Exeter International, Tampa FL

We highly recommend Exeter for help planning your next vacation. Leigh and her team arranged a fabulous trip for our family to Norway at Christmas time. It was magical from beginning to end. Leigh directed us toward hotels that were centrally located and charming, with lots of great restaurants to choose from. She arranged for special touches in several hotels-fruit and cookie plates to greet us upon our arrival, chocolates, and even a charming Norwegian tabletop Christmas tree! We were greeted in each city with prompt and friendly drivers and knowledgeable guides who customized each day to optimize our time and experience. Leigh purchased tickets ahead and and figured out train and ferry schedules for us so that all we had to do was show up and follow the plan. She made travel easy so we could focus on being in beautiful places together. And wow did she help us pick beautiful places. Leigh knows Norway well and had great ideas to make our visit all we hoped for and more.whale watching, northern lights, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and visiting stunning scenery and charming cities. We are already looking forward to working with Leigh on another trip to Norway, this time in the summer.

Jody was an absolutely FABULOUS travel agent (and personal assistant on top of that). She helped guide me through the decisions of what to visit and where to travel. I left many choices up to her expertise and she exceeded all of our needs and wants. This was a dream vacation for our entire family and thanks to Jody - we have memories to last a lifetime. We will absolutely be booking future vacations through Exeter International and using Jody as our agent!

The Founder's Trip to Turkey this month was amazing in every respect. From start to finish, just perfection! Greg's personally curated outstanding itinerary set the stage for the best small group trip we have ever taken. From our greeting at the Istanbul Airport to our goodbye in Bodrum, everything was seamless -first class hotel accommodations; fabulous guide; excellent drivers/vehicles; and wonderful dining venues. Every day was filled with history, joy and new friends. We cannot wait to travel with Exeter International again! Kris & Chris

Ala planned a wonderful trip for us to Slovenia and Istria. The hotels we interesting and comfortable. The guides were especially good, each with a different perspective. Ala's restaurant suggestions were also helpful and she made some of the reservations. The local contacts were helpful in adjusting the trip according to our needs. Exeter Travel did a great job.

Ala Osmond planned a fantastic and detailed trip for our family of five to Croatia this past June. We had a tight timeframe to squeeze in seeing Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik, and Ala managed to organize boats and drivers to move us around and maximize our time soaking in the history and beauty of Croatia. Our accommodations were outstanding but Maslina Resort on Hvar was just incredible. We are still talking about the location, beauty of the resort, and incredible customer service. Ala and her team took care of scheduling our private bike ride, cooking class, private guides and multiple boat trips around the islands. Our youngest daughter celebrated her birthday while we were in Croatia and Ala made sure that it was celebrated more than once! We were also surprised with a private sailing trip while in Dubrovnik. This was so special and we sailed around new islands we hadn’t seen on any of our other excursions. I would absolutely book another trip with Ala Osmond and highly recommend her services.

Exeter planned and executed a fabulous trip to Budapest, Vienna, and Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik, Croatia for our family group of 11 in late July/early August 2022. We stayed in the most amazing historic hotels in the larger European cities as well as off-the-beaten-track modern boutique resorts, and with friendly and knowledgeable guides, drivers, and boat captains, had the trip of a lifetime. Very highly recommend Ala and Gwen at Exeter!

My husband and I recently returned from a fabulous vacation planned by Ala to Slovenia and Croatia.
We first spoke with Ala in January to start planning this trip for June. After our initial call, Ala quickly sent some suggestions to us to review and consider. As she has traveled extensively in these countries, she has a wealth of knowledge and connections with guides, drivers, restaurants and hotels. We wanted to incorporate fly fishing and hiking as well as cultural experiences and she included all in her recommendations.
We flew into Venice and our driver greeted us and drove us to Ljubljana, about 3 hours away.
Loise was very pleasant and shared the history of his country, Slovenia, with us along the way.
Loise was our driver for the 6 days we stayed in Slovenia. In Ljubljana we stayed at a recently opened boutique hotel called Zlata Ladjica. I highly recommend it!
Slovenia is beautiful. It is also the foodie capital of Eastern Europe! Ala was able to arrange a lunch reservation at the much in demand restaurant, Hisa Franko in Kobarid, just named again to the top 50 restaurants in the world. We stayed 3 nights at Nebessa in Kobarid, an amazing property with 4 cottages overlooking the Soca Valley. Ala was spot on with this recommendation! We loved it so much that the owners arranged for delicious dinners from a local farm to be delivered to our cottage on 2 of the evenings we stayed there. Fly fishing in the Soca River was beautiful. The water was crystal clear and our guide knew the spots to put us on to catch fish.
We also visited Lake Bled and the Balkan lake while we were there, both beautiful. We also had a personal tour of the WWI museum and site of a major battle with the former director of the museum. He was very passionate about this important part of history in his country so if you go there, my advice is to make sure you make it clear how much time you would like to spend there because there is much to see, including a trail you can hike.
Slovenia is a small country with immense natural beauty and a fascinating history.
We next went to Rovinj on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Again, at Ala’s suggestion we stayed at the Grand Park Hotel, opened a few years ago in Rovinj. It was close to the old town, however not too close, which was perfect. We could walk to the town and then get away from the crowds after. Rovinj is such a gem. We had been to Croatia before, in the south on the Dalmatian coast, however, Istria is a well kept secret!
Our guides in both countries were pleasant and knowledgeable and we had the right amount of time with them. Our drivers were also very good. It was nice to relax and enjoy the scenery without worrying about getting lost!
Our contact while traveling, Natasa, was excellent. She answered any questions or requests we had. Of course, there were few because Ala saw to all the details ahead of time. We would absolutely reach out to Ala again.

I had a 5-week break between jobs and planned to "panic travel" because I knew it would be a long time until I could travel again. Ala Osmond with Exeter International was a lifesaver in helping plan an unforgettable, truly relaxing 10-day trip to Croatia - all on 2 week's notice! She listened to our needs and wants and put together a seamless itinerary that not only gave us an incredible experience but also done in a way that avoided any unnecessary travel (i.e. We got to spend all of our time enjoying ourselves in the way we wanted!). The itinerary included Split (2 nights), Hvar (3 nights), and Dubrovnik (5 nights). The hotel recommendations were spot on (especially Maslina in Hvar and Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik), and we loved the activities she organized. The cooking class in Dubrovnik was second to none - such a great family, immersive feel. And the two days we took on private boats (one from Hvar and one from Dubrovnik) fully exceeded my expectations in terms of quality of the boat and where we traveled. And I have to agree with others. One thing that stood out to us in particular was how well organized the logistics were - transfers, guides, activities. Everyone was working in concert (and also so hospitable), and it was pretty amazing. We didn't have to worry about anything! While I know I gave Ala few options due to how last-minute our trip planning was, she did help plan the best 10-day trip between jobs that I could've imagined. I would highly recommend Ala for any trip you are planning to Croatia!

Many thanks for planning a wonderful trip to Stockholm for us and our grandson. Amazing sailing, kayaking, touring and more! A trip we’ll always remember

Croatia June 9 - 21 2022

We (two couples) just returned from a spectacular 12 day trip to Croatia arranged for us by Ala Osmond over 18 months ago. Our ambitious itinerary was meticulously planned with short stays in Istria, Plitvice, Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik including a small number of guided historical tours, a truffle hunting demonstration, a 6 mile hike in Plitvice (breathtaking, unspoiled beauty), two half day private yacht excursions (totally indulgent and totally worth it), two wine tastings (one would've been sufficient), a fantastic cooking class in Split (do not miss this under any circumstances, even if you don't cook-Chef Jzelko is great), oyster tasting in Ston (do not miss this either, the fresh cooked mussels are delicious too). Each of these activities exceeded our expectations.

There is no shortage of good food in Croatia and the list of restaurants provided by Ala was extensive. Every place we went to had courteous staff, interesting takes on fresh seafood and often the owner was working the tables so we got first-hand insight to preparations, technique and often, free wine and grappa samples. The Croatians (all speak English) are enthusiastic about their food and wine, as are we, so that added another dimension to the experience. Do go to Giaxa in Hvar, Tramonto in Istria, Bokeria in Split, Konoba Dubrava for peka and Proto for seafood, both in Dubrovnik.

The hotels were also excellent, offering 5 star service and amenities with easy access to the Adriatic (Istria, Hvar, Dubrovnik) as well as the pool and short walks into town. The staff were attentive, rooms were clean, views were gorgeous. The Grand Park in Istria and the Excelsior in Dubrovnik were our favorites but we are really splitting hairs. They were all top-notch.

Despite the complexity of our itinerary, Ala and her team ensured that we had flawless connections and transfers, even arranging a last-minute pick up in Venice to get us to Istria after a missed connection that was supposed to get us to Zagreb (a very long and stressful story). Cannot emphasize enough the importance of the drivers-they take all the stress out of making connections so that you can focus on your trip. Would also like to make a special shout-out to Natasa Lovic, Ala's "in country" contact. She was essentially on-call for us and really saved the day with our blown connection. What could have been a nightmare turned out to be a non-event thanks to her. She also took care of a number of last minute restaurant changes and other items for us. Invaluable resource-very responsive and always had a solution.

As with previous trips, all of our guides were engaging and very knowledgeable, especially when we asked questions and showed some some genuine interest in Croatia's history, which is very complicated. This is the key to maximizing your experience with the guides and it adds a whole new perspective to your trip.

All told, Ala and her team put together the complete experience for us. We cannot say enough good things about her and our trip. None of us wanted to leave which is the hallmark of a successful vacation and Ala made it happen. Can't wait to go back.

My wife and I completed our second trip with Gwen's team at Exeter last month. Our first trip a few years back included Vienna, Prague, Budapest. This trip was Amsterdam, Berlin and Munich. Gwen is absolutely terrific and does a fabulous job of listening to client interests and preferences ex ante and then presenting options and framing the trips. Gwen's advice on hotels and specific rooms in hotels and the Exeter private touring options was consistently spot on. And ALL the guides she uses are terrific which really makes the trip. I was very pleased with both itineraries before the trips started and like any travel experience, circumstances and weather changed during the trip. Gwen and her team were always on top of quickly making changes. They possess the unique combination of pliancy about the route taken coupled with an adamantine resolve to give the client the experience they want and get them to see the things they wish to see. The team also has access to private experiences that were amazing. A tour of a tulip farm, a visit to a closed museum and medieval library, a wine and cheese tasting with a local expert. Not only did we have two good trips, on the second trip, Gwen started with all her notes and preferences from our first trip which made things even easier. I have used many operators in my travels and my experience with Exeter and Gwen Kozlowski in particular was truly top notch.

Perfect! They set up everything. Hotels, tours, restaurant options. The customize to your needs. So easy. Our layover got cancelled and they took care of everything. I will always use them.

This trip was as close to perfection as one can get.

Ala and her team created the most perfect Croatian vacation trip for me, my husband and the other couple that we were traveling with this month. I've had the good fortune to have travelled all around the world and never have I experienced such an incredible team to ensure that literally every detail, every activity, every hotel we stayed at was top-notch.

If you are even considering a vacation to this incredible country, I would highly recommend speaking with Ala and her team first. I know I will be recommending Ala friends and family that want to visit Croatia and I can do it with complete peace of mind knowing I am referring them to the best!
Nikki Davidson

We just returned from a fabulous trip that included Stockholm Sweden, Helsinki Finland and Amsterdam Netherlands, all arranged by Leigh Landis at Exeter International. Leigh was amazing. She put together individual excursions in each country, arranged hotels, assisted with restaurant suggestions and reservations, purchased train tickets and the tickets for the Silja Line ship to cross the Baltic Sea. Leigh gave us the phone number of an Exeter contact in each city in case of a problem but we did not have to contact them. Still, it was reassuring knowing that we had someone to contact if needed. Each of them reached out to us when we arrived to let us know they were available. The itinerary, guides and tickets were all arranged in advance by Leigh. She spent a lot of time with us before booking anything. We communicated by emails or phone. It was clear to us from our first contact with Leigh that she wanted to make sure the trip had exactly what we wanted.

The guides in each city were so fantastic. They each had a wealth of experience as guides, planned the routes well and asked about our interests when we first met so they knew what we wanted to see and do. They were all spot on time! The guides made the trip a truly special experience. They helped us to understand each city, its history, special characteristics and helped us with questions about how to navigate the city and use public transportation. The guides expedited getting into busy museums or other venues because our guides had passes to jump queues. They maximized our time so that it was spent enjoying the sights and venues instead of standing in lines and figuring out how to purchase tickets. They knew where to go and when to go there. Some venues required advance tickets and Leigh took care of that. Leigh arranged our very own private saloon boat tour of the canals of Amsterdam. Leigh checked in on us along the way on our trip and sent us special notes. She arranged to have a gift sent to my hotel room in Helsinki on my birthday.

Leigh arranged really great hotel rooms with the best views possible. And our stateroom on the Silja line cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki had an amazing view so we saw the sunset and sunrise over the Baltic from our room and that was stunning. With Exeter involved in making the hotel reservations we were treated like special guests at each hotel by the staff.

The drivers were all outstanding. They were polite, helpful, on-time and made all our connections and excursions seamless and stress free. We actually started our trip in Gothenburg Sweden at the Volvo factory. After that Exeter took over and we proceeded on our dream trip to Stockholm, Helsinki and Amsterdam. We did no driving. We used trains and boats all arranged by Leigh at Exeter. And in each city we used drivers arranged by Exeter for excursions outside the city centers, such as when we went to the delightful town of Porvoo, Finland.

When we took the train from Gothenburg to Stockholm our train was over an hour delayed and it was late evening when we arrived in Stockholm. The driver who met us in Stockholm, arranged by Exeter, had waited for us. While waiting she arranged for the hotel to have food for us upon arrival. Also when we arrived at our room at the hotel Leigh had arranged for a lovely charcuterie tray to be sent to our room. So although we arrived late and were worried about being hungry, everyone involved made sure that was taken care of without having to ask.

I can't say enough positive about Leigh Landis and Exeter International. I feel we got more than our money's worth. Without Exeter we would have wasted so much time trying to figure out what could be seen each day in each city, how to get tickets, how to find a good restaurant and figure out how to make reservations etc. We did not have to worry about any of that. All the details were taken care of in advance and all we had to do was enjoy it!

We will be forever grateful for Leigh and Exeter!

All my trips with Exeter have been amazing. I worked with Ala and Gwen for different trips and they go above and beyond to make the trip exceptional. They have access to places others don’t, they plan everything from the perfect hotel, experiences and even incredible restaurants. Even better, they communicate within so Ala was able to get with Gwen and tell her my likes and dislikes. You work with the person with the most knowledge of the area you are going and they genuinely know it inside and out. I totally trust Exeter with my travel planning. They are the best.

I am so glad we traveled to Croatia this year and that we went when we did. We were there from June 10 - 19. Ala Osmond was our trip planner and she encouraged us to go before peak season if at all possible. That was great advice. We stayed in Split, on the island of Hvar and Dubrovnik and loved them all, but I can see how Split and Dubrovnik especially might feel a bit overrun with tourists by mid-summer.

Based on our desire to have some time to relax while traveling, Ala recommended we only spend one night in Split, then four nights at a resort in Stari Grad and three nights in Dubrovnik. That felt like the perfect amount in each and the hotels she recommended were great. We were especially happy she recommended the Hotel Maslina where we were able to rent a villa that was large enough for our whole family.

One of the things that stands out about the trip was that the logistics - the transfers, the guides, the dinner reservations, the activities we had scheduled - all came off without a hitch. Also, it seemed that the people we encountered from our drivers to the hotel staff seemed to know our itinerary and were helpful and friendly at each turn.

Ala offered us the option of a private boat transfer from Hvar to Dubrovnik instead of boating to the mainland and then driving. It was a splurge, but well worth it in that we had a day on a lovely boat on the Adriatic and were able to stop in Korcula for lunch. We also loved the cooking class we took just outside Dubrovnik as well as the day we spent cycling on Hvar Island. Our tour guide in Dubrovnik was one of the best we have ever had and did a great job explaining Croatia's history - which is complicated.

I would recommend both this trip and working with Ala Osmond for travel planning.

Just completed an amazing self-drive trip to Austria and Germany, brilliantly curated by Gwen Kozlowski. Every detail of the trip was so well thought through in advance that our trip went seamlessly. The hotels selected (where we uniformly received upgrades as a result of the relationship between Gwen/Exeter and the hotels) were excellent; the guides provided were among the best we've experienced; the special opportunities for unusual experiences-which I wouldn't have even known existed, were most enjoyable; the itinerary, and the way it flowed, was well thought out and appropriately paced; and the restaurant recommendations were spot on. Gwen was hands-on there for us throughout our trip, to promptly answer questions and provide advice-quite unlike other agencies where you have an initial contact with the regional specialist and then get turned over to an assistant or associate. From the prompt communication, and the knowledgeable and experienced insights, to the special details-like getting us first row seats for the opera in Vienna-every aspect of our trip was handled so professionally and personably. I highly recommend Gwen and Exeter and plan to work with them for future trips.

We have just returned from eight fabulous days in Romania. Leigh at Exeter Travel put a wonderful itinerary together for us and our local driver/guide was outstanding!

Exeter created an itinerary for Croatia for 6 of us, with really fantastic experienced, including truffle hunting, sailing, cooking in a country home, etc. It was a trip of a lifetime, and nothing was left unprepared. All the guides were good and the transfers worked perfectly.