Group Organiser profile - Maureen Wilcox

Your Name:   Maureen Wilcox         

Group Name: Reigate & Redhill U3A

Size of group: 800    

No. of tours per year: 2

UK, Europe or worldwide?: UK & Europe

Where are you going in 2015?: Northern Croatia and the Istrian Riviera & Shropshire

Favourite destination: Lake Maggiore – saw three different lakes and magnificent scenery together with a train ride into the mountains.

Memorable moment: Our first R&R U3A flight to Jersey – what an adventure. It was our first flight holiday and I was nervous of the check in procedure and all the extra hassle. But once I was on the holiday, I realised how easy it was and now we fly abroad every year.

What have been the holiday highlights in recent years? Contrasting tour of Lake Garda and the Dolomites, and then Northern Spain with rock paintings and the modern Guggenheim Museum.

Most enjoyable thing about being a Group Organiser: There’s a huge sense of achievement and satisfaction knowing I have given a group of people, who otherwise might not have had, the chance to see and do the amount we manage to fit in. A holiday to remember for all the right reasons. Also I have a guaranteed place and therefore I get to choose where to sit on the coach!

Least enjoyable thing about being a Group Organiser: To match the immense satisfaction of a successful tour, there’s a great sense of overall responsibility. Not only to deliver the very best experience possible, but also to come back with as many as we started with! Everybody’s needs and wants are different and trying to ensure everyone’s satisfaction is very challenging and time consuming.

Top tip to other Group Organisers: Take all the necessary details with you, i.e. Insurance, next of kin and the itinerary.

Any thoughts on Tailored Travel’s service? THEY ARE WONDERFUL! When I am asked by my members ‘where are we going next year - put my name down’ I know we are doing the right thing. I’m confident that there is a seven day, twenty-four hour back up service whilst at home and away and we are guaranteed a good quality hotel, guide and driver. Tailored Travel have never let me down.