The convenience. We just had to show up and everything was done. Probably the best pre-race pasta dinner that I have had - other than when we booked ourselves a restaurant meal. Staff was very friendly, shuttle to the expo worked out very well, and getting driven to the start line was wonderful.
A world major marathon trip organized by world class runners for runners who are trying to run the world. :)
NYC Marathon is one the Marathon Majors. The race is difficult to get us both in at the same time. Marathon Tours offered the guaranteed entries.
First, I must commend you AGAIN for the accommodations I booked through Marathon Tours. I've used Marathon tours for many of my hotel accommodations during marathons. Most recently, I coordinated my stay at the Omni Parkerhouse Hotel with you when I attended the Boston Marathon on April 20.
Oh Jen, Jen, Jen… I am sending you a TREMENDOUS THANK YOU because our trip was beyond fabulous! Next time can you please do something about the humidity on race day though!
If you had to do one marathon then hook up with Marathon Tours, put on your seatbelt and have some fun in Bordeaux!
It was the best blend of fun and wine and running I could ever have hoped for, and I want to do it again!
Cape Town and the Commodore Hotel was very nice. The staff was pleasant and the location excellent as it was only blocks to the V & A Waterfront, the shops and restaurants. I was able to walk there by myself in the dark, something I couldn't do in Durban. The tour company was excellent and early for the pickups at the hotel. The full day tour of the Cape was excellent and well worth it, even though we had a lot of distance to travel. It was a good way to see the suburbs of Cape Town. I would recommend it.
The Marathon Tours staff is excellent. Tokyo is a challenging country and the team did a very good job in a very compact amount of time. I think some of the travelers do not realize how expensive Japan can be and the amount of information that MT was able to provide in this trip was great for the price.
The Kyoto accommodation were great. I loved Kyoto and the sights we saw. I loved getting to know the other runners on the extension. I also enjoyed exploring Kyoto on my own. I went for several runs, walks and a bike ride. A bike rental shop was a couple of blocks away from the hotel. For me, this is the best way to explore and get a feel for a new place.
I would definitely recommend the Cape of Good Hope and Peninsula tour. Kruger, of course. A wine lover has to go to The Winelands!
Beauty of the country and it's people. Breakwater Lodge is an incredible experience with it's history and the proud & proficient staff. Aquila Safari is a great bargain of a day-safari with 2-hour transportation, sparkling wine, breakfast, lunch and knowledgeable guides of the reserve and it's animal residents. Table Mountain cable car experience is breathtaking! What did I like best? The beauty of the 56K course is a reason to return. Friendships made with other marathoners, other visitors to Cape Town & locals is the best of being a marathoning traveler
For me, one of the most important things when traveling with a company to a foreign country is the transportation. It is very important that someone be at the airport to greet you and get you to/from the airport to the hotel and other places. Throughout this particular trip, this service went without a hitch. Thanks for ensuring that we were never stranded in an airport or hotel and that the transportation was always timely. Besides that, all of the excursions were outstanding and well worth the cost. The Kruger extension was especially exciting and worth it. Why go to South Africa without going to Kruger?
We tried to even decide what city we liked best and had a very difficult time. I think my favorite was Florence and the winery tour/lunch but the Vatican was awfully impressive also. I truly enjoyed the entire trip and every city. The marathon was even enjoyable since it did not rain as much or as hard as they were predicting and the people watching were wonderful. Plus it is hard to not enjoy such things when you run towards St Peter's Basilica.
This is my fifth trip with Marathon Tours and I've never been disappointed. The staff is fantastic and the hotels, accommodations and tours are always wonderful!
Nicole did set up the train and hotel for our extension to Venice after Florence and that was excellent. We ran into Jacqui in Venice also and even though she was on her "own time", she was fabulous about answering questions we had about future trips and places with Marathon Tours. We also did a tour to/through Vatican City which was very nice.
This is a Unforgettable 26 mile Marathon-Obsticle Course of Epic Measure!
I really enjoyed almost every aspect of the trip! The Marathon Tours staff was amazing; the guides were very personable and knowledgeable; the accommodations were excellent.
One of the most beautiful and fun marathons I've expereinced.
