Don't waste your time here people!!! Used Marti the owner,…read moreto make arrangements for a trip to Italy for my husband, myself, and another couple. Needless to say, the whole trip was a complete disaster. From horrible flight issues, to low grade hotel rooms, with no working showers, to finding bugs in the bed, this trip was exhausting and a lot of mental work!!! I could go on and on..... Wanted to let everyone know that working with this company was just not a good experience. I'd say, save yourself the headache and book your own trip or better yet, find another agent!!! Good luck!

I rarely use travel agents, as I'm well-versed on finding & booking travel on the web, and I've yet…read moreto see any real "package savings" using an agent. However, for a friend's milestone birthday celebration, I was pressed for time and felt the need to resort to a travel agent. I found Anderson Travel on the internet and chose them because they purported to being experts in the South Pacific (original destination intended) and Hawaii (actual destination). Terry, my agent, was only moderately helpful in the booking process. Mostly she didn't really bother to get to know me and my preferences and so couldn't make any informed recommendations. She actually gave me too many choices, all of which I had to look up on the internet in order to make a decision, which I could have done on my own in the first place if I had the time. We went to three islands, and her recommendation for condo rental on Maui was spot-on. We stayed at the Maui Hill (ResortQuest, I believe), which was great. After that, everything went down hill. She incorrectly printed our connecting flight times to The Big Island, so we ended up missing our flight. Our splurge resort there, which Terry highly touted, was a complete disaster. Kona Village was a superb location with lovely hales, and truly horrid service. We even had to call Anderson Travel while there in order to resolve an issue with a dinner reservation, of all things. In Kauai, I requested something a bit cheaper to offset the cost of Kona Village. Mind you, Terry did stress that we'd feel a big step down after Kona Village, but we're used to staying in a variety of types of quality lodging, so we weren't concerned. Unfortunately, Terry's recommendation, The Best Western Plantation Hale, was perhaps the worst hotel I've ever seen at over $100/night. The room was very dusty and musty - the windows clearly hadn't been opened in years - the furniture was essentially plastic, the unit hadn't been remodeled since it was built in the 60s, and the bedroom and deck faced on a busy road so was very noisy. We literally checked in, used the phone long enough to locate another place, and checked out. The place we found in Poipu, across from the beach, was gorgeous and not that much more than the Plantation Hale. When we returned and had to deal with Terry for our refunds on unused hotel and tour, and the issues with Kona Village, she was extremely UNhelpful. She was happy enough to take our money, at almost $5k/person for the trip, but she couldn't even tell us how much our refund would be. She indicated she was "not privvy to that information." She did nothing to sort the issues with Kona Village and generally acted like she just wanted to get us out of her hair. Needless to say, if I'm ever pressed to use a travel agent again, it won't be Anderson Travel.

Just had the best vacation ever! Even with a challenging itinerary of traveling across the country,…read moreconnecting with a cruise ship, and an excursion in Chichen Itza, everything went flawlessly. She was always steps ahead of everything, and had tips that really made so many experiences, wayyyy better! We kept being reminded of those tips as others around us were clueless, (and although we helped them too), we wouldn't have had such an easy, fun, and incredible overall experience without her! I definitely recommend Cheryl for all your needs. She's amazing!

From the owner: No booking fees! Impulsive Escape Travel is a certified and recognized travel agency located in the…read morebeautiful coastal town of Gig Harbor, WA. As the owner and sole employee, I am able to offer personalized itinerary planning for individuals, couples, and families looking to explore the world. Your dreams can take you anywhere and I am able to work with any destination, domestic or international. Whether you're seeking a relaxing beach vacation, an adventurous trip, or a luxury cruise, I have the knowledge and expertise to help you plan the perfect escape. With access to exclusive deals and discounts, I can help you save time and money on your next impulsive getaway without any extra fees. Contact me today to start planning your dream trip!

Kim Johnston - Tacoma, WA Greece and Italy…read moreHorrible first hotel, second hotel in Rome not near anything except the train station (few restaurants, no shops or anything). Tours not close. Could have taken a taxi to the train station, instead of several taxis and walking. Not happy. Missed the paid for Colliseum tour because she did not print those details (she did all the other tours) and by the time we figured out how to get that information it was to late. Kim should have also told us that for big tours like the Vatican, you are herded around like cattle ($$$$$$$$$) and have no time to enjoy what you see (you are better off with a picture book. Would not use Kim Johnston at Travel Leaders again. Makes you just want to go home. Very disappointing. Very expensive vacation. Oh, now in Florence in a room you can't move in (tiny--2 women and 2 suitcases and 2 backpacks--can't move. I wish I could set the itinerary for Kim's next vacation. Now in Venice and same rotten deal. Hotel away from everything and water taxi round trip is 160 euro. Kim would probably say she was trying to keep costs down ($11,700) before going anywhere). But, she could have told me that with my budget, trip would not be enjoyable. I can't possibly express our disgust and disappointment. Absolutely can't wait to be home! Will never use Travel Leaders again.

My sister and brother-in-law have used this travel agency many times in the past. We recently used…read morethem for a trip to Iceland and the Scandinavian countries. We had a little problem with an excursion in Iceland. My sister in law contacted Travel Leaders about the problem when we returned. Attached is a copy of the email conversation. We will not use them again. Anita Larson From: anitaclarson39@gmail.com To: Kim Johnston , travelleaders@travelleaders.com , Cindy Cienfuegos Wed, Sep 11 at 3:39 PM Good morning, Ms Johnston.What you say in part is true: the details with contact information to modify or confirm your pickup location. It ALSO states that to make these changes or to cancel to notify Gray Line 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience - which meant that before 10:00 a.m. on August 1st we were to contact Gray Line. Our flight arrived at the Iceland airport at 1:25 p.m. on August 1st. By the time we arrived at our hotel it was after 4:00 p.m. or close. We had no intentions of canceling the tour. Why did your employee, Katie Ellis, NOT put us at the hotel of tour pickup since SHE made all these bookings?? How were we to be expected to be familiar with the hotels in a place we had never been. And all we were requesting was to be reimbursed the price of the tour ($364.32 for 4 people). We didn't request the price of 2 nights of hotel and transfers to and from the airport (this includes my brother Mr. Daniel Cienfuegos and his wife Cindy and my husband and I) which were made ONLY because we were to take the tour. Ms. Johnston, I feel that you have just brushed us off and I resent it. In the future we will use another travel agency. Anita C. Larson On 10/09/2024, at 4:34PM, Kim Johnston Kim@travelcenter4u.com wrote: Hi Anita, In reviewing your tour voucher again, Gray Line, the tour company, advised pick up information of an address for meeting your tour at 10.00am. I don't see where the tour company advised that they would be picking you up at your specific hotel. I'm sorry for the confusion about this. Meeting and pickup Pickup Point Downtown Reykjavik Apartments, Raudararstigur 31, Reykjavik 105 Iceland I do see the details with contact information to modify or confirm your pickup location and time if necessary. In this instance the tour operator was advising that you come to them to join the tour at the time and address provided. Procedures vary from tour to tour. The voucher we sent over states. You must contact the local operator to confirm your pick-up location and pick-up time. Again, I am so happy you had an overall great trip. It's disappointing you weren't able to connect with this tour but the pickup information was clearly indicated on the voucher. Please let me know if there is any additional assistance I can provide. Kim Kim Johnston Manager, Leisure Department

So at the last minute I decide to take my family on a vacation. I go into this place and am greeted…read moreby "travel consultant" Linda Wood. I tell her my last minute plans and where I want to go and she immediately shrieks "OMG, you are NOT considering going during SPRING BREAK ARE YOU?". I was immediately pissed off. When a CUSTOMER approaches your business and is seriously considering spending 12k on airfare and hotel (not including food, entertainment or car rental) THROUGH your business...do not treat the customer like you are DOING THEM A FAVOR. So she takes me over to her desk where she starts half-heartedly fiddling around with travel dates and throwing out costs to me. Again she turns to me and mumbles something about it being "spring break". I then told her "I do not care about it being "spring break", those happen to be the only dates my children have available". Do you think she got it through her thick, unprofessional skull that she had pissed me off and offended me? No. The owner comes walking in and what does Ms Linda Wood do? She turns to the owner and says loudly "she wants to go during "spring break". (WTF is it with this dumb-dumb?) I then ignore this idiot and ask the owner if she has some brochures. She comes back and hands me a great booklet on the island as a vacation, along with two brochures. Needless to say, dumb-dumb was still sitting there giving me this "look" like I was some complete moron for wanting to go on the dates I wanted. She then says "I will call a few of my contacts and see what I can find, although I am not sure I can guarantee anything at this late of a date". Really? As if at this point I am going to hand you a 12k check to handle ANY of my business? So that was on a Friday...it has now been 5 days...YES, FIVE DAYS since I was in that office and I have not had ONE courtesy call or any follow up to my request. I would not even consider giving them ONE star after the treatment she gave me. They do not deserve any stars. Do not waste your time at this small town, schleppy travel agency with the women who look like they should be sitting in front of a soap-opera eating Fritos. Tactless, no class, low budget attitudes, rude and condescending. You have forever lost MY business. OH...and the best part? I did all the booking on my own. I got airfare for the dates I wanted AND I got a fabulous oceanfront view penthouse. Thomson Travel is a bogus business and not professional AT ALL!!

We've been using Thomson Travel for all our personal and business travel for years which entails…read moremultiple trips a year (domestic, overseas, many connections, last minute changes, visa help, etc). Linda Wood has always given us prompt and professional service, and we are grateful for the convenience (saving us a lot of time) researching, booking, and changing our flighst, and making travel arrangements (some of the most quaint hotel stays). Laurie Williams

We have used Mary Valle to plan out and book several trips for ud, including a few weeks in…read moreIreland, and a couple of trips to New Zealand. On one trip she spent considerable time in arranging and then booking a number of B&Bs and Farmstays that we had already selected on our own, as well as interesting hotels. She is always available while we are traveling to make itinerary changes, or book additional accommodations, events, or specially accommodations, as well as airline changes, train tickets, ferry reservations, and such. After using Mary for a few trips she became rather intuitive about what we like or don't like. We wouldn't consider traveling without Mary's assistance. She is always just a text away. Dick and Paula Chase

I have used Mary Valle twice for our travel advisor and I will, indeed, reach out to her again for…read moreour next trip. Most recently Mary helped us plan and execute our trip to Italy. Our trip to discover my family in a small hamlet in Italy was magical. Mary was sensitive to our needs and chose an excellent driver who was prompt and courteous. We were not sure what to expect and when we got into this vintage 1600 town with just one commercial building; overwhelmed with the friendliness, and we ended up being there for almost 5 hours! When planning the trip, Mary listened to our needs and suggested 3-4 hotels at each place we stayed. She suggests hotels that cover a wide price range, so we are free to make the decision that suits our lifestyle and budget. Mary organized various transportation methods, including a train transport to Naples. Mary is someone I trust for suggestions to make our trips meaningful and stress free.

My mother was here visiting from California. Weeks ago she saw a segment on TV about a man in…read moreTacoma who plays taps on his trumpet at sunset to honor the military. Mom wanted to see him. We had no idea where to go, so I went to the Internet for details. That is where I came across the Visitor Information Center in Tacoma. It was our good fortune to have Keith intercept our call. I explained everything to Keith, but he had little information for us. He said he wanted to research our request, and call us back. A short time later Keith called back with the exact info we were hoping for. He was kind, polite, and so very helpful. Keith ROCKS!

I registered online for TSA precheck, and entire process was smooth and easy. great staff!read more

These people gave me a really hard time…read more They jerked me around for weeks. Their closest office is over 20 miles from my house and I have to drive an hour to get there. I showed up, the attendant asked if I had an appointment in an accusatory tone that suggested I didn't have one, but I did. Apparently they don't have a schedule there showing them when people have appointments. I waited two weeks for these guys to send my prints in for a background check. Meanwhile I can't start working my new job until the fingerprints clear. Two weeks later I get notice that they messed up the fingerprinting and I would have to go back. This was on a Saturday and I couldn't schedule an appt until the following Monday. I drive out there again and the attendant asks me if I have an appointment again. I say I do to get some reprints and she says the reprints can't be done today bc the system isn't saving the prints and keeps sending out blank electronic fingerprint cards and I would have to wait for a phone call from tech support telling me the problem is fixed after which I would have to schedule a third appointment and come down to get printed again. This company has no business being a fingerprinting service for the state. They're unreliable, unhelpful and ineffective in their purpose and it's the customers and their families that pay the price for their failures. They have no economic incentive to be efficient and effective in their job since everyone getting printed for the state seems to have no other choice but to use their service. They're the only game in town, so they don't care if I have to wait months for prints. I already paid my money and I have no alternative. Avoid at all costs ... if you have a choice, that is.