Other Options...

[techtony]

I have been looking (dreaming really) at some of the ABD trips and wondered - are there other trips out there that are cheaper through other reputable companies?

I understand that Disney is the best (trust me if we could afford it, we would book one today), but the budget just does not support it. I am sure that other companies do these type of guided tours.

Anybody done these or know of any tour companies (for travel here in the US or Canada)?

 

[carpenta]

Check out National Geographic tours. They offer both family and adult trips. They offer similar expeditions and quality IMO.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

I just got an email from National Georgraphic about their tours. I've requested brochures. There are certain places that are on my mom's "bucket list" of places she wants to see, not all of which are offered by ABD or are convenient for us as we like to do the Adult Only trips. She's already determined that we are doing one in 2017 and 2018. We just don't know which of her bucket list locations we are going to do

 

[aggiedog]

I've looked at what seems like every group tour company on the market. You get what you pay for. Significantly cheaper means carrying your own luggage, less transfer help, possibly sharing a bathroom down the hall (Rick Steve's tours), less guides, etc, etc. Dh is a total snob and will not consider anything that doesn't "do it all" for us. (Or he lets me plan the whole trip, but only if I've got every contingency planned for, which can get overwhelming.) If you can live without some of the frills and extras, there are many options. There is a thread at the top asking if ABD is "worth it." There are several other companies mentioned there you can look at.

 

[Bobo912]

I found National Georgraphic to be superior to ABD, but they are also generally more expensive.

 

[Woodview]

Here is a company ..... based in Europe ....... Trailfinders.com

They do World travel. And Escorted Coach tours to Canada . & Rail & Cruise ..... look them up

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

If you want to see some of Western Canada then I would suggest Rocky Mountaineer. http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_...arch?gclid=CM-Njr7CosoCFZEXHwodYEoMyA&#search

 

[Bobo912]

Three years ago I took the itinerary from the ABD Montana/Alberta trip and the Tauck Bridges Canadian Rockies trip and combined them and did the trip on my own. Started in Montana (which isn't included in the Tauck trip), then to Banff (which is in both ABD and Tauck) and then to Jasper (which isn't included in the ABD) and then Lake Louise (which is included in both). Did all of their activites plus some more of our own choosing. We stayed in the park at GNP and at the Fairmont hotels in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise and had rooms with gorgeous views. And even with the extended itinerary and luxury hotels, it was about half the cost of the ABD trip. Even with no guides, my son and I both agree this was one of the best vacations we've had - probably only topped by the Nat Geo trip to the Galapagos. Of course, somebody has to drive, (for us, that would be me), and the distances are long, but there are lots of opportunities for stops along the way and there is almost no traffic. Just watch out for the occasional moose or bear.

 

[Woodview]

Have a go at a DIY Trip


My plan for August / September .. Flights booked .

Fly from Cork to London to Vancouver

Pickup Hired car . Drive to Whistler .......To Kamloops .....to Osoyoos .... to Newport in Washington State ( Staying with Relations )

Back Via Spokane ..... Grand Coulee Dam.......... Leavenworth & Back into Canada & Vancouver ( Visit Relations )

Then Cross over to Vancouver Island & on to Victoria ( More Relations ).

Then Fly back from Vancouver to Ireland.

It can be done ( we did it 4 years ago ) needs planning & looking up Hotels & Motels . ... 21 days ... Wife reading maps & 1 driver ( me )

 

[SanFranciscan]

I am no travel agent, but I am seeking to think of companies with organized tours that might fit your needs. I remember that I was getting messages about travel sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute while I was subscribing to Smithsonian magazine. I didn't pay attention at the time because I was always working, but I am thinking that they might be relatively economical. The Smithsonian gets federal funding; right? I am wondering if the fact that they are at least semi-governmental would mean that their tours are subsidized under the Department of Education.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

We are seriously considering a private expedition to South Africa with National Geographic. The trip is slightly more than the ABD Safari but the itinerary and the group size (private in Cape Town and Small Group of no more than 6 on the reserves) is ideal for us. National Geographic has tours at all levels. Their "Expedition" trips are equivalent to ABD and have very similar itineraries, Adventures are more active trips with less pampering and Journeys have minimal pampering and much more voluntouring involved.

 

[TXTransplant]

So, I just got a promotional email from Tauck. They are offering a deal right now on all of their Europe trips between March 1 and August 31 (for new bookings made between Jan 7 and Feb 29). It's called the Take off with Tauck package, and it includes round trip economy air fare from any US or Canadian "gateway" cities to Europe for...wait for it...an additional $1090 per person! Premium economy is $1690 per person. And full payment is not required at the time of booking! And airfare is fully refundable up to 60 days before departure!

Is this too good to be true? I'm looking at spending $2k per person to get us from Houston to Rome in June. I would have to crunch the numbers exactly, but I think I could save money even if I cancelled my ABD and forfeited my $600 deposit! Although, I did research both the Tauck and ABD itineraries for our trip, and I much preferred the one of ABD.

Anyone else get this email?

 

[carpenta]

I have traveled with Tauck before and it's true. Most often when you book your second + trip they offer a free hotel room pre or post trip. You can book airfare through them and it is usually a set price. I have done that Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice) Bridges with Tauck so if you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[TXTransplant]

I have traveled with Tauck before and it's true. Most often when you book your second + trip they offer a free hotel room pre or post trip. You can book airfare through them and it is usually a set price. I have done that Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice) Bridges with Tauck so if you have any questions feel free to ask.

So, do they offer this promotion regularly/all the time? I just can't get over the fact that they can book airfare at 1/2 the cost of what I can get on my own!

ABD should take note...as much as I loved our ABD, an $1100 plane ticket to Europe is probably enough to convert me!

 

[carpenta]

They offer airfare at a fixed price but these prices look less expensive than they often quote. So yes it does sound like a big savings. Tauck does stay in the Westin properties in Italy and in Florence the hotel we stayed was voted one of the top 50 hotels by Conde Nast.

 

[TXTransplant]

My initial estimate had me saving only about $600 by switching. BUT, I just checked the current airfare, and for some reason the lowest price economy fare is no longer available on ANY flights from our home airport. So, I'm now looking at $2200 per ticket. If airline prices don't go back down, this may turn out to be a no-brainer...

Actually...I put in the wrong dates. Airfare is still about $2k per person. But I am VERY tempted to call Tauck and get a quote...

 

[k5jm]

I merged some of the non-Adventures by Disney threads into a single "other options thread." This is, after all, the Adventures by Disney forum. Feel free to discuss all non-ABD things in this thread. If a new thread is opened for non-ABD discussions, that thread will be moved here.

Thanks for the help, Fellow Adventurers!!

 

[carpenta]

It is amazing how expensive airline tickets are today. With oil dropping to $32.00 a barrel you would expect the prices to follow suit. To me it is price gouging. Plus when you fly into and out of the EU there is that pesky carbon tax each ticket pays. We are looking to fly from Burlington, Vt. to Charleston, S.C. for vacation and the price is $780.00 RT. Good Luck finding a good price.

 

[k5jm]

We have been find amazing fares out of Houston to all of our destinations. We looks on "off-travel days" like Tues-Thursday and Saturday. We also look for fares using our browser in "incognito" mode so that the airlines cannot track how many times we look at fares for a specific trip. I just flew RT to New Orleans and booked the trip 5 days before for $175. Not horrible.

 

[carpenta]

I guess I have to move to Houston.