Tailor-made Holidays
Your World, Your Way
Travelling at your own pace, seeing exactly the places you would love to, spending as much time at each site as you wish, staying at a hand-picked selection of accommodation to suit your taste and budgets and eating out at the best local restaurants ... sounds like your kind of holiday? Then a tailored trip will be just right for you. We specialise in planning journeys to far flung exotic destinations around the world, 100% tailored to individual requirements. We'll plan an itinerary that suits your needs, suggesting unique things to do and must-see places to visit. If we don't get it exactly right the first time around, we’ll happily tweak it for you until it’s perfect.
Destinations where we offer tailor-made holidays
We offer tailor made holidays to exotic destinations all around the world. Note also that if one of our group tour itineraries suits, we'll be happy to organise this for you on a private basis for you.
Southeast Asia
No visit to Southeast Asia would be complete without exploring amazing Angkor Wat in Cambodia, cruising Halong Bay in Vietnam, discovering Luang Prabang in Laos, relaxing on the beaches of Thailand, taking a hot air balloon ride over the Bagan temples in Myanmar or going wild in the search of orangutans in Borneo.
Indian Subcontinent
It's difficult to see beyond the inimitable Taj Mahal on a first time visit to India but there's plenty else this incredible country has to offer. On the Tear Drop Isle of Sri Lanka you can discover a rich heritage and evocative archaeological sites while the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal offers incredible trekking and cultural riches.
The Far East
Visit the Far East of Asia on a tailor-made holiday for bundles of unique cultural experiences, fascinating history and charming landscapes. Head to China for the Great Wall and terracotta warriors, journey to Japan for modern cities and ancient traditions, or enjoy a sojourn to South Korea for grand palaces and pop culture.
The Middle East
Explore the Middle East your way whether it's cruising the Nile and marvelling at the Great Pyramids in Egypt or soaking in the Dead Sea and wandering through Petra in Jordan. Take a pilgrimage to Israel and the holiest of lands or head to the northwest corner of Africa for souks, riads and kasbahs in Morocco.
Latin America
Make your own special journey to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru, undoubtedly one of South America's biggest attractions. Or you could explore the colonial cities and volcanoes of Ecuador, join the gauchos in the northwest of Argentina, explore the lake district of Chile or go in search of wildlife and adventure in diverse Costa Rica.
Africa
Safari opportunities and outdoor adventure abounds in Africa whether it's roaming the endless plains in search of the Big 5 or getting your adrenaline fix at Vic Falls. Highlights include the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania, scaling the mighty sand dunes in Namibia and combining with neighbouring Botswana for the Okavango Delta.
Russia & The Trans-Sib
Go hard on culture with a bespoke itinerary through the mighty cities and charming rural towns of Russia. There's also outdoor adventure on offer in the Ural mountains and around the undeniably stunning Lake Baikal. There's always the option to explore Russia by train on the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway and combine with China and Mongolia.
Turkey
Bridging the gap between Asia and Europe, Turkey is home to an abundance of cultural and historical treasures from the exotic city of Istanbul to the Roman ruins of Ephesus. There's also miles and miles of sublime coastline to discover so you can combine culture with a bit of downtime at the beach in Kusadasi, Marmaris or Fethiye.
Made to measure - Travelling with On The Go Tours
Where you'll stay
No-frills or fancy, historic, quaint or quirky, we offer accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. Accommodation on your tour can range from western-style hotels and resorts to charming boutique properties, desert camps, authentic riads, cruise boats and other unique accommodation in the region you are travelling - the choice is yours. Just let us know your preference and we'll recommend our favourite properties.
Transport to suit
Travelling by road is always a fascinating experience and you also to see a lot more of a destination. We use private chauffeur driven vehicles of an international standard. Trains are also convenient and cost effective and internal flights are recommended as a quick and easy way to cover longer journeys. We also offer a selection of cruises like a Junk Boat in Vietnam's Halong Bay. We'll advise you on the best modes of transportation for your itinerary.
Expert Advice
Our team have travelled extensively to all of our destinations and offer a wealth of in depth knowledge. Their first hand experience enables them to design a holiday that matches your individual travel needs with the best a country has to offer. We are committed to excellent customer service and provide you with much more than a click-and-book web travel service. We're also a 100% financially bonded tour operator.
Our price promise
Tailor-made holiday prices can vary considerably depending on hotels used, category of room, transportation standards, quality of guides and the time of year you travel. Our price promise to you is that we will be beat any alternative quote with the same inclusions from a financially bonded operator. So if you are comparing prices with an alternative quote, please bear this in mind.
Tips for planning your holiday
Planning your holiday can be an exciting prospect though it can also seem a little overwhelming at the start. If you are in the early planning stages then it's useful to consider the following points to get a better idea of what you're looking for:
Choosing your holiday destination
This part of the holiday planning is the best part! You've chosen which country you'd like to visit and should have an idea of which cities or sites you'd like to include on a touring itinerary. If not, grab a guidebook, explore our website which is packed full of information on all the best places to visit, or check out TV documentaries for inspiration. Let your imagination run riot and look into popular spots as well as off the beaten track destinations for something a little different.
Experiences - taking you beyond the main sites
You know where you want to go, what you want to see and where you want to stay but there might be a special excursion or activity you want to add to make this trip the most memorable of all. If you're in the Masai Mara consider a hot-air balloon ride at dawn floating over the endless plains as the resident wildlife spring into life or brave the cold and head out into Iceland's countryside in search of the spectacular Northern Lights. The range of experiences can be just as diverse as the destination so whether it's food, wildlife or outdoor pursuits that you're interested in, decide whether you want to incorporate that into your holiday.
Holiday Duration
This could range from a long-weekend to an epic month-long tour. How long you have to spend on holiday will affect how much you can cover without exhausting yourself. If you're flying half-way around the world to get to your chosen destination it's worth spending at least two weeks there to get over the long flight and make the journey worth it. For shorter-haul destinations you can get away with a quicker holiday as there'll be less jetlag to deal with and less time spent flying, which means more time out and about exploring.
Pace of travel - tailored to suit
Are you happy with a fast-paced tour visiting as many sites as possible with guided touring each day or do you prefer a more relaxed pace, mixing half day tours with time to explore independently? If your list of destinations includes cities and beaches or national parks, would you prefer to mix it up over the time you have or start with the touring and end with time at leisure on the beach? The more places included on your itinerary the more time spent travelling and checking in and out of hotels and possibly airports and train stations. If relaxed is the speed you're aiming for, consider visiting fewer places to allow more time in each.
Choosing the right accommodation
Where you spend each night can be just as important as what you do each day so it's good to have a clear idea of what you're expecting of your accommodation. Hotels range from affordable 3* properties to opulent 5* properties that may eat up a fair chunk of your budget but offer the best in luxury and comfort. Consider whether a swimming pool is important to you, whether you will want to use a gym whilst on holiday or have access to an on-site spa for the chance to relax.
Many countries offer their own unique type of accommodation from traditional Japanese ryokans with futons and tatami mats or heritage properties in India's Rajasthan where former royal palaces and forts have been transformed into beautiful hotels. Depending on your choice of destination you may want to add a night on a houseboat or spend a night in a homestay for an insight into a new culture, camp beneath the stars out in the desert or sleep in a treehouse in the jungle - in many places accommodation can be an experience in itself!
It's also wise to consider location - do you want to be in the heart of a city with easy access to transport, shops and restaurants or are you happy to stay in remote hotels where the only dining options are the hotel restaurant? If you're visiting a city for a particular event then location will be key whereas in some destinations a hotel or resort can provide you with everything you could possibly need making location less of a consideration.
Choosing the best transport options
From thrilling rickshaw rides on the city streets to road transfers in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles, getting from A to B will be a necessary part of any tour itinerary but also allows for unique experiences. Perhaps you'd like to see more of Vietnam's countryside and cycle between Hue to Hoi An or cruise between St. Petersburg and Moscow visiting interesting places along the way.
Trains are an excellent choice of transportation in many countries as they provide the chance to interact with locals and soak up the views as you travel to your destination whether it's journeying through the dramatic landscapes of the Sacred Valley to reach Machu Picchu or speeding across Japan in an ultra-modern bullet train. If you're a die-hard railway enthusiast you may want to spend your entire holiday on a train and a number of destinations offer such once-in-a-lifetime experiences - just consider the Trans-Mongolian route between Beijing and Moscow drinking vodka with local Russians, or India's selection of luxury train journeys where you can relive the royal experience of the Maharajas.
Depending on what you're looking to cover, flights may be necessary to save time travelling by road. The cost of domestic flights can either be surprisingly affordable or shockingly pricey - it ultimately depends on the destination, time of travel and availability. Overnight tourist buses exist in many countries - especially in South America where a bus ticket gets you ample leg room, onboard toilets, TV entertainment and snacks - and for those on a budget it's a great alternative to flying, saving on the cost of a night's accommodation at the same time.
Touring and local guides
To get the most out of your destination it's always best to travel with a guide or use local guides at each site. A passionate, knowledgeable guide can provide you with an invaluable insight into the places you visit, the local culture and be a handy source of tips whether it's the best place to sample the local delicacies or best bars in town. In some destinations your tour guide will also be your driver and accompany you throughout your journey whereas in other destinations you may travel independently and meet a number of specialist guides at each port of call. Private touring in some parts of the world can be prohibitively expensive so where available you may wish to consider joining shared tours, which not only keeps costs down but also gives you the opportunity to meet other travellers.
Your holiday budget
Having a budget in mind will help decide on the most suitable standard of accommodation to use, the most cost effective modes of transport and whether shared touring or private touring is the best way to go. Ideally our dreams would come first and the budget would sort itself out but unfortunately this is rarely the case so starting with a ballpark figure of what you're willing to spend will ensure that services are selected according to expectations - a 3* budget will require 3* services whereas a 5* budget will allow for 5* services. However, don't let budget put you off! If your budget is limited but you want to add in a spot of luxury here and there, consider a lower standard of accommodation for the most part with a few nights in an upgraded hotel as a treat.
Other ways to make your budget go further is to look at travelling in low season. The weather may not be at its best but there will always be something to see and something to do, usually without the crowds and with hotel room rates slashed and flights and trains much quieter.
Journeys of Discovery - our unique approach
There's tailor-made holidays, and then there's real tailor-made holidays! The difference? Really listening to you and understanding what makes you tick, so that the holiday we recommend has truly been crafted with you in mind. Yes, all tour operators can recommend classic itineraries which include all the main sites. We go a step beyond and include some special and unique experiences that will transform a good holiday into really memorable one; get a taste of Bollywood at the famous heritage listed Raj Mandir Cinema in Jaipur, get away from the crowds and explore the less visited Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in China or discover the lesser known temples of Dendera and Abydos in Egypt.
Categories of accommodation
On all our tailor made quotes we provide you with a two clear categorisations of all hotels we recommend for your holiday. A REGIONAL CATEGORY indicating the local rating of each hotel in each respective country and OUR CATEGORY, which will be in line with generally accepted western hotel grading standards as follows:
Simple:
With basic hotels and simple accommodation, this is a no frills option with an adventurous authentic feel. We would normally accommodate your in these in remote areas, like the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan, houseboats in Kerala or raft accommodation on the River Kwai in Thailand.
Standard:
Standard accommodation equates to a Western 3-star standard, always featuring en-suite rooms and usually a restaurant. Sometimes these are a good affordable choice in cities where accommodation is very expensive, but where being centrally located is a prime consideration.
Superior:
Superior accommodation equates to a Western 4-star standard, featuring en-suite rooms and usually a restaurant and often a swimming pool and/or a fitness centre. This is the 'classic' hotel standard we use on most of our group based tours.
Deluxe:
Deluxe accommodation equates to a Western 5-star standard, usually featuring spacious, en-suite rooms, a restaurant, swimming pool and fitness centre and an array of amenities, excellent service and customer care. India and Southeast Asia have a fabulous array of top notch 5-star properties.
Lavish:
Lavish accommodation equates to a Western 5-star plus standard - the creme de la creme. Featuring spacious, en-suite rooms, a restaurant, swimming pool and fitness centre and an array of amenities, this accommodation is a cut above the rest. Sheer opulence!