Jul 26, 2022
Lovers of History - I bought 2 tickets for my parents on Friday, July 22nd. They both love history, and were absolutely enthralled with this experience! The guide was extremely knowledgable, very polite and well-mannered, and my parents found him comical! He was even dressed as though he was from the period in history these events took place. He gave my parents so much information that they couldn't even absorb it all! They were shown landmarks, monuments, and cemetaries that they didn't even know existed..even though they are from the Niagara area! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for such a superb experience! If you love history, you will be more than amazed with this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Jun 26, 2022
Very informative - The tour guide was very knowledgeable and he made the interesting and fun. Thank you Kevin I would recommend this tour to people that love history or for just anyone .
Review provided by Viator
Sep 24, 2021
Wonderful Experience - Kevin was an informative tour guide. He took his time and made sure he showed us everything. He took our pictures and answered all questions. He even recommended a top wing spot!
Review provided by Viator
Sep 15, 2019
Great tour! - We had a great time with Kevin, he's very informative and friendly. We didn't have a great understanding of history prior to the tour and he encouraged questions to ensure we understood the background. We really enjoyed ourselves, appreciated how engaging Kevin was and highly recommend! Book directly through Motherland Connextions - if you're buying through Groupon or Viator, you aren't going direct.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 10, 2019
Everyone should take this tour - Mr. Kevin Cottrell was knowledgeable, courteous, accommodating, pleasant and had a refreshingly delightful sense of humor. It is sad that I am still learning about "My History"; yet Mr. Cottrell shared such jewels of information, we were enthralled and did not want the tour to end. This is a tour that everyone of all races, creed and culture should take. Understanding what my enslaved ancestors endured and hearing about their hardships and torture saddens me. However what Mr. Cottrell shared with us was inspiring and sheds light on the unquenchable human spirit that against tremendous odds and oppression fought for and deserved to be free. What a resounding message even in 2019.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 19, 2019
A really interesting and informative trip - Our family took the half day tour in Canada. We loved seeing places in Canada that were important to the history of the Underground Railroad. Very inspiring to see where Harriett Tubman worshipped and to hear stories of freedom seekers.
Kevin kept it interesting and showed us a lot of interesting places in addition to the railroad stops. A great half day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 17, 2019
Cell Service (Or the lack thereof) Doomed Me - One of the activities I planned was for this tour. In fact it was one of the main things I was looking forward to during my visit. However, unbeknownst to me, apparently as soon as I crossed the border from the U.S. I was no longer receiving cell service. As a result, the day of the tour, the operator who had been trying to reach me since the day before the tour was unable to (sigh). Meanwhile, the day of... I'm downstairs in the hotel lobby waiting for the tour bus and it wasn't until 15min later when they hadn't arrived and I decided to call them that I realized I had no cell service (DOH). I ended up using the hotel room phone, leaving them a message explaining the situation and waited for them to call - which they eventually did. Kevin (the owner/operator) couldn't have been more understanding. He provided all the information I'd need to procure a refund.
Apparently, the issue was he didn't have the location where to pick us up and neither of us realized that I wasn't receiving his calls. Side note: as soon as I left Canada and hit the airport (BUF) state's side waiting for my flight - all of these messages start showing up on my phone... sheesh, yeah, I know.
Anyway, I didn't take the tour. This review however is about the no fuss, professional and great customer service I received from the owner. We all know there are operators who will unfortunately make it difficult when the unforeseen occurs. Many thanks Kevin and yes I'm planning my return visit to take that tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 9, 2019
Good African American History - We enjoyed this informal
Tour of the connection of the Underground Railroad to Canada. Very informative and Kevin the tour guide went over and beyond to ensure we got as much information as possible. We learned so much as well as got to see some major sites in this area.
Review provided by Viator
Nov 3, 2019
Historically informative - The guide was well versed in relaying the historical information associated with the guided tour. However, the tour was a bit overpriced for what we experienced. Overall, we enjoyed the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Sep 11, 2019
My ancestors and I aren’t happy I couldn’t go on this tour! - My husband and I are in Niagara Falls Canada for his work conference. Before we arrived, I booked this excursion for me to do on 9-5-19 via Viator.com. The representative from Viator did tell me that this tour is one of their top tours that sells out quickly. I soon learned that is a lie. I booked the tour that was on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 3pm. Representative stated that the operator of this tour would reach out to me via email to get my hotel information for pickup.
On Saturday, I still had not received an e-mail from the operator so I took it upon myself to call them to give them my hotel pickup information. Glad I called, the guy did tell me that as of right now I was the only one booked on the tour, but hopefully others would book by then or the tour would be cancelled. He said he wasn’t at a computer and told me to text him my hotel pickup information.
Fast forward to Monday, September 9, 2019 the operator text me at 11:46 saying that the tour was cancelled due to no one else booked and he could approve a refund if needed. I replied back asking if there’s a tour going on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 and if not then a refund could occur. I received another text at 4:37 saying they have nothing booked and gave me the number to Viator to call for a refund.
I am highly disappointed because I was ecstatic to do this tour while my husband was in his conference seminars all day. I love culture and wanted to indulge in something related to my ancestral heritage. I also understand that if not enough people book, then the tour is off.
I wish I could really believe the Viator representative’s statement that this tour was their top seller. Clearly the days I was available to go it was not.
Advice to those who are interested in this tour, make sure you’re not a solo traveler, or you’ll be left with nothing to do but write a disappointing review.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
