jkbartist Posted August 17, 2023 #201 Share Posted August 17, 2023 We loved our tour to the Alhambra. Our guide on the bus was amazing she was a wealth of knowledge and very cheerful. Our Alhambra guide was Xavier We loved how passionate he is. He told stories and histories and pointed out something special in many of the rooms or gardens. The quiet boxes were such an easy way to listen and keep up with the presentation and also take photos. First rate all around 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasTraveler18 Posted August 27, 2023 #202 Share Posted August 27, 2023 Just returned from NCL Getaway Aug 8-17/23. We were excited to have 3 stops in Spain - Bilbao, La Coruna and Vigo. We chose Spain Day Tours (SDT) based on reviews here on CC. They did not disappoint!!! We prefer private tours mainly to control size of group - which ultimately means you hear better, see more and almost alway save money. Our only concern was getting enough people to confirm each tour. We simply also booked excursions through NCL that we cancelled as each SDT tour was confirmed so we had no real risk. SDT is a family run business so customer satisfaction makes or breaks them. They were on top of pick up from the ports, had AMAZING guides who were passionate about their cities (our Bilbao guide was the BEST guide we have had in 35 years of cruising and touring) and we never sweated for 1 minute about the ability to get back on time. The transportation was very clean, looked new and very comfortable (reclining seats, foot rests, seatbelts and a microphone that ensured we heard everything easily no matter where we sat.) So from personal experience I can easily recommend this private tour company for port calls in Spain - and I would not hesitate to use them in any city they provide services in. Thank you SDT for making our Spanish ports of call so wonderful! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted August 27, 2023 #203 Share Posted August 27, 2023 23 minutes ago, TexasTraveler18 said: Just returned from NCL Getaway Aug 8-17/23. We were excited to have 3 stops in Spain - Bilbao, La Coruna and Vigo. We chose Spain Day Tours (SDT) based on reviews here on CC. They did not disappoint!!! We prefer private tours mainly to control size of group - which ultimately means you hear better, see more and almost alway save money. Our only concern was getting enough people to confirm each tour. We simply also booked excursions through NCL that we cancelled as each SDT tour was confirmed so we had no real risk. SDT is a family run business so customer satisfaction makes or breaks them. They were on top of pick up from the ports, had AMAZING guides who were passionate about their cities (our Bilbao guide was the BEST guide we have had in 35 years of cruising and touring) and we never sweated for 1 minute about the ability to get back on time. The transportation was very clean, looked new and very comfortable (reclining seats, foot rests, seatbelts and a microphone that ensured we heard everything easily no matter where we sat.) So from personal experience I can easily recommend this private tour company for port calls in Spain - and I would not hesitate to use them in any city they provide services in. Thank you SDT for making our Spanish ports of call so wonderful! We leave in two weeks on the Celebrity Apex and we have booked 6 of our 8 shore excursions with SDT. They were all organized by one person on our Roll Call and we filled all the minimum required seat in less than a month. In Lisbon Portugal we booked a totally private tour for the 4 in our group with SDT and it was $69 less pp than the same big bus tour on Celebrity. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted August 28, 2023 #204 Share Posted August 28, 2023 7 hours ago, terrydtx said: We leave in two weeks on the Celebrity Apex and we have booked 6 of our 8 shore excursions with SDT. They were all organized by one person on our Roll Call and we filled all the minimum required seat in less than a month. In Lisbon Portugal we booked a totally private tour for the 4 in our group with SDT and it was $69 less pp than the same big bus tour on Celebrity. Are you going to Sintra on that or just staying in Lisbon? I did Spain Day tours (not private) in Lisbon and we had an an amazing time. I definitely would choose SDT on my next trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted August 28, 2023 #205 Share Posted August 28, 2023 7 hours ago, TexasTraveler18 said: Just returned from NCL Getaway Aug 8-17/23. We were excited to have 3 stops in Spain - Bilbao, La Coruna and Vigo. We chose Spain Day Tours (SDT) based on reviews here on CC. Thank you SDT for making our Spanish ports of call so wonderful! I did 3 including Bilbao, La Corona and then Lisbon with them. I agree about the tour guides. They were amazing. And the buses were super comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted August 28, 2023 #206 Share Posted August 28, 2023 1 hour ago, Coral said: Are you going to Sintra on that or just staying in Lisbon? I did Spain Day tours (not private) in Lisbon and we had an an amazing time. I definitely would choose SDT on my next trip. Yes we are doing Sintra with them for just the 4 of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted August 28, 2023 #207 Share Posted August 28, 2023 21 minutes ago, terrydtx said: Yes we are doing Sintra with them for just the 4 of us. You are going to have a great time! I did ask if we could stop for a Portuguese tart in Lisbon. So good! Have a great time! I had 3 full buses on my roll call. We had 3 different guides (obviously) and everyone raved about their tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted August 28, 2023 #208 Share Posted August 28, 2023 22 minutes ago, Coral said: You are going to have a great time! I did ask if we could stop for a Portuguese tart in Lisbon. So good! Have a great time! I had 3 full buses on my roll call. We had 3 different guides (obviously) and everyone raved about their tour. We asked for a stop at a place to sample some Port. In La Rochelle France we are doing a private tour that includes a cognac tasting and education. We are to the point that we no longer will do any ship sponsored tours, all private and smaller. Last year in Italy, Croatia, Turkey and Greece we did some amazing private tours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted August 28, 2023 #209 Share Posted August 28, 2023 8 hours ago, terrydtx said: We asked for a stop at a place to sample some Port. In La Rochelle France we are doing a private tour that includes a cognac tasting and education. We are to the point that we no longer will do any ship sponsored tours, all private and smaller. Last year in Italy, Croatia, Turkey and Greece we did some amazing private tours. I also try to do private tours. I think we had 11-14 people on our Spain Day tours. Private tours are definitely ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adventures ahead Posted August 28, 2023 #210 Share Posted August 28, 2023 Have used SDT before. We're travelling late October. It's been a wait and see to reach minimum numbers for some of the ports. So far, it's working out. Communication has been excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWantToLiveOverTheSea Posted August 28, 2023 #211 Share Posted August 28, 2023 I was hoping to get a SDT excursion to Seville from Cadiz, but they and I were unable to get enough people to make it a go. But at least they notified me in plenty of time so that I could plan something else. Communication was good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted August 28, 2023 #212 Share Posted August 28, 2023 12 minutes ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said: I was hoping to get a SDT excursion to Seville from Cadiz, but they and I were unable to get enough people to make it a go. But at least they notified me in plenty of time so that I could plan something else. Communication was good. We had one person on our Apex cruise roll call organize the tours with SDT and he got enough people on the RC to make everyone of our tours. Did you try this with your Roll Call? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted August 28, 2023 #213 Share Posted August 28, 2023 10 hours ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said: I was hoping to get a SDT excursion to Seville from Cadiz, but they and I were unable to get enough people to make it a go. But at least they notified me in plenty of time so that I could plan something else. Communication was good. I agree about your roll call. I had planned to go with them for 2 tours in 2 cities out of 3 cities. One tour in the 3rd city, didn't have enough people so I cancelled the ship's tour and joined the SDT so that it would be a go. I am glad I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWantToLiveOverTheSea Posted August 29, 2023 #214 Share Posted August 29, 2023 23 hours ago, terrydtx said: We had one person on our Apex cruise roll call organize the tours with SDT and he got enough people on the RC to make everyone of our tours. Did you try this with your Roll Call? Unfortunately, there were no takers on the Roll Call for that tour. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deilert Posted September 10, 2023 #215 Share Posted September 10, 2023 I just used them in Motril for a tour to Granada and Alhambra. They were very reasonably priced and the tour guide in the coach and Alhambra were excellent. Highly recommend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flukemaster Posted September 11, 2023 #216 Share Posted September 11, 2023 has anyone done the Girona and Costa Brava tour with them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alimars Posted September 12, 2023 #217 Share Posted September 12, 2023 Yes used SPD for Girona it was the last day of cruise port Barcelona we where picked up at ship with luggage toured girona beautiful town Than driven to our hotel Great day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabincop Posted September 15, 2023 #218 Share Posted September 15, 2023 I am using SDT for a half day tour in Lisbon. Luckily I have had a lot of interest. Emilio has been working with me. Going in October on the TA on Getaway. Can’t wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Styles Posted September 17, 2023 #219 Share Posted September 17, 2023 We used Spain Day Tours just over a week ago - Cadiz to Seville. Thoroughly recommend them. Pick up was simple and punctual. Coach was very comfortable and the guides were great, supplying us with a lot of information, but not talking all the time so that we were overloaded with facts! The price we paid was very fair and a lot more reasonable than Princess prices. Communication before the trip was excellent. Would definitely use them again. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyBird Posted September 19, 2023 #220 Share Posted September 19, 2023 Hi! I just got a quote back from SDP for a trip from Malaga to Granada. I was very surprised that the price is about 30% higher than the NCL offered. From the descriptions, they are pretty much identical. The only difference I can think of is assume NCL's is a big bus, bigger group, vs we are a 10-person group, you will get a better TLC. In the past (before Covid), when we book with a local tour operator, it is always cheaper, a lot cheaper than the price cruise line offered. Has things changed lately? What are your experience and your advices? Thanks a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alimars Posted September 19, 2023 #221 Share Posted September 19, 2023 On 8/27/2023 at 9:55 PM, terrydtx said: We asked for a stop at a place to sample some Port. In La Rochelle France we are doing a private tour that includes a cognac tasting and education. We are to the point that we no longer will do any ship sponsored tours, all private and smaller. Last year in Italy, Croatia, Turkey and Greece we did some amazing private tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alimars Posted September 19, 2023 #222 Share Posted September 19, 2023 Who did u use for private tours in Croatia Italy Greece (where in Greece) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summervacation Posted September 27, 2023 #223 Share Posted September 27, 2023 I have used Spain Day Tours a few times over the past 4 years and have found them wonderful to deal with to arrange tours. They are at the port waiting and get you back in time. There guides have always been very professional and knowledgeable. I highly recommend the company. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyBird Posted September 27, 2023 #224 Share Posted September 27, 2023 I am currently in communication with SDT. It took them 2-3 days to get back to you in email. Is that the case with you too? Just got little anxious... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabincop Posted September 27, 2023 #225 Share Posted September 27, 2023 4 hours ago, JerseyBird said: I am currently in communication with SDT. It took them 2-3 days to get back to you in email. Is that the case with you too? Just got little anxious... Between time change & Im sure they amount of email they get it’s understandable. Usually get a return email within 2 to 3 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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