Reviews Jim Berkeley

Jim Berkeley was an absolutely excellent trip planner–very responsive to my interests and needs. In addition, he provided practical and sensible suggestions, given the short time I was able to stay in Cuba. All of the trip arrangements, including the selection of a hotel and a wonderful guide and driver, were great. Jim B. and his staff were completely accessible–always prompt to reply; knowledgeable; accommodating. It was a great trip, largely thanks to them.

Jim arranged a Cuba trip for our honeymoon in December 2017, and we had an unbelievable time! It couldn’t have been a better honeymoon destination. Cuba is so incredibly fascinating and so rich in culture. There wasn’t a single thing we would do differently…..except stay another week!! Laura, our translator/guide, was incredible as well as our driver!!! They were so fun and open to sharing their world with us. The food was to die for and we came back at least 10 lbs heavier because of it…and the mojitos! I can’t brag enough about the trip. I seriously have been telling anyone that will listen that they have to go to Cuba and they need to go with Jim and his team. We brought back plenty of cigars, coffee, and art and will have to make a return trip once I finish school. We can’t wait to go back.

Jim arranged a family trip to Cuba that was very specifically tailored just for us. We were absolutely not a group you could stick in a packaged Cuban “people to people” trip and make happy:

Our 25 year old daughter, who used to be a dancer, studied through the years in summer programs at the Royal Ballet in London, Princess Grace in Monte Carlo, Rosella Hightower in France, and American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet in NYC, and also two years with Rudra with the Bejart Ballet in Lausanne, and she wanted more than anything to visit the Cuban National Ballet School. My husband Dan has been on the Board of the Houston Ballet for about 10 years, and we all very very much wanted to attend a performance of the Cuban National Ballet. Our daughter-in-law Lauren, a second year resident in orthopedic surgery at Stanford, wanted to visit the orthopedic hospital and traumatology center. And Lauren’s mother, Susan, who has been diving all over the world, has always wanted to dive in Cuba. Our son Mark and Lauren also wanted to dive.

We were very specific about what we did and did not want to do, and Jim was unfailingly patient, upbeat, enthusiastic, and always cheerful. I cannot say enough great things about Jim or about the trip, and would be glad to answer any questions you might have about what he did for us.