Archers Holidays - www.archersdirect.co.uk

booked with archers who then transferred us to croisi Europe a French company only ten brits out 160 passengers.Every thing was French food was all French total disaster. We should get refund holiday was a washout

I have been travelling with Archers/cosmos since 1973 and have noticed the gradual decline of the quality of their holidays despite the price increase. I went on their Mayan trail holiday last week and during the booking process I filled in a form to inform them about my dietary needs and was assured by staff that they will inform the airlines and hotels about it. 2days before my outbound flight I rang Archers to ask if the airline has been informed of my dietary needs as it was a 10 hour flight. I was assured that as I have filled in the form the airline would have been informed.

Alas, during the flight I was informed by the airline stewardess that no special diet had been ordered for me and therefore did not have anything suitable for me. As a diabetic I needed to eat to maintain a steady blood sugar level and fortunately I was carrying some fruits and crisps which I smacked on the 10 hour flight. If not for these snacks, my health would have been at risk due to Archers incompetence.

Apart from that the restaurant staff did not understand what a dairy free diet meant and could not explain to them as many did not speak English.

I also found that the hotel room allocation was not a fair process as the rooms in Merida and Chichen itza were not fit for habitation and should be condemned.

My husband and I went on an Archers / Cosmos trip to Finland and Norway. The trip itself was good, our tour director and driver were great. Our issue was with the accommodation on the tours. Most of our fellow travel companions would agree with what I have to say. All the hotels we were booked in had awful bathrooms,the placement of the bathroom features were ludicrous. Toilets jammed up against the wall, showers that were actually mini wet rooms leaking all over the floor. No bath mats, tiny spaces, I could go on but feel someone should go and stay at these various hotels both as a couple and single travellers and then book their customers in such sub standard accommodation. The beds were uncomfortable with mattress toppers that slid off the bed, no double beds only single beds which moved at the slightest touch. Lighting was also not good.

The other issue was food, I am a vegetarian and in every meal I ended up eating steamed broccoli ,rice and potatoes, since there were gluten free and dairy free options provided for I expected some variety in the buffet meals that were available for a vegetarian, even the fried eggs had bacon on them!!!!

Do not trust this company and how they operate and contract their tours. The splendours of Italy tour was unbelievably poor (December 2016) their over reliance on low budget 2* hotels, poor scheduling and rotten dininh guarantees that you will regret trying them let alone paying for the privilege. Italy is a beautiful country, top three in the world for food and culture. Plan your own trip or find a specialist tour operator to organise a tour.

A very enjoyable holiday to Eastern USA and Canada but very hectic. Every day was an early start. Some hotels were out of town which made finding suitable eating places difficult. The tour director was not very helpful and lacked some communication skills. Overall we enjoyed the trip but would look again when choosing so many cities in one holiday and accessibility of hotels to amenities. It was wonderful to see the Autumn Foliage and Niagara Falls were spectacular. It would have been better to either start the holiday in Boston or have an extra night in New York at the beginning to get over the long flight.

Arrived in Dallas to get our connection to New Orleans,lack of airport staff at customs missed flight with luggage still on the plane. Had to Rebook for next morning in which when we arrived we missed the meeting with tour guide and to book an optionaltour for that day. At the end of our tour which we enjoyed we booked additional couple of days in which our guide booked our airport transfer back to the airport, but no one turned up and the company had no record of our pick up. We had a guest to take us to the airport we could have missed our flight. This happened 5 years ago with a trip to California no one picked us up.

We will not chance this again and try another tour company in the future.

An absolute disaster. Thought we would be visiting the Alhambra Palace but Company did not get any tickets. The whole holiday was ruined as this was the sole reason for choosing this holiday. Feeble excuses were then offered but Company knew beforehand but left it to the tour guide to give us the bad news. There were visitors from New Zealand and Australia on the trip and they were devastated.

If you are thinking of going on the Sicilian Adventure tour DO NOT. We went on the tour 7 -14th September 2016. Archers/Cosmos failed to pass on dietary information to the tour director and hotel though the travel agent had confirmed the details with them three times in my presence. The first hotel Borgo Don Chisciotte was in an isolated location and the catering was totally dysfunctional. Breakfast were not even of 2* quality: the only cereal was corn flakes or choco rolls, the 'hot' food comprised of undercooked bacon, frankfurters and had boiled eggs brought to the breakfast room on ceramic dishes and so was at best tepid. The only bread was small round slices of white bread cut off a french baguette. The evening meal was totally repetitive for three nights with dry overcooked small portions of sword fish and pork loin. The vegetable servings were meagre one night comprising of two small tempura balls (small piece of cauliflower floret in one and a piece of artichoke in the other) and on the third night a desert spoonful of spinach. The food was served one item at a time so by the time the course was assembled everything was cold. the tour group was 51 people far too big to manage in busy streets and in churches and cathedrals were the guides had to talk quietly. the Should have been provision throughout the tour of a 'Whisper@ type of microphone for the guide and ear phones for the tourists. The exceptional historic site of Piazza Amerina was completely omitted from the tour. This tour was a disappointment

The Prinses Christina was a small ship holding 100 passengers but had a very intimate atmosphere and we all got to know each other very quickly which made this cruise special. The small crew were hard working and kept the ship spotlessly clean and saw to our every needs. Darine the ship's Purser was the Star of the cruise. She was always available to help with her lovely happy smile and took time to talk to everyone.

The restaurant was light and airy and all the meals were excellent especially the lovely hot soups.On Captains Night the tables were beautifully decorated and the dining room lit by candle light. The Lounge bar was comfortably furnished and here again the staff were always happy and chatty and there was local entertainment twice in the week.

The weather was sunny and warm and the scenery along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers was stunning as we sailed by day. All the towns visited were colourful and full of life and all attractions were well within walking distance of the ship as long as you have no walking disability. Cologne was our favourite for its atmospheric hussle and bustle and its wonderful massive Cathedral.

On a downside the generators on the ship can be very noisy especially at the rear of the ship so a cabin well forward is advised for a good nights sleep. The beds are very comfortable.

Have been with Archers many times before, but never again.1st hotel was isolated, poorly cooked and presented food, usually cold and small portions. 2nd hotel comfortable, welcoming, good service and great food. 3rd hotel was poor again, dirty , rusted bathroom, dangerous looking balconies, iffy electrics. The food was at least luke warm and the staff tried but were overwhelmed with 47 in the group. Being a large group it was often difficult to hear the individual guides. The tour manager was only interested in a quiet life.