I work part time with young offenders for a charity. I am doing a diploma in counselling. Have left ...
I work part time with young offenders for a charity. I am doing a diploma in counselling. Have left teaching. Enjoy internet, travel, socialising, eating out. Have one cat.
Member since:08.08.2003
Reviews:13
Members who trust:4
I went on a Goldcrest coach holiday to Amsterdam, between Christmas and New Year last year. I'd originally booked to visit the AntwerpBeer Festival, but the trip was cancelled. After some pressure, I was given a discount off my next trip.
I took a friend with me, as their single supplements are quite hefty. First of all, the coach was freezing when we set off from Bradford - and I mean, freezing. Heat seemed to be non-existent. We stopped for coffeee and toilets on the way down - at a garage, not a service station. There was one toilet, and it was filthy. We changed coaches in the south of England, thankfully to a slightly warmer one. Trouble-free passage through Eurotunnel to Calais.
However we seemed to lose time all through the continent. By the time we got to Ostend, it was dark. I know Ostend, though I hadn't been there for years. However, the coach driver didn't. We arrived, and half an hour later, to my horror, we were travelling out of town and towards the airport. The driver had to stop for directions eventually. We went on towards Holland. Since we were going to arrive too late to get something to eat, we were told we were stopping on the way. We passed several decent large service stations, and finally pulled up at a dreadful small one. Chips, chips and more chips...and the dirtiest toilets I've ever seen in Holland. We were given 20 minutes!
On towards Amsterdam, where the driver got lost again. He seemed unable to locate the hotel. Another stop for directions. Eventually we got there, and the hotel, the NH Schipol, turned out to be a 4* luxury outfit. Bliss! Super rooms, and you could have eaten breakfast for a week and not had the same thing twice. At least the bar was still open.
We were told to wait the next day to be taken into Amsterdam in the morning. After waiting for nearly an hour, we had to get the coach drivers out of bed! On the journey in, I had to act as tour guide as they didn't seem to know the city. QWe spent the day there and came back, by choice, under our own steam.
The next day we were supposed to be going to Amsterdam again, but we were told that we were setting straight off and stopping in Ostend instead. Cash and carry at Calais was time permitting, but the drivers managed it. They even went slightly out of their way at some stops to drop people home. We made much better time back.
I would have to say I'd probably use them again given the right holiday. Drivers were helpful with the luggage, and friendly, even if they didn't know where they were going half the time. The holiday was dirt cheap and the hotel was out of this world. But as we kept driving round Ostend in circles, I wondered if we were ever going to get to our destination. Fawlty Coaches? Probably!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Splendia, a unique selection of luxury and design hotels with character in the most beautiful locations: Marrakesh, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Dubai.... Book directly online or contact our customer service available any day of the week.
Record Rent a Car is present in the main spanish airports and has a very wide fleet. We offer: exceptional discounts, free additional drivers,
unlimited mileage... subscribe to our Club Record and take advantage of special offers.
Aug 12th, 2004
exceptional by (10%):
very helpful by (40%):
helpful by (50%):
