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Does anybody heard of this travel agency, "Apple Holidays", how is it?
princess_morbucks
13-04-14, 22:42
Does anybody heard of this travel agency, "Apple Holidays", how is it?
Have not tried them before but you can read reviews :
http://www.travelagents.com.sg/travel_agent/Apple_Holidays_appleholidays.html
Does anybody heard of this travel agency, "Apple Holidays", how is it?
Yes heard before y ?
Yes heard before y ?
Thought of taking up their Korea package tour. It is cheaper as compared to the rest of the agencies but it requires $800 deposit while other agencies only require $500. This doesn't matter but more important is, is it reliable?
Princess, thanks for the link, I have read it too, reviews not bad for the Europe tour conducted by EU. Wonder whether they have a branch in Malaysia or not, almost the same name and the reviews were really very bad.
I used them for my Korea tour back in 2010. I took them because they were the rare one that use SQ instead of Korean Air and Asiana.
It is not bad though I wouldn't rate them good.
Deposit-wise i guess well.. its just a deposit
I used them for my Korea tour back in 2010. I took them because they were the rare one that use SQ instead of Korean Air and Asiana.
It is not bad though I wouldn't rate them good.
Deposit-wise i guess well.. its just a deposit
Thanks. At least, you had travelled with them and found not too bad. What I'm afraid is according to the "M'sia's review" someone said that last min, the agency changed their flight to Thai airways because Korean airline seat were all filled up, which I found it very ridiculous. Hope that it will not happen in Singapore.
BTW, we will flying with Asiana for this trip.
I have decided to try the Apple Holidays. Went down just now to pay my deposit. Reasons for taking up are because I like the itinerary, price also quite reasonable and the staff attended to me is very patient. I asked a lot of "repeated questions" and he still answered me accordingly:D. I raised up the deposit issue and he explained to me politely. I think he is trying to control his temper for my 無理取闹, haha.
Thought of taking up their Korea package tour. It is cheaper as compared to the rest of the agencies but it requires $800 deposit while other agencies only require $500. This doesn't matter but more important is, is it reliable?
Princess, thanks for the link, I have read it too, reviews not bad for the Europe tour conducted by EU. Wonder whether they have a branch in Malaysia or not, almost the same name and the reviews were really very bad.
If you will to go Seoul only for 4-5 days. U can go free & easy.
You need to plan your itinerary ahead.
When U reach the airport, U need to buy a Airport bus ticket est S$9 to go to your hotel. The bus ride est 40 to 60 mins.
You can rent mobile Wifi @ est S$10 per day at the airport. Remember to bring along a power bank for your Hand phone.
Seoul MRT lines (Very very convenience ) go almost to all places of interest. MRT fare is very cheap est S$1 every trip. Hotel book online range from S$100 to $220 per night depend on location & hotel 3-4 stars. Taxi fare is quite reasonable. 15 mins taxi ride est S$4. Taxi fare is FOC if the taxi driver bring you to duty free shop ,Shilla own by Samsung. Women will like it very much if they have to intention to buy Korea brands good
All goods quote in USD in this duty free shop , Shilla. if U want to pay by Korea WON. They will convert USD to korea won @ unfavourable rate. The duty free shop is very crowded with many PRC. It is frenzy buying by them as it is so much cheaper in Korea. You need to take a taxi back to your hotel & pay by yourself. Alternative Samsung provides bus services to MRT station.
All Korea brand cosmetic & face masks are est at least 50% cheaper than SG. My wife bought Korea brand juice extractor hurom @S$800 in SG 1 yr ago. In Korea the latest brand 2014 cost only US$388. I know why some SG entrepreneur shop owners will make a trip every month to Korea to buy & hand carry back the goods to sell it in SG.
We met a few S'porean in Seoul on free & easy tour. They like it especially the women. But I find Seoul quite boring for man.
FYI, my wife plans all the itinerary. I just come out $$$.
If you will to go Seoul only for 4-5 days. U can go free & easy.
You need to plan your itinerary ahead.
When U reach the airport, U need to buy a Airport bus ticket est S$9 to go to your hotel. The bus ride est 40 to 60 mins.
You can rent mobile Wifi @ est S$10 per day at the airport. Remember to bring along a power bank for your Hand phone.
Seoul MRT lines (Very very convenience ) go almost to all places of interest. MRT fare is very cheap est S$1 every trip. Hotel book online range from S$100 to $220 per night depend on location & hotel 3-4 stars. Taxi fare is quite reasonable. 15 mins taxi ride est S$4. Taxi fare is FOC if the taxi driver bring you to duty free shop ,Shilla own by Samsung. Women will like it very much if they have to intention to buy Korea brands good
All goods quote in USD in this duty free shop , Shilla. if U want to pay by Korea WON. They will convert USD to korea won @ unfavourable rate. The duty free shop is very crowded with many PRC. It is frenzy buying by them as it is so much cheaper in Korea. You need to take a taxi back to your hotel & pay by yourself. Alternative Samsung provides bus services to MRT station.
All Korea brand cosmetic & face masks are est at least 50% cheaper than SG. My wife bought Korea brand juice extractor hurom @S$800 in SG 1 yr ago. In Korea the latest brand 2014 cost only US$388. I know why some SG entrepreneur shop owners will make a trip every month to Korea to buy & hand carry back the goods to sell it in SG.
We met a few S'porean in Seoul on free & easy tour. They like it especially the women. But I find Seoul quite boring for man.
FYI, my wife plans all the itinerary. I just come out $$$.
Thank you so much for sharing with me your experience. But I have already booked the tour, Korea + Jeju (8D6N), anyway, if we find it enjoyable during this trip, we might arrange another time and this time will do a "DIY" tour using your information as a guide.:p
How about food, do you have problem finding? And also the language, any problem with the local while buying your stuff?
BTW, so it is advisable to change some US$?
Thank you so much for sharing with me your experience. But I have already booked the tour, Korea + Jeju (8D6N), anyway, if we find it enjoyable during this trip, we might arrange another time and this time will do a "DIY" tour using your information as a guide.:p
How about food, do you have problem finding? And also the language, any problem with the local while buying your stuff?
BTW, so it is advisable to change some US$?
U will get bore with Korea food as it almost the same every where. It taste quite the same U have it in SG. Some local food stall owner Auntie & uncle cant speak Mandarin & English. So use hand signal to order.
Hotel , Duty free shop & shopping mall staffs can speak Mandarin & English. If U go to the famous Duty free shop (Shilla) to buy your Korea brand comestic , face mask or foreigner brand . U need to have USD or RMB.
I give them SGD dollars to the money lending exchange at Seoul popular night market. They return me back as they don't know this "Alien" notes. I am quite surprise. But I believe some do recognise SGD dollar note.
U will get bore with Korea food as it almost the same every where. It taste quite the same U have it in SG. Some local food stall owner Auntie & uncle cant speak Mandarin & English. So use hand signal to order.
Hotel , Duty free shop & shopping mall staffs can speak Mandarin & English. If U go to the famous Duty free shop (Shilla) to buy your Korea brand comestic , face mask or foreigner brand . U need to have USD or RMB.
I give them SGD dollars to the money lending exchange at Seoul popular night market. They return me back as they don't know this "Alien" notes. I am quite surprise. But I believe some do recognise SGD dollar note.
Thank you. It sounds so funny when you term our SGD note as "Alien". :ashamed1:
I am also very surprised, money lending exchange suppose to be well versed with different countries notes, right? Maybe, our country is considered "small" in the eyes of Korean that they never see our notes before.:D
Thank you so much for sharing with me your experience. But I have already booked the tour, Korea + Jeju (8D6N), anyway, if we find it enjoyable during this trip, we might arrange another time and this time will do a "DIY" tour using your information as a guide.:p
How about food, do you have problem finding? And also the language, any problem with the local while buying your stuff?
BTW, so it is advisable to change some US$?
i agree with the bro too - go free and easy and book local tours. by taking out one middleman, it is cheaper for you. well, for your next trip i guess
i agree with the bro too - go free and easy and book local tours. by taking out one middleman, it is cheaper for you. well, for your next trip i guess
Yes, agree, thank you. All these years have been going on free and easy tours, need to do lots of planning, a bit tired now, so this time pay to let people plan for me.:ashamed1: partly also because I'm afraid there is a language barrier. Anyway, let my brain rest a while first, then "chong" again.:cool:
Actually, I also prefer free and easy because you can take your own sweet time, need not rush. If you like the place, can stay a bit longer and if you dislike the place, then don't visit.:cool:
Thank you. It sounds so funny when you term our SGD note as "Alien". :ashamed1:
I am also very surprised, money lending exchange suppose to be well versed with different countries notes, right? Maybe, our country is considered "small" in the eyes of Korean that they never see our notes before.:D
I stay at Novotel Beijing hotel. A lot of American stay in this hotel. My check-in was delay by 15 mins as the junior staff does not recognise SG RED passport or don't know Singapore. Flip every pages of our passport to look for clues. Maybe for Visa stamp. Only when the senior staff told her this SG passport is OK. She starts to process & issue keys to me.
FYI, Beijing free & easy even cheaper. MRT per trip only Rmb$2 or S$0.40. Places of interest can be reached by MRT. My wife books one day tour @RMB$218 or S$45 (7.30am to 5pm) include one lunch + entrance Fee (Great wall + Ming Emperor Tomb ).
We book for 2 day local tours . It was cleared sky when I am there. It is due to the strong wind that blow away the polluted air into the Ocean.
That maybe why Dynasty travel agent want to sell away their biz to the Japanese. They see increasing many people going free & easy tour by themselves in the near future.
rdgs,
Vic
I stay at Novotel Beijing hotel. A lot of American stay in this hotel. My check-in was delay by 15 mins as the junior staff does not recognise SG RED passport or don't know Singapore. Flip every pages of our passport to look for clues. Maybe for Visa stamp. Only when the senior staff told her this SG passport is OK. She starts to process & issue keys to me.
FYI, Beijing free & easy even cheaper. MRT per trip only Rmb$2 or S$0.40. Places of interest can be reached by MRT. My wife books one day tour @RMB$218 or S$45 (7.30am to 5pm) include one lunch + entrance Fee (Great wall + Ming Emperor Tomb ).
We book for 2 day local tours . It was cleared sky when I am there. It is due to the strong wind that blow away the polluted air into the Ocean.
That maybe why Dynasty travel agent want to sell away their biz to the Japanese. They see increasing many people going free & easy tour by themselves in the near future.
rdgs,
Vic
Wow, that's great. Do you book the local tours from the Hotel itself or you book in advance in s'pore?
Wow, that's great. Do you book the local tours from the Hotel itself or you book in advance in s'pore?
Book through hotel is not cheap. Book in advance through online. A idea free & easy tour should be Beijing (history tour) ,4-5 days follow by Korea , Seoul (Shopping tour) 3-4 days. Beijing to Korea is only 1 hour flight.
I will not go free & easy to Europe. One group of Taiwanese holiday in Switzerland lost the whole passport to the thief. The worst is that he doesn't know how it was missing. The thieves are very professional. My Kind friend lost his wallets (Euro800) this woman with her 2 young girls while helping her to carry the language at the train.
A ignorant Taiwanese bought a imitation bags from the black African @ Italy. Immediately get fine as the policeman was a few metre away from him.. He was very angry as the policeman should catch the black African & not him. The policeman answer in a logical way that if U don't buy from him. he got no biz. Then the illegal trade will eventually die off.
Book through hotel is not cheap. Book in advance through online. A idea free & easy tour should be Beijing (history tour) ,4-5 days follow by Korea , Seoul (Shopping tour) 3-4 days. Beijing to Korea is only 1 hour flight.
I will not go free & easy to Europe. One group of Taiwanese holiday in Switzerland lost the whole passport to the thief. The worst is that he doesn't know how it was missing. The thieves are very professional. My Kind friend lost his wallets (Euro800) this woman with her 2 young girls while helping her to carry the language at the train.
A ignorant Taiwanese bought a imitation bags from the black African @ Italy. Immediately get fine as the policeman was a few metre away from him.. He was very angry as the policeman should catch the black African & not him. The policeman answer in a logical way that if U don't buy from him. he got no biz. Then the illegal trade will eventually die off.
Oh, that's too bad. Heard that Europe is very strict with imitation bags. My friend told me that don't ever carry your imitation bag to Europe, they will ask u to empty your bag and throw it away. Not sure how far is it true?
So you went to Beijing and Korea on the same trip?
Have you ever tried going to HK, Macau, Shenzhen and Zhuhai together on the same trip. Thought of doing that but not sure how to go to Zhuhai from Shenzhen.
Oh, that's too bad. Heard that Europe is very strict with imitation bags. My friend told me that don't ever carry your imitation bag to Europe, they will ask u to empty your bag and throw it away. Not sure how far is it true?
So you went to Beijing and Korea on the same trip?
Have you ever tried going to HK, Macau, Shenzhen and Zhuhai together on the same trip. Thought of doing that but not sure how to go to Zhuhai from Shenzhen.
I went Beijing & Korea on the same trip just week ago.
:eek:My travel in Europe was in 2005 & our tour leader told us not to buy imitation good from the black African . They are also strict with imitation bags at that time. I am not sure now.
My friend travelled free & easy to Europe (Italy)last year. Wallet stolen while helping the woman with 2 young girl to carry language for a while. Now most of the European countries unemployment rate 11 to 25%. There will be more petty crime. So be careful if go Free & easy to Europe.
I watched the Discovery Channel "the Scam city" on how the professional thieves steal wallets from the unaware tourists just months ago.
I went Zhuhai- Macau - HK on free & easy tour. A nightmare at Zhuhai custom. Too many PRC go to Macau to Jalan Jalan.
It take almost 3-4 hour queuing to go to Macau. There will be many "crook" around there asking U to pay RMB$100 to help U to take "short cut" to have a faster clearance at the custom.
From Macau to HK, we took Ferry to HK. It is much smooth ride. That was 2 yrs ago. I think Shenzhen custom maybe crowded. I have not been Shenzhen for many years.
Do not travel to Macau & HK through travel package. Free & easy is cheaper & less stressful. In front of the Macau Casino , they provide FOC private bus coach ride every few minutes to many places of interest. They will pick u up back to hotel from the same place that drop u off. But must book the hotel near to the Casino so that U can walk to take FOC private bus coach ride. Even better if U stay at Casino hotel.
1st time go to HK by tour package in 2001. Bring us to a few shopping to buy jewellery & HK souvenir shop. The worst is that the photographer will take photo of U during the tour & will ask U to buy ($10/piece 2001). I think now S$40-50/piece. When my friend went to HK in 2012. She was "forced" to buy @S$40/piece (photo plates).
Second time, join the HK tour package again in 2003. But this time around, did not follow the tour guide. He was not happy.
I went Beijing & Korea on the same trip just week ago.
:eek:My travel in Europe was in 2005 & our tour leader told us not to buy imitation good from the black African . They are also strict with imitation bags at that time. I am not sure now.
My friend travelled free & easy to Europe (Italy)last year. Wallet stolen while helping the woman with 2 young girl to carry language for a while. Now most of the European countries unemployment rate 11 to 25%. There will be more petty crime. So be careful if go Free & easy to Europe.
I watched the Discovery Channel "the Scam city" on how the professional thieves steal wallets from the unaware tourists just months ago.
I went Zhuhai- Macau - HK on free & easy tour. A nightmare at Zhuhai custom. Too many PRC go to Macau to Jalan Jalan.
It take almost 3-4 hour queuing to go to Macau. There will be many "crook" around there asking U to pay RMB$100 to help U to take "short cut" to have a faster clearance at the custom.
From Macau to HK, we took Ferry to HK. It is much smooth ride. That was 2 yrs ago. I think Shenzhen custom maybe crowded. I have not been Shenzhen for many years.
Do not travel to Macau & HK through travel package. Free & easy is cheaper & less stressful. In front of the Macau Casino , they provide FOC private bus coach ride every few minutes to many places of interest. They will pick u up back to hotel from the same place that drop u off. But must book the hotel near to the Casino so that U can walk to take FOC private bus coach ride. Even better if U stay at Casino hotel.
1st time go to HK by tour package in 2001. Bring us to a few shopping to buy jewellery & HK souvenir shop. The worst is that the photographer will take photo of U during the tour & will ask U to buy ($10/piece 2001). I think now S$40-50/piece. When my friend went to HK in 2012. She was "forced" to buy @S$40/piece (photo plates).
Second time, join the HK tour package again in 2003. But this time around, did not follow the tour guide. He was not happy.
Went to HK many times and was on F&E, never follow the package tour before. But still feel that there seems to be many places I have not visited yet.
I think would it be better if go to Macau or Shenzhen during the weekdays instead of weekends so that there won't be much crowd at the custom?
Yup, the problem with joining the tour package is they will bring you to "their shops" so that they can earn commission. Some tour guides are ok but some are nasty. I remember I went to Taiwan on a package tour years back. This male tour guide brought us to buy "Linzhi" but none of us bought and he was not happy. On our next destination to "his shopping" again, he could tell us that children don't buy, don't go, stay inside the bus.:doh: During the "shopping talk", one of our tour members fell asleep, this tour guide gave him an insulted remark. Most of the time, he only told us about "his shopping" products, not much of the culture of the country. I think this was the worst tour I ever joined.
I went to Korea once many years back. The S'porean and Korean tour guides were good and they also had a photographer to take the photos for us. It cost me about S$100 just to buy a few pcs of our photos. Reason why I bought was photos were well taken and also because all the tour guides, photographer were really good, so gave him a support. The different thing from your friend was they never forced us to buy.
Went to HK many times and was on F&E, never follow the package tour before. But still feel that there seems to be many places I have not visited yet.
I think would it be better if go to Macau or Shenzhen during the weekdays instead of weekends so that there won't be much crowd at the custom?
Yup, the problem with joining the tour package is they will bring you to "their shops" so that they can earn commission. Some tour guides are ok but some are nasty. I remember I went to Taiwan on a package tour years back. This male tour guide brought us to buy "Linzhi" but none of us bought and he was not happy. On our next destination to "his shopping" again, he could tell us that children don't buy, don't go, stay inside the bus.:doh: During the "shopping talk", one of our tour members fell asleep, this tour guide gave him an insulted remark. Most of the time, he only told us about "his shopping" products, not much of the culture of the country. I think this was the worst tour I ever joined.
I went to Korea once many years back. The S'porean and Korean tour guides were good and they also had a photographer to take the photos for us. It cost me about S$100 just to buy a few pcs of our photos. Reason why I bought was photos were well taken and also because all the tour guides, photographer were really good, so gave him a support. The different thing from your friend was they never forced us to buy.
that's why don't patronize tour agencies, especially in countries where language isn't a barrier
Went to HK many times and was on F&E, never follow the package tour before. But still feel that there seems to be many places I have not visited yet.
I think would it be better if go to Macau or Shenzhen during the weekdays instead of weekends so that there won't be much crowd at the custom?
Yup, the problem with joining the tour package is they will bring you to "their shops" so that they can earn commission. Some tour guides are ok but some are nasty. I remember I went to Taiwan on a package tour years back. This male tour guide brought us to buy "Linzhi" but none of us bought and he was not happy. On our next destination to "his shopping" again, he could tell us that children don't buy, don't go, stay inside the bus.:doh: During the "shopping talk", one of our tour members fell asleep, this tour guide gave him an insulted remark. Most of the time, he only told us about "his shopping" products, not much of the culture of the country. I think this was the worst tour I ever joined.
I went to Korea once many years back. The S'porean and Korean tour guides were good and they also had a photographer to take the photos for us. It cost me about S$100 just to buy a few pcs of our photos. Reason why I bought was photos were well taken and also because all the tour guides, photographer were really good, so gave him a support. The different thing from your friend was they never forced us to buy.
The PRC really almost everyday go to Macau "jalan Jalan" as transport to places on interest at Casino is FOC. Drink is FOC inside the Casino. Food is FOC when the take food sample from every shop selling cake, biscuit etc etc. These are what I overheard from the PRC while queuing @ custom. Morning go to Macau .Night time back to Zhuhai.
So if U go on weekday, maybe the custom waiting time will be 2-3 hrs.
The PRC really almost everyday go to Macau "jalan Jalan" as transport to places on interest at Casino is FOC. Drink is FOC inside the Casino. Food is FOC when the take food sample from every shop selling cake, biscuit etc etc. These are what I overheard from the PRC while queuing @ custom. Morning go to Macau .Night time back to Zhuhai.
So if U go on weekday, maybe the custom waiting time will be 2-3 hrs.
I went to Macau and Shenzhen once only but that was many years back on different trips. During that time, it was not so crowded, managed to clear the customs in less than an hour.
I remember many years back, I followed the tour to other country (couldn't remember which country), we had breakfast inside the hotel coffeeshop, there were lots of china people, our tour guide jokingly told us that 你们抢不过那些人的. We saw that their plates were filled with food, just wonder whether could they finish it or not? Worst still, some of them even pushed us, as though all the food were going to be finished like that.:doh:
that's why don't patronize tour agencies, especially in countries where language isn't a barrier
Actually there are pros and cons of following the agencies. Agencies do everything for you, but with a price. Some of the places might not interest us but still need to go because is part of the itinerary.
F&E is good also, can select the places that we want to go but needs time to do the planning especially this is the 1st time you are visiting the country. And when we reached there, still need times to search for the places and food but in this way might be enjoyable also because we do what we like.
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