Jules Verne Reviews 86

We have been home now for a week after our Classic Tour of Albania with Jules Verne. It was fabulous from start to finish. From booking on-line, to speaking with a customer service operator to the tour itself. We were met at the airport in Tirana by our Guide, Klodian, and our driver, Genti, and they stayed with us the whole week. They were both magnificent. Klodian was an exceptional guide. His knowledge on everything Albanian was above and beyond. He was extremely friendly and his English was fabulous. Everyone on our tour enjoyed his company and every question we asked, he answered. Our driver, Genti, lived up to his name and was a true gent. Always polite, friendly and we always felt safe in his hands - especially as the traffic was so busy in Tirana. Unfortunately he had to leave early due to a personal loss, but Dennis, his replacement was just as diligent.

The tour itself was amazing. We took in Kruja, Tirana, Berat, Llogara National Park, Gjirokastra and back to Tirana We stayed an extra 3 days in Durres to have an extension on the beach. All hotels were extremely clean with amazing staff, food and location. We saw a lot of castle, archeological sites and a lot of history. There was a lot of walking involved in this tour, with some steep steps and hills, but on the whole we all coped with this.

I truly couldn't recommend this tour highly enough, and we will definitely book again with this brilliant company. Just wish Klodian (Klodi) would be our Guide again.

It’s big fraud platform company in whole world fraud happened with me 16000 dollar with them and I am finding to contact their customer service they are saying can’t provide information of customer service guys let’s join me we need to raise sounds against them they are eating people money with lot of enjoy They are making fool to people. If you are not a fraud let me allow to contact you

Hi
Does anyone know the company rebate programe.agents to do the 36 tripflow tasks and get reward as rebate of 23% back.
Or a group of scamers reaching out for ponzi scheme.
Anyone heard about that please share your experience
Thanks

Hiodden Spain: guide had no communication or organisational skills. His English was poor. He lived in southern Spain, we were in the Basque country. He knew nothing about the area and talked about southern Spain all the time. We had all been to the south many times. He seemed completely unaware of this. He read notes off the net, which we could have done.

I have just come back from the Golden Road to Samarqand trip - 3-14 May 2024 - and want to give a review because it was a perfect experience. What made my experience perfect? Comfortable flight, beautiful hotels in perfect locations, the planning that our guide Shukhrat put into making sure the whole group (19 in total) felt looked after safely and with great good humour. The weather was mixed so Shukhrat made some changes to our itinerary to make sure we would get the best out of each of the places we visited. We experienced ancient cities, mosques, madrassas, minarets and mausoleums, brought to life by information and stories about all the places we visited. This brought everything into vivid life as we walked the streets, explored bazaars and workshops and met local people who made us feel so welcome. The local guides in Khiva and Bukhara and the coach drivers could not have done more for us. We experienced the Kyzylkum desert, stopping to view the Amu Darya (Oxus) and lunch in a yurt, the snow capped Zarafshan mountains, local cuisine, markets and met local craftsmen and women. The whole trip was a revelation and I thank Shukhrat from the bottom of my heart for all that he did.

Recently went to Mexico and Guatemala with this company. Awful holiday, expensive but done cheaply. Coming through immigration, we had to walk to our bus and the car barrier came down onto my husbands head, splitting the skin and causing him to collapse. We have been offered £300 as a goodwill gesture, because it was out with their control. I asked them if he had died which he could have done (he is 77) would they have said the same thing. Absolutely disgraceful.
Please don't book with this company, they do not have your safety as a priority. Their standards have dropped considerably over the last year. I first went with them 35 years ago but will never go with them again. No customer care. Our complaint was not resolved amicably. Unfortunately we are due to go with you to Transylvania, but will never travel with you again.

We have used VJV before had had a wonderful time so have booked the Nile cruise including Aswan. We've not travelled yet, but I just wanted to praise the exceptional service we have received from Tara who went above and beyond in sorting out some specific requests when her colleagues had told me it was impossible previously. She is a credit to VJV.

Just came back from JV Golden Triangle India 8 night tour. Fabulous hotels, lovely local guide who organized it faultlessly and small group of just 7 people.

The holiday booked was cancelled 3 weeks before departure. The replacement offered was appalling. It was a so called River Cruise from Stasbourg....No cruise that i know if is so bad. The boat rattles, creaks and bangs the 'cabins' are more akin to a prison cell. The Heath and Safety is dreadful with evacuation over 3 adjoining boats on narrow badly placed planks positively dangerous. During the night, it would be impossible to cross and anyone who is elderly or has mobility problems would simply be left behind. The quality is dire. Don't bother.
For a much lower cost I have booked P&O Stateroom for 2 people next December.
VJV did exactly the same to a consultant friend who has also provided the most dreadful reviews. They are not what they were and really couldn't care less.

Did VJV's Wild Namibia tour Sep 2023.
This was my third more recent tour with VJV having done tours with them in the past. Although the actual booking of the tour seemed well organized the after care was very poor. Slow response to emails, poor or incorrect information given and misrepresentation of the tour where the itinery given (and expected to get) did not match the experience on offer to us.
A larger than expected group (they added an extra group of six) so to accommodate the now group of 12 we were split into different accommodations. I enquired before the start of the tour, when I learned about the additions, if we would all have the same accommodation and was told yes. this was not the case. The address given for the lodge was incorrect, not even in the same area as stated in the itinery and NO game drives as stated in the itinery (which is what a safari in Africa is all about).
Other accommodation used on the tour were of an ok standard but a couple were awful with no air con and poorly maintained with flooding showers. The excuse used is that Africa is a relatively a basic country and these things happen but that's not the case. There were many better lodges nearby with much better facilities. Myself and other guests complained to the local guides used about our individual issues but heard nothing from VJV.
I took the privately guided option at an additional £1,300 and was told I would have that to end of the tour at Victoria falls. Then I was told would only have until Botswana, then told would have all the way and so on depending who I spoke to on the phone. It all seemed like the tour was being made up as it went along. I was supposed to have a private car/jeep to the end of the tour and other 11 split between to mini buses but all twelve of us had to squash into a small van to get us to the last hotel with the sorry apologies again. Seems there is not much communication between VJV and local agents used before and whilst on the tours.
On my return I approached VJV for compensation for the misrepresentations in there itinery and was offered £200. They admitted that they had issues with the holiday confirmations sent out and were very sorry. I refused the £200 and we finally settled on £400. Nothing can make up for the safari experienced promised but didn't get on this expensive tour.
I totally agree with one of the other comments that it's run by young girls that don't have any experience about the places they are selling and about travel in general.
Years ago VJV were excellent and I had every confidence in them but sadly not now. This is my third bad experience with them. Shame as they do have some lovely holidays
Would I go with them again......possibly but know from experience to take every thing they say with a pinch of salt and to check every thing out for myself....even flights.

A SUPER well organised Cruise down the 600 Mile Nile on a comfortable river cruiser MS Darakum Delightfulyl professional and helpful crew. Fantastic food with loads of choice. A knowledgeable guide enhanced the visits at all sites Avoiding the heat and crowds where possible Extra Vjv experiences were a bonus and fun. Cruise includes time to relax and enjoy the interesting river banks passing by.. Finishing in Cairo for the amazing Pyramids, Sphinx and City.
Good value for money as everything included, except the Balloon Ride over Valley of Kings.Definitly worth the extra !

The Golden Road to Samarkand - Ukbekistan. What a fantastic holiday. The country is culturally rich, very friendly and so much to see and do. Made all the better due to the exacting organisation and admin of VJV customer services team and the exceptional in country guide. He was exceptional. All over every detail, nothing was too much trouble and we were well informed at all times. He earned his tip and more. I can highly recommend this company and this tour. You may find cheaper versions, but having seen other companies whilst I was there, at times they appeared chaotic and disorganised. I having nothing but praise and good words for the the local guide and VJV.

Having travelled twice before with VJV, this time was one not to be repeated. I managed to get a bad cold after a few days and certain people in the group told me I couldn't eat with them and I should go back to my room. The tour manager did nothing to sort this out so I was ostracised for having a cold which I clearly caught whilst on holiday. The tour rep was very pleasant but age inappropriate (20) for the group who were from 64 to late 80s. Although food was served to me in the lounge bar by the time it came it was stone cold. I do not expect to go on holiday and be treated as if I have the plague when I and many other people on the Renoir riverboat were also coughing and sneezing.
My previous trip with VJV started badly as they booked flights from Heathrow that were too late to catch the riverboat in Lyon. The flight was delayed but even if it had been on time the boat had already sailed. We ended up wheeling our cases a long way to a hotel to eat, then getting in a small coach for a mad dash to catch up with the boat with a driver who drove extremely dangerously. £100 was given by way of compensation to spend on another holiday with them which I used for the holiday above. Even then they seemed reluctant to allow me to use the £100 having to check with managers even though it was on their records.

Went to uzbeckistan office staff useless I think they are working from home. Not told the printer had broken when I kept emailing. 16 days late receiving info
Tour guide young and arrogant
No whispers to hear the guide talking when you move away
Food repetitive
One lady going into dementia
One man nearky 90 I have elderly mum so wanted to be without the elderly and taking care of them
Photos taken guide gave us hats we provided emails still not received. !
Being used for marketing material. ?! Better not as I will be contacting them. Riveria travel for me !

Sadly since covid the company has lost site of any customer care. There is no loyalty for all the years of travelling with them, and the company feels as though its run by a group of youngsters with little knowledge of the holiday destinations they are selling.

I recently travelled to Sorrento with VJV and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I’ve been on many previous trips (8) with this company and have always been happy with the service in the UK and when on holiday. The negative comments on here are puzzling. VJV trips typically have small numbers of people on them and a light touch when it comes to being guided. I really like this - I don’t want to be kept under close ‘supervision’, but maybe some people do!

Lacking in knowledge of Schengen. VJV rep was unable to advise on Schengen passport rules when flying from the UK to an EU country and then on to another EU country without returning home first. This was surprising given they are a company that have many EU multi-country tours.

We enjoyed our holiday, organised by Jules Verne, it was the return home that was the issue.
Another tour group arranged the early flights, Luxor - Cairo, to pick up the Heathrow flight that afternoon, Jules Berne arranged the early afternoon flight.
Which was late.
So we missed the connection and had to spend the night in a hotel chosen by Egyptair.
The Le Passage at Cairo airport.
Which was horrible.
I wondered if Jules Verne would hide behind the ‘nothing to do with me, contact Egyptair’ nonsense and, guess what… ?
They did.
No discussion about how this sort of situation might be avoided in the future or, indeed, our thoughts on how the Egypt holiday might be improved.
Nope… they have our money and that’s that.
Well they won’t have anymore of it.
Ever.

Haven't managed to browse the site at all, thanks to unmoveable."Can we call you back?" pleas that obscured the screen seconds after i clicked on a holiday. Clearly this company is too in love with technological hard-sell techniques to appreciate how off-putting they are.

Just completed my second trip with vjv and both have been excellent. I suspect that the overall low rating is because the majority of highly satisfied customers remain silent. Vjv book flights for their customers but it is not their responsibility to help with airport and in-flight issues. If things go wrong, it is the airline's responsibility to sort out problems. On arrival and throughout the itinerary it is the local guides and drivers who represent vjv. In my experience they have been very good. This trip included a client who was ill and became disabled during the trip.The guide earned our respect as he made every effort to ensure the traveller was looked after, paying for a wheelchair and temporary carer out of his own pocket. He assured me that he was confident that vjv would reimburse his expenses. He said the company never queried such unexpected costs. He was confident of their support. Vjv also arranged for wheelchair assistance when we arrived at LHR. That is an indication of good service. I shall be booking another trip with them.