Passage to the Keys LLC — Local services in New York

I have just returned to Oahu, HI after a week's trip to see family and friends in Los Angeles and San Francisco. I traveled with a friend, a music vendor who was bound for NAMM convention, for the first time. I had one request of my friend which was to use the services of my travel agent, Ms. Lourdes Marzan, as I don't go anywhere unless she handles my travel arrangement. Lourdes and I go way back in the 70's in NYC. I was bemused when she decided to try her hand as travel agent after her early retirement from college teaching and banking industry as an executive officer. Knowing Lourdes' capability, of course I had to try her out. I have not looked back ever since. She handles all my travel, plus friends and relations I have recommended to her through the years. Last November, I revisited Kyoto plus other areas of interest to 4 Gen X and Millennial companions visiting Japan for the first time. This year, I started with the West Coast trip; probably the East Coast later in the year to visit family. Or, another overseas jaunt with friends. I am turning 79 years old this Spring. I don't think twice about traveling because Lourdes has my back. She is the right mix of professionalism and empathy. Three things about Lourdes that makes her stand out: 1) ability to build relationships, which means she gets to know you and your travel preferences or idiosyncrasies; 2) listening ear that is crucial in communication; and, 3) decision making that you don't have to second guess, once you agree on final plan. While she works with you in planning your trip down to the last detail, you make the final decision on your travel. She makes suggestions; she works with to ascertain the kind of travel that fits your budget should you want that kind of assistance; she keeps track of you from beginning to end. Almost a Wonder Woman! May her...

I have known Lourdes Marzan since we both worked together. I always admired her calm and collected persona. It was a blessing when I saw her one day around my neighborhood and she told me about her new biz, Passage to the Keys. At that time, I was planning for a trip to Spain and Portugal and the Travel Agent I worked with did not return my calls.... I gave Lourdes my budget, what I am looking for and places I wanted to visit. She came back with the plan in a couple of days and within budget. She then made sure we had travel insurance and pursued to look for a firm who would insure an Non- US resident traveler as well. This recommendation came in very handy during this awful pandemic state. We were caught in the Trump’s travel ban. I called Lourdes, as promised, she was there for us 24x7. She called Delta and was on hold for 3 hours and miraculously got us a flight back the following day. We got back before the Spain lockdown as well. Without Lourdes’ help, who knows what would have happened to us! Doing business with Passage to the Keys comes with a calm and collected travel agent, who will guide you throughout your journey. In short, you will receive a white-glove service! Until my next trip which came sooner than expected. Lourdes helped me with a LAST Minute planning with Rocky Mountaineer to Lake Louise. She got me in to the last seat and last trip for the 2022 last October. It was my first solo trip post COVID and trip was so well planned. Her recommendation of Lake Louise was spot on! The view and ambience was breathtaking! Once again, Lourdes did...

Hi Baby, First let me thank you for arranging an enjoyable & hassle free trip. All your help made the planning & all the preparation for the trip made it a lot easier. 1)The trip from Seattle to Madrid thru Toronto via Air Canada was a good pick. Food and service were very good. Legroom was more than enough 2) In Madrid, I gave the Viking rep an earful for not adjusting to the needs of their clients. They ultimately changed our flight from Madrid to Lisbon to a direct flight instead of passing thru Frankfurt. 3) The hotel that you recommended in Porto was well picked since it was very close to a food court & shopping mall, as well as light rail. It was also walking distance from some of the tourist spots. Price was reasonable and well appointed. 4) We should have picked a different airline from Porto. United Airlines was terrible. Newark was crazy as a stop over - lots of crowds; arrival gate was so far from connecting flight gate (had to take a bus ride); flight from Newark to Seattle did not serve any food other that pretzel & soda & no movies available even though it was a 5 hour flight. Legroom was too tight in economy. I do not mind paying more for a better flight experience.

So overall your diligence in dealing with Viking cruise, arranging every detail of our trip including making sure that we had transfers from cruise ship to hotel as well as from hotel to the airport were there on time and reasonably priced. The itinerary that you sent also helped us in reviewing next steps including additional tours we added on top of what Viking had.

Again a big...