I loved Orkney. Check out the Viking graffiti!
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I have heard good things about Tauck too. Also Abercrombie & Kent. We used Trafalgar several years ago and thy were excellent for us, though online reviews are mixed. I have also heard mixed experiences with Gate 1.
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Just finished my first trip with OAT and had a great experience. Heads up on Gate 1: we have never used them but our OAT guide said that Gate 1 guides make a lot more because they get a kick back on all the tours that they recommend or refer people to (not the official tours that come with the trip but the ones people book on their own during their free time or to replace an included tour that theyāre not interested in). This gives the Gate 1 guides an incentive to push tours that will pay them the most in commission (what benefits them most vs. what benefits you most). Our OAT guide didnāt believe in that model which is why he had no desire to work for Gate 1 even though it would be more lucrative for him.
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Iām generally cautious when one professional speaks negatively about another. On previous tours, weāve had optional excursions that came with an extra cost. We chose to join some of them and had no regrets; the options included cultural demonstations, wine tasting or music performances. They were enjoyable and never felt forced. After all, weāre all adults, and I doubt anyone could pressure us into doing something we didnāt genuinely want to do.
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We have also gone on Air and Sea tours out of Honolulu. They escort you all the way and have a Hawaii guide as well as local guides and the airfare and food and lodging are all included. Weāve only used them in Asia. The guides are often multilingual. I know they also have tours for other parts of the world, but we havenāt tried them.
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Visit the Azores. Direct flights out of Boston.
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