We had an amazing trip to Spain with our college-age daughter the week before Easter, planned by Ivan. Over 10 days, we spent time in 3 different cities—Madrid, Seville and Barcelona—and really felt like we were able to get to know each region, both the cultures and the regional cuisines.

Ivan really listened to us and planned a vacation that was perfect for our family. We stayed in local boutique hotels that were interesting, had terrific spacious rooms, and had great locations. We really enjoyed our local guides—they all had extensive knowledge on a variety of topics, listened to us, tailored the tours to us on-the-fly, and they were warm and fun. They felt like friends at the end of each tour. We travelled a lot, but every detail was taken care of so we could just relax and enjoy the trips.

In Madrid, we had a culinary and cultural tour, then took a day trip to Segovia. In Sevilla, we had an e-bike tour, a tapas tour, and saw a flamenco show. We were also able to enjoy the processions of Semana Santa. In Barcelona, we had a private tour of the city’s quarters, of its tapas and wines, and a tour of the Sagrada Familia by Gaudí, which is really amazing.

We had several really special excursions, which could only be planned by a local like Ivan. Outside of Seville, we visited a private farm of brave bulls and Spanish horses, where we spent half a day with the owner, learning about the art of breeding brave bulls, how they choose bulls for bullfights, how the farm has changed over time, and eating a delicious lunch. In Barcelona, with a local chef, we toured the local market and then had a private cooking class, and we had a private tour at a family-owned winery.

We also had the pleasure of a really fabulous WOW Moment in Seville—a private boat ride along the river (thank you!) Our family loves boats, and we had a relaxing ride with beautiful views of the city.
We had an incredible trip and great experience working with Ivan.

We had a great 11-day trip to Spain, planned and executed by Ivan. We spent time in Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, and Seville, seeing great art and architecture, eating terrific food, and learning more about Spanish culture and history from the local people.

Ivan creatively arranged things for maximum travel efficiency via high-speed train and chauffeured vehicle. We asked for a relaxed pace, and Ivan delivered. We never felt rushed, and only changed hotels twice, a great stress and time saver. In addition, every aspect of the trip thoughtfully reflected our interests, from meeting local craftspeople to birdwatching in a national park. We were very impressed with Ivan’s attention to detail and regular contact with us during the trip.

We enjoyed and learned a lot from all of our guides, most notably Julio in Madrid, Adolfo in Toledo, and Cristina in Seville. Our trip to Spain left us wanting to come back to Spain again soon for another bespoke trip with Ivan.

Travelers Terry and Bill Witowsky appreciated an itinerary with time to explore villages like Grazalema.

Iván and his team planned a truly wonderful trip for my husband and me, full of authentic, immersive and very special experiences in Andalusia. We loved every moment of our seamless 12-day trip. In the past, we have often enjoyed researching our own trips, figuring out places we want to visit, and booking transportation, hotels and restaurants ourselves. But what a huge difference it makes to place our trust in someone like Iván, with his deep knowledge of the area and wisdom about arranging thoughtful, meaningful bespoke travel.

The planning process was very efficient and useful. We liked Iván immediately, as he was able to beautifully articulate and reflect the type of travel we were interested in. He spoke our travel language. Iván “got us” right away by asking insightful questions about what we hoped to get from the trip, our interests, and our goals. Though of course we wanted to see the major sites—The Alhambra in Granada, the Seville Cathedral and Alcazar, and the Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral in Cordoba were all amazing—we also wanted to get off the beaten tourist path and have more genuine experiences to learn about the culture and how people live. (And eat delicious food!)

The pacing of the trip was superb, thanks to Iván’s suggestions. We wanted a mixture of city sightseeing and rural exploration and hikes. Little did we know initially that Andalusia had so many natural parks of great beauty, and our itinerary included time to explore these lovely little towns and mountainous areas: Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema, Benelauria, and Antequera. They were among our favorite days.

Timing: April 8-19. Ideal, since it was after the busy Easter season and before it gets quite hot. And despite what we read that April can be rainy, we had pleasant weather the whole time.

Itinerary: 4 nights in Seville, 2 nights at a country inn outside of Ronda, 4 nights in Granada, and a night in Madrid before our morning flight the next day.

Experiences:
• Sherry tasting and Andalusian horse show in Jerez de la Frontera. We enjoyed the visit to the sherry bodega very much, but we wished that we’d gone with Iván’s original recommendation for a chef’s lunch in a vineyard instead of the horse show we requested. The show was just ok for us. Pro tip: always say yes to chefs’ special meals.
• A visit to Aracena to see where Iberian pigs are raised, learn about the curing process, and enjoy a delicious jamon and sherry tasting. Highly recommend.
• An impromptu picnic in Grazalema when we helped our guide shop for delicious cheese, sausage, and bread—all produced in town.
• A flamenco show and tapas tour in Seville was really fun. We loved flamenco and went to 2 more shows in Granada.
• A lovely, relaxing mid-trip stay at a country inn near Ronda. Just the downtime we needed. Also a nature hike around Ronda (rather than in the touristy town)—lots of history and bird watching with Carlos, instead of following hordes of tourists.
• A special lunch in tiny Benalauria (after touring the old olive mill). Former chef and now winery owner Pepe created a very delicious meal for us.
• A hike in the unique El Torcal de Antequera landscape (a UNESCO site) was very interesting.
• A day trip from Granada to Costa Tropical, where we took a 3-mile hike along beaches and cliffs. Fantastic. The icing on the cake was an amazing meal by a chef at his home overlooking the Mediterranean. Paella, red tuna, all sorts of delectables. We will never forget it.

We had amazing guides and drivers. Not only were they knowledgeable about history and culture, but they were wonderful listeners and fun company. We enjoyed our time with them immensely, and our conversations added great depth to our trip. During the planning phase, we were concerned about finding the right balance of tour time vs free time where we could explore by ourselves. This trip hit the mark perfectly.

The hotels were all beautiful boutique hotels and were very well located. We were so glad we had experts choosing them, because we couldn’t have done better ourselves. Staying 4 nights each in Seville and Granada allowed us to really settle in and explore these incredible cities. We enjoyed walking the cities in the evening.

We took the Renfe train from Madrid to Seville when we arrived and then Cordoba to Madrid on the return, but we had requested drivers rather than public transportation to take us everywhere else—a luxury. The train system in Spain is fantastic, but having a driver was very relaxing and enjoyable.

We recommend Iván and his team highly and appreciate this special trip they arranged for us.

Spain and Portugal, March 26-April 11, 2026

After our unforgettable experiences during a trip to Andalusia last year planned by Iván, we asked him to create a trip this spring in celebration of our 70th birthdays. The trip he designed took us to new destinations in Spain and Portugal, combining our love of architecture, culture, food, wine, and nature into a carefully curated itinerary.

We spent the first five days in Barcelona, taking walking tours of that beautiful city and day trips to Costa Brava and the Penedés wine region. Our local guide, Nestor, introduced us to different areas of Barcelona, leading us to small tapas bars and bakeries as we visited architectural highlights of the city. Nestor timed our tour of the temple of la Sagrada Familia for 5 p.m., as late afternoon light streamed through the stained-glass windows and organ music played, creating a magical effect. The coastal walk we took between two small villages on the Mediterranean Costa Brava was a highlight of the trip, as was the vineyard and winery tour/tasting at Recaredo Winery the next day, ending with a fantastic Catalan lunch at Restaurant Cal Xim in the tiny village of Sant Pau d’Ordal.

On the sixth day, we took a domestic flight across Spain to Santiago de Compostela, where we began our journey south for the remainder of the trip. We spent three nights in Santiago, with a day trip to Finisterre and the Costa da Morte. Our local guide Emma was an expert resource as we toured Santiago city and the surrounding area.

Next, we journeyed towards Portugal, stopping for several hours in Vigo, a large fishing port, for a walking gastronomy tour. Tiernan led us to a Galician tavern for starters, followed by a gourmet lunch at Matices de Carla Alvarez seafood restaurant, ending at an historic pastry shop for dessert and coffee.

Our adventures continued in Porto, where we stayed for four nights. Ana and Manuel were our local guides during this portion of the trip, which included walking tours of Porto and the historic towns of Braga and Guimaraes, with a stop at the sanctuary of Bom Jesús. As part of our Porto visit, we crossed the Douro River for a guided cellar tour and port wine tasting at Poças. On the last day in this area, we drove to the Douro Valley, where we toured the Quinta da Casa Amarela winery and had a wine tasting with owner Gil. Afterwards, Gil hosted us for a gourmet Portuguese lunch at his historic family home, now a small inn, which was another trip highlight. We ended the day with a 1-hour private cruise on the Douro River, departing from Pinhão.

Coimbra was our final base for three nights with local host Gil. We enjoyed walking tours of the University of Coimbra and Coimbra’s historic old town, as well as a day trip to monasteries in Batalha and Alcobaca. On our third day we visited several Lousa Mountain Schist villages and hiked to Lousa castle along a forest trail. Gil accompanied us to the Convent of Christ in Tomar for our final tour of the trip before overnighting in Sintra and traveling home from Lisbon airport.

Iván demonstrated absolute attention to detail in curating our trip. As we requested, Iván arranged accommodations in 4- and 5-star hotels, with central locations, in historic buildings that had been renovated. The transportation was top-notch with expert drivers. The guides, without exception, were professionals who were knowledgeable about local history and culture. We ate most lunches with the guides, who recommended delightful restaurants and dishes. Because our local hosts treated us as travelers and guests, not tourists or clients, our experiences felt authentic, which was our goal. Well done, Iván!

Traveler Patty Armacost and friends take in a flamenco lesson and show.

Our group of 14 friends recently spent a week in southern Spain to celebrate my husband’s 70th birthday. The trip, expertly planned by Ivan, was nothing short of magical!

Ivan worked with us to plan a trip that included all the must-see UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as off the beaten track experiences to highlight the local culture, food and wine. It’s hard to pick a favorite site—how to choose between the Alhambra, the Cordoba Great Mosque-Cathedral, the Alcazar, the Seville Cathedral? All amazing to see and enhanced by the excellent guides who helped us understand the complex history of the region.

While the historic sites were enjoyable, Ivan excelled in providing experiences to immerse us in the local culture, which provided some of our favorite moments of the trip. While in Granada we visited a tropical fruit plantation, enjoyed an al fresco lunch at the house of a local chef, and visited a distillery making rum from local sugarcane and aged in sherry casks. In Seville we visited a dance studio for a flamenco lesson, followed by a professional flamenco performance. We also visited the Sierra de Aracena Natural Park and learned about the production of premium Iberico ham—baby pigs are adorable!

We learned about olive oil production at a beautiful farm where the charming owner hosted a tasting of his delicious products, followed by a fantastic lunch in the whitewashed village of Grazalema, where our guide selected some of the best wine of the trip. We ended our tour with a visit to a vineyard that is making white wine with the palomino grape, most often used to make sherry, and then enjoyed a lunch of traditional local food among the barrels, cooked by the winemaker’s chef wife. Ivan surprised us by joining us for lunch and shared more of the history and culture of his home town.

All of the guides were truly exceptional, with deep knowledge, passion and humor, and presenting the information in an engaging way. Arranging a tour for 14 people and moving them is not an easy task, and Ivan made it seamless. Each day Ivan communicated with us to make sure we were enjoying the activities, guides and hotels, and helped with restaurant recommendations and reservations.

Ivan gave us a phenomenal trip, providing authentic experiences that highlighted the culture and traditions of this beautiful part of Spain. We highly recommend Ivan for your Spain adventure!

We had an amazing trip planned with Ivan. He confirmed our destination choices and suggested the perfect time in each area. He also added Cordoba on our way to Madrid airport. Ivan has an amazing team of guides and personal experiences—a cooking class in Amelia’s home, Pepe’s lunch at his home in Ronda, and Nico’s lunch with a chef. Ivan added tremendous value to our experience for both the detailed planning and the guides in towns and for 4 days of hiking in Ronda. We had a medical issue/emergency and Ivan answered our text immediately and got an appointment with an eye specialist. This saved our friends from going back early.

Ivan put together a 7-day trip for my husband and I in February exploring the beautiful region of Andalucia, Spain. We put him to work immediately as all of our flights from the US to Seville were cancelled and we ended up in Malaga at midnight. Ivan sent a private car to drive us to our hotel in Seville overnight. Throughout the week visiting the towns of Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz and Granada, our guides were wonderful and so informative.

We had a surprise WOW Moment in Seville with Silvia, who beautifully handcrafts and paints silk shawls and fans. Another highlight was spending a day in Jerez at a private family farm/winery/ranch. We rode spectacular Andalusian horses through the fields of olive trees, and learned the fascinating history of bullfighting, the family winery, chapel, numerous crops and hunts. The family served us a delicious Spanish lunch and we felt like we were good friends. All week we saw numerous beautiful cathedrals with histories dating back centuries, as well as Flamenco performances and Spanish dressage.

We ended our last day in Ronda, and decided it would be a great place to come back to and spend a week relaxing and exploring the breathtaking surrounding countryside. Thank you Ivan for a wonderful introduction to Andalucia and we can’t wait to come back.

Andalusia Spain, 13 October – 05 November 2025

Every planner has a repertoire of places, tours, and experiences they draw from to create an itinerary; however, the quality of that selection—and the intricate network of providers that make it work—depends entirely on how well that planner is embedded in the region. Iván planned our tour of Al Andalus (Córdoba, Sevilla, Cádiz, Ronda, and Granada), and every element fit together like a beautiful puzzle. During the 3 weeks that Iván planned, including 4 unplanned days, we enjoyed many activities:

• Private city tours of Córdoba (+La Mezquita), Sevilla (+Alcazar), Cádiz (gastronomy), Ronda (bullring and bridge), and Granada (+Alhambra/El Generalife);
• Private tours of Medina Azahara, Carmona necropolis, Italica and Dolmens archeological sites;
• Tour of premier Jamon Iberico producer in the Aracena Natural Park + premium jamon/sherry tasting
• Two flamenco performances and a guitar concert;
• Market tour and cooking lesson with private chef in Sevilla;
• Visit to a “brave bull” and horse estate, tour of property and museum and delicious lunch with the owner;
• Private sailing day on the Bay of Cádiz;
• Private tour and tasting at a highly rated Sherry bodega in Jerez;
• Attended a performance at the Royal School of Equestrian Art, seated in the royal box, toured stables and met performers (and horses!)*;
• Unforgettable three-hour jamon and seafood lunch with Iván and our guide Lilly in Jerez*;
• Guided visits to whitewashed hilltop towns of Aracena, Arcos de la Frontera, Grazalema, Zahara del la Sierra and Benalauria—each with interesting features, two festivals and three great meals; and,
• Visit to Ronda-area vineyard/winery for tasting and lunch provided by owner.

*WOW Moment

Throughout the itinerary—connected seamlessly by private transfers—no one was a moment late, no opportunity missed. Guides and experience hosts ranged from very capable to superlative and the boutique hotels provided exceptional lodging and breakfasts. As another reviewer noted, “We knew we could leave everything in his hands, and simply enjoy ourselves,” which is the essence of why a planner of Iván’s caliber is so essential to focusing solely on the experience, without any concern over logistics or poor choices.

Everyone knew and loved Iván and he is as embedded in Andalusia as anyone could possibly be. Every driver, every guide, every destination host and/or experience-provider considered him a good friend and spoke glowingly of him. Iván hosts his network of independents regularly and the comradery is evident. None of this is by accident—it’s a well-thought-out strategy backed up by active involvement in the industry, and the net result is a very efficient tour process that runs like clockwork, with perfect results in every respect.

As others have noted, Iván is always in touch and available, beginning with an extensive zoom session and very responsive planning process. During the trip he emailed every day with a personalized inquiry about our activities and took the time to arrange an essential medical specialist appointment on short notice that would have otherwise been impossible (and followed daily with concern about the progress).

Recommendations from the trip include staying at least 4 nights in any of these cities, perhaps one less night in Ronda; it’s a good base for day trips in the area but the town hasn’t much to offer. Our favorites were Cádiz and Granada, followed closely by Córdoba and Sevilla. Exploring the different neighborhoods and narrow old-city streets with great restaurants and squares full of families can be as enjoyable as the cities’ bucket-list landmarks. We took a 3-night break from our planned itinerary to relax at a full-board country inn north of Granada—Hotel Cortijo del Marques—that was exceptional in every way and highly recommended for those who enjoy a rural setting amongst olive groves with a mountain backdrop.

We cannot say enough good things about Ivan and his team. He planned a delightful week in Spain for my husband and me. His recommendations for activities and tours were thoughtful and special. Each guide was delightful and friendly, and we truly enjoyed our time with them. When planning this trip, we really had no idea how to approach it—only that we wanted to strike a balance between activity and rest, and experience as much of southern Spain as we could reasonably do in one week. Ivan knocked it out of the park. Furthermore, his personal attention and regular communication made all the difference. We knew we could leave everything in his hands, and simply enjoy ourselves. An evening of flamenco in Sevilla, and a day spent at the Alhambra were two of our highlights. Thanks so much to Ivan and the whole team!!!

My husband, Tom Shandell, and I recently traveled to Seville and Madrid, Spain, from November 26 to December 2, 2025, on a trip expertly planned by Ivan. From the very beginning, Ivan was incredibly receptive to our ideas and thoughtful about incorporating our interests into every aspect of the itinerary. He was consistently responsive and made himself fully available both during the planning process and while we were in Spain, which gave us great peace of mind throughout the journey.

The accommodations Ivan selected were absolutely exquisite. In Seville, we stayed at the Hotel Alfonso XIII, and in Madrid at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz—both exceptional properties offering beautiful rooms, impeccable service, and ideal locations that made exploring each city effortless and enjoyable.

What truly elevated this trip were the outstanding private guides Ivan arranged for us in each destination. We had specifically requested that our itinerary include any remaining Jewish sites, and every guide demonstrated not only a deep knowledge of Spain’s broader history, but also a remarkable understanding of the Jewish experience in Spain. Although relatively little remains today, our guides brought what we did see to life with insight, sensitivity, and meaningful context.

While in Seville, we enjoyed several unforgettable experiences. One standout day was spent with a private chef, who accompanied us to the local market to select fresh produce and meats before preparing a traditional Spanish feast—an immersive and memorable experience. We also attended a flamenco dancing performance that was truly extraordinary; the passion, music, and artistry made it a deeply moving and unforgettable highlight of our time in the city. We also loved our visit to Córdoba, made especially special by the brilliant guide who led us through the city with enthusiasm and expertise.

In Madrid, one of the highlights was our private tour of the Prado Museum. Our guide was exceptionally learned and engaging, transforming the visit into an exciting and enriching experience that deepened our appreciation of the art and the stories behind it.

Overall, this was a beautifully curated and seamless trip. Ivan’s attention to detail, exceptional choice of guides, and ability to create meaningful, personalized experiences made our time in Spain truly unforgettable. We would highly recommend Ivan to anyone seeking a thoughtfully designed and enriching Spanish journey.

Traveler Tom Redburn enjoys a meal at the home of a sherry-maker outside of Jerez.

Lisa and I had never been to southern Spain, but the last place we ever expected to visit was a tropical fruit farm. Yet, here we were, with our witty, informative guide Carlos, at a small family farm near Frigiliana having a wonderful time wandering among the various trees with the second-generation owner and then enjoying a tasting of ultra-fresh fruits and nuts sitting outside the modest home he shared with his wife.

We never would have found such a place on our own, yet it turned out to be one of the highlights of our 8-day exploration of Andalusia that had been so thoughtfully arranged by our trip planner Ivan. Ivan was the second travel planner I had spoken to after Wendy’s original recommendation didn’t pan out because he didn’t seem to understand what we wanted.

But Ivan got us, and the detailed itinerary he put together – and the guides he selected (all but one was a rock star!) – introduced us to the history and culture of a region that reflects a marvelous mix of Moorish, Christian, and Jewish influences over centuries. I’m not sure the trip we had is what most people would choose, but it was almost perfect for us.

We saw some of the highlights of the region, of course, including a walking tour of the Alhambra in Granada, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, and the Alcazar in Seville. But we also enjoyed a visit to the tiny village of Benalauría, where we met again with Carlos, who had grown up there and introduced us to a family of bread makers and the house of a local wine maker who created a special lunch that we ate in his shaded patio.

On another day, we spent a full morning in Jerez at the warehouse of a sherry maker, who had once worked for a major company but was now operating a tiny operation that he had started thinking about (and laying down the barrels of) 20 years before he finally started producing and selling his own label. And as part of our WOW Moment, he presented us with a free bottle of his terrific wine.

During our trip, Ivan was always actively engaged. He sent us a follow up email every day. He even went out of his way to visit us at our hotel in Jerez one afternoon, sparking a fascinating conversation over drinks about his own personal life as well as offering insights into modern-day Spain. And when we realized we had left a couple of items at our hotel in Ronda, he arranged for one of his drivers to deliver them to us in Seville a couple of days later (rather than our initial expectation that we’d have to have them mailed at much greater expense to our home in the States).

Almost without exception, every guide was terrific and every adventure was deeply engaging. We didn’t always follow them, but his lunch and dinner recommendations were excellent. The only time we were disappointed was our midday experience in Cadiz, which we visited for several hours between our stays in Jerez and Seville, doing too much unnecessary walking and receiving a much more pedantic guided tour of the town compared to all the other places we visited.

For anyone considering a visit to southern Spain, I can’t recommend Ivan highly enough. He will listen to your desires, help select fascinating experiences, send you to excellent hotels, and partner you with terrific guides who will make this historic battleground of the great cultures that originated in the Middle East come alive.

Traveler Susan Gosselin and her husband found that local experiences enriched their trip.

We recently returned from an amazing two-week trip to the Andalusia region of Spain planned by Iván, and it was a fantastic trip and experience.

We were looking for a trip to Spain to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary, as well as our recent retirements, and after reading the WOW List reviews, Iván seemed to fit the bill for what we were looking for. We’ve generally planned our own trips or used a small group tour operator, but for this trip we wanted to be able to hand off the planning and have an experience tailored just for us. Iván did an excellent job of arranging an itinerary that met our interests of seeing architectural and cultural highlights as well as experiencing great food, beverages, and getting to know locals.

This was our first trip to Spain and we absolutely loved it. The landscape is varied and beautiful, the architecture is amazing (Alhambra, Generalife, Alcazar and Seville Cathedral, Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba), the history is complex and interesting, the food/wine/sherry is delicious, and the people are lovely.

We stayed in Granada, Ronda, Cadiz and Seville, with a final night in Madrid. We also had day trips to the Costa Tropical, the Genal Valley, Antequera, Grazalema, Jerez, Trebujena and Cordoba. In addition to seeing the area highlights, we also really enjoyed the off-the-beaten-path visits with locals and understanding their crafts and fabric of the communities, from the craft rum distillery, sherry brandy bodega, small vineyard, and Iberian pig farm to the chef-prepared private lunches.

It was invaluable to have someone with local knowledge put together an itinerary that really highlights great local experiences. We would not have found or had access to many of these experiences on our own, and those interactions really enriched our trip. There were hidden gems throughout!

The local guides also greatly enhanced our experience, as they were all very knowledgeable in their areas and they were also delightful people to spend time with. We had many good conversations with our guides, both on the itinerary subject of the day as well as general life experiences. It’s clear Iván focuses on selecting guides who are really interested in engaging with guests and sharing the experiences of their country.

And what a treat to have all of logistics taken care of—that helped us be able to just sink in and enjoy the experience. All of the hotels were spot on to what we were looking for and the drivers and their cars were professional, friendly, and comfortable. It was also really nice to have restaurant recommendations for each location. We tried several and all were very good and offered a more local experience than the typical tourist area restaurant.

We also had the pleasure of being able to meet Iván in person and it is clear he has a passion for giving people a genuine experience of Spain and the local communities. He is definitely deserving of being on the WOW List!

When (not if!) we go back to Spain, or Portugal, we will definitely work with Iván.

Travelers Mina Miller and David Sabritt in Baeza, Andalusia.

After a memorable adventure that Ivan organized for us last year that included Majorca and the Costa Brava, we turned to him again this September to explore other regions of Spain. It was a short trip of only a week, and Ivan crafted a varied itinerary that made valuable use of every moment – starting with the historic city of Toledo, to the Andalusian towns of Ubeda and Baeza (two small hidden gems that he introduced on a Wendy Perrin zoom talk), to the vibrant coastal city of Malaga.

At each step of the way, Ivan arranged guides who were attuned to our special interests, and who helped us appreciate nuances of local life and history that we would not have discovered on our own. We discovered that the guides and drivers he selected were part of his “Andalusian family” – people that he had worked with for many years. Our accommodations had character and comfort, with ideal locations for wandering by foot.

At every step along the way, we felt Ivan’s personal touch: from his detailed crafting of a personalized itinerary, to his hotel choices and dining recommendations, to his selection of guides and drivers he knew personally, to his availability at all times to respond to our questions throughout the trip.

I had signed up to walk the Camino de Santiago along the Portuguese way, and decided since I was going all this way, I should maximize my time by also exploring Portugal.

Iván not only designed a wonderful itinerary that wrapped around my Camino experience, he also kept in touch with me. The guides I had, particularly Gil in Tomar, Coimbra, Batalha and Alcobaça and Marie Helene in Évora, were excellent and helped me not only appreciate the history of Portugal, but also gave me insight into what life is like in Portugal now.

I particularly appreciate two things Iván did that made my travel better. First, he arranged for a hotel in Porto to store one of my bags while I was walking the Camino, and second, he interceded for me when I had a couple of minor problems with a hotel in Lisbon.

I liked working with Iván so much that we will contact him again for a future trip to Spain.

We had an incredible trip to southern Spain. Our family loved exploring Sevilla, Granada and Cadiz in early June. While it was hot, it was still beautiful and would only get hotter in the next few months. Ivan was a phenomenal trip planner. He listened to what we wanted and adapted when we added grandparents into our trip even after everything was already planned. Ivan checked in on us daily and even came with us on a hike to the Strait of Gibraltar, which was helpful as we tweaked the experience for the grandparents’ comfort level.

We enjoyed visiting an Iberian pig farm, having a sunset tour and dinner with a bull breeder, meeting a goat cheese maker, visiting a traditional olive oil farm, and biking along a scenic countryside route. Every tour guide was excellent and shared their lives and experiences along with their vast knowledge. They all spoke highly of Ivan and how he cares for them. Our family had a great balance of down time and time to learn about the history and the heritage of the country and its people. The recommended dinners were all authentic and delicious and we could not have had a better trip. Thanks to Ivan, we loved southern Spain and are ready to go back.

We loved our trip to Spain. And it is all thanks to Ivan who you recommended as our trip planner. He was extremely helpful and always available to answer our questions, even though we changed our plans only 100 times! At the end of every day Ivan contacted us asking about our day and our experience.

The guides that Ivan connected us with were all wonderful. We very much enjoyed their companionship and knowledge. They treat us just like good old friends. I can’t say enough great things about our guides, every one of them was so nice.

We are already thinking and talking about going back to Spain and asking Ivan to plan the next trip for us.
Thank you so much for putting us in touch with Ivan.

Traveler Kelvin Roth enjoys an evening sail on the bay.

Bilbao and San Sebastián
Working with Ivan was an absolute pleasure. He listened to our requests, made great suggestions, and planned a great trip. Everything was well organized, timely, and the right balance of activities. He arranged a visit to a local sheep farm to try their cheese, lunches at spots where we were the only outsiders, vineyard tours with the vineyard manager, and even an evening sail in the bay/ocean. Every guide was knowledgeable and fun. While the weather largely cooperated, our guide readily adapted our plans when it didn’t. I can’t recommend Ivan highly enough.

Traveler SueAnne Robinson found palace, cathedral, and mosque visits to be “more meaningful” with a great guide.

My husband and I just returned from a week-long trip to Southern Spain organized by Ivan. This was our second trip planned by a Wendy Perrin WOW advisor. We met with Ivan over Facetime to plan the trip, and told him that we like to learn about culture through food, art, crafts, architecture and stories. Our itinerary included Seville, Cordoba, Grenada, and a day trip to the coast.

Highlights included a visit to a fruit plantation, a visit to a premium producer of olive oil and a cooking lesson with a chef where we chose ingredients and he prepared an Andalusian lunch for us including paella, fish prepared two ways, and a berry dessert—all while sampling local wines and sherries. We even got to spend a half day with Ivan himself, where he brought us to visit very special artisans involved in creating works for the Easter Processions. This included gold embroidery and gold leaf. These were true artisans who would not have been available without Ivan’s connections. Meeting with them we learned how important the Easter Processions are to the fabric of Seville, and we got to see first-hand these masters at work.

We capped this off with a visit to a modern-day pottery and tile studio. We enjoyed and learned a lot from every guide Ivan arranged for us. To visit the Alhambra, the Alcazar, and the Mosque Cathedral with an expert made the experience so much more meaningful than just walking through. In addition to all of our fabulous tours and stops, it’s worth mentioning that Ivan’s hotel choices for us were spot on. We stayed at a hotel in Seville and a hotel in Grenada. Both were lovely, central 4 star hotels which had local charm, stellar breakfasts and helpful staff. We also had a bit of a transportation snafu (train delays) and Ivan’s team was on top of this from start to finish. They even monitored the train system while we were there to make sure delays would not affect our return home.

The Southern Spain itinerary Ivan created for us and his making the trip a reality went way beyond our expectations. We look forward to exploring more of Spain in the exceedingly capable and creative hands of Ivan.

My husband and I along with two other couples just returned from an incredible journey through Andalucia. From the dramatic landscapes and Moorish palaces to flamenco dances and whitewashed villages, this trip felt like stepping back in time to a more relaxed era. We arrived in Spain after taking the ferry from Morocco to Algeciras, and then being transported by driver to Ronda. It was a long day, but the drive was gorgeous and offered a way to see the landscape. We loved our stay at the family-owned Hotel Fuente de la Higuera.

On the way to Granada, we stopped in Antequera for a small hike and to tour the Dolmens UNESCO site, which was completely fascinating.

The Alhambra in Granada left us speechless with its extensive gardens, grandeur, and intricate mosaics.

Our last stop was in Seville where we visited the incredible Cathedral and the Alcazar. We ended our Andalusian tour with a stop at Seville’s Feria Festival, which is an explosion of color, passion and heritage that showcases Andalusian culture. Pilar was a fantastic host, and we absolutely loved joining her and her friends in the Caseta experience.

Traveled to Spain April 20-30, 2025
We just completed the most wonderful trip to Andalucia, Spain expertly planned by Ivan. This is our fourth time working with a WOW List planner, and the entire experience matched our expectations. Ivan was a joy to work with—endlessly patient and accommodating during the planning process, and continually checking in during our trip to ensure we were having a wonderful time. We so appreciated his level of knowledge and thoughtfulness, which provided us with unique and fun activities while exploring the Andalucia region for the first time. We would definitely work with him again!

We had put limitations on Ivan at the beginning because we were utilizing our Marriott membership to stay in a resort in Estepona, which prevented us from really being able to stay in any one city for a longer period and experience all it had to offer. But those limitations didn’t stop Ivan from creating an itinerary that included our interests in archeology and history, wine and cooking, and experiencing local culture.

It’s hard to pick our favorite experience during our 10 day trip! I definitely loved our time with Nico hiking to Benalauria and having lunch at Pepe’s private home (after making bread at a local panaderia). And our time with Amelia cooking in her studio in Seville had us feeling like we made new friends while we chatted and ate the most delicious meal (even though the power went out throughout Spain during the class!) Our tours of Alhambra and the Cathedral of Cordoba led by historians and archeologists were so informative and awe-inspiring—we didn’t want them to end. And we loved our day in the Sherry Triangle experiencing sherry making in local bodegas. I guess the only real downside to the trip was that it was too short and we couldn’t stay longer and experience more of the Andalucian culture.

We definitely encourage anyone interested in southern Spain to work with Ivan. He’s wonderful!

My husband and I returned in April from an 11-day trip to southern Spain planned by Iván. This was our first trip using a trip planner recommended by Wendy Perrin. Before this trip I planned and managed our travel, with the exception of several small-group bicycle and hiking trips in Europe and Asia. After our fantastic trip to Spain, we wish we had traveled with the guidance of Wendy’s curated list of trip planners much sooner.

The value of a custom itinerary organized by a professional trip planner, with local guides, was priceless. Iván recommended places that we hadn’t considered or even known about, but in retrospect were some of the highlights of our visit. We experienced Andalusia from a local perspective: walking through neighborhoods that some of our guides had known since childhood, eating local dishes family-style, hiking through woods and along trails with coastal views, and viewing landmarks from locations not mentioned in popular guidebooks. Our guides taught us about the culture and history of the area by sharing stories, and it was great fun to be greeted along the way by their friends. We felt like guests, not clients.

Iván had a little over a month to plan the trip before our departure because of our last-minute decision to travel. Despite the time restriction, Iván planned our trip with meticulous attention to detail, demonstrating how well he knows the area and his close connections with the hotels, guides, and transportation services. During our initial zoom call, Iván quizzed us about our travel preferences and goals. He designed and delivered an exceptional trip for us. We visited cultural and historic highlights of southern Spain and other areas that were literally off-the-beaten path, areas both geographically beautiful and remote. Some large tour groups were unavoidable at popular landmarks, but our local guides bypassed entry lines and were adept at maneuvering us around crowded areas.

From the moment we landed in Madrid, Iván’s management of all trip details exceeded our expectations. One example stands out: the last leg of our arrival journey was taking a train from Madrid to Seville. As we left the airport, Iván called to welcome us to Spain and asked whether we would be comfortable with a shorter connection time at the train station in order to arrive sooner at our final destination. “Yes, please,” we replied! Iván made the exchange and texted tickets that allowed us to arrive over an hour earlier in Seville. He also notified the driver picking us up in Seville and our hotel of our early arrival.

Our itinerary included the two or three nights each at Seville, Cadiz, Ronda, and Granada, with our final night in Madrid. We requested boutique hotels in or adjacent to the historic areas of these cities. The locations of all five hotels were excellent and within walking distance of areas we wanted to visit. All of the rooms were well-appointed, quiet, with top-notch amenities and breakfasts. Most of the hotels had balconies, seating areas, and views. We felt that the very best rooms in these lovely hotels had been reserved for us.

We highly recommend Iván and look forward to working with him again on our next trip to Spain.

My wife and I had a wonderful 2+ week trip to southern Spain at the end of April and first week of May, organized by Iván. It was a good time to visit, immediately after Easter and the busy Holy Week processions, but before it got too hot. It also coincided with the “red” (bluefin) tuna fishing season, so we ate some excellent tuna. We visited Madrid, Toledo, Córdoba, Granada, Ronda, Jerez, Seville, Cadiz, and Marbella, staying 3-4 nights in some locations while others were just daytrips.

We were very satisfied with the service, itinerary, experiences, guides and drivers that Iván provided. The drivers were professional, nice, and drove safely & smoothly. The guides were deeply knowledgeable about history, art, architecture, and religion, and went out of their way to accommodate us. And Iván was outstanding to work with and checked in with us daily to ensure things were going well.

The entire trip was great! Here are some unique aspects and highlights:

Our terrific guides taught us a lot about the history of Spain, especially the long Muslim (Moors) reign and the lasting impact it had on Spanish culture and architecture, followed by the Catholic conquest and monarchy.

The Alhambra is amazing—its beauty, size, gardens, water, and palaces. It’s a must-visit and our guide was indispensable in educating us about the history and architecture of the site. He even knew enough Arabic to tell us about some of the poems on the walls.

Ronda: Many visitors go just for the day to see the town and its impressive bridge and park. But Iván encouraged us to spend a few days to explore outside the city and meet some locals, and it was worth it. It was a respite from the busier cities and introduced us to a more rural Spanish lifestyle. The surrounding area is mountainous and naturally beautiful. The views from our hotel and just about everywhere were great. We visited multiple “white villages” and interacted with some of the locals, facilitated by our guide’s outgoing nature and social skills, and the friendliness of the Spanish people. Iván arranged a wonderful private lunch prepared by a local former chef and small winemaker in one of the white villages. And we met with a friendly goat shepherd and his goats, as well as a local cheesemaker who makes very good cheese.

Sherry tasting with the owner of an excellent boutique sherry producer in Jerez. This was unique because we knew so little about the fascinating way that sherry is made. The owner was warm, generous, and entertaining.

Flamenco in Seville. We attended a highly enjoyable flamenco performance in a small theater. Our guide was steeped in flamenco and educated us about it beforehand, enabling us to appreciate the show even more.

At the end of our trip, we chose to stay at the Marbella Club Hotel for 3 days. It was close to our departure airport in Malaga, and we wanted to rest along the Mediterranean Sea before returning home. The Marbella Club is special. It has beautiful gardens, which expanded in 2024 when the hotel acquired a large adjacent property. On multiple occasions we meandered along the paths through the gardens filled with flowers, fruits and vegetables. The hotel has a rich history and retains an old-school chic elegance and service that takes you back in time. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend the city of Marbella as a place to visit (Iván didn’t, and we barely spent any time in the city itself), but if you fly in or out of Malaga, a stop at Marbella Club is worth considering.

Our trip was fantastic. We had been to Spain, but never Madrid, and had wanted to visit Portugal for a long time. The destination and timing were perfect. We were there before big tourist season, and we had the most splendid weather.

Our trip planner Ivan was great. His thorough knowledge of both Spain and Portugal was deep. He arranged our walking tours in Madrid, Porto and Lisbon. He set up our guide and driver for our trip to Toledo, which was also great, and I say that even though we were there for the blackout.

The guides were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their cities. These people love what they do. There was never any pressure to run, run, run, which has happened with other tours. The amount of walking was just enough. I can’t wait to plan another trip with one of your experts. So thank you.

We utilized Ivan and his team for a trip with a number of stops in Portugal and Spain. Ivan listened to our concerns and things we wanted to do and was very responsive with answering questions during the planning phase.

As for our actual trip, Ivan’s suggestions for hotels, restaurants and transportation were excellent. We got caught up in a major power outage affecting Spain and Portugal. Ivan was concerned and responsive, even sending and receiving messages late at night as we tried to scramble for a solution to get to Madrid.

Ivan even planned a complimentary Flamenco show in Sevilla that we most likely would not have booked ourselves but turned out to be really enjoyable.

All details were handled expertly and Ivan’s itinerary was flawless. Thanks to Ivan and his team for a memorable vacation. I would not hesitate to utilize his services for a future trip or to recommend Ivan and his company to others.

We planned a trip to Andalusia and Madrid during peak season: the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. Ivan forewarned us that it would be crowded, and boy was he right! The streets and sites were absolutely packed. Fortunately, Ivan was able to get us into fantastic centrally located hotels with great rooms and a lot of character and also tickets to all of the key sites that we wanted to visit. I believe we scored the last tickets to the Alhambra; had we booked this trip on our own, we almost certainly would not have gotten tickets to key sites like the Alhambra in time.

His drivers knew when access to our hotel would be blocked by parades and were able to plan accordingly. Ivan was easy to communicate with and extremely responsive. During the trip he actually emailed us every day! Throughout the trip, the logistics were extremely smooth and easy. Working with Ivan made planning this trip much easier and faster than it would have been on our own.

My husband, 17-year-old son and I had the most amazing trip to Spain! During the planning stages we had an hour-long zoom meeting with Ivan where we discussed what we’ve done, seen and experienced on some of our favorite travels in the past. We wanted to have a vacation where we interacted with locals while also experiencing the culture of Spain. Ivan came up with the perfect itinerary that immersed us in Spanish and Andalusian culture. Everything was turnkey where all we needed to know was what time to meet our driver and guide in the lobby. Ivan checked in by email every night and immediately answered our phone call when we went to the wrong platform to meet our driver at the Madrid train station. All of our guides and drivers were excellent and it never took long for us to feel like we were hanging out with friends.

We had so many amazing experiences and tours that it’s not possible to pick just one or two favorites. Spending a half day at a bull farm where we learned about the history and tradition of breeding bulls and going out into the fields in a 4×4 to see them up close was so exciting. Attending a Betis FC vs Real Madrid soccer match was epic. The flamenco show and sailing across the Bay of Cádiz was exhilarating.

The food we ate was all exceptional! The tapas tour was informational and delicious. Stopping at a cheese-making workshop was interesting and tasty. Baking bread with a local family in Benalauria and then enjoying it with our lunch that was prepared by a local winemaker and Chef was phenomenal. The market tour and cooking class was exceptional and we’ve already tried making one of the recipes back home!

Our favorite souvenirs are the tiles that we painted in a ceramics and pottery workshop in Triana, the Sherry we purchased in a Sherry bodega where we learned about the aging process and sampled the different types with the owner, and the Olive Oil we shipped home from the Olive Oil mill we toured. The only thing we wished was that we could have stayed longer. We will definitely return to Spain and will contact Ivan to plan our itinerary!!!

My wife and I had travelled extensively from the US to 30+ countries around the world. We had been to Spain 5 times and loved the country more each trip. After being together for over 35 years, she passed away last year. After 9 months as a 75- year-old new widower, I decided to take my 1st solo trip. Andalusia kept popping into my head. My wife had been on Wendy Perrin’s email list and had always spoken about her, but we had never used her…now was the time!

Wendy put me in touch with Ivan, her Andalusia specialist. He and I had an hour-long Zoom call where he listened to what I thought I wanted out of this trip. I had been to most of the World Heritage Sites in the area and therefore wanted to focus on architecture, gastronomy, viniculture, lifestyle, and the culture of the people in and around the White Villages.

The trip was amazing! Every day was with a car, driver, and English-speaking guide—11 days on the ground with 7 different guides, each of whom was friendly, courteous, extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to be with. Sevilla, Cadiz and Ronda were my country bases before returning to Madrid for the trip back to New York.

There was not one event Ivan had planned that was not exceptional. He was proactive all the way through and even showed up at a small vineyard I was visiting to personally introduce himself and give me some wine that wasn’t available in the US. So many extra little details he put in place made my stay in Spain everything I wanted and more. The immersion I had originally requested was handled perfectly and most professionally. All the hotels, White Villages, restaurants, sights in the cities and guides were exactly what I wanted. Vejer de la Frontera was my favorite village where I plan on returning for a few weeks next winter.

It is deeply impressive when one listens to what is being said and is then able to put it all into place. Ivan is that person. His knowledge, understanding, professionalism, client concern and communication skills are what elevates him to the top of the business. He is a true “Fixer” in the best sense of the word, who I thank for making my trip so successful. I would highly recommend him to anyone thinking about a holiday in Spain!

Iván organized an 8-day family trip over the Christmas holiday. We were based in two exquisite hotels, Club Seta Hotel in Granada and Alfonso XIII in Seville. Highlights included a hike on the Caminito del Rey, Alhambra, tapas tours, and performance of the Royal Equestrian School in Jerez (ie, horse ballet). Iván was almost always very rapidly available by text and was very diligent at negotiating solutions for the few hiccups that inevitably will come up. In designing the trip, he was very responsive to our needs in landing on just the right balance of doing and down time. We are very grateful for his excellence and would highly recommend using his services if you are planning a trip to the Andalusia region.

We travelled to Spain in October ‘24 with Ivan as our WOW List planner. His itinerary was accommodating and well-curated for our needs. His special ability to listen and respond is what makes him a true WOW guy! My guess is that he is a guide as well as a planner, which gives him a unique understanding of what works well… and how to execute those plans.

We asked for a tour of history mixed with culture and some bike riding…. and each activity was really wonderful. Flamenco dancing, tropical fruit orchard, a day cooking with a chef, visits to artisans in their leather shop, cape shop and espadrille shop…

Drivers were professional in every way and although we had several guides, each was so knowledgeable for that experience. Anytime we chose the guide or Ivan’s meal recommendations, we were pleased, anytime we took the hotel advice, we were disappointed.

My husband and I recently spent 3 days in Barcelona prior to a cruise. I reached out to Ivan from Wendy’s Wow list, who answered me quickly to set up a call to talk about what we were interested in doing and seeing. We had previously been to Barcelona and so wanted to do different things this trip. Ivan quickly came up with suggestions that we loved.

On the day we arrived Ivan arranged a driver to meet us at the airport. We were quickly taken to our Hotel the El Palace which we loved. That evening we were met with our fabulous guide Nestor. We spent a couple hours on a walking tour of the old town and then went to a couple tapas bars. Nestor truly loves his city and is very knowledgeable about everything in it, we learned so much. The tapas bars were much better than the restaurants I booked on my own. The next morning we were met at our hotel by Chef Ricard for a private cooking class and visit to a local market. The cooking class was so much fun and the food was delicious. I’m looking forward to getting the recipes and trying to cook it ourselves.

Later that afternoon we were meet by Nestor at our hotel to tour Park Güell and the church of La Sagrada Familia. We had previously been to both places, but this time we learned so much more. We arrived at La Sagrada Familia in time for sunset. The church was stunning with all the stained glass windows and the perfect time to go. Nestor then escorted us to the restaurant that I had booked and asked the waiter to make sure we got to Taxi for the return to the hotel. This was on his time and not included in the tour.

On our last day Nestor again met us at the hotel with a driver to tour a family winery in the Penedes wine region. We were treated like royalty and given a wonderful tour. Nestor recommended a great lunch spot in the small town before we headed back to Barcelona. Nestor was a great guide and now friend, and Ivan definitely booked the best of the best for us and handled everything perfectly. He also checked in every day to make sure everything was going as planned and if we were happy. I look forward to booking another tour with him in the future!

Ivan, our trip planner, listened to our interests and he delivered. We had many gastronomic activities which included visiting a cheesemaker, an olive oil producer, and our favorite—an Iberian pig farm. We learned about the strict regulations in this industry and the diets and exercise requirements for the pigs!

Every guide and driver we had was excellent. They felt like friends by the end of the afternoon. We loved the charm of Seville and Cadiz—there was nothing better than wandering down the centuries-old narrow streets and squares filled with restaurants and fountains.

The trip was perfect and we will never hesitate to use your travel services and network of consummate professionals again in the future.

Trip highlight: Concert-pianist traveler takes a private tour of the Chopin Museum.

Mallorca had been on our “bucket” list for a special reason. As a concert pianist, I had always wanted to visit the village of Valdemossa and see the monastery where the composer Frédéric Chopin spent a winter and composed several important piano works. In celebration of my milestone birthday and our 47th wedding anniversary, we decided that this was the moment.

We told Ivan that we were not going to Mallorca for the beach and wanted to avoid crowds and mass tourism. We also knew that we would arrive exhausted and wanted a place where we could relax and be pampered at the start of our trip. Ivan found us a magnificent hotel that met all of our needs and more. Our room had the most extraordinary view of the sea.

Ivan planned a Mallorca itinerary that focused on the history and culture of the Island. Our trip to the Chopin Museum was the highlight, and it included the surprise of a private tour and meeting with the museum director that Ivan made a special effort to arrange. We also worked with Ivan to extend our trip with six days in Catalonia, first in the beautiful seaside village of Cadaqués, and then the Penedès cava region.

Ivan was extremely patient, generous, and attentive to our needs. We had originally planned this trip for earlier in the year but needed to postpone it because of unexpected health issues. When we were ready to rebook, Ivan jumped back in immediately. He was flexible when there were last-minute changes that we wanted to make. In the popular Penedès region, he managed to secure excellent hotel accommodations, drivers and guides – not an easy feat for a very busy holiday weekend at peak harvest time.

Throughout the trip, Ivan was in close touch by email. He wanted to ensure our satisfaction at all points. He informed the hotels of our celebration, and on Mallorca we were greeted at our dinner table with beautiful flowers and a bottle of cava.
It was a pleasure working with Ivan. He was a true partner in the planning of our trip and a perfectionist in its execution. No detail was overlooked. He did all possible to ensure our satisfaction at every point along the way. We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him and for the experience he was able to create for us. Our trip went beyond all expectations because of Ivan’s care and expert planning.

Elizabeth Crawford and family at a waterfront restaurant featured in The Night Manager mini-series.

We recently enjoyed a 2-week trip to Lisbon and Mallorca beautifully planned by WOW expert Ivan Ricoy. Ivan took the time to really understand our goals in the trip, and created an itinerary that prized creating memories with our kids. My daughter and I arrived separately from my husband and son, so it was very reassuring to be met and escorted by a driver in a very nice Mercedes minivan upon arrival to Lisbon. The hotel Ivan arranged for us was a “postcard-perfect” palace in a central location perfect for mom and daughter to explore from for a few days.

Once the rest of the family arrived, Ivan arranged a Foodie tour with local guide AnnElise. She spoke excellent English, was a history expert, but was also young and fun so our kids felt like she was just hanging out with us. As we explored, AnnElise used her personal connections with the culinary community to guide us to memorable experiences more authentic than touristy: We tasted Iberian ham from a small grocer, Bifana sandwiches from a lunch counter, pastries from a historic baker, and cherry liqueur from the “original” maker. We even shared beer from a horn in an old tavern. We were ultimately in Lisbon to see the Taylor Swift concert. Ivan arranged for an experienced driver, who provided invaluable white-glove treatment in the midst of huge crowds. Our driver was able to drive us right to the stadium, and then waited for us to escort us home after the concert. We felt secure and really enjoyed his company as he navigated the crowds and entertained us with stories of his celebrity driving experiences.

When we transferred to Palma de Mallorca, Ivan again made sure we had a local guide to introduce us to the city. Laura was charming and well connected to the local restaurants. While winding us through the narrow streets, pointing out landmarks and helping us learn our way around, Laura introduced us to local tapas bars and wines. The food was excellent and we had our favorite wine of the trip in an exclusive wine bar that we would’ve never been able to get into on our own.

Ivan was in constant contact with us throughout our trip, making sure we knew what to expect as well as checking in daily to make sure our experiences had gone well. At Ivan’s suggestion, we took the opportunity to explore the historic inland towns with our local guide, Laura. My husband had asked to see the scenic restaurant featured in the mini-series The Night Manager along our route. Much to our surprise, Laura spoke to the restaurant matriarch, and we were able to have lunch in this gorgeous, exclusive setting—yet another restaurant we would never have been able to get into on our own.

And when we finally arrived at our spectacular hotel on the cliffs of Port de Soller, we felt like movie stars. We reveled in luxurious lounging at our hotel. Then later in the week, Ivan arranged for a private sailboat excursion with a very experienced captain for us. We appreciated that we actually sailed (not something you can always count on) along the stunning coastline, and loved swimming in the crystal-clear waters. Our trip was spectacular, and Ivan succeeded in making it feel personally tailored to us, with local access and expertise that only a WOW specialist can provide.

Ivan did a great job planning a week in Barcelona with lots of different adventures. From Gaudi, to the Penedes wine region, to a private cooking class in the Gothic quarter, to a hike along the Mediterranean in Costa Brava, we had a fun-filled week in Barcelona.

Sunset on the Playa de la Concha in San Sebastian. Photo: Traveler George Manning

Bonnie and I couldn’t be happier! Ivan designed a two-week trip in Spain I couldn’t have imagined. We spent several nights in Madrid, San Sebastian and Barcelona with day trips to surrounding towns. Every day was a new adventure in castles, cathedrals, art, architecture and cuisine.

Without exception, each guide was wonderful. All were knowledgeable, personable and fun. Their differing personalities added to the fun. Thank you Julio, Enrique, Javier, Rosalia, Susana, Juan, Noemi, and Nestor! Our experience wouldn’t have been the same without you, one and all.

And a big shout out to our drivers! They got us where we wanted to go in comfort. Our itinerary was busy and we were happy to rest in the Mercedes vehicle.

The Prado was amazing. We knew about Goya, El Greco and others, but not much at all about any of them. Their works were marvelous to see in person. Goya especially. The same evening we attended a flamenco show and were introduced to several tapas bars.

The cathedral in Toledo is stunning and a photographer’s delight. In Segovia we overcame our fear of embarrassment and ordered lunch on our own in a tapas bar. Good food and nice people. The Guggenheim in Bilbao is the exact opposite of old Spain, Walking through one of the huge modern installations made me dizzy, literally. We joined our daughter and her boyfriend in San Sebastian for a tour of the city and more tapas and pintxos. Never having liked anchovies, I discovered they are really delicious in San Sebastian.

Visiting Basque country I purchased a nice sweater in San Jean de Luz. Bonnie shopped throughout the trip. While in Barcelona our hotel had a rooftop view of a Gaudi-designed building. Everyone recognizes the Sagrada Familia exterior, but the inside is magnificent and moving too. We visited the Dali museum in Figueres. Dali is much more than limp clocks. His work in other styles surprised us. Our last day we visited the Monastery of Montserrat. It was reached by a short ride in a cable car. The views are spectacular. We toured the basilica and the room where the Black Madonna is kept. To get there we had to navigate narrow hallways and stairs. We flew home the next day. It was a real WOW trip!

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.