Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
Travelers Just Back: Real Reviews That Show The WOW List Works
Traveler Jeff Westbrook planned a special ancient Egypt itinerary for his wife’s birthday. Wondering what a WOW trip looks like? Read the trip reviews below, all written in your fellow travelers’ own words. WOW trips are custom-tailored exactly to your interests, maximizing your experience, minimizing logistics, whisking you past lines, and avoiding crowds (yes, even this summer in Europe—read on to see how that’s possible).
Learn how to get your own WOW trip. Then, browse our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts to find the right specialist for the trip you’re dreaming of. If you’d like help figuring out where to go or how to plan it, write to Ask Wendy. And you’ll find lots of other ideas in our other compilations of traveler reviews.
Amsterdam, Luxembourg, & Belgium: an outing with a naturalist, Battle of the Bulge tour, private yacht cruise in Ghent
RUTH AND GARY READING | OCTOBER 17, 2024
A private yacht tour in Ghent as part of a 35th anniversary celebration. Photo: Traveler Ruth Reading.
Working with Tom’s company was an absolute pleasure. Tom assisted us with planning a pre- and post- river cruise itinerary in Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Belgium. This trip was to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary and it went perfectly due to the outstanding planning. Tom worked with us to personalize the itinerary to our specific interests.
All of the tour guides, drivers, transportation and accommodations were excellent. We particularly enjoyed the private canal cruise with a beautiful lunch in Amsterdam, an outing with a naturalist in Vielsalm to see the red deer rutting as we were there in that season, the outdoor Battle of the Bulge tour (not just in a museum) in Bastogne, the culinary tour in Ghent and Bruges enjoying chocolates, cuberdons and waffles, and the private yacht cruise in Ghent followed by a lovely dinner on an outdoor terrace at Auberge Du Pecheur. We also particularly enjoyed our stay in Clervaux at the Le Clervaux Boutique Design Hotel and our time hiking in the local area. The hotel 1898 The Post in Ghent was also wonderful.
Every guide was personable, knowledgeable and delightful to be with. All planned transportation was first class. The company also did status checks with us throughout the trip to make sure that all was going smoothly and to our liking. A very memorable trip made possible by the team! Thank you, Tom, for planning a wonderful trip!
Read more reviews of Tom. Or request your own trip.
Japan: serene gardens, shogun palaces, a Buddhist meditation session, a cooking lesson with toro
LISA AND ED BLOCK | OCTOBER 16, 2024
My husband and I just returned from a 2 week trip to Japan planned by Scott Gilman. It was a fascinating and perfectly planned trip by Scott—we started in Tokyo and traveled via private car, express trains, and Shinkansen to Tokyo, Takayama, Shirakawa (after a car ride through the beautiful Japanese “Alps”), Gokayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Nara. The trip was a dream from start to finish with all the connections arranged for us seamlessly: a wonderful, knowledgeable guide, Mihoko, who traveled with us throughout the trip, and fabulous private experiences including participation in a private tea ceremony, a meditation session with a Zen Buddhist priest, a visit to a gold leaf master artisan with a home studio where we met and had tea with his family, a cooking lesson with Kyoko in her Tokyo home which included toro and other Japanese dishes, and a visit to a ryokan with a private onsen. Google translate also helped!
The trip went beautifully from start to finish and Scott as well as his contact on the ground in Japan were available to us for any questions 24/7. The Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, a visit to Matsumoto Castle, and many other serene gardens and shogun and samurai palaces were also included. We returned happy and very satisfied with our experience and Scott’s attention to detail for this trip.
I believe this may be approximately our 8th or 9th trip using Wendy’s travel expert WOW List and we look forward to many more.
Read more reviews of Scott. Or request your own trip.
Scotland: Hiking Arthur’s Seat, visiting Stirling Castle, shepherded to Lismore Island
NICOLLE RIPPEON | OCTOBER 15, 2024
An excellent guide for a hike near Glencoe in Scotland’s West Highlands made for “the most fun and rewarding excursion of the entire trip.”
My husband and I have long wanted a trip to Scotland for just the two of us, and we finally took the opportunity while our girls were at sleep away camp. There were a hundred things that we wanted to do, but we narrowed it down so that we could both discover new things and spend time relaxed in the atmosphere and culture of Scotland.
We began our trip in Edinburgh where we wandered for miles and miles around the city’s Royal Mile and Dean’s Village. On a return trip, we would undoubtedly take the trail from Dean’s Village to Leith via the River Leith. The Royal Mile was a wonderful mix of small side streets, pubs, churches, and glorious architecture. I recommend the guided tour as well as walking on one’s own to better hear the stories that the centuries have to tell. Then we had dinner at Heron, which was an exceptional meal.
The next morning we hiked Arthur’s Seat, and I’m so glad we did! It was just the right level of strenuous. On the way there, we passed through a charming old cemetery, and we ended at Hollyroodhouse Palace, just at the bottom of the Royal Mile. We again walked up the Mile, seeing things from a different perspective and doing a little shopping along the way. (Note: I found the widest range of shopping for items Made in Scotland to be available in Edinburgh. We held off on buying too much wanting to see what came on the rest of the trip, and looking back, we should have stocked up there instead.)
That night, we did a food tour, which was wonderful, but quite a bit different than what I had expected. I sort of thought we would be experiencing haggis three ways at each stop. Rather, we had a very thoughtful guide who walked us through how Scotland has been shaped through the centuries by the world of which it is a critical part. It was lovely, and in the end, we did in fact get the haggis!
Our stay in Edinburgh was at Gleneagles Townhouses. A 10 out of 10. Fantastic food, service, and accommodations—I only wish the windows opened to enjoy the cool air.
From Edinburgh, we drove west. Our driver became a fast friend for sure, and having the driver made the entire trip more relaxing as the roads really are that narrow and windy. She recommended a couple of stops on the way out of town, but far and away our favorite part of this drive was the stop at Stirling Castle. We could have spent two days in and around the village. We were running a bit late by the time we left the castle, so we skipped Wallace’s Memorial, which even in retrospect seems like the right call.
One of the places we really dreamed of seeing on this trip was Isle of Skye, and though we did not have time to tour it properly, we did drive a portion of the Island after making our way to Eileen Donan Castle. Though a limited trip, we did feel as though we saw the Island in two ways as it was quite sunny on the way out, and quite cloudy on the way back. The drama of the mountains and valleys was exactly as we pictured it.
We made our way to Glencoe House, which was another exceptional stay. The Scottish weather rolled in as we departed for a guided hike one day. We were incredibly grateful to have the experience and navigational expertise of the guide—without her, we likely would have turned back and not ventured on the trail. With her help, we actually had the most fun and rewarding excursion of the entire trip. The next day, we had a tour of Lismore Island. The experience with the shepherd was fantastic. My only advice would be to ask—can we do that?!? The guides there seemed not quite as used to people who wanted to get out of the car or scramble up a muddy hill. One of the coolest historic spots on the Island was Tirefour Broch, a circular structure built in the Broze Age. There were lots of people walking and biking the Island, which in sunny weather would have been glorious indeed.
While at Glencoe House, we dined at the Loch Leven Seafood Cafe, which I’m so glad we did. It was a 20-minute drive, which our driver was wonderfully accommodating to take us on. The food was incredibly fresh local seafood, the vibe was super casual, and we left very happy. We also had a dinner at the Laroch Restaurant which featured more wild game. It was also delicious and attached to a pub that had an outdoor seating area that was a refreshing way to end the night.
From Glencoe we headed to Glasgow. We didn’t have much time in the city, but we did make sure to dine at Cail Bruich, which was far and away the best meal of the trip. The Glasgow airport is a smaller airport, so if you have an early morning flight, I recommend checking what time the gates open as we waited a little more than half an hour to check in.
We are so glad to have had our first taste of Scotland and look forward to exploring other parts of this gorgeous landscape in the near future.
Read more reviews of Jonathan. Or request your own trip.
Washington: Olympic National Park’s Hoh rainforest, winding Neah Bay trails, lush Hall of Mosses
ROBERT GRABILL | OCTOBER 15, 2024
Travelers Robert and Lina Grabill hiked the winding Cape Flattery trail at Neah Bay. Photo: Traveler Robert Grabill
This was our first experience using a trip planner. Overall, it was very good though we learned a lot for next time. And yes, there will be a next time. Sheri, our trip planner did a wonderful job with all of her recommendations.
Our trip was to Olympic National Park—a gorgeous park and area that can be a bit overwhelming. Sheri found us a great vacation rental in the 3 Crabs area of Sequim (pronounced Skwim) for the first half of the trip. It was absolutely lovely—highly recommended and one we would like to return to. The house sat right on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, so we could watch the tides, birds and ships. And Mt. Baker sometimes showed itself, though other times it was shy and hid behind clouds/fog.
We hit the majority of the highlights of Olympic National Park. We hiked along Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent/Marymere Falls, Sol Duc, the Hoh rainforest, Kalaloch and Lake Quinault. Dungeness Spit, while not in the park, was amazing though we hit it late in the day and so didn’t have an opportunity to see it in all of its glory.
We drove out to Neah Bay and spent time in the Makah Museum at the Makah Cultural and Research Center. The museum is a fascinating look back at Makah culture from 500 years ago. We also hiked to the furthest NW corner of the lower 48 via the Cape Flattery trail. A gorgeous view awaited us at the end, though the trail itself wound through beautiful forests. It had rained that day so the trail was a bit rough and wet.
Despite it being the off season (which was a great time to go to the park), the Hoh rainforest was very popular and was the busiest of all the locations we visited in the park. The Hall of Mosses is as impressive as everyone says it is—a must-see! Our only sighting of Roosevelt elk was by the roadside as we were leaving Hoh. They are beautiful animals!
Kalaloch Lodge and the Pacific coast area was another favorite of ours. We spent 2 nights there and even came back the next day to further enjoy its beauty. Our cabin had a great view of the ocean and sunset. It’s a place to absorb the power of nature.
A must-do drive is the loop around Lake Quinault, though drivers must be prepared for rough roads once the pavement ends. (High clearance vehicles only.) However, the route is like a drive-thru Hall of Mosses. Absolutely amazing…
Sheri recommended Cedarbrook Lodge for our last night close to the Seattle airport and that recommendation was spot-on. The hotel is luxurious in a beautiful and unexpected setting. While meals are on the expensive side, they are worth it.
Lessons learned for future trips and using a trip planner:
• Think about your preferred style of travel—go, go, go each day or a more leisurely pace?
• Be as specific about your have-to-haves, wants, and “we ain’t doin’ that!” as much as possible
• Carefully evaluate all recommendations with your trip planner.
Read more reviews of Sheri. Or request your own trip.
Scotland: trekking Dunadd’s Fortress, greeting Highland Cows, eating “neeps and tatties”
JEANNIE MULLEN | OCTOBER 14, 2024
Traveler Jeannie Mullen in Kilmartin “transported back 3,000 years” among the Nether Largie standing stones.
Returning now from Scotland…. My most recent trip to Scotland was a delightful mix of town and country, art and architecture, lochs and moors, castles and cathedrals, leisurely drives and brisk walks, and…of course food and whiskey. The only other thing that I could have hoped for was to have had more days to spend experiencing all of the above.
Jonathan and Katie put together a terrific itinerary with great hotels and interesting day trips. Solo travel in the off season with a private driver/guide allowed for so many rich and unscripted moments. I was paired with Davie MacLeod, a member of both Clan Cameron and Clan MacCleod. Davie was great company, and told captivating stories that included Scottish history and lore interwoven with his and his in laws’ clan history. He also introduced me to a variety of local Scottish cuisine, including haggis, neeps and tatties, which I fully enjoyed and from which my waistline is currently suffering. Last but not least, I learned a number of colorful local phrases from him that I can’t wait to share back home.
Highlights from the trip include discovering Dean’s Village and the Water of Leigh Walkway in Edinburgh on my own after an unavoidable last minute food tour cancelation, spending an entire day driving around Isle of Skye at our leisure without the usual tourist traffic, eating fresh muscles straight from Loch Fyne, trekking up to Dunadd’s Fortress where kings were taken to be inaugurated with virtually no one else in sight, walking among the Nether Largie standing stones at Kilmartin again without any other foot traffic, spending a morning at GlenEagles working with May, an 16-month-old Harris Hawk in training, and my WOW Moment… meeting face-to-face with those distinctively gorgeous and very chill Heiland Coos (Highland Cows) (thank you Wendy!)
In all, a great experience on a trip which was planned and executed with incredible attention to detail. Thank you again Wendy, Jonathan and Katie.
Read more reviews of Jonathan. Or request your own trip.
South Pacific: overwater bungalows, distillery, vanilla plantation, private catamaran for Bora Bora
JAN HEININGER | OCTOBER 14, 2024
Jan and Jamie enjoying the superb views of sparkling shades of water.
Kleon Howe planned an excellent 2½ week trip for my husband and me to Tahiti for September 2024. We spent time on Moorea, Vahine Island, a private 50-foot catamaran and Bora Bora. On Moorea, Kleon arranged three superb activities for us. We took a hike to Afareaitu waterfall. The guide Kleon had arranged for us was wonderful and, while hiking, we learned much about life and culture on Moorea, family structure (women rule!), and Mooreans’ attachment to the land. A second activity was a marvelous ATV ride to one of Moorea’s highest points with a great view. Finally, we had a superb cooking class provided as a WOW Moment by Wendy. It was just that, indeed. We prefer off-the-beaten path activities that allow us to get beneath the surface of any destination we’re visiting. These activities did that in spades.
Our second stop was tiny Vahine Island off Raiatea Island. Again, Kleon did a great job dealing with all the details. He told us which side of the plane had the seats to get the best view from the air for the flight to Raiatea. My husband had broken his eyeglasses, so after we landed on Raiatea, Kleon’s ground team took us to an optometrist who repaired Jamie’s eyeglasses. The ground team had then arranged a private transfer for us to Vahine Island. Finally, Kleon had booked us into the nine-bungalow resort’s best and largest bungalow with a superb view over a coral garden under sparkling shades of blue water. A pirogue ride got us out into the lagoon inside the outer reef and a class in coconut palm leaf braiding was another activity that gave us insight into how Tahitians creatively live off the land.
Our third segment was four nights on a catamaran with a wonderful captain and cook. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate and we had mostly overcast skies and lots of rain. We still made several interesting stops: a black pearl farm, a vanilla plantation, a distillery, and a culturally important archeological site. Our fourth segment included five nights on Bora Bora. Kleon booked us into Le Bora Bora resort’s largest two-room overwater bungalow at the end of the pontoon. We spent most of our time here enjoying our spacious decks and plunge pool. We did a lot of reading. I did a Jet Ski ride around the lagoon. We ended the trip with a day room in Papeete’s Intercontinental hotel in a nice room in an interesting location with excellent food as we awaited our midnight flight. We could have spent more time there.
Unfortunately, our trip turned out not as we expected although this had nothing to do with Kleon or his arrangements and everything to do with my husband’s insufficient recovery from a leg broken in Paris five months earlier. His stiffness and lack of strength and stamina contributed to two falls in Tahiti, multiple ER visits and stitches. Kleon and his ground team leapt into action and made arrangements we could not have done on our own. He facilitated rapid access to (excellent) medical care. Kleon’s care in crafting our itinerary meant we had qualified and competent people, such as the catamaran cook who wrapped Jamie’s leg in compresses to stop the bleeding, and the manager at Le Bora Bora who provided a wheel chair for him on arrival. Having been through this earlier in the year in Paris with another of Wendy Perrin’s experts, we knew we could rely on Kleon to ensure all our needs were swiftly met. This was another reminder that when you use Wendy’s WOW List experts, they are skilled not only at creating wonderful itineraries and executing them superbly, they are there to handle any problems that arise. That means having access not only to them but to their invariably excellent ground teams.
Jamie’s being banned from all water activities for nearly the entire trip kind of vitiated the point of traveling to the South Pacific. So does climate change that resulted in overcast skies and much rain during what used to be Tahiti’s “dry” season. Coral bleaching hasn’t just affected Australia’s Great Barrier Reef; it’s stripped color from much of French Polynesia’s coral, resulting in less than stellar snorkeling. We are very grateful to Kleon for all the effort and care he put into our trip. We just wish Jamie had recovered enough to heed our orthopedist’s primary rule: “Don’t fall.”
Read more reviews of Kleon. Or request your own trip.
Egypt: special birthday trip, classic tour of ancient history & monuments
JEFF WESTBROOK | OCTOBER 13, 2024
Traveler Jeff Westbrook planned a special ancient Egypt itinerary for his wife’s birthday.
I wanted a very special trip for my wife, who has always loved ancient Egypt and was having a big birthday in September. Jim and his team talked me through the trip, and gave me lots of great advice about what to see and do for a classic tour of the land. Seema then took over the precise scheduling and did a terrific job.
In Egypt, the local partners were fantastic, always prompt and attentive, and we had a couple of very experienced Egyptologists to guide us through the monuments and the ancient history. I chose to make my own reservations for air travel within Egypt, in order to save some money. I’m not sure I would do that again as it led to a certain amount of extra work dealing with the airlines and agents in Egypt.
Read more reviews of Jim. Or request your own trip.
Southern Africa: Zimbabwe wildlife orphanage & rock paintings, Botswana by helicopter
SARA EDWARDS | OCTOBER 11, 2024
Authentic experiences and personal touches—through art, meaningful conversations, orphaned wildlife—made Edwards’ trip “memorable and profound.”
At sixty-seven and finally retired, I started to plan my dream trip to Africa with my adult daughter. Thanks to Katie and her team, we had a trip of a lifetime. We had one day in Johannesburg with a fantastic guide whose “day job” was as a human rights lawyer. We did highlights, such as Nelson Mandela’s house and the Hector Pieterson Museum, but we also had time to see the many murals and art that adorned the city streets. We stopped at a gentrified factory/laundry converted to art galleries and shops.
Our next stop was Harare, Zimbabwe, where we visited Wild is Life, a wildlife orphanage and rescue and rehabilitation center. Katie arranged a private tour as we were only in Harare for the morning, and the day we were there, the center was closed. The experience was so incredible! We talked with a vet caring for an injured porcupine (due to poaching) and met a pangolin and its beloved caretaker. We fed giraffes and had a delicious high tea surrounded by animals. We also got to go behind the scenes and meet the lions. Every animal there has a story!
We were whisked off to the airport to head to Mana Pools to start safari. Amazing! It’s true; big game does come right up to the deck. We went to sleep to hippos singing and lions in the distance. From Mana Pools, we flew to Bulawayo and the Matapo region. Our private guide, Paul, was a brilliant and kind man. We saw the rhinos on our first evening in the park. We stayed with them, watching and moving with them as they traveled to their watering spot, all while the sun was setting. Paul was an expert on this region of Zimbabwe and the rock paintings scattered through the hills. We visited three different sites, all of which were amazing. Paul was kind in helping me navigate trails and rock steps up to the caves. I am not very fit, and it was hot, but it was so worth it! A highlight was a visit to a village and talking to an older woman and her adult granddaughter in their hut. We had an interpreter to make communication easier. This time was a memorable and profound experience for me. I didn’t want to leave.
Next was Hwange, another adventure on safari that was equally fun. A quick overnight stop at Victoria Falls and off to Botswana for our last stop before heading home. The Okavango Delta was beautiful, and we had a leopard visit at our sundowner party. Amazing! The animals, birds, and people were fantastic in all the areas we visited. We learned so much. We left our last camp by helicopter, only to have a surprise landing in the savannah with champagne. This summary doesn’t do justice to the beauty and depth of our trip. There were many moving pieces, flights, and connections, and everything ran smoothly without a hitch, thanks to Katie and the team. We loved the tipping guide created specifically for our trip.
Read more reviews of Cherri. Or request your own trip.
Mexico: ruins and village crafts, ballet & wrestling, hot air balloon over Teotihuacan
CATHERINE MATHIS | OCTOBER 11, 2024
A well-tailored trip, from a private museum tour to artistic performances and ballooning over Teotihuacan.
Zach and Jose helped us plan the trip. While we had been to Mexico several times, we had not been to Mexico City but had heard great things about it. It was definitely on the list. In addition, we wanted to see one of the smaller cities in the country. After thoughtful conversations about our preferences, we settled on Oaxaca.
Zach and Jose asked us all the right questions: Are you interested in architecture? Yes. Are you foodies? We are. Museums, performances? Yes and yes. They crafted a trip that was well tailored to the kinds of things we like. Because we have traveled with many of Wendy’s WOW List experts, we had a WOW Moment our very first morning—a private tour of Museo de Diego Rivera, which houses his masterpiece “Dreams of a Sunday Afternoon in Almeda Central.” I felt like we were traveling through time, from Mexico’s Indigenous roots to 1947, when the mural was completed. It was a vivid crash course on the country’s layered history, which made the sights we saw later more meaningful.
Early one morning we floated in a hot air balloon over the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan. We spent an evening at the Ballet Folklorico in the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes. One night we went to see Lucha Libre, a wild cross between the World Wrestling Entertainment and Cirque Du Soleil. Amazing athleticism with much encouragement from the wrestlers for audience participation and statements about the profession of their opponents’ mothers.
Near Oaxaca, we visited the archaeological ruins of Monte Albán and Mitla and went to several villages, each of which specialized in a different craft—black pottery, backstrap weaving, and vibrant alebrijes (intricately painted wood carvings).
Food was a big part of this trip. Zach and Jose’s team gave us restaurant recommendations in each city, and we had a ball learning to make tortillas and salsa with an amazing cook who also fed us her chicken mole and stuffed peppers.
We had great guides and drivers, and throughout the trip, Raquel on the team checked in to see how things were going. She was so helpful, making sure we were not in bulkhead seats so we could put our belongings under the seat in front of us when we flew from Oaxaca to Mexico City, and making sure we were in the right place when we were picked up at the airport.
It was a trip filled with history, flavor and fun. Viva la Mexico!
Read more reviews of Zachary. Or request your own trip.
Portugal: taking a cooking class, mountaintop stargazing, walking Lisbon’s streets & hills
BARBARA PALTER | OCTOBER 9, 2024
Three couples—friends since high school—enjoy a special stargazing evening in Lisbon.
This is the third trip our group has taken with one of Wendy’s WOW List recommendations. We are three couples, friends since high school, and have been travelling together for the past few years with Wendy. Wendy helped us decide on Portugal and then suggested that we speak to Goncalo. We had a great initial conversation and the planning began. It’s never easy to plan for one couple never mind three! Goncalo’s team rolled with (all of) our constant changes and amendments which ultimately resulted in a fantastic time to Portugal.
Goncalo understood the type of accommodations that we enjoyed and found us some truly special places at The Vagar in Belmonte and Quinta Nova Luxury Winery House in the Douro Valley. Hotel Heritage Avenida Liberdade was a terrific choice in Lisbon; it was very well appointed and perfectly located.
Some highlights included our walk through the market and cooking class in Lisbon with our local foodie guide, wandering the streets and hills of Lisbon, the loveliest staff at The Vagar, and our very special WOW Moment there—stargazing at a mountain top on the hotel property, our flat tire and subsequent rescue by the unbelievably wonderful staff at the Quinta Nova, and the constant ingestion of pastel de nata and gelato at every corner.
Thank you so much to everyone for creating such a great adventure for us.
Read more reviews of Goncalo. Or request your own trip.
Belize: Mayan ruins, jungle and rain forest, and swimming with barracudas
SUSAN CUNNEEN | OCTOBER 8, 2024
First, if you haven’t yet been to Belize, you must go! It is a beautiful country, with many different places to experience, and has some of the nicest people I have ever met in this world. Truly, I cannot wait to return, and soon! This was all made special because of Patricia, who did an outstanding job of asking the right questions about we wanted from the trip, closely listening to our likes/dislikes, and then making suggestions that were perfect for us. She was spot on, from booking us beautiful villas at Chaa Creek in the Cayo District, and then for the beach portion we wanted, Ray Caye, which was such an adventure. I loved that we were able to see Mayan ruins, explore and experience the jungle/rain forest, and then be at an island resort 17 miles off the shoreline. While at Ray Caye, I swam with large turtles, sharks and barracudas. It was a great experience!
On our last night at Chaa Creek, we were surprised by a wonderful WOW moment, which consisted of a wine tasting, done by a local company. The wines were delicious, the charcuterie plate amazing, and most of all, the people that conducted the training were so much fun! We ended up feeling as if we had made new friends, and will never forget that beautiful night.
Again, if you are considering Belize, go (!) and have Patricia and her team do your planning. I have now been to 42 countries outside of the US, and Belize is now one of my favorites!
Read more reviews of Patricia and Rachael. Or request your own trip.
Australia: sunrise over Kata Tjuṯa, snorkling the Great Barrier Reef, seeing Kangaroo Island rise from the ashes
MARTHA LAZARAKIS | OCTOBER 8, 2024
We spent a glorious month in Australia to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, thanks to the impeccable planning and care of Stuart and Jacki’s team. They were able to incorporate all of our wish list destinations, no small feat in a country that size! We let them know that our priorities were wildlife viewing, culinary experiences and active exploration, and we went through a few draft itineraries before settling on a framework of destinations, durations and dates. Then it was on to choosing specific activities, restaurant reservations, etc, and then Jacki worked her magic. From premier rooms, to chefs table seatings at restaurants, to champagne greetings and surprise turn-in treats, we felt like we were VIPs the entire trip.
We chose September in order to avoid high season crowds. While cold at times and with a couple of days of rain, in general we felt it was a wonderful time. We packed well for 4 seasons and experienced everything, from the warm lush weather in Lizard island, to dry heat in Uluru, to mild and lovely Sydney and Tasmania, drizzly Melbourne and windy and crisp Kangaroo Island. The team arranged for wonderful private guides to see Uluru, the Great Ocean Road, Blue Mountains, and Maria Island on Tasmania. We highly recommend private guiding for these types of destinations, to get that deep education of the history and culture, as well as to find all those elusive creatures we were hoping to see (and did!) Even our airport transfer drivers were interesting and informative! In other locations, such as Lizard Island, Spicers Hidden Vale, Silky Oaks and Kangaroo Island, we had the most wonderful guides who were employed by the lodges. In our view, one of the most important benefits of staying at the resorts recommended by the company is that we had the highest level of expertise and service from all the staff.
We made the decision not to use guides in Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart for city touring. We love wandering cities on foot and exploring shops and attractions on our own, and this was a great change of pace for us for a few days of the trip. All three are very walkable, and have good public transit as well.
Choosing one favorite experience on such an amazing trip is impossible, but to narrow it down to a few: Seeing the sun rise over Kata Tjuṯa and sun set behind Uluru (with delicious private picnics for both). Snorkeling among the corals and fish of the Great Barrier Reef, and learning about the ecology of the reef at a world renowned research facility. Learning about and witnessing the beautiful flora and fauna that are rising from the ashes on Kangaroo Island (and staying at the absolutely stunning, totally rebuilt Southern Ocean Lodge). Hiking and seeing all the many amazing creatures who live in Tasmania, and doing an after-hours private tour at the Bonorong animal sanctuary where we got to feed the residents.
One reason among many that we are so grateful for the company occurred after the start of the trip. A few weeks prior to traveling one of us had a minor medical issue which required dietary restrictions going forward. We didn’t even consider how that would be an issue until we arrived in Sydney and started dining out. When we realized that we would frequently be dining at places with limited menus, we asked Jacki to make a couple of calls to let the prix-fixe menu locations know of the situation. She contacted everyone—the private guides providing picnics, the all-inclusive resorts, and every restaurant where we had a reservation. Without exception, every location was not only accommodating, but the meals were all delicious! This would have required us to spend hours of time to do it ourselves, right in the middle of our travels. We can’t express how grateful we are to have used Jacki’s team. It was truly a unique and unparalleled trip for us.
Read more reviews of Stuart. Or request your own trip.
Spain: Rioja wine country, Toledo’s Jewish Quarter, hiking Camino del Norte
NINA SCHURZ | OCTOBER 7, 2024
Jon and Nina Schurz walking the Camino Del Norte in Getaria.
We will never plan our own travel again! Working with Pablo for our two-week adventure in Spain this September was a pleasure and we wouldn’t change a thing. In fact, we’ll certainly enlist him again for a future trip to Portugal. We would never have had personal, in depth experience an in-country travel expert offers. We learned so much about Spain, its history and people.
We were travelling to a friend’s son’s wedding in San Sebastian and decided to create a vacation around it. In speaking with Pablo, he understood our desire to have both guided experiences and enough time to venture out on our own. We didn’t want to be too museum-intensive either and he understood the assignment.
From our arrival at the airport in Madrid, we were whisked away to our hotel seamlessly. Day 1 set the foundation for a terrific experience. Our guide in Madrid was so incredibly versed about art (at The Prada) and the history of Madrid and Spain—we wish we’d listened to Pablo’s suggestion of a full day tour. We were THRILLED to learn he’d be our guide for the full day adventure to Toledo the following day. In Toledo, we toured the city in its entirety and focused on the Jewish Quarter. His knowledge was extraordinary and we truly felt like a personal friend.
We took the train to San Sebastian for the wedding—the hotel selected by Pablo was first class, charming and welcoming. Our magical vacation resumed with a guided tour to Biarritz and St. Jean de Luc. Following that, we had another extraordinary guide, Maria, who took us to her home town of Zarautz—invited us into the private dining club she and her husband belong to (!) and hiked with us along a section of the Camino del Norte to the charming town of Getaria. I’ve never experienced such beauty. (For this, you should be in decent physical shape!)
The following morning, we were picked up by our driver and journeyed to Rioja to experience the wine country. The hotel here was the only SLIGHT disappointment of the trip—a hotel too modern for its surroundings that left us feeling cold. It just didn’t fit with the medieval towns. There was nowhere to eat nearby and the hotel’s restaurant was only open for dinner. Our tour of two unique vineyards the following day by an experienced guide—and the special meal she prepared for us—more than made up for the disappointing accommodations.
We then went on to Bilbao for a quick one day stopover and to catch the flight to Barcelona. The hotel was perfect and our guide allowed us to appreciate the Guggenheim more deeply. We finished up with 4 nights in Barcelona—and again had extraordinary experiences cultivated by Pablo. All of our guides throughout the two weeks in Spain were fabulous, easy to be with and eager to please. Our transfers and transportation were seamless and first class. Do not hesitate to enlist Pablo to craft a world class adventure. We can’t wait for our next adventure!
Read more reviews of Goncalo. Or request your own trip.
Normandy, Brittany & Provence: Monet’s gardens, wild bulls and horses, hot air balloon ride
JIM SCHLEIF | OCTOBER 7, 2024
The birthday boy enjoys a hot air balloon ride over the Luberon.
We just returned from an extraordinary trip to Normandy, Brittany and Provence planned by Philip’s team. This was our first WOW trip and a 60th bday trip for me with my partner Bill and our closest friends. I studied and lived in France from ’83-’84 so it was my “Homecoming Birthday Trip.” Every detail was flawless and we had sooo much fun!
We started in Normandy with our guide Herve, an incredible historian. We all had each other in stitches for the three days but also experienced the poignancy of the WWII sights and landing beaches. We saw the beautiful towns of Honfleur, Bayeux and Monet’s gardens in Giverny. We then rented a car and drove to Brittany and did three days there on our own but stayed in the 5-star Hotel Barriere Le Grand in Dinard.
Then off to Provence and the Luberon. Philip’s office helped us secure the most stunning villa, La Mas des Roses, at the base of a charming village, La Coste. Here are some non-stop highlights: wine tasting and private vegetarian catered lunch by organic local chef; a private tour of a Manade in the Camargue with wild horses and bulls and delightful hosts, Estelle and Patrick Laurent and their son (a 4th-generation French cowboy); an after-hours tour of Avignon’s Le Palais des Papes in which a baroque quartet was practicing for an event (we may have been in heaven at that very moment), then wine tasting and dinner at a private Michelin-star chef’s table at La Mirande; a hot-air balloon ride over the Luberon (my favorite); the 2 weeks were topped off with a private chef cooking class by Jonathan Chiri at our villa and a wine tasting “50 Shades of Rose” by the only American sommelier working in France the past 17 years, Kelly McAuliffe. We went out in style (and with a headache)!
I must say 90% of this would never have been possible without Philip’s connections. The wonderful guides and people are all old friends of his and the luxury travel industry is close-knit. What else we loved? The app, all the restaurant suggestions and the concierge list serve! Constantly updated by the minute. Running late? Text the list serve. Change of heart or in the mood for a type of food? Text. Daily check-ins to be sure we were having fun. One guest needed medical attention. They were there immediately for us. We even had coffee with our travel specialist Marion in Aix-en-Provence on the Cours Mirabeau. It was great to meet her in person.
I am so glad the trip itself was remarkable, because the communication during the planning process was really challenging. Sometimes 2-7 weeks would go by before anyone would get back to me on simple details or questions. Ultimately Philip’s team delivered exceptional results, but getting there was not exactly what I expected. Marion admitted this was something she was “actively working to improve.”
That said, the professionalism of this team cannot be underestimated. It may have been the best trip of our lives (and we have been traveling internationally for 30 years). Thank you Marion, Nedjma, Philip and team. You are truly masters of your craft in delivering memories and exceptional experiences.
Read more reviews of Philip. Or request your own trip.
Egypt: Nile river boat cruise, and pyramids, tombs, and museum with an Egyptologist
WENDY SHOEMAKER | OCTOBER 6, 2024
Our recent trip to Egypt was outstanding. The planning was excellent with lots of activities, but not too much. We started with 3 wonderful days in Cairo visiting the pyramids, tombs, and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Eman our Egyptologist was outstanding. We also had visits to Abu Simbel and Aswan. Then onto the Oberoi Philae river boat which was really a great experience. Superior service and wonderful food. Spacious & comfy. Loved the sites in Luxor as well as visiting Sharm el Sheikh. The all inclusive Rixos Seagate was a great way to relax and end our vacation. Excellent job all around. Will definitely use them again for another future trip.
Tips:
*Be mindful not to take on too much each day due to the heat and amount of walking on some of the excursions.
*Loved my Lobster alfredo dinner at the Crimson Bar & Grill in Cairo.
*Having reps help with airport transfers very helpful.
*Old Cataract hotel amazing. Oberoi Phalea an outstanding river boat. High security presence throughout our stay made us feel safe.
*Bring lots of small bills ($1, $5 & $10) for tipping.
*The Rixos adult only (18+) hotel might have been a better option than the Seagate which allows kids.
*Late check out on last day at the Rixos was worth the $100 it cost (got another lunch and dinner).
*Many of the facilities are going to QR codes in lieu of paper. ATMs readily available for getting Egyptian money.
*AXUS app very helpful for tracking activities. All the reps, guides & drivers did a great job.
Read more reviews of Jim. Or request your own trip.
Africa: thousands of wildebeests, gorillas in Uganda, Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum
LINDA BAILEY | OCTOBER 3, 2024
We saw, heard, tasted, experienced, and learned so much, our senses sometimes went into overload (a good thing). The migration was one of the reasons we chose to visit Africa. Unfortunately, it was not happening because it had rained a couple of days before we arrived; therefore, the wildebeests did not leave as there was plenty of food. However, seeing thousands of wildebeests grazing was a sight to behold. Spending time with the gorillas in Uganda was also a pinch me moment.
The bush camps were tents with screens in place of windows. It was not unusual to see wildlife in the camp, and escorts were required after dark. One evening on the way back to our tent from dinner, the escort pointed out a fresh leopard track on our path. This meant relying on texting to communicate with family in another tent at night. We appreciated the free upgrade to a villa at one of the camps, which made it easier for us to interact with one another.
The transfer to/from some of the bush camps took a bit of coordination – kudos to Julian’s team. The trip, however, was not entirely glitch free, but these incidents were minor. The majority of our guides were outstanding, flexible, personable and have a deep passion for what they do.
The bush meals (imagine a picnic table set up under a lone tree in the vast, open savannah with wildlife grazing nearby) and sundowner (where Maasai staff used sticks to start a campfire to roast a delicious leg of lamb while we sipped our drinks and nibbled on appetizers as the luminous sun dipped below the horizon) were both fun experiences.
While mother nature can put on quite a show in Africa, there is also the ugly side of apartheid, and the displacement of tribes like the Batwa. Tours of Constitution Hall and the Apartheid Museum were heart-wrenching, but are must-visits to fully comprehend the brutality inflicted on its people. Our visit to a Batwa village was a highlight. It was educational and we loved how the people wanted to share their stories.
It was an educational and wonderful adventure. Africa is teeming with wildlife, from mammals, to birds and reptiles. Staying at a bush camp was surreal with the sounds of wildlife surrounding us throughout the day and night. We will never forget the adorable Maasai and Batwa children. Thank you, Julian, Lisa, and Carmella, from the bottom of our hearts.
Read more reviews of Julian. Or request your own trip.
Bali, Java & Singapore: great logistical flow, beautifully authentic hotels, guide “became family”
CAROLYN CARPENETI | OCTOBER 3, 2024
Andrea and his team really went out of their way to make sure our trip was “off the beaten path,” which is exactly what we asked. There is no way I would have ever found the beautiful and amazing hotels and special day trips on my own. Each was authentic, no tourists, and the guide we were paired with quickly became family as we explored Bali. During the trip, Andrea and his team were always close by via WhatsApp, which was very reassuring. We visited Bali, Java and Singapore and each destination easily flowed into the next from a logistical perspective. Loved every second!!!
Read more reviews of Andrea. Or request your own trip.
Italy: Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Naples, and Amalfi…with disabilities
LUCAS NADOLSKIS | OCTOBER 3, 2024
Our trip to Italy began in Rome, and right away we experienced the benefits of hiring Alberto and Martina’s company. Our driver was waiting for us at the airport, helping us seamlessly navigate the busy Rome train station, where we caught our train to Florence. As a traveler with disabilities, hiring a travel planner made all the difference. Our guides met us at our hotel for each tour, and everyone was incredibly accommodating. Martina and Elisa were both easy to reach and always available to address any issues that came up during our trip.
The experiences they curated were truly unique, but I can’t recommend their Positano team enough! Every step in Positano was worth it once we arrived at their stunning spot, overlooking the breathtaking Italian coast.
Additionally, having drivers to take us from our hotels to train stations and tours made the trip so much smoother. Vieri, who drove us through the Tuscan countryside, was particularly attentive and offered numerous tips we wouldn’t have known otherwise.
Overall, the exceptional service provided by Martina, Elisa, and Alberto truly made our trip special, and we can’t wait to return to Italy!
This trip was arranged by WOW List candidates. Here’s what that means.
Mallorca & Catalonia: Chopin’s monastery, Penedès wine, Cadaqués by the sea
MINA MILLER SABRITT | OCTOBER 2, 2024
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.
Read more reviews of Ivan. Or request your own trip.
Romania: medieval citadels, truffle hunting, and Jewish history
LINDA GREEN | OCTOBER 2, 2024
My husband and I just returned from a 10 day trip to Romania. We spent most of our time in Transylvania, which is both scenic and uniquely interesting. Our major reason for traveling to this part of the world was to visit the city of Cluj, where my husband’s father lived before emigrating to the U.S. in the 1930s, and to see the specific places where he and his family lived.
Our trip planners, Raluca and Malvina, did a great job of incorporating this into our itinerary, and also providing experiences that gave us a deeper appreciation of the overall history of Romania and Transylvania, particularly that of the Jews. We knew little of this history before the trip. It was very moving to visit the few synagogues that have been preserved and to meet the people who take care of them. And it was extremely interesting to tour the medieval citadels and fortified churches that dot Transylvania and to spend time in the mostly preserved traditional Saxon village of Viscri. We felt transported back in time watching the horse drawn carts, geese, goats, sheep and cows that wander through the streets of this picturesque place and we enjoyed the simple but delicious traditional foods that are truly farm to table.
We also loved going truffle hunting and enjoying the truffle pasta dinner prepared for us by our truffle guide, as well as our beautiful horseback ride through lovely meadows and forests. One of our most unusual experiences was visiting the vast and otherworldly salt mine in Turda which we would highly recommend. Throughout our trip, our guide, Paul, provided great information and suggestions that very much enhanced our overall understanding and enjoyment of the various places we visited. And it was great to spend time chatting with the lovely local people we met who provided insights into various aspects of life in this intriguing country. Overall, it was a very worthwhile trip.
Read more reviews of Raluca. Or request your own trip.
Peru: sunset over the Andes, lodge and spa, archaeological sites, and “Peru flat” hiking…
DAVID DUBOW | OCTOBER 1, 2024
Hiking the Inca trail was challenging. “We now know what ‘Peru flat’ really means.”
The executive summary—it was great. The flights to and from and in Peru were a breeze. Flight times changed a bit between our initial reservations and the travel dates, but our travel agent kept us updated. Knowing that we had backup in case of major changes was very reassuring. We really appreciated spending a little bit of extra money on premium Latam tickets (AKA first class.) While first-class airplane seating on the short flights between Lima and Cuzco was nothing special, skipping the very long lines at baggage check in the airport because we had premium tickets was extremely nice. That might not be something other travelers would know about and is worth sharing with them. The next time we travel, we will ask specifically about that perk. The travel advisors in Lima and Cuzco were also very helpful.
As we expected, Explora was great, and we feel that it was even better than the ones in Tores del Paine and Atacama. The food was outstanding, with the lone exception of the box “breakfast” they provided us on the morning of departure. In contrast to all of the other sumptuous food, we were surprised that it was a dry deli meat turkey sandwich. All of the staff were gracious, friendly, and very helpful. The explorations were fantastic, challenging, fun, and informative. We wish that Explora would open facilities in other locations around the world.
We really enjoyed our WOW experience—watching the sunset over the Andes Mountains on the Racchi highlands while enjoying gourmet appetizers and champagne, and then relaxing with a great massage at the Explora spa. The transition from Explora to private touring with Ruben was seamless. He contacted us the day before we left the hotel and reviewed all the arrangements executed exactly according to plan. Ruben was an excellent guide, knowledgeable about Peruvian history, and very good at explaining it all. We also felt very safe with him in charge.
The one-day hike on the Inca trail was challenging but well within our physical limits. We now know what “Peru flat” really means. We will share that Ruben was a bit like Speedy Gonzalez on the hike and often was far ahead of us on the trail, waiting up ahead, out of sight, for us to catch up. Perhaps he was giving us time to enjoy walking by ourselves, but it would have been nice to learn about the landscape and flora as we walked. We never felt unsafe or worried about getting lost. We will also share that he occasionally seemed to prefer sitting apart from us (e.g. during an hour-plus delay on the train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo). That was not a problem but was a contrast to the Explora guides, who frequently seemed to seek out personal contact with us.
Our time in Cusco was excellent. We were not expecting to enjoy the city and the historical touring we did there. Ruben was an outstanding guide for the city and the nearby archeological sites we visited. He also had great suggestions for where to eat and drink near our hotel.
In regard to lodgings, Explora was, as expected, fantastic. Everything about it was great: the physical facilities, the people, and, as I mentioned, the food. Thanks to Jordan’s team, we also got a chance to enjoy the spa. The Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel in Aguas Calientes was nice but showed its age around the edges and was on the rustic side compared to our other lodgings. The staff was nice, and the food was well above average. We are not foodies, so we took advantage of the included breakfast and dinner and did not venture out to nearby restaurants. In Cusco, Casa Cartagena was excellent. It was elegant, quiet, and very conveniently located. And the staff went out of their way to be helpful, even going to a nearby restaurant to get us the menu when we couldn’t find it online. We highly recommend this hotel.
Our thanks to everyone at Jordan’s company for crafting another bucket list adventure. We will return to South America again (perhaps Brazil to see Iguazu Falls, or to Ecuador, or Bolivia) and will definitely reach out to you for that.
Read more reviews of Jordan. Or request your own trip.
Switzerland: traditional bell-making, postcard-worthy scenery, the art of chocolate
DAVID KINSLER | SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
Our bespoke two-week journey through Switzerland was nothing short of magical. The adventure began in the vibrant city of Zürich, where we were immediately immersed in the city’s rich cultural history. One of the highlights was the watchmaking demonstration, which gave us an intimate look into Switzerland’s famous craftsmanship. The precision and artistry behind each timepiece were mesmerizing, and it set the perfect tone for the rest of our trip. Exploring Zürich was equally delightful, from its scenic riverfronts to the charming old town brimming with history.
We then ventured by train and back to Appenzell, where we experienced traditional bell-making firsthand. Watching the craftsmen at work was fascinating, and the deep tones of the freshly made bells rang with a timeless beauty. Our visit to a working Swiss farm added a wonderful rustic touch to the trip, giving us a glimpse into the country’s agricultural traditions and sustainable practices. It was a peaceful and enriching contrast to the city’s bustle.
We took a day trip to Bern, where the medieval streets and historic charm of the old city transported us back in time. The Einstein Museum was an unexpected gem—an engaging dive into the life and work of one of the greatest minds in history, all set within the beautiful backdrop of Bern’s cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.
Next, we headed by train to Zermatt, a true hiker’s paradise. The breathtaking views of the Matterhorn were absolutely unforgettable. Every step of our hikes offered postcard-worthy scenery, from pristine alpine lakes to rugged mountain peaks. The air was crisp, the trails well-maintained, and the natural beauty of the Swiss Alps left us in awe. From Zermatt we traveled to Grindenwald and the Lauterbrunnen Valley where the weather was uncooperative but the team quickly made arrangements for us to leave a day early for Lausanne and better weather.
We concluded our adventure in Lucerne, nestled on the serene shores of the lake. The city itself is picture-perfect, with its wooden bridges and waterfront promenades. The highlight here was the chocolate-making workshop, where we indulged our senses and learned the delicate art of Swiss chocolate. Creating our own confections was not only fun but deliciously rewarding—a sweet way to end our incredible journey.
Overall, this bespoke trip through Switzerland perfectly blended urban exploration, cultural immersion, and natural wonders. Each destination offered something unique, and we left with memories to treasure for a lifetime. The itinerary blended a good mixture of countryside and city sites and can through for us when the weather wasn’t cooperating.
Read more reviews of Nina. Or request your own trip.
Japan: onsen bathing at a ryokan, forging knives with a swordsmith, making sushi…
EMILY FRIEDMAN | SEPTEMBER 23, 2024
A sushi-making class: “an unforgettable family evening, joyous and full of laughter.”
This was our first trip using Wendy’s Wow List travel specialists. I can’t imagine visiting the Far East without her specialist’s guidance. I was overwhelmed with how to plan a trip to a country so diverse, with a language barrier, and we didn’t want to spend every day visiting temples and shrines. Andrea spent a full hour on the phone to understand our interests and wishes, before suggesting an itinerary. We had multiple zoom calls with him to fine-tune our itinerary.
He redirected us to a different city than we thought we wanted to visit, where we experienced one of the three most famous Japanese gardens, and had a class in gold-leaf applique. We were “spoiled” by having guides to/from railways, to/from airports. This was a luxury and a relief. (Most of our guides spoke good English, but be prepared because most people we interacted with do not speak English.)
The Gate Hotel in Tokyo was wonderful: central location, deluxe, great food, English-speaking staff. Excellent accommodations in Kanazawa at the Hyatt, as well. I must mention that I’m a “foodie” and the buffet breakfasts at both hotels were included, and were superb! A third hotel was under renovation, so unfortunately we missed staying at this boutique hotel, but Andrea was quick to find a satisfactory substitution.
I wanted to be able to interact with a Geisha, and he made it happen! This is not an easy thing to arrange. We had a special, 10-course dinner and she joined us and danced for us. An experience not to be missed—a glimpse into one of Japan’s cultural treasures. Andrea arranged for us to travel to the countryside, visit a swordsmith, and make our own knives forged in the fire! The trips to the city markets were a unique experience, and I loved seeing all the different foods and spices. Lastly, Andrea suggested a night in an intimate ryokan, where we experienced onsen bathing and a beautiful multicourse meal with all the local specialties. (Beware, most meals are raw fish (sashimi) or ramen. Research other ethnic restaurants if you don’t want fish for most meals.)
The best family experience Andrea arranged was a cooking class to make sushi, learn about miso, make matcha and mochi. That was an unforgettable family evening, joyous and full of laughter. I’ll add: Andrea’s assistant Giulia was delightful, kind, and “shepherded” us through the trip with humor and grace. Andrea planned a memorable trip, within our budget, and yet ensuring we experienced many of the “flavors” of Japan—the country and the culture. He also arranged days when we could explore on our own, which was something we really wanted. We did not want to be over-scheduled and exhausted.
Andrea loves Japan, and his skill in selecting experiences that are unforgettable and unique to Japan makes him a travel specialist of the highest caliber!
Read more reviews of Andrea. Or request your own trip.
Sri Lanka: climbing Sigiriya, a one-day safari, relaxing on the beach
LAUREN SCHOR | SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
Traveler Lauren with her husband and daughter on a one-day safari in Wilpattu National Park.
Just back from in week in Sri Lanka that we tagged onto a trip to India at the end of August with our teenage daughter and another couple. We originally spoke to Miguel and Nicola about a trip in December, but totally switched gears and planned a last-minute week-long summer trip. Because it’s so remote from the US, and such a geographically diverse country, ideally you’d have at least two weeks to spend here. Sri Lanka is a small country but there are so many regions to see and it takes a lot of time to travel from place to place.
Given we only had a week, we had some tough choices as to which areas we were going to visit—the cultural triangle and ancient ruins, the mountains and tea plantations, the jungle and wildlife, the gorgeous beaches or the cities. Ultimately with a lot of back and forth weighing the pros and cons with Nicola and Miguel, we decided on the cultural triangle and the south coast. I couldn’t imagine going all the way to Sri Lanka and not climbing Sigiriya, the ancient fortress atop a mountain and the most visited place in the country. Plus, we were near one of the national parks and we got to do one day safari! And we knew we wanted to spend time near a beach relaxing because we had also come off a week in India before arriving in Sri Lanka.
We opted to charter a flight to the south coast instead of driving the 8 hours. This area was a great combination of relaxation and culture. Galle Fort is a must visit area-the restaurants, shops and local life is unlike anywhere else in the country. And there were a lot of other activities in the area, like a local cooking class, a mask painting workshop and visiting a cinnamon plantation (who knew that 90% of the worlds cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka)!
Nicola recommended fantastic properties. We loved Ulagalla—we have traveled all over the world and its one of the most special properties we have stayed at. We enjoyed a WOW Moment at Kamantha, a traditional and delicious Sri Lankan meal prepared with indigenous tools in a mud hut. Such a special experience! We also stayed at Mosvold Villa, a newer property right on the Indian Ocean. While I wouldn’t consider it a five-star property, the location could not be beat, and we were adamant about wanting to be on the water (versus at a property like the Aman located inside the fort not on the coast).
Something else to note; we had a driver for our week but each activity and excursion had its own local guide. Sri Lanka is a special country and everywhere we went the people were so welcoming and we kept hearing how they meet so few American travelers. I have a feeling this is going to be a new hot spot destination!
Read more reviews of Miguel. Or request your own trip.
Denmark: biking, Viking Ship museum, private tour of a working wood furniture factory…
HOWARD WOLFF | SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
A private canal boating excursion was one of many Denmark highlights. Photo: Traveler Howard Wolff
Mads designed a perfect itinerary that delighted two travelers in their 70s and two in their 30s, giving us unforgettable memories from a busy week in Denmark: biking, a private boat ride on the canal, dining with Danes, as well as visits to the Viking Ship Museum, Danish Design Museum, Roskilde Cathedral, HC Museum, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, and more.
Since we arrived at 7am after an overnight flight, we were thankful that Mads arranged for early check-in at our hotel, allowing us to take a quick nap before embarking on our 2-1/2 hour bike tour. Our guide Lotte was fascinating and personable; and Dan, our driver throughout the trip, was delightful and very helpful.
Our evening at the beautiful home of the Danish couple Lene and Carsten (sp?) was not only delicious but also engaging—a great conversation and human connection. We’ll remember it fondly.
As an architect, I found our design-themed day to be particularly impactful, and my family members loved it, too. Getting a private tour of a working wood furniture factory, PP Mobler, including a visit to their forest, was very special. A conversation with a young designer at his studio was meaningful, insightful, and enlightening; and our final stop of the day at the Danish Design Museum heightened our awareness and appreciation for Danish ingenuity. After that day, we noticed every chair we sat in!
On a particularly jam-packed day, we decided to skip a visit to the Egeskov Castle and drove straight to the island of Funen after visiting Roskilde, the former capital of Denmark. The Hans Christian Andersen Museum was surprisingly clever and interactive. The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art was unique and special.
We really enjoyed our harbor-facing room at 71 Nyhavn in Copenhagen. The hotel was perfectly situated, and the breakfast options were fabulous. Our overnight stay at Falsled Kro was beautiful and indulgent; our breakfast was one of the best we’ve ever had. The rooms were simply elegant and spacious. Arrangements for a late check-out allowed us to enjoy an e-bike ride from the property in the morning, and we loved every minute. Tivoli, with its theme-park vibe, was of more interest to our kids than it was to us, but we had a great time. All in all, a great experience that we are grateful to have had. Thank you.
Read more reviews of Mads. Or request your own trip.
Ireland: ruins on every corner, Dromoland Castle, private sheep dog competition…
NIK MINOCHA | SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
We and another couple contacted Jonathan at Celebrated Experiences because our daughters had tickets to see Taylor Swift in Dublin. We spent a wonderful weekend with them in Dublin and sent them home after the concert. We then spent the next week traveling around the southern loop of Ireland. Jonathan and his colleague Katie put together an itinerary that included all of the must-sees but also off the beaten path sites, offering a more authentic experience—and fewer tourists.
Ireland is the Emerald Isle for a reason; the variety of green is unlike anywhere else. Jonathan insisted we use a driver for the week and that was probably the best advice he gave us. Tommy was fantastic! He is an active and self-taught student of Irish history, which is very handy when there are ruins on every corner. He also took the time to learn what we did and did not like and tweaked our itinerary accordingly. His guidance was truly catered to us on a day-by-day basis, even down to tiniest details.
This type of trip calls for a lot of driving. We do wish more physical activity (hikes, paddling) had been included. We should have made sure such activities were added to the itinerary. We just wish we’d had more opportunity to move!
One unexpected highlight was a private sheep dog demonstration at Caherconnell Fort. Who knew there was so much skill and communication between the farmer and the Border Collies? It was a privilege to watch them work together, as they have for generations. We debated keeping this activity in our itinerary and it would have been a big loss if we missed it.
All of the hotels were top notch, but none compared to Dromoland Castle. Everyone should experience a castle at least once, especially one where you can try falconry, clay shooting and archery all in one afternoon. We would not recommend dinner at the castle, but otherwise it was amazing!
Read more reviews of Jonathan. Or request your own trip.
Peru: the Amazon, “scenic” train to Machu Picchu, horseback through villages
LORI BENTLEY | SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
Lori Bentley and family took the Vistadome train to the “breathtaking” expanse of Machu Picchu.
Just back from a 60th Birthday trip to Peru. Tom and his team planned a fantastic trip for us. We visited the Amazon, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lima. The Amazon was amazing, and the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge provided a beautiful atmosphere and guided tours. Next, our guides Alberto and Henry along with driver Igor picked us up in Cusco, for a scenic trip to the Sacred Valley where we stayed at the Sol y Luna Lodge, which was beautiful. Our guides were fantastic and assisted with advice on acclimating to the altitude. We enjoyed a 2 hour horseback ride through villages and farmland. It was by far the best ride I have ever been on!
The Vistadome train to the village of Machu Picchu was very scenic and relaxing. We stayed at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, and the accommodations were fabulous! Of course, visiting Machu Picchu was breathtaking. A walk to the Inca Drawbridge was filled with the surrounding beauty of the area. After Machu Picchu, we flew to Cusco, a charming , historical city. Alberto recommended excellent restaurants, we even tried Cuy (guinea pig). We also enjoyed dinner at the recommended Map Café—the food and service were excellent.
There were so many highlights of the trip, and the guidance and recommendations that we received were so helpful. Grateful for the expertise and planning of Tom, and the service of Alberto, Henry, and Igor. Highly recommend utilizing their services.
Read more reviews of Tom. Or request your own trip.
Grand Teton: Old Faithful, great hikes, and a “fantastic” lodge near many trailheads
DEAN NANCE | SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
Three generations came together to enjoy a hiking trip to Wyoming.
There were five of us, from three generations—Grandfather, Son-in-law, and three Grandsons on our September Tetons trip. We all had a really great time! Melissa organized the trip for us. The Tetons are an incredible experience!
Where to start?
The Jenny Lake Lodge was a fantastic place.
* Great location, right in the middle of the Tetons.
* Wonderful meals, including five course dinners and multiple options for breakfasts.
We enjoyed the tours Melissa arranged for us.
* It was so nice that they were private, meaning that they included only our group.
* The guides were all knowledgeable, flexible, and pleasant to be with. They went to great efforts to find wildlife for us to view, and to do such things as to get us to Old Faithful at a time it was about to erupt.
All five of us particularly enjoyed the hikes that we took on our free days. The fact that Jenny Lake Lodge was near the trailheads of several great hikes was a real plus.
Last, but not least, Melissa was wonderful to work with in planning the trip. We could never have done it without her!
Read more reviews of Melissa. Or request your own trip.
India: Delhi by rickshaw, spa & arts in Jaipur, sidestepping the rainy season
LAUREN SCHOR | SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
Happy mom and teen “tagged along on a business trip” and enjoyed the Taj Mahal at both sunrise and sunset.
My teen daughter and I tagged along on a pretty last-minute business trip my husband was taking to India. Victoria put together an amazing itinerary one month before we left and she really nailed it! After our first phone conversation she put together the perfect plan and I made very few changes. It was very clear she understood what I was looking for and how we wanted to spend our time.
We were traveling off-season during monsoons, and while the weather was very hot and very humid, the actual rain barely interfered with our activities. We flew into Delhi and spent two days exploring the city which was a feast for the senses. It was a great intro to India, both overwhelming and mesmerizing. Victoria set up a tour of the old city by rickshaw which Id highly recommend as a memorable and eye-opening experience. We also took a food tour through the winding streets of Delhi which I was very hesitant about for fear of “Delhi belly,” but Victoria assured me they are very careful about the places we would visit and she was right, we were all fine!
My daughter and I then went off on our own to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal at both sunset and sunrise, which were two totally different experiences and both “pinch me” moments! Friends and family at home were very concerned about the two of us traveling in India alone, but we felt completely safe the entire time because we always had someone with us, just one of the reasons a WOW planner is so important.
Our final stop in India was Jaipur. Each city was a 3-4 hour drive from one another, which was an experience in itself passing through villages and seeing the way people live outside of the cities. We spent four days in Jaipur which was the perfect combination of sight seeing, shopping, spa time and cultural experiences. Highlights were a block printing workshop in a village outside of the city, an early morning visit to the old city, getting custom made pajamas, visiting the city palace, and meeting with an astrologer, which was a very unique experience. Our incredible guide Vikram knew all the best spots to take us to and had access to places we would have never known about. We have had a lot of private guides all over the world and Vikram is up there with the best!
We were very happy with all of the hotels Victoria had suggested—Leela Palace in Delhi, The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra and Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. Victoria really made the most of the one week we had in India. She suggested three very different cities which were the perfect combination for a first-time visitor to India and I can’t wait to go back to visit other parts of the country!
Read more reviews of Bertie and Victoria. Or request your own trip.
Southern Africa: Botswana camps, Victoria Falls, helicopter ride, & wine tasting…
JOE COCO | SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
We worked with Julian and his company to plan our trip to Africa, specifically Cape Town South Africa, safari in Botswana, and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Julian offered great guidance on when to go to optimize for the weather in each country, and when and where to go to ensure a top-notch safari experience, from animals to accommodations. He also provided insightful recommendations to optimize the value for our money.
We arrived in Cape Town on August 19 after taking an extended layover in London to break up the flights and enjoy London. Once in South Africa we stayed at the Four Rosmead, a nice boutique guest house. It’s in a quiet location yet near to excellent restaurants and cafes. The two managers were fantastic. They organized dinner reservations, offered good ideas for things to do, and provided specific safety precautions. Cape Town and the larger peninsula are surrounded by mountains and water, offering spectacular natural scenery. One of the highlights was our guided drive throughout the Cape Peninsula, to Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve, visiting the Jackass penguin colony, and driving through Chapmans Peak. Stunning beauty, and we live in the Pacific Northwest and are therefore used to lots of mountains and water.
Another highlight was our “WOW Moment” —a helicopter ride. We started by flying down the coast, alongside and slightly higher than the mountains, then around various parts of the city and suburbs. The ride provided great views and perspective. Cape Town can be windy and still a bit rainy at that time of year, but fortunately we lucked out and had pleasant weather most of the time, and our helicopter flight was smooth. We also did a daylong guided wine tasting tour through Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek, the latter of which is a charming little town with boutique hotels and high-end shops and restaurants. It was a pleasant tour, but unless you are really into wine and wine tasting, visiting 2 of the 3 areas may be sufficient.
There were a few hiccups and downsides to our visit in Cape Town. First, a driver from the local Cape Town tour company was supposed to meet us at the airport upon arrival to take us to our guest house, but he was a no-show. We called the company from the airport and they admitted they dropped the ball, apologized, and picked us up within about 20 minutes. That really drove home the importance of having readily available contact information for airport transfers and guides, especially in locales with potential safety issues. Fortunately, Albert, our local guide for the following three days, was very knowledgeable, organized, and prompt. The other issue was that the cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, which offers amazing views, was undergoing annual maintenance during our visit. The cable car website (which we looked at only after we arrived), contained a notice that it was shut down from July 15 – September 1, so that was a disappointment. Apparently, the maintenance schedule can vary year-to-year, so check into this before going so you aren’t surprised. Finally, something to be aware of is you need to be more careful about crime than you might be accustomed to. The managers at our guest house emphasized the importance of not walking around the city in the evening and recommended against taking taxis. Instead, use Uber even for very short drives. We found the Ubers to be highly available, reliable, comfortable, and apparently safe. Having said that, we still really enjoyed our visit to Cape Town and the surrounding area.
Our next stop was Botswana for safari, where we spent 6 days at 3 different safari camps: Duke’s East in the Okavango Delta, Sable Alley in Khwai Private Reserve, and Savute Elephant Lodge in the Savute–Chobi National Park. The entire experience was amazing—the animals, landscape, accommodations, people, food, and logistics. We saw an incredible variety of animals, often very close to our open-air Land Cruiser, at the camps, and during a river cruise: lions, leopards, giraffes, elephants, hippos, wildebeest, wild dogs, hyenas, multiple types of antelope, zebra, crocodiles, warthogs, mongooses, monkeys, baboons, ostrich and many other types of birds. Our guides were super knowledgeable, not just about the animals but also the environment, geology, flora and more. The landscape in Botswana is beautiful, in part because it’s so flat, vast and has amazing sunsets. In addition to the safari drivers/guides, the rest of the staff at the 3 locations were all very warm, friendly, and attentive. Despite being literally in the middle of nowhere, accessible only via a propellor plane that lands on a dirt airstrip, and completely isolated from virtually all infrastructure, the food was quite good and the accommodations were fairly plush. The prop plane flights to each camp were professional and reliable. There were also nice touches like stopping our afternoon safari drive at sunset for a sundowner (cocktails and snacks set up by our driver). Being in the middle of a great expanse at sunset, drinking gin & tonic and watching animals come from all directions to visit a watering hole is truly unique. Our time on safari in Botswana was terrific and the highlight of the entire trip!
Our last stop was for 2 days at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe where we stayed at the Old Drift Lodge. By this point in the trip, we were getting tired and wanted to go at a slower pace, so we just visited the falls, went on a lovely sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River (a sundowner with cocktails and snacks), and sat on our deck enjoying the view of the Zambezi river across to Zambia. While you can do a safari drive there too, we were a bit safari’d out after 6 days of multiple hours in a Land Cruiser. Fortunately, elephants, warthogs, and mongoose wandered around our lodge (which is outside of town in the national park). The Falls are very impressive and worth visiting when the water is relatively low (when we visited) because you can see more of the geologic features of the falls and only get a little wet from the spray vs completely soaked when the water is high. We went just after sunrise to avoid the crowds and heat, and so we could see rainbows made by the spray and low sun angle. Very cool! We also had lunch at The Lookout Cafe perched above and at the edge of the falls, which offered a great view.
We had a truly wonderful trip!
Read more reviews of Julian. Or request your own trip.
Cape Town, Victoria Falls & Zambia: museum tour & cooking class, “Big 5” wildlife from photo hides
NANCY WOLF | SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
African tours, camps, and safaris kicked off with panache—a surprise pickup in a vintage Jaguar.
Our amazing first safari was thanks to Frankie Janssen, of Cherri’s office. We asked for suggestions on where to go and what time of year, and Frankie suggested a mid-August start, with a trip including Cape Town, Victoria Falls and Zambia because we wanted a place that included water activities.
Frankie planned our WOW Moment—actually a WOW day—for our first full day in Cape Town. She told me to trust her, and she was right. She hit all of the highlights…we were picked up in a vintage Jaguar. Our first stop was the Bo-Kaap area for a tour and Cape Malay cooking class. Then we went for a drive along the coast en route for a private tour of the Zeitz MOCAA, followed by a drive up to the top of Signal Hill for magnificent views, including Table Mountain.
Because we were flying into Zimbabwe from Cape Town, Frankie arranged for us to tour Victoria Falls right from the airport so we didn’t have to cross borders multiple times. The driver she arranged for us was especially helpful in expediting our crossing into Zambia. We stayed in 3 camps and all were first-rate. I told Frankie that I wanted a camp with photo hides and she sent us to Kaingo in South Luangwa National Park. We were fortunate to be there to see the red carmine bee-eaters, with the hide a few feet away from the nesting site. What an incredible sight! They also had an elephant hide and a hippo hide. By the first day at Kaingo, we had already seen the Big 5, as well as a chase of 3 male lions (we saw the white rhino at Tongabezi Lodge near Victoria Falls). We didn’t think there were any animals left to see, other than the wild dogs, but we saw them our first day at Sausage Tree Lodge. We also spotted a porcupine, which we never thought we’d see.
Being on the river at Tongabezi and Sausage Tree was a highlight. We loved the sunrise and sunset cruises, and we even tried our hand at fishing (only caught a turtle and a catfish…no tiger fish). Both Tongabezi and Sausage Tree Camp had special lunches and dinners in unexpected locations that really made the trip extra special. Zambia is a hidden gem. The only issue we had with the planning was our travel from Tongabezi to Kaingo. Because of the flight schedule, we had a 3-hour wait at Lusaka airport and once we landed in Mfuwe, we had a 2 1/2 hour drive to the camp. We didn’t arrive until 8:00 pm (we had started our day with a sunrise cruise, so we were exhausted). Kaingo does communal meals, so we were asked to go directly to dinner. Trying to converse with strangers after such a long trip was not pleasant, plus since we weren’t given the opportunity to put on bug spray, it was the one time I got several bites. Unless there is another way to reach Kaingo, I would not recommend it, despite the excellent photo hides.
Frankie added value to our trip, not only by planning our destinations and helping with activities, but also by securing drivers and VIP meet and greets who made our life easier. The one VIP meet and greet I would not do again, though, is in Cape Town. That added no value.
I’d highly recommend Frankie to plan your next safari!
Read more reviews of Cherri. Or request your own trip.
England & Scotland: Cotswolds, historic monastery ruins, distilleries, private falconry…
MICHELE BLOCK | SEPTEMBER 2, 2024
Two hours of private falconry was a highlight of Michelle Block’s “soooo memorable” Scotland travels.
THANK YOU Jonathan, Katie, Allyson and your team for planning our trip and our wonderful guides to Bath, Stonehenge, the Cotswolds (5 days, guides—Adgue and Maeve), and Scotland (16 days, Scott and Dave…our men in kilts)!!! It was flawless and soooo memorable. Each guide brought their own personalities and stories to enable us to learn about culture and history. It was fun learning the origin of some of our sayings.
Everything on our bucket list was met with some special additions. For example we opted due to the amount of steps to switch from a castle to visiting the wonderful preserved ruins of the St. Elgin monastery and then visit an abbey to hear the monks saying afternoon vespers, an experience indeed. Our goal of 2 hrs of private falconry and the highland games in Helmsdale (northeast Scotland) were remarkable. The hotels/castle of Glenapp, Isle of Eriska, and the Royal Crescent transplanted you into the world of luxury. Edinburg brought us the Scotsman right in the middle of everything to enjoy the royal mile and fringe fest. The Military Tattoo is a must if you visit in August. Pictures cannot describe the places we were taken, some off the tourist route, to appreciate the highlands and inner and outer Hebrides as well as special areas in southern Scotland, which Scott said is not on the tour guide itineraries (it should be).
We enjoyed going to distilleries which you may not have heard about and of course brought home a bottle. It is wonderful to see that all of the accommodations give accolades to Jonathan’s company. The phone app is great to keep track of where you went and where you are going in addition to helpful tips on tipping. We found the people friendly wherever we went and the hospitality was wonderful and charming. We can’t wait to start planning our vacation to Sicily and Italy with Wendy Perrin for the spring.
Read more reviews of Jonathan. Or request your own trip.
Tanzania & Kenya: beautiful geography, gourmet food, warm hospitality, wildebeest & zebra migration
NANCY RIEGER | SEPTEMBER 1, 2024
Traveler Nancy Rieger says spectacular meals at the camp rivaled the finest urban restaurants.
Armand and I sought out Dan’s team for a safari to Tanzania and Kenya because of his excellent reputation. We had a wonderful trip, and were met every step of the way once we landed at our first stop, Arusha, Tanzania.
Dan secured wonderful hotels and camps, beginning with the beguiling Plantation Lodge. The property was stunning, a green Eden, with wonderful food, warm hospitality, and a room that would qualify as a generously sized apartment in Manhattan. Our fabulous and informative guide, Eric, took us to Lake Manyara the first day, and to the Ngorongoro Crater the second. Lake Manyara had beautiful geography, albeit with fewer animals because of recent flooding. The Crater was a revelation. We saw ostriches mating–including the male doing his hilarious approach dance to the female. Also had a lot of time with the babboons, the most entertaining primates around.
Then it was off to Tanzania, and Taasa Lodge. The ride from arport to Taasa brought us smack dab in the middle of the wildebeest/zebra migration. Thousands of animals honking and bleeting, crossing the Sand River. More wildlife sightings than one could imagine: crocs, warthogs nursing their young, vultures fighting over a fly-ridden wildebeest, two lionesses and two cubs with bloody mouths who were just starting to dine on a freshly killed wildebeest. Birds and hippos galore.
The only dampers at Taasa were being given a substandard room with no hot water on our first night (after arriving at 7 pm instead of 5 pm) , a guide who spent 80% of her time talking to her tracker, and a butler who was unfairly given a job he could not do. The lodge manager claimed he wasn’t listening. But he was, and was trying hard. He just needed more training. Still, I would recommend Taasa because of its location, views, and its soups. Just need to make sure about the guide and room butler.
I’ve saved the best for last: Mara Expedition Camp. Dan had highly recommended this camp. It delivered in every single way. Our guide, Clifford, was superb. No roaring around at high speeds, he was patient in seeking out wildlife and was often the first guide to spot a lion, a herd of elephants, hyenas sleeping in the grass like frat boys who had partied too hard the night before, lizards, the golden orb spider, birds of every size, hippos, crocs, I could go on.
The other staff at Mara were exceptional. They made us feel like we had a home in the Mara. Their warm hospitality, their genuineness, kindness, their special surprises that brought even more enchantment to our stay (one: a hot breakfast in the bush alongside a river) , the nature walks around the camp, the gourmet food, Yes, gourmet food that rivals restaurants in New York, London, Paris. A lovely, comfortable, and quiet tent with plenty of light, charging stations, and hot water. We’re going back there again one day with our grandchildren.
Dan made sure we had the time of our lives. He spent time asking us questions before our trip. And he made certain that we were able to see everything that we had hoped for, that we stayed in some of the best accommodations available at our budget, and that we never had any worries. We are also grateful for our WOW Moment. At Mara Expedition, wonderful gifts were in our tent upon arrival. A hat, a stylish neck gaiter, and more. :) We will come back to Dan’s company. Our next trip may be to Rwanda to see the gorillas!
Read more reviews of Dan. Or request your own trip.
* Although we have compiled and reviewed these reviews for trip planners to earn a spot on The WOW List, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or truthfulness of the reviews we receive and cannot assure that all travelers will have the same experience.
2 Comments
Post a Comment
Our Latest Newsletters
My husband and I just returned from Morocco with another couple on a 12 day trip. Michael Diamond , recommended by Wendy Perrin had exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide Redouane and our driver Aziz were better than we could’ve expected. We loved every part of our trip and would not only recommend his services but would definitely consider another trip from Wendy Perrin’s recommendation.list.
Thanks, Sue, for sharing your experience! Glad it was such a good trip….