Overseas Adventure Travel Reviews

This trip to Ecuador was my first with O.A.T. Tours. Never touring before, I was a bit apprehensive on how it would turn out, especially since the USA govt. website sent out travel warnings to several areas in Ecuador. As it turns out, fears were unfounded, and it was one of the best trips I have ever taken. The trip leaders were super nice, so very knowledgeable about their country, and just a lot of fun to be with. Loved Ecuador and the Galapagos. Food and scenery superb. Saw the cities, jungle, highlands and Galapagos...a once in a lifetime trip which I would recommend very highly for people of all ages. Viva Ecuador!

In requesting an upgrade to premium economy & a stop over in Madrid in mid April, I was told by an "agent" that everything was included including the hotel & transfers in Madrid. I repeatedly asked the question, "are you sure everything is coverage for $1140". The reply repeatedly was yes. In August, I spoke to a "manager" & she reviewed the situation & said everything would be taken care of by management (her words). I never heard from her nor management. In Sept. I called & they said nothing was included & I needed to book everything myself. Their hotel recommendations were at $800 a NIGHT! I scrabbled & found a hotel for far less in a great location. OAT seems to hiring inexperienced people who will only yes the client. The trip to Morocco was fantastic with a fantastic tour leader.... He was GREAT.

I have just returned from my OAT trip to Sicily and Southern Italy.For 16 days I travelled through Sicily and several regions of Southern Italy with a group of 13 strangers from various places in the USA.At the end of this trip these people are no longer strangers- just friends with a shared fabulous experience.Our ages and backrounds were varied but we clicked.

On this trip we spent several nights in hotels (which were both lovely) and a majority of time on this small ship with a total of 49 passengers and a large crew. The crew was wonderful, learning our names and desires in a day! We divided into two groups and each had a experienced and well informed guide. They took great care of everyone in all situations. Our guide was Marko and he was so proud of his home country, Croatia and shared a lot of history and culture of all the countries we visited. We had local guides on most outings and learned so much. Home-hosted dinner and A Day in the Life of a local family were one of a kind adventures. Our guides surprised us along the way, providing small local treats and drinks of the local communities. This company as well as Grand Circle are the only tours we will ever go on. Friends are amazed when we share details of our trip.

Excellent trip. Pepe was an exceptional guide; knowledgeable, fun, patient. Main office was great, and the follow up and reminders were always appreciated. Our days were full + we got some down time. Group size great.

What an awesome once-in-a lifetime experience that far exceeded my expectations. Went on 30 game drives, saw animals/kills/chases up close- lions even walked around our jeeps! We also visited a local village, a school and shared a meal with a local family. Our leaders, staff and guides were excellent, friendly and willing to discuss many topics (even touchy ones). Got to see Victoria Falls (a lifetime dream), penguins in South Africa, Cape Town, and the southern tip of Africa at Cape Hope. Learned so much about the cultural and history. The group was very congenial and fun to be with. And the safari tents were perfect (loved hearing the animals at night.)

We booked the Kenya and Tanzania trip to get as much exposure as possible to the most animals - and it delivered. Our guide Hussein, was outstanding and if possible, we would request him to be our guide for future trips. His knowledge of the land, animals and people added immeasurably to the trip. The unexpected was the time we spent with, and learning about the day in the life of local peoples, their cultures and histories that are linked so closely with the animals. Hussein did an excellent job of providing an itinerary that covers a variety of animals, cultures and environments, yet paces it in such a way that it met the needs and expectations of a diverse group of 11 people, yet still leaving time to relax and soak up the beauty of the land. The accomodations range from tents with animals rubbing on them, to lodges with swimming pools where animals are grazing nearby. The one constant was the staff at the camps, drivers in our jeeps, or guides in the villages that could not have been more caring.

Our recent trip, Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, was amazing. We arrived home with a completely new perspective on a part of the world known to us only through news reports on the 6:00 broadcasts. We came away from this trip full of wonder at the beauty of the landscape and beauty of the people. Overseas Adventure Travel planned every activity so that we not only saw the sites that all tourists want to see, but we also came in contact with real people, learning about their joys and their challenges. We were able to talk to them about things that matter in their daily lives and about controversial topics that would not come up in most touristy activities. And throughout all of this, OAT made sure that we were safe and comfortable. Accommodations were great, meals were excellent and authentic to the culture, and we had plenty of activities to keep us busy with ample down time to explore on our own.

We had a whirlwind trip to Japan and it was mostly wonderful. Our guide, Yo **, was a perfect guide for us. He was knowledgeable, smart, patient, and spoke perfect english. My only disappointment was the size and discomfort of some of the rooms that we stayed in. I have to believe that they don't have to be that "stripped down". In fact, it would be worth paying a few more $$ for more comfortable rooms. It seems that several of my co-travelers agreed so it might be worth a try? Also, I would like to suggest that we be given a full day off from planned activities in the middle of the trip. That would give us a much needed break and the guide can get a rest as well. We often travel on Rick Steves tours and that rest is a fundamental part of the trip.

The best company to travel with. Small boats, exceptional crews, interesting itineraries, people to people visits, outstanding customer service. The company also supports needy people in the countries visited. Just booked #11!

We joined fourteen other adventurous folks from Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, California, Oklahoma and Florida for the September 23 start of Real Affordable Costa Rica. Our leader, Sergio Padilla ** is Costa Rican; a research biologist and wonderful guide. He helped us learn of and see the flora, fauna, geology and history of this glorious tropical rainforest/garden. We enjoyed all the planned excursions. I especially appreciated the home visits, as we learned much of life in CR. Rainy season may be the best season; Thank you for allowing us learn and enjoy your wonderful country.

Wonderful trip thru Tuscany & Umbria Italy. We loved the experiences in the homes of Italians. Small group size is a plus. We had 16 in our group. Visit to the truffle farm to watch the dog and his trainer locate and dig up truffles was so interesting.

Overseas Adventure Travel is the best. I would only travel with them. I travel solo and could not be more safe and taken care of. I have them take care of everything, Airline reservations, etc. Last trip was my 12th trip, and planning many more. They seem to have the best tour guides on all of their trips.

I just returned from the Ultimate Africa tour. I will not bore you with stories and details. I have had experience as a team leader as well as a participant. My experience is in both profit and not-profit world. I will simply say I cannot image now this trip could have been better. OAT very competently managed all my travel arrangements -- Portal to Portal. The adventure, pacing, free time, experiences were all superlative. The tour leaders were experienced, competent, knowledgeable, and open about all aspects of Africa. Food and accommodations far exceeded my expectations. The experience/value far exceeded the cost. THIS IS A MUST ON YOUR BUCKET LIST.

Our 16 day Tunisia trip guide Tarek ** is awesome! He is very knowledgeable and responsible. He is very passionate about his country's history and we all love his explanations. He is very attentive to our needs, and is always very nice and patient.

What a wonderful trip to Sicily. Having visited the rest of Italy previously, we were excited to tour one more area. Our tour leader, Francesco, helped us find little hidden places while offering unique experiences. We watched a puppet show in Palermo, after he had taken us to meet the puppet master. Instead of taking the optional tour, we took a short walk and met a maestro of unknown age, in his magnificent museum of a home. (better than some of the palazzos we could've paid to visit!) Learning to make homemade pasta, a red pesto and yummy desserts added greatly to the enjoyment of this journey. The controversial topic about the Cosa Nostra was so eye opening. And finishing the tour with a trip to Mt. Etna was the perfect ending.

Review of South Korea & Japan-temples, shrines and seaside treasure with pre-trip to Mongolia. Having now taken 8 trips with OAT, and comparing experiences, this was one of poorest OAT trip experiences. Mongolia was a highlight and the best of the trip (good TL and positive experiences). South Korea (SK) and Japan were extreme disappointments. The SK TL was not great, and despite me sitting down with her privately, did not change her course. So I stepped away from the group and did my own thing for 1 full day out of 4 - the best day of the trip.

OAT's The Ancient Kingdoms (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) offers a deep multilayer understanding of the thousand years cultural tradition as well as the recent monumental struggles that these countries had endured in the last 50 years. I truly enjoyed not only my encounter with the people but also the food and the beautiful sights. Yes, you need to be somehow in good physical condition to be able to navigate the uneven surface and climb steep stairs of iconic temples such the Angkors of Cambodia ... so if the Ancient Kingdoms is in your bucket list... I would recommend to do it sooner than later.

This trip to Egypt for me was epic reality… brought to life for me all the things I had read about and dreamed about Egypt! I am still thinking about the places, the people, the history, the experiences. Our guides were fantastic, experts on Egyptian history, traditions, culture, art, architecture and all things Egyptian. We traveled back in time with the spectacular pyramids, fabulous temples, and the magical river Nile. The Abu Simbel temple was spectacular, the camel ride was a special treat. The “day in the life” home visits made it so personal. The crew and boat Nefertiti and hotel accommodations were perfect. I have fallen in love with Egypt and I am so grateful to OAT and our guide Ossama for giving me this opportunity. This was a learning and living adventure of a lifetime! Thank you OAT!

OAT Backroads of Portugal/Spain: Guide was energetic, warm, inclusive of all members of the group, and informative throughout. She brought extra memorable experiences that greatly enhanced the travel. Backroads was just what we had hoped as it took us into smaller more intimate villages with cultural experiences that would have been hard to replicate on our own. Especially enjoyed the Lisbon family dinner and surprise contacts with variety of artisans and professionals along the way. It was far more than simply visiting an interesting site since we had exchanges with local residents who offered personal insights into local community life. Large cities can often be explored independently, whereas Backroads introduced us to lesser known historical/cultural locales. Highly recommend.

My husband and I had a wonderful experience traveling to Morocco with a friend from church. From the beginning we had access to the company for questions and concerns before the trip. The pre itinerary was helpful as, of course, was the final booklet with each day described in detail. Our Travel Experience Leader, Aziz, was a gem. He was knowledgeable, resourceful, eager to help in any way possible and most accommodating to our individual needs. There was a medical emergency during the first few days of our group's time together and he needed to help find a doctor, which he did as well as re assure all of us that things were well in hand and that we would meet up with our fellow travelers when the emergency was resolved.

This was our first trip to South America and our 2nd with OAT. It was so wonderful. Our guide was so knowledgeable and we saw and did so much. The travel was well planned and there was always time to take a break or rest before the next event. I really appreciate that they do not have long amount of times in buses. They plan each day with that in mind. If you read the daily itinerary that they publish it is very accurate with many add on which make the trip even better. We will definitely travel with OAT again. Also we spent two days at Machu Picchu where most trip only spend a few hours one day.

On the 4th anniversary of my husband’s passing, I embarked on a spiritual pilgrimage to Machu Picchu—a place he had always dreamed of visiting but never had the chance to go. Beginning in Miraflores (Lima), I also explored the Sacred Valley and took a post-trip to Lake Titicaca. During the journey, I attended a Shaman-led healing ceremony, visited a hummingbird sanctuary, and took a boat ride to the floating islands. There were so many other highlights that I can’t fully capture them all, but suffice it to say—the entire trip was incredible. The elevations at Lake Titicaca were challenging but manageable. While I didn’t need any altitude medication, a nasal spray would have been helpful for the dryness. I understand that OAT has no control over this, but the bus lines to and from Machu Picchu were quite long—though, as long as the weather held, it provided a good opportunity to bond with fellow travelers.

What a great trip! I loved everything about it—the interesting history, the Berber roots and architecture, the crossroads of cultures and learning the history of occupation over the millennia, the desert and its culture and economy, Tunisia’s profound efforts at democratization, the people and their work and their homes, the interesting and fun accommodations, the political geography, and not to mention our competent, well-informed, kind, patient, and joyful trip leader, Mohamed. I’m so glad for this experience!

Petra ** is the best TEL we have had in 30 years of traveling with OAT. (Well, Stephen in Thailand is equally good.) When we told her we were arriving in Zagreb three days early she quickly filled us with tips about sites in the area, restaurants, and day trips. When she heard from another couple they, too, were coming in early and wanted to do a day trip to Lake Bled, Petra connected the four of us and lined up a terrific driver and car for the wonderful day trip north. Petra has worked with OAT for a dozen years up and down the Dalmatian Coast. She knows all the cities and even helped me find an appropriate hearing aid shop in Athens. That's above and beyond being a typical trip leader. We send our many thanks.

I have been travelling with Overseas Adventure Travel and I have absolutely no complaints about this company. They are thorough in their research of where they take you and it is all very, very safe. In their tours, we experience the daily life of families and villages and speak to the locals like you can never do on a regular tour. You actually get a feel for the country you are visiting and their inhabitants. It is a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this company for your travels.

WE went to Peru and the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with a great group of 13 fellow travelers. The tour guide was amazing, spectacular, knowledgeable and very kind. Had a wonderful holiday and adventure in peru!!!

This was my 2nd trip OAT. The value and the life experiences plus the humanitarian efforts this travel company does are really great. You can beat the value offered, the experiences and the very detailed itinerary books with your name for personalization. I will continue to use this company.

This trip took me to many interesting small towns, starting in the beguiling Taormina, through the Aeolian islands, then across Calabria, Basilicata, and the charming towns of Puglia. I especially enjoyed Trani because the tourists have not yet discovered this delightful coastal town. Had a wonderful tour leader and fellow travelers.

This was my first time not doing a trip “on my own” and was so glad I chose OAT for all the planning. The bus with 16 was just right to get to know everyone and the tour guide Siggy had so many stories and insight into the country and its beauty and challenges. I thought it maybe wasn’t a great value but having been there I discovered everything is so expensive and it was a good deal. A few meals were not included but it was also nice to explore on our own yet there was a plan for most of the time. Being on a bus allowed us to get to so many beautiful places that would not be possible from a cruise ship. We also got to see the Northern Lights at the Daile horse farm and meet the family, horses and plant a tree each. Planning where to go next.

I have completed 11 trips with Overseas Adventure Travel and each trip surpasses the last. My trip to Egypt was no exception. My adventure started with a 7 day pre-trip to Jordan to witness the amazing Treasury at Petra. Mohammad W., our wonderful local OAT guide provided us in great detail with the history of Jordan and Petra. He guided us up rock trails that offered some of the best views of this amazing site. Once in Egypt we were witness to amazing temples, tombs and of course the great pyramid of Giza.

Really enjoyed the itinerary, our tour guide was excellent, and the food was good, but the accommodations in 3 of our 5 stays were not good. In our first hotel, there was black mold on the bathroom ceiling, and the A/C and safe didn't work. The third hotel room was tiny, there was no bathroom door, and the hotel staff was not equipped to handle our group. The worst accommodations were on the boat; the room smelled like sewage, was so tiny that there was no room for luggage, and the A/C didn't work. I ended up sleeping on the deck, with the staff, awkward! OAT needs to do better with accommodations!

Outstanding company with creative itineraries, great guides and unique experiences. I just completed my fourth trip with them. Most of my fellow travelers had done a dozen or more trips which says something. I've been to Algeria/Tunisia (wow!!), Baltics (Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Serbia and Slovenia) - unforgettable, Ireland and the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland).

My first trip with Oats was an excellent introduction. Sergio our guide was a historian who was proud & happy to share the details of his beloved Sicily. He took the time to be sure at each one of us was enjoying the experience. He entertained us with his stories and Sergio Radio. Each guide, day in the life experience & lunch family was carefully chosen to expand our understanding of beautiful Sicily. The itinerary was planned to provide exposure to a variety of different people and historical places. The food was excellent & I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only complaint related to the whispers. The earpieces were awful with constant static.

Our OAT trip in Ireland was well planned and organized with a wide variety of experiences, fun bus rides, education and history. Most days had OAT experiences with local people, exhibits, food, and time to explore on our own. We especially cherished the controversial topics panel and discussion as it filled in gaps in our understanding. Our taxi driver in Belfast was passionate about his observations of the troubles and life in Belfast since then. It was clear as he bantered with other taxi drivers that they shared different opinions but still laughed and supported each other. There is hope for the future of Belfast! We never tired of looking at the rolling hills, ruins, lakes, and rivers as we drove about. Also loved all the fairies and folk lore! Our trip leaders were awesome!

Cross Roads of the Adriatic was exceptional! Having returned only days ago, I can say that the memories of these countries, the people I met and the experiences we shared will be long remembered. The trip was well planned, the local guides were all exceptional and our "adventures" reflected the culture and history of each specific area. One might say that choosing a favorite is like choosing your favorite child - you can't. What I will carry with me from this experience is the genuine friendliness of my fellow travelers, the resilience and spirit of the people from war torn countries and the obvious beauty of this part of the world. Each day was an adventure, with sufficient time to explore on my own, or to sit with a coffee and people watch! Two home hosted visits provided in intimate settings provided time with families who shared their stories, daily life and dreams. And, the meals and specialty desserts were delicious!

My wife and I enjoyed a great experience with OAT in Turkey. The accommodations were good, the food was wonderful and the sights were fantastic. All of the connections were smooth and on time. We got to spend time with local families and enjoyed meals with them in their homes. We took the options of a balloon ride and a visit to the whirling dervishes which were well worth it. Best of all was our guide, Ersin. He was knowledgeable about the history and politics of Turkey. He was funny, patient, helpful, and always upbeat. He made the trip special.

Although we had been on 20 trips with OAT and I had never had any major problems I was upset with them before the trip began by their lack of ability to inform us of basic travel knowledge. Their trip information said extra pages could be needed in your passport. Extra is a fairly nebulous amount of pages so I didn't think anything of what that meant.

Happy, our trip leader for Karongwe Private Game Reserve and Britto, our trip leader for Ultimate Africa, created a positive group travel environment and provided the opportunity for cultural exchanges at every location. Britto sent us detailed pre-trip emails that were informative and helpful. The drivers at each location were professional and highly competent at tracking and knowledgeable on local animals, plants, birds and insects. The camp staff were welcoming and made every effort to accommodate special requests. The entire trip was a positive experience and an enjoyable adventure.

I booked a trip to a part of Italy I had never seen. It was beautiful and wonderful. I loved the city called Lucca which has a wall all around it. We walked the streets, saw several museums and a concert.

We have traveled a number of times with Overseas Adventure Travel and always had an amazing excellent time. The trip to Northern Italy is no exception and exceeded my expectations in the most positive way. I would take this trip again especially if we had the same trip leader, Daniele **. He really helped make this trip special.

This was our 2nd trip with OAT and once again they surpassed our expectations. Our trip leader, a local Zimbabwean, Gugu, was fantastic. He managed the transitions between countries and parks fluently. Each camp we visited with had excellent guides, staff and accommodations. The food was amazing. The cultural experiences, a key differentiator of OAT trips, were wonderful from an in depth village visit, a home hosted dinner, and talks with locals on controversial and learning topics.

Carolina ** was amazing as a trip leader. She added so many discoveries. She was always prepared and pleasant. This trip was a great way to see Portugal and Spain. Loved every minute. Our accommodations were so interesting.

This was an amazing, interesting, adventurous and informative experience. OAT took us deep in the culture and lifestyle of the Tanzanian both traditional and non traditional lifestyle under a very safe, comfortable and fun style. Tour leader was knowledgeable, caring, professional who went out of his way to make the trip as we expected and more. The camp part of it is unforgettable. Their accommodations were top of the line. Just the best.

The entire ship crew were so incredibly accommodating, always pleasant, eager to assist, and very enthusiastic! They provided us with evening entertainment and many laughs. The food was amazing and prepared with local cuisine with many choices, excellently prepared!

Wonderful trip with beautiful mountains, wonderful food, and a fabulous trip leader. My husband’s favorite experience was in Chamonix, France where we watched climbers in various stages of climbing Mount Blanc. I loved our time actually hiking. In Bolzano, Italy we rode a train and a gondola past farm fields and small communities high up in the mountains before hiking thru the woods. In San Candido, Italy we took a ski lift gondola up before again hiking. We even picked wild blueberries and also saw sheep dogs herding sheep into a temporary pen near us.

From the very first flight, my OAT experience, visiting northern Britain Lake country, Wales and Scotland was totally delightful! This was my very first OAT trip and it will be the first of many to come. First of all, I had OAT make all my plane reservations and everything was perfect. I had the best seats and coordinated flights. So when our tour leader, Maya **, sent me welcoming emails, I become enthusiastic about the upcoming trip. And when I met Maya, I found her to be the ideal tour leader: friendly, very knowledgeable and always making sure every detail was graciously taken care of. And the local experts at our various sites were so interesting and impressive. I especially appreciated the fact that we stayed for several nights at each of the hotels: so nice to spend 3 nights in one spot!

I recently returned from an unforgettable 15-day journey through Sicily, and I'm still reeling from the incredible experiences and knowledge gained along the way. Our expert team leader, Dario, was the catalyst for this transformative adventure, expertly guiding our group through the island's rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From the ancient Greek ruins of Agrigento to the baroque splendor of Ragusa and the stunning natural beauty of the Aeolian Islands, every day was a discovery. Dario brought each site to life with insightful commentary, weaving together threads of history, art, and architecture that deepened our understanding and appreciation of this captivating island.

A wonderful adventure! It began with the pre-trip to Westmans island. Our guide Hinrik couldn’t have been more knowledgeable, helpful and funny. A special treat was the home hosted dinner with a couple who lived through the 1973 eruption as teenagers. And our driver and island guide Alfreo also a teenager at the time, made the history of the eruption come alive. And we delighted in rescuing the pufflings (young puffins). This pretrip is a must! Then on to the mainland and off to the “Golden Circle” — another unbelievable display of nature.

The Ultimate Africa Trip was an amazing experience. The wildlife was incredible! Everyday brought a new fantastic experience. We saw on 3 different occasions prides of lions feeding on their kill, a mother cheetah with her 4 cubs, herds of elephants bathing in their Waterhouse and a pack of 40 wild dogs and their puppies. Truly a wildlife lovers paradise. We also experienced the African culture by visiting a remote village, having dinner in a local person's home, visiting an African marketplace and more. I highly recommend that you put this trip on your bucketlist!

After making a reservation and submitting a deposit for a tour, I thought I had locked in the quoted price. They offer deep discounts for advanced payment, but I opted to wait until the payment due date, understanding that there would be no pre-payment discounts. The final payment due date is in late October 2024 for a trip commencing in January 2025. I received a letter in early August advising that the price of our trip had increased by $200 per person. The letter went on to say that I we paid in full by August 30, 2024, they would waive the price increase. This seems to me to be a breach of trust. The reason a deposit is required in advance is to protect the company, but I would think also to protect the consumer by locking in the quoted price. At no time did the agent who took my reservation mention that the price was subject to change.

I recently took a trip to Peru with a post extension to trip Lake Titicaca. This was my fourth trip with OAT. There are many reasons why I keep coming back to OAT. First of all, I love the small group size (15 this time), as well as the itineraries which always include interesting cultural experiences and discussions. Narrowing down to this particular trip: Peru exceeded my expectations: the stunning archeological sites, the natural beauty and above all the interactions with a great variety of local people, getting a snapshot of their daily lives. This trip was a bit more challenging at times than my previous trips but very doable especially since our trip leader, Manual paid careful attention to the abilities and capacities of each of us.

I just returned from an OAT trip to South Africa, and had an extraordinary time. Our group leader, Blessing Muchenje, was sensational. He was knowledgeable, kind, and infinitely patient. We visited Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana. Camped in lovely accommodations in National Parks and saw a variety of animals during our exciting early morning and evening drives., and river cruises. The folks at every one of the campsites could not have been more helpful. Our tour guides at each campsite were also stellar. My favorite part of the trip was meeting with families and children at an elementary school and at a homestead we visited in Zimbabwe. I learned much about the life and culture of the people living in the three countries from the many folks who presented talks during our stay. Joining a gracious family at their home in Victoria Falls for dinner was a highlight of the trip for me and something I will never forget.

Goodluck, our trip leader, excelled throughout the journey, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone. The carefully planned itinerary allowed us to witness a wide variety of animals while on safari, creating memories we will cherish forever. All the sightings were incredible, but the one that stands out the most is the cheetah and her two cubs. Seeing a cheetah is rare, but seeing one with cubs is extraordinary. The excitement that Goodluck displayed when spotting the cheetah and her cubs was truly memorable and added to the thrill of the moment.

My wife and I recently took a safari vacation with OAT to Southern Africa. It was wonderful and surpassed all of our expectations. We had a great group of 10 of us. My wife and I have traveled extensively. We both agree that Blessing was the best tour guide we have ever had. Hands down! He made sure we made all of the flights and accommodations were perfect. He also was the most knowledgeable of any tour guide that we have ever had. He went above and beyond at every opportunity.

Review of Norway, Lapland & Finland OAT. This was our first trip with OAT and we were delighted! We’ve traveled with other tour companies on river trips, ocean trips, inland passage to Alaska, etc. and they were all wonderful. This trip with OAT outshined them all! First and foremost was the presence of the Experience Leader, Nancy **, a native of Norway, who spoke the most excellent and easily understood American English.

I just completed my 11th trip with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) and as always, it was a fantastic, once in a lifetime adventure. I always research other companies and compare itineraries, and always come back to OAT. Their level of service, expert trip leaders, fantastic itineraries and inclusions can’t be beat! I already have three more adventures booked.

Too much time was allotted to these countries. We saw Old Towns in each and they were very similar. It’s a beautiful area however. The food was good, prices very reasonable and the people traveling were very compatible. Your projected temperatures were way off and it was very hot until we got to Slovenia. However, Our guide Kruno was terrific! When it came to my health - I had a very bad virus - OAT was not at all helpful. They are not client-oriented where money is concerned and were very rigid in what little they would do. I don’t think I will travel with them again because of that.

We travel frequently with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) and many travelers have commented that they considered the Ultimate Africa trip their best one. We completely understand now why they did. It is now our favorite trip, too. The opportunities we experienced to see the animals in their natural habitat and see them live, was extraordinary. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, elephants, rhino, giraffes, Cape buffalo, many types of antelopes, beautiful birds, and more. Many of our encounters were within feet of the animals. We are truly blessed to have had this trip and will treasure the memories forever.

My daughter and I booked and paid for an OAT trip to Rwanda this October. The trip includes a strenuous jungle hike at an altitude of 7,000 to 9,000 ft. visiting gorillas. Being 80 years old I sought assurance from OAT that the steep fee for the gorilla day would be refunded to me if I were not able to take part in this hike. I was assured by e-mai in the event that I could not participate in the one-day outing (black on white in my computer files) that the amount would be refunded. My decision to proceed with the booking was predicated on that assurance. Now OAT is denying the refund even though I have their e-mail in my files. I communicated with six individual in the call center and no one was willing to help, one after the other telling me to call someone else.

Our guide, Manik was amazingly good. He was very knowledgeable and explain things clearly. He was always ready to respond to our requests. What I really enjoyed about this trip where there were many opportunities to instead of going to the typical tourist (traps) locations we did many visits way out in the countryside one on one with very interesting people. Monique was probably one of the best guides we’ve ever had! The trip to Borneo to see the Hans was one of the highlights of the trip. We were a little disappointed by Jakarta, probably partly because one of the major attractions, the museum, was closed. It’s a very large city, very hot and getting around on your own is not easy. The scooter trip in JoJakarta or some thing I will never forget. The size of the group was perfect and the camaraderie amongst its members excellent.

I just got back from, “The Aegean Islands, Athens and Istanbul” trip. Our guide, Ifigenia **, was outstanding. Her archaeological background, Ancient Greek Mythology and Greek Orthodox knowledge was very impressive and added so much to the sites that we visited. Her wit and her ability to tell a great made the trip so memorable! Thanks Iffy!

When we booked our original Delta flights in October 2023, OAT told us all our Delta upgrades to premium economy were covered by the $4,904 “customized air cost” on our invoice, which we paid in full in 3/21/24. When Delta cancelled two of our flights & we booked alternative flights offered by OAT, no one mentioned we would owe more money. We continued to get invoices showing we were paid in full. After receiving a surprising past due notice/invoice for $2,426, we talked with OAT on 3/29/24. We were told we should NOT be charged any additional fees, as it was Delta who canceled our flights, not because we chose to book alternatives.

I wrote out an extremely detailed trip to Iceland and Greenland using OAT but it disappeared, and I can't get it back. I'm going to give a condensed version. If possible, take the pre and post trip. If you can book just one extension, definitely take Greenland. We took the pre and post and wouldn't change a thing. Highlights included the Westman Islands volcano eruption of 1973 and a home hosted dinner with a couple who lived it in their teens. It's pretty rugged with uneven pathways and we had cold rain daily but I still happy we went there. Hotel was comfy. breakfast was minimal at best. We dined on Lamb and fish. Alcohol was provided only a few times. Wines were so-so but their local beers were great especially Viking and Gull. Prices were high. We didn't see any happy hours until the mainland.

The trip was more than I could have imagined. Our trip leaders Myk and Abe were as attentive and generous and smart and delightful and fun and funny and listened and delivered and captured our love. ❤️ We will be doing another Africa trip but also looking at other OAT trips. Best value. Best itinerary and best care.

Ultimate Africa - what an amazing trip! Far exceeded my expectations. The lodges were comfortable with great service and wonderful food. Our tour leader, Lucky, was the utmost professional. OAT provided us with a cultural-rich experience, in addition to all the animals and parks we visited. We met a lot of Africans, young and old, and had many discussions about the people, economy, education and culture. I never wanted to leave.

We took OAT's Sicily tour titled: Sicily's Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions. It was the third of three separate tours we took this summer with different tour companies. As a result we were a little tired and my wife was in slight pain from an earlier fall while travelling. The tour as advertised involves a lot of walking as the tour includes many activities and sites. Although an island, Sicily has been ruled by many civilizations that have left their mark in the form of structures and art all available to visit. Most of what remains today to be seen is Roman and Medieval.

We have traveled quite a bit - 3 times to South Africa, but this was our first time with OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel). We were very impressed by how everything was taken care of, even the smallest of details. I was concerned about how we’d fit everything we’d need into the duffle bags provided. However, they are very well made. It was amazing how much they held, and we were well within our weight limit. Laundry service at the camps really helped keep our luggage size down.

Korea, Mongolia and the Gobi Desert were more than excellent, The Trip Leader is Damidaa ** was so knowledgeable to all the sites and towns in Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. I will recommend to anyone who desire to see the life of the Mongols. It was a great experience. My husband and I went all over the world (except when he died). I want to see the leftover of the world. This trip was very special but I am glad I went and the knowledge is outstanding. Korea was superb too. Visiting the DMZ was excellent and others Palaces. I would recommend to take the pre-trip too. Thank you for OAT to give me the opportunity to see these remote places.

Our guide, Cian, had a vast knowledge about Ireland, the culture and places we visited. He was a wealth of knowledge and took the extra step to keep us informed about each place we visited in Ireland. Through his guidance and personal care, our trip was most memorable.

I went on the Costa Rica: Wildlife and Tropical Landscapes in June, 2024 and it was a fantastic experience. We covered much of the country from the borders of Nicaragua and Panama to both Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea (through the Pre- and Post- trips). On the trip we experienced the County's rainforests and cloud forests, the Central Valley and beach communities and were able to observe the wildlife in all of these areas. Jeffry, our Program Director was exceptional. This was my first OAT experience; but it will not be my last. I just don't know how any other trip could top it.

What a trip to Lima, Machu Picchu, Quito, the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos! An amazing adventure with a packed itinerary. Our trip leaders and tour guides/naturalist were outstanding -- informative, interesting, personable and caring. This is a rigorous trip without much down time. Even on unscheduled time, our trip leader planned great activities. Our trip leaders were available 25 hours a day for any issue that may arise. We would highly recommend this adventure for those in good physical shape.

Educational, physically challenging, from warm to cold. Just wonderful trip. For me 17 flights, 2 wonderful guides. This trip has 3-4 star hotels centrally located. Way nicer than I ever stay. Starting in Tasmania I really learned about how the convicts were sent and built Australia. Then onto Australia from one end to center Ayer’s rock, in Outback, slept under stars. (Optional, no fee). Wore netting because all flies. Ate camel kangaroo and crocodile. Swam at barrier reef. Then onto Milford sound in New Zealand. Sheered sheep ate lamb (not gamie like in USA) Home hosted dinner. I did everything, I have a weak leg but with walking sticks did fine. We did it all and I am so glad I went with OAT. Not a inexpensive trip but first class.

Just returned from “Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past,” and enjoyed it even more than expected. Only one other person and myself did not go on the pre-trip to France; I had concerns that connections and friendships might already have been established, but we blended seamlessly once we all joined together. Highlights included the astonishing Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, two walks along the Camino, vineyard visits, ancient cathedrals, many other fascinating historic sites, etc. Too many other adventures to name, and lots of time to choose our own activities in addition to well-planned ones.

Nordic Countries & the Arctic Circle: Finland, Sweden’s Sami Lapland & Norway was a stunningly beautiful adventure. Adventures and explorations abounded as did the pristine landscapes and welcoming locals. We enjoyed the midnight sun, warmer weather than usual and breathtaking scenes on foot, by local transport, coach, plane and even ferryboat. We crossed the Artic Circle, spent a morning with well behaved sled dogs and their trainers, learned about reindeer and the indigenous Sami culture. We ate moose meatballs, whale and loads of salmon in addition to delicious fish soups and wonderful breads. Highly recommend this trek especially for nature lovers who enjoy the road less travelled.

We recently came back from a trip in Japan (Japan Cultural tour) with Overseas Adventure tour. We travel quite extensively, about 5 trips a year, and this was one of our best trip experience. The tour covered 4 cities which provided a gamut of experiences. Our group had the chance to meet with two Summo wrestlers, 2 Geishas, met a couple in their home on a home hosted visit and exchanged experiences in theirs and our daily life as well as trying on the kimono that they have (took over 10 minutes to put on a kimono for the ladies). We experience difference transportation experiences, from buses, subway, taxis and bullet train.

Started pretrial in Kilamanjaro with Ellie and pretrial drivers. Trip was exactly as described but you can't write how much this trip leader Ellie ** and our drivers shared their enthusiasm and pride in their country with us. Yes, we saw the animals and the birds but the shared knowledge was priceless. Then onto the main trip with 3 Toyota vehicles, meticulously outfitted for "African massage ". OAT does it right and does it well. Small groups travel well in Africa. Hotels and camps very comfortable and accommodating to my whole food plant based food choices. Ellie did his best to accomplish exposure to art, music, dance and local tribal and town experiences. If I could give more stars I would. From start to finish. Only minor frustration with flights to Arusha. Too many stops from Boston return trip much better.

We just returned from our OAT tour to Peru, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu. We had a wonderful time. Our guide was absolutely the best! We had no difficulty with booking. We arranged our flights ourselves. I cannot say enough about what a great trip we had!

We just returned from Overseas Adventure Travel wonderful trip to Sicily. All aspects of the trip we handled professionally and went very smoothly. Our Trip Leader was amazing, knowledgeable, funny and so helpful. We saw beautiful towns, historic sites, had great food and loved every minute. We have been on a good number of trips with OAT, and have always been happy with the trips and the service received. Last year we took their Japan trip, which also was fabulous. It is great to have no more than 16 travelers on each trip. Highly recommend OAT.

We had a great Japan (first ever) OAT trip. Our group had participants who had been on several to 20 previous trips. Our OAT Guide was fantastic; hotels were in great locations (small but well appointed rooms, most hotels had washers & dryers); we saw 4 cities; had a mix of transport from walking; metro; tour bus; bullet train; boat, taxis. Besides the included tours our guide gave us options on returning to our hotel for the “free” afternoon or join her for additional tutored tours and/or suggested drop off points. Tour guide tended to go with largest group.

Our Untamed Iceland experience was amazing. Our leader was proficient in the country and our everyday experiences were made better by Hinrik and also our bus driver throughout our adventure. We saw wonderful places on this island country. Having only 12 people on tour of which two men were 86 years old made this trip very manageable. The whole older group did not miss a trick when we went to any excursion. We liked the idea that we did not have to choose excursions as we have done with other companies. A couple of meals is all we had to make decisions about where we would eat.

An over-the-top, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Expertly planned and delivered on every count. The guide leader, camp guides, and staff were exceptional. In addition to the up-close opportunities to see animals in the wild, the added experiences of village, school, and museum visits were second to none. Highly recommend.

I just returned from the Sicily tour. It was such a wonderful experience and our tour leader Ivan was the consummate professional and so organized. We all had such a fabulous experience because of him. The OAT itinerary was as usual filled with diverse and family-oriented visits. From family-owned wineries, to farms, to Fiat rides down windy small town streets, to a home filled with century-old antiquities. Mafia talk from 2 men whose families were involved. Emotional moments. Only OAT gives you that experience. I can't say enough about this trip, it was fabulous. The food and home-hosted meals were sensational. I could go on and on, but you need to go and find out for yourselves! I would honestly take this trip again it was that good!

A wonderful experience we have looked forward to for a very long time. OAT provided an experience not offered by other tour companies. We spent two days at Machu Picchu among other unique experiences.

My May Iberian Voyage trip to Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal was awesome. I had to pass on Tangiers due to mobility issues so I can’t comment. The crew, food, amenities on the ship were fabulous. My guide Marcel was the best. The 3 other guides were great also we were broken up into 4 groups) which added to the smoothness of every stop. I loved every port and think my favorite was Valencia. I was disappointed in not seeing much of Barcelona. Those who did the pre trip were lucky but at 90 two weeks is my limit. We only had one rough night at sea but we got fair warning from the captain and my wrist sea bracelets and ginger chewies worked.

OAT has never failed to provide a fascinating experience for us. Unlike big cruise ships that stop hours or a day or two someplace, OAT makes you feel like you really got to learn about the people & their culture.

We went on the Morocco trip and pretrip. It was outstanding for three main reasons. First, Morocco is an amazing country (History, culture, people, scenery). Second, our tour leader was terrific in every respect, especially his dedication to the travelers and his knowledge of Morocco. Third, OAT established a great agenda with the perfect mix of activities and logistical arrangements. The briefing packages prepared by OAT were very helpful.

Our trip to Northern Spain/Portugal was wonderful. Our trip leader, Ricardo was well informed, remembered specific interests of individual group members, and ready to help whenever situations arose. The itinerary had varied activities and allowed time for individual pursuits. I would have rated it at 5 if it hadn't been for the difficulties we had with OAT pre trip for both this trip and our previous trip. These ranged from being scheduled on a different date than the one we had requested, doing what seemed like bait and switch charges (these were eventually corrected), being left on hold after office hours were over, and people who answered written requests after apparently not even reading them and being told "I know how you feel" without trying to correct the issue. It's too bad the office staff in the US aren't as competent as the trip leaders.

I just came back from a fabulous 3 weeks trip in Morocco. This was my first experience with OAT and what a great experience it was! Our guide, Hmed was the best! Every detail was perfect and well organized. It won’t be my last trip with OAT!

We just finished our Overseas Adventure Travel “Alpine” trip in the Alps. It was wonderful and our trip leader, Gabriel, was the best. We have used OAT many times in the past and love the very small groups (16 or less) and the immersive experiences. We spent time on a goat farm and made cheese and had dinner with a local family. We had So many other opportunities to interact with the locals too.

My first group tour so my experience may be personal. Trip was packed full of scheduled activities, places to see, people to meet. Hard to keep up for an old lady, but the leader Mai was full of energy, knowledge, warm and kind to all, not just trip members but also general community such as vendors, hosting families, servers.. bringing the world closer in loving understanding, mutual respect and honor. Mind you, I'm ** so I can attest to the truth of her translations. :-) It's nice to see world peace make possible thru travel, for both the young and old. People speak differently, eat differently, look differently but all need peaceful lives with clean air, water, food, smiles, love and respect. Peace.

"Ultimate" Africa delivered on its name. The guides, glamping accommodations and wildlife viewing far exceeded our expectations. It felt like a VIP tour of the Garden of Eden. We saw literally hundreds of elephants, lions, giraffe, water buffalo, hippos, crocodiles and exotic birds living, hunting and playing freely in their natural habitat. We were hesitant about going due to the long flights until we decided to break up the flights with 3-day stopovers in Paris on the way there and back.

Joining an Italian family at their home for lunch was a memory I’ll never forget!!! Pompei, The Forum… Mt. Etna, Mt, Vesuvius and Stromboli with an active volcano spewing fire in front of our eyes! Oh my... what a thrill!!!

The heart of the Ultimate Africa tour lies in its thrilling safaris. Our group sighted all of the ‘Big 5’—lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and Cape buffalos—among other magnificent African animals and birds. The experience is enhanced by knowledgeable guides at each camp who shared fascinating insights about animal behaviors and tracks, making each game drive an educational adventure.

We did the Mediterranean trip and it was amazing. Every day is filled with something new to discover and learn. The "day in the life" was an experience - one that we will remember forever. Our guide was incredible, the local guides were great. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see this part of the world - Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia were absolutely amazing - was blown away! 5 Star review across the board!

This was our first trip with oat and what a great experience it was! Our guide, Francesco, was so fun and attentive to our needs. Loved all the wonderful surprises! We had a great group! It won’t be our last trip with OAT!

I just returned from my 7th OAT trip - Ultimate Africa. I can't say enough about how wonderful all my trips have been. The experiences and trip leaders have always been top notch. I am comfortable traveling solo as my small group of fellow travelers are always friendly and welcoming. I usually buy my own flights and insurance, and appreciate that OAT will provide transfers for a fee if I need them. There are a number of ways to save money on these trips with OAT discounts and specials. No single supplement fee is important to me as well. Love OAT!

This was my first trip with OAT, but I did not select them randomly. After much research (personal approval from my sister, Patty, who visited Morocco with OAT) and numerous, random individuals (ALL of whom had nothing but praise for their experiences), I was comfortable and confident in my decision. After two weeks with our amazing tour leader, Eduardo, and an itinerary that did NOT disappoint, I know this will prove to be the first of many future adventures with OAT.

The Overseas Adventure Travel land tour of Sicily is one of the most enriched tours I have ever been on. If you go, take as many of your friends with you as possible, so that you can experience the OAT Welcome on this intriguing island. Every day is packed with surprises, and our guide, Davide, loved introducing us to new (street) foods, arts and traditional crafts such as colorful puppet-making and horse-cart decoration, and fascinating characters, such as a pianist who warmed up Maria Callas.

Our trip was better than we could have expected. Our guide during the trip (Carolina **) was extremely knowledgeable, hard working, attentive to our needs and just a delightful person. The trip had a culinary focus that added such pleasure to the whole experience. The in-country guides were very enthused to share their love of the various cities we visited. Valencia & Seville were our favorites. The entire shipboard staff was professional and personable. The on board meals were exceptional. This was our sixth OAT adventure and one of the best.

I just returned from the 16 day turkey's magical hideaways. Our guide Oz was so knowledgeable and fun to be with. Every aspect of the trip went smoothly and efficiently. Our group of 11 people meshed like a group of traveling friends. The accommodations were top notch and unique, the food plentiful and tasty and the sites extraordinary. I just booked Ancient Egypt and The Nile with my mother over Christmas/New Year's.

I paid for a May 2024 tour to Japan for my wife and I from Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) on 6-15-23. At that time, OAT's terms and conditions (updated on 5/12/23) stated that "The majority of applicable refunds are processed within 30 days of receipt of your cancellation". My was diagnosed with Cancer in February of 2024 and I cancelled the tour on 03/08/24 incurring a 10% cancellation charge. It is now been 48 days and no refund has been received and I was told by two earlier email responses that the refund would be made within 45 days. Today I talked to OAT customer support who said that their policy is "really" 45 Business days...9 weeks and I should call back then (5/10/24) if I have not received the refund. I guess OAT can pay their customers whenever they feel like but I had to pay for the tour 11 months prior to the start. Just want to let everyone know what OAT's real policy is on refunds.

My second adventure with OAT was the beautiful Azores/Madeira trip and it was everything advertised and more. The locations we visited were beautiful... Lisbon, Terceira, Sao Miguel, and Madeira... And each had its unique and breathtaking qualities. There was time to do some personal exploring, and we had many great suggestions for activities. Our guide, Jessica **, was reflective of the best OAT has to offer - she is from the area and was extremely knowledgeable; she was always there for us, and she was fun! There is so much about these beautiful, diverse, and productive islands that I learned from her and the local guides and people with whom we came into contact.

We just returned from the OAT trip "Inside Vietnam" and the pre-trip "Hill Tribes of Vietnam: Journey into Ancient Cultures. The entire trip can be described in one word - incredible. It was truly an in depth exposure to the country, its people, culture, food and even politics. Every day brought a new and unique experience. The hotels on the trip were very good as was the transportation via small bus, plane, scooters and boats. The included meals were varied and gave us a real feel for Vietnamese cuisine and the variations between areas and tribes.

This is the first tour we had ever taken so we weren’t sure what to expect. The best thing about our tour were the personal encounters we had with the Sicilian people arranged by OATS. They welcomed us into their homes, and ate at their dinner tables where they shared recipes and told about their lives. There were many other “off the beaten track” experiences like speaking to people who had relatives in the Mafia, speeding through a small town in Fiat race cars, and hearing a fisherman tell the story of how he and his crew found the Dancing Satyr, an Ancient Greek bronze statue from 200BC. We felt as though we had taken a college course on history and Sicily.

I just returned from two weeks in the south of Africa. Four countries in 16 days. The experience was one that I will not soon forget. Each camp was such a unique experience. The staff was great. The guides were fabulous and our group leader did everything his power to make sure we all had an unforgettable experience. This is my fourth trip with OAT and I will continue traveling with them as I know the experience will be fabulous. The attention to detail in the itinerary is remarkable. So many great memories and great game drives. I felt like I was on Nat geo on most days. Still looking at my pics in astonishment.

Overseas Adventure Travel might have a corner on the market for delivering outstanding service - and my experience warrants every accolade they receive. From itineraries that provide rich cultural experiences to tour guides whose knowledge, skill, and customer focus is unmatched in the industry, I could not want for more.

Just returned from my 4th trip with OAT. Each one I take I wonder will I ever be able to top the last one? Well, this last trip to So. America that included Rio, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Calafate, Patagonia and a cruise through the fjords ending in Santiago Chile definitely met the challenge. It was truly a phenomenal trip through incredible countries, cities, locations, etc. OAT does an incredible job with handling all of the intricacies of travel through multiple countries, not to mention the many activities, experienced local guides they provide at each location that help make the trip so memorable and enriching.

This trip was perfect on many levels. First, the group leader was exceptional. She was able to bring the best out of everyone. Nature did not disappoint. Glaciers are to be seen and NOW! The food and lodging were wonderful. The service and people are Argentina were friendly and made us at home in their country.

A great trip of Tuscany and Umbria which was well planned and organized because of the hard work of our tour leader and bus driver. The hotels were all excellent and food and wine were delicious. All the activities were fun and interesting and there were many extras offered which were not part of the itinerary thanks to the efforts of the tour leader and bus driver. Beautiful scenery throughout and good pacing of the trip.

I loved my first trip with OAT on the Ultimate Australia tour. The small group size allowed us to get to know each other and enjoy traveling together quickly. Our tour director, Blake, was actively involved in sharing his love of his country, its history, and its people and encouraging the group to get to know each other. The outdoor experiences of a semi-arid desert, the oldest raintree forest, and the great barrier reef were beautiful beyond words! Even an evening stroll to see the Opera House was a wonderful memory. Plenty of koalas, kangaroos, sea turtles, and more. I can't wait for my next trip.

We just returned from OAT Ultimate Galapagos Exploration and Ecuador's Amazon Wilds plus pretrip Peru, Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu. This trip was amazing from start to finish - the places we visited, the many included guided tours, meals, lodging, airport transfers and flights, and most wonderful - our tour guide managers - Cesar, Marcello, and Israel. This was our first trip with OAT but definitely not our last! We are hoping to book next year's adventure soon!

The trip through Sicily was exceptional, and our trip leader, Isabella **, was amazing. I am new to group travel and had some trepidations, but the wide range of types of visits (cultural, archeological, personal visits with residents, and some surprise "discoveries") made the trip a varied experience. The local guides were exceptional - very knowledgeable and personable, each was memorable for their unique presentations. I especially valued Isabella's flexibility - as a frequent solo traveler, I appreciated the ability to opt out of planned activities from time to time, without any sense that I was causing a disruption. The itinerary speaks for itself - great visits, comfortable transportation and lodging, and a terrific sense of camaraderie that developed among the group.

I just LOVE Overseas Adventure Travel!!! Finally found a tour company that has the right pace, kind of travelers and the experiences that I love. Done two trips and signed up for the third in June. I seem to be their ambassador - all my friends want to sign up!

I wish I had read the plentiful negative reviews about OAT (Grand Circle Travel) before I booked a tour with them. 40% of the Yelp reviews are a 1 or 2 star rating. The complaints lodged with the Better Business Bureau add up to a 1.33 rating out of 5. Buyer beware. Do your research before booking with OAT. I will never travel with them again nor recommend them to anyone. My negative experience started when I booked an India trip but was not allowed to board my connecting flight in Europe because my visa was "incorrect." After much frustration and $2,000 in extra expenses while I applied for a new visa online, I joined my tour several days late and heard several horror stories from other travelers about visa issues. OAT has heard there is a problem but does nothing to correct it to ensure it doesn't happen to other travelers.

Fantastic trip in every way. Highly recommend the pre-trip to Bolivia, which has little tourism, so is quite an eye-opening view into real life for locals. Guides in both countries were amazing: great story tellers and ready to help with whatever we needed. In Colombia, everyone was welcoming and ready to show us that they have turned their country around, from a violent country run by drug cartels, into a true democracy, growing stronger every day.

Their customer service just sucks. Do they even train these people? We have a trip planned for Spain in October, but after reading so many negative reviews on CS and our own negative experiences, no callbacks, incorrect information, etc. My gut is telling me to cancel. I went with OAT on the recommendation of a friend who has traveled with them several times. I have never had so many problems booking a trip. It’s only been a week since we booked and we have talked to at least a dozen customer service reps. Give me a good, professional travel agent any day.

I had a great experience, learned a lot. OAT took control of everything in the trip by air, road and water. The leader was awesome and had a great experience with the country guides too. The trip took us to really life in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Of course, we meet de Ancient Kingdom and the history of the countries visited. Had the opportunity to meet local families too.

I came for Roman ruins and colonial architecture. OAT’s Tunisia tour gave me so much more. Excellent guide in Ridha. Always helpful, concerned for our well being and took a personal interest in our enjoyment of his country. A friend and I wanted to visit Tunis synagogue, not open to the public. He not only arranged the visit but met us at the site to ensure there were no problems.

I took The Route of the Maya Overseas Adventure Travel tour in March of 2024. This was one of my favorite tours! One thing I love about OAT is that they give you experiences that other tour companies don't. For example, we started our tour in San Salvador to see the excavations at Joya de Ceren. We visited 3 more Maya ruins at Copan, Tikal, and Lamanai. The local guides at each site were exceptional, and our trip leader was one of the best - Carlos **. My personal favorite stop was at the villages of Santa Catarina Palopo and San Antonio Palopo along Lake Atitlan. While in these two villages, our group was the only tourist group that I saw. OAT always has a home-hosted meal, controversial topics, spontaneous activities, and groups sizes of 16 or less. All of our lodgings were clean, perfectly located, and had great food. Everything was perfect and I'd highly recommend this tour.

If you've never tried OAT, give it a look. We just returned from our 3rd trip w/ OAT, The Andes to Patagonia, with the pre-trip to Easter Island. It was phenomenal. There is so much that we love about OAT trips. The emphasis is on cultural immersion and meeting local people, both planned and spontaneous. OAT teaches you things about each location, they don't just show you things. We love the emphasis on talking about controversial topics, and learning about the history, current conditions, etc. of each spot. And every Trip Leader we've had has been wonderful; smart, problem solvers, fun and they are backed up by a great back office should there be a disruption that needs changes to the schedule.

This was my first trip with OAT (Senegal, Cape Verde and The Gambia) and my first trip to Africa, a continent with which I was totally unfamiliar. I do a lot of research and planning on my own before I travel and OAT's information was thorough except for the information on currency. I didn't need to concern myself with currency exchange since the locals accepted Euros and American dollars for the most part. Additionally, the actual hikes were even more difficult than indicated in the itinerary and this was a disappointment. Also, I think in the future I will be much more diligent about my flight schedule and choose to do it on my own if I can shorten the travel time. I enjoyed the small group experience. The accommodations in the hotel and on the ship were excellent and the food was good. The crew on the ship could not do enough for us. Our trip leader and the local guides did a great job.

We began our trip on our own, flying into Dubrovnik on Wednesday, November 8. Our tour guide, Mario **, had already established contact with us via WhatsApp to give us suggestions regarding our week on our own. We spoke with him as we drove along the coast to our first stop in Split, and we cannot say enough about how comforting it was to us during that week on our own to know that we already had a friend in Croatia. If we had a problem or a question, all we had to do was contact Mario on WhatsApp and he would get back to us with helpful answers. Little did we know at that time what a blessing he would be to us later in our trip. On Thursday, November 16, we checked into the Dubrovnik Palace. We could not have asked for a better group of people to travel with.

Poor experience when cancelling an additional night at hotel 34 days before our stay. Overseas Adventure Travel gave us a sevice fee of $300. I think this is excessive.

My wife and I have been on a number of Overseas Adventure trips and have had pretty good success except with the last two trips we took this last fall and this winter. To start with, the price in OAT’s advertising did not match what was in their computer, so we had to get the booking person to acknowledge the price change and honor it. Secondly, we upgraded the airline part of the trip to economy plus, which was very important to us because of our size, I am 6’5” tall. As it turns out the upgraded seating didn’t get put into the system except for the first long flight and the airlines had no knowledge of the rest. Even with three weeks advance knowledge OAT was helpless in getting us upgraded seats and at one point denied that it was even their mistake. Their attitude in this matter has been “how can I not help you”.

Friends of ours told us about OAT and invited my husband and me to go on the “Inside Vietnam” tour with them. It was our first OAT trip. It was special, because it was TET, so we saw thousands of flowers. We also did the post-tour to Cambodia. Our weather was fortunately almost rain-free. My favorite activity was sleeping on the junk! Our guide, Harvey, was extremely conscientious, friendly, and knowledgeable!

The O.A.T. trip to Costa Rica was exceptional. Our guide, Roy, loved showing us his country, was extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and able to find and identify over 130 species of birds, 2 of the 3 kinds of monkeys, and many reptiles including crocodiles, caimans, and lots of iguanas. We even saw a sloth in nature and was active and climbing! Costa Rica is a beautiful country. A boat trip through Tortuguero was like being on a real Discovery Channel nature excursion. Also, along the way we were able to meet many of the local people of Costa Rica, from traveling to visit a school in a small hamlet and teach a lesson to the 29 students, to helping a local women's coop by shopping for, preparing, and enjoying a feast for lunch. Want to learn how to make tortillas? This was the place. The pacing of our trip was excellent, with many options for additional activities, free time, or a choice to take short, to medium, to long hikes. I highly recommend O.A.T. for your next trip!

The trip was perfectly planned and organized! We had a nice compatible group of 9 and were able to get a in-depth exploration of Morocco. Our trip leader, Mohamed **, had the perfect combination of skills to lead, inform, and inclusively incorporate all the members of our group. He was a teacher, helper, cultural interpreter and ambassador. He tirelessly answered our many many questions and fulfilled our requests. He was open about his own life, family and experiences and everyone in the group felt a caring connection from and with him. My sense is that every OAT trip leader is well vetted and trained and that even if you don’t travel with Mohamed the trip leader will be excellent.

Wow! What an incredible adventure to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The highlight was visiting the Eco Valley Elephant Sanctuary where we learned about elephants, got to bathe and feed them, and had a wonderful lunch there! Really fun. You can save $100 if you mention Nancy **. Our group was amazing and we did the most activities our tour guide of 30 years has ever done! Here they are:

This was our first OAT trip and we were hesitant as we typically plan our own and travel independently. But to go to the Galapagos and Amazon was something we knew required a guide and was more than we wanted to take on ourselves. The trip was actually 3 segments, the city Quito, the Amazon Rainforest and the Galapagos. From the start, OAT was thorough in all aspects of the planning and provided great detail. In fact, we were overprepared if nothing. (They need to update the packing list - less from the pharmacy!) We were also a bit nervous given the recent violence in Ecuador. At no time did we feel at risk and we were reassured. We thoroughly enjoyed the immersive components, the history and controversial topic in Quito. The Amazon was breathtaking.

New Zealand trip was my 8th trip with OAT and yet again our Trip Leader - David - was the key to making this a perfect trip. Every detail and every activity exceeded expectations and David's encyclopedic knowledge of his country and culture educated us all each and every step of the way. Looking forward to a few more OAT trips. I always travel solo and have made many great friends from all the OAT groups I have traveled with. I love the "learning and discovery" aspect of all OAT trips, as well as Day In The LIfe and Home Hosted Dinners. These make the trip experiences last a lifetime.

We just returned from a 14-day tour of Morocco with Overseas Adventure Travels and had a wonderful time. We visited a wide variety of very different places throughout the country including a 2-night desert stay, saw the major sights, but also had numerous activities to meet and interact with the local population and learn about their lives both in the cities and in the country including an Amazing home/family in the middle of nowhere. Our guide, Hassan, was excellent and everything was very well planned and executed seamlessly. We stayed in beautiful riads right in the medinas in Fez and Marrakesh. We learned a lot about the history and culture of this pretty incredible country. We highly recommend them.

This was my 6th trip with Overseas Adventure travel. I have been very happy with them overall. This trip was exceptional as our tour guide, Julio, was fantastic! We got to see many great things from Buenos Aires and into the Patagonia area of Chile. We had many great experiences exploring the beautiful scenery. We spent some time on the ship Stella Australia. The Zodiac transfers and the guides off the ship were great. We sailed down to Cape Horn and experienced the rough seas and high winds. During our trip, Argentina experienced a strike closing the airports. OAT anticipated this and changed our itinerary so we were not stranded at the airport. I love the hotels OAT picks, usually within walking distance of local restaurants, shopping and scenery. We were able to walk to a bird sanctuary, a hummingbird garden and the cemetery in Buenos Aires just to name a few. I would highly recommend OAT for couples or singles.

OAT provides small group (maximum 16) trips all over the world. In January 2024, we went with two others on a 4 day pretrip to the Kilimanjaro area for game viewing, visit to a Massai village and much more, and then joined 12 more to experience 12 more wonderful days visiting Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks and the Ngorongoro Crater. Our main guide, Deo, who was excellent in every way, put together a superb team of three driver-guides, Solomani, Riziki and Walter, who catered to our every need 24 hours a day, and made sure that every detail of our trip was unforgettable. We saw every animal imaginable and were immersed in the people and culture of Tanzania that few other tour companies provide. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to not only experience the joys of seeing the animals of Africa in their natural habitat, but also feel a part of the wonderful people of Tanzania. Thank you OAT and Deo for giving us a trip of a lifetime.

This was my first OAT trip. (I'm already booking more.) I was amazed at the level of detail that OAT attended to in order to make this an educational, eye-opening, experience. The trip size (16) was perfect. I am a solo female traveler and felt safe throughout the trip. From my pick up in Bangkok to my drop off in Saigon, I never felt alone, or felt like a fifth wheel. Our trip leader was nothing less than phenomenal at his job. He made sure our every need was met, that we learned about each country and their culture, and that we experienced things we could not have experienced on our own. I could go on for days and not convey all the things I loved about this trip. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

My Costa Rican travel experience was perfect for me, every excursion was well planned, very educational or exciting!! From small organic pineapple and coffee farms to zip lines and river rafting every day was a new adventure. Our team leader, Erick, was amazing guide to insight of the Costa Rican lifestyle and culture, couldn’t asked for anything more, our driver was outstanding, Allen thank you. We experienced wonderful resorts and excellent food and hospitality. Pura Vida.

With 2 troublesome travelers. The tour guide asked to send the travelers home. Against their terms and conditions, OAT did not allow the tour guide to suspend the troublesome travelers. This was a huge disappointment as the two travelers caused much annoyance to other travelers and were not fit to travel. It also took up much of the tour guide's time so he/she had less time to attend to other travelers. I will never book with OAT again.

This was my 3rd trip with OAT after using another tour company for a trip in 2023. The reason I came back to OAT is their focus on "learning and discovery" as well as interacting with residents of the cities/country visited. On my tour we had numerous personal interaction with families, craftspeople, couples, specialized guides from each city or site visited and spontaneous interactions during the day as we walked places. It is these personal interactions that I remember the most and help me feel "connected" to the new location I am learning about and experiencing. Once I realized that the personal connections are what make a tour more than a tour - I have aligned myself with OAT and have already booked a 2025 tour.

Do not feel that we were notified that many stores and restaurants would be closed during much of the trip due to the holidays and possibly being the low season for traveling in the area. Not have many other folks traveling was a plus and the local tour guides were all great and engaging.

I've traveled several times with OAT, and it's been ok. Unfortunately, this time, in Australia, in the midst of our trip, Cyclone Jasper struck as we were to head towards the Great Barrier Reef. It was clear that roads were closed between Cairns and Port Douglas, yet, instead of switching our itinerary to avoid that area and go later in the trip, OAT sent out coach directly into a hazardous area, with landslides that closed the road for flooding (we drove through the beginnings of this, going over floods and rocks in the road), and into a town which proceeded to run out of water (not just drinking water, but showers and toilets!) and food.

This was a wonderful trip. The guides were excellent, the itinerary was amazing, the food was delicious and plentiful, the hotels were great and the river cruise was spectacular. I blogged about the trip, so if you are interested, you can see photos and read my commentary at **

Xin Chào!! Although at 82 I've traveled quite a bit this was my first OAT experience.. A friend who has done a few suggested we do a trip together and we chose the Inside Vietnam plus I wanted to also do the post trip to Cambodia.. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to go so I packed my stuff and off I went.. I got there a day early, met our TEL and a few others who had also arrived early.. They asked me to join them for our free day and that was the beginning of a most awesome and amazing adventure!! Our TEL AnLi was kind, caring and he was a wealth of knowledge.. He was there for our every want or need. And when we did have free time he was right there with great suggestions, for an activity or taking us to his favorite spots for dinner!!! Awesome!!

Just came back from this amazing trip with OAT. Our guide in Quito and Amazon was exceptional. Having grown in Amazon, Delfin has a vast knowledge of the flora and fauna of Amazon, rivers and also the Amazon way of life in general. Home-hosted lunch in the forest and a visit to the one room school were true highlights of the Amazon part of the trip.

Our trip took us to the White Continent, Antarctica. The greatest part of the trip was the wonderful care we received from the Expedition Team. They were top of the line in everything that they did, true professionals. Our guide, Laura from Overseas Adventure Travel, went out of her way to make sure that our every need and desire was satisfied. It was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

If you want a unique experience to enjoy part of Eastern Europe, this winter trip is for you. Select the “Christmas cruise” in December, when we left our perfectly located Hotel Dubrovnik in the heart of Zagreb (after the OAT introductory briefing) to roam the city streets. My husband and I enjoyed mulled wine and sausages at one of the many booths and strolled the downtown squares lit brightly for the holidays. Everywhere you visit, cities will be decorated: Christmas trees overlooking waterways, in front of cathedrals, at public buildings and teddy bear Santa’s in windows.

I have traveled alone and planned every trip myself until now. Having decided to let OAT plan my trip, I am forever grateful! Morocco was a place I have wanted to visit for a long time and it did not disappoint! A beautiful country and every city we went to had its own charm and personality. We had a day with locals where I truly enjoyed the family, their meal and without speaking Arabic I was able to communicate well with Hadika, the wife. We visited medinas, millenary irrigation systems, museums, mosques, palaces, kasbahs, a spectacular farm, stayed in great hotels and met wonderful people.

My husband and I recently returned from the Backroads of Iberia: Paradores and Pousadas OAT tour. We found both Portugal and Spain to be beautiful, but our Trip Experience Leader, Joel, needs some retraining. The first night, I asked to speak privately with him after we got off the bus. Joel invited two other guests to our conversation. I told Joel I was not a fast walker, and I would refrain from going on optional walks so that I would not hold back the group. The others he had asked to join our "private" conversation were also slow walkers. Joel agreed to my statement that I would refrain from optional walks. I held true to my word and stayed in my room when I would have liked to see the places we visited.

We enjoyed an all-inclusive trip to the best of Peru. Our guide, Fredy **, was a local speaking several languages. He made our trip memorable by the care he gave us each day. He reminded us to drink water every day and supplied water bottles; because of this we never suffered any altitude sickness nor had any other physical problems. He constantly stayed with us, answering all our questions, and showed us many interesting sites. We visited several archaeological sites, including two days at Machu Picchu, which was invaluable. Take your time to see this sacred and ancient land. We visited locals and participated in a "Day in the Life" of the Peruvian people. We visited a farmer and a school to talk to the student. The food was fabulous, and we were well fed. Everyday was an exciting new adventure led by our enthusiastic, well informed, hard-working guide Fredy **! We highly recommend traveling with OAT.

I just came home from my FOURTEENTH TRIP with OAT/GCT. I am a book editor with an eye for details, striving for perfection, and OAT/GCT has never disappointed me. The guides are always knowledgeable. The accommodations are clean and comfortable. The daily program is fun and informative. I already have reservations for two more vacations, in 2024.

After following the advice of OAT on how to file for reimbursement and being told for two months that a check will be issued, OAT now tells me that the claim must be paid by the insurance company, while the insurance company claims that OAT must pay. I have spoken with several representatives, most of whom were quite disrespectful and rude. The problem remains unresolved and I am owed over $4000.