Reviews and Comments

Multiple tours

"I just want you to know that we had absolutely the best tours that were booked through you. When we did one through the ship, we really noticed the difference and missed our small van. Everything was handled expertly and after meeting the first one, I never had any worries from then on. You handled the last minute change from Athens to Crete and everyone was thoroughly impressed that you were able to put together something and actually came through. Thanks again, you made me look good !”

Travel Agent Donna Ratte, Cruise Holidays of Palm Springs, Palm Springs, CA – November 2010

French Riviera

"I have to tell you that this was the best of all the shore trips we have ever set up. Pascal, the driver guide was entertaining, attuned to our wants, and even suffered a flat tire, changed it, got in and said “Well I won’t make the pit crew at the Grand Prix, but we are underway”. He knew the area, was extremely versed, and was the best I have encountered in ten extensive years of travel. The three other couples with us were equally impressed with the trip. Thanks for your help – I’ll post to the port reports on Cruise Critics. There is some hesitation about using a US broker for trips, and I do not understand that hesitation. This was the best of the best!"

Bob J., Port Charlotte, FL - November 2010

French Riviera

"Our guide (Thierry) worked out great. He met us right on time and we had beautiful weather for the drive to Nice and Eze. Can't thank you enough for your help. Happy to recommend your company any time."

Barb J., Glen Ellyn, IL - November 2010

French Riviera

"We had a excellent tour with Guy, who showed us all that we wanted to see and more. One of our group who is a car nut was thrilled with the drive around the Grand Prix route, and we all loved the visit to Eze. As usual with a cruise ship visit, there is never enough time to see all you want to, but there is always the next time. You may be assured that you are on our list to contact when we are next in an area you service."

Dave C., Mowchow, NB Canada - October 2010

French Riviera

"Yorgi was a great guide….very knowledgeable, very personable, careful driver, and we enjoyed him a lot! Thanks and I shall recommend private shore trips."

Gretchen S., Graham TX - October 2010

Kusadasi

"Our trip was wonderful! The excursion in Kusadasi was excellent. The guide was personable, knowledgeable and very accommodating toured Ephasus and an ancient Turkish village. He brought us to a rustic restaurant in the mountains that we enjoyed very much. I can not understand why more people would not take private tours !!! I have kept your information and have no problem referring your services in the future. Thanks Again”

Phil B., Eli Lilly Canada - September 2010

French Riviera

"We had a wonderful time on our trip and our tour with y'all to St. Paul de Vence, Nice, Eze, Monaco and Monte Carlo was terrific. Everything worked as planned and we enjoyed getting acquainted with the French Riviera. Thanks much!"

Carolyn K., Austin TX - September 2010

Bilboa

"Our Bilbao excursion was great. We were only sorry that our ship didn't have a longer stay as we would have loved to see more. Our guide - Sergio- was excellent. You had mentioned that we would have a mini bus for about 12 pax, so imagine my surprise when they showed up with a full size bus!! I have been very impressed with your service and the extremely quick response to all of my e-mails and will be sure to recommend you to the other agents in our office."

Travel Agent - Maureen H. - Beatty Group International - September 2010

French Riviera

"We had a great time, and our driver Aladdin was very good. We will recommend your company to others. It was a great day and we saw so much. Thank you for your help."

W. Long, Charlotte NC - September 2010

Bilboa

"The tour was fabulous, the guide was terrific with a wealth of knowledge. We will definitely recommend the tour and the guide (Eshter). Thanks for helping. The cruise has been great."

Travel Agent Margie S., Margie’s Travelrite, Monroe Township, NJ - Aug 2010

French Riviera

"The tour you set up for us was great! So much so that we actually tried to set up another with you , but you didn't have enough time. We now know we can depend on you and the quality you offer. Many thanks."

Ellen and Marc F.Warwick NY - August 2010

French Riviera

"The tour was great and the guide was great. First class and responsible. I would be please to recommend you as well as use your services again."

Bryan G, Thornhill Ontario Canada, August 2010

Oslo

"We had a great time on our cruise. Ana, our guide in Oslo, was wonderful. We wish we had more time in Oslo; it was a short stay. The weather was perfect and the scenery was beautiful."

Michele J., Jamestown KY., Aug 2010

Riviera and Civitavecchia

"I am still trying to get back on US time but I wanted to let you know that we were thrilled with the quality of both of our trips. The drivers were personable and knowledgeable and we all had a great day. I will definitely recommend your site to our friends when then travel in Europe. Thanks for all your help."

Merle K. Bloomfield CT - August 2010

Koper

"We very much enjoyed our day in Slovenia. Juray was wonderful – very knowledgeable and oh so nice. Really, it was a delightful day, the perfect mix of action and seeing, and culture and history. My two teenagers are tough critics, and they were very pleased. Thank you!"

D. Brown - Dallas TX - July 2010

Kusadasi, Istanbul, and Piraeus

"I just wanted to let you know what a fantastic time we had in Greece and Turkey. The drivers and guides were prompt, smartly dressed and very courteous. Their English was excellent and knowledge of the areas we were touring, superb. The vehicles were also very clean and comfortable. I cannot thank you enough for making our visits to these places a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. I will certainly be recommending you to all my friends."

Claire C., Mermaid Waters Queensland Australia - July 2010

London, Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Kiel

"We have been using your services for several years now and as usual every stop was perfect. Uniformly all stops this year were excellent. There were two highlights I need to mention.

Our guide Hakan in Stockholm was simply the best I have ever had in 15 years of travel. He had all from the 9 year old to the 85 year old enthralled.

Our guide Klavs in Copanhagan was the second best guide ever. He is a retired gentleman who went back to train as a guide. He offered so much more in the way of experience and perspective. I can not recommend him highly enough. He accessed the group on our initial meeting and said lets make a few minor changes which were super. We had lunch on the coast. Hit sites not planned and still hit all the planned sites. He took us off the beaten track to a Boy Scout camp where the scouts had a complete replica of a working Viking village. What a hit for us to really see how they lived and to put it all into perspective. Kids climbed and explored everything.

The planning in St Petersburg was perfect and the guides perfect. Lunch in a box really was successful. We had picnics in the palace parks. It was so much more relaxed. We saw everything, shopped till we dropped and still finished early. ."

Lisa S., Princeton Jct. July 2010

Multiple tours

"Mike and family returned to the US last week and were extremely happy with their shore trips. They remembered everyone's names - who made their trip so much exciting. Thank you very much for all your help and will contact you for any future requests.”

Travel Agent - Jolanta S., Director of Leisure, PLANET ONE TRAVEL – Houston TX – July 2010

Copenhagen

"The clients loved the tour and were very pleased with everything. I will definitely contact you again in the future when I have clients needing tours!! Thanks for all of your help with this - I know we didn't give you much advance notice, and you still took care of it!!"

Linda D, The World of Travel, Del Mar CA - July 2010

Helsinki

"Our private shore excursion in Helsinki was excellent. The vehicle was modern, comfortable and air conditioned (we experienced extremely high temperatures across the Baltic cities!). Our guide (Mareet) was charming, knowledgeable and spoke word-perfect English. We really enjoyed our day in Helsinki - it was one of our favorite stops. Thank you again for your excellent service. I would definitely use you again and recommend your services."

Annette B, La Jolla CA - July 2010

French Riviera

"We have returned from our Mediterranean cruise and just want to thank you setting up our tour of Cannes, Nice, Eze and Monaco. The guide was great and kept us on pace. We love Nice, and of course, Eze was so unique! Definitely, a place to come back to! Again, thanks so much."

Lynn C, Monroe GA, July 2010

Livorno

"The tour was one of the highlights of our trip. The tour guide was excellent."

Scott J. - Napa CA - July 2010

Riviera

"Thank you so much for booking the tour guide for us in Monaco! He was GREAT!! When we got off the ship he was waiting for us. The car was comfortable and air conditioned and the driver couldn't have been nicer. He took us to many beautiful sites and told us so much about what we were seeing!! I will definitely keep you in mind for my next vacation and I will let my friends know about you as well. Thanks again!!!"

Lori B. - New York NY - July 2010

French Riviera

"It was fabulous! We had wanted the one shuttle van to fit 12 people and that one was already booked due to our late request. Instead we had 2 smaller vans and in the end that was better for us because the smaller vans could get to places the larger one could not! Everyone in my party agreed that this day was the best day of all our excursions. Our two tour guides, Yannick and Pasquale were excellent! I would highly recommend your company and would use you again ourselves. Thank you!"

Dianne G., Machaniesville VA - July 2010

French Riviera

"I was ill the day of the Villefranche shore trip and was not able to go so my information is second-hand but the other nine of the family had a very good time. Three of those that went had been to Monaco/Monte Carlo and Nice before. None (except my husband) had been to Eze before. All nine of them (children included) said they had a really good time and the tour guide was excellent. My husband's words: "Everything about the day was great!" Thanks."

Pat D, Austin TX, July 2010

Split

"The tour was great. We really enjoyed our time in Split. I will keep your contact information for our next trip. Thanks!"

Brenda H, Hollis NH, July 2010

Livorno, Civitavecchia and Naples

"Just wanted to take a minute to say thank you on behalf of my self and my family for the wonderful shore excursions you arranged for our trip to Italy. Our three drivers, Guiliano, Luca and Pualo could not have been nicer. All three were prompt, courteous and very helpful. Their input into the order and timing of our various stops was invaluable in enabling us to see so much of the three area we vistited. In addition, their suggestions for local places to dine and shop added greatly to our stay. Each driver also provided some special "secret" moment to our day. In Rome, Luca took us to an area that housed the embassy buildings of ambassadors to the Vatican. He stopped at one particular building and brought us up to the wooden entrance gate and had us peer through its keyhole. Seen through the hole was the Vatican dome framed by a series of vine covered arbours. It was a spectacular sight that we would never have found on our own or had seen if we traveled on the large cruise line excursion ship. Our Naples driver, Paulo, took us on a breathtaking tour down the Amalfi coast and stopped at a quaint cafe tucked into the hillside overlooking the Mediteranean coast for lunch. It was a spectacular dining experience. Everyone in our family agreed that selecting "Travels with Friends" was one of the best choices we could have made. We will all certainly be recounting the wonderful time we had to friends and other family members and will most assuredly recommend your company to them. Again, many thanks for helping to make our trip even more memorable."

John K., Easton PA, July 2010

Malta, Sicily, Civitavecchia and Genoa

"Just got back from our trip and wanted to write you a few quick words to explain our experience with the tours you coordinated: “Excellent”

The guides (and drivers) were on time, accommodating and knowledgeable. In Malta, Josefine was superb. She knew her culture and spoke clearly and with great English. We really enjoyed the Blue Grotto. In Sicily, our guide had so much information about her culture and was multilingual making it easy for our elderly who only spoke Spanish.

In Rome, Danilo was fun, honest and flexible to our requests he was available at all times and kept us on time to return back to the ship. Loved it!

In Genoa, Fluvio and in Marseille, Natalie were also available to answer our questions and directing us to places of interest.

I know the rest of the group share my thoughts and you might here from some of them as well.

After many emails of planning with you and Steve, I would like to thank you both for making our trip a success. I would recommend Private Shore Trips to anyone traveling in the near future."

Gisela C, Miami FL, June 2010

Barcelona, Cannes, Dublin and Lisbon

"Just a short note to say how pleased we all were with each of your affiliates. each was on time, courteous and knowledgeable. We couldn't have asked for more. many thanks for your help."

Harrison T, June 2010, Lake Forrest IL

Civitavecchia, Naples and Villefranche

"Now, back in USA, I wanted to let you know, that we did have a great time, and the tours organized with your vendors were excellent. Is not easy to move a Group of about 40 people, with different ages and interest, and fortunately, your people there, showed a very high professionalism in all events and keep the group interest at all times. It has to be remarked, that your guide in Rome, Mr. Danilo was outstanding and fun at the same time, and we all enjoyed their explanations and jokes very much. We are already talking about organizing another cruise, and will certainly be in touch with you guys again."

Gabriel B, June 2010, Miami FL

Naples

"Amalfi Coast and Pompeii were great! The guide, Maria, was very patient and knowledgeable. What a beautiful please Amalfi Coast is! I would highly recommend this tour as well. And by the way, thanks again for putting this one together so quick for us. Thank you again. I would highly recommend your services!"

Rico H., Menlo Park, CA June 2010

Livorno

"It was wonderful! Our guide's name was Luca Millori and he was really good. I really wanted you to know that because most of our group of 14 have traveled extensively and he was one of the best tour guides we have ever had. He was very thorough in making sure our needs and wants were met and his knowledge of the area was extensive and was presented in a manner that even our teenagers and college age kids loved it! He actually talked the whole way into Florence from the ship really giving us some great history. The place he took us to lunch was wonderful and believe me that is saying a lot to please 14 people. He was very pleasant and happy and really interacted with all of us. Like I said we have traveled extensively around the world and been on many tours and he was really the best! We did a private tour (with another company) of Rome today and as we all said it wasn't near as good as Luca's tour. Thanks again for your help and we will be sure to recommend your website."

Patti M., Monroe LA - June 2010

French Riviera

"I was planning on sending you a note to thank you for arranging the tour for us. As usual, I am a little behind, slowly getting back into my daily routine and catching up at work. Anyway, about the tour…I have never booked a tour like this before so I was not sure what to expect. The tour was fantastic! When we went down to the lobby of our hotel, our tour guide, Yurgi (sp?) was already there waiting for us. He was very pleasant, entertaining, and amenable to the requests of our varied and sometimes crazy group. He gave us good tips about the sights and the general area of the French Riviera, and we had a wonderful lunch at one of the recommended restaurants in Monaco. I would definitely take another tour like this and would recommend it to others. Thank you!"

Janice S.,Walnut Creek, CA June 2010

Kusadasi

"Ephesus- our guide, Dennis and the driver were absolutely great. he is very knowledgeable and experience guide. Unlike many guides who talk only what they like to talk about, Dennis would spend time on subjects the clients are interested in. The minibus was new and clean- probably the best one among all the tours we took on this entire trip. I would highly recommend it! Thank you again. I would highly recommend your services!"

Rico H., Menlo Park, CA Jun 2010

Dubrovnik, Piraeus, Villefranche

"I picked up my wallet today at FedEx. I was pleasantly surprised that not only was my credit card still in there, but so was the cash and my 2 pair of diamond earrings! I truly did not think I would see the cash or earrings. Kudos to you for working with such honest people.

We had a wonderful time and the tours where fabulous. Our favorite driver was in Nice. He took us to places that we could never had seen or experienced had we gone on the large tour buses. You did a fabulous job and I look forward to sending any business I can your way."

Travel Agent - Debbie E., “Honeymoon to Remember” Portland OR, June 2009

Cannes

"We had a very nice driver guide for Cannes. I will definitely use your service for clients. All the best."

Travel Agent - Sandra L., "We Make Travel Easy" San Francisco, CA June 2009

Kusadasi

"We had a wonderful trip, the "Private Shore" excursion in Kusadasi to Ephesus & Sirince was outstanding. Our guide was there at the pier to meet us on time, the minivan was a brand new air conditioned Mercedes. Our guide was superb in every way, professional, pleasant and very knowledgeable. We could not have asked for more. We felt this excursion was well worth the money and made this one of the unexpected favorite stops. Our thanks to you and I will happily recommend your company and look forward to using you again."

Sian A., Katy TX - June 2010

French Riviera

“Let me start by thanking you for the follow up to our recent excursion and the well wishes for our past cruise. We really enjoyed it, everything was great. In reference to the services received by your European Associate, I have to say it was the best! Among all the excursions we did on this cruise (and we did 4 out of the 5 ports of call), this was excellent. Pascale, our guide, was very knowledgeable, polite, funny but at the same time respectful. He was by far the best guide we had. If the great service was the same in the other ports we stopped, we would have definitely booked them with you... Unfortunately, we had already booked them by the time I found you! Thank you for the good service and we'll definitely keep you in mind for future trips!”

Miuking B., Doral FL, - June 2010

Barcelona

"Just got back at 2am this morning. Our tours were simply wonderful and Cynthia was a wonderful guide. Barcelona was one of our favorites and she helped us experience it to the fullest. Thanks again for all of your help!"

Robin L., Findlay OH, June 2010

French Riviera

Excellent trip! Excellent tour guide!! Antonio provided excellent info at all stops, was extremely knowledgeable and had a wonderful personality. He made the trip that much more enjoyable. Thank you very much for your assistance and your time. We will definitely keep you in mind for our future European trips."

Alan E., Aurora IL - June 2010

Copenhagen, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Tallinn, Warnemünde

"Thanks for your great service; all excursions went well. We're picked and dropped off on time. Your drivers and tour guides are all excellent. We'll surely recommend and use your company again."

Mel V., June 2010, Walnut CA

Zeebrugge

“George, our guide was absolutely AWESOME! We had a great day and saw SO much. I will certainly keep your company in mind for my clients' private tour needs in Europe. Thanks for all of your help.

Jennifer P., Merrimack N - May 2010

French Riviera and Kusadasi

"Both Nice and Ephesus were terrific tours. Our drivers and guides were outstanding. Hats off to both. Could not be happier. Thanks for all your help. Will contact you for any future needs."

Bob C., Jupiter Fl, May 2010

Kusadasi, Messina, Amalfi, French Riviera

"I am glad to say our trip went well and our excursions were very good. The two guides in Italy, Luca and Franco, were great. The vehicles in France were vans and I wasn't crazy about that but the other cars were Mercedes and a VW in Turkey. Would recommend your company any time."

Ian H, McCloud OK, May 2010

French Riviera

"Wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful tour on the 28th with Brice. He was on time, friendly, informative, and easy to be around. He changed the itenary to fit our wishes and was a welcoming host. As it turned out, that day was our favorite day of the whole trip. We thoroughly enjoyed him and won't hesitate to recommend you and him to friends and family. Thanks for being a part of making our trip special."

Tom and Mary H. Spring Valley, CA - May 2010

French Riviera

"We had a great day on tour with Pascal. Weather was ideal and he was an excellent driver and guide. Very accommodating to our desires and interests. We went to Nice, Cannes, St Paul de Vence and even Monaco (though we were advised on the ship not to go there because of the Grand Prix race). Pascal made the effort to check with other guides before we drove to Monaco to make sure the roads were not too clogged, and we really appreciated that -- and greatly enjoyed the drive through Monaco. We'd recommend the tour to anyone with only one day in the area. It was the best way to see and enjoy a lot of this part of the world."

Harry V., Jacksonville FL - May 2010

Istanbul and Kusadasi

"The two tours we took with you were great and I am sending you photos of our guides and some scenery. Kutay Berk was our Istanbul guide and he is pictured here without sunglasses with my husband Bill. He gave us an enormous amount of information about the history of Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire as well as the Byzantine church. He spent a lot of time explaining the mosaics at the church of Chora which was nice and helpful as there were so many of them in good condition. At the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque he taught us a great deal about the role of the sultan and the Islam form of worship. Kutay was willing to take us to the Egyptian Bazaar and to the Rusten Pasa Mosque which was like a jewel with all the Iznik tiles. On the way back to the ship he drove us quite close to the Dolmabahce Mosque which I wanted to see.

Hasan Kamit was our guide in Kusadasi and Ephesus and he was very good at relating the historical information along with commentating on modern Turkey. When we were in Ephesus we requested to go to through the Terrace Houses which gave us insight into how the wealthier Romans lived. We also were made aware of how painstakingly slow the whole process of excavation and restoration is. All the sites we visited that day were in beautiful countryside with rich agricultural lands and forested hillsides surrounding them. Hasan is from a nomadic family background and he took us to a carpet store that had a large selection of carpets including Anatolian kilims.

Both our guides were willing to share their own personal lives with us which made our day with them very pleasant. Ken, we have appreciated all the care and attention you have given us and will definitely refer our friends to your tour company."

Corrine C., Victoria BC, May 2010

French Riviera

"We had a great time and thanks for all your help. I will definitely keep you in mind for future travels."

Alon S., Burlingame CA - May 2010

Civitavecchia

"Ahhhh, Rome. Our guide, Luke, was fantastic. He tailored the tour to what we wanted to do and see within the time allowed. He even took us to places that only he knew about. In the Vatican, we had a guide named Olga who was also very knowledgeable. All 8 of us decided that a private tour is definitely the way to go and we wouldn’t hesitate to use your company again. I would be more than happy to give you a glowing recommendation any time you like. Just so you know, your prices were much better than Princess Cruise line and offered more than Princess did. Our cruise included Monaco, Pisa/Florence, Rome, Naples, Mykonos, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Athens and Venice with Princess tours at all the ports except Rome. We all agreed that Rome was the BEST tour we had."

Barbara E, Calabas NC, May 2010

French Riviera

"We had a great day with our guide, he was friendly, knowledgeable and prompt. Our entire group had a real good time. I will recommend you organization to any one going to that area. If we ever go back to the part of the world again I will give you a call to set up another guided tour. Thanks again."

Paul C, Otto NC - April 2010

Rome, Nafplion, Izmir, Valletta

"Everything went perfectly throughout the entire trip. Malta was a joy after Egypt! I could not have asked for anything better with regard to price, quality, guides and buses. I'll make sure and add a good recommend to your facebook blog when I return. Please feel free to use me for references. As someone who has traveled for years, been a travel agent for over 18, and have used many tour companies, I can be quite critical and jaded. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about my experience with PST or with the companies you booked. Thanks again for everything."

Travel Agent - Kathy P, World Travels with Kathy, Denham Springs LA, April 2010

French Riviera

"We enjoyed our day with your tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Cheers."

Carolyn W, Excelsior MN - April 2010

French Riviera

"We had an enjoyable day traveling to Nice, Monaco and Monte Carlo with Pascal. He is a very knowledgeable and engaging guide and catered to our interests and inquiries. I would recommend him unconditionally to others who seek to explore the areas we visited. Thank you for setting this up for us. We will pass along your name to others, and hope to take advantage of your services again."

Judy J., El Macero, CA - April 2010

Athens

"Our group was well pleased with the tour of Athens. Vicky was a very fine guide and well informed. The bus driver was good and the vehicle was very good. Thank you for a very good tour."