Coach holidays with Hoverland (Hoverland)

Member Name: Flindy

Product:	Hoverland
Date:	18/03/01 (1636 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Economical holiday, good company

Disadvantages: Terrible start time, too many excursions crammed into too little time

Last year we took a holiday at Diano Marina in Italy. We went with Hoverland European Holidays who are based in the West Midlands. Cost was a major factor, and we chose Hoverland because the package looked like pretty good value. They offered pick up points from Stafford right down to Dover, and there was no overnight travel.

When we booked the holiday we did ask the rep what time we would be starting our outward journey, she smiled and said it would be early morning. In fact when we pressed her on this she said it could be as early as two in the morning! Oh well, look upon it as part of the holiday I said to my husband.

On the “morning” of our departure (yes, it was a 2 am pickup at Telford), we took a taxi and got to the bus station pretty bleary eyed. We settled down and tried to catnap, but the coach stopped around every 30 - 50 minutes to pick up passengers, so we did not get any sleep. We had a couple of stops at the motorway services, which was nice and gave us the chance to stretch our legs.

We arrived at Dover around 10 am, there was a delay of about an hour due to adverse weather in the channel :-( Once on the Ferry we relaxed, had a snack and looked at the on board shops. After the short crossing, we were back on board again and tootling along a French motorway. It was surprisingly quiet on the motorway, and very interesting to watch the changing scenery as we travelled further south.

We made our overnight stop in Dijon, a lovely town, but we were running late and only had time for a quick walk around before getting a meal and some sleep for the second leg of the journey next day. The Ibis Hotel where we had our overnight stay was very comfy, air-conditioned and pretty soundproof as well. The food at the Ibis was expensive, and I would recommend you eat somewhere in the town, there are lots of eating places with good prices!

We set off after breakfast (continental) around 8.30am, again travelli
ng on the motorway, a lovely journey and miles and miles of vineyards. As we got further south the architecture changed, lovely pastel coloured villas and farmhouses. We had several stops for refreshment and the all-important stretching of legs! We arrived at Diano Marina at tea time, where we checked in to our hotel, run by an English man and his wife, they were really nice hosts. We had dinner and then a walk around to get the feel of the place.

The rest of our 10 day holiday was mostly enjoyable, we went on a few excursions, a couple of which were included in the price (San Remo and Ventimiglia). We did not enjoy the market at Ventimiglia, very overrated, crowded and full of hawkers pestering you to buy fake watches etc! Nice was lovely, but not enough time, Portofino was beautiful as well. Some of the coastline is stunning, and the tunnels and bridges can make your hair stand on end, especially if you have a window seat. In fact I remember the courier telling us that there were around 100 of these tunnels and viaducts along the coast heading southwards towards Rome.

The food at the hotel was fairly basic, they catered for vegetarians. Breakfast was fruit juice, toast & preserves, cereal, ham, eggs, croissants. Dinner was three courses, and of quite good quality although not the Ritz you understand, I had lots of pasta and I enjoyed the food. The room was a twin room, with a balcony, very clean with en suite shower and W.C. All in all very good value for money, at £289 per head on half board basis at the end of May. I have just learned that this year the holiday is full board with a free bar 8 am until midnight!!!

My advice if you are travelling by coach is, enjoy the journey it is part of the holiday. When you are told no overnight travel, bear in mind the very early start we had (2 am) : -) The driver was very competent and courier was great, and we had a laugh a minute with some of the other passengers. So if you are prepared to a
ccept some of the drawbacks of coach holidays, then you will probably have a good time. No, I don’t have any connection with the above company!

Just been asked about facilities on the coach. Briefly, toilet and washroom (very cramped but serves the purpose), drinks served en route, air conditioning, piped music and video. Comfort ok, leg room ok unless you were at the front where leg room was less.

Summary: