phyllis Elq
map-marker Oyster Bay, New York

Unhappy experience

I just completed my first and last trip with Trafalgar to London.I am a senior traveling with 3 friends who are also seniors. The tour guide although knowledgeable was arrogant and non sharing. I asked him for the name of a building we were passing and he curtly answered, i told you the name yesterday. After a full day trip around London streets were unexpectedly closed ( although I later found out it was advertised for days)so the bus left 40 of us off at an unfamiliar point and we were told to follow the tour guide on foot. It was dark and foggy and we lost him. It took 8 of us 45 minutes to get back to our hotel which he said was 5 minutes away. We were lost and frightened 4 people took a cab because they couldn't walk that far. When we got back to the hotel he said "well most of the people got back with no problem. We were late to most events due to traffic and we did not spend enough time at any of the sites. and he did not allow time for eating. One day we went over 8 hours without stopping to eat---some of the people were diabetic. He did not give us any information for the next day in regards to weather. On the bus at Stonehedge, he said use your hats and gloves if you have them it will be cold. He neglected to tell us that could be the weather so we weren't prepared. My friends had trouble with the hotel and had to move there rooms 3 times. I will use other tour companies in the future
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1 comment
Machele Imf

Complain directly to Trafalgar and have any other members of that tour group do the same.

Janine S Fzu
map-marker Laughlin, Nevada

Best of Italy Winter

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I have never gotten more sick while traveling in Europe. My plane was late and there was no shuttle available to take me to the hotel so I had to pay extra.

My jewelry was stolen, my wallet was stolen but returned without the U.S. dollars in it. I got sick at the St Francis of Assi Church and still have not recovered from either a bad allergic reaction to the dust or some type of allergic reaction to the remnants of an earthquake. When I left there was supposedly no shuttle available to take me to the airport but there was a shuttle available for free for other customers who needed an early shuttle.

Do not use Trafalgar if you want a good tour.

This was the Best of Italy in Winter. But not the best customer service or hotels.

View full review
Loss:
$500
Cons:
  • Illness on the bus
  • Special attention some rereived
  • Beware of thieves
Reason of review:
Pick pockets on the tour. More than 150 dollars stolen.

Preferred solution: Full refund

Norma A Uzq

Bad Customer Services

In the past Trafalgar had a Great Team in Customer services that went above and beyond to assisted you to get your dream vacation time; sorry but this lady did not tried to give more options other tours

Good afternoon,

I had requested European airlines No AA - without No explanation

You just sent a quote, besides it seems the addressing customers courteously

Is not part of your skills, apparently you have no experience assisting customers

With a short time frame-planning-vacation in the past Trafalgar used to have

Better Customer ServiceRepresentatives who went all the way to assist a client,

that’s what I’d experienced before. Just keep in mind that Trafalgar

Is not the only tour agency so are you Not the only agent to assist.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 8, 2018, at 9:42 AM, Angie Chanthanouvong wrote:

European Adventures (August 24th – September 7th)

Price - $3015 (single room, land only)

Land + Air - $4232.69

Airfare - $1217.69

**Price /availability for air subject to change until booking / payment is made**

Air Schedule:

Airline/Flight Number

Departing from

Arriving to

Date

Time

Date

Time

Operated by

AA56

MIA

LHR

23-Aug-2018

18:00

24-Aug-2018

07:40

American Airlines

AA151

CDG

ORD

07-Sep-2018

12:10

07-Sep-2018

14:15

American Airlines

AA160

ORD

MIA

07-Sep-2018

16:42

07-Sep-2018

20:48

American Airlines

Wonders of Turkey and Greek Island Explorer (July 25th – August 13th – ON REQUEST)

Please note that because we are within 45 days before departure, payment in full will be needed the time of booking.

Please note that this trip is currently on request. It takes a couple business days to check availability on the trip.

Price - $5545 (single room, land only)

**CANNOT BOOK AIR WITHIN 45 DAYS UNTIL A TRIP IS REQUESTED AND CONFIRMED**

Thank you,

“Our perspectives broaden with every new travel experience we take.”

Angie’s Working Hours: Weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 8am to 4pm PST

Angie’s Future Time Off: July 6th, July 20th

Trafalgar Hours of Operation

Monday through Thursday – 5:30am to 8pm PST

Friday – 5:30am to 6pm PST

Saturday – 6am to 4pm PST

Sunday – 6am to 5pm PST

Follow Trafalgar on:

Trafalgar - Winner of the International Tour Operator of the Year by Travel Weekly.

This email (including all attachments) may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, copy or disseminate the information contained in it. If you have received this email in error, please delete the email.

From: Teresa [mailto:Teva35@***.com]

Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2018 3:18 PM

To: Angie Chanthanouvong

Subject: [Caution: Message contains Redirect URL content] Re: [Caution: Message contains Redirect URL content] Re: Here are your Trafalgar vacation quotes

Hello Angie,

My name: Norma Teresa Avalos

I work as of Fleet management

Airport will be From: Miami, FL

Originally my niece was coming with you; but since she

Has to take some Mandatory Trainings at her job

Her vacation on hold - please advise- Thank You

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 5, 2018, at 1:27 PM, Angie Chanthanouvong wrote:

Please note that quotes that have been sent you way have been based on double occupancy. Here are quotes for twin share / double and single room. We will need airport gateway in order to provide an air quote.

European Adventures (August 24th – September 7th)

Price - $2375 (double occupancy / twin share), $3015 (single room)

Price with 5% past traveler discount - $2256.25 (double occupancy / twin share), $2864.25 (single room)

Wonders of Turkey and Greek Island Explorer (July 25th – August 13th – ON REQUEST)

**THIS TRIP IS NOT APPLICABLE FOR PAST TRAVELER DISCOUNT**

Please note that this trip is currently on request. It takes a couple business days to check availability on the trip.

Please note that because we are within 45 days before departure, payment in full will be needed the time of booking.

Price - $4195 (double occupancy – no twin share available – only valid if two guests are traveling in a party), $5545 (single room)

From: Teresa [mailto:Teva35@***.com]

Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2018 9:31 AM

To: Angie Chanthanouvong

Subject: [Caution: Message contains Redirect URL content] Re: Here are your Trafalgar vacation quotes

Good morning Ma. Angie,

First, Thank You for your prompt response, are these quotations include Air Fare?

PLEASE - Need full quotation Land and Air Fare, this will be my third traveling

Experience with a TRAFALGAR -( if you check my name I records) so I believe that

I qualify for 5% discount-please advise- on Air Fare Please quote euthyroid

European airlines -sadly my exp. with national airlines had bee disastrous!

Once again - thank you for your help!!

I stopped traveling when my Mom got cancer surgery, but

Praise GOD she’s Fine now

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 5, 2018, at 11:05 AM, Angie Chanthanouvong wrote:

Trafalgar - Your Trip Quote

Greetings Norma!

Thank you for your interest in discovering new horizons with Trafalgar. We’ve spent 70 years refining how travelers love to travel and now we look forward to sharing authentic, effortless and fun moments with you.

Over five million guests have already experienced the best way to discover a destination and now it’s your turn.

I’m Angie Chanthanouvong, your Trafalgar Travel Expert, and below is a copy of the quote you created online. Let’s plan your trip together.

Your First Trip Option:

European Adventures End London

Trip Date:

8/24/2018

Your Price:

(land only)

$2375 per person

Returning to explore with us again?

You’re eligible for an extra 5% off this trip if you’ve traveled with us or one of our sister companies before – it’s our way to thank you for your loyalty.

Your Second Trip Option:

Wonders of Turkey with Greek Island Explorer

Trip Date:

7/25/2018 (ON REQUEST)

Please note that because we are within 45 days before departure, payment in full will be needed the time of booking.

Please note that this trip is currently on request. It takes a couple business days to check availability on the trip after a booking has been made

Your Price:

(land only)

$4195 per person

To get started with either option, simply email me these details:

Full names (with title) of all guests

Mailing address and phone number

Preferred airport if you’re interested in an airfare quote (we have great rates!)

You may also call me with any questions at (866) 218-**** ext. 8512. Our team of travel experts wants to ensure you have a great vacation and if I’m not available, one of my colleagues will be happy to help

Set out exploring. You’ll love the journey.

NO PHOTO

Angie Chanthanouvong

Travel Expert

P: (866) 218-**** ext. 8512

E: angie.chanthanouvong@***.com

801 E Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92805

Copyright 2016 Trafalgar. All rights reserved. CST#20771**-**

TTEAQSF1

View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Eileen F Wjz

No access to hotel room in Athens until after 2 pm

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Arrived Athens hotel 10:30 am after overnight flight from the US. Room unavailable until after 2 pm. Could not rest, or do anything; an entire day wasted. Tour director said hello, then saw nothing of her until dinner get-together. Tour director had no patience, and a short temper. Who wouldn't with 42 travelers? Returned to Athens early in the day after tour of Greece. Same problem..no access to hotel room until after 2 pm. Cruised to the islands for 3 days, again returning at the end of the cruise to the same hotel early in the day. Same Problem. No access to hotel room until after 2 pm. This was my 2nd trip with Trafalgar. Last trip to Italy several years ago, all hotels were so far from the city center, needed buses to get in. Put us in residential and commercial areas. I swore off them then, but friends said they enjoyed travel with them recently. Not me. I am done with Trafalgar and want everypne to know that they could not care less.
View full review
3 comments
Ansel Hhf

I have traveled with other tour companies, especially Grand Circle and OAT. NEVER a problem having access to my room.

They pick the right hotel, and make proper arrangements for their travelers.

If the tour company does not care about you, let everyone know. And never travel with them again.

Guest

Same issues for us on our Greece tour. Sat in lobby 3+ hours while watching Another tour arrivals check in and go to rooms.

Tour Director didn’t even acknowledge us. Trafalgar sucks big time.

Perilla tours is far superior. Never again Trafalgar.

Guest

The hotels have their own rules, this is nothing to do with the travel company surely??

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Devean Ies
map-marker Deland, Florida

Complain..poor service from Adorable Tours USA

Affordable Tours will not produce documents for our trip
View full review
maureen m Hec
map-marker Perth, Western Australia

The tunnels to the vatican need to be looked at

We recently returned from a European Whirl and I have no problems with the tour or with our Travel Director who was great. My biggest concern was where your Coaches have to park and take people through the Tunnels to the Vatican which were totally disgusting. We were told to hold our noses as to the stench, faeces and urine very apparent as the homeless sleep there overnight, one tunnel was in darkness, when we left there was a large contingent of male & female in wheelchairs with their carers obviously going to a Papal Blessing through the same Tunnels. I ask you as a company to please look at this as no one seems to take responsibility to this problem. When I returned from my trip I got very sick with what I now know as Paro Virus Type 3. I have e-mailed the Vatican but I feel it will be on deaf ears, so I am asking you as a very large and respected company to perhaps look at the problem. I am not saying that my Virus came from there but with the Incubation period it could be likely, so not good for your respectable image.
View full review
Reason of review:
On time delivery
Sandra W Cjg
map-marker Fresno, California

Amazing Ireland between 9/9 - 9/22/2018 (FANTASTIC!!)

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We were picked up like they told us and returned as they told us to the airport. Our director, Arian from Trafalgar had informative information with history as we traveled the whole island.

We arrived in Dublin , had a nice nights sleep, than off to Belfast at our leisure. Saw where the Titanic was built. A very good Belfast Titanic Visitor Center! Saw the Causeway on the Northern Irish coast and a castle used in a show.

We arrived at the old walled city of Londonderry on River Foyle. This is where the other speakers came in and were great. Saw the struggles of the region when we visited the People's Gallery in Bogside. Went to Belleek where Irish pottery is made, visit the beautiful Marian Shrine, Kylemore Abby and the gardens, beautiful!

Saw the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, the Blarney Castle, no kissing rocks. John F. Kennedy Arboretum with its many different trees and plants. Saw the Famine Ship Dunbrody for an insight of the tragic plight of the Irish emigrants.

Of course, cannot leave out the Irish dancers, wonderful dinners, and some liked the pubs and beer. This did not include the side events, wow! Like Arian saw that our needs were met, hotels, meals, etc. The 2 drivers we had were great and courteous, too.

We were even blessed with pretty good weather. Thank you for a great time with my daughter and fellow travelers.

View full review
Reason of review:
Good customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Toronto, Ontario

Bus window holiday. Truck stop food.

The general consensus of 3/4 of the bus was that it was a disappointment. Hotels were tired and remote.

Tour was basic and rushed. "Special" evenings out were dull and over priced. Too much time on the bus or at truck stops. I don't think Trafalgar gets many repeat customers.

Most of my touring was self touring. Madrid was about 25 minutes off the bus in front of a fountain. Maybe 5 in front of the palace. Just sad.

The only thing that saved the Lisbon part of the trip was I took a Hop on Hop off tour bus. Try and do this in every city as it is the only way you will get an over view of the city.

Never again. I feel it's my civic duty to warn others to avoid Trafalgar.

View full review
1 comment
Guest

Thanks for the thought, but I wouldn't be caught dead in those places.

Maria C Bat
map-marker Brea, California

We were not picked up at the airport

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My friend and I paid $85 each for transportation from airport to hotel in Helsinki, arranged by Trafalgar.We arrived on August 11 and the driver was not anywhere. We tried to call the numbers provided to us but no to avail, and we took a bus to our hotel and the cost was only 6.90 euros ; even if we had taken a taxi, the fare was flat 39 euros

Our tour director emailed Trafalgar in London and we were assured that we would get our money back plus the bus fare.

Upon returning to the States, our travel agent also wrote Trafalgar about this incident and since then we have not heard anything from Trafalgar

I loved the tour and our tour director and driver were excellent but Trafalgar should be more careful choosing the private transportation for passengers arriving one or two days earlier

I hope to hear from Trafalgar and get the money I paid for a service I did not receive

View full review
Vivian p Yqe
map-marker Richmond, Virginia

Needed medical help

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Got an acute sinus infection and acute bronchitis in Ireland. When we told tour guide we needed to see a doctor, we were told they wouldn’t even know who to recommend and people in the UK don’t go to the doctor for a “cold”. Was very sick with a fever and had difficulty breathing. Wonder what would happen if someone had a stroke or heart attack on the tour? When I got back to the Us, I had to see a doctor and was put on medicine for pneumonia. Really impacted our trip and I got to the point I could not walk to see the tourist sights and I feel like we missed out on some of our trip.
View full review
Pros:
  • Beautiful scenery
Cons:
  • Meals
Reason of review:
Fair pricing
Anonymous
map-marker Corona, California

Bad European Splendor Trip

Our trip was terrible due to a mediocre tour director to unprovided activities. Does anyone know where I can send a regular letter to Gavin Tollman ?

I do not think that simply emailing Trafalgar will satisfy me.Where would be the best place to send a letter of disappointment? We took a European Splendor trip and did not visit the Eiffel tower while in Paris. We drove through the Sommes battlefield of WW1 and did not stop.

We had to porter our won luggage twice which was an included benefit.We received extremely rude service at a provided meal and the list goes on............Does anyone have an address to write to Gavin Tollman? USPS

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2 comments
Guest

I just looked at their brochure. Neither a visit to the Eiffel Tower OR the Somme battlefields is included!

So what’s your complaint?

I wonder what your ‘list’ consists of! More imaginary complaints?

Machele Imf

You should go to "tripadvisor.com" and leave a review of Trafalgar.

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Debra S Sse
map-marker Anaheim, California

There were no Delights of London and Paris, June 2018

So many disappointments, so little time.

Trafalgar leads you to believe that their tours include wonderful visits to all the great places that you want to see. Truth be told you see these great places from your bus seat. If you want to see them up close and personal you need to dig into your pockets and buy their "trip enhancers", which are shoved down your throat every given moment by your tour director. You aren't told about the history of or stories about the locale, as on other tour company tours - you are spoon fed how much more fun you will have purchasing the NOT CHEAP tour enhancers.

A tour of Notre Dame was included on this tour at 33 euros per person. Turns out that entry to Notre Dame is free of charge and Trafalgar is pocketing the money and laughing all the way to the bank.

Hotels - they offer free rooming to children under 17 yet a woman on the tour brought her 14 and 16 year old granddaughters and had paid full fare for rooming for them.

Tour descriptions are misleading. Time management is poor. Tour director stood in front of the bus the last night of the trip and told us all what we should tip her. So low class.

I will never purchase a Trafalgar tour again and strongly urge anyone looking to book a tour to look into other companies. You do NOT get what you pay for with Trafalgar.

View full review
Loss:
$7500
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Full refund

Anonymous
map-marker Gradici, Zagrebacka Zupanija

Trafalgar sucks

I work hard for money and I wasted it by going on a Trafalgar tour. What every one eles say is true. Bad food bad stops . I have traveled alot and I can say they stole my holiday . If you like being a sheep heard on to a bus . Very short stay . And again nursing home food then this is for you.
View full review
Geoff J Cfo
map-marker Melbourne, Victoria

Britain and Ireland grandeur (5/8/18)

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Updated by user Oct 03, 2018

Still have not heard from them, very pissed off.

Original review Sep 03, 2018
Just recently finished tour started 5/08/18 to 24/08/18.
Very disappointed as we paid for tour in clockwise direction.
We were advised at start of tour that we we going the anti lock direct.
Because of this direction the places we stay were different from what we expected, many were out of town, upto 1 hour out. You could not explore in your free time as you were stuck in that hotel out in the middle of no where.
We had to travel a lot more to go back and forward all the time missing out on down time in these towns to explore the local culture.
They advised us that it was because it was the holiday period, but that is not on, as this holiday was booked some 10 months ago, and some travelers booked 18months ago.
View full review
Cons:
  • Tour was not as advertised and paid for
  • The
Jennie C Abl

Completely Disappointed

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I have traveled with Trafalgar prior. However, this experience has ended any future relationship with Trafalgar.

The tour guide I believe was contracted and not an employee of Trafalgar, however, no excuse. The hotels were quite a distance from the inner cities quoted in the brochure. I understand this since it is a Cost Saver tour, thus the distance from the main cities as a cost saver. The cities such as Rome, Florence and Paris were places I had visited several times before and this trip was a first for my daughter so I had no problem visiting them for a third and fourth time.

My issue is that we opted out of the optional excursions in that I did not need a guide since I could tour these places on my own with my daughter. Mr. John Horvath informed us that those opted out of the options would need to find their own transportation into the cities. This is insane.

We may not have paid for the options, but we certainly did pay for our seat on the coach. I think since this directer is contract, we cut into his profit by not purchasing the options. This does not fit the spirit of any travel agency in regards to customer service. I recommended Trafalgar to my nephew and when I inquired if this was the situation with his tour he responded that the coach took everyone into the cities.

Those not opted for the optional tours were given maps and directions to tour on their own and given the time to be at the coach for their return to the hotel. This was the situation in my prior tours, so if this is the new policy this is another reason why I will not return to Trafalgar. We were promised by Mr. Horvath that those returning customers would be given a card to mail to Trafalgar and their returning customer gift would be mailed.

He did not give me a card. But, no issue since Trafalgar may keep their gift and their 5% discount since I will never travel with Trafalgar again.

The prior trips directors were fine and as well as the tour. I will never recommend Trafalgar to anyone.

View full review
Cons:
  • Location of hotels
  • Tour director
  • Hotel food
Reason of review:
Bad quality
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