A review for those who choose this kind of tours for the first time (stories about 2 tours: Budapest-Valley of Beauties-Vienna-Prague, Budapest-Balaton-Eger)
1. To begin with, it is really problematic to sign up for a tour of Europe in 2024, because many sign up for tours to open a visa. For the April tour, it was necessary to record in January-February, for the tour in August - in March. The site is being updated well, but do not forget that it is better to call and clarify whether a particular tour has appeared, or when they plan to add it.
2. About the work of the agency itself. Nice people work there, maybe it will seem different to you the first time, but they are tactful in conversation, answer all your questions and explain the nuances. What I didn't like specifically was that after the conclusion of the contract, there is a waiting period for the visa application date. The employee said she would call when to start collecting documents, but I did not receive a call twice (2 rounds). I only found out when I came to pay the second part.
The visa application itself took place twice without problems, an agency employee will be with you, will help and tell you.
3. What about the tour?
Border: I have no complaints about the time of the group's gathering at the border, because it was really impossible to predict the situation (I mean the number of buses that will be launched) and in this regard it is worth just being patient.
A regular bus is provided to cross the border. Be prepared for the fact that the concept of "comfort" in any form is not there, it is the most inconvenient with a small amount of space, a semi-collapsing bus. In the opposite direction, there was darkness with a broken hatch (as a result, I got sick later). Spending 10-13 hours on such a bus will kill any back.
Tour: Be prepared for the fact that due to the situation at the border, you may miss the first day of the tour and no one will care. For a 2-3 day tour, losing 1 day is unpleasant. In both tours, if you go completely everywhere with the group, then you will not see Budapest practically. In any case, there will be a sightseeing tour (but after the border and a long move, we were so exhausted that the only thing we wanted was a hotel and a shower).
The tours themselves are organized for those who do not want to think about anything and just look at the cities. This is convenient, because past the main program, the guide will offer enough additional places to visit.
I liked the Budapest-Valley of Beauties-Vienna-Prague tour more. On the second day, the group returned to Budapest at 15:00 and there was time to take a walk and go to the baths. Vienna was not given as much time as we would like, but the guide in Vienna is a wonderful and pleasant woman. Prague was also pleased with the guide.
The Budapest-Balaton-Eger tour is also pleasant and exciting, because there was a reconstruction in one of the cities, then we changed our tour and after Eger on the 3rd day we stopped in Kosice (this was the best solution).
Guide: Nikolai was with us on both tours. He is a pleasant and positive man who kept the whole group in a good mood. It was really fun with such a guide. He will tell you and answer all your questions, and advise you on some good places for lunch / which wine to buy.
4. Visa: The consul's decision is never understood, but in both tours, most had one-time visas for the trip. Hungary likes reports, when applying for a second visa, they look at how the previous one was used. As it turned out later, the agency reports to the consulate only with stamps in the passport. For those who are familiar with the process of obtaining a Hungarian visa, it was a shock, because there was no confirmation from the hotel (that we actually checked in and stayed there for a certain number of days).
5. Conclusion: For those who want to try the tour or do not want to bother with the organization - go and see the cities, and have a nice time.
For those who go on tour to obtain a visa - no more than once.
I would not go on such tours for the 3rd time, at most for Christmas.
The most sincere and warm words of gratitude to ARTINTUR for an unforgettable trip to the THREE CAPITALS!! On Christmas and New Year's Eve, it was a super emotional holiday for me.I am a traveler with a lot of experience and I have not seen such professionalism and impeccable organization for a very long time! Thank you so much for the bright emotions, positivity, drive, great mood and friendly atmosphere!! and of course, special thanks to the accompanying person and the head of the group, Nikolai Yastrebov, for his professionalism, friendliness, openness and phenomenal abilities to resolve any situation.thank you.....
We bought a trip to 3 capitals through this tour operator. I would like to express special gratitude to the head of the group, Nikolai Yastrebov! He is not just a good organizer, but also a wonderful history expert. His encyclopedic knowledge of the countries he visits helps to have a great and interesting time on the road. Quizzes and contests along the way also help to relieve fatigue. Their knowledge of foreign languages will help you if you do not speak them. We recommend this tour operator.
I have already traveled 2 times from this company. For the first time in Hungary, they opened a visa, and recently on a tour of 3 capitals. There have never been any problems, everything is as stated. The guides are just amazing, as is the whole team. Thank you very much for a good trip and new acquaintances❤
The office is nonsense, it is impossible to sign up for a Tour, let's say Hungary, they say for January, look at the site in October, then nothing pops up on the site, they say for February, look at the site in November, in November it will probably be the same, no specifics, they would say specifically: there are no tours, do not fool your head, otherwise me- be, not fish, not meat, but they want money, they probably need to throw them checks, let them look at what kind of office this is, and at the same time they will be interested in prices
The very first agency... Well, except for the age-old Intourist. At the dawn of the collapse of the USSR... Vouchers to Poland... Nostalgia... Now, against the background of thousands of similar agencies, nothing stands out...
Trip Budapest Vienna Prague 03/25/2015
A bus with the concept of "comfortable" is simply incompatible!There is dirt and garbage everywhere!Special thanks to the guide, who "kept" the group positive throughout the trip)