tailor made holiday

[brooky28]

i am planning a surprise honeymoon for my future wife and i . i would like to do an african safari combined with maldives or seychelles, but i'm struggling to find a travel agent that specialises in tailor made holidays without charging double the price? any ideas? thanks

[jno]

double what price?

Trailfinders are pretty good at this sort of thing, and there are quite a few operators who specialise in Africa - I combined a Serengeti safari and Zanzibar a few years ago (easier because both were in the same country, Tanzania) - anyway, these were the people who arranged it:

http://www.theobaldbarber.com/

But it'll all depend on what you think is a fair price. Remember flights to out of the way places like the Maldives are seldom cheap.

[LuBlu]

I can definitely recommend Trailfinders. They orgainsed my honeymoon which was quite complicated;

London to Kuala Lumpur
KL to Tokyo
Tokyo to Kyoto
Osaka to KL
Kl to Pangkor Laut
Pangkor Laut to LOndon (via KL)

We booked the Japan hotels direct ourselves (they didn't have a huge choice), but for KL and PL hotels they were cheaper than going direct. They staff are extremely knowledgable and very, very helpful. The staff are well travelled and can give personal recommendations, or they ask collegues for their opinions. Can't praise them enough.
They even checked the flights after we'd booked them and found them cheaper, so rebooked them for us!!! Brilliant...

[JK2]

The Travel Collection have an 8 night Kenya Safari to which you can add some days in Mauritius or The Maldives and the price - as with all Tavel Collection holidays is very reasonable.

I have been with them to Nepal, Ecuador, Maldives, Borneo etc and am off to China with them in 2 weeks. They are not luxury class - only 3- 4 star usually but very good value and have always had a great time with no complaints at all.

http://www.travelcollection.co.uk/holidays/afr ica/index.shtml

[Dassie]

Why use a travel agent at all. It's all on line nowadays and you'll save a fortune. I suggest either Qatar Airways or Air Namibia to Cape Town then on to one of the many game parks for a safari option north of Pretoria. Then Air Seycelles to Mahe ( The Beau Vallon Bay hotel is 3 star right on the beach - paradise!) and return Air Seychelles to UK.
If you do decide to use an agent, just remember to ask them which airline they are using. It could be a charter flight and it's a long way to fly in cramped conditions!

[bertie21]

I can highly recommend a company called Different Tracks. I have been on three safaris combined with beach hols and they are fantastic, taking care of every detail. Talk to Dominic or Trish. They are always available to you out of office hours and take a personal pride in getting you exactly what you want out of your holiday. My most recent trip that they organised was to New York about a month ago and as usual they excelled themselves. Good luck and have a great trip.

[KARL]

I would warn against Qatar Airways - although if you are travelling business or first class it might just be different. When I reconfirmed my flight three days before departure from Asia I was not told the timing had changed to something like five hours earlier. Consequently I was stranded and had to make alternative arrangements. Claiming compensation was an experience - they even suggested I was at a disadvantage because i had failed to show up for my flight !

[getrichy247]

I would reccomend you use a travel agent / tour operator..you can book on the web but i think if its for your hooneymoon then you need to make sure that everything is taken care ..the less stress / things you have to deal with on the run up to your wedding the better.The agents will have knowledge in that area and may even be able to reccomend thing / hotels that you will not be aware of..knowlwge is the key to the best holidays!!!!!!!
I would reccomend that you go to an independant travel agent.what this means is that they are not owened by a tour company so hence if there agents get paid any sort of commission to book a holiday they will get paid the same from all companies so will book the holiday and company thats right for you, not their pocket!!!! I can reccomend and agency called TRAVELCARE- they are part of the co-operative !!!!!!
also look in the brochures of Tradewins. Kuoni and Colours of Asia..they are all tour operatours that travel agencys can use but you will also be able to book them direct.
they all have "set" tours and will also, as long as they have accommodation in the areas, make a holiday up for you.
Clours of Asia will be a good choice as they are not tied to any sort of airline.
hope this is some use to you!!!!

[excelsior]

i have no advice (sorry) but i would just like to say that i hope you can get something together, and that it will be a holiday to remember. and all the very best for both of you in your life together

[jacksen]

Hi brooky!

I recommending http://www.brillianttrips.co.uk for your honeymoon and enjoy honeymoon. Media URL: http://www.brillianttrips.co.uk
Description: Tailor made holidays for groups

[jamesjefferson]

Mahlatini would be able to resolve your problem, my wife and I used their services this year as we wanted to go on a safari holiday to Kenya and then go on a beach holiday to Mauritius. They didn't charge double like other holiday companies and because most of their travel agents are either South African or have visited the locations themselves, they were able to provided us with an in depth service. Media URL: http://www.mahlatini.com
Description:

[jamesjefferson]

My wife and I used Mahlatini for an African safaris holiday combined with a beach holiday to Mauritius. We chose Mahlatini because of their excellent reputation and because we got an incredible deal on our beach safari holiday. Media URL: http://www.mahlatini.com
Description:

[jamesjefferson]

Mahlatini would be able to resolve your problem (http://www.mahlatini.com), my wife and I used their services this year as we wanted to go on a safari holiday to Kenya and then go on a beach holiday to Mauritius. They didn't charge double like other holiday companies and because most of their travel agents are either South African or have visited the locations themselves, they were able to provided us with an in depth service.