The trip was organized by Thomas Cook India and our tour manager was Ms Padmini Mane. It was an 11 day tour which took us to Melbourne, Cairns, Goldcoast and Sydney. We started out as a group of 26 strangers but at the end of the trip became great friends. About the tour:
Hotels: Great hotels at Cairns and Goldcoast. At Cairns, the hotel was quite close to the casino and the bay. Everything was walking distance and we could shop at the night market there. At Goldcoast, the hotel was at surfers paradise and the balcony overlooked the beach. Absolutely stunning!
Restaurants: Decent with okayish taste. The only restaurant that did not cut the edge was at Goldcoast. Food was ok with poor service. The restaurant at Sydney was better of the lot.
Tour buses: Comfortable and prompt. Good drivers.
Sightseeing: Enjoyed most of the places except dreamworld where we spent almost an entire day ( not useful for people who don't enjoy rides so many people wasted time there) , also the cruise at great barrier reef was pretty average.
Finally about the tour manager: Our manager was Ms. Padmini Mane. She has been an exceptional host and an amazing guide. She is one of the most cooperative and understanding guides ever! And this remark has been unanimously said by everyone on the group. She was always up for celebrating every anniversary and birthday that came about during the trip. She organized the blue mountain on the group's request after the helicopter ride got cancelled ( due to bad weather) . Hats off to her hospitality and we look forward to having her on board with us again on the next trip!
Only one request from Thomas Cook, kindly arrange back to back transfers. Since we stayed back in melbourne, we did not get any transfer from airport to hotel and vice versa.
To summarise, we had a great time and met some good friends. This trip has been etched in our memories forever!
