Attention to Detail

Our meticulous planning ensures that your holiday is paced to perfection so you can have time to relax and time to explore

First-hand experience

All our journeys are tried and tested by our highly experienced, knowledgeable and passionate staff

Hotels with a difference

Our vast experience means that we are able to take you anywhere and everywhere - from the smallest most authentic hotels, to the most decadent, lavish hotels and palaces

English speaking guides

Many of our guides have been working with us for years, and are of the highest quality. All have a good standard of English, plus enormous experience in their local areas.

Flexible journeys

Bales offers you the choice of a number of Escorted Journeys and Tailor Made ideas from around the globe, hand picked to deliver you a wonderful authentic experience. Why not extend your holiday even further? Make the most of your time away and add an extension before or after the main itinerary. You also have the choice to upgrade your accommodation to suites in certain hotels and on certain boats or even upgrade your flight to business or first class.  It is your holiday - let us help you to make it perfect.

Smaller groups

We understand that when you travel with us, you might not want to be part of a large group. That's why we limit the size of our groups and on average, our groups are made up of between 12 to 16 people. For some journeys, however, we do have a minimum number of travellers.

Private Transfers and Transportation

We consider that our clients want to get to the hotel on their arrival in the destination as directly and quickly as they can.  This is why we would always provide private transportation that will only take you or your group to the hotel and will not stop to drop off passengers staying at different hotels.  For tailor made holidays you are provided with your own chauffeur-driven vehicle.  For groups a coach exclusively for your departure - no more doing a circuit of the town for multiple drop-offs

On call 24 hours a day

Whether you're travelling independently or in a group, we provide you with contact details of our overseas agents in your chosen destination and also a 24 hour Bales emergency number.

Single travellers

Single travellers are welcome on all of our holidays. On escorted group departures, a single room supplement will be charged, unless you are comfortable sharing a twin room (subject to availability). For 2007/8, we have endeavoured to keep our single room supplements as low as possible.

Welcome home calls

We will call you within 28 days of your return from holiday and ask for your feedback. Customer experiences play a huge part in our company and we really appreciate your comments.

Health and Safety

Your welfare is of paramount importance to us. Stringent policies are in place to ensure vigilant checking and our dedicated Health and Safety team are constantly checking and inspecting the hotels, cruise ships and transportation we use in every country we visit.

So what is the Bales experience?

Pioneering

There's so much out there that hasn’t yet been seen - we're constantly scouring the globe to find less trodden paths for you to discover and explore. For example, our Dragon Kingdom series offers the opportunity to visit some of Bhutan's unusual and colourful festivals. Likewise, travel down the Nile on one of our traditional 'dahabiyyas' exclusive to Bales in the UK market.

Passionate

For you, we want more than just a holiday - we are devoted to providing the most authentic, enriching and enlightening experience possible.

Expert

Thanks to our local guides and experienced staff, we can honestly say that we know every destination inside-out. We will never compromise your holiday by risking less than the best service and accommodation. It’s our aim to seek out new and interesting places for you to visit. For example, travel to Mongolia and you can stay right in the middle of the Gobi desert, in a traditional 'Ger'.

Dedicated

We pride ourselves on exceptional personal service. Our staff, both at home and abroad, know the importance of giving attention to even the smallest of holiday details.

Responsible

We care about the countries we take you to and make sure that we have a positive effect on the environment and its people. Respect for locals and their way of life is an essential part of travelling with Bales.

 

It's Our Experience that Makes Yours...

 

Every person is unique and so is every journey. Whether it is pure luxury or authentic charm, we hand-pick all of our accommodation to match your trip and you needs.

The philosophy of our founder, the late George Bales, remains alive today in every holiday we help to create. From the careful individual planning by our UK staff, to the expert knowledge and impeccable attention to detail whilst you are on holiday, at Bales we are dedicated to making sure it’s our experience that makes yours.