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Journey Latin America Traveller Reviews

Reviews of journey latin america.

Alcion tour AP2423, 09/03/2024-31/03/2024

Excelent trip, very good guide

Very helpful

A fabulous holiday in Argentina

Our first visit to the country, visiting Buenos Aires, the glaciers in Patagonia, Bariloche and ending with a wi e tour around Mendoza (sourced separately through a London wine tour specialist we have used before) ,

From drawing up an itinerary through booking flights, transfers, hotels, just excellent. A most useful app too.

Fantastic Holiday in Costa Rica

A very well organised trip to Costa Rica. Trip organised by JLA in the UK and backed up by superb ground staff in Costa Rica.

We were looked after very well by Lina Fuller. Her experience helped create a holiday that seemed slightly different to the other holiday makers that we met on our travels in Costa Rica.

Places to broaden the mind.

We travelled through Patagonia and saw scenery and sites that we could not have imagined. The people and the variety made for an utterly memorable experience. It’s more than a holiday.

JLA made sure all that needed to happen did. And inevitable hiccups were sorted without fuss. Every location was of real interest and our dip into the Andes was fascinating.

Fabulous trip to Argentina

We spent three weeks in South America, travelling from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, through El Calafate, El Chalten and the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. We even managed a trip to Colonia in Uruguay. Sophie, our agent at JLA listened to our wishes and put together an excellent itinerary with just the right amount of time in each area. Our plans we almost disrupted by an airline national strike however Sophie was able to sort everything ...

We spent three weeks in South America, travelling from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, through El Calafate, El Chalten and the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. We even managed a trip to Colonia in Uruguay. Sophie, our agent at JLA listened to our wishes and put together an excellent itinerary with just the right amount of time in each area. Our plans we almost disrupted by an airline national strike however Sophie was able to sort everything on our behalf and we were able to enjoy our holiday without any worries. Accommodation was very good and transfers and internal travel arrangements went without a hitch. A wonderful holiday in a beautiful part of the world.

See above. Sophie Barbour was very responsive, offered us helpful advice and put together an excellent itinerary. She always responded quickly to any queries. both before and during our trip. I would recommend her to anyone.

Brilliant Experience

A superbly arranged tour of Costa Rica, stop over in Quito, Ecuador and 5 day cruise in the Galapagos Islands.

Everything went to plan

Peru & Coast Rica

Incas, Wildlife & beach

Excellent tour through Central America

Group tour overland through six countries in Central America over 21 days. excellent tour - very well led and organised. excellent introduction and overview of the region. Highly recommended

Longstanding specialist knowledge of the region. Excellent for holidays to Central and South America whether in group or private. Excellent local knowledge and guides

Great cross-country mix to discover Central America in all its glory

6 countries in 3 weeks ? Easy with JLA and they throw in a couple of extra border crossings to give you more than 5 sets of passport stamps !

JLA goes for depth nog breadth - sticking to Central and South America rather than offering the whole world as too many of their peers do. . Keep it up !

Amazing from start to finish

We did a self drive in Ecuador and a cruise in the Galapagos. Every day was memorable. The whole holiday was well organised. All our daily information was clear and all our local guides were friendly, helpful and informative.

From the initial planning stage onwards the communication was good. The package they put together was excellent. All the accommodation was of a good standard. Local guides were very helpful. Everything went smoothly. We felt we were in safe hands.

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Distant Journeys   Reviews

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Fine until things go wrong

Internal flight was cancelled last minute due to pilot sickness; no-ones fault and beyond tour operator's control. How they mis-managed the fall out however was disappointing and very much within their control. As a result we missed Uluru and Alice Springs and remained in Cairns for several extra days, despite alternative flights and alternative options being available. This was a holiday of a lifetime and too expensive to be repeated, so we will never now see those places. Compensation offered did not reflect the degree of disruption and upset caused. They did offer alternative trips while we were stuck in Cairns. One was very similar but inferior to a rainforest trip we’d already done . The other was a local aquarium which costs peanuts and which you can find in any major town in the UK. Distant Journeys are difficult to deal with when things go wrong and hide behind standard responses and industry jargon. No doubt, they will post a long standard response to this, including phrases like 'worked tirelessly' and 'did our best in difficult circumstances'. Ultimately, however fervently they attempt to justify their actions, they put their profit margin before salvaging our holiday. The test of a good business is how they respond and resolve when things go wrong and they failed. Also they are not ABTA regulated which limits options for escalating a challenge. They are in AITO , which unlike ABTA , charges customers substantially to use . We will not travel with them again and will seek ABTA regulated companies in future.

Date of experience : 22 November 2023

Reply from Distant Journeys

Thank you for your feedback regarding your holiday to New Zealand and Australia. We want to say how sorry we are your holiday was impacted by the cancellation of a flight and we completely understand how frustrating it was for you to have three days out of your 30-day holiday affected by the flight cancellation. However, we feel the comments made are an unfair reflection of the situation and we feel it is important to address the various points raised. The cancellation of the flight was entirely beyond the control of Distant Journeys as you have mentioned. As soon as we were made aware of the cancellation, the Distant Journeys teams in the UK and Australia, and the Qantas teams in the UK and Australia, worked hard to find alternative arrangements for our guests. With only one flight each day operating between Cairns and Ayers Rock, we were unable to arrange seats on the following days due to extremely limited capacity. We therefore looked at many different routings via a number of Australian cities to try to help our guests reach the Red Centre. Whilst there was the odd seat available, the limited spaces and challenging logistics meant the best solution our flight teams were able to find was to extend our guests’ stay in Cairns for three nights. Throughout this process, I can assure you that we did not put profits before our guests’ interests, and I think that suggestion is unfair. Following the flight cancellation, Distant Journeys made the following arrangements: • Three nights accommodation in Cairns in a 4* hotel • Full daily breakfast • Entry into Cairns Aquarium • Full day excursion to the Daintree & Port Douglas The cost of these additional arrangements was covered by Distant Journeys. As all the arrangements in the Red Centre were cancelled late on, we were unable to reclaim a refund for these elements of the holiday. In addition, we understood the disappointment of missing the Red Centre. Accordingly, all guests were offered an opportunity to fly from Sydney to Ayers Rock, see Uluru at sunset and sunrise, experience the Red Centre, stay overnight in a 4* hotel with breakfast and fly back to Sydney. Again, there were no additional costs for our guests to do this. On returning to the United Kingdom, Distant Journeys arranged compensation of £750 per person for the three days of the holiday which were affected by the flight cancellation. With regard to your point about ABTA, it is true to say that Distant Journeys is not a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). As Distant Journeys is a tour operator rather than a travel agent, our holidays are fully ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority and we are also part of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO). In our recent correspondence, we provided you with a full explanation of the reasons we believed the £1,500 compensation was far above industry standards when three days of a 30-day holiday is affected. We understand that sometimes views can be different on the amount of compensation that should be paid, and we advised that if you disagreed with our findings we would be happy to use the independent arbitration scheme provided by AITO. We provided full details of this scheme and a link to the appropriate page on their website, making escalating the matter straight forward. Instead you chose to accept our compensation. I believe that Distant Journeys did the best job it could in a situation which was entirely beyond our control. We made the best possible alternative arrangements for our guests and covered the costs of those. We provided additional flights, accommodation and experiences at no extra cost to our guests and paid £1,500 in compensation. Once again, may we say how sorry we are the cancelled flight disrupted your holiday, and we sincerely hope that on reflection you can see Distant Journeys acted in our guests’ best interests throughout. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

I will NOT be booking a holiday with Distant Journeys again

I will NOT be booking a holiday with Distant Journey's again. They book too many tours at the same time and it stretches their customer service team as well as the tour companies they use at the destinations. Before we left for our holiday of a lifetime to New Zealand in February 2023, we had trouble speaking to their office and the tickets only arrived a few days before we were due to leave. Whilst there, they were short of tour guides and had a stand-in for the first week (who wasn't a tour guide). More importantly, a cyclone struck the island in the first week and I won't go into detail, but in my opinion the decisions that Distant Journey's made during that time put our safety at great risk.

Date of experience : 05 February 2023

Naturally we are sorry your holiday in New Zealand was impacted by two unfortunate events. Firstly, the original Tour Manager was taken ill just 48 hours prior to your arrival into New Zealand. Our first stand-in Tour Manager had been seconded to cover another illness, and our second stand-in was the Managing Director of our Partner Company in New Zealand. With the imminent arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle, the decision was taken that it was in the best interests and safety of all our hundreds of guests in New Zealand for him to remain in control of the logistics of all our tours, which were impacted to various degrees by the cyclone. In our many decades of operating tours tour New Zealand, these were unprecedented circumstances, and we did our very best to secure the services of another tour guide to join the group. In spite of our best efforts, we were not able to find an experienced Tour Manager to lead the group until your original Tour Manager had recovered from their illness. Instead, we employed the services of someone our partners in New Zealand had worked with previously, who had the skills and experience to manage the logistical elements of running the tour on the ground, with the guiding commentary falling to the coach captain. We appreciate these last-minute changes were far from ideal and were not communicated as well as they should have been at the time, for which we apologise. With regard to the arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle, the predicted path (and in fact the actual path) of the cyclone was for the eye of the storm to make landfall just to the east of Auckland, around the Coromandel Peninsula, and move in a South-easterly direction. As the precise path of the cyclone and the duration of its impact was impossible for anyone to predict we took the decision to transport you in a North-westerly direction, to the Bay of Islands, which was further away from its predicted path. This decision was taken entirely with our guests’ safety and enjoyment in mind, and as it turned out it resulted in our guests remaining safe in their hotel and able to continue their holiday once travel restrictions had been lifted. I think it is important to point out that the New Zealand government imposed travel restrictions during this period, with all flights, ferries and trains cancelled and travellers required to remain in their accommodation. This would have been the case whether you had remained in Auckland, travelled to Rotorua or stayed in the Bay of Islands as you did. I’m pleased the original Tour Manager for your holiday was able to join you once travel restrictions had been lifted and guests were able to enjoy their holiday from that point. Naturally we completely understand how frustrating it must have been to be restricted to your accommodation during Cyclone Gabrielle, but I hope you appreciate a major weather event and the associated travel restrictions were entirely beyond our control. Our guests missed an included cruise in the Bay of Islands and a Maori concert and dinner in Rotorua as a result of the cyclone. As the refund for these elements amounted to a little over £75 per person, we felt this was insufficient for the disappointment of missing these experiences. We therefore provided each guest with £500 refund as a gesture of our good will, which was accepted by the vast majority of our customers in the spirit with which it was intended. I would like to assure you that throughout this challenging and unprecedented time in New Zealand we acted with our guests’ best interests and safety in mind. With very best regards, Distant Journeys.

My Wife is currently on a tour with…

My Wife is currently on a tour with them in New Zealand. I have PTSD and did not travel. When I suffered a breakdown and asked if they could try to get my Wife home, I was brushed off with some corporate gobbledegook. I have used them in the past and they tend to charge you for your time and the option of rest days are a joke. My advice would be, avoid at all cost.

Date of experience : 04 February 2024

Thank you for your message, and may we say how deeply sorry about the situation you are experiencing. As this is a personal matter, we feel it would be inappropriate for us to comment further on this platform. Rest assured, we take all matters seriously, and as you are aware we have responded to your previous correspondence directly, and will continue to assist where possible. With best wishes, The Distant Journeys team.

A once-in-a-lifetime holiday!

The whole experience was wonderful from first booking. The app which was provided was excellent and gave us all the information and documents we needed. The tour was so well planned and showed us all we wanted to see in New Zealand and more! The hotels were of an excellent standard and the coach captain/driver/guide was phenomenal. He gave us so much information, created a group identity and, most importantly, was a safe and reliable driver. I would recommend Distant Journeys to anyone!

Date of experience : 07 January 2024

Thank you for the recommendation and for reviewing your holiday. We are lucky to have such great coach captains and we will be sure to pass on your kind words. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Amazing Holiday!

We have just returned from the Spectacular South Africa and Victoria Falls holiday. What a holiday! Marcus our tour manager in South Africa was excellent...so well organised. Our travelling group all got on so well which enhanced our holiday experience. Our whole holiday was great from start to finish. Table Mountain,penguins at Boulders beach, and Bayala game reserve were amazing. Seeing Cheetah cubs playing. Would definitely recommend the extension to the Falls...needs to be seen. This was our first holiday with Distant Journeys and certainly won't be our last...a trip of a lifetime.

Date of experience : 17 January 2024

Thank you for such a wonderful review. Seeing cheetah cubs playing - we're very jealous! Hopefully we can welcome you on another Distant Journeys holiday in the not too distant future. With best wishes, the Distant Journeys team

Prior to booking a trip to New Zealand

Prior to booking a trip to New Zealand, the staff at Distant Journeys were excellent in providing all the information I needed with regard to the quotation. Whenever I phoned, there was always someone to speak to immediately without having to go through a menu of pressing a different numbers, which is unique in this day and age. So refreshing to be able to speak to someone straight away. Their price was very competitive for the tour I've booked, which looks amazing.

Date of experience : 13 February 2024

Thank you for taking the time to review the service you received from Distant Journeys. We will be sure to pass on your kind words to the team in Ormskirk. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

Distant Journeys/Golden Triangle

Distant Journeys put together a group trip to visit India's Golden Triangle. The booking process was efficient they kept us fully informed and updated before and through out the holiday. The choice of accommodation was exceptional, the trip was well planed and packed full of additional experiences. The tour guide was very knowledgeable an excellent organiser and went out of his way looking after everyone and ensuring we had an amazing experience.

Date of experience : 06 March 2024

We're delighted to hear you had a great time in India, and our team in the UK and India helped you make the most of your experience. Thank you very much for your review. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

India 🇮🇳 Golden Triangle

From the get go following our booking DJ have been great. Good communications throughout and the holiday app itself it just awesome. We did the golden triangle in India and it was a truly amazing experience. The hotels quality of tour guide and all the excursions were first class. Would highly recommended them given this is my second trip with Oz being the first and again couldn’t fault.

Date of experience : 21 January 2024

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time exploring the Golden Triangle in India and Australia with Distant Journeys. Your kind words about our communication, holiday app, hotels, tour guides, and excursions mean a lot to us. We will make sure to share your lovely comments with the tour guide in India. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Golden Triangle with Ranthambore

Just done the India, Golden Triangle tour, it was absolutely superb from start to finish. Helpful staff when booking the holiday. Great app to keep you up to date with everything you need to know. Group size of 24 perfect for getting to know everyone and having plenty of good company. Abhi our tour guide was so knowledgeable and helpful. Oomh superbly drove, AJ kept the bus immaculate and was always there with a helping hand. The hotels used were of a first class standard, with delicious buffet meals. All but 1 trips were included, all entrance fees, train journey etc etc. Loved every single moment of this magical tour from the magnificent Taj to the rickshaw ride. Yes there's poverty like you've never seen, rubbish piled high and squalor but it's not overlooked....it's part of their lives and part of the experience. This 5 🌟 tour represents incredible value for money and I 100% recommend. Thank you Distant Journeys.

Date of experience : 07 February 2024

We're delighted to hear you had such a great time in India and the team looked after you form start to finish. The app is new this season, but seems to be enjoyed by our guests. Thank you very much for taking the time to review your holiday. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

Recently just returned from our tour of…

Recently just returned from our tour of India golden triangle & Ranthorborn with Goa extention . Really fantastic . Our tour guide KV was very knowredable and his who team made our holiday a wonderful experience. Very full on , but it was a tour and expected that. Hotels excellent and would differently consider using Distant Journeys again for another holiday

Date of experience : 11 February 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words. It sounds like you had a wonderful time in India and we hope your time in Goa gave you and opportunity to relax and unwind. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

The Very Best of New Zealand a 24 night tour.

The whole tour of The Very Best of New Zealand was well planned with excellent hotels, locations, places we visited, the coach and our driver and our guide. The App to accompany the tour was well laid out and informative. I cannot recommend Distant Journeys highly enough. The whole experience more than met our expectations.

It's lovely to hear you had such a wonderful time in New Zealand and we would like to thank you for taking the time to review your holiday. Hopefully we can welcome you on another of our tours in the not too distant future. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Fabulous tour

Booking was straightforward and comprehensive details of the holiday was provided in the Distant Journeys App. The tour guide was excellent and went the extra mile on several occasions. The tour was extremely well put together and included so much. I wouldn’t hesitate to book through the company again.

Thank you very much for your lovely review and recommendation. It has been a pleasure to help with your holiday arrangements. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Grand tour of India

Travelled to India November 23 on the Distant Journey Grand Tour of India. From start to finish it was an amazing journey. We had 2 guides - one for the north and one for the south - they were both exceptional and went out of their way to ensure everyone got the most out of their journey. I have now booked a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam and gave no hesitation in recommending the company to others. Excellent customer service from the moment they speak to you on the first phone call to the end of your trip.

Date of experience : 27 November 2023

Thank you for reviewing your Grand Tour of India. It's a big trip, and it's fantastic to hear all went well. WE very much look forward to seeing you in Vietnam and Cambodia very soon. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

Distant Journeys made our Experience…

Distant Journeys made our Experience Great with a Great Guide meeting us at the airport & staying with us on all our coach trips & Internal Flights around Australia. Hotels were very good with breakfast included. Jim our Guide was very Knowledgeable & we met some amazing people in our Group too.

Date of experience : 30 October 2023

Thank you so much for your lovely review. It seems you had a fantastic time in Australia and Jim looked after you very well. We hope you welcome you on another Distant Journeys holiday in the not too distant future. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

We had a fantastic holiday recently in…

We had a fantastic holiday recently in India - seeing Tigers, Taj Mahal, The Golden Temple and plenty more. Our hotels were first class and in particular our guide (Vikram) was invaluable for his knowledge and ensuring the various journeys went smoothly. Some of our time was spent in both Delhi and Jaipur moving through the congested streets and experiencing the vibrant culture including Rickshaw transporting.

Date of experience : 29 February 2024

It sounds like you had a brilliant time with Vikram and your fellow travellers, Thank you so much for taking the time to review your holiday. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Thinking about going solo? Don't think it, do it.

On the whole Distant Journeys is a good company to deal with but communication could have been better in the weeks leading up to departure. This was my first solo trip and I did the Temples and Tigers India Solo tour. The tour itself was fantastic but full on every day and all day, be prepared for 5.30am starts and multiple changes of hotel, and lots of travelling on trains and planes. You will definitely get a sense of the essence of Northern India. The ground staff in India (guides, drivers, hotels) were excellent with their care and attention. Would use this company again and definitely go on another solo tour, but perhaps one with a bit more down time to enjoy the lovely hotels and their facilities.

Date of experience : 01 February 2024

Thank you very much for your constructive feedback. It's great to hear you enjoyed the holiday and you were well looked after in India. We always aim to provide the right balance of included experiences and time for relaxation, so your feedback is very useful in helping us develop and improve our itinerary and it will be reviewed by our product team in the UK and our partners in India. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Our recent Trip of a lifetime - Golden Triangle and Ranthambore

Our recent trip to India was outstanding. From start to finish Distant Journeys kept us well informed and answered all concerns. Their app was really useful setting out hotels, weather, itinerary etc. The trip was exceptionally organised from start to finish with a well balanced itinerary. Our Guide was very knowledgeable, nothing was too much trouble and he made the tour by explaining about culture, history and day to day life. The group size was just right. Accommodation and food were great. I would highly recommend this tour and Distant Journeys.

Date of experience : 10 November 2023

We're delighted to hear you had such a great time in India. It's great to hear you found the Distant Journeys app useful - this is the first season we have used it and it seems to have been very well received by our guests. Thank you for taking the time to post your review. With best wishes, the Distant Journeys team

Had an amazing trip with Distant…

Had an amazing trip with Distant Journeys. Their service was superb. The trip to India was organised brilliantly. The hotels were first rate and the trip was made by the locally appointed guide.

Date of experience : 18 February 2024

Many thanks for sharing your experience of India. It's great to hear your guide was able to make this a really special holiday. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Firstly our 2 holidays “New Zealand…

Firstly our 2 holidays “New Zealand followed by Australia”were fantastic and both guides did a great job However there was issues that had an impact on our faith in this company. Our tickets never arrived until 4 days prior to leaving Communication, “without going into details” whilst we were traveling, was poor to say the least 6 emails and 1 phone call with no response until 26 days later “I was told they must have gone into junk mail !!!”but they answered the last email from the same email address I Was unable to pre book my own seats on the all flights A couple of the hotels were just ok but not what was expected for 4 star Having said all the above the holiday destinations were not a disappointment the guides were fantastic and we have made some lovely memories

Date of experience : 27 January 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're delighted to hear you find both Australia and New Zealand fantastic and you were well looked after by the guides. We're sorry your tickets arrived later than we would have liked. Our documentation team were a little behind with sending these out and with the added problems of Royal Mail strikes, we found tickets were delayed in arriving and some sets went missing and had to be re-sent. We are in the process of developing digital ticketing, which should make this process much easier for our customers in future. We plan to have this ready later in the year. One of our customer service team will be in touch soon to discuss this and the other matters raised as we try to call all our customers on their return to talk through all aspects of their holiday. Thank you again for taking the time to provide your feedback. It's very much appreciated. With best wishes. Distant Journeys.

Went from excellent company, to disappointing

Pre departure for our trip to Aus they were excellent. Our tour manager was superb but the group had far too much baggage which at times was a hinderance. Two highlights of our tour were terrible. Distant Journeys were not responsive to feedback.They ignored it for months. We had some feedback on Ghan but nothing about our shambolic Great Barrier Reef trip. We chased feedback & tried to book a tour for 2024, so gave up ( nothing like the service for booking we had in 2022). Something must have been problematic at their U.K. office, & we thought that selling spaces, had impacted on customer responsiveness. However, since posting my original review, we had a very much appreciated phone call from the MD to give feedback and to discuss the issues we experienced. In the light of this, I have edited and changed my rating from 3 star to 4.

Date of experience : 31 March 2023

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We’re pleased to hear that prior to your trip you found the service to be excellent and you were equally well looked after by your tour manager. Naturally we were sorry that couple of aspects of your trip did not happen as they would do under normal circumstances. Firstly, the flooding on the train line resulted in The Ghan not being able to operate. As explained this is only the second time in all our years of operating that the train has been unable to operate due to unforeseen circumstances. With limited accommodation in the town of Alice Springs and no available flights out of Alice for many days, the best solution for our guests was to spend the night on board the train and join a specially arranged flight to Darwin the following day. We’re very sorry you were unable to experience the train journey itself, but under the circumstances, the best arrangements for our customers were made. With regard to the Great Barrier Reef, a mechanical failure on the boat resulted in a later than usual arrival to the pontoon, close to lunchtime. As it was a particularly busy day, this resulted in a rushed and poorly managed buffet lunch, and as I understand from our conversation, the volume of people and the attitude of some people made this a less than an ideal experience for which we apologise. The operator we use has the best quality coral and marine life of the pontoon operators which are suited to our groups, and we are confident the upgrades which have been made over recent months to the pontoon will ensure a better experience for future travellers. Finally I would like to apologise for the slow response to your feedback from Distant Journeys. An internal issue resulted in a service level which fell below our normal standards. I would like to assure you we have just taken on a dedicated and experienced member of our customer service team who will ensure our responses are far more efficient in future. Thank you once again for taking the time to discuss the issues you encountered on a recent telephone call. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

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Hi would love any feedback from anyone who has used Global Journeys the online booking compoany.

They offer fantasticly competitive pricing but cannot find any independent reviews other than on yheir own site.

Would love to hear of peoples experience with this company both good and possibly not so...

You may be very lucky and someone who has used them sees your question, but it might be worthwhile searching this website. You can type their name into the ‘Search All Forums for” search box on this forums homepage link below and browse the search results:- https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ForumHome

I hope you find some topics of use.

Thank you appreciate tip - newbie :)

The search function referred to by Avanti turns up pages upon pages of forum posts, mostly in European forums about this company (see link)

https://www.tripadvisor.com/SearchForums?q=Global+Journeys&x=24&y=11

Good luck with your research and happy holidays.

Thanks for help BradJill :)

I have used Global Journeys for several holidays now and find them very good to deal with. My brother and sister and daughter have also used them without any problems at all.

I have no hesitation in recommending them as a company.

Thanks Rosemaree

But have found out since our original post to our misfortune that they weren't a company that we would use nor recommend.

Ah, I was just thinking of booking with them. Are you able to say anything in particular that made you not recommend them.

I have used Global Journeys a couple of times and have been very happy with their service. Prompt replies to any queries I had. No problems.

Let me just say, If it sounds and looks too good to be true ... maybe it is!!!

We been Europe 22 days tour with Cosmos and it was fantastic. Also we travel in state wit Cosmos. Global Journey is very helpful and specially Hannah Campbell, Very easy to deal with them.

Peter Melbourne

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• 11-day The Golden Triangle & Ranthambore Tour
• 14-day Golden Triangle & Goa Tour
• 14-day Splendours of Kerala Tour
• NEW! 17-day Indian Wildlife Adventure Tour
• NEW! 19-day The Very Best of Southern India Tour
• 25-day Grand Tour of India
• 13-day Temples & Tigers Tour
• NEW! 16-day Highlights of Southern India Tour
• 17-day Temples, Tigers & Goa Tour

Private Tours

• NEW! 14-day Deccan Odyssey’s Grand Heritage Tour
• NEW! 15-day Deccan Odyssey’s Cultural Discovery Tour

River Cruise

• NEW! 17-day The Brahmaputra River & Darjeeling Tour
• 17-day The Very Best of Sri Lanka Tour
• NEW! 14-day Treasures of Sri Lanka Tour

Holiday Extension

• 3-night Sri Lanka Beach Stay
• 19-day Essential Australia Tour
• 22-day Wonders of Australia Tour
• NEW! 27-day Australia’s East Coast Jewels Tour
• 27-day Christmas & New Year in Australia Tour
• 29-day Treasures of Australia Tour
• 29-day The Very Best of Australia Tour
• 24-day Magnificent New Zealand Tour
• 24-day Natural Wonders of New Zealand Tour
• 27-day New Zealand by Rail, Road and Sea Tour
• 28-day The Very Best of New Zealand Tour
• 31-day Highlights of Australia & New Zealand Tour

Combination Tours

• 44-day to 61-day Australia & New Zealand Combination Tours
• 20-day The Very Best of Japan Tour
• 23-day The Very Best of China Tour
• NEW! 15-day Classic Vietnam & Cambodia Tour
• 15-day Highlights of Vietnam Tour
• 22-day The Very Best of Vietnam & Cambodia Tour
• NEW! 18-day Discover Vietnam & Cambodia
• 3-night Mekong Delta
• NEW! 3-night Luang Prabang, Laos

Vietnam & Cambodia

• 14-day Grand Canadian Rockies Tour
• 21-day Grand Canadian Rockies & Alaskan Cruise Tour

Holiday Extensions

• 4-night Knight Inlet Tour
• 18-day Spectacular South Africa Tour
• 18-day Spectacular South Africa including Rovos Rail
• 25-day The Very Best of South Africa Tour
• 17-day African Rail Adventure
• NEW! 17-day Namibian Rail Safari
• NEW! 17-day South African Rail Discovery

Small Group Safari

• NEW! 13-day In Search of the Big Five
• 3-night Cape Town Tour
• 3-night Victoria Falls Tour
• 3-night Chobe National Park Tour
• 6-night Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park Tour

New Zealand

Australia & new zealand, canada & alaska, south africa.

• 29-day Very Best of Australia Tour
• 17-day African Rail Adventure Tour
• NEW! 17-day Namibian Rail Safari Tour
• NEW! 17-day South African Rail Discovery Tour
• 18-day Spectacular South Africa including Rovos Rail Tour
• 25-day Very Best of South Africa Tour
• NEW! 17-day The Brahmaputra River & Darjeeling
• NEW! 18-day Discover Vietnam & Cambodia Tour
• Private Tours of China

Private Tours of India

• Private Tours of Sri Lanka
• Private Tours of Vietnam & Cambodia

It’s Your Time to Explore

It’s hard to sum up everything you’ll experience on a Distant Journeys holiday, but here we’ve tried to inspire you. With who you will become, what you will discover and, most importantly, the memories you will treasure forever.  It’s Your Time to become…

• an Adventurer
• a Historian
• a Storyteller

10 Year Anniversry

We are celebrating 10 years of Distant Journeys. Since 2014, we have been designing and delivering an exciting style of touring holiday that meets exceptional standards and offers unbelievable value. Operated at a leisurely pace and providing unrivalled flexibility, our itineraries are perfectly tailored to the tastes of UK travellers.

• Find out more
• Escorted Touring Experience
• Holiday Styles to Suit You
• So Much Included
• Freedom & Flexibility
• Once in a Lifetime Experiences
• Hand-Picked Hotels
• Freedom to Explore
• Travelling with Distant Journeys
• Award-Winning Customer Service
• Meet the Distant Journeys Team
• Tour Managers, Guides & Coach Captains
• Refer a Friend
• Customer Reviews
• Financial Security
• Price Promise
• Special Offers
• REQUEST A BROCHURE
• CALL FREE 01695 577 961

India Escorted Tours & Holidays

SPECIAL OFFER:

Save up to £200 per person on all India & Sri Lanka tours departing from September 2024 when you book by 1st July 2024. Request a brochure

• India Tours

Itineraries from 11 to 25 days showing the best of India

India is without doubt a country of contrasts; a land of majestic forts and grand palaces; of sacred rivers and high mountain ranges, a melting pot of extraordinary cultures, religions and culinary delights. A tour of India is a sensory experience like no other, an exhilarating carousel of colours, aromas, sights and sounds that are uniquely Indian yet universally recognisable.

Our small group tours in India give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the incredible diversity this country has to offer and discover a journey of heart-warming and never to be forgotten experiences. Our escorted tours of India all represent exceptional value for money without compromising on the usual Distant Journeys’ award-winning quality and service.

We have an 11-day classic The Golden Triangle & Ranthambore tour, a 14-day Golden Triangle & Goa tour, a relaxed 14-day Splendours of Kerala tour, a 17-day Indian Wildlife Adventure tour, a 19-day Very Best of Southern India tour and finally a 26-day Grand Tour of India , for those who’d like to explore India in a little more depth.

Each tour has its own highlights, from a sunset or sunrise visit to the iconic Taj Mahal and private safaris in Ranthambore National Park, to an overnight stay on a traditional Keralan houseboat and a visit to a tea plantation in the Western Ghats; a ride on the UNESCO Toy Train to Shimla and a private dinner in a family home in Jaipur.

All our classic tours are also available as a Private Tour , offering you exclusive departures.

We are also delighted to introduce Exclusively Solos – three itineraries crafted exclusively for solo travellers. Choose from a 13-day Temples & Tigers tour, 16-day Highlights of Southern India tour or a 17-day Temples, Tigers & Goa tour. Offering stress-free travel, friendship and freedom, with the bonus of no single occupancy supplements they are exceptional value too.

New this 2024/25 season, we have also introduced two new rail tours, the 14-day Deccan Odyssey’s Grand Heritage and 15-day Deccan Odyssey’s Cultural Discovery , which combine a tapestry of must-see destinations with a truly remarkable rail experience. And for the first time, Distant Journeys are offering the chance to explore India by river and has exclusively chartered the Assam Bengal Navigation Sukapha riverboat. With just 12 cabins, exclusively accommodating Distant Journeys’ guests, the ABN Sukapha is home for seven nights on the 17-day Brahmaputra River & Darjeeling itinerary.

SAVE up to £200 per person  on all India tours departing from September 2024 when you  book by 1st July 2024.

BROCHURE REQUEST

Order your free brochure

The Golden Triangle & Ranthambore Tour

• Visit the iconic Taj Mahal at sunset
• Food and walking tour in Old Delhi
• Safari in Ranthambore National Park

11-day tour from £1,995pp £1,845 pp

Temples & Tigers

• Spot majestic tigers during two safaris in Ranthambore National Park
• See the iconic Taj Mahal at sunrise
• Visit the Golden Temple of Amritsar

13-day tour from £2,395pp £2,245 pp

Splendours of Kerala Tour

• Explore enchanting Cochin
• Overnight on a traditional houseboat on Kerala’s backwaters
• Discover the magnificent Meenakshi Temple

14-day tour from £2,645pp £2,445 pp

Golden Triangle & Goa

• Relaxing stay in Goa

14-day tour from £2,895pp £2,745 pp

NEW! Highlights of Southern India

• Sunset cruise on Cochin Harbour
• Explore a tea plantation in Munnar
• View the 7th century Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

16-day tour from £3,245 £3,095 pp

NEW! The Very Best of Southern India Tour

• Visit magnificent Mysore Palace
• Ride the enchanting Ooty Toy Train to Coonoor

19-day tour from £3,245pp £3,095 pp

NEW! Indian Wildlife Adventure

• Blackbuck National Park safari
• Search for Bengal tigers in Pench National Park
• Visit a tribal village in Kanha

17-day tour from £3,295pp £3,145 pp

Grand Tour of India

• Ride the UNESCO Toy Train to Shimla
• Houseboat on Kerala’s backwaters

25-day tour from £3,895 £3,745 pp

Temples, Tigers & Goa

• Tour classic Golden Triangle
• Relax on Goa’s golden beaches

17-day tour from £3,995 £3,795 pp

NEW! The Brahmaputra River & Darjeeling

• Watch the sunrise over the Himalayan Range
• Several wildlife safaris in Kaziranga National Park
• View the temples of Sibsagar

17-day tour from £5,995pp £5,845 pp

NEW! Deccan Odyssey’s Grand Heritage

• Visit the iconic Taj Mahal
• Join a Thar Desert Camel Ride

14-day tour from £6,425pp £6,275 pp

NEW! Deccan Odyssey’s Cultural Discovery

• The Golden Temple of Amritsar
• Experience the Wagah-Attari border ceremony

15-day tour from £6,555pp £6,405 pp

• Available on any India tour
• Travel as a couple, or with a small group of friends
• Choose your own departure date

Tours from £2,390 £2,190 pp (based on 2 people travelling)

• Holiday Styles
• Exceptional Value
• Flexibility

Escorted touring experience

At Distant Journeys we are true escorted touring experts. From our knowledgeable Directors and Reservations consultants at Head Office to our Tour Managers on the ground, each person plays a unique role in ensuring you have the holiday of a lifetime.

We have extensive experience in the travel industry and in creating the best escorted tours of India from the UK. You can be confident that our escorted tours to India are of the highest standard.

Our success is evident having now become 18-time winners at the prestigious British Travel Awards, and we have been awarded Feefo’s highest Platinum Trusted rating.

Your money is 100% safe when you book with Distant Journeys. All our Indian touring packages are fully-bonded by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL no. 10913).

Award-winning tours

We have won numerous awards at the British Travel Awards , most recently ‘ Best Small Holiday Company to Australasia ’, ‘ Best Small Holiday to Sub-Saharan Africa ’ and ‘ Best Small Escorted Tours Holiday Company ’.

Our customers are at the heart of what we do, and this is reflected across our company. We have received an incredible 4.8/5 customer experience rating with independent reviews provider Feefo , and were awarded its highest ‘Platinum Trusted’ rating, for consistently delivering an excellent level of customer service.

India holiday highlights

Our tours to India are full of highlights. Here’s a selection of just some of them, depending on your choice of itinerary…

• Jeep ride and tour of Amber Fort
• Explore the Keralan backwaters on board a traditional houseboat
• Witness the ‘Going to Bed Ceremony’ at Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
• The Golden Temple, Sikhism’s most sacred site, in Amritsar
• The hill town of Shimla, in the Himalayan foothills
• Ranthambore National Park, home to the elusive Indian tiger
• Discover the tea-making process in Munnar, in the Western Ghats
• Enjoy dinner at a local family home in Jaipur
• The spectacular ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony at the India-Pakistan border
• An evening food walk in Old Delhi, sampling the best in street food
• Relax with an Ayurvedic massage in Kumarakom

Choose the holiday style that’s right for you

Although our love of travel unites us, we all have our own individual requirements when it comes to how we travel. It’s your holiday, and at Distant Journeys you can choose the style of holiday that suits you best.

Classic Tours

Our Classic escorted tours are a great way to travel and experience India’s scenery, culture and sights with a group of like-minded people, guided by a friendly and knowledgeable Tour Manager who will bring the destination to life. In India, we have several classic tours to choose from –  a characteristic Golden Triangle, ideal for first time visitors with limited time, a Splendours of Kerala which covers the very best of this well-loved region, to our 26-day Grand Tour of India, which covers all of the countries many highlights. In India all our classic tours travel with no more than 24 people.

• 11-day Golden Triangle & Ranthambore
• 14-day Golden Triangle & Goa
• 14-day Splendours of Kerala
• 17-day Indian Wildlife Adventure
• 19-day Very Best of Southern India

Our Exclusively Solo itineraries are crafted to include activities and sightseeing to create friendships forged through shared experiences, and memories to last a lifetime. You will be accompanied by a Tour Manager, dedicated to ensuring you get the best from every moment of your holiday and at the end of a busy day, you can retreat to the privacy of your own hotel room. Travelling with no more than 19 people, these tours represent great value for solo travellers.

• 13-day Temples & Tigers
• 16-day Highlights of Southern India
• 17-day Temples, Tigers & Goa

Be transported to an age of romance and royalty, with an enchanting stay on India’s most opulent train, The Deccan Odyssey. Once reserved only for Indian royalty and British aristocrats, travelling by train is now one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to journey across India.

• 14-day Deccan Odyssey’s Grand Heritage
• 15-day Deccan Odyssey’s Cultural Discovery

River Cruises

For the first time, Distant Journeys are offering the chance to explore India by river and has exclusively chartered the Assam Bengal Navigation Sukapha riverboat. With just 12 cabins, exclusively accommodating Distant Journeys’ guests, the ABN Sukapha is home for seven nights on the 17-day ‘The Brahmaputra River & Darjeeling’ itinerary.

• 17-day Brahmaputra River & Darjeeling

For those who like to travel as a couple or with a group of friends, our Private Tours offer an intimate, exclusive holiday experience that is surprisingly affordable. Enjoy the same expertly-crafted itinerary and hand-picked hotels, but with the exclusivity and convenience of your own friendly and knowledgeable guides, your own private vehicle and a departure date to suit you.

All our India tours are offered as a Private Tour.

So much included

From start to finish, each Distant Journeys India tour is meticulously planned. As you would expect from a touring holiday, we include return international flights from the UK on award-winning scheduled airlines, with all your on-board meals and drinks included. Breakfast and dinner are included each day, in addition to several lunches and unique dining experiences.

All your touring holiday essentials are included, such as overseas transport in modern air-conditioned coaches, hotel porterage for your luggage, all pre-payable airport and resort taxes, and all the entrance fees to the many incredible places and monuments you will visit. What’s more, to help you make the most of your time, you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable Tour Manager throughout your journey.

Our escorted tours of India include:

• Return economy class flights with either Virgin Atlantic or Qatar Airways (dependent on your tour) from London Heathrow
• Flights from Manchester Airport may be possible
• Airport transfers overseas
• Superior hotels, with great locations
• Daily breakfast and dinner, plus several lunches, included
• Experienced local tour managers and drivers
• Incredible excursions
• All pre-payable airport taxes
• All hotel porterage
• ATOL protection for your holiday
• Our Price Promise

Freedom & Flexibility

Here at Distant Journeys, we think we’ve found the perfect balance of freedom and flexibility that your escorted tour of India needs.

What would you like to do?

On an escorted tour of India, we think it’s important to enjoy all the iconic sights and lesser-known gems, but to also have the flexibility to enjoy experiences that really interest you. We build in Freedom Days on our itineraries, allowing you to do just that. Whether you would like to take a guided tour through Jaipur’s bustling markets or meet the women of Sadna to learn about how they have transformed the well-being of their society, it’s all about what you’d like to do.

Would you like to explore further?

Who wouldn’t? If you would like to extend your holiday in India after your The Golden Triangle & Ranthambore tour, we have holiday extensions available to Amritsar,   Shimla or Varanasi.  Alternatively, if you are travelling on tour Splendours of Kerala tour , or our Grand Tour of India tour , complete your Indian adventure with a relaxing Keralan Beach stay . Or why not extend your stay in Mahabalipuram if you are travelling on our Highlights of Southern India or our Very Best of Southern India tour?

Simply let us know, and we will be happy to make the arrangements – it’s all part of our service.

Special Offer

SAVE up to £200 per person! Book any of our India tours departing from September 2024, and save up to £200 per person. Offer ends 1st July 2024. 

*Save £150 per person on holidays departing from September 2024 and save £200 per person on holidays departing from September 2025.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Award-winning holidays.

Distant Journeys has won 18 awards over the last seven years, at the British Travel Awards, and we have been awarded Feefo’s highest Platinum Trusted Rating for customer satisfaction.

Guaranteed Price Promise

Know you are paying the best price for your holiday with our Price Promise. We never offer last minute discounts and we guarantee the earlier you book the better the offer you’ll receive.

100% Financial Protection

Book in the confidence your money is 100% safe. All Distant Journeys holidays are fully bonded by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 10913) or ABTOT (number 5427).

ORDER YOUR BROCHURES TODAY

Planning your next holiday? Let Distant Journeys give you some travel inspiration.

There are three easy ways to request your brochures – just click on your preferred option below:

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Seven of the best UK train holidays: Scenic journeys for exploring by rail

A trip taken on the railways allows you to see another side of the uk – including some of its most attractive views, article bookmarked.

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Whether it’s the slow chug-chug-chug of a steam train winding along the rails or being able to see familiar towns and cities of the UK from a fresh angle, there’s something special about travelling on the railway.

For those opting for a UK holiday this year, there’s plenty of ways to explore the country without needing to fly or strapping yourself in for a long road trip. Seaside resorts, cities – ones where you’ll find history and modern delights – and National Parks can all be discovered with a train holiday. From arriving at the railway station until you’re safely delivered home, the whole journey you’ll be looked after while getting to see the best each destination can offer.

From the UK capital to the Cornish coast and from a jaunt through Wales to a show-stopping tour of the entire country, here are some of the best train holiday packages you can book. The only difficult part is which one will you choo-choo-choose...

Grand Tour of the UK

Great Rail Journeys offer a holiday that covers several of the UK’s finest cities over 12 days, soaking up everything from historic castles and Roman baths, buzzing canal districts to world-famous museums.

After a day in York, you’ll move on to Edinburgh before a journey on the Jacobite Express (between Fort William and Mallaig) on day five. Your final night in Scotland is spent in Glasgow, before two nights in Liverpool after you return to England.

Day eight and nine are spent in Bristol and Bath , respectively, before a visit to Stonehenge on day 10. You’ll arrive in London at the end of the day, where you’ll witness the opening ceremony at the Tower of London the next morning. With seven days to explore the cities in between tranquil journeys through the spectacular countryside, this is a tour that showcases the UK at its fascinating best.

How to book

From £2,495pp, including 11 nights of accommodation, all train and coach travel, 11 breakfasts and five dinners. greatrail.com

Read more on UK travel :

• 10 best city breaks for a weekend trip in 2023
• The best family holiday destinations in the UK
• Best UK lodge and chalet holidays for 2023

Grand Tour of Scotland

This 14-night, self-guided tour of Scotland may seem long, but its leisurely nature means you can fully relax as you enjoy rail and boat trips around the isles and Highlands. It begins in Glasgow , where you’ll travel on the famous West Highland Line to Oban (day one) and eventually to Spean Bridge (day three). After some gentle strolls around the Highlands, you’ll take the Jacobite Express before a short journey over to Skye.

By day eight you’ll arrive in Inverness, where you can travel to the famous loch , before venturing as far north as Orkney by day 11. The next day is a return to the Highlands for the last two nights of the trip, before a final journey Edinburgh to end your two-week Scottish odyssey. With days trips to the isles of Mull, Staffa and Iona, plus visits to small towns such as Portree and Plockton, you’re guaranteed to see towering hills, idyllic countryside, beautiful coast and historic cities.

From £2,750pp. This price includes 11 nights bed and breakfast, three nights of dinner, bed and breakfast, four day trips, a single journey on the Jacobite Express, all train and ferry travel, and most of the station transfers. mckinlaykidd.com

London to Cornwall

Byway offer the perfect Cornwall trip, whether you’re a Cornish veteran or you’ve never even visited the county. The journey kicks off in London, where one off the most exciting legs of the trip takes you to Bodmin on the Night Riviera train (with a journey time of eight hours), where you can enjoy the views from your cabin before relaxing into a night’s sleep.

The next day, you’ll travel to Padstow – for an 19th-century experience, you can choose to travel along the Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway via steam train for part of the journey. You’ll stay for two nights of exploring, drinking and Rick Stein-inspired eating before travelling to St Ives (via Bodmin), one of Cornwall’s best seaside towns. After a couple of nights spent wandering its winding streets and golden beaches, you travel to Falmouth (the county’s university town) for the last two nights of your trip.

Accommodation and travel (including the sleeper train) start at £939pp. byway.travel

Grand Tour of Ireland

McKinlay Kidd’s second flagship offering is a grand tour of Ireland. Covering both the Republic and Northern over 12 days, it starts in Dublin and ends in Belfast , with stops in popular cities such as Galway and Cork. The route covers a good portion of the Wild Atlantic Way, starting in Westport on day one and progressing to points along the County Mayo and County Galway sections of the route. On day four, you’ll take a crossing to Inis Mor (a rugged island covered with towering cliffs and white sand beaches), while the next day you’ll leave Galway for a short and scenic train ride to Ennis in County Clare.

Days seven to nine are spent in Kerry, Killarney and Kinsale, before you arrive at the route’s second standout destination on day 11. You’ll spend two nights in Belfast, exploring the Cathedral and Titanic Quarters, before bidding farewell to the Emerald Isle.

From £2,935pp, including all travel, 12 nights of accommodation, plus tours of Inis Mor tour, Kinsale and Belfast. mckinlaykidd.com

Lakeland Railways and Cumbria

Railtrail offer several shorter trips around regions of the UK, with their Lakeland and Cumbria tour offering spectacular scenery, serene settings and historic Lake District villages. Every day begins at your hotel near Grange-over-Sands, and after a relaxing evening, the next day you’ll journey along the Cumbrian coastline to Carnforth and then Morecambe.

You’ll visit Haverthwaite and Bowness-on-Windermere on day three, where you’ll get the opportunity to go on a lake cruise to the southern tip of Lake Windermere. On your final day there’s a rail trip to the coastal village of Ravenglass, where you can enjoy views on the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway .

From £599pp, including travel, accommodation, dinner, one afternoon tea, all activities and rail travel from your home station to Grange-over-Sands. railtrail.co.uk

Snowdon Mountain Railway and Portmeirion

This jaunt around Snowdonia and Portmeirion is a good choice for those looking to see some of Wales’ most charming seaside resorts and areas of natural beauty. Your base will be the northern coastal resort of Llandudno. Here, a 19th-century pier and long promenades stand over lovely beaches near the centre of town, while inland rolling hills and cliffs offer great opportunities for walking and hiking.

After a day of relaxation, you’ll venture into Snowdonia National Park, where you’ll take the Snowdon Mountain Railway across the region, passing by dramatic waterfalls and a landscape littered with hills before finishing close to the summit of the mountain.

Your next day can be spent in Llandudno, but there’s the option of a trip to Anglesey before the visiting Portmeirion on day four. This tourist village was built in an Italian style over 50 years, with a long stretch of beach – backed by hills and colourful buildings – providing one of the UK’s most surreal backdrops.

From £399 per person, including accommodation in Llandudno, all travel and activities, plus breakfast and dinner on every day of the trip. shearings.com

Yorkshire and Northumberland

This seven day tour starts in Harrogate, a picturesque town full of Georgian and Victorian architecture, before moving on to York and arriving in Whitby on day three. After a day spent enjoying this quintessentially English seaside town, you return to Harrogate on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

On day four, you leave Harrogate behind to travel on the 72-mile Settle-Carlisle Railway, first to Carlisle and then to Alnwick. While in Northumberland, you’ll spend time in Bamburgh and Lindisfarne before returning to York on day seven.

From £895pp. The package includes all rail and coach travel, accommodation for six nights and 12 meals (breakfast and dinner). greatrail.com

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• Falmouth and Cape Cod
• Martha's Vineyard
• Downeaster Railway journey
• Mount Washington Cog Railway
• North Conway Scenic Railroad
• Mount Washington Valley
• White Mountains
• Boston including a sightseeing tour
• Whale watching cruise by catamaran

What's this trip about?

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Travel themes.

• National Parks
• Nature & Wildlife
• Train & Rail Journeys

Destinations

• North America
• United States

Attractions

• Mountaineering
• Trains & Rail
• Whale watching

Trip includes

• Guided tour of Boston
• Tour of Martha's Vineyard including "up-island" and "down-island"
• Whale-watching by catamaran
• Excursion to Salem
• Journey through the White Mountains
• At leisure in Cape Cod
• Free morning in Boston

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Want a tailor-made trip instead, your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Rail Journeys .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Great Rail Journeys Reviews & Ratings

Other great rail journeys reviews, avoid great rail journeys.

This was their July 22 Cruise “Delights if the Danube” Absolutely awful company, great at taking your bookings and money but it then ends there. We paid a premium r...

trip amazing

Just at the end of the India Golden triangle and Shimla trip... amazing. An assault on the senses and such a magnificent tour. Wonderfully organised, very knowledgea...

very professional

very professional and every need catered for

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Tour operator, great rail journeys.

Why travel with great rail journeys?

Great Rail Journeys is the UK's leading operator of holidays by rail. There is no-one who understands rail holidays like we do - and no other company offers a better choice of escorted holidays by rail anywhere else in the world.

We pride ourselves on providing you with a truly first class holiday experience, in every aspect of our tours:

The Best Rail Travel

We have been organising outstanding tours for more than 30 years. In that time, we have built on our detailed understanding of both UK and international networks, and are true rail experts. We ensure that we travel on the most convenient trains and (where applicable) the most comfortable sleeper trains.

On most of our holidays, rail journeys are made in the highest class available on the train - and this is included in the price of the holiday, rather than being offered as an upgrade option with more to pay. On the Eurostar we generally travel in Standard Premier Class, the first class option for leisure travellers, with a light meal, alcoholic drinks and tea/coffee served on board. On most holidays we continue in First Class on inter-city routes across Europe all the way to your destination.

Our New Departure Office At St Pancras International

Traveling on one of our European tours? To make sure your holiday gets off to a relaxing and stress-free start, we now have our own special dedicated departure office at St Pancras International station. From the very beginning, your Tour Manager will be there waiting to greet you. Then it's just a short step to your train and the start of your wonderful holiday experience.

Brilliant Hotels

In our three decades of experience, we have carefully selected our hotels based on their individual style, warm welcome and excellent service - ensuring that they meet the high standards our customers have come to expect. We have worked closely with several of our hoteliers for a number of years, and many of the hotels we use have become firm favourites with Great Rail Journeys' customers in that time; we use them year after year because our customers tell us how much they enjoyed their stay.

We know how important it is to stay in a hotel within easy reach of the attractions, and so our hotels are generally ideally located for the station and the places of interest. Each hotel boasts comfortable beds, spacious bathrooms and plenty of storage, whilst minibars, hairdryers, in-room safes and telephones are a feature in almost every hotel on our programme. The star rating of each hotel varies between 3 and 5 stars; we look for our hotels to have the perfect mix of excellent facilities, a great location, and which offer fantastic value for money to our customers.

We include many meals on our tours. These are served in the hotel - or sometimes in a popular local restaurant. As we dine together, meal times are often the most sociable times of the day. Included meals are clearly shown on each tour page.

Fantastic Excursions

Also included in the price of your holiday is the exciting programme of excursions listed in the itinerary. Our excursions have been meticulously planned, and have been carefully refined and tweaked over the years, to give you a wonderful balance of cultural, historical and social experiences of the regions you visit.

On most of our excursions, in addition to your Tour Manager, you will be accompanied by a local guide - enabling you to get a true insight into the area. In some cases, we include excursions to off-the-beaten-track destinations that simply would not be stumbled upon without this local knowledge.

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What the New Overtime Rule Means for Workers

One of the basic principles of the American workplace is that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. Simply put, every worker’s time has value. A cornerstone of that promise is the  Fair Labor Standards Act ’s (FLSA) requirement that when most workers work more than 40 hours in a week, they get paid more. The  Department of Labor ’s new overtime regulation is restoring and extending this promise for millions more lower-paid salaried workers in the U.S.

Overtime protections have been a critical part of the FLSA since 1938 and were established to protect workers from exploitation and to benefit workers, their families and our communities. Strong overtime protections help build America’s middle class and ensure that workers are not overworked and underpaid.

Some workers are specifically exempt from the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime protections, including bona fide executive, administrative or professional employees. This exemption, typically referred to as the “EAP” exemption, applies when: 

1. An employee is paid a salary,  

2. The salary is not less than a minimum salary threshold amount, and 

3. The employee primarily performs executive, administrative or professional duties.

While the department increased the minimum salary required for the EAP exemption from overtime pay every 5 to 9 years between 1938 and 1975, long periods between increases to the salary requirement after 1975 have caused an erosion of the real value of the salary threshold, lessening its effectiveness in helping to identify exempt EAP employees.

The department’s new overtime rule was developed based on almost 30 listening sessions across the country and the final rule was issued after reviewing over 33,000 written comments. We heard from a wide variety of members of the public who shared valuable insights to help us develop this Administration’s overtime rule, including from workers who told us: “I would love the opportunity to...be compensated for time worked beyond 40 hours, or alternately be given a raise,” and “I make around $40,000 a year and most week[s] work well over 40 hours (likely in the 45-50 range). This rule change would benefit me greatly and ensure that my time is paid for!” and “Please, I would love to be paid for the extra hours I work!”

The department’s final rule, which will go into effect on July 1, 2024, will increase the standard salary level that helps define and delimit which salaried workers are entitled to overtime pay protections under the FLSA. 

Starting July 1, most salaried workers who earn less than $844 per week will become eligible for overtime pay under the final rule. And on Jan. 1, 2025, most salaried workers who make less than $1,128 per week will become eligible for overtime pay. As these changes occur, job duties will continue to determine overtime exemption status for most salaried employees.

The rule will also increase the total annual compensation requirement for highly compensated employees (who are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA if certain requirements are met) from $107,432 per year to $132,964 per year on July 1, 2024, and then set it equal to $151,164 per year on Jan. 1, 2025.

Starting July 1, 2027, these earnings thresholds will be updated every three years so they keep pace with changes in worker salaries, ensuring that employers can adapt more easily because they’ll know when salary updates will happen and how they’ll be calculated.

The final rule will restore and extend the right to overtime pay to many salaried workers, including workers who historically were entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA because of their lower pay or the type of work they performed. 

We urge workers and employers to visit  our website to learn more about the final rule.

Jessica Looman is the administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. Follow the Wage and Hour Division on Twitter at  @WHD_DOL  and  LinkedIn .  Editor's note: This blog was edited to correct a typo (changing "administrator" to "administrative.")

• Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• overtime rule

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Fine until things go wrong

Internal flight was cancelled last minute due to pilot sickness; no-ones fault and beyond tour operator's control. How they mis-managed the fall out however was disappointing and very much within their control. As a result we missed Uluru and Alice Springs and remained in Cairns for several extra days, despite alternative flights and alternative options being available. This was a holiday of a lifetime and too expensive to be repeated, so we will never now see those places. Compensation offered did not reflect the degree of disruption and upset caused. They did offer alternative trips while we were stuck in Cairns. One was very similar but inferior to a rainforest trip we’d already done . The other was a local aquarium which costs peanuts and which you can find in any major town in the UK. Distant Journeys are difficult to deal with when things go wrong and hide behind standard responses and industry jargon. No doubt, they will post a long standard response to this, including phrases like 'worked tirelessly' and 'did our best in difficult circumstances'. Ultimately, however fervently they attempt to justify their actions, they put their profit margin before salvaging our holiday. The test of a good business is how they respond and resolve when things go wrong and they failed. Also they are not ABTA regulated which limits options for escalating a challenge. They are in AITO , which unlike ABTA , charges customers substantially to use . We will not travel with them again and will seek ABTA regulated companies in future.

Date of experience : 22 November 2023

Reply from Distant Journeys

Thank you for your feedback regarding your holiday to New Zealand and Australia. We want to say how sorry we are your holiday was impacted by the cancellation of a flight and we completely understand how frustrating it was for you to have three days out of your 30-day holiday affected by the flight cancellation. However, we feel the comments made are an unfair reflection of the situation and we feel it is important to address the various points raised. The cancellation of the flight was entirely beyond the control of Distant Journeys as you have mentioned. As soon as we were made aware of the cancellation, the Distant Journeys teams in the UK and Australia, and the Qantas teams in the UK and Australia, worked hard to find alternative arrangements for our guests. With only one flight each day operating between Cairns and Ayers Rock, we were unable to arrange seats on the following days due to extremely limited capacity. We therefore looked at many different routings via a number of Australian cities to try to help our guests reach the Red Centre. Whilst there was the odd seat available, the limited spaces and challenging logistics meant the best solution our flight teams were able to find was to extend our guests’ stay in Cairns for three nights. Throughout this process, I can assure you that we did not put profits before our guests’ interests, and I think that suggestion is unfair. Following the flight cancellation, Distant Journeys made the following arrangements: • Three nights accommodation in Cairns in a 4* hotel • Full daily breakfast • Entry into Cairns Aquarium • Full day excursion to the Daintree & Port Douglas The cost of these additional arrangements was covered by Distant Journeys. As all the arrangements in the Red Centre were cancelled late on, we were unable to reclaim a refund for these elements of the holiday. In addition, we understood the disappointment of missing the Red Centre. Accordingly, all guests were offered an opportunity to fly from Sydney to Ayers Rock, see Uluru at sunset and sunrise, experience the Red Centre, stay overnight in a 4* hotel with breakfast and fly back to Sydney. Again, there were no additional costs for our guests to do this. On returning to the United Kingdom, Distant Journeys arranged compensation of £750 per person for the three days of the holiday which were affected by the flight cancellation. With regard to your point about ABTA, it is true to say that Distant Journeys is not a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). As Distant Journeys is a tour operator rather than a travel agent, our holidays are fully ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority and we are also part of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO). In our recent correspondence, we provided you with a full explanation of the reasons we believed the £1,500 compensation was far above industry standards when three days of a 30-day holiday is affected. We understand that sometimes views can be different on the amount of compensation that should be paid, and we advised that if you disagreed with our findings we would be happy to use the independent arbitration scheme provided by AITO. We provided full details of this scheme and a link to the appropriate page on their website, making escalating the matter straight forward. Instead you chose to accept our compensation. I believe that Distant Journeys did the best job it could in a situation which was entirely beyond our control. We made the best possible alternative arrangements for our guests and covered the costs of those. We provided additional flights, accommodation and experiences at no extra cost to our guests and paid £1,500 in compensation. Once again, may we say how sorry we are the cancelled flight disrupted your holiday, and we sincerely hope that on reflection you can see Distant Journeys acted in our guests’ best interests throughout. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

I will NOT be booking a holiday with Distant Journeys again

I will NOT be booking a holiday with Distant Journey's again. They book too many tours at the same time and it stretches their customer service team as well as the tour companies they use at the destinations. Before we left for our holiday of a lifetime to New Zealand in February 2023, we had trouble speaking to their office and the tickets only arrived a few days before we were due to leave. Whilst there, they were short of tour guides and had a stand-in for the first week (who wasn't a tour guide). More importantly, a cyclone struck the island in the first week and I won't go into detail, but in my opinion the decisions that Distant Journey's made during that time put our safety at great risk.

Date of experience : 05 February 2023

Naturally we are sorry your holiday in New Zealand was impacted by two unfortunate events. Firstly, the original Tour Manager was taken ill just 48 hours prior to your arrival into New Zealand. Our first stand-in Tour Manager had been seconded to cover another illness, and our second stand-in was the Managing Director of our Partner Company in New Zealand. With the imminent arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle, the decision was taken that it was in the best interests and safety of all our hundreds of guests in New Zealand for him to remain in control of the logistics of all our tours, which were impacted to various degrees by the cyclone. In our many decades of operating tours tour New Zealand, these were unprecedented circumstances, and we did our very best to secure the services of another tour guide to join the group. In spite of our best efforts, we were not able to find an experienced Tour Manager to lead the group until your original Tour Manager had recovered from their illness. Instead, we employed the services of someone our partners in New Zealand had worked with previously, who had the skills and experience to manage the logistical elements of running the tour on the ground, with the guiding commentary falling to the coach captain. We appreciate these last-minute changes were far from ideal and were not communicated as well as they should have been at the time, for which we apologise. With regard to the arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle, the predicted path (and in fact the actual path) of the cyclone was for the eye of the storm to make landfall just to the east of Auckland, around the Coromandel Peninsula, and move in a South-easterly direction. As the precise path of the cyclone and the duration of its impact was impossible for anyone to predict we took the decision to transport you in a North-westerly direction, to the Bay of Islands, which was further away from its predicted path. This decision was taken entirely with our guests’ safety and enjoyment in mind, and as it turned out it resulted in our guests remaining safe in their hotel and able to continue their holiday once travel restrictions had been lifted. I think it is important to point out that the New Zealand government imposed travel restrictions during this period, with all flights, ferries and trains cancelled and travellers required to remain in their accommodation. This would have been the case whether you had remained in Auckland, travelled to Rotorua or stayed in the Bay of Islands as you did. I’m pleased the original Tour Manager for your holiday was able to join you once travel restrictions had been lifted and guests were able to enjoy their holiday from that point. Naturally we completely understand how frustrating it must have been to be restricted to your accommodation during Cyclone Gabrielle, but I hope you appreciate a major weather event and the associated travel restrictions were entirely beyond our control. Our guests missed an included cruise in the Bay of Islands and a Maori concert and dinner in Rotorua as a result of the cyclone. As the refund for these elements amounted to a little over £75 per person, we felt this was insufficient for the disappointment of missing these experiences. We therefore provided each guest with £500 refund as a gesture of our good will, which was accepted by the vast majority of our customers in the spirit with which it was intended. I would like to assure you that throughout this challenging and unprecedented time in New Zealand we acted with our guests’ best interests and safety in mind. With very best regards, Distant Journeys.

My Wife is currently on a tour with…

My Wife is currently on a tour with them in New Zealand. I have PTSD and did not travel. When I suffered a breakdown and asked if they could try to get my Wife home, I was brushed off with some corporate gobbledegook. I have used them in the past and they tend to charge you for your time and the option of rest days are a joke. My advice would be, avoid at all cost.

Date of experience : 04 February 2024

Thank you for your message, and may we say how deeply sorry about the situation you are experiencing. As this is a personal matter, we feel it would be inappropriate for us to comment further on this platform. Rest assured, we take all matters seriously, and as you are aware we have responded to your previous correspondence directly, and will continue to assist where possible. With best wishes, The Distant Journeys team.

A once-in-a-lifetime holiday!

The whole experience was wonderful from first booking. The app which was provided was excellent and gave us all the information and documents we needed. The tour was so well planned and showed us all we wanted to see in New Zealand and more! The hotels were of an excellent standard and the coach captain/driver/guide was phenomenal. He gave us so much information, created a group identity and, most importantly, was a safe and reliable driver. I would recommend Distant Journeys to anyone!

Date of experience : 07 January 2024

Thank you for the recommendation and for reviewing your holiday. We are lucky to have such great coach captains and we will be sure to pass on your kind words. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Amazing Holiday!

We have just returned from the Spectacular South Africa and Victoria Falls holiday. What a holiday! Marcus our tour manager in South Africa was excellent...so well organised. Our travelling group all got on so well which enhanced our holiday experience. Our whole holiday was great from start to finish. Table Mountain,penguins at Boulders beach, and Bayala game reserve were amazing. Seeing Cheetah cubs playing. Would definitely recommend the extension to the Falls...needs to be seen. This was our first holiday with Distant Journeys and certainly won't be our last...a trip of a lifetime.

Date of experience : 17 January 2024

Thank you for such a wonderful review. Seeing cheetah cubs playing - we're very jealous! Hopefully we can welcome you on another Distant Journeys holiday in the not too distant future. With best wishes, the Distant Journeys team

Prior to booking a trip to New Zealand

Prior to booking a trip to New Zealand, the staff at Distant Journeys were excellent in providing all the information I needed with regard to the quotation. Whenever I phoned, there was always someone to speak to immediately without having to go through a menu of pressing a different numbers, which is unique in this day and age. So refreshing to be able to speak to someone straight away. Their price was very competitive for the tour I've booked, which looks amazing.

Date of experience : 13 February 2024

Thank you for taking the time to review the service you received from Distant Journeys. We will be sure to pass on your kind words to the team in Ormskirk. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

Distant Journeys/Golden Triangle

Distant Journeys put together a group trip to visit India's Golden Triangle. The booking process was efficient they kept us fully informed and updated before and through out the holiday. The choice of accommodation was exceptional, the trip was well planed and packed full of additional experiences. The tour guide was very knowledgeable an excellent organiser and went out of his way looking after everyone and ensuring we had an amazing experience.

Date of experience : 06 March 2024

We're delighted to hear you had a great time in India, and our team in the UK and India helped you make the most of your experience. Thank you very much for your review. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

India 🇮🇳 Golden Triangle

From the get go following our booking DJ have been great. Good communications throughout and the holiday app itself it just awesome. We did the golden triangle in India and it was a truly amazing experience. The hotels quality of tour guide and all the excursions were first class. Would highly recommended them given this is my second trip with Oz being the first and again couldn’t fault.

Date of experience : 21 January 2024

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time exploring the Golden Triangle in India and Australia with Distant Journeys. Your kind words about our communication, holiday app, hotels, tour guides, and excursions mean a lot to us. We will make sure to share your lovely comments with the tour guide in India. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Golden Triangle with Ranthambore

Just done the India, Golden Triangle tour, it was absolutely superb from start to finish. Helpful staff when booking the holiday. Great app to keep you up to date with everything you need to know. Group size of 24 perfect for getting to know everyone and having plenty of good company. Abhi our tour guide was so knowledgeable and helpful. Oomh superbly drove, AJ kept the bus immaculate and was always there with a helping hand. The hotels used were of a first class standard, with delicious buffet meals. All but 1 trips were included, all entrance fees, train journey etc etc. Loved every single moment of this magical tour from the magnificent Taj to the rickshaw ride. Yes there's poverty like you've never seen, rubbish piled high and squalor but it's not overlooked....it's part of their lives and part of the experience. This 5 🌟 tour represents incredible value for money and I 100% recommend. Thank you Distant Journeys.

Date of experience : 07 February 2024

We're delighted to hear you had such a great time in India and the team looked after you form start to finish. The app is new this season, but seems to be enjoyed by our guests. Thank you very much for taking the time to review your holiday. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

Recently just returned from our tour of…

Recently just returned from our tour of India golden triangle & Ranthorborn with Goa extention . Really fantastic . Our tour guide KV was very knowredable and his who team made our holiday a wonderful experience. Very full on , but it was a tour and expected that. Hotels excellent and would differently consider using Distant Journeys again for another holiday

Date of experience : 11 February 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words. It sounds like you had a wonderful time in India and we hope your time in Goa gave you and opportunity to relax and unwind. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

The Very Best of New Zealand a 24 night tour.

The whole tour of The Very Best of New Zealand was well planned with excellent hotels, locations, places we visited, the coach and our driver and our guide. The App to accompany the tour was well laid out and informative. I cannot recommend Distant Journeys highly enough. The whole experience more than met our expectations.

It's lovely to hear you had such a wonderful time in New Zealand and we would like to thank you for taking the time to review your holiday. Hopefully we can welcome you on another of our tours in the not too distant future. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Fabulous tour

Booking was straightforward and comprehensive details of the holiday was provided in the Distant Journeys App. The tour guide was excellent and went the extra mile on several occasions. The tour was extremely well put together and included so much. I wouldn’t hesitate to book through the company again.

Thank you very much for your lovely review and recommendation. It has been a pleasure to help with your holiday arrangements. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Grand tour of India

Travelled to India November 23 on the Distant Journey Grand Tour of India. From start to finish it was an amazing journey. We had 2 guides - one for the north and one for the south - they were both exceptional and went out of their way to ensure everyone got the most out of their journey. I have now booked a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam and gave no hesitation in recommending the company to others. Excellent customer service from the moment they speak to you on the first phone call to the end of your trip.

Date of experience : 27 November 2023

Thank you for reviewing your Grand Tour of India. It's a big trip, and it's fantastic to hear all went well. WE very much look forward to seeing you in Vietnam and Cambodia very soon. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

Distant Journeys made our Experience…

Distant Journeys made our Experience Great with a Great Guide meeting us at the airport & staying with us on all our coach trips & Internal Flights around Australia. Hotels were very good with breakfast included. Jim our Guide was very Knowledgeable & we met some amazing people in our Group too.

Date of experience : 30 October 2023

Thank you so much for your lovely review. It seems you had a fantastic time in Australia and Jim looked after you very well. We hope you welcome you on another Distant Journeys holiday in the not too distant future. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

We had a fantastic holiday recently in…

We had a fantastic holiday recently in India - seeing Tigers, Taj Mahal, The Golden Temple and plenty more. Our hotels were first class and in particular our guide (Vikram) was invaluable for his knowledge and ensuring the various journeys went smoothly. Some of our time was spent in both Delhi and Jaipur moving through the congested streets and experiencing the vibrant culture including Rickshaw transporting.

Date of experience : 29 February 2024

It sounds like you had a brilliant time with Vikram and your fellow travellers, Thank you so much for taking the time to review your holiday. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Thinking about going solo? Don't think it, do it.

On the whole Distant Journeys is a good company to deal with but communication could have been better in the weeks leading up to departure. This was my first solo trip and I did the Temples and Tigers India Solo tour. The tour itself was fantastic but full on every day and all day, be prepared for 5.30am starts and multiple changes of hotel, and lots of travelling on trains and planes. You will definitely get a sense of the essence of Northern India. The ground staff in India (guides, drivers, hotels) were excellent with their care and attention. Would use this company again and definitely go on another solo tour, but perhaps one with a bit more down time to enjoy the lovely hotels and their facilities.

Date of experience : 01 February 2024

Thank you very much for your constructive feedback. It's great to hear you enjoyed the holiday and you were well looked after in India. We always aim to provide the right balance of included experiences and time for relaxation, so your feedback is very useful in helping us develop and improve our itinerary and it will be reviewed by our product team in the UK and our partners in India. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Our recent Trip of a lifetime - Golden Triangle and Ranthambore

Our recent trip to India was outstanding. From start to finish Distant Journeys kept us well informed and answered all concerns. Their app was really useful setting out hotels, weather, itinerary etc. The trip was exceptionally organised from start to finish with a well balanced itinerary. Our Guide was very knowledgeable, nothing was too much trouble and he made the tour by explaining about culture, history and day to day life. The group size was just right. Accommodation and food were great. I would highly recommend this tour and Distant Journeys.

Date of experience : 10 November 2023

We're delighted to hear you had such a great time in India. It's great to hear you found the Distant Journeys app useful - this is the first season we have used it and it seems to have been very well received by our guests. Thank you for taking the time to post your review. With best wishes, the Distant Journeys team

Had an amazing trip with Distant…

Had an amazing trip with Distant Journeys. Their service was superb. The trip to India was organised brilliantly. The hotels were first rate and the trip was made by the locally appointed guide.

Date of experience : 18 February 2024

Many thanks for sharing your experience of India. It's great to hear your guide was able to make this a really special holiday. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Firstly our 2 holidays “New Zealand…

Firstly our 2 holidays “New Zealand followed by Australia”were fantastic and both guides did a great job However there was issues that had an impact on our faith in this company. Our tickets never arrived until 4 days prior to leaving Communication, “without going into details” whilst we were traveling, was poor to say the least 6 emails and 1 phone call with no response until 26 days later “I was told they must have gone into junk mail !!!”but they answered the last email from the same email address I Was unable to pre book my own seats on the all flights A couple of the hotels were just ok but not what was expected for 4 star Having said all the above the holiday destinations were not a disappointment the guides were fantastic and we have made some lovely memories

Date of experience : 27 January 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're delighted to hear you find both Australia and New Zealand fantastic and you were well looked after by the guides. We're sorry your tickets arrived later than we would have liked. Our documentation team were a little behind with sending these out and with the added problems of Royal Mail strikes, we found tickets were delayed in arriving and some sets went missing and had to be re-sent. We are in the process of developing digital ticketing, which should make this process much easier for our customers in future. We plan to have this ready later in the year. One of our customer service team will be in touch soon to discuss this and the other matters raised as we try to call all our customers on their return to talk through all aspects of their holiday. Thank you again for taking the time to provide your feedback. It's very much appreciated. With best wishes. Distant Journeys.

Went from excellent company, to disappointing

Pre departure for our trip to Aus they were excellent. Our tour manager was superb but the group had far too much baggage which at times was a hinderance. Two highlights of our tour were terrible. Distant Journeys were not responsive to feedback.They ignored it for months. We had some feedback on Ghan but nothing about our shambolic Great Barrier Reef trip. We chased feedback & tried to book a tour for 2024, so gave up ( nothing like the service for booking we had in 2022). Something must have been problematic at their U.K. office, & we thought that selling spaces, had impacted on customer responsiveness. However, since posting my original review, we had a very much appreciated phone call from the MD to give feedback and to discuss the issues we experienced. In the light of this, I have edited and changed my rating from 3 star to 4.

Date of experience : 31 March 2023

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We’re pleased to hear that prior to your trip you found the service to be excellent and you were equally well looked after by your tour manager. Naturally we were sorry that couple of aspects of your trip did not happen as they would do under normal circumstances. Firstly, the flooding on the train line resulted in The Ghan not being able to operate. As explained this is only the second time in all our years of operating that the train has been unable to operate due to unforeseen circumstances. With limited accommodation in the town of Alice Springs and no available flights out of Alice for many days, the best solution for our guests was to spend the night on board the train and join a specially arranged flight to Darwin the following day. We’re very sorry you were unable to experience the train journey itself, but under the circumstances, the best arrangements for our customers were made. With regard to the Great Barrier Reef, a mechanical failure on the boat resulted in a later than usual arrival to the pontoon, close to lunchtime. As it was a particularly busy day, this resulted in a rushed and poorly managed buffet lunch, and as I understand from our conversation, the volume of people and the attitude of some people made this a less than an ideal experience for which we apologise. The operator we use has the best quality coral and marine life of the pontoon operators which are suited to our groups, and we are confident the upgrades which have been made over recent months to the pontoon will ensure a better experience for future travellers. Finally I would like to apologise for the slow response to your feedback from Distant Journeys. An internal issue resulted in a service level which fell below our normal standards. I would like to assure you we have just taken on a dedicated and experienced member of our customer service team who will ensure our responses are far more efficient in future. Thank you once again for taking the time to discuss the issues you encountered on a recent telephone call. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

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Unleash your creativity with Niji! Create stunning anime characters for free with 20 free generations. Dive into the world of limitless imagination now! Enter a world of anime art wonders with niji・journey! It's a fun adventure where you can turn words into cool anime-style pictures using AI. Just tell Niji what you want to see, like "Underwater Anime girl eating ice cream in Shibuya" or simple words like "19 cats in the sky," pick a style you like, and watch as Niji creates your artwork in no time! 【 BECOME AN ARTIST - BRING YOUR IMAGINATION TO LIFE】 Niji can generate all your imaginations: - Characters from movies - Your custom Dungeons and Dragons character - Your own Anime Persona - Famous buildings and scenery - Your one and only waifu and husbando - Or find inspiration for your next husbento, aka lunch bento Want more? We have UNLIMITED imagination for you! 【 THE WORLD’S MOST ADVANCED AI ART GENERATOR】 We're not just any AI art generator! We're the best! If you're using an AI art model, make sure it's the best. You don't need a long list of words to get good pictures; Niji understands what you want. Our leading AI art model generates cute, expressive, and magical images to revolutionize your aesthetic. 【 DISCOVER YOUR UNIQUE STYLE】 Take a short quiz and find your custom art style. Your art is your form of expression, so use an aesthetic as unique as you are. Remix prompts and ideas from millions of users all across the world! 【 EXPLORE DIFFERENT STYLES】 Niji has lots of styles to try, from expressive, cute, scenic, original, and more! 【 USE AS LOCK SCREEN】 Make your phone look awesome with your own creations! 【 SHARE AND BE COOL】 Share your amazing artwork with friends, our community, or post it on social media to join the latest art trends! Ready to try Niji and make some awesome art? Let's go! This is the official niji・journey mobile app. Accounts and subscription plans can be synced with existing niji・journey and Midjourney accounts. You will get updates with the latest model improvements. Join a community of millions of users and download Niji Journey now! Privacy Policy: https://docs.midjourney.com/docs/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://docs.midjourney.com/docs/terms-of-service

Version 1.15.0

- Various fixes

Ratings and Reviews

265 Ratings

Great app but one small but essential thing

I just got this app and I already enjoy it! Though when it says I get free 20 generations, I was hoping I would get a few free generations a day (like 3-5 or something). I was a little bummed out when i see that it’s not the case. So as a suggestion, i would like there be a few free generations a day kind of feature. I’m sure folks would love that. Other than that, I really enjoy this app.

Does Not Work with High Load of Generations

The Niji journey app make my phone hotter than when I’m playing a graphic intensive game like genshin or tower of fantasy. When I begin to do more than 4 generations I only do 3 at a time, my phone gets hot the app basically stops responding. It makes it impossible to look up a previous photo to make generation of it. When you got to your profile it takes 3+ mins to load your list and then once you are there it won’t let you select any of them. The app has more functionality than discord and more options but it’s almost unusable after 10 mins or one visit to your profile page. Please fix this for those who generate high numbers of photos.

Developer Response ,

Hi, Thank you for your feedback. We have been made aware of this issue, and have released some updates to address this. We are also constantly working towards making the app better, and if you are able to help give us more specific information. We can take a closer, and better look.

Pretty good

Mainly, there are no issues that have really messed with the app or the experience. The app runs smoothly, you can see the image progress, you can choose prompts, and add reference photos which is all amazing. HOWEVER, a big issue I run into is when a ‘Job failed to run’ while using a free trial. It takes one of your free generations without even showing a result. Or if you cancel a generation, you don't get your little trial generation back. The app is good, I’m just not sure if these are bugs or something :)

App Privacy

The developer, Midjourney , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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• Standard Plan (Monthly) $29.99
• Pro Plan (Monthly) $59.99
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Joe and Katherine’s Bargain Holidays review – comedians slum it with a ‘spa day’ in a pub car park

Budget ice baths, graveyard sleepovers and a night of slam poetry in Norwich! Joe Wilkinson and Katherine Ryan are super fun as they hunt for adventures that don’t break the bank

C hannel 4 has carved out a particular niche in daytime-shaped TV shows airing at night. This largely means that an afternoon-ish format, of the sort that would usually be broken up with ads for life insurance, animal charities and conservatories, now comes with the added frisson of knowing that a well-known comedian might say a bad word – see, for example, Eight Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Here we are, then, in familiar territory, with Joe and Katherine’s Bargain Holidays, a strangely late-afternoon-meets-late-night travelogue from comedians Joe Wilkinson and Katherine Ryan , about how to enjoy a holiday on the cheap.

It was filmed in the summer of 2022 – that must be why England looks so green and pleasant, rather than soaked to the skin with six months’ worth of relentless rain – and bears the hallmarks of peak inflation, as it searches for the best means of getting away without breaking the bank. Wilkinson is the bargain-hunter here, while Ryan leans into her luxury-loving persona. Throughout her career, Ryan has always been refreshingly open about money, and here she continues to be frank, as she shrugs off any notion of embarrassment about splashing out on nice stuff. She’ll spend £500 on a spa day, she says, and £300 on dinner, or more, if she gets the train from London to Paris and back, just for a romantic meal with her husband. “I just don’t want to compromise on my lifestyle,” she says. “Shall we compromise for a bit?” asks Wilkinson. “No,” she replies.

But they do compromise. It’s a programme called Bargain Holidays, so that is the whole idea. The conceit for episode one is that they’re trying to have a romantic mini-break in Norfolk, where Norwich was recently voted “the most romantic city in the UK”. There are no luxury spa days here, however. There is a bargain spa day, put on by a pub that offers a variety of packages featuring activities such as paddleboarding, yoga while paddleboarding, an ice bath in the pub car park and a pint. Wilkinson whips out the first of many money-off vouchers, and gets 10% off, and everyone seems to be having a lovely day out. They spend the night cheaply “champing”, or camping in a church, in which the only real issues are whether it is appropriate to pee in the compost toilet next to the graveyard, and whether the bats will bother them while they sleep. Before they hole up for the night, they tuck in to a takeaway from the Too Good To Go app, which allows you to buy reduced-price food that would otherwise go to waste. The burrito that turns up is, appropriately for the church setting, a true revelation.

Despite the setup depending on odd-couple energy, Ryan has no qualms about “slumming” it and is open to pretty much everything, even if she compares the “champing” experience to the “hospitals in Chornobyl”. In the search for a free night out, they end up at a poetry open mic in Norwich. She even makes a decent slam poet, in the only section of the show that wouldn’t pass muster at teatime. The pair voucher and deal their way through several eating establishments, including one Italian that offers a bargain platter, if you accept having no choice in what you eat and the fact that what you get depends on the chef’s mood that day. “When does she start drinking?” Ryan quips. Wilkinson, meanwhile, makes the most of the romantic brief by pursuing his own interests entirely. His interests are owls, and paying to smash things up in a Rage Room. This counts as a bargain activity because it’s cheaper if you bring your own stuff to smash – although, amazingly, you do still have to pay to do it.

The show doesn’t hammer home the environmental credentials of a holiday without flying, possibly because they do fly in later episodes, but an attempt to visit a picturesque lavender field has a mini climate twist of its own: the owners had to harvest it all early, owing to the 2022 heatwave. The only reason Wilkinson and Ryan can get their purple-hued selfie is because the owners have left them a strip or two.

There aren’t many places left for the travelogue to go, both creatively and literally, although this is a perfectly fine addition to the genre. But I am preternaturally biased to enjoy a travel show like this, because this sort of holiday is right up my cobbled street. Give me owl sanctuaries and pub gardens and a 90-minute cruise on a frilly riverboat named Southern Comfort and I would consider myself rested, relaxed and very happy indeed.

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Distant Journeys   Reviews

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Reviews 4.5.

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Disappointed.

Disappointed. Most of the sites we visited were as advertised. However, the tea ceremony was a demonstration of how to make Matcha tea seated at desks like primary school children and only lasted a few minutes. There were delays waiting for tickets and finding entrances. We must have upset the locals whilst we gulped down our lunches at the kerb side - the guide told us this was a big no-no in Japan. The tours were rushed and then the afternoon/evenings were left open with some hotels miles from any attractions. In one hotel there were considerable queues for breakfast. There was much promise but I was left thinking that with more thought and organisation the tour could have been so much better.

Date of experience : April 07, 2024

Very good introduction to Japan

Japan in Cherry blossom season -what could possibly go wrong? I'm glad to say nothing of importance on our Distant Journey's 'Very Best of Japan' holiday. We really feel that we got to know Japan, having visited well known places like Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka as well as less well known ones like Takayama, Kanazawa and Kurashiki. Thoroughly recommended.

Date of experience : April 14, 2024

India Golden Triangle Ranthambore with Shimla

What a fantastic holiday. Very well organised and we got to see tigers on our 2 safari’s. The hotels were all 5 star. Shimla was like walking back in time what an amazing hotel and the weather cleared enough for us to see the Himalayas. Would definitely recommend this trip and Distant Journeys

Recently returned from the Very best of…

Recently returned from the Very best of Japan tour and it really was. We had the excitement of going on the bullet train twice, to a thought provoking talk given by a survivor from Hiroshima. The splendours of the cherry blossom and a view of Mount Fuji on a crystal clear day only added to the pleasure this tour gave us, not to add the sake tasting, designing our own chopsticks and dyeing of a piece of material would be a mistake as this caused endless laughter within our group. The whole trip was enjoyable from beginning to end which was enhanced by our tour manager Paul and our local guides Yoshito and Tomoko. This was our second tour with Distant Journeys and once again they didn't let us down.

Date of experience : March 26, 2024

India and the Golden Triangle

Our guide Vinod was wonderful and his assistant and driver worked hard to make our trip enjoyable. We had very busy days but also had lots of rest time so it wasn't too tiring and all the tours were amazing, have truly loved our trip. We've met lots of lovely people and I liked that there was only 24 people in the group. We're looking where to book next.

The Wonders of Australia

Recently return from a fabulous trip with Distant Journeys. The wonders of Australia far exceeded our expectations. The whole trip was brilliant we enjoyed every minute, made extra special by our amazing guide Ann Aston.

Date of experience : March 01, 2024

Absolutely amazing holiday

Absolutely amazing holiday in India with Distant Journeys. We did the Golden Triangle tour followed by a few nights in Goa. Everything went very smoothly from being picked up by our tour guide when we first arrived in India to when we were dropped off at the airport at the end of our holiday. A special mention must be mentioned to our guide (AJ) for the Golden Triangle part of the tour. He was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble and our holiday was made the better because of him! Would thoroughly recommend using Distant Journeys on our experience!

Date of experience : March 28, 2024

The very best of Japan with Distant…

The very best of Japan with Distant Journeys is the most amazing holiday with a first class itinerary. The experiences and destinations were varied and interesting. The tour manager was efficient, knowledgeable and very caring. Paul managed to organise extra trips in our free time that gave us a better feel for Japanese culture. A brilliant holiday!

Grand Tour of India...Outstanding

We've just returned from the Grand Tour of India and are still reliving it in our minds everyday. From rickshaws in Dehli, Toy Train to Shimla, jeep convoy to Amritsa plus planes etc. We saw sooo much & DJ made it all so easy with the attention to detail in the planning! Our tour guide Rishi is a legend...so kind, patient, generous & a fountain of knowledge for all the questions we asked. There were early starts & some long days travelling but to see the changing countryside as we travelled was amazing. If you're thinking of doing this trip please give DJ a go, so easy to deal with from booking to the end of the trip. THANK YOU.

Date of experience : March 04, 2024

Excellent Japan Trip

Just returned from an excellent Very Best of Japan tour. A comprehensive and well planned itinerary allowed us to visit key locations in Japan and experience our wish list of regional attractions along with other fascinating places. A superb Tour Manager supported by high quality local guides shared a knowledge of Japanese history, culture and customs adding so much to the experience. Excellent hotels throughout and comfortable travelling times between destinations. A nice balance of free time allowed us to explore independently and get a real feel for Japan.

Grand Tour of India

The holiday had a very full and varied itinerary. A good tour to get a real flavour of India. Good range of hotels with good food so long as you enjoy curry each day. Fine for us but not so good if you don’t like spicy food. The group of 24 all interacted well from the start which helps. 8 of us stayed on for the beach extension in Kerala which is highly recommended after such a long trip. Our main tour guides Vivek and Anvar were excellent and provided a great deal of information to enrich the experience. The majority of hotels were not centrally located which severely restricted the opportunity to explore shops, restaurants and the locale which was a limitation of this tour. It would have been good to walk around the towns during periods of relaxation but this really was quite restricted. There were several long coach journeys of 6-8 hours duration but this does enable you to see life away from the tourist hotspots as you travel through the country.

Date of experience : February 19, 2024

Spectacular South Africa

Good itinerary with many excursions included in booking price. This company listens to customers comments, our itinerary was changed for the better after we booked ( flight instead of long coach transfer) because of previous travellers suggestions. Hotels and local guides were good.

Date of experience : March 13, 2024

Distant Journeys Very Best of New Zealand

Just home from an amazing Very Best of New Zealand Tour with Distant Journeys. Peter was our excellent tour guide and there wasn’t anything he didn’t know about the beautiful islands. The whole tour was organised seamlessly with the added bonus of the Distant Journeys easy to use App giving us all the information we needed including the weather, for each destination, flight info and messages. All in all we had a wonderful holiday with so many happy memories.

Date of experience : February 12, 2024

Reply from Distant Journeys

Thank you so much for your review of your holiday in New Zealand, We're delighted to hear you had an amazing time in the company of Peter. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

Just returned from a Magnificent New…

Just returned from a Magnificent New Zealand tour with Distant Journeys. From the moment we arrived in Singapore for a 2 day stopover and then onto New Zealand it was well organised and very enjoyable. Special thanks to Pam for her excellent work in sorting out a problem with my visa. Arriving in Auckland we were met by our coach captain Keith who showed us around North Island. He was very knowledgeable and informative and made our stay very enjoyable. We visited Bay of Islands this included a boat cruise to Hole in the Wall, and a must do visit to Government House where the Treaty was signed. We then moved to South Island where we were met by Steve our South Island coach captain who again was vert polite, informative and helpful. We visited so many places highlights being Franz Josef railway journey with stunning views of Mount Cook. Queenstown, highlight a trip on TSS Earnslaw and various other events. Te Anau from there we visited Milford Sound boat trip which is a must if you do this tour. We finished our tour and had a final 2 nights in Singapore before arriving home. The whole experience was excellent value very well organised by all parties and great staff in Singapore & New Zealand.

Date of experience : March 15, 2024

Golden Triangle and Amritsar.

Truly epic, from the minute we were picked up at the airport everything ran like clockwork. Brilliant, funny and knowledgeable guide (Vikram), faultless hotels and varied tour. We even saw four tigers on Ranthambore game drives.

Date of experience : February 18, 2024

It sounds like you had a fantastic time with Vikram and your fellow travellers, and the luck was most definitely with you with four tiger sightings! Thank you very much for your review. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Very Best of Sri Lanka with Beach Ext March 2024

From the moment we started the booking process the Customer Service Team have been excellent. The Sri Lanka tour itself was leisurely but still packed with diverse experiences. Lovely hotels and a tour guide Su, that was so knowledgeable about Sri Lanka history, animals, fauna and flora. A great sense of humour and nothing was too much trouble for him. A fantastic tour

We're so pleased to hear you had such a great time in Sri Lanka and you enjoyed many of the incredible experiences this amazing country has to offer. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

We tried but they failed

Having been impressed by the largely positive reviews we attempted to contact DJ’s both by phone and their contact form. We tried 3 times, I know,we should have given up after the 1st attempt, but so far no contact, other than a promise to ring us back. We really liked their holidays on offer but if they can’t be bothered to ring you and discuss it, it looks like it’s time to go to someone else. They get one star because I can’t give them 0 and their website is impressive, bit like their promises. We can’t comment on their holidays because we never got that far.

Date of experience : January 17, 2024

We're very sorry to hear about the problems you had contacting Distant Journeys. We have experienced issues with our phone system due to problems with broadband in our particular area of Ormskirk. However every message left during this period was responded to. We would appreciate you contacting us directly so we might be able to review your particular situaiton so we can investigate the details fully and and ensure it doesn't happen again. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Our holiday exceeded our expectations

Our holiday exceeded our expectations. What a trip - Our first to India and definitely not our last. We had an exceptional guide in Yatendra Pal Singh Tanwar. He was charming, extremely knowledgeable, kind, helpful and full of fun - we miss him. Every aspect of the trip was seamless, the hotels were very good and comfortable, the food also very good. We saw and learnt so much in a relatively short time and loved every minute. We had a two day trip to Varanasi added on and this was without doubt the highlight, particularly our dawn boat ride on the Ganges - we had a different guide, Dereham, who was also excellent but we had been spoilt by Yatendra. Distant Journeys you excelled yourselves - we will be back!

Date of experience : March 06, 2024

Thank you for such a wonderful review. It sounds like you had an amazing time in India and were well looked after by Yatendra and Dereham. If you haven't been to Southern India, we would certainly recommend it for your next trip. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

"Does what it says in the title"

"Does what it says in the title" - covering major cultural sites, cities, temples, shrines, castles, gardens and landscapes. The excellent English tour manager was supported by 2 very good local guides, each covering half of the tour, and Distant Journeys through their app. We enjoyed a number of very interesting experiences, ranging from decorating our own chopsticks with gold leaf and sushi-making to a meal with a trainee geisha. Mostly very good hotels. Local coach drivers and a trip on a local express and a bullet train allowed us to travel round much of Honshu. A little longer at a few of the sites would have been even better.

Date of experience : October 28, 2023

Thank you very much for taking the time to review your tour of Japan. We're pleased to hear your guides and tour manager were excellent and you enjoyed the included experiences. With best wishes, Distant Journeys.

Large tour group

We had a great holiday Magnificent New Zealand with Distant Journeys in Jan/Feb 2024. The trip was so varied and the Freedom Days gave us opportunities to land on a glacier by helicopter, kayaking and bird watching, the adrenaline of the Shotover gorge trip and more. The only improvement to the tour would have been if the group had been smaller. We were surprised our group was 41 passengers and just the driver/tour guide. We felt it was a lot for him to do driving the coach, giving an excellent commentary and having the 41 cases to unload ( often with only 1 porter at the hotels. We believe a separate driver and tour manager would be more appropriate for this number of people. I would recommend Distant Journeys but when you are booking be aware it may be a large group.

Date of experience : January 20, 2024

Thank you very much for your feedback on your tour of New Zealand. It sounds like you had some amazing experiences. Thank you also for highlighting the porter situation. We are working with the hotels and partners in New Zealand to try to increase the number of staff available when our guests arrive to speed up the porterage of luggage to the rooms. With best wishes, Distant Journeys

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Journeysholidays   Reviews

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Reviews 3.8.

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Oswaldtwisle Excursion

Yesterday was my first excursion with Emma and Jason and it was great. Thoroughly enjoyed it, nothing too much trouble. Coach, clean and very comfortable. Will definately be going again.

Date of experience : April 03, 2024

Reply from Journeysholidays

Hi Linda Thank you so much for your review, so glad you enjoyed your day with us. Looking forward to you travelling with us again. Journeys Holidays

My first trip with Journeys Holidays but definitely not my last

This review is on behalf of my mother in law. She has just returned from her first trip with Emma & Jason and she can't speak highly enough of them. Nothing was too much trouble. The Potters lake all inclusive trip was excellent. She has trips booked throughout the year so is looking forward to her next adventure.

Date of experience : March 18, 2024

Thank you so much for a lovely review. Much appreciated. Journeys Holidays

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Video Game Reviews

'tales of kenzera: zau': a deep story about grief leavened by satisfying gameplay.

Jamal Michel

Protagonist Zau, flanked by the Masks of the Moon and Sun he'll use to fight through the enchanting world of Kenzera. Surgent Studios hide caption

Protagonist Zau, flanked by the Masks of the Moon and Sun he'll use to fight through the enchanting world of Kenzera.

The new video game Tales of Kenzera: ZAU opens with two grieving sons and a cleverly framed narrative.

You start with Zuberi, a young man in an afro-futurist city, reading the story of Zau in a book his father left him before his demise.

All Things Considered

'tales of kenzera: zau' — a video game about grief, inspired by bantu mythology.

Moments later, you're transported through the story to the mythic past, watching Zau as he cries out, demanding that Kalunga, God of Death, restore his own fallen father to life. Kalunga appears to him, but not as a grim reaper might. Rather, he's a no-nonsense older man who tasks Zau with putting three Great Spirits to rest in return for his dad's life.

Zau then journeys through fantastical biomes that range from deserts to jungles to volcanoes, all while he and Kalunga debate the meaning of the pain and death they encounter on the way. It's an odyssey through grief and a lesson in the power we wield in the face of indescribable loss.

Kalunga upbraids Zau for his rash behavior. Surgent Studios hide caption

Kalunga upbraids Zau for his rash behavior.

British actor Abubakar Salim, who voices Zau and Zuberi, provides a poignant performance that carries the story. Known for playing the protagonist of Assassin's Creed Origins, Salim founded developer Surgent Studios and based Tales of Kenzera: ZAU on the experience of losing his father. The game captures Salim's Kenyan roots and sheds light on the Bantu culture he cherishes .

Learning from the best

Salim has cited modern classics like Hollow Knight and Ori and the Will of the Wisps as inspiring the game's action gameplay. It's a sleek and smaller-scale "Metroidvania," so named because Nintendo's Metroid and Konami's Castlevania set the early template for the genre.

Nainita Desai's soundtrack features the choir that performed in the Black Panther movies, Voquality.

ZAU has all the staples. It's got characteristically sprawling levels that require you to backtrack to discover secrets enabled by new power-ups. But it's also got frictionless movement, frantic combat, and a lush soundtrack that soars in the game's dramatic boss fights.

From enemies like the Tokoloshe and Kongamato, which represent chaos and brutality, to the Kivulian Woodlands, home to one of three Great Spirits Zau must subdue, the game presents a fierce and entrancing ecosystem. Thankfully, Zau's Masks of the Sun and Moon give him the firepower and speed he needs to overcome each challenge. You can switch between them at the tap of a button: the Moon offers quick ranged attacks, while the Sun enables heavier melee strikes. Brutish enemies with Spiritual Overshields require you to mix and match between the Sun or Moon to take them down.

Zau, overwhelmed by one of the game's awe-inspiring, wayward Great Spirits. Surgent Studios hide caption

Zau, overwhelmed by one of the game's awe-inspiring, wayward Great Spirits.

There is a skill tree, but it's pretty spare — both Sun and Moon paths have seven skills to choose from, requiring Shaman Points gained from bludgeoning the life out of baddies. Doing so will also fill up to two energy meters. You can spend one to heal or two to unleash ultimate attacks: the Sun Mask's Supernova summons a flaming tornado, while the Moon Mask's Lunar Blast takes a page out of Iron Man's book with a laser that cuts across the screen. While the game suffers from poor enemy variety, this combat system is simple and nearly perfect. I wish it gave you a slightly larger window to cancel attacks with a dash.

'Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown' & 'Another Code: Recollection,' reviewed

Zipping around the game is nearly as smooth as its visuals. Early on, Zau races forward with a double jump and air dash. Later, he'll find a hook shot and powers like Tshukudu's Might, a special ability that allows him to burst forward to destroy barriers between levels. While the game could have benefited from better navigation features to assist with backtracking, like the snapshot system in this year's Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown , it's a joy to explore.

Laying to rest

Through the game's four acts, Zau helps the characters he encounters, with each embodying a response to grief. It could be a young girl hoping to reunite with a lost Spirit, an exhausted warrior trying to find his missing son or a weary fellow shaman searching vainly for the ingredients to a restorative tonic. Throughout it all, Zau contends with Kalunga, God of Death, resisting his proffered wisdom as he seeks to do things his way. Each time, Zau finds healing, but rarely in the manner he expects.

Zau, exploring one of Kenzera's many haunting, beautiful locations. Surgent Studios hide caption

Zau, exploring one of Kenzera's many haunting, beautiful locations.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU isn't the first game to examine grief , but it's a standout among stories featuring Afro-futurism. It's tender with its protagonist and the restless spirits fighting him until they all come to terms with the weight of life, death and loss. The symbolism infused into masks, weapons and architecture speaks to the care Surgent Studios took in translating Bantu culture into a fantasy video game.

This journey transforms Zau and, through him, Zuberi. That meta structure invites players to consider how they'd deal with loss. Fortunately, I still have my father, but the game reminded me that our time is short. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU's brilliance comes from pairing this memento mori with a satisfying, familiar game genre. Even though it may not be as innovative as other Metroidvanias, its heart-rending acting and peerless presentation add up to a game I'll be thinking about for years to come.

James Perkins Mastromarino contributed to this review.

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How 4/20 grew from humble roots to marijuana’s high holiday

FILE - A guest takes a puff from a marijuana cigarette at the Sensi Magazine party celebrating the 420 holiday in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, April 20, 2019. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. This year, activists can reflect on how far the movement has come. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

FILE - Members of a crowd numbering tens of thousands smoke marijuana and listen to live music at the Denver 420 pro-marijuana rally at Civic Center Park in Denver, April 20, 2013. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. This year, activists can reflect on how far the movement has come. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)

FILE - The Waldos, from left, Mark Gravitch, Larry Schwartz, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel and Steve Capper sit on a wall they used to frequent at San Rafael High School in San Rafael, Calif., April 13, 2018. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

FILE - A vendor makes change for a marijuana customer at a cannabis marketplace in Los Angeles, April 15, 2019. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

FILE - Patrons smoke marijuana at Lowell’s Original Cannabis Cafe, a legal marijuana establishment, in Los Angeles, Nov. 13, 2019. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

FILE - A large crowd cheers as the time reaches 4:20 p.m., on Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, April 20, 2009. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. This year, activists can reflect on how far the movement has come. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

FILE - Gabe Williams works on an exhibit at the Cannabition cannabis museum in Las Vegas, Sept. 18, 2018. The museum celebrates all things cannabis with displays that include a glass bong taller than a giraffe and huggable faux marijuana buds. Medical marijuana is now legal in 38 states. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

FILE - Joseph DuPuis, co-founder of Doc & Yeti Urban Farms, a licensed cannabis producer, looks out into a growing area in Tumwater, Wash., March 15, 2023. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. Medical marijuana is now legal in 38 states. (AP Photo/Eugene Johnson, File)

FILE - Music fans seek shelter in a grass hut at the Woodstock Music and Art Festival in Bethel, N.Y., Aug. 17, 1969. The sign above reads “Have a Marijuana.” Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. Medical marijuana is now legal in 38 states. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - Set to the symbolic 4:20 time, weed patterns adorn clocks up for sale on the first of three days of Hempfest, Seattle’s annual gathering to advocate the decriminalization of marijuana, at Myrtle Edwards Park on the waterfront in Seattle, Aug. 15, 2014. (Jordan Stead/seattlepi.com via AP, File)

FILE - Jim Weber examines the inside of The Bud Light marijuana growing trailer at the International Cannabis & Hemp Expo, Saturday, April 17, 2010, in Daly City, Calif. The unit, once hooked up to electricity and water supplies, is a turnkey marijuana growing space. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)

FILE - Kay Nelson, left, and Bryan Grode, retried seniors from Laguna Woods Village, chat in the lobby of Bud and Bloom cannabis dispensary while waiting for a free shuttle to arrive in Santa Ana, Calif., Feb. 19, 2019. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. Medical marijuana is now legal in 38 states. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

FILE - A Drug Enforcement Administration agent shoulders a bundle of marijuana plants down a steep slope after working with other law enforcement officers to clear a patch of the plants from national forest land near Entiant, Wash., Sept. 20, 2005. Police confiscated 465 marijuana plants at the so-called “garden,” a small find compared to the thousands of other plants confiscated on some other busts in the area. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

FILE - Police handcuff a suspect during a drug raid in Miami, May 18, 1979. Police said eight were arrested and marijuana was seized. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. This year, activists can reflect on how far the movement has come. Medical marijuana is now legal in 38 states. (AP Photo/Al Diaz, File)

FILE - From left, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announce a draft bill that would decriminalize marijuana on a federal level Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The bill, called the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, would not only decriminalize marijuana, but also expunge the records of those with non-violent convictions related to cannabis and invest money into restorative justice programs. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)

FILE - People buy marijuana products at the Essence cannabis dispensary, Saturday, July 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. Nevada dispensaries were legally allowed to sell recreational marijuana starting at 12:01 a.m., that day. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

FILE - A San Rafael High School newspaper from June 1974 referencing 420, is shown that is stored at a bank vault in San Francisco, April 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

FILE - Alfalfa farmers Diane and Russ Jones look on during a public hearing on medical cannabis at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, June 5, 2019, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Medical marijuana is now legal in 38 states. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

FILE - People smoke marijuana during the annual 4/20 marijuana gathering at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. This year, activists can reflect on how far the movement has come. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)

FILE - Caretakers oversee a grow room for medical marijuana at ShowGrow, a medical marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles, April 20, 2017. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. This year, activists can reflect on how far the movement has come. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Cannabis is displayed for customers at the Marijuana Paradise on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Budtender Rey Cruz weighs cannabis for a customer at the Marijuana Paradise on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Budtender Rey Cruz rings up a customer as a 420 raffle sign is taped to a register at the Marijuana Paradise on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Budtender Rey Cruz puts back cannabis after a customer bought some at the Marijuana Paradise on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

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SEATTLE (AP) — Saturday marks marijuana culture’s high holiday, 4/20, when college students gather — at 4:20 p.m. — in clouds of smoke on campus quads and pot shops in legal-weed states thank their customers with discounts.

This year’s edition provides an occasion for activists to reflect on how far their movement has come, with recreational pot now allowed in nearly half the states and the nation’s capital. Many states have instituted “social equity” measures to help communities of color, harmed the most by the drug war, reap financial benefits from legalization. And the White House has shown an openness to marijuana reform.

FILE - Patrons smoke marijuana at Lowell’s Original Cannabis Cafe, a legal marijuana establishment, in Los Angeles, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Here’s a look at 4/20’s history:

FILE - A vendor makes change for a marijuana customer at a cannabis marketplace in Los Angeles, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

The origins of the date, and the term “420” generally, were long murky. Some claimed it referred to a police code for marijuana possession or that it derived from Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women No. 12 & 35,” with its refrain of “Everybody must get stoned” — 420 being the product of 12 times 35.

But the prevailing explanation is that it started in the 1970s with a group of bell-bottomed buddies from San Rafael High School, in California’s Marin County north of San Francisco, who called themselves “the Waldos.” A friend’s brother was afraid of getting busted for a patch of cannabis he was growing in the woods at nearby Point Reyes, so he drew a map and gave the teens permission to harvest the crop, the story goes.

FILE - Police handcuff a suspect during a drug raid in Miami, May 18, 1979. Police said eight were arrested and marijuana was seized. (AP Photo/Al Diaz, File)

During fall 1971, at 4:20 p.m., just after classes and football practice, the group would meet up at the school’s statue of chemist Louis Pasteur, smoke a joint and head out to search for the weed patch. They never did find it, but their private lexicon — “420 Louie” and later just “420” — would take on a life of its own.

The Waldos saved postmarked letters and other artifacts from the 1970s referencing “420,” which they now keep in a bank vault, and when the Oxford English Dictionary added the term in 2017, it cited some of those documents as the earliest recorded uses .

AP AUDIO: 4/20 grew from humble roots to marijuana’s high holiday.

AP correspondent Donna Warder reports on what’s known as 4/20.

HOW DID ‘420' SPREAD?

A brother of one of the Waldos was a close friend of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, as Lesh once confirmed in an interview with the Huffington Post, now HuffPost. The Waldos began hanging out in the band’s circle and the slang spread.

Fast-forward to the early 1990s: Steve Bloom, a reporter for the cannabis magazine High Times, was at a Dead show when he was handed a flyer urging people to “meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing in Marin County at the Bolinas Ridge sunset spot on Mt. Tamalpais.” High Times published it.

“It’s a phenomenon,” one of the Waldos, Steve Capper, now 69, once told The Associated Press. “Most things die within a couple years, but this just goes on and on. It’s not like someday somebody’s going to say, ‘OK, Cannabis New Year’s is on June 23rd now.’”

While the Waldos came up with the term, the people who made the flier distributed at the Dead show — and effectively turned 4/20 into a holiday — remain unknown.

HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?

With weed, naturally.

FILE - People smoke marijuana during the annual 4/20 marijuana gathering at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)

Some celebrations are bigger than others: The Mile High 420 Festival in Denver, for example, typically draws thousands and describes itself as the largest free 4/20 event in the world. Hippie Hill in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has also attracted massive crowds, but the gathering was canceled this year, with organizers citing a lack of financial sponsorship and city budget cuts.

College quads and statehouse lawns are also known for drawing 4/20 celebrations, with the University of Colorado Boulder historically among the largest, though not so much since administrators banned the annual smokeout over a decade ago.

Some breweries make beers that are 420-themed, but not laced, including SweetWater Brewing in Atlanta, which is throwing a 420 music festival this weekend and whose founders went to the University of Colorado.

FILE - A Drug Enforcement Administration agent shoulders a bundle of marijuana plants down a steep slope after working with other law enforcement officers to clear a patch of the plants from national forest land near Entiant, Wash., Sept. 20, 2005. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Lagunitas Brewing in Petaluma, California, releases its “Waldos’ Special Ale” every year on 4/20 in partnership with the term’s coiners. That’s where the Waldos will be this Saturday to sample the beer, for which they picked out “hops that smell and taste like the dankest marijuana,” one Waldo, Dave Reddix, said via email.

4/20 has also become a big industry event, with vendors gathering to try each other’s wares.

THE POLITICS

The number of states allowing recreational marijuana has grown to 24 after recent legalization campaigns succeeded in Ohio, Minnesota and Delaware. Fourteen more states allow it for medical purposes, including Kentucky, where medical marijuana legislation that passed last year will take effect in 2025. Additional states permit only products with low THC, marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient, for certain medical conditions.

FILE - From left, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announce a draft bill that would decriminalize marijuana on a federal level Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)

But marijuana is still illegal under federal law. It is listed with drugs such as heroin under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it has no federally accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

The Biden administration, however, has taken some steps toward marijuana reform. The president has pardoned thousands of people who were convicted of “simple possession” on federal land and in the District of Columbia.

The Department of Health and Human Services last year recommended to the Drug Enforcement Administration that marijuana be reclassified as Schedule III, which would affirm its medical use under federal law.

According to a Gallup poll last fall, 70% of adults support legalization, the highest level yet recorded by the polling firm and more than double the roughly 30% who backed it in 2000.

FILE - Kay Nelson, left, and Bryan Grode, retried seniors from Laguna Woods Village, chat in the lobby of Bud and Bloom cannabis dispensary while waiting for a free shuttle to arrive in Santa Ana, Calif., Feb. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Vivian McPeak, who helped found Seattle’s Hempfest more than three decades ago, reflected on the extent to which the marijuana industry has evolved during his lifetime.

“It’s surreal to drive by stores that are selling cannabis,” he said. “A lot of people laughed at us, saying, ‘This will never happen.’”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

McPeak described 4/20 these days as a “mixed bag.” Despite the legalization movement’s progress, many smaller growers are struggling to compete against large producers, he said, and many Americans are still behind bars for weed convictions.

“We can celebrate the victories that we’ve had, and we can also strategize and organize to further the cause,” he said. “Despite the kind of complacency that some people might feel, we still got work to do. We’ve got to keep burning that shoe leather until we get everybody out of jails and prisons.”

For the Waldos, 4/20 signifies above all else a good time.

FILE - Gabe Williams works on an exhibit at the Cannabition cannabis museum in Las Vegas, Sept. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

“We’re not political. We’re jokesters,” Capper has said. “But there was a time that we can’t forget, when it was secret, furtive. ... The energy of the time was more charged, more exciting in a certain way.

“I’m not saying that’s all good — it’s not good they were putting people in jail,” he continued. “You wouldn’t want to go back there.”

Associated Press writer Claire Rush contributed from Portland, Oregon.