REVIEWS
Cambodia + Vietnam
“I love planning my trips with Tesa. All I need to do is give Tesa my requests and requirements and it is done! Tesa is flexible in making changes and gets it done quickly and without me ever having to be concerned about anything. She also checks in periodically during the trip to be sure everything is going well and smoothly which I appreciate.
I currently have another trip planned with Tesa in May and am working on a new, additional trip with her for July. Tesa is THE BEST and I highly recommend her and the team she works with.”
L.Cammarata, NYC
Reviewd on Mar 6, 2026
Our December 26–January 6 Antarctica expedition aboard Atlas’ World Traveller was an outstanding relaxed, yacht‑style 5‑star experience. Service throughout the voyage was excellent, the food consistently superb, and the expedition team both highly knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about wildlife and the White Continent. Mr Nano the Yacht GM was especially responsive, along with the entire team's guest‑first attitude left us feeling very well taken care of. Fellow passengers were an mix of adventurous, well‑traveled global trotters, which created a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere for all activities, from Zodiac cruises and shore landings to unforgettable wildlife viewing. Overall, this voyage delivered exactly what we hoped for in a small‑ship luxury Antarctic adventure, and we would happily sail with Atlas again.
J.Matters, RI - 09 Jan 2026
ANTARCTICA
Thank you Tesa for strategically planning out our entire journey from transportation to hotels to activities and also out tour guides. Everything was perfect and thanks to your expertise we were able to enjoy our trip without all the headache and stress of planning and organizing all the details. You made our trip memorable and stress free. Thank you Tesa!!!
M.Harper, CO - 20 Oct 2025
ITALY
“Tesa and Rafe once again nailed it! We cannot thank you enough for the exceptional 10-day trip to Japan you planned over Thanksgiving for our family of five. Traveling with different ages and interests can be a challenge, but this itinerary struck a perfect balance—thoughtfully weaving together food, culture, art, nature, and shopping, with an ideal mix of guided experiences and unstructured time. Our journey began in Tokyo with an incredible stay at the Grand Hyatt Roppongi. The location was superb, the city views were stunning, and the breakfast quickly became a daily highlight for our family. Traveling by bullet train to Kanazawa and Kyoto was a memorable experience in itself, offering breathtaking views of the countryside and the stunning mountain ranges, including an unforgettable glimpse of Mount Fuji. Throughout the trip, your logistics were seamless, combining private transfers with public transportation in a way that felt both comfortable and authentic. In Kyoto, we stayed at the truly special family-owned Relais & Châteaux ryokan, Kanamean Nishitomiya, discreetly tucked away near Nishiki Market. The ryokan was exquisitely designed, featuring a remarkable collection of art and design books, along with exceptional service and beautifully prepared meals. Exploring Kyoto and its surroundings was a highlight, from the serene Arashiyama district with its awe inspiring bamboo grove, gorgeous and lush gardens, and divine temples to the deeply calming visit to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion). That experience was made even more meaningful by our guide, Yayoi—warm, engaging, and wonderfully knowledgeable. We were consistently impressed by the caliber of the guides, the carefully chosen restaurants, and the thoughtful pacing of the itinerary. Standout moments included the Shibuya food night crawl with food expert John and the sushi nigiri–making experience with Taki—both unforgettable and perfectly suited to our family. This was our third unforgettable family trip planned by Tesa and Rafe and once again they exceeded every expectation. Each journey has been entirely unique and impeccably tailored. We are deeply grateful for their care, expert knowledge, creativity, and attention to detail, and we cannot wait to plan our next adventure with them.”
A. Bedoya, NY - 15 Jan 2026
JAPAN
Tesa planned an informative trip through the cultural sites of Belgium and The Hague. Really great to see with knowledgeable guides and well timed lunch breaks at excellent local places.
M.Proicou, NYC- 28 Oct 2025
Belgium and The Hague
We were stuck as to where we wanted to spend our vacation this year and asked Tesa. She suggested Istria, which I frankly knew nothing about. Once we researched it a bit we built our trip around a week on the Istrian Penninsula. Tesa arranged our accommodations and tours in Rovinj. We loved the entire trip, which was almost 2 weeks in Croatia (including a Backroads Multi Adventure tour). But the week in Rovinj was magical. Tesa always books us in wonderful hotels and suggests interesting and fun tours. A highlight was truffle hunting! At this point I cannot imagine going on a trip that would not have Tesa’s help and planning.
R.Baker, FL - 26 Sep 2025
Croatia + Slovenia
Travels with Tesa made our trip to London and Edinburgh so much easier and enjoyable than if we had tried to plan it ourselves. We requested that our trip be customized for our 11 year old daughter and Tesa provide an excellent tour package of Harry Potter, Paddington, and museums, that our daughter thoroughly enjoyed experiencing. The arranged hotel accommodations were very nice, the arranged ground transportation, train travel, and tour guides were excellent. Overall, the entire trip was very enjoyable and I highly recommend using Travel with Tesa. We can't wait to use Tesa again.
C.Jennison, VA - 15Aug 2025
London + Scotland
We had the most unforgettable experience thanks to Rafe Totengco, who curated our recent trip to Rome and Venice in June. Every detail in Rome was flawlessly arranged—from the moment we landed to our seamless check-ins and thoughtfully curated private tours that brought the city to life in a personal and meaningful way.
Venice was pure magic. Rafe arranged a private water taxi that made our arrival feel like a movie scene, and he secured an upgraded room with an incredible view of the canal—it truly took our breath away. The attention to detail and personal touches throughout made this a trip to remember. We can’t thank Rafe enough for creating such a beautiful and memorable journey. Highly recommend!
J.Herd, California - 17 Jul 2025
ITALY
Tesa creates a seamless and amazing travel experience for every type of traveler. We have enlisted Tesa to plan our trips a few times and she never ceases to amaze us. Tesa and her team did wonders with last minute changes to our flights due to circumstances beyond our control. Excellent service !
T.Ignacio, Philippines - 14 Jul 2025
BRAZIL
Tesa was awesome! She made great recommendations and scheduled tours and guides for us that really made our trip. It felt like a personalized luxury experience without being too stuffy. During the trip the app she provides made it so easy to keep on schedule and we even got updates as flights were changed, etc. We plan to call on Tesa for additional trips!
A.Cooper, FL - 02 Jul 2025
SPAIN
I have been a client of Travels with Tesa for several years now and several trips. Tesa truly listens to me and endeavors to create travel experiences that I seek. In the planning process Tesa is flexible when I want to alter anything from where I stay to what I want to see. She is never flummoxed by my inquiries over logistics, timing, airlines selected, or touring options. Calmness and professionalism are her hallmarks as an outstanding travel expert. I trust her implicitly and will continue to use her services exclusively. My experience with many different travel agents has taught me that separates this travel agency from any other luxury level travel agency that I have dealt with in the past.
N.Root, VA - 27 Jun 2025
Puglia, Italy
We had a fantastic trip to Thailand thanks to Tesa! We couldn't be happier with the accommodations she chose or the service she provided, especially on a short timeline! Inter-country travel was seamless and we never had to worry about a thing. I couldn't recommend Tesa more to plan your next adventure!
L. Lehigh, CA - 17 Jun 2025
Thailand
We have travelled all over the world and used several travel agencies, but Travels with Tesa is at the very top of the list. Her personalized service, attention to detail, unique experiences, and quality suggestions place her a notch above the rest. We will definitely be using her services again . . . in fact, we already are.
D.Luner, CA - 12 May 2025
Netherlands
My son and I spent 10 days in Japan. It was an exception father son trip. We visited Tokyo, Mount Fuji Kyoto and Hiroshima. We really got a good flavor of Japanese culture. The trip was splendidly thought out and planned by Tesa using our requirements and feedback. I would unhesitantly use her in the future.
G. Carthy, IN - 20 Apr 2025
Japan
My husband and I have traveled with Tesa several times, and also have enlisted her to plan trips for just the both of us. Without fail, the journeys have been spectacular. This last visit to Nepal and Bhutan, with a small group of friends led by Tesa, was no exception, characterized by amazing experiences, outstanding accommodations, and great guides and ground support. Importantly, when plans changed suddenly because of unforeseen circumstances like the weather, Tesa and her local partners were able to pivot quickly and conjure up new options, like a magician and his proverbial rabbit. She took all the stress out of traveling, so that we could simply enjoy the itinerary for the day, trusting that we were in the best hands.
F.Drogin, MD - 18 Apr 2025
Nepal + Bhutan
Tesa’s expertise is not just in the itinerary that she plans perfectly, it is in the care that she puts into the small details that make a trip seamless and extraordinary. Bayeux brought us to a different era, and a visit to the landing beaches, a reminder of the horrors of war. Mont St. Michel, a foreboding fortress and Honfleur, a quaint seaside village, are must visits. Tesa, tu es merveilleux!
K.Sio, CT - 31 Mar 2025
Normandy, France
If you're looking to elevate your travel experience to new heights, look no further. I used Tesa's services for my honeymoon to Asia and was blown away by the personalized service, attention to detail, and seamless coordination. From the very first interaction, it was clear that Tesa isn’t just about booking flights and hotels—it’s about crafting a journey tailored to your desires. She takes the time to understand your unique preferences, interests, and travel style, ensuring that every aspect of your trip reflects your vision of luxury and comfort.
S.Zyriek, NJ - 25 Mar 2025
Thailand
We can't say enough good things about working with Tesa! From start to finish, every detail of our trip was flawlessly organized, and it was clear she went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. She listened closely to our interests and tailored an itinerary that was spot on, hitting all the hidden gems and unique experiences that made the journey unforgettable. Her and her teams communication was outstanding - they were quick and prompt to respond to any questions or adjustments we had while on our trip, which made us feel completely supported. We were particularly impressed by how effortlessly she handled last-minute changes, keeping everything smooth and stress-free. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares about creating a memorable, customized travel experience, I highly recommend Tesa!
LSmith, IN - 10 Nov 2024
Italy
I recently had the pleasure of working with Tesa for our trip to the Amalfi Coast and Rome, and I cannot recommend her highly enough! From start to finish, she meticulously planned every detail, ensuring we had drivers to take us seamlessly from place to place and expert tour guides who enriched our experiences with fascinating insights.
Tesa also curated an amazing list of restaurants that allowed us to indulge in authentic local cuisine—each meal was a treat! Her attention to detail and personalized touch made our trip both stress-free and unforgettable. If you're looking to explore Italy, definitely reach out to Tesa—you won’t be disappointed!
M.Criscito, CA - 20 Oct 2024
Italy
Early October 9 nights in Italy, 6 Taormina, 3 Florence. Another superb Tesa trip! Many prior trips and extended stays in Italy but first in Sicily and loved our time there. 6 nites Taormina La Plage hotel water view. Lovely resort. Excellent travel and touring. Taormina, Mt Etna, Gambino vineyard, Siracusa and Ortigia, Agrigento, Palermo (churches!), would redo this itinerary. Drove across Sicily a few times and really got to the essence of this lovely place. Awesome guides and drivers. Will bring grandchildren there someday.
R.Kayne, CT - 20 Oct 2024
Italy
I asked Tesa for a stress free trip as we were traveling with two grand daughters in numerous countries and did not want to spend the time worrying about how to get from point A to point B. And we needed places to stay that accommodated four of us in two cities and three of us in three more cities. The entire trip was planned flawlessly and went seamlessly. The hotels she booked perfectly suited our needs. The network that provided our land package were always where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there. And our tours were enlightening and enhanced each place we went. I would rate our trip a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being perfect. It helped that our weather was also perfect, not sure how she got that part done! I plan to use Tesa whenever I go abroad. She made it easy and delightful.
R.Baker, FL - Aug 24, 2024
UK + Netherlands + Luxembourg
“Tesa did a wonderful job of helping me plan our first trip to Istanbul from finding the perfect hotel to booking us an awesome tour guide who showed us around Istanbul and introduced us to local culture, from bringing us to a local Turkish restaurant which was so yummy and helping us navigate purchasing local products and souvenirs. Tesa followed up and made herself available when it mattered and I look forward to engaging her services again for our future travels. My husband was reluctant to go to Istanbul but Tesa made it worthwhile and we all had a great 3-day Istanbul trip. Thank you, Salamat, Arigato Tesa!”
T.Matera, Tokyo - Aug 8, 2024
Turkey
“As seasoned travelers who typically plan our own adventures, we recognized that our first visit to Morocco warranted some expert guidance. Fortunately, we found Tesa! From our first conversation, we were confident that she understood our preferences and interests. She orchestrated the perfect getaway, crafting every experience and managing every detail, making it easy and carefree for us. Thanks to Tesa, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty and culture of Morocco without a single worry.”
D.McKenzie, GA - June 4, 2024
Morocco
Netherlands + France + Switzerland
“When we first contacted Tesa we only knew the European countries that we wanted to visit (Netherlands, France, Switzerland) and the date range for the entire trip. Tesa created an excellent itinerary that was jam packed with fun activities but also gave us some time in each location to explore on our own. Each of our hotels she selected were in great locations close to public transit and were good quality rooms. We did a number of different tours on our trip and the guides we were set up with were charming and knowledgeable. We definitely felt like we got more value in our experiences than we would have got by booking on our own. Tesa made us aware she was available for any issues that popped up during our time, but we didn't have any major problems for the entire 2 weeks. Every ticket and voucher provided worked fine. Having our itinerary on the Trip Plans app was a tremendous help. We're very satisfied with our experience booking through Tesa and would recommend her services. “
The Hollands, ID - May 24, 2024
Tesa was a huge help in planning our trip to Portugal and southern Spain. Everything from airport transfers to the tours and accommodations were top notch. She is very easy to work with and has a lot of insightful tips. Thanks for everything!
D.O’Malia, Ohio - 15 May 2024
Spain
“This was our first cruise and we were ambivalent about booking it but when Tesa said that if we were willing to try a cruise that this would be the ship and the itinerary to do it with. We are so glad we trusted her advice. We are looking forward to our next voyage of land based vacation and we will surely be reaching out to Tesa to plan it.”
P & A.Casimiro, NY - 29 Jan 2024
Explora Journeys Cruise
Istanbul, Turkey
“Tesa planned our 36hr Istanbul stop over from gate to gate starting with a Hamam to shake off the jet lag, followed by a city center walking tour by an experienced guide. We were able to make the most of our time, seamlessly.”
J.Matters, RI- 27 Jan 2024
Both trips I have taken that were organized by Tesa have been terrific. The Galapagos trip took the cake as it is so other-worldly. With effective organization and coordination combined with quality transportation, seamless transfers, and upscale accommodations, Tesa facilitates our ability to relax worry free. It is worth every penny.
C.Tanco, TX - 24 Jan 2024
Galapagos, Ecuador
Tesa once again did it! 3 years in a row she has been helping me plan my birthday trips. This year has been more special & meaningful because I just turned 40 & she delivered. It was a breeze planning with her. She made sure everything was set. We were impressed with our tour guides & the restaurants she had reserved us for dinner. It was well thought & planned. Thank you Tesa for helping me out every year. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for my 2024 trip.”
E.Barbon, TX - 23 Nov 2023
Italy
My husband and I reached out to Tesa, having read a travel article in the Washington Post last year that cited her as an excellent travel agent, for our sudden October/November trip to Madrid and Kingston-upon-Thames to visit family and friends. With just a month ahead of our desired departure date, Tesa found us discounted business class flights for our multiple stop itinerary, a fabulous 5 star hotel in Madrid that was within walking distance of museums, galleries, and restaurants but quietly situated (a rarity in bustling Madrid). She also helped us find a more modest accommodation in Kingston-upon-Thames that enabled us to walk to our friend’s home and easily access bus and rail lines. Although we were visiting familiar places, Tesa came through with complicated flight tickets and perfect accommodations. We were also impressed with her accessibility during our trip when we needed to reach out to her even though she, herself, was traveling. We strongly recommend Tesa for any and all of your traveling needs. We’re really glad we found her.
N.Root, VA - 12 Nov 2023
Spain + UK
Tesa planned the most amazing vacation for our family for my Father-in-Law's 70th birthday in Ireland. She really listened to our our interests, and planned a vacation that included so many unique and special experiences. It was the trip of a lifetime!
L.Beck, OK - 15 Sept 2023
Ireland
Tesa and her local support in Italy hit everything out of the park. It was truly a memorable time and a trip my family and I will remember forever. Nothing was left to worry about, the tours, reservations, guides, drivers, porters, and accommodations were all taken care of. The accessibility of our itinerary on the App added convenience to our day. It truly was a special time and we enjoyed every second we had in Italy! I can't wait to plan my next trip with Travel with Tesa.
S.Hallows, NC - 18 July 2023
Italy
Tesa was fantastic to work with! She took care of all our needs in a timely fashion-flights, tour plans, guides, transportation, and dinner reservations. She created an app for us to follow our day by day adventures, and the people assigned to us were all so knowledgeable and spoke greet English! The hotels she chose were great and centrally located! All in all an amazing experience! Thanks Tesa!
B.Evenson, CO - 18 July 2023
Italy
This trip was truly magical. The travel process was perfectly planned and tracked to eliminate typical worry and stress, which allowed us to relax and enjoy every minute. The itinerary of sightseeing and cultural tours was well balanced with shopping, relaxing and beaching. Our accommodations and related services were First Class in every respect. We can hardly wait to visit again and will certainly use Tesa and team to assist!!
A.Deckas, MN - 12 July 2023
Greece
Our trip to the Azores and Lisbon was the first time I'd worked with a professional to plan a trip. It was for our two-week honeymoon and we were hoping for a trip of a lifetime and that's exactly what we got! Every detail from accommodations to planned tours and recommended activities seemed perfectly tailored to us and our interests. When we first had the idea to visit the Azores, we'd done some initial planning before working with Tesa, but with her advice, we were able to make better decisions on where to stay and how to hit all the islands we wanted to see . With the stress of planning a wedding, Tesa was able to make the honeymoon one less thing to worry about, she took care of the plans, the arrangement, end to end. It felt like all we had to do was show up to the airport on time. Now that we've worked with Tesa, I can’t imagine planning a trip any other way.”
L.Rose, VT - 07 July 2023
Portugal
James, Beau, and I express our sincere gratitude for the fantastic travel memories you created for us. Your attention to detail and dedication to curating the perfect trip was appreciated.
You had thoughtfully planned every aspect of our trip, from the accommodations to the activities. I especially enjoyed Truffle hunting and spending time with locals in their they were homes. James loved the bike tour; he still could not stop talking about our tour guide's excellence! He was a walking encyclopedia! Beau's favorite was the sea kayaking around Dubrovnik.
As usual, the level of detail and planning that went into our trip was incredible. Last year bef,ore our annual summer vacation you took the time to get to know our interests and preferences, and you created an itinerary that was perfect for us. We never had to worry about anything, as you had everything taken care of.
We had an incredible experience on our trip to Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. We would not have had such a wonderful time without your help. We are beyond grateful we found you and will always have you curate memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you again for everything!
The Landers ❤️, CO - 26 June 2023
Slovenia + Croatia + Montenegro
We really loved all of the cultural and historical sites, the natural beauty of Cappadocia and the beach time in Bodrum. Your suggestions for dining and sightseeing were fantastic - very well suited for our tastes. Look forward to more exciting trips in the future!
L. Forish, New York City - 08 Jun 2023
Turkey
We had an outstanding 50th anniversary travel to Tetons, Yellowstone, Cody, Black Hills(Rushmore/Crazy Horse), Badlands. Extraordinarily beautiful natural sites and great historical visits. Excellent lodging choices, super guided tours (mostly private), best available restaurants. Driving the wide open spaces and feeling at complete peace and totally off the grid.
A unique most refreshing vacation. Tesa lined this all up masterfully and made this a most memorable journey.
R.Kayne, Connecticut - 06 June 2023
USA
Tesa planned our family trip to Scotland, and it exceeded our expectations. She obviously listened closely to what we wanted because everything - hotels, tours, transportation - was just as we wanted it to be. When we had a few glitches along the way, Tesa responded promptly, and the local planners she worked with were also super responsive. They ironed out the glitches without hassle, and we proceeded along our way smoothly. I enthusiastically recommend Tesa to anyone wanting a lovely, worry-free vacation!
C.Fry, New Mexico - 05 Jun 2023
Scotland
Tesa is an experienced, competent and knowledgeable travel adviser. She did an excellent job in organizing our trip to Rapa Nui, Atacama and Torres del Paine. We had to change the dates of our flights and hotel accommodations in such a short notice, but Tesa and her team were able to fix our flight schedules and hotel stays as soon as possible.
Vic and Tess, Philippines - reviewed on 12 May 2023
Chile
For nearly a year, Tesa and I have been planning my 2 month solo trip to 7 European countries. I reached out to her when I was incredibly stressed with the thought of planning such a long and intricate trip. Tesa made the impossible possible and I can’t thank her enough. I wouldn’t change a single thing about this trip which speaks to how detail-oriented and thoughtful she is. What I experienced in these short 2 months has been life changing thanks to her planning and guidance. Needless to say, I will be turning to Tesa for all of my international travels moving forward!!
A. Felici, New York City - reviewed on 17 April 2023
SOLO TRAVEL: Portugal + Spain + France + Netherlands + Germany + Czech Republic + Austria
We absolutely loved working with Tesa and the travels she arranged for us in Patagonia.
To appreciate the experience of working with Tesa, I’ll say a few words about how and why did we came to work with Tesa, how she planned the trip, and how the trip worked out.
My son suddenly proposed we have an adventure together instead of going on spring break with his college friends. We chose hiking in Patagonia, a trip that had intrigued us for years. Typically I make my own travel plans, but this was last minute in high season in countries we hadn’t traveled with many pieces that needed to come together and be reserved immediately.
We recalled seeing an article about Tesa having planned a trip to Patagonia, located the article, and called her. But even Tesa wasn’t sure the trip could come together because some pieces typically needed reservations well in advance.
After working with her local contacts for a day, Tesa worked her magic and arranged for the trip to be possible. So we gave the go-ahead and received a detailed trip guide with an itinerary, packing list, the names and contact information of drivers, guides, lodging, and a 24/7 concierge as backup. The travel guide was perfect - simple and clear, chronologically organized, and attractively presented with pictures of the incredible views we would see. After seeing the itinerary and pictures, my wife started talking about how she should have planned to join us on this trip . . . .
The materials were both on paper and in an app, so always convenient on my mobile, accessible immediately, wherever we happened to be.
As for the travel experience, it flowed smoothly and flawlessly - the connections like clockwork and the expertly-trained hiking guides a pleasure, professionally and personally.
While I was initially thinking of doing the several-day W trek in Chile, and staying at a series of campsites, Tesa ended up with a far better solution - a ranch-turned-hotel providing a single central lodging and transport to trailheads each day. So we hiked each segment of the trek during the day and returned to a comfortable place to clean up, a delicious dinner, sleep, and then head out fully rested after breakfast for another wonderful day of hiking. Tesa also somehow arranged transportation and guides for two additional separate hikes to glaciers in Argentina that we did not realize we could fit into the limited time that we had. The materials were both on paper and in an app, so always convenient on my mobile, accessible immediately, wherever we happened to be.
As for the travel experience, it flowed smoothly and flawlessly - the connections like clockwork and the expertly-trained hiking guides a pleasure, professionally and personally.
While I was initially thinking of doing the several-day W trek in Chile, and staying at a series of campsites, Tesa ended up with a far better solution - a ranch-turned-hotel providing a single central lodging and transport to trailheads each day. So we hiked each segment of the trek during the day and returned to a comfortable place to clean up, a delicious dinner, sleep, and then head out fully rested after breakfast for another wonderful day of hiking. Tesa also somehow arranged transportation and guides for two additional separate hikes to glaciers in Argentina that we did not realize we could fit into the limited time that we had.
To conclude, Tesa is a consummate professional and a delightful person - a great communicator, dedicated to understanding what we wanted and exceeding what we could plan without her help and connections. She provided the best possible travel experience imaginable.
J. P., Maryland - reviewed on 06 April 2023
