Italy and Switzerland not a trip report and comparison

[met19]

So I don't post often, but I figured that I could give a comparison between ABD and another tour group I took in the past and also write some of my thoughts on the Alpine Magic ABD.

So first the comparison. I used a tour group to travel to China. This tour group was high end and did a good job as a travel agency. However, they did not have the Disney magic, etc. For example, when moving to a new city you did your own "bag drag" to the bus- none of the leaving outside of your room and magically find your bags in your room at the next hotel. Additionally a few of us did a pre night so arrived early but had a minor flight delay resulting in us arriving approx 10pm local time. The hotel gave away our rooms. I would imagine if this was ABD they would take care of the problem for you. Well the travel agency did help us negotiate with the hotel and arranged transport to a sister hotel for 1 night and then we had rooms at the original hotel but we were the ones at the front desk making a stink. The main guides had a higher ratio than ABD and while they "knew us" I feel the ABD guides do a better job of getting to know you (i.e. they knew I took a ton of sunrise photos and would ask to see them). Overall my other trip was good, but I clearly see the "Disney difference" and I would say it is worth every penny.

Now on to the Alpine Magic not a trip report but review:

So this was my first ABD and I think it sold the product well. We did 2 pre-nights in Milan, the ABD and then 3 post nights in Rome. I can honestly say that I missed my ABD "family" when I got to Rome as our group was extremely close. Milan is a nice city and the highlights are the Duomo and Last Supper by Da Vinci. The ABD itself is built upon the amazing scenery of Northern Italy and Switzerland and it delivers. Iso Bella (stresa) and Lake Como are gorgeous. The wine tasting and the meal prepared by Chef Stephano were highlights here also. But the real highlight was traveling to Zermatt and seeing the Matterhorn. Many of us stayed on balconies just starting at it, talking among ourselves, and taking photos. It was so awe-inspiring, that the whole membership of the trip rushed outside for a morning am photo when we were leaving. Lucerne was nice with a cute old town area with bridge. Other travelers commented that this was the best ABD food. Our post nights were in Rome and we did the typical Rome itinerary- vatican museums, sistine chapel, Roman forum and Colosseum, and an eating tour. My overall impression is this trip was worth every penny and we would do it again. We made good friends on this trip.

Below find some photos. Enjoy.

 

[tgeorge]

Another person who highly recommends this trip... fantastic! My choice between this and the Amalfi trip are really favoring this trip. Thank you so much for your thoughts!

 

[tink1970]

Thanks for your comparison, although you're doing nothing to help my wanting to go on this adventure

 

[Cousin Orville]

Can't even imagine arriving in Beijing to find the hotel gave away my room. Painful!

Yeah. I think my favorite part of the Italy/Switzerland ABD was just sitting out on the balcony staring at the Matterhorn. You'd think that would get old... but no. It's incredible.

 

[christannj]

I never expected to have such an emotional response to the Matterhorn until the first morning in Zermatt when I stepped out on the balcony and there it was. For whatever reason I don't think that pictures convey how majestic it is in the early morning light. This was our second ABD and since I have never done any other tour, I can't compare. I will say that just having all of the hotel details and luggage handled makes for a seamless, relaxing vacation. My brother organized a trip through Bavaria several months ago, and every time I had to drag my luggage on and off a train, up and down the stairs in the hotels that he chose and 10 blocks down the street, I was wishing that the "luggage fairies" and adventure guides were around to take care of these things.

 

[sayhello]

So I don't post often, but I figured that I could give a comparison between ABD and another tour group I took in the past and also write some of my thoughts on the Alpine Magic ABD.

So first the comparison. I used a tour group to travel to China. This tour group was high end and did a good job as a travel agency. However, they did not have the Disney magic, etc. For example, when moving to a new city you did your own "bag drag" to the bus- none of the leaving outside of your room and magically find your bags in your room at the next hotel. Additionally a few of us did a pre night so arrived early but had a minor flight delay resulting in us arriving approx 10pm local time. The hotel gave away our rooms. I would imagine if this was ABD they would take care of the problem for you. Well the travel agency did help us negotiate with the hotel and arranged transport to a sister hotel for 1 night and then we had rooms at the original hotel but we were the ones at the front desk making a stink. The main guides had a higher ratio than ABD and while they "knew us" I feel the ABD guides do a better job of getting to know you (i.e. they knew I took a ton of sunrise photos and would ask to see them). Overall my other trip was good, but I clearly see the "Disney difference" and I would say it is worth every penny.

THEY GAVE AWAY YOUR ROOM????!!!??? When I did Alaska with ABD, my flight was over 6 hours late, and I didn't arrive for my pre-night until midnight. The Adventure Guides were monitoring my flight and knew I was going to be late, met me at the airport and took me to the hotel (which was completely booked, but I still had a room!) I totally cannot imagine having my room given away, and I cannot imagine the Adventure Guides putting up with that! Mind my asking what tour company that was, so I'm sure to never use them??!!?

Sayhello

 

[Rapunzellover]

Any company that gives away your room, and makes you lug bags to the bus is not high end, no matter the price! I'd be demanding a huge refund!! ABD would definitely not tolerate this. I was 24 hours late to Italy due to flight issues, and my room was not given away. You've paid for it as part of the tour.

I'm with sayhello-- name and shame this lousy company. We travelers need to avoid being bamboozled by them.

 

[mare1203]

Yeah. I think my favorite part of the Italy/Switzerland ABD was just sitting out on the balcony staring at the Matterhorn. You'd think that would get old... but no. It's incredible.

This. Everything about this statement. The Matterhorn; I can't even.

I work with students preparing for medical school IRL and we try to prepare them for the onslaught of school by comparing it to drinking from a fire hose. No matter how much preparation you do, and how much you prep yourself for it, you're never quite ready for when the hose actually goes off. I compare the Matterhorn to this. We can talk about it all we want, but there is nothing that can prepare you for actually experiencing it firsthand. Amazing.

 

[met19]

I totally cannot imagine having my room given away, and I cannot imagine the Adventure Guides putting up with that! Mind my asking what tour company that was, so I'm sure to never use them??!!?

Sayhello

Any company that gives away your room, and makes you lug bags to the bus is not high end, no matter the price! I'd be demanding a huge refund!! ABD would definitely not tolerate this
I'm with sayhello-- name and shame this lousy company. We travelers need to avoid being bamboozled by them.

Yeah the Beijing Marriott totally screwed up. The tour company you would only use if you were a runner and they did assist in getting the Marriott to put us up at another Beijing Marriott. I would say the company needed to be riding the front desk to make sure the rooms didn't get given away esp as it was a pre night. It never should've happened.

I never expected to have such an emotional response to the Matterhorn until the first morning in Zermatt when I stepped out on the balcony and there it was. For whatever reason I don't think that pictures convey how majestic it is in the early morning light.

. Yeah. I think my favorite part of the Italy/Switzerland ABD was just sitting out on the balcony staring at the Matterhorn. You'd think that would get old... but no. It's incredible.

The Matterhorn from the balcony was both awe inspiring, photogenic and relaxing. I could sit on that balcony the whole day I think. Start rant: I went to go back!

 

[RSM]

The Matterhorn from the balcony was both awe inspiring, photogenic and relaxing. I could sit on that balcony the whole day I think. Start rant: I went to go back![/QUOTE]

What's even more fun is climbing it. We made it about 2/3 of the way, then the weather turned, and suffice it to say, better to be safe than sorry. Hope to summit it one day.