RSD Travel
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DO NOT USE RSD
We have just returned from the Cultural Tour of Crete. This is indeed a budget holiday so unless you adjust your expectations to remember this you will be disappointed. Although a ‘budget’ holiday, the costs add up. Firstly the main cost, then the airport charge, and the seasonal supplement. Then the meal package and the optional excursions. It would appear when you look at the itinerary that the tour was so packed with visits that the optional excursions would be scheduled for the rest day. Not so. The tour leader changed the itinerary and although he explained that we would still see everything, in fact we did not visit the old town of Heraklion, the Venetian Fortress, and the Mosque and Church we were promised. Just the Museum.(Which was brilliant). The visit to Knossos was optional but cost 44 Euros when the actual ticket price was 16 Euros or 8 for seniors. People who had not chosen the RSD optional tour had to hang around while we were in there. There were some wise people who had not bought the tour from RSD but who went round Knossos themselves. The optional tour to Spinalonga consisted of a quick boat trip around the island. We did not stop at Elounda as promised. Agios Nicholias was pretty but small and there was only time for a snack or if you are like us, and did not take the meal package, then lunch. We did not choose the meal package as we know Crete from previous visits and like to eat in the tavernas. The tour leader took people to his chosen taverna every day where I am sure he was amply rewarded. That saying, he did explain that he did this to ensure that future tours had tavernas to go to which were still open in the winter. The hotels were average and the breakfasts were buffets but good. The tour leader laid great emphasis on tips, but he chose to do this on the coach to the first hotel when we were all tired from travelling and wanted to sleep, so this was not well accepted! We did not arrive at the hotel until 3:30 am and we were back on the coach for the first day at 8: 30 am so the first day was rather a challenge especially as there were a lot of places to visit. The flight back was at a good time though. The archeological sites were really interesting, as were the monasteries, but the expert guide who came with us to the main sites explained in depth the Classics and myths and legends but not much about the ancient places and their buildings and uses. To make this a ‘budget’ holiday RSD schedule visits to the carpet, jewellery and leather warehouses. They are described as factories, but in fact you do not see anything being made and they are really warehouses. They are also a very hard sell but it is possible to insist that you do not want to buy. We in fact listened to the interesting information prior to the sales pitch and then avoided the salesmen, which was quite easy by asking the way to the exit, which they could not refuse. Apart from the archeological sites and the monasteries, one bright light was the Greek Evening. This was very well organised and everyone had a great evening. In summary. This is NOT a budget holiday and there are elements which you may not be happy with. If so, choose another tour operator.