Frequently Asked Questions
As a tour guide, I get asked a lot of questions, naturally. Having arrived at my website you may have some questions, so this page is hopefully going to answer a few of those. I’m glad to say that I’m able to answer all the questions with a resounding “yes”!
Do you take groups beyond Devon?
Do you do collection from airports?
Do you take larger groups on tour?
Do you organise walking tours?
Can you organise tours for ‘hen’ or ‘stag’ groups?
Do you offer a relocation service?
Can you organise our perfect honeymoon in Devon?
Are your guided tours available all year round?
Your company name includes the word ‘unique’, so does it live up to this word?
Are you fully qualified to be a driver tour guide?
Do you take groups beyond Devon?
The simple answer is “yes”. I advertise on my website that I do one day (or longer) tours of Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset, quite happily, but I have also taken guests around England and Scotland for longer tours (7 to 10 days), and will happily do so if people ask. Guests that have been with me on these longer tours have afterwards made comments such as “No matter how late it was or how tired he felt, Alex still made us laugh and treated us with special kindness. We thank him for taking such good care of us for an entire week!” and ”Alex is organized, patient, knowledgeable, prepared, and unfailingly kind”.
Please just ask, and I will help you plan a tour of your preferred length, wherever you wish to go. As much as I love Devon, I also love introducing guests to other parts of England, Scotland and Wales.
Do you do collection from airports?
Yes I do, and I will return you to the airport of your choice too, after the tour. My charges for this service are very competitive, and a lot of my guests prefer to be collected as it gives us the chance to get to know one another before the actual tour starts. It is also a good alternative to catching the train, since that involves an arduous series of transfers, carting luggage around, and getting from the station to your accommodation once in Devon.
Do you mix groups together?
I sometimes get asked if I can mix groups together i.e. take one couple on tour with another couple when they don’t know each other. It is rare that I have two different couples who want to do the same tour on the same day, however, never hesitate to ask me this since I try to be as accommodating as possible with regard to all aspects of my tours.
Do you take larger groups on tour?
My vehicle comfortably sits six adult passengers, so that is generally my maximum capacity for a tour. However, I have taken larger groups out and about, using a minibus, so please ask if your party numbers more than six, and I will see what I can do. I am also available to be the tour guide on coach tours, although am not licensed to drive the coach myself.
Do you organise walking tours?
I do, with pleasure! I have always enjoyed exploring on foot, whether it be in this country, or further afield in places around Europe, or the likes of Nepal or New Zealand. In my own time I go for regular walks with my family, so taking my guests walking, whether it be on Dartmoor, along the beautiful South Devon coastal path, or just across the peaceful footpaths of typical Devon countryside, is certainly something I can do. I can either take guests on a short walk as part of sightseeing day, or we can dedicate entire days to walking.
Can you organise tours for ‘hen’ or ‘stag’ groups?
For a really original ‘hen’ or ‘stag’ weekend, I can put together a fabulous series of excursions and activities, shaped entirely to the group’s individual preferences. Luckily Devon has something to offer for everyone, so whether it be a sedate, relaxed couple of days, or an action packed and stimulating itinerary, I can put all the arrangements in place, including accommodation and meals, and also be your driver and guide.
Do you offer a relocation service?
I am delighted to help people who are interested in relocating to the Southwest, understanding fully the draw of this beautiful part of the World. I know many parts of this desirable area very well (as you’d hope!), and also have links to the world of estate agency, so if you wish to get an insider’s point of view to find you your perfect bolthole, then please get in touch. I can organise your home from home accommodation whilst you visit Devon, drive you to various potential locations, set up viewings of properties, and help you consider what will suit you best.
Can you organise our perfect honeymoon in Devon?
By all means, yes. Firstly, I can help you find your dream accommodation, using my local knowledge and contacts. Secondly, I can put together an itinerary, with me as your driver and tour guide, according to what you’d enjoy seeing and doing most. We have many unique and wonderful experiences in the area that will give you great memories for life. Thirdly, I will organise extra special meals in the area’s finest restaurants and pubs. Your honeymoon will be relaxed, intimate and the best way in which to start your married life with your loved one.
Are your guided tours available all year round?
Yes, although Christmas Day is the one day that I really like to keep free, being a family man! Devon is an all year round county, being perfectly wonderful to explore at any time of any season.
Your company name includes the word ‘unique’, so does it live up to this word?
Yes, it certainly does! To start with I truly believe that the tours I offer could not be replicated by anyone else, since I have my own distinct personality that seems to suit being a tour guide very well. But that isn’t a good enough answer, since any decent guide could say the same thing! What I’ve tried to do, and think I’ve achieved, is to create a product that offers a diverse range of original and often hard to access things to see and do, delivered in a stimulating and entertaining manner. Also, there are several add-ons to my tours, such as a gift at the end of the tour, as well as the photographs I take on the day then send you afterwards. I also share with you, if you’re interested, some of my Scottish family history, which always seems to be of intrigue to my guests. I know that there’s no one else in the World that can deliver the tours that I deliver, in the way that I do! Hence this review on Tripadvisor from Carol D, left on November 24th 2014:
“My husband and I spent two days with Alex, who was exceptionally well prepared, having paid meticulous attention to our wants and expectations. He arranged very special, unforgettable experiences that we will savor for many years, including a private tour of a unique, magnificent private estate. His research, knowledge, and passion for guiding and for Devon are contagious, and we will seek his assistance on future travel to England because we are confident he will bring the same attention to any itinerary as he does to Devon. Without rushing, he packed a remarkable number of highlights into our brief visit, and he took us to delightful local venues for lunch and tea. Alex is as courteous to fellow drivers as to his guests, and he is an expert driver of his very comfortable vehicle. After our trip, Alex provided us with a fulsome narrative of our adventures, including photos he took – unique in our experiences with guides in many parts of the world.”
Are you fully licensed to be a driver tour guide?
Yes, I am. I have taken and passed my ‘private hire’ assessment through the Driving Standards Agency. I have a valid private hire licence through Teignbridge District Council, and my vehicle is registered as a private hire vehicle through Teignbridge District Council. If you wish to check my credentials, please contact Teignbridge District Council at the following address:
Licensing Section
Teignbridge District Council
Forde House, Brunel Road
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 4XX
United Kingdom
Please just ask if you have any further questions by getting in touch via the contact form below and I will do my utmost to answer them.