Hello Karen,
This will be my third US trip with JY. Both previous tours were really well organised and both groups were good fun, a real mix of ages and characters.
You're probably a bit nervous about travelling alone for the first time but don't be. Once you meet up with the group at the airport you soon relax, remember that everyone is in the same boat.
The only tips I have is to make sure you take a decent camera with plenty of capacity for loads of pictures, the scenery in the US is fantastic. (Can't wait to see Yosemite)
Tipping is always an issue too. It is expected everywhere in the US, I tend to go with 10% or so. If you're at a bar buying a drink just leave a dollar on the bar. You get used to it quickly.
Tipping the tour guide and driver at the end of the tour is another grey area. I tend to go with $50 or so each ($3 per day each) but everyone has their own thoughts on this.
Any other question please ask.
Mark
Hi Karen, Mark & fellow travellers
Apologies for the delay in replying.... I wrote a reply on Friday and thought I'd posted it but as it's not on the forum it must be in cyber space :s.
Here's a bit from the reply from Julia
"Yes, I can confirm that you will be arriving in San Francisco on 7th June, staying for 2 nights and leaving on the 9th.
You'll arrive at approximately 2pm and the city tour will last for about 3 hours.
We have the cruise planned for Day 9 (8th June) - the timetable for May has not yet been released by our partner but this is currently operating at 11:30am and lasts for about 90minutes.
Yes, when not on an included or optional excursion, the rest of the time is free for you to explore independently (or with some of your fellow travellers)."
As day 9 (8th June) is a free day, my thoughts are not to do the optional cruise but to take a trip to Alcatraz instead. I'm thinking of getting an early ferry about 9.30ish, the trip takes 21/2 - 3 hours, you explore the island independently and you can return on any ferry. This will leave the afternoon free to do something else ....the cable car, Golden Gate bridge? It depends on what we see and do the day before.
The Alcatraz ferries leave from Pier 33 and our hotel is near Pier 39 which doesn't look too far away on google maps!!
I will check out the ferry operators, exact times and prices and post in the next few days. Are you interested in doing this?
Mark, thanks for the tips, particularly about tipping...it's good to know roughly how much especially for the driver and tour manager and to remember to keep some cash for that!!
I am getting very excited and only a little apprehensive now as I have made contact with other fellow travellers.
Looking forward to hearing from you
Karen
:):):)