Love to hear from anyone who has done the Classic tour, and hopefully anyone who is going to do this tour May 09. We leave May 11.

Hi Deb

I can understand your excitement! I am also very excited about our Insight Tour - my husband and I fly out to London on April 9th, and after a visit to Gallipoli for the Dawn Service on Anzac Day, we join the European Grandeur Tour, departing London on April 27th. Perhaps our paths will cross! Have a great time. Stay in touch if you like - we can share the countdown!

Best wishes from Liz.

Hi Deb
We where on European classic in Aug 08. 27 travellers mainly from Oz and a couple from NZ. Tour director was Pierre Biller (mixture of french and NZ) and driver was Pangrazio (Italian). We had a great time perfect weather bit hot somedays. We did all optionals about $2500 for both of us. The most overpriced one was the Greek night we had a better time and food at the local resturant down from the Metropolitan Hotel in Athens. The Turkey rug demostration I felt was an intrapment, I asked a price and then was surrounded and could not get out, very scary. We where on the Aquamarine ship for the greek cruise, a bit old but clean and comfortable, I would reckonmend buying the drink card on board. This was our first trip overseas so every thing was so different and interesting. Some our fellow travellors did not do many of the optionals they either slept or layed around the pool, but when we came back from the optional and said what we had seen or done they were dissapointed that they had not gone.Any other questions just ask
Jan

Hi Janelle
We are booked on this tour for 28th July 09.I have been hoping you would post some info about it. Were you offered a trip to Leaning Tower? Overall, were you please with what was offered?

Jenny

Hi Liz - Exciting - very much - have wanted to do Europe since I can remember, countdown is about 4mths. If you are beginning the Insight Tour from London 27th April, will you be in Athens 11th May to begin the Greek Cruise, and second part of the big tour, which is the Classic, wouldnt that be great to be same tour. As this is our first Europe tour just wanted to do the things we really wanted - London and Scotland (where my husband was born) will be another time. Love to stay in touch. from Debra

Hi Jan,
Good to make contact with you, am sure I will have a million questions before we go, definitely think we will give the rug thingy a miss, and does the drink card mean cheaper drinks? Trying not to have too many expectations but hope the Greek Is cruise will take our breathe away, this tour (Classic) takes in all the icons I have dreamed about for a long time, have friends who have travelled a lot and hire cars, do it on their own, but first time without the language of the countries visiting, think this will be a good start. I realize 2 night stops is still quick but did you find it Ok, no too rushed, and any recommendations a must see option? Overall you loved it ????
from Debra

To Liz -
A PS to my last entry, think our paths will cross as we leave Sydney 11th May for stopover in Dubai then fly to Athens and have extra day before tour begins - Gallipoli should be so emotional, hope we get to share thoughts and time. Apart from the $$$ we are doing the Classic part of Grand Tour as is takes in all my dreams - and isnt the dollar wonderful (not) for us. It has 4 mths to do better for us ah.
Cheers Debra

Hi Debra

I certainly share your excitement! This is our first overseas trip and has been a dream thirty years in the making! I mistakenly gave you the wrong date though... Our Insight Tour is the European Grandeur - departing London April 28th, not the 27th as I said previously. It is a 27 day tour but it does not include Athens or the Greek Islands... We return to London on May 24th.

We leave Melbourne in 79 days (but who's counting??? Me!)for our big adventure. I am sure that we will all have an amazing experience - even if our paths do not cross... After our Insight Tour we are then doing a month-long self drive around the UK and Ireland, finally returning home in late June.

Stay in touch - enjoy the planning and the increasing excitement levels... best wishes from Liz

Hi Deb & Wren
If you want to ask me any questions you can email direct as I dont always check this site.
jan8rod@bigpond.net.au
Our holiday was our first time overseas we did the classic then did a scenic tours river cruise for 14days. I had heaps of questions before I left.
Jan

To Liz -

Ooohhh have done some quick calculations and think we will be chasing your tail, so near and yet..... You have 79 days and made me count too, we have 106 !!! It has only been a dream of mine for .. try 37 years !! I must admit it is on its way to happening. Ours is only the Classic 21 days with extra each end, but yours is a huge event, wow.

We picked the Classic as it has all the main places we wanted to see, including Greece, you must tell me about Vienna, as I really want to see sound of music country one day. Its the only dream it misses. I understand that a tour isnt always the best - cant always do the things you want to see, but we have to start somewhere, yet I think this will be our only Europe one.

I am not the best economiser - packing - so if you have come across any hints send them this way. This will be a challenge for me.

Bye for now - Debra J