QS Travel and Tours Inc - Mississauga, Ontario

Thu L.

Update information about the post:
"Pilgrimage tours to Eng, Scot, Ire & Wales, May 18 2024 *** Many concerns to share "

QS Tours (Criss) had called me one day, unexpectedly, offering to pay $100, in cash, for each of us with a condition that my feedback on Google need to be removed.
This call happened approximately 3 months from my last conversation with them.

I have told Criss that why QS Tours would wait so long to make the decision on such a small compensation amount, when they were fully aware that we, the customers, well deserve it.

I had shared with Criss my disappointment towards QS.Tours.

Looking back, with all the issues we (my two sisters and I) had endured during our trip and the time we had waited hearing back from QS.Tours, we should deserve more than that, I have requested $300, in cash, for each of us.

This amount is for:
- The QS Tours did not commit to their advertisements
- The terrible conditions of our room in one of the hotels.
- The inconvenience caused by the QS.Tours' team abroad.
- The disappointment towards and the time waited to hear back from QS.Tours.

I truly appreciate that Cris had listened to my complaints. However, we couldn't come to an agreement at the end of the conversation.

Giuliana M.

Most amazing trip ever.
This was Italy, san marino, croatia, bosnia, turkey & greece pilgrimage.
My roots are Italian & Greek and I am Catholic. Rome and the Vatican was so sacred. San Marino a dream. Medjugore a sacred path and Greece was an ancient view.
The rest was a gift on top!
I Super loved the cruise 🚢

Everything was paid for except lunches. Everything was looked after. Trip of a life time. I Can't truly express, how over the top this trip was for me. Thank you Criss.
I loved Father Darius with us.
The only thing i wish is that we spent more time at Mother Mary house. Thank you for your kindness. 😘🙏🏻

E L.

Let me preface this review with stating that I have a wealth of international travel experience, spanning many decades, which includes other Catholic Pilgrimages.

I was a participant on QS Travel & Tours’ Oct. 2024 Pilgrimage, to five different European countries. Sounds great right? Well frankly, I am baffled as to why G2 Travel (European Tour wholesaler) has anything to do with QS as the trip was wrought with issues from start to finish.

Unfortunately, we had Ann as our QS Tour Coordinator. I will not waste everyone’s time by going into all the details of the multiple failings that occurred on this pilgrimage, as there are simply way too many of them to mention here. The only thing I will say is that nearly all of them, if not all of them, could have been prevented with a competent Tour Coordinator. Whatever QS is paying Ann, it is way too much. Maybe some of their other Coordinators are better. Let’s hope so.

Due to the sheer quantity of problems/disappointments that happened on our Pilgrimage, all of which fell under the control of QS Travel and Tours, I am giving the company a one star rating, and that is only for the great group of people we had on this trip.

Needless to say I will never travel with QS Travel and Tours again. Buyer beware!

E H.

This was my first time traveling as a pilgrim with a tour company and I feel so blessed to have gone with QS Tours. Every day, God gifted us with opportunities to experience His presence! Daily Masses celebrated in jaw dropping chapels, seeing the Holy Father in real life, getting goosebumps entering hallowed cathedrals and unassuming convents. Beauty and God surrounded us and all I can say is, “thank you”, Lord Jesus and Mother Mary for a grace-filled pilgrimage. Lourdes, Assisi, & Fatima were highlights for me - prayerful, uplifting, and extraordinarily beautiful. Hiccups were present, but I believe this to be a part of any pilgrimage and felt that Criss handled them calmly and assuredly. Thanks to Criss from QS tours, Fr. Naveed, and my fellow pilgrims for making this such a spiritually rewarding experience. Blessings to all.

Loretta &. R. R.

Oct10-25/24 Tour : Lisbon to Rome Pilgrimage
I returned from the above tour with Ann as the Tour Director. There were many memorable take-aways from this trip, but it was despite Ann's "leadership", not because of it. I could not believe how unprepared, disorganized, inconsiderate, and uncaring she was. I also cannot understand how she is still in the employ of QS Tours. I wrote to Criss, the initial contact person when I booked the tour, about my dissatisfaction with Ann. He defended her 100%, despite my detailing her shortcomings.
I will never go through QS Tours again. Apparently, they have some very good tour directors, but if you're assigned a bad one, as our group was, there will be many sights listed on the itinerary that will be missed, delays, misinformation, miscommunication, frustrations and general disappointment. Our tour director was Ann. Avoid her at all costs!
General concerns:
1. I get the impression Ann has had no formal training as a tour director. She said as much with one of her stories, relaying how she was made the tour leader the first time when the scheduled leader fell ill. As an example of her incompetence, she left a passenger behind on this tour, forgetting to do a passenger count on the bus. Much blame falls on QS Tours for using someone not qualified for the task.
2. Lots of time is spent on the bus as there were vast distances covered on this tour. There were 45 of us so space was tight on the bus.
3.The food served at breakfast, for the most part, had great variety and abundance. However, we had to wolf down the food so we can rush off to do the tour. Very early starts.
4. The food at supper was generally disappointing and lacking veggies. If one has dietary restrictions, even worse . Especially galling was we saw other groups served better variety & quality, including vegetables. The fault falls on QS Tours for opting for a cheaper food package.
5. Scheduled rest-room breaks while riding the bus was announced and appreciated. However, when we were on walking tours, Ann had a hit & miss approach, unable to tell us in advance when to expect a washroom break. Because we were not told in advance , there were different groups going off to washrooms at different times, delaying the tours. If Ann was more knowledgeable about when/where the washrooms were located, these delays could have been avoided or reduced.
6. Why was a driver used for the trip who couldn't communicate clearly with Ann? We were lost at least once, delayed several times.
7. There were several passengers in this group with mobility issues or physical limitations. One of the passengers couldn't walk any further during a walking tour. Had to be left behind at a McDonald's FOR HOURS until the rest of the group had completed the tour. The brochures minimized the amount of walking necessary for this tour. Beware.
8. Throughout the two weeks, many sights listed on the itinerary were missed. This was either due to time constraints because we arrived late, spent too much time at a previous locale, or the sights were further away than expected (QS Tours should have known this before putting together the itinerary - false promises). To me, I was satisfied enough being a first-time pilgrim to these areas. However, there were many on the tour who were looking forward to the missed sights and felt cheated.

Conchita L.

I chanced upon reading an a COMMENT in one of the reviews on October 2024 trip with QS. Especially when it mentioned to avoid Ann at all cost. I just it was grossly unfair and I felt people need to hear me out from my own experience with Ann on my September 10-25 2022 group travel. I don’t know Ann personally other than my two weeks’ trip with QS. I was drawn to Ann on the first country we landed (Greece) due to an unfortunate event. I was touched by her kindness, respectfulness, her self -sacrificing attitude in dealing with the issue and her relentless effort in making everyone feel safe and comfortable. Ann is a quick thinker and act fast in situation that needs prompt decision. I am a keen observer and I never forget any kind and good deed.
That being said, I would like to cite three incidents (among the many other good deeds Anne had done) that happened to group travel:
1. My close friend and travel buddy lost her passport and money from her back pack when we were at the Acropolis in Athens. Greece was the first country we landed for the seven countries’ trip. She told Ann about it. Ann pacified her and started calling the US Embassy (as she was from Boston, MA, USA) and QS Canada, seeking for support and assistance on what to do so she can continue joining the group trip. Ann did not stop until she got hold of the Greek person (referred by QS Canada) who can accompany my friend to the US Embassy the following morning. It was already 3:00 am Greece’s time when she got the final advise from Ann. We, in the group were so happy ( we were in Corinth already at that time), upon learning later that my friend was given an emergency passport by the US Embassy before its closing time at 11:00am. The Greek Lady sent her to the bus station thereafter and made sure the bus will drop her off exactly at the hotel where we were booked. We arrived at the hotel where we found her waiting for us (she arrived earlier than us).

2. The second incident took place in Venice, Italy. As we were boarding the boat for going back to mainland Italy. Ann noted that there was one person missing. She told us to go ahead and cite a meeting area where to meet us and decided to go back and search for the missing person. We were worried of Ann because it’s getting dark soon. But just like a seasoned pro, she found the lost person and we all felt so relieved. She always put others first before herself. I told Ann when I saw her that night that she must be super tired of running around looking for a lost person everywhere. But she good naturedly give me a sweet smile.

3. The third incident was the mishap that happened to one of the Pilgrims when we were climbing up the hill to the top where the Cross in Mdejugorjie. The younger pilgrim was helping an elderly woman climbing. She slipped and fell backwards causing her to hit her head and there was so much blood that spilled out. People panic and Ann came to her right away and started calling the EMS. Ann acted so swiftly, the ambulance arrived, and the paramedics climbed with the stretcher. Ann did not leave the injured person (I was beside her with Ann) even after being taken to the infirmary.

Those 3 incidents spoke volume about Ann’s character:
1. Selfless - Others first, me last
2. Compassionate – she is attuned to the feelings of others.
3. Dedication and resilience – Ann showed her dedication with utmost integrity in carrying out her responsibility, as what QS is known for all these years.
4. Sincerity - Ann’s genuine kindness. People witnessed her genuine care for each Pilgrim. Kindness is contagious. Pilgrims of the group have become closer to one another. We still keep in touch with each other until now. Her presence helped forged friendship among us. Please remember that we were a mixed group of people from all over the place. Some from Boston, NYC, California, Vancouver strangers to one, Monreal, Saskatchewan, Toronto, Winnipeg and Calgary. A HUGE THANKS TO ANN AND QS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.

Bert S.

Me and my wife booked a 14 days pilgrimage tour with QS tours and it was absolutely fantastic experience. From the moment we started planning until the end of our land and cruise tour, everything was handled with great care. The itinerary was organized covering all major churches with mind blowing history starting from Rome and ending in Athens. The highlight of the tour was the audience with the Pope where he celebrated the mass at St. Peter Square. We boarded a cruise ship in Ravenna Italy.Went to Medjogouire however due to time constraints we spent short time there.Visited Mama Mary house in Ephesus Turkey .Enjoyed walking the famous preserved ancient ruins in Acropolis and Pantheon temple. I highly recommend QS tours for anyone looking to plan a memorable and hassle free pilgrimage tour.Chris our tour leader is very patient and always available to answer our questions and address any concerns, find ways to solve problems that crop up during the tour. Thank you very much Chris and QS tours for the unforgettable experience. For sure , we will tour again with QS .

George C.

As an experienced and a solo traveler, I want to congratulate QS tours and Criss Liu in particular, for organizing a wonderful tour and a cruise to Italy, Medjugorje, Greece and Turkey. Although the group came from different parts of Canada, we all landed in Rome at approximately same time. Right from the start, we visited Major Papal Basilicas and many Christian and historic sites. We attended mass and had audience with Pope Francis during a synod gathering. The tour included visiting Assisi, San Marino and Ravenna before we boarded the Cruise to visit major Christian Centres in Bosnia, Greece and Turkey.
All along, the tour guides were knowledgeable and experienced. Our spiritual director, Fr Dariusz, celebrated Mass daily, even on the cruise. His homilies were meaningful and pertinent. Despite the huge number of tourists and visitors, Criss ensured that we were all together, engaged in the visits and that our questions were answered. Criss demonstrated high level of professionalism, patience and kindness.
I would highly recommend QS tours to all who are looking for a spiritual journey to deepen their Catholic faith.