My family has been using Colonial Travel for our trips for over 20 years.
They like the entire staff, but I adore Louise and wouldn't use anyone else. In fact, I've referred friends and they think she's a doll too.
Not only is she terrible sweet, but she's world traveled and can tell you anything about anywhere.
When I wanted to go to Israel, she reassured me that it's be a trip of a lifetime and that I would be safe on a tour. Having just returned from there herself, she explained how tight security is and that they only take you to neutral zones (ie where Muslims, Christians and Jewish people all can live harmoniously). Turns out she was right on the money ans was the best trip I have ever taken.
She also planned my 1st Europe tour and my Croatia, Thailand and Europe trips; from flights to hotel to ground tours.
Louise is a wealth of information and will give you detailed information about what you must see, where you must go and what you must not do (in order not to offend varying cultures). She looks extensively at flight prices and will get you rates comparable to online sites. She will also send you information in the mail, to go over before you start to plan your trip.
The location is near my parents home so they can just swing by to talk to her personally, but since I do not live in the area, I can shoot her an email about somewhere I am interested in traveling to and she will print off info from the web (on points of interest) and mail it to me.
I can't express enough how important customer service is when it comes to planning a trip and she walks you through every step of the way. You can call any time during office hours and she will provide answers; from passport issuing to general questions about local customs in foreign countries and everything in between. read more