Reluctant group tourist - converted

After 25+ years of doing my own travel arranging I was somewhat reluctant when dad called and said "Call Go Ahead tours, we are going to London in November."The staff was very cooperative in booking my choice of airline and accommodating the extra leg from Hawaii to ensure we arrived with the rest of the family. The city stay style of tour was very much like the way we travel - a room and flexibility to do what we want when we want. (Living in Hawaii I know what the tour buses miss) The guide was great and she made it easy to find the things we wanted to do meeting our limitations because of jet lag and short daylight hours. Since the late fall is the rainiest time in London outdoor sight seeing was interesting most days but since there are hundreds of museums and galleries to see that keep you dry. Again I thank the guide for teaching us the tube basics the first evening so that we could get around the city quickly and efficiently. The first thing i did after getting the dates was look up a race that i could do (I travel to race these days) and found a 10k run at Greenwich Park. As I was training for the Honolulu Marathon this was going to be fun to do a short fast race in two hemispheres - not many places one can do this. The Movember 10k was really fun and supports a great cause. My wife enjoyed the wide variety costumed runners while went off and ran the fastest 10k I have done in at least 20 years (0:51:28) - low 40s much faster than the ~80 that we deal with in Hawaii year round. After the race had a great time checking out the 0 meridian line and the history of longitude and navigation timekeeping. The flexibility of the city stay style of tour is reflected in my ability to do the race yet I was able to see Stonehenge and Bath on a guided trip while my wife was in the heart of London pursuing her dream of studying needlepoint at on the embroidery houses that supplies emblems for much of the British military. She found out more about the history of the craft then in several decades of study in the US. While some of the younger member of my group didn't "get" the hotel. i personally liked the more authentic (English) nature of the hotel which had at least been upgraded to individual baths. Except the construction barriers causing some confusion for the taxis, the location was excellent - close to the Tube and much of the nightlife of the Kensington district of London. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised that the city stay actually fit my travel style and i look forward to a future tour with Go Ahead.

Good Trip

Well the tour itself was very nice. All the excursions that we took were very nice. The one thing that bothered me about London was how rude the Londoners seemed to be. I guess I don't like when someone just elbows you out of the way without even saying excuse me. I also didn't like the fact that they didn't even speak with you.

I had been away from London far too long ...

... and I'm so very glad I made the decision to return. The Kensington area is a great place to make your home away from home while in London - and the GoAhead representative really put the finishing touches together for all, whether this was your first trip or, if like me, you were returning yet again to seek out wherever your interests take you - from museums to palaces, canal trips to the theatre - it is all at your fingertips. Can't wait to return!

Great first trip with Go Ahead

I had a wonderful time with the group I toured with. I liked the flexibility to do what you wanted to do. You could go on your own or you could go with the group. I loved the castles they took us to tour and the side trip to Stonehenge! It was a great first experience with this company.

Kay McIntyre was great, very helpful. She arranged a Windsor tour for us as the scheduled one did not make. Had an exceptional guide. Hotel - comfortable, good location, quiet, very nice breakfast. Concierege (?) sometimes a little short. Liked airport to hotel transport. Didn't like the fact that extra was charged in order to get a nonstop flight.

London City Stay

The trip was first rate. I requested a specific air line and they made it happen. Our trip representive was fanfastic. We ask for some information on things to see that were of special interest to us and the next day we had more information than we could have hoped for. The hotal was in a great location, about 100 yrds from a major tube stop and the breakfast provided was beyond compair. all in all it was a great trip and that is the reason we have booked to do it again. So much to see in London one week is not enough time. The week is put together so that you can do as much or as little as you wish. You make your schedule.

9 Days of Heaven on Earth - London

Once I left the airport on my journey to the hotel the ancient pastures of England came into view. I exhaled and all worries of the world were removed from my shoulders and pure excitement filled my senses. Nine days is not enough time to explore the history of this great nation. The museums contain some of the best works of art in the world. If you a shopping person Piccadilly Circus and Harrods are the two top destinations. For your cuisine fans, every type of food style is represented is this nation. From the traditional fish and chips to Thai, Indian, Chinese, Italy . . and the list goes one. I enjoyed this trip so much I am planning to go again just to see what I missed my first nine days there.

Nice Trip

Good location of hotel, and a helpful, pleasant staff. However, the hotel bathrooms were very poor. The hot water stayed on reguardless of how much you turned it down.

SWEET!!!

I would only change one thing with any trip----if I was to know that i was going to arrive very early in the morning to my hotel and could not get into my room right away ----I would book an extra night so that I could go to my room right away and get some rest so that I would be well rested and ready for the next day of wonderful touring. Everything else was planned beautifully and my hotel was great and the tour directors were first class. I would take another trip with Go Ahead Tours in a minute and my friends that took this trip with me feel the same. Your prices were the best and it was a trip of a lifetime. Can not wait for my next trip. Thank you Go Ahead----I will be planning a trip soon---God Willing.