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Adventure Center
Categories: Hotels & Travel Travel Services Hotels & Travel Tours Travel Services, Tours [Edit]
1311 63rd St(between Hollis St & Union Pacific Railroad)
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 654-1879
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
5 reviews for Adventure Center
5 reviews in English
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Review from Kristina W.
San Jose, CA
7/24/2009
I just booked my 8th trip with Adventure Center and am always happy with their service. I have booked tours with GAP Adventures, Peregrine, and Gecko's through them and have taken trips to Antarctica, Ecuador, Peru, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, China, India, Nepal, and soon, Tunisia. I have done everything from the "budget" tours to the "comfort" tours. I like how the website displays everything by country so you can check out multiple tour operators in one place.
Personnel-wise, I have always dealt with Maz Livingston and she has been absolutely wonderful. She is very knowledgable on the destinations and is able to provide first hand info about the tours. I look forward to booking many more trips through her! -
Review from Jane N.
San Francisco, CA
5/17/2007
I have booked two trips through Adventure Center, one to Egypt in 2006 and one to Peru in 2007. They do not operate the trips, but act as the booking agent for many overseas adventure operators such as Imaginative Travellers (UK) and GAP Adventures (Canada). In my experience, when I tried to book directly with these operators they often refer me to Adventure Center. They have a good website that catalogues all these trips with many operators, and it's been recently updated to be more user-friendly. I really like using their website for research to compare prices and itineraries. Their catalogue offer many responsible travel options, which is high priority for me.
In 2006, they handled my Egypt trip seamlessly and even got our plane tickets for us. For the 2007 Peru trip we essentially just had them handle our booking paperwork since we had an operator in mind already, and had them book an extra night at the local hotel. The only hiccup was that they forgot to mail us trip vouchers and we had to remind them. Once they knew of the error they emailed it to us the next day so it wasn't a big deal.
As for bookings and reservations, we had no problem with them. We got prompt confirmations by phone and by email, and they usually respond in the same day if I email them with questions about my booking. They also mailed us very useful pre-departure information.
I will use them again for booking purposes. I like to research myself so I don't usually require any trip suggestions, so no commnets on that department. -
Review from Miwako H.
Atlanta, GA
10/18/2010
If you are an American wishing to use Explore! Travel, you have to book through Adventure Center, as they are the point of contact in the US. This is unfortunate because if you ever have a problem with your tour, Adventure Center will not help you. I sent a certified letter with my complaint and they denied receiving it. When I told them I had a tracking number and proof of signature, I was told they forwarded it to Customer Service. No further details. As far as Adventure Center is concerned, they could care less. Note: they do not have BBB accreditation and now I know there is a reason for that.
Comment from Christine S. of Adventure Center 1/10/2011
We are sorry to learn of your disappointment with Adventure… More » -
Review from Melinda B.
San Francisco, CA
1/20/2006
My first 1 Star reco-updated 1/24
Originally reviewed this at 3 stars. Had a bad experience with an agent who set up a safari but never reserved it. Just as we were about to book our airfare, they safari filled up and we had to completely change our itinerary, causing a lot of unnecessary stress. Because they were recommended by AirTreks (see my review--5 stars), I am giving them the benefit of the dobut. We're working on alternatives, so I'll update this review when I'm finished with the experience.
In the meantime, do check out their website, because they specialize in lower cost, camping type tours which make them particularly affordable--and interesting--for most world wide destinations. They are basically a rep for a number of UK/British Empire travel firms. I'm already dreaming about my NEXT trip (has to be Antarctica. Did I mention I like penguins??).
UPDATE: Reduced to 1 stars. Essentially unhelpful and unresponsive. I found it was easier to plan the safari myself with a local operator on the ground. I saved money, got more value, and helped a local family business. My first 1 star review. -
Review from Stewart L.
Menlo Park, CA
6/17/2009
I almost booked with this company and glad I didn't. These trips are low cost for a reason but the extra fees add up fast.
If you want to be roughing it, then it might be fine, but there are a lot of hidden fees that bring up the price substantially. Departure fees, fee for the tour operator, costs to enter various parks/other areas, it's endless and definitely not any type of bargain when you add it all up.
Initially I was planning on taking several trips with them this year after viewing their catalog and made a call for information. One of the many things I was told is that only the most experienced travelers go on the trips and that their trips would not be suited for me.
Basically telling me that I'm not welcome. Apparently, they have far too many clients to bore themselves with taking people who are retired and now have plenty of time to travel and instead cater to the younger set who doesn't expect or know what customer service is all about. Apparently this business model works for them but with the variety of tours and times that are available, shuts out a substantial amount of people who have funds for extended trips. Their "going in style" trips are few and far between and if you check into the Hotels they have, it's a poor choice and definitely not 5 Star by any stretch.
The rep was cold and uncaring. Clearly if you are new to International travel avoid this company at all cost and look elsewhere for agents that want your long term business and aren't bothered by simple questions.
Specialties
Are you ready for more than a vacation? Over 2,000 affordable adventures including hiking & cycling tours, cultural tours, African safaris, Antarctic expedition cruises, and more. Trips are ideal for solo travelers as well as couples and families.s including hiking & cycling tours, cultural tours, African safaris, Antarctic expedition cruises, and more. Trips are ideal for solo travelers as well as couples and families.
History
Established in 1976
Adventure Center was one of the first companies to introduce the concept of adventure travel in the United States. Specializing in overland expeditions and small group adventure travel, Adventure Center gradually built one of the largest selections of affordable adventure travel under one roof.
Now a part of TUI Travel, one of the world's largest travel companies, Adventure Center is the US sales office for the adventure travel companies of TUI's activity division. Adventure Center continues to be a market leader with one of the largest assortment of active adventure experiences, with over 2,000 affordable small group adventures in over 135 countries worldwide.
Meet the Manager: Alan A.
Alan got his start in travel at a very early age, spending most of his childhood living in Europe and the Middle East. Having worked for the airlines for several years, Alan celebrated his 20th anniversary with the company in 2008. His travels have taken him to 70 countries world-wide, but bush-camping in Africa remains one of his top experiences. Alan's latest hobby is scuba diving. Certified in the chilly waters of Monterey Bay, Alan now prefers the tropical waters of the South Pacific.
Alan is Adventure Center's Marketing Manager
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"G 3 has helped obtain visas for many of the remote destinations we send our adventure travelers for many years. They are outstanding at what they do."
