Simply put, quality and service. We have better hotels and smaller groups; we have more all inclusives including all full breakfasts and dinners, we cover all entries and specials with no 'optional' visits where you have to put your hand in your pockets. You have two escorts (owners Andy & Bev Fraser) who are the only escorts for every single journey. Our stays in each of our four and five star hotels are for more nights than most other tours. It's quality all the way. And our prices are comparitive if not lower than equivalent companies.

We can give you many references and emails and/or phone numbers of previous guests, some of whom have been with us on at least 10 tours. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau, with the American Society of Travel Agents and the British Columbia Consumer Protection Authority.

Yes. Your money is placed in a trust account. We are registered and licenced by the British Columbia Consumer Protection Authority (formerly the Registrar of Travel). We are also long time members of the Better Business Bureau of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia as well as members of ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents.

Going into our 20th year in 2006, we have never cancelled a tour. We've had some very small ones, but never cancelled and we don't plan on it either. In the unlikely event that we were forced to cancel, all money you have paid in would be returned.

We strongly recommend travel insurance for cancellation and medical. Chances are you won't need it, but why take the chance? Over the years we've seen a few accidents and illnesses crop up and in all cases, the travel insurance has kicked in and taken care of everything. We also suggest if you have a policy through your employer, or retirement plan or credit card, that you check it our carefully to make sure it is comprehensive. Insurance taken at the time of booking protects your deposit and any other money paid us for the tour in case you become ill and have to cancel. Why take the chance?

The best we can find. Four and five star whenever possible and all personally selected. They are not, generally speaking, used by tour groups - and if they are, we make sure the hotel accepts our 'not wanting to be treated like a group' philosophy. All our hotels have won numerous awards for the hotel as well as for their restaurant. A couple of examples being Channings in Edinburgh, selected as the top small hotel in the City and listed in the best hotels in Europe. We've used them for 12 years. It was the home of Ernest Shackleton, the Arctic explorer. In Paris we use the Clarion St. James and Albany, right across the road from the Louvre and the Jardin de Tuilleries. Friends of Marie Antoinette lived here and were visted frequently by Marie. We also have chateaus, manor homes, historic hotels and the like. In Scotland we have two hotels with Golf Courses on the grounds. And they are all 'user friendly'.

As little as possible. Our days generally begin at 9:30 a.m. and we return about four or 4:30 p.m. We're never on the coach more than an hour to an hour and a half without a break, even on a moving day between hotels. Unlike big companies we don't show you "15 cities in 10 days" or whatever. We would rather you have more time in fewer places so you can enjoy, get the "feel" of a place and have time to meet the people of that place.

Simply put - No! We don't really like the 'group' idea which is why we run our tours the way we do. For example, mornings. Come down for breakfast when you want. No group times. When we arrive at a visitor site, we allow you a fair amount of time for the visit then set you loose. We give you the background on the place then give you the freedom to take your time in the castle, or the gardens, or the book shop, or the cafeteria, whatever. Lunch is usually in a small town and we give a time when we're leaving then leave to explore either with a sandwich or baguette in hand while you walk, or a great looking cafe, or whatever. Your time to do as you wish. At dinner we have smaller tables rather than the big noisy group table. And if you like to golf, we can help you arrange a day when we're near a course. (We have two hotels with golf courses on the premises). It's your holiday. You decide.

As much as you want. With two and three nights in each location, we encourage our guests to use these times as they wish. A number of our guests have specific things or places they wish to see and they will take the time when we are in that area. In each major City we arrange a completely free day. It is your holiday and we want you to enjoy it your way.

With guests from all corners of North America as well as from Bermuda, South America, and Britain, it is impossible to do either group departures or a group air package. We find many of our guests have airline points, or specific preferences for airlines, or differing desires as to arrival before the tour begins or staying on later. Insurances are so specifically geared for individuals depending on age, health, length of stay, and other factors. Also, we have found that many of our guests have their own insurance programs through work or retirement packages, etc. If the client wishes, we can arraqnge the complete package or make recomendations or work with the clients travel agent.

Absolutely none! There are no surprises. Apart from air, insurances, lunches, personal spending, alcohol with meals (except where it's included in the price), everything is included. there are no hidden charges, no taxes, no 'optional' visits for which you will be asked to pay.

Single supplements are major frustrations for us and our clients.Hotels give us a quote per person based on two persons per room. They also add on an extra figure for a person occupying a room on their own. The hotels thinking is that they make more money with two people in a room and if there is to be one, they will have to pay extra to make up for the revenue charged. There are very few hotels who do not charge this way. Some hotels charge a flat rate for the room regardless of whether there are one or two people in the room. If two people, we, of course, divide that rate by two to get the cost per person. Incidentally, we do not charge anything extra on the singles. The rate we charge is what the hotel adds on.