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 822
Good 36
Average 3
Poor 3
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 864
Reviews Accepted: 863
Reviews Rejected: 1
863 reviews
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Experience Travel Group by JACCON, 19 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

Family tour in Sri Lanka with relaxing break in Maldives

Our holiday was a fantastic mixture of activity and relaxation. We started our trip with a 2 night stay at Horathapola. This beautiful, laid back residence was a fabulous way to start our break and recover from our flight. Great service, food and surroundings. The pool was lovely. We did the few tours that they offered which were fun. Our next stop was the Aliya Resort & Spa near Sigiriya. Fantastic, beautiful hotel with great facilities...

Our holiday was a fantastic mixture of activity and relaxation. We started our trip with a 2 night stay at Horathapola. This beautiful, laid back residence was a fabulous way to start our break and recover from our flight. Great service, food and surroundings. The pool was lovely. We did the few tours that they offered which were fun. Our next stop was the Aliya Resort & Spa near Sigiriya. Fantastic, beautiful hotel with great facilities. We climbed the rock fortress which was fun, did a small bullock/boat lunch tour and then went on safari in the Minneriya National Park to the elephant gathering. This was a real highlight. We then went to Kandy for two nights, staying at the Secret Kandy, a absolutely exquisite hotel. We did some shopping and bargaining, went to the Temple of the tooth (complete madness) and watched some Kandyan dancing, which included walking on hot coals (worth it to just see that). We then went on the train to Ella, where we staying at the amazing 98 Acres hotel. Fabulous views and a great feeling of space, we loved our short stay here and would have stayed for longer, We did a small walk and then swam in a pool below a waterfall. Great fun. We then transferred to Mirissa, staying at the Number One Mirissa. We stayed in Mirissa as we wanted to be able to surf and visit Galle. We surfed at Weligama, just down the road using one of the local companies along the beach (all fine) and went to Galle shopping. It was very hot in Galle so unfortunatley we flagged very quickly and I so wanted to do lots of shopping. One real disappointment was that we wanted to take our driver for lunch at the Amangella Hotel in Galle to thank him for our trip but they were a little unfriendly and did not let us in. They said they were full but would not even let us go in for a cocktail. I had heard about a snake farm nearby as well, so we managed to find it with our driver. We were left alone with two king cobras, puffed out while the snakeman was talking to someone else, with the message, call me if they move. They were on the floor in front of us, 2 feet away, highly venemous. Amazing!!! Lastly we had a couple of nights in Colombo in Sri Lanka. i could easily have stayed for longer. Great shops and prices.... We had some retail therapy. We also did a walking tour of some of the historical sites and ended up flying kites at night on the Galle Face Green, which was magical. We stayed at the Ramada, which was fine and reasonable value. We were not in the hotel much. Finally our last 5 nights were spent at the Centara Grand Resort & Spa in the Maldives. This hotel was fantastic and the island was breathtaking, great all inclusive package, including food, drinks, trips and spa treatments, we all felt at home here in this luzurious part of the world. We did some relaxing but mainly activities. Snorkelling with whale sharks being a highlight, apart of course from me trying to get back on the banana boat out at sea once I had been spun off. Thank god no one had their camera.... Go to Sri Lanka, you will love it. A truely real and generous country. The Maldives are spectacular and are as you imagine only better.

Rating for tour operator:

Experience Travel are a very professional group of travel experts who are prepared to put in the time to ensure that you get an holiday designed around your individual needs. they have the expert knowledge that you need to be able to fully explore Sri Lanka (and other countries) but tailored with only you in mind. They truely know and love the countries that they go to. The holiday itself ran like clockwork, everything organised properly but still had the feel of something thrown together so that you felt that you were exploring on your own time etc. The hotels that they help you select are some of the most lovely that I have ever stayed in and are a major part of the holiday and experiance.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 19 Aug 2016:

Dear Jacky,

That's great to hear - really wonderful feedback. We know about that snake farm and whilst we don't mind if our guides take people, their somewhat 'laid back' of approach to health and safety means we leave it off our holiday itineraries. Some people (myself included) would have been terrified!

All the best and thanks again,

Sam
co-founder

Sri Lanka Laid Back - Deluxe by Simon C, 19 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

Nineteen day tour of Sri Lanka

A truely fantastic tour of Sri Lanka, from Colombo, to the Cultural Triangle (Kandy, Sigiriya etc), the Tea Trails and Galle, including safaris, temples, walks, cycles, white water rafting, kanyoning, swimming, surfing and eating (and relaxing....). Amazing hotels and great hospitality throughout, awful roads, but smiling faces.

A truely fantastic tour of Sri Lanka, from Colombo, to the Cultural Triangle (Kandy, Sigiriya etc), the Tea Trails and Galle, including safaris, temples, walks, cycles, white water rafting, kanyoning, swimming, surfing and eating (and relaxing....). Amazing hotels and great hospitality throughout, awful roads, but smiling faces.

Rating for tour operator:

Experience Travel were awesome; easy and efficient organisation of a great trip in five centres and with great logistics and guides. Perfect.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 19 Aug 2016:

Dear Simon,

Fantastic to hear you had a great time. We appreciate the comments and thank you for coming back to us and trusting us with another family holiday. We hope to hear from you guys again!

Kind regards,

Melissa
Director of Experience

Experience Travel Group by Bunglarouche, 18 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

the adventure and some challenges of a lifetime!

We are so proud of ourselves - we met some challenges and had some amazing (and unforgettable) adventures, Thailand is an incredible country and Experience Travel Group organised a brilliant itinerary

We are so proud of ourselves - we met some challenges and had some amazing (and unforgettable) adventures, Thailand is an incredible country and Experience Travel Group organised a brilliant itinerary

Rating for tour operator:

See comments above, great itinerary and good customer service

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 18 Aug 2016:

Hi Eleanor,

Thanks so much for this feedback and so happy to hear you had a great time.

I look forward to hearing all about it in more detail.

Thanks
Matt

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 18 Aug 2016:

Thanks again, really appreciate the comments.

Experience Travel Group by Min, 16 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

A real adventure in Vietnam

We started in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Mai Chau (in the mountains), Halong Bay and Hanoi. Our tour operator booked fantastic hotels as well as vespa tours in the major cities which took us to see a completely different view of how people lived, ranging from fishing villages where people lived on the sea in floating houses (or sheds as they seemed to us) to the countryside where people produced rice crackers and rice wine in extremely basic houses...

We started in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Mai Chau (in the mountains), Halong Bay and Hanoi. Our tour operator booked fantastic hotels as well as vespa tours in the major cities which took us to see a completely different view of how people lived, ranging from fishing villages where people lived on the sea in floating houses (or sheds as they seemed to us) to the countryside where people produced rice crackers and rice wine in extremely basic houses. We visited the Thai and Mong communities - a very great contrast. We rode bikes among the rice fields and through the most amazing traffic in Hanoi and eat incredible street food. A fab holiday.

Rating for tour operator:

Our tour operator Vietnam Experience (Experience Travel Group) were extremely knowledgeable about Vietnam and understood what it was we wanted to experience - whether it was a visit to museums, participation in a cookery class, vespa rides to the country to see how people worked and live or experiencing cycling in a city where the only rule appears to be "keep your eyes facing forward". The guides they used were equally helpful and knowledgeable and very willing to accommodate any tweaks we decided to make to our itinerary enroute as well as, on one occasion suggesting a very useful "tweak" themselves. The hotels were of a high standard and also met our requirements. The administration, starting with the planning and ending with the efficiency of the guides was faultless.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 17 Aug 2016:

Dear Zoe,

Thank you so much for this brilliant review. So pleased to hear this kind of feedback. Look forward to hearing from you again!

Kind regards,

Melissa Nicholas
Experience Director

Sri Lankan Family Adventure by Lucy, 16 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

Family fun and adventure

We're a family of 5 (Kids 14, 12 and 10) and spent 3 weeks in Sri Lanka, touring around a variety of locations, taking in wildlife, culture, cities, countryside, beaches etc. The holiday was beautifully put together by Experience Travel Group and we enjoyed every minute

We're a family of 5 (Kids 14, 12 and 10) and spent 3 weeks in Sri Lanka, touring around a variety of locations, taking in wildlife, culture, cities, countryside, beaches etc. The holiday was beautifully put together by Experience Travel Group and we enjoyed every minute

Rating for tour operator:

The consultant at ETG was a pleasure to work with and took the time to propose and then adjust our itinerary until it was perfect for us - we never felt rushed and communication (both conversations and emails) was very good. The holiday itself surpassed our expectations - we stayed in some amazing places, we had a fantastic driver/guide and it all went without a hitch.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 17 Aug 2016:

Dear Lucy,

That's incredible feedback - thank you so much for taking the time to post it. So pleased you all had such a brilliant holiday.

Kind regards,

Sam Clark
Co-founder

Thailand Family Experience by Manuela , 16 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

My first trip to Thailand was awesome

It was my first trip to Thailand. I went with my 3 daughters aged 23, 21 and 18. We visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui. It was the experience of a lifetime!. Hotels & activites were great. We really enjoyed and are very grateful for all the friendly help and professional support given by Travel Experience

It was my first trip to Thailand. I went with my 3 daughters aged 23, 21 and 18. We visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui. It was the experience of a lifetime!. Hotels & activites were great. We really enjoyed and are very grateful for all the friendly help and professional support given by Travel Experience

Rating for tour operator:

Travel Experience really understood what we were looking for. Hotels and activities were very well chosen and the local support was very professional and friendly. They were key to turn this experience into an unforgettable one

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 17 Aug 2016:

Dear Manuela,

This is wonderful to her - thank you so much. There is so much more to Thailand than people realise so we love organising trips there.

We really appreciate you taking the time to post this review.

Kind regards,

Melissa Nicholas
Experience Director

Experience Travel Group by Diletta, 15 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

Experience Travel Group review

Thoughtful and considerate in the planning of the trip, good ideas and took time to fit everything together.

Thoughtful and considerate in the planning of the trip, good ideas and took time to fit everything together.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 15 Aug 2016:

Hi Louise

Thank you for your comments, I am glad that everything went well on your recent holiday. As you know, Lucy has not left us but I will be sure to pass on your comments as I am sure she will be delighted to hear about your holiday.

Thanks

Nick

Experience Travel Group by Honeymoon traveller, 13 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

Superb Sri Lanka honeymoon

Our holiday with Experience Travel was brilliant - a great mix of culture, nature and relaxation. Meeting a Sri Lankan farmer and seeing his daily life, plus touring a tea plantation and factory were highlights of a truly memorable trip.

Our holiday with Experience Travel was brilliant - a great mix of culture, nature and relaxation. Meeting a Sri Lankan farmer and seeing his daily life, plus touring a tea plantation and factory were highlights of a truly memorable trip.

Rating for tour operator:

Very knowledgeable and with good insight into the country. We felt like we didn't have to think about anything other than arriving at the airport!

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 15 Aug 2016:

Hi Jo

Thank you for your feedback, I am so glad that you had a good holiday.

The farm tour is something we are particularly proud of as it is a completely unique experience so i am delighted that you enjoyed it.

We will look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Thanks

Nick

Sri Lankan Family Adventure by Nicola, 10 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

Experience Travel Group review

Experience Travel Group organised a fantastic trip for our family around Sri Lanka. From the very first interaction, to arranging an itinerary which gave us the right balance of culture and beach, everything went so smoothly. Local drivers/guides were excellent and able to accommodate our late requests. I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a holiday in Asia.

Experience Travel Group organised a fantastic trip for our family around Sri Lanka. From the very first interaction, to arranging an itinerary which gave us the right balance of culture and beach, everything went so smoothly. Local drivers/guides were excellent and able to accommodate our late requests. I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a holiday in Asia.

Sri Lankan Family Adventure by Mrs F A 16, 3 Aug 2016
Holiday Rating:

Sri Lanka and the Maldives

We have just returned from a fantastic holiday travelling around parts of Sri Lanka and ending with a few days in the Maldives. It is the first time we have done an experience holiday with our two children ages 8 & 6 and they had the most amazing time and had some fantastic experiences.

We have just returned from a fantastic holiday travelling around parts of Sri Lanka and ending with a few days in the Maldives. It is the first time we have done an experience holiday with our two children ages 8 & 6 and they had the most amazing time and had some fantastic experiences.

Rating for tour operator:

The tour operator was faultless.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 03 Aug 2016:

Dear Fiona,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review. Great that you had such a good holiday. I took my own children around that age and Sri Lanka worked brilliantly for them too.

Regards,

Sam
Co-founder