Testimonials

Our trip to Churchill Manitoba this past August, was something that should have happened years ago. But I am super happy we finally indulged.

My wife, Lydia planned the trip to happen in the summer of 2021. The tail end of Covid got in the way and we had to reschedule for this year. Bless her heart that she did, for what transpired this year would not have been possible without her desire to experience Churchill.

We flew up to Churchill on Calm Air in late August. We were greeted by a cordial fellow who had worked all his life for Parks Canada, in Churchill, and now drove the bus from the Airport to town dropping people off for the Polar Inn. Our home for the next 4 days. After a quick ride to town, we were greeted by Aubrey (sp?) at the Polar Inn. A sweet and friendly young lady, she handled the sudden influx of clients with grace and aplomb, making sure everyone was welcomed with a warm smile and answers to all their questions.

Our rooms were perfect for our stay. Everything a modern hotel room might offer, including warm showers, fluffy pillows and great mattresses. For breakfast, we quickly found out, that there was a communal kitchen that we could use to make our own breakfast. On the menu, were freshly made waffles care of an automatic waffle maker (the best!), cereal, coffee or tea, toast with an assortment of toppings. We used this kitchen area for our lunches and a place to play Canasta later in the evenings with our children. Wonderful spot, for things that you might want to do at a dinner table with your family AND for meeting total strangers from around the world.

The tourist highlight of the trip for us, were the Beluga Whales. Oh my word. From the moment we launched our kayaks into the water, it seemed like we were immediately surrounded by these white marvels. For the next 2-3 hrs, we would paddle, and be smiling, giggling, taking pictures, shouting out the next sighting or enjoying a little nudge from the white whales when they came right up to our water crafts. Never touching, as we were informed that a simple touch, could transfer harmful bacteria or viruses to the whales. The whales were just as curious as we were, as to was this in their water in these plastic boats. It was an experience that only those that have donned a life jacket, slipped into that plastic kayak and ventured into the Churchill river can ever attest to. It goes without saying of course, that we never felt in any sort of danger, especially with 2 Zodiacs buzzing around the periphery of the 20 or so kayaks in the water, ensuring that everyone was accounted for and having the time of their lives.

Our next tour was of the tundra in an aptly named vehicle called the Tundra Buggy. These vehicles were literally small houses riding on giant tractor tires. We traversed the terrain east of town, in search of the elusive polar bear. Elusive only as most of these animals were still hibernating in dens over the summer, waiting for the water to freeze over. And we were not disappointed. The driver found a mother and her cub and gave us all the time in the world for taking pictures, selfies etc. Very informative gentleman.

The final tour was with Kenny, the shotgun toting driver of a mini-bus. The shotgun, as Kenny informed us, was NOT for our safety. It was for the bear’s (you have to be in the bus and listen to Kenny to understand that logic). He informed us about the scope of the US Military involvement in Churchill after the 2nd WW. And took us to places that we would have never ventured to, like the abandoned radar station and “Miss Piggy” at the far edge of town. We were disappointed that we were leaving town, as he described areas that he would have taken us to, but weren’t part of the official tour.

It was a wonderful experience. We are SO delighted we ventured that far north. And look forward to doing it again in the near future.

The trip was amazing and we got some stunning views of the aurora. The staff were great at making sure everything ran smoothly and that had everything we could need or want. Thank you for all your help organising it, Allison!

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Fall colors are/were to die for…..just stunning……..

Arctic Haven was fabulous.  Wonderful guides…..incredible scenery and again great weather and all.   Had auroras 3 nights in Yellowknife and 4-5 at Ennedai.  Food and staff were terrific and people interesting.  Flora and Fauna incredible.

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We knew that visiting Scandinavia would be a great trip, but we really were amazed at how much we loved our adventure to the Scandinavian countries. We were so lucky to have Shauna answer our call about information for a holiday to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland – with a day trip to Estonia- and, hey! We’re close… let’s go to Russia, too!

It was wonderful to work with someone who was familiar with the regions to which we wished to travel. We knew what we wanted and Shauna was able to book great flights, and connections, had a wealth of accommodation options at her fingertips and was able to recommend numerous highlights not to be missed. She was able to add to our original plans, based on what we wanted to do in each of the locations.

One of our favourite walking tours was recommended by Shauna. We met our talented, informative guide in Tallinn, Estonia… and it was free!

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For my 8th birthday, I got a travel book with stickers to glue onto pages containing stories about exotic locations from Australia to Zanzibar, iconic sites like the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall and the Acropolis and magnificent geographical features like Mount Everest, Victoria Falls and the Great Barrier Reef.   These things might as well have been on another planet since, at that time, no one we knew had done that kind of travel.  And, as far as I could tell, no one even aspired to it because this kind of travel was clearly beyond the reach of the average person.

Several decades later, I have been very fortunate to have been to many of the places in that book (or at least the ones I remember).

I have travelled to all 13 provinces and territories, half of the US states and 50 countries on every continent except Antarctica.  Some of those countries like Yugoslavia no longer exist and others like Iran and Afghanistan were unfortunately, safe destinations for only a brief time.

My experience with Great Canadian Travel started shortly after it opened in 1980 and my good friend Arnie Hydamaka started working there.

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Hello Allison,

It was a pleasure to hear from you and to learn that the Great Canadian Travel Group is now celebrating its 40^th year anniversary. Congratulations!

I’d like to thank you again for planning the very complex itinerary for my fifth around-the-world trip.

Your extremely meticulous planning in my long and highly complex journey around the world resulted in a smooth and very enjoyable learning experience that I shall always treasure.

During the planning, you faithfully communicated with me frequently, answering all my many questions, and handling a myriad of details. I really enjoyed working with you and I look forward to doing so again. I highly recommend your superb company to all your clients.

I’ve had an excellent response from many readers who purchased my eBook “Around the World in Thin Slices,” published by Kindle*, based on that fantastic journey.

All the best, Jim Read More >

We’ve been meaning to connect with you, Lois. Jumped right back into reality when we got home.

Our trip exceeded our expectations! We thought this trip to Scotland would be a once in a lifetime visit, however this is far from the truth. There is so much more to explore and see.

We appreciated your experience with Scotland and your choice of BnB, based on our travel path and plan, worked out perfectly.

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Patagonia Trip – It all started with the penguins!  But as we read up on Patagonia/Chile and Argentina, we found more and more amazing sights and adventures we wanted to include on our trip.  The logistics were overwhelming!  We took our wish list to Great Canadian Travel where Lois Farley arranged the trip of a lifetime.

Lois managed to find the perfect balance on every front.  We enjoyed so many adventures “off the beaten track” (things we wouldn’t have found on our own) but always felt safe.  We had a very well-organized itinerary but it left flexibility for us to explore with curiosity and be in the moment.  We were a bit intimidated by the Torres del Paine W Trek but Lois researched and found a plan that suited our abilities and we had a fabulous experience. Read More >

We always love to receive feedback and client testimonials! And during these challenging times we continue to receive very heartfelt and warm letters of gratitude for the work that we’ve done (and continue to do) to assist our clients. And somehow, knowing we’re getting through hard times together makes it even more meaningful. Here are some of the messages we’ve received:

• The dedication and charity that you and your staff are showing is astounding, Ian. I will never forget it and will retell it many times.
• I would like to commend Martha Banias for the amazing assistance she provided me in getting my son Kevin home from France just before the flights ended. She went above and beyond the call of duty and was a real angel of mercy. (This client’s son had booked his flights “online” and couldn’t receive any assistance from the online company)
• Hi Sanda, I’m sooo sorry I haven’t reached out sooner but I just wanted to let you know that my dad made it home safely with the second set of flights you booked. Thank you sooo soooo sooo much for all of your efforts in trying to make everything work out as best as possible! It is soo appreciated beyond words! Thank you for all you did to help will never be enough! Hope you are doing well and staying safe, Thank you again!
• Just finished reading all of your article and it was so well done and interesting reading! Congratulations on a very professionally run travel business! I have always booked with Martha Banias and will again as soon as we are safe to go. She is a top notch consultant and have always been pleased with her assistance and her humor!  Let’s all stay safe and patient for the world to return to truly living and travel!
• I got it all. Thank You Sandra. I am looking forward to book my vacation with You again next time. Very professional.
• While I’m sad to have cancelled what would have been an amazing European adventure this summer, I can’t thank Allison at Great Canadian Travel enough for her support and efforts to recover a good portion of what I had already booked – refunds and not credits. I am so happy I used a travel agent for this trip. Thank you to her and all the travel agents who are working overtime to provide excellent customer service during a very stressful time. Once this surreal time is over the first thing I’ll be doing is booking a new trip. So much of this big beautiful world still to explore.
• Early this year Yvonne booked KLM tickets for us to go to Europe, returning back to Edmonton on April 01. The Covid-19 epidemic derailed all travel plans and we were stuck at our destination, unable to fly back. We contacted Yvonne via email, explained our situation and within hours we had our KLM tickets rescheduled. Escalation of Covid worldwide forced KLM to cancel our tickets three times. Each time Yvonne patiently re-booked the tickets.

Hi Allison arrived home Monday. We absolutely loved Nanuk it was amazing!  Saw so many polar bears and wolves. Staff, lodgings, food were great. We meet a lot of wonderful people too, mainly Aussies! Our time in Churchill was easily filled , we were taken on the bus to the sights etc. Read More >

Having fished at Goldsand Lake for several years, I was concerned when I discovered that commercial airlines were no longer scheduling flights to the Lynn Lake airport.  If we still wanted to fish that great Walleye and Northern Pike fishery, my party of eight would have to endure two grueling days on the road and forfeit valuable fishing time.

So, I contacted Okswana Szwaluk of the Great Canadian Travel Company in Winnipeg.  I have used her services several times in arranging commercial flights and trips to northern Canadian lakes.  She found two charter carriers as options to the driving alternative.  I chose “Wings Over Kississing” and couldn’t be happier.  They booked our flights at a reasonable cost and adjusted the flight times to meet our needs.  Their staff was very friendly, helpful and accommodating.  The flights were piloted by experienced, friendly, and professional pilots who made sure that our trip was safe, comfortable and enjoyable.

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My recent trip to Yellowknife and Blachford Lake Lodge was beyond incredible.  I am so thankful to Allison for suggesting this trip!  The 3 nights that I spent at Blachford Lake Lodge were magical.  Fabulous scenery, wonderful people, scrumptious food, and amazing auroras.   The last night in Yellowknife with the Northern Lights was a perfect finale! Read More >

We had a great trip!  All the details worked and we were very pleased.  The Rocky Mountaineer was everything as advertised.  The accommodations in Kamloops were just wonderful. The Listel Hotel staff provided absolutely first class service.  They were helpful with our tours, gave us complimentary tickets to the Bill Reid Museum, provided a french press coffee for us when we had to get up early to go to the airport.  All the staff we met were focused on customer service.  It was a joy to stay there. Very nice selection! Read More >

Thank you Karen Pearson and The Great Canadian Travel Group for the trip of a life-time!

My adult kids and I were planning a trip to Ireland and at first I was looking up guided tours, where to go, what to do, where to stay….… phew! How do you choose? And with so much information on the internet, how do you know what is accurate? I gave up. This is when I found Karen and the Great Canadian Travel Group!

What a relief. And what a wonderful job Karen did for us. Read More >

Hi, Sandra. Our trip was wonderful!!!  Tenby (Wales) is so picturesque, with warm weather and palm trees. I couldn’t believe England had palm trees! It seemed that everyone there had a dog and the dogs were allowed everywhere, into stores, restaurants and on tours  (apparently the British are crazy about their dogs). I did have a hard time sitting in the passenger seat without a steering wheel on that side and driving on the wrong side of the road. The scenery was beautiful, but the roads were no more than wide bike paths.

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