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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
Well we can't commit yet, but we are definitely interested. It's on our calendar, should know in about 60 days. Bart & Diane Kinlein (Central Maryland)
Bart & Diane, that's great, I hope you can join us. I'm going to ad your names to the list but under a new category (Definite Maybe)
That works. Diane is having knee replcement surgery next Monday. How she recovers (we expect fully) will determine if we can make it.
But a 2 hour walking tour "compulsory"? That could be a non-starter!
I'm sure you can sit out the walking tour (or do whatever you'd like). The travel agent wrote the "compulsory" part, not me :-) Turns out the "local guide is compulsory", not the walk.
I hope all goes well for Diane, please keep us updated.
I continue to have interest, although the price is a challenge for me.
No question about the value being offered, just out of our comfort range. I had mentioned earlier that we visited one of our sons in Thailand in January. My wife and I each had a small carry-on and no checked baggage. We stayed in a variety of accommodations from a tribal village to a beach bungalow to a high-rise apartment in downtown Bangkok and several levels in between. We found that the simple accommodations subtracted nothing from our experience. As the Motel 6 ad goes "Everything looks the same with your eyes closed."
Just my opinion FWIW.
Keith Akins, RPT Piano Technologist USA Distributor for Isaac Cadenza hammers and Profundo Bass Strings Supporting Piano Owners D-I-Y piano tuning and repair editor emeritus of Piano Technicians Journal
Understood Keith, and I agree if it's something you are doing on your own, you can run with whatever is ok by you. However putting together a tour for a varied group of people means trying to strike the optimal balance. Sticking with the better known hotels gives us a little more confidence that the accommodations will be clean and comfortable, and able to handle the entire group at once. Our goal is to make this a unique, pleasurable, and memorable experience for everyone who joins us on this adventure.
I hope you can join us if possible. Deposits aren't due until Dec. 1st (25%), however we are trying to get an idea of how many people plan to take the tour.
A very quick breakdown suggests to me something like this per person per day (eg Ramada Hotel advertises with $82.10 lowest avg nightly rate) (and instead of a bus I took a standard rental car with 4 persons and guessed $200 would do per day):
hotel+breakfast $100 dinner $35 bus $50 Times 12 days I get $2220
I know I'm neglecting the entrance fees etc now but what is taking up the other $2000?
A very quick breakdown suggests to me something like this per person per day (eg Ramada Hotel advertises with $82.10 lowest avg nightly rate) (and instead of a bus I took a standard rental car with 4 persons and guessed $200 would do per day):
hotel+breakfast $100 dinner $35 bus $50 Times 12 days I get $2220
I know I'm neglecting the entrance fees etc now but what is taking up the other $2000?
Hi wouter79, I sent your question to our travel agent figuring she could best answer your questions. Her reply...
Thanks for the question. There are many hidden variables that many don't think about when planning a trip like this. That's why so many people utilize a travel agent, we think of it all for you!
When choosing hotels, we tried to find hotels that had a bit of history or local feel and were located central to many of the sites within walking distance to insure less time on the road. Because of this, hotels begin to get a bit pricier. We did take advantage of some of the low advertized rates when possible, but cannot take advantage of some of the lower rates as they must be prepaid and we are offering payment options for the group.
A rental car is a nice option, but not really possible in a foreign country. Not everyone is comfortable with driving somewhere new like this. Therefore, we have chosen an air conditioned tour bus (with reclining seats, a fridge and more) for the entire group. With this we have a driver the entire time as well as a tour director.
Entrance fees and VAT and meals are actually more expensive that he projected. Again, it's easy to quickly look at what it might cost but when you really do break it down, the costs add up quickly. One thing to note is that because there are so many people joining the tour, we were actually able to bring the costs down a bit saving money for each traveler for a really 5 star experience.
Here are some elements that must be included but were not listed in the $2220 projected. VAT/Government taxes, welcome party for group, English speaking tour director, local guides for private excursions, entrance fees to Cologne Dom, Bonn Beethoven Museum, Thomas Church, Mendelsohn House, Liszt Museum, Germanisces National Museum, Mozart Haus Birthplace, Castle Schonbrunn, porterage at hotels and airports of one piece per person, parking for motorcoach, gas for the motorcoach, service charges at hotels and restaurants (often charged because of larger groups), hotel costs for driver and tour director. You can see how it can add up quickly!
Thanks again for the question, I appreciate that you are protecting your investments and hope you join the group on the tour!
Kimberly Winters Travel Agent Hill's Travel Service A Virtuoso Agency 1500 4th St N St. Petersburg, FL 33704 727-896-7161
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
Thanks for the reply on my question about the costs!
Apparently I did not state it clear enough but I estimated that the bus (including gas and driver) would not be more expensive than $50 per person. I only based that on costs for rental car for comparison.
Sorry you won't be able to join us wouter79. Keep in mind the more people we have the less it will cost everyone.
Quite a few people have expressed an interest in joining the tour and it's still early. The first payment isn't really due until the end of November (Dec. 1 actually).
We are hoping to have enough people by then to make it more affordable for everyone. The sooner people raise their hand the better though, so we can get an idea of how many people will be going, which in turn helps determine the price.
I realize there are cheaper packages out there, but they are typically canned tours that go to the same places over and over. This is a highly customized one-of-a-kind adventure, designed with our piano/music loving members in mind.
To those of you who may be on the fence about joining us, please let me know if we can put you on the Yes I'm Coming or Definitely Maybe list.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
This is amazing!!! I wish I could go, but here in Romania my husband and I together only make an average of 4000 dollars per the whole year. Spending 10,000 on a 12 day vacation is definitely wishful thinking.
On the other hand, living in Europe, and Austria/Germany not being at such an incommensurable distance I am tempted to ask if it wasn't possible to have another group that would stay at the less pricier bed and breakfast kind of guesthouses (or even camping if possible) and join with your group for the visits and tours (of course paying their share for the guide and the normal entrance fees) but again... not using the A/C, refrigerator furnished bus.
Don't get me wrong, what your travel agent is offering is fantastic, and if I had the money I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to join in, it's money well spent.
I apologize if this may upset anyone, it is not my intention of doing that! It's just that my jaw dropped just dreaming about the amazing places you're going to visit.
later edit> Are you really going to stay and dine at Schloss Lerbach in the picture? [envy aaaaaaal over!!!!] If so, your travel agency is more than efficient! It's a work of art
Last edited by Mirela; 08/06/1005:01 PM.
Piano teacher in Romania Learning something new every day
On the other hand, living in Europe, and Austria/Germany not being at such an incommensurable distance I am tempted to ask if it wasn't possible to have another group that would stay at the less pricier bed and breakfast kind of guesthouses (or even camping if possible) and join with your group for the visits and tours (of course paying their share for the guide and the normal entrance fees) but again... not using the A/C, refrigerator furnished bus.
This would be my preference. I would rather meet real people like Mirela along the way rather than functionaries in the travel industry -- no matter how professional they may be. More expensive travel options have a strong tendency to create an insulated "bubble" that shields people from actual contact with the culture.
I understand that some people feel they need the "bubble" and do not question the value being offered for the price being asked. I just have a different price/value equation.
Keith Akins, RPT Piano Technologist USA Distributor for Isaac Cadenza hammers and Profundo Bass Strings Supporting Piano Owners D-I-Y piano tuning and repair editor emeritus of Piano Technicians Journal
On the other hand, living in Europe, and Austria/Germany not being at such an incommensurable distance I am tempted to ask if it wasn't possible to have another group that would stay at the less pricier bed and breakfast kind of guesthouses (or even camping if possible) and join with your group for the visits and tours (of course paying their share for the guide and the normal entrance fees) but again... not using the A/C, refrigerator furnished bus.
This would be my preference. I would rather meet real people like Mirela along the way rather than functionaries in the travel industry -- no matter how professional they may be.
On the other hand, living in Europe, and Austria/Germany not being at such an incommensurable distance I am tempted to ask if it wasn't possible to have another group that would stay at the less pricier bed and breakfast kind of guesthouses (or even camping if possible) and join with your group for the visits and tours (of course paying their share for the guide and the normal entrance fees) but again... not using the A/C, refrigerator furnished bus.
This would be my preference. I would rather meet real people like Mirela along the way rather than functionaries in the travel industry -- no matter how professional they may be. More expensive travel options have a strong tendency to create an insulated "bubble" that shields people from actual contact with the culture.
I understand that some people feel they need the "bubble" and do not question the value being offered for the price being asked. I just have a different price/value equation.
Understood, and if I planned on traveling alone or with a very small group of close friends I'd probably approach it differently too.
However we have been working months to put together a unique experience for what I hope is somewhere between 30-50 people from all across the country (and possibly around the world.) We are trying to fit in an extensive list of exciting venues with a wide variety of experiences, while at the same time assuring everyone of a comfortable, safe, and clean travel experience. There is a good chance we will have some children, and some folks in their 70's or older. There will be experienced travelers, and folks who have never been out of the States.
We are doing our best to provide a memorable experience for everyone who joins us, which is why it's organized the way it is.
For those who aren't interested in this type of tour, or who simply cannot fit it into their budget... Please see our complete itinerary. If you are able to meet up with us at any of our destinations while we are there please do so, we would love to meet you. Heck, I would like to meet all 53,000+ forums members if I could. Unfortunately we can't get into trying to create numerous variations of our tour to accommodate the particular requests of our many valued members.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
Additional Pictures Above and in First Post in this Thread
Mendelssohn Haus - Leipzig
Mendelssohn Haus - Leipzig - Continued
Mendelssohn Haus - Leipzig - Continued
Mendelssohn Haus - Leipzig - Continued
NOTE: The pictures in the above posts and at the start of this thread are only a part of what we will be seeing/visiting on this tour. Please read the first two posts in this thread carefully as they contain the primary details.
We also may add more pictures later so keep an eye on this thread. And by all means, join us on this unique adventure if you can!
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...