I just returned from European Festival.I loved the scenery, the history,and the icons of civilizations. However, I was not fond of our tour guide. That unfortunately had an effect on our tour. I hope Trafalgar listens to the comment cards at the ned and passes the advice on as needed.

quote:

Originally posted by Heather M:
I just returned from European Festival.I loved the scenery, the history,and the icons of civilizations. However, I was not fond of our tour guide. That unfortunately had an effect on our tour. I hope Trafalgar listens to the comment cards at the ned and passes the advice on as needed.

Heather M ~ What can I say: we had the same experience although not on a TT but G----s Tour. Our Tour Director was a nightmare to say the least. When we arrived in Rome at our first hotel I wanted to take my suitcase to my room. She screamed at me to leave the suitcase alone that it was the porter's job and that he was tipped to do the job. And so I can carry on. There were people who didn't tip her at all at the end of the tour. D.

quote:

Originally posted by Heather M:
I just returned from European Festival.I loved the scenery, the history,and the icons of civilizations. However, I was not fond of our tour guide. That unfortunately had an effect on our tour. I hope Trafalgar listens to the comment cards at the ned and passes the advice on as needed.

Without naming names, just what did the TD do to raise your ire?

We have just returned from the European magic tour,and I have to say our tour guide (Kevin) made out tour great.He was knowledgable,and was always concerned about everyone.This was our second Trafalgar tour and both times the tour guides were exceptional.

I must tell you about our city-guide in Edinburgh. His name is Keith.This big Scott with red grayish hair and beard.He wore a beautiful kilt and jacket.The whole tuti.He has this big voice and should have been on the stage.He was funny and great and we enjoy the city and him very much.Wish the wind could have blown stronger you know......

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Originally posted by Rex:
I must tell you about our city-guide in Edinburgh. ..

I see that your tour tale has got off the ground, Rex, and flown...and flown...and flown.
Looking forward to hearing the rest!

Later edit - Sorry Rex; looks as tho' we've made progress! I'll go and read it now!
Mallee

While most of our TGs have been wonderful we have had a few who weren't. And, I agree - they can really make the tour a tad trying. While the good one can make it better.

We had one in Europe who wouldn't stop telling us how "wonderful" and "cultured" Europeans were and basically how we were not ... While we enjoyed the tour, his comments became very annoying. He knew so much - but his presentation left much to be desired.

Likewise on a TT in the USA we had a guy who never shut up. He organised everything to the "n"th degree - eg we even had to line up every night for our dinner vouchers or to enter the restaurant (have you ever heard the term "anal" ?). We loved the tour - but often wondered what it might have been like to have had TGs like we had on our East Coast USA/Canada TT Tour (Joe), or Route 66 (Gordon) - both of whom were wonderful.

Maybe we need a TG thread - not to attack TGs - but to show what makes a good TG ? What we liked about the TG (eg he put up with our silly questions etc etc and always had a smile for us ).

I must say that what I liked most about our TD on the European Escapade was that as well as having the organisation, history thing etc down pat he never forgot that the most important part of any holiday was to have fun! Great person.

From Heather M:
To Matha531:

Our tour guide/director had strong opinions on the optionals (among other things) and was quite abrupt with those not opting in to some of the choices. It led to a conflict with one young tourist that became public knowledge. As well, she did not keep control of the seat rotation leading some to get more chances at the front and she used one of the front seats to store her papers! Finally, most information she shared was read from a book with little in the way of history and anecdotes. My TT tour g/d two years ago was fabulous but this one....

Mike,

Was your TD on East Coast US & C Joe Romano??

Yes CA2 -

quote:

Originally posted by Saint Mike:
Maybe we need a TG thread - not to attack TGs - but to show what makes a good TG ? What we liked about the TG (eg he put up with our silly questions etc etc and always had a smile for us ).

Good idea!

Just wondering......do you think T.D.'s ever read the BB?

Dimpz~ Maybe we should start up that thread and make a point of telling them. That gives them all fair warning that they are being appraised by the most discerning people possible !!
No names to be advertised, of course and maybe, just maybe, there will be less cause for complaint in future.

jewel ~ How could we be sure they would read it?

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Originally posted by Dimpz:
jewel ~ How could we be sure they would read it?

We can't and I bet that only the "good" TD's would bother anyway ,but we could tell them that we post TT's on the BB - forewarned and all .

All jokes aside, would it really get us anywhere? It seems that there are a few TG's out there who fall short and TT don't seem to do anything about it as the posts on the board can testify.