AITO: The Association of Independent Tour Operators
Experience Travel Group

Experience Travel Group Traveller Reviews

Reviews of Experience Travel Group

Overall Company Rating
99%
Excellent 754
Good 33
Average 2
Poor 3
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 792
Reviews Accepted: 791
Reviews Rejected: 1
791 reviews
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Experience Travel Group by olideacon, 17 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

Incredible Honeymoon in Sri Lanka

We spent an outstanding 2.5 weeks of honeymoon in Sri Lanka, staying in 5 different hotels. The trip was truly a holiday of a lifetime. From relaxing on a beautiful empty beach, to the luscious tea countryside and on into the fascinating cultural triangle, it had everything we could've wished for. And every step of the way, the friendliest people and world class service. We really can't recommend the place enough. Our only issue: Emirates handled ...

We spent an outstanding 2.5 weeks of honeymoon in Sri Lanka, staying in 5 different hotels. The trip was truly a holiday of a lifetime. From relaxing on a beautiful empty beach, to the luscious tea countryside and on into the fascinating cultural triangle, it had everything we could've wished for. And every step of the way, the friendliest people and world class service. We really can't recommend the place enough. Our only issue: Emirates handled our delay badly on the way out, not a good start to honeymoon.

Rating for tour operator:

Experience travel were truly outstanding in their assistance in booking our honeymoon. You need experts for this expensive a trip - and they have bucketloads of experience and local knowlegde. They listened to us, put together a great package at a great price, adjusted the bits we were less keen on and worked with us during a super busy time to build our dream holiday. Matt, Sam and the team were first class and we really really can't thank them enough for an incredible time. We would completely recommend them to anyone looking to visit South East Asia, especially Sri Lanka. Thanks guys!

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 21 Apr 2014:

Hi both,
That's fantastic news - thanks so much for taking the time to give us such a positive referral!
All the best for your future married life - look forward to seeing you again!
Sam

Experience Travel Group by Bob, 17 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

Cambodia and Vietnam with mekong Delta travel

Excellent

Excellent

Rating for tour operator:

Very thorough

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 21 Apr 2014:

Thanks Bob! Appreciate you taking the time to rate us here - much appreciated.

Experience Travel Group by Hods, 10 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

A wonderful diverse experience

Started off in Negombo for 2 days at the Wallawwa to recuperate from flight. Drove to Tea Trails - Norwood for a wonderful sublime experience. Visited Norwood tea factory for a tour with the manager of Tea Trails. Train ride from Hatton to Haputale and then a night's stay at Kelburne View with the most outstanding views and pretty gardens. On to Yala for a 2 day stay at Kul safaris. Wonderful experience - great staff. Then off to South Coast ...

Started off in Negombo for 2 days at the Wallawwa to recuperate from flight. Drove to Tea Trails - Norwood for a wonderful sublime experience. Visited Norwood tea factory for a tour with the manager of Tea Trails. Train ride from Hatton to Haputale and then a night's stay at Kelburne View with the most outstanding views and pretty gardens. On to Yala for a 2 day stay at Kul safaris. Wonderful experience - great staff. Then off to South Coast to The Last House which was probably our favourite hotel. Beautiful decor, food and beach. Then on to Aditya - lovely location, elegant, good distance from Galle Fort. Beach lovely but lots of litter which deterred you from walking along it. Finally a night at Lunguganga - lovely house and gardens, but I would not recommend staying in Cinnamon Hill - Damp and musty in April - Not really fit to stay in. Fortunately upgraded to main house otherwise I think I might have foiund alternative accommodation!

Rating for tour operator:

Some teething problems due to a change in staff. Our replacement was friendly but did not have the knowledge of our original tour rep and there a few mistakes that I had to keep on following up in our itinerary.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 11 Apr 2014:

Dear Clare,

Thank you for returning to travel with us and I am very glad you had a great holiday. I am sorry you experienced teething problems in the transition from one consultant to another once Harriet left. The service should be seamless and we shall follow up on this to ensure this is the case next time. I'll contact you privately too.

We look forward to seeing you again.

Kind regards,

Sam

Classic Vietnam Explorer by scotwithadevil, 9 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

Fantastic holiday in Cambodia and Vietnam

We used Experience Travel to book a private guided tour to Cambodia and Vietnam and are delighted that we did. We had the most amazing holiday ever! Thoroughly enjoyed every single experience that Experience Travel set up for us: Vespa 'Siagon by Night' Tour, Food Tour in Old Quarter of Hanoi, cycling round Hanoi, trip to Halong Bay, etc. Every single one of them was well organised and fantastic fun. The guides were all great: answered our endless ...

We used Experience Travel to book a private guided tour to Cambodia and Vietnam and are delighted that we did. We had the most amazing holiday ever! Thoroughly enjoyed every single experience that Experience Travel set up for us: Vespa 'Siagon by Night' Tour, Food Tour in Old Quarter of Hanoi, cycling round Hanoi, trip to Halong Bay, etc. Every single one of them was well organised and fantastic fun. The guides were all great: answered our endless questions, looked after us, told us jokes, bought us coffee and local sweets, acted as our own personal photographer, made sure we always had plenty of water and so much more. We also had time to explore by ourselves and chill out. A really well organised and smoothly run trip from the moment we contacted Experience Travel until we said our final farewells to our guide at Hanoi airport. We would certainly use Experience Travel again if we decide to travel to any of the other countries they cover and will be recommending them to our friends.

Rating for tour operator:

Experience Travel were well organised from start to finish. The whole holiday from initial enquiry to getting on the plane at Hanoi to come back home went really smoothly.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 10 Apr 2014:

Dear Nora,

That's brilliant to hear - just the kind of experiences that we really work hard to include. Thank you for taking the time to write this feedback.

Best,

Sam

Experience Travel Group by Mike T, 7 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

Amazing trip to SE Asia

A well planned and comprehensive trip hitting all the major sites in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, followed by 3 nights in Bangkok. Thoroughly well organised, with good local guides, safe drivers and a great selection of boutique hotels, Wonderful experience.

A well planned and comprehensive trip hitting all the major sites in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, followed by 3 nights in Bangkok. Thoroughly well organised, with good local guides, safe drivers and a great selection of boutique hotels, Wonderful experience.

Rating for tour operator:

Our tour consultant spent the time to understand what we wanted from the trip and went the distance in putting together a great itinerary/ programme. Very focussed and interactive experience. Would highly recommend.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 07 Apr 2014:

Hi Mike,

Thanks so much for your feedback and really happy to hear you had such a great trip and all went well. It was a real pleasure to help put together this trip for you.

All the best,
Matt

Experience Travel Group by the happy couple, 5 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT

An experience never to be missed.From Thailand to Laos through Cambodia on to Vietnam and ending in Ngapali beach Myanmar.A seven week tour to see amazing places unbeleivable scenery through all walks of life.You would never to be able to organize this trip indipendantly,with all the different travel guides with drivers, flights,train journeys,boat trips,excellent restaurants and hotels,19 in all.I could go on and on. At the end of the day ...

An experience never to be missed.From Thailand to Laos through Cambodia on to Vietnam and ending in Ngapali beach Myanmar.A seven week tour to see amazing places unbeleivable scenery through all walks of life.You would never to be able to organize this trip indipendantly,with all the different travel guides with drivers, flights,train journeys,boat trips,excellent restaurants and hotels,19 in all.I could go on and on. At the end of the day it was a fantastic holiday and worth every penny.

Rating for tour operator:

Our tour operator Matt of Experience travel was the man for the job.Before i embarked on this 7 week tour i was very cautious of places to visit and the costing so i received 4 quotes from different companies,and then i was really lost,so i decided to give them all a ring to find out what they really know.After i did that there was no question who we would travel with it was matt at experience travel,this guy knows asia inside and out.I told him which countries we wanted to visit,my likes and dislikes and he came up with the goods.We didnt have to make any allteration to our itinary at all.At the end of our 7 week tour we had no complaints at all.Well done Matt see you next year

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 07 Apr 2014:

Hi John,

I have to say it was a lot of fun planning your trip, and it's not often clients come and have such a long time to spend in SE Asia and want to do an epic overland adventure taking in so many different modes of transport, experiences and places to stay. I'm so happy you had such a great time and that everything went to plan! Really kind for all your praise and I genuinely do love SE Asia and sending people on trips of a lifetime and I'm glad that came across when we were discussing the trip.

I know you are planning to go back to Burma again already!

All the best,
Matt

Experience Travel Group by Sandy 1, 4 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

Peaceful and Luxurious Excellent Hotels just the right size

We could not have had better accommodation and service anywhere in the world. A wonderful trip organised by Experience Travel Group. We love Sri Lanka and its people and hope to go back at some time

We could not have had better accommodation and service anywhere in the world. A wonderful trip organised by Experience Travel Group. We love Sri Lanka and its people and hope to go back at some time

Rating for tour operator:

Always had someone at the end of the phone to advise and inform on vital details regarding your holiday. Always called back when requested . All in all an excellent tour operator.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 07 Apr 2014:

Hi Sandra

I am so glad that you had a great time in Sri Lanka and hope you and John enjoyed the r & r and was just sorry i was not able to enjoy it with you this time!!

Thanks

Nick

Experience Travel Group by lulu, 3 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

Beautiful Burma - Marvellous Myanmar

A beautiful country inhabited by delightful people. We travelled from Yangon to Kalauw to Lake Inle to Bagan to Mandalay and back to Yangon over two weeks. There were so many highlights it's impossible to pick one special day however the balloon trip at dawn over the Bagan temples, Lake Inle and our boat trip up the Irrawaddy to Mandalay were all truly awesome! Food was excellent and not a MacDonalds in sight... Hurrah!

A beautiful country inhabited by delightful people. We travelled from Yangon to Kalauw to Lake Inle to Bagan to Mandalay and back to Yangon over two weeks. There were so many highlights it's impossible to pick one special day however the balloon trip at dawn over the Bagan temples, Lake Inle and our boat trip up the Irrawaddy to Mandalay were all truly awesome! Food was excellent and not a MacDonalds in sight... Hurrah!

Rating for tour operator:

Experience Travel provided us with guides in each location who were friendly, reliable, informative, punctual and organised. They oiled the wheels of our trip and showed their pride in their country and religion. Without them our trip would never have been so pleasurable and relaxing. Well done Experience. Where next?

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 04 Apr 2014:

Hi Louise

Thank you for leaving the awesome feedback. It was a real pleasure to put together the trip for all 8 of you and I'm really pleased you enjoyed the boat I privately chartered. I look forward to planning your next group trip!

Best wishes,

David

Experience Travel Group by OGGY OGGY, 2 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

INFORMATIVE.A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

WE SPENT 9 DAYS IN SRI LANKA TOURING THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE WITH LOVELY ACCOMMODATION ON ROUTE. LOVELY FOOD AND LOVELY PEOPLE.WE THEN HAD 4 DAYS IN THE MALDIVES IDYLLIC AND RESTFUL AFTER OUR HECTIC SCHEDULE.

WE SPENT 9 DAYS IN SRI LANKA TOURING THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE WITH LOVELY ACCOMMODATION ON ROUTE. LOVELY FOOD AND LOVELY PEOPLE.WE THEN HAD 4 DAYS IN THE MALDIVES IDYLLIC AND RESTFUL AFTER OUR HECTIC SCHEDULE.

Rating for tour operator:

FRIENDLY,HELPFUL VERY ACCOMMODATING AND EXCELLENT DESCRIPTION OF OUR ITINERARY AND ACCOMMODATION.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 03 Apr 2014:

Hi June,

Great to hear that you had a nice time.

Kind Regards,

Frances

Experience Travel Group by Mark & Sue T, 1 Apr 2014
Holiday Rating:

Sri Lanka tour

An excellent tour of a fascinating country with very welcoming people and great food.

An excellent tour of a fascinating country with very welcoming people and great food.

Rating for tour operator:

A very knowledgeable tour operator with a great choice of smaller hotels.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 01 Apr 2014:

Dear Mrs Trasler,

Great to hear and we really appreciate you taking the time to post this public review.

Regards,

Sam