Trafalgar Travel
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Trafalgar Land of the Gods
This is not a relaxing holiday. It is full on every day. Out at 0800 each morning occasionally 0730 and once at 0700 for Petra. Generally back at hotel at around 1800 – 1830. Dinner is usually at 1900 so dash to room drop off luggage / day packs and dash back to bar / restaurant. There is no free time on this tour at all. Our guides give an almost nonstop commentary which can be an information overload at times. The guides spent an inordinately long time at some of the sites and could have been briefer. However, their knowledge was comprehensive and very informative. All transport was in motor coaches. Our first coach in Jordan was terrible. The coach was too small for 22 people as not all luggage could be fitted into the luggage compartment. Some of it had to be brought into the coach and placed on empty passenger seats. The coach was definately vintage and had a rear suspension issue. So much so that we were bounced about and suffered headaches from the severe vibration. I complained to the tour guide and she arrange a larger more comfortable coach for the rest of the tour. Trafalgar preached the unnecessary use of single use plastic bottles and that they would not be available on the coach. Untrue, 500ml water bottles were freely available on the coach, although we were charged $1 per bottle on the coach in Israel. Free in Jordan. In all hotels breakfast and dinner were buffet style, breakfast being the better experience. There was usually a reasonable number of choices for dinner but be aware, the majority were luke warm at best and as the plates were stone cold, so was the dinner by the time we got back to our seats. All lunches were at road stops and chargeable, on average about £10 – 15 per person. These were disappointing as the same fare was on offer at most of the stops. Chicken Schinzel in pitta bread, falafel, shawarma (turkey / chicken) in pitta bread. We were herded into, sometimes crowded restaurant style establishments, most associated with a “shopping opportunity”. At one such stop we were directed to the “pay before you eat counter” and I picked up a second set of cutlery as we planned to share ours. The person behind the counter shouted at me “no sharing, no sharing” and became quite rude. If this range of fare is not for you, a better option is to take a large ziplock bag to breakfast with you and make up your own packed lunch. The hotels in Israel were of UK 3/4 star standard and the beds were quite comfortable and usually king / queen sized. Bathrooms left a lot to be desired. Jordanian hotels were UK 4 star and a night in a Bedouin tent in the desert, complete with en-suite and air-con, was a surprise, quiet and comfortable. All the showers worked fine and hot water was always available. The “cruise” on the Sea of Galilee was a blatant self-promotion and selling opportunity to a captive audience. We sailed out for about 10 mins and stopped and then the captain “serenaded” us with religious songs and provided details on how to purchase his merchandise and donate. However, our tour guide arranged a birthday celebration onboard for one of the group, which was great. Almost an hour later we sailed back to the jetty seeing virtually nothing of the Sea of Galilee and be expected to tip the crew! We wanted to float in the Dead Sea but Trafalgar could not provide much formation about access, changing and showering facilities. We went to Kalia Beach where the floating area is quite small and cordoned off from the rest of the sea. Access is down a slippery muddy bank and there was a small salt crystal reef as you enter the water. Beach shoes are a must. There are outside showers to rinse off the worst of the salt and mud, changing rooms with lockers, hot showers, the Lowest Bar in the Word to rehydrate and shops / eateries. We took disposable, swimwear, towels and beach shoes. Scenic Desert Drive, Wadi Rum. Avoid this if you do not like to sit in the back of a “modified” Toyota Hilux. Seats had been added, longitudenly to the rear flat bed of the vehicle which were crudely welded frames with thin padded cushions. Climbing on board was difficult as there were no steps to get up and over the closed / welded tail gate. It was a struggle to hold on as the driver increased speed over very rough ground. There were dozens of these vehicle dashing all over the desert. We were at the rear of a convoy of a dozen or so and had the pleasure of inhaling dust and partially combusted diesel fumes. Suggest wearing a mask to breathe and gloves to hold on with. Before embarking on the drive I mentioned the condition of these vehicles to our guide who responded by saying that they had not lost anyone yet! Unfortunately we could not opt out as the drive terminated remote from where we started in order to rejoin our coach for the drive to the overnight stop.