Choices, Choices, Choices

[iloveflounder]

I am back and I am grateful for all those who replied to my previous post.

I have done a good amount of research now and I have cut the choices to 5. I would want to ask for your feedback.

1) Southwest Splendors.
2) Hollywood and Disneyland.
3) Viva Italia.
4) China.
5) Galapagos Islands.

Now. To help me cut this into at least Top 3.

If you would choose 2 what would it be and why?
What would be the best part/highlights of these 2 trips you chose?
What would be the best for a solo traveller?

I have never been to any of these places and I am planning to go from July - October of next year. I am a solo traveller with a chance of bringing my bestfriend.

The costs wouldn't matter as long as I get the best and quality out of it.

What do you think?

 

[LTFrench]

1) Southwest Splendors.
2) Hollywood and Disneyland.
3) Viva Italia.
4) China.
5) Galapagos Islands.

Now. To help me cut this into at least Top 3.

If you would choose 2 what would it be and why?
What would be the best part/highlights of these 2 trips you chose?
What would be the best for a solo traveller?

I have never been to any of these places and I am planning to go from July - October of next year. I am a solo traveller with a chance of bringing my bestfriend.

If I narrowed to three, it would be #3, #4, #5.

To two, it would be #3 or #4.

As a solo traveler, I don't believe it matters. You'll fit in on any Disney trip, no issue. People are friendly and will invite you to dinner, free time activities, shopping.... The trips I've been on you are safe to go out on your own and it's easy and safe enough to do free time alone, too.

My opinions and thoughts to chew on...

We have done the Italian Family Vacation (adults only) and it has a very similar itinerary to the one you mentioned, you can not go wrong with any of the Italian ones, pick the dates that work for you and sit back and relax. Loved Rome and Venice both the Tuscan countryside I would move to in a heartbeat.

We've done Hong Kong, on our own and believe China would be fascinating and a guided tour would be a must. Someday.....

We will some day do Galapagos, more pressing trips first.

Anyone can book and do a US trip, no fully guided trip needed. Sure Disney is nice, but we travel and plan our own trips, several times a year and it's not too difficult to create a totally memorable trip. (Less $$ spent = more traveling in the budget!)

We also did the London and Paris trip and it was out of this world. Don't discount that one either, LOL!

 

[sayhello]

It's hard for me to say, because I've only done one of these trips (Southwest Splendors) and totally, absolutely loved it! So that would be my #1. The Grand Canyon is an absolute must see, and the hike to Delicate Arch was one of the most fabulous hikes I've ever done (well, it's the arrival at Delicate Arch that really makes it worth while). A great mix of activities, never felt rushed, but we did a *lot*!

#2, if money & travel time are not a concern, would have to be China. I've really got my eye on that one; it looks like a fabulous trip, but I'm just not up to the flights to China at this point in my life. The Terra Cotta Soldiers, the gum drop mountains, the Great Wall of China, the Panda center, are all things I've always wanted to see.

#3 would be The Hollywood & Disneyland tour, if you're into that sort of trip. Because they have access to stuff you just can't get access to any other way. So that itinerary is not one you could do yourself or with another company.

But honestly? I don't think you could go wrong with any of them. (And to make it worse, I think you should look at the Alaska trip. What an amazing place!)

Sayhello

 

[beachbunny]

You are all over the map. For example, you are not trying to decide between two European adventures, but between four very different countries - US, Italy, China, and Ecuador. Before you can get any useful advice, you should tell us what your interests are. Do you like the outdoors? Do you like animals? Are you crazy about Disney? Do you like exotic places and are you willing to try different foods? Do you like history?

I have been to all five ABD tour locations, although only to Galapagos with ABD. I went to the other four locations on my own, without a tour. I went to each place because I was interested in something that that place had to offer. Usually, it was something that sparked my interest at that moment. Right now, for example, I am fascinated with African safaris (east and south mostly), and Nepal, Bhutan, and India for their temples.

For the most part, I have only heard good things about ALL of the ABD tours. Go where you want to go, not where the majority votes for.

 

[Diskidatheart]

If it were me making the decision between the places you've chosen, I would have to agree with LTFrench. We were on the Viva Italia trip with them and it was absolutely wonderful. I can't imagine a better trip than we had. If money weren't an issue, then I would also consider China as that is a place that you would really benefit having a guide. Those would be my top 2 choices. As far as #3, I would probably give the edge to Galapogos since you can do the Southwest on your own, but if you wanted a SW trip, I think this would be the one to go on! The backstage Disney trip seems like a lot of money for a short period of time, however, you get to do so many things that nobody else can do unless they go on this trip.

I agree with others that all these trips have special parts about them and you can't go wrong on the decision that you make, but it really depends on what your interests are. I can tell you that I am not a history loving person at all and was a little concerned about doing Italy (especially Rome) since that is what Rome is all about. After doing the Viva Italia trip, I LOVED Rome. There is soooo much more than just the history. I can't really describe it, but it is a magical place. Venice was the BEST though. The uniqueness of Venice was amazing and we had so much fun just trying to get around without getting too lost.

 

[TEK224]

I haven't been on any ABD tours yet, but hope to go in the future. Of your choices, my #1 would be the Galapagos. I've always wanted to go there, but don't think I would go on my own. I'd feel safer with an organized tour.

My #2 would be China. Although I don't have a "burning" desire to go there, seeing the sights would be amazing and again, I probably wouldn't go w/o an organized tour.

#3 would be the Southwest Splendors. I think the scenery is just gorgeous.

 

[smep013]

Tough decision!

We did the China trip in July and it was amazing. It's a great trip to take with Disney. If you have a desire to go there and the funds to do it - I'd make it number 1.

I think Europe is pretty simple to do on your own... in my opinion. So my second choice would be the Galapagos.

Let us know what you decide!

Stacey

 

[Lynn G]

Just to throw in my 2 cents - the US trips would be easy to do on your own, personally, I am waivering between China, Galapagos and Egypt. Italy would also be fairly easy to do on your own. I have only done the Peru trip, and it was great. I would stick to places that are harder to get to on your own, and language might be a large barrier.

 

[sayhello]

Just to throw in my 2 cents - the US trips would be easy to do on your own, personally, I am waivering between China, Galapagos and Egypt. Italy would also be fairly easy to do on your own. I have only done the Peru trip, and it was great. I would stick to places that are harder to get to on your own, and language might be a large barrier.

Yes, but it's not always just about "easy to do on your own". Sometimes you just *want* someone else to take care of everything! I know I do!

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

Yes, but it's not always just about "easy to do on your own". Sometimes you just *want* someone else to take care of everything! I know I do!

Sayhello

 

[Diskidatheart]

Yes, but it's not always just about "easy to do on your own". Sometimes you just *want* someone else to take care of everything! I know I do!

Sayhello

Good point....another thing to consider is "easy to do on your own" is very subjective. All of these trips could be done on your own. Easy is a matter of opinion. Some people don't like to drive, so even though there isn't a language barrier on the US destinations, driving from AZ to UT may not be easy for some. Although in Italy, we found many people speak English, it's not necessarily "easy" to get around if your not familiar with the place, language, etc. Could I do it now that I've been there? Absolutely!, but still with some "fear" . I think the same would be true with Asia, Africa, and South America. I've never been to any of these places...yet...but my first time there would HAVE to be with a guided tour.

To me, the biggest thing about doing something on your own versus a guided tour is not getting to the sites or taking pictures of all the sites, but rather the information that you receive from a local, knowledgeable guide. A prime example is that we're doing a trip to Hawaii on our own this winter. We could go to Volcano's National Park on our own very easily, but we would probably miss half the stuff. We are booking an 8 hour private tour so that we not only see the sights, but learn about them from a local geologist.

I guess to get back to the original question asked by iloveflounder....nobody can really answer your question. Everyone will have different opinions. All the trips are wonderful. Only you can decide which is the best trip for you. Read the trip reports on the sticky, see which ones interest you the most. Do you want a more "adventurous" trip or do you want more of a sightseeing trip? Do you want to see history up close and personal? Do you want to do things that nobody else can do (such as the backstage magic trip) or do you want to do things that anyone can do, but would rather have the luxury of someone taking you there and giving you all the ins and outs of what you are seeing/experiencing.

 

[superme80]

Hands down China! I have always wanted to go, but can't afford to. So can I just live vicariously through you????

 

[Lynn G]

So, Iloveflounder, have you made any choises yet? How about just prioritizing them, then do them in order, one a year? That way you could do them all!

 

[sayhello]

So, Iloveflounder, have you made any choises yet? How about just prioritizing them, then do them in order, one a year? That way you could do them all!

Excellent suggestion!!!

Sayhello

 

[Pakey]

My husband and I did Italy on our own (Milan, Florence, Venice, Rome, Amalfi Coast) and I did China on my own (Shanghai, Beijing and Tibet-although Tibet required a psuedo tour setup in order to gain access to the region).

We've also done an AbD, London and Paris, and we are doing another group tour to Egypt with a different operator.

If all of your 5 interest you equally but you can't decide which would be better to do as a group tour, I'd recommend China. China is not for the faint of heart traveling on your own. Language is definitely a problem (I could spend hours telling everyone some very entertaining stories on this topic). Italy was a breeze in comparison to China.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Sharkbyte]

Club ABC does wonderful Italy trips--took 2! so I would take that off the list for ABD (although if there was only one place in the world you should go..it would be Italy!!)