Hi everyone. I am thinking about going on this ABD trip, right after I graduate from college. I had a few questions:
1. I would love to visit Highclere Castle in England(where Downton Abbey films). Is it possible to visit the castle on the trip, even though it is not on the itinerary? Highclere is about an hour and a half by car from the London Hotel, and about 2 and a half hours from the Foxhills hotel. You do have a free half day in London, but from what I can tell, no real free time in the "English Countryside". If you can work out the transportation to get yourself there & back in half a day, you can certainly do so. In fact, you're free to skip any part of the tour if you want, but there is no compensation for that, and while the Adventure Guides will help you figure things out, they can't actually arrange the transportation for you.
2. I have certain dietary restrictions- I eat kosher. Anyone have any experience with something like this on an ABD trip? I've had people on ABDs I've been on eat Gluten Free, and I myself have issues with certain foods, as I'm diabetic and have reflux. The Guides are great at arranging that sort of thing. Kosher would be a lot harder, especially depending on how strictly you keep kosher. If you can get by just by not mixing meat & dairy,(or not eating fleshig at all) you'll be fine. If you need Glatt kosher, that might be too much to ask in some locations. (You're moving around a bit for frozen meals to be an option for all meals). I would call ABD and ask them. You can't be the first person who keeps kosher who has taken an ABD.
3. On day 2 (I would be going on the trip where day 2 is a Saturday), I would not be able to travel with the group because of the Sabbath. Would you say that I am missing out on a lot because I will not be able to participate that day? Also, is the hotel centrally located, so I can take my own little walking tour? Yes, you would be missing a lot, but there's really no days on this tour where you won't be missing something. Day 2 is the antique double-decker bus, Westminster Abbey, and the typical London tourist things. It's hard to do an ABD and not miss *something* with the Sabbath mixed in there. At least you won't be missing out on the welcome dinner Friday night, because that's all at the hotel. Oh, but if day 2 is the Sabbath, that negates #1 above. Day 2 would be your only chance to see Highclere during the trip. You could always come in a day or 2 early to check out Highclere. I always recommend coming in early to get over jetlag.
They are using a new hotel in London this year (the "usual" hotel is being renovated) so I don't know how centrally located the new hotel is. The old one was *very* well located for walking around. I'd call ABD (or send the hotel an email) to find out about that.
4. When leaving France to travel back to the US, did you arrive at the airport late in the afternoon on Friday? Is there any way to schedule an earlier flight(I will be traveling back to NYC)? The ABD ends after breakfast. They will transport you to the airport pretty much whatever time you need to leave to get there for your flight, so yes, you can schedule early flights. I'd check with ABD if there's an earliest flight time, but I've seen them pick folks up at 6am for a flight on other trips. Just know that Charles de Gaulle is a horrid, HORRID airport, so leave yourself LOADS of time to catch your flight.
5. Since I do not have a lot of experience traveling in general(especially by myself), I never really felt comfortable to travel outside of the US(I do not even have a passport yet!) But after I heard about ABD, I knew I had to look into it. Would you say this is a great "beginner" trip? I was thinking about going on the Galapagos Island trip, but I thought it may be a bit too adventurous for a first time trip.
Also, would you say the hotels are located in good, safe areas? I will be traveling by myself, so I want to make sure that I will be ok on my own.
I hope these questions are not too strange. Thank you in advance!