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Laurus travel REVIEWS
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Customer Testimonials
-----Original Message-----
From: Gail R. [mailto:grxxxxxx@live.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 10:34 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China Tour
[below is an excerpt from Gail's e-mail. As
with all the other customers who wrote us, Gail would be glad to act a
reference for us]
I was impressed with the service you gave to us,
and I certainly have been recommending your services to people in
discussing their potential travels to China. I would travel with your firm
on my next trip to China. Again, thank you for your assistance in making a
memorable trip for us.
Gail R.
White Rock, British Columbia
-----Original Message-----
From: taroxxxxx@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 11:57 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China Tour with Laurus Travel
... the guides all did a great job, and in our
opinion their judgment calls were on target. We were very impressed with
the staff and crew of the M/V Star on the Yangtze River Cruise. Our city
guides in Beijing, Guilin and Tibet were knowledgeable, professional,
interesting and extremely hard working.
In our opinion excellent value all the way around.
Taro R.
Anchorage, Alaska
-----Original Message-----
From: Sara Hxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 10:15 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China Tour Feedback
Overall the trip was fabulous. All the guides
were flexible, allowing us to adapt the schedule to see more or less and
suggesting other sites we might want to experience. I also appreciated the
consistent schedule without being left in "shopping" situations, which
several friends experienced with other companies. I learned so much about
your history, culture, life-style, beliefs and what you are facing in the
future. It was an over-whelmingly wonderful experience. My daughter & I
are looking forward to sharing with our students in school. Many thanks to
Julian [sic] for working things out under the tight time-constraints we
were under and for the excellent suggestions. Great hotels, great food,
great guides. I will miss Steven & Jeff. Thank you for sharing your
country & your lives with us.
Sara Hxxxxx
Riverside, California
-----Original Message-----
From: LINDA Jxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@rogers.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 10:21 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: great China trip
Hello,
I don't have a lot of time to write at the moment
but just wanted to say we really thought our tour was outstanding. All of
the guides were so very knowledgeable, answered any questions we had about
China or their life there so we got so much by being on tour with them.
Steven Shi was absolutely AMAZING as a guide-he deserves the very highest
praise, but as I said the other guides were very superior as well.
Linda J
Toronto, Ontario
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Bxxxxx [mailto:rxxxxxxx@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 8:28 AM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: RE: China Tours with Laurus Travel
Mr. Yan,
Just a few words to tell you that we were
absolutely pleased with the arrangements that you provided and organised
for the Mowry Group Tours of March 2010. We congratulate you and your Team
for your professionalism in organising our airport transportation and
Tours. We also greatly appreciated the professionalism of the guides that
were assigned to our Group. They were terrific for us. We would not
hesitate to highly recommend your services and as a matter of fact, should
we go back to China, we would deal with no other. There were no surprises.
You and your people contributed to the success of our China Tours.
A special commandation to our Guide THANH who did
a fantastic job on the HongKong, Shanghai et Beijing Tours. He really was
extremely attentive to our needs, plus his in depth knowledge of the
Chinese Heritage and Culture.
Salutations
Hélène & Robert Bxxxxx
Québec, Canada
From: Jennifer Txxxxxxx. [mailto:jennytxxxxxxxxxx@earthlink.net]
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 6:27 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: China Tour
We arrived home yesterday and I couldn't wait to tell you how satisfied we
all were with this trip. The private tour you put together for our family
of 12 exceeded our expectations in every respect. We enjoyed every minute
of it and found your choice of guides and hotels particularly impressive.
We wanted a luxury tour with no shopping stops. You delivered exactly that
and then some. Throughout the trip we felt we were well looked after every
step of the way.
We were concerned before the rip that we might
have trouble eating Chinese food every day. After 3 weeks in China not
only did we fall in love with but also became sort of connoisseurs of
Chinese cuisine. We never imagined that the Chinese cuisine consisted of
so many regional styles. The buffet breakfasts we had at the various
hotels were among the best we've ever had anywhere in the world.
... I could go on and on. All in all, this was a
remarkable trip and far exceeded our expectations. We recommend Laurus
Travel without any reservations, just like my colleague who recommended
your company to me. When we visit China again, you can sure that we will
not go with anyone but Laurus Travel.
Thank you again!
Jenny T.
New York, NY
-----Original Message-----
From: Dxxxxxxxx, Terence [mailto:tdxxxxxxxxx@dxxxx.ca]
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2010 10:24 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Recent China Trip with Laurus Travel
We were quite satisfied with the trip [China
Golden Route in May], and have so told a number of friends. One of them is
thinking of organizing a trip to China for about 8 persons next year, and
I've passed your contact data on to him, together with my recommendation.
Terry Dxxxxxxxx
Calgary, Alberta
-----Original Message-----
From: Bev S [bevxxxxxxx@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 8:40 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China Tour
our 21 day trip was wonderful....we researched
many trips to china and could find no other that could offer such a
diverse itinerary....from the gobi desert to the tibetan autonomous
region...from hundreds of feet below sea level in turpan on the silk route
to an elevation of 11,000 feet in zhongdian (shangri-la).. . the local
guides gave us a good introduction to not only the chinese way of life but
also the many minorities that live in the country including the naxi,
uighur, and tibetan. with seven internal flights we were impressed by the
efficiency of the local airlines.,the mindfulness of the drivers on the
longer day trips,the quality of the hotels....but most of all we were so
pleased by the planning and pacing of the trip...thank you all....
Bev & Hal S.
San Rafael, California
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike and Laurie M
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 4:12 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: Feedback on Recent China Tour
The 24-day Tibet and Silk Road tour was
outstanding. It was very well planned, organized and offered an excellent
opportunity to see so much of China in a short period of time. The guide
we had at each stop was knowledgeable, accomodating and spoke English
well. We would highly recomment this trip for those who want to see China
for the first time and are physically able and willing to cover a lot of
ground walking. This is a great trip for physically and mentally active
people.
Mike and Laurie M.
Calgary, Alberta
-----Original Message-----
From: [e-mail address deleted for privacy}
Sent: Monday, June 7, 2010 5:15 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: China Tour with Laurus
Hello Heidi,
The China Odyssey tour we just completed was
awesome! The well planned itinerary was executed to perfection. In our
opinion, Laurus Travel delivered far more than it promised. As seasoned
travellers we know a lot of things could go wrong on a trip of this length
regardless of the preparation work. And yet we never experienced any
problem during the entire tour except one delayed flight. We could tell
and certainly appreciate the amount of work done behind the scene to make
the trip so wonderful. Our guides were all very good with the ones in
Beijing, Shanghai and Guilin being truly outstanding. Please feel free to
let us know if you ever need us as a reference. One other thing we wanted
to share with you was that we spoke to many people travelling with other
companies during the Yangtze cruise and they were all impressed that
Laurus Travel has a no shopping stop policy. Some of the passengers told
us they were marched through tourist stores almost every day. Thank you
again Laurus Travel for a job well done!
Monica & Terry W.
Toronto, Ontario
-----Original Message-----
From: GCxxxxxxx@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 7:04 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Great Wall Hiking Trip
We recently returned from our Great Wall Hiking
trip. It was absolutely wonderful. The guides, the itinerary and the
accommodations could not have been better. Buddy was perfect and Elaine on
the Shanghai portion was almost as good. Nice job.
Jerry & Kathy C.
West Warwick, Rhode Island
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 4:20 AM
To: Laurus Travel
From: Ken & Pam Gxxxxxx
Subject: China Golden Route Tour April 22, 2010
Steven Shi is a credit to your organisation, his
personal interest in history, his enthusiasm and his extensive knowledge
made travelling with him a pleasure. First rate tour, many many thanks
from us. I would be delighted to write a testimonial letter, if you should
wish. Great job, Great trip, Great fun. I would have no hesitation in
recommending Laurus Travel to anybody. 5 Star. Thanks to Julius & all his
staff.
Ken & Pam G.
Sydney, Australia
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan B.
Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2010 1:50 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: China Tour
Excerpt from Jonathan's feedback
Steven was a wonderful tour leader. He was able
to answer every question about China we asked, and he knew the history and
interesting facts of every location we visited. He told stories and gave
history lessons every day. He took care of checking us in and out of the
hotels and flights, and did a wonderful job of ordering different foods
for us to try. He was the best tour guide we have ever had -- I wish he
could be our tour guide for every trip we take! We were very very sad to
say goodbye, he really became a friend by the end of the trip. He was
worth way more than the suggested tip, so we went ahead and gave him way
more than suggested. He was really worth it.
I am going to recommend Laurus travel to everyone
I know who would ever want to visit China. I wish you all took care of
tours in other countries as well -- our experience was that good.
Jonathan B.
Chandler, Arizona
-----Original Message-----
From: JIBxxxxx@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 9:18 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: China Tour
I am not sure if my first email made it to you so I will let you know
again how much we enjoyed all the tours we took with Elwin & Judie. The
guides were great but we must tell you that Steven in Shanghai and Beijing
was excellent. He was so knowledgeable and took care of every detail. Hope
you know what a great young man he is and how good he is at his job.
Sincerely,
Janice & Ira B.
Memphis, Tennessee
-----Original Message-----
From: Virginia [mailto:---@shaw.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 8:16 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Re: China Trip
Hi Julius,
We had a really great time. Thanks very much. I
felt the trip was such a great bargain for what we got... When Ron and I
go back to China, we will be sure to go through Laurus travel. Thanks
again.
Virginia G.
Surrey, British Columbia
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-----Original Message-----
From: Topxxxxxx@aol.com [mailto:Topxxxxxx@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:28 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Thanks for a Great Trip
Hi, Julius. Char and I wanted to let you know
that we had a delightful time in China. We were intrigued by the people,
and enjoyed the sights and scenery. We were especially impressed with the
local guides from your company, specifically Amanda in Beijing and David
in Guilin. They were informative, helpful and personable...
I have already recommended your company to a few
of my friends who are thinking of traveling to China in the next year.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
One other thing. Just wanted to mention how impressed we were that you
called us in Xi'an when we had concerns about the change of the time of
our flights. That kind of personalized attention from you was incredible,
and very much appreciated.
Regards,
Eileen L.
San Francisco, California
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Jxxx [mailto:Paul.Jxxx@xxxxxxx.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2009 1:32 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Our Family China Trip
Hi Julius:
I finally have some time to send our family's
comments to you regarding the China trip [14-day Best of China].
First of all, Steven Shi is an excellent tour leader and a valuable member
of Laurus Travel with his great knowledge of Beijing and Xian history. He
provided us with excellent service and helped us with all our issues and [we]
consider him a friend. Steven's english and translation skills are very
impressive and we would recommend him to anyone looking for an english
speaking tour guide. Both David (Guilin) and the Shanghai lady guide are
also very capable tour guides with great patience and gave excellent
service to us in those cities.
We would also like to thank you for providing us
2 extra meals that were not included in the itinerary, and the surprise
birthday cake for Betty was much appreciated.
The tours were well organized and kept us busy
throughout each day. The bus transportation provided at all the cities
were very comfortable with lots of extra seats. It was also nice that the
buses were close by so we did not have to wait very long to get inside and
away from the extreme summertime heat and humidity. Next time, I suggest
spring or fall for travel. Our suggestion is an extra free day in Beijing
for shopping at Pearl and Silk markets.
The food ordered by Steven was very good and lots
of it. It can be difficult to order for so many people of different ages
so Steven was able to satisfy most of us everyday.
All the Sheraton hotels were very nice and
comfortable and usually one of the best in each city. We are glad we got
moved to the The Sunworld Dynasty hotel in Beijing as it was in a great
location close to shopping and dining.
We would recommend Laurus Travel to our friends
in search of a China tour company.
Thanks again for your excellent service.
Paul and Betty J.
Calgary, Alberta
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-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Vxxx [mailto:bob.vxxx@verizon.net]
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 5:07 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Comments on 18 day China Tour
My wife and I did the 18 day China Odyssey tour
and were very pleased with all phases of the tour. Everyone else in our
tour group had cancelled and we were anticipatory about how the tour would
function. We were told a guide would meet us in each city and stay with us
until we departed for the next city. We were pleasantly surprised with the
professionalism, courtesy and efficiency of each guide. We never felt
abandoned or unsafe. Each guide made sure we had the proper tickets in
hand for the next destination before they departed.
The food and accommodations were the very best.
Thank you for a great tour of China. I would have no difficulty
recommending your service. I only wish you covered other countries also.
Bob and Nancy V.
Dallas, Texas
-----Original Message-----
From: Txx, Steven [mailto:Steven.Txx@xxxxxx.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 7:07 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: RE: Beijing Tour in May
Julius,
Thank you very much for everything!
We had a great time! Amanda is awesome - she did
a tremendous job and made the trip enjoyable. All of the students that
attended would definitely use Laurus Travel again if we need a travel
agent, especially if we go to China as we would want Amanda to be our
guide.
Please let me know if you need anything else from us or if you have any
questions.
Thanks again,
Steve T. & 17 MBA classmates
University of Minnesota
17715 45th Avenue N.
Plymouth, MN 55446
-----Original Message-----
From: Nella Fxxxxxxx [mailto: nellafxxxxxxx@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 9:26 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: RE: China Trip Feedback
Julius,
We just wanted to say thank you for an absolutely
amazing trip. We knew we would like China but we did not know that we
would LOVE it. There was not a single thing we would have changed about
the trip.
Beijing is a beautiful city and allowed us to
experience our dream of walking on the Great Wall. Xi'an had us in awe
with the Terra Cotta Soldiers. Suzhou was a nice change of pace with it's
peaceful gardens and relaxed atmosphere. The bustle and excitement of
Shanghai was a joy to experience.
Our guides.. Fang, Ye Nan & Tao Yi were
dependable, knowledgeable, funny and a pleasure to be with. We want to
give an extra thank you to Fang, who truly went above and beyond any
expectations.
The food, the accommodations and the activities
were all impeccable. We cannot express how much we enjoyed the culture of
China and the people of China.
Julius, we are so glad we booked through Laurus
Travel. We would recommend it (and have already recommended it) to anyone
in the least bit interested in travelling in that part of the world.
Definitely an experience we will treasure for the
rest of our lives.
Yours truly,
Nella, Jeanette & Ashley
Lethbridge, Alberta
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-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Bxxxxxx [mailto:nancybxxxxxx@shaw.ca]
Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 7:06 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: China Tour
Julius,
Our trip was amazing and we can’t thank you
enough for all of your assistance. The hotels were beautiful and the tour
very well paced allowing plenty of time for enjoying all of the sites. The
small group was wonderful and we would like to thank our tour leader
Steven for all of his guidance throughout the trip. His knowledge of China
along with his quiet patience and caring made for a most memorable trip.
Steven went above and beyond the set itinerary allowing us to experience
as much of China as possible in the time allotted. We feel very fortunate
to have met him and had him as our guide.
We would like to thank Laurus Travel for
providing such a positive experience and we highly recommend your company
to anyone travelling to China.
Sincerely,
Nancy & Barry B.
Victoria, British Columbia
From: stephanie pxxxxx <stephaniexxxxxx@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Subject: Re: China Tour Feedback
To: info@laurustravel.com
Laurus Travel,
Thank you for the reminder to review our recent
trip. We have been meaning to do that. At first we were a bit apprehensive
to book our trip with Laurus Travel because we really didn't know much
about your company. However, we quickly realized that we had nothing to
worry about. The itineraries were well thought out, the accommodations
were great and the leaders were the best. Everyone was great but there
were a few super-stars. Steven in Beijing was great. He gave us so much
wonderful information without overwhelming or boring us, he was very
attentive to our needs and very accommodating. He immediately made us feel
at home and comfortable in a foreign land. Howard our tour leader was also
wonderful. Every time we had a question we would turn around and Howard
was seemingly always there to answer it. He too was very attentive to all
of our needs, even seemingly anticipating our needs before we had them. He
saw to it that we had a great trip. We called him our Chinese Ambassador.
Heather in Guilin was wonderful too. She went the extra mile to assure
that we enjoyed our time in Guilin. We enjoyed the balance of seeing the
natural beauty as well as the history of China. We have recommended Laurus
Travel without hesitation to friends.
Thanks for a wonderful trip.
Laura and Stephanie P.
San Diego, California
-----Original Message-----
From: JOEL Axxxxxxxx [mailto:axxxxxxxxxx@rogers.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 5:45 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: 2008 Tour to China Oct.
Julius:
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. This
year's tour, with us travelling on our own, to many less well known but
outstanding locations in China was absolutely great. The arrangements
worked perfectly and the drivers and guides could not have been better.
Our two Laurus experiences have been excellent; last year's small group
tour to some of the more popular tourist spots and this year's adventure
have both given us wonderful memories for life.
Thank you.
Barbara & Joel A.
Toronto, Ontario
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This was a fabulous trip [25-day Imperial
China, Tibet & Yangtze, October 9, 2008] and we enjoyed it from start
to finish. Every day was a highlight. The Great Wall, the Terra cotta
warriors, the Panda breeding centre, and the Yangtze cruise (as well as
the Li River cruise) seem to stand out in my memory, but I also enjoyed
the many parks (and seeing how much people make use of them) and the
museums, especially the ones that featured early civilization artifacts,
and Chinese ceramics. China is very beautiful (despite smog in some
places, though this was less obtrusive than we feared-- we actually did
have blue sky many days). This truly was a trip that met, and far
exceeded, our expectations.
Lis A.
Kemptville, Ontario
-----Original Message-----
From: mariaxxxxxx@aol.com
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 1:07 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Great trip!
Dear Julius,
We had a wonderful time in China! The itinerary
was loaded with so much to do and see. I wouldn't change a thing. The
small group size was a plus (Canadians are pretty nice people!) and I
can't say enough about the tour guides.....they were amazing! They taught
and shared so much information....no question went unanswered. It was
quite clear how proud they all were of their country and their home
cities, it was nice to see and experience.
I would like to give special thanks to our tour leader, Stephen who went
above and beyond to make this trip as special as possible for my Dad. He
took the extra care and concern that we so much appreciated. He was not
only professional but also very kind and good-hearted. I will always
cherish the memories of our trip to China and all the wonderful people
that made my father's life-long dream a reality. I will highly recommend
Laurus to anyone and everyone!
Thanks again,
Maria P.
Chatham, New Jersey
-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph [mailto:jsxxxxx@bserv.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 6:02 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: thank you
Dear Julius,
My husband and I have recently returned from a
trip to China, 21 China Highlights, organized by your tour company. We had
an excellent time and would highly recommend this trip to anyone planning
to visit China. We particularly enjoyed the variety of activities and
sights we saw. Some members of our group left in X’ian and did not travel
on to Guilin. We were very pleased that our tour included Guilin. The
hotels we stayed in were all excellent, and we enjoyed the food. My
husband ate absolutely everything whereas I was very selective but
everything we ate agreed with us.
The local tour guides all did an excellent job
telling us about the sights in their local area. We were very impressed
with our tour leader, Steven. His organizational skills, personal skills,
awareness of group needs and interests, and knowledge of China made him an
exceptional guide and tour leader. We feel that we were very fortunate to
have had him.
Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed
the trip. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Pam and Joe S.
Puslinch, Ontario
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From: Richard Lxxxxxx <rlxxxxxxx@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 8:49 AM
Subject: Our trip
To: info@laurustravel.com
Hi, Julius! I just wanted to tell you how
wonderful our trip to China was (China Odyssey, leaving SFO on October 9).
We could not have asked for a nicer trip, despite my having my purse
stolen in Beijing! Our guides were all excellent, particularly Amanda, who
set a standard no one could match -- I wanted to adopt her and take her
home with us. The hotels were all lovely, the food was great, the vehicles
were spacious and comfortable, the guides were knowledgeable and helpful
and always on time -- Heather was another who merits special mention. Even
had we booked with Axxxxxxxxxx & Kxxx [name altered by Laurus in
respect of the competitor], no trip could have been nicer, and I won't
hesitate to recommend Laurus to anyone we know planning a trip to China.
Thank you so much for everything.
Best wishes,
Linda and Richard L.
Stockton, California
-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Rxxx [mailto: address hidden]
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 7:15 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: China Tour
Julius,
We returned from our trip this week and wanted to send you an e-mail
regarding our Laurus Travel portion.
I have heard horror stories from people that have booked premium tours
with complaints about tour guides, food, hotels, etc. We found just the
opposite on our trip. As you know we joined a tour that had been in
process for a week. The people on the tour had nothing but positive things
to say regarding the trip to that point including the hotels, restaurants
and the tour guide. We found that to be very true on our portion of the
trip. Of particular note is the highly professional job done by Stephen.
He is obviously a key asset to your firm. His experience, knowledge of
Chinese history and commitment to customer service added significant
value.
The choice of hotel in Xi'an and restaurants for lunch and dinner were
very good and the guides used for local sites were also very good. The
Victoria Queen was better than expected and the team managing the ship
were high quality.
Again, we were very happy with our choice of Laurus and look forward to a
trip to Tibet in the future.
Bruce Rxxx
Orleans, Massachusetts
-----Original Message-----
From: Neil and Heather [mailto:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@shaw.ca]
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 3:30 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Re: Our thoughts upon our return from China
Julius,
We are back from our 25 day journey to China and
Tibet. We want to express our gratitude for helping make our experience
truly great. We chose Laurus for several reasons: the attractive
itinerary; the small group size complete with tour leader; that Laurus
focused solely on China; and the strong testimonials we read.
All the above reasons to choose Laurus were
verified in our recent trip.
-we really liked what we saw and did. The
additional options offered for side trips and evening entertainment were
also great.
-we're not tour group people but our small group
of fantastic travel companions quickly became good friends. Our tour
leader, Victor, is simply the best.
-we're convinced that Laurus knows China and
knows how to pick a tour leader and local guides. All were great.
-we can add our testimonial to those already
posted. We had a truly great travel experience and have mentioned to many
of our friends at home that Laurus should be their first choice if they
ever contemplate going to China.
Sincerely,
Heather and Neil M.
St Albert, Alberta
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-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Pxxxxxx [mailto: address hidden]
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 7:03 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: 23 Day China Panorama 9/21/08
Juilius-
Now that I am finally recovering from the jet
lag, I wanted to take a minute to thank you for providing such an
incredible experience. Tom & I could not have enjoyed the trip more. We
were delightfully surprised to have a tour director most of the way even
though our initial group was only 5. Stephen was phenomenal and we were
certain that we would be disappointed when we joined Victor's group, but
happily, that was not the case. Victor was every bit as good and we
appreciated their different personalities and perspectives. The local
guides were also very good and the meals were wonderful. We had very
little time with Amanda in Beijing but she was very friendly and wanted to
please.
We were especially impressed by the extra effort
it took for you to coordinate all of that, rearranging the itinerary to
provide tour directors, yet covering everything as outlined originally. We
have taken several tours in the past in other countries and none was
better than this. We appreciated the value of a small group and a tour
company that specializes in the area and will certainly look for that in
booking future tours. Our only regret is that Laurus does only China as we
would look to book with you in the future if you went to other areas.
Certainly, if we know anyone traveling to China, we would recommend you
wholeheartedly.
Again, our thanks for enriching our lives with
this fantastic experience.
Regards,
Sue P.
Williamsville, New York
From: Adrienne Giffen [adrienne@peoplefirstsolutions.com]
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 10:37 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: RE: China Trip
Dear Julius,
We had a fabulous time in China...trip was
fantastic on all fronts. Thank you for organizing all the details,
everything ran smoothly and the accommodations were very good. Really
liked the hotel in Shanghai, and the location of the hotel in HK right on
Victoria Harbour was wonderful. Having our guide waiting for us as we got
off the train was a treat...everything just flowed.
I love China and look forward to returning soon,
probably early in 2009.
We will highly recommend your services.
Best wishes,
Adrienne
Adrienne Giffen
VP Global Development
People First Solutions
Suite 210 - 1075 West Georgia St.
Vancouver, BC V6E 3C9
Tel. 604.684.2288 Ext. 227
Fax. 604.684.2265
www.peoplefirstsolutions.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Jxxxx [mailto:xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2008 10:48 PM
To: <info@laurustravel.com>
Subject: An Awesome China Travel Adventure
Hi Julius,
We are watching the closing Beijing Olympic
Ceremonies. As visitors to China just a few days before the games started,
we too were swept away with the energy and excitment as China was so proud
and honored to hold the games. Beijing was artfully decorated with bright
flowers and gardens. As visitors we felt welcomed from the moment we
arrived through our 25 day stay. It was especially heartwarming on
occasions when children would shyly step forward to say hello. We felt
safe at all times.
We had just a small group which was especially
awesome. Each guide did their very best to enhance our travel experiences.
Amanda met us
in Beijing - setting the focus and giving us insight into Chinese culture
and history. Next Michael met us in Xian. He continued to extend our
itinerary and he insisted in staying with us as we used every available
time to learn more about China and experience wonderful meals and see
incredible Chinese performances. Our guides throughout the trip were
punctual and knowledgeable. Having local guides was especially good as
each knew their city and surrounding areas very well. Our trip to Tibet
was awesome. We have an understanding of both it's challenges and
successes. We were welcomed always.
Our accomodations throughout our travels was the
best in the city. In Tibet we checked out of the Lhasa hotel for one night
with a return to
the same hotel a night later. The manager made a point to keep both of our
rooms for us. I had left a small item behind and it was waiting
for me when we returned!
We have traveled around the world and to every
continent. Each of us consider this travel adventure to far exceed our
expectations. Laurus Travel is by far the best tour company that we have
ever used and highly recommend you. Communication between Laurus and our
group
was available at all times. I felt fortunate to have a small handheld
Internet iPhone with us and remained in touch with Laurus responding
immediately to my messages. All hotels had internet services.
So we hope to return to China. We would like to
see both the North and Southwest at another time. For now, we thank you
for giving us an
experience of a lifetime and a great love for China.
Most Sincerely,
Linda, Larry, Tiffany and Carlos
La Quinta, California
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-----Original Message-----
From: Fronda Cxxxx [mailto:
address hidden]
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:21 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Re: China Trip Feedback
Dear Julius and friends at Laurus,
Our China Odyssey trip was ding ding how! Amazing
adventure in an amazing country. Amanda's humor and lively spirit along
with her professionalism made our trip even more special. Amanda took
great care of us every step of the way, going beyond the itinerary to add
surprise stops and finding special places to meet individual interests of
the travelers in our group. She gave us not only a great perspective on
the people, history and changes in China, but was able to help us better
understand life in modern China. She always had a suggestion on how to use
our free time (and how to get there). Peter, our city guide in Guilin, was
exceptional. You rarely find such a knowledgeable guide who can address
subjects from the impact of diverse ethnic minorities in China to the
impact of the U.S. dollar on the Chinese economy -- without sounding as if
he's reading from a textbook.
Our group was diverse, interesting, and up for trying everything - even if
it wasn't on the official itinerary -- out of the way museums, strolls
along the Spirit Way, navigating the Shanghai subway and Maglev, a
relaxing foot massage in Beijing, a trip to the rice paddies in the
countryside. Being in a small group let us really get to know each other,
and with travelers from the UK, US and Canada, we had an interesting,
congenial group. The itinerary was well paced and allowed us to see a lot
without feeling as if we were racing past everything. One suggestion would
be to add a little more detail to the final itinerary. Several travelers
had specific places or shops they wanted to visit during their free time,
and it would be helpful to be able to plan that in advance. Also, there
was too much time in Chongqing (which I suspect is a result of flight
schedules and the time we could board the cruise ship), but we were really
stretching to fill the time. Maybe when the Three Gorges Museum opens it
will be better.
The team at Laurus makes travel easy - any question was answered promptly
by phone or e-mail, our visas arrived in one week, a last minute request
to rent a mobile phone was no problem. All this at a time when we're sure
there was much rescheduling due to restrictions on visiting Tibet and the
recent earthquake in Sichuan province.
Thanks to all for making this one of our best travel experiences.
Fronda and Richard O.
Baltimore, Maryland
-----Original Message-----
From: barbara sxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxxxxxx@hotmail.com]
Sent: May 29, 2008 1:21 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: RE: China Panorama Tour in May
Dear Julius,
Our trip was amazing and we appreciated all the
extra service. Steven is simply amazing and made the trip 7 stars. We
would highly recommend your company and if you need any recommendations we
will be glad to speak with people...
Thanks again,
Barb S.
Scottsdale, Arizona
-----Original Message-----
From: Len Fxxx [mailto:lxxxxx@shaw.ca]
Sent: May 26, 2008 2:45 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: More Satisfied Clients!
Dear Julius,
Len and I wanted to let you know that our Tour of
China was an amazing experience and we were happy and satisfied with the
entire trip. We returned to Vancouver on May 18th. We are savouring our
memories and enjoying sharing our photos and experiences with family and
friends.
As you probably know, our Tour Guide, Steven Shi
was terrific. We feel that we made a new friend and we look forward to
seeing him again, perhaps even here in Vancouver.
Steven was with us up to day 15 of our 21-day
tour. His professionalism, knowledge and sincere manner were qualities we
appreciated and valued throughout the tour. We learned so much from Steven
and we thoroughly benefited and appreciated seeing China through his eyes.
Our hotels were 1st. class, tours well-scheduled
and varied, meals were delicious and everything went off without a hitch.
We would not hesitate to recommend highly your company to our friends.
Thank you so much.
Yours truly,
Len and Penny F.
Vancouver, British Columbia
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-----Original Message-----
From: PETRA Hxxxxxxx [mailto:PETRA.Hxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.ca]
Sent: May 14, 2008 8:54 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: China Tour
Hello Julius....
Both David and I wanted to express to you how
much we enjoyed our vacation in China. It was more than we ever expected.
Everything ran so smoothly. We also fell in love with Amanda on day one.
She, without a doubt, made our trip even more special. She is an absolute
sweetheart PLUS extremely organized and right on top of everything taking
extremely good care of our group and made sure we were also happy. Her
command of the English language was excellent and we never had a problem
understanding her as she always understood us as well.
She mentioned to us that she will be visiting
Vancouver at the end of May for 2 weeks. David and I along with Sharon and
Dave Hxxx (they may have already emailed you on this) would absolutely
love it if Amanda could break away for an overnight and come visit us on
Vancouver Island. She is more than welcome to stay at either of our homes
and we would show her as much of our Island as possible. We would be happy
to help with her fare to and from the Island as well.
Thank you again for doing such a fabulous job of
putting together your tours and we look forward to more trips in the
future through your company.
Have a great day!
Petra H.
Nanaimo, British Columbia
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonine Hxxxxxxxx
Sent: May 12, 2008 7:41 AM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China Odyssey Tour in March
.... All in all a fantastic trip. Very well
appointed hotels. Tour director was great! Obviously the company had taken
the time to make sure the venues were of interest and not just "tourist"
sites. Very pleased NOT to be on a "shopping" trip designed to find ways
to make us spend more.
Jonine H.
Victoria, British Columbia
-----Original Message-----
From: Laura Wxxxx [mailto:lxxxxxx@rogers.com]
Sent: March 21, 2008 5:41 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: RE Our trip to China
Hi Julius!
Israel and I returned today from China and I couldn't get to my computer
fast enough to write to thank you !! What a wonderful country and
fabulous, amazing tour!!! Thank you for the arrangements you made on our
behalf and for your patience with our many nervous queries! Everything was
absolutely excellent!! The guides were top rate: knowledgeable,
personable, and accommodating. The hotels offered incomparable service
with rooms, concierge, baggage handling and in the restaurants. The food
was interesting and delicious. We will certainly be recommending your
agency to others!.. And after this wonderful trip, hope to contact you
someday for our return visit!!! Thanks again so much for everything.
"Xie Xie" and Best Regards,
Laura W.
Toronto, Ontario
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Sxxxxxxxxx
Sent: January 9, 2008 11:24 AM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: Tour Comments
To Laurus Travel,
We have just returned from our Best of China trip
with your company and I am just dropping you a quick note to say how much
we enjoyed our tour. Although our group was too small to qualify for a
tour leader your local guides were very competent and friendly. Their
knowledge of their own cities and the country in general was excellent and
they tried very hard to be accommodating and responsive. The hotels and
food were excellent and the sites were incredible. We have already
recommended your company to others and we hope that they are able to
benefit from your company’s excellent service.
Sincerely,
Rob S. & Susana E.
Whitehorse, Yukon
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-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Wxxxxx [mailto:cxxxxxxx@shaw.ca]
Sent: December 12, 2007 5:49 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: Tour Customer Survey
Hi Julius and Heidi,
We have completed the online survey but also wanted to send a quick e-mail
to thank you both for such a wonderful trip and experience. While we
travel a lot we have never participated in a group tour and can honestly
say that the Laurus experience was fantastic. I do think that the smaller
groups and the personal attention go a long way to enhancing the
enjoyment.
I can not say enough about the added value provided by our guide Steven
Shi. We could not have asked for a better guide and he looked after us
from the time he met us at the airport in Beijing until he saw us off at
Shanghai. Steven was at all times engaging, knowledgeable, humorous and
attentive. He went out of his way for all of our group to make this trip a
memorable experience. I would highly recommend Laurus to anyone
considering a trip to China.
Thanks again Julius, Heidi, Steven and James.
Chris & Madeleine W.
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
-----Original Message-----
From: dbxxxxxxx@shaw.ca
Sent: November 22, 2007 7:30 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China in Depth Oct 2, 2007
John was an exceptional tour leader. He was
knowledgeable about every aspect of the tour, he went above and beyond our
expectations. I would not hesitate to recommend John to anyone considering
a trip to China. He is an incredible tour leader. Because of John our tour
was absolutely perfect (except for the "drizzle" from the typhoon in
Wuzhen - even that was an incredible experience). He is to be highly
commended for the outstanding job he did.
Laurus Travel is to be commended for the incredible journey that we had. I
can't begin to imagine all the behind the scenes work that had to take
place to give us a once in a lifetime experience that will never be
forgotten. I wish I could do it all over again !!
Barbara S.
Fanny Bay, British Columbia
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxx@aol.com
Sent: November 18, 2007 7:40 AM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China Tour Feedback
Wow, what a fabulous trip. My compliments to
Laurus on a phenomenal job. On a scale of 10 this trip was a 12. I had
very high expectations for this trip and they were surpassed. Everything
was first class - the hotels, the restaurants, the bus transportation, the
air flights and the guides. We really appreciate that you rented the
larger busses so that we had plenty of room. That was appreciated by
everyone.
Victor did a superb job of making sure that
everything came together so that we all had a memorable trip and a great
time. He was on top of everything and we didn't have to worry about a
thing including the pick-up and delivery of our luggage to our room in
each of the cities - what a relief.
The itinerary was excellent and the trip was
incredibly easy. Everything worked so well. I know what kind of
preparation has to happen to make that occur. Laurus has done a phenomenal
job of demonstrating excellent service, first rate quality of all
accommodations and tremendous value for the money. These truly
differentiate you from the competition. We travel a lot, two to three
months a year for many years, and we have never been as impressed with a
group as we have with Laurus.
We also appreciated the small group size. For two
weeks we were with 16 people and 5 people joined us for the last week. We
were very fortunate on this trip that from the first day everyone on the
tour group really clicked. We thoroughly enjoyed one another and we all
had so much fun on this trip. We were laughing all the time. As a matter
of fact, many of us have been e-mailing and we are missing not being on
the trip. Many of us would have liked to just keep on going.
Many of us so enjoyed this trip that we would
like, as a group, to get together and do another Laurus trip. I would
therefore appreciate it if you would send me information on the other
tours that you provide. My husband and I are very anxious to travel with
you again soon. Our congratulations to Julius and the other Laurus
personnel who have created a vision of travel that excels in today's crazy
travel environment. We were treated like royalty and we had the best time
on this trip. We made a lot of memories on this trip that will be with us
for a very long time. Our thanks to all at Laurus who made that happen. We
look forward to the next trip.
Linda & Bob L.
Manhattan Beach, California
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-----Original Message-----
From: rayxxxxxxxx@sympatico.ca
Sent: November 5, 2007 4:55 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: Tour Feedback
Amanda was fantastic!! She made the entire trip
very enjoyable and worry-free. She read the group dynamics extremely well
and she has an excellent sense of humour. She took care of every last
detail and was always responsive to suggestions and comments. Your company
should be proud to have her working with you as she serves the customer
above and beyond!!! Excellent job Amanda!!!!!
We will keep wonderful memories from this trip, the experiences of
excellent tours that continued to "wow us" with each site we visited and a
great group of people that we now consider good friends. We have already
recommended Laurus Travel and this tour to many of our family and friends.
Overall this is an excellent tour and one we will never forget!!!
Ray C. & Madeleine M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Steven Shi was the best tour guide we have ever
worked with. His strengths were: very smart and informative about China,
fabulous attention to detail, cared for every person's wishes, sought out
special experiences tailored to our group, conveyed that he wanted us to
know and understand China beyond the typical tourist. These are just SOME
of his strengths. Our group simply LOVED him and felt that our trip was
extra special because of Steven's warmth and skills. He has no equals!
...Great service, great price for what we got, a guide who had no
competition. When we talked with other tour groups we concluded that
Laurus deserves our praise and loyalty. I will certainly be sending
friends and colleagues your way!
Thanks, Julius!
Prof. Kate S.
Williamsburg, Virginia
-----Original Message-----
From: patricia.e@xxxxxx.com
Sent: October 23, 2007 11:33 AM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: Tour Feedback
TOUR LEADER
Stephen is an asset as a Tour Leader. He may not be a 'joker' or a 'show
man' like other leaders, but he is kind, attentive, efficient and very
very patient. He made the tour the success it was. I also appreciate the
fact that Stephen is a bit of an intellectual with a love of history. I
could have listened to his commentary and his insights on China forever.
Stephen really works hard to accommodate all his guests and he is
extremely responsible and respectful. I am very thankful that I had
Stephen as my leader.
LOCAL GUIDES & DRIVERS
Again, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the local guides. They
all spoke English extremely well and provided interesting commentary. As
for the drivers - sitting in the front of the bus - I was very impressed
by their skill in maneuvering those big buses.
HOTELS
Actually all hotels exceeded my expectations. I have travelled in Asia
before (i.e. India, Vietnam, Malaysia, etc...) and I did not expect the 5*
hotels to meet North American standards. I was pleasantly surprised. The
hotels chosen were all of the highest standards.
FOOD
The food was very good. We ate too much.
IMPROVEMENT TO ITINERARY
Yangtze cruise could be one day shorter (although going up river that may
not be possible). Also perhaps more time in the country between big cities
to clean out the lungs.
MORE COMMENTS
I am an experienced independent traveller used to doing things on my own.
I chose the highlights tour in order to get a taste of China because I
knew I could never see so much in 18 days by myself. I was right. This
tour met or exceeded my expectations. Everything went smoothly and the
organization was impeccable. Although I don't usually like to be led about
in a group - I must say that it was nice to be taken care of and to travel
in style.
Patricia E.
Montreal, Quebec
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-----Original Message-----
From: skip [mailto:skip.axxxxxxxxx@shaw.ca]
Sent: October 19, 2007 10:58 AM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: 12 Day Best of China
Overall, this was an outstanding trip and we would not hesitate to
strongly recommend Laurus Travel to anyone considering a trip offered by
your company. Thanks for a job well done Julius and we look forward to our
next trip with Laurus Travel.
Best regards,
Skip A.
Calgary, Alberta
-----Original Message-----
From: Bernice Axxxxxx [mailto:beaxxxxxx@yahoo.com]
Sent: October 21, 2007 1:04 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: Great Trip
Hi Julius-
We just wanted to let you know that we really enjoyed our recent trip. Any
changes that we would recommend would be very minor. The 26 days flew by
as we encountered many fascinating sites and experiences. As you promised,
the hotels were very comfortable, and more than met our expectations. We
feel that our tour leader, Howard Zhang, was significantly responsible for
our wonderful vacation. He always seemed genuinely concerned about our
comfort and safety. Additionally, he helped us to better understand the
culture and was always available to answer questions or help with any
issues. You are indeed fortunate to have such a hard-working, loyal, and
talented tour guide in your employ. We also feel fortunate to have
travelled with him.
We would not hesitate to recommend Laurus Travel to anyone planning a trip
to China.
Bruce and Bernice A.
Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
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From: jloxxxx@xxxxxxx.net
Sent: October 5, 2007 1:23 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: Tour Feedback
Victor Li is an exceptional guide. His charming
personality made everyone feel very comfortable as he led us on a
fascinating trip that was punctuated by his extensive knowledge and quick
wit. He has an incredible ability to anticipate people's needs and wants.
His smile never faltered even when he was faced with some inconvenient and
inconsiderate requests from members of the group, which he quickly
fulfilled while seamlessly continuing with the well-planned itinerary. His
winning and adaptable style made a good trip an outstanding one and
because of him I will highly recommend your company to my family and
friends. Victor is an asset to Laurus Travel.
Janice O.
Rockville, Maryland
Sent: August 21, 2007 7:08 PM
To: Laurus Travel
We have never been "tour" people, but Laurus
Travel has converted us. The tour was thorough, well organized and ensured
we saw all the important sights without feeling rushed. We particularly
like having a small group to travel with. We also like the idea of giving
our tour leader a suggested amount for the tips up front for the local
guides and drivers - makes it much easier during the tour - we don't have
to constantly think about that aspect of travel. Please feel free to use
us as a reference - our entire family enjoyed the trip and highly
recommend Laurus Travel.
Thank you.
Leena J. & John V.
Ottawa, Ontario
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From: Carla J [mailto: cjxxxxxxxx@wi.rr.com]
Sent: August 16, 2007 11:00 AM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: Tour Customer Survey
I have been on many guided tours, and Amanda was
without a doubt the best tour guide I have ever experienced. She is
extremely competent and has excellent people skills. She is very fun,
knowledgeable, and really went out of her way to be helpful to us... I
can't praise her enough.
I have been raving about my tour to everyone who
will listen. I hope to travel with Laurus again. I literally found you by
googling, and it was my best Google search ever. I have already
recommended you to others and will continue to do so.
Carla J.
Kenosha, Wisconsin
-----Original Message-----
From: l. gerald [mailto:jlxxxxx@yahoo.com]
Sent: July 30, 2007 7:31 AM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: July '07 China Trip
I'm just returned from my Imperial China tour,
which included 3 days in Tibet, and to say the least, it was an incredible
experience!
First, all of the tour guides, especially Amanda, were terrific! All were
always ready to accommodate any request asked of them. They were extremely
knowledgeable, charming, and well prepared.
Next, the accommodations were solidly first rate, especially the Sheraton
in Shanghai, which was exceptional. All of the hotels, even in the far
away locations in Tibet were clean, and the hotel staff provided
spectacular service (again with the Sheraton in Shanghai being
exceptional.)
The food provided on the tour was always excellent, well prepared, and
plentiful! I was especially pleased with the optional offerings provided
throughout the course of the tour. We saw the Chinese Opera, an acrobat
show, and a wonderful dinner theater. I would rate the value received for
the cost of this tour as exceptional. I have been on ten escorted tours
around the world and I would rate this tour as the best! Everyone
concerned upheld the highest standards of excellence throughout my Laurus
tour experience!
Jerry L.
Wallingford, Connecticut
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-----Original Message-----
From: Bev & Einar Cxxxxxx [mailto:cxxxxxxx@telus.net]
Sent: June 30, 2007 10:56 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China in Depth
Dear Alan and Julius,
We would like you to know how much we enjoyed the 22-day China in Depth
tour. Our experiences exceeded our expectations in almost every respect,
whether it was transportation, accommodation, food, or venues visited.
We appreciated the conscientious and knowledgeable service provided by
your local tour guides, all of whom were excellent. Although everyone
deserves our commendation, we were particularly impressed by Sherman for
his professionalism and his very good command of the English language;
Howard for his local and historical knowledge and his enthusiastic manner;
but particularly we express our thanks to Linda, our Suzhou guide who gave
us outstanding service as noted in the following anecdote.
On Day 9, upon reaching the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to fly to Yichang,
we realized that a recently purchased silk tapestry had been left behind
in the Suzhou Sheraton Hotel lobby 80 km away. Linda contacted the hotel
by cell phone, but no one had seen the tapestry. We assumed that it was
lost. Linda, however, said she would go to the hotel on her return to
Suzhou, and if lucky enough to find it, she would forward it to us.
Imagine our surprise on Day 19 when we arrived at The Great Wall Sheraton
in Beijing to find a very carefully wrapped parcel containing our "lost"
tapestry. Truly this was an example of outstanding service by Linda.
Many thanks to all of you at Laurus for providing us with a wonderful
tour.
Sincerely,
Bev and Einar C.
North Vancouver, British Columbia
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug & Eileen [mailto:demxxxxxx@cogeco.ca]
Sent: May 31, 2007 6:30 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China in Depth, May 3
Dear Julius,
We are just back from our 3-week, "China in
Depth" trip May 3-24. We found it a very well-planned, well-paced, and
well-priced trip. The last-minute upgrades you added were a real bonus!
Our tour leader, John, was wonderful. Not only is he extremely
knowledgeable, but he is conscientious, kind, thoughtful, and always
helpful. He is a real gem in the tourist business. Our trip encompassed
not only the history of China--a rich history stretching back over 5000
years, but a clear overview of the present China and a glimpse of the
future. We were in awe of the pace of development in today's China.
It became clear, that your goal was to make our
trip memorable, and to make us, as clients, feel very special and
pampered. The "extras" that you included were unexpected and we
appreciated each and every one!
Thank you--all of you--for a fabulous holiday and
great memories of China.
Doug & Eileen M.
Peterborough, Ontario
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Sent: April 24, 2007 4:40 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China Tour Feedback
Hi Alan and Julius,
Just want to say thank you for the marvellous 20
day tour of China your company provided my mother and I in March. It
exceeded all our expectations in every area! We have travelled
extensively, with many different tour companies in the world, and would
put your company right at the top! Our tour guide, Amanda, was also
superb. She was professional, knowledgeable, helpful and fun to be with. I
will always recommend you first for travel in China. Many, many thanks for
making my mother's 70th birthday in China so special. May your business
continue to prosper as it so deserves.
Ezria J.
Victoria, British Columbia
Sent: March 30, 2007 3:12 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: Re: China Tour Feedback
Hi everybody at Laurus. We just got back from our
trip to China and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone
for a wonderful time. Our guides (Grace, Sherman, John, Amanda) definitely
were the reason our trip was so successful. they are a wonderful bunch of
people who are hard working and a pleasure to be with. We will never
forget them. The drivers were amazing. I have such respect for those guys.
Always polite and prompt. We felt like VIP's!! China is a wonderful
country and we couldn't believe how comfortable and at home we felt. It
was hard to leave. But we are already thinking of going back and exploring
the southern area. Again, thank you.
Dennis & Dayle P.
Penticton, B.C.
p.s. we are telling everyone to book with Laurus travel.
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-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Sxxxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxxx@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 11:11 PM
To: xxleavenworth@xxx.com
Subject: Laurus Tours
Greetings,
We took the 18 day China Odyssey Tour in October [2006] and it couldn't
have been better. My wife and I have traveled a lot but never in a group.
From the moment we arrived in Shanghai until we left Beijing we were
treated royally. Our tour guide was exceptional and the local guides
equally so. Accommodations were excellent and all the tour busses clean
and roomy with good local drivers. The pace was about right and with few
exceptions due to flight delays, we saw everything promised in the tour
brochure and more.
I can't think of a thing to be negative about this tour and the company.
They are the best and I don't think you could go wrong with them.
Dick S.
La Canada, California
I would like to say that our trip [China
Panorama, Sept 13/06] was fantastic! It exceeded our expectations. The
local guides were very knowledgeable and they went out of their way to
make sure our questions were answered. At times the English was a little
rough but we managed to communicate. I would say that all the guides with
the exception of Helen (I think that was her name) in Chengdu were
excellent. In Helen's case I felt she just wanted to get our tour over as
soon as possible. Our marathon race to view the Pandas then the rush to
the museum left us feeling that we didn't really get enough time. Perhaps
the long day and high altitude from the day before added to our unpleasant
experience with Helen. We were very happy with our sightseeing stops and
the time allotted at each one. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car
ride was breath-taking, as was the Stone Forest. The Yangtze River cruise
was the highlight, beautiful scenery and wonderful crew. One
recommendation I would make with this tour is to switch days for the Jade
Dragon Snow Mountain sightseeing. With experiencing the lack of oxygen and
a late night flight everyone was pretty exhausted. I would definitely
recommend this tour to everyone. It was well organized and we felt that it
showed us how diverse the people and the country is! Please feel free to
use us as a reference.
When I was looking for a China tour I'd talked to
our local travel agent who was unable to get what we wanted. I started
looking on the Internet and discovered Laurus Travel. I knew nothing about
Laurus other than what was on their website and their record with better
business bureau. So I very nervously decided to take a chance they were
legit and booked our trip. When we got off the plane in Shanghai we were
met by Edward who was picking up another group and he waited so we could
get a ride to the hotel. I knew then I'd picked a good travel service. So
if you have clients needing recommendations please feel free to contact
me. I'm saving the best for last. Our guide John who spent the 24 days
with us. This young man is an asset to Laurus Travel! John patiently
guided us and provided us with an endless supply of information! Thank you
for your helping hand on the numerous steps and making our trip a
wonderful experience! We enjoyed getting to know you and your country.
Margaret & Harvey B.
Smithers, British Columbia
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Excellent tour [China Odyssey, Oct 9/06]. We came
away from it thinking very highly of Laurus. I don't know how this group
got put together but the chemistry was great and added immeasurably to the
pleasure of the tour. We would like to visit China again.
Duff & Shirley S.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Hi Julius!
Ross & I returned from our trip to Beijing etc. a few days ago. I want to
tell you what excellent staff you have in China!!
 When
we got off the plane, Lucy was right there with the banner saying "Laurus
Travel". She was just excellent the whole time we were there. She took
great care of everyone and it was clear that everyone thought she did a
super job!
The local guide for Beijing was Leon. He was just
wonderful!! You may have already heard that one of the ladies on the tour
took ill and had to be admitted to the hospital. It was in the evening but
Leon came back to the hospital to translate for her sister and for her.
That is just top notch service! We can't say enough about what a good
guide Leon was!
If you have anyone who needs a reference for your
company, please feel free to use our names. You can be sure that we will
be recommending your company to our friends.
Beth & Ross H.
Whistler, British Columbia
Everything about this trip [China Highlights with
Hong Kong, Oct 6-23, 2006] was outstanding especially the tour leader
Harry. He was the most accommodating person I have ever met. The hotels
were by far the best hotels of any tour I have been on. I have told
everyone about your service and they can hardly believe the things I have
told them as they have never experienced such service. I want to thank you
for the most enjoyable experience I have ever had.
Beverly W.
Desert Hot Springs, California
My husband and I are seasoned travellers and we
have had the opportunity to visit many wonderful places all over the
world. We were new to the group tour idea, and we had a few reservations
going into it. Quite honestly, we had a wonderful time and met some great
folks on our trip. Because the country was so large, the impeccable
planning allowed us to see most the sights we wanted to visit. The
itinerary was one that kept us very busy, which we liked, so there was not
a lot of wasted time, waiting for the group to catch up. We were lucky
enough to have Alan Yuan with us on our trip, and his attention to
customer service was excellent. I would highly recommend this trip to
China without hesitation and would be pleased to provide additional
information to someone who is considering the trip. Job well done.
Linda and Dave H.
Toronto, Ontario
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Last summer [2006], I took a group of 18 students
to China from the University of North Dakota. I asked Laurus Travel to
make many of the arrangements for us and I was extremely happy with how
smoothly everything went. Julius and the others at Laurus worked with us
to get everything we asked for and we had no problems at all on our trip.
The students loved our guides and thanks to Laurus Travel, our trip was a
huge success. I can't recommend this company highly enough!
Dr. Colleen Berry
Assistant Professor,
University of North Dakota
 Comment
on Leader:
An outstanding leader; we would go on any other trip with him. Laurus
would do well to use him to his fullest extent. His personal interest in
the clients was impressive, and he made us feel safe, independent, and
knowledgeable. He listened to our interests and needs. We can't say enough
good things about John Ma. He took initiatives to make our trip better
such as calling you about our extra time between flights in Chengdu. We
could not have asked for a better trip and travel company to deal with. We
are most satisfied; thank you for all you planning, support, and pleasant
dealings.
Fred and Nancy B.
Los Gatos, California
Stew and I really appreciated the value we
received for our time and money on your tour. It was a wonderful
experience. I recommend your tour without reservation to anyone who
expresses an interest in travelling to China. Please feel free to give our
names as references.
Marg and Stew B.
Georgetown, Ontario
Laurus gets our highest
recommendation. Dollar for dollar, personal care, the best of people
taking care of us every minute of every day. From the office, owner,
staff; you made this trip a memory of a life time. The sensory overload
was incredible at times but we would do this trip again anytime....after
recovering from the jet lag anyway. Bravo to Laurus. And Julius...You
showing up at the dinner was an extra treat. The personal touches never
ended.
Arthur L. and Janet C.
Vernon, British Columbia
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-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 5:15 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Tour Customer Survey
Harry was exceptional! He made the difference
from our trip being excellent to it being outstanding! The fact that Harry
had lived through and could tell us stories about the Cultural Revolution
and the student protests in Tiananmen Square made this trip much beyond
our expectations! The sights, activities and hotels were first rate. Harry
was the cream on the crop!
We were very very pleased with our trip and would
highly recommend Laurus Travel to anyone considering a trip to China. In
fact, I have already written an entry on the frommers.com message board
about our trip with your company as it was on the Frommers site that I
found out about Laurus Travel. Your company put together an exceptional
small group tour and we were thrilled to have had the opportunity to
experience China with such a wonderful group of 8 people. Thank you
Julius! It was also a pleasure to meet you in Beijing!
Cheri P.
Woodstock, Ontario
I was absolutely delighted with this trip. We
have traveled extensively in North America and Europe, but never in Asia
until now. I'm a history teacher and I taught world history for years, and
to be able to see so much of China and its history in just a few days was
remarkable. Many, many thanks for organizing an outstanding trip - and
that's especially true because it was so reasonably priced!
Charles C.
New York, New York
-----Original Message-----
From: Denise C. [e-mail deleted]
Sent: June 9, 2005 8:07 AM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Letter of Recommendation
Good Morning Julius,
I just want to let you know we truly enjoyed our
trip to China on the 24-days China Special [May 9-June 1]. Attached is a
recommendation letter for you to post on your website, if you wish. Peter
and I felt this venture was worth every penny. I will recommend Laurus
Travel to all my friends who wish to travel to China.
Thank you Laurus Travel,
Denise C.
Coquitlam, British Columbia
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 We
just completed our 18 day tour [China Odyssey, May 18, 2005] with
tour leader David Cheng. Everyone on our trip had a great time, and David
made everything interesting and humorous for us... He Deserves a big
raise! Attached is a picture of our group.
Thanks,
Paul M.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 Hi
Julius,
Just want to let you know how much we enjoyed our
trip with you to China. It was absolutely amazing. To see so much in 17
days [China Odyssey, April 13-30/05] without feeling 'hurried' was
incredible. The local guides were very personable and informative and we
got a good overall picture of this diverse country, and your extra
'anecdotes' just added to the overall understanding we now have of China.
We would also like to thank you for providing such excellent hotels and
restaurants, for changing the itinerary so we could see the sunrise over
the Great Wall and for that wonderful trip down the Yangtze River on the
Katarina, all done at such a reasonable cost. But most of all we would
like to thank you for being our tour guide, for your patience, your good
humour and your illuminating insights into the way China is today. This is
a trip that will linger long in our memories.
Thank you,
David and Marjorie D.
Kingston, Nova Scotia
ps. We are already starting to save for another Laurus trip in the near
future!
December 9, 2004
Click here or
go to
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/laurus-and-china-plus-tours.cfm
to read Mark M's report on China Odyssey tour he and his wife took in
October 2004.
If you search "laurus china tours" on
google.com, you probably will find a lot of articles and trip reports
related to Laurus Travel.
Just a short note to tell you how I feel about
the Oct. 6-23, 2004 China Odyssey tour I was on. In one word it was GREAT.
The hotels were all first rate, the transportation and bag handling were
handled with absolutely no problems, the food was excellent - varied and
interesting but always delicious. It was a good thing that I struggled a
bit with chopsticks, otherwise I would have eaten far too much.
The tour was very well planned to let us see as
much as we possibly could in the time we had. I’m not used to such an
active level of sightseeing, but I can’t think of a single thing I would
have been willing to miss.
It was certainly a pleasure for us to have such a
small group. We were always able to sit at the same table for lunch and
dinner, and there was a nice amount of space on the small busses we used.
I think it is worth a small premium to travel with such a small group, as
I am sure the experience is very different when the group size is over 20
or so.
One of the best features of our tour was in
having Linda Tan as our guide. I cannot imagine having anyone better
suited for that strenuous job. She has an excellent knowledge of all the
places we visited, a good sense of humour, lots of energy, and great
dedication to making the tour a complete success. I felt that Linda took
special care of me as I was by far the slowest and most out-of-shape of
the group - but I guess everyone felt that they got lots of care and
attention from Linda. In addition, Linda’s willingness to talk about her
personal life, her family and her education gave this tour a dimension far
beyond just looking at the sights.
Thanks for a great trip!
Robbie R.
Toronto, Ontario
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Just a note to let you know what a great time I
had on the Laurus Silk Road Tour! The whole trip was great -- the hotels,
the food, and the sights were all terrific. The guides and drivers were
helpful, knowledgeable and thoughtful. I'm telling all of my friends to
book their China trips through Laurus Travel. Please feel free to use my
name as a reference!!
Jan B.
Columbus, Ohio
click on image to enlarge |
click on image to enlarge |
From: joyce Robertson [e-mail address deleted]
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 9:22 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Customer Feedback
People think we are getting a commission from you as we have told anyone
who ask that they should use you if they want to go to China! Thank you so
much for arranging everything for us. We had a great time!
Joyce R.
Malvern, Ohio
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From: Tania G. [e-mail address deleted]
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 12:27 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: Tour Feedback
The trip was all that we had hoped for and much, much more. We would like
to thank you for all your help and look forward to recommending Laurus
Travel to all our friends!
Tania G.
Ottawa, Ontario
 I
can't describe what a wonderful trip we had in a short note. We had an
amazing time. Every day was filled with a new adventure and the time went
by so quickly that I can't believe we were on a fifteen day excursion. It
would be very difficult to choose a specific highlight of the trip but the
fact that we climbed the Great Wall of China was very much one of the
highlights of our lives. We fell in love with Linda Tan. She is an
excellent tour guide. She is very dedicated to her job and has so much
knowledge of all the sites that we visited as well as a lot of fun to be
with. The flexibility built into the trip and just enough free time to be
able to get out and visit spots on our own made this a perfect 15 days
[Oct. 15-29, 2003]. I'm sure a lot of planning on your part has gone into
these trips. I look forward to one day being able to contact you again to
arrange another China experience. If anyone is ever looking for a
reference I would be more than happy to talk to them.
Michele & Jacques G.
Oakville, Ontario
We really had an exceptionally good time during
our tour with Laurus Travel, certainly the most enjoyable travel
experience since our honeymoon! We would do the Laurus Travel experience
again and not change a thing! We found the tour to be very well
proportioned and balanced in terms of content and exposure. For example:
- We alternated between urban and rural exposures
to give us renewed contrast while preventing "culture overload".
- It is not easy to define the climax of the 3
week tour because the highlights were thoughtfully spaced and interspersed
with highly diverse historic, cultural, artistic and epicurean adventures.
Our first meeting as a group was thoughtfully
conducted and paved the way for the "family" association that quickly
evolved and allowed the feelings of sharing and discussion to enhance the
overall experience.
All of our guides were first rate, amicable and
enthusiastic. They spoke English well and carried an exceptional knowledge
of history and culture across the regions that we visited.
By the standard to which we are accustomed,
accommodation was at least very good and more than occasionally,
resplendent!
Meals? Who would have thought that we could eat
Chinese food for 3 weeks and never lose our enthusiasm for it? The
variations and creativity were awesome. The presentation sometimes
bordered on art. I never thought that we would be eating peas with
chop-sticks. We shall never forget that Chinese Scotch, either!
Service was excellent throughout the tour,
whether in a restaurant, bar, taxi or hotel. We can think of no instance
where we expressed a service need that was not fulfilled promptly and
courteously. We enthusiastically recommend Laurus Travel to anyone who
wants a diverse, First Class China travel experience.
Ron & Dawn P.
Kingston, Ontario
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 Weeks
have passed since our trip to China, but there is hardly a day when we do
not, in some way, go back and relive those days. That was an incredible
trip that will stay with us forever. Thank you for selecting an itinerary
and program that gave us as complete a picture of the country as was
possible in such a short time, for your superb organizational abilities in
making "things click" in a country where that is not always easy, for
providing transportation, restaurants, and accommodations that were
excellent, and for guides, both Mike Shen the national guide, and the
local guides, who were both helpful and informative. And, to top it all
off, the cost of the tour was extremely reasonable. Your name and e-mail
address now must be in a number of databases both locally and nationally.
Jim and I have been giving them out with gusto as we have no hesitation in
recommending your services.
Irene & James B.
Seattle, Washington
We loved China and have recommended a China trip
and Laurus Travel to friends. We would love to travel again in China and
would choose Laurus Travel, confident that the trip would be great.
Lyn & Terry P.
Richmond, British Columbia
We had an absolutely fabulous time, thank you so
very much. Everything went very smoothly and the group size was perfect.
We were very impressed with the organization and the country was amazing.
We would be very interested in going back to the silk road in the future -
not next year, but perhaps after that. Keep us in mind for this in the
future.
Wilma & Donald H.
Gabriola Island, British Columbia
 We
had a wonderful time in China. This vacation was a great adventure and we
would rate it a 10 out of ten. We will have no trouble in promoting your
company and China tours to our friends and others in the community. Please
feel free to use our names for personal reference.
Pat & Gail W.
Vernon, British Columbia
I have been to China three times over the past
five years and I am glad to say this trip with your company is simply the
best. John took very good care of everybody and we were fortunate to have
such a pleasant, experienced and fun person as our tour leader. The local
guides and drivers were very good too, they did everything possible to
accommodate our individual needs. I am looking forward to travelling with
your company again.
Steven M.
Toronto, Ontario
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I thoroughly enjoyed the recent China tour; your
planning is excellent. Everything which you described was provided, and
the arrangements exceeded my expectations. Eric is an outstanding
representative for Laurus. He’s cheerful and patient, and all arrangements
were very smooth. I would not hesitate to recommend Laurus and this tour
to others.
Dave M.
El Segundo, California
I was very pleased with all the tour
arrangements. I will be sending you a more formal letter which you may use
as a reference for future clients. You may also give my name and contact
information to any potential clients who might like to contact me
directly; they will receive from me high praise for your firm's services.
The Rev. Janet L.
Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you
for taking care of us so well during our recent trip to China. We were
completely satisfied and have nothing but great things to say about your
company. The guides and drivers couldn't have been better, they were
courteous, friendly, experienced and accommodating. The meeting with
Julius before the tour is another highlight of our experience dealing with
your company. Having contacted three other companies before visiting your
office, we found his knowledge and enthusiasm refreshing.... My
mother-in-law will travel with your company this fall, I am sure she'll
have a great time as we did.
Ron L.
Vancouver, British Columbia
 The
trip was wonderful. I feel that when you asked Eric to be our Tour
Director you were choosing the very best for us. He is both a gentle
person and a gentleman. We were pleased with the quality of the hotels,
meals and things we were able to do...
Marie W.
Petrolia, Ontario
Having been on many organised tours, I would like
to congratulate you for having done such a marvellous job. My sister and I
totally enjoyed the trip and have been enthusiastically promoting your
company among friends and neighbours. We are in love with China and look
forward to going back in the near future.
Teresa M.
Sydney, Australia
 Thanks
for a wonderful trip. Cathy and I had a great time. The local guides were
knowledgeable and went out of their way to make our visit enjoyable. The
hotels were better than expected and the East Queen was a first rate ship.
The group size was perfect and we really enjoyed getting to know our
fellow travelers. Dollar for dollar it was a great deal. Thanks again.
Dueane D.
Washington, DC
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Let me thank you so much for such a wonderful
trip (15-day China Experience in June, 2002). We really had a great time,
the sightseeing was wonderful, the hotels were superb and the company was
excellent. It was a pretty nice group we had there and most of all, the
guides were really experienced and knew the history of China very well, so
that the explanations were very clear and interesting. Richard, our guide
throughout the tour was very responsible and took care of us as if we were
his own children, we all liked him very much. He was really helpful in all
matters. The food was great, although a western meal here and there would
be nice too. Anyway, overall I would rate the trip a 10 out of 10. It
offered much more than we had expected. We are really grateful to you.
I have recommended you and this trip to many
friends, and you will be receiving some mails from people in Monterrey,
Mexico pretty soon. I tell them it is really worth the money. I wish you
would have other Asian destinations in your portfolio, like Japan,
Singapore, Malaysia, etc so that we might travel with your agency again
soon. We would like to repeat this wonderful experience.
Beatriz R.
Monterrey, Mexico
 I
am writing regarding the trip in Asia that I just completed. I have
nothing but praise for Laurus Travel. The trip that you established for us
was nothing short of first class. A group consisting of 10 college
students is a tough task alone, but our tour guide Eric was the most
organized, knowledgeable tour guide I have ever met. He was very
accommodating with us and made our experience a great one. Laurus Travel
is a great company and I will forever be grateful for your efforts in
making our trip in Asia enjoyable.
Brandon R. G.
Hudson, Ohio
We still couldn't believe what an incredible deal
we just got ourselves! Before we heard about your company through a
friend, we had done some research on the Internet and had a pretty good
idea about what we wanted to do and how much we'd expect to pay. Without
the friend's endorsement, we'd be hesitant to book with you because the
tour you offered seems too good to be true. How wrong could we have been!
I mean every aspect of the tour is fantastic, the hotels, the meals, the
guides, etc, exactly as you promised. We couldn't have asked for more.
Everybody on the tour agreed it was a steal at that price and the
arrangements far exceeded our expectations. Thank you so very much!!!
Please feel free to let us know, anytime, if you need us to be your
reference.
Tim & Amanda L.
Los Angeles, California
We were quite impressed and frankly a bit
surprised by the quality of the tour. I am sure that it will only improve
over the next few years as the equipment and quality of the local guides
progress. Many of us found Laurus on the internet and while your program
seemed to meet our needs, we were not sure of what to expect. We do now
and it was wonderful.
Dr. Donald C.
Salem, South Carolina
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We have just returned from our '15 day China
Experience' tour. Words can not express the experience. It was the most
fantastic trip we have taken, and we have travelled a great deal. It
exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were superb--yes the hotel
at Qufu was a little worn, but you did advise us that it was the best
available. The courteous and friendly staff certainly outweighed any
inconvenience of the room.
The food--what can I say!! My husband gained
about 10 lbs!! We enjoyed trying all the new dishes--and there were plenty
of them. In fact we felt guilty that we couldn't finish all of them. The
travel modes were wonderful and always punctual--from the great drivers of
the buses, to the train, to the air flights.
The itinerary was well planned and very
diversified. We were always very busy, but never felt rushed. The
information from the guides was very good and very interesting.
Oh yes, the guides. Their enthusiasm with their
country and their heritage made us feel privileged that we could share a
small part with them. Always friendly, always helpful in any way, going
out of their way to make sure we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the
tour. And they succeeded. I would like to make a special mention to our
national guide, Linda Tam. What a wonderful person she is. This was not a
job for her. This was her great joy to be able to share as much
information with us as she could, to make this a fun tour, and also to
learn from us as much as she could. Her knowledge was extensive. She never
missed any details of the tour, always on schedule, never allowing
anything to upset her because she always had everything well in hand. Her
smile was the first and last thing we saw everyday. She was not our tour
guide, she was our new friend. I hope that you become aware of her,
because she is a great ambassador for her country, and she would be
thrilled if she could visit Canada . I know you consider someone every
year to visit Canada, and I certainly hope you keep her in mind.
Again I would like to thank you for providing us
with such a wonderful trip. We were skeptical like many other people,
because it seemed too good to be true at such a low price. You definitely
proved us wrong. I hope you continue to increase your tours because we
will certainly consider your travel agency again, and will certainly
recommend you to our friends.
Chantal and Lorne Z.
Milton, Ontario
 Two
things that we forgot to mention, i.e., the two most memorable events - 1)
to spend the night at the very quaint old fashioned inn at the Great Wall
and woke up to see the Wall and climbed it with no other tourists but
fresh air and light dust of snow. 2) the bicycle ride in Yangshuo to see
the country side and the beautiful scenery. We had a great group and am
sure that they share most of the views that I have expressed. The
itinerary arranged by your company truly provided us with an impressive
panoramic view of China. I definitely recommend your company to all my
relatives and friends.
Thanks and wishing you continued success!
Mary & Bob F.
Thornhill, Ontario
Let us express our appreciation to you for the
outstanding China Panorama Tour October 8, 2003. The tour exceeded our
expectations in every aspect and left us with a great and lasting
appreciation for the country, its history, sights and people.
... and we hope that we have an opportunity to
travel with Laurus again. We would be pleased to serve as a reference for
your future potential customers, and you can certainly give them our
e-mail address if you wish to do so. Your have our highest recommendation,
and sincere thanks for a memorable visit to China.
Jan & Catherine K.
Woodbury, Minnesota
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 Betty
wrote: Every aspect of the trip surpassed my expectations. I was
especially delighted with the personal attention given to each of us in
our small group; I believe everyone felt valued and even pampered. Any
individual interests or needs were seen to immediately so that all were
delighted to follow the program and enjoy the experiences and each others'
company . This was not my first experience of a conducted tour but it was
by far the best.
Sue, Betty's daughter, wrote: This was my first
organized tour and I fear it has spoiled me for all others. I quickly felt
as if I was traveling with a knowledgeable friend. The activities
encourage group cohesion and the skills of both the tour leader and the
local guides contributed to a memorable experience. I have not been able
to stop talking about our adventures, none of which would have been
possible without the care and attention of Julius Yan and the local
guides.
Betty & Sue M.
Toronto, Ontario
Yes, the tour was fabulous. We did everything on
the itinerary and more! If anything we were too busy, but that is not
really a complaint. Our guide, Michael, worked very hard on our behalf and
went out of his way to add little extras and help out. For instance our
luggage was damaged and he interceded to secure a settlement with the
hotel involved. He worked extra hard with respect to our luggage and
transfers at airports and hotels...much appreciated. He is quite the
character and his knowledge, honesty, and sense of humour were
appreciated.
China remains a fascinating place and is rapidly
changing. We were there in 1995 and the changes were well under way and
this continues today. The Chinese are now touring about the country and
they are facing some major traffic congestion problems. Somehow though, I
think the Chinese will solve these problems.
Thanks for everything and we think we really got
our money's worth. We certainly think you run a top notch operation. You
gave excellent advice and we feel you earned our trust. We will pass your
name on to others and we will certainly use your services if required.
Best wishes for the future.
Yours truly,
Heather and Bob M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
 In
general, the trip was well beyond our expectations, well planned,
pampering, pleasing, and above all - very informative. We have recommended
it to our friends, and some of them have shown their interest in taking
the same trip themselves.
We hope to join in the future one more of your
trips. Thanks again.
Gil and Neomi W.
Jerusalem, Israel
Of all the international trips we have taken our
trip to China [22-day China Panorama, October 10 - 31, 2004] was the most
interesting and has left us with marvelous images of a beautiful country
in the throes of tremendous transition. We have never enjoyed a voyage
more.
Thanks for a wonderful experience.
Barney and Iris G.
Bellevue, Washington
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Erika and I returned from our trip Saturday night
full of happy memories. Everything was excellent, the hotels, the food,
the sightseeing program and all the arrangements, but especially our tour
leader, Linda Tan, who was on the job 24 hours a day, every day, always
concerned about our comfort and well being. Never before were we taken
care of so well!
Thank you very much,
Alfred S.
Toronto, Ontario
-----Original Message-----
From: R24spring@-------com
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 11:15 AM
To: Laurus Travel Inc.
Subject: Re: China Tour Feedback
Heidi, the Laurus guided trip to China was an
incredible experience and certainly the trip of my lifetime so far! To
visit a country as extensive and complex and culturally rich and diverse
as China is might have felt overwhelming or to the contrary not "in-depth"
enough. I must congratulate Laurus on the way the trip was organized, from
arrival in Shanghai to a quieter time on the Yangtze River cruise, then
back to changing hotels and boarding planes every 2 or 3 days. I feel that
I got a very comprehensive exposure to China and its people which
amazingly little wear and tear, thanks to the skillful way the trip was
laid out.
I especially appreciated the dependability of the
national and local guides and drivers to show up on time to meet us at the
airport. They were all highly professional and indeed experts on their
particular city/area/attractions. David Li in Guilin stands out in
particular for his engaging personality, enthusiasm in sharing ethnic
culture, in-depth historical and cultural knowledge, and high level of
English fluency. Thanks to David, we attended two spectacular shows that
greatly enriched our experience and understanding of China: "Impressions
of Guilin" in Yangshuo (which he personally escorted us to) and the
"Peacock Lady" and ethnic dancing and drumming show in Kunming (which
David told us not to miss).
The Yangtze River cruise and the day boat trip on
the Lijang River were the trip highlights for me. Our river guide on the
Victoria Star was really excellent. One suggestion I made to the crew
manager on that ship was to have more information available (perhaps in
their library) about the local flora and fauna. There were many flowering
plants and trees along the river that no one was able to identify for me.
I think ecotourism, and I mean of the upscale kind, will be an up and
coming thing in China. At least as a Californian, I believe that many
people in the US will be attracted to China to experience the incredible
biological diversity there. Along those lines, I would like to suggest
that in future tours you include the newly opened (August 2005) Three
Gorges Museum in Chongqing. I happened upon it only by chance. It is truly
spectacular and, after having just cruised the Yangtze, I found that it
added greatly to my understanding of that unique area.
Also, I would like to congratulate you on your
choice of hotels which in general were first class. The New Otani in
Beijing was certainly the most elegant and luxurious. I visited their
immaculate spa and olympic pool daily. Also the location of the hotel was
quite strategic, near the center but conveying a sense of space, peace and
quiet.
I came away from the tour more than satisfied and
am recommending to all my friends that if they are considering visiting
China (I tell them they should and soon!), they must check out Laurus
Travel's guided tour options. As for me, I am definitely planning to China
in the next five years!
Many thanks,
Robin Spring
Watsonville, CA 95076
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From: Monica B@xxxxxxxxxxxx.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 8:12 PM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: China Tour Comments
John [tour leader] was very conscientious and gracious. He was patient
with all of us and knowledgeable and was very happy and eager to share the
Chinese experience with us. His logistical skills, as far as keeping us
together, facilitating our plane trips, hotel check ins, working with the
local guides were superb!
It was fun to get to know John and to see him relax and become more
comfortable and personal with us as the days of the tour progressed. He is
top notch and must be one of your best guides! John really made the whole
experience exceptional!
I really enjoyed the cruise down the Yangtze River, and especially enjoyed
the day cruise down the Li River. The karst were magnificant and like
nothing I'd ever seen before. I think those will be the photographs that I
will treasure the most from this trip!
Thank you!
Monica B.,
Denver, Colorado
From: Norman & Catherine Fxxx [nfloe@xxxxxxxxxxx.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2003 1:50 PM
To: info@laurustravel.com
Subject: China Tour with Laurus
Dear Julius,
There's no need to worry about "pursuit of
excellence", as you have already achieved it.
The trip couldn't have been any better. The
itinerary was perfectly planned, and gave us a general overview of the
areas visited, while allowing us to focus on many aspects of Chinese
history and geography, architecture and art, and customs and culture.
Linda was a wonderful tour leader, giving us a
warm welcome to her Country, and displaying endless energy and enthusiasm
throughout the trip. She was a very knowledgeable and informative tour
guide, and a great logistician who ensured our comfort and care at all
times.
From a monetary viewpoint, the trip was a real
bargain. We had two weeks of wonderful experiences, and memories for a
lifetime.
A big "Thank You" to all at Laurus!
Catherine F.
Galiano Island, British Columbia
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