Overseas Adventure Travel Reviews

We just returned from a 9-day river cruise through the Rhine and Mosel with Circle Line/Overseas Adventure Travel, and it exceeded every expectation — especially at a sale price of $995 with all food and drinks included. For a cruise of this length and quality, that's an extraordinary value. Our cabin was comfortable and immaculate, with a clever lounge-to-bed conversion that made great use of the space. Our cabin steward, Roman, was attentive throughout the trip and always anticipated what we needed. Our tour guide, Veerla — a local to Amsterdam — was superlative, bringing real depth and personal connection to every stop along the way.

Overseas Adventure Travel has great small group trips with educational tour group leaders and excellent local guides. In comparing trips to certain areas with other tour groups, I find what I did daily on experiential appointments with OAT to be more varied and have deeper educational information.

We took an Overseas Adventure Travel tour to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands in May of 2026. The tour started in Quito, a big city that can't be fully understood in just a couple of days. We enjoyed what we were able to see. Then we travelled to the Amazon near Coca. That was fascinating. We spent considerable time walking or canoeing through the rainforest looking for birds, animals, and plants. We were lucky to have Marcelo as our guide. There did not seem to be a plant, bird, or animal he could not identify. He was also able to explain how the Amazon natives used the plants for medicinal purposes food. If you are a birder, you should go to the Amazon.

This was my 8th OAT trip, and each new one is just as good, if not better, than the last one. Southern Italy and Aeolian Islands was just beautiful, and our guide, Alfio, made everything so much fun. Even though he has only been a guide for 4 years, his knowledge and way of handling things was outstanding. We were always informed as to our schedule each day, and there were also surprises that he threw in! Besides the regular itinerary, Alfio made us booklets with suggestions of restaurants and sites to see in our free time. Wrangling 14 people can be a challenge, but Alfio handled all of that easily.

We have been home one week from our 27 days in Scotland. We did both the pre-trip and the post-trip. The pre-trip took us to the Outer Hebrides and the ancient history of that area. There were stops for short hikes, and tastings (Scotland loves it whisky), important to that area. The transition from one location to another was broken up by interesting Learning and Discoveries that made the change in locations seem short. Visiting the Stones of Callish was a highlight, especially for Outlander fans. Visiting the Isle of Lewis and Harris was a step back to a different time (lifestyle, attitudes, etc.) with modern conveniences. We meet a man who weaves tweed in his own house. This is a requirement to be Harris tweed.

Tours, food, service, and especially our tour director Armelle were outstanding. After cruising 20+ times this was one of the best.

Our two program directors, Marcelo and Daniel were so good. They were so knowledgeable and accommodating. We really enjoyed their company. This trip was so diverse….From the city to primitive jungle to tropical animal encounters. The ecosystems of Ecuador were fascinating. Seeing how the native Ecuadorians live was so interesting. I 10/10 recommend visiting Ecuador.

This was my first trip with OAT, and it definitely won't be the last! I chose the Jewels of Bohemia adventure with the post-trip extension to Vienna. The local people, places, food, and Learning & Discovery opportunities were priceless. A special shout-out to our fantastic Trip Experience Leader, Tommy **, who always made us feel safe while sharing a wealth of knowledge about the culture and history of every location we visited, as well as the local guides we met. Everything was an exceptional adventure!

I have been traveling with this company since 1993 and have never been disappointed. The last trip, my 43rd, to Tanzania, was, without doubt, one of the most exciting. Not only did we see almost every animal promised, but viewed them in their natural habitat, and many in some natural activity. The adventure was well-planned, organized and executed. Our guide was knowledgeable, thorough, fun, and nothing short of perfect. Our drivers were every bit as knowledgeable, etc. We were entertained, educated, well-fed and cared for. I highly recommend Overseas Adventure Travel for its attention to detail and follow through.

Best crew ever. The 3 program directors Johannes, Amin and Andrea were better than any we've had before. They intermingled with everyone and were not afraid to help travelers in a different group. The waiters, bartenders, hotel staff, front desk staff were very friendly and helpful and made our trip enjoyable. The food was excellent!! GCT should definitely hold on to Johannes who was the program director. They were very knowledgeable and a lot of fun to know.

Our OAT trip to the maritime jewels of the UK exceeded ALL expectations. Our tour guide was wonderful, accessible, knowledgeable, and also a lot of fun. The ship was a jewel of comfort and convenience without being one of those huge behemoths of the seas. The food was excellent, the daily options for guided visits were not only very interesting, but the individual guides really were experts on their subjects. The crew on the ship was excellent, knew who each passenger was, and was continually asking if they could get us anything. The whole experience was like being taken to a little bit of heaven for a couple of weeks. If you would like to understand some of the origins of the history of our culture, and have the experience of being treated like a beloved guest, this is the trip for you. I have been on a number of tours, and this was the ONLY one that excelled in ALL categories.

Guide - Manuel - so awesome!!! We had an individual with food restrictions. He was so attentive and helpful to ensure she got everything she needed. He was so knowledgeable about the country, history and culture,. Food - great food. I am a picky eater but I really enjoyed the food. Learning - we learned so much about the Incas, history of Peru, government - I have notes and notes. Flexibility - surprise parades in Lima, wedding march, changing of the guard. Transportation - all the transitions were well coordinated. Trains, planes and buses. All were great! Accommodations- great accommodations. The beds at the Urubamba were too hard for my liking. I need a fan to sleep but my converter didn’t work. But every place had a fan for me to borrow.

Our OAT Ultimate Africa tour was adventurous, professional, informative, culturally immersive and FUN. Our tour guide, Safari guides, tent camp staff and other guests contributed to a memorable experience. We enjoyed the African winter itinerary where we bundled ourselves for early morning and evening Safari rides and slept with Bush Bunnies warming our beds. We were amazed by the vastness and beauty of the terrain and the abundance of animals that we encountered. Additionally, we rarely saw other humans other than our group of 13 people riding in our 2 jeeps.

About as close to perfect as it gets in the wild and woolly world of travel. Unforeseen events are handled with care and generosity. Impressed by their ability to handle medical emergencies among an aging clientele. Known for small group travel by land, sea, and river. We have done 4 trips in all modes.

We just returned from the Small Ship Expedition to Svalbard. This is our 7th trip with OAT and our most amazing yet. The trip itinerary and accommodations were first class. The ship and expedition staff provided incredible experiences for wildlife viewing, including polar bears, walrus, several types of whales, Svalbard reindeer, Arctic terns, and many other birds and wildlife. The OAT trip leaders provided incredible day to day experiences. Our trip leader, Martin, was so enthusiastic and made sure everyone accomplished their wish lists for this trip! This was the trip of a lifetime, on a great ship, with a great crew, amazing trip leaders, fantastic food, and unbelievable experiences.

Small group limited to 16 people. Excellent guides, staff, quality food and accommodations. We saw so much on every outing.

Our Overseas Adventure Travel journey through Tanzania was truly the experience of a lifetime. Every day was filled with breathtaking wildlife, magnificent landscapes, rich cultural experiences, and genuine connections with the warm and welcoming people of Tanzania. OAT created an itinerary that perfectly balanced adventure, education, and meaningful interaction, allowing us to experience the country’s incredible beauty in a way we never could have on our own.

This trip is exceptional. Lot’s of wildlife viewings, not as dramatic as say Kenya if you are experiencing the Great Migration on the open savannahs, but still plenty. One thing that stands out is the experience in the safari camps, all employees including game drive guides work for Wilderness Adventures and without exception they go beyond the call of duty, like locating a dropped phone deep in the bush of a traveler. Would highly recommend this trip, great value for what you get.

I just returned from my Sicily trip full of Adventure, culture, food and most amazing Guide Francesco. He made every adventure as exciting as it could be. His experience in making all of feel so special full of surprises. This was an active walking trip. Francesco, exceeded every expectation that a vacation could offer and more. He understood us all and allowed us all to move at a great active pace. I love Sicily and highly recommend this trip to everyone.

I largely agree with the consensus: PROS: very good or excellent guides, good itinerary (and availability of longer trips than most travel companies offer), local experiences (maybe too much on Sri Lanka trip), and majority of trips offered on a limited basis without single supplement. CONS: Usually need to wait on hold when calling; most people on the phone are very helpful but one got pissed at me for not buying their travel insurance and held back a refund by over a month; issues with booking and communication--the final info booklet they sent had a lot of incorrect information, you need to double check everything like flights and pickups; and inconsistent hotel quality. Some rooms are terrific but others are booked facing busy streets or are extremely tiny.

Great experience. Knowledgeable local staff. Accommodations were good for the price. Excellent meals. Recommended expanding the trip 1 additional day in Victoria falls (2 nights weren’t enough) & maybe 1 extra day in the Delta (Botswana). Definitely would recommend to others.

Latvia and Estonia. Vesma was delightful and funny. She shared her love of her homeland in a personal way. Arctic Circle and Lapland. Pamela was the best guide I’ve ever had. She was so knowledgeable, spoke each language, and provided us with a detailed schedule before each day and a summary after each day. She also included links for history, culture, food and music to broaden our knowledge. She was very attentive to each individual, making sure our needs and wants were addressed. We had five solos in our group and she provided additional options for activities each day. She was funny and such a delight. I learned so much on this special adventure.

I have been on several OAT adventures, and every one was a 5* plus!! The guides are fantastic, all professional, personable, knowledgeable, available - there aren't enough superlatives! OAT stresses adventures, local immersion, country history. OAT offers personal interactions with local families, with local businesses, they offer discussions with locals on controversial topics, we spent a "Day in the Life" with a family-run business, and they keep the groups small, so we become a "family".

My June/26 Jewels of Bohemia trip was excellent, as good as it gets. The trip leader, David, was the best I have ever had on a group trip. He was knowledgeable, caring, diplomatic, and efficient. Most of the local guides were also very good. They were informative but their talks did not seem canned, and they gave a human touch to history. I especially liked the “controversial issues,” a very good idea that made the trip special. As a long time traveler with OAT I do have one concern. I can see from some reviews that other recent travelers have not been as fortunate as I was. I have an explanation and a suggestion. OAT should stop providing more trips than they can handle and stop putting so much emphasis on Pre and Post trips. So much rapid growth has taken its toll. I want everyone to have the kind of trip I just experienced.

I had the fortunate opportunity to take this fabulous trip with my two sons. We also were extremely fortunate to have Mr. Tatsuhiro (Andy San) ** as our leader and guide. His constant observations of unpredictable weather and ability to pivot our experience and change of plans and circumstances kept this tour wonderful and engaging. We experienced much in the 3 weeks and went from Tokyo, Kanazawa, Hakone, Kyoto, Gokayama and Hiroshima! Even though it was during the rainy season it was a trip my family will always remember: meeting an actual survivor Mrs. Sadae ** and hearing her experience was profoundly moving. We were honored to visit the home of a Japanese family (Mr and Mrs. **) and have tea with them was also very special — to open your home up to total strangers — they were an enjoyable experience.

Ultimate Africa was my second OAT Tour. I will likely never travel with them again. The tour was well organized, but fellow travelers were horrible: clique-ish, uncurious, and acted appalling towards local African people. I've traveled for over 50 years and never before had an experience like this. Some of my fellow travellers, obviously extremely wealthy, were cheap in terms of buying artisan products of extremely poor people. I felt embarrassed to be part of this group, and I would not recommend this company after this experience.

My second OAT trip was a safari in Tanzania with a post-tour extension to Zanzibar. The trip I experienced was consistent with the description provided by OAT and the tour guides were energetic, informed and accommodating. Our hotels and tent camps were clean, comfortable - and well-appointed. If I am to offer any complaint it is that my original tour selection was cancelled due to insufficient reservations and OAT helped me find another time; however, my original trip included a Business Class flight and the new schedule was via Premium Economy out and Economy return. With 20 hours of flying time each way, that proved very difficult. Next time OAT cancels a scheduled tour, I'll look for an alternate destination that include Business.

This was the best experience I've had with OAT and it was all because of our guide, Alberto **. He went above and beyond his responsibilities to ensure that we were all taken care of. He was very knowledgeable about the area and was very flexible to arrange the schedule to accommodate mother nature so we could get the best out of our trip. He would help any of us with issues we were having either at restaurants or setting up plans on our own during free time. He made the bus time very enjoyable and was so fun and helpful!!!

I just returned from my 10th trip with OAT and it was the best one yet. (Northern Italy and the Dolomites). Our guide, Massimo was hands down outstanding. I can say with confidence he was the best trip leader I've had so far in my OAT trips. Our itinerary was well planned and well executed, both the air travel and our ground excursions. The hotels were not Five Star but more than comfortable and very adequate for the cities we stayed in. The Dolomites excursion was breathtaking. Those mountains were magnificent and the hike to the best viewing points was manageable even for me, an 84 year old geezer. The restaurants were well chosen and the food was great almost everywhere we ate. The home hosted visits were excellent and gave us a good look at how the citizens lived and worked in their countryside situations. It was another excellend OAT trip, one that I will long remember.

I always feel safe when traveling with OAT. Our group is well cared for. Pickup at the airport is a nice option! Our travel leader meets us at the hotel. We receive updates about our next day every day.

I have taken 10 trips with OAT and Grand Circle -- both land and cruise. The experiences have uniformly been positive. I'm most impressed with the quality of the Trip Leaders and with the opportunity to interact with locals in every country that I've visited. I have learned so much about places in the world that I previously knew nothing about -- like Algeria and Albania, for example. The pricing is also extremely reasonable and I appreciate the opportunities to personalize my trips.

I just got back from Mongolia last week and it has now become one of my favorite trips! It was my 10th trip with OAT, but I have been to over 100 countries. Our guide, Eric, was one of the best guides ever - he made sure we saw every national sport event, dealt with an air flight being canceled, was totally knowledgeable, funny and absolutely fabulous. I just enjoyed the culture, the history and the people we met who were lovely and friendly. So nice to visit a country that still maintains so much of their culture. The hotel in Ulaanbaatar was lovely and the gers we stayed in were quite delightful.

OAT provides an excellent experience for overseas exploration. In my experience, their guides are professional, well trained, and knowledgeable. Their itineraries who are full and well thought out but you do not have to choose to do every single thing that they provide. There are unique experiences such as a "day in the life" and home hosted dinners, which give you a view into how the people in the communities live. This gives us more than just a superficial tourist experience. I highly recommend using this company and plan to use them again myself.

I recently completed OAT's Ultimate Africa trip, and it was an unforgettable experience. Our group leader, Tendai, was exceptional. He shared a wealth of knowledge about the cultures, history, environments, and wildlife of South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, which greatly enriched the journey. The safari guides were equally outstanding. They quickly felt like family and worked tirelessly to help us experience the best of Africa's wildlife. One of the highlights was seeing a pack of endangered painted dogs, a rare and exciting sighting that few travelers get to witness.

The Crossroads of the Adriatic was a fantastic trip. The Trip Leader had the most outstanding knowledge of the history of area and the breakdown of Yugoslavia. The adventures were endless, complete with great local tour guides, home visits, and beautiful scenic locations. Never have I experienced such a terrific bus driver that was always willing to assist. Hats off to OAT for a memorable adventure that took me to Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Slovenia!

My trip was to Tanzania and then Zanzibar post trip 5/22-6/9/26. From the initial sign up all the way to the end of the 20 day trip I have no complaints. Everything ran very smoothly from beginning to the end. OAT communicated very well with any changes and suggestions for the trip by email. My Trip Leader Godliving and drivers Thomas and Kelvin were fantastic the entire time they were with us. Charles was the Trip Leader for Zanzibar and was also very good and informative. We also had some older people on the trip that I thought were very well taken care of with extra attention from our trip leaders and drivers. All the different lodges we stayed at were top-notch and the food was abundant and good every meal.

I have traveled with OAT for several years now. I have enjoyed and loved all my trips. Egypt was definitely an amazing experience. It all begin at the airport with Jimmy who picked us (my friend Laura and I) up and guided us through costume, etc., the took us to our hotel. The next day we met with Hassan **, our trip leader. We arrived a day early, so he offered a day optional tour, which we took. Wow! What a wonderful way to experience Egypt on our first day. The rest of the our trip was more than I ever expected. Hassan was definitely one of the most knowledgeable trip leaders I have experienced. He was attentive and always helpful to all the group. The Dahabeya (Yacht) was awesome! The staff, accommodations and the meals were wonderful. I can't say enough about this trip. I am so happy I got to experience Egypt with Hassan and the people in our group. Thank you OAT!

The entire trip experience to Peru and the Galapagos was excellent including the Trip experience leaders other tour guides. Every aspect of the trip was well organized. The cultural immersion and local experiences were very meaningful. My only complaint with OAT was their customer service when we had a problem with the original trip that was cancelled a day and a half before we were to leave in 2025. The cancelling was due to a requirement by Ecuador not OAT. And we ultimately rescheduled to this year (one year later). However, speaking to someone beyond the 1st level phone operator was nearly impossible and took several call backs and long waits. For this reason, I don't know if I would travel with OAT again. Their trips are expensive and generally require reserving and paying far in advance. I expect better customer service when problems arise.

Sicily's Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions adventure was an amazing experience! Lead by Davide **, our Tour Manager, who is not only a fountain of knowledge but fun! Loaded with personality and he is a Sicilian. He helped us every step of the way. We toured the island. There was so much we saw it’s hard to list them all. PALERMO, Madonie Natural Park, the breathtaking Monreale Cathedral, 12th century cathedral famous for its dazzling golden Byzantine mosaics that cover nearly every surface, telling biblical stories in extraordinary detail. MAZARA DEL VALLO, the breathtaking Dancing Satyr of Mazara del Vallo. Another immersion into authentic Sicilian daily life with a delicious meal filled with love, sharing, familiarity.

I had a great first trip with Overseas Adventure Travels to Romania and Bulgaria. The key to the trip, the guide, Is great: very knowledgeable about the culture, politics and history of the countries; organized and efficient; attentive and nearly always available to us, fun & upbeat throughout the two weeks plus; and full of special treats and surprises. There is a good balance of planned activities and free time and a variety of activities. I gained more insight into the countries than I would have on my own through the home visits, guided tours, the guide.