Imperial China and Yangstse River Cruise Wow! This trip was an assault on the senses from day one! Started off stressfully we arrived in Bejing on time but our luggage was still in Dubai! Well done Emitates and Exodus we were reunited within 12 hours (note: always take spare pants in hand luggage)
China was amazing redefining our preconceptions from day one! Bejing; old town, Forbidden Palace, Summer Palace etc. Jane our guide was Wonderwoman, fantastic knowledge, super organised and a sense of humour. We asked if we could fit in a visit to the Olympic stadium: no problem, we were walking round the 'Birdsnest' the following afternoon.
The Great Wall was a highlight and tobogganing down was certainly different.
This trip cannot be described as leisurely, if you want to see the best of this fantastic country we need to be prepared for a frantic itinerary. Thank you for the advice Exodus, pack lightly and make sure you can carry your own luggage with ease.
Loved the pandas and visiting the Terracotta Army. I must admit as a person who would never consider a cruising holiday and who considers the Isle of Wight ferry tiresome I was not looking forward to the Yangstse river cruise; I was pleasantly surprised the scenery of the 3 gorges was breathtaking, the relative rest of 3 days, was a chance to recharge batteries and the dam a marvel of engineering.
Superlatives are far to many to mention, the tour finished in Shanghai where again Jane our guide was brilliant suggesting we visited the Tower on arrival since clouds were forecast the following day - wow! Awesome views across the city as the sunset fron 532m.
I have no hesitation in recommending this trip to all if you want to see China warts and all. It was well organised, accommodation was as described, guide was fantastic. Try everything and go on every optional tour you will not regret it ( one visit to a Chinese Opera is enough for any sane person)
Go! You'll not regret it! A wonderful tour with excellent service from the operators. We had a great tour leader and really good local guides. Don't think about it anymore. Go. You'll not regret it!
From the planning stages and inquiries to the final details while on tour, the local travel specialist provided excellent and prompt service. On tour the guides were all extremely capable, friendly and attentive. Every detail of our trip fell in to place perfectly on time and in order. We were more than very pleased with the quality of accommodation and the food and restaurants chosen were amazingly good.We saw so much more than we had expected to. The "no shopping tour" lived up to its name. An excellent tour and company.
