Best Custom Tour Companies
22 Travel Providers meet your criteria (Providers 1 to 20 shown)
Premier
Luxury Gold
#360 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 46 Trips
Size Global Operator
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Economy bronze not luxury gold
PROVIDED BY FEEFO: feefo.com/en-US/reviews/luxury-gold
We have taken a total of seven trips with Tauck and A&K, we wanted to see Sakura and others were full, pricing wise you were slightly cheaper and we decided to try. II have never had 24 people on a luxury tour, there were no local guides, tour director was very poor at making even slight adjustments to the schedule, meals were horrible and took far too much time, Nirth of Japan was a total waste of time. Every single person in the group was disappointed with the entire arrangement. I think you took the money as a luxury trip and subcontracted with a mediocre operator in Japan and pocketed the difference. I am in a business and have no problem with profits, but it should be earned and deserved. What you provided, I could have done in less than half the money with a private tour for two or four. Most daylight hours were spent on a train or at lunch which gave very little time for any sightseeing. The hotels you provided were excellent. Your tour director was not aware that most of these folks were in their late 60s and 70s and she made them do a lot of unnecessary walking which could have been covered by smaller vans. In any case, if you really want some detailed and constructive feedback, I will be happy to chat with you. I know that no one will follow-up, but at least the offer is out there. Good luck with your future endeavors Read less
Magnificent
PROVIDED BY FEEFO: feefo.com/en-US/reviews/luxury-gold
I had the most amazing vacation in Egypt with Luxury Gold. Absolutely everything was fantastic… all employees were wonderful, the food was good, the rooms were clean, I felt safe in a foreign country, our guide Mohamed Youssef was so knowledgeable and organized. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect vacation. Thank you!
Elegance of the Nile - Our Best Trip ever
PROVIDED BY FEEFO: feefo.com/en-US/reviews/luxury-gold
Greetings,
The customer service from all the personnel of Luxury Gold was above expectations, specially the one we receive from Mohamed Youssif our tour guide. His knowledge about the Egyptian culture and his explanations of all the temples was exceptional. Glad to have him as our tour guide; he make our trip one of a kind.
Mohamed Youssif it was a great pleasure to meet you, thanks for make this trip our best trip ever.
Victor Abreu & Elia Carrion
Enjoy the finest end to end experience on the world's leading limited edition small group tours.
Beyond the Velvet RopeFront-of-the-queue priority. Behind-the-scenes access. Before and after-hours visits. Ours aren’t your everyday experiences. Enjoy rare insights into the world’s most majestic landmarks, with personal anecdotes from those in the know.
Founder's CollectionGo beyond your expectations. European nobility, legendary locals and celebrated icons, mingle with the people who have shaped the history of the places you go. Curated by our founder, the late Stanley Tollman, these are his friendships from across the globe brought to you through exclusive meet and greets.
Moments to Write Home AboutEvery journey has its highlights but very few can craft them like this. Our Journey Highlights promise a unique perspective on the bucket-list items or local insights that capture your heart. The New Golden Age of Travel means unforgettable experiences, daily.
Make Memories and a Difference Travel is a privilege that also comes with responsibility. To protect. To preserve. To enhance. Our journeys support 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Together, we aspire to leave the planet, the people and the wildlife we encounter better than we found it.
The Extra MileDiscover under-the-radar history, undiscovered artisans, and connections to the humanity and culture of your destination thanks to your 24/7 Travel Concierge. They combine local knowledge with the ultimate black book of contacts to customize your journey. Concerts or cuisine, the Renaissance or relaxation or something else entirely. Indulge your passions and spark your curiosity.
Exclusively For YouYour bespoke travel experience awaits. Private door-to-door transfers. One-to-one attention within an intimate setting of an average of 20 guests. A choice of included experiences to personalize your days. Unique. Unmissable. Unforgettable.
Luxury and BeyondYour every need is attended to. Enjoy glamorous properties, magnificent locations and outstanding service. Belmond, JW Marriott, Intercontinental and Red Carnation Hotels are just a few of our trusted partners.
Check Out of OrdinaryEnchanting Irish castles. Cozy mountain chalets. Private Game Reserve Lodging. A sensational array of one of-a-kind boutique stays. Discovery around every corner and wonder outside every window. Your magnificent stays are complete with in-room luggage porterage. Put your feet up or let your hair down. Excellence begins the moment you wake up and continues through each decadent night’s rest.
Tasting is BelievingFlavors that flirt and textures that tease, enjoy gastronomic sensations on every journey. Exquisite surroundings and impeccable service bring a side of wonder that make every meal an unrivaled experience.
Variety is on the MenuLinger in Michelin-star restaurants. Step in with the locals on foodie street tours. Create delicious favorites with passionate gourmands. Indulge at winery picnics and enjoy breakfast in bed. The New Golden Age of Travel brings a smorgasbord of dining options infused with discovery and adventure.
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CIE Tours
#62 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 127 Trips
Average Price
$ 200 per day
Size Regional Expert
Tour Length 7 – 7 days
Trip Prices $ 642 – $ 642
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Trips in Custom
1 Tours in Custom
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME/MONEY WITH CIE!
I gave this return 1 star only because that’s the lowest possible option, otherwise they would receive 0 stars!!! I had a trip planned for September of 2021 to Iceland. 12 days before the trip, my husband got Covid. Even though it was 12 days before the travel date, they still would not allow me to reschedule the trip. My husband has Alzheimer’s and this would likely have been his last trip out of the country, had I been able to reschedule. I was told I could put in a claim to get a partial refund. Since September 5, I have been battling with CIE to get said refund. Countless emails and phone calls claiming my check would be in the mail by “next week.” I eventually contacted Trip Mate to see if I could get any answers and they informed me that the check couldn’t be sent out because CIE hadn’t released the money. I tried countless times to reach the customer service manager, Mary Larkin, but every time I called she was “on another call” or “at a meeting.” Eventually I was told I could only email her to get in contact with her. I did exactly that about my refund I have been waiting months to receive and she finally called me back. She said it was inexcusable that the refund had taken this long and assured me she would have the money released and have Trip Mate expedite sending the check to me “by next week.” This conversation took place on April 7 and no money has been received at this time. Better Business Bureau has been contacted to handle the matter from here. These people are thieves, do NOT under any circumstances book with them!!!
Both unfair and unacceptable
Like many others here, we have clients booked with CIE Tours, and their tours have been canceled, in one case twice. CIE only offers a future travel credit, without option for a refund. They say that their policy is like other tour operators, however, Globus Family of Brands and others that we work with are offering the option for a full refund in the case that they cancel the tour. Clients are upset and CIE's policy is both unfair and unacceptable.
Loved our experience
Loved our experience with our tour guide Mert our CIE tour in July/August of 2015 we have many pictures that we wanted to share with our group — I believe maybe however, the person in charge of creating a group page for our group — couldn’t read my handwriting when we had past the clipboard around to put our email addresses on as myself, husband and daughter never received any notification of the group page — kelli_landaverde@icloud.com or Kelli_landaverde@yahoo.com ; a.ponce219@gmail.com ; aponcelandaverde@gmail.com —- would still love to keep in touch with the group — that’s what’s so sad being together side by side for two weeks getting to know someone and then to never hear from one another ever again
8 Day Independent Irish Spirit
Trip Style: Self-guided tour
New Jersey-based CIE Tours, in business since 1932, is one of the largest operators of escorted coach tours through the British Isles, Eastern Europe, Italy, and Ireland.
Quick facts
Founded in 1932
Travel Style: Large Coaches, not handicap accessible
Single supplement required for those traveling solo
Group Size: Average 35, maximum 48
Typical Age Range: Older travelers 50+. Children are welcome, minimum of 8 years old, so families are common as well.
Average Tour Price: $2,233
Accommodation Style: 3, 4, and 5 star hotels, depending on the itinerary. 4 stars are the most popular, combining a decent price with comfortability.
What Makes CIE Tours Stand Out?
Specialize in Ireland tours
All-inclusive and great value
Discount Offers
CIE is a long-established company with extensive regional knowledge in Ireland. They offers especially good value, with all-inclusive pricing. Also look for early-booking discounts as well as seasonal discounts for solo travelers.
As part of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), CIE ensures that their company goes above and beyond when it comes to their client’s safety. They also offer a wide-range of itineraries depending on the client’s budget, interest, and schedule.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with CIE Tours?
Ages 50+
History buffs
Mid to high budget travelers
Those who want all parts of the itinerary planned out
Travelers seeking all-inclusive group tours of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as a few destinations in Continental Europe. Customers tend to be aged 50-plus and have an interest in history and wish to stay in nice hotels (ranging from three to five stars) with a choice of budgets.
The kind of traveler who enjoys a completely hassle free experience, with all activities, meals, and sightseeing planned out. Coach tours are generally enjoyed by travelers who like driving - daydream and gaze out large windows at the world passing by in comfort on your way to the next wonderful stop.
If you love learning about history, culture, with your days full of ancient cities, churches, and historical information their guide style would be a good fit. And with the occasional spa day at your hotel thrown in these all-encompassing journeys take care of the mind and the body.
Top Destinations
Ireland
Europe
CIE Tours are especially known for tours in and around Ireland, and this is their primarily focus. They also travel to Scotland and Britain, with a small number of coach tours offered in Italy, Eastern Europe, and the Balkan Peninsula. Occasionally, river cruises on the Rhine and Danube are also available.
CIE Tours Travel Style
Most of their tours are on large, roomy, comfortable coaches, in the premium - luxury range. Amenities on board are basic, and coaches make frequent stops to avoid the need for using the restroom on the bus.
Group size is a max of 48, though 35 people is the average on the CIE Tours. Virtually all aspects of the trip – with no optional extras -- are included in the initial rate, which will not go up after booking, and departures are guaranteed. Itineraries range from 5 to 24 days, though the majority sit in the 8-10 day range.
CIE will also set up self-drive trips and homestay and B&B vacations for you if you want to travel on your own, or arrange customized tours for groups of 10 or more people.
Why Choose a Tour With CIE?
With more than eight decades of experience, CIE Tours offers dependable service and regional know-how. The company estimates that the average traveler will save $550 per week by not having to pay for optional extras during the trip. Their all-inclusive tours alleviate the stress of planning a vacation by providing daily guided tours, hotels, meals, and airport transfers.
CIE Tour guides are experts in Ireland and the other regions they travel through, so if you’re looking for comfort, inclusivity of price, plus a high caliber of knowledge and experience, this is a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the CIE Travel Protection Plan?
Travel insurance is required on all CIE Tours. The Travel Protection Plan is an easy, convenient way to purchase insurance at the time of your booking, covering cancellation. See other travel insurance options
2. Are there restrooms on the coaches?
Yes, most CIE coaches have restrooms for emergencies. Safety protocol means they are not to be used while the coach is in motion. CIE Tours make regular stops for travelers to stretch their legs and use the facilities.
3. Are CIE Tours handicap accessible?
No. Unfortunately the coaches are not equip to handle large wheelchairs or scooters. Walkers or foldable wheelchairs can be accommodated. Sightseeing tours require some walking over short distances, and some difficult stairs, such as when exploring castles. Uneven surfaces are common especially when exploring old sites and ruins.
4. What should I pack?
One large piece of luggage is permitted, which will fit under the coach. Layers are advisable for the weather in Ireland, which can be chilly. You may also bring a small backpack or purse. On “Supreme” tours, men will require a dinner jacket, but on all other tours this is not necessary. Comfortable walking shoes are a must.
5. Are tips included?
No, tips for your driver, porter, guides, and tour director are not included in the price. They are not required, but are a customary show of gratitude, especially if you enjoyed the trip!
6. What about airport transfer?
If you choose to purchase airfare through CIE, complimentary airport transfer is provided for flights arriving before noon. You can choose to purchase airport transfer if you elect to buy your airfare separately.
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Preferred
Great Value Vacations
View Profile
Total Trips 743 Trips
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 5 – 5 days
Trip Prices $ 1,519 – $ 1,519
Service Level Budget
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Trips in Custom
2 Tours in Custom
Sleepy resort
Overall I enjoyed myself but accommodations are in need of updating and could have been much better. I would rate the Vista Sol resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Great Value - Great Experience
The trip was very enjoyable. The cost was budget friendly. We had no issues from end to end.
Buyer Beware!!!
Buyer Beware!!!
My wife and I recently traveled to Los Vegas and the Grand Canyon using Great Value Vacations (GVV). They charge high prices and use the cheapest flights and accomodations possible with no options to upgrade. On our flights to and from Vegas our seats were in different areas of the plane. One of us in the front and the other in the rear. the Hotels we were booked in were all double beds, not a king, not even a queen bed. Really GVV a married couple and we arent traveling together or sleeping in the same bed!!! To top it off we spent 1 night in a Prostitution Den, it was the dirtiest, nastiest hotel we have ever stayed in, and yes prostitutes all over the place. In no way shape or form will we ever use GVV ever again, and will never recommend their services to anyone!!! GVV will most likely respond by saying we booked the trip wrong or place blame on someone else but the bottom line is, GVV is the company we trusted to make sure we had a good trip!
Royal Edinburgh
Trip Style: Self-guided tour
Great Value Vacations provides pre-packaged, competitively priced vacation itineraries suitable to all traveler types. They are owned by DH Enterprise and Associates, Inc.
What Makes Great Value Vacations Stand Out?
Professionally planned itineraries
Flight & car rental available
Local insights
Budget minded
Unlike traditional guided tours, Great Value Vacations provides professionally planned packages for independent travelers booking a vacation. Everything from flights to car rental is available through the Great Value Vacations booking process.
Itineraries are designed by locals, so you can get a true sense of local authentic living while on your vacation.
Their packages are competitively priced, and designed by an extensive network of travel experts. You can choose from among several types of trip and their reviews speak for themselves in customer satisfaction.
Accommodations and activities are hand selected by their local experts or the “feet on the street” as they call it. They choose only the highest quality places to send you and your travel companions.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Great Value Vacations?
Independent planners
Budget travelers
All ages
Travelers who want a fully vetted itinerary and the peace of mind that comes with having all components taken care of will love the experience of a Great Value Vacations package. Because of the great variety they have available, families, older travelers, and young professionals can all find something suitable on Great Value Vacations.
It’s important to note that these trips are not a traditional group tour or private tour, with a guide. If you are looking for a different kind of packaged pre-set itinerary with a fellow group of travelers, we recommend checking out a few different group tour companies first.
These packages are great for independent minded travelers who still like the idea of a professionally planned itinerary, with unique experiences and activities, but plenty of free time. Great Value Vacations is also great for having all services in one place - including visa information, flight booking, hotel booking, and car rental.
Great Value Vacations is also a great options for budget travelers. They partner with various deals sites like Groupon to provide ongoing deals and specials (although the voucher system might be a bit complicated).
Top Destinations
Great Value Vacations operates tours in Africa, Asia, Europe, and The Caribbean. Travel styles include everything from all inclusive resort experiences, to quaint Bed & Breakfasts, to fully escorted tours, to rail journeys.
Great Value Vacations Ireland trips are quite popular, particularly now as Ireland has remained open to travelers during the Coronavirus pandemic. You can find several different affordable independent and self drive Ireland packages through Great Value Vacations.
Similarly, many American travelers are considering domestic travel for the next vacation. Great Value Vacations United States trips are a great choice for keeping the budget low and finding fun unique ways to explore your own backyard.
Great Value Vacations Travel Style
Adventurous
Local culture
Active
Flexible
Driving
The Great Value Vacations travel style is about convenience coupled with confidence - for an unforgettable adventure. Most of their packages involve driving, and their rental car availability is comprehensive as well as a big part of the value when using a Great Value Vacations package.
Itineraries include detailed directions, all your hotel information, and other important documents are available within 30 days of your booking. You are required to print all necessary documents provided to you via their Traveler Portal.
Most packages include a few guided day tours and several activities ranging from cultural to active.
There are several vacation types and themes to choose from that are available through Great Value Vacations. These include everything from Luxury to Self Drive Vacations (which is one of their most popular).
Why Choose a Tour with Great Value Vacations?
For the ease of booking a package all in one place, Great Value Vacations is a top choice. Their packages have the propensity to be a bit standard, however given that they are created by local experts - all itineraries bring a little something special to the itinerary. You’ll definitely see the important sites, as well as get some locally immersive hidden gems.
They bring all facets of planning travel into one place, at a competitive price, taking care of all the factors that can make planning travel stressful. They have an easy to use online booking system, eliminating the need for you to take any extra steps.
It's important to note that some travelers may find the Great Value Vacations booking model a bit convaluted. They are very much geared toward budget travelers which means you can may see them listed on sites like Groupon or other deals aggregators.
Great Value Vacations Covid-19 Travel Update
In response to the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, Great Value Vacations is currently postponing all bookings, based on the travel date, current news, and country travel policies.
This precaution is in place at least until November 2020 and will likely be extended beyond that. At this time any current bookings with Great Value Vacations remain non-refundable.
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Alexander + Roberts
#63 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 302 Trips
Average Price
$ 391 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 7 – 7 days
Trip Prices $ 1,699 – $ 1,699
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Custom
1 Tours in Custom
past cultures was outstanding.
The attention of our guide to our needs and assurance of our visiting all sites - his knowledge of the areas and history and insight into the present and past cultures was outstanding.
Paid In Full to Go Nowhere
I chose the small group China Sampler and paid in full in December 2018 for the April 2020 departure to get the $300 discount. After that it was just waiting and waiting and waiting. I was looking to start making airline flight plans to and return from China in April 2019. But when my travel agent contacted A&R she discovered that I was the only one signed up for the small group tour. This continued through the remainder of 2019. I actually called A&R direct one day to find out what was going on. I was then told about the 90 day out policy before they would cancel the trip. I asked a couple of times through my travel agent if A&R could just go ahead and cancel out the tour and refund my money, but was told there might be some last minute people to sign up for a trip to China. So basically A&R had my $5,000 plus fully paid fee to invest and use as they chose for over a year. January 10 or 20 was the 90 day before date I was told when a decision would be made to cancel. On January 9th I checked the website of A&R and saw by the small group tour for April 9-19 the words "Sold Out". So I'm thinking "Oh, maybe they did get enough last minute people to go?" So I sent my travel agent info on what airline flights I would like to take to China and back. The next day I was sent an email from my agent letting me know that A&R had cancelled the April small group trip to China for the dates I had selected. So the "Sold Out" descriptor apparently was an attempt to save face by not admitting they could not fill the small group trip with enough people to make the trip happen. Not a very "transparent" policy. About a month before A&R did offer to have me join the May China Sampler trip, but those dates did not meet my travel plans. I never received an apology directly from A&R. No offer for a discount on a future tour, nothing. Last time I will ever consider A&R for any type of tour.
Superb in both Seba Camp
The Tour Guides were superb in both Seba Camp (Joseph) and Little Makalolo Camp (Paul). We saw virtually every animal possible in closer proximity than we imagined possible. Accommodations great and food exceptional.
Italy By Rail
Trip Style: Self-guided tour
Founded in 1947, Alexander + Roberts holds the distinction of being one of the oldest guided tour companies around, and a founding member of USTOA. Unlike many tour companies, they focus equally on small group, private group, and customized travel.
What Makes Alexander + Roberts Stand Out
Historical legacy
Authentic experiences
Exotic and classic destinations
Local guides
Unique itineraries
Alexander + Roberts has over 70 years of tour experience. In fact, the company was the first to provide guided tours of the former Soviet Union during the Cold War era. Since then, A + R have been pioneers, traveling to new far-flung locations like Burma and Cuba before many other operators.
There can be a tendency for old and established guided travel companies to seem out of touch and stuffy, while also getting unwieldy if they try too hard to adapt to the modern traveler.
Alexander + Roberts has managed to remain firm to their classic yet innovative roots - an old fashioned charm comes across. You’ll find a blend of classic itineraries as well as more unique experiences and themes.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Alexander + Roberts?
Affluent travelers
50+ and Seniors
Couples
Active travelers
Alexander + Roberts is a US-based tour operator for the affluent traveler wanting to venture beyond the ordinary in a comfortable manner. A + R is best for those travelers looking for a small-group experience with an added element of luxury. They also offer private journeys, custom itineraries, and fully supported independent travel options.
This is not budget travel by any means. Unlike most tour companies today that don’t require a single supplement, they do (for most tours) at “only $700”. Many activities and meals are included on Alexander + Roberts small group tours.
So if you have more of an independent streak and would like some flexibility but aren’t interested in a private or tailor made trip, you may want to explore other tour companies that provide more free time during the itinerary.
If you’re looking for a professionally planned trip with expertise, luxury, and attention to detail baked into the price then Alexander + Roberts is a good place to start.
Top Destinations
A + R offers hundreds of trips on six continents, including Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. They also offer small-ship cruising in the Americas, Antarctica, Asia, and Europe.
Alexander + Roberts Travel Style
Small groups (16 max)
Private travel
Tailor made travel
Most meals and activities included
Alexander + Roberts purposefully keeps their tour group sizes small - maximum 16, for added flexibility and authenticity. Hotels are a mix of unique local and boutique properties, all with a touch of luxury. Most meals are included on their standard group departures and guides are local, with the in-depth knowledge that comes with it.
Why Choose a Tour with Alexander + Roberts?
If you’re looking for a refined experience that still gets you under the surface of a destination, then Alexander & Roberts could be for you. Their trips are not cheap, but do provide good value with many inclusions and years of experience in the industry.
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Preferred
Viking River Cruises
#65 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 19 Trips
Average Price
$ 280 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 8 – 8 days
Trip Prices $ 1,699 – $ 1,699
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
River Cruise Line
Trips in Custom
1 Tours in Custom
Good and no so goog
Recently returned from a Viking Rhine trip on 10/14.
The good:
Rhine water levels were good, no issues. Service on the vessel was A+, excluding one attendant with “attitude” at the front desk. Entertainment was low key but acceptable. Viking succeeds in creating a laid back atmosphere. Viking is like a clock - they run on time. Cabin was nice and shower was exceptional. Most (not all) tours were informative, guides ranged from good to excellent. Tour buses were top shelf with experienced drivers.
The not so good:
All 6 in our group were disappointed with the food (not service but food) all week excluding breakfast. All felt the food offerings got “old” real fast. Food appeared to be prepared in advance and then reheated. Plenty of TV movies, tv and internet reception poor all week.
Most concerning
Viking, customs, and airline never asked to see our proof of vaccination. While Viking did a excellent job in keeping the boat itself clean and sanitized we had an issue on one of the bus tours. A unmasked woman sitting directly behind my wife was sweating & coughing non-stop. Not a occasional sneeze or cough, it was obvious this woman was ill. At the first stop multiple riders relocated to seats as far away from this individual as possible. Regrettably, Viking said/did noting.
Viking claims they are not the Covid police and if we felt compromised we should have put on a mask. Absolutely ridiculous that Viking felt we should have masked but took action to pull this woman aside, require her to mask with a suggestion to see a physician. Again - we’re not talking about normal coughing and sneezing- this woman was visibly ill. Viking was willing to put 30 travelers at risk rather then ask a visibly ill woman to mask up. It’s Vikings boat, tour, bus but they say and do nothing.
Of course 2 of 6 in our group contracted Covid.
Viking had a obligation to do everything within their control to protect us as best possible. In this instance they didn’t even try.
Not trying to trash Viking, just being truthful.
Misleading and often just plain dishonest.
We paid for a 3 week luxury river cruise but received a large group bus trip across Europe with many days of packing and unpacking. I called our Viking representative when we received an email message just 2 days prior to departure that mentioned a possibility of problems with low river levels. I was assured that everything was "normal" In reality, as we learned later from ship personnel, nothing has been normal for at least 3 months. About 2 weeks prior to departure, we received by mail, lovely personalized booklets describing all the details of our voyage on the Viking Lif, which we were to board in Russe, Romania. Instead, we boarded the Viking Aegir but not at Russe, because the Danube was too low. Instead we rode buses upstream to a port on the Romanian side directly opposite our first scheduled stop at Nikopol, Bulgaria. We had a beautiful cruise through the Iron gate gorge, but after three more scheduled stops in Bulgaria, Serbia, and Croatia, our voyage was terminated in Mohacs, Hungary, an unscheduled place two days short of reaching Budapest. So we were herded into buses for a 1.8 hour ride each way to our scheduled stop at Kalocsa. The next day we retraced the journey to Kalocsa and continued an extra 1.5 hours to reach Budapest. We lost the entire morning in Budapest and spent the night at the Marriott hotel. The next day we lost the entire afternoon in that city because we had to take a 4 hour bus ride to Vienna. Where we were put aboard the Viking Embla. Our voyage on that ship ended two steps later at Passau Germany. After a day in Passau we went upriver for a short distance and it seemed that we had entered the canal to take us to the Main river. But much to our surprise, it was a dead end channel for an industrial port. We spent two days there with our balcony room moored tightly against another Viking ship so there was nothing to look at but the scenery at that site was even worse than looking at someone else's window and the balcony was unusable anyway due to the unpleasant odors at that site. The pattern continued with a long round trip bus ride the next day to our scheduled stop at Regensburg and a 3 plus hour trip the following day to Nuremberg where we finally boarded the Viking Lif. A crew member told us that the Lif had not traveled east of Nuremberg for 3 months. We sailed from Nuremberg to scheduled stops in Bamberg, Wurzburg, and Werthiem and then our voyage terminated for good at an unscheduled port in Mainz. Once again we endured a long round trip journey to our next scheduled stop at Koblenz, followed by a 10 plus hour bus trip (with lunch and a walking tour in Cologne) to Amsterdam and a night in a hotel. Despite a promise that our bags would be in our rooms (they did take great care to provide us with tags so they could easily keep our bags organized) all the baggage was dumped in the hotel garage and it took a good 15 minutes of searching to find it and then take it to our rooms ourselves. There is much more, but it would only be more descriptive of the misery of this trip. We know Viking didn't cause the low river levels, but they did not need to lie to us and make us suffer because of it.
Tourico Vacations -Rhine River Cruise
Rhine Getaway Itinerary:
We sailed from Basel, Switzerland up north on the Rhine River and ended at Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Viking also offers the same route in reverse, from Amsterdam to Basel so you can pick either. For a couple stops on the journey, boats running in opposite cities are docked together.
We had a wonderful time and especially loved how organized the entire Viking journey was, from pre-departure to on-board, everything was seamless. Also unlike many other cruises or guided tours, almost everything was included, which made it feel like a truly relaxing vacation.
Here’s a snapshot of our 7-day itinerary and what we got up to each day!
Day 1: Arrive in Basel, Switzerland
We arrived in the small, quaint town of Basel after our international flight. This was the general arrival / travel date so we expected to just check in and relax but discovered that Viking organized a guided walking tour of the town. That was a nice surprise!
There’s also the option to arrive a couple days early and/or stay a couple days late. If you are thinking of this, here’s a quick guide to the best hotels in Basel to help with accommodation.
Basel is an underrated tourist attraction and the third largest city in Switzerland. The town has a gorgeous Medieval center and plenty of world-class art museums. There’s a reason Art Basel is held here!
We checked out the Romanesque cathedral, took endless pictures of the colorful medieval buildings and headed back to our ship to relax and meet everyone for cocktails and dinner. A great first day!
Read more: An Afternoon in Basel, Switzerland’s Most Underrated City!
Day 2: Germany’s Black Forest & Colmar, France
On our second day, we sailed northward to dock at Breisach, Germany. In the morning, we learned how to make cuckoo-clocks, put together Black Forest cake and walked a bit throughout the Black Forest.
The wooded mountain range is the site of many local legends and populated all over with black fir trees. If you like hiking, the mountains are wonderful!
In the afternoon, we signed up for an optional tour to Colmar. Located in the Alsace Lorraine region, the town is part of France but throughout much of history, changed hands between Germany and France. You’ll find lots of German and French spoken as a result!
I highly recommend visiting this quaint medieval town. Every street looks perfectly preserved and it’s quite colorful. We wandered mostly on our own, ducking into gelato shops and chocolate stores while enjoying the colorful, medieval feel.
Read more: The Most Picturesque Alsatian Town of Colmar
Day 3: Strasbourg, France
If you skip the optional to Colmar, no worries! Strasbourg is its larger cousin and also located in Alsace, France.
We had a wonderful guide for this day who guided us throughout the small canals, pointing out colorful streets and letting us know about Strasbourg’s tangled history in the hands of Germany and France.
Strasbourg occupies a strategic position on the Rhine River and is the ninth largest city in France. It’s home to many European councils and organizations, like the European Court of Human Rights (a building built like a ship) and the Council of Europe.
For the most part, we stuck to the Old Medieval Town but drove through the modern section. Highly recommend a visit to the Cathedral!
Read more: 24 Hours in Strasbourg (coming soon)
Day 4: Heidelberg, Germany
Heidelberg is a university town with a energetic, small town feel. In the morning, we visited Heidelberg Castle, which perhaps should be called a ruined fortress, as much of it was destroyed by lightening, fires and war.
The ruins and castle are built high above the city and the observation terrace is well worth a look! Meanwhile, the city was almost entirely spared from bomb attacks during World War II and it’s narrow streets and baroque charm remain largely intact.
We explored Heidelberg’s Old Town (Altstadt) by walking along the main shopping street Hauptstrasse. This is actually the longest shopping street in Europe! For the most part, I spotted large chain stores & restaurants.
I actually recommend skipping this street to explore the quaint alleyways and backstreets instead. Much more picturesque!
Read more: The Best of Heidelberg Germany in 1 Day
Day 5: Rhine River Castles & Koblenz, Germany
By day 5, we had reached the middle Rhine and spent our morning above deck watching the gorgeous small German towns and castles along both sides of the Rhine River. Our Viking program director gave a guided tour along the way, pointing out castles left and right.
Many of them are situated high above local towns and we saw lots of German camper vans parked at the base. I recommend bringing a pair of binoculars for this part, as some of the castles can be set a bit farther away and the detail through a zoom is incredible.
By afternoon, we reached Koblenz, a city set at the mouth of two rivers. We explored Marksburg Castle and wandered a bit on our own after. This was another ruined fortress high above the river. Interesting history, but wear good shoes! The entire castle is unpaved, rocky and entirely uneven.
A couple others from the cruise did the optional dinner excursion on this day and raved about it.
Read more: A Photo Diary of Pretty Rhine Castles
Day 6: Cologne, Germany
During the Holy Roman Empire, Cologne was the largest medieval town in Europe. Naturally, it’s Gothic cathedral is the hallmark draw! The nice thing about this stop is the ship can dock right into town, so you can join the tour or explore on your own.
We explored the Kölner Dom’s interior and were suitably awed. If you want a great view, Viking offers an optional tour that takes you all the way to the very top! I had already been to Cologne on a previous trip so instead, we opted for a palace excursion.
We visited Augustusburg Castle, one of two gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage site classified as Bruhl Palaces. The castle was once home to the prince-archbishops of Cologne and is decked out in gold, marble and all-around extravagance.
I particularly liked the massive entryway staircase which was gilded and made my mouth drop open when we turned the corner. Highly recommend this day trip if you love castles half as much as I do!
The interiors were really unique and the guided tour was excellent. After the main palace, we did a quick tour of the hunting lodge as well, which was just as stunning.
Read more: Exploring Cologne (coming soon)
Day 7: Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
Kinderdijk is home to the Netherlands’ famous windmills. I’ll admit I didn’t know too much about the country outside of Amsterdam and our guide was quite helpful to explain the history of the nation and the purpose of its many windmills. Much of the Netherlands would sink, were it not for windmills to pump away water.
We even got to tour inside the home of a windmill keeper (see photos of a windmill interior here!). What I didn’t realize was that windmill caretakers actually lived inside them with their families!
I thought the interiors were particularly interesting and our guide mentioned that some Dutch families managed to fit 13 children inside.
They’re quite small so I noticed lots of hooks for hanging, curved bunk-bed type rooms and lots of stair ladders. The Dutch windmill keepers also had a number of really unique boats which I took too many pictures of!
Fun fact: Kinderdijk is in the region of Holland in the nation of The Netherlands where the people speak Dutch.
Read more: Visiting A Dutch Windmill Home (and other day trips from Amsterdam!)
The Rhine Getaway Cruise
One thing I liked about sailing with Viking is how leisurely the day to day pace is. There’s generally an opportunity to sight see in the morning and afternoon, with one included tour and one optional tour.
We chose to do 2 optionals and on the other days, relaxed on board or went into town to explore on our own! It was a well-balanced pace and I truly felt “on vacation”.
Here’s a recap of our daily itinerary with Viking:
Day 1 Arrive in Basel, Switzerland
Day 2 Morning: Sail to the Black Forest
Afternoon: Explore Colmar, France
Day 3 Explore Strasbourg, France
Day 4 Morning: Explore Heidelberg’s Castle and Old Town.
Evening: Stop in Rudesheim
Day 5 Morning: See German castles along the Rhine River
Afternoon: Visit Koblenz, Germany
Day 6 Morning: Visit Cologne, Germany
Afternoon: Day trip to Bruhl Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Day 7 See dutch windmills at Kinderdijk. Arrive in Amsterdam in late evening.
Watch video: Tourico Vacations Viking River Cruise
Danube Waltz
Trip Style: River cruise
Founded in 1997 as a line offering Russian river cruises to Europeans, Viking expanded to the North American market in 2000.
What Makes Them Stand Out?
Since 2007, Viking River Cruises has zoomed from carrying one-fifth to one-half of all passengers in the fast-growing European river cruise market. Not only is Viking the world’s largest river cruise line with some 66 ships now in service around the globe, but the line is operating at near full capacity in Europe, with many itineraries sold out months in advance.
Who Travels With Them?
They cater primarily to “culturally curious” English-speaking Americans, Canadians, British, Australians, and New Zealanders aged 55-plus. (Think sophisticated viewers of PBS’ “Downton Abbey,” which its helps to sponsor.)
Where Do They Operate?
Besides European rivers such as the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Seine, Duoro, and the waterways of Russia between Moscow and St. Petersburg, Viking now cruises three rivers in Southeast Asia -- the Yangtze, Mekong, and Irrawaddy -- and along the Nile in Egypt.
Why Travel With Them?
While they may not rank as the most luxurious river ships, many of Viking’s vessels are sleek, innovative, and freshly minted: the line has added 18 new ships in 2014 alone. Overall, Viking has established a reputation for offering an incredible value - high-quality service, food, and guided shore excursions at competitive prices, all adding up to strong repeat customer loyalty rates.
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Italy Vacations
#216 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Regional Expert
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Nightmare
Worst experience.
Booked before covid, trip was cancelled due to covid, we were forced to rebook or we’d lose our money before a certain date. We still couldn’t leave the country during the second date. Great value did nothing. We had travel insurance so we cancelled and made a claim. Apparently you have to be dead to get your money back. We just lost $4200 and great value did not back us up. Unprofessional and disappointing
DO NOT a book with great value vacations. Scam
Nightmare
Worst experience.
Booked before covid, trip was cancelled due to covid, we were forced to rebook or we’d lose our money before a certain date. We still couldn’t leave the country during the second date. Great value did nothing. We had travel insurance so we cancelled and made a claim. Apparently you have to be dead to get your money back. We just lost $4200 and great value did not back us up. Unprofessional and disappointing
DO NOT a book with great value vacations. Scam
Avanti Destinations
#222 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 211 Trips
Size Global Operator
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Custom/Private Tour Operator
HORRIBLE
Avanti Destinations is a HORRIBLE and dishonest company. Paul Barry(who is sole owner) along wtih executive team of COO Mark Grundy, CMO John Hanratty and CFO Susan Marra should be ashamed on how they run a company. As a military family we booked our trip to London to leave March 21, 2020. This was to be our FAMILY trip overseas. While C19 is not the fault of Avanti, it is Barry who is at fault. While other airlines and travel agencies are giving a 100% REFUND not just vouchers Avanti is holding our money hostage. Trying to work with anyone associated with this company does not response. How can USTOA stand behind this company? How do we get a FULL REFUND from Avanti? My travel agent sent us information and our of almost $7000.00 we would get back $1700.00. Seriously? We are PCSing to another country in Asia and want to travel. What is Avanti decides to file bankruptcy because Barry does not know how to manage clients money. SOMEONE HELP US!!!
Company is pocketing thousands of dollars from travelers
I would love to write a review about our meticulously planned out trip, but as our $12000 week long trip to London and Dublin was cancelled due to a global pandemic, I cannot. This company has made it not just hard but nearly impossible to help out their customers who are in awful situations during this time. They are completely unwilling to budge on their bottom line even a little.
We had to cancel due to boarder/country closings and this company is trying to keep 100% of our money. We were booked to fly with British Airlines, and BA refunded $700 per person and that is all that this company has given us.
If by some miracle we get a representative on the phone they are condescending and degrading. I even spoke with the VP of the company and he was the worst. He made me feel small and unimportant. This whole company is taking advantage of the situation and unless people get lawyers involved they are completely unwilling to refund any money.
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! If something goes wrong on your trip, which let face it, multi country trips often have at least one thing go wrong, this company will NOT HELP! Do yourself a favor and go with someone else who has much better customer service and company values.
Apple Vacations
#239 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 4 Trips
Average Price
$ 600 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 6 – 6 days
Trip Prices $ 5,100 – $ 5,100
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Custom
1 Tours in Custom
TERRIBLE....TERRIBLE! DO NOT USE THEM!
I helped my son book an all inclusive vacation to Cancun and when he got there they had NO record for his reservation so he had NO room. Luckily we had a couch in our room so he ended up stay in our room. As soon as we got back we called and emailed them and all they are offering him is a credit for half the cost with Apple. WHY WOULD WE EVER BOOK WITH THEM AGAIN? THIS CREDIT WILL NEVER GET USED CAUSE I WOULD NEVER TRUST THEM. SO DISSATIFIED WITH THIS COMPANY. So glad I was there with my son and he wasn't by himself in another country with no hotel reservations. Suck bullshit!
Apple Vacations
A friend of mine booked 4 of us on an Apple Vacation to Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar in Cancun. One of the best vacations we ever had! No problems with flight, no problems with transfers. The airport in Cancun is difficult, but this had nothing to do with Apple Vacations. The hotel was wonderful, staff friendly and pleasant, and food was great. We had such a great time we went back again about a month later.
Poor
To whom it may concern,
We are extremely disappointed in our recent trip/experiences for multiple reasons.
Let me start by saying that we were scheduled to depart on 2/12/23 @ 6:30am. When we arrived at our departure terminal we were told that “Swift Air” had an issue the previous day any wasn’t going to make it. Yet no one was notified of this delay. We then boarded a replacement plane, sat on that plane for about an hour but “Swift Air” never transferred a permit. We had to deboard the plane. We were given a $15 voucher while things were worked out. That $15 voucher didn’t event cover a meal at the airport! 2 hours later we were told that we would depart at 4pm however we never left the terminal until after 6:26pm. That was approximately 14 hours we sat in the airport.. During that time I contacted Apple Vacations twice, I was reassured we would have a shuttle when we arrived in Cancun. We get through customs, my husband’s luggage was lost and there was NO shuttle available. Let me also say this was our 1st time out of the country, scared to death cuz we had no idea where we were going and now had to get in a Taxi with someone was not hired to transport us and the paid $120!
This was a 20th Anniversary trip and we were scheduled to “Renew our wedding vows on Tuesday February 14th, Valentine’s Day”. Well yet another disappointment because we still didn’t have the lost luggage which had our clothing, flowers for ceremony, make up and many other personal items.
The luggage did finally arrived late Tuesday, late as in 10pm!
Not only was our trip cut short, we basic lost two days.
Oh wait there is more, the way home “Swift Air” delayed at least 90 minutes BUT one of our checked bags was opened and personal items were stolen from the luggage.
Yes I filed a claim with the travel claims, yes Apple gave us a $200 voucher per person and a $570 refund. Unfortunately this doesn’t make up for the time lost, the rescheduling of ceremony vows and the items that were stolen. The resort we stayed at is more than $570 a night also let’s consider the taxi fees we had to pay because we had no shuttle.
The way that Apple Vacations and Swift Air handled these situations were absolutely horrible and we are honestly hesitant to rebook any future trips.
I doubt that anything will change with this email but I felt that someone should hear our story.
Thank you for reading-
~ Jodi
Seascape Discovery - Havana & Varadero
Trip Style: Group tour
Since 1969, Apple Vacations has been one of the top U.S. purveyors of all-inclusive vacations to mostly warm-weather resort destinations.
What Makes Apple Vacations Stand Out?
All inclusive vacations
Transfers included
Award-winning tour company
Exclusive non-stop vacation flights
Easy-to-reach Apple representatives
Great value
Operating on huge volume, Apple offers a wide array of discounts and will match any competitors’ prices if lower than theirs. Round-trip transfers between the destination airport and hotel are always included with every package. Transportation is taken care of at no additional cost, rather than overcharging for pick-ups like most travel sites. There is also a variety of added values such as room upgrades, golf discounts, and free weddings just to name a few.
Who Travels With Apple Vacations?
All ages
Those who love beach vacations
‘Soft’ adventurers
Solo and group travelers
Anyone looking for an all-inclusive vacation package will love traveling with Apple Vacations. Majority of their travelers are US natives, but they welcome everyone onto their tours. It should be noted that all tours are conducted in English.
Apple Vacation tours typically aren’t physically demanding - the most you’ll have to potentially prepare for is 1 hour of walking at a leisurely pace.
Top Destinations
Mexico
Carribean
Hawaii
Central and South America
Apple Vacations will take you to all the tropical destinations that are popular with North Americans. White sand beaches that stretch for miles in Aruba, volcanoes and hidden waterfalls in Hawaii - the types of destination that everyone dreams of going to. Whilespecializing in warm-weather destinations, they also offer ski destinations in the winter. Go skiing with Apple Vacations in the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, and even Japan!
Apple Vacations Travel Style
Apple Vacations is all about the classic fun-in-the-sun adventures. They typically focus on culture, nature, and soft adventure-themed activities. This could mean exploring a Riviera Maya adventure park on an Apple Vacations tour to Cancun, or snorkelling with tropical fish on an Apple Vacations Hawaii tour.
Accommodations range anywhere from 3 star hotels to 5 star resorts. You can choose what type of hotel you’d like to stay in depending on your interests, budget, and occasion. They work with big hotel chains that are great for weddings, family reunions, parties, and the like. It’s suggested to do some hotel research as every place offers a different experience. However, if you’re hoping for quirky local accommodations or culturally immersive homestays, you won’t find it here. Most meals are included, with many being large buffets catered by the hotel.
On Apple Vacations’ non-stop charter flights, they’ll typically leave in the morning and return in the evening, maximizing your time at your destination. (If departure cities aren’t convenient, they’ll work with commercial airlines to get you there.) Once you arrive at your destination airport, you’ll get a free transfer to your hotel (with a few exceptions).
Why Choose a Tour with Apple Vacations?
If you enjoy tropical vacations with open bars and buffets by the poolside, then you should travel with Apple Vacations. You get to choose what activities you’d like to do, and be in charge of how much free time you’d like. Additionally, the non-stop charter flights are a big plus, enabling you to avoid the delays and hassle of traveling by commercial airlines. If you don’t want to do a lot of planning or prep work and are primarily looking for a relaxing vacation, Apple can be an excellent choice.
However, if you’re hoping for quirky local accommodations or culturally immersive homestays, you won’t find it here.
Read more
Brian Moore International Tours
#303 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Local Specialist
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
The Tailor USA
#304 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Local Specialist
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
World Class Vacations
#350 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Regional Expert
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Custom/Private Tour Operator
WorldStrides Oxbridge Academic
View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Regional Expert
Service Level Standard
Ritz Tours
#354 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 34 Trips
Average Price
$ 128 per day
Size Global Operator
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Custom/Private Tour Operator
Fantastic private tour to South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Dubai and India!
My daughter and I had a wonderful trip to South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and India as well as Dubai through Ritz's tours. We went on a 3 1/2 week private tour and enjoyed each moment on the Safari's through Chobe National Parks, as well as Hoedspruit - Harmony. Karongwe Lodge was beautiful and the events scheduled were awesome! Lucas, Manager for Karongwe is superb and we all had a great time. Mandlah the Safari Ranger, and our tracker, Oriel were fantastic and they went out of their way to go deep into the woods so that we could spot the lions, zebras, cougars, elephants, giraffes, water buffalos, and impalas. The local tour guides, such as Michael in CapeTown, Bernard in Victoria Falls/ Zimbabwe as well as Richard in Botswana were exceptionally knowledgeable and a great time was had by all! Also, the Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls was breathtaking, and the sunsets were awesome! The safari in Botswana was just as good with Mitch as our ranger and tracker. There were a couple of small snafus in South Africa, with pickup at Hoedspruit airport by Buoya Buoya for Travel to Karongwe Lodge and the second transport drive from Johannesburg airport to the hotel; however Kavita from ERM Tours took care of it right away so we felt we were in excellent hands, and no longer worried in the end.
India and Dubai was also fantastic, and the service provided by the local tour company, Travel and Beyond in India was superb! Sanju and his team provides truly excellent service so we also enjoyed our stay in India. We were provided beautiful leis upon arrival and felt very welcomed in India. Our local guides in India were also fantastic, Poonam our guide in Delhi, went out of her way to be sure our stay was fantastic as well as Jay in Jaipur, Chancel in Agra. They were all helpful and made our stay so enjoyable! And of course our fantastic driver David whom we had for the week in India was superb! He always made us feel safe with his great driving, and his timeliness was more than excellent. Between cities before meeting with our local guides, David our driver gave us historical facts of the areas we drove by and we thoroughly enjoyed our drive with him. We couldn't have had a better time without them!
The hotels were top notch and we especially loved the service provided by the hotels, "Trident Jaipur, and Trident, Agra. Dubai was just as fantastic with the local guide Hamzah; and all the destinations within Dubai was fabulous, including the Louvre museum, the Tech museum, the Frame, "At the Top Burj Khalifa" as well as the desert Safari, and the camel rides. All in all, a "10" star rating for the service provided by Ritz tours, Lillian and Olga, as well as the local tour guides in the above mentioned destinations. Thanks!
AfricaExperts by Goway
#361 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Global Operator
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
The Moorings
#362 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Global Operator
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Small Ship & Expedition Cruise Line
Moorings Gouvia - badly organised and inward-looking.
Boat had faults not reported to us – no read out on fuel gauge ( which we found out before we left), no read out on log, and the wind readout failed. Dicky float switch on auto bilge pump was reported – told to “turn it off” – and we were told how to remove an airlock from the fresh water system (we needed to, which implies they knew there was a fault).
The boat is a poor design: in practice the Bimini can’t be lowered, so helmsman can’t see the mainsail when it’s being raised; anchor locker had to be kept open when anchoring; and while airy and spacious inside there’s insufficient stowage for personal gear even for a one week holiday.
Little thought for the customer : the fridge was turned off between charters as a matter of policy, so you start with a warm fridge; no cleaning materials left from the previous charter as “a child could poison itself”. We were provided with Heikells Ionian Pilot and a chart – but no additional local information and questions were rebuffed with ‘it depends how good a sailor you are’. The echo sounder datum was set 1 metre below the keel – and it seems that was true for other boats too. So we missed out on places we could have safely gone.
The base staff were pleasant but no one could answer any questions off their script – that was always someone else’s job. Emails to the base went unanswered – apparently because the manager had been sacked ( can no one else read emails?). Head office was texting me for my sailing qualifications 6 days into the charter – they’d been shown them and taken copies at the start.
We had a good holiday, but that’s because of Corfu not because of The Moorings
Majestic Vacations
#363 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Global Operator
Service Level Budget
Operator Type
Small Ship & Expedition Cruise Line
WorldStrides Explorica
#364 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Global Operator
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Custom/Private Tour Operator
Urban Adventures
#366 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Global Operator
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Custom/Private Tour Operator
Siagon Street food by night Experience
Duy, the tour leader was attentive, informative and the food we were given was fantastic.
So much so, that we will organise another night street food tour in Hoi An when we arrive there.
Perillos Learning Journeys
#367 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Global Operator
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
GoPlay Sports Tours
#368 Pick of 460 Custom Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Size Global Operator
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Custom/Private Tour Operator
Reviews Write a Review
The leaders are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, which got me pumped up about leading my own group in July. Also, networking with other teachers helped shape my perspective and made me feel supported. The training was fun yet provided challenges that will prepare me for future trips.
Details
Value4.0
Guide4.0
Activities4.0
Lodging4.0
Transportation4.0
Meals4.0
ML
Michelle Lane
June 2023
The leaders are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, which got me pumped up about leading my own group in July. Also, networking with other teachers helped shape my perspective and made me feel supported. The training was fun yet provided challenges that will prepare me for future trips.
Read More
Operator EF Educational Tours Company Reviews
Carolina has been great. She has had answers to every question and gives advice for every step of the way. Highly recommended!
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
NS
Nathan Slaymaker
June 2023
Carolina has been great. She has had answers to every question and gives advice for every step of the way. Highly recommended!
Read More
Operator EF Educational Tours Company Reviews
5/27/2023
I appreciated superb coordination of memorable experience for my grandson, Joshua Hayum. I have two grandsons with great travel experiences through EF Educational Tours. You are highly recommended. Thank you.
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
SGH
Shaya Gardner Hayum
June 2023
5/27/2023
I appreciated superb coordination of memorable experience for my grandson, Joshua Hayum. I have two grandsons with great travel experiences through EF Educational Tours. You are highly recommended. Thank you.
Read More
I appreciated superb coordination of memorable experience for my grandson, Joshua Hayum. I have two grandsons with great travel experiences through EF Educational Tours. You are highly recommended. Thank you.
Operator EF Educational Tours Company Reviews
What makes this experience great is the support that we get from the tour consultant in getting a tour pulled together. From helpful pre-written emails and dates to send to getting everything lined up before departure, the tour consultant is there supporting at every step.
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
TH
T. Hendrix
June 2023
What makes this experience great is the support that we get from the tour consultant in getting a tour pulled together. From helpful pre-written emails and dates to send to getting everything lined up before departure, the tour consultant is there supporting at every step.
Read More
Operator EF Educational Tours Company Reviews
Amazing experience, so many elements of the trip. Fantastic learning opportunity for students. Great way to meet new friends and and go to places our family may never get too.
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
JM
Joyce Macdonald
June 2023
Amazing experience, so many elements of the trip. Fantastic learning opportunity for students. Great way to meet new friends and and go to places our family may never get too.
Read More
Operator EF Educational Tours Company Reviews
My son had a great time and it was an experience a lifetime. We hope to go on another tour with your groups.
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
JM
Jana Mceachin
June 2023
My son had a great time and it was an experience a lifetime. We hope to go on another tour with your groups.
Read More
Operator EF Educational Tours Company Reviews
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