RSD Travel
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Cultural Tour of Crete
I think as long as people understand what they are buying they will be pleased with this trip. Similar tours with other well known companies cost 3 times as much for almost exactly the same thing. We even shared a hotel with a household name tour! I took this trip to Crete a few weeks ago. I enjoyed it very much and found it a good trip. I have been on two previous tours with RSD which were both very good but I thought this one especially well planned and run. The daily programmes were interesting and well balanced and I appreciated the ground agents detailed planning to try to ensure that all the coaches did not arrive at the same place at the same time. It mostly worked as well! Our guide Joanna was simply the best one I have ever had (and I have had a great many in my many years of travelling). She had a wide and detailed knowledge base and a sweeping breadth of vision ranging from prehistoric times to the 20th century and this enabled her to make connections between myths and practices across four continents. She coupled this with some modern scientific knowledge and presented it all in an imaginative way with real passion. The rooms were better than I expected with lots of floor space and seating as well as plenty of drawers and hanging space. In addition there was always plenty hot water in the bathrooms. We didn't get the best views from the balcony, but, what can you expect at the price? You do not have to buy the dinner package although, again, it is not overpriced. You can have a delicious lunch (usually around 3pm!) while out on the day trips and then eat a snack at the pool bar (most of the year) or bring back a sandwich if you prefer. The real issue is the flights which are always a bit of a nightmare plus the visits to jewelry, leather and carpet factories etc. but these all help to keep the price down so just have to be tolerated. Just so you know I am not inexperienced in travel, I usually go away 4-5 times a year and have used all the well known companies. One of my annual trips is always longhaul and I have stayed in true international 5* hotels at prices per night that would pay for this whole trip!