NEW TRiPS ON THE WEBSITE

[Tozzie]

I didn't see this posted so I am, I just went to the ABD website and the new trips are listed on it already.

I know what one I am going on.


If you click on the other itineraries the dates and rates for 2014 are also posted.

 

[tchrrx]

Yay! Thanks for letting us know.

Can anyone tell me what the differences in the Teen Focused trips are? We'd like to do the Teen Trip to Costa Rica with DD, but we can't figure out what makes it different from a regular trip. Thanks!

 

[Bobo912]

I was planning to book the Scotland trip with ABD and an Ireland tour with another company, but OUCH! - the price of the Scotland trip is $900pp more than the initial price last year, so maybe I'll be booking the Ireland tour with ABD and a Scotland tour with somebody else.

The Adventure Insider letter said there was a big change to the Italy itinerary. I'm not that familiar with the trip. Can somebody who is tell me what is different?

 

[Tozzie]

I was planning to book the Scotland trip with ABD and an Ireland tour with another company, but OUCH! - the price of the Scotland trip is $900pp more than the initial price last year, so maybe I'll be booking the Ireland tour with ABD and a Scotland tour with somebody else.

The Adventure Insider letter said there was a big change to the Italy itinerary. I'm not that familiar with the trip. Can somebody who is tell me what is different?

The one thing I noticed about the Italy trip is the Vatican is now an after hours private tour. I went to the vatican when I went on the DCL cruise in 2011 and considering how crowded it was that is a great perk. I don't really know much about the rest of the itinerary as the trip isn't on my list.

 

[paddles]

I noticed the new itineraries were live as well. We're seriously considering the Austria/Prague trip. I've never been to Prague and have only spent a day (many years ago) in Vienna, so I'd like to see it again.

I am a little disappointed that ABD didn't venture too far out with new itineraries. I would really like to see more Asia trips (Japan, India) and Scandinavia!!

I'm worried if I don't hurry up and book the Austria trip, the price will go up quickly like it did for Scotland.

 

[tufbuf]

The new Austria itinerary looks great!!!

 

[Tozzie]

I noticed the new itineraries were live as well. We're seriously considering the Austria/Prague trip. I've never been to Prague and have only spent a day (many years ago) in Vienna, so I'd like to see it again.

I am a little disappointed that ABD didn't venture too far out with new itineraries. I would really like to see more Asia trips (Japan, India) and Scandinavia!!

I'm worried if I don't hurry up and book the Austria trip, the price will go up quickly like it did for Scotland.

That is the trip I am going on, I already emailed my travel agent and it will be taken care of in the AM.

you can book tommorow to lock in the price and you have 2 weeks to decide if you want to cancel it.

I think after the 2009 debacle with all the cancelations ABD is being cautious with new Itineraries.

I have been told that the price point for Japan would be too high to do the trip the ABD does them so that is why no Japan.

 

[carpenta]

The one thing I noticed about the Italy trip is the Vatican is now an after hours private tour. I went to the vatican when I went on the DCL cruise in 2011 and considering how crowded it was that is a great perk. I don't really know much about the rest of the itinerary as the trip isn't on my list.

We went to the Vatican with DCL in 2007. We had an after hours tour of the Sistine Chapel and it was outstanding. We were with maybe 60 others and we even got to take pictures and video inside. And our group had a 1st class guide that really gave us a fabulous personal guide through St. Peters and the musuem. Disney did a wonderful tour then and it sounds like this tour with ABD would be similar. Orvietto is a gem and its' history goes back to the Etruscans. It is like a time machine once you enter the walled city. Wonderful resturaunts and wines. The travel through the countryside follows old Roman aquaducts and wineries. Great ride through the Tuscan hills.

 

[Tozzie]

Yay! Thanks for letting us know.

Can anyone tell me what the differences in the Teen Focused trips are? We'd like to do the Teen Trip to Costa Rica with DD, but we can't figure out what makes it different from a regular trip. Thanks!

I am not sure if there is a big difference in the itinerary, in reading what is posted on the website it appears, at least to me , they are promoting as a trip where it will only be families with teens so they can all bond and will be interested in similar things since they will be around the same age.

 

[DDuck4Life]

The Adventure Insider letter said there was a big change to the Italy itinerary. I'm not that familiar with the trip. Can somebody who is tell me what is different?

I'm trying to figure out the difference as well and can't really see anything? Looks like the hotels might be different?

 

[tufbuf]

I'm trying to figure out the difference as well and can't really see anything? Looks like the hotels might be different?

It looks more like the Italy Signature trip, which is discontinued.

 

[DDuck4Life]

It looks more like the Italy Signature trip, which is discontinued.

Thanks, that was all I could see that changed. So these hotel are supposed to be nicer than the previous ones?

 

[DisneyKevin]

Dreams Unlimited Travel is going live in just a moment.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/reservations/abd_input.cfm

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

I love the new Central Europe trip and the teen-focused adventures!

Laurie

 

[dizneekrazee]

So the Signature Italy is gone. Looks like the 10 day Galapagos, as well as the Philly/DC are gone, too. Unless I'm missing something....

Anyone know, if I were to request a brochure today, would it be the 2014?

 

[tufbuf]

Anyone know, if I were to request a brochure today, would it be the 2014?

I would think so since the 2013 are ongoing plus most likely nearly booked.

 

[tufbuf]

So the Signature Italy is gone. Looks like the 10 day Galapagos, as well as the Philly/DC are gone, too. Unless I'm missing something....
?

They are also using a different ship for the Galapagos. Instead of the M/V Galapgos Explorer, they will be using the La Pinta yacht. I checked the photos online and the cabins on the La Pinta looks nicer and brighter. I like the bigger windows too since we only had tiny portholes on the Explorer.

 

[1Grumpy9]

The Austria trip sounds awesome. As someone that has done Saltzburg and Vienna in HS, I would love to be able to go on this trip to visit this area again. I just wish I had won the Powerball so I could go on these trips...LOL!!!

 

[familygoboston]

The one thing I noticed about the Italy trip is the Vatican is now an after hours private tour. I went to the vatican when I went on the DCL cruise in 2011 and considering how crowded it was that is a great perk. I don't really know much about the rest of the itinerary as the trip isn't on my list.

Italy That would be nice! This is one of the itineraries I would consider, but we have a river cruise from Budapest to Bucharest and Istanbul and a trip to Antarctica planned through 2016- so I don't see an ABD in our near future...2017 sounds right, once every 5 years

Galapagos: So they are not offering the 7 day cruise anymore? I can understand that. We have a big interest in wildlife and even our party would have found 7 days a little long. I could have spent 2 weeks + in Africa because the ecosystem changes pretty drastically from place to place as do the native animals encountered in each area. In Galapagos, the changes were more subtle (eg. this finch has a different beak than that one, this birdie has red feet that one has blue) and for the average kid, it probably seemed like 6 days of the same "stuff".

I do like that the new vessel appears to be a size so that ABD can completely charter it. A quick count of the cabins shows it seems to hold about 30-50 pax. We had lots of advantages on the GE2, ( early arrival at excursions, 1st lunch, 1st shot at rental gear, last off the ship on the last day etc) Sometimes that engendered a little animosity from the other passengers. No ones fault, but awkward!

Also, most of the other passengers were older adults from tour groups in Britain or Japan, and they seemed a bit annoyed with the kids. The kids were great, but they are kids, and some adults have outgrown their patience for their natural exuberance!

Austria/CR: This area of Europe interests us, but this one does not go "far" enough for us. We plan to start in Vienna or Budapest and go east. That area still seems a little raw and we want to get there before it changes any more. But my TA who has been to Prague says it is fabulous!!! Itinerary looks great!

And of course, ABD's are not getting cheaper...I think our days of taking the 4 of us are certainly over; I'd consider a trip for the two of us and someday I'd like to try an Adult Only, just to see what that's like! For now I will just enjoy all of your reviews!

Good luck with your shopping everyone!