Reviews of Exeter International. (Travel Agency) in Tampa (Florida).

Exeter International

56 Reviews

55 Comments

Travel agency

Tour agency

111 S Dakota Ave, Tampa, FL 33606, United States

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Information of Exeter International, Travel agency in Tampa (Florida)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

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Reviews of Exeter International

Nikki Davidson

This trip was as close to perfection as one can get. Ala and her team created the most perfect Croatian vacation trip for me, my husband and the other couple that we were traveling with this month. I've had the good fortune to have travelled all around the world and never have I experienced such an incredible team to ensure that literally every detail, every activity, every hotel we stayed at was top-notch. If you are even considering a vacation to this incredible country, I would highly recommend speaking with Ala and her team first. I know I will be recommending Ala friends and family that want to visit Croatia and I can do it with complete peace of mind knowing I am referring them to the best! Nikki Davidson

Jonathan Rosenberg

My wife and I completed our second trip with Gwen's team at Exeter last month. Our first trip a few years back included Vienna, Prague, Budapest. This trip was Amsterdam, Berlin and Munich. Gwen is absolutely terrific and does a fabulous job of listening to client interests and preferences ex ante and then presenting options and framing the trips. Gwen's advice on hotels and specific rooms in hotels and the Exeter private touring options was consistently spot on. And ALL the guides she uses are terrific which really makes the trip. I was very pleased with both itineraries before the trips started and like any travel experience, circumstances and weather changed during the trip. Gwen and her team were always on top of quickly making changes. They possess the unique combination of pliancy about the route taken coupled with an adamantine resolve to give the client the experience they want and get them to see the things they wish to see. The team also has access to private experiences that were amazing. A tour of a tulip farm, a visit to a closed museum and medieval library, a wine and cheese tasting with a local expert. Not only did we have two good trips, on the second trip, Gwen started with all her notes and preferences from our first trip which made things even easier. I have used many operators in my travels and my experience with Exeter and Gwen Kozlowski in particular was truly top notch.

Nancy Hutchison

We just returned from a fabulous trip that included Stockholm Sweden, Helsinki Finland and Amsterdam Netherlands, all arranged by Leigh Landis at Exeter International. Leigh was amazing. She put together individual excursions in each country, arranged hotels, assisted with restaurant suggestions and reservations, purchased train tickets and the tickets for the Silja Line ship to cross the Baltic Sea. Leigh gave us the phone number of an Exeter contact in each city in case of a problem but we did not have to contact them. Still, it was reassuring knowing that we had someone to contact if needed. Each of them reached out to us when we arrived to let us know they were available. The itinerary, guides and tickets were all arranged in advance by Leigh. She spent a lot of time with us before booking anything. We communicated by emails or phone. It was clear to us from our first contact with Leigh that she wanted to make sure the trip had exactly what we wanted. The guides in each city were so fantastic. They each had a wealth of experience as guides, planned the routes well and asked about our interests when we first met so they knew what we wanted to see and do. They were all spot on time! The guides made the trip a truly special experience. They helped us to understand each city, its history, special characteristics and helped us with questions about how to navigate the city and use public transportation. The guides expedited getting into busy museums or other venues because our guides had passes to jump queues. They maximized our time so that it was spent enjoying the sights and venues instead of standing in lines and figuring out how to purchase tickets. They knew where to go and when to go there. Some venues required advance tickets and Leigh took care of that. Leigh arranged our very own private saloon boat tour of the canals of Amsterdam. Leigh checked in on us along the way on our trip and sent us special notes. She arranged to have a gift sent to my hotel room in Helsinki on my birthday. Leigh arranged really great hotel rooms with the best views possible. And our stateroom on the Silja line cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki had an amazing view so we saw the sunset and sunrise over the Baltic from our room and that was stunning. With Exeter involved in making the hotel reservations we were treated like special guests at each hotel by the staff. The drivers were all outstanding. They were polite, helpful, on-time and made all our connections and excursions seamless and stress free. We actually started our trip in Gothenburg Sweden at the Volvo factory. After that Exeter took over and we proceeded on our dream trip to Stockholm, Helsinki and Amsterdam. We did no driving. We used trains and boats all arranged by Leigh at Exeter. And in each city we used drivers arranged by Exeter for excursions outside the city centers, such as when we went to the delightful town of Porvoo, Finland. When we took the train from Gothenburg to Stockholm our train was over an hour delayed and it was late evening when we arrived in Stockholm. The driver who met us in Stockholm, arranged by Exeter, had waited for us. While waiting she arranged for the hotel to have food for us upon arrival. Also when we arrived at our room at the hotel Leigh had arranged for a lovely charcuterie tray to be sent to our room. So although we arrived late and were worried about being hungry, everyone involved made sure that was taken care of without having to ask. I can't say enough positive about Leigh Landis and Exeter International. I feel we got more than our money's worth. Without Exeter we would have wasted so much time trying to figure out what could be seen each day in each city, how to get tickets, how to find a good restaurant and figure out how to make reservations etc. We did not have to worry about any of that. All the details were taken care of in advance and all we had to do was enjoy it! We will be forever grateful for Leigh and Exeter!

J.P. Jones

Jody was an absolutely FABULOUS travel agent (and personal assistant on top of that). She helped guide me through the decisions of what to visit and where to travel. I left many choices up to her expertise and she exceeded all of our needs and wants. This was a dream vacation for our entire family and thanks to Jody - we have memories to last a lifetime. We will absolutely be booking future vacations through Exeter International and using Jody as our agent!

Jennifer Andrews

All my trips with Exeter have been amazing. I worked with Ala and Gwen for different trips and they go above and beyond to make the trip exceptional. They have access to places others don’t, they plan everything from the perfect hotel, experiences and even incredible restaurants. Even better, they communicate within so Ala was able to get with Gwen and tell her my likes and dislikes. You work with the person with the most knowledge of the area you are going and they genuinely know it inside and out. I totally trust Exeter with my travel planning. They are the best.

Kris Seeger

The Founder's Trip to Turkey this month was amazing in every respect. From start to finish, just perfection! Greg's personally curated outstanding itinerary set the stage for the best small group trip we have ever taken. From our greeting at the Istanbul Airport to our goodbye in Bodrum, everything was seamless first class hotel accommodations; fabulous guide; excellent drivers/vehicles; and wonderful dining venues. Every day was filled with history, joy and new friends. We cannot wait to travel with Exeter International again! Kris & Chris

Lisa Meyer

Exeter planned and executed a fabulous trip to Budapest, Vienna, and Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik, Croatia for our family group of 11 in late July/early August 2022. We stayed in the most amazing historic hotels in the larger European cities as well as off-the-beaten-track modern boutique resorts, and with friendly and knowledgeable guides, drivers, and boat captains, had the trip of a lifetime. Very highly recommend Ala and Gwen at Exeter!

Robert Aptekar

Ala planned a wonderful trip for us to Slovenia and Istria. The hotels we interesting and comfortable. The guides were especially good, each with a different perspective. Ala's restaurant suggestions were also helpful and she made some of the reservations. The local contacts were helpful in adjusting the trip according to our needs. Exeter Travel did a great job.

mikel Durham

Exeter created an itinerary for Croatia for 6 of us, with really fantastic experienced, including truffle hunting, sailing, cooking in a country home, etc. It was a trip of a lifetime, and nothing was left unprepared. All the guides were good and the transfers worked perfectly.

Michele Krisko

Ala Osmond planned a fantastic and detailed trip for our family of five to Croatia this past June. We had a tight timeframe to squeeze in seeing Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik, and Ala managed to organize boats and drivers to move us around and maximize our time soaking in the history and beauty of Croatia. Our accommodations were outstanding but Maslina Resort on Hvar was just incredible. We are still talking about the location, beauty of the resort, and incredible customer service. Ala and her team took care of scheduling our private bike ride, cooking class, private guides and multiple boat trips around the islands. Our youngest daughter celebrated her birthday while we were in Croatia and Ala made sure that it was celebrated more than once! We were also surprised with a private sailing trip while in Dubrovnik. This was so special and we sailed around new islands we hadn’t seen on any of our other excursions. I would absolutely book another trip with Ala Osmond and highly recommend her services.

Caroline Klein

I had a 5-week break between jobs and planned to "panic travel" because I knew it would be a long time until I could travel again. Ala Osmond with Exeter International was a lifesaver in helping plan an unforgettable, truly relaxing 10-day trip to Croatia -- all on 2 week's notice! She listened to our needs and wants and put together a seamless itinerary that not only gave us an incredible experience but also done in a way that avoided any unnecessary travel (i.e. we got to spend all of our time enjoying ourselves in the way we wanted!). The itinerary included Split (2 nights), Hvar (3 nights), and Dubrovnik (5 nights). The hotel recommendations were spot on (especially Maslina in Hvar and Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik), and we loved the activities she organized. The cooking class in Dubrovnik was second to none - such a great family, immersive feel. And the two days we took on private boats (one from Hvar and one from Dubrovnik) fully exceeded my expectations in terms of quality of the boat and where we traveled. And I have to agree with others. One thing that stood out to us in particular was how well organized the logistics were -- transfers, guides, activities. Everyone was working in concert (and also so hospitable), and it was pretty amazing. We didn't have to worry about anything! While I know I gave Ala few options due to how last-minute our trip planning was, she did help plan the best 10-day trip between jobs that I could've imagined. I would highly recommend Ala for any trip you are planning to Croatia!

Julie Baker

I am so glad we traveled to Croatia this year and that we went when we did. We were there from June 10 - 19. Ala Osmond was our trip planner and she encouraged us to go before peak season if at all possible. That was great advice. We stayed in Split, on the island of Hvar and Dubrovnik and loved them all, but I can see how Split and Dubrovnik especially might feel a bit overrun with tourists by mid-summer. Based on our desire to have some time to relax while traveling, Ala recommended we only spend one night in Split, then four nights at a resort in Stari Grad and three nights in Dubrovnik. That felt like the perfect amount in each and the hotels she recommended were great. We were especially happy she recommended the Hotel Maslina where we were able to rent a villa that was large enough for our whole family. One of the things that stands out about the trip was that the logistics -- the transfers, the guides, the dinner reservations, the activities we had scheduled -- all came off without a hitch. Also, it seemed that the people we encountered from our drivers to the hotel staff seemed to know our itinerary and were helpful and friendly at each turn. Ala offered us the option of a private boat transfer from Hvar to Dubrovnik instead of boating to the mainland and then driving. It was a splurge, but well worth it in that we had a day on a lovely boat on the Adriatic and were able to stop in Korcula for lunch. We also loved the cooking class we took just outside Dubrovnik as well as the day we spent cycling on Hvar Island. Our tour guide in Dubrovnik was one of the best we have ever had and did a great job explaining Croatia's history -- which is complicated. I would recommend both this trip and working with Ala Osmond for travel planning.

Andy Robinson

Croatia June 9 - 21 2022 We (two couples) just returned from a spectacular 12 day trip to Croatia arranged for us by Ala Osmond over 18 months ago. Our ambitious itinerary was meticulously planned with short stays in Istria, Plitvice, Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik including a small number of guided historical tours, a truffle hunting demonstration, a 6 mile hike in Plitvice (breathtaking, unspoiled beauty), two half day private yacht excursions (totally indulgent and totally worth it), two wine tastings (one would've been sufficient), a fantastic cooking class in Split (do not miss this under any circumstances, even if you don't cook--Chef Jzelko is great), oyster tasting in Ston (do not miss this either, the fresh cooked mussels are delicious too). Each of these activities exceeded our expectations. There is no shortage of good food in Croatia and the list of restaurants provided by Ala was extensive. Every place we went to had courteous staff, interesting takes on fresh seafood and often the owner was working the tables so we got first-hand insight to preparations, technique and often, free wine and grappa samples. The Croatians (all speak English) are enthusiastic about their food and wine, as are we, so that added another dimension to the experience. Do go to Giaxa in Hvar, Tramonto in Istria, Bokeria in Split, Konoba Dubrava for peka and Proto for seafood, both in Dubrovnik. The hotels were also excellent, offering 5 star service and amenities with easy access to the Adriatic (Istria, Hvar, Dubrovnik) as well as the pool and short walks into town. The staff were attentive, rooms were clean, views were gorgeous. The Grand Park in Istria and the Excelsior in Dubrovnik were our favorites but we are really splitting hairs. They were all top-notch. Despite the complexity of our itinerary, Ala and her team ensured that we had flawless connections and transfers, even arranging a last-minute pick up in Venice to get us to Istria after a missed connection that was supposed to get us to Zagreb (a very long and stressful story). Cannot emphasize enough the importance of the drivers--they take all the stress out of making connections so that you can focus on your trip. Would also like to make a special shout-out to Natasa Lovic, Ala's "in country" contact. She was essentially on-call for us and really saved the day with our blown connection. What could have been a nightmare turned out to be a non-event thanks to her. She also took care of a number of last minute restaurant changes and other items for us. Invaluable resource--very responsive and always had a solution. As with previous trips, all of our guides were engaging and very knowledgeable, especially when we asked questions and showed some some genuine interest in Croatia's history, which is very complicated. This is the key to maximizing your experience with the guides and it adds a whole new perspective to your trip. All told, Ala and her team put together the complete experience for us. We cannot say enough good things about her and our trip. None of us wanted to leave which is the hallmark of a successful vacation and Ala made it happen. Can't wait to go back.

Tom Philbrick

My husband and I recently returned from a fabulous vacation planned by Ala to Slovenia and Croatia. We first spoke with Ala in January to start planning this trip for June. After our initial call, Ala quickly sent some suggestions to us to review and consider. As she has traveled extensively in these countries, she has a wealth of knowledge and connections with guides, drivers, restaurants and hotels. We wanted to incorporate fly fishing and hiking as well as cultural experiences and she included all in her recommendations. We flew into Venice and our driver greeted us and drove us to Ljubljana, about 3 hours away. Loise was very pleasant and shared the history of his country, Slovenia, with us along the way. Loise was our driver for the 6 days we stayed in Slovenia. In Ljubljana we stayed at a recently opened boutique hotel called Zlata Ladjica. I highly recommend it! Slovenia is beautiful. It is also the foodie capital of Eastern Europe! Ala was able to arrange a lunch reservation at the much in demand restaurant, Hisa Franko in Kobarid, just named again to the top 50 restaurants in the world. We stayed 3 nights at Nebessa in Kobarid, an amazing property with 4 cottages overlooking the Soca Valley. Ala was spot on with this recommendation! We loved it so much that the owners arranged for delicious dinners from a local farm to be delivered to our cottage on 2 of the evenings we stayed there. Fly fishing in the Soca River was beautiful. The water was crystal clear and our guide knew the spots to put us on to catch fish. We also visited Lake Bled and the Balkan lake while we were there, both beautiful. We also had a personal tour of the WWI museum and site of a major battle with the former director of the museum. He was very passionate about this important part of history in his country so if you go there, my advice is to make sure you make it clear how much time you would like to spend there because there is much to see, including a trail you can hike. Slovenia is a small country with immense natural beauty and a fascinating history. We next went to Rovinj on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Again, at Ala’s suggestion we stayed at the Grand Park Hotel, opened a few years ago in Rovinj. It was close to the old town, however not too close, which was perfect. We could walk to the town and then get away from the crowds after. Rovinj is such a gem. We had been to Croatia before, in the south on the Dalmatian coast, however, Istria is a well kept secret! Our guides in both countries were pleasant and knowledgeable and we had the right amount of time with them. Our drivers were also very good. It was nice to relax and enjoy the scenery without worrying about getting lost! Our contact while traveling, Natasa, was excellent. She answered any questions or requests we had. Of course, there were few because Ala saw to all the details ahead of time. We would absolutely reach out to Ala again.

Bobbie Cummins

I have worked with Exeter International on three trips. All have been fantastic. The first one was to Croatia and Slovenia; the second one to Hungary, Prague, Austria and Poland; and the most recent one in 10/2021 to Switzerland, Austria and Germany. They are very detail oriented, and the hotels they recommended were superb. I highly recommend working with them, and hope to plan another foreign trip with their help.

MARGARET HERITAGE

We have just returned from eight fabulous days in Romania. Leigh at Exeter Travel put a wonderful itinerary together for us and our local driver/guide was outstanding!

Nancy Dennis

Just completed an amazing self-drive trip to Austria and Germany, brilliantly curated by Gwen Kozlowski. Every detail of the trip was so well thought through in advance that our trip went seamlessly. The hotels selected (where we uniformly received upgrades as a result of the relationship between Gwen/Exeter and the hotels) were excellent; the guides provided were among the best we've experienced; the special opportunities for unusual experiences--which I wouldn't have even known existed, were most enjoyable; the itinerary, and the way it flowed, was well thought out and appropriately paced; and the restaurant recommendations were spot on. Gwen was hands-on there for us throughout our trip, to promptly answer questions and provide advice--quite unlike other agencies where you have an initial contact with the regional specialist and then get turned over to an assistant or associate. From the prompt communication, and the knowledgeable and experienced insights, to the special details--like getting us first row seats for the opera in Vienna--every aspect of our trip was handled so professionally and personably. I highly recommend Gwen and Exeter and plan to work with them for future trips.

Marc Schnitzer

Have worked with Exeter since 2009, planning three vacations involving Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia & Croatia. We have worked with many Conde Nast & Wendy Perrin top travel specialists, and Exeter is among the best in any region. We are already planning another trip with them for 2022!

Linda Morris

Stella Bayley arranged our trip to Armenia in July 2021. She and our Armenian travel guide Aram Khachikyan created an extensive itinerary. My daughter and I had a wonderful experienced! Aram and our driver Aren were very professional and most knowledgeable. I highly recommend Exeter International.

Austin Ogilvie

Exeter arranged the most impressive itinerary to Uzbekistan ever. The attention to detail and breadth of experience was truly remarkable and vastly exceeded my expectations. It's a little pricey, but I cannot wait to do another trip thru them!

Susan Biederman

From start to finish I have never felt so well cared for by any travel specialist. Exeter International stands out in my mind for the highest level of planning and personal attention. Our trip to St. Petersburg and Moscow was a total delight with the hotels, guides, sightseeing, and local transportation arrangements. It was smooth sailing due to meticulous planning and the expertise of their courteous and knowledgeable staff. I can recommend them very highly without any hesitation.

Ann Sieradzki

My brother and I have just returned from a jewish heritage trip to Lithuania arranged by Jody Ricottone from Exeter International and I cannot rave highly enough about their level of service. The whole trip exceeded our expectations and from day 1 & it was a pleasure doing business with Exeter and Jody in particular. She understood exactly what we wanted and put together an amazing tour for us. The Hotels and guides were all top quality. We had 3 different guides (from the 3 different regions we visited), all of whom were extremely knowledgeable & professional. The logistics were perfectly arranged and it all worked like clockwork. I cannot recommend Exeter highly enough and hope to be a return client many more times!

Gail Sermersheim

I and my friends have taken over half a dozen trips with Exeter over the past few years. Each experience has been unique and extraordinary. Well planned. Extremely well executed. I always say that it's the guide who makes or breaks a trip. Exeter understands that and has identified the very best in each country. What I appreciate the most is how they always find special embellishments that enrich ones journey and increase your understanding of the places and the people you are visiting. The principals at Exeter have been together over 20 years and its shows. They are the best!

Stephanie Radov

I have never before written a review but our Russia trip was so amazing I wanted to share. If you are at all thinking of traveling to Russia, Exeter is the only way to go. They handled everything superbly. Private tours and after hours admission to places most people can’t access were incredible (and we aren’t tour people). Can’t wait to go again. Kudos to Greg and his team. Stephanie and Frank.

Louis Lower

Our recent custom private trip to Romania and Bulgaria was our second with Exeter (first was Russia). Working with them to plan a trip that fits personal interests, pacing and requirements is a pleasure. There is nothing "cookie cutter" about the process.....Better yet, what you sign up for is what you get...with flawless execution. High quality guides. Charming properties. Special experiences along the way. One of the benefits of using Exeter is that they specialize, not trying to be all things to all people. They know their stuff, are always available to help and deliver. Highly recommended.

L Hanson

Outstanding trip!!! The team at Exeter arranged a wonderful custom itinerary for me and my sister that aligned perfectly with our interests. Responsive during all the planning and super helpful with terrific recommendations. Our drivers each day were very professional, punctual and courteous. Igor made a special effort our first day to take a route that allowed us to see many of the major sites around Moscow with lots of photo opportunities on the way to our first museum visit. Very thoughtful. Our guide Elena was superb – very knowledgeable and a true delight She timed our visits each day to avoid lines and maximize our time. While we very much enjoyed everything we saw, I think it is the wonderful people we met along the way that we'll remember for years to come. Thank you Exeter for arranging such a personalized and truly extraordinary experience!

Caryn Levine

Perfect! They set up everything. Hotels, tours, restaurant options. The customize to your needs. So easy. Our layover got cancelled and they took care of everything. I will always use them.

Beth Paisner

Exeter put together a fantastic trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg. The accommodations were situated perfectly and the guides did a superlative job. The special tours set up at the Kremlin, Hermitage and Summer Palace were exceptional making this one of the most memorable trips I've ever had.

Susan M.

Exeter arranged a wonderful trip for us through Central and Western Europe. The guides in each city were outstanding -- offering personal insights, recommendations and fascinating historic context. Exeter was completely responsive, flexible and professional in accommodating us throughout our trip.

charles rossotti

Exeter International planned and booked a two week trip for us to Denmark, Sweden and Finland in June. We had never traveled to Scandinavia and needed help deciding what to visit and how to get the most out of the trip. Our agent, Jody Riccotone, was outstanding. She personally knows the countries and recommended a great selection of sites. This included a trip to the Swedish west coast where many swedes go for summer vacations. We rented a car in Copenhagen and drove to Sweden, and Exeter actually sent us a GPS preloaded with our destinations. If you are planning a trip to Scandinavia or Eastern Europe, please talk to Exeter first.

Marc Telio

I recently brought my 15 year old son on an Exeter International experience to Krakow and Berlin, with a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. From the first phone call to plan the trip, I was happy to put myself into Gwen's hands for expert planning. Good move, she made all the right suggestions for a perfect trip, routing and hotel selection and I did not have to lift a finger. From a traveler's perspective the trip was run perfectly, smoothly and with zero glitches. Easy as can be, we simply followed the daily agenda set out for us and focused on spending time together. The experience was one that we will never forget, and one that was perfect for us at this time in our lives. Meaningful, emotional, soulful and lots of fun as well (we have fun everywhere). Yes, the content was sometimes hard to digest and quite emotional as one would expect, but in the hands of Exeter's EXPERT guides, we looked at it as a traveling history lesson. Especially with content that is so important, where a sensitive and thoughtful delivery is critical, our guides delivered way beyond our expectations. Aside from the bonding that we enjoyed together as father and son, the next highlight was the time spent in the company of our professional guides. Their interpretation led to a very successful trip. I would not hesitate to recommend the team at Exeter International for any trip they operate worldwide. Total satisfaction and we look forward to being in their care again.

Stephen Behnen

Visiting St. Petersburg has been a long-standing item on our bucket list. We decided that we would use an ocean cruise as the means of travelling there and picked a cruise that included a two-night port stay, giving us three full days to enjoy the city. Even so, we were concerned that reliance on the excursions offered by the ship would not give us the experience we were looking for. Being a part of a group of 20 to 40 people working to a fixed schedule did not appeal to us. We decided to contact Greg Tepper of Exeter International for help. The Exeter team worked with us to plan a visit that covered all the traditional highlights, while adding in elements that are simply not available to large tours. For example, our visit to Peterhof not only included a walk through the famed gardens and fountains, but also incorporated stops at the grottoes and a thoroughly delightful exploration of the little-visited “bathhouse”. It was those two additions that made the visit memorable. Likewise, the highlight of any visit to the Catherine Palace is the Amber Room. Unfortunately, ropes keep you far enough away from the walls to make it difficult to appreciate the artistry of the room, and photographs are strictly forbidden. Our visit, however, included a lengthy stop at the Amber Workshop, where all the amber displayed in the Palace was created. This is something that is simply not possible to do with a large tour. Here we were able to talk one-on-one with the Amber Workshop guide and actually handle the raw materials, examine pieces in detail, and take all the photographs we wanted. We also delighted in being able to have lunch at small cafes, such as The Idiot (with its Bohemian décor mimicking the style of one of Dostoevsky’s St. Petersburg flats). It was these kinds of experiences that affirmed the wisdom of selecting the Exeter team to plan our visit. In addition to putting together an excellent plan, the execution was perfect. Little details were carefully thought out, such as making sure that we started our day only after the regular ship excursions had time to complete the lengthy passport control process. Finally, we enjoyed the services of a wonderful guide for our 28 hours of touring. Luda has 20 years of experience working as a guide, and it all shows. Her knowledge of St. Petersburg is encyclopedic, but she only shared what we showed an interest in hearing. She was attentive to our moods and interests and frequently made adjustments to the plan, both small and large, to better accommodate our needs. We could not have asked for a better guide.

Frederick Corney

I have worked with Exeter International on a number of occasions already, and it is an extremely efficient outfit. The office staffs in Tampa, Florida and in St. Petersburg, Russia are friendly, highly efficient, and very well-informed about what St. Petersburg and Moscow have to offer groups of visitors. Worthy of special mention is the high caliber of Exeter's in-country guides across the board. They all have fluent English, know everything about the sites they are showing, are very even-handed in their guided tours, and are very friendly to my students. They are also always ready to step in when a couple of emergencies have cropped up on our tours. We are very happy to have Exeter's support for our programs in Russia.

Charles Kramer

Top notch experiences, guides, and drivers. We used Exeter and Silvia Baigorri to plan a lengthy itinerary in Croatia. She listened and came up with some of the best day trips and detours -- cooking classes, wine tastings, oyster tastings, and city tours. We had private drivers and guides and learned so much from them. If you want a luxury experience, they are worth the price.

Michael Brown

This was my first trip with Exeter after extensive travel with other firms, and I must say this experience was top drawer! If Russia is of interest to you, don’t consider anyone but Exeter. They have tremendous connections, extremely impressive guides, and a leader (Gregg Tepper) who is impressive with incredible passion for all things Russia. Being able to travel as a part of a small group was truly impressive. He is thoughtful, bright, thorough, personable - and his participation made this trip to Moscow and St Petersburg unequalled. He knows the language, he knows the people, he knows the culture, he knows the places to visit, he knows the food, and he knows the history. If you get the opportunity to travel with Exeter, DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY! My wife and I can’t wait to travel with Exeter in the future.

Ace McCauley

The trip I recently took with Exeter and its founder, Greg Tepper, to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia was truly extraordinary. Having taken 4 other small tour group trips in the past 5 years, this was by far my best experience. Chief among the accolades were the sites visited, knowledgeable and affable local tour guides, the special circumstances of private visits to the Hermitage and Kremlin Palace, the non-tourist oriented restaurants, and hotel accommodations. The trip was flawless and it was especially helpful to be accompanied by Greg. His love of the Russian culture, its people and history was apparent through out our travel experience.

ann marr

Many thanks for planning a wonderful trip to Stockholm for us and our grandson. Amazing sailing, kayaking, touring and more! A trip we’ll always remember💕 …

KATHY WOMMACK

The 2019 Founder’s tour to Moscow and St Petersburg was amazing! Looking at brochures and itineraries doesn’t convey what I found most appealing about this small group tour of about 20. The people! Others have raved about the private tour of the Hermitage and the VIP tour of the residences of the Imperial Tzars. What doesn’t appear on paper is that our guides were knowledgeable, experienced, and engaging. As a solo traveler (63yo female) I loved that the other members of the tour were so interesting and friendly. We had so much fun! Greg (Founder of Exeter International) has lived in Russia, visited it yearly for 30 yrs, and has a degree in Russian studies. I felt very secure that he and Adam could have handled any situation. But, they didn’t have to because they had prepared so well for our trip that it seemed effortless. Much like a professional golfer, where a lot of time and work ahead of time goes into the perfection of the swing, the behind the scenes preparation by Exeter International produced a trip without flaws. The schedule was kept with precision but we never felt rushed. Even with street closures due to a parade, we hardly noticed the detours. We saw the stunning Cathedrals, museums, and other highlights of Moscow and St Petersburg, slept in the most comfortable Four Seasons beds anywhere, and had some free time for spa treatments and the Theatre. The Sapsan high speed train was an incredible ride! At 217 Km/m, it felt like we were floating. The Russians that I met were so nice! The cities were clean. The streets in Moscow were well lit. I felt very safe. I came home with a yearning to return. I think the desire to go back is the highest compliment one can pay. Thank you Greg and Adam, and all those “behind the scenes” people that helped make the experience unforgettable!! Kathy Wommack Austin, Texas

Ernest Faitos

It's like I completed a college graduate course in Uzbek history and culture. My guide Gulya led an eight-day tour of the major cities. She made my interests paramount, and urged me to make any wanted changes. With Gulya's guidance, I learned about Uzbek history, culture, architecture, food, music, and customs. We visited a music instrument workshop in the Registan. I learned how paper is classically made in Samarkand. A ceramic workshop in Tashkent. Tea and candies with wonderful Irina in her Bukhara home. A fabulous dinner in Khiva. A restored 17th Century fortress in Urgench. Gulya helped with my shopping. She made sure I found quality items, and that I was not ripped off. These are just a few of my experiences. I normally travel solo, but I learned more on this trip than I could have on my own. Plus, Gulya made sure I had any solo time that I wanted, so I could indulge in wandering and meeting people on my own. The best of both worlds. Shout out to Stella Bayley who created my itinerary, was super-fast and responsive, and reacted to an unexpected curveball from my airline with zero fuss and zero additional expense. I initially contacted a few tour guide companies, but Stella quickly stood out among the others in every way.

R Victor Bernstein

Entry after hours into the Winter Palace and adjacent palaces (the Hermitage) for a private tour made the whole trip worth it; it was extraordinary in every sense of the word. Exeter provided us with a string quartet playing at the foot of the main Palace staircase and champagne at the end of the visit. That evening would not have been possible but for Exeter. We were in Russia at the end of April, beginning of May, not White Nights, and both Moscow and St. Petersburg were throbbing with tourists. Sometimes the crowds were unavoidable, but Exeter made certain we did not wait in line, something that catered to our backs and made good use of our time. Exeter made everything very easy for us from the moment we landed in Moscow, all the way to emigration at the airport in Saint Petersburg as we were leaving Russia. We did not have to worry about logistics for a second.

Linda Friedman

We recently traveled with Exeter International to Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. Their guides in each city were fabulous. Highlights: spending a day visiting Terezin with a holocaust survivor, concert at the Spanish Synagogue, and private evening cruise on the Danube. All arranged by Exeter International. Gwen Kozlowski (a fellow colleague on the Condé Nast Traveler Specialist's list) and her team planned everything. The itinerary and hotels (all with stunning views) were perfection. Thank you Exeter International - it was a wonderful trip!

Golfo Alexopoulos

Beautifully arranged trips exactly according to my needs from agents that knew the destinations well and offered great advice. Outstanding hotel selections. Everything was first-rate. The guides and transfers were especially helpful. I have completed two trips with Exeter and cannot recommend them more highly.

Nikki Shocket

I have to say ditto to all the other reviews. Dasha did an amazing job understanding my needs, interests and the needs and interests of my 3 young adult children. Every detail from beginning to end was meticulously executed. Our private itinerary was outstanding. Elena in Moscow and Anya in St. Petersburg were extremely intelligent, knowledgable and thoughtful guides. The drivers were outstanding as well. We all loved what we saw, ate and most of all the interesting and warm conversations with our guides, drivers and all the people we met. I will definitely be using Exeter again. They are the best!

Cyndy Price

Our July trip to St Petersburg was delightful! Our guide, Elizabeth, was very knowledgeable and pleasant. She suggested additional places to go, and some of them turned out to be favorite destinations! We especially enjoyed early or timed admittance to the Hermitage and to Yusupov's Palace, providing opportunities for photos FREE of other tourists in the rooms! Being able to visit the Amber Workshop at Catherine Palace and the grotto at Peterhof were excellent advantages other tourists didn't even know about. The Angleterre Hotel was very comfortable & convenient. We walked to dinners each evening, and easily found our way around the central part of the city on our first Sunday there alone. We even stood 2 hours participating in the mass at St Isaac's, which was incredibly interesting. When the sunset looked promising, we zipped across the street to climb up to the St Isaac's dome walk for great photos! Our evening at the Mariinsky seeing Ravel's "Cleopatra" was exceptional. So much history and visual opulence! Thank you for your great planning.

Elizabeth Dodson

Exeter organized our trip which was completely efficient and provided us with very educated guides that gave us a current and historical account of each destination. Our trip was luxurious and fun .... what more could you want in a holiday!!

Marsha Miller

Our trip was seamless in every sense of the word. Thanks for listening and understanding how we like to travel. It was perfect! Hotel recommendations were wonderful and ideally located; our guides were knowledgeable and fun to spend time with; and suggestions for restaurants, concerts and other activities were spot on! Importantly, not only did we enjoy but we are now curious to spend more time in this part of Europe.

warren lieberfarb

In every respect, Exeter's expertise and professionalism was flawless......every detail was meticulously planned and brilliantly executed by Stella Bayley in Tampa and Elena in Moscow and Luda in St. Petersburg. If you want a five star experience Exeter is my unqualified recommendation.

Barbara Jurim

Scott, Greg, and the entire team made our trip to Russia to experience the ballet an absolute dream- everything was organized for us so we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy- HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Scott Lichtig

Wonderful trip. Very special attention to detail.

Silvia Pulino (KidsUP!)

Impeccable organization of a unique vacation, the memories of which will last forever!

Renee

The Best DSM company for Eastern Europe.

Jason Guerard

Friendly staff.

Teri ONeel

We highly recommend Exeter for help planning your next vacation. Leigh and her team arranged a fabulous trip for our family to Norway at Christmas time. It was magical from beginning to end. Leigh directed us toward hotels that were centrally located and charming ,with lots of great restaurants to choose from. She arranged for special touches in several hotels--fruit and cookie plates to greet us upon our arrival, chocolates, and even a charming Norwegian tabletop Christmas tree! We were greeted in each city with prompt and friendly drivers and knowledgeable guides who customized each day to optimize our time and experience. Leigh purchased tickets ahead and and figured out train and ferry schedules for us so that all we had to do was show up and follow the plan. She made travel easy so we could focus on being in beautiful places together. And wow did she help us pick beautiful places. Leigh knows Norway well and had great ideas to make our visit all we hoped for and more...whale watching, northern lights, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and visiting stunning scenery and charming cities. We are already looking forward to working with Leigh on another trip to Norway, this time in the summer.

Jeff Parks

Exeter International

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