What our customers have said......

After our tours we are always interested to hear from our customers about their experiences and the people that they have met. Here is a taste of some of the feedback we have had from our most recent tours:

To see our full programme of tours for 2008 click here

Chile, March 2007

”It was a most memorable experience, and all the arrangements went according to plan. I can't praise `Julie, Lidia and Javier enough for their care and attention to detail”

“We learnt so much, visited so many interesting places and organisations, heard so many encouraging stories and ate too much!”

”We all feel more informed about Chile and the attempt to improve lifestyles for some through fairly traded products. Let's hope it will expand”

“It was a fantastic experience”

Chile, February 2007

”This was a thoroughly marvellous tour, with a fine balance between Fair Trade project visits and tourist visits – I shall never forget the remembrance tour”

For more information about our trip to Chile please click here

Bangladesh, March 2007

”It was a lot more than a holiday”

“I have never eaten as well or as much as I did in Bangladesh “

“Shamim did much more than provide us with a service, he gave us his friendship. Meeting him was at least as much of a highlight of the trip as visiting any of the places he took us to see. From the moment we arrived he made it clear that his job was to make sure we all had a really good time and he couldn’t have done more to make sure that we did”

"Having travelled quite widely, particularly in Asia, I had no special expectations of Bangladesh. I went there because I wanted to find out more about the practicalities of Fair Trade, and the Meet the People programme there seemed especially well focused on that. In the event the country itself was an unexpected gem, the people lovely, open and friendly, and our guide, himself a leading light in the handicrafts industry out there, superbly qualified to show us around. The introduction to the farmers of Bangladesh was a special bonus: I had not realised from the brochure just how much we would learn in Tangail about farming in that rich alluvial land of river deltas. The Bangladesh Tourist Board, with a nice touch of ironic humour, advises you to "Come to Bangaldesh before the tourists arrive". I would second that."

Bangladesh, March 2006
 
"It's more than a holiday, it's an experience which affects your way of life. Thank you for everything"

“We were met with unfailing kindness and hospitality”

"Shamim and Islam were a wonderful double act, and between them fielded even the most outlandish questions. Their love of their native land, warts and all, was infectious"

"Having looked forward to the first Traidcraft People to People tour for so long it lived up to all my expectations. My only regret was that it was not long enough!"

"Exceeded all expectations"

"Bangladesh is a fascinating country and we cane away feeling optimistic about its future"

"A wonderful experience. We'd never done anything like this before, and we're still recovering"

"Shamim worked so hard to make the tour a success and to get us to love his country as much as he obviously does"

"Many thanks to all the people responsible for putting this trip together. Personally, I'll never forget it - I have never felt so sad on leaving a country before"

"Shamim was always helpful and knowledgeable and clearly highly committed"

For more information about our trip to Bangladesh please click here

Western India, February 2007

”It more than fulfilled my expectations”

“It was a ‘never to be forgotten’ holiday”

“I enjoyed all the visits and found them fascinating and very informative. We were made most welcome and everyone took the time to show us round and answer questions”

“We would like to thank you for all your hard work and the excellent service you provide organising the Meet the People Tours”

“Very busy, but the excitement keeps you going. Huge variety of visits and great shopping!”

“British Indian food will never make the grade again! Great for vegetarians”

“Ranjith is already a legend!”

“Aditi was an inspired choice as his deputy – a friend and alternative source of local information”

“India is the most vibrant place I have ever been”

Western India, February 2006

"An excellent way to improve understanding of other's situations and what fair trade means to the producers"

“A trip of a lifetime after all these years as a Traidcraft Rep”

"The friendliness of the people, whether on the streets in Mumbai or in the homes of producers, made a big impression on me"

"It was such a privilege to be able to see people at work in their own homes or place of work, and to be so warmly welcomed by all"

For more information about our trip to Western India please click here 

Cuba, November 2006

“I felt the itinerary packed an amazing variety of places, people, scenery, happenings and yet managed to keep a Cuban ‘laid back’ feel! No pressure or hassle”

“Jesus was outstanding. Practical arrangements were efficient and unobtrusive and he was sensitive to individuals”

”Jesus was always willing to share his fund of information but thoughtful and though-provoking, with a lovely sense of fun, a light touch in managing us and willingness to go the second mile”

“We got to know Cuba warts and all. It was a good all-round trip with agricultural activities balancing the tourist ones with some spare time so that we could get up to mischief in our own way”

“Jesus is enthusiastic, informative, entertaining and eager to answer questions and to respond to requests”

Cuba, April 2006

"An absolutely brilliant trip - I enjoyed every minute of it"

"Jesus was superb in every way, nothing was too much trouble and his passion for Cuba and all things Cuban was infectious"

"I saw my first humming bird on the farm - much too fast to photograph - but a great memory picture!"

"It was good to visit such a wide variety of places, all of which were enjoyable and interesting, some absolutely fascinating"
 
"Excellent bus and brilliant driver"

"Nothing was left to chance - you had access, information, and advice about everything you could need to know"

"Jesus Noguera was very well organised, efficient, good humoured, flexible, sensible and diplomatic. We couldn't have had a better guide"

"We were most impressed with what Cuba has achieved. We found the people very friendly and proud of their country"

"I had a wonderful holiday"

"Ciego de Avila Farm - The guys just had a passion for what they were doing and we got to meet the people who had their photo on the juice cartons!"

"Jesus was superb as our tour leader. He has a passion for Cuba and gave a very honest view to all our questions"

Cuba, November 2005

“Very interesting and enlightening about Cuba and its economy and politics”

“Because most of the food was locally grown and organic the quality and taste was excellent”

“We met wonderful people and were fascinated by the work they do”

“A mind blowing experience”

“An experience of a lifetime which both changed and enhanced my perception of this beautiful country”

“Jesús was excellent linguistically, knowledgeable and passionate about Cuba, fun to be with, flexible to our ‘wants’ and careful of our needs”

 
For more information about our trip to Cuba please click here

South Africa, November 2006

“The trip to South Africa was absolutely amazing and much enjoyed by all of us. We have returned full of new impressions, new information, new insights and above all new experiences of another place and culture”

“Hannie was a wonderful, sensitive and exuberant guide with an enormous understanding of what she was introducing us to”

“It lived up to all of our hopes and expectations”

“Hannie is very knowledgeable about the history and geography of South Africa. She is well-organised, sociable and sensitive to the needs of all of the individuals on the tour”

“It was a fantastic trip and we learnt a great deal”

For more information about our trip to South Africa please click here

Southern Thailand, November 2006

”It was excellent, due in no small measure to the expertise and enthusiasm of Stephen and Suwadee”

“The Salmons are amazing and wonderful people. Nothing was too much trouble and their care and support was marvellous”

For more information about our trip to Southern Thailand please click here

India Highlights, October 2006

”As I was travelling on my own I much appreciated the opportunity of meeting some of the group in advance at the Briefing Day. The informality and friendliness of everyone made for a very enjoyable day”

”The tour was very much what I hoped it would be”

“TARA Agra Stone Workshops and TARA Projects and Exports were of course excellent visits. We were made so welcome and entertained most hospitably”

“The small air-conditioned coaches were very comfortable and well-driven. The overnight train journey from Kochi to Chennai was an adventure not an ordeal!”

“We had an amazingly varied experience”

“It was an excellent introduction to India. We found the place fascinating, chaotic, beautiful, noisy, friendly and many other things – a few words can’t do it justice”

“A very enjoyable and memorable experience”

“The meals were very good, a lovely variety of different foods from parts of India which we visited”

“I must say that my tour of India will be one of the most memorable visits of my life which was particularly made more so by the people who participated”

India Highlights, October 2005

“We had a great holiday, a wonderful experience and not least met some brilliant people”

“Such a trip reinforces the belief that fairtraders are part of a movement which is much bigger than they realise”

“I think that after two weeks India has got into our blood. There is something about the country which is at once beautiful and mesmerising. We have returned stimulated and satisfied. It lived up to my expectations and I have returned with stronger feelings than I anticipated “

“The producers and projects were constantly inspiring and informative”

For more information about our India Highlights tour please click here

South Africa, August 2006

“A very capable guide, but more than that she shared her experience of her country as a person and helped us expand our own experiences with others in the same way. I’m very grateful to her”

“The group size was just right and we bonded well. A good mix of touristy, cultural and Traidcraft orientated trips”

South Africa, November 2005

“An amazing trip – we learnt a lot about a beautiful country and met some inspiring people”

“We have seen so much and met so many wonderful people – an amazing time”

“We particularly valued going on a tour that went to places and projects not on the standard tourist routes”

“It was absolutely superb – Hannie is a delightful person with so much knowledge to share”

“It was an absolutely fantastic experience at times humbling, at times emotional and one I wouldn’t have missed for anything”

“We saw so much it was incredible”

“An excellent, varied, interesting and stimulating experience”

“Marvellously varied and interesting programme – than you Hannie and Marie"

South Africa, August 2005

“It was good to see communities blossoming through fair trade”

“It was one of the most fulfilling and worthwhile experiences of my life”

“I think you can tell that it was a life changing experience”

“Hannie gave herself wholeheartedly to us, was very informative, sensitive to the needs of individuals, and went out of her way to ensure that we got the maximum benefit from our visits”

“Increased my awareness of the complexities of the issues and heightened my huge admiration for the work Traidcraft are doing”

“Hannie was marvellous – is there anything she doesn’t know! She was not afraid to discuss the political/social and cultural issues that are often too sensitive to go into and we learned so much as a result”

For more information about our trip to South Africa please click here

Kenya, July 2006

"We really did get an insight into life for the people of Kenya and also saw how Fair Trade is working to improve people’s lives. Meeting people and listening to their stories was very important for us"

”The planned visits to the projects were excellent, interesting and inspiring” 

"The workers had so much pride in what they were doing. The man who took me around was very informative and explained exactly what each machine did. I was amazed to see how quickly the community had put the Fair Trade premium to use. This project restored hope for me and truly illustrated the importance of Fair Trade"

“We had an amazing trip”

Kenya, July 2005

“I was inspired by the people we visited”

“It was an exciting and stimulating experience”

“I do not have enough words to describe the producers. I was amazed at the vision and hope in the face of odds”

“Probably one of the key things for me was that this type of tour would put me in touch with like minded people”

“Peter was an inspiration and keen to show us everything and add in as much as possible”

For more information about our trip to Kenya please click here

Malawi and Zambia, June 2006

"Excellent trip to two fascinating and beautiful countries"

"Thanks for this and for everything.  It was a wonderful experience and I am still digesting.  Looking forward to coming up in September and sharing it all"

"The snorkelling in Lake Malawi was brilliant"

"Both Everlasting and Wickus were first class.  As well as being very efficient, safety conscious, courteous and kind, they were also very knowledgeable and great company"

"A brilliant trip"

"The briefing day proved most useful, establishing contacts across the people going on the trip and giving us a chance to sort out all our questions in advance"

"Fantastic- the wildlife was absolutely awesome!"

"Great mixture of places, people and experiences"

"Everlasting and Wikus were absolutely fantastic- really helpful, informative, knowledgeable on both culture and nature, able to answer all questions, great to have a Malawian to give a real understanding of the country, looked after us SO well.  We were all sorry to say goodbye to them as they had been so good to us"

"I even enjoyed the dirt road experiences!"

For more information about our trip to Malawi and Zambia please click here

Basket-Making tour in Southern India, January 2006

“Ranjith is a big personality and very well informed, it is impossible not to enjoy his energy and commitment”

“The tour was everything I could have hoped for”

“It has opened my eyes to the real India and I am grateful that I have been given the privilege to share the life of an ordinary village family for a few days.”

For more information about our Basket-Making tour in Southern India please click here
 

If you have any questions about our tours or you would like to check availability, please call Lizzie and Paul on 0191 2651110 or email us at info@skedaddle.co.uk