Best of Great Britain and Ireland - EUR 445, May 14-25, 2019
Tour Manager: Rohan Surej
For someone who had never been in a Group Tour, this was truly an eye-opener, in an absolutely positive sense. To put it in a nutshell, my wife and I had such a wonderful experience that before you could say’Wow’ 12 days had zipped by.
In a group of 44 people, it was fun all the way - during the journey in the coach, at the sightseeing spots, and when we had delicious dinners in Indian restaurants every evening.
Let me give you a quick glimpse of the itinerary: Congregating in London, we began with the city tour the next morning which included London Eye and the Tower of London, a scintillating combination of modernity and tradition. On Day 3, we had a great time at Windsor Castle and a fascinating walking tour of Oxford colleges. Then on to Manchester(Etihad Stadium) and Lake Windermere. Then to breathtaking Scotland - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oban and Loch Lomond. Over to Belfast by ferry, followed by a tour of Titanic Quarter, and Giant’s Causeway the next day. Dublin, our last stop, held a most stunning surprise: Cliffs of Moher.
I know that every traveller, especially when travelling as family, has a set of expectations in terms of comfort, safety, food, and quality sightseeing. Without any hesitation, I would say that this tour lived up to my expectations in all respects. The hotel accommodation was satisfactory, with a few pleasant surprises, particularly in Belfast. The drive was absolutely enjoyable, thanks to John the driver - it was smooth and comfy all the way. Breakfast, again, was quite good everywhere with a fair spread. Dinners at Indian restaurants are clearly the highlights. To us, the most important aspect of the tour was that we had a full and busy day - almost 12 hours of travelling and sightseeing. There was never a dull moment, and we had a peaceful sleep every night and woke up fresh the next morning. I must emphasize here the fact that the tour covered most of the sights that would have been on anyone’s list. We did not pay a single extra pound anywhere, for it was all covered in the tour cost. It was VALUE FOR MONEY - in every way.
For this unforgettable experience, I should thank one person in particular: Rohan Surej, the tour manager. He was everything and more as both manager and companion. Fun. Efficiency. Discipline. Organization. He had great enthusiasm and energy right through, and when a few hiccups cropped up, he tackled them with poise and alacrity. He represented SOTC creditably, earning immense goodwill for the company by being a smart, able and fun guide for the group.