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Ffestiniog Travel

Ffestiniog Travel Traveller Reviews

Reviews of Ffestiniog Travel

Overall Company Rating
97%
Excellent 357
Good 41
Average 9
Poor 2
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 409
Reviews Accepted: 409
Reviews Rejected: 0
409 reviews
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Ffestiniog Travel by Planet, 21 Jun 2016
Holiday Rating:

Enjoyable

The holiday took the form of travel by train around The Balkans with mostly two night stops in hotels between joutneys. The itinerary within the control of Ffestiniog Travel went to plan, we had a very good guide throughout, the hotels were all comfortable and we had time to relax between sometimes long journeys.

The holiday took the form of travel by train around The Balkans with mostly two night stops in hotels between joutneys. The itinerary within the control of Ffestiniog Travel went to plan, we had a very good guide throughout, the hotels were all comfortable and we had time to relax between sometimes long journeys.

Rating for tour operator:

My wife and I had not travelled with FT before but definitely would do so again should the firm offer a similar holiday we would like to go on.

Ffestiniog Travel by Sedge, 20 Jun 2016
Holiday Rating:

Mostly good, excellent from a rail enthusiasts point of view, but a few weak points.

From a rail enthusiasts point of view this was a good holiday but the included meals were disappointing. One menu offered only one main course,(out of three), I could eat and non of the three sweets. Also very cramped. Considering we were in Ireland, I think a leaning towards Irish cuisine would be preferable to "fusion" whatever that is! All hotels were within easy walking distance of local bars, restaurants etc. but some were noisy. My room ...

From a rail enthusiasts point of view this was a good holiday but the included meals were disappointing. One menu offered only one main course,(out of three), I could eat and non of the three sweets. Also very cramped. Considering we were in Ireland, I think a leaning towards Irish cuisine would be preferable to "fusion" whatever that is! All hotels were within easy walking distance of local bars, restaurants etc. but some were noisy. My room had no air conditioning and therefore I had to (try and) sleep with the window open. The music and noise from the street finished around 03:00 hrs. and the street sweeper started at 06:30 hrs. Another hotel had so many stairs apart from the main staircase and lift that it was difficult for elderly people and would have been a lot worse for disabled persons.

Rating for tour operator:

Courier was good, knowledgeable and friendly. Coach driver was amenable, helpful and his local knowledge proved useful. Perhaps a little more research on the hotels used would be useful although out of the six hotels used only two were not satisfactory as noted above. Other rooms may not have suffered from these problems although I know some others did. One "arranged" visit was not expected upon arrival, possibly not the holiday company's fault. A short notice change of venue was arranged and proved to be a great success. Another thought would be to allow the party to split on occasions allowing the non railway fanatics time to visit alternative venues. On this point, the non railway venues were interesting even to railway enthusiasts.

Ffestiniog Travel responded to this review on 27 Jun 2016:

Many thanks for your feedback. We have noted your comments regarding the meals and the problems you experienced at two of the hotels used for the tour. Please note that customer feedback is very important to us and your comments have been taken on board. I am pleased that to hear that your overall enjoyment of your holiday was not marred by the issues you have raised.

Ffestiniog Travel by NickM, 19 Jun 2016
Holiday Rating:

Rail holiday in Switzerland

We spent a week travelling around Switzerland by train, following an itinerary supplied by Ffestiniog Travel. The arrangements worked well, the hotels were very conveniently located and were of a very good standard throughout.

We spent a week travelling around Switzerland by train, following an itinerary supplied by Ffestiniog Travel. The arrangements worked well, the hotels were very conveniently located and were of a very good standard throughout.

Rating for tour operator:

Ffestiniog Travel answered all our questions promptly and satisfactorily which gave us the confidence to book with them. They supplied all the necessary tickets and passes and all the arrangements worked very well.

Ffestiniog Travel by SeatOppositeWife, 11 Jun 2016
Holiday Rating:

Fantastic variety of experiences

My wife and I took an 18 night train-based tour from Barcelona in Spain to the Cinque Terre in Italy. It was arranged bespoke for us.

My wife and I took an 18 night train-based tour from Barcelona in Spain to the Cinque Terre in Italy. It was arranged bespoke for us.

Rating for tour operator:

Everything was arranged to meet our requirements. For several parts of the tour several options, including heritage train routes, were painstakingly explored and options offered. Personal service from Sheryl was A1 throughout, including contact during the holiday when the French railways went on strike. This puts Ffestiniog far ahead of other telephone-based operators. Tour itinerary documentation was thorough and useful. The tour price was excellent value-for-money, given all that was included.

Ffestiniog Travel by lnwr109, 8 Jun 2016
Holiday Rating:

Very enjoyable, but hotel a little tired

This was a special short break to experience the celebrations based around the opening of the new Gotthard rail tunnel. All the information we were given was most helpful and Ffestiniog Travel had arranged a trip through the tunnel on one of the special shuttle trains for us. The whole experience worked well and despite the large numbers of people we were hardly ever in a crowd, and never in a queue for anything. However, we felt the Hotel ...

This was a special short break to experience the celebrations based around the opening of the new Gotthard rail tunnel. All the information we were given was most helpful and Ffestiniog Travel had arranged a trip through the tunnel on one of the special shuttle trains for us. The whole experience worked well and despite the large numbers of people we were hardly ever in a crowd, and never in a queue for anything. However, we felt the Hotel Monopol in Andermatt had seen better days and was in need of refurbishment. One serious drawback was, although free wi-fi was available, there was no way of charging up your devices as UK adapters would not fit in the sockets in the hotel rooms. We eventually found a socket which would take a UK adapter, but apparently some other guests were not so lucky.

Rating for tour operator:

We have used Ffestiniog Travel many times, both for organised excursions and tailor-made holidays. We have been very happy with them and can rely on having the holiday as described - you get what it says on tin!

Ffestiniog Travel by Vic And Nic, 6 Jun 2016
Holiday Rating:

Two 50th Birthday Bashes

My wife always wanted to go to New York, and decided this was where she wanted to go for her 50th Birthday in April 2016. I had seen a TV programme about the railway line from Toronto to New York, and we agreed that should be the method of our arrival. Michelle at Ffestiniog Travel could not have been more helpful and polite. Michelle booked our choice of hotel in Toronto (the Fairmont Royal York) as it was a place we wanted to stay in and it ...

My wife always wanted to go to New York, and decided this was where she wanted to go for her 50th Birthday in April 2016. I had seen a TV programme about the railway line from Toronto to New York, and we agreed that should be the method of our arrival. Michelle at Ffestiniog Travel could not have been more helpful and polite. Michelle booked our choice of hotel in Toronto (the Fairmont Royal York) as it was a place we wanted to stay in and it was opposite Union Station. However, we were at a loss where to stay in New York. Michelle recommended the Roosevelt, and this was superb. Michelle looked after our choice of flights, hotels and rail tickets. Everything was dealt with well and quickly. When I wanted to go to St Albans (Vermont) for my 50th birthday in May 2016, Ffestiniog Travel was the obvious choice. Again, Michelle looked after our flights, hotels and train tickets. I cannot praise her too highly. You want your 50th birthday to be memorable and special, and thanks to Michelle at Ffestiniog Travel, that was exactly what it was. Many thanks ! I tried to put this on TripAdvisor, but for reasons unknown, they don't accept reviews of travel agents, which is a great shame, how else do people find out about this ?

Rating for tour operator:

One word: Perfect.

Ffestiniog Travel by purplepink47, 9 May 2016
Holiday Rating:

fantastic rail journeys on lovely European trains

We enjoyed trips on 14 trains across Europe to Florence and Rome, seated in comfortable first class carriages, being offered complementary food and Prosecco on most trains. The journey across the St Gotthard was lovely, with the train snaking through the snow-capped Alps as the river crashed below in gorges. Spring flowers were peeping out along the tracks. Arriving in Florence we found our hotel close to the railway station, an ideal location, ...

We enjoyed trips on 14 trains across Europe to Florence and Rome, seated in comfortable first class carriages, being offered complementary food and Prosecco on most trains. The journey across the St Gotthard was lovely, with the train snaking through the snow-capped Alps as the river crashed below in gorges. Spring flowers were peeping out along the tracks. Arriving in Florence we found our hotel close to the railway station, an ideal location, complete with a small roof terrace, so one warm evening, we sat with 360deg views over the city as the sun gradually set. We then went to Rome, where the little hotel, in a local backstreet afforded quiet comfort and nice staff. We walked both cities and really had a lovely time. thank you.

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent pre-tour information and advice on hotels, routes and sensible train times which gave us comfortable changes of train.

Ffestiniog Travel by RookingEggie32C, 5 May 2016
Holiday Rating:

Had a good time, and I enjoyed myself.

A long weekend to visit the Baei de Somme Steam Festival in Picardy,France,which is held every 3 years. As I have been to the two previous festivals, I wanted to visit the event again as I enjoyed the experience.

A long weekend to visit the Baei de Somme Steam Festival in Picardy,France,which is held every 3 years. As I have been to the two previous festivals, I wanted to visit the event again as I enjoyed the experience.

Rating for tour operator:

Ffestiniog Travel-they did a great job.

Ffestiniog Travel by PK, 21 Apr 2016
Holiday Rating:

STEAM TRAIN FESTIVAL IN FRANCE

The Baie de Somme Railway, in Northern France, holds a weekend steam railway festival every three years. There was intensive railway activity for enthusiasts, and two attractive little French seaside towns at St Valery sur Somme and Le Crotoy. The festival was thoroughly enjoyable. The travel arrangements ran smoothly, and the hotel in Abbeville was excellent.

The Baie de Somme Railway, in Northern France, holds a weekend steam railway festival every three years. There was intensive railway activity for enthusiasts, and two attractive little French seaside towns at St Valery sur Somme and Le Crotoy. The festival was thoroughly enjoyable. The travel arrangements ran smoothly, and the hotel in Abbeville was excellent.

Rating for tour operator:

Efficient organisation of the holiday ... good information provided in advance ... helpful tour leader ... excellent hotel ... good value for money.

Ffestiniog Travel by JohnE, 21 Apr 2016
Holiday Rating:

Great short break in France

A great, stress free, package to the Baie de Somme. Good value for money.

A great, stress free, package to the Baie de Somme. Good value for money.

Rating for tour operator:

Good niche market provider