Trafalgar Travel Reviews 142

I had big expectations for this trip. For the price point the view was not worth the climb. Super fast pace, my suggestion is, if you are elderly don’t book this trip. If you think you’re going to have nice European slow cafe days here and there, don’t book this trip.

Days traveling via coach are long and exhausting, to and from Morocco is about a 6hr travel day both ways, dragging your luggage and standing in lines. Lots of stops at rest stop for gas station food, imagine being in Europe and eating lunch at gas stations consistently.

They don’t give you time to shop unless you are shopping at the companies, they get kick backs from. Leather making tour, rug tour, metal tour, pharmacy tour. They also badger you to tip all their employees, not only do they badger you, but they also try to tell you how much to tip.

The tour director was prejudice against BLACK sub Sahara Africans, twice on the trip he found a way to make demeaning remarks about why they were in Morocco and Portugal, nothing he said had anything to do with the tour. He said people in Portugal ate peasant food. He left people who ran behind, which I understand but at least call to see where they were or if they were okay. He didn’t check up on people who fell and injured themselves on the trip. He was so self absorbed it was sickening.

Many days I left the tour and did things on my own, which lead to eating really good food and enjoying time in the city center. Unfortunately, 95% of the hotels are nice but most are outside of the city so more money for cabs if you want to enjoy the most enjoyable places in the city centers.

Most optional tours should be included in the regular price being that’s what people would visit that city to see. So, with optional tours and suggested tips you can spend another 1k USD.

Breakfast on the tours are good, most of the dinners are not. Lot of people got diarrhea in Morocco bcuz the places they take you for dinner don’t cook with bottled water and at least one of the hotels we stayed at were filling up bottled water with tap water and had us drinking it at breakfast, one of the travelers caught it.

I’m not saying dont book this trip but be mindful about what it is. I enjoyed being able to see 3 countries in 15 days but how they went about it was exhausting. They wake you up early, drive you around all day, keep you out late all to do it again the next day.

The only time you will feel relaxed is when you have hotel stays that are 2 days. The hotel stays for one day, you have to wake up 5:30am/ 6am to get showed and eat breakfast bcuz luggage has to be out by 7am. Please exam the reviews before booking. I enjoyed it over all, but Trafalgar definitely has to tweak this trip for an optimal experience for the the traveler.

My recent experience with Trafalgar Tours was mixed. The coach driver was outstanding, demonstrating exceptional skill, professionalism, and care throughout the journey. The tour director’s performance was above average, in offering local insight to each locations history.

The food and accommodations were well below expectations—meals were often low quality and repetitive, and several hotels were poorly maintained and inconveniently located. More troubling, however, was Trafalgar’s lack of response when a fellow traveler was critically injured and spent two weeks in the hospital. This was due to the poor conditions at this one winery / olive plantation in which the table and chairs in order to fit multiple tours had the one side setup on what I would call a 20” drop. There appeared to be no clear safety protocol, and the company showed no concern for the guest’s wellbeing. The individual was never contacted by anyone at Trafalgar or the olive venue which is shocking. If this happened in the USA they would be now in litigation and prosecuted.

For a company of Trafalgar’s size and reputation, this was extremely disappointing. While the driver’s professionalism deserves recognition, the overall experience—particularly regarding safety, food, and accommodations—fell far short of what travelers should expect. Until Trafalgar makes substantial improvements in these areas, I cannot recommend their tours.

Terrible Experience with Trafalgar Tours in Italy

I recently went on a Trafalgar tour in Italy, and it was one of the worst travel experiences I’ve ever had. The hotels were very disappointing—definitely not the quality advertised. Most felt like three-star accommodations at best, with broken shower doors and other maintenance issues.

We spent far more time sitting on the bus than actually sightseeing, and almost every excursion came with an extra fee, which really added up. The included meals were bland and uninspired—more like cafeteria food than authentic Italian cuisine.

The overall organization and atmosphere of the trip were uncomfortable at times, and the group dynamics were poorly managed by the tour director. Some travelers’ behavior created tension, and the staff did nothing to help address it.

Even more concerning, one tourist was pickpocketed inside St. Peter’s Basilica, losing all his credit cards, cash, and personal information. The guide never informed the group about the incident or gave any warning about potential risks. Later in the trip, another traveler suffered a serious fall at a vineyard (which was part of the tour) and sustained a brain injury. Neither the vineyard nor Trafalgar made any effort to contact his family or assist with his situation—Trafalgar simply ended his tour and refused to cover the cost of his trip home.

By the end of the trip, I was completely exhausted and extremely disappointed. Between the subpar accommodations, constant upselling, lack of communication, and disregard for traveler safety, I can honestly say I will never travel with Trafalgar again.

STAY AWAY FROM TRAFALGAR!

I met an Australian lady at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport early yesterday morning, returning from Trafalgar's six-week European tour. The trip cost tens of thousands of euros. Her morning flight to Copenhagen had been canceled due to drone sightings. The woman called the travel agency's service number that we found online (there was no emergency contact information in the Trafalgar's documents). The call was answered in Toronto and she was told that her information was not found in the travel agency's files. The service officer was not able to help her at all, she was totally abandoned on her own luck. The only advice was to contact Singapore Airlines help desk at Helsinki-Vantaa airport (the airline in question does not fly to Finland).

In Finland the travel agency is obliged to act in accordance with the Act on Travel Services, and must take special care of the safety of the traveler and assist him/her in problematic situations, such as flight cancellations or accommodation problems. The tour operator is also obliged to organize the trip safely and ensure that the trip takes place in accordance with the agreed terms.

Australia is, as I understand it, a modern constitutional state. Doesn't the country have legislation to protect the rights of passengers?

Trafalgar Travel to southern Italy and Sicily evidently over sold their escorted tour for travel September 11, 2025 so they split 91 guests into 2 groups. Group 2 didn’t even know what hotels they were occupying after Day 1. Our 4 star hotel in Sorrento was changed to a Radisson business hotel a 1 1/2 hour drive from Sorrento with no amenities, shopping or ambient neighborhood and horrible food. It necessitated early departures, much extra driving time and the entire group had to partake of the optional activity or spend several hours shopping in Sorrento. The 4 star hotel in Guardia Naxos with ocean access was replaced for 2 of the promised 3 days with a hotel with a pool in another town requiring more extended travel times and early departures. Same deal with our hotel in Palermo-not in Palermo and more extended travel times and being unable to return to the hotel if you didn’t want the optional tour. It was exhausting. From day one this tour was lacking. I consider the entire trip a “bait and switch” experience. There were three of us and we will not be using Trafalgar in the future. They evidently care very little about their customers comfort.

I am currently on the best of the Italian lakes tour and have to tell you I feel completely ripped off!
I have been on Globus tours and this does not come close to them. You truly screw your customers. I will never do another tour with you or recommend you to anyone I know!
You need to give everyone on this trip some of their money back, as we feel we have been ripped off!
The quality of the Poiano resort is sub par to anyone’s standards. No water in the room, baby sized soap, the amount of stairs, etc. I could go on and on. NEVER AGAIN!

This is 1st time I booked with them. I booked through flight center Australia.
Our holiday will start from 5th October to 17th October 2025, Berlin to Berlin bohemian highlights. Trip included transport from airport as well.
But trafalgar now mentioned they are unable to pick up us from airport, because this is not their pick up time. How rude they are. Before started holiday they make us very upset & annoyed. It is a 10 people group. I wish I can cancel my trip due to their rudeness.

Wonderful guided Europe tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and very helpful.

Terrible! I signed up for a trip to Japan. Before I paid the deposit I reviewed their website to see when the balance was due. I read 90 days before the trip began. However 3 days after I paid my deposit they sent an email saying that I have to pay in full in 4 days.
I called and they were to return my call. They did not. I called again and was on hold....and cleaned my kitchen while on hold. I finally had to hang up. Finally by their text messaging system (a robot?) I got through and was told that this was a 'special' deal and that is why I needed to pay up front. Well their 'special deal' was not special...I had reviewed 4 other tour companies and compared to the others they would have been way over priced if they didn't have this 'special' going on. It was not clear, before making the deposit, that the remaining was due within the week. I could have paid the balance if I wanted but this tactic gave me a bad taste in my mouth and seeing the other reviews about this company, I am glad I did not go through with it.

We’re writing to express our sincere gratitude for the extraordinary experience our Tour Director Rafael provided during our Trafalgar tour from 19 July to 2 August, spanning the vibrant cultures and landscapes of Spain, Morocco, and Portugal.

Leading a group of over 40 travellers—diverse in age, background, and physical ability—is no small task, yet our Rafael managed it with exceptional professionalism, empathy, and grace. His ability to keep everyone punctual, informed, and engaged throughout such a complex itinerary was truly impressive. Not once were we held up due to lateness, which speaks volumes about his clear communication and respectful leadership.

The logistical challenge of crossing the Strait of Gibraltar with such a large group was handled seamlessly, thanks to his meticulous planning and calm coordination. It was a moment that could have easily become stressful, but under his guidance, it was smooth and well-organised.

Rafael had in-depth knowledge of each destination, which added immense value to the journey. The insights he shared—especially in Seville—were rich, engaging, and deeply personal, elevating the experience far beyond the standard tour. His ability to tailor your commentary to the interests of the group made every stop feel meaningful and memorable.

What truly set this tour apart was our Tour Director's personal and thoughtful approach. From the small gestures like the delicious Portuguese tarts to the thoughtful gift at the end of the journey, the attention to detail and genuine care made a lasting impression. Rafael consistently went above and beyond to ensure everyone was having a great time, and handled individual challenges privately and compassionately, making sure all felt supported and included.

This sentiment is not only my own—it was echoed by many of my fellow travel companions, who frequently commented on his professionalism, warmth, and dedication. Having travelled with other tour operators in the past, I can confidently say that what made this experience truly exceptional was you. Rafael's tailored attention and personal connection with the group is something I had not seen before, and it made all the difference.

Thank you for making this journey not just enjoyable, but truly unforgettable.

Warmest regards,
Tom, Mishelle, Amelia and Clara Pucci

My wife and I have not long returned from a US Scenic Park Explorer tour with Trafalgar Travel. The tour itself was "awesome" (literally) and the tour manager (Miriam) and driver (Ronnie) were both excellent. However head office customer services were woeful. We had an issue with a breakfast voucher issued by Trafalgar which no outlet would recognise and the hotel (Harrahs) were of no help. I have emailed Trafalgar Travel HQ twice and had no reply. Be aware.

Faultless. Extremely well organised and our tour director, Veronica Stel was absolutely superb.
We did 2 weeks in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and could not have asked for a better experience.

Disappointed. Have travelled with Trafalgar for over 25years, travelling through UK, US, Mexico, Japan and Scandinavia. Tried to book a solo tour 3 weeks prior to departure, paying the single supplement only to be told the supplier won’t be releasing single spots. I thought that’s why we pay extra $3k for being solo. Disappointed Trafalgar travel.

This tour was exceptionally well planned. Our tour director was knowledgeable and organized. The coach was new and comfortable. We hit all the highlights from the brochure and so many wonderful additional surprises. It was a good experience all around.

I booked a trip and got my invoice with 3 days to pay the full amount. I got an email from compny that they can not honor the invoice. Request to speak to customer service i got no response. Very very poor customer service. I got an automated email from customer service stating that some one from their team will reach out to me to dicuss my concern. No one reached out. How can you possibly issues an invoice with full travel information and yet less than 24 hours not honor it. What if I had purchased my air line ticket in the mean time. I have never experienced anything like it. The thing is that i booked directly through Trafalgar not a third party. I was ready to make full payment on the day of booking. Surely this is not the way to start your vacation. 6 days has passed and still not a word from Trafalgar. Words are cheap what is important and counts is action and deeds!

First, our trip to Sistine Chapel and Vatican museums was cancelled which was only one of a couple tours included because of modified museum hours. I had to pay $350 to get tickets to go myself. You ride on a coach alot and when they say you see things, it is from the bus window. Small seats, provided no water and discouraged from using toilet. We were supposed to clap for driver because he did his job and not leave anything for him to clean. We were TOLD where to sit each day, they wanted luggage out an hour before departure time which means you had to get up two hours before breakfast. one hotel was 4 stars, rest were 3. Plan on spending ALOT of money to see things; everything costs more money spent $500 on tours. Food was OK at best. went on leather tour and glass blowing tour. These were sales pitches from store. We did see glass blowing 5 minutes then sales pitch for 15, same with leather store and gold store was not demonstration at all, it was them showing you pieces you can buy. Travel director sent out messages on whats app each day and was reachable. I got an attitude at first because I questioned vatican being closed but could get tickets. She told us we would go back to hotel so we could change, then said no, she changed her mind and so e were gone 12 hours from room and not prepared for day no apologies, just more like...that is that

My family and friend stay at a London hotel, the River park plazq here for a big family celebration, when I came to wait for them in the reception with my wife who not feelinng well. There were no seats, but a girl asleep on a chair. Who look like she just had food.
She was with a sign saying Trafalger, is this hotel staff or the hotel agent? I went and told a staff. even if not hotel staff, we were very shock to see this.

We just got back from the Italian Holiday tour with Trafalgar and were in agreement that the tour was good but could have been a bit better. The best meals we ate were on our own as the included dinners were at the hotels(not bad but just didn't have that Italian cuisine wow factor). The hotels were fine except the one in Verona which was outdated and needs to be replaced on the itinerary. The tour director (Christopher) and driver (Enzo AKA Skippy) were both very good. One last thing is if you are mobility challenged then this is not the tour for you (plenty of walking).

I booked the 7 day Italian Holiday Trafalgar Tour for April 2025. I paid an extra $249 for the travel insurance in case of interruptions. Day one was supposed to be a tour of Rome, but the Pope’s funeral occurred and all sites/museums were closed. The following day we moved on to Venice. I filed a claim with Trafalgar Aon Affinity insurance for a 1/7 refund ($311) for that lost day. The claim was denied. Greedy management, don’t recommend Trafalgar.

We have just completed our Splendor of Japan, including Hiroshima. The itinerary and hotels were excellent.
The cause for the 2 stars...we were assigned a tour guide that barely spoke English. She continually took the easy way out, never assigning bus seats. She told us that her boss told her, contrary to every trip we have been on, that she DID NOT HAVE TO ASSIGN SEATS ON THE BUS! She repeateadly talked about herself and her family instead of the sights we traveled past or to. When questioned about something, if you were not sitting upfront, you did not know what she was replying to. When asked about where we were, or what we were seeing, she needed to ask the bus driver. She often recruited other guests on the bus to speak into the microphone and try to assist her in providing an English explanation. When gathered outside she would begin an explanation, in hard to understand English before the entire group had a chance to gather. She was requested to start over again many times. There was a parallel tour, nine days, and on one occasion we had the benefit of that tour guide explaining tea rituals. He was articulate. He even apologized to his group for repeating what he had prepped them on, as he filled in the prep work that our guide did not do.
And that's not all? Nope! While on route, our guide was filmed asleep in her seat on the bus.
Costco has a lot of explaining why they suggested we use Trafalgar.

Added, May 30...
...we have since contacted Costco and Trafalgar. Trafalgar customer service DOES NOT TAKE PHONE CALLS...email only! Friends we met on the trip continued on to China with Trafalgar and told us the Trafalgar quality had returned on that trip. Nice to know they can deliver sometimes. Just too bad they DO NOT TAKE CALLS. We booked Eastern Europe with a reliable competitor....THEY TAKE CALLS. BTW; The picture of our tour director fast asleep on our bus is slowly making it's way thru our groups. Quite the conversation piece.
Shame Trafalgar is a Costco recommendation...Costco must be asleep on this one, lol.