AITO: The Association of Independent Tour Operators
Absolute Escapes

Absolute Escapes Traveller Reviews

Reviews of Absolute Escapes

Overall Company Rating
99%
Excellent 729
Good 20
Average 4
Poor 1
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 754
Reviews Accepted: 754
Reviews Rejected: 0
754 reviews
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Absolute Escapes by Alain & Yvette, 7 Sep 2022
Holiday Rating:

West Highland Way from the 15.08. to 22.08.2022

We walked the splendid West Highland Way. It was a great experience even with the Scottish weather we had. It nearly rained every day, but we as well saw the sun. We enjoyed the sceneries very much and the colours of the landscape were gorgeous. Absolute escape helped us a lot organising the accommodations and the bags transport. They really did a got job, we even received information about was we will experience along the way regarding the ...

We walked the splendid West Highland Way. It was a great experience even with the Scottish weather we had. It nearly rained every day, but we as well saw the sun. We enjoyed the sceneries very much and the colours of the landscape were gorgeous. Absolute escape helped us a lot organising the accommodations and the bags transport. They really did a got job, we even received information about was we will experience along the way regarding the hiking, the accommodations, where to eat in the evening and where to buy food or get lunch packs for the following day.

Rating for tour operator:

We had a great experience, got quick and very competent answer. We also received great suggestions regarding the second part of our vacation in Scotland.

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 08 Sep 2022:

Thank you very much for your lovely review, Alain. It was a pleasure to assist with your holiday, and we are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time on the West Highland Way despite some challenging Scottish weather! If we can help with any future holiday plans please do not hesitate to reach out again. Best wishes, Daisy Andrews

Absolute Escapes by lking75, 25 Aug 2022
Holiday Rating:

3 wk trip scotland

good experience

good experience

Rating for tour operator:

itinerary and accomodations selected were very good

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 30 Aug 2022:

Thank you very much for your review and we were delighted to hear that you enjoyed your holiday. We are fortunate to work with some excellent accommodation providers, so it was pleasing to hear that you were looked after so well. Thank you again for taking the time to leave us a review. Best wishes, Andy Gabe

Absolute Escapes by Happy wanderer, 23 Aug 2022
Holiday Rating:

Rob Roy walk

A self guided 8 day walk from Drymen to Pitlochry. Staying each night at selected b&b or hotel accommodation. The route takes in picturesque villages and stunning scenery

A self guided 8 day walk from Drymen to Pitlochry. Staying each night at selected b&b or hotel accommodation. The route takes in picturesque villages and stunning scenery

Rating for tour operator:

A business specialising in organising walking/cycling holidays.

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 24 Aug 2022:

Thank you very much for your comments, John. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your holiday, and we hope to hear again from you in the future!
Best wishes - Shivani and the Team at Absolute Escapes

Absolute Escapes by Bob, 21 Aug 2022
Holiday Rating:

West Highland Way and Edinburgh Tattoo 2022

My family and I spent three weeks in Scotland starting July 20th, 2022. The focus of the trip was hiking the West Highland Way, but we were able to spend four quality days in Glasgow before, an extra day in Fort William at the end of the Way, and another four days in Edinburgh after, culminating with the Tattoo and Fringe events. Glasgow is a great working-class city with a fascinating story to tell. Our highlights included the Glasgow Cathedral, ...

My family and I spent three weeks in Scotland starting July 20th, 2022. The focus of the trip was hiking the West Highland Way, but we were able to spend four quality days in Glasgow before, an extra day in Fort William at the end of the Way, and another four days in Edinburgh after, culminating with the Tattoo and Fringe events. Glasgow is a great working-class city with a fascinating story to tell. Our highlights included the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Museum, Riverside Museum and Necropolis, all highly recommended. The social life is also spectacular with a great live music scene. The West Highland Way is a bucket list item for anyone who enjoys a multiday hiking adventure. It can be done in as little as five days, but we chose an eight-day option with a rest day in the middle. Every single day held amazing views and interesting people. The two days along Loch Lomond were the most troublesome hiking, with the trail degrading into scrambles frequently, but also held some of the most spectacular views. We hiked from south to north. After leaving the Loch behind the trail opens into Highland vistas. Incredible views and great open spaces with the occasional farmhouse, spectacular waterscapes and waterfalls line the entire route. The accommodations were always adequate or better and the service friendly and attentive. Highlights along the route include dinner at the Clachlan Inn in Drymen, drinks and appetizers at the Drover in Inverarnan, the accommodations at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel, and if you book at the Forest View Guest House in Kinlochleven, the porridge is a must try for breakfast, it is spectacular. Trail highlights include Conic Hill just before Balmaha, the Glencoe Mountain resort just before Kingshouse, and of course the Devil’s Staircase between Kingshouse and Kinlochleven. We chose to take a rest day in Tyndrum, taking the train to Oban for the day. Again, highly recommended, if you make the trip book a distillery tour in advance. Quality rain gear is a must, but our experience was short, intense rain, so gear that can be quickly deployed and removed works best. Pick up a couple bottles of “Smidge” and you can avoid head nets. Edinburgh is a spectacular city with a continental feel. Highlights of our time there, a hike up to Arthur’s seat, a tour of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Mary King’s close, Holyrood Palace and park, and of course the Tattoo. Edinburgh, like Glasgow, deserves as much time as you can give to her and will keep you entertained, to the point of being almost overwhelmed.

Rating for tour operator:

Absolute Escapes made our hike arrangements, accommodations, baggage transfer, hike preparation, recommendations for meals and time in Oban, Fort William, and Edinburgh. Their arrangements were perfect in every conceivable way and their recommendations were spot on. We are very happy with their service and intend to use them again soon. As a special note I want to thank AMS Scotland, not only was their service reliable to the point of being transparent, but when my daughter left her wallet at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel, they made sure it was delivered intact to our next stop at Glencoe. Excellent service from both Absolute Escapes and AMS Scotland, both are highly recommended.

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 22 Aug 2022:

Thank you very much for your feedback Robert, we were delighted to hear that you all had a great time on the West Highland Way and on your travels around Scotland. I've passed your lovely feedback onto AMS too - we're very proud to work with them. I do hope we can assist you with your travels in future. Best wishes, Pippa Robson.

Absolute Escapes by DaveL, 16 Aug 2022
Holiday Rating:

Fantastic Loch Ness Walking Holiday

We spent a week walking round Loch Ness, carrying our day packs, and with our luggage transferred between accommodation. Very relaxing, with good accommodation and food en route.

We spent a week walking round Loch Ness, carrying our day packs, and with our luggage transferred between accommodation. Very relaxing, with good accommodation and food en route.

Rating for tour operator:

Absolute Escapes organised everything for us, and they went out of their way to ensure our holidays ran smoothly. From the planning stage through to the actual holiday, it was completely stress-free.

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 18 Aug 2022:

Thank you very much for your comments Dave and Jane! We are delighted you had such a wonderful experience on the Loch Ness 360 and that we could facilitate a stress-free holiday for you. If you ever want to plan another walking holiday, we would be very happy to assist you again! Best wishes, Laura Kirkhouse

Absolute Escapes by Borderswalker, 13 Aug 2022
Holiday Rating:

Relaxed walking holiday in beautiful countryside

I walked the Borders Abbeys Way, a circular route starting and finishing in Jedburgh. Absolute Escapes booked excellent accommodation and ensured that my luggage was waiting for me at the next night's stop.

I walked the Borders Abbeys Way, a circular route starting and finishing in Jedburgh. Absolute Escapes booked excellent accommodation and ensured that my luggage was waiting for me at the next night's stop.

Rating for tour operator:

Absolute Escapes arranged everything I needed. The baggage transfer each day went without a hitch.

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 16 Aug 2022:

Thank you very much for your lovely comments Kathy. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your walk on the Borders Abbeys Way and that you were pleased with our arrangements. Please do not hesitate to contact us again if we can be of assistance with any future walking holidays. Best wishes, Rebecca Meacham

Absolute Escapes by JR, 11 Aug 2022
Holiday Rating:

A wonderful Coast to Coast adventure

Great walking, lots of variety (as we expected) and excellent selection of accommodations. Followed Absolute Escape's advice to make dinner reservations well in advance and we were glad we had. We met some wonderful people along the way.

Great walking, lots of variety (as we expected) and excellent selection of accommodations. Followed Absolute Escape's advice to make dinner reservations well in advance and we were glad we had. We met some wonderful people along the way.

Rating for tour operator:

The team at Absolute Escapes were knowledgeable, professional, helpful, quick to respond and a pleasure to work with.

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 18 Aug 2022:

Thank you very much for your comments Jennifer! We are delighted you had such a wonderful experience walking Coast to Coast and that you enjoyed the variety along the trail. I am also delighted to hear that you had a pleasurable experience working with us, we hope that we are able to plan another walking holiday for you in the not-so-distant future. Best wishes, Nairne McBeath.

Absolute Escapes by Magne, 3 Aug 2022
Holiday Rating:

Excellent operator. Highly recommended.

Walked the Rob Roy Way in Scotland.

Walked the Rob Roy Way in Scotland.

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent operator. Everything they had arranged for us worked out perfectly fine. Great communication prior to the trip. Highly recommended.

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 03 Aug 2022:

Thank you so much for your kind words, Magne. I am delighted to hear that your group enjoyed the Rob Roy Way and that you were able to fully relax and enjoy the incredible scenery whilst we took care of your arrangements. If you ever want to plan another trip to Scotland, we would be very happy to assist you again. Take care, Lottie Smart

Absolute Escapes by Suski, 29 Jul 2022
Holiday Rating:

Skye trail is by far the greatest trail we have experienced! So incredibly beautiful, wild and quiet!

All arrangements perfectly organized again by Absolut Escapes. Luckily we had decided to have a guide for the 2nd day to get us over the Trotternish Ringe in a terrible weather. I can warmly recommend the Skye Adventures, great young guides who made us to feel absolutely safe up there! The Seadrift at Staffin and Seaview at Elgol B&Bs I will remember forever for their very special locations and great hosts. The tomato pasta and haggish made ...

All arrangements perfectly organized again by Absolut Escapes. Luckily we had decided to have a guide for the 2nd day to get us over the Trotternish Ringe in a terrible weather. I can warmly recommend the Skye Adventures, great young guides who made us to feel absolutely safe up there! The Seadrift at Staffin and Seaview at Elgol B&Bs I will remember forever for their very special locations and great hosts. The tomato pasta and haggish made by the Seaview host were the best meals I had at Sky.

Rating for tour operator:

We have used the Absolut Escapes for years (never change the winning team) for their expertise and devotion to good service. And now they managed to change our reservations several times over the pandemic years!

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 18 Aug 2022:

Many thanks for your wonderful review, Susanna. We are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time on the Skye Trail and that all the arrangements we made went smoothly. I am also glad to hear that you had a great experience with your hosts in Staffin and Elgol. Thank you once again for booking through Absolute Escapes. We would be delighted to help you organise another walking holiday in the future. Kind regards, Nairne McBeath.

Absolute Escapes by Mrs A M 22, 24 Jul 2022
Holiday Rating:

Wonderful Scottish Hebrides Adventure

Such a wonderful trip, from start to finish. 2 weeks in the Hebrides and Orkney, Our travel agent (absolute Escapes) gave us a 30 page itinerary on where to visit, best places for food that was our itinerary for each day.. So many highlights but Langass Lodge in North Uist, had to be the highlight of our trip. People we met were fantastic, so many happy memories.We even played Askernish Golf course in 40km/hr winds. A truly memorable holiday

Such a wonderful trip, from start to finish. 2 weeks in the Hebrides and Orkney, Our travel agent (absolute Escapes) gave us a 30 page itinerary on where to visit, best places for food that was our itinerary for each day.. So many highlights but Langass Lodge in North Uist, had to be the highlight of our trip. People we met were fantastic, so many happy memories.We even played Askernish Golf course in 40km/hr winds. A truly memorable holiday

Rating for tour operator:

Absolute Escapes was absolutely incredible from start to finish. Booking, attention to detail and they even sent a 30 page itinerary to our home in Vancouver by FedEx . (We used that every day as our itinerary on Places to Visit, best restaurants.) All our ferries, accommodation were all exactly as booked, directions on every aspect of where to go and what time to show up. Availability was exceptional when we needed to contact them were unable to go to one of the B&B due to Covid and immediately they booked us in at another venue. We recommend this amazing travel agency to all our friends in Canada. Thank you for an exceptional job- Sheila, Daisy , and James

Absolute Escapes responded to this review on 25 Jul 2022:

Many thanks for your wonderful review, Alison. We are so glad to hear that you and Mike enjoyed your time in Scotland and that the itinerary we provided was helpful. I'm sure the scenery at Askernish Golf Club was a real highlight! I'll pass your comments on to Sheila, James, and the team. If you have any plans to visit Scotland again in the future, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we would be delighted to assist. Best wishes, Daisy Andrews