Assist Travel and Tours

High School, Club, College and University Sports and Cultural Tours: Our Promise

We can design a tour that provides the maximum return on every dollar. NOW BOOKING FOR 2024 AND 2025 - contact us.

Educational, Cultural, Language or Arts Focused Tours:

Assist Travel and Tours will beat any quote you receive from other tour companies while providing superior customer service throughout the process.  Every tour will be custom designed to meet the specific goals of the group leader and/or school program.  Check out our reviews and contact us for a better tour at a better price.

FROM OUR CLIENTS

Reliable, accountable, available, hard-working, committed; these are just a few of the words I would use to describe Brian and Owen at Assist Travel and Tours. I have used other sport tour companies for team travel in the past and each time I was frustrated at spending part of the tour searching out information or confirming transportation and events, the very thing I had hired the tour company to do. I was then introduced to Assist Travel and Tours who make it easy. Brian is what I call a “details guy”. There is no detail he does not think of and at no point will you ever wonder if you are ready for the days ahead. He is in constant communication regarding every detail and always responded immediately to any question or concern.

"Brian cared as much about my students and our trip as I did. It was important to him that each day lived up to, or exceeded our expectations. I can say with confidence that traveling with Assist Travel was the right decision and one I will make again. If you are thinking about team travel. Stop shopping around. Assist Travel and Tours is the only way to travel. We had the most incredible trip and it was the customer service provided by Assist Travel and Tours that made it great. Anyone can book a flight and hotel, but only Assist Travel and Tours can create an experience that you and your students will never forget. On behalf of the students, parents and the Cairine Wilson S.S. family, thank you for making March of 2017 an experience we will never forget. Stephen MacFadyen Coach Sr. Boys Volleyball Cairine Wilson S.S. Ottawa, Ontario

I would like to extend my thanks to Assist Travel and Tours for planning an excellent trip for my AOS-Goderich Field Hockey Club. I have taken part in nearly 30 international tours to various regions and would have to rate Assist Travel and Tours as one of, if not the best company to deal with.

My experience from a customer service standpoint, was terrific, with constant communication even while on the excursion (Brian even took the time to book us our restaurant in Germany while we were on route, regardless of time difference). Our daily instructions were easy to follow, with little left to chance, and we knew that Brian was at the ready if a problem did arise.

The experience playing in the professional environment at Hurley FC with national head coach Ben Howarth was a unique bonus. Our matches were against the highest-ranking clubs, and we brought home a new knowledge for the game. Especially poignant were the relationships that developed due to Brian’s choice of opposition clubs, who warmly welcomed us each time and made us feel like we were long-lost relatives.

I would recommend Assist Travel and Tours (especially to someone doing their first tour), as we found it so well prepared. We got full value for our dollar and felt supported during the entire trip. We look forward to working with you on another adventure.  Yours in travel,Ray LewisAOS-Goderich Field Hockey

We would like to thank Assist Travel & Tours for providing us with a trip of a lifetime. From the moment our Assist Agent gave each of us a friendly greeting, we knew this was going to be a great trip. The hard work and planning put into this trip allowed us to experience the canals of Amsterdam, the beautiful monuments of Paris and the delicious paella in Barcelona without worrying about logistics - we simply got to focus on taking in the sights and culture. All of our accommodations were both well-located and comfortable, and we never had to worry about a bad flight schedule. Exploring some of the world's most historic cities with our closest friends is an experience we will never forget.

One of my personal highlights was attending the volleyball tournament in Assen. Being able to interact with teams from all over the world was such a fun cultural experience, and the whole team got a glimpse of real Dutch culture. Being able to overlook the city of Barcelona and the Mediterranean was also incredible. I am now determined to experience both Holland and Spain again, but I never would have fell for these places if it wasn't for this amazing trip. Once again, thank you so much for organizing our team's trip to Europe, we all had an unbelievable time!  Katie McKenna, 3rd Year Business Student, University of Western Ontario

We just returned from Hawaii on a group tour with Assist Travel and Tours. I can say without a doubt that our students, coaches and parents had the trip of a lifetime. Everyone says Hawaii is amazing, and they would be right. I can't thank the tour operators, Brian and Owen enough for all their dedication to making the trip a wonderful experience. Leading up to the trip, Brian and Owen were extremely thorough, feeling out our needs, asking questions and booking everything we asked for. They are excellent communicators and respond to your questions or concerns the same day.

During the trip, everything was seamless. This is entirely due to the fact that Brian is there with you. If there is a problem (e.g. a problem with the hotel, transportation or excursion activity), Brian is on top of it. Every evening, a gentle reminder of the day ahead and Brian triple checks everything. This level of customer service no longer exists in this day. Our group was truly impressed and as a group leader, I felt I could relax and enjoy my time as well. I would recommend Assist Travel and Tours without hesitation and use them and only them again in the future. James Battye Teacher and Coach West Carleton SS

I had the pleasure of accompanying my school trip to Hawaii, U.S.A. with ASSIST TRAVEL AND TOURS during the March Break of 2017. Our trip’s focus was an international sporting event in combination with a tour of the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. Parents found the price point for an 11-day trip to be reasonable. There was a set itinerary of touring activities and leisure time which always started and ended on time. Brian was a dependable guide throughout the entire tour. As a Principal, I appreciated his professionalism and attention to detail. Yours truly, Ms. Joyce Thomas, Principal R.S. McLaughlin Collegiate & Vocational Institute

"Taking 36 high school students on an international trip to Hawaii was no easy feat! Having ‘Assist Travel and Tours’ aid us in that endeavor made all the difference. ‘Assist Travel’ was knowledgeable, accommodating and personable. Their staff were friendly and helpful, and displayed an unrelenting commitment to ensure our trip was purposeful, student-centered, engaging and fun! Our 10 day, 9 night trip was dynamic and extremely well organized. The itinerary included visiting renowned attractions like Diamond Head State Monument, Pearl Harbour, Hanauma Bay, as well as the phenomenal Polynesian Cultural Center (to name a few). ‘Assist Travel’ was accessible at all times and they made sure our every tour need was attended to and executed. I would recommend using ‘Assist Travel and Tours’ to any group looking to embark on an adventure. Their well-connected and well-informed connections, coupled with their savvy professionalism, made for a fantastic experience"!  Ms. Hunte, Vice Principal, DDSBT

This past January Assist Travel and Tours sent the Guelph Gryphon Men’s Volleyball Team to Costa Rica. From the beginning, Brian and Owen provided prompt service and no detail was overlooked. On the day of departure Assist Travel provided constant flight itinerary updates, including information on a gate change. Once we landed we had a text about where to locate our bus and driver who was waiting for us.

The accommodations and food included in the tour were excellent, the location fit well within our itinerary, and the rooms could accommodate 4 players each with their own bed (a request made by Guelph U to Assist Travel). While in San Jose, we had 4 matches in 4 days with the Costa Rican Jr National team, the Panamanian Jr National team, the club champions from Costa Rica, and the Costa Rican Sr National Team.

I want to personally thank Brian and Owen for putting together a great trip; the attention to detail was off the charts! We got what we needed out of the trip, a great team bonding experience, and some good competition to prepare us for the second half of the volleyball season.If you are considering booking a trip for your team or school group, please contact me at Guelph University, as I would be happy to recommend Assist Travel and Tours. Cal Wigston, Head Coach Men’s Volleyball, University of Guelph

It is with pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation praising Brian Leidl and Owen Lawrence of Assist Travel and Tours. Two colleagues had travelled with them in the past and suggested we use their company. Our trip to Oahu was the culmination of two years worth of planning and preparation for our group of twenty-seven travellers in March 2018. The flights, our excursions, our matches and transportation were well organized, and the itinerary was a great balance of busy and quiet. Brian and Owen customized our trip to our satisfaction, which resulted in so many wonderful memories for our players, their families and us. During our trip Brian and Owen were available to answer any questions we had and helped us solve any issue we had. We look forward to planning our next excursion with Assist Travel and Tours in years to come. Kristen Drouin, Smiths Falls Secondary School

"Our tour provider, Assist Travel and Tours, has been as flexible as a gymnast and lives up to their name." Dave Chatten, Courtice Secondary School"

I have used other travel agencies prior to this and nothing compares to the customer service we received from Assist Travel." Chris Hartley, Rideau Secondary School

"Assist Travel and Tours helped us at each step along the way.  From the board approval process, through to trip departure and every stop on the itinerary, they were there to help.  Brian and Owen were extremely organized and on top of the intricacies of our trip.  We will be using Assist Travel and Tours for our next international trip".  Robert Jones, Bill Crothers Secondary School

"Our team had a fantastic experience and has come back more connected and cohesive than teams in the past. I believe that this trip will be remembered as a trip of a lifetime for our team. This organization made my experience as a teacher coach during the planning process much easier. I would recommend this organization to anyone interested in traveling with students and sports teams." Rebecca MacDonald Physical Education Teacher/Department Head Varsity Volleyball Coach Appleby College

"Acadia University is a small Liberal Arts institution that prides itself on its welcoming environment and the time and attention invested in the personal relationships. Assist Travel and Tours approach aligned entirely with our University’s values. Brian, Owen and Derek opened their doors despite our complicated case and offered such an incredibly personal and caring approach to ensure our program had a fantastic time.

Assist Travel and Tours demonstrated a high level of organization and communication that allowed me to trust and feel confident that all of the finest details were arranged. When you are responsible for a large group of young women this becomes very important. In addition to being provided with a detailed binder that included everything from itineraries, contact numbers and pre-purchased train tickets, Derek met with me in person to go over everything prior to travel and was always available by phone (including over Christmas).

I would strongly recommend Assist Travel and Tours! Our Program intends on traveling overseas every four years and we will without a doubt use Assist Travel and Tours for all future international exhibition. I would be happy to speak about my experience and answer any questions for any coaches or team managers who are considering using Assist Travel and Tours in the near future." Michelle Wood, Head Coach, Acadia Women's Volleyball

We spent an amazing 10 nights in Oahu and Kauai with our group of 38. Owen and Brian were very organized and provided excellent communication not only during the planning stages of the trip, but also while we were in Hawaii. They are both very easy to get in touch with and provided us with timely answers when we had a question. The itinerary they planned was amazing and they were always willing to work with us to customize the trip.

When our flights out of Toronto were cancelled due to a connecting flight issue (on Christmas morning) they had us re-booked within 30 minutes. Several times when we were in Hawaii,they would text to let us know that they had confirmed the details for our next excursion. They also set up a late checkout for our rooms on the final day, as our flight didn’t go out until 8:30 pm. They arranged for the hotel to give us three rooms until 6 pm that our group could use until we left for the airport. There were some days when we had multiple activities planned and the timing worked out perfectly, thanks to the attention to detail by Brian and Owen. They knew just the right amount of time to spend at each activity. The excursions that they suggested were outstanding! They really have a great feel for what your group will want to do while in Oahu and Kauai. We can't wait to organize another trip with Assist Travel.Gerry and Michelle Safadi