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What travelers are saying

"I don't typically write reviews about any enterprise, as I consider their perspective and the challenges they face. However, my recent experience with Star Tours UK has compelled me to write my first review, due to the gravity and helplessness I felt in the situation. I recently experienced an appalling and highly unethical service from Star Tours UK, that I feel compelled to share, in the hope that potential customers will avoid falling victim to their dubious practices. On March 22, 2024, I booked the Panoramic Europe 5-day trip with Star Tours for myself and my family, scheduled for departure on May 13, 2024 (Invoice No: 338341, Booking Reference: 158599/ ALIM). I paid an advance of £765 (approx. ₹78,000) for the trip (enclosing invoice). Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to cancel my booking immediately after making it. This cancellation was made well months in advance of the trip's departure date, yet to my dismay, Star Tours refused to refund even a single penny of my payment. This treatment is especially egregious considering my longstanding relationship with Star Tours. Over the years, I have been a loyal customer, having taken their Scotland trip thrice, and my relatives and colleagues have also frequently availed their services. Despite this loyalty, Star Tours showed no consideration or goodwill in handling my situation. What makes this situation even worse is that their own cancellation policy states that cancellation charges begin at 25% of the total holiday cost only if notice is given 28 days before departure. Since my cancellation was made well months in advance, there should have been no charge at all. Their refusal to refund my advance payment is not only unfair but also indicative of their deeply unethical business practices. Star Tours should have considered my request for a refund given the significant notice provided and my history as a loyal customer. Their complete lack of flexibility and empathy is shocking. Furthermore, when I inquired about the refund over the phone, their customer service was negligent and dismissive, showing no intention of assisting me or understanding my predicament. It is also worth noting that friends, relatives, and colleagues who had to cancel similar trips with other travel companies have promptly received their refunds. These companies demonstrated genuine customer-friendly policies and understood the importance of treating their clients with fairness and respect. This stark contrast only highlights the unethical nature of Star Tours’ practices. I strongly urge potential customers to reconsider booking with Star Tours. Their lack of integrity, disregard for customer loyalty, and unethical behavior are appalling. At any time, you could find yourself in a similar situation, facing unexpected circumstances, and you deserve a travel company that values its customers and operates with transparency and fairness. Look for genuine, customer-friendly tours and avoid Star Tours at all costs. Regards, Mahitosh Satish (Contact- +91 7907608813)"

What travelers are saying

"Until Covid clears, I would steer clear of Backroads. We were partially through their June 2020 Costa Rica tour when a guest tested Covid positive. She and her husband were isolated. The rest of the group were offered wimpy masks. Nobody was offered Covid testing daily and masks were not required of the guests or staff. The guides kept repeating "not in the CDC guidelines." Our group of six decided that the Backroads response was inadequate so returned home mid-excursion. The hotel and food was excellent, but the provided bikes were inadequate. The front derailleurs were poorly adjusted, and most of the riders had the chains come off during the first ride. Hikes or bike rides were conducted in downpours. Disappointed for charging such a premium price."

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

What travelers are saying

"My wife and I were on the Smithsonian Journeys Splendors of Australia and New Zealand between April 13 and May 2, 2018. Smithsonian is rated by this site as Luxury travel. However, Smithsonian "farms out" the logistics for their trip to Odysseys Unlimited. Odysseys booked within country air travel with the lowest cost air carriers. Flights were cancelled from Ayers Rock to Sydney and from Queenstown New Zealand to Rotorua. Another flight was significantly delayed so that we did not arrive at our Christchurch destination until 2:00 am, making for a really tired next day. Odysseys Unlimited compensated us $400 per person for missing a day in Sydney and paid for an excursion in Auckland for missing Rotorua. This was wholly inadequate, given that these were highlights of the trip. In addition, our tour guide was rude to several people on the trip. If Smithsonian Journeys is truly a luxury travel outfit, as we had believed, then they would not be farming out travel logistics to such a chinch company as Odysseys Unlimited. We will think twice about traveling with Smithsonian again, and so should others."

What travelers are saying

"Our guide, Evie, was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, and so very helpful. Also very friendly and respectful. The bus driver was a very experienced driver. He kept us safe."

What travelers are saying

"Our guide, Evie, was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, and so very helpful. Also very friendly and respectful. The bus driver was a very experienced driver. He kept us safe."

What travelers are saying

"Our guide, Evie, was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, and so very helpful. Also very friendly and respectful. The bus driver was a very experienced driver. He kept us safe."

What travelers are saying

"Our guide, Evie, was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, and so very helpful. Also very friendly and respectful. The bus driver was a very experienced driver. He kept us safe."