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 744
Good 33
Average 2
Poor 3
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 782
Reviews Accepted: 781
Reviews Rejected: 1
781 reviews
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Sri Lanka Laid Back - Deluxe by Sue, 18 Jan 2016
Holiday Rating:

Great way to spend Christmas

We are lucky enough to have travelled to many countries in the world, mainly as independent travellers. This holiday is up there with the best of them! We enjoyed every minute. The organisation was excellent so we didn't encounter any annoying glitches along the way. We saw and learned so much on our travels in a variety of different settings, yet we never felt rushed in any way. All the hotels were luxurious and very special for different reasons...

We are lucky enough to have travelled to many countries in the world, mainly as independent travellers. This holiday is up there with the best of them! We enjoyed every minute. The organisation was excellent so we didn't encounter any annoying glitches along the way. We saw and learned so much on our travels in a variety of different settings, yet we never felt rushed in any way. All the hotels were luxurious and very special for different reasons. The elegant Ceylon Tea Trails was our favourite for its scenic setting, excellent food and gracious staff. For most of the tour we had Rabel our trusty driver, who negotiated the chaotic traffic with skill and proficiency. He was a fount of local knowledge and proved to be flexible and helpful when we had to rearrange our plans because the tea factory was closed. For us however, the highlight of the holiday was camping in the jungle with Leopard Safaris. It was not at all scary- well, maybe just a little bit at night! The accommodation was perfectly comfortable and we loved the romantic ambience, especially sitting round the fire at night. The staff couldn't have been kinder or more welcoming and the food was great. All in all a wonderful holiday. Thank you ETG.

Rating for tour operator:

This was the first time we have used ETG but I'm sure it won't be the last! From the very first contact with Nick we got a good feeling about this company. He helped us put together a tour that perfectly met all our requirements, and he was happy to tweak the plan until we got it right. His personal knowledge of the places on our route proved invaluable. All queries were answered promptly and in a very friendly manner so we felt like valued clients. Our tour ran like clockwork from start to finish and overall exceeded our expectations. On reflection, it was probably not ideal to travel over the Christmas holiday period for several reasons, not least the fact that the game park Willpittu was very crowded, but that was our choice and in no way reflects on ETG as this was pointed out right at the start. We would not hesitate to recommend ETG to anyone seeking a tailor made and memorable experience.

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

Dear Susan,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a great review. We're delighted you had such a great time and we'd love to help you again on a future trip to Asia. We'll be sure to let Nick and Rabel know you have left this review too.

Kind regards

Culinary Highlights of Vietnam by rainowgirl, 4 Jan 2016
Holiday Rating:

A wonderful tour to Vietnam

This was our third tour with Experience Travel. From the moment we began planning our trip they were, as expected, responsive, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and very easy to talk to. We planned a great tour with a mix of activities and some beach time. All the hotel, tours and activities met our high hopes and expectations and in some cases exceeded them. Our consultant suggested am amazing food tour on Vespa scooters in Saigon, which just was ...

This was our third tour with Experience Travel. From the moment we began planning our trip they were, as expected, responsive, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and very easy to talk to. We planned a great tour with a mix of activities and some beach time. All the hotel, tours and activities met our high hopes and expectations and in some cases exceeded them. Our consultant suggested am amazing food tour on Vespa scooters in Saigon, which just was the most fun ever and a real must do. We experienced one major hitch in our travel plans when a flight was cancelled late at night from Hanoi to Hue. Whilst other travellers faced the prospect of a miserable night in Hanoi airport or a bus ride to Hanoi to search for accommodation, our local contact arranged for us to be whisked to a wonderful hotel and rescheduled our travel plans to avoid a 3 am start next day. It was service above and beyond all expectations. It is easy to review a smooth holiday well, but this kind of care makes Experience stand head and shoulders above other travel companies. We really can't recommend our whole Experience experience highly enough.

Rating for tour operator:

They are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, responsive and nothing ever seems to faze them. Their planning is flawless and as stated above they really deliver when things go awry. I would not hesitate to recommend them. They are brilliant.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 05 Jan 2016:

Dear Liz,

That's such fantastic feedback - we really appreciate it. I'll pass that onto your consultant and of course the guys in Vietnam. That's really made our new year!

We'd love to see you for a forth time!

Kind regards,

The ETG Team

Sri Lankan Family Adventure by FamilySkinner, 3 Jan 2016
Holiday Rating:

Family holiday to southern Sri Lanka

Our two weeks in Sri Lanka with Experience Travel exceeded all expectations. We stayed in five different hotels as we toured around southern Sri Lanka, and were driven around by our guide Upul who was fantastic on every level. Experience Travel did everything they could to make our trip run smoothly and they bent over backwards to accommodate all our requests. Our two boys of 12 and 10 say it was their best holiday by miles and we could not ...

Our two weeks in Sri Lanka with Experience Travel exceeded all expectations. We stayed in five different hotels as we toured around southern Sri Lanka, and were driven around by our guide Upul who was fantastic on every level. Experience Travel did everything they could to make our trip run smoothly and they bent over backwards to accommodate all our requests. Our two boys of 12 and 10 say it was their best holiday by miles and we could not recommend them more highly. We had an amazing time and will definitely use ET again.

Rating for tour operator:

fantastic! They were incredibly professional and helpful and did everything they could to make our trip perfect. The help on the ground in Sri Lanka was as good as those in the office in London.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 04 Jan 2016:

Dear Caroline,

That's fantastic to hear. We're so pleased you had such a fantastic family holiday. Thank you for taking the time to write this review and we hope you all have a fantastic
2016.

Kind regards,

The ETG Team.

Experience Travel Group by Anon, 1 Jan 2016
Holiday Rating:

No title

Comments provided to Operator

Comments provided to Operator

Rating for tour operator:

Comments provided to operator

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 07 Jan 2016:

Dear Roger,

Thank you for taking the time to rate us and we're very sorry you weren't able to give us a higher mark. We aren't interested in average! We saw your internal comments and have responded as you know and we very much hope you will give us a chance to show what we can do another time.

Kind regards,

Sam Clark
Co-founder - Experience Travel Group

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam by Nelly, 14 Dec 2015
Holiday Rating:

A second honeymoon back to an area of Asia we just love

Perfectly planned 3 weeks starting in the north of Thailand, crossing over to Laos to enjoy the mighty Mekong and the Kamu people for a few days before ending up in Luang Prabang. A fun a lively place to go and great sights all nearby. From there to, what is now my favourite city in Asia, Hanoi. Stayed in the fantastic old quarter and could have stayed longer. From their to the magical Ha Long Bay. Note - pay the little bit extra for a ...

Perfectly planned 3 weeks starting in the north of Thailand, crossing over to Laos to enjoy the mighty Mekong and the Kamu people for a few days before ending up in Luang Prabang. A fun a lively place to go and great sights all nearby. From there to, what is now my favourite city in Asia, Hanoi. Stayed in the fantastic old quarter and could have stayed longer. From their to the magical Ha Long Bay. Note - pay the little bit extra for a smaller cruise boat. Then on to the old capital Hue, very interesting place and history and then on to Hoi An for a week of relaxing on the beach before travelling home. Two week of exploring and discovering then a week to relax was perfect.

Rating for tour operator:

Experience Travels focus on just a select few countries reflects in their intimate knowledge of what to do and see in a limited time scale. Second time we have used them and would do so again.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 14 Dec 2015:

Dear Neil,

Thank you for coming back to us for a second time and we look forward to hearing from you again. We very much appreciate your taking the time to write this review too.

Many thanks,

Sam
Co-founder ETG

Cambodia and Vietnam Classic by Happy Travellors, 14 Dec 2015
Holiday Rating:

Wonderful holiday Vietnam and Cambodia

having returned from 3 weeks travelling in Vietnam and Camboda wewould certainly recommend Expeience Travel. Everything went like clockwork from the minute we left Heathrow to the minute we returned . The guides/ accomodation / the trips / minibus etc were very good, Our guides all spoke good English and made sure we have evert hi b we needed including plenty of water every day .

having returned from 3 weeks travelling in Vietnam and Camboda wewould certainly recommend Expeience Travel. Everything went like clockwork from the minute we left Heathrow to the minute we returned . The guides/ accomodation / the trips / minibus etc were very good, Our guides all spoke good English and made sure we have evert hi b we needed including plenty of water every day .

Rating for tour operator:

Very good and knowledgeable

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 14 Dec 2015:

Dear Susan,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We're delighted to hear you had an excellent trip and we hope to hear from you again in the future.

Regards,

Sam
Co-founder - Experience Travel Group

Classic Vietnam and Luxury Beach by Living the dream!, 9 Dec 2015
Holiday Rating:

Adventures in Vietnam

Thrilling 14 day bespoke tailored holiday, full of adventure and discovery. We fell in love with Vietnam and its gentle people, returning home full of stories of our wonderful experiences travelling from North to South taking in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Saigon. Highly recommended.

Thrilling 14 day bespoke tailored holiday, full of adventure and discovery. We fell in love with Vietnam and its gentle people, returning home full of stories of our wonderful experiences travelling from North to South taking in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Saigon. Highly recommended.

Rating for tour operator:

Experience Travel Group designed a wonderful bespoke adventure for us covering 14 days travelling from North to South Vietnam. Having fully discussed what we were interested in, our excellent travel consultant David Gookey pulled together what looked like a truly exciting itinerary for us that needed no tweaking on our part. In the event Vietnam turned out even better than we could have expected, with every experience more than living up to its billing. I would happily use David and the company again and have no hesitation in recommending them.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 10 Dec 2015:

Dear Frances,

What a lovely review! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this - it really is appreciated. We very much hope you will travel with us again.

Kind regards,

The ETG Team

Experience Travel Group by busybusybusy, 7 Dec 2015
Holiday Rating:

Travel Agent picked the ideal resort for us

There are so many resorts on the Maldives so it was tempting just to go back to one of the three resorts we had been to previously, but we knew we wanted really good food and a great house reef for snorkelling and diving, on top of excellent 'nothing is too much trouble' service. Many resorts claim to have all of our criteria but our travel consultant at Experience Travel had been to many of the resorts and recommended Baros to us as possibly ...

There are so many resorts on the Maldives so it was tempting just to go back to one of the three resorts we had been to previously, but we knew we wanted really good food and a great house reef for snorkelling and diving, on top of excellent 'nothing is too much trouble' service. Many resorts claim to have all of our criteria but our travel consultant at Experience Travel had been to many of the resorts and recommended Baros to us as possibly our ideal island. As it turned out, she was right and we couldn't have been happier. It is definitely an island for 'foodies', the house reef is spectacular and the service excellent.

Rating for tour operator:

Experience Travel are a specialist in South / South East Asia. Their local knowledge paired with their research into what we really want means that they have been excellent on the 3 occasions we have travelled with them (Java, Bali, Maldives)

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 08 Dec 2015:

Dear Rachel,

Thank you so much for choosing to book with us a third time. We're really pleased we are were able to find that elusive 'ideal' place in the Maldives for you!

Best,

The ETG Team

Hidden Gems of Rural Cambodia by Ed, 3 Dec 2015
Holiday Rating:

Honeymoon in Cambodia and Thailand

An amazing tour of Cambodia and Thailand taking in the culture of Cambodia and beauty of Thailand. An excellent way to get a feel for both countries in a short two week break. The quality of the hotels and tours was way above our expectations.

An amazing tour of Cambodia and Thailand taking in the culture of Cambodia and beauty of Thailand. An excellent way to get a feel for both countries in a short two week break. The quality of the hotels and tours was way above our expectations.

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent from start to finish. Always available for any query and the organisation on the ground was outstanding.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 03 Dec 2015:

Hi Dr Cairns,

We're very pleased to hear it. Your taking the time to write this review is also greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

The ETG Team.

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam by Karelynr, 2 Dec 2015
Holiday Rating:

Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam including a mekong cruise.

We visited Laos for a week ( Vientiane and Luang prbang) and then had four nights in Siem Reap before embarking on a seven night pandaw river cruise to Saigon. We ended with a few nights in Saigon. It was a trip filled with wonderful sights sounds and tastes travelling in real style and comfort using small boutique hotels. Great excursions and friendly and knowledgeable guides.

We visited Laos for a week ( Vientiane and Luang prbang) and then had four nights in Siem Reap before embarking on a seven night pandaw river cruise to Saigon. We ended with a few nights in Saigon. It was a trip filled with wonderful sights sounds and tastes travelling in real style and comfort using small boutique hotels. Great excursions and friendly and knowledgeable guides.

Rating for tour operator:

Very helpful and incredibly responsive at the planning stages with useful input and advice on each destination for excursions and accommodation to suit our style and budget. Very efficient local agents and good guides. Our consultant at experience travel was clearly knowledgeable about our destinations and also imaginative.

Experience Travel Group responded to this review on 03 Dec 2015:

Dear Karelyn,

We're so pleased to hear you had an excellent trip. Thank you taking the time to post this review - it is so much appreciated.

Kind regards,

The ETG Team.