Review of Elegant Paris

Just returned from the Elegant Paris tour on April 21-29, 2012. Suitcases were unpacked, souvenirs were handed out, photos were viewed again. It's time to organize impressions, feelings, memories. Express gratitude.

After all, it often happens - it is quickly forgotten, taken for granted, and we can no longer find hours to say "thank you" or just share useful information for future tourists. And they themselves were looking for similar reviews before leaving. So for these reasons, I decided not to be lazy and report in detail about the tour and the feelings that lost it.

I'll start with the fact that I never dreamed of going on a bus tour. Before that, the experience of traveling was individual - 1.5 months traveled to Germany on a visitor's visa. This means a lot of time, free choice of excursions / museums and leisure. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of another country without seeing a tourist.

However, circumstances and needs forced this time to give preference to the bus tour. I went with my mother, who all her life dreamed of seeing Paris (as, probably, all mothers of my generation), and at the same time to get acquainted, albeit in a hurry, with Budapest, Vienna, Munich and Jaeger.

Therefore, the attitude to the conditions of this tour was sober. As they say, "cheap-fast-angry". Well, at first it was necessary to travel with a large number of people, to adhere to discipline, to get up early, to get together quickly, to take photos quickly, and after all that haste to try to "touch the beautiful". Who does not understand this before the trip, and I do not advise to go.

Personally, in addition to getting acquainted with the program of the tour, I independently studied city maps, attractions, to better navigate the place, rather than blindly depend on the guide. It seems to me that all concerned people do so. After that, there are no questions like “Why is there so little free time in this city?

", Or" What is the name of this area? " (about Montmartre in Paris). The program describes everything in detail, and the Internet is full of necessary information. Let's respect ourselves and start a cultural journey at home.

And now directly about the tour.

As promised, we were met at the station, at the specified place. The only downside is that for one hour gathered two groups of tourists to different buses. Mrs. Orestes did this, and despite her best efforts to provide the necessary information (to whom to take the bus), it looked rather chaotic. There are a lot of people and my wish to Algol is to provide a host for each round.

After landing, the leader of the group - Kolisnyk Serhiy - handed us compact envelopes, which included: insurance for an hour of travel, a copy of the passport with a visa to rest without worrying about it), as well as mini-dictionaries for those countries we will travel. The latter was especially pleasant and sweet.

Serhiy handed us more leaflets with information about hotels, their location and telephone numbers so that we could quickly find our way and ask for directions if we got lost. Of course, giving your number. Everything is prudent, everything is for our safety.

Before crossing the border, he handed out the program of the tour and commented in detail on our trip, time limits of crossings, excursions, etc. At this stage, optional excursions were discussed, who wanted to go - was determined and noted in the distributed schedule and paid in advance. Yes, payment and pre-order. The leader of the group works non-stop and should immediately contact the guides, book tickets and generally organize a trip. If everyone an hour before the tour was determined, whether he goes or not - it would be chaos and disrupted vacation.

We crossed the border quickly, then went to Hungary, sanitary stops were carried out at gas stations, as in all of Europe - sometimes free, sometimes paid, an average of 50 cents.

In the evening around 8 pm we arrived in the Valley of Beauties to taste hunting wines. If desired, you could have a delicious dinner there. Hungarian cuisine is hearty and spicy, the portions are huge. Wine you like can be bought at very reasonable prices, both in glass and plastic containers. After the tasting - get on the bus and go to Budapest, to the hotel. Before settling in, Serhiy explains the rules of check-in and check-out in hotels, when to go for breakfast, etc. That everything was clear to the smallest detail. The hotel itself - three stars - great, clean, no complaints.

We go down for breakfast, then we have a tour of Budapest. We leave things at the hotel, because we spend two nights there. Budapest is charming, Budapest is exciting. Spiritual and strong as a national character.

Guide Joseph (sorry if I confused the name) is an amazing and interesting person, charismatic and wise, an old man, an old man. We saw everything that is specified in the program. Then there was a free hour, 2 hours, after which we were going to go by bus to the Tropicanarium-Oceanarium (optional excursion). If someone did not want to go there, he could come at the agreed time and he would be picked up after the tour and taken with everyone on a boat trip on the Danube. If someone didn't want to go there, the bus would pick up these tourists even later after the boat trip. It's me to the fact that the attitude is great and given a choice, you do not throw in the city to get on their own, if you do not want an optional tour. Also before free time showed where you can eat delicious and inexpensive, go to the toilet and walk in general.

Tropicanarium is interesting, I advise you to go, and it is located in the mall - you can buy cheap, if necessary. A boat trip on champagne on the evening Danube is simply not discussed. These are the ones that hold the heart for a long time. Despite the rain and wind (there is a closed deck and open) it was fabulous. Parliament by the lights. Wind in the face. Champagne in a smile. Warmth in the heart. Hungary will be etched in my memory, I promise you.

This morning there was an early breakfast and a trip to Vienna. At 7:30 we were already on the bus and at 11 in Vienna. There we were immediately waiting for a sightseeing tour. The guide was Juliet, an incredible woman and a talented speaker. Special thanks to the guides Algol - communicating with such bright people you quickly get the charm of the city, its style.

After the program tour, two optional tours were planned, but our group split in two and there were not enough people to hold any of them. And since the departure from Vienna was supposed to be at 20:00, we lost 8 hours of free time! Honestly, it's even great, the weather was great and sunny, there are many museums and places of interest in the city - if you ask the group leader, you will get a thorough answer to what you are interested in. This also applies to food.

Especially pleasant was the attitude of our leader - Sergei Kolesnik - who in his spare time continued to work and helped us see the castle Schönbrunn, which did not get a tour. It is necessary to go to it from half an hour and probably, would get lost. It was interesting to take the subway, see the city "from the inside". I never understood complaints like: “How is it, moving on public transport? Phee! ”

From the bus you will not see the city and its inhabitants as from the subway, it is the other, everyday side. Returning to Schönbrunn. Sergei drove us, we walked there for two hours, he helped buy tickets, and he waited for the whole hour outside. The man did not have to hire, it's really nice. And most of those who went did not even thank. Mentality, you know…

So after our arrival we even had enough time to explore the city and have dinner, buy souvenirs. At 20:00 everyone gathered and we set off for Paris, by night crossing. What to say about him, something is not convenient, but it may be. Paris is worth it! =)

Arrival in Paris at 13:00, although the program instructions later, in case there are traffic jams or something. We immediately went on a tour of Montmartre, because check-in takes place in the afternoon. But you will not believe!

There were some lovers of travel, who were outraged that we did not go to the hotel at first (wash and comb), but arrived earlier than planned. That is more than an hour in Paris - it's bad, okay :)) After the tour all the victims were taken away and settled, we were given 2 hours to rest and therefore the program - an optional boat trip on the Seine. We got to the subway because the drivers and the bus had to rest after a huge night shift. I will make a remark about the weather. The first day was changeable: rain-sun, rain-sun, on the second the sky was clouded, it rained and it was windy and cold (+14). But! Despite all these natural inconveniences, those who wanted to get an unforgettable experience - got them. The metro in Paris is intuitive, compact and even cozy (after Kiev). Serhiy handed out a map of the city and a metro map to everyone, showing at which station our hotel and the principle of using the subway.

How to go, where to insert the ticket, what to keep it until the end of the trip. The ship and the walk along the Seine are impressive - we left in the light, had an hour to see everything around, and returned back to the Eiffel when it was getting dark - the lights came on, the cameras clicked, the heart froze. Then we came closer to her - it was just an hour when the flicker for 10 minutes. The feelings are unforgettable.

Therefore, tired and happy, accompanied by Sergei, went to the familiar subway and the hotel.

This evening was really special.

For those who complain about French breakfasts, I don't know what to say - maybe they will help you. Healthy, normal food: there is slicing, there are raw, some omelets, incredible (!) Croissants and a lot of things to eat in the south. If you are used to starting the day with a plate of potatoes and a few schnitzels, then, sorry, it will be difficult to walk :) The hotels are all great, as well as breakfast.

Another day in Paris, in the drizzle, began with a bus tour with photo breaks. They didn't stop at every corner, but the most important thing was to be able to take pictures live from the street. And from the bus and in general many things were seen.

I will not say anything about the next two excursions (optional), because we chose this day an independent tour of Paris. Maps and places of interest were prepared in advance, but the weather ruined the plans and the hiking trails were canceled. and the queues for them are very small, ridiculous. Probably the reason was bad weather.

After the Louvre, we visited d'Orsay, where it was much easier to navigate.

By the way, before letting us go on an independent voyage, Sergei showed those who did not go on general excursions, where you can eat cheaply + deliciously, buy food, French perfumes and more. After that, he was already catching up with the main group with a guide. Unnecessary movements, and we have valuable information.

And even after those excursions, an hour of gathering of the group was appointed, about which the bus will arrive and take everyone to the hotel. Stubborn and convenient, if someone has not mastered the use of the subway.

Breakfast. We are leaving the hotel. And here's another bonus from Algol and the band leader. The fact is that usually everyone goes on a tour of Versailles, and those who do not want to - stay in the city, but at 13:00 get on the subway to Versailles on their own. They immediately went to meet the tourists and said that on the way back they would be taken away from the city. Do you think someone was happy? Claims have also begun, about which I did not listen. Be kind, people! =)

Versailles, of course, is beautiful. Even to my taste (I do not like gold, luxury, etc.) there was something that impressed. After the tour there was a free hour of 1.5 hours to walk through the gardens of Versailles, or walk the streets of the city. On one of them we bought a delicious French cider;

Then a long drive to Munich. Settled around midnight.

But the hotel was really the best for the whole route.

Yes, yes, breakfast was also richer, without Munich sausages did not work =)

The day was sunny and warm, the tour was good, we got to the exhibition of figures in the New Town Hall, they are made to human height and recreate scenes from the history of the city. Impressive spectacle. After that we had a free hour, but literally 1.5 hours. With such weather and mood I wanted to spend at least a day in Munich. But these are, of course, romantic wishes - the program is a program.

Beer and sausages are great, the city is open and joyful. What to say about Munich, it must be seen, it must be enjoyed.

We got on the bus at the appointed hour, but some were still late, which was unpleasant. The whole tour is a need to reach within the time frame, because the overall program may be lost. I will note that our tourists were late regularly and did not even write / call the group leader where they are.

Some managers in such cases can leave after 10 minutes of waiting, and some who are behind - will catch up by taxi. We didn't have that, but no one appreciated that loyalty. Sometimes the bus can stand in the parking lot for no more than an allotted hour, followed by a surcharge, etc. Let's be more responsible =) In the afternoon we went to a hotel in the city of Gyor. Although the program says "accommodation in a transit hotel", in fact all hotels are located in cities, not on the road. It's good. For example, after arriving and settling in, we still had time to walk around the city in the night light. The hotel in Győr in the city center is a few steps away and you are in the central square.

The last hotel, by the way, as written in the reviews, was supposed to be the worst of all, but I did not notice it. Moreover, he was from the same hotel chain as the Parisian, the interior and more sustained the same. It is unknown what the complaint is about. After breakfast transfer to Eger and excursion.

To go very close, the city is amazing: preserved old architecture, all bright, small, cozy. I really liked Eger. In your free time you can visit the Marzipan Museum, visit the incredible Hungarian cuisine, just enjoy the city, its warm cobblestones and street musicians. What and where - will traditionally tell Sergey.

At the end of the tour we were waiting for Egerszalok, a thermal resort. Things that will be needed (flip-flops, swimsuits, towels) I advise you to pack in a separate bag in the morning when leaving the hotel and take with you on the bus. This is more convenient than coming to get them out of the trunk (which takes 15 minutes). Next - we pass, change clothes, we saw the bracelet to visit, lost only the memory of the hour when we came in, and in 2 hours to hand over the bracelet and leave.

Egerszalok itself is cool, there are indoor pools, and those located on the street, the water is warm, and in the "healing" pools even hot =) I also liked the echo pool, and the "contrasting couple" - two pools of cold and very warm water. Invigorating, I advise =) There is a jacuzzi, and even a slide like in a water park. In short, for every taste. After a busy tour it was like guessing desires. Thank you Algol.

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