Hello Ivonne,
It seems like so long ago that we were in your beautiful country and the Galápagos, but it has only been about a month. How time flies!
This note is long overdue. For that, I truly apologize. Lynn and I want to extend out most sincere gratitude for creating what was a spectacular trip to Quito and the Galápagos Islands. From start to finish, we all had an absolutely terrific experience! Juan in Quito and Enrique in the Galápagos were superb guides.
The Hotel Dann Carlton was exceptional; thank you so much for suggesting we stay there. Everyone loved it. We were also very pleased with the boat. The crew on the Princess of the Galápagos was wonderful, as was the food they served—every meal and snack was delicious.
In short, there really aren’t enough superlatives we can use to describe how wonderful everything was. In fact, it was such an overwhelmingly positive experience, that we hope to offer the trip again. That being the case, we will definitely call upon you again to work with us. We have nothing but praise for you and Columbus Travel.
Best regards,
Anne L. Bizub & Lynn Gillie
USA, May 2009
Traveled on the Princess of Galapagos
Dear Elena,
It was nice to meet you in Quito. We are now back in Norway after a wonderful trip to Ecuador. The highlight was of course Galapagos. The boat, the crew, the guide, the food, everything was great. Thank you very much for all the help.
Best regards,
Geir
Norway, June 2009
Traveled on the Sagitta
Paola,
I just want to thank you for the excellent job you did in booking my trip on the Galapagos Odyssey - June 13 through June 22. All the arrangements went perfectly, with someone to meet me at every stop and no trouble with tickets or hotel rooms. The ship was outstanding.
I have recommended Columbus Travel to everyone on our cruise. Again thank you for arranging such a wonderful trip for me.
Renata Perlove
USA, June 2009
Traveled on the Odyssey
Hi Cristina,
About the nina:
It was a great ship. Nice staff. Large clean cabins. Good beds
We had a knowlegdable guide and every day we went hiking or snorkling. So well arranged.
For dinner we had soup, maincourse in buffet and dessert. So we got big!
We enjoyed every minute on the island ...in paradise.
Warm greetings
Henk and Claudia
Netherlands, June 2009
Traveled on the Nina
Hi Fernanda,
Thank you very much for all your help in planning our honeymoon - and also
thanks for handling our change of plans so quickly. I'm feeling much better
and we had a spectacular time in the galapagos!
All the best to you,
Marina
USA, June 2009
Traveled on the Eclipse
Olga;
My trip to Ecuador was fantastic and I really enjoyed all of the adventure. It was planned very well and I want to thank you for all your hard work and help to make this trip so wonderful for me. I hope to someday return to Ecuador to see more of the country and experience some more of this very beautiful and diverse country.
Thanks again for all your assisstance in planning and making this trip a reality.
Best regards
Robby
USA, June 2009
Traveled on the Archipel
Ivonne,
We had a wonderful time. Everyone was friendly. Food and Boat were great. Islands beautiful.
Scott White
USA, June 2009
Traveled on the Nina
Ivonne,
I've returned to Reno and dug through the paperwork that had accumulated. I wanted to take this opportunity to make a few comments.
First, you and Columbus travel did a great job. Thank you.
So you know, the Swissotel was magnificent. The staff was great, the accommodations wonderful - all in all a credit to Ecuador and a very good way to start and end the trip. I'll send you a copy of my letter to the general manager.
The Coral 1 also did a good job. I would be happy to recommend it to others considering a trip to the islands. We were also fortunate to have been assigned some really great guides. I came to understand the Park Service itself assigns the guides. We were lucky to have gotten a couple of their more senior people both of whom were assigned at the last minute - Victor Hugo and Jonathan Aguas S.
Thanks again.
Jerry
USA, May 2009
Traveled on the Coral
Hi Elena!
Thanks so much for organizing a great trip for my friends and I - we had a wonderful time and were very pleased with our experience on the Millenium!
Thanks!
Evelyne
USA, May 2009
Traveled on the Millenium
I am home safe and sound and I wanted to thank you for your help in planning our trip. It was absolutely incredible and everything went without any problems.
Thanks again.
Christine Thompson
USA, May 2009
Traveled on the Alta
Dear Olga,
I want to thank you for the most wonderful week - as the fabulous Guide Harry would say - "You are in Paradise---- The Galapagos Islands." The "Nina" was a beautiful boat, the crew were delightful pleasant and efficient. I might just have to steal your chef from you - the food was delicious fresh and far too tempting.
I had read a lot about the Islands but I was amazed delighted and surprised by the diversity, and also the difference from Island to Island. Harry was so knowledgeable about the marine and land animals, the birds and the volcanoes we were very lucky to have him. My son had the best time also and thank you for giving him five young girls to entertain!!! It was a very happy week and the rest of the passengers delightful I had a great time.
The hotel in Quito was delightful and tres chic, and the wonderful meal at Theatrum was an unexpected surprise Thank you for everything I will tell everybody
With kind regards
Susie and Dan Toomey
Australia, May 2009
Traveled on the Nina
Moi, moi!
Finally back home, but not for very long...since I'll be heading for Greece in a few days time. In between I've been working quite a lot, so I haven't got time to thank you and your collegues for your help and guidance on my trip to Galapagos.- It was truly amazing experience, thank you for making it true.
The ship/vessel Encantada was also a great choose, I really enjoyed my time there. Special thanks to crew and guide Juan, who took with a good humour care of our trip...it was a real blast. As my whole trip to south-America was very good experience, I've given your e-mail address to my collegues, should they be interested to come over. Summer has finally came over here, it's nice and warm, for few days atleast.
All my best to you and take care, yours Arwi.
Ari Rankinen
Finland, May 2009
Traveled on the Encantada
Hola Antonieta,
I wanted to send you a note earlier, but hustle and bustle of travelling and getting back into work was taking the time. I do apologise for that.
Main thing is we had a wonderful time going round Quito and of cause Galapagos. We want to turn round and go back. The boat 'Nina' was vary comfortable and all crew and guide were excellent. Also the group of travellers was nice and friendly and that made for good time. We were taken around some beautiful place with magic scenery and loveable animals. There were four snorkelling sessions, which gave us chance to admire underwater life - full of colourful fish, playful sea lions, even sharks and feeding iguanas. All will be lasting memory.
I want to thank you very much for arranging it for us, having patience with payments and all the questioning from me. You made it very friendly and comfortable for us.
It also made us to yearn to return to Ecuador and explore more of its countryside.
Look after yourself and many regards.
Jaro and Majka Kolarik
UK, May 2009
Traveled on the Nina
Hello,
This letter is in response to the trip scheduled with your company on April 19, 2009.
Please accept my sincere thanks for making the trip all that I expected and more!
Our trip started with our departing flight being canceled which threw the whole schedule off immediately. Your company took charge of the situation and even though we arrived 12 hours later, we didn't miss a thing. You scheduled our tour of Quito at a convenient time regardless of our late arrival, we enjoyed a lovely late lunch and a wonderful dinner when we returned to Quito.
Your group made sure that we got what we paid for.
The tour guide in Quito was excellent and tried very hard to get all the sightseeing in even though we got a late start.
The person meeting us at the airport was punctual and efficient, and the Nina and all her staff were top of the line.
Please pass this email along to everyone involved with my heartfelt thanks for making this such a wonderful trip.
Regards,
Susan Fox
USA, April 2009
Traveled on the Nina
Hi Christian,
The trip was great, the Swiss Hotel was super and the boat was good. The food was only fair on the boat, but the guide was excellent and a fun group of younger people. The transfer driver was great as well.
Thanks for your help, it went well!!
Nanci and Larry Steiner
USA, April 2009
Traveled on the Anahi
Elena:
Don't know if Helen was in touch with you, but I wanted you to know that we all loved out trip to Galapagos. Everything was great. The Nina and its crew, the guide and the food was superb. (I've tried cooking Ecudorian food since returning home, but not having much success.)
Also, I wanted you to know that we we were very happy with the service that your agency gave us. The arrangements you made for us at the the Finch Bay hotel, transport from the Nina and then later to the plane, were excellent. We wouldn't have changed anything. Also, of course, thanks for all the prompt communication prior to our trip and also when I was alone in Quito, during Helen's hectic time in Houston.
Elizabeth Phillips
USA, April 2009
Traveled on the Nina
Elena,
Just a short note to thank you very, very much for one of the most wonderful experiences. Everything was just perfect, professional and totally satisfying.
Three days, was just to short. What with swimming with dolphins, sealions and sharks and rays and massive schools of sardines and seeing the iguanas, finches, tortoises, seabirds and the very unique vegetation, it couldn't have been better. The crew and guides were great and the people on our cruise were a great mix.
Again, muchisimo gracias por un viaje extraordinario!!
Randy
USA, May 2009
Traveled on the Coral
Fernanda,
“The boat tour itself was excellent. The Nina is an excellent ship and the accommodations were fully satisfactory. The naturalist Javier was excellent for the group we had--a rather active group. So we had a lovely 7 days on the boat.”
Seymour Spilerman
USA, May 2009
Traveled on the Nina
Fernanda,
This is a long overdue note!
I wanted to let you know that we had a fantastic trip and that I was very impressed with how smoothly all the details worked out. You had everyone organized very well and there was always someone to meet us and take care of the details for us.
The hotels were great and the Coral II excellent as well. I particularly wanted to single out the lead naturalist on board, Lobo, who was just amazing. His knowledge and passion for sharing his knowledge was truly remarkable. We met some others later on the trip who had followed the same itinerary in a different boat, and in comparing notes, found that our experience was a superior one entirely due to the efforts of Lobo.
Also, I have to say that the Royal Palm hotel was just amazing and comparable to hotels costing much much more. Truly great value as well as an outstanding facility.
Thank you again and my aplolgies for waiting so long to send this.
Best regards,
Peter
Canada, April 2009
Traveled on the Coral II
Dear Maria,
I just got back to London yesterday. It was the most memorable experience in my life during the cruise on Nina. Everything was superb!! Also it was lovely to see you at your office the other day.
Just wanted to thank you again to arrange my fantastic time in Ecuador. Probably I should start thinking about next holiday to Amazon forest next then!
Hope you are well,
Regards,
Masashi
Japan, May 2009
Traveled on the Nina
Ivonne,
“Excellent service, we were very impressed with everybody, punctuality and attention to detail. We had more time to visit the other villages and cities in the excursion”
Dina & Patrick
Sweden, May 2009
Olga,
The trip was great. The lodging was everything we expected, the food was better than we expected, and the guides were outstanding. The guide (Edwin) accompanied us to Coca, and when it appeared that our flight might be canceled, he arranged (bribed?) seats for us on a charter flight for oil company employees (we were the only non-oil company employees on the flight). Clearly this was more than expected and certainly appreciated!
Thanks for all of your help.
Paul Toom
USA, April 2009
Dear Christian,
We would like to say a big Thank you for a superbly organized trip to the Gallapagos. From the moment that we touched down in Quito until the end of our Galapagos trip, everything was excellent, The hotels were extremely comfortable and the guides excellent.
We would like to make a special commendation to the Athala which we found wonderful. Nothing was too much trouble for the crew and our guide (Yvonne) was fantastic with a wide knowledge of the islands and an amazing enthusiasm for the environment there. We cannot recommend Athala enough and feel we were extremely fortunate to have experienced a week on such a beautiful boat. We would be very happy to be a reference for any future holiday makers and thank you again for your excellent professional organization.
Anthony & Lorna Hamilton
UK, April 2009
Traveled on the Athala
Dear Elena,
We have just returned to Hong Kong after the most amazing trip to South America. The Galapagos in particular was most memorable. Many thanks for all the arrangements you made on our behalf. We shall recommend you to all our friends.
All the best to you and your colleagues.
Warm regards,
James and Heather
British, April 2009
Traveled on the Samba
Diego,
I just want to let you know that the cruise you had arranged for us was wonderful. I also need to thank you for having the trip document delivered to our hotel before the cruise.
I'll definitely recommend my friends to use Columbus Travel for cruises to Galapagos.
Sincerely,
Eriko Mogi
China, July 2008
Travelled on the Santa Cruz
Dear Fernanda,
Everything was perfect; we couldn't have been any happier with the cruise or the hotel in Santa Cruz. This was the best vacation we've ever taken; everything ran so smoothly, and the Galapagos are amazing!
Thank you so much for your help.
Kelly Connelly
USA,
July 2008
Travelled on board Aida Maria
I want to thank you for all of your assistance during our travel to Ecuador. You made our trip much easier and we are very happy with the service you provided and the hotels, flights, tour guide, and the Galapagos trip.
I will certainly recommend you to anyone that will be traveling to Ecuador. Also, if you need a reference for anyone who is considering your service, please have them contact me.
Thank you again, and best regards.
Mitch Kadish
Usa, July 2008
Travelled on the Gps Explorer II
Hello Ivonne,
I just want to thank you for arranging our vacations in Quito and the Galapagos islands, also for the hotel room upgrade. We had extraordinary times. Both guides Santiago for Quito and Cotopaxi tours and Gustavo on the Millenium were outstanding. I can confirm that they made the difference. We really enjoy our trip and I would recommend you for my family and friends should they decide to visit the Galapagos.
Cheers!
Jean-Noel
Usa, June 2008
Travelled on the Millenuum
Dear Washington,
Just to inform you that we are back home from the cruise and our stay in Guayaquil.
The cruise was a lifetime experience and we enjoyed it a lot.
Thanks for your assistance, I understand that the fact that we arrived few days before the cruise and stayed few days after caused some misunderstandings, but eventually all was o.k.
Best regards,
Uri Levy
Israel, June 2008
Travelled on the Galapagos Legend
Hello Elena,
Thanks so much for the fantastic trip for our group from Loveland, Colorado. I enjoyed meeting and and am enjoying the book you gave me. I love history.
Thanks, too, for helping with our 4 stranded travelers. You and Ivan were fantastic. It made me breathe easier to know that you were taking care of them. I've been recommending you and Columbus travel to all my friends and have told Diane at Hoffman Travel how incredible you are. I'll be meeting in the next week or so with Diane to give her the gift you sent with me. I know she'll love it.
Thanks again. I can best be reached by phone at 970-663-2948. This e-mail address is at my school and is difficult to get to during the summer (June-August). I'll be using it when I get back in September.
Thanks again. This was the best of my 3 trips to Ecuador.
Denny Heyrman
Usa, June 2008
Travelled on the Coral
Hi Fernanda,
We had a fabulous visit to Equador and the Galapagos Islands! Javier was always there...on time...and ready to go. We loved Juan on our two private tours. He is super well informed, entertaining, charming and a teriffic guide. My luggage was destroyed in my flight to Quito and Juan even took us to a shopping center so that I could get a suitcase. Truly a gentleman. Our only regret is that we didn't have him for all of our tours.
The Galapagos Voyager was a great boat. The crew was perfect..always available and ready to assist. Our guide Williams was amazing. There was no question that went unanswered. He is patient and can truly herd his adult crowd with expertise and gentleness. The food aboard was amazing, beautiful, delicious plentiful and healthy!! The Santa Barbara was perfect for us. It is quaint, graceful and beautiful. The staff was at all times helpful and available. You were also wonderful...even down to getting us picked up at the Swissotel when the tour guide missed us. I felt protected knowing that you were there to assist. All in all we had a perfect trip and wonderful experience of you, the majesty of the Galapagos and the wonderful people of Equador.
Thank you for everything you did for Kathleen and me.
Wendy S. Kane
Usa, June, 2008
Travelled on the Gps Voyager
Fernanda,
Thank you so much for the arrangements you made for our trip to Ecuador and Galapagos. Once we made it out of the U.S., everything was went extremely smoothly. Thanks for your extra help in trying to rectify our passport situation. My wife and kids really enjoyed the Guayaquil city tour. Louisa did a good job with the connections, transfers and arrangements to and from Galapagos. The islands were amazing as expected, but the Voyager cruise exceeded our expectations. The boat was clean, spacious and well run. The food was good. Our guide William was a truly nice guy who went out of his way to make sure that everyone enjoyed the trip and learned a lot. We hope to come back again to see Quito and more of the islands. Thanks again.
Ed McGlumphy
Columbus, OH, USA, June 2008
Travelled on the GPS Voyager
Dear Elena,
I've been meaning to email you to thank you for planning and booking such a wonderful trip for us. It was absolutely fantastic, and getting back to the "real" world was very difficult.
The stay in Quito was fantastic. The Hotel Le Parc is a luxurious property and the staff and service was first rate. The cruise on the Athala was amazing. Gorgi and the rest of the crew took wonderful care of us, and we just loved the cruise. Xavier took great care of us in Quito, and Micha, my wife, said multiple times how comforting it was to have someone waiting at the airport to take us to and from the hotel.
The trip to Peru was a great addition to the Galapagos cruise. Although we didn't care for Lima very much, Cusco and Machu Picchu were amazing. The package you put together in Peru was perfect. The Travel Group staff in Cusco and Lima was friendly and very helpful. They took great care of us.
Our only concern about the trip is to decide which part of it was better. We're still debating.
Thank you very much for all your help planning and booking the trip. Thank you also for all the little special touches we received throughout our trip for being on our honeymoon - the bottle of champagne waiting for us in our cabin on the Athala from the crew, the bottle of wine waiting for us on our last night on the Athala from you, the room upgrades at the MiraFlores Park in Lima and at the Monasterio in Cusco . You had clearly made sure everyone knew it was our honeymoon, and we were just amazed by the special attention. Thank you, it just made a great trip that much better! Micha and I were thrilled with the quality of the package you arranged for us and will be you and Columbus Travel to any of our friends who express interest in traveling to the Galapagos (we'll highly recommend the Athala and Le Parc hotel), Ecuador or Peru.
Micha and I have already discussed that traveling to South America again for next year's vacation would be a great idea, and you will be the first person I contact to help us plan it.
Thank you and the staff at Columbus Travel for such a great trip.
Sincerely,
Gauthier van Marcke
USA
April, 2008
Gentlemen:
I just wanted to extend a great big “Thank You” to you and to Columbus Travel for the great time I had on my recent vacation in Ecuador. It was the first time I had booked a trip online and I was very pleased with my experience. I would recommend Columbus Travel to anyone who would be interested.
I appreciated you calling me and checking up on me. Christian was terrific with e-mail and telephone responses as well. I admire the level of customer satisfaction of all of your staff members that I met. Congratulations to you for hiring obviously the best personnel in Ecuador!
I was incredibly impressed with my guide, Ivan as well. He was so knowledgeable with all aspects of Ecuadorean history, architecture, myths, etc., etc., etc. Given the rain, landslides, road closures, and train derailments, I felt he had my safety in mind first and foremost and yet he kept me entertained with alternate adventures. I was impressed by the way that Ivan and two other Columbus guides got together to caravan three vehicles through questionable road conditions. The effort that was made by these young men to ensure all of us were safe should be recognized. An excellent job was done by all.
Again, I wish to thank you personally and to congratulate you on hiring the ‘Cream of the Crop’ in personnel.
Very truly yours,
Suzi Clarke
USA
March, 2008
Hi Ivonne,
Well, we are back in Canada after our wonderful trip in Ecuador. Thank you for all of your help (especially when we had a bit of confusion while we were there).
We appreciated you taking the time to make sure all went well for us. I wanted to tell you too how much we enjoyed Alfredo Carrera as our guide. He was so knowledgeable, helpful, caring and had a great sense of humor. He made our trip most memorable, and we learned a lot about Ecuador from him.
We also had a chance to meet Ivan and Byron, and I have to commend Columbus travel on hiring the absolute best guides. I know from talking to the other travelers who had those to men as their guides, that they were extremely happy with them as well.
I have not stopped talking about what a wonderful travel company Columbus Travel is, and I am recommending to all my friends (and the next dental team that goes to work in Ecuador) to use Columbus Travel for their sight seeing once their work is done. It's the only way to go!
Thanks again for making it an amazing adventure for us.
Sincerely,
Leslie Crowley Edmonton,
AB Canada
March, 2008
Hi Elena -
We just wanted to thank you for aranging the most marvelous trip for us. We thoroughly enjoyed both our Galapagos adventure and our time in Quito and the Andes. Everything went like clockwork with the pickups, transfers, and tours. We couldn't have asked for anything better. Our guides were especially wonderful. Luis on the Legend was fabulous. Byron in the Quito are and the Andes really made the trip so unique and special for us. Cliff particularly liked Byron since they had a mutual interest in birding. Byron took us to some places that were off the beaten trail and that made the visit extra special. Thanks again for all you did. You were really on top of every detail and I never worried a bit. I will highly recommend you to others traveling to the Gallapagos and Ecuador!
Susan and Cliff
USA
March, 2008
Dear Elena,
We wanted to let you know what a wonderful trip we had to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos. Everything was planned perfectly and we really enjoyed it. Thank you for all your help. If you would like to use us as a reference for other clients, please do so.
Susan and David Werner
USA
P.S. Ivan, the guide in Quito, was outstanding.
February, 2008
Dear Ivonne:
I am writing to thank-you, Juan and Columbus Travel for organizing such a memorable tour through Ecuador. Our trip was fantastic and your country is absolutely stunning.
Our guide, Juan, was such a pleasure, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him. He was knowledgable, informative and truly interested in making our trip special. Most importantly, thanks to his support and encouragement I chose to ride the train from Riobamba to the "Devil's Nose," which turned out to be one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip! We also enjoyed his sense of humor.
I am sorry to hear that one of the volcanoes outside Quito is currently erupting and has caused the evacuation of one of the villages.
Thank-you again for a wonderful experience and we wish you the best in the coming New Year!
Jeff and Kari Hoffmann
USA
December, 2007 
