The trip was wonderful and well organized but the only issue was that it was a very large group comprising of around 5 buses going to same places. The places we visited was very interesting. Very often it resulted in crowding and long waiting times specially in the morning for breakfast.
In Seoul, I was the only English speaking person and was assigned an individual guide Mr Simon to translate in English. Mr Simon has been very helpful and attentive. He immediately made the necessary arrangements with regards to foods when i informed him that i has some food restrictions. he ensured that my foods met my requirements.He even took me to the pharmacy to help me buying some cough medicine as I caught the flu during the trip.
The English speaking guides in Japan were also very nice and helpful and providing all relevant information. They also made the necessary arrangements regarding my food restrictions, telling me which food I could eat and which food I could not. And Pablo was like meeting an old friend as we met during my last trip in 2024.
Hello, following our recent trip in Japan.
I would like to pass on the following feedback. Firstly, I would like to congratulate all of your staff for their professional, helpful, informative commentaries for our daily activities. Although there were relatively small groups of English speaking guests on the tour we were always included and I was most impressed with the overall set up. This was our first group/tour style holiday and I would definitely look at booking other trips in the future based on this experience.
The only negative was one guide whos comprehension of English was only just adequate, as when presented with any questions he was unable to give succinct answers, and often just glossed over explanations which fell short overall. Conversely another guide David Muñoz was absolutely brilliant, his English speaking and comprehension was excellent, he managed his section of the tour with ease, engaging all guests equally, the knowledge he was able to pass on far surpassed the other guides and for this reason I am writing this message with the hope he will be acknowledged for an outstanding job. He was detailed with sharing knowledge and made the whole group comfortable with one another. All meals and hotels were fantastic, until we travelled with Maria, I and many others in the group felt that the standard of meals provided with the exception of the Roykan and Monastery at Mount Koya were sub standard in comparison to that which wed been provided prior. Excellent experience overall, manager/supervisor should review restaurant locations offering for final part of trip, acknowledge outstanding staff performance and address staff whose comprehension of English was not of a great standard.
The variation of locations and sights was fabulous. Very well thought out itinerary, highly reccomend.
David are your guide was superb . He always went the extra mile.
Most of the hotels were excellent and well located . Another tour day in the last stop would have been. Good
Cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa, Guest House
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Fukuoka, Ikitsuki Island
Tokyo, Fukuoka, Ikitsuki Island, Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nagasaki, Dejima, Hirado Island
My wife and I had an incredible time on our Backroads of Japan tour. This was our first ever international trip, and even with booking a tour, we weren't sure what to expect. Fortunately, our tour guide was simply phenomenal. He was perfectly fluent in Japanese and English, knowledgeable in every facet of the country (down to the geology!), attentive to the needs of our very diverse group, and knew every nook and rest stop along every trail we hiked. Overall, I made friends and many more memories through this unforgettable itinerary, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to experience Japan for the first time.
Trekking and HikingAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Mt Fuji, Yo
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Mt Fuji, Yoshino, Dorogawa, Tsumago, Asuka
I thought the Japan tour was going to be a good trip but it exceeded all my expectations. The sights were wonderful, clean and unique. Japan is a beautiful country and the places we saw we visited were incredible. Each day had its own WoW moments and they were breath taking. The places we were taken to were highlights and each different which we appreciated. Jamie the tour leader was always there and helped so much. Japan can be hard to navigate but it was made simple and fun. The day were constant but not rushes or exhausting and flowed to enhance the trip. The bus driver and Jamies assistant on the tour were also so helpful and kind. I have been on 7 Expat tours and this ranks as one of if not the best trips I have taken and I highly recommend it.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
10-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Takayam
Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Takayama, Kanazawa, Shizuoka, Iga, Osaka
The most amazing trip I've been on! It had the perfect mix of city and traditional experiences, and I truly feel like I got to experience the best parts of South Korea.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
China Highlights was an amazing trip, I enjoyed it from the begining to the end.
I am very happy with this trip, Olly, out tour leader, was great and very helpfull, he took care lf all of us. Thank you for a wonderfull trip.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Beijing, Hong Kong, Guilin, Yang
Beijing, Hong Kong, Guilin, Yangshuo, Xian, Mutianyu
Great trip but with long bumpy off road drives. Accommodation in Gers the first week was very basic, Gers having big gaps for cold air and small animals to enter. Some of the shared showers only had cold water. I slept in my coat a couple of nights in the mountains as only 5 degrees and too cold to face a tepid shower. Food however was a surprise being a non red meat eater, the alternative was chicken with lots of fresh salads, vegetables and some fruits.
Our guide Sara was nice but lacked the skills for a large group. I had no complaints but some of the group had issues which were resolved and avoided at the next stop. Some mis information was given, so we were a little confused.
We managed to arrange with Sara and Explore a trip to the Genghis Khan statue and museum at an extra cost the last day which was worth the detour.
Camel riding in the Gobi was fun and for half hour we paid around £5.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ulaanbaatar, Hustai National Par
Ulaanbaatar, Hustai National Park, Khogno Khan, Erdene Zuu Monastery, Orkhon Valley, Bayanzag, Yol Valley, Dalanzadgad, Baga Gazriin Chuluu
This was a top notch company and the climbing was great. The guide was completely safe and with high winds (too dangerous to climb) we worked together to amend the plans. This made me feel safe. (Note that these are high altitude climbs and one needs to have some climbing experience.) (Also in this time of the year it was cold and at times windy.) I cannot say enough about the Sherpa and the guide. An excellent time and a grand adventure.
ClimbingTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private and Group Tour Private Tour with a few fixed group departures available.
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Eco Lodge, Guest House
Age Range
17-78 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche
Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche East Peak, Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Seto Pokhari, Amphu Labtsa pass, Island Peak Base Camp, Dingboche, Lobuche, Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Lobuche Peak Base Camp, Lobuche High Camp, Lobuche Peak, Pangboche, Lukla, Chhuthang, Tuli Kharka, Kothe, Thanngnak, Mera Peak Base Camp, Mera Peak High Camp