Posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 7:15:33
It's not the people in the group, first off.
They were interesting to talk to, learn about, and very friendly to travel with.But. Eating group meals at pre-selected establishments, with no choice of menu, was frustrating. Returning every night to the same remote "Fawlty Towers" hotel to eat a fixed meal eat night was hardly the way I wanted to experience the south of Italy. The tour lecturer was, to be polite, dialing in what proved to be his last tour before retiring. He had no answers for any of the questions I asked him, including several times, "No," and "We just don't know that." Sour grapes on my end, but he really could not have cared less.
The biggest complaint on our end was the lack of free time. From 7:30AM to 10:00 PM, every moment was scheduled. I experienced panic attacks daily - something new, unpleasant, and exhausting. And humiliating, to be honest. I had my big breakdown on the flight from Paris to Atlanta. Just sobbed and sobbed for the longest hour. What a mistake on my part.
I have slept pretty much for a day and a half since returning home. I feel utterly unable to do what I love, travel.
:-(
poster:Partlycloudy
thread:1052427
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20130914/msgs/1052427.html