Martin Randall Travel Traveller Reviews

I had an absolutely inspiring holiday with Martin Randall Tours in Japan. The tour leaders were fantastic with the highest level of academic input as well as careful attention given to personal and practical needs of the group. As a result the group was united in purpose and remained friendly and congenial. Meals and hotels were very good with some outstanding evenings together at excellent restaurants. The practical issues of transport and general logistics went like clockwork without a glitch and the overall mood was one of collective happiness, learning and relaxation that the best holidays achieve. I was immensely pleased with the trip and intend now to travel on more tours like this one.

The tour operator was Martin Randall Tours an organisation with an excellent reputation. It was my first tour with them so I have only this experience to go on, but I was impressed at every level. I would highly recommend them to my friends and anyone looking to travel with the emphasis on academic and cultural learning. The program was quite intense and one needed to be fit and interested. It would not be the right sort of tour for those wanting relaxation, luxury and glamorous eating experiences. Personally, I like to learn when I travel and appreciated the emphasis on history and culture.

Wonderful concerts organised for us and performed in beautiful sacred buildings in Toledo. Excellent lecturers whose knowledge deepened the experience and a high quality of organisation for our comfort. Definitely a holiday to remember.

Excellent administration and documentation which set out clearly all the details of concerts and activities. Take trouble to ensure comfort, care and enjoyment.

Toledo. A festival of Spanish music from 16-20c including 16c church music, music from the Sephardic golden age, folk music, zarzuela and even some from Latin America (where one of the hymns was written by a Dominican friar for the Indians population in their native language, Quechua!) guitars, voice, ancient instruments, wonderful percussion. Historic venues ( the Cathedral, the medieval churches, a 16c charitable hospital and a theatre) . The music illuminated by lectures from eminent academics. An additional optional day gave us a study of the paintings of El Greco, the Cretan painter who came to Toledo, "the new Jerusalem" seeking fame with the King Philip 11. Our guided study of several of his many paintings still in the city led us towards understanding the genius of this man whose mastery of composition and colour enabled him to express movingly a deep spirituality. Good hotels in the style of El Greco's 16c Toledo with modern comfort. A wide variety of dishes offered for breakfast. Some gourmet meals introducing unusual Spanish dishes from the Arab, Christian and Jewish traditions e.g. like white garlic soup. in all the theme of the week: creative harmony and tension between the 3 peoples of the Book. Martin Randall travel excellent when things went wrong - a plane missed - giving a sense of security and confidence to this elderly traveller.

Sorted the problem when I had to take a plane later than the rest of the group.

World class performers, superb scholars and historic venues made this survey of Spanish Music from the 16-18th century a delight for the mind, the ear and the eye! Coupled with first class logistical support and a wonderful pre-festival survey of El Greco works and life in Toledo this was a wonderful immersive experience that we will long remember.

Everything was handled perfectly even to the point of anticipating our needs such as providing water when the temperatures were unexpectedly warm or taxis for weary walkers.

Excellent combination of art and music.

Wonderful staff, organisation and care.

I learnt so much of the relevant history; also saw Ravenna mosaics for first time since 1965, needed revisiting! Lovely group of people; excellent lecturer and tour manager.

Always very helpful and efficient

Excellent itinerary, very knowledgeable and personable lecturer (Michael Douglas-Scott), highly-skilled and personable tour manager (Vanessa Hall-Smith).

This is my second Martin Randall tour. I have not done escorted tours with other operators, but my experience was very good to excellent in all respects.

An extremely well-balanced programme in Umbria, rigorously researched and planned, for a group of under twenty people. We were tracing places known to St. Francis, often on foot. Expert lectures on mediaeval frescoes. Wonderful meals and local wine. We walked up to two hours each day (not only to justify the next meal)with an interesting destination. The Martin Randall team could not have gone to more trouble for our safety, comfort and enjoyment. It was a great experience!

Martin Randall Travel specialises in tours focusing on music, architecture, fine art and other subjects. They employ lecturers of the highest quality. Their tour managers are professional and take endless trouble over the details of each tour. MRT tours are not cheap but offer very good value. As you return home, you feel you have had a very special experience.

We stayed at Westom Park and toured many Country Houses and Gardens. The accomodations were superb. (Living in a Country House for almost a week could be nothing less). The meals were at the same level, and the lecturer was really first class and professional. The coach and driver were also quite outstanding. On top of all this, the art was really special. What a tour!

Martin Randal is the best we have seen. Andant is a close second, as are Terre Entier.

Well organised, interesting content and good balance of walking, art study and independent time. The hotels and restaurants were excellent. The tour manager and lecturer were excellent, both well organised, friendly and careful that participants were well looked after. The whole tour went along very smoothly. The walks allowed us to see deep into the countryside, with its beautiful scenery. The art visits provided exhaustive knowledge about the religious frescoes and paintings of this area. The meals were of high quality and we were able to try excellent local wines in good company.

Matin Randall. All tour personnel were friendly, courteous, well-organised. We were well looked after.