OK, any seasoned deal-shopper knows that the "extras" that are actually necessary will drive this "$399" deal up into the thousands... ( like, breakfast at the hotel, $129 for the whole trip, Visa fees, "optional" excursions, etc)...
But still, as a "base" price this ain't bad!

The departure dates that actually get the $399 base price are limited (looks like a couple departures in late Oct this year, and a couple in March of 2023).

I know that, what with a certain affliction still going around, travel to Asia may not be on everyones mind... but, look at the bright side - you wouldn't have to deal with near as many tourists! (in a humorous aside - A short youtube video thrown into my feed showed that the, er, "ladies of the night" in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand were getting very competitive for customers... the ratio being several ladies per potential customer at the moment. The ladies have rent and such to pay, after all! So, if that's your thing, this may be an exceptionally good time to go?).

[www.utovacation.com]

---

Paul F.
-----
A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

--

--
Eureka, CA

I've got Google alerts sending slowly decreasing airfare to Europe that is tempting.

---

Hurts like a bastid...

Is the plane that flies into Shanghai stealthy?

I'll be traveling to Japan next month. But I have to quarantine for 15 days before I'm allowed to take public transportation in-country. At least I'm not paying for it.

It's a shopping trip with stops at sightseeing locations. If you read the terms, while you are not required to buy anything, you are required to go to the shopping portions which last at least an hour at each stop. If you skip it, the remainder of your package is cancelled including return air.

---

“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

>>I'll be traveling to Japan next month. But I have to quarantine for 15 days before I'm allowed to take public transportation in-country. At least I'm not paying for it.



How the heck are you able to get in?

---

[www.zeemaps.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/14/2022 03:34PM by The UnDoug.

Yeah, we went on an early version of that 14 years ago. They would take us to the "silk factory", or the "jade factory" where there was not much activity until we showed up. Then they would go into action and give us a tour followed by an opportunity to buy something overpriced. We passed, repeatedly, and after we caught on, we eventually asked them to skip the "factory tours", and to their credit, they did. (We enjoyed the tour of China overall, BTW).

It sounds like you may not have the ability to pass on the "factory tours" or "shopping opportunities" any more. Probably still don't need to buy anything, but it sounds a little like a 12-night time share pitch.

Analogy: If someone was to tell me that there was a free all you can eat hot buffet with prime rib and open bar,,, BUT you have to sit through a cringey timeshare sales pitch before eating — whatever. I'M THERE. With a bib on.

For that dirt cheap price with airfare included, suck it up and sit through the sales pitch once a day. Boo hoo. You're on a freakin guided tour through China for the rest of the time.

---

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/14/2022 04:30PM by d4.

Quote
Ombligo
It's a shopping trip with stops at sightseeing locations. If you read the terms, while you are not required to buy anything, you are required to go to the shopping portions which last at least an hour at each stop. If you skip it, the remainder of your package is cancelled including return air.

I rather suspected that when I saw a Gem Market in Pattaya, that Silk Factory and "Shopping areas" on the itinerary...
But, if not for the $450 single-supplement, and poorly timed departure dates (for me), I'd consider it anyway... I can say "no" very politely. Not only that, but, heck, I'd budget $100 or $200 for shopping at some of those places.
But, the "excursions", and Single Supplement push it up into the "I could have bought my own ticket and planned my own trip" territory.

---

Paul F.
-----
A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

--

--
Eureka, CA

Isn't there always an "extra charge" for H & B????

I really want to go to Japan in the spring. I hope the covid restrictions are less stringent. i don't want to spend a week or more in a hotel room!

---

And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.
—Friedrich Nietzsche
Western Massachusetts

Quote
blooz
I really want to go to Japan in the spring. I hope the covid restrictions are less stringent. i don't want to spend a week or more in a hotel room!

I live in Japan. Would be amazed if tourists would be allowed in any time before fall or even later. First will be reduced restrictions on international students and people who have been approved for a work visa, then people coming over for a specific business purpose. Last will be tourists. Hope I'm wrong.

Quote
d4
Analogy: If someone was to tell me that there was a free all you can eat hot buffet with prime rib and open bar,,, BUT you have to sit through a cringey timeshare sales pitch before eating — whatever. I'M THERE. With a bib on.

Have you actually sat through a cringey time share sales pitch before? I haven't, but I've heard some stories.

Fun fact: my BIL went to one in Mexico, and he was convinced it was such a good deal, he bought two! It's been a nightmare since. Annual fees and stuff for the rest of your "ownership", and you can't so much as give them away.