My wife and I just returned from a wonderful Vietnam AND Bali trip that we booked after seeing the trip advertised on Travelzoo. The trip was booked through INTERTRIPS, and we found out that INTERTRIPS also goes by the name of ChinaTours. We are guessing the name changed because they expanded from just doing tours in China and didn't want to confuse people going to other countries.
You can see from our reviews that we are international travelers, in our early 60's, having visited over 50 countries. Some trips we have taken on basic group tours like this one, others on very posh group tours, and still others on do-it-yourself (such as once back-packing for 5 weeks in Europe). Before booking this trip, we did our due-diligence on Intertrips, something we do for all trips before we book.
Here is one thing that we have found out about ALL group trips. It is necessary to check out all the minor details in the final travel itinerary when you receive your documents. Each tour company tells you you do this, INTERTRIPS included. Even on our latest trip to Ireland (not on INTERTRIPS) about 2 months ago through another travel company, we discovered that they inadvertently left out a day-trip voucher. And, this was on a very expensive trip (more than double the cost of a INTERTRIPS one, with No included airfare). In every case that has occurred, and we catch the omission and advise the tour company, the tour company sends out the missing docs. This can occur we think because of the many-many tours these companies book. Of course, if you don't do this research, and find out something is missing on the day of departure, or at your destination, you will be likely be on a time-crunch to get it resolved. So, be patient and carefully examine ALL facets of your trip as early as possible. We found a possible error with this INTERTRIPS tour, but it was resolved since we discovered it in advance.
Here was our issue: This INTERTRIPS tour to Vietnam and Bali was for 10 nights, and included airfare. It was not a customized tour, but part of a very large tour INTERTRIPS arranged. One of the people on our four-person group of ours had a leg issue and needed airplane bulkhead seats, not available on the airline INTERTRIPS was using. We sent emails to INTERTRIPS (always confirm EVERYTHING with email, not just verbally) and requested bulkhead seating. To our surprise, they were able to find bulkhead for $100. more, and on Singapore Airlines - we learned...a great airline. They communicated this well to us in advance, But, to do this our trip would have to take off A DAY EARLY; thus, a 10-night trip became a 11-night trip. And, we didn't pay the extra $100, just our friends did, because we didn't need the bulkhead seats, just them. I didn't think about it at the time, but that meant an extra hotel night stay. The week before departure, seeing this as an issue, I emailed the INTERTRIPS representative, Jim Li, and asked about the cost for an extra hotel night. He emailed back, saying it was taken care of courtesy of their company, not to have worries, and to enjoy the trip. We were pleased! Excellent communication.
In Saigon, Ho Chi Mnh City, Viernam, INTERTRIPS used the HARMONY Hotel. This hotel was 4 1/2 stars, in an excellent central city location, had a huge and delicious included breakfast, and all went very well. One can see the positive review that we posted on the Harmony Hotel for details. In Bali, we were at the Sense Hotel, another hotel centrally located with lots to do around it and we had a great stay. That review is pending.
Each hotel included breakfast as advertised by INTERTRIPS, airfare was included from Houston, airfare from Saigon to Bali, and return Bali to Houston. All the hotel pickups for airport travel went as scheduled. The luggage porterage went without a hitch, when arriving in Saigon and Bali, we were met at the airport by a INTERTRIPS rep, holding a sign, etc. It was well-planned and one of our most memorable vacations. The tours that were included came with hotel pickup and drop off. The tour representative was there at all times.
We would certainly book again using INTERTRIPS. The price was very affordable and the communication via email was always more than expected. read more