[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi SWR,

It is a fund raising cruise that I am arranging. IT WILL NOT COST YOU ANYTHING EXTRA!

The fund raising donation comes from my commission. The monies will be going to those who have and/or had a brain injury or illness. The decision for which charity the money was going to was based on people who are cruising.

I have been a Travel Agent for a long time and now I want to help others. I make donations to whoever the group decides they would like the money to go to.

We are sailing departing on November 23 from Tampa for 10 days. I will post more info later.

We just returned from a river cruise to France hours ago and I have to unpack.

Please feel free to email me with any questions you have.

HB

[chazz1996]

Hi Fellow Travellers,
In regards to China , we had chosen to use Vantage Tours , was a tour of China starting at Beijing and ending up in Hong Kong for 24 days. At the end of tour we had spoken about diffrent tour companies and the our tour guide had worked for Taulk, as well as Vantage , Grand Circle and whom ever else he is ASSIGNED TO by the goverment. Well he says the diffrent companies that charge more or less are acorrding to the accommondations and food selections on the tour, any way we used Vantage for the 24 day tour of China and the Yangtze River and would do it again if we had more time .
Just my 2 cents

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi Chazz,

The most important thing in reference to your trip to China was that you were happy. We wanted to spend more time in China itself and go to the out lying provinces that was our focus. We also wanted to be in a small group - less than 20 and not stop at any "Friendship Stores" if possible.

We stayed at 4 or 5 star hotels depending on availability, in the heart of the areas we went to, restaurants were all very good. Tour guides and Tour Manager were both excellent. Only a couple of optional tours, otherwise everything was included.

With some companies providing tours in China what your Guide said is true about Tour Guides. Other companies seem to have more leeway.

Our tour was not a top end tour price wise, we did meet other people on tours in China who paid more than we did, but were with larger groups. From the way they spoke they wished they were on our tour.

We also had an excellent time in China and the people whom I have referred to this company also had an excellent time. Like I said, it depends what you are looking for - price, number of people in group, destinations, mode of transportation, number of days in each place, where accommodations are located and what is or is not included in the trip.

Did you write a travelogue of your journey and when did you go?

HB

[chazz1996]

Hi All
We had toured China in October, a perfect time for China, but our next BIG trip will be selling this house and moving to TV.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi Chazz, I agree October is a great time to be in China. I would love to go back but after the Olympics.

I hope you sell your house quickly. Lots of luck. Did you bury St. Joseph in your garden?

HB

[chazz1996]

Hi All:
We got the idea from this site.
It's not working yet but only has been 2 months..