Grand Circle vs GoAhead tours?
 

I am planning June trip to Australia and New Zealand about 23 days. I am looking for escorted tour company. Any experience with either grand circle tours or goAhead tours? Both seem to have the same itinerary. Any other tour co. suggestions? My wife and I are both over 55. Thanks, ed.

I can recommend Australian Pacific Touring - they are a very professional well organised company and we have enjoyed several tours throughout Ausralia with them. We are, in fact, about to take another one with them in August/September.
Their buses are always immaculate and usually new.
Accomodation is always good and centrally located which is nice. We always find their tours have a good mix of touring and 'down time', and the age groups range from 20 to 80.

I am currently booked on a GoAhead tour leaving Sept. 25. It has been a nightmare and I haven't even left yet!

GoAhead has charged me $300 additonal "fees" for "ticket changes" that were due to their mistake. Fortunately, Delta Air Lines and I found both mistakes and notified GoAhead right away. The first "ticket" had me returning 2 days before the tour was over! The second "ticket" did not have my passport name (they had been notified in February what the correct name was). The $300 assessed me was because "Delta charged us the fees to change your tickets. Since the changes were past the final payment date, there are late charges" (x2) Funny thing is that Delta told me that GoAhead has not yet purchased a "ticket." Instead, they only have "reservations" in my name and those can be changed at will with absolutely NO ADDITONAL CHARGE! Do you hear lie here? Do you hear fraud maybe?

I'm not bitter, I'm at my wits end! I have attempted by calling the agency and emailing them, to resolve the problem. I have been nice and polite and business like. I have requested at least a dozen times to speak with a supervisor and have been denied. I am no longer interested in going on this trip, which considering I have paid $3,200 so far, is pretty sad!

I would suggest you use ANYONE but NOT GoAhead!

ezel,
We have travelled with Grand Circle six times in the past four years, after several years of independent travel and been very satisfied with them, both for value and content. The pace has always been excellent and the arrangements highly satisfactory. Their biggest strength, however, are their program directors. There is great emphasis on getting to know the local people and cutltures. The large percentage of repeat travellers is testimony to their performance.

We have not taken this trip, but would be glad to answer any questions about grand circle, either in this forum or by Email.

Jack and Ann