I believe that the success of an tour is (generally) based on a traveller's expectation of the tour. If we have exceptionally high expectations, inevitably they will not be met. If we have low expectations, they will almost always be exceeded. If we have reasonable expectations, then we should all be happy travellers.

The beauty of this Bulletin Board is that it allows everyone to research and ask questions prior to travelling which in turn allows us to have reasonable expectations for our trip.

3 Cheers for the BB and all the posters offering such great advice.

FK ~ I will second Trafalgar supplying this BB for all our information, which ultimately leads to enjoyable tours.

I think we are blessed with so many people posting their tour tales and offering their well travelled experience to all and especially newcomers.

HERE HERE!!!

I totally agree, having this available is really helpful.... that and the awesome people that offer there advise and support, makes this a great board!!!

Kristy

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Missie:
I think we are blessed with so many people posting their tour tales and offering their well travelled experience to all and especially newcomers.

Yeah. Totally agree. I have three pages of suggestions for upcoming trip. I know this will give me a great head start and help avoid many potential problems.I didn't buy a travel book since I began posting. Saving money already

i know that if I hadn't started my addiction to this BB, my trip would be very disappointing. I have learnt so many things that can make or break o trip, hopefully mine is MADE!!

I must admit I have found this board very useful but even without it I think I would have found my trip totally perfect. My partner paid no attention to the board and he thought the trip exceeded all expectations. TT do a good job. The only thing I did find on our trip was some people were surprised about the optionals- they really thought all that would be included. And despite all my careful research inot what optionals I would do when it came to the crunch I did them all anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by tony54 and me:
I must admit I have found this board very useful but even without it I think I would have found my trip totally perfect. My partner paid no attention to the board and he thought the trip exceeded all expectations. TT do a good job. The only thing I did find on our trip was some people were surprised about the optionals- they really thought all that would be included. And despite all my careful research inot what optionals I would do when it came to the crunch I did them all anyway.

LOL My husband takes no interest in the BB either, but he is very happy when I share bits of info with him

I don't think we have ever stuck to the optionals that we have decided on. But at least we (BBers) have a fair idea of what they are about.

I couldn't begin to count the things I have learned from information that other BBers have been happy to share.

The places we have seen that we wouldn't have known about had BBers not told us has us having absolute highlights that we would otherwise missed.

Even up to our trip next month the generosity of those from the U.S. in offering to drive us places or help us if we need it has just astounded me.

I doubt there is one of us, experienced or not, that is still not gathering info. for me there has been no better resource.

The tour tales have been a hug help in my deciding what the next trips I would like to do are. Trouble is I have now decided on about 20! Boy am I going to have to save hard.

I agree with everything said. My first Trafalgar Tour was to England and was done without knowing about the Bulletin Board (in 1999--was there a BB?) and there were many disappointments mainly the time constraints. Although that tour was particularly bad--1 1/2 hr in York as a lunch stop for example left very little time to see anything. Still I might not have minded so much had I known. We did not know about optionals either. Fortunately there were only a few offered.
The BB has been a huge help.

quote:

LOL My husband takes no interest in the BB either, but he is very happy when I share bits of info with him

Dimpz_ DITTO The above statement!

Jewel- "i know that if I hadn't started my addiction to this BB, my trip would be very disappointing. I have learnt so many things that can make or break o trip, hopefully mine is MADE!! " WAY DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wha would I have done if not for my obession of research??!!!

I always live by "never expect and you're never disappointed". It's never failed yet.

I have only been on one TT tour so far and was surprised that no-one else on that tour had heard of the BB. Although I don't post very often, I do enjoy reading the tour tales - thanks to all those nice people for taking the time to post - and find all the other information very helpful when travelling on our own.

To all the regular posters, keep up the good work.

Scottie

I agree with all the posts above. I still think the TT's are very good value for the money (taken 7 so far). Never been disappointed with any of our tours. Yes, some of the Tour Directors are better than others, but so are my friends.

Happy travels to all my fellow posters. I am off to London on business again on 27 August, I'll say hi to the Queen for you all.

Did my first European Escapade without the BB and it was fantastic, however we would have benefited from the advice and tour tales - so for the Best of Italy and Spain, Potugal and Morocco I'm READY!!