Was planning a trip to Nantucket and inquired about any available tours and what the costs would be, pick up/drop off point, etc. And was ignored. Website doesn't have the ability to book online and doesn't offer any of that information. Disappointing. Don't know how they get any business with such a poor attitude towards potential customers. read more

Ara extended much-needed hospitality and generosity when our car broke down and had to be towed. Ara was driving the other way and offered us a ride home, free of charge. We tried to pay her for helping us, but she insisted it was no big deal. A few hours later, we run into Ara again when we were shopping downtown and happened to need a ride to dinner 30 minutes away (still without car.) We arranged to meet. Not only is Ara incredibly honest and willing to lend a helping hand, her pricing is extremely reasonable for the services she provide- sharing tidbits of local history as we drove, even offering to stop and take our picture at various photo-worthy locations. Ara is very authentic, reliable, and extremely knowledgeable, armed fascinating Nantucket tidbits you'd otherwise never know. Her passion about what she does genuinely shows. We arranged with three trips with her we enjoyed her service and company so much. Top, top notch! Couldn't recommend her more. You will not be disappointed! read more

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I contacted Ara twice by email to book a private tour. Once in Dec 2020 and once again in Jan 2021. No response. Not sure if she is still in business as her website doesn't look like it's been updated in years. Don't do business with someone so unprofessional and rude. read more

If I could give less than one star I would. This was the worst tour I've ever been on and a terrible waste of my limited time on Nantucket. Ara was rude to all of us, snapped at us when we asked questions, and worst of all, was so rude to our wonderful driver that it made us incredibly uncomfortable. I cringed each time she yelled at him. Her imperious, harsh tone was so uncalled for and really ruined the tour. All she could talk about was which billionaire bought which house and when we asked questions about history she snapped at us and refused to answer. I rarely complain, but this was just terrible. read more

Our experience today was similar from the one nine days ago. Wish we'd read the reviews first. In first grade they tell you there are no dumb questions', but Ara apparently never internalized that lesson. Our questions were treated as if we were disturbing her soliloquies. Sounded like Ara had a script to follow. Her new Volvo hybrid windows were not larger enough to get a sufficient view of the her points of interest. Would not recommend. read more

We visited Nantucket Island today and booked a tour with Ara based on reviews from multiple sites. She responded quickly to my text and even remembered my name from an email exchange several months ago! Ara was prompt, friendly, and very knowledgeable about Nantucket, having lived there since the '70's. She was passionate, a little quirky and fun (which I love!) and gave an ongoing dialogue about the island's history. She was also very personable and asked questions about where we were from etc. She stopped and gave us multiple photo ops we would not have had otherwise. My husband and I enjoyed Ara's tour very much. If you are looking for a personal tour with a guide who is passionate and knowledgeable, and a little quirky and fun, then Ara's Tours are for you! read more

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Awful! When we went to meet her at her van, we asked if there was a bathroom nearby for our teenage daughter, and she told us our daughter should have gone to the bathroom before! Our daughter is autistic, and it was so mean and hurtful. My husband was furious too. Even though I told her on the phone that I get carsick and I needed to sit in front, she put her dog on the front seat. Can you imagine, where would the dog go if I had asked to sit there? When I wrote a review on google about it, she retaliated by implying that my three teenage kids were my "grandkids" and that I was "barking" at my kids when I told them to put their phones down so they could enjoy the view. She was trying so hard to insult me. Whatever you do, don't use this mean old lady! read more

Deceptive practices. Quoted $60 per person when booking over the phone but at end of the tour Ara said it was $70. Rude and condescending to us, wouldn't answer questions and just hateful to the poor driver. Very much an unpleasant experience overall. read more

Strangest tour experience ever. Showed up and were told we had to drive our own tour vehicle. An attempt was made to blame us and say we were aware of this which we most certainly were not. read more

Are was just phenomenal in her knowledge of Nantucket history and whereabouts. My friend and I throughly enjoyed the tour. Dan the bus driver was very courteous and made sure followed instructions from Ara. I would highly recommend this tour. read more

AVOID! This was probably one of the strangest tours I've ever taken. Ara took us around the island in a mini van while telling strange stories about the history of Nantucket. We stopped twice, once at the Lighthouse and the second time to look at about 15 cranberries. What made the tour so bizarre was the strange affect and tone of voice Ara used while on the tour. It was as if she was reciting a monologue in a Victorian play. It made it nearly impossible for us to understand what she was saying. It clearly wasn't her normal speaking voice because a few people asked her questions which she answered normally and then returned to her scripted voice. Do yourself a favor and try one of the many other tour companies while visiting the island. read more

Ara's tour was the perfect ending to our trip. She was very knowledgeable and added a bit of theatrical flair to her narration. My 6 year old loved it. The tour is very personal and not at all like a typical tour bus. Not only was she knowledgeable but she was also hospitable. She even suggested a tour time to finish when she could drop us at the ferry so we wouldn't have to carry our bags far and stopped at a little coffee shop to grab coffee and snacks prior to boarding our ferry. read more

Probably the worst tour I've ever been on. I hate using yelp period but I want people to know, this isn't the tour to go on if your looking for a Nantucket adventure. Try another place. If your cool with burning $100s this is the tour for you. read more

A wonderful tour that not only shows you the sights but brings the history of the island alive. Ara is fantastic. The van holds 10 at the most which makes it very private and personal as oppose to the bus tours. As you ride with her she takes you back to the time of ships, captains and whaling. She talks about early commerce, preservation, and life. If you go mid July you will see the beautiful rose covered houses and gardens in full bloom. Well worth the cost and the adventure. read more

I could give negative stars if possible. We learned little about the island overall and more about Ara's favorite flowers. The tour read overly scripted and no opportunity for any dialogue with the tour guide. You could be sitting in a movie theater with her voice playing the whole tour. No introduction to where we are going, what we will be seeing etc. just show up there and click pictures is her motto. Do yourself a favor and avoid this tour.. read more

This was a great tour. Ara is super friendly and hilarious. She is happy to personalize your tour to make sure you can see what you want. Ara really seems to know her stuff. It was a really funny tour. I loooooove her dog Hunter! read more

Very informative tour guide. Ara was very knowledgeable about the history and current events on the island. She has a quirky, fun personality! My husband and two teenage boys enjoyed the tour very much! read more

I was very surprised to read a bad review for Ara on this site. We did the tour from reviews on another site. I went to Nantucket with family and friends and took this tour to see other parts of the island. Ara is very knowledgable of the history. She was friendly and fun and took us to interesting and beautiful sights. I was even more impressed when she called after we left to notify me my bills had stuck together and I had overpaid her. She drove back to the ferry to give $20 back. I would highly recommend Ara and her tour!! (Make sure you catch the free shuttle to Cisco Brewers for some excellent wine, beer and spirits). read more

Stay away! This was absolutely, by far, the worst tour I have ever been on! This woman is rude, deceitful, and obviously unbalanced. We could not get out of the van fast enough, and when we went to report our strange encounter with the visitor's center in Nantucket, the gentleman at the counter just shook his head and stated, "this is why we do not even carry Ara's brochures here, we have had so many complaints about her." I agree with the previous poster, AVOID Ara at all costs!!!! read more

Avoid at all cost! This women is rude, disrespectfull and cannot be trusted. We agreed on a time for pick-up. Notwithstanding two confirmations, within 20 minutes of one another, she left me and my family waiting on a corner then refused to pick-us up. When I mentioned Ara to the Nantucket tour center, they did I not in any way want to be associated with because of the multiple complaints tourists have given this bus tour. Repeat; AVOID at all cost... read more

Ara's tour and guide was excellent. She spent extra time and was considerate of our needs she was informative and made our tour enjoyable

If I could give negative stars I would. This was the most odd and uncomfortable tour I have ever taken. First Ara arrived at our pickup point 30 minutes late and proceeded to clean up papers, etc from her filthy van. As we started to enter the van she snapped at us to get back until she was ready for us to get in, then immediately told us to get in. Ara was totally confused as to who her clients were and kept insisting I had made a reservation with a man named John (no idea where that came from). Her little dog sat on her lap and farted the entire time while she was driving and as if having a dog on your lap is not dangerous enough she answered two phone calls. What really made the trip bizarre was she would start explaining something about the island in a strange voice with an accent that was impossible to understand, it was almost as if she went into a trance. She could not complete sentences or thoughts at times. When ask a question she always had a rude answer or another question, ie. When ask how often the lighthouse was repainted to keep it so pristine her answer was "Well how often do you paint your house?" The information she provided about the island, houses, and industry on the island contradicted two other tours I had taken. It was such a bizarre situation as we returned to town the eight of us ask her to pull over and we all exited the van even though we had another 30 minutes left on tour. If you want a tour with accurate information, someone you can communicate with, and someone who make you feel welcome and safe DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY read more