Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary

Sea lion lounging on a dingy boat in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

A sea lion lounging on the ship’s dingy: “The wildlife was everywhere.” Photo: Traveler Katie McBrine

Our family (2 teenagers and 2 adults) went on the trip of a lifetime to Ecuador and the Galapagos. We went from March 15th to the 26th. Allie helped us plan the most amazing trip we have ever taken. She was extremely knowledgeable and really listened to our wants and needs. We could have never planned such a long and complicated trip without her. All the places we went (city tour in Quito, Cloud forest in Mindo, hot spa in Papallacta) were fun for both kids and adults. Our tour guides in Quito did an outstanding job of educating and entertaining us. The van broke down and while we waited for another van, they were able to get us an impromptu coffee tour which turned into a highlight of the trip.

We were on the Galaxy ship for the Galapagos part of the trip. We did the 5 day tour and it was the perfect length for us. The crew on the ship were lovely and very helpful. My husband got pooped on by one of the many frigate birds that were following the ship and they very nicely helped clean his clothes. The food was great. The kids loved sushi night! The beds were very hard so if that is a problem for you, you may want to pack some sort of mattress support. We were very lucky with the weather. It was at the end of the rainy season but we had mostly sunny, beautiful days. We only had to cancel one snorkeling activity due to rough dangerous waves. Each day was spent with a snorkeling and hiking activity in the morning and afternoon. We saw all the animals we wanted to see up close. We always felt safe and cared for by the guide and staff. 10/10 would recommend this trip to everyone.

Shelby Willets and her family posing with a giant tortoise in the Galapagos, Ecuador.

Shelby Willets and her family enjoyed some face time with a giant tortuga.

Allie planned an adventurous 2-week land-based tip to the Galapagos for our family of 3 over winter break 2024. Traveling with our teenage son, we like to keep an active schedule. Allie understood the assignment and delivered an action-packed vacation. Highlights included a private kayaking excursion where we had access to sites rarely seen by visitors, snorkeling with playful sea lions and SCUBA diving with schooling hammerhead sharks—a bucket list item. For our WOW Moment, we were treated to a private photo shoot with the giant tortugas—perfect timing for our Holiday cards!

Since we booked our trip less than a year in advance, Allie had to work some magic to find large hotel rooms that would accommodate the 3 of us. As a result, we stayed at three different hotels. Which was not a hassle as Allie arranged for our luggage to be transported from hotel to hotel while we were out exploring. We actually enjoyed experiencing 3 different properties.

We enjoy traveling with Wendy Perrin’s trusted travel experts as it makes our vacations true vacations—we know that the details are taken care so we can relax and enjoy our time together as a family.

Barbra and Eugene Hirsch horseback riding in Hacienda Pinsaqui, Ecuador.

Hiking and horseback riding—plus great food—were highlights of Hacienda Pinsaqui.

My wife and I are in our 70’s and are experienced travelers so it means a lot when we can tell you that Allie did a fantastic job of planning and arranging our trip to Ecuador last month, December 3-19. We asked her to include time in Quito, the Andes, the Ecuadorian rain forest and the Galapagos Islands. She did it all with accommodations and guides that were exceptional.

We arrived in Quito late and stayed overnight at the beautiful Wyndham Airport Hotel, from where we were picked up the next morning by Christina, our guide, and a driver who took us via some scenic stops at mountain lakes, a condor park, street markets, a weaving factory, and a wonderful lunch to our destination at Hacienda Pinsaqui. It is a beautiful large home and ranch where we stayed for 3 nights enjoying history, hiking, horseback riding and great food. We were picked up at the hacienda and returned to the airport hotel from where, the following morning, we travelled into the amazing rain forest with a short flight east from Quito, a 2-hour motorized canoe trip down the Napo River, which flows into the Amazon River, then a shorter paddle canoe trip to the La Selva Lodge.

The Lodge is magnificent, and this is a great learning experience. Each day we were accompanied by 2 native guides and a naturalist guide to explore the myriad ecosystems of lakes, rivers and forests, as well as a nearby village. Paul is an outstanding, personable and knowledgeable guide who did not miss a thing. The lectures were most informative, the Lodge staff are fantastic, and the food is wonderful. After 3 nights we returned to Quito, then left for Galapagos the next morning. We were greeted at the airport on Baltra Island by Daniel, our superb guide, and the delightful staff of the Endemic. This is a gorgeous, motorized catamaran that can accommodate 16 passengers, but had only us and one other couple from the US booked for a 5-night journey.

It was the first 2 weeks of December with fewer visitors than usual. The attention, service, food, activities and company were wonderful and, as you can imagine, quite personalized throughout. A tour of the Galapagos Islands is truly an extraordinary experience. Daniel introduced the next day’s activities/options each evening before dinner. From the magnificent tortoises to sea lions, penguins, blue and red-footed boobies, frigate birds, falcons, flamingoes, sharks, sea turtles and so many other species of flora and fauna, these islands are unique in the world. On the 6th day we returned to Quito, stayed at the beautiful Casa El Eden boutique Hotel, hosted by the exceptionally hospitable Blanca and Mario, and were joined the next day by Christina, our excellent guide, for a tour of Quito and the strange features of latitude 00.00’. There were no questions unanswered and we were most comfortable every step of the way. All in all, a great trip!

We just returned from the Galapagos with our 13-year-old grandson J who is a swimmer, animal lover and fisherman. Allie and her team planned the perfect trip for us. I have worked with many travel planners, and to say that Allie tops the list is not an understatement. She followed our lead—no cruises, fine hotels, kid-centered trips with guides who “get” 13-year-old boys. And she delivered: a day in Quito with Alejandra who took us to the equator, a chocolate tasting, and a visit to a working cathedral where Mass was in session. As this was a Bar Mitzvah trip for our grandson, going to a Mass with a thousand locals and indigenous people was moving and revealing about the power of religion for everyone in every country.

In San Cristobel, Allie surprised us with a delicious congratulatory chocolate cake in our room. When I thanked her, she told me that she had called J’s mother to find out his favorite flavor! That is going well beyond expectations. Finally, she secured for us our guide Christian who spent five days in the islands with us and took care of two older grandparents and an active boy. He was a superb naturalist and fun to be with and really connected with J, diving and snorkeling with their Go-Pros, swimming with sea life and fishing with him on one of our day cruises. When there was something we wanted to do, he made it happen even before we thought of it. I cannot thank Allie enough for seeing to it that we all had a trip to remember forever.

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