• Journey Mexico : Testimonials

Testimonials

"The staff was extremely courteous and knowledgeable about sea life and the ocean. After snorkeling on the reef in a beautiful cove with with a huge variety of tropical fish, we sailed further into the ocean to witness an abundance of whales and dolphin. It was spectacular! Throughout the afternoon we dined on freshly made guacamole and and assortment of authentic Mexican delicacies. Thank you Journey Mexico for arranging the catamaran. It was a the highlight of our vacation to your beautiful country!"

David Schuss

"Clay and I had a fabulous time. The hotels were lovely, and we would recommend all three of them to anyone. The guides were very professional and made the trip seamless. The bike rides were really a highlight. We were able to experience Mexico in a way that you could never do by car (and given that we did one 35 km ride and one 75km ride, we would have never have experienced by hiking). We were able to stop in small villages and had lunch in one town that is clearly not visited by many foreigners. The Chiflon cascades were an unexpected beautiful site – and clearly one that is substantially enjoyed by Mexican locals. I also really recommend the Tonina ruins—probably only about 50 other people there and really tall ruins to climb on (and since it’s a higher elevation than Palenque, the temperature is not nearly as hot)."

Romy booked via Cosmopolitan Adventure Tours

"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you again for coordinating a great trip for me and our friends at Villa Mandarinas in Puerto Vallarta. The Villa was outstanding, the service and food there were fantastic and the arrangements your team made for us were all great and worked without fault. Many, many thanks! Please, as always, let me know if I can be of help. Hopefully, I will one day have the chance to welcome you to Otahuna and show you New Zealand."

Hall Cannon, owner Otahuna Lodge

"The Mexico trip was a success - the driver/guide was excellent, and very detail-oriented. The hotel was a great choice, too! Thanks again for all your help!"

Lori Wells operated in conjunction with Lisa Bankson, Valerie Wilson Travel

"Our trip to Mexico could not have been better.The arrangements with Journey Mexico were flawless. We had a knowledgeable and very pleasant guide, who met us on arrival, took us on our day trips, which were wonderful, and and then loaded us on the luxury bus to San Miguel. He was always at our hotel door on time and managed to get us back when promised.We would definitely recommend this firm and this particular guide, Guillermo Castaneda. We also enjoyed staying at La Casona, a small boutique hotel in a nice neighborhood, with fine service and a very good little dining room. The continental breakfasts were excellent and the dinner menu, though limited, was most satisfying after late lunches and full days. Many thanks for all your good efforts. We loved Mexico!"

Dorothy and Bill operated in conjunction with Linda Hedin, Hyde Travel

"My wife and I, and our dear friends have just completed six delightful days with Alfredo de la Cruz touring Morelia & Patzcuaro, Michoacan. To see the monarchs we were escorted to the El Rosario Sanctuary, Alfredo's experience and extensive local contacts, enabled us to moved at the monarchs with a minnimum of effort. The monarch experience was more that we have hoped for. Alfredo is resourceful, flexible, efficient and thoughtful. His knowledge of the area, past and present, is impressive. His restaurant selections produced a variety of Michoacan cuisine that satisfied and educated us all. Our experience with Alfredo has been exceptional and one we will remember with pleasure."

Gordon and Susan Carson operated in conjunction with Jewell Ramos, Worldview Travel

"We had expected to have Alex as our guide throughout our trip. However, he was only with us for a few days, and then Teresa took command. I must say, she is one extraordinary representative for your company. She is a careful, courteous driver, has a wonderful command of the English language, doesn't over talk her customers, and is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I don't know what you are paying Teresa, but it is not enough. She is a valuable asset to your organization. We feel the same about Alex. We will return to Mexico in the future and travel with Journey Mexico. When we do, we will request that Teresa and Alex be our guides. Our plans will be flexible enough to accommodate their schedules. Many thanks for your assistance in making our journey "MAGNIFICO."

William H. Farwell operated in conjunction with Super Travel

"The trip you organized was exactly the sort of experience we were hoping for. Florencio and Nicolas were both outstanding.... the former for his exceptional depth of knowledge about pre-Columbian history, and the latter for his personal warmth and connection with the Zapotec people. Both were exceptionally attentive to our needs, which allowed us to relax and enjoy our (too short!) short visit to Oaxaca. The experience has only heightened our interest in the region, and we hope to return again in the not-too-distant future. We certainly won't hesitate to contact Journey Mexico again, and will recommend your company to anyone wishing for a similar sort of experience. Thanks to you for organizing such a varied and stimulating trip. "

Doug and Tracy

"I had a wonderful time on my trip in Mexico! It was probably one of the best holidays I've ever had. You guys were brilliant."

Barbara Pugh operated in conjunction with Travelmood

"Our tour guide, Guillermo Castenada, was very well informed, very responsive to our questions, and full of good humor as well. The activities of our trip were thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening about culture, both past and present. We loved our time in Mexico City. "

William and Dorothy Hill

"As we prepare to leave this paradise known as Los Cabos, I just wanted to write a quick note thanking you both for coming up with this most EXCEPTIONAL accommodation. The Villa, it's amenities & views, together with the amazing clubhouse & spa are right up the top of the most magnificent places we have ever stayed....and we've been to some pretty amazing places around the world! (The pictures DEFINITELY do not do it justice!) The magnificence of the Villa is matched only by the amazing hospitality & largesse of Mike & Ellen, who so perfectly fill the roles of hosts, travel & activity advisors, as well as friends and all 'round Good Guys! We will most definitely be back here again, one day.... Thanks again for a MOST memorable holiday! "

Pinny Paneth & Family

"Thank you so much for helping us arrange our day trip to Chichen Itza! Fernando was great! He was a wealth of knowledge and so nice to spend the day with! My husband and I learned a lot and cannot wait to go back to Mexico and learn much more about Mayan history!"

Sandi Ferreira - Director of Travel Planning, Andrew Harper

"I promised you an email about our experiences and travels in Mexico. It was a fantastic holiday, and firstly would like to say thank you to Journey Mexico and the three guides we had for helping to make it something special.

Mexico City - Four Seasons - We had a great trip to the Teotihuacan Pyramids but it was wet and cold which was a shame. We had a day wandering around Mexico City by ourselves and got caught up in a demonstration of sorts, but didn’t feel threatened at all. The Four Seasons was one of the nicest five star city hotels we’ve ever stayed in and we’ve stayed in a lot. The staff were discrete, but friendly and there were nice little touches like apples and sweets when you came out of the lift. We could have done with another couple of days in the City, there was so much we didn’t see. We tried the Metro which was easy. Juan Carlos was a very good guide, always on time and very knowledgeable.

San Cristobal - Casa Felipe Flores - Very low key and definitely an oasis of calm. The best eggs we had all holiday (AND NO BEANS!)Great trips and Gabi was brilliant, knew everyone and got us into places people don’t normally go. And a great trip down the canyon in our own boat.

Palenque - very hot and very interesting. David and our guide Tere did a lot of climbing while I took pictures. Tere kept going back to the car for cold water, she was fantastic.

We drove to Campeche the next day (about six hours). Such a long drive for Tere but she was good safe driver. We stopped on the way in a cafe on the side of the road and had one of the best soups of the holiday.
Campeche - Hacienda Puerta Campeche - Campeche was marvelous. So, so hot, but we went for a walk in the evening and the band were playing in the square and the locals were having a lot of fun. One of the most pleasurable parts of the holiday.

Hacienda Puerta Campeche was lovely and our first taste of a hacienda. Staff were friendly but they were in the middle of refurbishing and it had a bit of an end of season feel about it. Again we walked the streets, and after dark, and didn’t feel threatened at all.

We drove with Tere and Brolando (the driver) to Hacienda Santa Rosa – I’m so glad we went there (David puts it as 3rd of the three but it was my favourite). Much more slick than Campeche. They must train their staff more and they spoke better English. Santa Rosa transferred us to the Temozon the following day. Uxmal and Kabah were wonderful and we had them almost to ourselves.

Hacienda Temozon - So much could be made of this beautiful place. When we arrived we quickly unpacked, made a cup of tea, changed into our cozzies and headed out to the plunge pool. Warm water, flowers covering the surface, looked beautiful. Got comfortable with my tea and book, got the sunglasses out, towel placed in the right place. David’s favourite hacienda, 3rd place for me after Campeche.

We booked another trip and Tere took us to see the flamingos. So exciting, I love flamingos (almost as much as I love baby alpacas but sadly there aren’t any in Mexico). We also had a trip to Merida and had sorbets and cakes in a very nice cake shop with Tere.

Chichén Itzá - Shame it’s so commercialised. Couldn’t believe how many people were turning up. We got there early so were finishing when most people were arriving. The Great Ball Court was amazing though. From there we went to Tulum, we had Brolando driving again, he must have been so tired at the end of the day.

Esencia - Lovely Esencia. They serve coffee and muffins at 7.30am each morning – we were so lazy eating breakfast in bed then eating a second breakfast in the restaurant. Staff were great – four of the waiters have promised to teach me Spanish if we go back again. The beach was fabulous and the water was turquoise. And no rain while we were there. The suite was beautiful, shame we didn’t have our own pool, but we did have the hotel’s pool to ourselves each day so couldn’t complain. Hotel was quite empty.

yuk! The flight back to London was very good – I managed to get SEVEN hours sleep!

A great holiday. The downsides – the mosquitoes and the beans. The upsides – everything else. I’d like to pass our thanks again in particular to Tere – she was wonderful and we were so lucky to spend time with her. I honestly didn’t think I would enjoy Mexico as much as I did. David loves climbing pyramids and all things historical, but there was so much for me as well. Thank you for organising it for us. We would love to go back to the Pacific coast side next time, but it’s a big world out there. Maybe Costa Rica? Onwards and upwards! "

Chris Hitchcock operated in conjunction with Abercrombie and Kent

"I wanted to send a note thanking you for your help with our vacation in Zihuatanejo. We had a terrific time. The Tides is a great property. Very comfortable, on a fabulous beach, friendly service and very good food. The manager Carlos is excellent. Indeed, after I told him we loved Mexican food and cooked a bunch, within 5 minutes he had the hotel chef, Paco, at our room, talking to me about food. Suffice it to say that we ate most of our meals at the Tides. I would mention a dish to Paco, such as tamales, cochinita pibil, chicken with pipian, or mole, and he would whip it up. And, all his dishes were excellent. We were impressed. There was little reason to wander much farther, though our meals off site also were good. Excellent ceviche and huachinango in some spots.

For other clients looking for a great beach spot not quite on the regular tourist track, the Tides is a terrific option. The people in town couldn't be nicer and the set up of the hotel is very conducive for simply relaxing. The beach service is excellent, the water warm and the beach itself is out of a photo, a perfect crescent.

We also enjoyed our time in Mexico City. We had dinner at Dulce Patria one night and it too was excellent. Great food, room and location. Sharp crowd.

The St Regis, as you know, is brand new. Impressive property. In truth, I think service wise it still has some kinks to work out. We did visit the FS, where we had stayed before, and it still does exude an old style colonial charm. For your guests looking for a bit more old world Mexico City that seems to remain a good option. Though I'm not sure how the rooms are holding up.

In any event, if you venga to NYC pls let me know, Jill and I would love to meet you for dinner. "

Robert

"Thank yo so much for your kind e-mail. Yes we finally made it!!!! It was a looooong journey and we're still on jet lag, but for sure can already taste the sweetness of all the good memories that we had back there in Mexico ;-)

I'm pleased to announce that we had a wonderful time in Mexico with all its beauties and its very very nice people!! You guys in Journey Mexico did a great job in taking care of everything; Thanks for your hospitality and kindness.

It was a unique experience which we will hold its memories close to our hearts for years to come."

Silvana and Borna