I haven't traveled over seas since 1970 so I'm not sure what the prices are now. My friend got talked into going on a 11 day trip to Europe - England/France/Italy. They fly from Buffalo to NYC and join the group. Then about 3 days in each place, only the cities, nothing country. Not sure how many meals are included. They had to pay extra for Vatican CIty. She is paying a little over $2,000. They are going in February to boot.
She is now having second thoughts but won't cancel for her friend's sake. She has heard nothing but bad things about France. Not England or Italy. I told her that if they are nasty to her she should tell them to stuff it - they like our money well enough. I know 5 people who didn't listen to advice about traveling to Paris and they all hated it. Said the city was dirty and the people nasty to Americans.
2007-09-17 08:01:16 · 5 answers · asked by lilith663 6 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Other - Europe
For an escorted tour including all airfare, hotels with breakfast and dinner (but no lunch) the 2000 USD are resonable. They might be able to do it cheaper on their own, but not by much.
The airfare from Buffalo to London return alone should be in the 800-900 USD range. Travelling on their own they would need to budget around 50-70 USD per day if they stay in hostels and eat out. Then there is the airfare from London to Paris to Rome to London. That should be in the range of 150-300 USD.
All together this comes to 1500 to 1970 USD - the price of travelling alone without a guide, staying in dorms in hostels and eating at fast food stalls or food bought in supermarkets with the occasional visit to a cheap restaurant.
So if they have zero experience travelling and can get a care-free guided tour staying hotels and eating in restaurants for 2000 USD they should go for it.
And about the French, especially the Parisiens: They just get too many loud, rude and demanding Americans who insist upon speaking English. Going to a country where English is not the first spoken language can be a culture shock. Many Americans expect that everything is just like at home in Paris and they get pretty stressed when they realise it is not. The food, the money, the language, public transport instead of a car, the way things are done - it all adds up. Many respond to this by yelling and shouting and being discourteous. The French (who are not known for being the people most dedictated to service and who generally despise being adressed in English) have no compunction about responding in kind. So yeah, from a non-French viewpoint Parisiens are rude.
2007-09-17 11:15:45 · answer #1 · answered by t_maia2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a ok deal to me even if it is off season and many things could be closed.She may have to spring for some of her meals as that seems cheap and the food they may offer could be not the best.
I run into American tourists all of the time here in Hungary and they say the food on those group things isn't very good, they get a deal with the hotel on the meals and get their money no matter what the food tastes like. It is always fun to go out on your own and eat anyways.
My husband has been to Vatican City ( in the 1970,s) and said it was really something to see.
I love Italy and France is pretty, who cares if they are rude, it is only a couple of days and she will be with a group.
tell her to have a great time.
2007-09-18 02:03:17 · answer #2 · answered by Marilyn T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The price seems pretty fair for an escorted tour going to 3 countries, especially if it includes airfare. Not sure which company she is with but check a few others just to compare. I went to Paris in January and had a great time, came across a couple of rude people, but for the most part people were friendly.
2007-09-17 08:20:23 · answer #3 · answered by ctelly22 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds very reasonable to me, European holidays are getting quite expensive with the current weakness of the USD.
I'm British and supposed to hate the French, but I would not want to discourage anyone from going there. Wherever you go you meet rude people, and granted the French are known for being more rude to Brits and Americans, but they won't ruin a trip by a long way.
Your friend will have a great time!
2007-09-17 09:31:59 · answer #4 · answered by Tom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I travel quite a bit.There are nice people and there are rude people.Remember France is Socialist,they are taxed heavily,this in my opinion makes for some angry people.That's a good price for airfare and hotel.Feb is cold so bring a lightweight down jacket for comfort and ease.Find enjoyable places to see,enjoy wonderful food,be gracious and polite,all should be ok.
2007-09-17 08:11:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋