John W on Viator.com

John W
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John WUnited Kingdom

Dec112011
Tour/Activity

                                Barcelona Hop-on Hop Off Tour: North to South Route                                
                                                                                        
                        Barcelona, Spain
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My Review
great deal! take the two day option as it needs two days at least to see most of what the city has to offer. Highlights were the Gaudi park, the castle with its wonderful views over the city, and of course the Sagrada familia. Wow what a building! The visit to the fun fair up the funicular railway and  the 100 year old tram were also great. The bus carries a guide and they all speak great English plus the free earphones provide a running commentary in a variety of languages. Hop on and get off as often as you please as the buses are frequent, and reliable. Make sure in the winter to dress warmly and take gloves. All in all a great value for money trip, and cheaper via viator than buying in Barcelona. To pick up your tickets, discount  vouchers,  maps just go over to the information desk when leaving the airport. Easy!
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Jun142011
Tour/Activity

                                Full Day Birdwatching Tour - West Madeira Island                                
                                                                                        
                        Funchal, Portugal
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My Review
If i had to rate this trip on the number or variety of birds seen it would rate a 1 star, but maybe they knew i was coming and flew away. The guide "wind birds", worked hard taking us from place to place but remained spectacularly unsuccessful. Apart from a wandering wader and a few terns that was it. However the scenery around the island was great, and being only a small group of 5 made it very comfortable. Would i do this trip again? No.
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Jun132011
Tour/Activity

                                Half Day Traditions and Enchanting Valleys - Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras, Monte, Madeira Wine Tasting                                
                                                                                        
                        Funchal, Portugal
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My Review
This trip started off as a disaster. The bus turned up about 10 minutes early and the guide did not check paperwork so a couple called Williams; who had booked a different trip took our place by mistake. At around 14:15 i went to check with the very friendly and helpful "Guest relations" lady, who phoned the tour company and they eventually sent another minibus to do the tour. Due to go at 14:00 went at 15:00. We did the trip in reverse with the wine tasting first. Nice visit , very olde world cellar and interesting tasting the 4 types of madeiran wine. Then off to the top of the nuns valley. No wonder the Madeiran drivers are good as the bad are all dead, going off the steep, narrow roads. Great views from the top, cafe, shop etc. well worth the trip. Then off to the Monte suburb. The gardens are splendid with a great variety of plants, trees etc. Did we want to do the sldge run? 25 euros a couple, and goes downhill for about 2 kilometers down toward Funchal town, pulled by two energetic men. We passed as my wife had done the run 20 years ago and it's no fun on your own. Well worth the money trip.
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Sep202008
Tour/Activity

                                Private Tour: Ras Mohammed                                
                                                                                        
                        Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
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Beware! We took this trip with great expectations, but were turned back at the entrance as we did not have visas! The site does not mention any need to have a visa, and the only place you can get one is at the airport.

The tour guide asked us if we had our passports but did not ask if we had visas.

Fortunately, the tour guide put himself out to get us transferred to the boat tour of Ras Mohammed, and this was brilliant. So do the boat trip, but beware as you may need a visa for this one as well.
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Sep182008
Tour/Activity

                                Private Tour: Mangroves                                
                                                                                        
                        Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
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My Review
Not sure that I would want to do this trip again. Desert was interesting, and the guide worked hard to tell us all about the desert and the Bedouins. Like visiting a shanty town with hundreds of dead storks lying all around. Very bumpy journey in the desert. Then down to the mangroves. Good view of the ship wreck just off the beach there, but not much else to see apart from a couple of wading birds, and hundreds of small crabs scuttling into their holes, as we approached. The museum there was open, but 10 minutes was enough to see everything there, and there were no staff so we were unable to purchase photos. All in all a bit of a disappointment.
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Sep162008
Tour/Activity

                                Tiran Island Cruise and Snorkeling                                
                                                                                        
                        Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
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My Review
Great trip. Superb locations to swim with the fishes just off the reef.  Great tour guides, and crew. Excellent lunch provided on board. Only small criticism would be that the third stop was right after a lovely lunch. Better to have all 3 stops before lunch!

The guides in the water were excellent pointing out new species, etc. Also they catered for, and looked after less able swimmers so they too could enjoy all the sites. Both my wife and i would love to do the trip again some time.
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Sep142008
Tour/Activity

                                Sharm el Sheikh Airport Private Arrival Transfer                                
                                                                                        
                        Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
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My Review
Arrived Sharm. Driver waiting for us with the usual placard. Off to the hotel. great service.
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