Special trips
Booking a special trip means committing real money and real expectations to one plan. Most people want to know the company will deliver what it promised.
Companies in Special trips
126 companies
About Special trips
Special trips cover bespoke and themed holidays that go beyond a standard package, such as honeymoons, milestone celebrations, adventure expeditions, wildlife safaris, cultural tours and activity-led breaks. Many of these trips are built around a specific interest or occasion, so the itinerary, accommodation and transport are arranged as a single curated experience. Companies in this part of the travel market range from specialist tour operators and independent travel designers to boutique agencies and larger brands with dedicated bespoke divisions.
Some sell directly to customers through websites and phone lines, while others work through high street travel agents or online intermediaries who assemble trips from a network of suppliers. Trips sold to customers in the United Kingdom are covered by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, which set out the organiser's duties on information, delivery and refunds. Businesses that sell travel and handle customer money are expected to belong to a recognised protection scheme such as ATOL, administered by the Civil Aviation Authority for flight-inclusive trips.
Trade bodies including the Association of British Travel Agents and the Association of Independent Tour Operators set standards and represent members across the sector. Independent guidance on consumer rights comes from the Competition and Markets Authority and Citizens Advice, which together shape how the market treats people booking holidays. Pricing, cancellation terms and the level of tailoring vary widely between providers, and specialist firms build their reputations on a small number of destinations or trip types.
Questions about Special trips
How do I choose a special trips company in the UK?
Start by checking that the company is an ATOL holder if it sells flights or flight-inclusive packages, since the Civil Aviation Authority publishes the register of ATOL holders. Confirm it is a member of a recognised trade body such as ABTA or the Association of Bespoke Travel Agents where relevant. Look at how clearly the company states what is included, what is extra and who is responsible for each part of the trip.
What should I compare between special trips providers?
Compare the full cost including flights, transfers, accommodation, insurance and any fees, rather than the headline price alone. Check the group size, the level of guiding or support on the ground and the balance of free time against scheduled activities. Look at the cancellation terms, deposit schedule, final payment date and what protection is offered if the company itself fails.
Is my booking protected if I pay a deposit for a trip?
If you buy a package holiday that includes flights, the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 require the organiser to protect your money and provide a refund if they become insolvent. Flight-inclusive packages from an ATOL holder are also covered by the ATOL scheme run by the Civil Aviation Authority. Where a trip is sold without flights and is not a package, paying by credit card for purchases between £100 and £30,000 under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 can give you a route to recover your money.
What do I need to check before signing up for a trip?
Read the booking terms and conditions in full, paying attention to the deposit amount, payment deadlines, change fees and the rules on cancellation. Confirm in writing exactly what has been booked, including dates, names, room types and any included meals or excursions. Check the travel insurance requirements and whether the company requires you to hold cover for medical costs and repatriation.
Can I cancel a special trip booking and get my money back?
Your right to cancel depends on the terms of the booking, and most companies apply a sliding scale of charges that rises as departure approaches. Under the Package Travel Regulations, if you cancel a package because of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances at the destination, you are entitled to a full refund without a cancellation fee. If a company cancels the trip, you are entitled to a full refund or an alternative trip of equivalent quality under the same regulations, and you should keep records of all communications.
Do special trips come with a cooling-off period?
The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give a 14-day cancellation right for contracts agreed at a distance, such as online or by phone, but this right does not apply to travel services with a fixed date or period of performance. Some companies offer a voluntary period to change your mind, so check the terms for that before you pay. Once the trip date is fixed, the cancellation charges in the booking terms apply rather than a statutory cooling-off right.
What happens if my trip is cancelled or changed by the company?
Under the Package Travel Regulations, a significant change to a package, such as a change of destination or a substantial price increase, allows you to accept the change or cancel for a full refund. The organiser must tell you about significant changes as soon as reasonably possible. If a price increase exceeds the limits set in the contract, you may cancel, and you should ask the company in writing for the basis of any change.
How do I make a complaint about a special trips company?
Raise the problem with the company in writing as soon as possible, giving clear details, dates and what you want done to put it right, and keep copies of everything. Most companies have a formal complaints procedure in their terms and should respond within a stated timeframe. If the company does not resolve the matter, escalate it through the relevant trade body such as ABTA or ATOL, or use the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme that many travel firms are required to offer.
Who regulates special trips companies in the UK?
The Civil Aviation Authority regulates the ATOL scheme for flight-inclusive packages and maintains the public register of licence holders. The Competition and Markets Authority enforces consumer protection law, and Trading Standards services handle local complaints about unfair trading. Trade bodies such as ABTA and the Association of Bespoke Travel Agents set codes of conduct for their members and provide their own complaint and bonding arrangements.
Can I get compensation for a problem during my trip?
Under the Package Travel Regulations, you can claim compensation if the organiser fails to perform the contract properly, such as through poor accommodation or a missed excursion, and you should report the problem to the local representative while still on holiday. Compensation is assessed on the reduction in value of your trip and any distress caused. Claims should be made in writing to the organiser within the time limits stated in the contract, which for package holidays is two years, although this should be confirmed in the terms.
What should I look for in reviews of special trips companies?
Look for reviews that describe a specific trip, its dates and its location, as these show whether the experience matches the one you would book. Reviews that explain how the company handled a problem tell you more about its service than general praise or criticism does. Check whether reviews are spread over time and whether the company responds to complaints, and be wary of a cluster of very similar posts published within a short period.
Is it worth paying extra for a company that is a member of a trade body?
Membership of a trade body such as ABTA or a bonding scheme gives you an additional route for complaints and financial protection if the company fails. Check the trade body's register yourself rather than relying on a logo, as memberships can lapse or be misrepresented. The protection that matters most is the statutory cover under the ATOL or the Package Travel Regulations, so confirm that a company provides this before comparing any voluntary membership benefits.
Latest reviews in Special trips
Would look elsewhere next time
Compared with a couple of other operators, these were noticeably more expensive for a very similar itinerary. The first hotel was not as…
the guide stood out
The guide on our Scottish Highlands trip was the highlight for me, he knew everything about the history and never rushed us. Booking was…
cheaper than doing it ourselves
Compared with booking the flights and a hotel separately, this worked out cheaper for the two of us. The villa week in Puglia had…
hotel booking through the app
Booked a boutique hotel in Bath through the app, which I use all the time for work trips. Room type and breakfast were both as selected…
Decent but the booking was fiddly
Honestly it is a fair service and the lounge itself was comfortable enough for a few hours before our flight. The booking page kept timing…
Booked a river cruise through the site
I wanted a cabin with a balcony for our anniversary cruise on the Rhine, and the site made it easy to find one. The room was exactly as…