Fantastically detailed organisation and great communication from Abbey Language Travel! We will use them again and again! – France Jan 2026
We had an incredible 2 weeks in Spain with a group of 10 teenagers from New Zealand. Excellent and prompt communication from ALT every step of the way. Saritha was incredible with organising all of our needs and made adjustments to the tour to suit our group best. Accomodation and tours were very student friendly.
This will be my second trip with Abbey Language Travel. My first trip was to New Caledonia, and this time we are going to France. Sarah and the team took what seemed like a very daunting task – being able to get into schools in France, and making it an easy process. I would definitely recommend Abbey Language to anyone shopping around. I got several quotes from different tour companies, and what Abbey Language could offer us was far above what others could.
Great planning, great organisation and outstanding communication before, during and after the trip.
We had an excellent experience with Abbey Language Travel. They helped us plan and coordinate a tour to Tahiti. Everything was extremely well planned and the trip was a massive success. The staff at Abbey’s were friendly and very helpful. They made the process go very smoothly. They answered questions quickly and were very professional. I would definitely work with Abbey Language Travel again, and would highly recommend their services to anyone planning an overseas language trip.
The Abbey team worked with us through the whole trip process. They were very responsive and always replied to emails promptly. They catered to our trip’s needs and desires and adjusted the itinerary accordingly.
Having worked with Abbey Language Travel on several occasions to plan trips to France, I cannot recommend them highly enough. When I sought permission from our BOT for our 2024 trip and informed them that we would once again be working with Abbey Language Travel, they had no hesitation in supporting the trip. From the first planning moment, until we were back in New Zealand, Abbey Language Travel was right alongside us in support which was so reassuring, given the huge responsibility involved in taking young people to the other side of the world. Sarah is fantastic work with. Every detail was carefully planned and she co-ordinated closely with us to make sure the itinerary and timings were exactly what we had in mind. Her knowledge and expertise are really enviable and Sarah’s advice on our planned activities was invaluable. She also suggested additions to our itinerary which enhanced the experience for our students. Our parents and school management received extremely detailed documentation, including all travel details and contact details of all accommodation providers.
Once in France, we received regular updates and check-ins to make sure everything was going to plan. Our students had the most amazing experience because of the meticulous planning which went into their trip and the connections they made with homestay families and our in-country guides. Through Sarah’s contacts in France, we were so fortunate to have guides who loved being with our students and built a great relationship with them. The girls still talk very fondly about them and how much they enjoyed being in their company. Transport was always waiting for us (luxury coaches, which impressed the girls no end!), contacts in France, such as guides, accommodation managers and school representatives had all been well-briefed on our requirements and were fully prepared. As teacher-in-charge of the trip, I felt as if there were a safety net ready to catch us if anything went wrong. I knew that a member of the Abbey Language Travel team was just a phone call or message away. That feeling of security is worth its weight in gold!
Our school has partnered with Abbey Travel since 2014. We have arranged three ‘French Tours’ that have been highly successful with our students and their families. Alyson, Sarah, and their team are meticulous in their planning, and their communication is exceptional. Our initial tour (2014) was in France, followed by expansions to include Belgium and Switzerland in subsequent trips (2018 and 2024). Throughout the planning stages, they maintained constant communication to tailor the tours to our group’s needs.
During our tours, Abbey Travel has consistently provided us with a detailed ‘cheat sheet’ that included contact numbers for guides and drivers, updated daily with any changes or reminders. Their staff’s availability, despite time differences, and prompt responses to our questions and requests have always made us feel secure and valued, knowing that we are in good hands.
In early 2020, after extensive preparation, we were forced to cancel a tour due to unforeseen circumstances caused by COVID-19. Throughout this challenging period, Abbey Travel prioritized our safety and the well-being of our families. In addition, Abbey also refunded our families due to this unpredictable situation. We are very grateful for their support and understanding during this time.
Even in the face of unexpected challenges, Abbey Travel has always been quick to act and flexible in finding solutions. When our Sister School in Paris informed us of their inability to host us just two months before our 2024 departure, Abbey Travel worked tirelessly to secure an alternative host school for our group of 24 students. Their ability to rearrange a wonderful three-week tour to three French-speaking countries in such a short amount of time was a great relief for us and our students.
We look forward to working with this knowledgeable, professional, and enthusiastic team again soon to start preparing for the 2026 French Tour