[Idyllchat] (no subject)

[pandjking at sbcglobal.net]

Hi, Christine.
    My mistake.  I thought Untours and Home at First were related companies.  Thanks for setting me straight.  And, thanks for letting us know that HAF worked fine for you.  That is great info for Untourists to know.
    And, I agree with you.  This is the way to travel.  We are going to be doing our 13th or 14th Untour this summer and we have loved every one of them.
    Phil King, Spring Lake, MI
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: ZBerry at att.net 
  To: mgrace at bellsouth.net ; IdyllChat at lists.untours.com 
  Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 5:50 PM
  Subject: Re: [Idyllchat] (no subject)


  Hi, Michelle --

  I have also done an England trip with Home At First and enjoyed it very much.  But I must confess to being concerned when folks say that HAF is a sister company to Untours.  It is not.  It is a separate company.  True, the owner of HAF is related to the owner of Untours, but that's it.  It isn't fair to either Untours or HAF to say the two are connected or to say they are the same, just doing different countries.  With Untours there is always some staff support at your destination.  With HAF, once I got to England, I was on my own.  That is not a criticism, because the arrangements HAF had made worked out well enough and I'm a fairly experienced traveler.  It is just a slightly different approach and if someone with Untours experience signs on with HAF they may expect to be met at the airport and given an orientation and that won't happen.  Conversely, if you've traveled with HAF and are used to the slightly more indepe ndent approach of HAF, you may be surprised to find local Untours staff available to help out in a pinch. 

  Small differences, perhaps, and some may feel I am being picky.  But it isn't right to make statements suggesting they are sister companies when they are not.  And because experience with one can lead to incorrrect assumptions about the other if you are told the two companies are related, I just think it's wiser to realize you are dealing with two different companies, each of which has its own way of doing things.  Yes, there are some similarities in that apartments are pre-screened, they can arrange for car rentals or train passes, etc., but at the end of the day, they are separate companies doing business their own way.

  No matter who you travel with, ask lots of questions about what is included, do some research on your own so you will know whether or not the advice you are being given is good advice, book your trip if you wish, and then enjoy it. 

  Both companies can help you with your travel plans, just in somewhat different ways and in different locations.

  I used HAF for the first time this past fall -- one week in the Yorkshire Dales and the second week in the Devon/Cornwall area.  Magnificent scenery and a lovely time!  I'm scheduled for my 9th Untour this fall.

  The method of travel espoused by both companies is, in my humble opinion, the only way to travel.

  Enjoy!

  Christine in Massachusetts





    -------------- Original message from mgrace at bellsouth.net: -------------- 

            
            dear fellow untours guests

          is anyone aware of any agency (like untours) that operates and/or provides services in england.  i am planning a trip  2009 and would like a similar plan like untours car, accommodations, airfare type of thing.  untours does not do british isles so i need to seek outside of untours, any suggestions??????????????????????????????

          thanks michelle grace   



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