Zirkel the World

I’ve known Teresa since 2006. She started her own travel company around 2010. I went to Croatia with her in 2012. I thought the trip was very organized. She made it very enjoyable. She definitely knows which restaurants to pick that would serve authentic food. She was personable to everyone. I would recommend going on her trips. Hopefully soon, I can partake in another trip.

I’ve been on several trips with Zirkel the World.
Teresa is very adept at adapting when, for example, the weather doesn’t cooperate. Acts of God are not under her control. I can only imagine that must be one of the greatest challenges for a tour operator.
She seems to always have a back up plan and remain open to suggestions, making the experience a success for everybody.

Spent a wonderful day trip in Pennsylvania with Teresa. She organized a well timed and efficient trip to the Bethlehem Christmas Market. Even on a blistering cold day, we were picked up at the designated point and we got a chance to talk to other day trippers on the journey, and enjoyed the day. We were given space to do our own thing once at the destination, and we had a fabulous day touring with each other. The trip home was uneventful and we got back to the city just in time for evening activities. I would recommend Teresa and her company to anyone wanting to explore new places that are somewhat off the beaten path and unique.

I’m a repeat customer with Zirkel the World and am so thankful that there are groups like this. Teresa does an amazing job with putting together really rad itineraries in all types of places. She tries her best to accommodate everybody in the group for an optimal experience and will take suggestions if someone wants to try something not on the original plan. The balance of activities and free time are also very adequate. It feels great to go somewhere and not have to arrange anything.
There are times when things don’t go according to plan on the trips so a dose of patience is definitely needed. However she has excellent service recovery and will find a solution as soon as possible. Great job ZTW!

I recently went on the Niagara Falls and Ontario wine tour.
This was my first experience with this company after a referral from a friend, one who I trusted as he is even more of a world traveler than I.
We were scheduled to meet on a street corner by Port Authority, but it was vague at best where exactly and nobody was there to greet the group. Teresa was 20 – 30 minutes late and none of us were sure she was even showing up.
I have to say that I was truly disappointed with the lack of pre-​planning and organization from Teresa the owner and tour guide for this trip.
The tour consisted of a brutal 7 hour cramped van ride from NYC to Niagara with only one 20 minute stop for dinner and a quick pee break. The small van didn’t really allow for socializing so you were basically looking out the window for 7 hours.
There was no pre-​planning on how to get to the attractions and we got lost multiple times, Teresa was using her gps on her phone and it seemed had no idea where she was going.
When we went to visit Niagara Falls Teresa didn’t know where the entrance was or where to park or buy tickets and was asking us…
It just felt very disorganized and by the seat of her pants.
I have mainly done group trips with Contiki, G Adventures and On The Go tours and am used to everything being pre-​planned and researched. I realize she is not a multi-​national tour company with a large budget but it shouldn’t seem like you don’t know where you are going when people are paying you to lead them to new places.
I contemplated even writing this review as I am a business owner myself, but I feel constructive feedback is important for companies to learn and grow from their mistakes.