Site reviews
If you love the ancient worlds, Turkey is not to be missed
This was my first OAT trip and my expectations were exceeded. I booked an extra week post-tour to be in Istanbul. There is so much to see and do, far more than you can do in the few days in the beginning of the tour. Turkey is heaven for travelers who are fascinated with the ancient world. The country is modern and very clean. The food was terrific, lots of fresh produce. Vegetarians will be happy. Hotels were well chosen and located. Our guide Selim is a walking history book and loves his country. He was very entertaining and very professional, watching over us all the time and very attentive to each person (didn’t lose any of us in the Grand Bazaar). The pacing of the trip is fairly brisk, good walking shoes a must. The mountain hikes will be more comfortable with a shoe that has a hiking type sole (not smooth and flat). Our guide rightly gauged that our group was very able-bodied and energetic, always "up for more". We got in more hiking and walking in Istanbul than he might do with other groups (we covered a lot of ground). English is widely used in Istanbul, thankfully, because the Turkish language sounds like a combination of Arabic and Russian. The trip has a lot of variety, the cities are different, the 4 days/nights on the boat were heavenly. Our tour ended in Cappadocia. Some dates run the other direction with Cappadocia first. I like our schedule, since Cappadocia does feel the grand finale. If you have a preference, ask what the trip direction is on your dates. This was my first experience with a tour company (not traveling on my own). l I discovered that I didn't at all mind being spoiled. You leave your tagged suitcase outside your hotel room and it reappears in your new hotel room in the next city. I didn't have to drag it around on and off buses (wrestling a bag, a carry-on and a backpack simultaneously), up and down hotel stairs. I didn't have to figure out how to get anywhere, when the museum etc. was open, how to get tickets.... it’s all done. We ...
If you love the ancient worlds, Turkey is not to be missed
This was my first OAT trip and my expectations were exceeded. I booked an extra week post-tour to be in Istanbul. There is so much to see and do, far more than you can do in the few days in the beginning of the tour. Turkey is heaven for travelers who are fascinated with the ancient world. The country is modern and very clean. The food was terrific, lots of fresh produce. Vegetarians will be happy. Hotels were well chosen and located. Our guide Selim is a walking history book and loves his country. He was very entertaining and very professional, watching over us all the time and very attentive to each person (didn’t lose any of us in the Grand Bazaar). The pacing of the trip is fairly brisk, good walking shoes a must. The mountain hikes will be more comfortable with a shoe that has a hiking type sole (not smooth and flat). Our guide rightly gauged that our group was very able-bodied and energetic, always "up for more". We got in more hiking and walking in Istanbul than he might do with other groups (we covered a lot of ground). English is widely used in Istanbul, thankfully, because the Turkish language sounds like a combination of Arabic and Russian. The trip has a lot of variety, the cities are different, the 4 days/nights on the boat were heavenly. Our tour ended in Cappadocia. Some dates run the other direction with Cappadocia first. I like our schedule, since Cappadocia does feel the grand finale. If you have a preference, ask what the trip direction is on your dates. This was my first experience with a tour company (not traveling on my own). l I discovered that I didn't at all mind being spoiled. You leave your tagged suitcase outside your hotel room and it reappears in your new hotel room in the next city. I didn't have to drag it around on and off buses (wrestling a bag, a carry-on and a backpack simultaneously), up and down hotel stairs. I didn't have to figure out how to get anywhere, when the museum etc. was open, how to get tickets.... it’s all done. We ...
A lovely surprise every day.
Every day we experienced serenity combined with adventure. These countries are absolutely beautiful in so many ways: landscapes, caverns, lakes, parks, cities and towns, Roman ruins, medieval structures, all of it. Krka Falls is a true wonder of the world. The people are smart and mannerly. Our guide is smart, well organized, accommodating. The ship was clean and well suited to the task.
A lovely surprise every day.
Every day we experienced serenity combined with adventure. These countries are absolutely beautiful in so many ways: landscapes, caverns, lakes, parks, cities and towns, Roman ruins, medieval structures, all of it. Krka Falls is a true wonder of the world. The people are smart and mannerly. Our guide is smart, well organized, accommodating. The ship was clean and well suited to the task.
First time on a Grand
First time on a Grand Circle River cruise and it was fabulous. Knowledgeable guides, wonderful cities and towns to visit, and remarkable service and food on MS River Harmony.
First time on a Grand
First time on a Grand Circle River cruise and it was fabulous. Knowledgeable guides, wonderful cities and towns to visit, and remarkable service and food on MS River Harmony.
Christmas Markets!
Fantastic Trip of the Christmas Markets Along the Danube! Ship Staff were all very helpful and attentive to everyone's needs. Orlando and Ivan were our wonderful Waiters! Always wanted to take the trip and glad I did! It really did put me in the Holiday Spirit! If you get a chance, take the Trip!
Christmas Markets!
Fantastic Trip of the Christmas Markets Along the Danube! Ship Staff were all very helpful and attentive to everyone's needs. Orlando and Ivan were our wonderful Waiters! Always wanted to take the trip and glad I did! It really did put me in the Holiday Spirit! If you get a chance, take the Trip!
Christmas Markets on the Danube
Overall, the trip was totally fantastic...The only disappointment was our trip leader for the "red" team, Micky. I was considered a group leader as I had brought 9 Ladies on the trip with me...Micky in no way showed any interest in getting to know us or did not go out of her way in any way at all. 3 years ago I went on the same voyage with a different friend, our group leader knew us by name and was very supportive and helpful in so many ways. However the other group leaders seemed to be very helpful. On a better note, the staff in the dining room as well as our room attendants went over and above in every way....It was an excellent vacation.
Christmas Markets on the Danube
Overall, the trip was totally fantastic...The only disappointment was our trip leader for the "red" team, Micky. I was considered a group leader as I had brought 9 Ladies on the trip with me...Micky in no way showed any interest in getting to know us or did not go out of her way in any way at all. 3 years ago I went on the same voyage with a different friend, our group leader knew us by name and was very supportive and helpful in so many ways. However the other group leaders seemed to be very helpful. On a better note, the staff in the dining room as well as our room attendants went over and above in every way....It was an excellent vacation.
Amir was terrific. Helpful and
Amir was terrific. Helpful and kind and knowledgeable. All the “educational” series on board were great especially the one on the Alt Right. Got did not disappoint
Amir was terrific. Helpful and
Amir was terrific. Helpful and kind and knowledgeable. All the “educational” series on board were great especially the one on the Alt Right. Got did not disappoint
As with all OAT adventures,
As with all OAT adventures, when you journey on The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords, you will not be disappointed. Hiking around Torres del Paine is awesome, but you need to be in decent shape to complete both treks on one day. Even though you are not at elevation and the paths are pretty good, it is more demanding than walking around the neighborhood at home at a brisk pace. Getting up close to the Pierto Moreno glacier was both beautiful and breathtaking. The small ship cruise is marvelous, but the zodiac excursions make the experience. Standing on the end of the world at Cape Horn is something to brag about. Visiting Easter Island may seem like a waste of time and money. For us, it was a major highlight of this trip. Seeing the moai up close and learning about the Rapa Nui culture was marvelous. Don’t forget to get the moai T-shirts. We didn’t take the post trip to Iguassu Falls – much to our regret. The awesome photos of folks in the group ahead of us convinced us of our mistake. We’ve never had a bad or even mediocre trip leader with OAT. They’ve all been great. But then we never had Laura Gallardo before. She’s so good you will want to take her home with you so you can pull her out for your next OAT journey. Laura did a stupendous job of herding her 22 chicks and keeping them happy. She had a smile on her face from sun up to late into the night. We have no clue where she gets her energy, but you get the benefit of it. Her positive attitude makes the trip. We won’t ruin the surprises, but Laura will have plenty for you during the trip. On our last day, we encountered two other OAT groups at our hotel. And they gave rave reviews about their trip leaders. The Buenos Aires OAT office obviously gives their trip leaders special sauce. You won’t go wrong no matter who you get to guide your journey – but we still think you’ll want Laura.
As with all OAT adventures,
As with all OAT adventures, when you journey on The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords, you will not be disappointed. Hiking around Torres del Paine is awesome, but you need to be in decent shape to complete both treks on one day. Even though you are not at elevation and the paths are pretty good, it is more demanding than walking around the neighborhood at home at a brisk pace. Getting up close to the Pierto Moreno glacier was both beautiful and breathtaking. The small ship cruise is marvelous, but the zodiac excursions make the experience. Standing on the end of the world at Cape Horn is something to brag about. Visiting Easter Island may seem like a waste of time and money. For us, it was a major highlight of this trip. Seeing the moai up close and learning about the Rapa Nui culture was marvelous. Don’t forget to get the moai T-shirts. We didn’t take the post trip to Iguassu Falls – much to our regret. The awesome photos of folks in the group ahead of us convinced us of our mistake. We’ve never had a bad or even mediocre trip leader with OAT. They’ve all been great. But then we never had Laura Gallardo before. She’s so good you will want to take her home with you so you can pull her out for your next OAT journey. Laura did a stupendous job of herding her 22 chicks and keeping them happy. She had a smile on her face from sun up to late into the night. We have no clue where she gets her energy, but you get the benefit of it. Her positive attitude makes the trip. We won’t ruin the surprises, but Laura will have plenty for you during the trip. On our last day, we encountered two other OAT groups at our hotel. And they gave rave reviews about their trip leaders. The Buenos Aires OAT office obviously gives their trip leaders special sauce. You won’t go wrong no matter who you get to guide your journey – but we still think you’ll want Laura.
2019 Christmas Market Cruise on the Rhine
What we liked are the markets in small towns and the local dinner with hosts.
2019 Christmas Market Cruise on the Rhine
What we liked are the markets in small towns and the local dinner with hosts.
One of our top trips,
Adventurous, beautiful, learning experiences, history, cultures.....
One of our top trips,
Adventurous, beautiful, learning experiences, history, cultures.....
Iceland in Winter
Great trip. Beautiful country. Food accommodations and trip leader were terrific.
Iceland in Winter
Great trip. Beautiful country. Food accommodations and trip leader were terrific.
Wonderful
As always crew is so friendly and helpful. Austrian towns were enchanting. We walked all over the place to experience the full privilege of each event.
Wonderful
As always crew is so friendly and helpful. Austrian towns were enchanting. We walked all over the place to experience the full privilege of each event.
The best trip I’ve had
The best trip I’ve had with OAT. Our trip director is fabulous. She made the experience better than I could have imagined.
The best trip I’ve had
The best trip I’ve had with OAT. Our trip director is fabulous. She made the experience better than I could have imagined.
Christmas Markets
The trip was wonderful. Saw so many markets. Probably too many as they started being very similar.
Christmas Markets
The trip was wonderful. Saw so many markets. Probably too many as they started being very similar.
Loved every minute
Loved every minute
Loved every minute
Loved every minute
Getting to Know Morocco
The Morocco Sahara Odyssey experience was absolutely wonderful. The sights, sounds and smells we encountered were like nothing before. The tour had a broad range of activities that left us feeling like we had truly experienced Morocco. A highlight, of course, was the desert camp and riding a camel in the Sahara. But also very significant were the cooperatives we visited, and also guest speakers, that gave us more insight into the lives and challenges of women in Morocco, and in Islamic and developing nations. Our guides, Raschid and Naima (post trip) were both excellent. Thanks to Naima's outgoing personality, we were able to engage spontanously with locals to learn more about olive pressing, the fishing industry, cars powered by propane cannisters, and the coastal birds.
Getting to Know Morocco
The Morocco Sahara Odyssey experience was absolutely wonderful. The sights, sounds and smells we encountered were like nothing before. The tour had a broad range of activities that left us feeling like we had truly experienced Morocco. A highlight, of course, was the desert camp and riding a camel in the Sahara. But also very significant were the cooperatives we visited, and also guest speakers, that gave us more insight into the lives and challenges of women in Morocco, and in Islamic and developing nations. Our guides, Raschid and Naima (post trip) were both excellent. Thanks to Naima's outgoing personality, we were able to engage spontanously with locals to learn more about olive pressing, the fishing industry, cars powered by propane cannisters, and the coastal birds.
Sicily
Love Italy and Sicily did not disappoint. The food was fantastic best I have eaten on my OAT adventures.
Sicily
Love Italy and Sicily did not disappoint. The food was fantastic best I have eaten on my OAT adventures.
Excellent in all ways: staff,
Excellent in all ways: staff, service, talent
Excellent in all ways: staff,
Excellent in all ways: staff, service, talent
Moroccan adventure
Loved the adventure in Morocco. Malek was a wonderful guide.
Moroccan adventure
Loved the adventure in Morocco. Malek was a wonderful guide.
Christmas Markets along the danube
Love the trip. Everyone working on the ship were so exceptionally wonderful
Christmas Markets along the danube
Love the trip. Everyone working on the ship were so exceptionally wonderful
A wonderful experience!
I just loved this trip. We saw so many beautiful sites, had many hands-on experiences, met local people and learned a lot. I recommend it highly!
A wonderful experience!
I just loved this trip. We saw so many beautiful sites, had many hands-on experiences, met local people and learned a lot. I recommend it highly!


