My Profile
Jul192012
Tour/Activity
Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip from Florence
Florence, Italy
My Rating

A bit rushed to see both Siena and San Gimignano but really, the only convenient way to see both in the same day. We've been to both towns before 16 years ago, travelling independently spending a day at each town. This was a quick revisit to recapture memories and see what has changed since.
Ideally, the tour should be one hour longer to permit an extra 40 minutes in Siena and an extra 20 minutes in San Gimignano. Would have liked to spend more time at Siena Duomo's museum, but when you're part of a tour group you are constrained by the group schedule.
Jul162012
Tour/Activity
Cinque Terre Small Group Day Trip from Florence
Florence, Italy
My Rating

Fantastic tour, made more so by a knowledgable and entertaining tour guide, Claudio. Claudio was also a bit of a foodie, he booked us into a very nice restaurant for lunch at Vernazza. Best seafood linguine we've ever had, and cheap too - only 12 euro per plate (primi piatti). This tour is one way of guaranteeing you a ride on the ferry from Riomaggiore to Vernazza. Otherwise, if you go independently, you may find ferry seats sold out for the day. Beautiful and picturesque towns and coastline. It is really just a taste of Cinque Terre - motivates you to return again for a longer stay. Enjoyed it very much.
Jul012012
Tour/Activity
Royal Castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Day Tour from Munich
Munich, Germany
My Rating

Enjoyed the tour quite well. Both castles were some distance from Munich, and at different locations.This was a convenient way to see both castles in the same day. The stop at Oberammergau was very brief, just enough time to have an ice-cream and do some brief souvenir shopping. The timed entry into both castles is a good idea, but meant that we had little opportunity to wander the grounds of Linderhof. It is an uphill walk to Neuschwanstein castle from where the tour bus drops you off. If you have good stamina and can walk quickly, you can do it in 15-20 minutes. The Marien bridge is a further 10 minutes walk past the castle. Note that neither castles permit photography inside - that was disappointing, especially as Linderhof is a mini copy of Versailles, and at Versailles you can take as many photos as you like - so I am taking one star off for that.


