Anyone used Trailfinders for a tailormade holiday?

TopQuark

Hello All,

I wondered if anyone has used this company to for a tailormade trip? OH and I are getting married next year and would like to honeymoon in South America. Ideally something that incorporates Rio, Buenos Aires, Machu Picchu, La Paz/Bogota and possibly Galapagos. I've looked at the adventure travel companies already, but there aren't any tours that exactly cover what we want.

I should say that we are ex-pats (I'm a Brit, he's French) and we have lived and traveled extensively around the world (but not S. America, hence the desire to go there!). Thus, we normally holiday independently and haven't much experience with package deals. This being a honeymoon however, we'd like to at least have some of the details arranged in advance

Someone mentioned Trailfinders but I don't know of anyone who has actually used them. Any advice?

Cheers!
TQ

jacques_chirac

I have, albeit some time ago. They seem less specialist than they used to be, but still better than most high street TAs.

Have you spoken to Kuoni? They do tailor made packages in some regions, and I would highly recommend them.

InsideInsurance

Trail Finders are ok, so are Audley Travel and Abercrombie & Kent. Have been with Kuoni on their package deals but never anything custom. American Express can be ok but it somewhat depends who you get and I believe you have to evidently pay with AmEx (though thankfully no card fees).

You say you are ex-pats (hate that word) so where do you live now if not the UK? Would look locally before looking to an overseas company to book these things.

TopQuark

Thanks JC for your feedback.

I have looked at Kuoni but they are more expensive as all the hotels are 4/5 star. I'd rather see more places and stay in a 3 star accomodation if the truth be told.

TopQuark

Hello II,

We live in Switzerland currently (we could also be described as immigrants!), which is very expensive and has little choice for this kind of thing.

France is somewhat better, but the UK is certainly the best when it comes to choice for travel companies.

I'll have a look at Audley travel too, cheers!

richardw

TopQuark wrote: »

.. something that incorporates Rio, Buenos Aires, Machu Picchu, La Paz/Bogota and possibly Galapagos. ...

That's very ambitious.

How long is this holiday?

and which month?

mvteng

We used them 12 years ago to organise our honeymoon travelling around Mexico.

They were really good. The agent we got knew the area & hotels well, & in most of the hotels, we had an upgrade / flowers / champagne etc.

Alan_Bowen

Trailfinders is excellent but you should also check out Journey Latin America who are obviously experts in that area. Either will make a tailor make package for you, it is not like a package holiday, you will travel on your own to the destinations you choose

jackieblack

We've used Trailfinders a few times and always found them excellent

TopQuark

Thank-you everyone for the helpful replies.

We are looking to spend 5-6 weeks travelling around the continent (so not long; it will be a bit of a taster of each place, rather than an immersion anywhere in particular). It will be May/June time.

Can't wait; I'm looking forward to the honeymoon more than the wedding day itself!!

richardw

I'd double check the climate in some of those places and decide if you'd enjoy being there in May/June.