I got back late last night from the "Winter Explorer" tour. A memorable tour. If anyone has any questions, please do feel free to ask!

Regards,

Chris

Welcome home Chris.

I hope you had a wonderful tour. Did you enjoy Venice and the Continental Hotel? If you had a room on the grand canal you were lucky! Was the weather cooperative? We arrived just after Aqua Alta (high tide) and considered ourselves very lucky and the city appeared to be very clean.

I know you revisited many cities but especially wanted to see Rome for the 1st time. Did you like what you saw and did you have enough time there?

BJ

Hi BJ,

Venice was great! I was lucky enough to have a room overlooking the Grand Canal, and had a wonderful view.

Rome was, regretably, spoiled by the fact that when we arrived in the city, we went straight into sightseeing and then our "highlight" dinner, so on the TD's advice everybody left their hand baggage on the bus. While we were at dinner, the bus was broken into and many peoples' bags, my own included, were stolen. I lost a load of stuff - my camera, a computer, my "X-Drive" picture storage device, and a lot of personal stuff. Amazingly, some of it was recovered by the police and I got my camera back, but still lost a lot of stuff. I'm sure you'll appreciate that this somewhat "soured" the tour, and it's a matter that I've written to Insight about. I don't want to say any more about it until I've had a reply from Insight.

Regards,

Chris

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Marriott:
[qb] Rome was, regretably, spoiled by the fact that when we arrived in the city, we went straight into sightseeing and then our "highlight" dinner, so on the TD's advice everybody left their hand baggage on the bus. While we were at dinner, the bus was broken into and many peoples' bags, my own included, were stolen. I lost a load of stuff - my camera, a computer, my "X-Drive" picture storage device, and a lot of personal stuff. Amazingly, some of it was recovered by the police and I got my camera back, but still lost a lot of stuff. I'm sure you'll appreciate that this somewhat "soured" the tour, and it's a matter that I've written to Insight about. I don't want to say any more about it until I've had a reply from Insight.
[/qb]

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Dear Chris,

First -- welcome back!

Second -- so very sorry to hear about your experience in Rome, and all the losses incurred. Do keep us posted on what happens next, now that you've reported the incident to Insight!

Back in 1984, when coach touring with another company, our bus was broken into in Barcelona. It happened at night, while everyone was asleep -- it was a nasty surprise to all of us to find that broken window! Thankfully, no one was hurt, and what was lost wasn't of much value; but we couldn't leave Barcelona fast enough that day!

Chris,
Sorry to hear about the robbery in Rome. I would have thought that, since valuables were being left on the bus, the driver would have stayed either on the bus or nearby. I know that he would have to eat, also, but something should have been arranged, so that the bus was not unattended. I can't count the # of times the TDs have said "It's OK to eave your things on the bus--the driver will be here, etc." I'll be taking that with a "grain of salt" from now on. What will insurance replace, etc?

Rome is a great place--spent extra time when there last Nov. on the RI tour and wouldn't mind going back again. Too many places to see, so little time! HMH

Chris,

How awful! Being the diplomat that you are, you may not want to post the names of the TD & Driver, but I'd still be interested to know.

During our Italian Escapade, we were told whenever we left stuff back on the bus, per the advice of the TD that the driver would stay with the bus.

Starting a trip that way, really must have put a damper on things.

Look forward to hearing more about your trip.

Chris,
Really Sorry to hear about your bus being broken into. It is amazing that the Police were able to recover some of the stuff and a bit surprising considering how big Rome is. I hope the rest of your trip was better.

Chris - you probably don't want to hear too much about "It could have been worse," but when I read
your post, I recalled reading a similar post on another board. I have copied part of it below:

>>>>>>>>Author: marge17
Date: 11/18/2003, 02:46 am
Message: Well Joe, I hope your trip goes well.
I don't care much for buses since our tour of Italy when someone STOLE OUR BUS IN POMPEII and we had to go on to Greece with absolutely nothing but our cameras for three days. I'm sure that couldn't happen twice, but it is still disappointing to spend hours on a bus that could be spent doing better things. This is our first XXX tour and I like the sound of some of their other trips so I hope they can tap dance around this and make it better than it appears. We leave on Wed. to get to the Northeast for Saturday's departure. I'll watch over the boat and the BUS until you get there.
Enjoy the mysteries of Egypt!<<<<<<<<<<<<

I guess if they get the whole bus while it's en route, they get all of your luggage plus whatever you didn't take with you at the stop. Is this getting to be some sort of pattern? Your post was a valuable reminder that leaving things on the bus can be a great convenience but does have its risks. And, I did catch the part about your going directly to dinner from site-seeing and having no opportunity to stowe your gear in your hotel room. Other than dragging your gear into the restaurant, you had no choice. If it becomes ncessary to hire security guards to guard the busses when stopped, costs will become even more prohibitive for U.S. travelers. Prices went up an average of $300 - $400 for 2004 travel for us. I do understand the reasons for this, dollar de-valued against British pound and Euro, etc., but it does make trips much for expensive for us. Thanks for posting this and making us all more aware of bus security. Hope you had a decent trip in spite of it.

Carolyn

Chris, I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. I know that you had the best equipment and plenty of it and you must be heartbroken. I'm quite sure you'll handle it correctly and I respect your vow of silence until you deal with Insight directly. I truly can't understand how this could have happened because I was also under the impression that the driver stays with the coach until it is parked in a secure location for the night.

It's amazing that you got your camera back and I have to wonder if more might still turn up? With 6 days remaining on the tour I must say I would have had a very difficult time putting that to rest!! I think tourists always feel rushed in Rome and shortchanged to some degree. That is certainly an understatement in your case!!

BJ

Chris Marriott, I am shocked to hear of your negative experience in Rome. I doubt if Insight will do anything. Maybe give you a couple coupons for your next tour.

This certainly brings back to memory our discussions on the "Pickpockets in Europe" thread that I started a few months back. The pickpockets seem to be getting more aggressive by smashing into coaches.

General Max