QueensLander Tours

Certainly a lot of defensive explaining from Queenslander Tours. They cut corners every way they can. Guests in one hotel and then sending their Tour Captain at a hotel farther away and much cheaper hotel.

Travel expert has described our tours as "the perfect way to see Italy." This endorsement was not solicited by Story or any of our representatives or entities. You may listen to this endorsement via his radio show - go to our website for the link.

That said, not everyone's tastes are the same so we still can appreciate other perspectives.

The reviewer provided both positive and negative comments about their experience.

Reviewer: "IMO, the tour provide little in the way of value for your money."

Story: Unlike most tours we include most everything in the package with the following exceptions:

- Airfare

- 3 Dinners

- some lunches (1 lunch at our winery estate is included)

- Items of a Personal Nature

​That said, the reviewer went on to point out:

Reviewer: "​The biggest asset is that it is a small group tour. You travel with a small group of 16 people. The is nice.​"

Story: Yes, there is a dramatic difference between our tours and the mainstream. Most 'small group tours' in the mainstream start at around 24 to 48 travelers. The mainstream will feature large motorcoach buses. Story provides no more than 16 guests in a 20 seater, comfortable mini-coach in order to navigate the backroads of Italy.

Reviewer: ​The location of the hotels for the most part are good and centrally located except in Sorrento.

Story: About the hotels:

Our hotels are located in the Heart of the Cities and Villages and the reviewer agrees. Sorrento, we are located about a 7 minute walk from the main street (by design). This affords us stunning views of the Bay of Naples and we enjoy the comfort of one of my favorite hotels in all of Italy.

Reviewer: The hotels themselves are old and not up to modern standards. There are certainly better choices you could pick on your own at the prices that they charge.​

​Story: Yes, our hotels are in centuries old buildings located in the hearts of the cities and towns. The reviewer's comment about 'not up to modern standards' is not accurate. They are very much up to modern standards in Italy. And the last comment is also inaccurate: there are NOT better choices at the prices we offer; this is simply not the case.

​Reviewer: We took the Italy's Great Cities tour. The touring itself generally runs from about 9AM until noon or 1PM. Basically a half day of touring each day. After that you're pretty much on your own until dinner.

Story: The first part of this statement is correct. We do not enjoy or design itineraries that run like a traditional tour from sun-up to sun-down. This is not our style and our website and communications clearly reflect this reality. Our approach:

Italy the Story Way®

Our style of travel is not sun-up to sun-down sightseeing.

We combine expert Italian guides, American Tour Captains and a nice balance of leisure time on most afternoons so you can soak up all that is Italy.

Reviewer: "There are many "add ons" to the tour. We found later that you're much better off booking independent tours on your own. The tours you book on your own while there are less costly, convenient (they do pick you up at your hotel), and far more inclusive. For example, an independent tour of Capri and Ana capri can be booked for a fraction of the price Queenslander charges and includes a lot more.​"

Story: There are not many optional add-ons to our tour. We have optional excursions that are available during free time however, the two most often booked are:

Uffizi Gallery in Florence

​Borghese Gallery in Rome

On the Enchanted Amalfi Coast Experience (separate from the Italy's Great Cities Tour) guests may opt for our Private Boat Tour of the Isle of Capri with Positano and the Amalfi Coast Highway. There is an additional charge for this excursion from the Amalfi Coast Extension. Travelers can indeed find less costly tours to the Isle of Capri — but they will not be on a private boat, with a Tour Captain, towels, refreshments and chilled premium beverages.

Reviewer: ​"The included dinners, while as advertised as your choice from the regular menu is really a selection from a Queenslander menu. A number of choices but certainly not the regular menu. The restaurants are generally tourist restaurants in spite of Story, Land and Sea's claim that they are not."

Story: Our approach to dining in Italy is unique. Everything is included, no hidden charges.

At select restaurants you may choose from some of the most ordered and favorite Primi and Secondi items available — Don't see what you like? Choose from the main restaurant menu which is always on hand. We'll even bring the Maitre'd out to design a dinner — that's the Story Way® of Dining.

Premium Wine (not house wine), Premium Beverages and Soft Drinks Flow.

Story: Our restaurants are not "tourist" restaurants — stop and listen to the conversation going on around you and you will notice the Italian language is being spoken.

I found this review very helpful because...I was unsure of the company as I hadn't heard of them. It gives me confidence that she said that her travel agent researched them and found Queenslander to be reputable.

Didn't you have the travel insurance?

I found this review not helpful because..all the facts are not represented.

QueensLander Tours has a very clear and detailed agreement that the guest signed in agreement with the company's terms and policies. Per our Tour Application agreement the guest's signature agreed to acceptance of our policies.

Please note the following information restates QueensLander's position: QueensLander Tours was 100% ready to provide the services provided to the client. As a matter of fact, the tour commenced on time without delay.

Airfare, which is a separate booking and not included in the land vacation, was arranged and the airline indicated they would offer a 100% refund. The land vacation was arranged and commenced on time as promised from the point of tour origination (Venice, Italy). Per our agreement with the guest, we were not able to refund the land portion as the point of cancellation was within the 14 days prior to tour commencement (a 100% cancellation fee).

Per the guest's comments in his filed complaint, we refute the following statements:

1. Guest stated we informed him, (he).."had lost the remaining $8,000."

QT: We told the guest that if he was not able to be at the point of tour origination he would begin losing his vacation payment. We reminded him of the many times we recommended he purchase trip interruption and cancellation insurance. We indicated he could arrive late possibly if the airlines were able to get him in country.

2. Guest stated we "refused to refund even a portion of it..."

QT: Upon the guest's return to the US, we offered a refund for the portion of the trip he had missed. The guest replied and asked us not to contact him again.

3. Guest stated, "When I mentioned that his pocketing of my $8,000 was worthy of legal action, he told me, and I quote, "Bring it on."" ~

QT: In context, we told the guest, "You are fully within your rights to pursue this matter legally and that we (QT) will be contacting legal counsel."

4. Guest stated "after 24 hours of his inaction in finding us an alternate flight, I called the airline myself, scheduled an alternate flight on the following day, and we flew to Venice and joined the trip a day late."

QT: In dealing with all of our guests who were affected by the volcanic ash delays I can see how it might appear we were doing nothing - this is far from the reality as we had requests into our air department for this guest as well as others who were affected.

The following excerpts are from the tour application agreement signed by the guest (copies of documents made available): "TOUR INFORMATION: PLEASE READ. AIR DEPARTMENT ARRANGEMENTS. Air is not included in all tours. Optional air arrangements provided by QueensLander Tours are available. You may purchase Air Interruption and Cancellation Insurance from QueensLander.

TRAVEL INSURANCE. Travel Insurance coverage is highly recommended by QueensLander Tours. Visit www.Travelex.com and enter location code 06-0051 to receive a quotation. __ I/We have declined the opportunity to purchase travel insurance for the LAND portion as recommended by QueensLander Tours and I/We am/are fully aware of all cancellation penalties and consequences that could be incurred.

Guest signatures appear here:

Members of Travel Party: Signed _________________________________________________ DATE____________ Signed _________________________________________________ DATE____________

APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT SIGNATURE & SIGNATURE INDICATES ACCEPTANCE OF POLICIES: CANCELLATION BY YOU: Should you or any member of your party need to cancel your booking or any part of it once it has been confirmed, you must immediately advise us in WRITING. Cancellation charges are payable as set out below except where otherwise stated. These charges are calculated from the date the written notice of cancellation is received by QueensLander. Travel Protection Plan premiums and amendment charges are non-refundable in the event of your cancellation. Cancellations are very costly and usually do not occur in time for resale of the cancelled travel event. If cancellation in writing is received by Queenslander more than 90 days prior to travel departure date (or 120 days for certain travel events), the deposit will be returned. For cancellations received within 90 days of departure date, the following per person cancellation fees apply: 89-30 days prior to travel departure date: 40% of total price; 29-15 days prior to travel departure date: 75% of total price; 14 days to departure day or later: 100% of total price; Higher cancellation fees apply for certain travel events. If flight changes are requested after the deposit has been received or if flights are canceled after tickets are issued, revision fees or airline cancellation charges will be applicable. If an air-inclusive travel event is canceled after air tickets have been issued, refund will be processed after return of air tickets (30-90 days). If QueensLander cancels a travel event, we will refund all monies paid to QueensLander; there is no additional liability. Refunds may take up to 90 days depending on travel event. QueensLander cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or any fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other travel arrangements not made through QueensLander. FORCE MAJEURE: We regret we cannot accept any liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented by reasons of circumstances amounting to 'force majeure.' 'Force majeure' means any event which QueensLander or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events are likely to include war or threat of war, riots, civil strike, terrorist activity, industrial action, disease, natural or nuclear disaster, Act of God, fire, adverse weather conditions, closure of airports or ports, governmental action and all similar events. DELAY: We regret we are not in a position to render any assistance in the event of you being delayed at your outward or homeward points of departure. The airline concerned may however be able to provide alternate flights etc.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRIVING ON TIME TO POINTS OF ORIGINATION DESIGNATED BY QUEENSLANDER TOURS, QUEENSLANDER TOURS' ITINERARY OR AGENTS OF QUEENSLANDER TOURS. CANCELLATION AND AIR RESERVATIONS: Should you cancel your air reservations (which are booked separately) they must be purchased through QueensLander Tours in order to be covered by the Insurance.

REASONS FOR CANCELLATION IN RELATION TO INSURANCE: Certain restrictions apply and Insurance coverage will only be in place on certain scenarios. Please contact Travelex 360 at 1-800-965-8859 and advise them you booked your insurance through QueensLander Tours at location number 06-0051 and Plan Number 725C to find out about specific coverage details. SUPPLEMENTS: QueensLander reserves the right to charge a tour supplement to your account until tour is paid in full. Certain supplements that may be incurred include: Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty, Currency & Flight Supplement where applicable."

Couldnt agree more. Dan was our guide on italy vacation in june. Absolutely the best vacation we have ever taken.