Martin Randall Travel Traveller Reviews

MRT's The Divine Office in Oxford was very special , and a magnificent achievement in the context of Covid. Organising17 concerts in the space of 5 days would be no mean feat in normal times; as it was , it did not disappoint, and indeed performers and audience alike appreciated the privilege of being together in the wonderful visual and acoustic settings afforded by Oxford colleges.

MRT is an excellent operator, striking the balance very successfully between the benefits of specialist, organised travel, and the desire of participants to be treated like adults able to manage themselves . If you want to be led from A to B, they will do it - but otherwise , it's assumed that you'll find your own way and manage your own time. There is always a friendly , recognisable person to ask questions of -but if you want to do your own thing, that's fine. No standing waiting to be counted or to be marched from place to place - a bane of organised travel.

We met on Manchester and over the course of 1 week visited important Victorian buildings and art galleries in Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool. We did quite a bit of walking, had regular lectures, stayed in interesting hotels and ate delicious food. The guide and tour manager were ever present to look after us and deal promptly with any issue.

Advertising material was accurate. Booking was easy. Tour guides were competent and friendly. The tour was not cheap but it was value for money as everything was included.

The visit to Andalusia was both intellectually stimulating and visually stunning. The lecturer was truly excellent, the food and wine were delicious and even the weather cooperated!

Highly qualified and an excellent communicator.

Ravenna mosaics : visit to major works

Martin Randall

We visited the mosaics of late antiquity in Ravenna, including private visits to San Vitale and the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, which are otherwise very crowded. Other highlights were Renaissance architecture in Urbino and Rimini. A stop in a modern studio producing mosaics was very interesting. Accommodation was comfortable and well managed and the meals very good.

Martin Randall Travel organises art and music tours led by lecturers expert in their fields. Dr Luca Leoncini is excellent in his knowledge of art and his passion for the art and architecture of Italy.

Yhis is the second time I have taken the holiday and the format has been equally good both times.

MR consistently provides holidays of outstanding interest. They are not geared to a "relaxing" holiday.

5 days in Oxford, with concerts and talks.

Efficient and helpful. And friendly.

A sublime four days of music making and visiting Oxford colleges.

A joy to deal with.

a very organised and varied journey through lovely music in lovely surroundings

a long established and knowledgeable operator with a deserved reputation

The Divine Office comprises the eight services of the monastic day. It was performed by world-class singers. On three other days, additional performances, including some with instrumental input, brought the total number of to 17. The Festival took place in Oxford College chapels, where provision for music to accompany the liturgy was stipulated by the founders of the major early ones. It was a truly unique and extraordinary experience.

This was an extraordinary feat of organization. The accompanying booklet ran to 250 pages! It had been planned for 2020, but had to be postponed, involving an additional layer of anxiety and industry for the tour operator. I cannot praise them highly enough