Perhaps remind people that in Buenos Aires taxis only take cash - no cards
Excellent service. Reggie was so helpful especially helping me to arrange oxygen on the flight for my husband and getting help at the airports. I have used DialAFlight on numerous occasions and would certainly recommend them without hesitation.
Gino is very knowledgeable, helpful and professional, always finding the best options for my trip as well as the best price. He's very efficient and contacts us a few days before travelling reminding us to do the online check in etc. Outstanding service.
Luke very helpful and patient
Superb service
Great service as always and highly recommend using DialAFlight
Hugely grateful to Riley and his team for their support with some complex issues. All transfers and tours went like clockwork. One flight delay out of 11!
Libby McGarry has always gone above and beyond for us. We had numerous problems with flight delays and she sorted it all out for us. Amazing. I wouldn't go anywhere else now because of the care and attention she has given us.
As usual, you guys have been extremely reliable and professional. Thank you very much!
Arthur is a brilliant consultant - always responsive, helpful and proactive as well.
Great arrangements, clear and concise all easy stuff
The flights were with Lufthansa and we could not get confirmation that the seats for my wife had extra legroom, even though they said over the phone there was we could not take the chance without written confirmation. We therefore had to pay for business class for my wife to ensure a comfortable journey (broken leg). Very disappointing and annoying. DialAFlight staff did all they could to help but could not get the reassurance from Lufthansa.
As usual, an excellent service from the DialAFlight team! Will continue to book through you, as the price is competitive and above all the staff are professional and friendly.
Michelle Dooler goes above and beyond to help
You helped a lot and I felt a lot more confident with your back-up.
Anthony was particularly excellent
I regularly use DialAFlight and am always impressed with the excellent personal service and value for money
The guys at DialAFlight continue to be my favourite agency. I had to delay my transatlantic flight twice and they helped me without delay and found the best options. As always, money well spent! Will continue to book with you.
I highly recommend DialAFlight and the great customer service. Such lovely staff who are always friendly and happy to assist you.
Lovely to deal with Simon - efficient, and took the stress out of booking.
Huge thanks to Blake and Troy for answering my queries very quickly.
Definitely recommend a longer chang over in Madrid. Our flight was delayed leaving London due to engine problems. I had a 4 hour changeover so I was fine but those flying to Sao Paulo missed their connecting flight. There is nobody after midnight in Madrid's T4 Satellite so if you are connecting to a late flight I would recommend getting some food at Heathrow
Sebastian was an excellent agent and will definitely be using him again.
Everything went according to plan
We are longstanding customers. This was not a simple trip to organise but the reason we keep going back is because they take care of every detail - this is how a relationship should be. We are very fussy and it is a joy to work with people like Callum and his team.
I have recommended you to friends and family already! Looking forward to booking our next trip with you.
Good communication. I have not experienced this type of service before
Excellent - everything went exactly as planned
Dylan was extremely helpful throughout the booking process and equally so afterwards. We particularly appreciated his assistance and advice regarding hotels
We had a great trip. The hotels were excellent and we loved the Park Plaza in Santiago. We will use DialAFlight again no question.
The hashtag ‘solotravel’ has become increasingly popular among women who are doing the Spice Girl thing, high-kicking the glass ceiling with their platforms, in their personal and professional lives.
A constant conundrum is safety. There can sometimes be the chance of a physically intimidating aspect to travelling alone, whether you are male or female.
I decided that my first ‘solotravel’ adventure would be around South America.
I managed to retain my status as a single woman travelling alone without being alone – by signing up to join a G Adventures tour group for most of my trip. The group I joined was organised to cover a lot of ground in minimal time, with local knowledge about the destinations and incredibly convenient modes of transport.
The nine-day tour began in Buenos Aires, where I arrived a few days early to get my bearings and explore off the beaten track before my G Adventures itinerary kicked in.
G Adventures helpfully booked me into the same hotel included in the tour so I didn’t have to worry about moving rooms, and was able to take advantage of the airport transfer too.
The hotel itself was in the Centro, which, as it sounds, is about as central as you can get. I spent time familiarising myself with the local architecture, which is possibly what makes the city feel so European and, of course, with the local cuisine.
A guided tour
A few days, and a few too many steak and Malbec dinners later, it was time to meet my tour group.
There were about ten of us in total, mostly travelling in pairs or alone. We were shuttled around the city in a small people carrier with our guide, who was to stay with us for the full trip, and a local guide who offered more insight to the sites as we passed them.
From the colourful corners of La Boca, to the solemn grave of Eva Peron in Recoleta Cemetery, the day was captivatingly varied.
For the evening, we were taken off the beaten track to a tango club where we were immersed with the porteños (a nickname for local people of Buenos Aires) - and they go about showing us up for our comparatively poor dance moves.
Next we hopped on a flight north to Iguazu Falls. We spent time in both the Argentine and Brazilian national parks, where the magnitude of the falls is equally present.
Samba in Sao Paulo
The next flight we boarded landed us in Sao Paulo, but we weren’t stopping here.
We drove north to Paraty – and just happened to arrive in time for the town’s annual music festival.
The cobbled streets were alive with samba and somehow I managed to forget that only hours earlier we had been learning about the Afro-Brazilian community, who still reside in the town – until our main guide there joined us for some dancing!
Rio de Janeiro
Another longer stint by road, and we had made it to our final stop, Rio de Janeiro.
Here, we were given a full city tour in our van, of which we have now become fond, and finish the day watching the sunset over the Christ the Redeemer statue. Our hotel was suitably and centrally set in Copacabana, where we rested for a little while before meeting once more for a samba show dinner.
Our goodbyes are maybe more emotional than I’d have expected, but then I realise the things by which we have been bound together on this trip. The enticing rhythms of Argentina and Brazil have provided us with enduring memories.
There have been the breathtaking views of the falls, energy bursting from samba-ing streets (and being taught the quick-footed ways of the samba ourselves), as well as the passion and knowledge pouring from local guides who have accompanied us along the way.
And perhaps most poignantly, the difficulties and poverty faced by so many in the areas we have visited, as well as the signs of corruption in these countries, particularly Brazil.
This is something that will stay with us all. And it’s important that it does. Even if it is just to remind us how lucky we are to be able to visit these corners of the world.
First published in the Daily Mail - March 2017
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