For over eight decades, Alfa Travel has been organizing coach holidays that don’t break the bank. As pioneers in the group travel industry, they know a thing or two about crafting the perfect stress-free, sociable vacation. Their experienced team handpicks destinations and hotels to suit every taste and budget. So whether you fancy exploring new cities, relaxing beachside, or venturing on scenic country drives – they’ve got you covered. With plenty of optional local excursions, you can pack as much or as little adventure into your itinerary. According to many glowing testimonials, Alfa Travel takes the hassle out of group travel. Indeed, their commitment to service sets them apart in this sector. So if you’re looking to put your feet up and sail through the logistics of a group getaway, their decades of expertise could be just the ticket.
A Background on Alfa Travel
Alfa Travel was founded in 1937 and began operating coach holidays shortly after in 1938. Since then, they have grown steadily and now carry over 50,000 passengers annually across the UK and Europe.
Some key facts about Alfa Travel:
- Head office located in Lancashire, UK
- 130+ destinations offered in the UK, Ireland, and Europe
- Modern fleet of over 90 coaches
- 300+ hotels and guest houses used
- Over 850 departures per year
- Part of The Travel Group Ltd
Their coach trips cater to solo travellers, couples, and groups seeking an organized and flexible vacation. Their “Friendly Holidays” tagline focuses on creating a welcoming atmosphere between passengers, drivers, hotels, and guides.
Alfa Travel’s Coach Holidays
The cornerstone of Alfa Travel’s offering is its wide range of coach trips and tours. Let’s examine the key features and benefits of their coach holidays:
Modern Fleet of Coaches
Alfa Travel uses a fleet of over 90 coaches to transport passengers comfortably and safely. Their modern coaches have reclining seats, air conditioning, panoramic windows, an onboard toilet, and more.
Regular maintenance and upgrades ensure the coaches remain in excellent condition. Experienced drivers undergo extensive training to provide smooth journeys.
Skilled and Personable Drivers
Alfa Travel places immense importance on having knowledgeable, friendly, and entertaining drivers. Their drivers are carefully selected and trained to ensure passengers enjoy the journeys.
Many travellers highlight their drivers as one of the best parts of Alfa Travel coach trips. The drivers point out places of interest, share tips, tell stories and jokes, and provide great company overall.
Scenic Routes and Itineraries
The coach trip itineraries are designed to showcase beautiful scenery and attractions along the way. Routes take in coastal roads, historic towns, mountain ranges, national parks, and more based on the destination.
Itineraries balance leisurely stops for photos, breaks, and sightseeing with efficient driving times. Passengers get to admire gorgeous views through panoramic coach windows.
Convenience and Comfort
Travelling by coach allows passengers to relax and enjoy the ride. Alfa Travel handles luggage transfers, arrangements, and transportation so you can hop aboard with minimal hassle.
You can admire the scenery, socialize with fellow passengers, sleep, or unwind with onboard entertainment like films or music. Regular rest stops provide chances to stretch your legs.
Sample Alfa Travel Coach Trips
To give you a better idea of their coach trips, below are some examples spanning UK and European destinations:
- Torquay and English Riviera – 7 days along the stunning English coast with stops in Exeter, Dartmouth, and more.
- Scotland’s Highland Fling – 11 days exploring Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, and the Scottish Highlands.
- Eternal Rome – 9 days in Italy’s capital and ancient city, with visits to Pisa, Florence, and more.
- Majestic Croatia – 12 days along the Dalmatian Coast, including Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes, and islands.
- Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights – 7 days witnessing the aurora borealis and sights like the Blue Lagoon.
Quality Accommodation from Alfa Travel
In addition to transportation, a vital part of any holiday is comfortable accommodation. Let’s look at Alfa Travel’s portfolio of partner hotels and guest houses:
Meticulous Selection Process
Alfa Travel follows a careful process to select accommodation. They vet every hotel and guest house used on their coach trips.
Key factors they evaluate include location, condition, amenities, service, food quality and value. This ensures passengers consistently receive good quality lodging.
Diverse Range of Hotels
Given the vast array of destinations, Alfa Travel partners with diverse accommodations. Hotels vary from 3-4-star city properties to family-run guest houses in smaller towns.
You may stay in a modern high-rise hotel in Barcelona or a cosy seafront guest house in Brighton. There’s a good balance between large chain hotels and quirky independent properties.
Friendly Service and Support
One common theme across Alfa Travel’s accommodation is friendly service. Hotel staff are receptive to requests and aim to make guests feel at home.
As an Alfa Travel customer, you can access their rep’s support for lodging issues. Feedback is encouraged to continue improving hotels.
Hot Food and Entertainment
Most hotels offer excellent evening meals included in the Alfa Travel package. There are often entertainment options, like live music, quizzes, or shows at larger hotels.
So you can enjoy local dishes, socialize with fellow travellers, relax after a day of sightseeing, and be entertained at selected hotels.
Sample Alfa Travel Hotels
To give you a sample of their partner hotels, below are some examples:
- New Beach Hotel (Torquay) – Seafront 4-star with restaurant, indoor pool, sauna, and entertainment.
- Hotel Rey Don Jaime (Valencia) – Modern 3-star in the city centre with a rooftop pool and bar.
- County Hotel (Durham) – Historic property near Durham Cathedral with a brasserie and castle views.
- Russell Hotel (Dubrovnik) – Small 3-star guest house with a quiet location and terrace.
- Queens Hotel (Leeds) – Large 4-star beside the train station with stylish rooms.
Exploring Top Attractions with Excursions
A highlight of guided coach holidays is seeing the destination’s top sights and attractions. Alfa Travel includes a variety of excursions in their packages to enhance your experience.
Informative Guided Tours
Many excursions include a guided walking tour or ride to key landmarks with commentary from a local expert guide.
From passionate guides, you gain insider knowledge about the history, architecture, culture, and stories behind famous sights.
Diverse Excursion Choices
Alfa Travel provides a broad selection of full and half-day excursions to cater to different interests. Choices may include:
- Boat cruises along rivers or coastal areas
- Visits to castles, historic homes, and museums
- Wine tasting, brewery, and food tours
- Trips to UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Exploration of national parks and nature reserves
- Walking tours of cities and towns
- Shopping excursions to outlets and local markets
You can hand-pick excursions matching your preferences on each trip.
Hassle-Free Arrangements
Once you book Alfa Travel excursions, all arrangements are handled for you. This includes transportation to/from sights, prepaid admission tickets, and other logistics.
You avoid uncertainties like finding your way or dealing with ticketing. Just show up and focus on enjoying the activity stress-free.
Sample Excursions
To showcase the diversity of their excursions, here are some examples offered:
- Lake District – Cruise on Lake Windermere with stops in Ambleside and Bowness
- Edinburgh – Tour Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Yacht Britannia
- Lanzarote – Half-day jeep safari through Timanfaya National Park
- Amsterdam – Canal cruise along the UNESCO-listed canals
Top Notch Customer Service
Providing exceptional customer service is a top priority for Alfa Travel before, during, and after holidays. Let’s examine their customer support:
Helpful Booking Process
Alfa Travel’s staff offer guidance and assistance from your initial enquiry to booking confirmation.
Their advisors help select suitable trips based on your budget, interests, mobility needs, or other considerations.
Responsive Customer Service
Alfa Travel has a dedicated customer service team you can contact seven days a week. They promptly address pre-trip queries, changes, special requests, etc.
On tour, passengers have access to a representative for any issues. Feedback is encouraged to continue improving.
Reassurance and Advice
Beyond addressing concerns, their staff provides helpful advice and reassurance. This ranges from visa/passport requirements to recommended packing lists.
For first-time coach travellers, they explain the entire process to put you at ease. Their goal is to make trips effortless for customers.
Passenger Welcome Packs
After booking, you receive a welcome pack with your itinerary, luggage labels, mask, hand sanitizer, and more. This helps you prepare and get excited for the upcoming holiday.
Onboard, you’re given info packs about your route and hotels. Their attention to detail is fantastic.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Alfa Travel implemented enhanced COVID-19 protocols for safe travel. This includes additional coach cleaning, providing PPE, pre-departure health surveys, and distancing measures.
Their flexible booking policy also allows free rearrangements if you cannot travel due to COVID-19.
What Alfa Travel Customers Have to Say
Here’s an overview of feedback on Alfa Travel coach trips:
Largely Positive Reviews
On independent review platforms like Trustpilot, Alfa Travel earns overwhelmingly positive feedback. They hold ‘Excellent’ ratings of 4/5 stars and above on most major review sites.
Most reviewers highlight enjoyable, problem-free trips and great value for money. Many travellers are repeat customers.
Praise for Drivers and Guides
Among the most complimented aspects in reviews are Alfa Travel’s personable drivers and knowledgeable local guides.
Their passion, humour, and dedication enhance the travel experience considerably for many customers.
Good Hotels and Food
Reviewers generally describe the hotels as comfortable, clean, conveniently located, and having delicious dinners. Negative lodging feedback is rare.
Some note that a few hotels are more ‘traditional’ or ‘tired’ in style but still perfectly fine.
Minor Complaints
A few common criticisms in reviews are coach interchange delays, lack of onboard toilets for longer journeys, outdated entertainment systems, and mediocre packed lunches.
But most agree minor issues are outweighed by positive trip memories thanks to the great Alfa Travel staff.
How Alfa Travel Compares to Coach Holiday Rivals
Alfa Travel faces competition from several other major coach holiday providers in the UK. Here is how they stack up against critical rivals:
Price and Value
Alfa Travel is among the most affordable and best value coach holiday companies. Their trips are £50 – £100 cheaper on average versus competitors.
You still receive quality hotels, dining, and excursions despite lower costs. Their non-profit model helps keep fares down.
Destinations and Duration
Regarding destinations offered, Alfa Travel has an excellent variety of 130+ UK and European choices.
However, rivals like Shearings have even more extensive networks covering more worldwide destinations. Others offer better long-haul options.
Coach Types and Facilities
Alfa Travel’s modern coaches are undoubtedly comfortable. But competitors like National Holidays boast more premium coach amenities like onboard toilets.
A few operators use only the latest coach models in their fleet. Alfa Travel is still relatively new but has yet to be brand new.
Customer Satisfaction
Alfa Travel earns overall customer satisfaction on par with the top operators like Shearings and National Holidays.
Reviewers widely praise their helpful staff and smooth end-to-end service. Their attention to detail is fantastic.
Flexibility and Options
Alfa Travel offers good flexibility when booking excursions. However, some providers have lower minimum passenger numbers for specific activities.
A couple of competitors also enable customizable self-guided holidays using just their transportation. Alfa Travel’s trips are still flexible, though.
Digital Experience
A few rivals like National Express excel in providing an advanced digital booking experience with more self-service options.
Alfa Travel’s customer service is excellent, but their website and booking process are more straightforward and traditional. Others are moving ahead here.
FAQs About Alfa Travel
You likely have some questions if you’re considering an Alfa Travel holiday.
How do I book an Alfa Travel holiday?
There are a few options to book an Alfa Travel trip:
- Online via their website: Browse trips and complete the booking form
- Phone: Call their contact centre at 0161 236 2444 to discuss options and book
- In-person: Visit an Alfa Travel shop to meet with a holiday advisor
- Post: Download a booking form online and mail it in
What are the payment and cancellation policies?
- Deposits from £50 per person are required at booking
- Free amendments up to 6 weeks before travel
- Cancellations up to 6 weeks before receiving a full refund minus deposit
- Fees apply for cancellations within six weeks
What COVID-19 policies are in place?
Alfa Travel has several COVID-19 protections:
- Increased coach cleaning and ventilation
- Providing masks, sanitisersanitizer, and onboard PPE
- Pre-departure health questionnaires
- Distancing and precautions at hotels
- Flexible rebooking if you cannot travel
What is included in Alfa Travel package prices?
Major inclusions are:
- Coach transportation
- Accommodation
- Meals as specified (usually breakfast and dinner)
- Excursions as described
- Services of a guide/representative
Exclusions are entrance fees, lunches, and other optional activities.
What type of travellers do Alfa Travel holidays suit?
Alfa Travel caters well to:
- Solo travellers looking for a group trip
- Older couples and retirees
- Those wanting a relaxing packaged trip
- Travelers on a budget or seeking value
- People who enjoy sightseeing and exploring
- Those unable to easily travel independently
Their trips allow socializing with like-minded travellers.
Plan Your Next Holiday with Alfa Travel
With over eighty years under their belt, Alfa Travel has had plenty of practice perfecting the group travel experience. As this review shows, they go the extra mile to keep their holidays enjoyable, sociable and tremendous value.
Their expert drivers, hand-picked destinations, and optional activities allow you to customize your ideal getaway. And their exceptional customer service ensures everything comes off without a hitch. So you can sit back and soak up every minute, while they handle all the details.
If a stress-free, budget-friendly coach trip sounds appealing, have a browse of Alfa’s latest offerings online or request a brochure. Their helpful advisors are always on hand to answer questions and help select the best vacation for your needs.
Happy trails ahead! Safe and scenic travels with Alfa Travel tours.
References
Alfa Travel. “Alfa Travel Brochure.” Accessed January 5, 2024. https://www.alfatravel.co.uk/request-brochure
National Express. “Coach Holidays.” Accessed January 5, 2024. https://www.nationalexpress.com/coach-holidays
Trustpilot. “Alfa Travel Reviews.” Accessed January 5, 2024. https://www.trustpilot.com/review/alfatravel.co.uk