Reflections Of A BP Traveler: Discovering Spectacular Destinations With 9 Bespoke Journeys
From the colorful souks of Morocco and sparkling blue waters of Croatia’s Adriatic Sea, to the lush jungles of Costa Rica and the ancient echoes of the Incan Empire in Peru, join us as we recount the highlights of nine bespoke tours with one of our most seasoned travelers.
We have hosted Len on nine private tours to some of the most spectacular destinations in Latin America and the Mediterranean. Following his first vacation with us to Peru in 2008, he has journeyed to Ecuador, Morocco, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, and most recently, Spain.
In our new blog series “Reflections Of A BP Traveler,” we are interviewing some of our recent travelers to shed light on their unique experience with Blue Parallel and favorite moments from their luxury tours. Today, Len reflects on the highlights of all nine of his adventures and shares what keeps him returning to Blue Parallel 16 years after his first tour with us…
How Did You First Hear About Blue Parallel?
I first traveled with Blue Parallel in 2008 on a bespoke adventure to Peru. Two of my friends invited my wife and me to join them on their vacation and they had been the ones initially researching different tour providers.
We wanted to spend three nights at Machu Picchu and Blue Parallel was the only luxury tour agency willing to be flexible and accommodate that request. They were also one of the few companies offering complete privacy.
What’s more, when we spoke to the team at Blue Parallel, we were really pleased with their knowledge and communication. It was clear they had expertise in the area.
What Have You Enjoyed Most About Working With Us?
I know that when I book a tour with Blue Parallel, I am going to receive a detailed itinerary that our hosts, guides and drivers follow down to the T. I can count on the team to deliver what I expect from each journey.
The hosts, guides and drivers Blue Parallel organizes for us are always great too. They are knowledgeable about the region and hold up to the highest standards.
It’s also clear that the restaurants and accommodations have been vetted by the team as they never disappoint.
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I have always felt supported by Blue Parallel, whether it was them moving heaven and earth to help me during a medical emergency in Peru, their responsiveness and dependability during the pandemic, or more recently them accommodating my new preferences in terms of the types of outdoor activities we enjoy.
Overall, Blue Parallel’s service is impeccable.
Please Summarize Your Blue Parallel Experience In 5 Words/Phrases…
There hasn’t been a Blue Parallel tour we haven’t enjoyed. Both my wife and I have had great times during all of these vacations and if I had to summarize our experiences in five words or phrases, I would say…
- Dependable
- Flexible
- Quality service
- Special touches
- Fun
Can You Share Any “Wow Moments” From Your Blue Parallel Trips?
One of the most memorable moments for me had to be our luxury cruise around the San Blas Islands in Panama. This was an add-on to our 2022 Guatemala tour and it was one of the most stand-out experiences we’ve had with Blue Parallel. We had an incredible chef on board who cooked us delicious, fresh food and we enjoyed kayaking, swimming and fishing excursions throughout the day. Here, we also had the chance to meet local indigenous Guna people which was a wonderful cultural experience.
In 2014, we visited Argentina and Chile. When reviewing the itinerary our travel expert had put together, we requested they remove Cordoba from the plan. However, Blue Parallel had strong recommendations that we include it and we were delighted we did. We stayed at a magnificent estancia set on beautiful grounds with flowing streams, blooming gardens and rolling hills. We are birders and the bird life was amazing. We got to enjoy a picnic in wonderful settings, as well as a delicious traditional Argentine barbecue on one of the evenings.
I was also blown away by how well I was taken care of during a medical emergency I had on my first Blue Parallel tour to Peru. The guides, hosts and travel experts were all very quick to respond and made sure I was always accompanied by a translator. And the team made adjustments to our itinerary as needed during and following the incident.
Our most recent journey was to the Basque Country in Spain where we had access to a private, members-only gastronomical society. Here, we enjoyed a private cooking class and we had the place to ourselves. This was memorable and opened our eyes to a unique experience that is special to the region.
Blue Parallel always includes a special surprise in every trip and that is a really nice touch. For example, we had a surprise, private musical performance as we enjoyed an intimate picnic on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi in Bariloche during our tour of the Patagonia Lake District.
How Valuable Is The Team’s Insider Knowledge And Experience?
Blue Parallel’s expertise and insider knowledge of the experiences, activities, accommodations, restaurants and more in each of their destinations makes all the difference. It transforms the overall experience from start to finish.
It’s clear to see that everything the team includes in the itineraries has already been vetted and I have always been able to rely on Blue Parallel delivering everything to a high standard.
We contacted Blue Parallel about our trip to the Basque Country at the very last minute, yet they planned and delivered an incredible itinerary even with the short turnaround time. Without their knowledge and experience, this would not have been possible.
The team’s experience and understanding of what is available is what you’re paying for, and it’s worth it. We have always felt incredibly supported throughout each of our tours.
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Does The Team Create Itineraries Suited To You?
All of the itineraries we have followed over the years have been custom-made for us. Our first tour is a perfect example of this as we wanted three nights at Machu Picchu and Blue Parallel was the only tour company willing to accommodate and create an itinerary around that.
Most recently, our travel expert ensured that the outdoor activities in the Basque Country were tailored to us. Instead of strenuous hikes across difficult terrain, our guide directed us along a more gentle stroll where we could still enjoy beautiful views of San Sebastian.
In Greece, we wanted to embark on a day trip from Athens to Meteora and Delphi via private air. The team organized a private helicopter to pick us up from Athens and fly us to Meteora for a tour of the monasteries. Then, the helicopter took us to Delphi where we enjoyed a traditional Greek lunch and a sightseeing tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the Delphi Museum, we departed back to Athens via private helicopter.
Another example is when we visited the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, we had specific requests regarding our cabin on the boat. Blue Parallel made sure we received everything we asked for, down to the cabin size.
Is There Anything You Would Have Done Differently Over The Years?
My wife and I have both been really pleased with the tours Blue Parallel has hosted us on over the years, we only wish that they expanded their portfolio to include more tours and more destinations.
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