Long-term success in the travel business is about customer service and this is something that all of us here care about. Here are some examples of our recent customer feedback:
Just a quick note to say thank you for all your efforts in putting together my trip in Siberia. Everything went as smooth as clockwork! Everyone was helpful, caring and hospitable.
Peter Kaldor
Katoomba
In my opinion a lot to do with the success of a holiday is non-hassle preparation particularly with regard to the bookings, both for the tour and airline, support with required visas and contact regarding both "up-to-date" booking status and the financial aspect is essential. You ticked all the boxes in this regard and I would have no hesitation in using your services again and recommending them to any prospective travellers looking for a conscientious and personable travel agency who does their job extremely well.
June Cahill
Melbourne
The trip (Golden Eagle) was wonderful thank you- the trip of a lifetime. Well organised and comfortable. Highlights were permafrost wastelands, Mongolia, Lake Baikal swim, Kazan, steam engine into Moscow and a few days in the great european city of St Petersburg. Elena and John
Gold Coast
We have just arrived in Moscow and the trip has been FANTASTIC! Everything has run like clockwork. The Elstei Ger Camp in Mongolia was simply amazing, we wished we could have stayed longer, the guide was fabulous and the family that runs the camp couldn't have been more welcoming. Also Leana at Lake Baikal was brilliant and very helpful. The Trains have been good as well and we were fortunate enough to meet a Canadian couple on the same tour so we have been sharing a cabin on the last 3 legs of the journey and again tomorrow when we make our way to St Petersburg. Lovely people and I'm sure we'll all keep in touch. We also met Katie and Mark from Adelaide who I believe you know, like us they had nothing but good things to say about you and Flower travel.
Dino and Celene
Perth
I cannot recommend your itinerary and company enough as we get near to the end of our trans sib trip. The guides were all extremely accomplished and obliging, and at many points in the trip we were upgraded and well looked after at every transfer point. I did not even realize that Ogi was going to accompany us to the ger camp. She is a world class guide in comparison to all other trips I have been on through Europe with Trafalgar, insight, and others I have been on.
When we return I shall personally let you know the highlights and any issues we have encountered, and some additions we have enjoyed, but I am very very happy with the smooth operation And coordination particularly as we are such a small group.
I am very glad we did not choose intrepid or the like, after seeing the size of the group, and the freedom we had in many destinations. Thank you for what we have done up to this point, and we shall contact you on our return to Melbourne.
Louise Walsh
Melbourne
I meant to do this much earlier but once you get back from a trip, life seems to take over. Anyway, I wanted to say how much I enjoyed my trans-Siberian trip. Everything went really well and I was very pleased. , I was very impressed with my trip and I am more than happy to recommend your services and travel company.
Meaghan Shaw
Melbourne
"I must admit that I am so grateful for all of your assistance with these travel arrangements. You have been exceptionally helpful with everything and from my end it was almost effortless. I will certainly recommend your services to any family/friends who may consider making a trip to Russia/Mongolia or any of the other destinations that you offer."
Paul Knight
Perth
"thank you for your help: we found you very good to deal with and you provided all the necessary information and documentation that was required, a pleasure dealing with you and if you need any recommendations please contact us"
Keith and Lydia Evans
Adelaide
We have now returned from a wonderful holiday!
After assuring me that there will be tickets arriving at our accommodation as we went from one place to another, I still was not absolutely comfortable with the procedure but as I discovered there was nothing to worry about. Not having vouchers or tickets before I leave Australia was something new for me.
After arriving in St Petersburg and there was no one to meet us. I did not feel confident but I did use the emergency number and was told that there would be someone there very soon, and there was. The next day I found out that the driver was a witness to a car accident and the police would not let him go.
All our 'buddies' were good and helpful. We were a little unsure of catching the trains in St Petersburg and Harbin but we were successful each time. The hotels we stayed at in Russia were good but the one in Harbin I would have liked to have been closer to the city centre. Even with daytime temperatures of -26C in some places we really enjoyed ourselves.
I have no reservations in recommending your company to others for their travel as you were very prompt in replying to my questions right through to our departure and there was no problems with travel tickets and accommodation.
Sharon Kachovich
Sydney
Without a doubt the journey was exciting and went as planned. All the arrangements in so far as being met and placed on the next leg was carried out without a problem. It was a wonderful journey and I enjoyed every bit of it except if I never see another birch tree in my life it will still be too early. Thank you very much for putting it all together especially given the time frame I gave you to work with. Please be assured if I can refer people on to you for this experience I will.
Ray Ward
Perth
"just to say we are back after finishing our transiberian journey. Thanks for organising it for us. It all went very smoothly and we had a fantastic time.... we could not have had a better trip"
Sophie Krivinskas
Sydney
"I have conducted a lot of research into the trip and realise that you provide expert services at a reasonable price"
Linda Studley
Brisbane
"I have no hesitation to recommend you to any one I know travelling into Russia"
Grant Elliott
Perth
We arrived back safely, had an amazing time with no dramas. Thanks for all your hard work preparing the trip, it was a magical experience and one we will never forget. Highlights were the Ger Camp in Mongolia, train travel was heaps of fun also………. Met awesome people and great experience, will have to look at completing the entire journey in the future.
Gavin Parker
Brisbane
"I am writing to let you know how delighted we were with the arrangements made by you & your staff for our overseas holiday...rest assured that any future travel will be arranged through yourselves & we will advise our friends accordingly"
Neville Curtis
Melbourne
Yes back home and back at work ,busy doing a major shutdown at work . So will contact you next week on my days off. The holiday was great and we had no problems during the trip .......thank you and Fiona for all your assistance in making a trip enjoyable cheers for now.
Russell Masters
Perth
"Just to let you know that Sue and I arrived home safely after the most wonderful 12 weeks seeing the world. Owe you a H U G E thank you for the fabulous job you did organising our trip - not a single detail was overlooked and it was oh so stress free. A special thank you for fixing up the problem we had with the standard of accommodation in London. You're a gem!"
Desanka Stanley
Melbourne
We survived the Trans Mongolian in winter! What a great experience!
Thanks for all your help. Actually winter was a fascinating time to travel and it didn’t matter about the cold and snow.
Andrew Kay
Melbourne
I just thought I would drop you a quick line to let you know that Larry and I are home now and had the best time – the Trans Siberian trip that we booked with you guys was excellent. It all ran so smoothly, each of the local guides and drivers were perfect for that place and all accommodation from hotels, homestays and ger camps were great. We really had the time of our lives.
Karen Pither
Gold Coast
"everything has gone according to plan & I give it 5 stars. Thank you again for all your help."
Margaret Judd
Melbourne
And for a detailed, warts n'all, opinion of the trip see this..........
Yes, were back and unscathed. The trip certainly was a trans-siberian experience. It was what I was expecting and more!! Just having the short night stop in Beijing before boarding our first train kept us on our toes but we managed to find our way with the aid of other trans-sib travellers. The Chinese train was probably the least desirable of the trains we travelled on - the toilets were really dirty. One needed gumboots to go and they ran out of paper etc, but we were forewarned about that. The Mongolian train was an improvement and we settled in quite nicely, meeting very nice like-minded people who I'm sure will remain firm friends. Our guide in U/B was nice and friendly and made sure we were comfortable.
Spending time in the ger, being entertained by Mongolian musicians, singers (including throat) horse riding across the steppe were all highlights (Mongolian saddles are not the most comfortable in the world - wouldn't do for the Queen!!) That is not a complaint, it added to the fun. Worth noting that pick-pocketing is rife in U/B. Every second tourist you speak with has been touched. An Australian woman in another tour group had her prescription glasses stolen off her face! Our guide was very pleasant and entertained us but somtimes we found her English a little hard to understand! eg we all thought we were visiting The Nemmitt's but in actual fact we were going to see 'The Nomads!' but again this added to the fun of new languages etc.
Mongolia to Irkutsk sector was quite an experience with the Mongolians trying to hide clothing thoughout the train for sale in Russia and the customs coming on board trying to discover where it was all hidden!
Lake Baikal was another of the highlights- even the swim was exhilerating! The Banya at the homestay, the hospitality including food was exceptional. We could have spent another day in Irkutsk as we only had about forty minutes to see the city (only because overnight rain had made the dirt road a little muddy which slowed the taxi driver coming to pick us up).
Food along the way was plentiful and an experience chosing what to buying from the ladies on the stations some of their delicious Russian cuisine. There really is no need to stock up on dried noodles - the MSG is no good for you anyway!
Irkutsk to Ekaterinburg train even better than the last. Our guide was fine and showed us all that we wanted. It was also very cold here in the evening on our walk around the city as it had been for our son about 4 years ago at the same time of year so we were well prepared and enjoyed the feeling of walking in this nice chilly weather. We were also late arriving in Irkurstk and our walk 5pm-8pm due to the plane crash into the rail line necessitating trains to be diverted and a build up of freight trains etc on this very busy transport route.
The final two sectors were uneventful and we got to see almost all the major sights in Moscow and St Petersburg. The hotel in Moscow was possibly a little too far out of town but we presume that any closer and the rates would increase quite markedly. Our guide (Lena, sp?) was first class, so helpful, down to earth, knowlegeable, she gave us quite an insight into living in Moscow today..... a very nice person - we are sorry we did not have the opportunity to thank her properly. The guide in St.P was fine but could not hold a candle to Lena in Moscow. The hotel was wonderful being so central.
Contrary to previous advice, it was not necessary to bribe anybody on the whole trip so my bundle of US$1.00 notes just took up space. Also there is no charge for bed linen on the trains. My advice to would be travellers is not to take the single supplement but to experience and join in with miriad fellow passengers both locals and tourists.
Thanks for your (and Fionas) service. No hitches - everything went smoothly - we could not ask for anything more it was a wonderful experience! We want to do 'The Silk Road next!
Kind regards.
