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Testimonials

Please have a look at a little of the feedback we have received from clients over the years...

Here at Argentina we firmly believe in the feedback of our clients, be it good or bad, as it really is the key to us moving forwards and improving our service and the overall experience. With the price of hotels and flights only on the increase we feel it is important to know where we have gotten things right and where wrong. In the below, please see what our clients are saying about us and judge for yourself. (please note that ALL of the reviews we feature are 100% real and unedited. If you would like to speak to any of our past clients please let us know).

Furthermore, we have started to gather customer reviews through Trustpilot so please take a look at our page on there to see how we are doing. Trustpilot Reviews >>

Hi Nick and Ed

Firstly, thanks so much for organising the trip - we had such a great time and loved it all. And for all your help and patience in answering my many questions before hand Nick!

I will put a comment on Trust Pilot - did you say something about putting some photos somewhere? We have some wonderful ones of volcanoes, street art, geysers etc.

Things we liked:

The Vamoos App was really good, especially the downloaded map - we would have been very stuck on quite a few occasions if we hadn’t had the map showing us where we were and where we should be - Chile especially is not very good at signposting!

Hotels - were really well chosen. We loved the history of the Pucón one (although it is in danger of becoming a bit too shabby chic, especially the gardens) and the views from our room as well as the wood burner which we lit on a very monsoon-like cold day. Enjoyed the Palafito experience - despite not being able to stay in the one we wanted. Did a self catering one for 1 night which we booked ourselves (Palafito Azul) then had to move to Entre Mar y Tierre when 1326 was flooded - this had a wonderful room overlooking the sea whereas the other 3 rooms were right on the busy road and it was very noisy with cars and dogs. However the feel of the big open plan living room with fire was lovely. Position of Palafito Azul and 1326 much quieter than where Entre Mar y Tierre was.

Also great restaurant called The Cevicheria next door to 1326. Lovely lady who runs the place with her boyfriend and sister. She wrote out a Pisco Sour recipe as well as her wonderful lemonade, mint and ginger drink. So welcoming. We also loved the 2 x Noi hotels - great buildings, and the best hotel staff of the holiday, especially the one in the Colchagua. We had such a laugh with them. Great characters. Adored the buildings in the Colchagua and had definite house envy. Also the position and history of the one in Valparaiso.

Hotel Fierro was great as well - not so sure we loved Palermo Soho but the area around the hotel (Palermo Hollywood) was lovely with a growing number of bars and restaurants round the corner from the hotel. The hotel lent us the equivalent of an ‘Oyster’ card and it was easy to get on the metro from there into the centre of things. All breakfasts were outstanding (apart from Cabana del Lago) and we fate well in the morning then didn’t need to eat until the evening. Trips and restaurants - we visited Fleur du Sel near Pucón - great food. Great experience at the Llau Llau Hotel. (Goodness, Argentina was so much cheaper than Chile!).

Enjoyed the ferry trip to Chiloé. Interesting side trip - 2 days definitely maximum. And definitely the right recommendation to stay at Puerto Varas before flying out the next day - having driven through Puerto Montt, it would have been a nightmare to get out for the early flight. Easy back road from Puerto Varas to the airport.

The trips in the Atacama were good, especially the one to see the geysers at dawn. Very good meals on both that and the flamingo one at sunset. Good guide - Victor. In the Colchagua we had booked lunch at Viña Vik - amazing building. Not sure we would run to staying a night there (starts US$1000 a night BnB) but lunch was worth it - food was good without being outstanding but the whole experience of the carefully designed modern building etc was great. Mr Vik is also a very interesting character having researched him. We also blagged our way into Lapostolle to look at that amazing building as well - just stunning. Loved it round here. Could have done with another day at least.

Buenos Aires - the guided tour gave us a flavour but we arrived at Boca too early and nothing was happening and there was so much traffic just after the G20 that we did sit in traffic quite a bit. Still, it gave us a taste to want to explore on foot ourselves the next day. - what amazing buildings - so many influences. Spent 8 hours walking round. It's a shame we had to juggle with days for our trip here as we understand the weekend is great for the market in San Telmo and other places. (We met some people who were actually on the flight we were told was cancelled from Ushuaia - they had kicked up a fuss and in the end the flight did go but landed at the International Airport rather than the Domestic which was closed for the G20).

The Tango Show was amazing! We thought it would be just a tourist trap - and of course it was all tourists there but the food was excellent - just the most tender steaks, great service. Show was wonderful - no complaints at all. Really enjoyed the whole experience. We did and saw so much - just a really great holiday - loved it. And in the end it was lovely to finish with some warmth rather than going progressively colder if we had gone south.

Definitely one of our better holidays. We are buzzing with all we saw and experienced. We didn’t need rest days in between - we just want to see and do everything when we are in a new country.

Many many thanks for helping to put this together for us. We are used to putting together itineraries to Canada, Australia etc but were so glad that we had booked through you with your experience, especially when we had to alter things right up to the last minute.

We would have been completely thrown without your help.

Kind regards Penny

 


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Penny and Martin

Hi Nick,

Chile is super!!!

Although the Peru-an Pisco’s have our preference. But Chilean wines are very good. Due to so some many flavors in Argentina, both countries have our preference when it comes to wine.

Loved the mountains, Easter Island, Atacama, Antofagasta,Santiago etc we discussed and could not find 1 outstanding location due to the difference. But definitely 4 full days Atacama have challenged all our energy.

The wine tasting at La Casona is a great place to relax after a long travel from Europe to Santiago. The day tour to Valpariaso was really quite nice and informative, and having a private guide, it did not feel we missed anything by not staying there overnight.

Tierra accommodations in Patagonia and Atacama are the best. The tours included in the stay are diverse and we took the opportunity to do as many as possible. Having a full moon in Atacama, the Tiera Moon Walk is something you don’t want to miss.

Explora hotel at Easter Island is also lovely, and ceviche is super. The day-to-day approach for the tours felt somehow less planned compared to Tierra hotels were all is planned upfront (with flexibility to change if for example weather requires). Easter Island sun rise, sun set, and hikes to for example the highest top for full overview of the island are all well worth of doing.

The Terrado hotel in Antofagasta is only a 3 hour drive from Atacama, and a good place to stay and visit the Paranal Observatory. It was the only time we got concerned if the tour guides could make the Paranal visit schedule in time (pick up delayed with more than an hour to 12:15). We could have easily stayed another night in this hotel to explore Antofagasta, but time is limited, so we had to make choices.

In Santiago we walked a lot while funicular and cable car were in maintenance when going to visit San Cristobal. Costanera tower provides great views of the city on a clear day. Diner at restaurants like Punto Ocho, 99 and BORAGó completed our last enjoyable days in Chile.

The Holiday Inn hotel at the airport is very comfortable and convenient especially while check-in can take quite some time.

A great holiday with lots of memories of beautiful nature and friendly people we met, and for sure in the future we will be visiting Chile again.

Best regards, Inez

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Inez and Lucas

Nick

Sorry for not replying earlier. It has been busy since we got back.

Thanks again for all the arrangements. We had a great holiday. Everything went very smoothly and there was always someone waiting for us at the airports even if there had been a delay.

There was quite a bit of travelling but we both agree that we wouldn’t have wanted to leave anything out and we are glad we did it all. If we had a bit more time we would have stayed 4 nights in a couple of places but we had to get back for work commitments.

Two very minor things which might have been even better if

- because of the early start and the fact that they do the same thing each lunchtime, we could have left Estancia Bamba after 2 nights and stayed near the airport for the flight to El Calafate.

- Awasi do Iguazu very well and take as much hassle out of visiting the falls as possible. However they don’t have a link with the Belmond Hotel on the Brazilian side allowing early access. If going again we would stay in the Belmond to do the Brazilian side and then go on to Awasi (or even the Melia once they get it finished) for Argentina.

However these are very minor points and we very much enjoyed our trip.

So Nick, a big big thank you for our wonderful holiday.

You were a joy to work with and you made the whole experience so easy. We felt very cared for and special every minute of our trip.

We would love to do it all again…only for longer!

We want to go to Botswana…. Or Namibia….or Tanzania….. next year…. Will need your help:)

Many many thanks Nick.

Mandy & Mike

Mike and Mandy

Nick

The holiday was fantastic and all the arrangements worked really well plus you and your colleagues were very patient in dealing with all our questions. The only thing we weren't really prepared for was that cash machines seemed to have a limit of about £60 so we found ourselves using them more than we expected. Liz

Liz and Jim

Hi Nick ,

the trip now seems a while away!! From mine and Charlie’s perspective it was a truly memorable holiday with so many highlights .

The way we arranged the holiday ,with your help really made it flow well and nothing seemed too onerous even though we had to spend a long time in airports!! - but we knew that was the only way we could get to see what we did in the time we had given the size of the country. A real positive was we arrived back with all our luggage intact ! - amazing given we had done 10 flights in the 18 days!

What a remarkable country it is - such varied landscapes , environments and cultures .It was hard to believe we managed to fit in a city break , horse riding and glacier visiting in Patagonia , wine tasting in Mendoza , more horse riding and birdwatching in the Pampas and finally the wonderful experience of the Iguassu Falls and the associated birdlife - all truly amazing .

The standard of the accommodation was excellent and we stopped in some quirky but remarkable places .I have done a short commentary on them all which I hope you will find helpful . Flights with KLM were good as were internal flights .We only had one delay of 1.5 hours on our journey out to Mendoza ( which we could have done without as that was a later flight anyway).

The transfer companies and guides were good .We did pushback on their pick up times as we were taken to the airports far too early on occasions and it felt that we were being fitted into their schedules rather than suiting our own. The wine tour was excellent and the tasting menu at Clos de Chagres was memorable - the food was superb and the wines complimented beautifully . Hotels ; Park Hyatt - BA Good location ,spacious rooms , ( we had room 703) , english spoken ,tea and coffee making facilities in rooms. Breakfast was very good - lots of choice .Food and wines overall were very good.

Overall it was one of the most memorable holidays we have had and we have all said we want to go back and see more of the country - it is such a fascinating place to visit .

Thank you for all your help , guidance and insights!

We have recommended your company to others who have now got the Argentinian ‘bug!”

Many thanks Clare

Clare and Charlie

Hi Ed,

We are back! We had the most wonderful time! Thank you so much for organising such a fantastic trip.

Our highlight has got to be Estancia Cristina. It was so beautiful and so welcoming. I would go back there in a heartbeat.

Best wishes

Ayisha & Chris

Yes we’re back
Sorry I wanted to send you a mail earlier but been very busy.
We had the best time and the organization was spotless. Above expectations definitely.
We absolutely loved chile (esp patagonia and atacama). Peru was more touristic so we liked it a bit less but this was completely our decisions and we’re still happy we went.
Once again, top organisation, hotel even better than expected, guides and drivers extremely nice and efficient. The only thing i would change is having a direct flight from santiago to cusco and avoid Lima (it costs us a day), but I understand also this flight is rather recent.
Thanks again for everything.
I will definitely recommand your services.
Nicolas

Nicolas and Teressa

Hi Nick,

We got back from our honeymoon in Peru yesterday - back to work today with a bump - and just wanted to say thank you so much for organising our trip.

We had an incredible time and everything was perfect - all of the arrangements were seamless and our transfers/trips/guides/travel were all great. We even got a few room upgrades and bottles of fizz!

Machu Picchu was a real highlight! The guide was great and the hike was awesome - and the hotel upgraded us to a suite with a private pool so we loved our trip there! All of the Inkaterra hotels were beautiful and the service was always great. Hotel B Barranco was my favourite hotel I think though, we really loved it there.

Lima Tours were really good too, very impressed with them,

We wouldn't hesitate to book another trip through you and will be recommending to our friends and family!  

Thanks again, Heather and David

Heather and David

Hello Nick:
Just a quick note to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed our trip to South America. You did a fabulous job with the hotel/resort selections.
Tierra Patagonia was definitely our favorite, but everywhere was beyond our expectations. Everything went well and we were always picked up and deposited wherever we needed to be. Don’t know why it happened, but we were pleasantly surprised to be substantially upgraded at Sol y Luna in Urubamba. We had our own private 4 room casita.
Just so you are aware, in Cusco, the city tour tickets which we purchased did not cover the cathedrals. On our half day guided tour, we had to pay separately for those. Also, our half day tour only turned out to be 2 hours. Our guide Romulo, while very knowledgeable, seemed to be in a hurry. We saw what we wanted to see, but didn’t get to spend as much time as we would have liked.
A couple of constructive comments:
1) It would be helpful if the guides were more direct with the message about the luggage allowance on the train to Machu Picchu. We knew of the 5kg limit but we were unclear what was going to happen to the rest of our luggage. As it turns out, there were many on the train with big bags which were taken from the train station in Aqua Caliente to the hotel. We just had our small backpack with us and our luggage was sent to the hotel in Cusco. We just feel communication was lacking here.
2) The hotel/resort in Iguazu Falls was nice but it was oriented towards families and there were lots of children around. Children tend to get cranky at the end of the day and make a lot of noise that most parents try to ignore. We are at an age where screaming children are an irritant. For your older clients, it might be better to put them in less of a family resort.
You did a great job putting this trip together and we really did have a great time.
We will definitely recommend you to any of our friends who are interested in traveling to South America.
Thank you again for all your assistance.
Best Regards, Sherry & John

John and Sherry

Nick

Big thanks to you both – it was superb.

Our guide was Henry Joel Mesicano who was outstanding. Strangely – there were no others in our team (which was great) but 10 or so in the other Lima Tours team. We had 7 porters and a cook to ourselves!

I would suggest in your kit brief that you really push “warm clothing – something thick for very cold nights” and a torch (which we had and was crucial) .

Loved it and would recommend you and Henry going forward.

Best wishes Simon

Simon and Issy

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