Reviews:

Hi Nina,

Thanks for making my holiday in Sri Lanka so very memorable. I had a wonderful time and, who knows, I may have the opportunity to go back one day?

Dianne and Helen, Sydney

Traveled November 2023

I have just returned from a magical tour of Sri Lanka with Nina!  The enthusiasm of Nina, and our driver, Marcus, for Sri Lanka is infectious and heightened my experience of a beautiful and diverse country.  Nina and Marcus cared for our every need, answered our questions in detail and spontaneously added great experiences if time allowed in the day’s itinerary.  They are an excellent team! I highly recommend Nina’s tours. 

MJG, St Kilda West
Travelled November 2018

Hi Nina,
A whole week since we said goodbye. Can't believe it is all over. Thank you for a great time, it was a great group and we had a fun time with plenty of laughs. Marcus was a great addition. Could return to Tamarind Hill and Galle Face. It was all fun and thank you again for accommodating my change of mind with the jewellery I decided to exchange and escorting me back to the store — Mervyn thinks it’s great and glad I managed a big one! Wearing Saturday night.

So many thanks Nina for organising it all. Safe travels to you and hubby as you head off on your next expedition. Take care.

All the best,  

Sue
Travelled April 2018

Hi Nina!

I can’t  believe Christmas has come and gone and it’s now 6 weeks since we returned home from Sri Lanka. Once again you and your fantastic little tour company managed to get the balance just  right in so many ways for your eclectic group of guests. From the cultural and historic to the natural and everyday sites, sounds, smells and activities of this amazing country we were left enchanted and amazed on a daily basis ( even for me on the second time around).

I especially appreciated the opportunity to travel to the north on this occasion to visit Jaffna and  see some of the surrounding area. What a contrast to the more well travelled tourist areas of the central and  southern regions!

While it would have been fantastic to have sighted the leopards in Yala there was no shortage of other exotic animal and bird life in the park to keep us on the edge of our seats looking for the next amazing sight. The visit to Minneriya NP to experience the elephant “gathering” late one afternoon and to view these magnificent animals in their natural habitat was just sensational.

The flexibility to accommodate individual requests, both before the tour started and once on tour, did not go unnoticed and indeed is one of the best features of touring with Nina's Pathways. After all when you can’t climb Sigiriya what better way to spend a damp afternoon than relaxing in a local Ayuverdic spa and massage salon! Each day on tour seemed better and more exciting than the last. 

The accommodation was first class - from the modern to the historic, from the large to the boutique, the hotels were superb. Our tour guide, Oscar, was friendly and informative, without overburdening us with information; whilst our driver, Samatha, was excellent - and dare I say it, but almost as good as the peerless Marcus, whom I had the pleasure of travelling with on my previous visit .

I am continually amazed at your passion for this beautiful country. For  anyone looking for a unique, memorable and flexible tour of this diverse and beautiful island in a small group, with the opportunity to focus on ones special interests,  I would have to say you could do no better than join a Nina's Pathways tour.

Thank you once again and all the very best for a happy and healthy 2018.

Robyn
Travelled November 2017

It was so much fun, Nina, and such a beautiful place.

Fay
Travelled November 2017

Nina, I want to send you a huge THANK YOU for an absolutely fantastic holiday. I've had many overseas holidays, however this one was so very different. As I have explained to friends, it touched all my senses. I don't think I've ever taken in such diversity in one place. I learnt so much and had my eyes opened in amazement and joy. Also closed with sadness and tears. However due to the beautiful, happy nature of the locals, sadness never lingered long. It's in their smiles and the great pride they have for their culture even though they have so little. Having a small group of 8 certainly helped in being able to get around easier and make any little adjustments in our itinerary along the way. Oh and what a great group it was aye....haha!! Again thank you. I would highly recommend your tours to anyone thinking of going to this majestic country.

Jayne 
Travelled November 2017

Hi Nina, I thoroughly enjoyed Sri Lanka and was very pleased I went. The itinerary was great and the hotels first class. There were many highlights; the Esala Perahera procession; climbing  Sigiriya Rock Fortress in 1 hour 50; Koneswaram Temple; train ride to Nuwara Eliya and loved the cooking demonstration much to my surprise in Galle. I really liked the street food; Ruhuna National Park and the Dutch Fort in Galle. It was a very relaxed trip. I can see why you love the country and enjoy taking groups! 

Craig
Travelled August 2017

Touring with you Nina was so enjoyable. So many memorable experiences, learnt so much from you and your amazing driver. A country full of history great food, colourful, interesting, friendly people, scenery (wow you knew all the right spots) – could not have done it without you. A precious gem is Sri Lanka and how lucky we were to have you share it with us. Must do it again!

Cathy
Travelled May 2017

The food, we loved the food, and the country, and memories of friends that we will never forget.

Cathy and Roger
Travelled April 2017

Such a privilege to visit Jaffna in 2016, thanks Nina. Fond memories of Mt Lavinia Hotel and the wonderful tea plantations. My favourite place, the Tamarind Hill Hotel in Galle!

Jan
Travelled October 2016

Nina, couldn't be happier and so glad I found your tour. You have brought Sri Lanka alive for us and we've enjoyed every minute. And to your driver, Marcus, a huge thank you.

Kay & Jan
Travelled October 2016

If I hadn’t seen your advertisement in the SMH Traveller, we would not have thought of going to Sri Lanka for a holiday and therefore would have missed out on a great experience.

We loved every minute of it, from the time we were picked up at Colombo Airport and taken to the Gateway Hotel (and meeting their great pastry Chef Noyel who made us a special cake!), travelling around first with Clifford to the south and seeing a Blue Whale which was just wonderful, then with Marcus whose enthusiasm and encyclopedic knowledge of Sri Lanka AND good driving was truly impressive, to sadly arriving at the airport again at the end of our trip.

Travelling in a small group made the whole process very easy and enjoyable, especially having others to share the evening meals instead of just eating by ourselves. The food was really great.

I would recommend Sri Lanka as a great place for a holiday.

Barbara
Travelled October 2015

Generally being a solo traveller it was a most unexpected pleasure to join you on "Nina's Pathways" to Sri Lanka.  A small group to whom each person was treated as an individual along with other agreeable travellers.
 
We were lucky to view aspects of Sri Lanka which you on your previous visits and insights would not necessarily marry with the larger touring companies. Our visits to historical sites were most informative – several of which my agility was not up to my companions – however it did not diminish my pleasure in their achievements. This I mention as one may be comfortable in leisurely sitting back and enjoying the scenery, watching the wild life – cool drink in hand and conversing with other persons resting – no pressure. Most impressive also was the cleanliness of all the hotels and service of same.
 
Your choice of Marcus as our guide and driver was very reassuring in his driving ability – the air conditioned vehicle – and of course his helpful and friendly nature.
 
Before we left for home you organised a varied shopping day, made the ladies smile!
 
Thank you Nina for giving us an interesting time in Sri Lanka – your genuine interest in your guests and to their comfort.

June
Travelled March 2015