czarria55

Hi Lisa & Mike. I ditto what SaltShell and PAF88 said. We’re doing Idyllic Aegean on 10/9/21. Any feedback you can post would be greatly appreciated!! Happy sailing!!

Hi all. We just returned (October 13) from our 12 day Focus on China tour with Sinorama. Just wanted to chime in on here & offer my services for anyone with specific questions going forward.

In general, all the info posted on this forum to date was not only extremely accurate, but very helpful. I'd really like to thank lamchops and nansi in particular for their help with details and my last-minute anxiety (Nancy, you were a life saver!!). Below are just a few highlights from my recent memory:

Regarding overall travel, Sinorama was good to us - we had great flight connections to/from Miami with no last-minutes changes that have plagued a few others. We were greeted by our guide in Beijing, but there was a rather significant delay (over an hour) before we actually left for our hotel. After almost 24 hours of being up, it was a little rough, but Mark (our wonderful guide) made the best of it. I will say for anyone planning future tours with Sinorama you need to know that going the first week of October does affect your plans due to the national holiday. We ended up in a hotel further out of town due to the holiday. THe hotel was lovely, but we had to leave earlier to get places, so had 6:30AM wake up calls the first few days. Also, there was no dinner option the first night except for a buffet at the hotel that was basically $30/person. At that point, we didn't care - we ate. Otherwise, the travel was great - we did a high speed train, an interior flight, the river cruise and of course, the buses - all were comfortable and everything went smoothly.

Others have mentioned the food - we did find it to be rather bland in general and there's really no time to venture out on your own. I would suggest if it's a huge deal to you that you take some familiar things like snack bars and such, just for comfort's sake more than anything. We certainly never went hungry and the food was not bad at all - just very monotonous and surprisingly bland. We doused everything in soy sauce & whatever other condiments we could find and we were fine.

As far as money, we took $1,000 US and brought back about $300 of that, but we do have a big family and bought a lot of souvenirs. We did use our credit card a couple of times for more expensive items (warning - cloisonné is VERY pricey at the factory, as is jade and pearls - we did buy a couple of things, but in general, retrospectively, we probably could've gotten things cheaper stateside, but hey - you're only there once probably, so what the heck).

The people in China are amazing - so friendly. Everywhere we went, people want to take pictures with us - and there were people everywhere due to the holiday. But everyone is very friendly, polite and in a sweet way, curious about westerners. Again, if you go the first week of October, expect CROWDS everywhere you go and Chinese have an odd sense of "personal space," so be aware that they are not being rude or pushy - it's just their way. They're happy for you to push your way forward in a crowded situation (i.e. Terra Cotta Warriors, etc.), and everyone just makes do.

Gee, there is so much and I don't feel like I've really touched on anything other than my overall surface memories. We had such a wonderful time - the hotels, as everyone has said, were first rate - no problems. The ship is lovely and extremely comfy, and again - I cannot say enough about the folks in China from Sinorama. We really all became such good friends in a very short time. We would go again and we would definitely consider Sinorama. I think we'd want to do a different itinerary just to see different things, but this trip could easily be repeated as far as I'm concerned and I think we'd still really enjoy it. Please let me know if anyone has any specific questions. You'll have a lovely time - those of you who have upcoming trips. Just relax and enjoy!!

Hi, Motorcycle. Not sure when your Sinorama tour is - ours leaves Oct 1. We just got all out docs from Sinorama & the way I understand it, the one-suitcase limit is firm because of Chinese transportation limitations while we travel within China. I think the international carriers could care less, as long as you pay, but China is another story. They care - and control - everything. My best advice would be to CALL Sinorama to confirm whether or not you can bring more than your allotted luggage. Hope your trip is amazing!!

Ouoat, just read your highlights of your 20-day trip above. Very helpful, thanks. I do have a few questions, but will use your email, since you so kindly included.

Just to anyone else in general, I tried setting up a new board for our specific tour (October 1, 2016), but sadly, I've had no takers. Just wondering if anyone reading this thread is going on that trip?

That's all!! Great resource, this thread!! Thanks to all!!

We didn't fill anything special or extra out last year. ALL Visa's are now 10 years! They just come that way :D

Hey, Nanci, it's Christie again. I'm wondering if you'd care to meet up for coffee or something at some point since we apparently are in the same vicinity? I'm in Lehigh Acres (Mirror Lakes) and your profile mentions Cape Coral. If so, we can discuss further via email? czarria57@gmail.com. No pressure, just a thought.

Hi, Jill. I'm hoping someone - lamchops or nansi, maybe - will respond to your questions. I'd be interested in the answers as well.

Also, since you are going about a month ahead of us (we're doing the Oct. 1 Focus on China tour - that was an AMAZING Travelzoo deal, huh?), perhaps you'll be so kind as to post some reflections/pointers/highlights/pros & cons, etc. for us? Your experiences with Sinorama are also appreciated.

Very excited! Look forward to hearing & learning more. I'm trying to learn a little mandarin in anticipation. ☺️

Hey Nancy!! I just realized we are NEIGHBORS!! Your profile lists you in Cape Coral. We are in Lehigh Acres!! Maybe we can meet up sometime & share more of your experience?? If you like just email at the above email @ we'll go from there. Small world! 😎😄

Nancy, Thank you SO much for this. It helps a lot to hear another's recent experiences. It also reinforces to me that we picked a good time to go. I think as long as our group (there will be six of us, all 60+) keeps a positive attitude and goes with the flow, we should be fine.

We are so excited. If you can think of any other words of wisdom or insights to share, please feel free to post here or email me @ czarria57@gmail.com.

Thanks again!

Hi Elliot, we're well aware of what's coming, but this was the only date we could book, so we're basically stuck with it.

We're hoping we have a guide who can be flexible and get us to the sights at the best possible times to avoid the hoardes. It would be great if they could bring us to another section of the Wall other than Badaling (or as I keep calling it ...Badabing...sorry, too many Soprano's episodes).

 

I did find a review from someone who traveled the same week last year, and they said it wasn't as bad as they expected, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.

Nancy: we have booked a Sinorama tour for Oct.1-12 this year, after finding an amazing deal via Travelzoo. I have read lamchops wonderful recounting of his experiences and am more eager than ever for this trip. I just wondered what your experience was going during the national holiday in October? Thanks!!