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Feb152011
Tour/Activity
Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Half-Day Trip from Rome
Rome, Italy
My Rating
My Review
The trip went off fine. I give it two stars because there's so little left of Hadrian's Villa that I don't think it is worth the time. Neither do I think the Villa d'Este was interesting except for the garden.
Aug042009
Tour/Activity
Muir Woods, Giant Redwoods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip
San Francisco, California
My Rating
My Review
A nice walk among tall, beautiful trees. Sausalito is too small and too like any other beach town for my taste.
Aug022009
Tour/Activity
Monterey, Carmel and The 17-Mile Drive Day Trip
San Francisco, California
My Rating
My Review
You get 1h45 to see Monterey, including the aquarium if you choose, which isn't enough time to enjoy the aquarium. Then it's off to a very slow drive through Carmel and you get another 1h45 to see Carmel town, which is nice, but similar to others. Likewise, the drive was okay, but not especially worthwhile. The guide talked the entire time too, no rest.
May212009
Tour/Activity
Engelberg - The Great Mountain Village
Zurich, Switzerland
My Rating
My Review
Actually went to Mt Titlis instead, which included a little time to see Engelberg. Engelberg wasn't anything special, but Mt Titlis was beautiful.
May212009
Tour/Activity
Heidiland and Liechtenstein Tour from Zurich: Two Countries in One Day
Zurich, Switzerland
My Rating
My Review
There was a lot of beautiful scenery to take in, but mostly from a bus. I certainly would not opt for this trip over Mt Titlis or Jungfrau, but since I had time to do all I enjoyed it. I was glad to stop by Vaduz, Liechtenstein, just to say I'd been there; however, there isn't really anything to see. So this trip isn't a must, but it was okay.
Apr182009
Tour/Activity
Interlaken - Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland (from Zurich)
Zurich, Switzerland
My Rating
My Review
I love the tour guide and the area is an absolute must-see, but there is too much wasted time. The tour guide was great, kept checking to make sure everyone was okay, and actually suggested I do something besides the planned itinerary for which I am very grateful. The tour itself is part of the Jungfrau mountain tour, it's just that you go to Grindelwald instead of the top of the mountain. There isn't much to Grindelwald and to do this trip as advertised you are there three hours, going after everyone else is dropped off to go to Jungfrau. I spent a fantastic afternoon, having time to see most of what there was to see. The scenery is truly fabulous. One thing they should change is to provide more time on the mountains. Departures from Zurich go first to the center of Lucerne to pick up people and there is a pickup souvenir stop in Interlaken that is a total waste of time. You also lose a lot of time due to being the last to get off the bus and I was told to be in Grindelwald 40 minutes before the Jungfrau people were scheduled to arrive.
Aug022008
Tour/Activity
Cinque Terre Small Group Day Trip from Florence
Florence, Italy
My Rating
My Review
Four beautifully situated villages along a green rugged coast. It's a great way to get away from the tourist madness for a day. I also liked the tour in this small van where we could all talk with the driver and each other.
Aug022008
Tour/Activity
Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip from Florence
Florence, Italy
My Rating
My Review
Most people really like these two places, but I found them lacking. Yes Siena is an old city with ancient streets and buildings, but that's it for me. Just narrow streets with four and five story buildings on each side, little decor, the main square somewhat impressive yet still just more stone, brick and pavement. There were so many tourists it was hard to move. The drivers go way too fast, I guess a result of the hoards. San Gimignano was better, but is primarily just one street a kilometer long. Also didn't like the double-decker bus swaying on the hillside turns and the air conditioning was either barely functioning or turned way down because it gives the guide bronchial problems.
