Kuoni v Trailfinders

[Letsnotupsettheapplcart]

Looking to book a big holiday to Canada next year. It’ll be a lot of money and I’m nervous about getting it right.

I’ve got quotes from both Trailfinders and Kuoni. Any thoughts on who to book through? Or is it irrelevant once I’ve booked?

I think all should know that agents here use agents in the USA or Canada for bookings. You don’t get a free choice of where to stay and they will get the flight discounts too.

Companies like Audley really do spend a lot of time with you regarding interests but - they are not wildlife specialists and some add ons can be expensive. We have an adviser for every holiday but the prices are quite high. Good for itineraries though. I always will book a few places direct if I don’t like their options.

For wildlife viewing always consult a wildlife specialist company. We have been to the Great Bear Rainforest and then to Tweedsmuir in British Colombia. They both have a high bear population and are not overrun with tourists as they are remote. Amazing flight from Vancouver. Priced to reflect that! We’ve seen whales galore and many black and grizzly bears fishing for salmon in the late summer as well as the Kermode bears. So when you go matters too as it’s important to be in the right place at the right time.

Audley were excellent but not cheap. Trailfinders have a great reputation and we are thinking of using them for a forthcoming Canada trip.

This is really useful, thank you. Out of interest which tours did you do? Anything you saw that was an absolute must

@Letsnotupsettheapplcart Just read Lonely Planet! What agents should reflect is what you want. I want wildlife and don’t care about nightlife. I want less people and good food. You might be happy with crowded beauty spots and seeing the rear end of a bear.

What are you looking for and where? You won’t miss much in the hot spots because everyone wants the same. Rocky Mountaineer - very expensive and not worth it I’ve heard quite a lot. Plus cheaper fare doesn’t give much flexibility in the train. Much nicer to drive and make your own stops.

The main tour was G adventures 8 days thorough the Rocky mountains calgary to vancouver. It was spectacular scenery and the guide was very good at getting us places before the crowds built up. We were in a new spacious minivan and had a great group of 12 people. Highlights for me were sulphur mountain, lake Peyto and Lake louise. We also enjoyed the floatplane to vancouver Island and whale watching in victoria with spirit of orca although others on the tour went to Campbell River and seem to have seen even more. Good luck with planning.

@Bananabrain99 That’s not a bespoke holiday though. We’ve used them for the Arctic but my minibus years are behind me and no choice of hotel etc.

Lucky that this isn't your thread then, isn't it seeing as OP was asking BananaBrain for their input.

It’s like comparing apples and pears. Obviously if they want a holiday on a minibus it might helpful to say so? Not much point contributing really! I agree.

Trailfinders were great for a honeymoon safari in 2008. They didn't even bother returning my phone call (or email) for the one we've just done with two teenagers. We used travel counsellors. This lady can get bookings cheaper than I can book direct! They also deal with everything, including check ins, extra tours, and making it exactly what you want. All protected and guaranteed. If you want details of who we used, just pm me. Whoever you travel with, have a fantastic time!

@Icantfindanewname+1 for TravelCounsellors - we've used a fantastic lady from Holywood, NI for some of our recent European trips