Martin Randall Travel Traveller Reviews

The tour/holiday, "Dark Age Brilliance", began with a flight from Heathrow to Ravenna where we had 3 nights. We visited a range of churches , mausoleums (mauseolea?) and museums and saw dazzling mosaics and examples of 5th and 6th century Christian buildings. We then moved to Cividale for 4 nights (stopping en route for lunch at Chioggia) In Cividale we visited 2 museums , a national archaeological museum with cases showing bones and grave goods and a specifically Christian Museum with artefacts from the Lombards. We made a day trip into Slovenia to see the 6th century Cathedral complex in Porec which is amazingly complete . We went to Aquileia and saw mosaic pavements preserved in the later Cathedral and the remains of the Roman port.And we saw a 6th century Cathedral in Grado. On our final day we went by motor launch from Venice to Torcello to see the stunning mosaics in the Cathedral. We returned to the airport to fly back to Gatwick. Most evening meals (as well as wine and coffee) were included along with one lunch. All tips were also included. On the 2 evenings where there was not an organised meal the tour manager gave suggestions of places to eat and arranged for hotel staff to book. In Ravenna he accompanied a number of people on their own to a nearby Pizzeria.

The organisation was superb .We received detailed notes before the holiday and we were aware that during the holiday Martin Randall was monitoring the situation in Croatia in case it was not desirable to go to Porec. Alberto Spairani,the Tour Manager, was in frequent contact with Martin Randall's office and with places we planned to visit. On one occasion we left the hotel a little earlier than scheduled as a wedding was taking place in the Cathedral we planned to visit.So we had plenty of time to see it before it closed for the wedding. Our expert lecturer, Dr Ffiona Gilmore Eaves, was extremely knowledgeable but wore her scholarship lightly and conveyed information in an accessible way and with humour.Alberto, the Tour Manager ,managed to combine competence and charm. Having both a lecturer and a tour manager meant we were superbly looked after as they worked well together and between them looked after us brilliantly.

We visited most of the classical sites on mainland Greece and their adjacent museums. Our Greek guide and lecturer were truly excellent and the organization of the tour flawless and first class. It was a wonderful experience ever for those familiar with Greece.

Martin Randall Tours are characterized by excellent accommodations, stimulating itineraries, great attention to detail and great staff. Meals are always important and the tours are wonderful learning experiences. They are expensive, but very good value for money

Excellent itinerary with a superb lecturer and tour manager. A fascinating insight to Peru's history over a 5,000 year period. We discovered that there was much more to Peru than the Incas,interesting as their history is.

The quality of MRT's arrangements are second to none

This tour was a demanding but immensely satisfying exploration of Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic sites in India. Every site we visited provided something new and of interest however if I had to pick the ones of particular note they would be the days spent in Varanasi, Khajuraho, Sanchi and Ajanta. In these days when religious intolerance appears to be a part of much of the unsettling violence in the Middle East and elsewhere it was fascinating to explore other times, when tolerance was more the norm.

I have undertaken a number of tours with Martin Randall Travel, exploring 'old stone' and 20th Century architecture so far and on three continents. Their attention to the details, be it the scheduling, the resources, particularly the lecturers and the logistics have always met and exceeded expectations. I trust I will be able to continue to explore my interests through travel and with their assistance.

We had a delightful holiday in Vicenza from where we visited various Palladian villas. Our guide & tour operator were very knowledgeable and efficient; our coach drivers were charming. Great care was chosen choosing local wines and regional food for us. We were well looked after throughout from meeting us to catch the plane & getting us back to England.

Martin Randall was efficient from booking to escorting us throughout the tour.

The tour, entitled 'From Bilbao to Bayonne' gave an extraordinary insight into Spanish (especially Basque) art and gastronomy. The leader, Gijs van Hensbergen, is not merely deeply knowledgeable about Spanish art, history and food, and an acknowledged expert,but a passionate lover of all these subjects. He lived the experience in a way we have never previously encountered with a tour group leader, and made us feel that we were experiencing it in the same way. The travel and hotel arrangements were first class and the other travellers formed a congenial and interesting group.

The organisation was first class in every way and could not be bettered. Martin Randall are the best tour operator we have encountered. They treat their clients as individuals, and intelligent individuals at that.

Title "In Churchill's Footsteps". A manageable group of 19 participants, all keenly interested in Winston Churchill. Visits to several places of importance in his life such as Blenheim Palace, Ditchley Park, the Houses of Parliament and last but not least to his beloved home Chartwell. We were admitted to the Churchill museum and war rooms where we had a behind-the-scenes tour followed by an excellent meal. I would recommend Martin Randall Travel to anybody who is interested in culture and the arts.

Martin Randall Travel is a company that organises many musical, artistic and cultural tours of varying lengths and in a wide range of countries. The staff are very knowledgeable and dedicated to providing an unparalleled experience to all participants. Tours require a fair degree of agility but are organised so that participants have the opportunity to make the most of the experience. Accommodation, travel and meals are all beautifully organised and excellent value for money.

I FEEL SO FORTUNATE THAT I FOUND MARTIN RANDALL. EVERYTHING ABOUT THE TRIP WAS BEAUTIFULLY ORGANIZED, THE DAYS WELL PLANNED WITH LECTURES, MUSEUM VISITS AND CITY WALKS AND GAVE ME MORE APPRECIATION FOR THE TWO CITIES AND TIME PERIOD THAT I EVER COULD HAVE FOUND ON MY OWN. THE GROUP WAS A PERFECT SIZE. THE LECTURER BRILLIANT AND FUNNY AND TO A PERSON EVERYONE ENJOYED HIM. THOUGHTFULLY CHOSEN HOTELS AND EXCURSIONS ADDED TO THE OVERALL PLEASURE OF THE TRIP.

I WAS BOOKING WITH A NEW COMPANY AND FROM THE U.S. FROM THE BEGINNING I HAD EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT MY QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS WERE BEING ADDRESSED. THIS ATTENTIVELNESS WAS AGAIN SHOWN THROUGHOUT THE TRIP. THE LECTURER AND TRIP MANAGER WERE ENTHUSIASTIC, ENJOYABLE TO SHARE THE TRIP WITH AND FOSTERED A COHESIVENESS IN THE GROUP. THEY HANDLED THE DAY TO DAY DETAINS SEAMLESSLY SO WE COULD ALL RELAX AND ENJOY THE TRIP.

We walked the battlefields,accompanied by knowledgeable and lively lecturers and a trumpeter, who marked our progress.

Martin Randall travel provided its usual high level service. We have been travelling with this company since the 1980s and are impressed with the way standards have been maintained over the years

Great combination of luxury boat, first class music and good company.

Everything was arranged perfectly. Staff were extremely helpful throughout.