Europe: National Geographic Traveler’s Tours of a Lifetime for 2014 Tours & Trips

What travelers are saying

"Our experience with Kensington Tours, specifically Lily Baffour was amazing. The planning of the trip was impeccable, she recommended a good time frame to travel, put together an unforgettable itinerary, was extremely timely in answering all of our questions. The hotels, transportation, private tour guide, and lunch were all included the price. We stayed at the Kempinski Hotel which far exceed our expectations. Our tour guide Pius was exceptional, he was VERY knowledgeable about the Ghanaian history and culture due to him the tours were life changing. We went on this trip with lifelong friends and were so glad that we shared this trip of a lifetime with them. We will definitely use Lily and Kensington Tours for future travels."

What travelers are saying

"We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marked “non-refundable” deposit. We completed the National Geographic Traveler Information. About 8 days later we received the “Travel Agreement” to be signed. We both approved and signed the National Geographic documents. A Cruise Line Travel agreement was enclosed but had no signature line. This document contained language which was unacceptable. We submitted the signed NatGeo documents. The following day we canceled the trip due to the unacceptable Cruise Line language. Cancellation was made 12 days after booking and no deposit was returned. We were told on the phone that the refund deadline was triggered by the 14 day window OR signatures on the Travel Agreement which ever came first. This was NEW information. To date, we have received NO refund of our $1000. We cancelled our trip within the advertised 14 day window."

What travelers are saying

"My dream vacation had always been to go to Italy for a couple of weeks with my wife. I am Italian and yet even at my age I had never been. This past October we finally arrived in Tuscany. Let me say it was incredible in every way. We were fortunate to be acquainted with Kathy Dragon who founded and directs Whole Journeys, and independent travel company. After speaking extensively with her we decided to let her organize our entire trip including lodging, the food, wine, olive oil and don’t forget the chocolate. The only effort I made was to decide airline and pay the fare. My wife and I decided to spend a few nights in 3 locations in Tuscany. We really wanted to savor our time there and not be rushed around or be part of a group. First a few nights in a exquisite small village and then on to Siena and finally Florence. Whole Journeys organized private tours of two beautiful wineries and an olive oil farm; and we were treated to delicious authentic meals prepared by the owners and their families. We went to see one of the most recognized chocolatiers in Italy and saw chocolate made the old way and followed that to a famous terra cotta factory. For me it was like being home, so comfortable and engaging. Kathy is very connected and has an extensive network of people who love to guide and host her clients. Our lodging accommodations were very nice, clean and totally affordable. I have been in the hospitality business for over 20 years and have owned and operated luxury resorts and hotels, and it is this professional experience that leads me to say… I could not be more impressed with Whole Journeys and Kathy’s ability to organize and execute the many things that made this trip memorable."

What travelers are saying

"Super three days and good fun with our guide. Also, a learning experience."

What travelers are saying

"Awesome trip, the guides were amazing, and overall trip was well worth the money."

What travelers are saying

"We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marked “non-refundable” deposit. We completed the National Geographic Traveler Information. About 8 days later we received the “Travel Agreement” to be signed. We both approved and signed the National Geographic documents. A Cruise Line Travel agreement was enclosed but had no signature line. This document contained language which was unacceptable. We submitted the signed NatGeo documents. The following day we canceled the trip due to the unacceptable Cruise Line language. Cancellation was made 12 days after booking and no deposit was returned. We were told on the phone that the refund deadline was triggered by the 14 day window OR signatures on the Travel Agreement which ever came first. This was NEW information. To date, we have received NO refund of our $1000. We cancelled our trip within the advertised 14 day window."

What travelers are saying

"Thank you for all your help. MIR has been unbelievably helpful, reliable and good value for the money. Your personal help has been invaluable as well. If anyone ever asks me which agency I used to go to Central Asia I will refer them to you"

What travelers are saying

"I went on my first Earthwatch expedition in 2012. It was a great experience but clearly showed that safety was not a top priority of the organization and it was extremely expensive. They will tell you this money goes to the scientists and to the lodging but that was a minuscule amount. Having actually talked to the scientists I saw most of the money did not get to them. It’s for overhead and lining the pockets of the executives. Years later I received a trip as a graduation present. This happened to be shortly before the pandemic shut down. Conveniently they waited until the day after the payment deadline to shut down the trips. Now by their own words they did it out of an abundance of caution which is them choosing to shut down trips that could have otherwise progressed but even so they would not refund the 5k that had been given to them less than 24 hours earlier. An organization with integrity would look at this unprecedented event and give that money back but like I said money over everything and so even though they clearly had been in talks of shutting down and waited until the money was in their hands to do so they saw nothing wrong with keeping it and not providing the trip. This is predatory behavior. The research was not being done and the trip was not being taken so they saw 100% of that money going into their pockets and did not care about anything else. In a time that caused extreme financial hardship they chose greed. If they hadn’t done this I probably would have taken another trip with them but this experience caused me to look deeper and see they actually had a long history of choosing money over the well being of their participants in a lot of different ways. I absolutely encourage you not to use this company and not to give them money. Even if the trip progresses as planned they will choose money over you every single time which could at best diminish your experience and at worst put you in a dangerous situation. I cannot stress enough how much they do not care about you as a human being only as a cash machine."