In the words of people who have travelled with us: genuine ratings and comments, published after verification. You can filter them by trip and by number of stars.
Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk and the blue lanes of Chefchaouen were just like the photos, and sunrise over the dunes of Merzouga was stunning. But for the three days from Fez to Marrakech we spent almost all our time on the coach, and in Marrakech we had very little time left: I would have liked at least one more night there. Our coordinator was excellent, but the programme would benefit from fewer kilometres.
Thank you for your honesty, Elina. You are right that the stretch from Fez to Marrakech is long and that on those days the road takes over. We have passed your comments on to our local partner and will look at explaining this more clearly on the trip page. If you like, write or call us: we would be glad to talk it through.
Superb wildlife, but the early starts take stamina
The wildlife was outstanding: lions, elephants and a long afternoon watching a herd cross the plain. Our local guide knew exactly where to look and was never in a hurry. Zanzibar was a relaxing end to the trip. I take one star off because the very early starts and long drives on bumpy roads are tiring, and at one lodge the wifi hardly worked. Honest advice: be ready for dust and for very early alarm calls.
Pyramids, the Nile and Karnak: a superb trip with a very full programme
The Pyramids of Giza in the morning, a felucca at sunset on the Nile and the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak are moments I will remember. The ship was clean and the staff welcoming. I take off one star because the programme is very full, with several wake-ups before dawn, such as for Abu Simbel, and at the monuments you need patience with the street sellers. It is worth every effort, though.
Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Angkor: unforgettable, even with the crowds
Ha Long Bay in the morning light from a traditional wooden junk and the lanterns of Hoi An reflected in the river were magical. Angkor Wat at sunrise takes your breath away, but expect crowds: you need patience and a plan for the photos. Ta Prohm, with its roots swallowing the stones, was my favourite. One star less for the crush at sunrise and two long transfer days, but the coordinator kept spirits high.
The Taj Mahal at sunrise, with a coordinator always at hand
India can make your head spin, which is why I wanted to travel with a coordinator. The Taj Mahal in the morning, its pink light reflected in the long pool, was everything I had imagined and more. In Jaipur we went up to Amber Fort and lost ourselves in the spice market. The hotels were comfortable, and our coordinator advised us on what to eat and where.
Autumn in Japan: a superb trip, with one small remark
We went in early November and the colours in Kyoto were only just beginning, which we had been told beforehand, so it was no surprise. The temples and gardens were beautiful anyway, and in Tokyo we loved the evening alleys lit by lanterns. Organisation was flawless and the trains ran to the minute. My only remark: the programme is very full, and I would have liked one more free day.
The Colosseum, the Duomo and quiet canals: a programme that flows
I had been to Italy before, but never like this. In Rome we reached the Colosseum just as the light turned the stone golden; in Florence the red dome of the Duomo rose above the rooftops; in Venice we walked the canals early in the morning, before the crowds arrived. Espresso and a cornetto in a Roman piazza became our daily ritual. The transfers between cities ran smoothly.
A Brit in Athens joins a Greek-led group and loves it
I have lived in Athens for years and wanted to see Peru with a group rather than alone. Briefings came in Greek and English, and I was made welcome from the first evening. Unforgettable for me: the cobbled streets of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and the sunrise over Machu Picchu. The hotels were comfortable and well placed. I came home with new friends and a long list of places I want to see again.
Travelling with my teenage son: the weather changed and the plan adapted
I travelled with my 14-year-old son and neither of us was bored for a moment. The Strokkur geyser sends up its jet every few minutes and my son photographed it again and again. One day it poured, and the coordinator reordered the stops so we saw the best sights when the weather cleared. Distances are long, but the landscapes along the way make the drives enjoyable.