 |
Voyages Jules Verne
by Bernard Davis
Just got back from a 2 week holiday organised by Voyage Jules Verne. This included a 3 day stay in Cape Town and a 3 day stay in Victoria Falls with a 6 day train journey from the Cape to the Falls.
VJV were up to their usual very high standard, I was met and accompanied at each end by local, enthusiastic and professional ... guides who took care of every detail. The hotels were excellent although the Elephant Hills in Vic Falls is, (as I already knew) a little tired and due for some re-decorating.
The train journey, with Rovos Rail was truly the best experience I have ever had. I cannot imagine any way in which it could be made better. Fabulous accomodation, impecable service, painstaking attention to detail and the renovated or replica carriages are beautiful works of art in themselves. Couple this with an owner who takes the trouble to greet each traveller at the start of the journey and is there to thank them at the end and you have an experience that should be on everyone's bucket list.
Read the complete review |
|
|
Haven Holidays in general
by Carol phillips
Having read these latest reviews I felt I had to outline my experience with haven .i have been to various sites from Clacton to seashore Great Yarmouth and on the fifteen occasions I have never had a rubbish holiday .
I have stayed in all types of caravan from standard to prestige and have had very minor problems on occasion that ... all have been sorted politely and quickly yes if you book basic you might find dog hairs etc thats the chance you take ,you can ask for a no smoking caravan if stale fags aren't your thing ! I have only been slightly dissapointed once a few dodgy stains on seat in living area but as I said it was a standard van I only paid £78 for a weeks hols so covered it over with spare duvet cover and got on with my hols these vans get a lot of traffic over year some people live like pigs and don't care so inevitably things get damaged .
As for remarks about chavs yes you do get a few dregs at these sites fortunately they usually are in the minority and no not all on sun holidays! As these type of holidays are a bit cheaper than hotels those with not a lot to spend will be attracted the odd loudmouth the odd 'chav' some people live like that anyway so can't be helped .
I have never felt pressured to buy a caravan at haven if asked I usually laugh and reply ' if I win the lottery this week' so from the outset they know I'm not in the market .
The entertainment at these places is well known for being cheesy and a bit on the ropey side but I think that adds to the fun ,kids love it and that's really what haven is about .its not like your home with all its comforts and a bit of forward research into what's on in area helps ( less spent in arcades/on site stores etc) to get the most out of your hols if you want dreadful try park holidays Felixstowe beach ,that's a dump! .
Finally don't buy a caravan unless you really love site one visit will not do it,speak to owners ,do your research and that should help you decide if its for you.
Read the complete review |
 |
Thomas Cook
by Rob
We went to Tenerife with Thomas Cook in December 2012. The booking process was easy and pleasant and the flights were fine although cramped. 4 1/2 hours on the plane was more than enough. We stayed at the Arenas Del Mar in El Medano. It was advertised as child free but I was woken by a child crying at 3am. It was also advertised as 4+ ... star. The food was very poor and the drinks were even worse. I have never before stayed at a 4 star hotel where the desserts are sponge , jelly, ice cream and tinned fruit. What food wasn't eaten at one meal was thinly disguised and served again at the nest meal.. The wine was on tap and for the first time in my life I spat it out. All in all not even 2 star standard. I complained to Thomas Cook who basically told me that this was 4 star standard and that that was the end of the matter. I submitted a poor review on the hotel which, suprise, suprise; they didn't publish. Their hotel reviews are therefore not to be trusted. They do not seem to care about customner opinion. It is little wonder that this company is in finacial difficulties. I certainly would never book with them again.
Read the complete review |
