Experience Travel Group Traveller Reviews

We had a trip to Siem Reap, Phnom Penn, river boat on the Mekong, beach stay on Phu Qhoc, Saigon .Hoi An and home in three weeks. My wife is not a keen traveller but she like me had a wonderful holiday and an experience to be treasured. Some of our experiences were in their nature harrowing but there were stories needing to be told. This is a destination that does not disappoint and fulfilled all the anticipation. Hotels were all first class and food in Vietnam especially superb. Both in Cambodia and Vietnam the people could not have been friendlier. It was hard to believe what they have been through in their recent past.

From the initial planning to the finish we felt that we were well cared for and had our wishes adhered to.. Our destination was wonderful made even better by a well balanced itinerary which included rest time on the beach. We failed to get a visa for Vietnam before we left due to the Vietnam new year but this was not an issue with the help of Nick and the team in Cambodia who arranged it when we arrived. This is the second time we have travelled with Experience Travel and both times we have been impressed with their efficiency and with the considered advise at the planning stage.

This was an email I sent to Experience once we had returned: I just wanted to send an email to thank you for organising such a wonderful trip and making booking and going on our honeymoon such a trouble free experience. From the moment we decided to go through you I have found you helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating. We found that we didn’t have to worry about anything in the run up or whilst on our honeymoon. Our documents were sent through in excellent time, were easy to understand and we especially found the local information included to be valuable and worthwhile. I also want to thank you for putting my mind at rest and responding so promptly when I raised concerns about the political situation in Bangkok. The honeymoon itself was truly unbelievable. The airlines were excellent (I know this is out of your control but worth mentioning!) and the hotels were exceptional. All the hotels were aware it was our honeymoon and made a real fuss of us with flowers on the bed and complimentary champagne. At Sala Phuket we received a bouquet of flowers on arrival, champagne, a Thai tasting menu meal and hour long Thai massages all free of charge. However special mention for Ariyansom Villa in Bangkok and the owner David- this was a real gem of a hotel, tranquil and calm in an otherwise hectic city. Not only the hotels were fantastic however, from your end the logistics of the trip were organised expertly. I really felt that the trip maximised our time in Thailand with all the flights taking place at excellent times, meaning no wasted days and no long airport waits. All of the trips organised through you were highlights of our time in Thailand. The cooking school and Elephant Park were personal highlights. If I had to offer a suggestion on how to make it even more trouble free then I could suggest that you could pre book some of the Island trips or excursions in Phuket. There are lots to choose from (we were handed a list of about 60 trips that Destination Asia organise) and I’m pretty sure most people would want to do something whilst at the resort as its quite far away from it all. Another idea would be to send customers the list prior to arrival so they can have a think beforehand about what they want to do. This is only nit picking though as our guide organised this with us as soon as we arrived with absolutely no hassle at all. It’s just a suggestion to make life ever more easy for people. Overall I only have high praise for the experience. There wasn’t anything that you arranged that I didn’t feel was worthwhile and of a really high calibre. We would definitely go through you again and I have already started recommending you to family and friends. Excellent company and excellent service.

As above.

We dipped into Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and had wonderful experiences in each of them, leaving memories which will stay with us for ever. We particularly enjoyed the kind, knowledgeable and faultless help from our guides in each country. Their considerate, intelligent company added greatly to our enjoyment of their countries and such different cultures.

All arrangements in a rather tight time schedule (at our request) went entirely smoothly, so we were able to use every moment of our limited time to the full, without feeling pressured.

Generally very good. Driver guide spoilt himself by basically asking for higher tip than recommended. Also a couple of the excursion items - tea factory and vegetable market were a complete waste of time. One of the hotels was extremely stuffy and snobbish and not relaxing at all. The beach hotel was isolated and I did check this point with Experience who advised me otherwise at time of booking.

Very well organised just a couple of small things could have been better.

A private tour including Kutching, Visit to Headhunters/longhouse, Mulu Caves, Danum Valley (rainforest), Kinabatangen, Sandakan and Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu. The Longhouse experience was fun and better for there only being the two of us and our guide. Mulu Caves are impressive. Accomodation in this area limited and not of the standard elsewere. Danum Valley was wonderful, the rainforest walks excellent and not as physically challenging as we had thought they might be. However, you do need a reasonable level of fitness and be surefooted as the trails are muddy with tree roots. Gaya Island Resort was a last minute replacement for an aborted trip to Lankayan. The resort was well run and food good but the villas are up steep hills and we timed it at an 8 minute walk up a 45 degree hill to reach our villa from the main facilities - not good if you are unfit or have mobility problems, or if as when we were there it is torrential rain! The one downside of this resort was they insisted on a 3,000 Ringit deposit on arrival (4 days) - at the end of our holiday that is a lot to find and they said my credit card would not work! Fortunatley our second card went through OK. Given we were on full borad I fail to see why this was neccessary our actual bill (drinks only) came to 498 ringits, bit of a difference! Accomodation, food transfers and guides were overall very good. If anything too many internal flights which eat into your holiday time, we prefer to travel overland with the same guide throughout, but this wasn't feasible on this trip.

Halfway through the holiday (a few days before Christmas) we were contacted by the UK to advise that the Foreign Office had advised we could not go to the resort booked for the final 4 days of our trip. The UK agent managed to rebook a different resort and rearrange internal flights and conections at short notice at a very busy time of year. We were not inconvienienced at all, and feel we did not loose out in any way. Had we not booked via an operator we would not even have been aware of the FO advice and our insurance would have been invalid had anything occurred. Excellent professional service throughout, we would recommend this agent.

We booked our trip through Experience Travel who I would use again and can recommend to friends amd family.

A return to Siem Reap to extend our visit to the temples and town which turned in to a delight of culture, food and fun. Accommodation, flights and transfers are so well organised that all we had to do was go where we wanted to without worry and the guides are truly amazing - well briefed on us and knowledgeable of where they took us. We are so glad we went back because it truly is a magical place for all aspects of a holiday where culture, relaxation, good food and hotels all play an important part - we would use them again without reservation.

Great knowledge of the places we discussed as well as being flexible enough to accommodate all our needs (flights not from the UK, a hotel they had not heard of and so on)Experience Travel have been a pleasure to work with

Finding all the best food Thailand has to offer and staying in the perfect hotel to see the best that each city has to offer.

Experience Travel put together a great package of tours, transfers and hotels and were intentive and helpful throughout the booking and pre-take off process.

We thoroughly enjoyed the experience having never been to Srilanka before. Everything went well as planned. Our driver was knowledgable, friendly and informative. He (Kapila) ensured we enjoyed the best of the areas we were in. Our accommodation was as described and food delicious.

Very helpful, they offered us various options , and when we were unsure about the choices , offered various alternatives to consider

We flew from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and enjoyed the cultural activities including the Thai cookery class. Then to Bangkok which is hectic and fascinating. The food tour was fun and instructive. The 3-day luxury train journey (Eastern and Oriental Express) through Thailand, Malaysia and on to Singapore was outstanding. Real luxury, amazing food, good company from fellow travellers and a memorable excursion to the River Quai. Singapore was more interesting than we had anticipated. On to Java and another lovely hotel. Being on the top of Borobadur temple at dawn will long stay in the memory. Finally, on to Bali and the wonderful Hotel Tugu Bali. We visited a dance performance, wood carvers, an active volcano, silver crafts men and women and a spice and herb garden. The long flight(s) home worked well. Our thanks Experience Travel: this is the third trip we have been with them and their organisation has been outstanding!

Efficient, friendly, knowledgeable and would (and have) recommend them to our friends. Flights, driver, guides and hotels were outstanding