"…see everything, enjoy everything, learn
everything, and write me an excellent letter brimming over with your
impressions."
--HENRY JAMES,
Madame de Mauve
Traveling with you has decisive advantages. I enjoy the company and friendship of...your leaders/guides. Everywhere I’ve gone with you, it’s obvious that you’ve "been there." You connect us with places...way above the ordinary, and sometimes set the stage for meetings with individuals...we wouldn’t encounter in ordinary travel contexts.
--PALMER OSBORN
In our extensive search for a company to
lead a walking/hiking trip, our main criterion was to select the one that
was least like a big organized tour and most like independent travel. We
were definitely successful in our selection.
--ROYCE, BARBARA, AND BRANDON ALSOP
You more than satisfied my 'mature woman' needs—your attention to
details, consistent good humor, wealth of local and historical knowledge
left me free to wallow in gorgeous scenery. And I liked the 'spacing' of
the schedule—always time for individual pursuits after hiking...This
week in the presence of lofty mountains...I have felt renewed by the
awesome beauty of this country. My own senses teach me, but not
completely. Your passions and knowledge and insights about this small
patch of glorious earth teach me much more—and deepen my love for it. How
kind you have been to all—how respectful and sensitive to our needs and
unique interests...It is your generosity of spirit which will make my
Dolomites adventure live forever in the great memories.
--SALLY SHORR
A
truly unforgettable experience! Your attention to detail and careful
consideration of the hikers' needs and desires was very impressive, not to
mention the enthusiasm generated by leaders who have a real affinity for
the mountains.
--VALERIE REED
We find it very easy to tell everyone that despite our many wonderful
trips with [other tour companies], we recommend they check out Walking
Softly first!
--FRED BIRD AND NANCY ASHLEY
We
have never experienced travel with leaders who attended to every detail
with such dedication. Walking Softly Adventures attracts delightful people
for a thoroughly enjoyable adventure.
--SHIRLEY & DEAN SCHAMP
It is nice to be on a tour where the leaders are as excited about seeing
the sites as the participants are. It was like a trip with a group of
close friends.
--CINDI STILES
Steve and Jo were patient and
so thoroughly customer-oriented. They bent over backwards to make sure we
had the best adventure. They made the trip wonderful.
--RUTH AND DAN WIMBERLY
The service and assistance provided by Walking Softly was nothing short of
magical. It enabled us to relax and enjoy every aspect of our trip knowing
that all the worrying had been done in advance. It was
Swiss-watch-precision all the way, without any herding, harassing, or
hurrying. We were in good hands at every step. Having three daily hiking
options made it easy for us to choose a hike that was consistent with our
abilities. We were encouraged to maintain our own personal style of
hiking... We realize that, had we been left to attempt this trip on our
own, we might have been able to do 10% of what we accomplished with
relaxing ease while in the care of Walking Softly.
--PEGGY AND JIM HILTON
All the leaders were superior. Everyone made us all feel well cared for
and taken where we wanted to go—at our own speed.
--SKIP FARRIS
I felt very catered to...we were able to do so much more because you had
done all the homework.
--NANCY CHAPMAN
I just wanted to say thank you for
everything you did to make this trip one of the most enriching experiences
of my life...I will always have a treasure box of
these memories. Thank you for helping me to fill it.
--JILL BOGLE
We’d like to thank you again for the
wonderful trip you put together for us. The locations, accommodations,
meals, variety and schedule made our week as enjoyable as it could
possibly be! You are elite professionals; that combined with your
individual skills and charm…make "Walking Softly" a wonderful
success!
--SUSAN LAWRENCE AND LEE JALOVEC
I
went to the Dolomites with Walking Softly in order to 'get away from it
all,' to hike in the mountains. With the expert guidance and planning by
John and Amy, the trip far exceeded my already high expectations. Not only
were the selected trails and itineraries breathtaking, but the fantastic
food and cultural experiences made this a trip of a lifetime. I have never
eaten so well!
--JAIME GOLDBERG
Since
returning from our adventures… we’ve had numerous opportunities to
share with friends and family what a super time we had—and how much we
appreciated our tour directors who are a fine combination of
geographer/historian/art critic/raconteur/mountain goat/beer and wine
connoisseur/translator/mountain rescue team/mother superior…and the list
goes on...As we look back on our two trips with Walking Softly
Adventures, we really appreciate the thought and the work you have put
into designing the trips, scouting and selecting the hikes, choosing the
hotels and restaurants and (with great good humor) shepherding your guests
as the adventure unfolds—and giving them as much rope as they choose to
run.
--DOUG
AND DENISE WHITE
Traveling
with Walking Softly Adventures didn't seem like a tour. It seemed like we
were being taken around by friends who lived nearby.
--JAN NARAGON
We can't say that "it was the trip of a lifetime," because that
would mean we never plan to do it again. We do plan on repeat
performances… It truly was a marvelous trip. Walking Softly Adventures
was perfection in our opinion.
--ALICE AND RON WINKLER
Those caves are incredible...but your
careful attention to individual needs, desires (and peculiarities) made
the trip superlative. I speak from experience since I went on an earlier
tour [with a different company]. I had a great time then but I had a 10
times better time with Walking Softly.
--JEAN ALLAN
My
trip to Europe was such a wonderful and great experience. I owe it all to
the wonderful hotels, food, tours, hikes, people, etc. that you arranged.
It was superb!
--DIANNE SHERMAN
I
want to thank you for a wonderful trip to the beautiful Dolomites. It met
all my expectations and more, and the days were so well planned... It was
an unforgettable experience.
--ELIZABETH YOAKUM
Just
wanted to say thank you again for a most marvelous trip in the Pyrenees.
You and John made the trip a delight with your careful planning of hikes,
selection of those wonderful inns and the pacing of our adventures. We
walked softly with joy—and WOWs!!
--SALLY SAMPLE
This
was one of the most fabulous days of my life as I climbed higher and
harder than I ever had before or at least in the last 30 years... Our
destination was a ridge far above us, and when I finally struggled to it
at 8,488 feet it was the highest I had ever hiked... I looked up and there
was the Brèche de Roland and the Refuge Sarradets below, and I burst into
tears of joy. I will never forget the experience.
--MARY ACKER
John
and Amy have to be the ultimate! One or both were always a step ahead,
planning the next event. And everyone (the non-hikers, the photographers,
and the serious hikers) received consideration. The trip exceeded our
expectations.
--RUSS & ROSALIE WEBER
Amy
and John do their homework extremely well and enhanced our Norwegian visit
tremendously with their knowledge of local information and historical
fact. Ross Hamilton graciously imparted knowledge of lighting and
composition with a bit of light-hearted banter—an extra bonus for us
"would be" photographers.
--PAT DYKE
It
was so wonderful to be able to discover and learn about art immersed in
the country of origin with such a knowledgeable pair of instructors.
--JOYCE ILIFF
Thanks
for helping me make my dreams come true.
--JUDY CHILCUTT
Many, many thanks for a most enjoyable
"art
feast"…I really appreciated how you made the artists come alive in
your presentations. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
--ELAINE HARPER
The best hiking trip ever!
--JEAN WEAVER
At
last a moment to say a huge thank you for the great time I had hiking in
the Pyrenees… I was so lucky to be with a group like the one we were…
It was wonderful the way we all mixed and matched and then all pulled
together on the last day to make it up to the Brèche.
--RICHARD
GOCHER
You do a wonderful job of caring for
your travelers, and we recommend Walking Softly to others.
--BERNICE STEARNS AND MEL TAYLOR
My husband and I certainly can recommend the Pyrenees Mountains to hikers
of all abilities. We also give an enthusiastic endorsement to Walking
Softly Adventures. Their attention to detail and sincere commitment to
their client’s total enjoyment makes us ready to try another of their
destinations soon!
--SHARON
WILSON
It’s hard to put in words the feelings I
have about this trip! It’s been spectacular…the sights, the people,
the food, and all the wonderful friends I’ve made!
--JOE ANN RIEDESEL
I was impressed with the leaders’ knowledge of local history and
customs, which helped transform a wonderful nature walk into an
unforgettable journey through land and time.
--KEVIN SAUSEDO
Thank you again for an unforgettable trip!
--PRISCILLA PRYOR
Each walking venue was different, the scenery exceptional and the overall
experience beyond our wildest dreams.
--JERRY AND VI HERKES
I felt like we got "la crème de la crème" in our hiking
selections!
--LUCIE JOHNS
I had not anticipated the degree to which you had prepared every detail to
facilitate everything and make Walking Softly an unforgettable experience.
--RICHARD HERMANN
I can’t say enough about our hosts and their flawless arrangements, good
humor, and concern for everyone’s comfort.
--ROSALIE GITTINGS
How could experiencing beauty like that
and seeing those mountains for the first time not exceed my expectations!
I cannot go back to life as I knew it after the spa experience at the
Hotel Julen. My view every morning was the Matterhorn centered at my
balcony! What a wonderful world!
--HEATHER WADE
Everything was wonderful—the accommodations,
food, and especially the company… By far one of the nicest times I have ever
spent on vacation.
--KAREN WADE
Whenever I take off for a trip of any kind, I wonder how I’ll feel on
the return trip. Coming back from the French Pyrenees, I kept telling Ted
what a great time I had, how it was better than I expected. You did a
great job!
--ROXANNE AND TED NELSON
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