European tours

[maribeth]

Mga sis who are travelling via Amsterdam, let me know. I would love to meet with you. Dito na lang tayo mag-EB.

[mama squeak!]

^That would be nice    Sayang my next trip is via Frankfurt on the way to Munich. Baka you might want to celebrate Oktoberfest?? 

[fabulosity]

hey chuzzle! .  Yes, I am from the US and I'm assuming you're from the Phil? I'm not 100% positive that you can book through their websites but for sure, they got FAQ's/assistance options in their sites so just ask them what you need to know. although, if you book through affordabletours.com, you can get a discount even if you take the land package only.   

Btw, choose Cosmos if your not into partying, hooking up, and night outs. Contiki is notorious for this. But then again, it'll be fun if you're with your friends. It's your call.

maribeth! I might be going to AMS this coming tulip season (possibly April) but not guaranteed. Who knows, it can be Munich or Austria...

[maribeth]

^^mama squeak, sige, I'll see kung makaka-attend kami ng Oktoberfeest. Tingnan ko kung mataon sa autumn-holiday ng mga kids..

^sis, sige, april is the best time talaga for the tulips. Kasi pag end of May na, lanta na halos lahat. Keep me posted, ok?

[krishakulit]

mga sis tnx sa pag answer nyo mga questions hehe sis fabulosity tnx sa specific na mga answers..im sure magagamit ko un mga tips mo..

me mga naka punta na ba sa inyo sa annie frank house sa amesterdam?kc usually di sya kasama sa tour..gusto ko sna sadyain kung worth puntahan...any ideas?

at un mulin rouge ba un..(un me mga cancan dancer ba yon...) sa paris...(ok ba sadyain ko pa ito?maganda ba?) ano pa ba ang pwedeng sadyain sa paris na [textspeak!] msyado sa package tours?
di na ako kc matutuloy sa london..coz matagal lumabas ang visa eh..so sa ibang place nalang ako pupunta..pra di sayang ang visa..bka mag barcelona spain ako..ano kaya magandang puntahan dito?me mga suggestions ba kyo na must do dito?

what brand ng shoes ang ma suggest nyo na ok dalhin?kc naman usually  nka ipanema lang ako at havs and sandals..so tlaga buy ako specifically for this trip if ever...any suggestions? tnx..

[maribeth]

^sis, anne frank house eh okay naman. Especially if you have read the book. Pero dapat eh maaga ka pumunta. Hindi nauubusan ng pila eh.

Brand of shoes? Kung mag-tour, better not to use sandals, hav or ipanema. Pwera lang kung hindi ka maglalakad ng malayo. Shoes from Clarks. Very comfortable siya.

[fabulosity]

Hi maribeth! Don't worry, I'll keep you posted!

krishakulit, I think the brand of shoes is not much of a concern as the style. I always suggest anything flat and stylish like mocs/driving shoes, ballet flats, sneakers (lean towards pumas rather than nikes), flat slides/sandals/boots,etc.

I would suggest to skip the moulin rouge as I find it tacky and overrated (it's pretty expensive too). There's so much more to see in Paris than an adult revue but I guess if you got a lot of time in your hands and run out of places to go (which I highly doubt), then by all means...

I've been to Barcelona last year and I must admit, it's easily one of the best countries I've been to, not to mention, more affordable than the other western european countries . I suggest the following places of interest:

Sagrada Familia
Casa Batllo/La Pedrera
Casa Mila
Parc Guell
Montjuic- Magic Fountain
a day trip to Montserrat
flamenco show- I went to Tablao de Cordobes (buffet dinner was included and it was excellent)
Lefties (Zara and Bershka outlet ) and Mango outlet
Passeig de Gracia-shopping
Picasso Museum
Las Ramblas-comparable to Champs elysee
La Boqueria-market with interesting meat/fruit stands-great place to have breakfast with the locals
bull fight (summer)- missed  this one

You will absolutely, positively love Barcelona (much more interesting than London, IMO). I've covered all the places mentioned in  less than 3 days and there's still so much to see and do. Don't hesitate to ask more q's. I'll be around.

[krishakulit]

tnx sa mga suggestions and tips mga sis ha...try ko dumaan sa clarks..and puma..pasensya na sa kulit ko in hehe

hehe i was reading un mga comments about dun sa mga hotel na titirahan namin,puros cheap yata na hotel..kaka inis...ayaw ko na nga mg expect na nice accomodation..

hehe about dun sa mga shoes,gusto ko nga sana un medyo mababang boots na flat.(kita ko kc sa mga suggest nyong website,nice porma eh..).kyalang prang ewan ko kung san ok humanap ng comfy but not too expensive pair..about dun sa ibang options,yup prang gusto ko sana balerina flats nga. or sneakers na not too bulky pra pwede ko use sa gym..i was asking about the brand,pra dina ako hirap umikot..at hopefully subok na matibay at comfy..bka mgpaltos paa ko eh..

bukod sa shoes,ano suggest nyo coat or jacket ang pwede sa ganon weather? nakakita nga ako dun sa mga website ng elle,but ewan ko kung pwede pa gumamit nun pag april..(sabagay lamigin naman ako..) nid ko pa kaya buy ng thermal na tshirt,or thermal na sleeveless and pants?(like un sa m&S? o oa na yon at pang at winter season lang? have no idea kc..ive been here all my life so di ko alam kung ano ang kaya kong lamig or temp..eh kung ang average dun na temp ay around 10-20C  twing april,ano ba pwede isuot?
naka kita pla ako ng mga nka leggings sa elle.com,(with boots ang cute ng porma..hehe) pareho ba un nung mga nabibili dito?or special kind un sa kanila na mas makapal? well tnx ha..pasensya na sa kulit...

[maribeth]

^sis if you come here in April, the normal temperature is 15 degrees. Pero the weather nowadays is so unpredictable so I can't really say. Better to buy a jacket here. Para at least alam mo kung ano talaga ang kailangan.

[krishakulit]

^sis bka mahal ang mga jacket dyan? hehe pag dito peso gamit ko..hehe but sige pag isipan ko nga...(bka  mka hiram ako dito ng leather coat..kayalang trench coat sya..) over kill na ba un pag 15C ang lamig? dapat ba un hanggang hips lang ang haba ng coat?(parka ba tawag dun?)

ano pa ba mga things to bring?

[CoolChick]

Guys, Can u help me decide whether to save for a Europe trip with Globus or Contiki?

Globus is a well-known travel company, but Contiki is best for young travelers like moi. I'm only 24.

Help Help me decide. I'd have to start saving and researching if I want to push through with my trip in 2010. =)

Hi Chuzzle! I would suggest Contiki. I went on a Contiki Tour to Spain and it was tons of fun! I've heard about Contiki being just about parties and hook-ups before going on the trip, and this got me worried at first. But when I got to spend time with the people on the tour, I realized that contiki was not just one senseless party.

Our tour guide was awesome! He was funny and very informative. Our tour was even his last one with Contiki because he was going to start with another travel company (Globus or Cosmos). Plus, a lot of the people on the tour were travelling alone so it was a good way to meet friends. You always have the option not to go out and party every night. Not everyone went out to party till the break of dawn. But the good thing about going with Contiki, is that you have that option to go out on the town with people your own age.

People suggested that if you want to have a "more responsible" time with Contiki, go during June, late August or early September because that's the time when you don't have much people who still go to school.
There was a good mix of people on the tour I went on. There were different young professionals from Australia, South Africa, US, Canada, New Zealand, London, etc. There were even a few couples on the tour.

You will have lots of time for culture / exploring your destination and for "partying". I still even keep in touch with some of the people I met on the tour through facebook. Let me know if you wanted to know more about Contiki. I can PM you more details and show you pictures.

[sheluvsmemon]

I originally planned to have another Europe trip this April, March last year i went to England for 10days and I wanna go back and try France, Prague, Italy and Switzerland. But with the current global crisis, I am thinking of putting it on-hold till last quarter of this year sana. Its my 30th birthday kasi this April and I want to celebrate it with style in Paris but its ok, konting tiis lang and late celebration na lang...

[CoolChick]

bka mag barcelona spain ako..ano kaya magandang puntahan dito?me mga suggestions ba kyo na must do dito?

what brand ng shoes ang ma suggest nyo na ok dalhin?kc naman usually  nka ipanema lang ako at havs and sandals..so tlaga buy ako specifically for this trip if ever...any suggestions? tnx..

Barcelona is beautiful! Sis Fabulousity pretty much mentioned the important places to go to. I'll just add going around the Gothic Quarter. There are a million Tapas Restaurants in Barcelona but our tour guide suggested the one that's at the very back of the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, the market place along La Ramblas. You can even hop on those big double decker tour buses (called "hop on, hop off tourist bus") to visit the tourist attractions in the city. They say that is one of the best ways to go around the city.

About the coat sis, for 15 deg C ok lang coat na hanggang thigh/knees as long as it's not too thick. Another thing you might need to bring if you are taking with you small appliances (hair dryer) or cellphone charger is an adaptor since the wall sockets are different.

[chinita8]

I have been with a Globus Tour group around Europe and it was great! 

[krishakulit]

tnx po sa mga tips and suggestions...kaka stress..un sasamahan namin tour mukang macacancel...need to find another agency tuloy...

[krishakulit]

nako di na nga natuloy un local organized tour na sasamahan namin..eh ng apply nako visa..im now considering cosmos or contiki...guys do you think mas sulit kaya ang sumama sa cosmos,contiki than local organized tours? kc naiinis ako sa mga itinenary sa local organized tours, ng dadaya sa number of days..pag sakay palang sa airplane day one na agad,tapos pag dating sa place na pupuntahan mo minsan gabi pa...tapos last day mo dun sa place before you go another day ang bilang,tapos pag dating sa manila na,another day pa hehe so un 16 days tour ang talagang tour lang 13 or 12 days tour lang ngyayari..yon nga lang kung contiki or cosmos,di lahat ng meal kasali...
may naka try na ba sumama sa contiki tour,un naka tira lang sa tent,or un nasa contiki camp instead of hotels?curious lang...hehe

[mama squeak!]

^That's the very reason I don't go with tours. I always DIY my trips, hawak ko oras ko, I control my budget pa. It's just a matter of being patient in planning and  researching the places you would want to go to. Travel books and the internet are my best friends.

 

[chinita8]

^^Sis, I have tried Globus (sister company of Cosmos) in one of my European tours (it was a "European Sampler" tour - visiting France, Switzerland, Germany, Amsterdam, Austria, Vatican and Italy) and they have very good service plus the tour guide was really good.  I really learned a lot from what he says of every place we visited.

The restaurants included in the package were good and authentic, so no complaints. The hotels we stayed at are not the 5-star ones but very quaint boutique hotels which I prefer as they are so charming.

Actually, the Globus itinerary was explicit and walang daya so to speak. If they put in a 16-day Mediterranean tour, you really get a whole 16 day tour. I guess that's what you call professionalism and of course, they have been in that business for ages na.

The only problem i have with coach tours is that you literally do not unpack anymore, coz you leave so early the next day and that you have to load/unload your luggage at every country or hotel stop, so medyo stressful ... but generally, it was a very good experience for me. My husband and I have made lasting friendships with some of our tour group (of different nationalities) -- nice to have friends from all over.

I also like the fact that you don't have to think of anything anymore, from looking for a restaurant, to lining up for entrance tickets to tourist attractions. Everything has been pre-done for you.

If you prefer to join a group na all-pinoy, then I guess you can opt for a locally-arranged tour group, but if you are "game" to meet people from various countries (pero madami din na pinoy sa international tour groups ha), then why not try an international tour group. You can also do a DIY tour as what our sis suggested here, just research very well so you don't miss out on the "must-sees" and the "must-do".

I have friends and relatives who have tried Cosmos, Trafalgar and Insight --- all good reviews too!

I got to tour around Mediterranean (+Turkey) and Scandinavia (+Russia) too but this time I joined a cruise to both regions. Now, that's another superb way to tour Europe! 


 

[krishakulit]

tnx sa mga insights nyo mga sis^.since first time to europe,takot naman ako mg plan ng sariling trip..siguro pag balik ko nalang..asa....hehe
parang masaya din sumama sa international tours...kayalang medyo pricey sa globus eh..kya cosmos at contiki lang muna consider ko..sna ok pa din kahit di globus..kung un mga hotel lang ang difference,willing naman ako kahit medyo cheap na hotel lang...
aboutd dun sa mga optinals,super expensive ba?

dun sa mga naka try sumama sa contiki and cosmos ano masasabi nyo sa mga accomodations?locations ng hotel ba super layo sa kabihasnan?hehe and un optional tours? super mahal ba?kc baka naman dun binawi kya mas mura sila...do they carry your 1pc of laggage ba?magkano tip nyo sa bus driver and tour guide?any suggestions, tips and comments about sa ganitong klaseng tour...sa cosmos im considering un the best of europe (16 days),and the grand european tour(21 days)
sa contiki naman,kahit nga un concept tour ok lang sa akin..(me nka try naba ng concept tour ng contiki dito?)im considering un eurpoean whirl(18d),european experience(20d),eurpoean vista(21d)

me naka punta na po ba sa inyo sa progue,czez republic a must see ba talaga un place? how about sa french rivera maganda ba dun?madrid, berlin or heidelberg? pompeii,sorrento,capri any comments po?hehe
kc im comparing un mga itinary nun mga brosures,iba iba din un mga pupuntahan,kya pili ako un tipong madami mas magaganda..hirap pumili..kung pwede lang lahat puntahan ko...tnx sa mga help nyo...

any comments pa on un expense nyo sa food?ano gawa nyo para makatipid?kayo magkno per meal ang gastos nyo?(sosi place ba un kinakainan nyo?big servings ba?) 2 kami ng sis ko so sna makatipid din kami...

[chinita8]

^Wow sis, if you have the option of going to the French Riviera, DO SO!

I have been to Monaco Montecarlo, Nice and Cannes extending to the Italian Mediterranean coastline of Sorrento and Amalfi Coast. Those places are beyond what you can imagine. The view, especially in Amalfi Coast is simply breathtaking. So go ahead sis, if you have the extra-cash for it, please include these places to your itinerary. You will never regret it. 

On the side, don't play anymore in the casinos in Montecarlo, too expensive. A little picture-picture moment will do. And if given a choice, always choose to dine Al-fresco, you will savor your cappuccino more when sipping it while devouring the million-dollar views around. Don't forget to walk by the shores of Monaco, you feel like royalty. It's a public stretch by the road so in the midst of shopping, just remove your shoes and walk barefoot by the shore while staring at the humongous yachts anchored there ... don't forget to look for Tina Turner's mansion perched on a cliff overlooking the sea ... that's a perfect Kodak moment for you!

Heildelberg naman is a very historical place. Jose Rizal went to university there so you will feel proud when they actually include stories about our national hero in their walking tours. Big si Rizal doon! Feel na feel ko pagka-Pilipino ko when they showed us the monument of Rizal there.

Cosmos, being a sister company of Globus, have similar if not the same tours and route. The main difference lang talaga are the hotels and restaurant choices. Always nga side-by-side dumating sa destination ang coaches ng Globus and Cosmos.

So excited for you sis! I soooo love Europe! Ganda!