Hi there

I’m recently retired and interested in several of your guided tour holidays but there is one aspect, which if I’m reading it correctly, is putting me off and I’d be obliged if I could have your comments.

On several of the holidays it appears that, for example, during a seven night stay there are seven dinners included. Does that refer to dinners solely in the hotel rather than at various local restaurants because, if so, that is enough to put me off booking? I’d have thought that in most countries, and in particular on city-breaks, the locale would be teaming with bars and restaurants and that eating in the same hotel every night (notoriously bad food except for some 4/5* establishments) is defeating the purpose of visiting foreign climes and savouring local culture. I know you can do your own thing but that means effectively paying twice.

Comments?

Hi thirtybob,

In all honesty, it really depends on the tour. You will find on some itineraries meals are in the hotel, on some they are in local restaurants. For example - On our Inspirational China tour, we include 10 meals and these, in the most part are in local restaurants. If you could advise me which tours you are considering, I will be able to give you a more accurate answer.

Kindest regards,

Julia

When I did Poland, Austria and Poland tours these were all,half board so breakfast and tea in the hotel. lunch you sort yourself out.

USA tours tend to be breakfast provided and then all,other meals you sort yourself out...

It should say if the meals are provided where they will be, often the group complimentary meal on a tour might off site or in the hotel you stay in 

I hope that helps, but it might confuse you even more.

Cindy

Hi Bob, as others have said it depends on the tour. I haven't done any City breaks, so cant comment. Sometimes its useful and works well when the arrangement is half board, ie evening meal included. I can think of the Cilento Coast trip where it was and with wine included too, was a very good deal (the year I went the food was good, tho' believe this can vary). Equally, there are trips with meal included where its an average buffet - thinking Mijas - a bit of pain, some tried local restaurants for odd nights. But, as Cindy says, in the US only breakfast is regularly included, so, apart from maybe welcome meal or other odd times you split up into groups and head for the various diners/restaurants in the evening. The brochure does detail how it works on individual tours.

Hi Bob,

If I remember correctly we had evening meals included on our Vietnamese Tour, but some of the evening meals were taken in local restaurants! If AbbaDave or anyone else who has been on the Vietnam tour reads this perhaps they can confirm what I have said.

If you are not certain and this issue is putting you off booking a holiday, I would say book one holiday somewhere where you really want to go and just see how you get on.

Kind Regards

Di