The day began bright and early as we met Eugene at nine in the morning, to drive us out of the city for a wine tour at Concha Y Torro (which means – shell and bull). Maria, our guide at the vineyard, told us everything we needed to know (and more!) about how they make their wines, and even hinted at a private underground cellar containing the rarest wines which we couldn’t see due to earthquake damage. We decided it might have been a good thing because legend has it that a devil lives in the cellar – a story known as the “Casillero del Diable Legend”. It seems the original owner of the vineyard made up the tale to keep people away from his precious and rarest wines. Regardless, we didn’t want to take the risk! After the tour and a variety of unbelievable wines, we headed off to lunch at a classic roadside Chilean restaurant. Lunch was simple but one of the best we have ever tasted - two steaks grilled on an open flame by an asador, two beers and a traditional gaucho dance called the chicken and the hen. And to think this was something the locals got to experience every day. Perfection! Perez Cruz vineyard was next, a very rustic and charming, off the beaten path vineyard with incredible modern architecture. Out of all of the vineyards we visited, this was the youngest. We got a kick out of the modern “wine lab”, where “wine scientists” were busy creating the latest, most innovative Perez Cruz blends. We decided that must be a pretty nice job to have! One of the most surprising things from our trip was that every wine we tasted had such a full-bodied flavor – surprising to us given the arid soil and climate. After more amazing wines and a few more tall tales and legends, we headed back to the hotel after another long but incredible day and (unbeknownst to me!) a postcard was dropped in the mail by my then-boyfriend (now fiancé!) written to his future wife! We headed off to late dinner at Del Cocinero in Providencia and although I’m still stuffed from dinner the evening before, I have to order a full plate!
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.