Hi John,

quote:

As mentioned, these are just ideas in fact were based on a review by our special tours team of comments and reviewing the poll. Nothing has been set just yet so very happy to take on board latest comments! Our special groups team will look at the 19 day itinerary proposed by "Dragon" as it seems to be what most members want? If that is the case then it is most certainly worth to attempting to build it. We will also move the departure to September 2010 as that is the month that is suitable for most members based on comments rather than poll.

Following Insight's Itinerary Poll for a 2010 President's Tour which showed a clear preference (49% of 72 votes cast) for a Balkans & Dalmatia itinerary, several BB members were becoming concerned that Insight hadn't progressed the planning of the BB tour at all so I posted three additional polls that I believed would assist Insight in their planning for a BB tour:

1. a Tour Timing Poll [8 July 2009] to determine the time of year that BB members would prefer to travel on a Balkans & Dalmatia Presidents tour.
   With 30 votes cast, 20 voters (67%) chose September, 2010
   (NOTE: many of these votes actually represented a couple.)
   
2. a Tour Itinerary Duration Poll [19 July 2009]. Several people had expressed the view that they would like to see some additions to the original Balkans & Dalmatia itinerary presented by Insight, both at the front and back ends. I suggested an 19 day itinerary which seemed to be favoured by quite a few people (see: My Suggested Itinerary).
   This poll showed that 13 out of 16 voters (82%) would be happy with a tour of at least 19 days duration.
   (NOTE: many of these votes actually represented a couple.)
   
3. a Number of Travellers Poll [29 July 2009]. This poll allowed voters to show exactly how many passengers would be travelling on this tour.
   In the few days that this poll has been available, it has shown that 17 people were very likely to take the tour as defined below.

In summary, people indicated by their poll responses that they would like to travel on a 2010 President's BB Tour organised as follows:

Itinerary: Balkans & Dalmatia, but modified to something like my suggested itinerary
Tour timing: September 2010
Approximate duration: at least 19 days

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John, having gone to the trouble of doing all of the above, I have to wonder how thoroughly or effectively your Special Tours Team reviewed the comments and polls on the BB concerning a BB tour next year.

phil

This message has been edited. Last edited by: phil,

quote:

I have to wonder how thoroughly or effectively your Special Tours Team reviewed the comments and polls on the BB concerning a BB tour next year.

I agree Phil, That's why I brought the Special Group to John's attention. Anyway looks like things may be heading in the right direction now. regards Jim

Well the present position is a significant improvement over yesterday's position. Maybe all is not lost!

September, nice to see you posting again. Brings back many memories of the last BB Tour.

Earlier today I had commenced looking at possible alternative tours for next year as it looked as if we would not be doing the BB tour but now all is looking promising again and we have shelved our alternative plans.

As Tangata has said “the present position is a significant improvement over yesterday's position” and we can once again look forward to another BB tour.

Thank you John for listening to the BB members.

Just been looking at Michael Palins "New Europe" which covers areas that we may visit. Hope the trip goes ahead. "New Europe" looks interesting.
Also Dragon, the hydrofoil from Budapest to Vienna looks interesting. Can't wait to plan things. Bring it on John!!! Jim

Jim, I know of several people who are considering the Budapest to Vienna Hydrofoil if the tour goes ahead and finishes in Budapest.
Geoff

John,

If you were setting us all a test when you floated your 12 day tour idea then I say we have passed with flying colours.

The proposed 19 day itinerary submitted by Phil had 20+ BBers cheering from the rafters many weeks ago and the majority have, through their comments, now demonstrated their enthusiasm and commitment to this particular tour.

If you can fix it for us then we are also back in, maybe for good will we should agree to depart on the 31st of August.

Roger and Angela

quote:

Originally posted by Hornet:
John,

If you were setting us all a test when you floated your 12 day tour idea then I say we have passed with flying colours.

The proposed 19 day itinerary submitted by Phil had 20+ BBers cheering from the rafters many weeks ago and the majority have, through their comments, now demonstrated their enthusiasm and commitment to this particular tour.

If you can fix it for us then we are also back in, maybe for good will we should agree to depart on the 31st of August.

Roger and Angela

Do you mean start the tour end of August, don't forget we shall have to leave a few days before hand. No September would be better for us. Please.

One thing is clear -- as we learned on last year's BB tour, there are no shrinking violets in this group -- we are clearly not afraid to express our opinions!!

Like those who have posted above, I will await the details of the September 2010 BB tour (and defer consideration of alternative plans.)

T

quote:

Originally posted by John Boulding:
Thanks to all for the candid feedback. As mentioned, these are just ideas in fact were based on a review by our special tours team of comments and reviewing the poll. Nothing has been set just yet so very happy to take on board latest comments! Our special groups team will look at the 19 day itinerary proposed by "Dragon" as it seems to be what most members want? If that is the case then it is most certainly worth to attempting to build it. We will also move the departure to September 2010 as that is the month that is suitable for most members based on comments rather than poll. As promised, more information will be available shortly.

Thanks again and please keep the feedback coming!

John B.

This BB special BB tour should be considered by Insight to be a new tour for others in the future, after the true travelers have perfected it and have "done it" as they say.