Albatross Tours

I have just returned from The Italian Grande tour of Italy. The best experience of my life. Our tour director Helen Sheehan was nothing short of amazing. Her knowledge and commentary both on and off tour was outstanding and her level of commitment to her customers was a credit to Albatross . Each day she went through not only that days itinerary but the following day, making sure everyone had a clear understanding of what was ahead . Helen ensured we were happy with our rooms, meals and answered any questions patiently and precisely. She went out of her way to ensure everyone had the best experience possible. I would think Helens position of tour director would be one that requires much patience. She was always courteous and patient with those on tour and went out of her way to satisfy all requests. I would also like to mention our coach driver Ermanno. What a legend. His attention to safety at all times had everyone on tour relaxed and completely confident in his driving ability. Safety was his highest priority. He was always punctual , courteous and assisted those in need entering and leaving the coach. Ermanno was always immaculately dressed and his attention to the condition of the coach outstanding. To say Helen and Ermanno helped make my experience memorable is an understatement. Albatross has indeed two very remarkable team members here. Congratulations Albatross, cannot recommend your company highly enough. Judy(Jessie) Allen. 29/9/19

Whilst I compliment the consultants at Albatross when we booked & I acknowledge the pressure and stress the impact of COVID-19 is having on travel agencies, I do not accept the response from Albatross re the postponement of The Passion Plays in Oberammergau [and in our case, the one in Sordevolo] to 2022.The email from the Managing Director was pleasant but full of hype glossing over and camouflaging the company's blanket offer to everyone: 'We're resetting the button to 2022' which translated means 'We are keeping your money for 2 years'. Fair enough for some. NO other offer, option, alternative was put forward. PLEASE look at what Trafalgar and GLOBUS is offering their 'valued customers', Albatross. Even developed a 'Peace of Mind' plan. Read reviews of these agencies: they're taking calls. Albatross keeps telling us not to call coz you're working through month by month. No need. Oberammergau is postponed. It's not going to happen. A service you put forward & I paid for cannot be honoured=I am owed my money back, in full. I refer to your clauses in Changes & Cancellations specifically: 'where we or our suppliers significantly alter any of the main characteristics of your arrangements; If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will contact you or your travel agent as soon as possible and if there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of: agreeing to the changed arrangements,having a refund of all monies paid'; this IS relevant to The Passion Plays. Note the phrase 'we will offer you the choice'. There is PLENTY of time before departure. Are you waiting for me to cancel in which case I will be penalised?? We have NOT been offered that choice. Albatross, I hope you rethink. Your customers will either applaud or abandon the company-your choice! Thank you.

I enjoyed my tour with Albatross through Italy this year so much that I have already booked another tour with them for next year. We stayed in great locations and our tour director was really helpful. We also had an excellent bus driver and always felt safe even on some of the scarey roads.do recommend Albatross to all would be travellers.

We have just finished a 14 day Ireland Tour through Albatross. Robert our Ireland Albatross Tour Guide and Frank our driver were both excellent. I can highly recommend this Albatross tour. It was our first time with Albatross and we will certainly booking more holidays with them. We had 24 on the tour and a full size bus so we essentially had 2 seats per person which made it extremely comfortable. Most of the other customers had done 2 or 3 other Albatross tours previously, and I can see why they they have such a high rate of repeat customers. We have also travelled with Globus, Comos and Trafalgar tours before. Although the Albatross prices look expensive they are better value. There are no optional tours and all the tips are included, so by the time you add these in the tour price is the same. However the hotels that Albatross stay are are significantly better quality, plus the smaller group, 3 night stays and relaxed pace make the whole holiday much more enjoyable the other coach tours.

Thank you Albatross Tours - we will be back for some of your other trips in the future.
PS. Can you please organise a Canadian Tour!

My score was just for our Guide, Gilberto our driver and local guides.
We did not have relaxed starts.The coach was not as you advertise first class.Air con was below standard.I was not even informed of change of hotel.It was not a small group.The hotel was below average.A bottle of wine was no compensation.It was my dream to go to Sardinia and Corsica.I travelled with you to Southern Italy and Sicily. 2 years ago.It was wonderful,so invited a friend to come along with me on this tour as I was so impressed.How embarrassing.
How disappointing.
Maybe you could explain to me why the quality of this tour was so low.
Last year I travelled with Insight.Excellent.
Apart from the fact I got to see Sardinia and Corsica.Had a great guide.
I will not be travelling with you again.
Forgot to mention that the Travel agent that I was forced to deal with.Sorrento travel.Was the the most inefficient agents I have ever encountered.
I travel to Europe every year.I am not an inexperienced traveller.
Ashne Davey

I thought this was an excellent tour ( only the second coach tour I have been on) It was pretty full on ,busier than I expected but obviously we saw a lot ! The hotels were all good particularly La Palma in Stresa. Simona our guide was lovely - very knowledgeable, very inclusive , always smiling and full of fun! If you asked her something and she didn’t know she would find out for you .
Our group was very nice ,we all gelled quickly and timekeeping was mainly ok.Also our driver Luca was fantastic ,his driving around the Amalfi coast was particularly impressive.

I would recommend Albatross tours particularly staying more than one night at places.

I have recently done 2 Albatross Tours - Ireland and Britain. The Ireland Tour was 5 star all the way.
The Britain Tour was not in any way 5 star. The bus was not at all comfortable, was filthy and it was days before it was even cleaned. You need to consider changing coach companies. When a few of us had the temerity to complain, you sent your representative to shout us canapes and drinks, did not deal with our issue whatsoever, would not listen to what we had to say and was quite rude. When she came with us on the bus the following day, our Tour Manager lifted her game a bit and surprised us all by accompanying us on an excursion, something she had not done before, just dumped us and told us what time to be back at the bus. Without wanting to be personally critical, our Tour Manager left a lot to be desired. After the excellent Ireland experience, Britain was a big let down. We went to some great places, but the whole delivery was off. Too much time spent on a freeway, expected to go to sleep, no dialogue about what we were seeing along the way, nothing. How about doing some back roads to places and stopping for longer in lovely villages? Have a good look at who you are hiring as Tour Manager in Britain. Our Manager in Ireland was fantastic, He made our trip unforgettable. Britain was second rate. I paid first rate money, very disappointed.

This was our third Albatross tour and we would definitely travel with them again but there were some disappointing days on this trip.It would seem that our stay in Mostar was largely to minimise the travelling time to Sarajevo because the only points of interest in Mostar was a bridge that had been completely restored with very few original stones remaining and an old town filled with tourist souvenir shops. Our free time in Sarajevo was very limited. By the time we had lunch there was only an hour left to look around -not enough time to visit the Museum we were supposed to see on the itinerary but was replaced by what was considered " a less confronting experience". Also our day trip to Kotor in Montenegro was disappointing. It was a long drive, with a short guided tour which left little free time to explore or climb to the fortress as many other tourists thought worth doing.
Perhaps consideration should be given to not trying to fit too much into the itinerary. The hotels, food and our guide were excellent, although at times we felt crammed with too many dates and events to remember in an area with a very complicated history.

Was an excellent trip , both the tour guide Alex Garcia and the bus driver Oscar did a great job ,
The local specialist guides at the various stops also did a great job

Our friends and I had booked a Albatross tour, starting Mid May 2020 . Our tour, and I presume a lot of other tours. clearly wont go ahead. When we booked we paid our deposit on time, when they wanted the final payment, we made that payment in good faith and on time, and now we find ourselves , like
many others , that cannot travel to Italy, (Government Orders)...And surprise surprise, Albratross are refusing to give us our refund. The best on offer is
a 2 year credit. We paid for a service, the service was cancelled.... refund our money. A 2 year credit is no good for us due to my Husbands health. They maintain they paid their staff. Really....2 months in advance. Not on

The guide and driver were excellent on our tour of Ireland. The hotels were good but I would prefer to be more centrally located in some towns instead of having to get a taxi especially on the nights when dinner was not included.

EXCELLENT guide and driver would recommend.

Our Alpine Adventure in September 2019 was excellent value for money, John, our legendary Guide, was exemplary in his knowledge, commentary, timely organisation for the whole 17 days.
From a personal perspective, it is considered that the same Tour would have an even greater memory-impact if it commenced in Milan and finished in Zurich....felt that Milan was a slight "downer" after all the dramatic scenes/events in the Alps, followed by Lake Garda experiences. Notwithstanding I would heartily recommend this Tour in all its sequential phases, especially at this time of year.

Germany/Czech Republic Tour
We thoroughly enjoyed our second tour with Albatross. The small group sizes that we've had on both our tours make the whole experience very relaxed and easy.
Our tour guide, Ernst Weidl, was exceptionally knowledgeable, very professional and very accommodating.
Our transportation, accommodation (both location-wise and property quality), as well as the included day tours and activities were very good.
We highly recommend Albatross Tours to everyone.

We are booked on a tour of Northern Italy in May. Albatross has so far refused to refund money as the tour may go ahead. Oh really! Albatross must have some special cure for COVID 19 in their bag that no one else knows about.

Let’s be honest. The tour won’t go ahead, and money should be refunded ASAP. Pity, we have had three lovely trips with Albatross in the past, but we no longer trust this company.

Our First trip overseas and our first ever bus tour. Absolutely the best !!!!!! Wonderful experience - well organised - great tour guide and supremely skilled bus driver. Really enjoyed ourselves can't wait for the next trip

My sister and I recently returned from an extensive tour of Italy with Albatross Tours. This tour was an amazing experience with memories we will treasure forever. The Tour Director and Tour Driver were absolute professionals and added to our experience tenfold. I will be recommending this Tour and Albatross in general to all who are interested in taking part if any future tours.
Thank you most sincerely, Janette Willis and Robyn Blacklock.

We did the best of Briton tour and the guide Victor we had was excellent highly recommend you to anyone the idea of spending 2or 3days in one area was brilliant

Loved everything about our albatross tour, from the accommodation to places we saw, to the tour guide and bus driver. All brilliant and to top it all off we had perfect weathers

This experience included all the very best destinations in Spain and Portugal supported by excellent hotels and guides and a very capable tour director. It is obvious that a lot of hard work went into planning this itiniary. Well done Albatross.