Other Options...

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Any guide yells at us and we're done. We'll leave the trip permanently...AFTER calling ABD directly to lodge a formal complaint.

 

[calypso726]

This was the first year since 2008 that we haven't taken an ABD trip. My husband has refused to travel with ABD again since 2013, when our Scotland tour was led by two seemingly burned-out guides. Watching grown men get yelled at for helping themselves to a bottles of water was too much for him! Talk about cheap! When someone on the tour spilled the beans about how much the trip cost, he was not happy. (I didn't hide the price of the tours from him; he just never asked.) And I've decided that the only ABD tours I'm going to take will be with the DIS Unplugged podcast team. Kevin would nip any attitude problems in the bud.

I'm interested in an Abercrombie & Kent tour of Budapest, Vienna and Prague. It's fairly expensive, of course, but even my husband said, "Look at those fancy hotels they stay in!" And it's limited to 18 guests. I'd like to know if anyone has traveled with this company before.

I remember reading about that before our Scotland trip which was our first ABD. It was the first time I'd read anything negative about the guides and it freaked me out. I am so sorry that you and your husband did not have an awesome Scotland ABD. To this day that remains our favorite vacation. IIRC one of your guides was also on our ABD and we have had her on a subsequent ABD. She has been nothing short of Awesomesauce. I think if I would have had the experience you had in Scotland on my first ABD it would have certainly been my last ABD. Each of our guides since then have been amazing in their own unique ways.

I too would be interested to know if anyone has done an Abercrombie and Kent and see how they compare to ABD or Nat. Geo.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Yelled at for grabbing water? ***? What on God's green earth was that for?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

We are seriously considering doing an Abercrombie and Kent family trip to Peru in December. The only ABD trip that fits our timetable is Amazon & the Galapagos, but the itinerary doesn't work for us (I'd rather take a tour boat around to the different islands as opposed to the ABD land-based stay there). The A&K Peru trip covers most of the same areas / attractions as National Geographic and ABD and is priced fairly IMO. Currently they only have a family of 7 booked so we are in a waiting pattern to see if more families book and what the demographics are. AmEx Platinum also has a promo where you save $250.00 per person on an A&K family trip so that helps a bit.

Another December option for us is an African safari. We are looking at doing a private trip as the ones offered through the tour companies don't fit our schedule. If December doesn't work out for us then we would most likely consider booking the ABD S. Africa trip in the summer of 2017. Just not sure what we will do yet.

 

[Cousin Orville]

We are seriously considering doing an Abercrombie and Kent family trip to Peru in December. The only ABD trip that fits our timetable is Amazon & the Galapagos, but the itinerary doesn't work for us (I'd rather take a tour boat around to the different islands as opposed to the ABD land-based stay there). The A&K Peru trip covers most of the same areas / attractions as National Geographic and ABD and is priced fairly IMO. Currently they only have a family of 7 booked so we are in a waiting pattern to see if more families book and what the demographics are. AmEx Platinum also has a promo where you save $250.00 per person on an A&K family trip so that helps a bit.

Another December option for us is an African safari. We are looking at doing a private trip as the ones offered through the tour companies don't fit our schedule. If December doesn't work out for us then we would most likely consider booking the ABD S. Africa trip in the summer of 2017. Just not sure what we will do yet.

I've looked at that A&K Peru trip as well. They visit Manchu Picchu twice and the entire trip is a little bit longer than ABD, right? I liked their itinerary a little better than ABD's.

 

[acndis]

I would also be interested to find out about A & K. They had a group in Saigon at the same time we were there and it skewed much, much older. It may be different on different itineraries, though. It was enough to scare my husband into ABD forever. We moved from the River Cruise to the ABD Peru for Christmas. (Planning on Australia in 2017)

 

[carpenta]

Yelled at for grabbing water? ***? What on God's green earth was that for?

.........As the saying goes "A reputation, a life time to build yet a minute to ruin"........that cast member made an impression I would say.

 

[Miss SD]

Yelled at for grabbing water? ***? What on God's green earth was that for?

Like I said, they were burned out. We were one of the first trips for the general public (although about half were contest winners) and the guides had just spent weeks leading the press and other big shots around. And, right off the bat, they had to deal with adventurers whose flights were delayed and luggage was lost. (Contest winners who were not happy with Disney at all!) And then there was the kid who puked on the bus as we started on the road to Skye. (The smell lingered for the rest of the trip.) They both left for a much-needed trip back to the US after our tour. I understand one of the guides has since stepped up her game.

 

[Bobo912]

I would also be interested to find out about A & K. They had a group in Saigon at the same time we were there and it skewed much, much older. It may be different on different itineraries, though. It was enough to scare my husband into ABD forever. We moved from the River Cruise to the ABD Peru for Christmas. (Planning on Australia in 2017)

When we flew to Guayaquil for our Galapagos trip a few years ago, there were some people on the flight who were also going to the Galapagos on an A&K tour. They were not old, probably in their 30's and one family had children. So maybe everybody isn't old.

I've looked at that A&K Peru trip as well. They visit Manchu Picchu twice and the entire trip is a little bit longer than ABD, right? I liked their itinerary a little better than ABD's.

Before traveling to Peru, I was trying to decide between ABD and Nat Geo. I had already traveled with Nat Geo once and know that they are fantastic. The Nat GeoPeru trip stays at Sol y Luna like ABD (in fact they were there at the same time as we were), but they also spend a night at the Santuary Lodge. I foolishly thought that I couldn't justify the additional cost just to stay one night at the Santuary Lodge, but I was totally wrong and have regretted it ever since. The ABD trip doesn't allow enough time at Machu Picchu and being there first thing in the morning before other tourist arrive would definitely be worth it. And since ABD prices seem to increase quite a bit every year, the price differential is less now than when I took the trip 3 years ago. I don't know if A&K stays at the Santuary Lodge, but if they stay there or at Aguas Calientes and take you up to Machu Picchu twice, either of those options is better than ABD, IMO.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I've looked at that A&K Peru trip as well. They visit Manchu Picchu twice and the entire trip is a little bit longer than ABD, right? I liked their itinerary a little better than ABD's.

Yes, the trip is 1 day longer than ABD. The last day with A&K is swimming with sea lions on Palomino Island. Not necessarily a deal breaker for me, but it sounds quite nice. A&K indeed goes to Machu Pichu twice. The first day follows an overnight stay at the Inkaterra Machu Pichu, then ventures into Machu Pichu and spends some time at a local school. The next night is at the Aranwa Cusco and involves seeing the sunrise at Machu Pichu and a half day there before heading back to Cusco.

Before traveling to Peru, I was trying to decide between ABD and Nat Geo. I had already traveled with Nat Geo once and know that they are fantastic. The Nat GeoPeru trip stays at Sol y Luna like ABD (in fact they were there at the same time as we were), but they also spend a night at the Santuary Lodge. I foolishly thought that I couldn't justify the additional cost just to stay one night at the Santuary Lodge, but I was totally wrong and have regretted it ever since. The ABD trip doesn't allow enough time at Machu Picchu and being there first thing in the morning before other tourist arrive would definitely be worth it. And since ABD prices seem to increase quite a bit every year, the price differential is less now than when I took the trip 3 years ago. I don't know if A&K stays at the Santuary Lodge, but if they stay there or at Aguas Calientes and take you up to Machu Picchu twice, either of those options is better than ABD, IMO.

Nat Geo family trip in December doesn't stay at the Sanctuary Lodge. Their trip is only 5.5 days yet is sold as an 8 day trip. The first day is a travel day (with the group meet on the morning of day 2) and the 8th day is when you arrive home (with most flights back to the US from Lima being overnight and leaving on day 7). With the exception of the last night of the trip the hotels A&K Connections and Nat Geo use are identical.

Having suffered from acute altitude sickness while skiing in Vail years ago I am still a bit nervous about taking this trip. Traveling alone with a child with the possibility of becoming ill is scary. It happened to a friend of mine who was traveling in a small group with a single mother of 2 to Peru a few years back with G Adventures (the owner of the company had kids at the same school my daughter used to attend and he organized small trips for parents once a year). They had to call in a local doctor to administer fluids and she was bedridden for at least 2 days.

Maybe Africa in December is a better option for us. As adventurous as I am I do have my limits . I wish there was an easy decision.

 

[Miss SD]

I would also be interested to find out about A & K. They had a group in Saigon at the same time we were there and it skewed much, much older. It may be different on different itineraries, though. It was enough to scare my husband into ABD forever. We moved from the River Cruise to the ABD Peru for Christmas. (Planning on Australia in 2017)

I was thinking A&K probably skewed older. Thanks for the information.

 

[Cousin Orville]

I was thinking A&K probably skewed older. Thanks for the information.

A&K has some family tours but admittedly it's selection is limited. One of the family tours is Peru though.

 

[Rapunzellover]

I'm currently consulting with A&K about a private solo Portugal trip for 2017. I've found them very professional and thorough in communication.

 

[Bobo912]

Yes, the trip is 1 day longer than ABD. The last day with A&K is swimming with sea lions on Palomino Island. Not necessarily a deal breaker for me, but it sounds quite nice. A&K indeed goes to Machu Pichu twice. The first day follows an overnight stay at the Inkaterra Machu Pichu, then ventures into Machu Pichu and spends some time at a local school. The next night is at the Aranwa Cusco and involves seeing the sunrise at Machu Pichu and a half day there before heading back to Cusco.



Nat Geo family trip in December doesn't stay at the Sanctuary Lodge. Their trip is only 5.5 days yet is sold as an 8 day trip. The first day is a travel day (with the group meet on the morning of day 2) and the 8th day is when you arrive home (with most flights back to the US from Lima being overnight and leaving on day 7). With the exception of the last night of the trip the hotels A&K Connections and Nat Geo use are identical.

Having suffered from acute altitude sickness while skiing in Vail years ago I am still a bit nervous about taking this trip. Traveling alone with a child with the possibility of becoming ill is scary. It happened to a friend of mine who was traveling in a small group with a single mother of 2 to Peru a few years back with G Adventures (the owner of the company had kids at the same school my daughter used to attend and he organized small trips for parents once a year). They had to call in a local doctor to administer fluids and she was bedridden for at least 2 days.

Maybe Africa in December is a better option for us. As adventurous as I am I do have my limits . I wish there was an easy decision.

Wasn't referring to the family trip. Neither the Nat Geo trip I took nor the group in Peru that I met were family trips, but there were a lot of kids on both.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Before traveling to Peru, I was trying to decide between ABD and Nat Geo. I had already traveled with Nat Geo once and know that they are fantastic. The Nat GeoPeru trip stays at Sol y Luna like ABD (in fact they were there at the same time as we were), but they also spend a night at the Santuary Lodge. I foolishly thought that I couldn't justify the additional cost just to stay one night at the Santuary Lodge, but I was totally wrong and have regretted it ever since. The ABD trip doesn't allow enough time at Machu Picchu and being there first thing in the morning before other tourist arrive would definitely be worth it. And since ABD prices seem to increase quite a bit every year, the price differential is less now than when I took the trip 3 years ago. I don't know if A&K stays at the Santuary Lodge, but if they stay there or at Aguas Calientes and take you up to Machu Picchu twice, either of those options is better than ABD, IMO.

Thanks for the advice. I've really been interested in doing the Peru ABD for several years now, but this has been a sticking point. Manchu Picchu is such a bucket list item, I'm just concerned I'd want to have a 2nd day to visit perhaps at a different time of day. If they had a similar itinerary as A&K and maybe others, I'm sure I would have done Peru by now.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Wasn't referring to the family trip. Neither the Nat Geo trip I took nor the group in Peru that I met were family trips, but there were a lot of kids on both.

That's very interesting. What age range would you say? And I remember others mentioning there were 3 categories of Nat Geo trips. What category was this?

 

[Cousin Orville]

I'm currently consulting with A&K about a private solo Portugal trip for 2017. I've found them very professional and thorough in communication.

What do they set up for you in a solo trip out of curiosity? Hotels, restaurants, transportation between places, guides?

 

[Rapunzellover]

i haven't discussed food yet, Cousin O, but it seems like they'd take care of the rest-- it's quite lux.

 

[carpenta]

i haven't discussed food yet, Cousin O, but it seems like they'd take care of the rest-- it's quite lux.

......as they sing in "Grease"....."Tell me more, tell me more....."

 

[Bobo912]

That's very interesting. What age range would you say? And I remember others mentioning there were 3 categories of Nat Geo trips. What category was this?

Both were expeditions. Our trip was a cruise in the Galapagos, so it was a bigger group. For our group of 94 guests we had an expedition leader, 6 naturalists and a video chronicler. There were 14 kids (unless I'm forgetting somebody) between ages 9 and 16, with the majority of them being 11 to 13. I would say most of the parents with children were in their late 30's to late 40's. There were maybe 4 people in their 60's or 70s, one grandmother with her daughter and granddaughter, a mother with her grown son, and a gentleman traveling solo who had booked the trip for himself and his wife, who passed away before the trip, and a lady traveling solo. The remainder were couples in their 30's, 40's and 50's, including a couple who were married on board the ship as we cruised around Leon Dormido. Our trip began on March 12, which was during spring break for us, but I think our spring breaks are earlier than a lot of US schools. But there were still quite a few kids.

The two couples that I met who were with the Nat Geo group in Peru were late 30's/early 40s with kids around 10-12, I would guess. Of course, I don't know who all of the people were with Nat Geo, but Sol y Luna isn't that big, so it was probably every other guests who wasn't part of the ABD group. I don't recall seeing a lot of older people, like the Tauck group we saw in California wheeling around their oxygen tanks.