Our Policies & Style

Martin Randall Travel was founded in 1988 by Martin Randall, a graduate of the Courtauld Institute of Art. There are now 28 staff. In addition, we work with some 100 freelance lecturers and tour managers.
There are two main strands to the business: small-group tours for a maximum of 22 participants, all accompanied by a lecturer. Each has a particular emphasis covering the visual arts, gardens, music, history, geology and gastronomy. Even the walking tours have a cultural focus. With around 160 tours each year, they constitute the largest area of our activities. Secondly there are the all-inclusive music festivals. These are festivals which we devise and organise ourselves in various cities or regions of Europe, and which now number four or five each year.
We are renowned for our first-rate client care and unobtrusive efficiency which leads to the highest levels of customer satisfaction. In 2009, for the third time in four years, Martin Randall Travel was Travel Company of the Year, based on customer satisfaction surveys among members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. There are no hidden extras. The price covers nearly everything, including wine with meals and all tips. Our tours are considered good value for money. We do not levy surcharges for fuel or for any other reason.

Our tours are planned with immense care, with consideration being given to a host of factors such as museum opening hours, journey times and the availability of refreshments. The tours will therefore operate much as they are described in the brochure and on the website.
However, sometimes situations arise such as closure of a building for restoration or a change of flight time which necessitate alterations to the itinerary. We would do our best to replan the tour to minimise adverse impact of changes but these things are beyond our control and there is often little we can do to ameliorate the situation.
We also try to incorporate suggestions for improvements made by participants and lecturers. The work of planning a tour does not stop once it is published. We are continually making adjustments.