Raves From Past Travelers:

Peru, July 2003:

I’m a solo world traveler. Traveling with a group was a new and most enjoyable experience. I have a new appreciation for travel with an interesting, compatible, diverse group and the benefits available to an organized tour which are not available to independent travelers.

To duplicate this tour alone would be impossible and to come close would require several months of planning and much more cost.

I enjoyed two things most about the trip: 1) the total conceptual organization that provided an initial historical overview framework--followed by increasingly detailed experiences and 2) the several “meet the people” events that went beyond the usual superficial tour experiences.

Each of our local guides was different; however all exuded their special expertise, knowledge and pride in exhibiting their culture to interested visitors.

Julia went above and beyond, ensuring that everyone and every day went well. From the pre-trip organization and information mailed to us, to the snacks she brought for us, Julia was always there looking after her “guests'” best interests.

With Julia’s overall planning, coordinating and guidance and Receptour’s rock-solid support, the tour was flawless, extensive and exceeded my expectations. It was challenging and rewarding, providing many unexpected benefits, insights and surprises.

I would recommend New World Journeys without reservation.
James F. Fox
Civil Engineer

The best single feature of this wonderful trip was Julia Mehrer’s expertise, her attention to detail, her sensitivity to and understanding of Peruvian culture. She loves the country and it shows.
Sara McAulay
Writer and Editor

I thought the best feature of the trip was the variety of landscapes, sites, balance between city and country, emphasis on indigenous cultures. The factor I enjoyed most was the amiable diversity of the group--The members were not “group” kind of people.
Betsy Goldberg
Artist and Art History Teacher

Ecuador, 2002:

We expected the Galapagos part of the trip to be our favorite, but found that our time in the Amazonian rainforest was fabulous too! Our sightings of wildlife were amazing!

One outstanding moment in the Galapagos Islands was when we were on a path and turned a corner, coming face to face with a giant tortoise! What a thrill!

It is impossible to improve on Julia’s escorting activities. She is awesome, handling the details so we could focus our attention on the places and things we were seeing.
Barbara Moll
Fiber Artist

Julia has proved to be an excellent tour guide with the ability to make all phases of the journey flow smoothly. She put the trip together in a very interesting and memorable manner -- truly showing the Best of Ecuador. I recommend New World Journeys to all my friends.
Eva Mack
Mt. Airy, MD

Thank you for another fascinating trip, another holiday forever to be remembered. Ever since a child, I dreamed to visit South America, but how spoilt I have been to have had the luck to get a taste of Peru and Ecuador! Of all the traveling Bill and I have done, I can truthfully say I have enjoyed my trips with you the best. You lead us into the journey with so much useful information and invaluable advice that from sending the first deposit we feel everything is falling into place and with all the advice and reassurance it can’t go wrong."
Ginette Grice
United Kingdom

Peru, January 2000

This is a never to be forgotten trip [January, 2000]. The country, the ancient cultures and the people were introduced with appreciation and respect. Arrangements were smooth.
Ann and Tom Schoonmaker

My trip to Peru was one of the most memorable I have ever taken. Not only is the country beautiful, but I learned much about the ancient Inca culture by visiting many temples, museums and, of course, Machu Picchu. The overflight of the Nazca lines was also fascinating. Our tour escort, Julia, is fluent in Spanish and did a great job in making this trip a totally enjoyable experience.
Eva L. Mack

Peru, July, 1998

My husband and I have traveled with Julia for many years and to many places -- South America, Great Britain, Greece, Mexico and within the United States. She is an excellent companion and a great guide. Her trips are always well planned and organized, with lots of attention paid to even the small details. Travel with Julia has enabled us to get a genuine feel for the people and the country of our destination.
Linda Stacy
Owner/Manager, Skyline Horse Center

When it comes to Peru, Julia is the best: Best knowledge of the country, Best knowledge of the travel business, and the Best for anticipating problems and coming up with solutions. She plans her trips very carefully and provides the traveling guest a great time. I know I can relax when Julia is working out the details.
Harry Stacy
Communications Engineer, US Army

We really enjoyed our trip to Peru. It was well paced and focused on the things we wanted to see. One of the best things was the knowledge of our guide, Julia. Her command of the language and knowledge of the culture and people was invaluable and really made the trip. We want to do it all over again!
Christine Fry
Professor of Anthropology, Loyola University of Chicago
Robert Fry
Professor of Anthropology, Purdue University

Having lived in the Andes for several years I eagerly anticipated my trip with JOURNEYS in Peru. I knew the majesty and grandeur of Peru would captivate me as it had before. What took me completely by surprise were the wonderful new adventures I could never have imagined. Greeting fishermen on the beach in Pimentel in northern Peru as they returned from the sea in their tiny reed boats was a moment I shall never forget. And, of course, Machu Picchu in the early morning light casts a glow that will be with me always. Ms. Mehrer's extraordinary knowledge of Peru and her experience in making travel arrangements made this the vacation of my life.
Vivian Stetler
Nurse and former Peace Corps Volunteer

Normally I travel alone. I'm a loner who enjoys my freedom and the ability to do as I choose. My travels have taken me around the world: through Europe, Asia and Africa. Some of the more challenging countries I have visited and worked in are India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zaire, and Madagascar.

But despite an interest in South America, I had no experience at all there. When Julia Mehrer provided the opportunity to visit Peru, I jumped at the chance. And Peru turned out to be everything I had hoped for and more: an incredible country, stimulating in its diversity of people and landscape. I saw Peru's archeological history from Machu Picchu to the Lord of Sipan, experienced Peru's cultural renaissance in Lima with its cafes and galleries, voyaged across amazing terrain and perhaps more importantly, I made friends. That made my trip meaningful and lasting.

A few words about Julia. Centered and capable may describe Julia, but they do not do her justice. She is a joy to travel with. She gently helped me with my broken Spanish; she remained cool when the pressures of traveling got to others in our group, and she gave freely of her expertise in Peru, filling in blanks that helped make my experience well-rounded. Julia knows Peru like the back of her hand, but she was never boring, pedantic or condescending. Her pleasant personality never exhibited any of the negative qualities that can make you resent a traveling companion. I would travel with her again any day in a second.

Julia helped broaden my horizons in the most pleasant way possible, and because of her, I came back from Peru feeling like a traveler rather than a tourist.

I recommend Julia's tours without reservation to anyone looking for a unique travel experience in Peru rather than one of those impersonal cookie cutter tours. You'll be in good hands.
Matthew D. Erulkar
Professional Photographer

Julia's wonderful organizational skills, her language fluency and her talent to mix people and events with ease allowed me to come away imbued with the sights, sounds, tastes, and social flavor of Peru. As a photographer, I was delighted with the pace, appreciating the ability to have the time to explore. The camaraderie I experienced on the trip is something I continue to treasure.
Penny Harris
Photographer

I am a returned Peace Corps volunteer who revisited Peru with his daughter and adopted son, some 25+ years after having done two years of service there. I booked my tour of Peru through Julia and was really quite happy that I did.

There were things that I wanted my children to do in Peru which would give them a taste of realities and lifestyles that most american children would never even contemplate. Julia helped me to get everything done that I wanted. The result was that I and my children got the flavor of the "Inca Trail" as well as the folk dances and culture associated with southern Peru. We toured ruins on horseback in the high Andes, did some white water rafting, some camping and sand surfing.

Julia helped me to give my children a complete tour of Peru by giving me ideas on what to do that complemented my own ideas without forcing me to compromise. Most importantly, however, Julia was there when I needed her but let me do my own thing when that was important to me.

Julia knows not only how to organize a tour but how to implement it with a knowlege of what is required and with her own unique sensitivity. I honestly don't know of a better way to plan a tour other than with Julia and would recommend her to anyone.
Richard Catanzaro
Systems Analyst