Classic Escapes

We are currently completing our trip in Morocco. The tour is of the Imperial cities and is proceeding without a hiccup. We had booked it for 4 passengers, but 2 of us were able to make it. The arrangements did not change. A Private Mercedes Benz van, with private driver and a great guide. They both spoke fluent English and did everything to keep us busy and well educated and our visual senses saturated. We really appreciated having an additional chaperone, a karate champion at our side when in the souk. I made 2 purchases and was able to bargain for them in my practiced style. There was no interest by any one, in commissions. 2 beautiful Berber resin necklaces with chunky beads were USD 35 each. There are many plastic beads masquerading as berber resin beads. Real amber is in the thousands of dollars. The antique stores in the souks were the vouched for by our guides and they urged us not to feel pressured to buy. Go the the ceramic coop in Fez and the original leather tanning operation in the old city. Do not be waylaid by sellers who accost you on the way. They sell some fakes made in China. One look from our souk chaperone, dispersed the sellers who were attempting to shove things in our faces
The hotel stays were good; Marrakech promises to be the best. I would not stay in hotel Devan, in Meknes again, if I did this trip over. The Barcelona in Fez. was convenient. Lunches were always in old riaads with outstanding carved walls and mosaic work. We were able to do lighter dinners and these we sometimes paid for. I prefer larger well lit bathrooms and opted for hotels; however, riaads are so well spoken about.
I would advise a small group of perhaps 6 friends; there is much more dialogue with the guide, and a luxurious vehicle.
Our guide was Hassan, a young man in his 30s. He was kind, friendly and well informed and filled us in about customs and culture. Abdul, our driver could not have been more accommodating. I write this but have a few more days to complete on our trip. It might never get done once I get home. I find Classic Escapes of New York, very reliable.

Our family of four, including our two sons ages 9 and 6, enjoyed a uniquely memorable nature travel experience in Costa Rica thanks to Classic Escapes.

We are thrilled to have chosen Costa Rica for our first overseas family nature journey. And we are glad to have chosen Classic Escapes, a company that specializes in “nature and cultural journeys for the discerning traveler,” a motto that fits our family well. Like Ulysses, each of us returned home richer from the Costa Rica travel experience. Among the many memories that will stay with us, a few stand out: gliding on a small boat along the inland canals of Tortuguero, awed by the richness and diversity of life we saw above and around us including howler monkeys and rare bird species; watching under a full moon gigantic turtles as they washed ashore by the waves; hiking up the steep slope of dormant Arenal Volcano; crossing the hanging bridges of Monteverde Cloud Forest, surrounded by exotic leaves and fruits of an enormously tall canopy and among the mist and fog of clouds; sensing the reality and hardship of life in rural Costa Rica from the one-room huts we saw along the canals and inland dirt roads; talking with local villagers at every stop; and being in the company of others on our trip, including our experienced and helpful guide, Jose, and our patient and safe driver, Marco.

With respect to accommodations, we loved staying at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, the most environmentally sensitive and responsible accommodation we've ever stayed at. We also found very comfortable El Sapo Dorado and were delighted by the exquisite tropical gardens of Bougainvillea boutique hotel.

Classic Escapes was extremely thorough in providing us with informative and well presented trip guides ahead of our trip, along with attractive backpacks, caps, and water bottles. We used all of them extensively throughout our trip! We were impressed with the company’s flawless organization and execution of all aspects of our 10-day stay in Costa Rica. We were thrilled by the world-class service provided by Classic Escapes throughout our trip, including its hand-chosen guides and drivers. And we appreciated the company’s post-trip follow-up to seek feedback on our travel experience, an exceptionally satisfying and memorable one.

We give a solid five-star rating to Classic Escapes for organizing and providing our family with a smooth, seamless, perfect-in-all-respects travel experience to Costa Rica, an experience that instilled in us awe for the richness and diversity of plant and animal life in this ecological gem of the world, as well as appreciation for its people and culture.

We look forward to traveling with Classic Escapes again to another of our planet’s must-see nature and cultural destinations!

Julie R. and Family
Westchester, New York