Europe Swimming Trips & Packages Small Group Tours & Trips

What travelers are saying

"When my partner and I went on a whale watching trip with Sea Kayak Adventures five years ago, we concluded that it was one of the best things we had ever done - especially the encounters with the grey whales in Magdalena Bay. I decided that I wanted an excuse to visit the whales again and I found this in a plan to go back with my family so that we could introduce them to my family and share their joy in this trip. As always, when organising such a treat, I was desperate that it would be as good a second time. I need not have worried, under the expert guidance of Monica (who amazingly had been a guide on our first trip) and Fabian our family group were wowed by whales that swam close, sky-hopped, breached and swam to our boat, rubbed against it, looked us in the eye mammal-to-mammal and then let us rub their skin. Wow oh wow! My niece even discovered that one whale had shared two of its sealice with her! Simply amazing and thanks to Monica and Fabian for sharing their knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise with us, and to Vicky for the excellent food."

What travelers are saying

"First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfortable and happy (MTSobek tour guides are independent contractors. Tomomi also works for other Adventure/Tour companies) Secondly, Japan is beautiful, clean and the Japanese people are very welcoming. The hiking in the national parks was amazing. It could have been a truly five-star experience if MtSobek had not cut corners so egregiously. The website said (at the time) group tours are 5-22 people. The tour gets canceled if the minimum is not met. When I paid there were TWO other people booked-a mother and daughter duo. Shortly before our departure date I called to see if the tour would be cancelled. I wanted my money back but Mt Sobek was “pleased to say that the trip would not be canceled”. In other words, I could not get a refund. At the last minute a guy named Matt signed up so there were four of us. Five days into the trip Matt left and took a train back to Tokyo. I said to him “You realize Mt Sobek is not going to refund you”. He said, “I don’t care, Mt Sobek scammed us.” With tax, the tour costs $11,645 for 13 nights. For that price there is an expectation that the accommodations Mt Sobek chooses would be decent and clean. We all fully expected a ‘traditional Japanese experience’ which often means no private bath and 8 out of the 13 nights we slept on futon mats on the floor. However, Mt Sobek consistently booked us in the cheapest Ryokans (hotels) in each area in which we travelled. Most of these hotels were unclean and very out-dated. One Ryokan they booked us in was listed on a hotel website for $40 USD/night when there were much nicer accommodations nearby for $100 USD/night. (The Japanese yen is way down, the luxury Park Hotel in Tokyo was $200 USD/night. A comparable hotel would have been about $800/night in Austin.). We were the only people staying in several hotels that accomadated many more people. The most egregious example of MtSobek’s booking the cheapest rooms is when we were booked at a large traditional ski lodge at the base of a spectacular mountain. It was beautiful on the website but had two very different wings. One wing was modern, clean and beautiful with simple beds. The other wing was very old (similar to a cheap Motel 6 that had not been updated since the 1970’s). The carpet and bathrooms were disgusting and like many of the Ryocans where we stayed the futon mats seemed as though they had not been cleaned In 30 years. Only after our tour guide checked us in did we realize we had been booked in the cheap rooms. I asked Tomo why. Immediately someone from MtSobek reached out to me and said, “gosh, I’m sorry you did not realize you were going to have a traditional Japanese experience”. Really? “Traditional” experience depends upon one’s budget. In the US, “traditional” to some people may be the Marriott, a Motel 6 or the Four Seasons Hotels. We were paying for a Marriott experience and received the one-star Motel 6 experience. Upon arrival in Tokyo I expected to be met at the airport by a driver (as many tour companies do). However, several days before our arrival dates in Tokyo, MtSobek sent an email telling us how to locate taking a city bus from the bustling Tokyo airport. That is interesting if you do not speak Japanese. MtSobek cleverly uses great photography and elaborate descriptions of the national parks and the hiking while using terms like “traditional Japanese experience with tatami-mat sleeping” to disguise sub-standard accommodations. At one point we were looking on-line at the very hotel where we were staying and did not even recognize it from the website pictures. The hiking was amazing. The group size was disappointing with just the three of us. I would absolutely recommend a hiking tour through Japan, just not with MtSobek."

What travelers are saying

"We just returned from a 12 day private tour of Israel, Jordan and Egypt, arranged by Noah Tours. There were 6 people in our group, 3 couples. From beginning to end, the Noah Tours team was prompt and responsive to our every need! On behalf of the group, I would like to sincerely thank Noah Tours for arranging such a marvelous trip - everything was organized and planned to perfection - the hotels, transportation and guides were second to none! The Noah Tours guides were exceptional and made our trip memorable by being continually involved and genuinely passionate. They did not hesitate to go out of their way to make heartwarming gestures for an unforgettable experience. Their wealth of knowledge as well as factual and anecdotal explanations were truly appreciated by us all. So thank you once again and thank you and Nili for taking the time to meet with us - we will whole heartedly recommend Noah Tours to all our family and friends without exception."

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I took the day tour from Rome to Naples and Pompeii. This tour allows you to tour Pompeii on your own or an option for a guided tour. The tour guild handles all transportation from the train station from Rome to Naples to Pompeii and back to Rome. The tour guide also takes the small group on a very informative and fun walking tour through the heart of Naples and exposes you to the local cuisine and shops. We had a wonderful time and it was something we would not have done by ourselves. I highly recommend this tour. There is a lot of walking and not easy walking. Come prepared."

What travelers are saying

"(Translated by Google) Helpful and polite. I have no complaints . We had a great time in Bansko. Kids are always willing to help with anything. I highly recommend Oxygen Tours !!! (Original) Εξυπηρετικοί και ευγενικοί . Δεν έχω κανένα παράπονο . Περάσαμε τέλεια στο Μπανσκο. Τα παιδιά είναι πάντα πρόθυμα να βοηθήσουν σε οτιδήποτε προκύψει.Συνιστώ ανεπιφύλακτα Oxygen Tours !!!"

What travelers are saying

"We did a tour with them to Blarney Castle with a few other castle stops put in (Cashel Rock and Cahair) and it was wonderful! Great experience and we had the best guide ever, Jim. Jim was wonderful with a great sense of humor! Very knowledgeable, or at least blessed with the gift of gab. If you’re thinking about one of these tours do it! You’ll be glad you did, like me. We will definitely be booking another tour with them, especially with Jim!"

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I took the day tour from Rome to Naples and Pompeii. This tour allows you to tour Pompeii on your own or an option for a guided tour. The tour guild handles all transportation from the train station from Rome to Naples to Pompeii and back to Rome. The tour guide also takes the small group on a very informative and fun walking tour through the heart of Naples and exposes you to the local cuisine and shops. We had a wonderful time and it was something we would not have done by ourselves. I highly recommend this tour. There is a lot of walking and not easy walking. Come prepared."

What travelers are saying

"We just returned from a 12 day private tour of Israel, Jordan and Egypt, arranged by Noah Tours. There were 6 people in our group, 3 couples. From beginning to end, the Noah Tours team was prompt and responsive to our every need! On behalf of the group, I would like to sincerely thank Noah Tours for arranging such a marvelous trip - everything was organized and planned to perfection - the hotels, transportation and guides were second to none! The Noah Tours guides were exceptional and made our trip memorable by being continually involved and genuinely passionate. They did not hesitate to go out of their way to make heartwarming gestures for an unforgettable experience. Their wealth of knowledge as well as factual and anecdotal explanations were truly appreciated by us all. So thank you once again and thank you and Nili for taking the time to meet with us - we will whole heartedly recommend Noah Tours to all our family and friends without exception."