Testimonials and Feedback
Below is a snapshot of the extensive feedback I have received from guests on my tours - thank you all!
Cruise ship Excursions“Fantastic! One of the best, funniest, most informative tour guide ever! Thanks!!! Kenny and Cindy Goforth” - Cruise guests September 2024. “Have enjoyed listening to your tour, stories and humour and the singing was a bonus! Thank you for sharing your beautiful country and life stories - We definitely recommend your tour. Carolyn and Eric Huff, Minnesota” - Carnival legend 12-8-24. “When a wonderful immersive Welsh experience is required for my well travelled guests that have high expectations, Rhian is the guide I want on board. Not only for her in-depth knowledge, but for her marvellous delivery during her tours and visits to the fabulous places and attractions in North Wales that she showcases so well; Welsh language, music, history, scenery, tradition and culture, as well as a few tales that could only be told by a true well informed Welsh raconteur. My guests are assured of this and much more on Rhian's tours. Guests return happy, not only having enjoyed the day but having learned, experienced and gained a feeling for the special places they have visited.” Jayne Yates │ Excursions Ltd | Senior Operations Manager" “Rhian's tours are engaging, authentic and get to the very DNA of places, on one tour she did for our company she even invited her guests to her own home to sample Welsh Cakes and visit her Blacksmith’s Forge workshop" Paul Mullins Founder and Director, Experience North Rhian was fabulous - entertaining, engaging, warm and great storyteller. Her passion for Wales, its history and language is so genuine - made me love this country all the more. Cheryl Stevens , NC, USA ,Viking Sky Cruise Guests We loved your nation anthem. I recorded you singing it to play at home when we return to Florida USA, thank you . Susan and Garry Viking Sky Cruise Guests Thank you for such for a great tour. Very informative with great humour in-between. Learning about Wales while being entertained with jokes and a rendition of the Wales National Anthem in Welsh. David and Kay, USA, Princess Cruise ...and moreThank you so much for the best tour we’ve ever had - love Wales! Mike and Chris, Chapel Hill USA
"With McKinlay Kidd's far-travelled guests travelling to Wales from places like the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, having our trusted partner Rhian help uncover the secrets of Conwy is always an invaluable element of their trip." Chris H "Rhian, what a fun day touring Wales!!! Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge and awesome stories and introducing us to Emma & Mark at Baravellis!!! Highly recommend!! 😎 until next time! " Facebook comment Dana Weaver, Viking Cruise Tour. “Your language is the most beautiful I have ever heard - I just wish we had more time” Daniel and Melinda, Orlando, Florida “Rhian made Wales and nature come alive for us. Our favourite tour so far. A great Hike, history and tea, cannot say enough in praise. Thank you” D&M, USA "This talented and enthusiastic woman gave us the beautiful gift of Wales. An unforgettable memory! " Alyce Moschelle Thank you so much for your wonderful tour. Can’t wait to visit Wales in the future - fantastic! Don and Jackie, Springfield USA |
Overseas Groups"Rhian has an infectious enthusiasm for her work and her love of Wales. She can bring an ancient ruin alive with characters within moments of speaking - engaging her guests from beginning to end. I can't rate her highly enough as her knowledge, ability, humour and warmth make her an incredible guide who is a fantastic ambassador for Wales. She passionately sings the Welsh national anthem and shares personal stories for our American visitors, who are left absolutely enchanted by Wales!"
Nikki T, Tour Leader "Rhian is a phenomenal guide with superior knowledge and the most welcoming, warm presence. I am a tour guide with OAT tours and I frequently take groups of guests to visit Rhian in Conwy. From start to finish she welcomes my guests (from the states) and gives them a true understanding of what it means to be Welsh through her communication about her life, culture and the fascinating history of her country. She even points out her house to my guests and tells them recipes her mother used to make. There are so many surpises and engaging aspects to Rhians tours, all supported through expert knowledge of the history of the area. The most important thing that Rhian does however is make you feel welcome to her country and that your curiosity is appreciated. She makes Wales a home away from home for myself and my guests. From surveys returned to me I know that my guests universally rate her as excellent. They rave about her and say how fun and funny she is! I can't rate her enough. I am always relaxed on a day with Rhian because I know that my guests are going to have an excellent experience (whatever the weather!). Thank you Rhian for yet another fantastic season! Bring on next year! You really are an absolute STAR!" Rebecca T, Tour Leader educational school/college toursAs the organiser of a school exchange between Bridgewater High School (Warrington) and West Tisbury School in Massachusetts (USA) I have asked Rhian to give us tours around Conwy and Conwy Castle for the last 10 years or so.
Every year she is amazingly receptive to the needs of the group of up to 40 14-year-olds and also incredibly adaptable when I have changed times, dates and even arrived late! Our US guests always name this as the highlight of their UK visit and the chaperones insist on the schedule including a visit to Conway and Rhian on the itinerary. Many thanks Rhian, I look forward to seeing you again in June 2025! Paul Norman, Bridgewater High School "Rhian's tour of Conwy castle was a popular highlight for many of our Year 5 children when they visited the area. Rhian captivated the children with stories related to the castle and laced her tour with lots of interesting facts about the history of the castle and the town. They also loved her rendition of 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau'. She was funny, warm and sincere. We are looking forward to seeing her again next year! " Tim Wilbraham, Fairfield School, Loughborough. We had the pleasure of experiencing a tour of Conwy Castle with Rhian Jones, a Wales Official Blue Badge Tourist Guide, and it was truly unforgettable! Rhian led our group of Year 1 and 2 students through the historic castle, offering a wonderful mix of engaging storytelling, fascinating historical facts, and even some traditional Welsh songs. Her knowledge of the castle's history was impressive, and she made learning about it fun and accessible for the children. Rhian expertly explained the significance of Conwy Castle, bringing its rich past to life with stories about the medieval battles and the castle's strategic importance in Wales’ history. The kids were particularly captivated by the way she tied the information together with songs that celebrated Welsh culture, which added a delightful and interactive element to the tour. What stood out most was Rhian's ability to connect with her audience. She was equally engaging in both English and Welsh, ensuring that everyone felt included and understood, regardless of their background. Her warm, friendly demeanor made the whole experience enjoyable for everyone, from the youngest in our group to the adults. Rhian’s tour was not only educational but also highly entertaining, making it a perfect balance for a group of young learners. We left with a deeper appreciation for Conwy Castle and the history of Wales, as well as a great memory of Rhian’s infectious enthusiasm and love for her heritage. I highly recommend Rhian Jones to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, charismatic, and bilingual guide who can bring the history and culture of Wales to life in a fun and engaging way. Cawsom y pleser o brofi taith o amgylch Castell Conwy gyda Rhian Jones, Tywysydd Twristiaid Swyddogol Bathodyn Glas Cymru, a roedd yn wirioneddol fythgofiadwy! Arweiniodd Rhian ein grŵp o ddisgyblion Blwyddyn 1 a 2 drwy’r castell hanesyddol, gan gynnig cymysgedd hyfryd o straeon difyr, ffeithiau hanesyddol hynod ddiddorol, a hyd yn oed rhai caneuon traddodiadol Cymreig. Roedd ei gwybodaeth am hanes y castell yn drawiadol a gwnaeth dysgu amdano yn hwyl ac yn hygyrch i'r plant. Eglurodd Rhian yn fedrus arwyddocâd Castell Conwy, gan ddod â’i orffennol cyfoethog yn fyw gyda straeon am y brwydrau canoloesol a phwysigrwydd y castell yn hanes Cymru. Roedd y plant wedi’u swyno’n arbennig hefo y ffordd y gwnaeth hi glymu’r wybodaeth ynghyd â chaneuon a oedd yn dathlu diwylliant Cymru. Ychwanegodd hyn elfen hyfryd a rhyngweithiol i’r daith. Roedd gan Rhian y ddawn i ymgysylltu â’i chynulleidfa, yn y Gymraeg a’r Saesneg, gan sicrhau bod pawb yn teimlo eu bod yn cael eu cynnwys a’u deall, waeth beth fo’u cefndir. Gwnaeth ei ffordd cynnes, cyfeillgar y profiad cyfan yn bleserus i bawb. Roedd taith Rhian nid yn unig yn addysgiadol ond hefyd yn ddifyr iawn, gan ei gwneud yn gydbwysedd perffaith i griw o ddysgwyr ifanc. Gadawsom gyda gwerthfawrogiad dyfnach o Gastell Conwy a hanes Cymru, yn ogystal â chof gwych o frwdfrydedd heintus Rhian a’i chariad at ei threftadaeth. Rwy’n argymell Rhian Jones yn fawr i unrhyw un sy’n chwilio am dywysydd gwybodus, carismatig a dwyieithog a all ddod â hanes a diwylliant Cymru yn fyw mewn ffordd hwyliog a deniadol. Heledd Owain, Pennaeth Cynorthwyol / Assistant Headteacher, Ysgol Awel y Mynydd (Primary School) |