As an independent personality type I was leery of taking any kind of group tour where they tell me…read morewhat to do and when to do it. But travel planning can be daunting so when my sister told me about Tauck I gave them a shot. Now with over a dozen Tauck tours under my belt I can say they're not perfect but pretty darned close. Pricing isn't cheap but a very good value since it's truly all inclusive. I've learned to avoid itineraries involving lengthy bus trips. As part of a group one is forced to socialize with many kinds of people, invariably there are a few annoying blowhards/Debbie Downers, but they can be avoided and most people are nice. Included meals range from just tolerable (river boat and Italy) to abundant and delicious (mostly). I have found Tauck's air department to be disorganized and pricey so I book my own flights. No biggie since I'm a control freak anyway. On the plus side,Tauck uses luxury hotels and incorporates off-the-beaten-track experiences into their itineraries, for example a small funky art gallery in Quebec that I wouldn't have found on my own. Scheduling is somewhat flexible with activity options offered. We do a short pre-stay to rest up beforehand b/c tours can be hectic. Tauck takes care of airport transport, touring, luggage schlepping from inside the room and just about everything else. Tour leaders are well educated, friendly and fun, and do their best to cater to every client's needs. Not an easy job. I don't use a travel agent to book with them, just call direct myself. Book early to get desired dates for popular tours especially cruises. When I travel independently for awhile I miss Tauck's "Tour Nanny" experience and just have to book another one!

I recently completed Tauck's eight-day Nova Scotia tour, and unfortunately it did not meet the…read moreexpectations created by the company's advertising. My biggest criticism is that the marketing does not accurately reflect the experience. The website presents this as a premium, first-class tour, but that was not my experience. The motorcoach was an ordinary tour bus--the same type commonly used on much less expensive tours. Since we spent many hours on the bus, comfortable seating was important, and I found it lacking. That affected my enjoyment of the entire trip. The included meals were another disappointment. Healthy options were limited, and I rarely finished a meal. Looking around the dining room, I noticed many other guests also left much of their food uneaten. The sightseeing itself was underwhelming. Much of the itinerary consisted of well-known tourist stops that could easily be visited independently. I expected more unique experiences and behind-the-scenes access--things that would justify choosing an organized premium tour. The accommodations were acceptable, and they may well represent some of the better options available in Nova Scotia. However, they still did not match the first-class image that Tauck's advertising creates. My final disappointment involved the airport transfer. My flight was at 4:50 p.m., yet the group was dropped off at the airport around 10:00 a.m. While Tauck advertises that airport transfers are included, requiring guests to spend nearly seven hours waiting at the airport is, in my opinion, an unreasonable interpretation of that promise. Overall, my concern is less about any single issue than about the gap between the marketing and the actual experience. If the tour were advertised honestly as a good-quality, standard coach tour, my expectations would have been different. Instead, I felt the company oversold the experience, and that lack of transparency left me disappointed. Ethics's in this company (Tauck) appears to be nonexistent.

I am forever changed from my Double Nickel Birthday Safari in Kenya. I went solo and I'm soooo glad…read moreI did. Don't be afraid to travel solo. It's everything!!. I cannot thank https://www.odysseysafaris.com enough for making my dream trip come true! The attention to detail, consistent communication, and VIP treatment was unmatched! Eliud Mwai, one of the owners, came to meet me personally to discuss my itinerary and ensure everything was meeting my standards. My guide-driver Charles Wahinga is near and dear to my heart! We spent every day together for a week and my trip would not have been as special without his kindness, passion for the land, people, wildlife and culture, without his hilarious sense of humor, openness, and exceptional skills! His passion for safari was contagious. I will forever call him Friend... and Kihingo! The areas they proposed, Nairobi, Lake Naivasha, Nakuru, and Masai Mara were expertly chosen and timed, based on what I expressed that I was looking for out of this trip. My lodging was top notch and my safety and comfort were always paramount. My bucket list trip was worth every penny and then some! I stayed at The Safari Hotel and Casino in Nairobi city. It was cool, but not my favorite in the list. In Naivasha, Sopa Lodge blew me away because the animals walk freely amongst the guest. I loved the intimacy of that! Food was off the chain too. In Nakuru, I stayed at the very high end lodging called The Cliff, an andBeyond property. The lodging and views were stunning! They only have 10 glamorous tents on the cliff top property, so the personal attention was on point! In the Masai Mara, I stayed at another andBeyond property called Kichwa Tembo. The Masai Warriors from the local village make regular visits there and welcome you with Masai dance performances. The food at every location was delicious and fresh, though I did get Travelers Gut my first day in Kenya. Thankfully, Mantazuma's Revenge only lasted two days. It's very likely you will get it, so plan for it with Imodium! I spread my Mom's ashes at the base of a tree in the Motherland. She would be pleased to rest in this most majestic place. If you're contemplating a Kenya visit, don't hesitate. It was life changing!

I traveled with Odyssey Safaris on my first trip to Africa in May 2018 & the trip was one of the…read morebest experiences of my life. My country of choice was Kenya & I worked with Mark to arrange the eight day trip. Mark was extremely detailed about our travel arrangements. Our excursions, flights, food, hotel accommodation and transportation was arranged through Odyssey. With our reservation the Odyssey team shared information about Kenya's climate, recommended items we should travel with, clothing suggestions etc. The information was needed and sincerely appreciated. I arrived in Kenya at night and our guide Erastus was timely and friendly. Erastus stayed with the group the entire stay. The first night in Kenya we stayed in Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, the hotel was rustic and beautiful. I highly recommend exploring the property if the opportunity is available. The breakfast at the hotel was fabulous, it was an entire feast of delicious items from fruit to meat items. After breakfast we were driven to the magical Naivasha Sopa Lodge where animals roamed freely on the compound. At night Hippos left the nearby lake to graze and in the day giraffes, monkeys, birds and other animals relaxed in the shaded areas. Our last stay was at the Masai Mara Game Reserve. It was a long, bumpy, adventurous ride to our final hotel. There were stops along the way to purchase souvenirs and the long drive provided a great view of the county and the people. I saw wild zebras, sheep and wild moneys hanging by the roadside. The Masai Mara Game Reserve rooms are tents on a secure compound. The staff at all locations were hospitable. Erastus was excellent at spotting animals and did an excellent job at ensuring we saw rhinos, elephants, snakes and lions. The trip was beyond my expectations and I would highly recommend traveling to Africa with Odyssey Safari.

Priscila did an AMAZING job coordinating our Italy vacation. Two weeks, 4 cities, multiple tours,…read moretrains,flights, hotels, and everything went PERFECT! Would recommend to anyone looking to do a trip to Italy

Our experience with Tour Italy Now, and specifically our agent Priscila Siano, was above and beyond…read moreexpectation. We had never been to Florence, Cinque Terra or Tuscany before and the thought of trying to blindly plan a trip without guidance was overwhelming. Priscila listened to our goals and planned a trip allowing us to see and enjoy Italy. Not every vacation allows you to have time to absorb the culture, but our trip was planned implementing the perfect pace. We started in Florence which is a high activity city, went next to Cinque Terra which was toned down a bit and ended in a relaxing villa in Tuscany. Every detail was carefully considered with recommendations for sights to see, restaurants, even specific meals to consider! We had just the perfect amount of scheduled activities and days of leisure to explore as we wished. Priscila secured three days with private drivers who spoke English to take us to smaller surrounding villages-STUNNING. We knew exactly where to go, which train to take, had vouchers to tours so lines were skipped, and we stayed at BEAUTIFUL locations where everyone was friendly and the food outstanding! But most ESSENTIAL was the support Priscila provided when our airline was delayed, connecting flights missed, luggage lost, and problems with the airline not issuing a boarding pass. Travel can have a large stress component, but she had our backs ALL THE WAY! We don't know what we would have done without her continued support throughout our trip. It was a trip of a lifetime and we would do it over a millions times because of the superb planning and support provided by Tour Italy Now and Priscila Siano. Mille grazies!!! Forever grateful, Anne in Atlanta, GA

I called and a rude lady answered the phone saying "who is this?" I said my name and mentioned that…read moreit's my first time using a travel agent and asked if she could explain how it works. She said that the agent will be in tomorrow from 11am to 1 and to call back. I said ok but before I do that can you please explain how it works in general. She said "ugh I can't talk right now." Not welcoming, or helpful. She could have been polite and asked to put me on hold or something but yea safe to say I'm not calling back.

Yurek Majcherczyk from Classic Travel is an expert in his field who plans group trips from Poland…read moreto Peru and around the World. I have booked 4 private tours with this company and found their services to be excellent. Margaret Majcherczyk arranged my trips to Spain, Morocco, Egypt and most recently a safari to East Africa. Classic Travel offers great services to their clients and they never disappoint.

Let us just start by saying ... we didn't want to come home! We are not sure we would even call it…read morea "tour", but rather a TRULY AMAZING AND WONDERFUL VISIT to Tuscany Italy. As we both have Italian grandparents, Italy was a place we have longed to visit. Our grandparents traveled to America by different ships, entering through Ellis Island. Both families ended up changing their names, dropping the final consonant or changing the last name completely to hide their Italian heritage because they thought it would be easier to establish themselves and find jobs. Our families left Italy, their homes, and it's hard for us to comprehend this concept after seeing this beautiful country. But yes, we know ... to pursue a better life in the late 1800s ... to go to America, the land of opportunity. We wanted to return to their homeland and see what they left behind. Get a sense of our heritage. Learn more about our family's country and culture. Although we didn't visit the exact towns and villages where our grandparents once lived, we definitely got a feeling of their country. There were six of us who traveled under the guiding eyes of Russ and Elke. We were long-time good friends and some were family. But by the end of the week, we all became a new family. Every time we opened my eyes, we SAW more and more beauty -- the landscapes, the flowers, the grapevines, the olive trees, the castles, the wineries, the churches and their unbelievable stained glass windows, paintings, frescos, statues and tombs, the small roadside religious shrines, the piazzas and the many statues, the poppies, the sunflowers, the shopping in small boutiques, the cobblestone streets, the doors, the windows, the flower boxes, nonnos and nonnas carrying their groceries, the animals, and so much more of the grandeur of Tuscany, Italy. We TASTED and SAVORED every bite of the many, many delicious meals that were prepared and served to us ... the many varieties of white and red wines that were presented, the espresso and cappuccino, gelato and other desserts, meats and cheese, salads, vegetables, bread, and more. We can close our eyes and SMELL the lavender, the mustiness of the old parts of some of the wineries and wine cellars, the cheeses, meats, the wine, breads, salads, fresh vegetables and fruits, the wood burning at the villa that was used to heat the water, homemade cakes and desserts, gelato, leather, and the aroma of each meal ... and more! We TOUCHED the earth, the vines, the trees, ancient walls, flowers, pottery, the farm animals, alabaster and leather, and felt the coolness of the water in the pool at the villa. We HEARD the voices of the Italian people speak their romantic and beautiful language, the hustle and bustle of the crowds, the church bells, the laughter of children, the cars, the wonderful tour guides we had, trucks and busses zipping by, the birds chirping each morning, the barking of dog (Donna) at the villa, and more! One night at the villa, we were treated to a cooking class led by chefs Kalinka and Simonetta, at which each of us took part in making a four-course dinner for us and the other villa guests--crustina, homemade pasta with bolognaise sauce, ravioli stuffed with spinach and cheese, and strawberry tiramisu, served with several bottles of Chianti! Russ and Elke planned and prepared EVERY step of the way and shared their many years of experience with us. We didn't have to worry about ANYTHING ... flight tickets, car rental, road maps, travel, accommodations, meals, and reservations ... EVERYTHING was taken care of in advance. The villa, Le Cetinelle in Greve Chianti and owned Simonetta and Lucca, was more than charming and very accommodating - and it had a spectacular view! If necessary, they adjusted the schedule and added a couple of places (Florence being one) that were not on the original itinerary. They brought us only to places they had experienced before and it wasn't boring for them because they witnessed our enjoyment, which made it fun for them and in turn, fun for us. Although we traveled together, we also had free time to explore and shop on our own, relax by the pool, take a nap, or sit outside and read, write, sketch. And morning start time was somewhat flexible as well. We kept a journal of our trip - SO much to write about. We took over 2200 pictures, each one capturing a new moment. We could go on and on and on talking about our week in Tuscany. It is truly a vacation we will never, ever, ever forget. GRAZIE, GRAZIE, GRAZIE to Russ and Elke for providing us with such an unforgettable experience. They are two amazing people, who shared their love of Italy with us, who took great care and concern to make it extra special and unforgettable in every way, all so expertly planned and executed! This trip was FANTASTIC, filled with so many sites, sounds, smells, and tastes, which will stay with us for as long as we live!

Elke and Russ escorted us on a marvelous tour of Tuscany last May. I like to tell people I had 4 or…read more5 of the best meals in my life and the wines were awesome too. The villa we stayed in was first class. We hated to leave. Our intimate group of seven people made travelling easy. They were extremely professional and organized.... as well as upbeat and spirited, making it fun for everybody! I can't imagine a more perfect combination of things to make our trip unforgettable for years to come. Thanks guys, we look forward to a reunion some day!

I work in midtown Manhattan, and have managers that live in Connecticut. This service has always…read morebeen very reliable. They are always punctual and very professional. They can also email a .pdf of the receipt right after you speak to them. I highly recommend them.

My former employer used American Livery and I never really appreciated how good they are until I…read morewent to work for a company that uses another service. American is always on time and the drivers skilled and polite. I still use them whenever I can for personal travel but unfortunately have to use a cut-rate company for work.

Simply the most reliable and friendly service available. I use KCS regularly for corporate and…read morefamily travel. KCS is punctual, fairly priced and makes each trip enjoyable.

From the owner: Let us do the driving and eliminate the stress from getting to where you need to go. We are able to…read morebring you to many of the NYC airports to driving you around on a night out. For events like prom or weddings we have a special package just for you. Let the kids know that we have free WiFi in our fleet so you can always be connected. KCS Limo & Car Service offers lower rates for our services that many of our competitors. We operate a fleet of late model luxury sedans and SUVs, driven by experienced and professional chauffeurs. We're always on time and our drivers are very safe. KCS Limo & Car Service of Stamford, Connecticut, is a limousine service. We serve the entire New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, Tri-State area. We provide all types of limousine services for individuals, families, and corporate clients. We specialize in pickups and drop-off to all airports in the region.