All reviews
TripadvisorTrustindexViatorExcellent5.0111 reviews
5.0Excellent111 reviewsPosted on Google
Leslie June142 days agoFor Mother's Day this year my mother and I visited the charming town of Conwy, Wales and then the most enchanting island... the Isle of Man. Despite the islands phenomenal public transit options, we wanted to gain an understanding and appreciation of the islands history. After extensively researching tour options we reached out to John Shakespeare at Visit Mann Tours. From the beginning, John was extremely patient and flexible. He listened to our (lengthy!) wish list and made accommodations accordingly. The morning of our tour he was waiting outside of our Airbnb when we went down at 8:25am. Early and smiling, I liked him immediately. Being in his company makes you feel at ease, you can tell he is kindhearted in his core. He is breathtakingly brilliant and somehow also feels like your down to earth favorite uncle at the same time. John is captivating, fascinating and funny. He is hands down one of the most interesting people I have ever met. The depth and breadth of his knowledge is so expansive and his passion is contagious. Faeries and folklore*, battles and Vikings, archeology, astronomy, castles, Celts on and on. *Given my interest in the islands folk history, John recommended the book "Folk" by Zoe Gilbert and I have to pass the recommendation on! It is a beautiful, mythical book and that will transport you to another place. Bewitching! I've heard that when you die you get to relive the best moments of your life. Our day with John will most definitely make my highlight reel. It was positively magical, in every way! John has forever imprinted on my heart and into my memories. We spent 8 hours with him - and it truly pained us to say goodbye. John Shakespeare is a treasure so if you're looking for a life changing day with an extraordinary human... congratulations friend... you just found gold.+4Posted on Google
Moira Prince202 days agoJohn was an amazing guide right from the start. Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all things Isle of Man- from local food, film sets, Vikings, archeology digs, the TT race and hosting celebrities. He loves this place and wants to share it with everyone. The only thing we regret is not getting a a bagpipe performance. Thanks so much John!- from Kyla, Moira and Kathy+0Posted on Google
Ian Fidler431 days agoConfession, one of our party of 8, Anna, was a student taking an archeology degree and worked alongside the amazing John Shakespeare way back in the 80s on the Isle of Man. John very kindly spent a couple of hours with us, not only catching up with Anna but educating us all with the history of Peel castle. He was gracious with his time and across those hours gave us the rich detail of the castle and much, much more. He is a true historian and raconteur with a deeply passionate and engaging style. You will learn and remember! Thank you, John, for making our time of the Island so memorable for us all and, in particular, Anna.+1Posted on Google
Lewis Knight1613 days agoBeautiful+1Posted on Viator
Andre_B1704 days agoGreat experience. Highly recommended. John is not your average tour guide. He's a one-man orchestra. History buff, passionate bagpipe player and your most enthusiastic and respectful driver on the roads of Isle of Man, he knows the island and loves every single corner of it with all his heart. His vehicle is clean and cosy so we barely felt the February cold and rainy weather than greeted us on the island. Add on top of that a contagious dose of good humour and John's sense of duty when it comes to explain in detail why this place was a cultural haven - even before it offered any fiscal advantage - and you've got the perfect recipe to fall in love with the Isle of Man. Highly recommended tour and by all means, value for money. Please remember to bring your best camera along and be ready to film John when he plays the bagpipe in the historical church. Unforgettable trip, island and man.+7Posted on Google
Kathleen Durivage21 days agoWhat an amazing day we had with John!!! So much knowledge and fun as we spent the day learning about the Isle of Man. Thank you for such a memorable day. You really made our trip to the Isle fantastic.Posted on Google
Erling Skjold35 days agoDette var en flott tur og langt bedre enn det vi hadde håpet på. En bedre guide enn John tror jeg ikke det er mulig å finne. John kontaktet oss i god tid for at turen skulle bli så god som mulig for oss, møtte oss på flyplassen, hadde svært gode forslag til hva vi burde se, anbefalte restauranter med lokal mat og avleverte oss til hotellet etter turen. Han kunne alt om Isle of Mans historie og hadde jobbet som arkeolog på øya. Vi hadde en strålende dag med masse læring, diskusjoner om historie og etter turen var det helt klart at vi må tilbake til Isle of Man. Det kan ikke bli bedre!Posted on Viator
Gillian_J39 days agoA Day Round Isle of Man. My day trip around beautiful Isle of Man in August was a wonderful experience thanks mostly to my driver John Shakespeare. He has a wealth of knowledge about the island & which activities would interest a first time visitor. He also generously helped me research ancestors which made it more personal. Thank you John - it was a very special day for me.Posted on Google
Val Starbuck54 days agoI booked this as a birthday present for my sister-in-law, this is her review of the tour 😀 "A big thank you to John, who is not only an excellent driver with a very comfortable car, but combines this with an amazing knowledge of the Island, it's history and geography. He was happy to show us all kinds of great places to visit, which matched perfectly with our interests. Music, art, history, films and wildlife were all covered and we now need to spend another three months here to explore it all in detail!!! 😁 It was a fantastic treat for my birthday, thanks again." and a thank you from me John. Kind Regards ValPosted on Tripadvisor
jeffeber1787 days agoJohn knows it all! A wonderful day at Isle of Man. John was a wonderful guide and fun to chat with about the Isle of Man and its many historical points of interest. He is quite the guide and would be a true joy for anyone looking to get a tour from the guy who knows everyone on the island! :)Posted on Tripadvisor
Kaitlin P102 days agoA must book! Our trip to Isle of Man would not have been what it was without John. If “above and beyond” was personified, it would be him. Our family of 11 booked two half day tours and John catered the tours around our family genealogy and balanced it out with a fascinating history of the entire island. He kept everyone engaged, from ages 5 to 65. We highly, highly recommend John to anyone considering!Posted on Tripadvisor
Leslie143 days agoA day I will truly, never forget! For Mother's Day this year my mother and I visited the charming town of Conwy, Wales and then the most enchanting island... the Isle of Man. Despite the islands phenomenal public transit options, we wanted to gain an understanding and appreciation of the islands history. After extensively researching tour options we reached out to John Shakespeare at Visit Mann Tours. From the beginning, John was extremely patient and flexible. He listened to our (lengthy!) wish list and made accommodations accordingly. The morning of our tour he was waiting outside of our Airbnb when we went down at 8:25am. Early and smiling, I liked him immediately. Being in his company makes you feel at ease, you can tell he is kindhearted in his core. He is breathtakingly brilliant and somehow also feels like your down to earth favorite uncle at the same time. John is captivating, fascinating and funny. He is hands down one of the most interesting people I have ever met. The depth and breadth of his knowledge is so expansive and his passion is contagious. Faeries and folklore*, battles and Vikings, archeology, astronomy, castles, Celts on and on. *Given my interest in the islands folk history, John recommended the book "Folk" by Zoe Gilbert and I have to pass the recommendation on! It is a beautiful, mythical book and that will transport you to another place. Bewitching! I've heard that when you die you get to relive the best moments of your life. Our day with John will most definitely make my highlight reel. It was positively magical, in every way! John has forever imprinted on my heart and into my memories. We spent 8 hours with him - and it truly pained us to say goodbye. John Shakespeare is a treasure so if you're looking for a life changing day with an extraordinary human... congratulations friend... you just found gold.Posted on Trustindex
S Ellington182 days agoExceptional tour from start to finish What can we say? Everything was flawless from start to finish. John's passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm made the tour both educational and incredibly fun. He went above and beyond to ensure the experience was memorable. I wish we could give him more than five stars!Posted on Google
Emma Browning191 days agoMy mom and I did a tour with John and had an amazing time. He is so knowledgable and had so many interesting stories. We would recommend him to everyone going to the Isle of Man!Posted on Google
Lindsey DeBoever410 days agoWe had a fantastic experience with Visit Mann tours - John is knowledgeable, kind, and was very accommodating. His tour was the highlight of our time on the Isle of Man.Posted on Tripadvisor
Robert B431 days agoAn excellent and enjoyable tour with a terrific guide. We spent two really interesting and enjoyable hours in Peel with our guide, John Shakespeare. Not only did we learn all about the history of Peel and about the archeological finds in the castle, but we learned a huge amount about the history and culture of the Isle of Man. Our guide, John Shakespeare, could have kept us entertained for much longer with stories, legends, and helpful information about the Island. Thank you, John!Posted on TripadvisorAnna C432 days agoA journey through time! Fantastic tour with John - truly knowledgeable about all things Manx, his enthusiasm for the Island shines through. Highly recommend!A huge thank you - highlight of our visit to IOM.Posted on Tripadvisor
fidlips432 days agoThe Bard of the Isle of Man Confession, one of our party of 8, Anna, was a student taking an archeology degree and worked alongside the amazing John Shakespeare way back in the 80s on the Isle of Man. John very kindly spent a couple of hours with us, not only catching up with Anna but educating us all with the history of Peel castle. He was gracious with his time and across those hours gave us the rich detail of the castle and much, much more. He is a true historian and raconteur with a deeply passionate and engaging style. You will learn and remember! Thank you, John, for making our time of the Island so memorable for us all and, in particular, Anna.Posted on Tripadvisor
Cheryl R466 days agoCOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY BETTER!!!!! I cannot thank you enough, John, for our family tour of the Isle of Man. We’ve been home now for just short of a couple of weeks and the memories are continually resonating in my heart. I appreciate your personal excitement for the island and your extra attention to our family’s heritage there. I'm planning to return!!!Posted on Tripadvisorsherilyn h480 days agoHad the best time on the Isle of Man! Today was AMAZING! John is fabulous! He is a local who is incredibly knowledgeable, wonderfully interesting and took the time to research our specific family history! His tour tripled the valued of our trip. We learned so much about the island and our ancestral origins. Wish we had another day to spend with him!Posted on Tripadvisor
Jay L550 days agoSo much to see. We signed up for the Isle of Mann Viking Tour with Guide, lead by John Shakespeare. Without a doubt, John was the best tour guide we have ever encountered. My wife and I, along with our 21 year old granddaughter, thoroughly enjoyed John's depth of knowledge on so many topics. Whether it was archaeology, politics, or culinary suggestions, John was able to give you a sense of how events occurred. He also knew what seemed like every person in town. We enjoyed the water side lunch, especially the queenies scallops and his playing the bagpipes. If you are interested in Viking history, castles, light houses, mining history, and old cemeteries, John should be your guide. If we ever get back to IOM, we would definitely want John to be our guide.Posted on Tripadvisor
Steve A633 days agoAncestoral Tour Wow. Heartfelt. Educational. Enjoyable. John insured that our quick trip to the Isle of Man was truly memorable. My son and I visited family churches, homesites, and cemeteries plus got an overview of all things IOM. Highly recommend working with John, he will not disappoint.Posted on Google
Simon O'Connor685 days agoMy wife and I recently had the pleasure of taking Visit Mann’s Viking tour of the Isle of Man, and it was an unforgettable experience. From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized, offering us a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Our guide, John, was exceptional. His expertise in the history and archaeology of the Isle of Man added a unique depth to the tour. His detailed explanations and fascinating stories brought the island’s past to life in a way that was both educational and thoroughly engaging. He is a delightful person whose personal warmth, kindness and love of the Isle shone through. My wife and I came away with a deep appreciation for this unique island and memories we will cherish forever. If you’re looking for an enriching and insightful experience of the Isle of Man, I cannot recommend this tour highly enough.Posted on Tripadvisor
0723Kim721 days agoGenealogy and Isle of Man tour Extraordinaire I did an 8 hour tour with John. It was worth every penny! John is a wealth of knowledge and gave me not only wonderful rich history of the island, but also took me on the most special genealogy tour of my ancestors. We saw churches and graveyards where my ancestors were buried. He also arranged a tour of the farm where my ancestors lived. I will never forget it. I am a solo traveler and John was such a gentleman, opened my car door at every stop, plus went the extra mile and mapped out what I should do on my other days on the island in detail and gave pub and restaurant recommendations. While I don’t have experience with any other guides on the Isle of Man, I’d be shocked if there were any better than John!Posted on Viator
susan_e758 days agoMore than I imagined. The day was amazing. John went above and beyond at helping track down our ancestral farm and church. He included it with the tour of the island according to when we might have the best chance good weather during the day. It worked out beautifully. He is a wealth of knowledge and enjoyable to spend time with and hopefully if we get to come back I would do more again.Posted on Tripadvisor
Stephen K784 days agoBrilliant! John was amazing. A wealth of knowledge. He found sites where my ancestors lived and are buried. The historical, cultural and natural history stories he told were brilliant!Posted on Tripadvisor
Navigator12995042557787 days agoOne-of-a-Kind, Fascinating, Excellent Our tour was one of the best historical tours we've been on- the Viking Tour. The guide was on time, extremely nice and warm, was rich with information to share, while he himself is part and parcel with the history of Mann itself, having done amazing archeological work on the island himself. It was an amazing way to see the Island, see the amazing viking hisrory while also pointing out general info as well. Highly highly recommended! הסיור שלנו היה אחד הסיורים ההיסטוריים הטובים ביותר שהיינו בהם - סיור הוויקינגים. המדריך הגיע בזמן, מאוד נחמד וחם, היה עשיר במידע לחלוק, בעוד הוא עצמו חלק מההיסטוריה של מאן עצמו, לאחר שעשה עבודה ארכיאולוגית מדהימה באי בעצמו. זו הייתה דרך מדהימה לראות את האי, לראות את ההיסטוריה הוויקינגית המדהימה תוך הצבעה גם על מידע כללי. מומלץ מאוד מאוד!Posted on Tripadvisor
Kari H828 days agoIsle of Mann tour John was an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable, friendly and polite. We did an all day tour around the entire Isle of Mann. Amazing views, history and food. John took us to a cute Cafe for lunch with homemade food. Stopped and had cake and tea at the end of our tour. Top notch guy. Would use him again if we get the opportunity to come back.Posted on ViatorJosh_H828 days agoIsle of Mann John is very knowledgeable. Great tour of the Isle of Mann. So much beauty and history. Thank you John for the great experience.Posted on Viator
Anne_F843 days agoOutstanding Tour with an outstanding Guide John was an exceptional guide for the Isle of Man tour. You could feel how proud he was to show you the island. He was so knowledgeable on Viking history, the history of the island, and the energy he had for the hours we spent with him. He seems to know everyone on the island. This was the best tour I have ever had and when I return to the IOM, I will do a full day tour with John. Thank you, John Anne 2024Posted on Tripadvisor
Carol J896 days agoAmazing experience- highly recommend John is an extraordinary tour guide and all-around fun person to spend time with. He is incredibly knowledgeable about Isle of Man history, the sights to see, and out-of-the-way gems that few tourists ever get a chance to experience. We were absolutely delighted with the tour experience John provided. We came away with a deep appreciation for Isle of Man and the people who are lucky enough to call this place home.Posted on Tripadvisor
emcaleese1111 days agoWonderful car tour of Isle if Mann The day my husband and I spent with John Shakespeare touring the Isle of Mann in his car was the highlight of our trip. John is extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. We had discussed (by email) beforehand what we wanted - culture, history, archeological sites, scenery - in places we couldn't get to by public transport. Off grid!! John's full day tour exceeded our expectations. We had great conversations with him too, and breaks for a good lunch and afternoon tea were part of the wonderful experience. John's suggestion to spend time at the comprehensive museum the day before was a good one as it gave us some background. I would highly recommend John's tour to anyone visiting the Isle of Mann.Posted on Tripadvisor
ilovefootscray1116 days agoOnly way to see Isle of Man Full day tour of the island was a great experience with John. We visited as my partner’s ancestors came from IOM and John was helpful in do some family history reaserch as well as the tour. We saw most of the island highlights in the 8 hour tour. John is knowledgeable and engaging and happy to tailor the tour to suit your interests. Highly recommend taking a tour with Him.Posted on Viator
James_C1144 days agoVisit to the farm and... Visit to the farm and where Finding Ned was filmed! Also, seeing where my ancestors resided starting in 1500.Posted on Tripadvisor
Ralph P.1231 days agoWonderful experience with John Shakespeare! Had a fabulous day with John. He is a wealth of knowledge, and very friendly and accommodating to what we were interested in seeing. Since we didn’t always know what questions to ask, he filled us in on history, traditions and happenings in the Isle of Man. Even played a short tune on his bagpipes for us. Apparently John knows everyone on the island! Pretty much called everyone we saw by name. He could not have been more gracious and we are glad we picked him for our private guided tour!Posted on Tripadvisor
Lindsay R1232 days agoThe best experience on the island!! Our car tour with the ultra knowledgable John Shakespeare on Friday the 26th May 2023 was absolutely superb. In advance he asked us our interests on the island and we outlined the things we were interested in and unfortunately owing to two of our party calling off sick we changed our itinerary at the last minute and John was so willing to do this which was wonderful. We went north instead of south and because of our interest in Archibald Knox the famous designer and conservationist / restorer, John was able to impart so much knowledge and facts about the area and even took us to a little known small church which Knox had restored which was amazing. We had a great interest too in the Viking lore of the land and this church was built on the site of one of the first ‘ keeills’ from the fifth century built on one of the original Viking sites. The island is steeped in Viking history and we learned so much about it from him. His enthusiasm for his subject matters shone through and he was the most wonderful host. We visited several famous landmarks on the island and went to Laxey , Ramsay and Peel and passed Tynwald the site of the parliament. We were so engrossed that we overran our time for which John accommodated us and did not seem to mind in the slightest . Overall we cannot recommend him highly enough. This is the way to see the island and get a feel for it. Without him and his eloquent words you would never have any inkling of the heart and soul of the island for which we cannot thank him enough.Posted on TripadvisorLinda D1235 days agoA lovely day with a lovely man We thoroughly enjoyed every minute with John on our day of adventure on Isle of Man. John is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the island and its history. With only a one-day stay, he managed to drive the entire perimeter of the island, show us beautiful vistas, give us a tour of a castle, a visit with a Manx cat, educate us on many of the islands inhabitants and traditions through tours of the grave sites, and so much more. Thanks for a really fun day!Posted on Google
Jason Miller1282 days agoJohn and Visit Mann Tours provides the perfect tour of the Isle of Man. He is extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of the country. With a Visit Mann Tour You will see in a comfortable vehicle all the must see sights in this wonderful and impressive country. I can't recommend John enough if you are visiting the Isle of Man!Posted on ViatorMaryBeth_H1458 days agoThe Only Way to See Isle of Man So many wonderful memories created. John knows the island well and loves to share his knowledge with others. John is just as interesting as the island itself and glad to have made a new friend. The island is magnificent, so much history, people are lovely. A must see destination.Posted on Viator
Jason_T1586 days agoAbsolutely Unreal John was an exceptional representative of the Isle of Man and could not be any more impressive! Wonderful spirit about him that truly made the day! If I had 10 stars to choose from I’d still try for 11!!! Best connection on the island!Posted on Viator
Arvind_J1641 days agoIsle of Man in a day with a man who knows the Island It was a great way to see all of Isle of Man highlights in a day with someone who knows the history, Island and people. John was in touch even before the tour, giving me tips on bringing warm clothes as weather was unseasonably cold. Also telling me to take the bus from the airport to my hotel, a much more reasonable way to commute. I saw all the major sites and had sufficient time at each place. I enjoyed my conversations with John throughout the day. He is well-informed and friendly. I will highly recommend seeing Isle of Man with John.Posted on ViatorSarah_C2555 days agoA fabulous experience with a superb guide This little enchanting island , big in views and lovely little villages and history . It throws a big punch . And I have traveled a lot . I’m so great full to have had Mr Shakespeare as my tour guide honestly . It rained quite heavily but he was so thoughtful with the umbrella and outstanding knowledge of the island and it’s past etc. He was of great help with a financial situation I was having . Eager to help and was studious of events and information . Thanks again , I owe you dinner when I return my new friend .Load more
