based on 10 reviews
As a retired single traveler, I often studied package tours offered by various travel companies, seeking out trips that would take me to places I longed to visit — gardens of southern England, especially by the sea, along with Stonehenge, St. Michael’s Mount — or maybe Jane Austen’s Bath or the Cotswolds? And I would find that although a trip package might include one or two of those sites, it... More
As a retired single traveler, I often studied package tours offered by various travel companies, seeking out trips that would take me to places I longed to visit — gardens of southern England, especially by the sea, along with Stonehenge, St. Michael’s Mount — or maybe Jane Austen’s Bath or the Cotswolds? And I would find that although a trip package might include one or two of those sites, it was invariably not the focus, but was tucked into an itinerary built around locales in England that I had visited and loved on prior trips. would study maps and websites pondering how to put a trip together, not sure of where to start — focus on lodging or plane reservations first? Or maybe timed admission tickets to ancient Roman sites in Bath, and build from there? But then I found Prepco Travel and Barry Devo. With just a few emails and phone conversations he worked out a two-week “trip of a lifetime” that took me to my primary interest, gardens and landscapes of Cornwall, with seaside lodging and salt air. Flying into and out of Heathrow, with travel by train and car service, my custom itinerary took me to an inn in the Cotswolds then south to Bath, Stonehenge, with a final stop in Kent. He understood the transportation, distances and travel time required and put it together like a beautifully crafted puzzle. I came home relaxed and renewed, without the package tour exhaustion, and most importantly, with wonderful memories of seaside villages and landscapes, celebrated gardens, historic sites, and cuckoo song at ancient churches. If you have questions about the logistics of this trip, get in touch with Barry and have him pass your name and contact info along to me. Less
I, along with two friends, booked a tour of the Cotswolds with Prepco Island Vacations and Tours. The tour exceeded our expectations! Our driver/guide, a resident of the Cotswolds, knew every lane and byway. He tailored the tour to our interests and the pace we wanted. I would do this again! I highly recommend Prepco Island Vacations and Tours.
We(3 couples) returned last week from a 15 night stay in England, spending 11 of those nights in Cornwall. The trip exceeded our expectations. After initial contact with Barry at Prepco he sent some sample itinerary ideas. We reviewed it and also did a little research on our own. The next step was a call to him, to discuss our destination goals. His itinerary met all of them and the additional... More
We(3 couples) returned last week from a 15 night stay in England, spending 11 of those nights in Cornwall. The trip exceeded our expectations. After initial contact with Barry at Prepco he sent some sample itinerary ideas. We reviewed it and also did a little research on our own. The next step was a call to him, to discuss our destination goals. His itinerary met all of them and the additional suggestions he had made the experience even better. Among those were a visit to the Isles of Scilly and the services of a wonderful guide in Cornwall. We did and saw so much more than we could have on our own. A truly wonderful trip for all the right reasons! Guy Larivee NH Less
My wife and I took the Cotswold tour in June, 2023. We had a fantastic time, one of the best if not the best tour ever. Chris Peake was an excellent guide and person, and really enhanced the experience with his knowledge of the area. The small group of 9 people worked out well, everyone got along, were on time, and we all had a good time. The scenery and Cotswold villages were just beautiful and ... More
My wife and I took the Cotswold tour in June, 2023. We had a fantastic time, one of the best if not the best tour ever. Chris Peake was an excellent guide and person, and really enhanced the experience with his knowledge of the area. The small group of 9 people worked out well, everyone got along, were on time, and we all had a good time. The scenery and Cotswold villages were just beautiful and well worth the visit. A big surprise were the lunches at the pubs each day. We had excellent food and ample quantities in some old and quaint buildings. The city of Worcester as our home base was very enjoyable and easy to explore. The Diglis Hotel was also very nice, great location right on the Severn River. The staff and service were excellent. Looking forward to our next tour with Prepco in the near future. Less
Barry did a fantastic job of directing us every step of the way. Due to the pandemic, he had to reschedule everything several times but it was well worth the wait. W loved Jersey and all five of the Isles of Scilly. I highly recommend Prepco for great personal service. We couldn't have done it without Barry's help.
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this trip. The wonderful mix of places – castles, stately homes and cathedrals – visited was so great that I cannot even pick a favorite. I loved everywhere we visited and appreciated the planning of structured visits and free time to explore Canterbury and Worcester. Tanya did an amazing job guiding us throughout, plus adding a couple of places no... More
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this trip. The wonderful mix of places – castles, stately homes and cathedrals – visited was so great that I cannot even pick a favorite. I loved everywhere we visited and appreciated the planning of structured visits and free time to explore Canterbury and Worcester. Tanya did an amazing job guiding us throughout, plus adding a couple of places not on the agenda – Chartwell, Hanbury Hall, a walking tour through Stratford-upon-Avon, and more. Not only was she very knowledgeable, but she also made it a joy to travel with her. Tanya was absolutely fantastic. The Hampton Inn in Canterbury was in a very convenient location, and the staff were very helpful, but I truly loved Diglis House, a quaint, charming English hotel. At Diglis, my patio doors opened right onto an enchanting view of the river and white swans! This trip was perfect, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I am definitely interested in other small group trips to England that you may be arranging for 2024. When you have finalized 2024, could you send me information on small groups that you are putting together. Thank you for such a first-class delightful trip. Cynthia B. Ohio Less
What we saw and where we went was fabulous but if we had our way, we would make a couple of changes. Firstly, don't stay so long in one place, yes not moving every day is nice but every two or three is okay. Staying in one place for seven days meant a lot of driving back and forth taking time away from seeing more. Also, don't have a sit down hour or more lunch each day, again time taken away ... More
What we saw and where we went was fabulous but if we had our way, we would make a couple of changes. Firstly, don't stay so long in one place, yes not moving every day is nice but every two or three is okay. Staying in one place for seven days meant a lot of driving back and forth taking time away from seeing more. Also, don't have a sit down hour or more lunch each day, again time taken away from touring. The odd nice lunch maybe but we lost so much time waiting for one woman to have her "dinner" at lunch time on the tour director's dime. The rest of us just wanted a bite, a restroom break and a little sit me down. Not the better part of two hours lost. Less
Barry provided excellent service and our trip/s to the Isle of Jersey and the Midlands of England were both excellent. You could not ask for a better traveling experience.
I tried for 3 years to put together a trip to the Scillies with no luck. Barry did it in a less than a week! I found Barry’s company through an advertisement in the Britain Magazine. It was a bit unnerving initially to work with someone I’d never met, but WOW! such an easy trip to plan. Getting me pinned down on timelines and destinations was probably the hardest part, but once that happened B... More
I tried for 3 years to put together a trip to the Scillies with no luck. Barry did it in a less than a week! I found Barry’s company through an advertisement in the Britain Magazine. It was a bit unnerving initially to work with someone I’d never met, but WOW! such an easy trip to plan. Getting me pinned down on timelines and destinations was probably the hardest part, but once that happened Barry put together a dream trip to many different destinations in England. Airfares, drivers, fabulous hotels, trains, ferries, and cool stops along the way. My husband and I enjoyed this escorted journey and are already thinking about our next trip. You made the impossible possible. Thank you, Barry! Less
Prepco Travel with Barry will give you a good time, especially in the UK. I suggest the Cotswold tour, the historic sites are fantastic! Cheers!