Other Options...

[distravel]

Honestly there's not much OYO time on the China ABD. In its current form really we just had one evening free in Beijing. There was a couple of hours in Chengdu where we had just enough time to go to a park and pick up a Starbucks mug, and a couple of hours after arriving in HK. Probably the least OYO one I've had on any ABD. But for China I think that's a good thing. I like a little OYO time to balance out the scheduled activities, but the communication barrier in China makes it a little tough. HK and probably Shanghai aren't so bad, but you should have a clear idea of where you're going to in the other cities.

Happy to hear that the OYO time in China is limited. It is not clear how much free time is available by just reading the ABD itinerary. I used your China trip report to plan our private day tour of Beijing and made sure to include Beihai Park and the Nine Dragon Screen. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Cousin Orville]

Happy to hear that the OYO time in China is limited. It is not clear how much free time is available by just reading the ABD itinerary. I used your China trip report to plan our private day tour of Beijing and made sure to include Beihai Park and the Nine Dragon Screen. Thanks for the tips!

Glad to hear you're checking out those Beijing sites. You won't be disappointed. In 2014, other than the free night in Beijing after the Great Wall there wasn't enough free time to actually schedule an activity. It's more of just a couple hours rest time. China is the busiest ABD I've been on, but it's all wonderful.

 

[BluesTraveler]

I am so surprised to hear Thompson doesn't take credit cards. That would definitely rule them out for us - I can't imagine not getting points for that big an outlay of $$. They need to just build the processing fee into their business model. Want to say thank you again, these kinds of details are what make this board so valuable. Am glad I discovered it!!

 

[Woodview]

It just might be the " type of Credit Card " offered that was refused.

MasterCard & Visa are the main ones ... maybe a not well known " Bank" or" Store Credit Card " was

offered .

 

[Calfan]

It just might be the " type of Credit Card " offered that was refused.

MasterCard & Visa are the main ones ... maybe a not well known " Bank" or" Store Credit Card " was

offered .

Nope. It's credit cards in general. Believe me, I asked. And I'm sure it has to do with the processing fees for a small company, but I agree with the PP that Thomson just needs to build this in to their pricing.

 

[disneyphx]

Thanks for sharing your impressions of Thomson Calfan - glad you had a great time!
On our Thomson trip the guide always ate lunch and dinner with us - it would have been kind of awkward if he didn't because there were only 5 of us......
I had forgotten about the luggage piece - I think I assumed we took it ourselves because there were so few of us. We did wish for ABD pixie dust in getting to our room at the sprawling hotel in the Sacred Valley!
Our guide did not take any photos himself, but was always happy to play photographer.
Based on your experience I think we will take a closer look at some of their other itineraries - I am leaning towards them for Kenya/Tanzania.

 

[Calfan]

Thanks for sharing your impressions of Thomson Calfan - glad you had a great time!
On our Thomson trip the guide always ate lunch and dinner with us - it would have been kind of awkward if he didn't because there were only 5 of us......
I had forgotten about the luggage piece - I think I assumed we took it ourselves because there were so few of us. We did wish for ABD pixie dust in getting to our room at the sprawling hotel in the Sacred Valley!
Our guide did not take any photos himself, but was always happy to play photographer.
Based on your experience I think we will take a closer look at some of their other itineraries - I am leaning towards them for Kenya/Tanzania.

Kenya/Tanzania is also on my nearer-term list (looking like 2019). When are you planning to go?

 

[disneyphx]

Kenya/Tanzania keeps shifting - thinking now 2018 or 2019 - ideally we would take 3 weeks and do a stop in Europe in the way there

 

[Calfan]

Kenya/Tanzania keeps shifting - thinking now 2018 or 2019 - ideally we would take 3 weeks and do a stop in Europe in the way there

We'll have to stay in touch in case we end up going in the same year. Would be fun to do another trip together.

 

[Calfan]

Well, that just guaranteed that DH and I wouldn't even consider booking with them. Our River cruise and post Prague ABD was probably the most expensive ABD we have done so far. There is no way I would have paid that kind of money and forego the miles. Wow just thinking about it makes me queasy For us one of the big advantages of doing tours with ABD is the fact that we can pay with Disney gift cards. At the very least I can straight up buy Disney GCs at 5 miles/points per dollar. Usually, we take it a step further and buy Target GCs at 5 miles/points per dollar, use the Target GCs to buy Disney GCs online and get an additional 5% off the cost of the trip. So the river cruise and post Prague ABD got us 68,900 airline miles and wound up costing 5% less out of pocket and we will get an additional 2% back in the form of Disney GCs for paying through the DVA account. Our Ireland trip was not too far off the mark from the cost of ABD Ireland and I hated that we couldn't pay it with Disney GCs to get 5 miles/points per dollar. At least they took credit cards so we got 2 miles/points per dollar. Your trip sounded absolutely awesome though. I dunno, I guess if Ashford Castle only took checks for a stay there and doing the hawking I'd deal with and pay it because it was so amazing. We are SO going back there.

The more I think about our China trip while telling folks at work about the trip, reviewing the photos I took, etc., I think the quality of this trip might be like you and Ashford Castle. I'm still going to compare itineraries, and if there is a comparable itinerary offering a smaller group experience from a company that gets great reviews, would very likely default to the company that will let me pay by credit card, but despite the extreme heartburn it gave me to write that check, I think I would do it again for a Thomson trip that matches our fantastic China trip experience. I have to say that I think this China trip probably ranks within my top three favorite trips of all time (along with Africa, which DH and I did with a company called Civilized Adventures in 2001, and our Scotland ABD); if not top three, then certainly top five. And unlike Africa that I am dying to go back to, and Scotland that I could go back to over and over and have actually been back a couple of times since our ABD trip there in 2013, I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to mainland China. So it isn't the destination itself that is making this trip rank so high with me. It was just a really really well-designed trip that, for me, offered a perfect mix between seeing the "must see" sights for a comprehensive, possibly one and done trip to China and really fun activities. And it provided the small-group experience that has become key for me. Obviously, having only done the one Thomson trip, I can't say that all of the Thomson itineraries would offer a comparable experience. But if so, I might just have to suck up the credit card thing, as much as it kills me to do so, LOL.

 

[calypso726]

The more I think about our China trip while telling folks at work about the trip, reviewing the photos I took, etc., I think the quality of this trip might be like you and Ashford Castle. I'm still going to compare itineraries, and if there is a comparable itinerary offering a smaller group experience from a company that gets great reviews, would very likely default to the company that will let me pay by credit card, but despite the extreme heartburn it gave me to write that check, I think I would do it again for a Thomson trip that matches our fantastic China trip experience. I have to say that I think this China trip probably ranks within my top three favorite trips of all time (along with Africa, which DH and I did with a company called Civilized Adventures in 2001, and our Scotland ABD); if not top three, then certainly top five. And unlike Africa that I am dying to go back to, and Scotland that I could go back to over and over and have actually been back a couple of times since our ABD trip there in 2013, I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to mainland China. So it isn't the destination itself that is making this trip rank so high with me. It was just a really really well-designed trip that, for me, offered a perfect mix between seeing the "must see" sights for a comprehensive, possibly one and done trip to China and really fun activities. And it provided the small-group experience that has become key for me. Obviously, having only done the one Thomson trip, I can't say that all of the Thomson itineraries would offer a comparable experience. But if so, I might just have to suck up the credit card thing, as much as it kills me to do so, LOL.

We loved Ashford Castle. So much that we will be going back to Ireland mainly to stay there and enjoy the castle. We will probably hit Northern Ireland first though and see Giant's Causeway, the dark hedges and spend a couple of days there before coming down to Ireland, visit the Aran Islands and then spend a week or so at Ashford Castle.

We've also been back to Scotland a few times since that ABD trip with you and Californiagirl. We are actually going back again for the 4th of July weekend next year. I need to go see the fairy pools in Skye. We are planning to do China with ABD in 2018. Africa for 2019 (birthday milestone) is on my list and I'm likely to go with ABD unless I find something comparable that also has Victoria Falls and a cultural visit with the people of the Maasai. If not, I will go with ABD and add that on as a pre or post trip. Amawaterways already does a few Africa river cruises. If ABD decided to add this to their list of river cruises come 2019 then my first world vacation problems are solved LOL

It really sounds like Thompson has a great operation going on. I really enjoyed reading your comparison and I can see how much you enjoyed the trip. If we ever do try them out with some must do itinerary someday hopefully they will be taking credit cards by then. If not, I guess I can brush up on my manufactured spending and still find a way to get miles for it. LOL

 

[Calfan]

We loved Ashford Castle. So much that we will be going back to Ireland mainly to stay there and enjoy the castle. We will probably hit Northern Ireland first though and see Giant's Causeway, the dark hedges and spend a couple of days there before coming down to Ireland, visit the Aran Islands and then spend a week or so at Ashford Castle.

We've also been back to Scotland a few times since that ABD trip with you and Californiagirl. We are actually going back again for the 4th of July weekend next year. I need to go see the fairy pools in Skye. We are planning to do China with ABD in 2018. Africa for 2019 (birthday milestone) is on my list and I'm likely to go with ABD unless I find something comparable that also has Victoria Falls and a cultural visit with the people of the Maasai. If not, I will go with ABD and add that on as a pre or post trip. Amawaterways already does a few Africa river cruises. If ABD decided to add this to their list of river cruises come 2019 then my first world vacation problems are solved LOL

It really sounds like Thompson has a great operation going on. I really enjoyed reading your comparison and I can see how much you enjoyed the trip. If we ever do try them out with some must do itinerary someday hopefully they will be taking credit cards by then. If not, I guess I can brush up on my manufactured spending and still find a way to get miles for it. LOL

DH and I are doing a hiking trip in Ireland with NatGeo in Sept., but a family trip to Ireland is definitely in the 5-year vacation plan. We are likely to do a group tour but will definitely add on time in Northern Ireland for the Giant's Causeway. I'll have to look in to the dark hedges. And it sounds like we should also plan on a stay at Ashford Castle

 

[calypso726]

DH and I are doing a hiking trip in Ireland with NatGeo in Sept., but a family trip to Ireland is definitely in the 5-year vacation plan. We are likely to do a group tour but will definitely add on time in Northern Ireland for the Giant's Causeway. I'll have to look in to the dark hedges. And it sounds like we should also plan on a stay at Ashford Castle

Yes, yes, yes plan a stay at Ashford Castle and do the hawk walk.You get to fly the owl with the extended walk. We stayed at both Dromoland (where ABD and Tauck go) and Ashford. There is NO comparison. Sadly Ashford isn't located close to where the itineraries take you with ABD and most other tours so it isn't a matter of choosing one castle over the other it's a location thing.

 

[Calfan]

Yes, yes, yes plan a stay at Ashford Castle and do the hawk walk (second video). You get to fly the owl (first video) with the extended walk. We stayed at both Dromoland (where ABD and Tauck go) and Ashford. There is NO comparison. Sadly Ashford isn't located close to where the itineraries take you with ABD and most other tours so it isn't a matter of choosing one castle over the other it's a location thing.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154351774424459

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154351573419459

Very cool!!

 

[tink1970]

Oh, the hawk interactions look awesome! We loved our night in Dromoland, but am really looking forward to a visit to Ashford the next time I'm in Ireland.

Also appreciate Calfan's trip report. While DH and I have spent enough time (for us) in the Far East and it is (most definitely) not on our "to go" list, I was happy to read about Thompson and its procedures and policies. It's nice to have options.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

DH and I are doing a hiking trip in Ireland with NatGeo in Sept.

Calfan, I would definitely be interested in hearing your impressions of this trip. Don't necessarily need a trip report, just your overall impressions of the trip. We're looking at possibly doing this trip back to back with their Hiking the Highlands of Scotland trip in 2018 and would love to know your thoughts on this trip. Can't do it in 2017 as we're doing South East Asia with Nat Geo.

 

[Calfan]

Calfan, I would definitely be interested in hearing your impressions of this trip. Don't necessarily need a trip report, just your overall impressions of the trip. We're looking at possibly doing this trip back to back with their Hiking the Highlands of Scotland trip in 2018 and would love to know your thoughts on this trip. Can't do it in 2017 as we're doing South East Asia with Nat Geo.

Will definitely let you know. My expectations are pretty high based on my experience with their England Coast to Coast trip. I'd also really like to know what you think of the Southeast Asia trip. Is it the one they do with G Adventures?

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Will definitely let you know. My expectations are pretty high based on my experience with their England Coast to Coast trip I'd also really like to know what you think of the Southeast Asia trip. Is it the one they do with G Adventures?

It was actually your post about doing the England Coast to Coast with Nat Geo that made me realize that Nat Geo even offered guided tours and were a comparable alternative to ABD. We're booked on the Active Adventure trip to South East Asia for Feb 2017, not the G Adventures "Journey". Here is the link to our itinerary http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/vietnam-laos-cambodia-tour/detail Once we're back I'll be posting a blog about our trip which I'll post a link to here for anyone who's interested in reading it that way I'm not posting a trip report for a non-ABD trip in an ABD forum. We're actually flying into Ho Chi Minh 2 days early so we'll have a few days on our own and we're looking at doing a trip to the Mekong Delta and a Vietnamese cooking class before our trip even starts. All of which will be posted in my trip blog.

 

[Calfan]

It was actually your post about doing the England Coast to Coast with Nat Geo that made me realize that Nat Geo even offered guided tours and were a comparable alternative to ABD. We're booked on the Active Adventure trip to South East Asia for Feb 2017, not the G Adventures "Journey". Here is the link to our itinerary http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/vietnam-laos-cambodia-tour/detail Once we're back I'll be posting a blog about our trip which I'll post a link to here for anyone who's interested in reading it that way I'm not posting a trip report for a non-ABD trip in an ABD forum. We're actually flying into Ho Chi Minh 2 days early so we'll have a few days on our own and we're looking at doing a trip to the Mekong Delta and a Vietnamese cooking class before our trip even starts. All of which will be posted in my trip blog.

This looks like a fantastic trip that I have added to my ever-expanding list. I'll be looking forward to reading your blog.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

This looks like a fantastic trip that I have added to my ever-expanding list. I'll be looking forward to reading your blog.

I won't be updating as we go, as you know we're very limited on what we can bring with us on the Nat Geo trips and we're not planning on bringing many of our electronics with us so I'll be writing everything down "old style" with a pen and paper while we're there and then posting it when I get home. But I'll make sure to post when I get the blog posted.