Trafalgar Reviews
The 1,795 Trafalgar reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have travelled with Trafalgar. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
The 1,795 Trafalgar reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have travelled with Trafalgar. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
A well -designed Tour spoiled by a poor tour guide 4
Northern Spain
Stephen & Christina, NSW, Australia, Jun 2019
This tour should have been a most enjoyable tour, but spoiled by a tour guide who didn’t really care about the people under his care and guidance. The journey from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela took about 6 to 7 hours. It was absolutely boring! Apart from a short perfunctory remark for about 10 minutes, our so-called “Tour Guide” did absolutely read more nothing to alleviate the boredom. We were hoping for some dissertation on the history, culture and politics on Spain, or at the very least a video or even some music to kill the boredom. But nothing came! The same thing occurred on the long trip from Pamplona to Barcelona in the return leg! It was boredom personified. The next startling news was that several optional tours offered in the tour were to be cancelled or withdrawn due the small numbers of 12 people in the tour! This was most disappointing because some of us had planned to go on to these optional tours offered in the itinerary.
The worst was to come. Due to the cancelled optional tour at Barcelona, the tour guide unilaterally and without consultation, announced that he wanted to reschedule the farewell dinner from the last day to the 2nd last day and from a dinner to a farewell LUNCH. This was most unconventional as a farewell dinner are normally conducted on the last day! However, before we had a chance to comprehend the purpose and significance of this change, the tour guide made another unilateral announcement : he decided that the farewell dinner was to be rescheduled to the 2nd last night. This means that instead of finishing the tour late on the last light, it will now finish early midday after our morning tour of Barcelona! No doubt, this allows the driver and the tour guide to have the night free on the last day of the tour.
We find this unilateral rescheduling of Insight Vacation ‘s advertised itinerary is tantamount to a breach of contract. Also, all the guiding were given by local guides with the exception the one at Pamplona where Rory took charge. Because of the huge crowd at this Bull run, our tour bus had to be parked a long way from the city centre. We had to fight our way through the huge crowds. For some inexplicable reason, Rory did not used the radios issued. As we returned to our tour bus, Rory failed to check the numbers and he would have left two members of our group if weren’t for the fact that some of us had to inform Rory that he had left these two members behind. This incident had instilled fear and doubt in some of us on his ability as a tour guide.
The worst was to come. Due to the cancelled optional tour at Barcelona, the tour guide unilaterally and without consultation, announced that he wanted to reschedule the farewell dinner from the last day to the 2nd last day and from a dinner to a farewell LUNCH. This was most unconventional as a farewell dinner are normally conducted on the last day! However, before we had a chance to comprehend the purpose and significance of this change, the tour guide made another unilateral announcement : he decided that the farewell dinner was to be rescheduled to the 2nd last night. This means that instead of finishing the tour late on the last light, it will now finish early midday after our morning tour of Barcelona! No doubt, this allows the driver and the tour guide to have the night free on the last day of the tour.
We find this unilateral rescheduling of Insight Vacation ‘s advertised itinerary is tantamount to a breach of contract. Also, all the guiding were given by local guides with the exception the one at Pamplona where Rory took charge. Because of the huge crowd at this Bull run, our tour bus had to be parked a long way from the city centre. We had to fight our way through the huge crowds. For some inexplicable reason, Rory did not used the radios issued. As we returned to our tour bus, Rory failed to check the numbers and he would have left two members of our group if weren’t for the fact that some of us had to inform Rory that he had left these two members behind. This incident had instilled fear and doubt in some of us on his ability as a tour guide.
What a great holiday experience!! The beautiful and scenic Norwegian fjords with their cascading waterfalls will remain in one's memory. The warm and welcoming attitude that the folks extended to visitors is commendable.
To top off the experience, the travel director lived up to his name. He was approachable and passionate about his work. This was read more evident in how he handled various situations. His very clear instructions and directions provided one with a sense of security. Camaraderie was generated among fellow travellers where friendship could be built for life.
Likewise, the Global Journeys Travel Advisor was most efficient, prompt and assuring in handling one's online booking. Excellent service!!
Accommodation venues selected were great and appropriate. Those selected out of cities had lovely lakeside sceneries, walkways and with dinners provided. Those selected in the cities were of close proximity to eateries and supermarkets. These choices have a true indication of travellers needs in mind and is commendable.
The travel period chosen was a good time of the year to travel as facilities were open and the weather was milder. Optionals provided were varied and clearly highlighted but with no pressure to join from travel director.
With this experience, I have no hesitation to travel and book online with this operator.
To top off the experience, the travel director lived up to his name. He was approachable and passionate about his work. This was read more evident in how he handled various situations. His very clear instructions and directions provided one with a sense of security. Camaraderie was generated among fellow travellers where friendship could be built for life.
Likewise, the Global Journeys Travel Advisor was most efficient, prompt and assuring in handling one's online booking. Excellent service!!
Accommodation venues selected were great and appropriate. Those selected out of cities had lovely lakeside sceneries, walkways and with dinners provided. Those selected in the cities were of close proximity to eateries and supermarkets. These choices have a true indication of travellers needs in mind and is commendable.
The travel period chosen was a good time of the year to travel as facilities were open and the weather was milder. Optionals provided were varied and clearly highlighted but with no pressure to join from travel director.
With this experience, I have no hesitation to travel and book online with this operator.
Memorable tour of Scandinavia 1
Spectacular Scandinavia & its Fjords
Jozef Potomski, QLD, Australia, Jun 2019
The tour was well organised and our tour director and driver were superb. The highlights of the tour were the Norwegian fjords. Accommodation was satisfactory however some hotels were not up to the standard we have previously experienced with Insight Vacations. Scandinavian countries are cashless - we used only credit cards. The weather varied a lot: read more Copenhagen and Oslo were hot, the rest unseasonably cold. Our fellow travellers were mostly from USA and Australia/New Zealand and we got along very well. The optional tours were well attended. The optional tours: The Troll's Road and Fjord at Dalsnibba should have been included at no extra cost. Many thanks to Hannah from Global Journeys.
Great adventure. Breathtaking scenery and a fantastic Tour Director (Rebecca Blott) and Driver (Atilla). Easy Booking with Global Journeys. First time that we saw reindeer. Will book again with Global Journeys and Trafalgar.
Right from the start I was looked after very well by Jemma Rosen from Global Journeys, Australia: no request was too much for Jemma from the beginning to end of my tour/travel experience... Thank you very much, Jemma! Rachel Tomas our Tour Director was simply the best! Exceptionally professional, friendly, polite, caring and helpful. Simply unforgettable!
If you want to capture the spirit and history of Turkey in just under a fortnight, take this trip. From the magnificence of Aya Sophia and Ephesus, to an afternoon tea in a cave house in Cappadocia, this tour covered the history and cultures of Anatolia from the Hittites to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. There were many highlights. Some were expected (Ephesus read more being one example), others were not: the House of the Virgin Mary was one, the Calcium Terraces at Pamukkale was another, and the farm-to-table lunch where a local family, who farm organically, served up a delicious meal was yet another.
The accommodation was more than comfortable and even a touch exotic, like the cave hotel in Cappadocia. Most meals were provided, some were set meals, others were buffet meals, but in all cases the food was good and fresh. Although Insight does not include Cappadocia’s famous hot-air balloon rides as part of its itinerary, those interested can book a ride from the hotel. The organisation of the tour, from its beginning in Istanbul to its end in Istanbul, was meticulous, thanks to the tour director, Daghan Erdogdu. He brought his love of his country and its history to the tour.
Like any tour, there will be some who will wish that they had stayed longer at one place and less time at another. This tour struck the right balance. To use a now probably long forgotten Australian expression, ‘I wouldn’t have missed this tour for quids’. As for travelling with Insight again, that I will. And as for using Global Journeys and Jemma again for future tours, that’s a certainty.
The accommodation was more than comfortable and even a touch exotic, like the cave hotel in Cappadocia. Most meals were provided, some were set meals, others were buffet meals, but in all cases the food was good and fresh. Although Insight does not include Cappadocia’s famous hot-air balloon rides as part of its itinerary, those interested can book a ride from the hotel. The organisation of the tour, from its beginning in Istanbul to its end in Istanbul, was meticulous, thanks to the tour director, Daghan Erdogdu. He brought his love of his country and its history to the tour.
Like any tour, there will be some who will wish that they had stayed longer at one place and less time at another. This tour struck the right balance. To use a now probably long forgotten Australian expression, ‘I wouldn’t have missed this tour for quids’. As for travelling with Insight again, that I will. And as for using Global Journeys and Jemma again for future tours, that’s a certainty.
Grand Scandinavia holiday was epic both in scenery and distance. 7
Grand Scandinavia
Howard & Teresa, ACT, Australia, Jun 2019
The Tour Director Zsofia Ferencz and Driver Bert were both excellent and professional in every way possible. Even through times of difficulty, when our coach windscreen was broken from a rock from another vehicle and the tour director sustained a head injury, Zsofia was more concerned about her passengers than herself even though she was the only one read more injured. Bert's excellent driving skill saved us from further injury. We got through it and completed the holiday with great success.
There were long distances between overnight stays with many short breaks in between. Could have spent more time in Copenhagen and Stockholm and less in Finland which was very flat and less interesting, but Norway was spectacular in scenery and breathtaking in beauty.
The highlight for my wife and myself was Geiranger, with giant mountains and fjords and waterfalls which never seem to end. Oslo is an interesting city with lots to see and a great atmosphere with varying architecture. All in all, the holiday was fast paced and scenic but too many one night stops.
There were long distances between overnight stays with many short breaks in between. Could have spent more time in Copenhagen and Stockholm and less in Finland which was very flat and less interesting, but Norway was spectacular in scenery and breathtaking in beauty.
The highlight for my wife and myself was Geiranger, with giant mountains and fjords and waterfalls which never seem to end. Oslo is an interesting city with lots to see and a great atmosphere with varying architecture. All in all, the holiday was fast paced and scenic but too many one night stops.
A week in southern Italy in summer - what could be better! Spending more than the usual amount of time in 2 locations; Puglia and Sorrento (3 days in each) allowed a more relaxed vacation and the opportunity to explore these areas in more depth.
Great included activities and even better optionals resulted in some very memorable occasions, especially read more those that involved the divine Italian cuisine! And won't forget the shots of Limoncello!
This is now the 4th Insight trip we had booked through Global Journeys and all handled by the wonderful Hannah. Now planning the next trip...
Great included activities and even better optionals resulted in some very memorable occasions, especially read more those that involved the divine Italian cuisine! And won't forget the shots of Limoncello!
This is now the 4th Insight trip we had booked through Global Journeys and all handled by the wonderful Hannah. Now planning the next trip...
I was really looking forward to Country Roads of Croatia after doing Country Roads of Portugal last year, which was great. This year there was a noticeable difference in the standard of the Insight tour. We stayed in good hotels but in the cheapest rooms. Some hotels ie Split, were way out of town
Every included meal on the program was a hotel buffet read more except in Korcula where we are in a little restaurant in the old town. It doesn't give you an authentic feel for the destination eating dinner in your hotel. Plus, you get are limited to 2 x 100ml glasses of wine with these meals. (on our Country Roads of Portugal tour, the wine was free flowing). Wine in Croatia is cheap!!
Unless you wanted to pay for the optional excursions, this tour is basically transport, accommodation in the cheapest rooms, and a local guide for a couple of hours at most towns (that you have to tip). The only included activities on the programme were the caves visit, The waterfalls and oyster tasting. (We did another oyster tasting in the same town a couple of weeks later and it was far superior with a lot of food and wine)
We did the first optional excursion in Zagreb thinking we were going to eat in a family home in the country, only to find out it was us and several other bus loads all having dinner in a mass produced commercial environment in the country outside of Zagreb. This turned us off paid optional dinners for the rest of the trip.
I personally hate the add-ons and would prefer to pay more up front and have it included in the programme rather than having a feeling of resentment being that if you don't pay, you miss out on the best bits. You basically HAVE to buy the extras to bring it up to standard expectations. These add-ons cost an extra $1200AU per couple!! Plus the expected top about for tipping is an additional $600AU per couple, making these tours very expensive.
This, along with no name tags or travel documents indicates that Insight are tightening their budget. Others in our group expressed the awkwardness of not knowing each other's names. Insight said it was their no plastic policy, but clearly, name tags can be paper stickers or simply plastic ones recycled.
This will be our last Insight tour.
Every included meal on the program was a hotel buffet read more except in Korcula where we are in a little restaurant in the old town. It doesn't give you an authentic feel for the destination eating dinner in your hotel. Plus, you get are limited to 2 x 100ml glasses of wine with these meals. (on our Country Roads of Portugal tour, the wine was free flowing). Wine in Croatia is cheap!!
Unless you wanted to pay for the optional excursions, this tour is basically transport, accommodation in the cheapest rooms, and a local guide for a couple of hours at most towns (that you have to tip). The only included activities on the programme were the caves visit, The waterfalls and oyster tasting. (We did another oyster tasting in the same town a couple of weeks later and it was far superior with a lot of food and wine)
We did the first optional excursion in Zagreb thinking we were going to eat in a family home in the country, only to find out it was us and several other bus loads all having dinner in a mass produced commercial environment in the country outside of Zagreb. This turned us off paid optional dinners for the rest of the trip.
I personally hate the add-ons and would prefer to pay more up front and have it included in the programme rather than having a feeling of resentment being that if you don't pay, you miss out on the best bits. You basically HAVE to buy the extras to bring it up to standard expectations. These add-ons cost an extra $1200AU per couple!! Plus the expected top about for tipping is an additional $600AU per couple, making these tours very expensive.
This, along with no name tags or travel documents indicates that Insight are tightening their budget. Others in our group expressed the awkwardness of not knowing each other's names. Insight said it was their no plastic policy, but clearly, name tags can be paper stickers or simply plastic ones recycled.
This will be our last Insight tour.
We had a wonderful time. Canada is a very pretty place to visit. Thank you so much for all your help, Hannah, I must admit I was nervous booking online and not actually getting to meet you in person. But can we just say that you delivered on it all. It seemed too good too be true, the prices you were able to secure for our trip so all I can say is a read more big thanks from Bill and myself and we would not hesitate to recommend you to our friends.
The Trafalgar tour leaders and drivers were all happy to go over and beyond to make sure everything and everyone was happy. So once again thank you, if or when we travel again you will be the person we will be looking to!
The Trafalgar tour leaders and drivers were all happy to go over and beyond to make sure everything and everyone was happy. So once again thank you, if or when we travel again you will be the person we will be looking to!
We would definitely travel again with Costsaver, our tour guide Maya was so knowledgeable and informative, we loved all aspects. Was great to have some free time to further explore some cities, and the hotels, breakfasts, transport all were great.
The group all got along even though we had children travelling with their parents. Would highly recommend read more the evening canal cruise in Budapest, and the Strauss/Mozart concert in Vienna. We loved them!
The group all got along even though we had children travelling with their parents. Would highly recommend read more the evening canal cruise in Budapest, and the Strauss/Mozart concert in Vienna. We loved them!
From the time I booked my trip with Global Journeys to the completion of my holiday the whole process was a pleasure. Jemma's communication was excellent - guiding me through the process to ensure everything would run smoothly which was especially important being a solo traveller.
My Trafalgar Tour was fantastic - my fourth which shows my loyalty read more and faith in the brand. Terry, our Tour Director, went the extra mile to ensure every traveller had a great travel experience - the best T.D. I have ever had. His attention to detail, super sense of humour and local knowledge made this a trip to remember.
I would not hesitate to recommend Global Journeys and Trafalgar Tours to anyone wanting to explore the world in a cost effective, time efficient way without compromising on comfort.
My Trafalgar Tour was fantastic - my fourth which shows my loyalty read more and faith in the brand. Terry, our Tour Director, went the extra mile to ensure every traveller had a great travel experience - the best T.D. I have ever had. His attention to detail, super sense of humour and local knowledge made this a trip to remember.
I would not hesitate to recommend Global Journeys and Trafalgar Tours to anyone wanting to explore the world in a cost effective, time efficient way without compromising on comfort.
This was a trip of a lifetime. As always Trafalgar was a great company to tour with. We were taken to see a variety of different scenery, attractions and experiences.
My daughter and I both thoroughly enjoyed the trip from start to finish. Our favourite would have to be the Scottish highlands and the little Laggan hotel. Beautiful food there. Another read more favourite was the optional Irish cabaret with the Irish dancing and Noel Gittens, the comedian.
The ferry to Ireland was a great experience and the scenery on the drive to Killarney and the Ring of Kerry was beautiful. I also enjoyed the English countryside. We met a gypsy and stopped on the moors to see the wild ponies.
Our tour director Terry was 10/10. His commentary and knowledge of all the areas was great and he certainly made sure we all enjoyed the tour.
My daughter and I both thoroughly enjoyed the trip from start to finish. Our favourite would have to be the Scottish highlands and the little Laggan hotel. Beautiful food there. Another read more favourite was the optional Irish cabaret with the Irish dancing and Noel Gittens, the comedian.
The ferry to Ireland was a great experience and the scenery on the drive to Killarney and the Ring of Kerry was beautiful. I also enjoyed the English countryside. We met a gypsy and stopped on the moors to see the wild ponies.
Our tour director Terry was 10/10. His commentary and knowledge of all the areas was great and he certainly made sure we all enjoyed the tour.
Fantastic tour of Britain, Scotland and Ireland 1
Britain and Ireland Panorama
Lorna and Allison, Qld , Australia, Jun 2019
We booked with Global journeys and many thanks to Georgie. We loved this trip. It had been on my wish list for sometime. The scenery is beautiful especially in Scotland. Trafalgar does it so well. They make sure you see scenery and sites in out of the way spots. The food was great and majority of accommodation was very comfortable. I highly recommend read more this trip. Our tour guide had excellent knowledge and could be quite entertaining.
The grand tour of Great Britain 6
Britain & Ireland Discovery
Cathy & Frank, QLD, Australia, Jun 2019
Out interesting journey began with booking out trip through Global Journeys last year. It was all very easy and efficient arranging this trip online. Emails were answered promptly and requests for different flight times easily accommodated. It was lovely having a trip booked early just for the anticipation.
We were very fortunate in our trip's tour read more director and driver and weather. Ben Scott is only about 32 but appears to love his job and he was very good at it. He attended to all our needs and kept us every well organised. He went down the coach and spoke to every passenger individually to see if we had any concerns or complaints everyday. Marcel the driver was an excellent driver and had a happy and humorous personality.
The trip itself was as anticipated. We had the opportunity to see a great many towns and cities in Great Britain. I especially enjoyed Ireland. Ben entertained us with the history of the places we visited. The included tours of distilleries, crystal factories, castles, famous houses and interesting towns and cities were all wonderful as was the scenery.
The hotels were all of good to excellent quality. We always had a full hot breakfast and the starting times for each day were all reasonable. The included evening meals were also good. There were a few negatives. We found the optional dinners were far too expensive for what you got. We cancelled all dinners after the first one and arranged our own dinner for a quarter of the price. Those who went on these dinners also said they were not good value for money.
I would have liked a few optional extras that included dancing at local venues in Ireland. We were left too long in some towns. Everyone just wanted to get to our hotel room at a good hour before we were picked up. This really happened only on the first and last day when we were all tired.
Other than those few complaints, the trip was a wonderful experience and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend both Global Journeys and Insight Vacations to my family and friends.
We were very fortunate in our trip's tour read more director and driver and weather. Ben Scott is only about 32 but appears to love his job and he was very good at it. He attended to all our needs and kept us every well organised. He went down the coach and spoke to every passenger individually to see if we had any concerns or complaints everyday. Marcel the driver was an excellent driver and had a happy and humorous personality.
The trip itself was as anticipated. We had the opportunity to see a great many towns and cities in Great Britain. I especially enjoyed Ireland. Ben entertained us with the history of the places we visited. The included tours of distilleries, crystal factories, castles, famous houses and interesting towns and cities were all wonderful as was the scenery.
The hotels were all of good to excellent quality. We always had a full hot breakfast and the starting times for each day were all reasonable. The included evening meals were also good. There were a few negatives. We found the optional dinners were far too expensive for what you got. We cancelled all dinners after the first one and arranged our own dinner for a quarter of the price. Those who went on these dinners also said they were not good value for money.
I would have liked a few optional extras that included dancing at local venues in Ireland. We were left too long in some towns. Everyone just wanted to get to our hotel room at a good hour before we were picked up. This really happened only on the first and last day when we were all tired.
Other than those few complaints, the trip was a wonderful experience and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend both Global Journeys and Insight Vacations to my family and friends.
As you can see from my ratings, I was very impressed with and thoroughly enjoyed the Irish Highlights tour. Although a group of 51, there was a great camaraderie amongst the members. And against the odds there was little to no rain or wind, with plenty of sunshine. So great for photos at highlight places, especially The Cliffs of Moher and the Ring read more of Kerry. I loved Ireland and this was a tour filled with unforgettable memories.
Highlights of Spain and Portugal 1
Highlights of Spain and Portugal
Andrew & Hazel, WA, Australia, Jun 2019
This tour fulfilled all our expectations, the Trafalgar tour guide Rita was outstanding in her duties as was the coach driver Mario. Tour highlights were the day in Segovia, Roman aqueduct and castle, also the Be My Guest at a Portuguese stud ranch, sea food dinner along Tagus river, and not forgetting Hazel having Happy Birthday sung in Portuguese read more by Rita and Mario. The tour group were a mix from Australia, USA, UK, India, all mixed well, 43 on the coach. Booking all went smoothly thanks to Jemma.
We enjoyed very much the Glorious Switzerland 8 day tour recently. It was great. Well organised. Martin was a very experienced and knowledgeable tour guide and was very organised. Our group of 35 was great and joyful, came from Canada, US, Australia, NZ and Singapore. Seat rotation was a great idea. Georgie from Global Journeys was very helpful. Will read more recommend this tour and Global Journeys to friends.
We enjoyed our Highlights of Poland tour with Insight Vacations. Loved all the cities and saw some very interesting places. Our Tour Director was full of the history of Poland with sometimes going a bit overboard. We visited Poland in mid June and the weather was perfect, plus hotels were great and in good locations. Our booking with Yvonne at Global read more Journeys was great and I thoroughly recommend them.
This island is colourful, interesting and very welcoming... just like its inhabitants. Local food is delicious and always served with a smile. The trip was well paced and at the end we felt satisfied that we had seen the best sights. Our tour guide, Anne Kennedy, was truly superb and ensured all went smoothly. She shared her knowledge of this region read more with grace and wit and we appreciated all she did for us. I would happily revisit Sicily in future.
