Butterfield & Robinson Reviews 187

Great guides and stunning views

We had a fantastic experience with our B&R Dalmation Coast trip in May. This was our first trip with B&R and was one of our best trips ever. It was a wonderful combination of sightseeing and activities and we came away with many fond memories. It is very apparent that the team at B&R puts a lot of thought into the organization, planning and logistics of these trips. Excursions and daily activities were executed seamlessly and the client experience was always at the forefront. Even though the clients were at various levels of biking fitness, the guides and bike handlers made sure that everyone had an enjoyable experience. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and the service and food on the boat (Agape Rose) was top drawer. Dietary restrictions were accommodated both on board and on shore at local restaurants arranged by B&R. Meeting and spending time new people from different backgrounds and geographies added to the uniqueness of this trip.

B&R does a great job in planning and reconnaissance of trip locales in order to maximize the local experience for clients in terms of food, culture, history and topography. This gives you an immersive experience that you would be hard pressed to replicate on your own. The agendas and itineraries are well thought out with the client experience in mind.

B&R gives you an elevated experience. You are made to feel special and you don't have to worry about a thing...everything is taken care of.

It was a great 7 days for us and we were sad to say goodbye but we will definitely be back with B&R for future adventures.

Our recent B&R adventure through Portugal was outstanding! The accommodations were fantastic, each offering its own distinctive charm and authenticity. Dining was a true pleasure—every meal was a feast for the senses, enjoyed in stunning, historically rich settings. The itinerary was very well curated, with each day offering immersive and authentic experiences helping us capture the essence of the region.

The bikes provided were exceptional—sleek, lightweight, and effortless to ride. Our expert riders loved them!

From the moment we arrived, we felt completely looked after. The B&R guides were great hosts and truly helped make it an unforgettable experience. Their attentiveness and ability to adapt to the needs of our large group were impressive, ensuring that every detail was covered. They would pivot and make changes on the fly without missing a beat!

This was our second trip with B&R, and it certainly won't be our last. The level of care and attention to detail made the entire experience seamless, allowing us to fully relax and enjoy the adventure.

I recently travelled with a group of 15 friends to Portugal on a five day cycling trip. The trip was amazing in all aspects. Hotels were typical B&R style, unique and luxurious. The food and wine were excellent. Healthy, fresh and local. The cycling was challenging yet rewarding with beautiful views of both the ocean and the rolling hills of the country side. There were many unique experiences that added special touches each day with live music, winery tours and an amazing catamaran tour on our final day. I highly recommend the trip!

In May we decided to return to Italy with B&R, having had a phenomenal trip through Piemonte in 2019. This time Tuscany, home of some of our favourite things: Brunellos and the history and sights of Florence, Sienna and Chianti. It was an amazing experience in every way! It began with us arriving on my husband's birthday to a dinner just for the two of us with birthday gift and champagne - a special touch and wonderful way to kick off the trip. The hotels, routes, equipment and sights along the way were the best of the best. My husband loved his high end-road bike and I loved my new e-bike. They allowed us to go at our own pace/intensity but stay together through the postcard hills and valleys of Tuscany. Most importantly, what really has made B&R stand out to us is the people around you who make the experience so incredibly special. Our fellow travelers in our small group of 6 were of such interesting and diverse backgrounds but with a common passion for travel, learning and taking on all the experiences served up. Hugs, a few tears and shared contacts all round when we said good bye! Then there were our two guides. Local Italians who were so knowledgeable, well-travelled and attentive! They provided such personalized attention and care throughout, while playing guide, cultural historian and storytellers throughout. We were also very impressed by the very special hosts who B&R works with who opened their homes and hearts for our local cuisine and cultural experiences. Truly memorable experiences helping make the food we ate, studying the wines we drank and walking the paths where history was written. We are avid travels and B&R has not failed to exceed our (high) expectations. We already are planning Spain for 2025!

My wife and I recently returned from an incredible e-bike trip to Mallorca organized by Butterfield & Robinson. From the moment we arrived until the time we left, the trip was curated to perfection, with stunning hotels, amazing meals, and breathtaking views.

Accommodations:
The hotels we stayed in were all unique, small custom hotels offering 5-star service. Each location provided a luxurious and comfortable stay, contributing to the overall charm and enjoyment of the trip.

Routes and Scenery:
The views on the rides were some of the best I have ever seen in my life. We rode along the ocean almost the entire time, experiencing picturesque landscapes and serene coastal scenes. Every route was well-planned, safe, and showcased the natural beauty of Mallorca.

Itinerary and Experience:
From the minute we woke up in the morning until the time we went to sleep, everything was impeccably arranged. Butterfield & Robinson didn’t miss a single detail, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience throughout our trip. We didn’t have to think about anything but enjoying ourselves.

Guides and Staff:
The guides were a highlight of the trip. Not only were they knowledgeable about the history and culture of the region, but they were also incredibly supportive and attentive to everyone’s needs. Their fun and engaging personalities added a special touch to the experience, making each day even more enjoyable.

Meals and Dining Experiences:
The meals were five-star quality, offering a delightful mix of local cuisine and gourmet dishes. Every dining experience was thoughtfully curated, providing a perfect balance of flavors and culinary excellence.

Overall Experience:
If you enjoy an active vacation with five-star meals and accommodations and want a hassle-free experience, my wife and I highly recommend a Butterfield & Robinson adventure. We loved the trip so much that we have already booked our next adventure in Portugal for 2025.

In conclusion, our e-bike trip to Mallorca with Butterfield & Robinson was an unforgettable journey filled with stunning scenery, luxurious accommodations, and outstanding service. It was the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, and we can't wait for our next trip with them.

It is hard to put into words just how fantastic our trip was. Breathtaking scenery. Glorious cycling along perfectly chosen routes. Local food that was delicious and surprising (and even managed to accommodate all my complicated dietary restrictions!) Guides who took care of everything before we even knew it needed taking care of. I feel like I floated along the Dalmation Coast on a wave of holiday bliss. Thank you B&R!!

Honestly everything about this trip—the guides, the yacht, the scenery, the biking, the hiking, the food, the wine—was off the charts. But what I’m most grateful for are the people we got to experience it all with. We had an absolute blast with some incredibly interesting people we’d never even met before. I think that’s the genius of B&R. Their groups are always magic.

I would love to shower praise on Butterfield and Robinson,but alas,honesty compels me otherwise.After interviewing 3 other agencies and engaging in hour-long discussions with each about my dream Cycladic adventure,I ultimately chose Butterfield and Robinson. They seemed to understand my desires perfectly—or so I thought.The brief was simple: no Santorini or Mykonos (too touristy for my taste), and a strong preference for Corfu, Paros, Naxos, and especially Sifnos, the foodie island.Winery visits, cooking lessons, and hiking were the core activities,with a heavy emphasis on the first two. After carefully reviewing all proposed itineraries and costs, Butterfield and Robinson seemed to tick all the right boxes. This was mid-January 2024, and I made my preferences abundantly clear. Yet, when the first itinerary revision included Santorini, I was irked.I had explicitly said no Santorini! The travel specialist assured me there was an "unmissable" winery there. Hesitant, I said, "Fine, but only if they age their wine in the sea or something equally unique." She assured me it was worth it.Spoiler alert: Santorini is beautiful but swarming with up to 8 cruise ship tourists/day.The experience was akin to being engulfed by a horde of locusts.Looking back, this should have been my first red flag.I started planning in Jan2024 to avoid last-minute chaos,yet a week before my trip,I still didn't have the name of the so-called "unmissable" winery.When I finally did, my heart sank. It was a regular winery, nothing special. Furious,I did a simple Google search and found a genuinely unique winery myself.Butterfield and Robinson then booked the visit I found.I paid a premium for their bespoke service, only to end up doing their job. Their lack of attention to detail and failure to provide the bespoke experience I was promised were astonishing.I could have Googled it myself and saved a fortune.The final straw?My flight arrived in Santorini at 11AM,but hotel check-in was at 3PM,and they scheduled an experience for 5:30PM.I had emphasized the need for an early check-in back in January.Up until the Wednesday before departure,nothing was arranged.It took escalating to a manager to fix it.The travel specialist should have had the foresight to understand that after an overnight flight, I would need a shower and rest before any activities. Instead,they were asleep at the switch.They also failed to secure a cooking experience on Sifnos,despite my clear passion for it. Instead, they scheduled a hike. The luxury hotels they booked were underwhelming,with malfunctioning AC& delayed check-ins.In the end,my supposedly bespoke luxury adventure was a series of poorly managed experiences. Butterfield and Robinson,you had one job,and you failed miserably.Upon being escorted to my room, the moment the door swung open, my jaw hit the floor—and not in a good way. For the lofty price of $1200+/ night,this room is a complete rip-off.Not a single thing is complimentary.No nothing,not even a bottle of water,which is unconscionable,especially in a country where you cannot drink water from the tap.At least provide a complimentary bottle of water per day.The minibar fridge contains nothing but their overpriced water and soda (a whopping 7EUR for a bottle of Coke or Coke Zero).The bathroom? It's smaller than a NYC closet.The shower is a mere 30”wide and just over 3’deep,leaving me unable to fully extend my arms.There's hardly any counter space,and the sink is an ill-fitting disaster.Drop something on the floor near the sink,and you'll likely bump your head on the way back up.The food was forgettable,the drinks lacked any ounce of creativity, and,surprise surprise, everything was overpriced.They had one job and failed spectacularly.To add insult to injury, their in-country concierge badmouthed me to the guides,stressing them out to the point of hesitation.However, they were pleasantly surprised when they met the "monster" described by the agency and found a cool,fun,and funny person instead.Maligning&assassinating my character for holding you accountable is not only unprofessional but morally reprehensible.Butterfield and Robinson,don't advertise a bespoke experience, charge a premium for it,miserably underdeliver,and then personally attack your clients for demanding what they paid for. This agency proves that things can always get worse and exemplifies moral erosion.
So, if you're looking for bespoke, off-the-beaten-path, uniquely planned experiences, DO NOT engage Butterfield and Robinson. For the investment in time and money, it would be wasted here.But if you still choose to use them, go ahead—just do so at your own risk.

Had a lovely time on the Butterfield and Robinson Camino hike. The guides Luis and Catherine, were excellent. I really enjoyed the flexibility - one day I wanted to move at a pace, the next I enjoyed taking my time and absorbing. The group we had on the trip was fun and relaxed - lots of laughing and wine! Thank you!

We just finished a taste of the Camino de Santiago hiking tour from Leon to Santiago. We had the most wonderful time with 10 other hikers and two wonderful guides, Catherine and Luis. The food & wine, accommodations, and most importantly the hiking, were all wonderful.

Just completed my Butterfield and Robinson Spanish Wine Country Biking trip...having been a founder and partner with Horst Schulze in Capella Hotels and Resorts, I know quality when I see it. B&R easily checks off these two questions: Do I intend to return and do I intend to recommend. An emphatic yes!

A great trip, cycling Spanish wine country. The guides and arrangements are perfect. Not having to constantly reach for your wallet makes it a great holiday.

This is the second time we’ve taken the Tuscany biking tour with B&R. It’s an excellent itinerary, with top quality hotels, food/wine, events and cycling routes. Pre-trip admin is handled magnificently and our guides provided a truly “white glove” service. Equipment is top notch. One of our party was nervous about the hills, but the e-bike option meant they were able fully to enjoy the experience just as much as those of us relying just on our legs!

I cannot praise the B&R experience too highly..they set the benchmark for this type of experience. A huge amount of thought clearly goes into to the planning and organization, and then delivery on the ground by the guides is first rate. If I could give 10 stars out of 5 I would!

You will be dazzled, amazed, excited and challenged. Most importantly, for people who are used to running everything, it allows you to relax, learn, observe, feel and wonder.

I can't imagine how we would ever top the Normandy/Brittany cycling experience with Butterfield, but we will try and plan to travel again with Butterfield in the future! There was a couple in our group who were on their 21st Butterfield trip. Now there is a testimonial for you!

I’ve taken many B&R trips over the years and must say that the biking/sailing trip along the Dalmatian Coast ranks as one of the best.
The combination of biking and living on board the Luna struck a perfect balance. How great to bike the challenging roads of Croatia and return to the beautiful waters for swimming and relaxation!! The team on board including the guides was amazing!! The food exceeded our expectations. Book this trip!!

Our fourth trip with B&R did not disappoint and we will be sure to book yet another adventure with Butterfield. The accommodations, food, wine, tours and guides are excellent and pampered is how we always feel. The biking through the Loire was lovely and the chateaus breathtaking. Can’t wait for our next trip.

Great trip biking through Puglia region of Italy. Comfortable biking on less traveled roads with flat and easy rolling terrain. Excellent culinary experiences in a wide range of farm to table, private residences, seaside cafes, and a castle. Perfect cultural activities to include wine tasting, cheese making, and learning about olive presses with olive oil tasting. Excellent guides with hospitality plus! Great fun.

If you want to have a really special experience, try the B&R Dalmatian trip. Travelling by cruiser through stunning islands. Fabulous food and best guides in the business