies, on the mountain of those accompanying you, etc.
I hope from such a long review, at least someone will find useful information for themselves or friends.
Thank you for attention.
