Travel Stories & Testimonials
Our clients share their experiences.
My Post Dystopian Trip to Walt Disney World
By Ludwik Kozlowski
Amy Aukes
Christmas in Paradise
"We had a wonderful Christmas family vacation at Beaches Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The food was awesome, accommodations met our expectations, and water activities were so much fun! We all loved the beach, water park, and pool! We enjoyed snorkeling and the glass bottom boat at the resort. The kids loved the Sesame Street shows and the entertainment team at Beaches. We appreciate your help in helping us plan our family vacation!"
-Aukes Family
Karen Garrett
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
"This trip was fabulous!!! We enjoyed every minute and didn’t want to come home. All of our flights went well and we made all connections very smooth with no issues. They got about 17-20 inches of snow a couple of days before we left and apparently that was a little earlier than normal and then it snowed another 5 inches on Monday while we were there. That made the whole drive up gorgeous…although a little nervous at times. :) The grounds at the hotel were covered in snow which was exactly what we were hoping for.
The one bedroom suite was perfect for us and even bigger than I had imagined. We would spend about ½ day at the hill (skiing) and then come back to the resort around 1:30 every day and would have the rest of the afternoon to walk around, sled, lounge, or eat! The skiing at Lake Louise was fantastic….they had plenty of snow and I think 8 out of 10 lifts were open so plenty of runs for us beginners.
We really enjoyed the Walisur Stube restaurant at the hotel and their continental breakfast was a must every morning.
I would say our only downside related to the hotel… they didn’t have any of the daily winter activities for the kids as this was a low occupancy week and therefore there wasn’t enough demand for those events. But – we probably got to enjoy the low occupancy rates too so that is the trade off in going during a slow time.
Overall – the kids said this was one of their best trips ever !!
Thanks for everything!"
Riley and Brooke Groover
Newlyweds in New Zealand
"The honeymoon was phenomenal! Everything we hoped for and more! The scenery is just absolutely stunning, and it's everywhere you look. We loved every place we went. Queenstown is certainly the most beautiful city I've ever been to and the Rees Hotel only made our stay that much more enjoyable.
Our two favorite spots on the vacation were the Milford Sound and the Mt. Cook Lodge. During our stargazing tour out at Mt. Cook, we were able to see the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights). The tour guide said it was pretty rare to be able to see it out where we were at, so that's a once in a lifetime event we got to witness. We can both die happy now! I think we may have ruined traveling for us for the rest of our lives. I don't think we will ever be able to find another place as beautiful as New Zealand. Thank you for all your help. The itinerary was flawless and we had no trouble whatsoever."
Darell and Jean Fisher
Tennis Anyone?
This past March we realized a long held ambition to attend the BNP Paribas professional tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California. Pat McPheters built a fabulous package that included three days of exciting matches involving the world’s top players. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and John Isner were just a few of the greats we were able to see as we moved from one venue to another.
The tennis took place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden which is beautiful and fan friendly. The Garden has plenty of flowers, grass, and trees that provide relief from the desert heat. Other amenities included watering stations, a variety of excellent restaurants, and plenty of clean restrooms.
We thoroughly enjoyed our hotel accommodations at the world famous La Quinta Resort and Club. The resort was built in 1927 and has been a destination for movie stars, world leaders, and other celebrities who have appreciated the lovely grounds, interesting shops, and superb restaurants.
This trip is recommend for anyone who likes watching professional tennis—it’s a wonderful opportunity to get away from winter, relax, and enjoy."
Carl and Doris Simmons
Perfect Birthday
"Sometimes it takes a while to find the perfect spot to celebrate a milestone birthday with family. We found it - House of The Hula Moon at Puako on the big island in Hawaii. Five family members joined us at this amazing 4 bedroom ocean front home to celebrate Carl’s 80th a year late – better late than not at all, right?
We all enjoyed precious time together in this tropical setting swimming in the pool, lounging inside and out with a good book and walking the beach right outside our door where we visited with the resident sea turtles. Everything was stocked and in its place thanks to Nikki, pictured with Carl blowing out his candles. Cooking in the beautifully appointed kitchen (spices were even in alphabetical order) and dining outside were wonderful. The outdoor showers incorporated in two of the baths will lure Doris back for her milestone birthday if she decides to celebrate other than her 39th again and again. Pat handled everything perfectly as usual – let her know when you are ready to experience House of The Hula Moon!"
Pat McPheters
Galapagos Islands
"A picture is worth a 1000 words and here are a few that describe the awesome experience we had with G Adventures."
Ann Workman-HSV Travel Agent
It took me 53 years to get to Cuba!
"I found this TAUCK trip to be much more than I could have imagined. From daily historical sites, awesome tour guides, very comfortable lodging (even two beach front 4 and 5 star properties), and TAUCK surprises around every corner (one evening we went to the Tropicana nightclub) - I was overwhelmed by this Cuba experience. Never once did I feel any uneasiness walking around during our limited free time on this People To People tour. Our everyday interaction with the Cuban locals was truly the highlight of this long awaited adventure. It was wonderful to visit a country with such gracious and lovely people.
However, Cuba remains and will for a time remain a country of contradictions. One minute we were dining in a lovely paladar (local home turned into a restaurant) and at the next rest stop you might not have toilet seats. Cuba offers only 2 kinds of beer as ‘more is not necessary’, a theme heard often during our 13 day trip. One night we stayed at a breathtaking all inclusive resort and the next night we found ourselves at a Russian built government owned hotel that caused JoAnn my traveling companion to say “I’m not sure I can sleep on these beds”. (She could and she did).
Art and music are delightful all over the island and might be the reason that the people have remained positive even with their stark living limitations .Their sense of humor remains very visible. Perhaps that’s the reason they have stayed strong for so many years while living in their controlled environment.
I have never had a more life touching experience in all my years in the travel business as I found in Cuba (Israel is a close second). Tony Bennett might have left his heart in San Francisco, but I am sure I left mine in Cuba. If you would like to hear and see more, I have a 40 minute slide show with music I will be happy to share with some of your friends, club, or organization. Just give me a call at 501-922-3527 and if I answer with ‘Ola’ you’ll know it’s me."
Dale and Linda Stock
An experience of a lifetime.
"My journey to take this trip to Rome was in my back pocket on a bucket list until my unexpected heart surgery on October 30th, 2014. After a week of recovery, I entered into another surgery on my gallbladder that made me realize my bucket list needed to be looked at. I considered my heart surgery as a second chance at life. I wanted to thank so many people that helped my wife, Linda, and I spiritually, emotionally, and physically through my recovery. I knew there was a place I could do all of that...Rome, Italy. My sister stayed with me for several weeks and I wanted to share my appreciation with her in Rome. I figured being Catholic, a trip to see the Pope would be a good start at thanking God for my life.
Our trip to Rome and Germany was the best yet and will be hard to top. Words cannot describe the beauty, size or experiences we felt as we were guided by Jean Carlos.
She was fun, very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The tour of the Colosseum with Sylvia was amazing. She told us all the facts, informed us about the fountains, hills and buildings in the area, and took as back to our hotel.
The city of Rome was one of the cleanest cities we have seen. People in the shops as well as the restaurants were friendly and spoke English. Frankfurt was very nice and the trip up the Rhine was beautiful and interesting. The castles were amazing.
I could go on all day. Needless to say we will be talking about this trip for a very long time! Big thanks to Kathy Primm!" -Dale Stock
Tracy, Jim, Tish, Rafael, Stephanie, & Thomas Bailey
Barceló Hotel and Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
"Thank you Vikki Koch of Sue Smith Vacations for making our vacation dreams a reality! What an amazing
experience the 6 of us had last week in Mexico and the Barceló Resort that Vikki booked for us. It far exceeded our expectations. From the time we stepped off the plane in Puerto Vallarta, we felt as comfortable in a foreign country as could be. The instructions were clear and handled to perfection and the arrival at the resort took our breath away. Thank you for everything you did to make our couples vacation absolutely amazing. I highly recommend this all inclusive resort to any of your clients. The rooms, the grounds, the meals, the pools and even the entertainment was just delightful; can’t wait for Vikki to help us plan our trip for next year."
Harmon and Suella Bratton
Beauty and Adventure in The Aloha State
"Aloha! Is a wonderful word that ten Arkansans heard often while we were in Hawaii Feb. 26-March 8
.We were greeted at the Honolulu Airport by Delta Vacations with leis and transferred to the Ala Moana Hotel in Waikiki near the beach, where we spent two nights. While there, Harmon and I took the circle island tour around Oahu, which included lunch and a tour of the Kualoa Ranch, the Dole Pineapple Plantation (yummy pineapple ice cream!), and Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet. We also hiked in the Diamond Head State Monument crater
.This trip included seven nights aboard the NCL Pride of America cruise ship, which took us to Kahului, Maui; Hilo and Kona, Hawaii; Nawiliwili, Kauai; and back to Honolulu, Oahu, where we had choices for a variety of shore excursions. Harmon and I chose the Road to Hana, Mauna Loa Macademia Nut Farm, Haleakala Crater, Volcanoes National Park , Macadamia Nut Farm, Akatsuka Orchid Gardens, the Atlantis Submarine, Luau Kalamaku & Plantation Train, and the Wailu River Cruise and Fern Grotto. During the submarine ride, which was our favorite activity, we saw a coral reef, two shipwrecks, and a variety of fishes including a shark which was hovering over a purse near a shipwreck on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, which I thought might be a loan shark
!When our ship docked back at Honolulu, we were greeted by Polynesian Hospitality in a large coach with a Sue Smith Vacations sign scrolling in the destination area, which we thought was wonderful! This coach took us to Pearl Harbor, where we saw the SS Arizona shipwreck and a film about World War II; then to several other areas of interest around Honolulu and Waikiki before we flew home Saturday night and arrived back at Little Rock Airport with more snow piled around the runways than was there when we flew to Hawaii Feb. 26
.Hawaii was beautiful and warm; it was up to low 80’s during the daytime and 60’s at night. This was a wonderful trip for us; we reached our goal of going to all fifty states!
Ernie Buck and Kay Croshaw
Cruisin' Easy
"Thanks Ann for encouraging us to book with Uniworld for our first river cruise that took us from Budapest to Amsterdam. It was truly an exceptional experience and we had never been so pampered. Our accommodations were exquisite. From the excellent tour guides to the amazing organization of the crew we were ensured the best possible experience. You handled every detail of the vacation and flight arrangements in an efficient and timely manner, sometimes answering questions we didn't even know to ask. Ann, from the initial research and planning with Vacation Valet to our arrival home we are truly grateful for all you did to make this the trip of a lifetime for us."
Marc O'Brien and Bob Geiger:
Polynesian Paradise
A trip to the French Polynesian Islands never crossed my mind until my friend, Bob Geiger, said he wanted to go to Bora Bora. Not knowing what to expect other than taking a trip to the South Pacific I agreed to go. We had Kathy Primm from Sue Smith Vacations book a 2 week trip for us this past May. It turned out to be the most exhilarating 2 weeks we ever had. We arrived on Tahiti on a Saturday morning then took a short flight over to the island of Moorea for a 3 night stay. The turquoise water, white sand beach, and palm trees at the base of the mountains were spectacular. The over-the-water bungalows with glass floor panels were the ultimate accommodations. Just step off the back deck and snorkel amongst the coral and multitudes of colorful fish or relax on the lounge chairs while listening to the waves breaking on the coral reef as the sun sets. The days went by quickly as we snorkeled, took an ATV tour of the interior of the island experiencing the beautiful scenery and views, and spent an afternoon on a jet ski adventure in the lagoon with the opportunity to see underwater Tiki statues, swim with black-tipped reef sharks and stingrays, and ride outside the reef on the open ocean.
Before we knew it, it was time to leave Moorea. We took a short flight to Bora Bora and landed on the airstrip built by the Americans in 1943 on one of the many motus (islands) surrounding the main island. The only way to leave the airport was by a boat which took us to our hotel on another motu just across the lagoon from Bora Bora. Again, the over water bungalows were spectacular with fish, sharks, and stingrays swimming around and underneath our hut. A safari tour took us into the jungles of Bora Bora and back in time to WWII. We saw the cannons built to defend the island from anticipated invasion and the ammunition bunkers used by the American soldiers. An underwater helmet diving expedition took us 12 feet down to the bottom of the ocean where we were able to walk around, feed hundreds of fish, and interact with stingrays. Finally, after renting a dune buggy-like Eurocar, we spent the day driving around the island of Bora Bora and having lunch at the famous Bloody Mary’s restaurant. The nights were clear which gave us the opportunity to see the Southern Cross. The most beautiful, unexpected, and indescribable experience of the trip was seeing the full moon rising over the peaks of Bora Bora and reflecting off the lagoon. People would come out of their bungalows onto the connecting walkways and stare in awe at this incredible site.
On the way back home, we had planned a stay on the Hawaiian island of Kauai to relax but again there was so much to see and do. A catamaran lunch excursion took us to the rugged Napali coast and the peaks of Bali Hi from the movie South Pacific. Dolphins swam in front of the boat along the way , sea turtles were plentiful, and flying fish were racing with the boat. After arriving back at the dock, we took our Jeep up to Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The next day we took the Island Helicopters Jurassic Falls Landing Tour. Landing in the jungle, we could imagine dinosaurs watching us as we made our way to the base of the waterfall from the movie Jurassic Park. After leaving the waterfall, our pilot gave us the grand tour of the entire island, getting us as close to as many waterfalls as possible and taking us right up to what was the inner wall of the former volcano. A zip line adventure involving 8 different lines of increasing heights and distances started the following morning. The day ended with a Jeep ride to the northern most part of the island and a visit to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse. Our last day was spent driving the southern portion of the island to Polihale Beach and State Park. It is the longest stretch of beach in the state of Hawaii and is accessed down an unpaved old cane haul road. Glad we had the Jeep!
Bob and I would like to express our gratitude to Kathy for booking this unforgettable vacation for us. We can’t wait to book our next adventure with Kathy through Sue Smith Vacations. "
Gayla and Dennis Jungmeyer
Castles along the Rhine
"There could not be a better way to describe this most memorable adventure. Upon our arrival in Basel we boarded the SS Antoinette, truly a flagship for Uniworld. For the next eight days we enjoyed the lap of luxury with incredible venues at every rivers turn. On the one side picturesque Germany with this lush farmlands and on the other France with vineyards reaching, seemingly, up to the sky. Of our many cruises so perfectly planned by Sue Smith Travel, this will remain one of our most favorite as every port, every excursion was just as impressive as the next. As for the ‘Long Ship’, as they are called, the SS Antoinette is like a floating five star hotel with every amenity one could wish for. The staff, our butlers if you will, were there to see to our every need and the ships accommodations impeccable. Following the usual safety drills, in case of a catastrophe on a small river, the ship’s crew, from the porter to the Captain, made every attempt to see that our journey was one of comfort and pleasure. While we have enjoyed a number of ocean cruises, cruising on a river is especially impressive with exciting new landscapes each new day. As for the Rhine, few rivers on earth offer more history, more legend and more beauty. Our only regret was having to leave our floating palace and the exquisite dining experiences we enjoyed. We have told many of our family and friends of our week with Castles Along The Rhine knowing they would be equally impressed. And it with much anticipation that we look forward to yet another Sue Smith Travel adventure."
Greg and Amy Hartman & Family
A Vacation to Remember
"Our recent family vacation to the Bahamas was awesome! Kathy made all of the arrangements for our 5 day getaway. The flight was easy and we were at our resort by early afternoon! We stayed at the Cove at the Atlantis resort. The atmosphere of the resort was extremely relaxed, and the staff made sure the vacation was all about us! They were extremely helpful, courteous, and friendly. A calendar was given to us each evening with all of the day's events so we could choose what we wanted to do for the next day.
Most days we hit the water park on the resort to enjoy white water tubing, the Mayan temple water slide, and tons of other water rides and slides. Our hotel had a private cove at the beach just a few feet away from the hotel, so we could lounge by the pool or on the beach while our kids (17, 15, and 13) ran safely around the water park. Private cabanas were available and were awesome for a full day outside! A DJ played music every day by the pool, and there were several areas to grab lunch or drinks, even Starbucks. In the evenings, we would enjoy one of the many restaurants at the resort or take a short shuttle to the Marina. The Marina had some great restaurants and shopping. A band may be playing or a street parade happening, which created a fun, lively atmosphere for everyone.
The most remarkable outing of the vacation was the dolphin excursion at Dolphin Cay. After a short walk from out hotel, we geared up in wet suits; that's where we met Tamara, a 28 yea old dolphin, who was extremely smart and playful. Each one of us received special time with her to pet and feed her. It was amazing to see how she communicated with us and her trainer! She was so much fun, and had the whole family laughing and smiling the rest of the day! We chose the shallow water interaction, but deep water excursions were also available.
We had an amazing family vacation! A huge thanks to Kathy and Sue Smith Vacations for making it happen!"
Marian McLaurin and Sisters:
Rollin' on the River
Having visited all 50 states and explored numerous countries in Europe, Asia and South America over our years of travel, we decided it was time to revisit some of the more interesting areas in the U.S. and Canada-our current political situations in the world today make us VERY happy to be Americans.
"Since fall is our favorite season of the year, an October trip to New York with a cruise on the Hudson River while the fall foliage was at its peak caught our eyes. A "sister trip" with husbands allowed was our choice, so we contacted Vacation Valet to set it up, since coordinating travelers from 3 different states was involved. Ann Workman is an expert at solving problems of this nature, which made our planning much easier. We had traveled on American Cruise Lines before, so we definitely wanted to stay with them (the service they provide is outstanding). As one of the sisters said, it was a great trip with Ann handling the arrangements, so all we had to do was pack and go enjoy it. We've already booked our next trip (a train trip through the Canadian Rockies) with Vacation Valet (and Ann's) help!
Luigi and Lisa Martone
European Appreciation
"The October river cruise from Paris to Normandy was one of our favorite trips. My wife and I have been to Europe many times, including several river cruises. They have become one of our favorite ways of visiting Europe because of the convenience of having a comfortable room on the boat moving from city to city with you. We like the smaller size of the boats that makes them so convenient.
This cruise included Paris, which everyone should see, Monet’s beautiful garden at Giverny and the beaches of Normandy. The garden was beautiful and I felt as if I was walking in a Monet landscape. Seeing the D-Day beaches and the American cemetery was very moving for everyone on the trip. Along with many of the others, we found that excursion to be a unique and memorable experience.
Although river cruises are a great choice for veteran travelers, my sister was making her first trip to Europe and it turned out to be a great introduction. The included and optional excursions allowed her to experience a new country and culture in an easy and comfortable way. She has already started talking about her next trip to Europe!
Thank you for your hard work in putting all the arrangements together. As usual, we appreciate all your insights and suggestions.
We’ll see you on the next one."
Nancy Liggin
At the End of the World
"I was able to add several countries to my list on a recent Patagonian Cruise with Lindblad Expeditions aboard the National Geographic Explorer. Pat recommended Lindblad Expeditions a long time ago and I'm sure glad she did since they are my favorite-in fact we are working on another one now. Being pictured near the Massif of Torres del Paine in Puerto Natales, Chile and at the end of the world-"fin del mundo" in Ushuaia, Argentina offers proof that I am getting closer to my 100 country goal..."
Toni Meek
GIVE-ing Back
When my Grandma (you know her as Pat McPheters) sent us information about Shore Trips Excursions available on our family cruise, I was the first to sign up for GIVE...Animal Assistance and Care. I love animals and thought this would be a great way to start the day before heading to the beach in the afternoon and I was right. Four of us arrived at the Cozumel Humane Society-Sociedad Humanitaria de Cozumel with dog treats, leashes, medicated dog shampoo and toys; items found on their wish list. The clinic opened in 1996 with two rooms, no electricity, 24 kennels, one vet and one kennel worker. Today they have an impressive facility and 14 employees. After a tour and playing with the cats, our volunteer duty for the day was walking dogs in the neighborhood. Grandpa even had his favorite dog sitting for a treat."
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