Butterfield & Robinson Reviews 

My most recent trip was every bit as good as the first one I took years ago. This was a private (bespoke?) tour, while the first one was a group tour, it the attention to detail and constant focus on your guests/clients remained the same.

I have done 17 trips with B&R and in all cases they have performed in an outstanding way.

Our walking trip in Peru was filled with one of a kind experiences and tremendously talented and knowledgeable guides.

My wife and I recently did Butterfield and Robinson's self-guided tour of the Dolomites, and it was a spectacular trip in every way. At our request B&R added an extra day to the itinerary, so we enjoyed six days in one of the most beautiful areas we have ever visited. Accommodations were superb, transportation was reliable and comfortable, and dining was outstanding throughout the trip--think "best pastry chef in Italy" level. Our night in the mountain cabin above San Cassiano was a delight--breathtaking beauty, a stunning sunset, and our own private chef! The trip is expertly planned, and our local guide (who did orientation and led one day's hike) helped fine-tune our excursions to the current weather and our level of fitness. I've hiked in Switzerland, Canada, and many of the western US states, and the Dolomites match the best scenery in any of those areas. Still glowing from the trip a month after!

Typical, family calendar-challenges focused our vacation goals on ‘lifetime experiences’ during the ‘only 2 weeks that worked’ for everybody. Our initial conversation with B&R discussed pros/cons and season-related benefits of our short-list of 3 international venues. Outstanding, informed guidance enabled our unanimous decision: Peru & Ecuador. Within minutes, we were connected with Veronika Macas, an expert in all-things-Peru and Galapagos. We started our planning a bit late; but she didn’t blink at our self-imposed time constraints, and fashioned the trip of a lifetime, through Peru’s Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and then on to Galapagos. Those bucket-list sites certainly speak for themselves; but what differentiated this vacation was “the how” and “the way” B&R designed and continuously managed our trip.

Our very active trip exposed us to gorgeous natural wonders, fascinating history, rigorous activities, exquisite cuisine and beautiful people. Highlights in sequence (too many others to call out here):
• On our ‘day 2’ private-coach ride from Cusco to Pisac, we rounded a bend in the road to a brilliant green field adorned with a white-clothed banquet table, a tent, and several smiling chefs and cooks. SURPRISE: a fabulous picnic of famous Peruvian cuisine overlooking the incredible Sacred Valley, just us and our ‘fabulous guide’….message sent, message received: this was going to be an incredible vacation.
• Veronika & our ‘fabulous guide’ suggested the ‘6-mile Inca Trail hike’ to the Sun Gate entrance to Machu Picchu, i.e. a little work for the reward. After enduring the mostly-cloudy, spotty-rainfall, beautiful hike, we arrived at the Sun Gate at the exact moment the sun burst through on Machu Picchu!! We joined about 20 hikers at the Sun Gate….and enjoyed the audible gasps from the next several groups arriving to this surreal sight…an experience that defies pictures or videos. You gotta be there.
• When sailing the Galapagos Islands, Veronika secured a couple of cabins on the 20-person M/V Origin (on board chef, 1st class accommodations, ‘fabulous guides’, snorkeling, zodiac landings), among the largest ships providing access to multiple islands and experiences. We came face-to-face with flightless cormorants, sea turtles, iguanas, tortoises, warm people, and the great stewards of this last vestige of ‘natural selection’. We shared these 7 days with 3 great families from different parts of the world.
• More than Punctuation: Between Peru and Galapagos, and again between Galapagos and flight home, Veronika suggested staying at the logistically-perfect Hotel del Parque in Guayaquil, Ecuador. SURPRISE #2: a 5-star hotel & restaurant and over-the-top staff warmth and friendliness (remembered and catered to us 2nd pass through). If there on a Sunday, take in the multi-generational family celebrations in the adjacent park…genuine and refreshing.

Thanks to B&R for the design, thoughtfulness, surprises, flexibility (2 seamless changes during the trip), and especially, the quality of your trip designer and “FABULOUS GUIDES” who clearly have the right relationships. With all our activities, airport and travel logistics in a 2 week timeframe is critical. B&R made it effortless….Veronika’s responsiveness was instant, and her oversight was deft and unobtrusive. We’ll be in touch shortly for our next trip.

I have taken 15 trips with B&R and each were fantastic experiences. They are “The Best”.

11 years of B&R trips. What else needs to be said!

Ed

My bike trip through holland was my first with B and R. My experience far surpassed all of my expectations!!! From the guides to the accommodations to the food to the others in the group to the different side trips they planned for us......EVERYTHING was wonderful! We are already planning our next B and R trip!!!

I have traveled with Butterfield & Robinson on 4 trips and without exception, they have provided a luxury, cultural, educational active trip experience with amazing “can do” guides.

I have been on two trips with B&R. Their attention to detail and interest in making sure everyone has a good time is exceptional. The other travelers have been interesting and friendly.

Great trip, wonderful guide. Wish we had spent a little more time walking thru cities rather than the areas inbetween but loved the trip anyway. (Walking tour of Italian !akes.) hotels and meals were absolutely the greatest.

We have tried other companies and BNR is the best. The quality of the trips in general, when coupled with the expertise of the guides, is outstanding

I had a great experience on my B&R biking river cruise. I am 82 and was somewhat anxious about my ability to keep up. The suggested preparation was perfect and the trip plan was wonderful. I of course loved fellow cyclists and our very superior guides. I will do it again and recommend the experience.

They were great.
Planning
Service
Smart and present

Wonderful guides who are well-informed, super-organized and always entertaining. Brilliantly designed trips and best of all the biking or hiking allows us to enjoy eating at the best restaurants wherever we are!

B & R do every aspect of a trip extremely well.

B & R is the best. We’ve used two other bike touring companies and B & R is always a step up from the others. One of the better features of B & R is the locations they go to and the way they setup their tours. We been on 14 tours, 5 with B & R and they are the best. We’ve moved up to B & R and totally see the difference in quality.

May be a modest premium to others, like Backroads , but entirely worth it. Seamless coordination, everything covered as advertised.Experienced , accommodating guides , great venue side trips/avtibities .very good coordination w/trip planners for bespoke trips. Backroads very inconsistent and unreliable in these aspects. Backroads “bespoke” is a canned trip for a private party.Underwhelming in comparison.

a wonderful mix of physical and cultural experiences involving cycling and hiking trips in very interesting destinations.
Have fun 😎🤘

In 17 bike trips in 17 years, B&R has never disappointed. We treasure our memories of every trip.