My Profile
Aug042012
Tour/Activity
Berlin Pass
Berlin, Germany
My Rating

This was good to cover the entrance fees since the museums charge a lot for tiny exhibits. As far as transportation, the maps help, but everything is very spread out and with maps and help it still took us an hour or two to find each place. Also each metro or bus stop is still a good twenty minute walk away from each location, especially those like the Anne Frank museum which are hidden in the back of a courtyard. With time and distance, so we could only cover 3 museums max per day. The Anne Frank Museum, the Gay history, and Jewish history museums were great, but the art museums only have a few staple pieces in each collection. As far as attractions go, the Humbolt center was a joke of a place. The boat ride as well was hardly worth the wait. Our booklet said we could ride at certain times and then the dock manager said we had to come back three hours later. Then we get on and there is no handicap access, no courtesy on board. They treated us Berlin pass people like charity cases. The only good thing about the boat is the fact that it had a bathroom. Discounts and special offers. My hotel had better.
Aug032012
Tour/Activity
'An Evening at Charlottenburg Palace' Palace Tour, Dinner and Concert by the Berlin Residence Orchestra
Berlin, Germany
My Rating

The actors are great and so was the concert, but the food and atmosphere could have been better. The building is very empty, white, blank and not at all the ambiance we expected from a palace. The beverages (including water) were not included in the meal which was more than a good sum. The dinner itself was a sad imitation of french cuisine. The tour took an hour at the most and it would have been appreciated that someone tell us that because we arrived super early and then had to kill time in the garden for the dinner time to arrive. The concert was probably the only worthwhile part. We were in the C area and still heard and saw everything wonderfully. The only critique about the concert is that the first half was a bit slow and could have included more Vivaldi.
Aug022012
Tour/Activity
Berlin's Infamous Third Reich Sites Half-Day Walking Tour
Berlin, Germany
My Rating

Our guide Ryan was superb, but the actual environment is not what I expected. Most of the tour is one or two buildings that still stand today and the rest is all pictures of what used to be there. Though it was nice to see the parking lot that is above Hitler's bunker, I would have liked some warning that more than half of the tour would be pictures in a folder.
Aug012012
Tour/Activity
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Walking Tour
Berlin, Germany
My Rating

This was a great tour! Our guide Ashleigh was the best guide we've had. She not only included all the historical details, but so many small details and anecdotes that clearly show her massive amount of outside research and reading. Everyone at the center was great and the tour was an overall great experience!
Jul252012
Tour/Activity
Paris Pass
Paris, France
My Rating

This was wonderful! We got to the front of the line and all people were very approachable about the pass with the exception of the Musee de Arts Decoratifs where they were very rude and told us that our pass was not valid. They failed to tell us that it was only a matter of going to the correct counter (only a few feet away) and they tried to make us pay. Otherwise this was great everywhere else!
Jul252012
Tour/Activity
Skip the Line: Catacombs of Paris Small-Group Walking Tour
Paris, France
My Rating

Our guide Tyler was very curt and aloof. He delayed information regarding an introduction of his person and was rude. The tour itself is okay, but perhaps there needs to be more information or historical facts to make it more interesting. There should also be a warning that this is a wet ground walking tour and that it is recommended to bring a flashlight because many details are lost with the poor lighting unless one has a personal light.
Jul242012
Tour/Activity
Skip the Line: Chateaux du Chambord, Chenonceau and Loire Valley Wine-Tasting Day Trip from Paris
Paris, France
My Rating

This was fabulous!!! My tour guide Ahmed was wonderful, helpful and really went the extra mile to make all of us comfortable and to get the best out of the trip. The wine tasting at Nitray chateau was the best ever food and the best service. The whole family is wonderful and the wines are very affordable. The only suggestion is to bring plenty of cash, water, a snack, and sunblock. There is a lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes. This is worth every cent especially with Ahmed as your guide!
Jul232012
Tour/Activity
Eiffel Tower, Paris Cabaret Show and Seine River Cruise
Paris, France
My Rating

Dinner at the Eiffel Tower is fabulous!!! The food is the best ever and the service there is wonderful. They are all very kind and helpful. The river cruise is great, but just be aware that you will go straight from dinner down to the docks so wear flats. Also, there is no bathroom on the boat so make arrangements. The Cabaret Show is okay, but it is very crowded so you may not get the best view. We got the shuttle pick up and drop off which is highly advisable because you get out really late from the show and you do not want to be in Montmarte at 2am because a taxi will be very expensive. Overall very nice.
Jul222012
Tour/Activity
Skip the Line: Versailles Palace in One Day including French Market and Grand Canal Picnic
Paris, France
My Rating

This was great. Our guide Leo from Ireland was wonderful. He was very helpful and informative, not to mention very funny in his explanations. The french market was also great, but bring plenty of cash and buy only what you will eat because it gets heavy when walking in the gardens. Also, going on a Sunday was better because all the gardens were open and fountains running. Overall, amazing experience!!!


