eggpaul

On 7/16/2020 at 6:08 AM, phabric said:

I used International Friends (www.internationalfriends.co.uk ) from our Dover dock.    We stopped at Canterbury and Leeds and they dropped us off at our London hotel.

That's the company I will be using also.      What time were you picked up from the dock, and what time did you make it to your hotel?  

Maybe the driver/guide would be enough I think.      Although someone walking with us would be great too.   I'll ask them about the War room,  it's close to the Abbey?  

7 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

165 GBP pounds is that “bit” more.  But frankly, I would wonder if you could get one person for that price who would be sufficiently up on the ins and outs of Dover, Canterbury and (yes, even) London to do more for you than you could do with your own research - identify what you want to see : perhaps a castle, or a bit of coastal character in Dover;  that spot where Henry Plantagenet’s knights murdered Thomas a Becket and the Black Prince’s sarcophagus at Canterbury; and then London —- are you going to give it a whole day - of an hour or so to glom the highlights?

They will pick us up from the cruise line at 8:30 am, head over to the cliffs, and then Dover Castle.  The said the guide can't enter the castle with us (we will be there 2 hours).    After that is Canterbury , where the guide will walk with us and then to the church.    In London they will take us to St. Paul's cathedral (guide can't enter with us), the Abbey, big ben, and Buckhingham.  I think we will be dropped off at the hotel around 5-6 pm.                    The private tour is pricey.    805 gbp for driver only,  +115 for driver who can act as a guide, or +280 for driver AND dedicated guide. 

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

I would think that someone offering to drive you around an area could be expected to know about that area.  But, it occurs to me that having an experienced guide (obviously more than someone who just knows the roads) with you to show you around Dover and  London and Canterbury would come to quite a lot more than “a bit more”.   

 

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

I don't know about England, but in some European countries, a driver cannot actually go in with you and 'guide' you at the site, they can only provide some information about it. Also, in some countries it is not legal for one person to fill both roles (e.g., you are a driver or you are a guide, but not both). I would do more research.

 

Read reviews and find out how much the driver/guide actually does. One very popular agency that provides driver services in Italy touts their wonderful drivers who, according to MOST reviewers provide a lot of input and also logistical guidance.....however, the agency are also careful to note that their drivers are basically there to be drivers. In other words, they may provide you with a certain level of information, or they may not.

 

When in doubt, for me, I'd rather spend $$$ on a guide than on a driver. Too many times I've gotten a lot of stories, hearsay and blather from drivers when I really wanted facts and history. For some, however, a few stories and a pleasant sing-along in the van are all they really want. 

 

Yes, the tour company says   for a driver/guide it would be base fare + 115 gbp, and for a driver and dedicated guide who would walk with us it would be + 280 gbp.                    This vacation is expensive , so not sure why I'm fretting about 165 gbp, haha,  but I am .

 

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

I would think that someone offering to drive you around an area could be expected to know about that area.  But, it occurs to me that having an experienced guide (obviously more than someone who just knows the roads) with you to show you around Dover and  London and Canterbury would come to quite a lot more than “a bit more”.   

 

 

For a Driver/guide it is  Base Fare + 115 GBP ,  for a Driver + separate guide it is Base Fare + 280 GBP

Can anyone tell me if it is worth paying extra for a driver + guide in Dover?            I don't see the big difference between a driver/guide and a driver + guide.    In my experience with excursions, the drivers have always acted as great guides.   I'm just wondering if it will be worth to pay a bit more for a driver + guide in Dover/canterbury/london?