Testimonials

Midwifery in Iceland tour

A wonderful group, excellent leader (Nicky Leap). How lucky we were to have an Icelandic midwife as our local guide, she knew many of the midwives we met. Excellent visits – Iceland must be the leading light in midwifery. Food excellent, far better than I expected, we did have fruit and vegetables every day.

Mary Norton, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

This is my first time with Jon Baines Tours and it has been a very positive experience. Enjoyed every minute and hope to do more in the future. Very fortunate to meet and travel with a wonderful group of midwives. Loved visiting all the hospitals and birth centres. All staff were so friendly and accommodating. Provided wonderful information and very inspiring to listen to. They gave 110%.

Hilary Halliday, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

I had such a great time and enjoyed myself. THANK YOU SO MUCH for this great experience.

Sue-Anne Hawkins, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

The whole tour was wonderful. The midwives were beautiful and friendly at our visits. It is rare to find a group of people who get on so well. We had all sorts from everywhere (Australia and England) and it was a great ix of people. But it gelled so well I think thanks to our guides.

Sonya Sloan, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

Iceland is a beautiful country, thank you for the opportunity to see what the country has to offer. Very friendly and informative and welcoming, good to see the variations throughout the country.

Elizabeth Ivill, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

Quality of food excellent and far surpassed expectation. A very well organised trip.

Jane Millar, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

The coordination of midwives/hospital visits was seamless and enjoyable. The respect of the Icelandic, UK and Australian midwives was a pleasure to be part of.

Lesley Higgs, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

All visits to the hospitals and birth centre were excellent with the midwives very welcoming. Birthing centre was excellent. A very well organised tour.

Melissa Orrman, Midwifery in Iceland, 2017

All hospital visits were great. To learn about Iceland’s midwifery services and struggles was great. The highlight of this tour was to visit Bjorkin Birth Centre. To meet such inspirational midwives was so great.

Kaye Clarke, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

Hospitals were very welcoming and accommodating. This was the highlight. Bjorkin birth centre was delightful.

Alison Weatherstone, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

I did not expect such a fantastic experience in Iceland. Enjoyed the beautiful landscape up close and personal. Iceland has a rich history and traditions. Loved visiting all the midwives and hospitals/birth centres. Midwives have such passion about their work. All of the restaurants served fantastic tasty food – prepared beautifully and great service.

Angela Phillips, Midwifery in Iceland, June 2017

History of Medicine Cruise

Cleanliness most impressive. Food excellent. [Shore excursions] well chosen. All lectures most appreciated. Enjoyed it immensely.

David Watson, History of Medicine Mediterranean Cruise, Sept 2017

Overall quality was very good indeed. Tour leader was excellent. All the lectures were very good and well illustrated.

Claire Connors MD, History of Medicine Mediterranean Cruise, Sept 2017

All the lectures were very well presented. They were very informative and also entertaining. This was our first cruise - greatly enjoyed it.

Sally Wrigley, History of Medicine Mediterranean Cruise, Sept 2017

As a small ship, Aegean Odyssey remains comfortable and relaxed, though still stylish. I love the ship models in the reception area!’ [On shore excursions]: Overall excellent – we packed a lot in! I particularly enjoyed visiting the Art Nouveau Hospital of San Pau, Barcelona, La Vielle Charité in Marseille and the Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence.

Jane Bowden-Dan, History of Medicine cruise in the Mediterranean, Sept 2017

I thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. The staff excellent, giving a high standard of care. The captain did a wonderful job in negotiating bad weather, reorganising port stops and keeping the passengers informed. The ship was clean and “ship shape". [On meals]: ‘Quality and variety was excellent

Mrs Sharon Ann Derso, History of Medicine cruise in the Mediterranean, Sept 2017

Content and presentation (of lectures) excellent, complementing and forming a good base fr excursions. Having Simon (Chaplin) and Natasha (MCEnroe) with our group was a bonus!

Pauline M Pope, History of Medicine Cruise in Greece and its Islands, Sept 2016

Natasha (Tour Leader) was truly outstanding. She got the right note between firmness, humour, encouragement, communication and getting the best out of passengers and the ship’s crew.

Prof John Richardson, History of Medicine Cruise in Greece and its Islands, Sept, 2016

I will retain fabulous memories of visits to ancient sites. The drive from Volos across the Greek mainland’s central agricultural district and our visit to the dramatic monasteries at Meteora on top of naturally carved sandstone pinnacles was amazing.

Jane Bowden-Dan, History of Medicine Cruise in Greece and its Islands, Sept, 2016

Simon Chaplin is an excellent lecturer who talks mainly without notes and with great humour.

Prof John Richardson, History of Medicine Cruise in Greece and its Islands, Sept, 2016

This was one of the friendliest tours I have been on; everyone mixed together, even the non-medics, and enjoyed each other’s company.

Aileen Adams, History of Medicine Cruise from Venice to Istanbul, Sept. 2013

Simon (Chaplin) was exceptional – as a tour leader he was highly competent, thoughtful and caring and as a guide, knowledgeable and wonderful! Sue as ever quietly caring and totally in control.

Dorothy Stainsby, History of Medicine Cruise from Venice to Istanbul, Sept. 2013

Generally a fantastic experience, many thanks - very memorable.

Dr Lynn Sperry, History of Medicine Cruise from Venice to Istanbul, Sept. 2013

Excellent (lectures): very good articulation so I understood it all.

Daisy Surmont, History of Medicine Cruise from Venice to Istanbul, Sept. 2013

Excellent meals; breakfast extremely good, lunch out of this world; dinner very good (MS Serenissima).

Catherine Alison, History of Medicine Cruise from Venice to Istanbul, Sept. 2013

Good choice of unusual destinations. One reason I booked was because it avoided the obvious places.

Aileen Adams, History of Medicine Cruise from Venice to Istanbul, Sept. 2013

(Shore excursions were) very interesting. Guides were excellent – without exception.

Anne Jequier, History of Medicine Cruise in the Baltic, June 2014

It was good to be in a smallish study group of like-minded individuals, not a single traveller in the much larger body of (900) passengers.

Jane Bowden-Dan, History of Medicine Cruise in the Baltic, 2014

Tour leader John Richardson (was) excellent in every way. Lectures (were) fascinating in content; very enjoyable.

Dr John Morton, History of Medicine Cruise in the Baltic, 2014

All on board lectures were of a very high standard – in particular those presented by Bill and Helen Bynum were of internationally acceptable standard.

Bruce and Joan Short, History of Medicine Cruise in the Baltic, 2014

The ‘official ‘ talks were first rate and the ‘floor’ speakers very impressive and professional.

David Forsyth, History of Medicine Cruise in the Baltic, 2014

Many good features about (my) cabin: size, lighting….very good organization of people and very friendly crew; (The) whole experience surpassed my expectations.

Kathleen Thomas, History of Medicine Cruise in the Baltic, 2014

Extremely informative and interesting (lectures) – even to a non-medic.

Vanessa Jenkins, North Cape and Fjords Cruise, 2012

This was my first cruise, so some things were totally novel to me; ……All (cruise ship formalities) were perfectly explained to me in the pre-departure information…… I really enjoyed myself. I participated little in the Holland-America derived entertainment but our group was brilliant.

Catherine Alison, North Cape and Fjords Cruise, 2012

Sue Weir is an excellent leader. (She) coped with us all magnificently.

Brenda Macklin and Jean McMillan, North Cape and Fjords Cruise, 2012

Plenty of variety, stimulating (lectures). Standard set by David Wilkinson. Privileged to hear first hand account of Arctic Convoys.

Michael and Dru Robinson, North Cape and Fjords Cruise, 2012

Dental Cruise along the Danube

The food and service were uniformly outstanding. A small group of 12 worked brilliantly. The ship’s crew are exemplary. The ship – even though full – never felt crowded. The food exceeded all expectations. An excellent experience. The Corinthia Hotel was a tremendous finale.

Susan Hamlyn, Dental Cruise on the Danube, 2017

Occupational Therapy in China

‘Thank you for organising a wonderful tour of China. The professional and cultural aspects were really well presented and I had a fantastic time and have been telling all my friends about it. I am also saving up in case there are future travel options! This was a a trip which could not have been bettered - from start to finish.

Cynthia Wong, Occupational Therapy in China, March 2017

Wonderful experience, visited some amazing places & learnt a lot about the culture. Everything was very well planned. John is an excellent guide, very knowledgeable with a good demeanour.

Alison Watson, Occupational Therapy in China, March 2017

Variety and quality and quantity of food excellent. Encouraged to try local cuisine. (I would have not been as adventurous by myself.) John (national guide) was extremely appropriate, informative, kind and welcoming.

Janne Waller, Occupational Therapy in China, March 2017

(National Guide) John’s breadth of knowledge of China, history, current changes and regions was amazing.

Marla Harris, Occupational Therapy in China, March 2017

Wouldn’t ask for a better tour guide (John). Always in good spirits, positive attitude, very friendly and gave us such good information/history about each place we went.

Shizuka Igarashi, Occupational Therapy in China, March 2017

The professional tours were wonderful. Kit Sinclair (tour leader) was highly professional and well respected throughout China – it felt like an honour to be part of her group.

Kate Loxton, Occupational Therapy in China, March 2017

Thoroughly impressed with itinerary and visits to sites and hospitals etc. John [local guide] made it look simple and seamless … a lot of work /effort has gone in preparation. This was a great taste of a country reshaping itself. Truly enjoyed every minute.

Daan Eringa, Occupational Therapy in China, March 2017

Really enjoyed the bike ride around Yangzhou. Appreciated the abilities to do things solo or with the group – no pressure to stay with the group the whole time.

Anthony Hamilton (non professional partner attending Occupational Therapy in China, March 2017)

I feel very privileged to have shared and had the opportunity to visit the variety of health facilities… I hope in future I may be able to return to volunteer if my OT skills could add value.

Katy Hamilton, Occupational Therapy in China, March 2017

Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

Thoroughly enjoyed all visits!

Lesley Burns - Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

Excellent tour schedule, first class guides, charming destinations – very much enjoyed food & service - most enjoyable – would certainly recommend it.

Alan and Penny Gardner - Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

An excellent trip, with a very full itinerary.

Peter Kander - Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

…everything ran very smoothly, we all arrived at the right place at the right time and everyone was included.

Frances Cranfield - Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

We enjoyed all the visits… (the tour) thoroughly enjoyable and educational.

Peter and Hilary Bull - Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

We enjoyed them all (visits)—both of our guides were excellent.

BA HI Gennery - Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

I am a palliative care nurse, but my husband does not work in the medical field. We both equally enjoyed our Vietnam experience. We visited so many interesting places that we would not have experienced with any other tour. All that while learning about the culture of this beautiful country from our tour guide. I would recommend this tour for an amazing Vietnam experience.

Helen & Colin Richards - Palliative Care in Vietnam

We really enjoyed our time on tour, met some great people… It was a great cultural experience and particularly interesting to see how Palliative Care works in Vietnam.

Janie Faran - Palliative Care in Vietnam

Visits were many and varied and all extremely interesting and memorable. Impossible to choose a favourite - each impressive in their own way, whether the tranquility of Halong Ba, or the magnficent temples of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm.

Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

An amazing trip - looking back at my photos it's hard to believe we covered so much.

Jill Haran - Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

What an absolutely brilliant trip - each day was amazing and I had such a wonderful time. Aidan was magnificent - his insider knowledge of Vietnam and his ability to speak the language obviously helped.

Annie Dixon - Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society

The food is unique to the area, and delicious. Fresh fish is plentiful and herbs are included in greater quantities and variety than other cuisines in the area. Most of the restaurants we visited were local and small with specialty dishes. Do not travel with the hope of losing weight!

Heather Bouchier Hayes - Vietnam and Cambodia: Culture and Society