What our past participants
have to say about their
People-to-People Experiences
"The smooth handling of all aspects, which is critical to a successful learning experience, that makes the best of your time. The trip on the Yangtze River was very informative and a welcome break from a tight schedule. The opportunities to visit schools and the embassy were very special and gave excellent insights into China and it tremendous progress."
China - S. Hoover, OH
"We liked learning about the customs and the culture of the country and seeing areas that will be covered by the dam that won't ever be seen again."
China - D. & M. Quadro, CA
"The trip was very organized. The accommodations were better than described. I learned more than I expected and I especially enjoyed the "real life" experiences - meeting people from China throughout the trip."
China - V. Roberson, IL
"We experienced China in so many varied ways - the method of travel, the old culture and newness of the cities, the hand crafted creations, the foods of the regions and the eagerness of the people to reach out to us, their visitors. Our trip was so full I don't think it was until after I returned home that the total concept of what a truly unique experience it was! I know I've been spoiled by TraveLearn."
China - D. Agan, IL
"The Great Wall was awesome! Loved Taishan. We most enjoyed the great variety of experiences! We liked the time spent with the Chinese people, found people everywhere friendly. China is fascinating! We are very "Happy Campers"!"
China - Michael and Shari Cortelyou, IL
"We saw tons and tons of stuff - real stuff. Like schools, hospitals, homes, etc. It's like a whole school semester in 3 and 1/2 weeks. Lots of learning."
China - Theodora Page, RI
"(We) very much-enjoyed the walks through rain and cloud forests and the aerial tram ride. Found Jeff very informative and eager to set up his tripod binoculars to show us birds and animals. (We) appreciated the visit to butterfly and frog museums' the many hummingbirds and butterfly gardens. Enjoyed our home visit. The trip was relaxed and not 'overscheduled'."
Costa Rica - S. & C. Stone, NC
"I liked the variety of experiences. I appreciated the visit with the former President of Costa Rica and with the Costa Rican family. There was a great mix of adventure, learning and fun. We weren't rushed and felt that our questions were answered well. Some tours are like "boot camp" - up at dawn and March. This one was not like that. There were 7 in our group - a good number and we became a family."
Costa Rica - M. Taylor, IL
"It was an adventure!! We have been on several trips outside of the country but none have given us the exposure to the people and the country in such a warm and friendly way. It was a wonderful sampling of the country. We'd go back in a heartbeat!"
Costa Rica - T. and J. Farrell, IN
"Mohammed Shata make the trip - without his wise knowledge and experience, we would not have been exposed to the nuances and morays of Egyptian life - not withstanding his outstanding willingness to share himself on a professional scale. He was TOPS! Do not let him get away!"
Egypt - F. & M. Long, FL
"I have waited about 40 years to see Egypt. I am so happy I took this trip with TraveLearn. One of the absolute best things was to have a guide as knowledgeable, humorous, educational and "fluent in many cultures". He truly shared his love and enthusiasm for his people, country and their history."
Egypt - C. Feller, NY
"All the reservations and planning was done for me since I really would have had no idea what to see in Egypt during the 2 week vacation. The food was delicious and the whole group of people got on really well. My roommate was terrific. We just clicked and got along great! First class all the way. It would be harder for me to travel in a lesser class next time!"
Egypt - K. Dean, MD
"Our guide Mohammed Shata was amazing! Our small group size was to our advantage. I really felt like we became a small family! Everyday there was something new to love about Egypt and this fabulous trip. TraveLearn should be the standard to which all Egypt vacations/tours have to be held to, you can't beat the price or the treatment anywhere!"
Egypt - A. Bast, WI
"The sites we visited were not only interesting but unique sites for tourists. As usual, TraveLearn manages to give participants some off-the-beaten track experiences that make your programs special. Throughout the trip, Mohammed did everything he could to address the special requests people had and that energy and enthusiasm for his country gave us all a deep appreciation for Egypt."
Egypt - B. Heidorn, NY
"Because of the tension generated by the September attack, I initially was annoyed that TraveLearn did not cancel the tour for safety consideration. Today, I am extremely pleased that I decided to go to Egypt. I decided to go with faith, not fear. Safety was not a concern during the entire trip. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone."
Egypt - C. Robinson, MD
"The great monuments of Ancient Egypt stand for themselves in all their beauty and grandeur but Mohammed Shata with his depth of knowledge and love for his country, ancient and modern, added the excitement and magic that made this a trip of a lifetime. Thank you for your wisdom in choosing Mohammed."
Egypt - Marjorie Durrum, CA
"All was fabulous; the guides, the gentle Ecuadorian people, the colorful attire, the hacienda and rose farm visits, our home visit to an artist, the accommodations, especially La Mirage which was a treat for every sense, the sea lions up close and personal, the giant tortoises, flightless cormorant, blue footed boobies and dolphin escorts to one of the islands. I never felt closer to nature..."
Galapagos - E. Friedman, NY
"This was a beautifully balanced program in all aspects: adventure, fun, time to relax, time to learn, time to explore, time to make new friends and meet new people. All these facets seemed to come together with ease - it was a complete - all senses satisfied adventure and I thank you."
Galapagos - Barbara Long, CA
"I've never been on a TraveLearn program before so I don't have much to compare it to. All I know is I had a marvelous time. It was one of the best trips I've ever been on."
Galapagos - Pamela Manos, CA
"It's hard to choose just one aspect of my trip to Greece to highlight. The country of Greece is one of beauty and grandeur. The Greek people and their way of life is so inspiring. It was truly an unforgettable experience!"
Greece - Denise Bartlow, MD
"We enjoyed traveling with the small group of congenial experienced travelers who were not only fun to be with but interested in learning about the wonderful places we visited. The orientation toward learning in this program was a big plus."
Greece - Pat and Evelyn King, SC
"I loved the Irish landscape! I especially liked the way the vacation was organized and structured. It was well planned and very thorough. The pace facilitated group and individual styles. The Bed and Breakfast experience in the Nire Valley at Hanora's Cottage with the Wall family that included a visit to Melody's Pub and great Irish music from community participants was a significant highlight. A visit to the Aran Islands gave perspective and balance from a historical and cultural viewpoint."
Ireland - M. Crawford, NY
"Liam is knowledgeable and very articulate. He has a pleasant way and a good sense of humor. Best guide I've ever had! Ireland is a beautiful country, the people are friendly and the history is very interesting."
Ireland - B. Leipold, CO
"I would definitely advise others to take this tour. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and think my money was well spent."
Ireland - William Dewey Hicks, OK
"Our local guides were excellent and provided the perfect complement to our escort Stefano. The lunch at La Locanda delle Fontanelle country house (in Tuscany) was a great slice of Tuscan country life. Our optional wine tasting was also very fun and a true Italian experience."
Italy - S. Hawksworth, CA
"We liked the knowledge and enthusiasm of our escort. We had very nice traveling companions. Our Italian guide was also top notch. The cities and sites we visited were well chosen."
Italy - G. &E. Gibbs, TX
"This was my first trip to Italy and I consider it a wonderful exposure. The history came alive through the art and architecture. Our visits to out-of-the-way restaurants and local sites were especially appreciated."
Italy - J. Wheaton, CA
"The itinerary was just what I was looking for with respect to seeing all the famous museums, monuments and churches I had learned about in my art history class. Our escort and the national tour guide who has a vast knowledge of his country's history made a great team for this learning vacation experience."
Italy - D. Laski, TX
"(I enjoyed) learning about the people and animals of Africa. Seeing the wildebeests crossing the river and the lions of Mara. Getting close to the elephants and seeing zebras up that close, also giraffes. It is so hard to explain my feelings because my heart is so full of emotions for the freedom of the animals. The tour was great and would go again in a minute."
Kenya - C. Pickard, IL
"(I liked) talking with the elephant research people in Amboseli and being so close to them - you could almost reach out to pet them. It was the greatest, most enjoyable trip I have been on!"
Kenya - R. Roberts, WA
"Thank you for all the efforts you've made to create such an unforgettable experience for us. The country, our travel-mates, our guide, our van driver, all made this a wonderful safari for us. Please keep us on your mailing list for future travels."
Kenya - Larry and Carol Loose, HI
"All in all, I can't believe that, though this was my third TraveLearn trip to Kenya, the experiences were so different and exciting and special. Not only were the animal viewing and activities varied, novel, and even more comprehensive in many aspects, but the contacts with the Kenyans were again both heart-warming and extremely educational."
Kenya - Jean Johnson, CT
"(We liked) the opportunities we had to meet and talk with Moroccans. The discussion by Dr. Bentahila and meeting and having lunch with his family. Having tea and almonds with the elderly woman, her daughter and granddaughter at Ait Benhaddeu. Small number of participants, Excellent driver, Variety of places visited, Having some free time to explore on own."
Morocco - E. & M. Tiberg, VA
"Some of the things we saw/did that I particularly enjoyed were the Chellah in Rabat, the kasbahs, the oasis in Tineghir, the Sahara (even though we were just on the edge, it was still the Sahara), walking through the town of Moulay Idriss, Meknes, visiting the Berber markets, and the impromptu jam session I and my friend had with a musical instrument shop owner in Marrakesh."
Morocco - S. Sickafuse, MD
"I would recommend TraveLearn to anybody who truly wishes to understand and get to know a country. It was an adventure! The excellent escort and in-country guide were open, friendly, personable, humorous, and knowledgeable. The variety of activities - never a boring day. Sunrise in the Sahara...Visiting Old Fez...Length of the trip was perfect."
Morocco - W. Seelbinder, MO
"I enjoyed meeting and spending time with Moroccan family. Local professors were interesting and yet diverse in their presentations. I thought the itinerary was excellent with accommodations and the amount of time spent in each city was just right."
Morocco - D. Springs, MD
"The trip traverses the contrasts within the country geographically and sociologically. The itinerary was also varied, combining natural phenomenon and historical sites. The entertainment and the excellent food also added to our pleasure."
Morocco - Florence Waisbren, WI
"Peru seems to be doing a good job exploring its archaeological treasures throughout the country. We enjoyed learning about the pre-Inca cultures that are still being explored. It was also interesting to see people working their land the same way their ancestors did."
Peru - D. Schmidt, KS
"All the guides were professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and accessible. They were essential in making this a terrific learning experience. This was an once-in-a-lifetime trip, I was grateful to have seen so much of Peru with such knowledgeable guides. For those who enjoy group travel/planned tours this is a marvelous, wonderful trip. I'm so glad I went."
Peru - R. Kings, AZ
"We are really spoiled after this, our third TraveLearn trip. This one would be a hard one to top - But we are willing to try!!!"
South Africa - Florence Niermeyer, NY
"Because we had such an exceptional in-country guide, we had the opportunity to really get a feel for the Spaniards and their country. In Rute, especially, we received such warm hospitality and were able to tour different places that were not full of other tourist."
Spain - C. & S. Grannies, CA
"I believe we covered Spain very well. We saw all the major attractions. The lectures were excellent, the food was outstanding and the hotels were very good. The people in the group were a good mix and I expect to remain in contact with many for some time."
Spain - B. & C. Maeser, TX
"The in-country guide was great. Spain is rich in its people, history, and culture. Every destination was very clean and kept up. I especially enjoyed viewing the architecture and learning of the various peoples who have occupied and developed the countries regions."
Spain - C. Hassien, MI
"To see the number and variety was beyond my expectations. The accommodations were very nice and the food was great. Our driver/guide make the trip so much more enjoyable with his stories, and knowledge of the areas and the animals. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see the animals. The Tanzanian people were also very friendly."
Tanzania - H. Perry, OH
"I like seeing more animals than I imagined. The Serengeti was my favorite and don't shorten time spent there. I wanted to be out in the parks all the time and this trip provided that. When you travel that far it's better to take advantage of all the viewing areas rather than relaxing at a hotel. It is a little tiring towards the end of the second week, but I would always want to be out seeing something. You have plenty of time on the plane to sleep. The lecturers were so soft spoken but very knowledgably and everyone thought the Maasai Conservationist at Lake Manyara was excellent. He answered all questions about his lifestyle and helped us understand tribal living."
Tanzania - B. Fair, OH
"Socially the most enjoyable evening was visiting a family in their apartment in Istanbul. Visiting the museums in Ankara and Antalya. Seeing the white limestone deposits on the terraces at Pamukkale. Trying the Turkish cuisine and wines, which were generally very enjoyable."
Turkey - B. O.Malley, Canada
"Our guide, Iris, was great, her knowledge was amazing and I would recommend her again. I enjoyed spending the evening in a Turkish home. Experiencing the culture of the people, seeing how they lived, their customs, and how they the lived in ancient times. I really enjoyed the tour of how the rugs were made from start to finish."
Turkey - S. Schulstrom, MI