Novaland Tours Travel Reviews, Tour Reviews, Testimonials

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NLT-150427-CJ50809 [Jan 1, 1970, from America]

Hi Cindy, I have arrived back in Tokyo. Everything has been very nice so far. I just have to tell you about my hotel rooms in general. When I arrived on the 15 and I checked in at the Shiba Park hotel, they told me "Your reservation is for a double but we don't have any of those rooms available, we can give you a big single room" so I said that would be fine as I am just one person. However, I didn't realize they put me in a smoking room. At first I thought all rooms have an ashtray because smoking is allowed almost everywhere here in Japan, but now I realize they actually have non-smoking rooms. I don't smoke, but the smell from other rooms was getting into mine. Today I checked in again at the Shiba Park hotel and this time they did put me in a bigger room with a bigger bed and it is no-smoking room. The difference is remarkable. So I just want to say that I'm disappointed that I had to spend my first three nights in Japan breathing second hand smoke, which is more damaging. There is nothing I can do about now and I just feel frustrated. I wish I would have I known better to demand what I had requested. I am very happy with my room this time. It doesn't smell like cigarette at all. I didn't know better the first time or I would have asked to be changed to a non-smoking room. I was naive and didn't know. The room in Osaka also smell like cigarette, but they had an air purifier in my room so I kept it running all the time when I was in my room. Kyoto also had an ashtray in the room, but again I thought "maybe this is the way all hotels are because almost everybody smokes here". I also kept the air conditioning on to make the smell go away. I did the same thing in Fuji, just kept the air conditioning running and I opened the window too. No complains in Takayama. They gave me a non-smoking room. In general my rooms have been nice and clean. It's just that I wish I would have known better to make sure I was always put in a non-smoking room. Breathing second hand smoke is very damaging to one's health. I feel so bad this happened. Lack of experience :( Sent from my iPhone

NLT-150426-FJ56286 [Jan 1, 1970, from Australia]

Dear Alice I had a wonderful time in Japan, and want to thank you for going to all the trouble of getting extra information for me. Everything went very smoothly. I thought JTB Sunrise Tours did a great job, but I would like to make some comments. 1. As a single traveler, it was a shame that I had to sit by myself on the day we had lunch in Kyoto. When you travel by yourself it is nice to have someone to talk to during the meal. That day, I did not have anyone sitting next to me on the coach so was looking forward to having someone to talk to at lunch. The lunch after our visit to My Fuji was in a wonderful location, the restaurant had amazing views over the lake, but those of us who were single travelers had to sit so far away from the windows that we could not enjoy the view. There were lots of table unused right near the windows, so it did not have to be like that. 2. The Mt Fuji day finished at Odawarra Station 3 hours before the train you had booked me to travel to Kyoto on was due to leave. Thankfully the tour guide suggested that I ask at the ticket office if I could change my ticket for an earlier train, which I was able to do, so I did not get to Kyoto so late. I think it would be good to tell other travelers that it is possible to change train tickets for earlier departures to save waiting around. I did the same thing when I was leaving Kyoto and got back to Tokyo earlier. 3. The JTB Sunrise Guides were so careful to help all tour participants find their way back to their hotel when each tour finished. They were very knowledgeable and helpful with so many things, like which type of sake to buy! Would be very happy to do their tours again! I had a great time, Alice, and think you did a wonderful job. I hope my comments are helpful. I will recommend Novaland to any friends who are thinking of travelling to the countries your company services. Kind regards Ann

NLT-150423-YK50747 [Jan 1, 1970, from Canada]

Jeju: Hi Joanna Just a line or two about our tour in Jeju. The ship docked rather than tendered passengers ashore so that we were ashore about 10:10 a.m. rather than 11 a.m. Your other tour guide phoned and arranged for Cindi to come soon – she was there about 10:40 a.m. And so our tour was on its way before 11 a.m. Our guide was Cindi (Cindy) and she was a little overwhelmed by two or three pushy passengers especially one who wanted – almost demanded – that there be free wifi on the bus. She explained that her phone had wifi which she paid for personally and could not use to create a hot-spot on the bus. From there on that passenger was critical of everything. He and his wife were the only ones! Cindi’s English could use improving but it was okay. And the scope of the itinerary was stretching the time possibilities and she did not realize that lunch was included so she rearranged the schedule to accommodate and telephoned for lunch arrangements at the folk village. The bus and driver were very good. At lunch we went to the restaurant which she had called and they were not prepared for us so she pulled us out, we used the WCs and she arranged for another restaurant immediately. But as you can understand, with 30 passengers there was some confusion. But lunch was very good. And authentic. The rest of the day went well – a visit to Sunrise Peak, a half hour at Loveland Park and a quick stop for Dragon Rock. And we were back to the ship right on 5 p.m. as required. All in all the tour had a shaky beginning but turned out well. All but for one unhappy, unsatisfied passenger who didn’t get his free wifi and complained heartily about the confusion at the day’s beginning. A score? The early morning – about 6 out of 10. Once lunch was in place and the rest of the day? 10 out of 10. A good tour. Thanks. Busan: Great tour in Busan today. Our guide John was excellent - an older Korean native of Busan. And he had an assistant to help herd the group. Good bus, good driver, terrific lunch. We were a little short on time but that's no one's fault. Best Hakodate: Great tour today. Excellent, professional guide well prepared for her job. Everyone is very pleased. Lunches - which are important cultural references - was different again from our other tours and was very good. Thanks Bob

NLT-150423-LJ56027 [Jan 1, 1970, from America]

Lillian The tour and transfer to the airport went well. The ship docked before 8 am but a conveyor belt to transfer the luggage broke which delayed our starting time. Jay was wonderful. He was there on time and very helpful in greeting everyone as it was difficult due the luggage delay. Jay was very knowledgeable, kind and understanding. He was the best guide we had during our entire trip. I highly recommend his services. Tell Jay I thank him very much as he made our short stay in Tokyo interesting. Emma H. Pendergrass

NLT-150423-EK37383 [Jan 1, 1970]

1. How is our service throughout your tour from any aspects you feel? Such as our travel consultant, tour guide’s, drivers or others’ attitude; transportations, scenic spots’ arrangement; and any other words you would like to say to me. My experience with your travel consultant: Emma is very prompt and very patient to ensure I get what I wanted in my tour itinerary. She is quite persistent and if she wasn't so, I guessed I wouldn't have signed up with Novaland. It was not cheap actually if you compare to a self guided tour. My experience with the tour guide: H. Kim can speak great English and is very knowledgeable about the attractions in Busan. She is very accommodating and tried hard to ensure we get a good experience. Her enthusiasm was infectious and made our trip very enjoyable. She is really very good. We will recommend her to our friends in future. Transportation: We are happy with the drivers and also the vehicle provided for our tour. Very comfortable. Maybe one comment is that we should get the same driver for the whole duration of the tour? We had 3 different drivers in 5 days. Itinerary: Just need to caution that some attractions were dropped from our itinerary. We followed what Kim said but would be good that we can keep to the whole itinerary maybe even if we shortened the visit at each spot. 2. Where can we improve to be better and stronger? You may want to expand your marketing efforts of your tour service. More advertisement maybe? 3. Any other valuable comments, travel experience and happy moments you may have. Your business model is good as we can change or amend the itinerary based on our specification. The flexibility of private vs group tours are also good. Maybe look at your pricing model as I still think the price is a bit high. In general, we had a great time and we must say Novaland helped to make our trip enjoyable.

NLT-150422-EK53383 [Jan 1, 1970, from America]

Hi Emma Chen, The entire trip went exactly as planned ... Thank you for your assistance. Our private tour guide (Sarah) was very patient, accommodating and knowledgeable about Jegu island. If possible, in advance, can a local contact phone number be given to make the initial contact easier ?. The hotel selection (Jegu Grand Hotel) was great ... we were given a "suite" room. The group tour was good but it should be noted about the expected physicalness of the Womens Divers Show/Sunrise Peak and Manjang Cave ... most people do complete the entire walking trek, optional for others. All in all, we had a great Jegu travel experience ... the island was larger than expected. Sometme in the future, I would consider Novaland again.

NLT-150419-MK54679 [Jan 1, 1970]

Hi Melody, So sorry for my late reply. I would like to give my gratitude toward Novaland especially the prompt attention I always received from you Melody :-) As for the day tour, in general the tour guide and driver's service were ok but regret that the whole tour was in a rush as if the tour guide was rushing to go home. 2 attractions was canceled as the tour guide said it was not an interesting places to visit, and Dalmaji Hill was totally missed out in our tour. Therefore, out of 7 attractions we covered only Headong Yonggung Temple, Beomerse Temple, Gamcheon Culture Village and Jagalchi Fish Market/BIFF and the whole tour ended at 5.30pm only. Anyway, we are happy with Novaland and will surely introduce to friends who may need your professional travel expertise. Regards Grace

NLT-150416-YK50747(A) [Jan 1, 1970, from America]

Absolutely perfect - our guide Apple was every thing we could have wished. Great guide, very organized, great knowledge of the area, great communications, fun. She made sure it was a great experience for is.

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