Great Cities – cultural capitals explored in depth

I have enjoyed seven tours with Martin Randall Travel. They have all been excellent, meticulously planned and organised to the last detail, and enabled us to visit and learn about wonderful places. Each tour has a scholarly expert speaker and a very competent and friendly tour manager. The booking process has always been reliable and easy, with unfailingly courteous and helpful staff at the head office. I can enthusiastically recommend Martin Randall travel.

MRT is the gold standard for cultural tours. The inclusion of an expert lecturer automatically filters a group of like-minded albeit eclectic folk; it directly increases the conviviality and opportunity for socialising, if wanted. Perfect for those travelling solo.

This was my fifth Martin Randall Travel trip. They have all been good. The key difference with these tours is the fact that there is an expert lecturer (as well as a tour manager and a driver). The expert lecturer adds huge value. It's a cut above what you get even from a competent local guide with other tour companies. The expert lecturers are working academics who really know the topic and are skilled at talking about it in an accessible way without the dreaded dumbing down. The tours attract others with a similar deep interest in niche topics. It's good that everyone is on the same page in terms of their level of interest.

You really get looked after on a MRT tour. Everything is arranged to make the holiday so enjoyable: transport, entry to museums all sorted without fuss . We have travelled with Michael Douglas-Scott 4 times now and his knowledge and engaging style enthuses one to learn and appreciate the history of western art.

One of the very best for cultural and history tours. I have traveled multiple times with Martin Randall and am consistently extremely impressed by the quality of their tours both in content and itinerary as well as overall tour organization. Their expert lecturers are top notch and their tour managers experienced and real pros at what they do.

I recently was one of 22 people joining Martin Randall for its inaugural trip to Egypt. The lecturer, a UK-based educator and specialist in Near Eastern history and culture, was enthusiastic, articulate and always engaging. He led us on a journey that built up our knowledge of Pharaonic Egypt day by day. He was joined by a local Egyptologist guide, who complemented his lecture and answered questions as we investigated on our own as well as handling the intricacies of Egyptian bureaucracy. A separate experienced tour leader handled the practical matters and comfort of our group with a smile and good cheer at every point.

Martin Randall is a top level, and top quality operator. They do what they promise, and usually much more. I travel alone, and I note how open, well behaved, and usually interesting the other travellers on the tour are. They add to the enjoyment. The managers and tour specialists are extremely good, well chosen and reliable. They are good value for money in all ways. I recommend them wholeheartedly, and hope they may continue to offer tours for many years to come.

Martin Randall Travel (MRT) are the best because they provide their customers with carefully designed and tested itineraries. These often feature special access to people and sites which you would not be able to access as an independent traveler. The other factors which make for very special experiences are the guides whose knowledge and passion and ability to communicate them are second to none. They are supported by tour managers who keep us all on time. All these factors combine with small tour numbers to make for very enjoyable holidays.

The annual calendar of tours offers a huge range. In any year it is difficult to decide where - there is so much on offer. We wish we had more ti me to do more - the tours are so imaginative. the tour itself is double headed - a manager and a lecturer. In our experience they are well chosen and capable. There is plenty of pr-etour information and reading if you are up for it. They are helpful in accomadating personal needs.

Martin Randall Travel is a thoroughly professional cultural tour operator: all arrangements are impeccably organised, tours are well researched, lecturers are experts in their subjects, and are excellent guides both on-site and in formal lectures. The company, of like-minded individuals is always congenial - in sum, an excellent informative and enjoyable experience.

Booking is easy and customer services very helpful, contact is always prompt and with an individual. Tour arrangements are always clear, transport, hotels, visits are well planned. In every tour I have enjoyed, there has never been any problem with timings and logistics. The price of the tour is fixed and what is included is transparent. In my experience and I have travelled widely, the cost of the tour represents excellent value for money. When on tour I have never felt part constrained by being part of a tour group, because tour managers are efficient but unobtrusive, experts tailor their commentary to the interests of the group and respond to their questions. The groups are small enough to get to know everyone and are always people who I have enjoyed meeting and with whom I have enjoyed a convivial dinner.