Peter Sommer Travels Traveller Reviews

We spent a simulatenously relaxing and invigorating week sailing the Mediterranean, eating scrumptious cuisine, and visiting ancient sites.

Our guide, Serdar, is well-versed in the history of the region and did an excellent job expounding upon it as we travelled throughout the region. All the logistics of our trip were handled smoothly. Everyone in our group had an excellent experience!

A 14-day tour of eight Dodecanese Greek Islands (Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Nisyros, Tilos, Chalki and Rhodes) and Samos, included three UNESCO World Heritage sites. The range of islands gave the opportunity of visiting locations of very different histories, culture, architecture and natural beauty. The itinerary included an extraordinary range of archaeological sites and architectural styles covering an extended period from the Greeks to post-Second World War, that is 1000s of years BC to the near present. Travel between the islands was aboard a 70m gullet, the ‘Aegean Clipper’. The vessel was very comfortable and provided numerous places to relax in all weather conditions. The accommodation was first class and the crew were eager to assist. We were exceptionally looked after by the tour coordinators prior to and post cruise and by the professional guides and ship’s captain and crew during the voyage. The two outstanding aspects of the cruise were the food and the quality of the professional guides. Half the dinners were onshore and especially selected by the guides in family tavernas to represent local cuisine. Onboard meals comprised a comprehensive assortment of salads, vegetables, meats and a range of cheeses, which were also selected by the guides to reflect the delicacy of each island. The proficiency of the professional guides was outstanding, probably the best I have experienced. Each guide had a different specialty – one was an expert in mythology and the other in classical history. They used these two skills to ’bounce-off’ each other in a most delightfully humorous and intellectual manner. Their presentation skills were very impressive and both had a deep understanding of their subject matter both having post-graduate qualifications. Overall, the quality of the tour was excellent and most enjoyable.

The tour operator had to make late changes to our boarding and disembarking arrangements which entailed several ferry and bus transfers. This reorganization was undertaken seamlessly and paid for by the operator. Also, during the voyage realtime alterations to the ships track had to be made urgently due to weather conditions. Again, this was affected smoothly and efficiently. The operator’s choice of island in our travel plan was superb and it allowed for us to take in an incredible range of cultures and archaeological sites, including Carians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Crusaders, Ottomans to Italian. This period covered the period 1000s of years BC to after the Second World War.

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Cruising the Dodecanese 22nd September, 2018 – 6th October, 2018 This 14-day tour took in eight Dodecanese Greek Islands (Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Nisyros, Tilos, Chalki and Rhodes), as well as Samos to the north. The islands were well chosen to represent different geography settings and histories, and being close to one another, steaming times were short. Three of the islands are UNESCO World Heritage sites – The careful choice of these islands gave us an appreciation of the different architecture, natural beauty, local culture and cuisines which we were able to enjoy at a leisurely pace making for a comprehensive understanding of the similarities and differences which made each island special The tour coordinators displayed excellent flexibility when the tour required schedule changes before and during the trip. Shortly before the cruise commenced it became necessary to board the gullet in Turkey instead of one of the islands. Peter Summer Travels re-arrange the schedule to suit the new venues, even personally escorting us by ferry to the Turkey starting point and back from Turkey to our original Greek Island discharge location (at no cost). And during the voyage an unprecedented cyclone entered our cruise space and the on-board guides and captain made immediate plans and re-routed the course without any interruption to the program. The ‘Aegean Clipper’ was a 70m gullet with boundless space in different parts of the boat to lie and read or chat in different weather conditions. The crew were courteous and always helpful. The vessel was stable and the cabins were bright, large and luxurious. The food was simply outstanding. Onboard breakfast was a salad, various cheeses, yoghurt, fruit, eggs in a variety of forms, tea/coffee. Lunch was a display of salads, cheeses, hot and cold vegetable dishes and the pie˴ce de resistance was a ‘spoon sweets’, especially chosen by one of the guides to represent the delicacy of each island that we had just visited. Dinner was something special. Half the evenings we ate ashore in a specially selected out-of-the-way family tavernas, which served home-made dishes typical of the island. The meal always comprised four starting plates and four main dishes, all exquisitely prepared and served. Visits to the nine islands represented a full range of cultures and histories from Carians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Crusaders, Ottomans to the Italians covering the period 1000s of years BC to after the Second World War. The itinerary included extraordinary archaeological sites and examples of a range of architectural styles. The most impressive aspect of the cruise was proficiency of the professional guides. Our two guides had very different knowledge bases and skills, yet they complimented each other in a most harmonious manner producing a very professional, delightfully humorous and intellectual narrative. Both had a deep understanding of their subjects (mythology, ancient history and archaeology) and conveyed this knowledge most professionally. They were fluent in several languages, had field excavation experience and were trained academics with Masters and Doctorate qualifications from renowned universities and they were authors of books on local ancient history. Their presentation skills were truly impressive. These guides were by far the most proficient and delightful of my experience.

The islands chosen by the operator represented different geographic settings and histories, and were close to one another, shortening steaming times and maximizing sightseeing and island walks. Three of the islands are UNESCO World Heritage sites – The careful choice allowed a deep appreciation of different architectures, natural beauty, local culture and cuisines. The tour coordinator displayed excellent flexibility when the tour required re-scheduling before and during the trip. Shortly before the cruise commenced it became necessary to board the gullet in Turkey instead of one of the Greek islands. Peter Summer Travels re-arrange the schedule, even personally escorting us by ferry to the Turkey starting point and back from Turkey to our original Greek Island discharge location at no cost. And during the voyage an unprecedented cyclone forced immediate alteration to plans without any interruption to the program. The choice by the operator of a 70m-long stable gullet with boundless space, bright, large and luxurious cabins with a courteous and always helpful crew was greatly appreciated.

A week studying the art, architecture, and city planning of ancient Rome

Peter Sommers, a small English tour operator. Outstanding in every way.

Several months ago, I returned from a Peter Sommer guided tour. Normally, I do not like guided tours, as I find that many tour and local guides lack detailed knowledge of the particular site and are rarely able to put it into a wider context. Examples of this were 1) passing a guided tour at Housesteads Roman Fort in 2008, where the guide was explaining how the Pilae in the granary were part of the bath house and 2) at Knossos on Crete in 1987, a local guide was explaining that a room contained many columns because the Minoans worshipped columns! Imagine my surprise on returning to Knossos after 31 years, to come across a guide who clearly knew what he was talking about and could also put the site into context. Here we met Dr. Michael Metcalf of Peter Sommer Travels. This year we went on their ‘Walking and Crusing the Dodecanese’ with Michael. I had always wanted to visit these islands, but by ourselves, we would have been based on one island (Kos) and visited the others by ferry. This would have restricted us to the main towns, seeing nothing of the islands or peoples themselves. As an archaeologist and historian, I wanted to see something of the islands and their archaeology. I also love boats and walking. The tour fitted the bill perfectly. We visited a number of islands by Gulet, going into their interiors on foot and returning by minibus or vise versa. We saw a number of archaeological and historical sites, ranging from ancient Greek to WWII. We saw sites we would never have seen or dared to visit. The Gulets are small and you get to know everyone, and you become a tight knit group of friends. One thing I really liked, is that not all the meals were on the boat. We had many meals in local tavernas, meeting local people and putting money into local economy. Don’t get me wrong, the boat meals were excellent, and usually more than we could normally eat or drink. Another cruise we went on, did exactly the opposite. All meals were on the boat, again excellent, but we only saw part of the port town we were in. After the first few, they all looked the same. I can not recommend this tour company too highly.

Very knowledgeable and helpful

We went deep into ancient Rome. Guide Paul astonishing. Brilliant and posessed with the era. 8+ hours a day exploring ruins inside and outside city. So much covered and with such enthusiasm. Well thought out itinerary. The 6 of us on the trip are very experienced travelers, and we all marveled at the breadth of coverage and the fun we had. Even slogging through the Forum in a monsoon rain was great.

From pick up at airport to delivery back, the trip was well planned and executed. Enough meals covered to keave us time on our own. Excellent hotel: a converted nunnery from 1600's, in keeping with our ancient Rome theme. We were whisked to the front of the line for each of the crowded sites. Materials in advance well explained the trip without overinforming.

One week in Rome, exploring ancient sites and more modern ones. We were accompanied by excellent guides, one from the operator and one local.

All of the arrangements were flawless. Excellent guides, accommodations, meals and transport. The design and execution of the tour were first rate

We visited numerous complex sites which were presented with a sense of continuity and relationship to each other and to the present day. I appreciated the focus on classical Roman history and as the tour proceeded also appreciated that our guide showed how this history led to the renaissance and beyond. Visited several sites which we had never seen on previous visits. Extremely pleased.

Excellent knowledge of history, sense of humor, and curiosity. He answered every question while making interesting comparisons and connections. Also showed us so much...kept us very busy and engaged.

We had a wonderful adventure exploring the islands and coast of Croatia from the comfort of a beautiful gulet ship. Our room was comfortable, the food was superb, and the crew of our ship (My Croatia) were professional and friendly. We couldn't have asked for a more knowledgable, accommodating, enjoyable guide than Helena Thomas. Her enthusiasm for Croatia and history made this trip exceptional. We were also fortunate to find ourselves with a delightful group of co-travelers to share this experience.

Peter Sommer tours are very carefully planned and all details are taken care of. From the travelers perspective, there are no worries or concerns. The hikes led by an entertaining and knowledgable archeologist, the lunches at small family wineries, picnics, and local guides with intimate knowledge of the area all combined to make the experience a relaxing, unique, memorable way to explore Croatia.

A combination of glorious scenery, a wonderful gulet and a superb guide made for an unforgettable trip

He pays constant attention to every detail of the operation, even phoning our guide to ensure that we had all enjoyed our twice daily swims