Exploring Hadrian's Wall Traveller Reviews

Our group of 14 , plus a guide and assistant, spent 8 days exploring sites along Hadrian's Wall, walking along selectd stretches of the wall, and ivisiting Roman encampments and towns. During our visit we stayed at a charming inn situated in the ruins of a late medieval monastery, where we returned each evening to share a delicious dinner and to talk with each other and our guide about our day's activities .

Peter Sommer Tours: Exploring Hadruab's Wall

I signed up for the Hadrian’s wall tour at the suggestion of an old friend who had signed up with her husband and some colleagues, and without having any particular prior interest in the history of the Romans in Britain, but came away after a week with a real appreciation for the period thanks to Paul, our excellent guide and lecturer, and with a desire to learn more. It was an experience which I think was enjoyable and informative whether you arrived well read or not because in addition to what we learned, we stayed in a charming village in a very comfortable former monastery which boasted an excellent kitchen and were driven about the lovely countryside each day to a new venue in a spacious bus, which meant we only had to unpack once! the entire trip! The final thing I will add which I loved about the trip was that we didn’t encounter other large (or small) organized groups of tourists anywhere we went!

I got the sense that it was a very ‘hands on’ operation and that they were committed to seeing that everything ran smoothly and that each guest was looked after individually from arrival to departure. Before arrival we received the telephone numbers of our guide and his assistant and told to call them should we need any assistance. I always had the feeling that we were being well looked after!

Thanks to excellent accommodations, smooth logistics, and two utterly fantastic and well-educated guides, this tour is paced nicely to fit a variety of abilities and curiosities. Alex kept things moving while Paul told us stories and histories. Paul's seemingly bottomless collection of stories, historical details, and fascinating connections made every rock sing. The daily touring was invigorating and blessed with incredibly nice weather. We returned to our hotel each day to an upbeat dinner and restful night's sleep, ready to go again the next day. The settings of the hotel and our tour destinations were as restful as they were interesting, but our enjoyment was the result of lots of planning behind the scenes. Everything that seemed to appear by magic was the result of a lot of careful effort. It was a remarkable tour. I would repeat it, even knowing that the weather would be unlikely to be as nice.

We had no trouble setting up our tour plans. Communications were good; Sommer was responsive and accurate. Research into hotels and restaurants, and the protocol for ordering meals ahead, worked perfectly. No one was complaining! Our guides were talented, patient, and effective … they could not have been better, actually.

Over a seven day period we explored a major portion of Hadrians Wall, several Roman archeological sites and multiple English castles. We stayed at one location which was fabulous. The room was very comfortable and the meals were fantastic with plenty of variety.

Travelling with Peter Sommer means never having to worry about anything. In addition to providing an exceptional vacation with top rate historians who not only know the area but communicate it in a very interesting manner that hold one's attention. The organization of the tour and daily events was flawless, in addition, if a traveller has any special request or need, the guides will bend over backwards to see those fulfilled.

Walk the wall with forts, castles and museums and a dozen interesting people. What could be better? Our guide, Paul, sorted out all the complicated history of Celts, Romans, Scots and the English. Staying in one (fabulous) hotel made life easier with no repacking. And the food, both in the hotel and for meals out, was fantastic.

We had a guide and a facilitator. Paul, the guide, concentrated on the background, the history and answered all questions. If he didn't know the answer right then, he had it the next morning. Alex, our facilitator, smoothed out all the rough edges, kept track of what we ordered for meals, kept us organized and handled all difficulties. The Lord Crewe hotel was amazing...quiet, elegant and centered in its own little village. Every meal was delicious...with choices of local food or more international. All in all, a great trip

Peter Sommer Travels delivers another excellent experience with the Hadrian's Wall experience. Overall experience: Seamlessly wonderful. Accommodation: quietly luxurious, delightful, and elegant. Food: Well thought out and delicious. Service: Outstanding. Paul Beston, as always, is a bottomless well of information, insights, and humor. His enthusiasm for and love of the area only enhance the experience. Alex Stephens delightfully ensured that we kept on schedule, didn't wander, and generally ensured we didn't have to worry about anything other than soaking up the knowledge shared and having a good time. Both gentlemen are a delight and an asset to Peter Sommer travels.

This is our second experience with Peter Sommer Travels. They were the first company we ever booked a package tour with and we will continue to do so in the future. They are detailed oriented, responsive, personable, and always deliver a top experience. We've enjoyed their product enough to recommend them to multiple friends, some of whom have booked and had the same excellent experience.

One week small group tour of the wall and Roman sites in beautiful Northumberland, with an excellent guide and fine accommodations.

The tour as well organized with tour company representative Alex always present to make sure things went smoothly. We had an excellent guide to the Roman sites visited with Paul Besson, who was clear, knowledgeable, and fun to listen to.

Our tour guide Paul and our tour facilitator Alex went above and beyond to make our tour a smooth and unforgettable experience. Our accommodations in a 14th century abbey were first class. I felt well cared for and quite pampered, and the knowledge gained about the Roman era in the northern frontier really enhanced my understanding of that time and place.

Peter Sommer Travels

Extremely well managed and organized. The mix of sites we visited was perfect: hiking along the Wall itself, exploring the ruins, visiting relevant museums, learning details of life, warfare and history of Roman Britain. Best feature of the tour was the guide, Paul Beston.

Just one little suggestion for increased efficiency. Paying for the tour was done over the telephone, instead of the usual secure way of doing so online. While this works, and is nice because it is personal, it was a bit inconvenient for those of us who are several time zones away from the UK.

The Hadrian's Wall tour was excellent! Having read about it over the years, it was wonderful to finally be able to experience it in person in all of its glory. The tour guide, Paul Beston, was very knowledgeable and spoke in a very clear and understandable way about its history, how it developed and was built, and the establishments and towns that grew up around it. The accommodations were wonderful! A beautiful small village on a river. The meals provided could not have been better! All in all a most memorable trip!

Ales was very friendly and knowledgeable and kept everything moving well to keep to the schedule. He was very helpful when asked a question about out tour and always kept an eye on us to make sure we had everything we needed. He also was great at following up with questions that he needed to check up on first and always had a smile!