Monthly Archives: January 2009

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Packaged Europe Tours offer Great Values

January 19, 2009 in George's Observations by George

I recently spoke to the representative from Globus Tours about their 2009 packaged Europe tours. She informed me that Insight has put together a bunch of great deals for travelers.

I know, many of you are thinking “I don’t want a guided tour” but let me tell you these are NOT your parents escorted Europe Tours. You are pretty much on your own in the major cities and with the tour group in the back-country where language can be a problem. Take a look at these great bargains from: Globus Tours – Phone: 866-755-8581

Here are a couple examples:

European Sampler 10 day escorted tour. The tour starts in London, England and proceeds over the course of 10 days to visit Brussels, Amsterdam, Germany, Switzerland finally ending in Paris France. Prices are available for as low as $1,799 per person on certain dates with an average of about $2,079 per person.

Italy’s Great Cities Tour – 9 day escorted tour. The tour starts in Rome, Italy proceeding to Pisa, Florence, Venice and back to Rome in 9 days. Prices are available for as low as $1,749 per person on certain dates with an average of about $2,029 per person.

Essential Europe – 11 day escorted Europe tour. This Europe Tour begins in Rome, Italy traveling to Florence, Venice, Lucerne Switzerland, Paris France and ending in London England. This offers an in depth tour of the back-country as well as ample free time in the major cities. Prices are available for as low as $2,229 per person on certain dates with an average of about $2,889 per person.

The great thing about escorted tours like Globus Tours is that you actually learn about the destinations as well as simply see them. Most of the tour guides are college graduates with degrees in tourism. The quality of the European packaged tour products and the value they offer as opposed to the much higher cost of independent travel have kept them very popular alternatives.

George

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Cruise Deals Galore in 2009

January 16, 2009 in George's Observations by George

2009 will go down as the year of the travel deal. I just priced out some Mediterranean cruises and found some phenomenal cruise deals. Once, Europe cruises were only for the wealthy traveler. Now with prices as low as $799 for a one week Mediterranean cruise, if you have a steady job then you can afford a European Cruise! Check out these cruise deals. As always, they were available at the the time of this Travel Blog post, but are limited availability and subject the change.

7 Night Greek Isle Cruises — Royal Caribbean — Splendour of the Seas
From: $699 Inside / $899 Outside — Sailing Dates: May 2, 9, 16, 30
From: $799 Inside / $949 Outside — Sailing Dates: June 13 & 20
Ports of Call: Mykonos, Split, Corfu, Athens, Katakolon
Sail roundtrip from Venice to the Greek Isles and more

May 16 — Azamara Journey – 7-night Med Cruise – Rome to Barcelona — from: $1049
May 19 — Holland America Noordam – 10-night Med Cruise – RT Rome — from: $999
May 23 — Grand Princess – 7-night Spain – RT from Southampton — from: $999
June 6 & 14 — RCCL Navigator – 7-night Med Cruise – Barcelona to Rome — from: $779
June 8 — Holland America Noordam – 10-night Med Cruise — RT from Rome — from: $999

With prices like these, 2009 will be the year of the travel deal indeed.
George

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Mexico Time-Share Turn-Off !

January 12, 2009 in George's Observations by George

I just received this review about the time-share pitch at the Marival Resort in Puerto Vallarta. It really details how time-share rip-off pitch ruins vacations. The sad part about this is that these time-share rip off people are third-party high-pressure sales outfits passing themselves off as part of the resort. Their actions reflect on the hotel. These few bad people undo all the good service of the rest of the staff. I am really dumbfounded that the managment of these Mexican resorts don’t realize that the lost business from people like these below offset the money these time-share people generate. Read this tru review I recieved on www.ReviewResorts.com

This was our second time at the Marival. Everything was almost perfect. The Restaurants have been refurbished and the food in most was amazing. We found the streak not good at the beachside evening restaurent. It’s a shame as the setting is very lovely. The Marival hotel has an amazing staff. They just make your holiday so much better!!! We had a very bad experience with some of the staff representing what they initally offer as a club. This turned out to be a time-share 3 hour offer. We were quite interested, but the mission was to have us buy before we left the room. We told them from the beginning this would not happen as we always discuss and investigate investments as a family. I actually had to be rude which I didn’t like to do. We did not accept the free items. I couldn’t believe the girl expected us to do so We loved the Marival and had intended to return in February with some friends. Because of this situation we will not return to the Marival in February or ever again. It was a very upsetting experience it spoiled the first few days of our vacation and we did not take in the spa or any tours for fear we would be trapped again.! “Let the Buyer beware!!

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