Testimonials 2005



Believe your tours are more personable than one would find in more established tours. One also feels some of the interactions we had with the locals & unexpected developments were both revealing and part of the charm. Especially felt Ali's presence was soothing and civilizing. All the guest speakers were utterly pleasant and delightful. Waterloo I knew but you still expanded my horizons. Austerlitz proved far more memorable ,magical, complex and rewarding than I hoped. Also thought our little band of travellers was a splendid mix.
Richard Driessen – Los Angelis California USA
200th Anniversary Tour Austerlitz – 30 Nov – 7 Dec 2005

Some old Sandhurst buffer, all tangled up in 'ow true the ground is, never you mind the ground wasn't 'arf covered in snow. He spent the evening of the 1st rousting troops to advance on some bloody hillock in the bejeesus AM, just because Bonaparte 'ad stood there 200 years ago–Crikey, 'e probably got there earlier in the AM than Boney done himself. And no–one drowned in some ponds or lakes at the end of the battle – blimey, if they'd 'a been drained then, like they be now, no wonder nobody would 'a drowned! Actually, quite enjoyable and very knowledgeable. I'd heard earlier about the value of your contacts, but I thought they truly made the trip, on and off the battlefields. I think the opportunity to see otherwise unavailable or closed museums and sites made the trip. Thank John for me. Without the night time Vienna orientation, I might still be wandering Vienna. Really appreciated the trip notes. Pleased, overall. Don't know if I will do another Napoleonic battlefield tour, but I may. I am not a battlefield fanatic. I wouldn't have missed this tour for worlds.
Joe Daragan – Arlington, Virginia USA
200th Anniversary Tour Austerlitz – 30 Nov – 7 Dec 2005

A peak experience – and a great group – probably not to be surpassed. Simply outstanding – I especially appreciate the ability to improvise, which is how a tour of this sort should be run, I think. We didn't know for sure what was going to happen, and by maintaining flexibility and exercising on–the–spot judgment to make changes in the itinerary, we were able to capture some very special experiences – e.g., the encounter with the Emperor at 7:30 am on the Zuran on Dec 2… A more "structured" tour would have missed these things… George Calhoun, New York
200th Anniversary Tour Austerlitz – 30 Nov – 7 Dec 2005

'To arrive in darkness, with the smell of snow, and pavement and anticipation; to then sleep in a fog of jetlag, and a foreign landscape reminiscent of the snow–laden firs of childhood and the kind of light which painters prize and dash. Then to witness and become part of the unfolding story – this is living history. To learn the richness and complexity of battle by vantage points and angles and slipping over ice, to feel one's imagination whipped up at the intersection of strategy, horseflesh and death, and loyalty and terror, squares and bayonets (you or him) and the 3 Pounder and 6 pounders all of it exhorted out of the climate, frost, fog and the Sun of Austerlitz by a born teacher, a maestro of suggestion, 'Here the drums!' 'There the bugle!' 'Here the lines', the vineyards, the important ground – enthusiastic arms invoking the storyteller's spell: so that every ear listening is given opportunity to PONDER what cost ? always in the ever to–be–decoded. Mystery of courage, of uncertainty, of risk, of weather, of wind – Thank–you.'

(This is my Shakespearean salute) on the 200th Anniversary of Austerlitz – a likeness captured while describing story after story at a dinner I thought I'd be too tired to eat.
Ms Sylvia Peck, New York
200th Anniversary Tour Austerlitz – 30 Nov – 7 Dec 2005

My sincere thanks to both you and Ali for the excellent trip to Austerlitz and Wagram. The company was excellent ........being a small group it is obviously much easier to get to know and interact with people. The accommodation was also very good and the food very good indeed.
Adrian Clark – Morden, Surrey
200th Anniversary Tour Austerlitz – 30 Nov – 7 Dec 2005

Brought the battle to life, made it relevant and tied it into 'their' careers. Having spoken to them yesterday it is clear they will not forget Waterloo. Thank you so much for an excellent tour and all the hard work over the years that has made your presentation such a thoroughly professional package. Most grateful.....and would be delighted to meet with you next year for the Somme Tour.
Commander D W Bridger Royal Navy
Defence Technical Undergraduate Squadron Scheme – Southampton University Tour of Waterloo 11–13 Nov 2005

"We would like to thank you very much for your presentation on 'Touring European Battlefields'. Everyone was most appreciative and it enabled us to raise £386 for the church roof.
Margaret Parsons – Friends of The Lavers Churches
Nov 2005

'Outstanding in both quality and presentation. Extremely good well presented tour. No reservations whatever'
Peter Axford – Harefield, Middlesex
Family History Monthly Magazine's – Pilgrimage to the Great War Tour – Sep 2005

''Excellent, very knowledgeable and informative. Well worth doing'
Shirley Axford – Harefield, Middlesex – Family History Monthly Magazine's – Pilgrimage to the Great War Tour – Sep 2005

'Absolutely first class, very informative.
Marjorie Bentley – Stibbington Cambridgeshire
Family History Monthly Magazine's – Pilgrimage to the Great War Tour – Sep 2005

'Top of the shop'
Alan Bentley – Stibbington, Cambridgeshire
Family History Monthly Magazine's – Pilgrimage to the Great War Tour – Sep 2005

'A very enjoyable tour which I learned a lot and was able to put my previous slim knowledge into perspective. I particularly appreciated being able to to visit my uncle's grave in Dartmoor Cemetery. A very emotional visit'
Margaret Hood – Hitchin Herts.
Family History Monthly Magazine's – Pilgrimage to the Great War Tour Sep 2005

'The guide was very knowledgeable on the First World War and presented the information an excellent manor including extra bonuses on the Second World War and Waterloo battlefields where they were applicable. A very informative tour on a subject which I knew little about when I started on the tour.
Roger Hood – Hitchin Herts.
Family History Monthly Magazine's – Pilgrimage to the Great War Tour Sep 2005

''Major Cooper's knowledge is vast in relation to Australia's participation in the Great War, along with the D–Day invasion 1944 and the Napoleonic era. I have no hesitation in giving my high recommendation for his professional services.'
Dennis Weatherall JP, MD, Allways Travel Pty Ltd
"Battlefields of the World" / Sydney Australia – Royal Military College Duntroon & Australian Defence Force Academy – European Leadership Tour 1–16 July 2005

'An excellent weekend. Well balanced to suit the group– clearly in the hands of a highly respected professional.
Richard Jenkins, Higgs International Publishing Logistics
Corporate Tour to Waterloo – June 2005

'The whole tour was ideal for what we wanted with our clients. Very good.'
Steve Brown, Emblem Distribution Services Ltd Corporate
Waterloo – June 2005

'An enjoyable Weekend'
Michael Raper, Welling, Kent.– AMP
Corporate Tour to Waterloo – June 2005

'Waterloo weekend absolutely fabulous, very much enjoyed each location. Very high standard as would be expected from one of the best guides.'
Michael Buckmaster–Brown
Emblem Distribution Services Ltd Corporate Tour to Waterloo – June 2005

'Excellent weekend – Informative and enjoyable.'
John Payne, Eltham Kent.– AMP
Corporate Tour to Waterloo – June 2005 – June 2005

'Outstanding knowledge – Battlefields brought to life in a unique appreciation and deliverance.'
Mick Goddard – RAF Marham.
Leadership Tour – D Day Beaches Normandy – June 2005

'Very passionate about the subject which gets through to everyone. Very knowledge and I feel I've learnt a great deal on a subject I thought I knew very well. A great tour. I feel saturated with new found knowledge. Getting people to do some research helped with their involvement in the whole tour.
Dave Turnbull – RAF Marham.
Leadership Tour – D Day Beaches Normandy – June 2005

'Very knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm which made the tour informative and enjoyable, if ever stumped by a question. Always has a story to tell. Could not fault his enthusiasm. An excellent trip that was highly enjoyable and informative. Good company and a real learning experience.
Tony Murray – RAF Marham.
Leadership Tour – D Day Beaches Normandy – June 2005

'Excellent. Enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable. Judged the needs of the group from the outset and delivered exactly what was required. Did not just impart knowledge but e ngaged in discussion and encouraged contribution from the group giving them real ownership of the tour. There was a great deal more than that specified in the itinerary. Every tour with Cooper's is different as it is tailored to the group. A fantastic experience: from military strategy and tactics of both the Allies and the Germans to the very poignant and personal accounts of individuals in the Normandy campaign. Nothing beats talking to a veteran at Pegasus Bridge'.
Christine Ashton – RAF Marham.
Leadership Tour – D Day Beaches Normandy – June 2005

'Fantastic tour, thoroughly enjoyed myself. Excellent Guide, captivates the audience and stimulates your imagination'
Mark Wilson – RAF Marham.
Leadership Tour – D Day Beaches Normandy – June 2005

'Exceptional knowledge and rarely, if ever stumped by a question. Always has a story to tell. Could not fault his enthusiasm. An excellent trip that was highly enjoyable and informative'
Zoe Hogg – Officers' mess RAF Marham.
Leadership Tour – D Day Beaches Normandy – June 2005

Thanks again for a superb tour – all the best'
Tom Symon – 2 Royal Anglian
'In the Footsteps of Poachers' Tour of the D–Day Normandy Landings – April 2005

 

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