I would like to share my experience of international Travel with Thomas Cook India. I visited Europe from 28/4/2019 to 12/5/2019 in a tour package organized by Thomas Cook India. The package is called highlights of Europe(14 nights and 15 days). It was my first experience with Thomas Cook.
I along with my two friends and their families, decided to Europe in our first International travel and shortlisted & contacted couple of travel agencies, ultimately finalized Thomas cook. We contacted Mr. Anjan Kumar of Thomas Cook, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad, and he guided us well in selecting the package keeping duration & cost of the trip. He briefed us briefly about all the packages available with them and explained salient features to some extent. His could not clarify some of our questions, but he promised that selection of changes can be done with tour manager, which is NOT CORRECT. PLEASE dont expect any changes in the tour for yourself, such as visiting museums, going to any place other than majority members going. He guidance was mediocre. And Mr. Krishna of Saifabad branch, Hyderabad was a very efficient and experienced person who guided us in the process of applying and obtaining UK Visa and Schengen Visa. He made Visa process hassle-free and easy. All the passports and relevant material for tickets were given to us 5 days before the travel date. We departed from India from Hyderabad RGI airport at 3 am, on 28/4/2019, reached London at 2 pm Local time.
In London, we were received by Thomas cook tour manager, Mr. Jay Rajde, at the Heathrow Airport on our arrival. He remained with us till we completed our Europe Tour in Rome. We waited for other persons in the Group, we are 8 persons and others were 35, who came from Bangalore, Kolkata, and Mumbai. So our group is 43 persons. We were taken to Moxy Hotel, near Heathrow Airport which was a very good hotel for stay. After keeping the baggage in the hotel, we were taken to the Indian restaurant for dinner. Preparation of Itinerary, selection of places of visit and Hotels for stay was excellent. Tour manager Mr. Jay Rajde, quickly created a friendly atmosphere among all the 43 tour participants in a short time. He is more of a friend, whose performance was more than what his duties required. He definitely made the tour a memorable one, with his efficient organization and friendly nature and genuine concern for all. It is really surprising that apart from families, there are singles who never felt any inconvenience or loneliness.
Right from the beginning of the tour in London to end in Rome, Thomas cook done well in transporting us to tourist places, briefing about the importance of those places, guidance about shopping, general care, and advice as to avoid problems. They showed exactly as detailed in the brochure. The accommodation was in 3 stars and 4 stars hotels, whose quality was excellent. Before the tour, I was doubtful about the food, but the food we had was excellent food, it was a combination of Continental and Indian food. I think TC is generous in planning and meticulous in execution, spared no effort to make our tour a joyous and memorable one. They never put us to any inconvenience. We felt very comfortable throughout the tour thanks to Mr. Jay Rajde. We wish to go on another international holiday travel with Thomas Cook India Pvt Ltd again soon. Our experiences in Paris, Brussels, Jungfraujoch, lunch at the summit with Champaign, the train journey to Jungfraujoch, Interlaken, Keukenhof, and Titlis happy and unforgettable. Lunch on the boat while going to Venice and trip on Rhine river cruise, Rhine falls at Schaffhausen are romantic & wonderful. We made a lot of purchases in Amsterdam, Venice, for souvenirs and general items.
Shortcomings in the tour: we wish we could have more time in Rome & London to see the historical places. Probably, for this, we require 2 more days to the tour period.
Post Tour: An excess amount was collected by Thomas Cook, they promised that they would deposit once tour started. Even though they have not refunded excess amount ever after 20 days after completion of tour. I am still waiting.(as on 11/6/19)
Pre-tour experience and Post tour experiences were average. During tour experience was VERY GOOD.
And I wish to recommend Thomas Cook India Pvt Ltd to all my friends who want to go on the International Tour, BUT do TAKE SUFFICIENT CARE IN PRE-TOUR matters with Thomas Agent.
P.S. Prasad. Vijayawada.(AP)