Andrea W.
5/5
I recently did two tours with Journeys by Maple Leaf Tours; the Azores (Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island) in May/24 with host, Jo-Anne Tinlin, and Croatia (Lovorno and Dubrovnik) in June/24 with host, Denise Johnson (Jo-Anne was also on this tour as she will become the host of it in the future).
Both tours were absolutely amazing! The itineraries, food, accommodations, local transportation, and local guides were all phenomenal and I found that they closely aligned with the tour descriptions as they had been presented at the outset.
Denise and Jo-Anne have an in-depth knowledge of the tours they host. They are both very approachable and flexible, and seek to ensure that each person on the tour feels comfortable and that they are getting the best individual experience possible, while still accommodating the group as a whole.
On the free/leisure days, we were provided with plenty of options, and Jo-Anne and Denise made sure that everyone was able to express their thoughts and that they had a plan that they were happy with (even if that meant just relaxing at the hotel), without any pressure, and they accompanied those on particular excursions, if required. Jo-Anne and Denise were also able to adapt as needed. For example, on the Croatia trip, on the last free day, the group decided the day prior to take a day-trip to the neighboring country of Montenegro; Denise and Jo-Anne were able to arrange a private tour for us, without much advance notice, and this day-trip was one of the highlights for me (and another stamp in my passport!).
I always felt safe and that I was in good hands, even when circumstances arose that were beyond anyone’s control. For example, on the way back from Croatia, airline delays caused us to miss a connecting flight, necessitating that we spend an extra night in London. Denise was a strong advocate for the group, ensuring that the airline provided us with over-night accommodation near the airport, appropriate meal vouchers (the airline initially offered an inadequate amount), and shuttle vouchers for round-trip transfers from the airport to hotel. In arranging alternate flights for the following day, the airline had put us on various different flights, including having Denise and Jo-Anne fly out earlier in the morning, while most of the group would not be departing until the evening. Denise and Jo-Anne promptly changed their flights in order to remain until we could all fly home together, leaving no woman behind! ?
I found the tour group sizes to be perfect; they felt more personal and it was so nice not to feel like I was just one anonymous person in a herd of people, stuck at the back, unable to see or hear anything at the various sites. In Dubrovnik, we saw HUGE tour groups, where the guides had to wear microphones so that people in the back could hear them speak through headsets; this did not appeal to me at all. I also enjoyed getting to know all of my fellow travellers on a more personal level.
Overall, I am extremely impressed with the Journeys tours and I’ve already booked two more for next year!
