What People Say About Maribel's Bespoke Travel Planning
Thank you for helping us plan a great vacation! We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. We got to make most of the stops on the itinerary. Just wished we had more time to visit more of the restaurants on your list. I also have to mention that Isabel is wonderful and so knowledgeable. We really enjoyed spending the day with her.Lyvia L, New Rochelle NY
Steve and I wanted to get back to you and let you know how the trip is going. Yesterday, was our first day of enjoying the Rioja. As per agenda, we started the day at Bodegas Izadi. They didn’t know we were coming but were welcoming, set up quickly and let each of us chose the flight tasting we wanted. We then drove over to Ezcaray and agree with you both about the beautiful drive, even in light rain. I alone was determined to go Echaurren Tradition this trip. We did enjoy it. But all 8 of us agree that lunch today at La cocina de Merche was better in every way! We absolutely loved it. The hotel looked delightful and a promising place for future stays as well as the little village. The sommelier at Echaurren recommended a lovely wine and food was nice, but servings much too large. All in all, we enjoyed the experience and are happy we went, but your suggestion of La cocina de Merche more our style with home cooking.
Today went like clockwork. The whole group thanks you for setting up the reservations for us. Bodegas de La Marquesa was expecting us and had a knowledgeable lady who explained the wines perfectly. Next, was Bodega Bideona in the new tasting room overlooking the valley. What a beautiful setting. You picked an excellent flight for us!! Fabulous. After lunch, we stumbled into Ostatu where the young lady did a nice job explaining the 4 wines you had preselected for us. They were fabulous, just as the others have been so far.
We’ve been so happy with your selections and it certainly makes things easier when you’re traveling in a group of 8 people. Our first night we had a delightful wine from Bodegas Bilbainas which is worth exploring for future clients-maybe it’s already in your guide? The folks here in Rioja certainly respect you and Maribel and that shows clearly. Not surprising, Steve and I have bought too much wine considering we go to Morocco after this where we can’t bring in ANY wine. I guess our friends who are staying with us in Barcelona will benefit from our purchases!
Jenny & Steve, Orange, CA
Thank you very much for your help planning our trip through the Pyrenees. The Hotel Castell de Ciutat was awesome. The views were gorgeous from our rooms and the rooms themselves were very nice. The front dest was helpful and called for a dinner reservations for us. The El Privilegio was so picturesque. Our rooms were upgraded and we loved the snow capped mountains and ski lodge atmosphere. I forgot to mention that the Pintxos Tour in San Sebastián was great. The guide was very knowledgeable and personable and of course the food was delicious. We are thinking that we might want to visit San Sebastián again and take day trip to France and Bilbao. If we do, we will ask you to help us plan that trip.
Nancy E, Lafayette, IN
We are baaaack! We had a wonderful trip, thanks in large part to all your efforts! As expected, you did an incredible job of planning for us, taking all our preferences and interests into account and making it as easy as possibly could! We truly so appreciated it and will definitely use you again when we travel to the Iberian Peninsula (or wherever else you do travel planning)! We will also (as you already know) happily pass along your contact info to any family or friends who are planning similar trips. Thanks again so very much and take good care. We will definitely be in touch!
Joanna, Park City, Utah
Thank you. We are back in the States, and I wanted to send you a note thanking y'all for all of your assistance. Everything went impeccably and the restaurant recommendations were outstanding. The routes you planned really allowed us to see the incredible variety of Spain, and the flow of the trip would not have been possible without them. We'll be heading back one day, hopefully soon. Thanks again. Regards.
Richard H, Atlanta, GA
Maribel, I just wanted to let you know that we had a great time in La Rioja, and really enjoyed the varied types of wineries you suggested. The only scheduled visit we did not make was Marques de Terán. We had an excellent and extensive tasting at Luis Cañas that morning and followed up with a wonderful 2+ hour lunch at Eguren Ugarte. The winery visits with Miguel went very well and he enjoyed them very much. The winery owner conducted the Ramirez de Ganuza visit and the wine maker did the one at Contino (probably the best wines, in my opinion). We enjoyed the detailed information you provided and the hotel was perfect. All in all, the trip exceeded our expectations. Thanks again for your help on a trip that we will always remember.
Manuel H, Austin, TX
Hi Maribel,
I just wanted to finally let you know that we are having a wonderful time with your excellent itinerary and city guide! I intended to touch base with you earlier, but we have just been so darned busy! Thank you for all your hard work. It paid off!
Joanna, Malibu, CA
Dear Maribel,
We returned from a wonderful two weeks in Spain yesterday. I simply want to thank you for contributing to the success of our trip. The accommodations were fine and my niece & nephew thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Me too! I truly appreciated your advice and your wonderful reference guides. Muchísimas gracias!
Virginia
Dear Maribel,
Bud and I have safely returned from our beautiful trip to Spain. We had a glorious time, and so appreciated your terrific suggestions wherever we went. Thank Heaven we flew home through Chicago the day before the collapse of services there!
We are now happily relaxing (while sipping a lovely Crianza), looking at our amazing photos and reliving our WONDERFUL touring, wining and dining experiences. The only difficult times we encountered were those driving to and from La Rioja, which we vow to never do again without a detailed road map showing the overall area with the big cities and all the little towns in the region. The Michelin maps and existing road signage were OFTEN confusing, and we now know that having a detailed map would have helped us get a much better lay of the land. Ultimately, we loved our trip... and now, also love Spain. Thank you, Maribel, for making it as traffic as it was. Hopefully, we’ll be able to return (maybe with some friends) SOON. Sincerely,
Gail and Bud, Sedona, AZ
Maribel,
I thought I knew Segovia and surroundings until I hit on your brilliant guide to the area. So well researched. I live in Spain and am just finishing a long weekend around Castilla -- your Segovia piece was marvelous. Muchas gracias.
Colin, Madrid
Hi Maribel and Philip,
I just wanted to thank you for all of your help without trip to Spain this summer. We had a great time and really appreciate all of the advice and tips you provided. Some of our favorites were: Fabulous restaurant recommendations in Barcelona, Spanish Trails Trip - Costa Brava, Astoria 7 in San Sebastian, San Sebastian things to do and day trips, Bilbao, Segovia. Happy Travels
Alan & Jody, Mill Valley, CA
Dear Maribel,
I've never met you, but I've used you online guides often, for the first time when my husband and I traveled to Spain about 6 years ago, again when we spent a month in Seville, and now, 4 years and kids later, we are living in Madrid for a year and have found your suggestions helpful again. Last night we went to Retiro for some tapas on your recommendations and happened upon an amazing place, Taberna Marcano. We enjoyed Arzábal, but this place was even better, the best piece of tortilla Española I've ever had yet came with our wine, followed by the best anchovies and croquetas I've had yet for our order. I highly recommend you check it out. Regards,
Rebecca, Madrid
Maribel,
Thank you sooooo very much. I've already recommended you to 3 of my friends who will be traveling in the next year or two. I am so happy I found your service!
Nora G, Oakland, CA
Hi Phil & Maribel - I can't remember if I sent this pic to you or not, but just saw your great newsletter on Portugal and was having fond memories of the trip you put together for my Dad and I last fall! You really did a such a fantastic job and had such great insightful recommendations as well...we especially loved that local Fado bar in Lisbon! We will definitely use you again in the future and always recommend your company to anyone we come into contact that is planning to go to Europe. All The Best.
Tanya :), Seattle