This review is penned to warn potential Veena World customers, wishing to undertake a Europe tour.
We, a family of 4, undertook the EUST-23/05/19-A tour for Italy, Swiss, Paris. This was our 2nd tour after a previous Singapore tour, which had been good. At the airport, we were delighted to have food hampers.
However, the arrival at Rome was disappointing with an ordinary hotel, which served the most pathetic food brought in by a supplier, like a road-side hawker. Though we had booked 2 double rooms, we were given 1 triple - sharing and another small cramped room, in which my husband adjusted for 2 nights, so as not to spoil the mood at the outset. Starvation due to unpalatable food, exhaustive journey of the previous day and long 11 km walk on the second day, precipitated a severe migraine attack, which would not resolve with oral medicines. Despite being a doctor, I needed assistance, as I was in urgent need of injectables. The tour manager was not of any help and it was my husband Rajesh’s perseverance and support from a fellow traveler & senior doctor, Dr. Naval that we could locate an Italian doctor. I could communicate my requirement of the drugs and so finally, the clinic administered me injections. The purpose behind writing this is to advise to know your drug names, if you suffer from any illnesses.
We had to buy our own tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, contrary to Veena promises of all entry ticket inclusions. Hotel stay in Florence and Padova was in far-flung hotels with suffocating, non- ventilated rooms and we were told to open windows, so we learned that Europe has mosquitoes as well. Horrible food with only bread, butter, cereal, and coffee for breakfast was served in Italy.
After heated arguments, we were offered a better deal in Switzerland with a decent hotel and good dinners at hotel Central., which were a welcome sight.
Our joy was short-lived, as after reaching Paris, after a full day travel, we were taken to, Indian, restaurant, BHOJAN, which served the repetitive menu of rubbery rotis, with watery dal, the same paneer matar, which had been served already, God knows how many times and a watery kheer. Hotel located very far from the city centre.
Next day, for Disneyland trip was a waste due to lack of guidance from tour manager and then we were shipped to the famous Lido show. The tour manager gave us no idea of what was to come. We had expected a dance extravaganza, as this was a family tour with kids of all ages, but we suffered a culture shock with the exposed cabaret show. Disgusting! A message to the tour manager for early departure was of no use, as there was no bus to take us back to the hotel and dinner at the Lido show was bad.
Next day morning was a disaster, as we were made to wait in the hot sun for almost two hours while the tour manager was arranging tickets for the much awaited Versailles palace and ultimately told us that only 26 out of 42 people could view the palace and the rest would only have to hang out in the garden. All passengers got agitated and stomped back into the bus. The Louvre Museum was covered after another hopeless lunch and a night city tour was given instead of Versailles, the regret of missing which remains.
Tea/coffee in the evening was served only on 2/11 evenings, after demanding for it. Veena World had projected 3 - star+ hotels, this was supposedly a premium tour, as we had paid heavily only for 3 countries, but they made huge profits on our account by giving ordinary far- away hotels/motels and lousy food. 2 precious days were spent completely on day travel by bus, without any Eurorail and no time was given for local sightseeing or shopping.
Only highlight was Switzerland. Rest was a sorry story. Many people are still to receive the visa refund, as visa fees were taken by Veenaworld, despite knowing that it has to be paid personally at the Visa centre.
All in all, it was a cost-cutting program, meant to deprive us of the joy and fun of visiting Europe. UTTERLY DISAPPOINTING. Never expected this shabby, disorganized tour from a well - known Bombay - based tour operator.
Dr. Meenal Patil
Ex-Head and Professor,
R. G Medical College, Thane.