Lovely Lisbon

Just a quick e-mail to thank you for pulling out all the stops and getting Colm (aka ‘George’ on his passport!) and I on the Cork – Lisbon flight on Mon. last.  We were like 2 greyhounds from Sun. evening when we first heard that Dublin Airport would be closed by the dreaded ash – poised to the ready with suitcases packed in hopeful anticipation and yet not wanting to book ourselves on the Cork flight without your permission!  Whew! It made the Lisbon trip all the sweeter!

It was a fabulous few days and the Turim hotel in Lisbon was lovely – friendly staff and very comfortable with a great buffet choice for breakfast each morning.  We were looked after very well, transport-wise also, and delivered both to and from the hotel by our cheerful driver.

I think the icing on the cake was the walking tour on Tues.  It started at 9.30 a.m. but poor Paulo hadn’t reckoned with 5 Irish tearaways and we eventually finished at about 4.00p.m.!! I think it was only supposed to be a 3 hour tour……  Colm and I and Neil from Cork then went for lunch with Paulo and had very interesting discussions on Colonialism!  It all ended very amicably though and Paulo was just a wonderful guide, helping us to get 3 day transport tickets for buses, etc., and bringing us to some fantastic places around Lisbon – Alfama by tram, etc.  Because of his knowledge and help, we managed to cover a huge amount of the top places of interest during the following days, as well as the places covered on the Tues.

Truly a great package once more from Citiescapes, Jill, so take a bow!  For great accommodation, seamless transport (can’t hold you responsible for volcanoes) and wonderful value all round, we enjoyed ourselves mightily!

- Colm & Janet, Lisbon: The Insiders Tour, May 2010

A Memorable Meeting

On 24th November 2009 I travelled with Citiescapes to Syria on the Apostles to Crusades Holiday. It was a wonderful holiday in every respect, visiting such historic places as Damascus, Crac des Chevaliers, Aleppo, Bosra, Apamea, Ebla, Maloula, where they still speak Aramaic – the language Jesus spoke, Saladin’s castle and St. Simeon.

The highlight of the holiday has to have been Palmyra. Having visited Petra in Jordan and Baalbeck in Lebanon, I was longing to see the third wonder of this part of the Middle East. It was as majestic and awe inspiring as I had imagined. It was a lovely sunny day when we visited it, not many people around, just a few small groups. Our guide had told us in advance that the President of Syria was expected, with the leader of the Maronites from Lebanon, who was visiting him. I immediately decided that, if it was possible, I would like to shake his hand, having been very impressed with seeing what he was doing for his country.

I got my wish ! In one of the small groups walking in our direction, with no pomp or ceremony, we recognised President Bashar Al- Asad with his wife and children. I went up to a man who looked like a bodyguard, told him I was from Ireland, and asked him if I could possibly meet the President. He said of course I could and he brought me up to him. The President held my hand and I told him I was from Ireland and that I wanted to congratulate him on what he was doing for Syria, making it an open economy. I said that they must be very proud of him, at which all the members of his group clapped.

The fact that I could meet this man so easily and so naturally gives out a very special message about him and his country.

I shall always remember that meeting.

Citiescapes client Jane Carty talks to Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad in Palmyra, November 2009. Photo courtesy Jane Carty/Joan Fitzgerald

- Jane, Syria – From the Apostles to the Crusades, November 2009

Excellent Insiders Tour

Just a note to let you know how much we enjoyed the Berlin trip last week. The hotel is fabulous, and all the Insiders Tour guides are excellent, particularly Mike Stack who led the walking tour of the city. His enthusiasm and passion for Berlin and its history is contagious! The trip to Dresden is unmissable.

Thanks again for all your assistance and I shall be checking your website to see what trips are coming up in the new year!

- Sheila, Berlin & Dresden, November 2009

Magical Berlin

Just back from Berlin with Citiescapes. Just to say how much myself and two daughters enjoyed the trip. It was magical.

The highlight of course was the walking trip around Berlin, although it rained all the way no one seemed to mind it the guide Mike was so passionate about his job. He was just wonderful. He never wore hat or gloves he must have been soaked.

- Angela, Berlin Insiders Tour, November 2009

It was all so easy

Just a little note to say how much we enjoyed our trip to Berlin. We must compliment Citiescapes on efficiency, buses meeting group and returning us to airport, made it all so easy. Weather was terrible, but we were ready for it! We had a wonderful guide called Mike Stack for walking tour who brought whole history alive, and tho on our feet for long time we were so engrossed we did not feel it. We would recommend this trip highly.

- John & Mary, Berlin Insiders Tour, November 2009

Enjoyable Egypt

Just to say we had a great holiday in Egypt. The whole tour was organised so well, and our guide Ayman was excellent, he made the whole experience so enjoyable and I think we learnt a lot. Many thanks for your help and advice before we went.

- Ciara, Egyptian Highlights, September 2009

An excellent cruise

A thoroughly enjoyable cruise. The staff could not have been more helpful, assisting wherever and whenever they could. The entertainment onboard was fabulous too. Worthy of the West End!

- Vera Joyce, Caribbean Jewels Cruise, February 2009