Comments
Turkey and the Greek Isles

We booked our 30th wedding anniversary trip through Susie Mammel at Art of Travel. Everything was fantastic; flight seats, being picked up and delivered to airports, incredible hotel accommodations and tour guides, the best room on the ship! We have never felt so pampered and taken care of. Our trip was amazing, start to finish.
Thank you Susie and Art of Travel for creating such a memorable trip for us!

Sandy & Richard

Hagia Sofia 

Basilica Cistern

Santorini, Greece

Comments
Galapagos Cruise

I’m here in the Galapagos relaxing with my friends the Sea Lions.  This indeed a trip

of a lifetime!  I felt so at peace and at one with nature, as it was meant to be. Up close

and personal.  I loved every minute of this trip, a life changing experience.  

Sandy

Comments
Alaskan Cruise

Susie, 

Attached are some photo's taken during our 50th anniversary Alaskan cruise. The trip far exceeded expectations...sightseeing was awesome!...weather very pleasant!...shipboard life offered something for everybody-the kids LOVED it!...we did it all -ziplining, dogsledding, kayaking, rafting, float planes to watch bears catching salmon, etc.

Best of all...wonderful family togetherness, and lot's of great memories. This was a PERFECT venue for a family trip. Lot's of fun and just the right mix of activities and family time.

Mike & Nancy

Mike & Nancy

Bear & Salmon

 At a cabin on Kenai Peninsula

Preparing for a speedboat excursion

    

Comments
Iceland, Copenhagen, & Sweden

Dee,
Thank you so much for making our trip absolutely wonderful- we really appreciate your help and wonderful suggestions. We will call on our next trip!
Dave & Gena

Comments
Iceland

Susie,  Thank you for arranging our trip to Iceland this summer.  The Ponant cruise line is amazing, and Tauck Tours provided fabulous lecturers and guides and as usual took great care of us.  Iceland is a fascinating destination.  We felt like we were traveling into the beginning of geologic time.  The country has a vast, fresh wildness about it.  And where else can you dine on fermented shark followed by a shot of a beverage called "black death"!  That was definitely a "once in a lifetime" experience for us!  

Again, thanks for organizing an excellent adventure.

Reg and Joris

Fred and Elizabeth

Comments
Mackinac Island, Michigan

Dee:  Once again Tauck came through with a wonderful trip to Mackinac Island.  We would encourage everyone to take this trip.
Jenene and Jim

Comments
Reichstag
Berlin, Germany

Dee:  Our guide for the Reichstag was superb!  Having lunch in the Dome after viewing Berlin from the top of the Reichstag was a fantastic idea.
Thanks, Molly and Jim

Comments
Bari, Italy

Dee:  Everything is going wonderfully.  Thanks for including Bari in our itinerary as we were able to have dinner and some fun with 7 of our relatives.  Having a car plus using the fast trains has been a great way to see a lot of Italy.
Gerry and Holly

Reflections for Art of Travel

We love planning incredible adventures for our clients, so it's always fun to hear feedback and see the memories that they were able to capture!

July 21, 2015
Susie,
...I also appreciate your care and expertise in planning my perfect trip to South Africa and Botswana. Your personal touch gave me confidence!
Hugs,
Sue

 One of the seven Leopards they saw on the trip!

Steve, Ginger, Jill, Mary Jo, Sue, Margo, Terry, and Susan

Mother Rhino

 *Photos courtesy of Ginger

August 5, 2015
Dear Susie,
...Art of Travel introduced me to the wonders of art, architecture, world of shopping and the scholarly strong women who traveled with you. Always keep me in mind if you need an extra traveler for a reservation or a museum visit or opera friend- I will do the same...

Fashion as Art- London

September 10, 2015
Hi Susie,
We had a delightful time in Bar Harbor.
We stayed at the cottage at Harborside Inn... Hardwood floors through out the unit with a views of the harbor to enjoy on our deck.  Also, we had our own jacuzzi and seating area above us, specific to our room.  Highly recommend...
We went on the water the first day.  That was relaxing.  Second day, we watched the sunrise off Cadillac Mountain and went on a 13 mile bike ride on the carriage roads at Acadia National Park.  We had the most delicious popover at Jordon Pond, the only restaurant in Acadia.
We had other friends who were vacationing there at the same time.  So having a little cottage was perfect to entertain company after dinner.
A wonderful weekend.
Regards,
Joe Joe

Harborside Inn

September 15, 2015

From Susie: 

Just back form the Galapagos having had an incredible, interactive experience with nature. By nature I mean blue and red footed boobies, giant tortoises, California sea lions, and so much more. With International Expeditions we went on two hikes and one snorkel trip everyday. The food onboard the Evolution was fresh and delicious and the company engaging. I highly recommend the Galapagos adventure if you're a nature lover. 

Susie Mammel

Susie with a Galapagos Land Iguana

Galapagos Giant Tortoise 

Comments
Art of Travel's New Website

Susie, I have just spent the last 2 hours or more having the loveliest of times reliving our trips to Morrocco and Bangkok and Burma on your new website and gallery. Thank you, thank you for all sorts of photos I had not seen and pots and pots of glorious memories. 

Your luncheon at DMNS was lovely and I am intrigued by that trip.
Best, Nancy

Comments

Iceland/Tauck Cruise 

Susie:  

DID WE EVER [enjoy the cruise]!     The cruise was fantastic;  amazing scenery and experiences and Tauck first class as always. Can't begin to tell you how much Fred and I enjoyed and appreciated having a stateroom - really, I should have been in touch to thank you for arranging and I apologize for being tardy.   What an absolute pleasure - spoiled for all time.

Loved it, loved it, loved it.

Thank you, Susie; you are absolutely on top of everything, as always.

Elizabeth

Comments
St. Ives, Cornwall, England
April 2015

Dear Susie and Dee,
We are happily ensconced in our lovely B&B in St. Ives!  Everything has gone perfectly. Dee, no problem getting our train tickets and the Paddington Hilton was right in the station, couldn't be any easier for jet lagged folks. We picked up sandwiches at the MS in the station and our first class train car was immaculate and so comfy. Now we are off to the Tate, St Ives and Barbara Hepworth studio and gardens. Then we will toast you both in a pub by the sea!...Sara

Additional Comments & Trip Photos
Charleston, South Carolina
Art of Travel Group Trip
April 2015

Sue:  Just need to say THANK YOU for putting together a very enjoyable trip to Charleston....I am "in love" with the place and want to return!  When I do, I'll know exactly what to see for the second time, pursue for the first and skip!  Love the history and really knew next to nothing about that colony/state.  Fun to see all my Peru trip pals and meet another lovely group of women from Denver and Aimee!

Here are some photos from the trip:

Our group at Middleton Plantation

Enjoying the ride

Charles Finley, our Charleston guide, showing sweetbread baskets

Aimee on step-up block

Daughter and Mother at Middleton Gardens

1000 year old Middleton Oak in background

Comments
Charleston, South Carolina
Art of Travel Group Trip
April 2015

Sarah:  ....What a wonderful trip!  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  I have so many wonderful memories.  I thought you covered so much so well.   The houses and gardens of course were superb.  The guides were wonderful, as was the Bluegrass concert.  I loved our dinners, and it was a treat to be with you at them.  Goodness!  As you know, I've heard nothing but raves about your trips.  Now I understand why.... You are very understated, calm, and delightful....A tour guide has to work very hard.  Yet, you don't appear harried at all!...  What a great group of women!  Of course that's what makes a trip too.....

Dena:  Many thanks for arranging a most enjoyable trip to Charleston.  A stellar group...a fantastic tour of this historic-beautiful-charming city, and such delicious "southern" eateries!  Plus viewing lovely homes and gardens.  A memorable time for all.  You are the BEST tour guide ever.  So glad I was part of the adventure.

Nancy:  While the trip is fresh in my mind, I am going to share some of my thoughts and reflections.  First of all, I so enjoyed that you organized the trip!  I have been on numerous "girl" trips and I am forever grateful to the one who has spent hours of coordination and planning to make the trip a success!  I thought you did a beautiful job at organizing the trip, in providing structure and flexibility at the same time....The accommodations were fine for me.  I understood that this was more of a budget tour in order to pay for the tours, guides, etc.  A room on any of these tours is only really for sleeping, showering and dressing.  I know there was some grumbling from a few about the accommodations, but I was glad you did not book a four star hotel.  It was not necessary....In terms of what we saw, I felt we received a very good overview of the architecture, history, antiques of Charleston....I enjoyed meeting some new people who had the interest in seeing the gardens, architecture, art and furniture.  Thank you again for all that you did for us!

Sandy: I agree with all that Nancy said but as you know many were upset with the accommodations.  At this stage I would like to stay in places unique to the area, nicer with more amenities,i.e., more upscale.  Many in the group agree.  I think you understand.  Also, I think we need to stick to smaller groups.  It make for a more intimate group.

Nancy #2: 

"I love Charleston just not the noseums that found me the last night!  All the restaurants were great, and, I really liked Fig.  It's always fun to get to know people better which I had the chance to do on this trip.  Thank you for putting it altogether and giving us new experiences."

Comments
England - Scotland

Comments from guide regarding tour of Edinburgh Castle:

“…they (Elizabeth, Adam and family)  were a delightful family. I wish my grandchildren were so well behaved! Everything went really well and I'm sure the enjoyed their time in Edinburgh and Stirling. Weather was good too which was a bonus! They certainly saw Edinburgh at its liveliest with all the Irish rugby celebrations on Saturday. I hope the rest of their trip goes as well. " Maggie, Guide

Comments
Dubai and Phuket
January 2015

"This is the BEST place for a honeymoon."  Megan and Jim