Our Coronavirus Secure Holidays

May 2022

Ascot Day Centre Benefactors - Suffolk

I felt I must write to thank you for organising such a superb trip. All of those, without exception, appreciated your organisation. The hotel staff could not have been more cooperative, the driver, Gary often had meals with us and he was a good source of information and of course the guide, Ian was a fountain of knowledge which was delivered with humour. All in all, it was a fantastic break and I look forward to communicating with you again next year for another trip, perhaps to somewhere like North Wales! 

Beverley W

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reigate & Redhill U3A - Northern Ireland

I wanted to write to say what a splendid holiday you organised for Reigate U3a last week. Some wonderful visits; including Titanic, which I was not looking forward to (as I used to sail in smallish yachts) but I thoroughly enjoyed it - by bypassing the area to do with accident and aftermath. The guide and driver were special too! Lots of good information and precision driving. The highlight for me was being allowed into Stormont at the time the newly elected politicians were being interviewed by hordes of press. Some of our group even appeared on the 6pm news! Thank you to you all

Tina R 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Arts Society Stourbridge - Hidden Umbria

I am just writing to thank you very much for the excellent service your company provided for the wonderful trip to Umbria at the end of April. Everything was organised to the last detail and the guide, Andrea was brilliant. He was extremely professional, thoughtful and very generous in his kindness looking after all us “oldies” in the group. The Italian guide Myra was also excellent and very knowledgable imparting her extensive information in a light hearted but professional manner. The coach driver also needs mentioning for his superb and comfortable driving on sometimes challenging roads! I can honestly say that it was one of the best holidays I have experienced and has certainly whetted my appetite for more! We have all, of course thanked Moira and her committee for their part in organising it but I felt I would like to also express my gratitude to you for a trip that lived up to all my hopes and expectations.

LB

 

Yet again you did it. Each time we return from a Tailored Travel (Sandy Cornish) tour we say “that was the best trip” but you really surpassed yourself with our Umbrian trip. Andrea was always smiling and we gradually became aware how good he was at the managing part of his job.  A very nice touch, on first meeting us he gave each one of us his business card and said to ring him at any time if we had a question or if we were in trouble.  He was always buying tickets, liaising with the guides, persuading the driver to bring the coach up or down to save us climbing or using rope ladders to come down. He did a fantastic job, he is also a great fan of yours, Sandy Cornish’s name was sacred (such a pleasure to work on any of her tours). Omar, our driver, was incredible, always smartly dressed, always charming and helpful, and what a driver!! We all fell for Maura, such a brilliant actress, so enthusiastic, encyclopaedic knowledge, you could not take your eyes or ears off her when she was in full flow. The hotel was very good, such a fabulous location. You did a fantastic job Sandy. You kept us all going when we had begun to think the tour would never happen. I have had some many emails congratulating me on organising such a fascinating tour, when really you and Michael are the ones who should take all the praise.

All my very best wishes,

Moira R 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 2022

The Three Brethren U3A - Lincolnshire

Just to thank you for our super trip to Lincoln. It all ran like clockwork, no small thanks to you for the hours you must have put in to ensure that it did. There were lots of kind comments about "my" organisation, which I'm afraid I took most of the credit for, when really I should have owned up that it was all largely due to you.  My personal favourite visit was to Gainsborough Old Hall.  I have seen lots of Victorian kitchens but never such a fascinating mediaeval one. Brett was a careful and helpful driver. The two guides at the Cathedral were exceptional - the one for my group had so much information to impart that his mouth couldn't keep up with his brain. But my main reason for writing is to thank you, Louise, for the hard work you put in to making this trip the success it was, and to say how much I enjoyed working with you on it. 

Best wishes, 

Val H 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 2022

Peter Medhurst - Naples

Everything was wonderful.  I had visited Naples with my husband many years ago, staying with friends which had been most interesting, but Tom brought to us the wonder of the structure of Naples and its history: the building of palaces and grand churches through the centuries. Peter brought us the great history of music in Naples, through the period of Naples' pomp.  We had, in addition, the great privilege of him playing on piano, harpsichords and finally a wonderful organ in the Jesuit church. Thank you for what was a wonderful experience with both Peter and Tom giving us their respective encyclopedic knowledge: your hard work on our behalf really gave me a trip I will not forget. 

Joanna F

 

Peter Medhurst - The Glory of Venice

Our visit to Venice was marvellous in every way and in the context of Covid was an organizational triumph by you and your team! Peter's organ recitals made every venue magical and Tom's passion and encyclopaedic knowledge of fine art brought every breathtaking picture, glorious building and stunning visit to life in an unforgettable way. I look forward to going on future tours with Peter Medhurst. I will complete the questionnaire over the weekend with glowing feedback! With many thanks, best wishes and congratulations for giving all participants a taste of normal life after such a tough period of solitude and isolation.

Pattie K

 

This is just a quick line to thank you once again for all the hard work and fire fighting over the ever changing muddle of Covid measures you put into the trip to Venice with Peter and Tom. In discussions with both of them it emerged how much of the work load was really on you and I, and I am sure the others in our really nice group, appreciated it. In all sorts of ways this trip was unique for me, even though I am a very seasoned worldwide traveller with two long spells living abroad. Both Peter and Tom combined amazing erudition with very appealing personalities and made every day exciting and fun, though for me as probably one of the oldest in the group at 82  the physical demands were at times a bit taxing. I returned with a wealth of new insights into Venetian music and art, if only I could retain it all. My husband who sadly would never have managed at 91! was quite jealous. Till my next venture with Tailored Travel all best wishes and kind regards

Irene H

 

I just wanted to say a big thank you for all you do to make sure our trips with Peter run smoothly. I had a wonderful time in Venice.  It's such a beautiful city and Peter and Tom did everything they can to make it a memorable experience.  However your organisational skills, efficiency and eye for detail help ensure Peter and Tom can run such a good trip.  Peter always sings your praises, and justly so! Peter mentioned that a trip to Bologna is in the pipeline but you are still finalising details.  It sounds very good.  Please could you send me the details as soon as they become available. Very best wishes

Mary U

 

Now safely back home, I’d just like to thank you for all your meticulous planning for the Venice trip.  It was amazing to be able to walk across an empty Piazza and to be greeted with such warmth wherever we went. I really appreciated all your detailed instructions regarding the Covid regulations.  Thanks to you I managed to complete the form without going into meltdown this time. Best wishes,

Angela V

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

November 2021

Peter Medhurst - JS Bach in Weimar & Leipzig

I just wanted to let you know how much Andrew and I had enjoyed our very first tour with Peter and Tom. So much information from them both and Peter’s wonderful playing in very special surroundings. I especially wanted to thank you for all the delicious lunches that you arranged. We really did eat incredibly well both at lunchtime and at the organised dinners. Hotels were superb as well. Our very grateful thanks for such a superbly organised tour and hoping that we will be able to join Peter again in the future. 

Liz & Andrew M

 

Anthony and I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the Bach tour with Peter Medhurst - it was well worth the wait. Everything went smoothly, thanks in no small part to your organisation behind the scenes and to Tom Abbott’s efficiency on the spot. We were especially grateful to have your step-by-step guides to dealing with the Einreise form beforehand and the Passenger Locator Form before we left Germany. But back to the tour itself. Everything was of exceptional quality and it was lovely to be so well looked after. Because we are used to Germany we knew that there would be a charge to use public loos and had some small change with us, but it was such a helpful touch that Tom had a ready supply of euro coins for loos and lockers, so no one was stuck. It’s these little things that you remember, as well as the lovely meals and comfortable hotels. Peter was as charming, courteous and informative as ever, and his recitals on church organs and period instruments were definitely a highlight of the tour. Both his and Tom’s talks on the coach were interesting and informative and were a pleasant way of passing the time on the longer drives. We now need time to digest the experiences of a very packed week.

With best wishes, Susan & Anthony S

 

Back home and fingers crossed all tests, paperwork etc completed. Just to say it was the most fabulous, fabulous trip which will stay with me forever. A huge thanks for all the hard work that went in to making the week such a success.

My very best wishes, Alison

 

The J S Bach tour was a resounding success. Nothing but praise for the mighty triumvirate of Peter, Thomas and Sandy! I know that only total attention to detail can ensure such success. And I know how difficult that is to achieve, given the vagaries of all aspects of travel and the idiosyncrasies of human beings! So thank you for your part in ensuring ease of travel and for making sure we were all very comfortable, well fed and up to date with the complex requirements of the requisite governments! 

All best wishes, ML

 

I can honestly say that this tour was the best organised I have ever been on. You thought of every last detail between you. Having heard of some of the difficulties you encountered when putting it together, I am full of admiration for you and the team. Add to this my own passion for Bach and it was a dream of a holiday for me. Peter and Tom were marvellous, of course. 

With many, many thanks, AV

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 2021

The Arts Society Dorset County - Liverpool

I want to thank you for doing all the booking for the trip. The organisation was wonderful and went exactly to your plan which you had put together so well. As a first time Visits Organiser I was a little nervous and you kindly accepted my pre trip jitters and then put together a fabulous itinerary. Your choice of guide was a joy. She was very professional and had a vast knowledge of Liverpool, art and architecture. She was never flustered and never made the group feel “herded”. The driver was also excellent – we felt we were in very safe hands and he and the guide worked very well as a team. We were also blessed with good weather the whole time! Hanbury Hall was a good stopping point on the way up.  The National Memorial Arboretum coming down was very good, and we were lucky that they had a small Grayson Perry exhibition going on. The Marriott Hotel in my opinion was perfect for our group and in Covid times. It was not too busy so people felt OK walking around and a big plus was that the coach (with some manoeuvring) could be parked right outside.  The dinner on the first night was very good. Port Sunlight was a contrast to busy Liverpool and we were able to slow down the pace which we all enjoyed. The Anthony Gormley statues were highlights. So thank you again for organising this visit, there is a vast amount of preparation and  meticulous planning that goes into every trip and you and Tailored Travel obviously have a very good system to make sure it works so well. 

With best wishes, Sue 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Arts Society Worcester - Glyndebourne opera

Our trip was a great success. Took 38 and brought 38 back. They loved the hotel and the ambience. The three visits were excellent and all different from each other. So thank you for your excellent organising.

Best wishes, Rebecca 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 2021

The Arts Society Moor Park - Yorkshire

Thank you very much for putting together an excellent itinerary for us in York and Yorkshire. The hotel was excellent and well situated. They worked very hard to make us comfortable, the breakfast and evening meals were plentiful, well presented and tasty. Our Blue Badge guide was as we have come to expect from these guides very good. She was charming, patient, unflappable and very knowledgeable - we thoroughly enjoyed having her with us for 3 days and she took the pressure of me!!!! Everything worked like clockwork - as usual. A wonderful trip, full on and enjoyed by everyone - it was wonderful to be together again - like it was before Covid. Thank you all very much for all your hard work, it is very much appreciated.

Best wishes, Gill

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Arts Society North London - Normandy

Once again a wonderful and successful Tour of Normandy. This inspite of all the difficulties caused by COVID. We organised this trip with you two years ago but it was worth waiting for it. The organisation, as always, was excellent. Everything meticulously planned. Petra was always there for us when needed. Our Tour Guide was wonderful, his first hand knowledge of the area and his abilities to sort out some difficulties to do with COVID procedures meant our trip was truly tailored for us! He is also a very good photographer so our group photo made us all look good. We felt like pioneers post COVID, but in safe hands!

Thank you. Very best wishes, 

CB, Chairman

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterbury U3A - Northamptonshire

I have just returned from the trip to Northamptonshire you put together for Canterbury U3A. It was varied, interesting and took in some of the fascinating countryside. I was very pleased to have signed up for it. I should also add the coach company and drivers were excellent and the hotel fitted the bill so well too, it was comfortable and the staff were obliging and helpful. 

Many thanks for your organisation skills. CH 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welwyn Hatfield U3A - Northern Ireland

I’ve just returned from the tour to Northern Ireland with my U3A. I’d like to say what a fantastic trip it was. The tour was a great mix of history, nature and sightseeing. I understood very little about NI beforehand so was really interested in finding out about it. The highlight for me of this tour, though, was the choice of guide and driver as they made it so good. I believe they were the most helpful, thoughtful and informative team of all the trips I’ve been on. So well done Tailored Travel for this wonderful holiday.

Best regards, AD 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wimbledon National Trust - Northumbria

Just to let you know that all your hard work organising our holiday to Northumbria paid off. Everyone had a great time on the tour to Northumbria and we were even blessed with good weather. A big thank you to you for all your hard work in organising what was a really great holiday. We had several members who had never been on holiday with us before and they were all delighted with the experience. 

Very best wishes, Maureen 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 2021

The Arts Society Stratford upon Avon - Northumbria

I write, having just returned from this beautiful holiday in Northumbria, with your company. It was of course, excellently planned, & needless to say we were very well looked after by out group organisers. The lady who was our local blue badge guide was not only an excellent & knowledgeable guide but most pleasant company & our driver wonderful negotiating the narrow gates & lanes as well as the main roads! The staff at our hotel were helpful & delightful. People are very fast to complain when things go wrong but not always so rapid to say thank you when things go well, so here is a most heartfelt thank you to everyone involved.

Best wishes AB 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 2021

Canterbury U3A - Northumbria

We have just returned from the Canterbury U3A group visit to Northumbria. Everyone had a wonderful time – it was so good to travel again. We all felt perfectly safe and the hotel adopted good hygiene practices. Our driver and Blue Badge Guide were excellent. It is hard to select a highlight, but for us it was the boat trip around The Farne Islands where we saw many birds and seals. We couldn't resist a group photo at the Angel of The North. Our thanks to everyone involved.

Janet & Dan Livermore 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 2021

The Arts Society Woking - Liverpool

On behalf of the group who went to Liverpool this week can I say a huge “thank you” for all your hard work in ensuring we had a wonderful trip. Organisation was first class, Sandy, under very difficult Covid compliant circumstances (and the odd little irritation at the end which you handled very firmly, quite rightly, but diplomatically!)  All went very smoothly due to your efforts. Our guide was excellent and our driver very cheerful!

Let’s hope the tour to Nice next year is a little less stressful! Speak soon.

 

The Arts Society Derby - Kent

The Derby Society has just returned from a very successful – and happy – trip to Kent and I just wanted to thank Tailored Travel for all their excellent planning and organisation. Everything ran like clockwork.  The driver was excellent, and it goes without saying that our guide was a joy to have along. His wit and humour carried us through, plus his wide-ranging knowledge and care for his passengers. The hotel was superb and the staff couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful. The itinerary was very varied – and in spite of one or two damp moments – the gardens were all looking at their absolute best. 

I’m sure as a Society we’d like to do another trip with you in the future and we’re having discussions about possible destinations.  We just need to let Val get over this one first! 

With all good wishes 

The Arts Society Harrow - Northumbria

We arrived back safely on Friday night after a wonderful holiday. Everything ran so smoothly thanks to your brilliant organisation. The hotel was excellent with very good food and superb service, such friendly staff. Every venue we visited ran like clockwork. I think staff everywhere were so pleased to have visitors again. Although we could not get bookings for Lindisfarne Castle we all agreed that the Priory was the most important site to visit. We were able to go into Gertrude Jekyll's walled garden and the weather was lovely that day so everyone was happy. The coach driver was excellent, nothing was too much trouble, and of course our guide exceeded all expectations - absolutely brilliant!.

Thank you so much from all of us for the tremendous effort that you put into making our holiday work, which was way beyond normal expectations. I am already getting bookings for next year flooding in and I do hope that we will work together again.

TS, Chairman

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 2020

High Wycombe and District U3A - Northumbria

Just around five months in lockdown and there like a light at the end of the tunnel was our U3A Northumbria Tour. Our numbers diminished but Tailored Travel guided us along the way and eventually 21 intrepid seniors said let’s go we need something to look forward to.

Our coach from Mainline was very comfortable and the driver was excellent.

The Gibside Hotel were ready with all the Covid measures in place . They greeted us with great enthusiasm. We had the ground floor of the hotel dedicated to our tour. Nothing was too much trouble and the meals were good fresh cooked food served with a smile.

Our guide Jan worked so hard and after not working for 5 months she was raring to go. What a font of knowledge she was without being too much like a lecturer. She also included some little extras like the Angel of the North photo stop which was on everyone’s wish list.

Tailored Travels team were excellent and when venues failed to open. Sandy rearranged, with my approval, other venues which were equally interesting, if not in some cases better. I was consulted at every step of the way. It was not a stressful experience at all. Communication was second to none.

We felt totally safe at all times and hands were never so clean. In fact, we had so much sanitiser gel we could have bathed in it.! Everyone had a brilliant holiday and came back with new friends, a head full of memories, and a story to tell of their intrepid adventures in the North East. 

Thank you Tailored Travel for a fantastic holiday.

SC, Outings Convenor
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Havering & District National Trust - Worcestershire & Warwickshire

Dear Michael,

I would like to thank your company and all your staff, in particular Sandy Cornish, for all their hard work in ensuring that our recent holiday to Worcestershire and Warwickshire went ahead.

When our itinerary was thrown into disarray by the National Trust not accepting coach parties, she went above and beyond to provide us with an alternative plan. She ensured that all the i’s were dotted and the t’s were crossed and as a result of her hard work everything ran smoothly. When we arrived at venues we were expected and all the paper work was in order. She really did an outstanding job.

Mainline Coaches didn’t disappoint either. The driver, John Lewis was excellent, gave us a smooth ride and kept a very tidy coach. Mainline must be commended on the measures that they put into place to minimise the spread of COVID - 19 whilst travelling on the coach. From my point of view it was a great relief to see the seats that could be occupied so clearly marked, as well as the hand sanitising station positioned at such a prominent point on the vehicle. Our driver gave excellent instructions as to the precautions that were to be taken as well as answering questions about the air conditioning system so that the group could make an informed decision as to whether to wear masks or not whilst they were seated. He was also fastidious about sanitising the coach which was comforting. Many members of the group commented how safe they felt when travelling on the coach. I have written to Mainline expressing the groups thanks.

I think that in these uncertain times, many of the group had reservations about taking the holiday, but took the risk. As the days unfolded many people commented that participating in the trip gave them increasing confidence that it was safe to go out and about. I know that they will tell others about how safe it was and hopefully it will encourage others to take calculated risks to travel particularly within the U.K.

Everyone had a thoroughly good time, so much that they are expecting me to organise a holiday for 2021. So I will be in touch shortly with our plans for next year.

With grateful thanks,
SE, Hon. Secretary/Group Organiser