Martin Randall Travel Traveller Reviews

The Festival of Music in Franconia combined a suitably varied and interesting program of chamber music, performed by excellent individual soloists and ensembles in stunning Medieval to Baroque settings. The event was suitably paced over a week, with all participants accommodated comfortably on the Ms Amadeus Royal as we progressed through the Southern Bavarian countryside. In our view the experience could only be improved by using a route with fewer locks. It also provided an opportunity to share a wonderful experience with like minded people.

The performance of the staff of Martin Randall Travel from first contact to the last moment of or trip was outstanding. The specialist lecturer and local guide were very engaging and of comparable in performance to the companies own staff.

Knowledgeable, interesting and friendly tour leader with back up from a member of the Randall team. Fascinating gardens, some not usually open. Easy pace with plenty of time to look around.

Their attention to detail is very thorough and it is really relaxing not to have to worry about tipping or food, the latter of which is always good, sometimes superb.Their staff are both interesting in themselves, always helpful and very well briefed. Tour leaders always expert, friendly and interesting, often entertaining.

A cruise up the Danube and into the Main Canal, stopping here and there for some fabulous concerts in lavish surroundings. Pre-concert talks about the music, excellent and varied food and drink, walk and talk in the cities (Passau, Regensburg, Nuremburg and Bamberg. Great company of likeminded souls, could only be better by lasting longer

Martin Randall Tours are SO well organised, but never pushy

The holiday was very comfortable with a relaxed pace, an excellent lecturer, and 3 trips to the Verona opera, one of which was discontinued because of rain.

Flawless attention to detail. Leisurely pace. Excellent lecturer.

Unflinchingly high-minded; an anti-cruise.

Unflinchingly high-minded.

Five Shakespeare plays- three in London two in Stratford. Excellent tour manager and knowledgeable guide.

The best organizer of tours for people who seek to develop their knowledge on theatre, art, music and culture. The guides, managers and organization is unfailingly excellent. I have been on eight tours with Martin Randall and look forward to many more.

I enjoyed Martin Randall's Seine River Music Cruise where all participants were treated to a week of concerts with music ranging from the 12th to 20th century and played and/or sung by a variety of artists. We also enjoyed the history and architecture of the venues chosen for these concerts. In all, a wonderfully educational experience, enhanced by lectures on these topics.

Martin Randall in my mind, is the best operator of cultural tours. Their themed tours are diverse and wonderfully researched to give the perfect experience possible.

My almost sole reason for booking this holiday was to hear Jonas Kaufmann, the stunning in every sense of the word tenor, sing in "Die Meistersinger"in Munich and the added bonus was three other operas including a chance to see "Turandot"on Lake Constance at Bregenz. Two cities, one a city of great history and art and architecture, four operas and associated lectures by a gifted and interesting musicologist, Dr David Vickers. It was a superbly well organised, guided and managed by cultural and architectural historian, Tom Abbott. The travel arrangements, flights to and from my home airport via London's Heathrow and the transfers and the bus travel between the cities were smooth and efficient in organisation and delivery.Our two hotels were locally rated 4 star and were certainly up to such standards but with the bonus of having friendly, helpful staff. Our local walks were inspired by Tom's incredible knowledge, humour and sense of detail while the four operas were equally enhanced by David's stimulating morning lectures. The meals that were arranged around the opera timings were all satisfying and pleasant with more than enough wine to make the evenings go really well. And the operas? The three in Munich were, as expected designed and directed to surprise and confront with no attempt to deliver the traditional. only one grated with me but "Die Meistersinger" was musically outstanding and worth the trip alone. And Munich, its history both long past and more recent and its architecture, was made alive by Tom's daily fascinating walking tours.

Choice of venues, selection of cultural events, the quality of the hotels, places to eat, walks to do, lecturers and manager, travel arrangements and booking arrangements were excellent. There were no issues and the organisation of all of this went like clockwork but with a patient human touch.

First: the itinerary advertised drew my attention, however six months in advance the tour for 20 persons was sold out. I had to wait till the next year. It was worth the wait. Not only was the guide very learned, but was enthusiastic about the sites. He virtually carried us into medieval period and it's manner of thought. At no time did I become bored or unattentive. We visited religious and secular sites, enjoyed historic towns and the delights of the wine growing province.

Martin Randall produces a virtually seamless experience for their clients through their preparedness and attention to detail. For example, the tour arrived in Paris during a train strike, petrol and labour unrest. Instead of using the train tickets already issued, we were soon ushered into cabs which drove us many hours away into Burgundy. The hotels, meals and itinerary were smoothly accomplished as well as extra stops, advice on wines and products of the region. Truly a high-quality experience.

The holiday, the Suffolk Festival,was an extremely well organized four days of concerts and talks on Early Music, in very good accommodation, seeing several different places of interest in Suffolk. I cannot fault it.

Martin Randall Travel does an extremely good series of cultural tours around the world, and very successful UK tours. They get very good guides and lecturers and their own staff are excellent and very friendly too. I wish I could do more holidays with the company.