Anita and Martin Kreitman’s WOW Moment was at Ernest Hemingway’s table at the world’s oldest restaurant, Botin, in Madrid.

If you would relish a travel advisor who dots every “I” and crosses every “T,” you could find no one better than Ivan Ricoy. It all began when our granddaughter chose to do a semester abroad in Granada Spain. This scenario presented my husband and I with a perfect reason to travel to a city we had never been to before. It took some time before we could come up with a date that would work into ours and our granddaughter’s schedules. That meant we only had about 2 months to put a trip together—far less than the amount of time we are used to in planning our travels. Being great fans and having much confidence in Wendy Perrin and crew, we went straight to The WOW List. To our greatest fortunes this led us to Ivan. From our initial 1-hour zoom to this very day, can I just say that Ivan is fantastic. He was a complete joy to work with, always taking into account all our preferences. He was patient and most accommodating in every aspect. Ivan presented several itineraries until the final draft was approved.

The main cities we visited were Granada, Malaga and Madrid along with a few day trips along the way. We wanted to get a feel for the Spanish culture, foods, history and architecture. After an overnight at the Madrid Airport we were met by our Granada driver, William…a delightful Irishman who warmly welcomed us to our Andalusian journey. Our 3 days in Granada with our guide Edu (a knowledgeable historian and landscape expert) were filled with tapas, the vibrant neighborhoods and the magnificent Alhambra and Generalife. Ivan suggested a day trip from Granada to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Baeza and Ubeda. In between these 2 towns he arranged a stop at an olive oil mill. Andalusia is literally covered with olive trees…surpassing I believe the amount of vineyards one might see in Napa or Sonoma…. Olives abound and we enjoyed a private tour with one of the in-house experts. We were taught about the production, properties, quality and enjoyment of Spanish olive oil. The town of Ubeda was filled with palaces, noble mansions and majestic temples. We wished we could have spent more time there with our wonderful guide Maria!

When it was time to say goodbye to Granada and our granddaughter, our driver William (who has become our honorary family member…especially after also being with our son and his family a few months before our arrival) drove us to our next destination and first-time visit to Malaga. Along the way Ivan arranged for us to visit the Lagoon of Fuente de Piedra to view flamingos during their nesting/birthing season and Antequera…another picturesque village. Our guide in Antequera was the charming Antonio, a lover of history, architecture and an outdoorsman. Antonio introduced us to the sites of this lovely area explaining about the Iberian origins, the Roman period, Hispanic and Muslim past and Christian Era. We visited the Medieval quarter and learned about the lives of people both past and present. After a lovely prearranged lunch at Arte de Cozina it was on to Malaga for 4 days.

Here we were in the capable hands of our splendid guide Lourdes…a lover of gastronomy, wine, history, art and architecture…what could be a more perfect background to introduce us to Malaga. We enjoyed a tapas tour and discovered Malaga through the eyes of Lourdes. A highlight was attending a performance at Teatro Flamenco Malaga. Ivan arranged for VIP seats in a comfortable private viewing area complete with a glass of local wine for us…made me feel like royalty. Lourdes took us on a private tour at the Picasso Museum. I will be forever grateful for her expert interpretations of the works of a truly masterful artist. It made such a difference from just walking through a museum on one’s own…the paintings and their depictions were brought to life for me. Our hotel—Palacio Solecio was hand picked by Ivan. It was situated in a perfect city-center location with truly excellent service.

Next was a day trip from Malaga to the Mediterranean Costa Tropical to visit the villages of Nerja and Frigiliana..well worth the trip and we would never have known of their existence if not for Ivan. Nerja is such a picturesque beach town and fishing village. Frigiliana offered breathtaking views. This day trip was so enhanced under the expert hands of our guide Carlos (a biologist with a wealth of knowledge of Spain’s geology, flora and fauna. He led us through an uncrowded area filled with the most lush varied plants and trees the area is known for (including…who knew…sugarcane honey). Back by early evening in Malaga, Ivan had recommended and made reservations for us in the Michelin-starred restaurant Palodu. We opted for the 16-course menu and wine pairing. Let’s just say this was one of our all-time top dining experiences we will never forget!
The next day was yet another Ivan-recommended day trip to the town of Ronda, famous for its bullfighting ring and for vineyards. Sonia’s tour of the ring shed light on the significance of this sport and I now have more respect for its importance to the Spanish culture. The private tour of a vineyard was fascinating and all the organic practices fully explained by the in-house guide Sonia. The tour was followed by a delicious home-cooked lunch in the tasting room. The lunch and tastings were wonderful.

When it was time to leave Malaga…a potential challenge presented itself…which was quickly remedied by Ivan. We were booked on the high-speed train to transfer from Malaga to our last stop of Madrid. My suitcase suddenly became quite heavy with all the wine and olive oils I had purchased and we became quite concerned with the logistics of managing to the train where there is not much space for large, heavy bags. Ivan to the rescue…at the very last minute he arranged for us to have special handling provided to seniors at the station, where we were escorted to the train ahead of others and our luggage was put into the storage area before it became filled. Upon arrival in Madrid, someone met us at our seats and took us to our driver…an invaluable service!! Our personal guide for the 2 days in Madrid was Julio (aka Tom Hanks look alike). We saw all of the main city sites and meandered in the less crowded quaint and interesting areas. Julio’s demeanor was so relaxing—even in the crowded (thanks to a major soccer event) hustle bustle of this majestic city. He led us through an extraordinary food market and a fantastic culinary feast. We have rarely experienced such fresh seafood, which truly delighted our palates.

Ivan suggested a day trip to Segovia, which led us to another incredible adventure…imagine a 2,000-year-old aqueduct as well as a humongous castle the likes of which fairy tales are made of. Our guide Coral was a lovely, greatly informative guide whose insights and knowledge once again added an invaluable element to our visit. Our final day in Madrid led us to quiet and quaint neighborhoods. We were taken to the workshop of a renowned guitar maker whose skills and craft were explained to us. These guitars can take from 1 to 2 years or more to complete. We went to the oldest hat shop in Spain where some reasonably priced hats found a new home in our suitcases. Then on to a leather maker to witness another skilled craftsman.

Now…the piece de resistance…our WOW Moment created by Ivan and Wendy: The last time we were in Madrid was on our honeymoon. We had a memorable meal and experience back then at Restaurante Botín…the oldest restaurant in the world. Unbeknownst to us, Ivan collaborated with our son and created a once-in-a-life experience so special we will always cherish deep in our hearts. We were told to arrive at Botín 1 hour prior to the reservation Ivan had secured for us. We were met up by our vibrant, warm and lovely host Meg. Meg gave us a private tour (before it opened for the evening) of Botín, which is a restaurant dating back to 1752. I think we covered every nook and cranny from the bowels of the wine cellar to the top floor and everything in-between. She explained that throughout the ages many distinguished dignitaries from all walks of life have found the way to Botín. We were shown the very table where Ernest Hemingway was a frequent guest. This hour tour in and of itself was extraordinary…however…there was more to come.… Meg then escorted us to our table…which lo and behold was the very one frequented by Hemingway. We were then told that a bountiful dinner complete with a bottle of wine was to be a gift from Ivan and Wendy. Truly above and beyond anything I could ever imagine.…And Yes…”WOW!” We were completely overwhelmed!

I believe I can sum this masterly created trip by Wendy’s WOW List member Ivan Ricoy this way: A traveler might walk the streets of a city in a foreign land on their own and “see” many sites, but the truly enriched traveler is the person who has the sights, sounds, cultures, architecture, shopping and all the area’s offering brought to full light through the eyes and expertise of a seasoned, experienced local guide who possesses the understanding and insights of the surroundings. That, my friends, may be what the purpose of meaningful travel is ultimately all about.

We are hooked and convinced there is not a better way to go. Our thanks to Ivan Ricoy, his guides and drivers and to Wendy Perrin and crew and all whose hands touched our trip to make every element so special and enjoyable.

The Alhambra in Granada. Photo: Traveler Sally Bell

Wow! Just Wow! When Wendy indicates her travel fixers can plan a “WOW trip” for you, you can absolutely believe it!

Our group (3 couples) had an incredible 19-day trip to Spain—all of it planned perfectly and expertly by Ivan Ricoy. After our initial Facetime meeting, Ivan put a sensational itinerary together which catered to our interests in culture, history, architecture and food. Through his knowledge, dedication and carefully cultivated contacts and friends throughout Spain, every detail was handled.

All of our drivers were prompt, courteous & efficient. Every single one of our guides were bright, friendly, well-versed and quick-witted. We enjoyed getting to know them & came away from each tour or experience with increased knowledge of the history and culture of Spain.

In addition to city walking tours and seeing the historic sights in Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz, Ronda, Vejer de la Frontera, Granada, Nerja, Frigiliana, Barcelona, Toledo & Madrid, we hiked in the natural park of the straits of Gibraltar, the valley of the Genal River visiting Benadalid & Benalauria, and in the nature reserve of el Torcal de Antequera along with a visit to the dolmens.

Our favorite days were when we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves into the lives of farmers of brave bulls, Spanish horses, and tropical fruits—along with owners of vineyards and family-owned restaurants. We enjoyed delicious home-cooked meals, wonderful sherry and wine, and had our “best days” learning about their lives and their work.

Ivan was in contact with us daily—making sure we enjoyed our day & the hotel in which we were staying, as well as providing details for the following day. He and his office staff handled every question promptly.

We loved visiting Spain. Not only is it a beautiful country with so much history and tradition, the people are welcoming and kind. This was one of those trips you hope to experience when you travel. And thanks to Ivan, his team and all the wonderful people we met along the way, our trip far exceeded our dreams!

JoEllen and her husband in the gardens of the Generalife palace estate.

Thank you for suggesting Ivan for our trip to Andalusia. From our first conversation it was clear Ivan understood our needs and vision for this trip. Our hotels were well-located and comfortable and the drivers were prompt, kind, and excellent drivers. He matched us with guides who were able to make each city come alive. We were able to visit the highlights of Malaga, Granada/Alhambra, Seville, Jerez de Frontera, Cadiz, and Cordoba all in 5 days. And while it was an ambitious pace, we know we will return to the area to spend more time in some cities and visit others.

Some of our highlights were our private Sherry tasting in Jerez de Frontera with the owner as he poured us tastings straight out of the barrel. A tapas tour of Sevilla trying snails on the first day of the season and other local delicacies paired with local beers and wine. Wandering the amazing gardens of Alhambra and Generlife. Learning about the cathedral built inside of one of the largest mosques in Cordoba and visiting an old synagogue where our guide shared an online virtual simulation her friend had created of what it might have looked like back in the day. Additionally, Ivan helped us secure some amazing dinner reservations. One of the most impressive aspects was each evening we received an email from Ivan inquiring about our day and providing us with information about the next day. Clearly, he cares deeply for his clients and wants them to share in his passion for Spain and specifically Andalusia.

Chef Pepe in his small village restaurant. Photo: Traveler Laurie Richter

In late April after our boat trip on the Sea Cloud Spirit, we did a 7-day tour of southern Spain that was put together by Ivan Ricoy. Ivan is definitely in my top five of travel planners I have ever worked with and there are several reasons I say that:

—He put together a masterful itinerary that had us always stopping in one city or village for a day exploration on the way to our next location, so we saw twice as much as our amount of time suggested without getting tired out.

—He hand picked our tour guides and each one was well informed and had the kind of personality we jelled with. I found myself hugging them goodbye at the end of the day instead of a handshake—there is nothing quite like a talented and personable private guide.

—He checked in with us by email literally every day—just to confirm that all went well and to let us know who our guides and drivers would be the next day.

—Every arrangement was flawless. Every driver was there on time—every guide as well. All gracious and well informed about our itinerary.

—Our itinerary had some really fun things including our WOW Moment in Granada—there is an area where people have carved homes and businesses out of caves and Ivan sent us to Pablo (Spanish) and Hedvik (Norwegian)—a married couple who are bringing back the art of metal tintype photography. In their cave, we had a portrait sitting, and as we were waiting for it to age in chemicals, we went with them and our guide to a bar close by which was fascinating as well. A few hours later, we had made some lovely friends and have a terrific portrait to show for it.

One of our other favorite moments was in the small village of Benelauria. We had hiked a few miles to get to this village of about 400 and the star was Pepe, a chef and winemaker with a small restaurant and winery who prepared lunch for us that went on for two hours. He was such a fun character in this tiny village we never would have seen otherwise.

I truly give 5 stars out of 5 to Ivan. It was all flawless but I also know that if we had a problem, he would have resolved it pronto.

There’s no other way to describe our trip to Spain than…WOW!

It was the easiest, least stressful, most enjoyable trip our family has ever taken. Much of the credit for this goes to Ivan Ricoy and his team.

This trip came about because our oldest is spending a semester abroad at the University of Granada. We wanted to visit her and take advantage of the opportunity to see more of the country.

But when we started to plan the trip, we quickly became overwhelmed by all that goes into travel planning: where to go, what to do, when to do it, where to stay, how to get around, and on and on.

That’s when my mom told us about Wendy’s WOW List and we soon connected with Ivan. My wife and I had a 1-hour Zoom call with Ivan where he asked about our family, what we like to do, where we wanted to go in Spain, and our “must-see/do” list. Within 48 hours, he sent us a detailed itinerary that blew us away. It checked all the boxes we were looking for and then some.

The main cities we visited were Madrid, Granada and Barcelona. We had less than 24 hours in Madrid, but our guide, Moises, made sure we made the most of our time there. He used the major sites we visited on our walking tour — The Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, The Prado, and more — to give us a thorough and enjoyable introduction to Spain and its fascinating history.

Then it was on to Granada and a few days with our guide, Marina, exploring the vibrant and diverse neighborhoods of the city, taking in a Flamenco show and touring Generlife and the Alhambra. We also took a day trip down to the picturesque beach town of Nerja and the breathtakingly beautiful town of Frigiliana. There, we had my favorite meal of the trip — lunch at a traditional Spanish tapas restaurant with our family and honorary family member, Marina. The food, the company, and the staff made it a meal I won’t forget for a long time.

After Granada, it was on to Barcelona. Since college, my wife has been fascinated by Gaudi and has always dreamed of seeing his work. Ivan planned a “Gaudi Day” so she could get her fill. The day included visits to Park Guell, La Pedrera, Casa Batllo, and La Sagrada Familia.

Along with a tour of the Old Town in Barcelona, we also took some day trips with our guide. The highlights were taking the cable car up to Montserrat and visits to Girona and the medieval town of Besalu.

Some of our favorite activities during the trip were under-the-radar experiences that Ivan set up for us. My youngest daughter, who loves art, did a private art workshop with a local artist in Barcelona where she created a tile mosaic of an octopus in the style of Gaudi.

My favorite was the photography workshop we did in Granada. It was run by a couple with a studio and darkroom in one of the cave houses in the Sacromonte neighborhood of Granada. The workshop focused on wet plate photography, one of the oldest types of photography.

They took a photo of our daughters to show us how the process works and then let the kids take and develop a few photos, which are now proudly displayed in our dining room. They were such a lovely couple, and we could have spent many more hours with them.

I can’t say enough about the time and effort Ivan and his team put into ensuring we had the best experience possible.

(I even threw him a curveball by breaking my ankle before our trip. Ivan was more than up to the task, even meeting with our tour guide in Granada before we arrived to come up with alternate hikes that would be better for me since the one we originally had planned would be too technical for me to do with my injury.)

Every night during our trip, I had an email from Ivan checking in to see how the day went and to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. And I know he and his team frequently communicated with our guides and drivers to ensure everything went smoothly. And it did!

It was truly a special trip.

The vineyard at sparkling-wine producer Recaredo. Photo: Traveler Cari Bender

Our family of four enjoyed a wonderful trip to Barcelona from March 28-April 1 (Easter weekend). Iván Ricoy planned a lovely few days for us. The hotel, the H10 Casa Mimosa, had an amazing view of the rooftop of one of Gaudi’s famous buildings, and was well located with great service. Highlights for us were the Gaudi architecture tour, including a visit inside the spectacular Sagrada Familia and the Park Guell and a private wine tour learning about the designation of Corpinnat sparkling wines with the owner of the vineyard who spent four hours with us showing us around and tasting some delicious sparkling wines. I am not sure I would have chosen this experience on my own, and it turned out to be one of our favorite highlights from the trip.

We also thoroughly enjoyed the Catalan cooking class where we made more than half a dozen different dishes, each one more delicious than the next. The chef was charming, the setting, in an old espadrille factory, was delightful, and we loved every minute of it. Ivan was responsive, attentive, and in constant communication when we were in Barcelona. We highly recommend his services!

My family had a wonderful 17-day trip to Spain planned by Ivan. As a member of The WOW List I expected that Ivan would be experienced and knowledgeable, but it is his true passion for his country and his genuine desire for all of his guests to have a wonderful experience that sets him apart.

During the planning phase Ivan listened closely to my goals for the trip and provided a number of relevant activities that would suit us. Perhaps the most memorable experience we had was a hike between two mountain villages in the Genal Valley. We walked along a path used by local villagers to tend their vegetable gardens and olive groves and ended at the home of a charismatic local chef where we enjoyed a lunch that might have been the best meal on our trip. It was gorgeous scenery and we didn’t encounter a single other tourist. Another highlight was viewing Seville’s legendary Semana Santa processions from a private balcony. When rain caused delays we enjoyed drinking wine and practicing our Spanish with our gracious hosts.

Ivan does much to ensure that trips run smoothly. On the couple of occasions where we hit inevitable hiccups Ivan had them fixed before I had time to worry about them. If you are considering a trip to Spain, and especially to Andalusia, you can’t go wrong with Ivan. I hope to have reason to use his services again soon.

Ivan arranged for this view of Seville’s Holy Week spectacles. Photo: Traveler Julie Heimark

My husband had been to Holy Week in Seville thirty years ago and wanted to share this unique experience; our 18-year-old son’s bucket list includes seeing the Barbary macaques of Gibraltar. With those directives, Ivan curated a fantastic trip for us with many special experiences. We spent three nights in Seville at the spectacular Alfonso XIII. Ivan was able to secure us a private balcony just across from City Hall to view the Santa Semana processions. It was incredible. We had the best views from the comfort of a gorgeous apartment with a guide (a penitent herself) to explain everything. It is difficult to fully convey the spectacle of tens of thousands of robed penitents, the enormous gilded and flower bedecked shoulder borne palanquins.

We then spent two nights in Jerez at Hotel Maria Luisa (awesome hotel), with day trips to Cadiz and Gibraltar. Again, Ivan secured us incredible private experiences: a sherry tasting with a producer in his bodega and then lunch with local aristocracy. We were especially appreciative of all his arrangements for Gibraltar — our driver walked us across the land border and handed us over to our local driver/guide. Gibraltar was most definitely only on our son’s list, not ours, but it turned out to be the most fascinating day and I would highly recommend. We finished the trip in Ronda, where we spent a day with a local winemaker in his tiny village. The weather on our last day in Ronda was frightful — hail, lightning, torrential downpour — which was the day we had a guided hike planned. Ivan was patient and reassuring and our guide immediately pivoted to what proved to be my husband’s favorite experience.

Thanks to Ivan, we feel that we made our our own personal procession through Andalusia this semana santa: from the epic and grandiose crowds of Sevilla with all the pomp and circumstance and ceremony to the smaller celebrations of Jerez and then culminating with the most intimate procession of children in Benalauria carrying the passos and making the stations of the cross. Ivan is one of the best travel specialists we have worked with, he was constantly checking in, all of the arrangements were top-notch. We look forward to returning to Spain with Ivan.

Ivan planned a fantastic trip for me and two of my children (ages 14 and 20) to Spain in March 2024. We were seeking spring sunshine, and Ivan’s descriptions of all that awaited us in Andalusia fit the bill. We also lucked out, and the weather was even warmer than expected. We started in Seville, a truly beautiful city to which we all hope to return. Our hotel was beautiful, quiet, with wonderful service, and an easy walk to everywhere we wanted to see. We loved our cooking class with Chef Amelia and also enjoyed learning about local tile and pottery styles and trying out these crafts.

Our next stop was Ronda—a city none of us had even heard of. We were thrilled Ivan recommended it! Along the way from Seville to Ronda, we got to see the famous white villages and enjoy a gorgeous hike in the area. Ronda is spectacular. The bridge and old city wowed all of us. Next we moved on to Cadiz, with a stop at a goat farm and mill (where we got to make our own bread) along the way. Our views of the Atlantic from Cadiz were stunning, and we enjoyed walking around town and along the ocean. A highlight of our time in Cadiz was a trip to a bull and horse farm owned by a young woman whose family has a long history in the bullfighting world. We learned a lot, got to see the bulls and Andalusian horses, and enjoyed a lovely lunch with her.

Ivan set us up with wonderful guides who smoothed the way and translated for us, when needed. We ended our trip in Madrid for a few days. There, we only asked Ivan to suggest hotels. We were very happy with the one we selected from his suggestions. We cannot wait to return to explore more of Andalusia and the rest of Spain!

Ivan Ricoy helped us plan a truly wonderful trip to Andalusia. As we have come to expect with WOW List travel planners, Ivan Ricoy had every detail covered, and changes were easily accommodated. The highlight on this trip, though, were the guides that Ivan provided; they made the trip special. While they were all excellent, the two that we will remember are Pablo, an art historian who showed us Madrid and The Prado, and Manu, an architect who specializes in the restoration of old/ancient buildings, who walked us through the Alhambra, perhaps the most memorable site we walked through. We learned things that we could not have found out on our own. We had asked Ivan to show us the ancient Jewish sites and we were walked through the old Jewish quarters in the cities we visited. Take note, though, that there is pitifully little to actually see. For instance, we were supposed to see the old synagogue in Cordoba, but it was locked and, from what I understand from several others, it’s rarely, if ever, available to see. However, on our last day in Toledo, our guide Adolfo (also excellent!) showed us a 14th-century church that had previously been a synagogue and a Jewish museum with artifacts that were 100s of years old. He was very knowledgeable about Spanish Jewish history and helped us better understand that, after The Inquisition, nearly everything Jewish was wiped out or made Christian. Our final stop with Adolfo was the Cathedral in Toledo. It is beautiful and grand, and also contained artwork that any museum would be proud to have, including and especially a gorgeous Caravaggio! If I had to redo the trip, the only thing I would change is the timing. December was bitter cold and none of the sites are heated. Spring weather, I believe, would have been preferable.

We just returned from a one-week family trip to Barcelona (my husband, myself and our adult “kids” ages 24 – 31). It was terrific, and I can’t thank our travel planner, Ivan Ricoy, enough for all he did to make it so. Ivan was a pleasure to work with, from our first in-depth phone conversation and the many MANY emails that followed. Ivan helped us put together an itinerary that captured all of our interests and allowed to us to see the many beautiful and important sights and neighborhoods of Barcelona as well as various surrounding areas like Montserrat, Girona, Besalu and a wonderful local vineyard. Our trip included a number of private tours including transportation, and I have to say we thought our driver, William, who was with us for the whole week and our guides, Alessia (with us for one day) and Nestor (with us for four days) were exceptional. In fact, because we shared so much time with William and Nestor, by the end we were taking pictures together, exchanging contact information and feeling as if they were friends! I was also impressed that Ivan sent us an email every day asking how the tours and travels had gone. It was so nice that he maintained that level of interest and involvement throughout.

As has been with the other trips I have planned using The WOW List, this was a total success!

Ivan promises a memorable private trip to Spain and he delivered just that to help us explore Andalusia. We met Ivan via Zoom and immediately felt that we were in good hands. He got to know us and learned what our interests are. Taking that information, he crafted the perfect 14-day itinerary for us. Each day touched on at least one of the elements that are important to us when we travel — food, wine, history, culture. We learned about the production of Iberico ham, olive oil, cheese, bread and salt. Our education on sherry included a visit to a vineyard with a tasting in the private bodega of the owner, and a multi-course traditional lunch. We were fascinated with the culture surrounding the brave bulls. We were immersed in the history of each of the towns we visited. What tied all of this together was the interaction we had with everyone we met, from our hosts to our guides to our driver. We were warmly welcomed by everyone, saw Andalusia through their eyes and came away with a better understanding of this region and its people. Thanks to Ivan and his planning, this was one of the best trips we’ve taken. His attention to detail, his care in making sure that everything went well during our stay, and his love for his country was a winning combination. We are so happy that we had the chance to meet and work with Ivan and give him our highest recommendation.

Everything went seamlessly. Ivan’s recommendations based on our preferences were perfect. Prior to our travel to Andalusia, he also set us up with a guide in Barcelona who was wonderful, and gave us a great feel for the city and surroundings. And after we headed to Andalusia we came away with a good understanding of the great beauty and remarkable history of this part of the world. Our guide was a bright, personable and very knowledgeable young man who helped us see both Granada, as well as the Costa del Sol and the Costa Tropical. We enjoyed him so much that we asked him to join us for a couple of our lunches, which added nicely to the overall experience. He was able to paint a cultural and historical picture of the significant history of this part of Spain, and we walked away with a greater understanding of the complexities of this culture through the ages. Overall, Ivan made our experience very rich and enjoyable!

Ken and Jeryl Rempell with guide, David, in Besalu, Spain.

We traveled to Spain from 4/28/23 and returned home on 5/6/23. This was our first trip with Wendy so we didn’t know what to expect. Wendy hooked us up with Ivan, specializing in Southern Spain. Ivan was terrific, from the moment we met on a one-hour meet-and-greet Zoom call. Ivan listened to what our wishes were—to see cultural, historical, and architectural highlights as well as obscure places, enjoy nature, walk a lot, meander, and eat well. As a result of several subsequent correspondences, Ivan crafted a terrific itinerary that nailed our wishes.

We ought say by way of an overall description, we have A LOT of energy and love packing a lot into a day, and also don’t mind covering a lot of territory staying in several hotels. (Packing cubes were a must; basically never unpacked and it was just fine.)

We visited Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Barcelona, Figueres, Besalu, and Gerona. It sounds ambitious, but Ivan seamlessly arranged transportation, including drivers, high-speed train tickets, and an airline flight. All drivers arrived early.

The guides were all just plain terrific. They were professional, knowledgeable, warm, responsive and easy to be with. All were exceptionally educated, with specialties ranging from history and architecture to landscaping and cuisine. All were raised in the city or town in which they offered tours. Just wonderful. Easy to be with.

We had a terrific variety of experiences—from a sherry bar in Madrid, numerous extraordinary cathedrals and mosques, a flamenco show, tapas bars, Gaudi’s blend of nature and architecture, Dali’s whimsy, and finally, to a medieval village, to offer just some of what we saw. We loved every moment.
We should also mention Ivan checked in with us each and every evening for feedback on the drivers, guides and experiences. We felt very taken care of.
If you can’t tell by now, let us say straight out, we would unequivocally recommend Ivan as a trip planner.

There are not enough words to describe how wonderful our 3-week trip to Andalusia was in February. Our wonderful experience would not have been possible if it weren’t for Ivan. Ivan is phenomenal! Everything during our trip was perfectly executed.

We met Ivan viz Zoom during the planning stage. He was a good listener on our call. He asked all the right questions to find out what we like and don’t like to see and do when we travel.

Ivan was responsive, reliable, and available before and throughout our trip. Even after we arrived back home after the trip, Ivan contacted us to make sure we were home safe.

Throughout the planning stage, Ivan was transparent about services and prices. He is a great listener. He recommended cities and villages for us to visit, restaurants for us to try (made reservations for us), and activities for us to consider on days that we were on our own. Everything that Ivan recommended was spot-on.

His travel document was detailed and included descriptions of our guides that were truth with a nice personal touch.

We loved all our guides and drivers. They were passionate, knowledgeable, courteous, energetic (but not loud), reliable, and on-time. They respect Ivan and enjoy working with him. Our activities included tapas tasting, city tours, natural walk, bike riding along an old railroad track, white villages, and on and on. A lot of places that Ivan included in the itinerary were places off of the beaten path.

Ivan was our guide for 3 days when we were in Jerez. He showed up at the hotel to welcome us when we arrived. It was such a pleasant and warm surprise for us. His love of Jerez and Andalusia was evident during our tours with him. It was such a joy to meet him in person and hang out with him.

In summary, if you plan a trip to Andalusia, I hope you will get the opportunity to collaborate with Ivan and you will not regret it!

In the pre-trip stage, Ivan was always very responsive and exacting as he guided us towards a perfect mix of historical, cultural and in-person contacts. On the ground in Andalucia we had some wonderful guides, attentive drivers and stunning hotel rooms. Ivan was always a phone call away.
Besides the well known monuments, walking tours and the Prada museum, we enjoyed tapas, a semi-private Flamenco show, visits to an isolated “White Village,” a salt producer, Jamon Iberico facility and an artisan cheese maker. Thanks to Ivan we learned a lot, traveled in comfort (we are in our 70s) and returned home very well satisfied with our choice of Ivan as our trip planner.

PANDEMIC TRAVEL  We highly recommend working with Ivan Ricoy. Ivan helped us plan a multi-generational 8 day trip that took place in April 2022. He put together an amazing itinerary that took into account family interests, mobility limitations, and dietary restrictions. His team went above and beyond to assist us with a lost luggage problem that was not their responsibility. Communication was excellent throughout starting with a Zoom call in October 2021 to explain our interests and with regular detailed e-mails and documentation after that. I’m the kind of person that has always planned itineraries myself. Ivan and team worked so seamlessly that I was never concerned or felt like I was missing information. This included items such as covid testing prior to our return to the US and arranging for a home chef for selected meals. Even during the Easter crowds, we felt comfortable with the itinerary and transportation plan. My only regret is that it will probably be some time before we return to Andalusia! Ivan helped us create some wonderful family memories while removing the burden of detailed planning. Highly recommended.

PANDEMIC TRAVEL My family of 4 had an amazing trip to Southern Spain, thanks to the planning and efforts of Ivan. To begin with, Ivan setup a 1-hour Zoom meeting so he could meet me and better understand my family, our travel desires and anything that could make our trip more special. Within a few days, he had multiple options for our itinerary, as well as hotel choices.

We spent 3 nights in Granada and 3 nights in Seville. Both hotels were great and our guides were amazing. Ivan really knows the local area and the local guides, and our hotels were perfectly situated to everything we did.

Our itinerary was a great mix of history, culture, food and family activities. And even though were experienced travelers, we would have had a very hard time replicating what Ivan was able to deliver.

PANDEMIC TRAVEL  Ivan planned an awesome trip for my wife and I in Spain for November 7-13, 2021! We spent 3 nights in Seville, 1 Granada, and 2 in Madrid. All of the tour guides were great (they showed us around Seville and Cordoba), and Ivan was our personal guide for a tour of artisanal food producers in rural Andalusia (southern Spain) which we really enjoyed. He also set up a private cooking class, got us into a flamenco performance, and booked hotels that my wife liked. I highly recommend working with Ivan – he is a good person, a great conversationalist, and is passionate about southern Spain.

PANDEMIC TRAVEL  Just returned from a 16-day exploration trip to Spain arranged by Iván. With changing restrictions and guidelines, this last-minute trip was planned with Ivan about 3 weeks prior to departure in early October. Ivan made many adjustments and planned the itinerary based on our preferences while providing invaluable suggestions and alternatives. He also had to work around two consecutive Spanish and community holidays to ensure that we were able to cover the major sights. The focus of the trip was the Andalusia area due to the season and trip length. We went to Barcelona (Figueres day trip), Madrid (Toledo day trip), Cordoba, Seville, Jerez (include Cadiz) and Granada (via Ronda). Long distance transfers were done with Spain’s AVE high speed trains (1st class seating when possible) while the rest were done via luxurious private transfers.

The entire trip was fully guided, and the excellent guides adjusted the itineraries based on our interests while providing timing/feedback and adjusting/ensuring that we covered the main attractions. We experienced wonderful guides who provided us with curated experiences at the museums, palaces and parks while also enriching us with different knowledge and perspective. Ivan specializes in Andalusia and we were fortunate to have him guide us in Seville and Jerez. Throughout the entire trip as we traversed through Spain, he would check-in consistently for feedback and make any recommendations and adjustments where necessary.

We had a fascinating visit to a boutique traditional family-owned artisan Jamón Ibérico producer and had a fun, educational tour and tasting session that included visiting the free roaming pigs in their oak forest. We learned about the curing and aging process; appreciating all the various cuts of ham and the wine that enhanced the jamón. The owners and people who run the farm were warm, hospitable and have been in the business for generations – the matriarch is an absolute character and gem. We left with a better understanding and appreciation of the Jamón Ibérico and simply loved every part of that experience.

Ivan also arranged for a private visit to one of the rare female-owned bull farms to give us a more holistic view to one of Spain’s most famous and controversial traditions. We were able to see “a day in the life” of the brave farm owner. Seeing these magnificent creatures in their element and understanding the economy and system that supports the culture of the Spanish bullfights was very meaningful. It was good to learn about the entire story of this tradition – from rearing to selection to the bullfight – not just what we typically are exposed to, the fight. We had a wonderful lunch with the owner and even more exchange around the trials and tribulations of running the farm during Covid and the future of this tradition. This was an intimate experience and truly eye opening.

Ivan surprised us with VIP seating and backstage barn access during the Equestrian school show in Jerez. On the last day in Granada, we were surprised and treated to a WOW Moment: a handcrafted wet plate tintype portrait session at a wonderful little studio located in cave-studded Gypsy neighborhood of Sacromonte.

Besides the grand sights, other highlights included Patios festival in Cordoba; evening guided group tour of Cathedral de Seville including the rooftops, tower and interior (cathedral was closed to public that day); impromptu visit to a former professional flamenco dancer’s (friend of Ivan’s) store where it was interesting to hear her perspective of the art and accessories associated with the flamenco culture; flamenco performance; and tapas bar tours.

Restaurant recommendations were provided, and Ivan also made all the reservations including seven Michelin starred restaurants. Language can be an issue at some very local restaurants, but everyone was very kind and helpful – and the delicious food and being a fly on the wall observing the locals and their interactions with one another makes it worthwhile. When we visited the local market in Jerez, we told Ivan for our love of mangoes and he got us Málaga mangoes on our last day in Jerez (they were fragrant and deliciously sweet)!

Even though we carried the Abbott Home Test kit as a backup, we decided to get the rapid PCR tests via the airport clinic recommended by Ivan. He arranged the stopover during the transfer back to Madrid one day before our departure flight. The driver escorted us to the clinic, and we were out in less than 10 minutes with the results via email within 2 hours.

On departure day, there was a marathon that closed the streets around the hotel area and Ivan was on top coordinating with the hotel, driver, and police for the airport transfer. The tax refund process and immigration were unfortunately extremely slow (maybe due to long weekend) and we nearly missed our flight.

Spain enjoys the highest percentage of vaccinated population in Europe, we felt completely safe and at ease with the guides, drivers and everyone are very respectful of wearing masks indoors, outdoors and in vehicles. The people of Spain enjoy a relaxing outlook on life and there were virtually no one honking even in large cities like Madrid. We had absolutely no bad meals and enjoyed great weather the entire trip.

In summary, Ivan was able to curate and plan a private luxurious exploration trip showcasing Andalusia’s tradition, diverse culture from different Moorish, Christian and Jewish influences that still persists in its architecture, art, food and people. He truly cares that you have an amazing and memorable trip.

We had a fantastic overall experience with Ivan. He was attentive and responsive at the planning stage and offer a wide range of options and suggestions. The hotel and dining suggestions were tremendous and right on point. Ivan arranged a variety of tours and a bike trip — which was a big hit. All of the local guides were engaged, responsive and customized the experience. Ivan personalized a short trip to beautiful Andalusia in a remarkable way.

Ivan Ricoy is very possibly the best travel planner we have ever used. We have traveled extensively as a family (3 boys, mom, dad) for many years and have explored many wonderful locations, but the care that Ivan took to plan a truly exceptional family holiday trip for us was unmatched. He spent many hours prior to our trip understanding how we like to travel, all the things that we love to do, as well as the things that we really aren’t so interested in; he adjusted our itinerary several times until it was just right. During our trip he checked in regularly, always keeping us up to date on any changes or possible issues. We had to make some last minute adjustments based on weather which were pretty disappointing to us, but Ivan was there every step of the way, with multiple options, doing everything possible to make sure we were well cared for. Ivan personally guided us for several days of our trip, and our boys have commented that the best thing about Spain “was eating tapas with Ivan.” I highly recommend Ivan to anyone looking for a truly authentic and wonderful trip to Southern Spain.

Ivan Ricoy was the best travel specialist we have ever worked with. We pre-planned a month-long trip to Spain–Madrid, Barcelona, Cordoba, Granada, Cadiz, Sevilla, several smaller cities and two national parks. In the planning stages, he accommodated our general wishes and suggested variations on them, which turned out to be excellent ideas. He always returned our calls or emails promptly, often within minutes. His attention to detail was phenomenal. During the trip, when we experienced a too-tight time schedule that might make us miss a breakfast, he rearranged the schedule in 15 minutes. His guides and drivers were excellent and always on time, usually 10 minutes early. We met him in person near the end of our trip and enjoyed his company immensely. If you want to meet real Spanish people pursuing their lives and businesses, and if you want historians, art historians, linguists, and nature experts to be your guides, hire Ivan Ricoy!

I couldn’t believe how wonderful our trip was in Southern Spain and Morocco due to Ivan. We had the best guides who cared about all we wanted to see and experience. When riding with our driver I asked how do you know Ivan, he thought a bit and said, “He is my friend”, Not my manager but my friend. When we went to Gibraltar it was foggy and raining, all that we wanted to do we couldn’t because most of the electricity was out. Our guide was able to get us into some of the WWII tunnels due to his relationship with the guards. Even with the fog we had a wonderful time. He even shared a movie clip of a James Bond movie while we parked at the spot it was filmed at.

Our guide at the top locations in Southern Spain was spectacular! She was our favorite, sharing so much and emerging us into the history and stories of Spain. Friendly and kind, she shared all that we wanted to see.

Most wonderful was that as we were being driven long distances Ivan could call to talk to us making sure all was better than we expected. During our vacation he called the driver twice to talk to us. We have never had someone do this! This was our third trip with Wendy’s help and he was spectacular. Even when we were home he emailed us a few times to ask if all that we expected as achieved. He went over board to help and make sure our trip was a perfect dream come true.

We recently returned from a trip organized by Ivan Ricoy to Spain. It was an amazing 9 day trip in which we toured around Madrid, Granada and Seville! There was so much to see and the tour guides were wonderful with the kids. Along the way, I had sprained my ankle but Ivan was very accommodating and made adjustments right away to make sure I was taken care of! We had lots of fun touring bull farm, foodie tours, cooking classes. I would recommend Ivan for your next southern Spain trip! Thank you Ivan for making our trip memorable!

Ivan is a travel planner extraordinaire. He is an expert in planning trips in Southern Spain and has relationships with local residents that made for some of the most memorable moments from our trip. We spent a week exploring four cities in the Andalusia region. The transitions between cities with drivers and train tickets were well executed and organized. My husband and I have traveled a lot and our trip to Spain gave us more insight to the culture of Southern Spain than any other trip we have taken. From learning about the lives of artists in Sevilla to hiking to a small village outside of Ronda, we are amazed at the diverse landscape and culture in Spain. We will be returning and will use Ivan. I cannot express how wonderful of a travel planner Ivan is in Southern Spain. Our trip was catered to what we are interested in and enjoy. Although our trip was for a couple in their early 30s, I feel confident that he would plan an incredible trip for any traveler or family that would fit their passions and be perfect for their trip!

I cannot praise enough Ivan Ricoy, who has scheduled and managed our tour. Within our defined parameters he has allocated optimal time in each city (Seville, Granada and Cordoba) in order to focus on both the cultural monuments and the character of the city itself, There was perfect balance between touring with a guide and exploring on our own.

The punctuality and professionalism of both the drivers and the tour guides was flawless. The hotels Ivan booked us into were comfortable, conveniently located and had helpful staff.
For us, visiting Andalusia for the first time, this tour was the best way of enjoying and learning about the history and character of the place.

Iván Ricoy arranged two private tours for my husband and I, and they were each the highlights of our trip: one three hour walking tour of Toledo (with Laura) and one private tour of the Prado (with Linda). Each of his tour guides were impeccable in their timeliness, conscientiousness, thorough knowledge of the subject matter and what’s more important – passion for the subject matter. The guides were truly a pleasure to work with, and Ivan’s professionalism simply blew everyone else we’ve worked with on previous vacations out of the water. I really, truly cannot praise this outfit enough, and I look forward to working with them on future visits to Spain!

Ivan’s communications prior, during and after our trip were excellent. His personal involvement communicating with our guides on a daily basis and assisting us on our adventures could not have been better. Our daily schedule fulfilled all our requests and more. I feel like Ivan gave us many WOW moments. His immersion into Andalusian history, culture, food and (best of all) the people was a daily treat. Ivan knew we liked to hike so we visited a national park and on the way visited a very small olive oil producer with a tasting included. We spent a half day on a Spanish hacienda riding Andalusian horses and dining with the owners. We had a wonderful afternoon visiting a small private sherry farm which included lunch with a working class farmer and his wife. The cooking class in a private home by a welcoming family in Rota was another highlight. The guides for Granada (The Alhambra) and The Prado were excellent. Not only could they navigate through the crowds but they gave us a whole new perspective of everything we experienced with them. We were lucky to have Ivan as a guide for a number of days and that was a real treat. He knew all of our contacts personally and we were treated like friends by all. His selection of towns/cities to visit and the boutique hotels where we stayed were perfect, so much character and centrally located. We did so much more that I haven’t mentioned, but find I am gushing.

We had plenty of time to ourselves but toward the end of the trip we thought we might cancel a planned part of the itinerary to slow down a bit, we were so glad we didn’t. That I feel is a true sign of a wonderful agenda and the people who populate it.

Thank you Wendy for recommending Ivan, he planned a trip we will talk about for years.

My husband and I spent 10 glorious days in Andalusia, Spain with Ivan Ricoy and his team. The trip was far beyond what we could have ever imagined. From the very first telephone call asking about our desires for the trip to the airport pick up to the drop off, visits to Cathedrals, Mosques, the Alhambra, historical sites all peppered with very special experience including lunch with a young woman who raises bulls for the bullfight, a gold leaf guilder, an amazing embroiderer, a cooking lesson and dinner in a family home and painting of tiles and creating pottery. All was absolutely amazing. All guides were very knowledgeable and the pace of the trip perfect for us. The hotels were a mix of small boutique hotels and local hotels which suited us perfectly. Our driver was excellent and somehow perfectly navigated the very, very narrow streets in Ronda, Seville, Granada, Cordoba, and Cadiz.

Ivan himself escorted us for 3 days and he was absolutely fantastic, so caring and attentive to every detail. It was truly the best trip we have taken and we have traveled extensively around the world. Thank you, Wendy, and more importantly, thank you, Ivan, for creating such a magical experience for us. Ivan is definitely a WOW list expert.

My husband and I recently worked with Iván Ricoy to plan a 12-day custom itinerary of Andalusia. (Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Ronda, Jerez) This was a complicated itinerary that we tried to plan (unsuccessfully) on our own for many years. We have worked with other travel professionals but often felt as if they weren’t really listening. Not true with Iván. He always provided prompt, personalized service: from our first contact and throughout the entire trip. We knew he was just a phone call or email away. He would ask how things were going, make sure the detour in Granada went smoothly, and remind us to have our passports for our tour of The Alhambra. We never felt pressured to do or see anything that we did not want to do. He listened to our ideas, incorporating our comments and wishes into an unforgettable exploration of Andalusia. From general ideas (history, culture, people), to specific experiences (the “Dancing Horses” of Jerez, and a day trip with Iván and a private driver through the white villages with a personal tour of an olive oil mill and cheese tasting). He expertly thought of every detail: quaint hotels in the perfect location, smooth transfers between towns, suggestions for what to do when we were on our own, and even selecting seats on the train that were close to the luggage storage. His link with local guides at each location really enhanced our experience. It was as if we were walking through town with a friend who was sharing their hometown with us, not as tourists. Iván is also an extremely knowledgeable host, as we discovered during our time with him. We not only learned about the history, customs, and culture of Andalusia. Thanks to Iván, we truly experienced Andalusia on a personal level. We have only one complaint—we had to leave our new friends!

Ivan helped me to formulate a plan for a travel day between cities to take advantage of the time and see a small town in Spain and have a unique experience. He suggested the Pileta Caves (privately owned) and went so far as to make the reservation for us. He employed the sweetest driver for us who was kind and considerate and generous with his time. It was all follow-through and gracious and questions answered quickly and thoroughly. Fantastic.

Ivan Ricoy would be a worthy addition to your list of WOW travel specialists for the Andalusia region of Southern Spain. We traveled with him in March 2017. We have traveled with another of your WOW List travel specialists on five different trips, so we are aware of their status and standards, and Ivan meets and exceeds them. His model is to “see less, but see better.” He introduced us to so many locals, goat cheese makers, Sherry producers, a young entrepreneur that makes custom Flamenco dresses, among others. There were so many places we visited with him where we were the only non-Spaniards there. The in-depth interaction and immersion into life in the region made it so memorable. Ivan has a local UNESCO guide partner in Granada that he had guide us at the Alhambra, and he was wonderful. His name was Ignacio and he was with us for 5 hours at the Alhambra and the Albaycian neighborhood (and gave us a great restaurant recommendation for that evening). So, Ivan can definitely coordinate a great local Granada guide. That is what Ivan did for us in Cordoba and Granada before taking over the rest of our trip himself personally.