Reviewed 02 Aug 2010 by Rebecca Hill
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This is a difficult one - there were so many! Hiking up to Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, horse-back riding in Utah, seeing my eleven year olds hike 9 miles in 35 degrees without complaining.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Its a camping trip so you need to pack carefully, laundry facilities are available at some campsites but the itinerary is so packed that often there is just not enough time. If you do this holiday during the summer it is REALLY hot. Make sure you have a water bottle to fill up and remember that kids will need to drink huge amounts, footwear is important for hiking you will need decent boots or summer trail walking shoes and also walking shoes/sandals that can go in water.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
As far as is possible. Huge amount of driving, but that is the only way to get to the different National Parks. Once there we camped under canvas (rather than in an RV) and nearly all National Park campsites have water use restrictions to encourage water conservation. We used shuttle buses within the parks when we could to avoid going in the minibus. We made the majority of our own meals (rather than fast food) and we tried to recycle rubbish where feasible.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Simply brilliant.
Reviewed 16 Aug 2009 by Amanda Taylor
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting so many beautiful and interesting places in the US.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't expect a relaxing holiday! You do and see so much you will end up feeling you've had a great holiday, but there really isn't much time for relaxing! Don't take a warm sleeping bag - we foolishly really warm ones and ended up having to sleep on top of them most of the time!!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I guess local people benefitted from the expenditure incurred during the holiday and do not think there was much negative impact n the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
One of the best holidays I have ever had!! It was a worry wondering how we were going to get on with our travelling companions but in fact they enhanced the entire holiday experience.
Reviewed 17 Sep 2008 by Christopher Hawker
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The National Parks are very well managed - and quite spectacular - but the best bit was the horse riding at the 'mountain ranch' - good horses, well looked after and an excellent evening ride catered for all abilities.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bear in mind the costs of all the extras, including costs of breakfasts (and 15-20% tips expected)... though get good at ordering one dish and sharing - it's likely to be massive. Watch your credit card in a restaurant - no 'chip and pin' and ours got cloned (in Las Vegas).
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The use of large tourist hotels (some wearing thin) for much of the tour was not in keeping with the aims of this programme, the organisers need to be more imaginative about working with local people on alternatives, (though, to be fair, the children enjoyed the small pools provided by these places). Many of the hotels used were very wasteful, with throw away everything - especially if they provided a self service poor quality breakfast. Eating options sometimes limited to fast food places - especially when travelling. This whole aspect was a big minus.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Travelling with a small group brought extra dimensions and it was great for the children. The programme is well planned and well paced and the tour leader helpful in organising activities. Very good way to see a side of America (including the madness of Las Vegas if you want to! it has to be seen to be believed!) at the same time as enjoying the beautiful parks and Grand Canyon etc.
Read the operator's response here:
We are pleased to hear that you and your family enjoyed traveling throughout the national parks of the Southwestern USA on our Cowboys & Indians Family Discovery tour last summer. We strive to deliver the trip of a lifetime to each of our clients and our knowledgeable, local guides are key to our success.
While we understand your concern about using a “branded chain” hotel on the trip, i.e. Best Western, please be aware that the property is actually privately owned by local residents. As this tour goes off the beaten path and visits rural, small towns, we have selected the properties to maximize comfort- particularly for the children on tour. Incidentally, we are glad that your children did enjoy the swimming pools.
As for the hotel’s use of plastic cutlery at the continental breakfasts, this is something that is the preponderant system in many US hotels, and although we do not own the properties, we certainly encourage them to adapt more environmentally responsible practices. In the case of occasional fast-food stops for lunch, our tour guides generally organize picnic lunches or stops at locally owned, family restaurants when available.
We do our utmost to ensure that our clients have a wonderful, memorable experience whilst exploring the national parks, small towns and big cities along the way. Rest assured that we will continue to take client feedback to heart and take action to continue offering the best holidays throughout the Americas.
Reviewed 28 Aug 2008 by Sally Seed
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hard to choose - lots of brilliant scenery and experiences. The evening jeep tour round Monument Valley with a Navajho guide and finishing up on a cook out under the cliffs will stick with me forever, I think.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go prepared to have a go at everything, especially trails and walks, and you won't be disappointed. Make sure that you tot up how much cash you'll need for meals and tips and stuff so that you don't have to worry while you're in the middle of the trip.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Tour leader and the tour operator generally seemed to have good local contacts (eg Navajho family business for Monument Valley tour) and were definitely aware of environmental issues, encouraging us to re-use and recycle as much as local facilities allowed.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful - had very high expectations that were regularly exceeded. Tour leader contributed to this and the programme was exactly what we'd hoped for. The tour represented a big financial outlay for us as a family but was well worth it.
PS Only reason not 5* below is that I've been on other brilliant holidays too!
