“Tesa looked after the hard part, and all we had left was the fun.”
Someone who genuinely cares about creating a memorable, customized travel experience
We can't say enough good things about working with Tesa! From start to finish, every detail of our trip was flawlessly organized, and it was clear she went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. She listened closely to our interests and tailored an itinerary that was spot on, hitting all the hidden gems and unique experiences that made the journey unforgettable. Her and her teams communication was outstanding - they were quick and prompt to respond to any questions or adjustments we had while on our trip, which made us feel completely supported. We were particularly impressed by how effortlessly she handled last-minute changes, keeping everything smooth and stress-free. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares about creating a memorable, customized travel experience, I highly recommend Tesa!
LSmith, IN - 10 Nov 2024
Her attention to detail and personalized touch made our trip both stress-free and unforgettable.
I recently had the pleasure of working with Tesa for our trip to the Amalfi Coast and Rome, and I cannot recommend her highly enough! From start to finish, she meticulously planned every detail, ensuring we had drivers to take us seamlessly from place to place and expert tour guides who enriched our experiences with fascinating insights.
Tesa also curated an amazing list of restaurants that allowed us to indulge in authentic local cuisine—each meal was a treat! Her attention to detail and personalized touch made our trip both stress-free and unforgettable. If you're looking to explore Italy, definitely reach out to Tesa—you won’t be disappointed!
M.Criscito, CA - 20 Oct 2024
Another superb Tesa trip!
Early October 9 nights in Italy, 6 Taormina, 3 Florence. Another superb Tesa trip! Many prior trips and extended stays in Italy but first in Sicily and loved our time there. 6 nites Taormina La Plage hotel water view. Lovely resort. Excellent travel and touring. Taormina, Mt Etna, Gambino vineyard, Siracusa and Ortigia, Agrigento, Palermo (churches!), would redo this itinerary. Drove across Sicily a few times and really got to the essence of this lovely place. Awesome guides and drivers. Will bring grandchildren there someday.
R.Kayne, CT - 20 Oct 2024
I would rate our trip a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10
I asked Tesa for a stress free trip as we were traveling with two grand daughters in numerous countries and did not want to spend the time worrying about how to get from point A to point B. And we needed places to stay that accommodated four of us in two cities and three of us in three more cities. The entire trip was planned flawlessly and went seamlessly. The hotels she booked perfectly suited our needs. The network that provided our land package were always where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there. And our tours were enlightening and enhanced each place we went. I would rate our trip a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being perfect. It helped that our weather was also perfect, not sure how she got that part done! I plan to use Tesa whenever I go abroad. She made it easy and delightful.
R.Baker, FL - Aug 24, 2024
Tesa made it worthwhile
“Tesa did a wonderful job of helping me plan our first trip to Istanbul from finding the perfect hotel to booking us an awesome tour guide who showed us around Istanbul and introduced us to local culture, from bringing us to a local Turkish restaurant which was so yummy and helping us navigate purchasing local products and souvenirs. Tesa followed up and made herself available when it mattered and I look forward to engaging her services again for our future travels. My husband was reluctant to go to Istanbul but Tesa made it worthwhile and we all had a great 3-day Istanbul trip. Thank you, Salamat, Arigato Tesa!”
T.Matera, Tokyo - Aug 8, 2024
without a single worry
“As seasoned travelers who typically plan our own adventures, we recognized that our first visit to Morocco warranted some expert guidance. Fortunately, we found Tesa! From our first conversation, we were confident that she understood our preferences and interests. She orchestrated the perfect getaway, crafting every experience and managing every detail, making it easy and carefree for us. Thanks to Tesa, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty and culture of Morocco without a single worry.”
D.McKenzie, GA - June 4, 2024
THE TRIP WAS A BLAST
“When we first contacted Tesa we only knew the European countries that we wanted to visit (Netherlands, France, Switzerland) and the date range for the entire trip. Tesa created an excellent itinerary that was jam packed with fun activities but also gave us some time in each location to explore on our own. Each of our hotels she selected were in great locations close to public transit and were good quality rooms. We did a number of different tours on our trip and the guides we were set up with were charming and knowledgeable. We definitely felt like we got more value in our experiences than we would have got by booking on our own. Tesa made us aware she was available for any issues that popped up during our time, but we didn't have any major problems for the entire 2 weeks. Every ticket and voucher provided worked fine. Having our itinerary on the Trip Plans app was a tremendous help. We're very satisfied with our experience booking through Tesa and would recommend her services. “- The Hollands, ID - May 24, 2024
Thanks for everything!
Tesa was a huge help in planning our trip to Portugal and southern Spain. Everything from airport transfers to the tours and accommodations were top notch. She is very easy to work with and has a lot of insightful tips. Thanks for everything!
D.O’Malia, Ohio - 15 May 2024
We are so glad we trusted her advice.
“This was our first cruise and we were ambivalent about booking it but when Tesa said that if we were willing to try a cruise that this would be the ship and the itinerary to do it with. We are so glad we trusted her advice. We are looking forward to our next voyage of land based vacation and we will surely be reaching out to Tesa to plan it.”
P & A.Casimiro, NY - 29 Jan 2024
We were able to make the most of our time, seamlessly.
“Tesa planned our 36hr Istanbul stop over from gate to gate starting with a Hamam to shake off the jet lag, followed by a city center walking tour by an experienced guide. We were able to make the most of our time, seamlessly.”
J.Matters, RI- 27 Jan 2024
worth every penny
Both trips I have taken that were organized by Tesa have been terrific. The Galapagos trip took the cake as it is so other-worldly. With effective organization and coordination combined with quality transportation, seamless transfers, and upscale accommodations, Tesa facilitates our ability to relax worry free. It is worth every penny.
C.Tanco, TX - 24 Jan 2024
tesa once again did it!
Tesa once again did it! 3 years in a row she has been helping me plan my birthday trips. This year has been more special & meaningful because I just turned 40 & she delivered. It was a breeze planning with her. She made sure everything was set. We were impressed with our tour guides & the restaurants she had reserved us for dinner. It was well thought & planned. Thank you Tesa for helping me out every year. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for my 2024 trip.”
E.Barbon, TX - 23 Nov 2023
It was the trip of a lifetime!
Tesa planned the most amazing vacation for our family for my Father-in-Law's 70th birthday in Ireland. She really listened to our our interests, and planned a vacation that included so many unique and special experiences. It was the trip of a lifetime!
L.Beck, OK - 15 Sept 2023
we enjoyed every second we had in Italy!
Tesa and her local support in Italy hit everything out of the park. It was truly a memorable time and a trip my family and I will remember forever. Nothing was left to worry about, the tours, reservations, guides, drivers, porters, and accommodations were all taken care of. The accessibility of our itinerary on the App added convenience to our day. It truly was a special time and we enjoyed every second we had in Italy! I can't wait to plan my next trip with Travel with Tesa.
S.Hallows, NC - 18 July 2023
an amazing experience
Tesa was fantastic to work with! She took care of all our needs in a timely fashion-flights, tour plans, guides, transportation, and dinner reservations. She created an app for us to follow our day by day adventures, and the people assigned to us were all so knowledgeable and spoke greet English! The hotels she chose were great and centrally located! All in all an amazing experience! Thanks Tesa!
B.Evenson, CO - 18 July 2023
This trip was truly magical
This trip was truly magical. The travel process was perfectly planned and tracked to eliminate typical worry and stress, which allowed us to relax and enjoy every minute. The itinerary of sightseeing and cultural tours was well balanced with shopping, relaxing and beaching. Our accommodations and related services were First Class in every respect. We can hardly wait to visit again and will certainly use Tesa and team to assist!!
A.Deckas, MN - 12 July 2023
we were hoping for a trip of a lifetime and that's exactly what we got!
Our trip to the Azores and Lisbon was the first time I'd worked with a professional to plan a trip. It was for our two-week honeymoon and we were hoping for a trip of a lifetime and that's exactly what we got! Every detail from accommodations to planned tours and recommended activities seemed perfectly tailored to us and our interests. When we first had the idea to visit the Azores, we'd done some initial planning before working with Tesa, but with her advice, we were able to make better decisions on where to stay and how to hit all the islands we wanted to see . With the stress of planning a wedding, Tesa was able to make the honeymoon one less thing to worry about, she took care of the plans, the arrangement, end to end. It felt like all we had to do was show up to the airport on time. Now that we've worked with Tesa, I can’t imagine planning a trip any other way.”
L.Rose, VT - 07 July 2023
Once again, you nailed it!
James, Beau, and I express our sincere gratitude for the fantastic travel memories you created for us. Your attention to detail and dedication to curating the perfect trip was appreciated.
You had thoughtfully planned every aspect of our trip, from the accommodations to the activities. I especially enjoyed Truffle hunting and spending time with locals in their they were homes. James loved the bike tour; he still could not stop talking about our tour guide's excellence! He was a walking encyclopedia! Beau's favorite was the sea kayaking around Dubrovnik.
As usual, the level of detail and planning that went into our trip was incredible. Last year bef,ore our annual summer vacation you took the time to get to know our interests and preferences, and you created an itinerary that was perfect for us. We never had to worry about anything, as you had everything taken care of.
We had an incredible experience on our trip to Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. We would not have had such a wonderful time without your help. We are beyond grateful we found you and will always have you curate memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you again for everything!
The Landers ❤️, CO - 26 June 2023
Thank you so much for helping us plan a wonderful trip to Turkiye
We really loved all of the cultural and historical sites, the natural beauty of Cappadocia and the beach time in Bodrum. Your suggestions for dining and sightseeing were fantastic - very well suited for our tastes. Look forward to more exciting trips in the future!
L. Forish, New York City - 08 Jun 2023
Tesa lined this all up masterfully
We had an outstanding 50th anniversary travel to Tetons, Yellowstone, Cody, Black Hills(Rushmore/Crazy Horse), Badlands. Extraordinarily beautiful natural sites and great historical visits. Excellent lodging choices, super guided tours (mostly private), best available restaurants. Driving the wide open spaces and feeling at complete peace and totally off the grid.
A unique most refreshing vacation. Tesa lined this all up masterfully and made this a most memorable journey.
R.Kayne, Connecticut - 06 June 2023
tesa exceeded our expectations
Tesa planned our family trip to Scotland, and it exceeded our expectations. She obviously listened closely to what we wanted because everything - hotels, tours, transportation - was just as we wanted it to be. When we had a few glitches along the way, Tesa responded promptly, and the local planners she worked with were also super responsive. They ironed out the glitches without hassle, and we proceeded along our way smoothly. I enthusiastically recommend Tesa to anyone wanting a lovely, worry-free vacation!
C.Fry, New Mexico - 05 Jun 2023
She did an excellent job
Tesa is an experienced, competent and knowledgeable travel adviser. She did an excellent job in organizing our trip to Rapa Nui, Atacama and Torres del Paine. We had to change the dates of our flights and hotel accommodations in such a short notice, but Tesa and her team were able to fix our flight schedules and hotel stays as soon as possible.
Vic and Tess, Philippines - reviewed on 12 May 2023
THANKS TO TESA, I HAD AN UNBELIEVABLE TRIP OF A LIFETIME
For nearly a year, Tesa and I have been planning my 2 month solo trip to 7 European countries. I reached out to her when I was incredibly stressed with the thought of planning such a long and intricate trip. Tesa made the impossible possible and I can’t thank her enough. I wouldn’t change a single thing about this trip which speaks to how detail-oriented and thoughtful she is. What I experienced in these short 2 months has been life changing thanks to her planning and guidance. Needless to say, I will be turning to Tesa for all of my international travels moving forward!!
A. Felici, New York City - reviewed on 17 April 2023
tesa provided the best possible travel experience imaginable
We absolutely loved working with Tesa and the travels she arranged for us in Patagonia.
To appreciate the experience of working with Tesa, I’ll say a few words about how and why did we came to work with Tesa, how she planned the trip, and how the trip worked out.
My son suddenly proposed we have an adventure together instead of going on spring break with his college friends. We chose hiking in Patagonia, a trip that had intrigued us for years.
Typically I make my own travel plans, but this was last minute in high season in countries we hadn’t traveled with many pieces that needed to come together and be reserved immediately.
We recalled seeing an article about Tesa having planned a trip to Patagonia, located the article, and called her. But even Tesa wasn’t sure the trip could come together because some pieces typically needed reservations well in advance.
After working with her local contacts for a day, Tesa worked her magic and arranged for the trip to be possible. So we gave the go-ahead and received a detailed trip guide with an itinerary, packing list, the names and contact information of drivers, guides, lodging, and a 24/7 concierge as backup.
The travel guide was perfect - simple and clear, chronologically organized, and attractively presented with pictures of the incredible views we would see. After seeing the itinerary and pictures, my wife started talking about how she should have planned to join us on this trip . . . .
The materials were both on paper and in an app, so always convenient on my mobile, accessible immediately, wherever we happened to be.
As for the travel experience, it flowed smoothly and flawlessly - the connections like clockwork and the expertly-trained hiking guides a pleasure, professionally and personally.
While I was initially thinking of doing the several-day W trek in Chile, and staying at a series of campsites, Tesa ended up with a far better solution - a ranch-turned-hotel providing a single central lodging and transport to trailheads each day. So we hiked each segment of the trek during the day and returned to a comfortable place to clean up, a delicious dinner, sleep, and then head out fully rested after breakfast for another wonderful day of hiking. Tesa also somehow arranged transportation and guides for two additional separate hikes to glaciers in Argentina that we did not realize we could fit into the limited time that we had.
To conclude, Tesa is a consummate professional and a delightful person - a great communicator, dedicated to understanding what we wanted and exceeding what we could plan without her help and connections. She provided the best possible travel experience imaginable.
J. P., Maryland - reviewed on 06 April 2023
a journey to remember for a lifetime
Tesa’s attention to every detail is over and beyond outstanding. Her suggestions to make a trip as memorable as can be rest on her vast experience in travel. She is very focused on how one’s satisfaction can be magnified. Her app “Trip Plans” is a life saver.
Thank you Tesa for a phenomenal experience and a journey to remember for a lifetime.
K.Sio, Connecticut - reviewed on 03 April 2023
Thank you for making it heaven!
"We had a memorable time in Malta. My boys had their eyes wide open in shock at the VIP airport car waiting for us at the tarmac. Martin was our fave guide. He really took care of us and never rushed our tour. We were super engrossed with his stories and historical details of each site. The tour was a conversation, not a lecture. As a professional athlete, he was as much a friend walking us around and not a guide.
The food. We loved the restaurants you chose. Boys we all happy so I was in heaven. Thought I'd share how we all had a great trip and thank you for making it heaven."
R. Barrientos, Philippines - reviewed on 11 Jan 2023
well worth our wait and beyond our expectations
We reached out to Tesa very last minute to plan a long postponed family trip to Patagonia and she delivered an extraordinary itinerary that was well worth our wait and beyond our expectations.
Tesa, along with her brother Rafe, and international colleague, Loli, in Argentina and Chile were simply amazing. (Our family dubbed them, "The Dream Team").
Tesa created a comprehensive fifteen day itinerary for our family of five which was the perfect combination of city life, culture and history, food and wine, art and design, pristine nature and adventure experiences.
No detail was ever overlooked: from the sophisticated city hotels and excellent dining reservations to the most breathtaking expeditions and relaxing hotels in Patagonia. Our itinerary covered vast distances, terrains and experiences without leaving our family feeling exhausted, only more excited for the next day's adventure. Our drivers, tour and hiking guides were the best in their field: extremely knowledgeable, engaging and attentive to our families' varied needs and interests.
Tesa, We are forever grateful for creating an unforgettable family trip, and we cannot wait to plan our next trip with you! This time we promise to give you more lead time!
Bedoya/Saralegui Family, New York City - Reviewed on 05 March 2023
we got more than we expected
This trip was our retirement celebration to a location (Ireland) where we got more than we expected. What a fantastic and thoroughly transformative experience made truly memorable by Tesa! Not only was she there for the meticulous trip planning, but she continually checked in on us during the trip to make sure things were going well. Very much A+++ in terms of service, attentiveness and personalization. We will definitely be repeat clients and will glowingly recommend Tesa to friends and family!
C.Ennis, Georgia
Reviewed on 04 February 2023
the trip of a lifetime
Our trip to the Galapagos and the Ecuadorian rain forest was superb. What we experienced in each ecosystem was eye opening and mind expanding. And we couldn't have done it without Travels with Tesa. Getting to those unique places is challenging, and we were guided each step of the way by knowledgeable and helpful people coordinated by Travels with Tesa. The service was friendly, flexible, and accommodating. It truly was the trip of a lifetime. Thank you.
W. Calhoun, Maryland
Reviewed on 10 January 2023
We can not wait to plan our next trip with Tesa!
"Tesa and team did an amazing job planning our adventure to Chile. They found incredible places for us to stay and covered every last detail which allowed us to not have to worry about a thing and really enjoy our vacation. We can not wait to plan our next trip with Tesa!"
K. Johnson, Colorado
Reviewed on 12 January 2023
I left all the details to Tesa, and trusted that we would have a marvelous trip--and we did!
We booked Travels with Tesa for a family trip to Morocco, since none of us had ever been there. We spent five days in Marrakech, with a short drive around Casablanca upon arrival. The overall experience will be one of our family's most memorable! Insightful tours, delicious dinners, and the highlight of the trip--an authentic experience with a Berber family in the foothills of the Atlas mountains. I left all the details to Tesa, and trusted that we would have a marvelous trip--and we did!
V.Tanco, Texas
Reviewed on 08 January 2023
Tesa took my travel desires and budget and created a plan that would meet my needs.
I was very pleased with the quality of the planning for my trip. Tesa took my travel desires and budget and created a plan that would meet my needs. Best of, Tesa works with local travel agencies, so if you have to make changes during the trip like I did, they are very responsive and helpful. Local partners were also good at keeping me informed on the day's activities and providing me with the documentation I needed.
L.Covey, Washington
Reviewed on 26 November 2022
This was one stellar guided tour of Cairo!
We hit the jackpot with a most accommodating, interesting and highly knowledgeable Egyptologist. Our daily itinerary was perfect to the pace we wanted; nothing too exhausting or hurried! We saw and experienced everything promised, and beyond. Our daily lunches, either with great views or were of local flavor, were delicious and well balanced.
Tickets to special entry sites in the Saqqara was a great surprise. The Lazib Lodge at the Fayoum Oasis was beyond 5 star. The Desert Safari that followed was an exhilarating experience. Our van was comfortable, our drivers courteous and helpful. Could not have asked for more from Tesa and did a superb job in fulfilling our needs….from the sites to see, experiences to be had. Very detail oriented…..a rarity these days!
L.Reynoso, Philippines
Reviewed on 16 November 2022
Tesa and her ground partner provided 24-hour travel concierge service
When my husband and I were looking for a spot in Europe we hadn’t been to yet and that wasn’t overrun with tourists in August, Tesa suggested the Azores. We spent 10 days there on her brilliant recommendation, dividing our time between the lush, sub-tropical islands of São Miguel and Terceira, also on her suggestion. For this trip, we drove a rental car and did a combination of self-guided hikes and planned activities, such as scuba diving, whale and dolphin watching, and an artisanal gin-tasting experience. She found us excellent accommodations based on our tastes and budget. And as always, Tesa and her ground partner provided 24-hour travel concierge service. No question was too insignificant nor any matter too trivial to warrant her 100% attention. Tesa provides as much or as little hand-holding as her clients need, and because of her, our time in the Azores went without a hitch.
F. Drogin, Maryland
Reviewed on 20 August 2022
Thank you for giving our family such a tremendous gift.
This was our first experience working with a travel advisor and, initially, I had trouble wrapping my head around how every detail would be considered and taken care of on our behalf. After the first couple of days, I got the hang of it and it was so liberating! Tesa listened carefully to our family's interests and thoughtfully incorporated something for each of us at every turn. Tesa's expert knowledge and creativity were evident from our first conversation -- she provided us with options and ideas that would never have occurred to us on our own. We have barely recovered from the jet lag and we are already ready to plan our next adventure! Thank you for giving our family such a tremendous gift. We can't wait to work with you again!
P. Simon, Virginia
Reviewed on 15 August 2022
FULL DISCLOSURE: TESA IS MY SISTER
I never thought I was Tesa's target market because
a) I enjoy planning my trips to the minutest detail and
b) I prefer to travel privately and not in groups.
But when Tesa put together this 10D/9N trip to Morocco with only family and friends, I thought "Why not?" I have to give kudos where kudos is due. The logistics from the start of the tour to the end, from the airport Fast Track service, the well thought out choices for accommodations and restaurants, our excellent tour guide and driver, our private safari camp was top notch. Every aspect of our tour moved seamlessly like a well oiled machine...very impressive as this was the first Moroccan tour she put together. It was a new experience for me to give up control and just move with the flow...but when the flow is as well organized as this was...it is very easy. Tesa gave us a truly memorable and unforgettable trip...one for the books. I am a convert to Travels with Tesa!
M. Totengco, Spain
Reviewed on 10 July 2022
we highly recommend using an advisor like Tesa
This was our first time using a travel adviser and our first visit to Turkey. An amazing trip overall! We were a group of two families with two teenagers, four younger adults and four parents - so lots of different age groups, interests and family dynamics to manage. For a group this size we highly recommend using an advisor like Tesa who helped coordinate our hotels, restaurants and local transportation with a local Turkish agent. Thanks to Tesa's great organization skills, fast response and regular updates, we always felt safe and very welcomed and had a very seamless, fun and interesting trip with lots of variety to suit everyone's needs. Thank you Tesa!
U. Chauvineau, Switzerland
Reviewed on 18 July 2022
Don't leave it to chance
Tesa curated an incredible and in depth tour of Morocco with careful and excellent coordination from being whisked through airport arrival and departures to professional and well chosen ground services. I truly did not have to think through logistics as it was all done behind the scenes and so smoothly that it left us with nothing but to enjoy the country as it was meant to be seen. Communication was clear and concise . Clearly she had done on the ground beforehand research on each chosen destination and lodging and you felt as if a trusted and well experienced traveler had just let you in on well kept secrets. With the amount of available, often conflicting on -line reviews out there for travelers planning their own vacation I say "Don't leave it to chance". Travel's with Tesa will do all that meticulous work for you and you can take that long deserved vacation without worries like it was meant to be.
Dr. M. Cuenca, Florida
Reviewed on 8 July 2022
Tesa is our new GO-TO
Tesa is the best. She cares and goes the extra mile to assist in all aspects of the trip!! She is fabulous to deal with, and very responsive couldn’t ask for a better person. Tesa is outstanding not only with tours/activities, but hotel, taxi and train reservations in Europe. Even through the whole Covid mess she was right there.
Tesa is our new GO-TO for all international travel!!!
S. Landers, Colorado
Reviewed on 29 June 2022
Tesa's service was first class!
Recently travel to Scandinavia and used "Travels with Tesa" to book the trip, which included air and ground transfers, hotels, tours. The trip was great, and Tesa's service was first class! Having everything put together for you, and having the entire trip's itinerary in one place, with all the necessary documents, invoices, contact numbers, etc, made this a care-free holiday! Tesa engages with local experts to find the best accommodations and activities to match your wishes and needs, and does all the hard work for you.
A great way to travel, I highly recommend Tesa!!
M.Dizon & D.Kolpak, Singapore
Reviewed on 28 June 2022
Tesa created a very tailored and memorable trip
Tesa knew that this Spain trip was very special to us. Aside from traveling the first time after the pandemic, it was our 30th anniversary celebration and Michael's first time to experience Spain. There were a lot moving parts, wish lists and last minute changes ( my daughter decided to join us less than a week before our trip), and Tesa accommodated all with seeming ease and created a very tailored and memorable trip.
M. Ietta, New Jersey
Reviewed on 28 June 2022
With Tesa, be joyfully expectant!
This was our 5th adventure with Tesa and as always exceeded expectations. The impetus of the trip was attending a wedding in south of France. We decided to add on wine tours in Beaujolais/Burgundy regions. Granted Beaujolais is not the premium French wine region but since is less traveled there are very few tourist shops, you really experience south of France as it should be. The wineries are all small mostly family operated with average 5 full time employees, when you taste the wine you are experiencing it with the actual farmer!
Scotland - has been on our bucket list for years (way before Outlander). Started in Edinburgh. Tesa selected a luxury boat for our accommodations, The Fingal. Top notch service and accommodations. We proceeded by train to Inverness and started our driving tour of the Scottish Highlands. Several guided tours along the way, excellent guides. We even ran into our Edinburgh guide on a local ferry on the west coast, small world. Stopped in Isle of Skye, Isle of Erika and finally Glasgow. Topping off our last night we decided to have a nightcap at the hotel bar. None other than William Wallace, Braveheart (aka Mel Gibson) was sitting in the bar, what are the odds? It was his first time back in Scotland since the movie shooting!
With Tesa, be joyfully expectant!
J. Matters, Rhode Island
Reviewed on 10 June 2022
Tesa was excellent
Tesa is outstanding as always. She crafted a lovely Santa Fe vacation including superb hotel, flights, dining and museum experiences on very short notice and we look forward to our next vacation planned by her.
R. Kayne, Connecticut
Reviewed on 30 May 2022
Tesa listened to what we needed
We were both extremely busy with both work and school, really needed a break. We had no time to do the research and planning required ... so it was wonderful to have all that done for us. Tesa listened to what we needed and customized the trip for us .
S.Austin, Brooklyn
Reviewed on 25 April 2022
trip of a lifetime
Working with Tesa was perfection from start to finish. She was the best travel agent we have ever worked with. Although I have been booking most of my own travel for many years now, after working with her on this trip, I would use her again in a heartbeat. She was extremely kind, attentive, thorough, knowledgeable, and most importantly, our best advocate when we needed her to be.
S.Pinelli, New York
Reviewed on 19 April, 2022
Tesa was always in contact and was genuinely concerned/interested in how our trip was going
"From planning our trip a month prior to the flight home from Spain, Tesa was always in contact and was genuinely concerned/interested in how our trip was going. I felt at ease through every step of the process and while we were in Spain I felt as if we were going to be taken care even right from our first pick up at the airport. Ground services were always on time and very courteous. Our tours were thoughtfully chosen and we were always impressed with their flexibility and their knowledge was always over the top. We especially felt comfortable with each and every hotel that was chosen for us. We look forward to planning our next trip to Italy with Tesa!"
C.D’Agostino, Rhode Island
Reviewed on 4 April, 2022
Excellent Short Getaway
Tesa is an excellent travel advisor who takes into account the needs and preferences of her clients. We had a wonderful short 5 day getaway to Mexico, where Tesa recommended some new destinations and properties for our visit. The experience did not disappoint, and we enjoyed our new adventure!
K Keesee, New Jersey
Reviewed on 02 March, 2022
Incredible experience of a lifetime!
Working with Tesa to plan my Patagonia trip was absolutely incredible! She was thoughtful, professional, listened to our needs, and was flexible as the world (and travel restrictions!) continually changed due to Covid. I highly recommend Tesa and know you'll have a fantastic experience working with her!
Gianna Driver-Balme, California
Reviewed on 17 January, 2022
This was mind-blowing
I can't say enough great things about Travels with Tesa! If you're looking for a world-class travel experience that'll blow your mind, book with Tesa already! She's amazing.
From the planning phase to the pre-departure activities and even while on the trip, Tesa was attentive, answered every question, and made incredible recommendations. The hotels exceeded expectations, restaurant recommendations A++, and each day's activities had the perfect blend of adventure, history, art, and scenery.
Highly organized, Tesa met multiple times before the trip to walk through all the details and logistics answered endless questions. Everything was taken care of--all we had to do was show-up and have the adventure of a lifetime!
Thanks, Tesa. This was mind-blowing. I can't wait to book my next trip with you!
Gianna Driver, California
Reviewed on 14 November, 2021
Tesa has a real mastery of elegant and fascinating travel and is wonderful and very pleasant to work with
Tesa was superb in helping us every step of the way to have a delightful 11 day trip September '21 to Smokies, Biltmore, Blue Ridge and Skyline parkways, Monticello, Shenendoah, and DC.
Hotel choices, air and car transportation arrangements, engagement with hotels to optimize our stay, excellent travel site for us to always have itinerary details available, and her constant availability to troubleshoot (fortunately not needed) while we traveled were A+. Tesa has a real mastery of elegant and fascinating travel and is wonderful and very pleasant to work with.
I strongly recommend her to plan your next trip and follow through as she did during our travel and afterwards.
Dr. Richard Kayne, Connecticut - Reviewed on 03 October 2021
Tesa looked after the hard part, and all we had left was the fun
Usually I plan our itineraries, but coronavirus-era tourism has so many moving parts, and hiring Tesa as our travel pro for a trip to Iceland was a no-brainer. She designed for us a magnificent, action-packed 12-day adventure that exceeded all our expectations. My husband and I drove the Ring Road, with many fascinating detours. We covered 1500 miles and exhausted our vocabulary of superlatives. We stayed in a different hotel/farmhouse every night, trekked to an erupting volcano, snowmobiled on a glacier, explored an ice lagoon by boat, watched whales and peered at puffins, sea kayaked and birdwatched in a fjord, soaked in a hot spring overlooking the Arctic Ocean, rode a couple of tölting Icelandic horses where the European and North American tectonic plates meet — an elaborate schedule that would have been a juggling feat to plan even without Covid complications. Instead, it was glacier-smooth. Tesa looked after the hard part, and all we had left was the fun.
Francoise Drogin, Martha’s Vineyard
Reviewed on 22 August 2021
It was the trip of a lifetime, and Tesa made it all happen!
In March 2020, just before the pandemic hit, Tesa helped my son and me spend a phenomenal week downhill skiing at Jackson Hole, cross-country skiing in Grand Teton National Park and riding snowmobiles into Yellowstone National Park. She saved me hundreds of dollars and a major headache by planning the entire trip. My wife and I just returned from an even more memorable journey - 12 days in Iceland - that Tesa arranged. We hiked up a volcano to see cascades of flaming lava, went bird watching in sea kayaks, took an inflatable boat out to watch humpback whales breach and spout, rode another inflatable boat into a glacial lagoon where seals sunned on icebergs, and rode sure-footed Icelandic horses across a rugged lava field 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle. It was the trip of a lifetime, and Tesa made it all happen! I can't recommend her highly enough.
Robert Drogin, Maryland - Reviewed on 23 August, 2021
This was our third Travels with Tesa planned adventure
Mexico - This was our third Travels with Tesa planned adventure and she delivered as always to our expectations. Her first-hand knowledge of the locations provided insight for us when selecting the local sites to visit and activities to experience. We have recommended her to several friends and they all had very positive experiences.
John Matters, Rhode Island - Reviewed on 27 July 2021
Tesa embraced and set forth the way to safely travel to the most exotic sites during the pandemic
Travel during the time of COVID: It was difficult for me to even entertain the thought of leaving my very safe bubble, let alone dream of the possible places I would like to see. Getting the COVID vaccine made the thought of travel a possibility. But, what made the biggest impact for me was reading the beautifully narrated travel stories of Tesa from Travels With Tesa, who embraced and set forth the way to safely travel to the most exotic sites during the pandemic. Tesa imbues bespoke travel at its best. Always listening and asking questions, she tailor makes the ideal travel for me and my family who aren't cookie-cutter travelers. A trip to Portugal she created for us before Covid hit made us lovers of that country. With bated breath, we wait when the borders once again open to continue our love affair.
Maia Maloles-Ietta, Shelter Island
Reviewed on 16 March 2021
Sit back and enjoy the journey!
This past February we arranged our Peruvian journey with Tesa. She outlined a draft itinerary based on our initial thoughts, her suggestions and in a few days, we had a finalized itinerary and confirmed reservations. Soup to nuts, premium service and accommodations. When she called us about a Tanzanian safari we jumped at the chance. Again, a total winner. Everything is arranged in advance; you sit back and enjoy the journey! We are already discussing , “Where to next?”
John Matters, Rhode Island
Reviewed on 05 January 2021
So Special
We traveled to Peru and Africa on an itinerary designed and organized by Tesa Totengco. So special and so bespoke to our needs. We so recommend...
Lourdes Matters, Rhode Island
Reviewed on 22 November 2020
Exceeded my expectations…
Tesa did an amazing job of weighing all the options for our safari trip, narrowing it down to the best few and then organizing a trip that exceeded my expectations. Thank you.
Michael Lawn, New York
Reviewed on 06 November 2020
Tesa Totengco is not your standard fare travel agent, she is a travel coach
I was at a pivotal time in life and ready to embark on a new chapter. Tesa was so insightful in providing guidance for someone who was ready to spread her wings yet wanted to feel safe. She gave invaluable tips on where to stay, eat and sightsee; including what to shop for! We carefully planned my itinerary to Florence, Lucca, Siena, Venice and Milan. That was a trip of a lifetime. Still relishing those moments and truly grateful for her thoughtfulness as a friend and travel coach. Step aside Julia Roberts, I had the true eat, drink, pray, love experience!
Lulu Feliciano, California
Reviewed on 08 August 2020
Wonderful
She is the best. Understood and met all our needs.
Tunting (Lourdes Matters), Rhode Island
Reviewed on 01 Mar 2020
Tesa was instrumental
Helpful and knowledgeable, Tesa was instrumental in helping us put together a solid itinerary for our trip at short notice.
Jai Kharbanda, London
Reviewed on: 20 January 2020
Tesa's guidance helped make my stay the visit of a lifetime
Tesa was the perfect travel advisor. I had been thinking for months about making a trip to Manila to aid in my writing projects, and Tesa's guidance helped make my stay the visit of a lifetime. Her suggestions and recommendations were excellent, and she was tireless with her help both before and during my trip.
I was specifically looking for insider knowledge of the city. Tesa put me in contact with a local guide who showed me famous historical areas like Intramuros and Malacanang, as well as places rarely experienced by tourists such as the markets in Quiapo and the Manila North Cemetery. These tours taught me a great deal about the history and people of the city, and taught me how to comfortably navigate the bustling metropolis. Tesa also put me in touch with local artists, and through these contacts, I was able to meet fellow writers and attend literary events, including a book launch at Ateneo de Manila University. The opportunity to discuss art and literature with these artists was an invaluable experience that I will take with me forever.
Ryan Avanzado, New York
Reviewed on: 17 January 2020
She has my highest recommendation
Tesa's recommendations were uniformly excellent. My accommodations were centrally located and comfortable, and her restaurant suggestions were fantastic -- whether at a food market or a high-end spot, I had some of the best meals of my life during my six-weeks. I enjoyed my visit so much that I hoped to extend my stay for several weeks. After chatting with Tesa about my plans, she managed my changes in flights and accommodations flawlessly. She kept me notified every step of the way as she worked with the airlines and hotels, and she saved me a great deal of money by re-arranging my flights in the best possible manner. What could have been a stressful series of events was a breeze because of her hard work.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have met Tesa. My trip was life-altering on both a professional and personal level. She was a wonderful advisor, and I'm eternally grateful for her knowledge and dedication. Without a doubt, she has my highest recommendation -- thank you for everything, Tesa!
Ryan Avanzado, New York
Reviewed on: 17 January 2020
Tesa did an absolutely outstanding job organizing a very important trip for our 30th wedding anniversary
I gave very little input....and everything was just right. There were also a few really nice surprises along the way. All of the tour guides we worked with in the various cities were exceptional. I would highly recommend Travels with Tesa.
John Soenksen, New York
Reviewed on: 02 January 2020
We enjoyed everything Tesa recommended
I typically plan all my trips; but with a group of friends joining us at various times, and a varied interests and budgets, I was so glad that Tesa was available to help me! Tesa was very easy to work with and very accommodating of my requests and interests and ever-changing schedule. We enjoyed everything she recommended - the tour company, hotel in Porto, the villa in the Douro valley, the excursions (gastronomic food tour, cheese workshop, wine tasting) etc. I highly recommend Tesa and would love to avail of her services again.
Angie Matinkhah, Utah
Reviewed on: 12 Dec 2019
Tesa is very thoughtful and intentional with her travel planning services
She takes time to understand your desired experience prior to making recommendations, which allows her to deliver excellent options for the trip. I greatly enjoyed working with Tesa, and will consult with her again for future trip planning!
Kristen Keesee, New Jersey
Reviewed on: 11 Dec 2019
She knew exactly what we wanted to do and planned the trip accordingly and it exceeded our expectations!!
Amazing Italian Vacation! I cannot say enough about how wonderful it was to work with Tesa !! She did such an amazing job putting together a wonderful Italian vacation for me and my family. She thought of everything thing from the train reservations to the car pick-ups, the amazing apartments, car rental, and the greatest excursions !! Everything was well thought out and perfect for our family trip to Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi coast. She knew exactly what we wanted to do and planned the trip accordingly and it exceeded our expectations!! Tesa was available to us whenever we needed her and she ensured that everything was perfect. We cannot wait to work with Tesa on our next family vacation.
Jackie (Jacqueline Bode), New Jersey
Reviewed on: 03 Sep 2019
Tesa is magical
I was looking for a venue in Portugal for a special birthday party with about 40 friends coming from many directions. She was on it in no time, and after asking me a variety of questions about what I hope to experience, she presented me with several options, much of it of a perfectly quirky nature. She gave me unusual suggestions and was attentive and thorough, finding extra activities in the area to suggest. In short, she gave me what I was looking for.
Karen Emmons, Bangkok
We are forever clients!
It was our first time in Bali, Indonesia. Tesa organized our private tours, reviewed our plane schedules and recommended hotels in Ubud and Canggu. We visited the temples, had coffee tasting and saw the rice terraces. We also climbed Mt. Batur at 2:30 am and witnessed the sunrise overlooking the lake and Mt. Agung. It was a sight to see!
The day before our flight to Bali, we heard in the news that Mt. Agung erupted and all flights were cancelled. Tesa emailed our tour guides in Bali right away to check on the situation and to see if tours were still operational. Luckily, flights resumed and it was business as usual in Bali. We really appreciate her attention to detail and her professionalism. She even gave us some restaurant and shopping recommendations in Ubud and Canggu. We also loved the itinerary phone app that she provided. It was so helpful and we used it all the time. We couldn’t thank her enough for making our trip memorable! We are forever clients!
Joy and Bill Herd, Los Angeles
We all agreed as we left that it was a trip of a lifetime, made perfect because of her planning
Tesa designed an unforgettable 10-day trip to Cuba for our group of 8 friends, tailoring it perfectly to our tastes: art and food. We met local artists in their studios, and learned about the country through the history of its art from a fascinating museum curator. We explored the countryside in oxen carts and on horseback, and Havana on foot and in vintage cars. I've heard so many other people complain about the food there, but thanks to her, all our meals were wonderful experiences, from a spatchcocked lechon with all the fixins' roasted by farmers on a barrel grill in a tobacco barn in Vinales, to gorgeous plates at chic restaurants in Havana. We all agreed as we left that it was a trip of a lifetime, made perfect because of her planning. Tesa did more than book great hotels and check off a list of must-sees. She created unique, inspired experiences that made us love Cuba. If you're looking for someone who will design your journey with passion, intelligence, and great taste, you've found her.
Francoise Joaquin Drogin, Maryland
Tesa put me at ease and helped me plan the trip
I wanted to go to Cuba for years, but was nervous about traveling there given the current US restrictions. Being a woman, I also wasn’t sure if it would be safe for me to travel there alone. Tesa put me at ease and helped me plan the trip. She shared an itinerary of a group trip she had organized, helped me figure out which neighborhood to stay in, and guided me through some of the logistics around visiting Cuba as an American tourist. She gave me the confidence to book a flight and Airbnb. I was so excited about the trip that my cousin decided to join me. She and I had a great time; it is one of the safest countries we have both visited. I can’t wait to go back – thank you Tesa!
Mariam Rauf, New York
Tesa was instrumental in making our trip to Cuba an unforgettable one
Our trip to Cuba was especially challenging to plan because most transport throughout the country needs to be coordinated with private tour operators, quality restaurants are difficult to validate, and comfortable accommodations are not easy to identify. Tesa provided solutions to all these challenges by giving us access to trusted and proven guides, drivers, restaurants, and compelling itineraries. With Tesa’s assistance, we even arranged a couple of private studio visits to meet with and learn from some famous Cuban artists. Tesa was instrumental in making our trip to Cuba an unforgettable one.
Dario Stipisic, New York
So, full disclosure: I’m Tesa’s adult stepson
This means that I may be a little biased, but it also means that I’ve not only had the good fortune of having Traveled with Tesa (tm), but also having traveled with Tesa (and quite a bit). Tesa is an immaculate planner. She inhabits this small space at the intersection of Taste and Thrift that would be difficult to arrive at intentionally, but toward which Tesa seems to have an internal compass whose magnetic north is always that very spot.
Whether you prefer the vibrant pulse of downtown in a bustling metropolis, or the quiet reaches past the end of the beaten path, Tesa has an uncanny knack for finding culture, solace, joy, or whatever it is you happen to be looking for in your travels. Be it from the balcony of a trendy loft overlooking a bustling street or a modern villa casting a shadow over a placid rice paddy and with an itinerary gravid with tours and events or an empty schedule with no mandate but to relax and explore, I feel like I’ve experienced the gamut of Tesa’s whims and preparations. She’s always able to cobble together an experience, and does it with an aplomb that makes me wonder how it is that she hasn’t done it professionally until now. Best of all, when I approach her to ask what my share of the costs is, I’m always mildly shocked to find out how far she’s managed to stretch our dollars. Biased though I may be, I don't think you can go wrong in leaving your planning in her capable hands.
Alexander Girman, New Jersey