These tours seem great - signed up for one in Paris - trying for one in Florence, but when you're the first one to signup, it's weird - they have a 3 person minimum per tour, so instead of signing up the normal way, the first person can only sign up "tentatively" as opposed to paying and waiting to see if the tour fills. (They generously "allow" you to buy 3 spots to ensure the tour goes).
Any experience with this company? Do all their tours usually fill at least during prime travel months?
I have never heard of them.
I have done one tour with them. Mine was in Florence during the late spring last year. It didn't fill up, so I had the option of paying more for a solo tour or switching to another tour that just needed one more person.
In my case, I had limited time in Florence and needed a tour at the specific date if I planned to do one at all. I switched over to the private tour ONLY because this was something I really wanted to see with a guide, and I was on my own that trip. If my available days had been more flexible, I could have easily switched to another tour on another day.
I have no complaints from working with them. My guide was incredible, and the tour was fantastic.
I think the actual tour will be great, but they're rules on signing up seem like they would hinder tours from filling in the first place.
Their signup process seems strange to me, too!
I've also done tours with Viator. I've had one tour with them which I did not enjoy, but the rest of them have been stellar and fabulous. Also, the tour I didn't enjoy was something in the States. Everything I've done with them outside the US was fabulous.
Viator is simply a wholesaler and consolidator of other people's tours.
Viator is not a tour company. Have not used Context but have encountered similar group gathering procedures before. Generally it is wait over there and if we get enough we will go. If you were the first to pay and it didn't go then they would have the hassle of refunding your money. Seems perfectly reasonable to me.
I signed up for two Context tours in Paris last June, one for the Cluny and another about Paris during the German occupation. The former was excellent as it was led by a scholar. The latter was cancelled due to insufficient enrollment and my deposit was refunded.
Based on this I would definitely sign up for another Context tour in Paris or elsewhere.
I've been on several Context Tours in Paris, and can highly recommend them.
If you're looking for something that isn't very popular, though, the tour might be cancelled due to lack of participation.
Most people do take the "normal" tours during high tourist season, so I don't think you'll have any problem.
I've been on several Context Tours in Paris, and can highly recommend them.
If you're looking for something that isn't very popular, though, the tour might be cancelled due to lack of participation.
Most people do take the "normal" tours during high tourist season, so I don't think you'll have any problem.
To me the issue is that you sign up tentatively and don't get charged unless it fills - that's fine, so you may be out if it doesn't fill, but then if get a "back-up" tour and your original fills, you have 2 tours which you might not want.
Yanksteve, how did your situation turn out? We will be in Florence in a couple of weeks and have signed up tentatively for the Context Galileo tour. Early October is still a fairly busy time there, I assume, so I hope our tour fills. But this is testing my tendency to want things planned. Thanks.
Nelle,
I did the Galileo tour - it was a good tour, instructor very knowledgeable. I think the Context tours are really worth it if you value a small group of no more than 6. Personally, I think they are somewhat overpriced - they seem to charge 40-50% more than other tours but for me, as long as the number on the tour is no more than about 15, I think it's fine.
FYI for bystanders on this topic: https://www.contexttravel.com/
I have watched them without buying, yet. They cover many countries and are clearly aiming at the upper part of the market, with prices on that level too. More first-hand reports will be good to read.
I rarely take any guided tours; I prefer to move at my own speed (or that of my family), consulting from a variety of in-depth guidebooks (such as the "blue guide.")
But I have taken Context Travel tours twice, once in Rome and one in Venice (different trips). And my husband's birthday gift to me this year was a tour of my choice that we'll be taking in a couple of weeks when we're on vacation in Rome.
I prefer being in a small group; it's easier to get around and to hear the guide. That's probably a matter of personal preference..
The guides are very knowledgeable, usually PhDs or PhD students, and have a lot to say and tell. On the Rome tour, the guide was good at dealing with me, talkative and a history geek, as well as the other people on our tour who were in Rome for the first time, and who were more interested in learning the basics.
On both of those tours, we chose topics that were more specific. I don't remember the tour in Venice, other than we went into several lesser-known churches. We took the Palatine (and Colosseum) tour in Rome; because that area is more ruinous, I felt it would be helpful to have a guide describe the area. And it was.
Yes, the tours are expensive. But if you want a very good small-group tour, led by knowledgeable guides, then consider Context Travel.
