We started planning a trip to Japan four years ago. Multiple Covid shutdowns and life changes later, my wife and I just returned from an extraordinary sixteen-day trip. WendyPerrin.com referred us to Scott Gilman. If you take nothing else from this review, ask for Scott to plan your trip. After a detailed conversation about our interests, Scott presented a very thoughtful first draft for a trip. Much of it was great, but several suggestions required adjustments and additional planning. Scott took it all in, modified the plan and submitted his revision. As we got closer, a few additional changes were requested, and all were accommodated while improving the itinerary. Ten days before departure we spoke to Scott again and some of his last-minute suggestions regarding travel strategy, clothing etc., were enormously helpful.
From the time we landed at Haneda Airport we were looked after at every step. The amount of coordination was impressive and greatly appreciated.
Hotels, restaurant suggestions, unique museums and locations were all fantastic. We told Scott we enjoy getting away from typical tourist sights and locations but wanted to see the highlights. He curated a beautiful balance of historic sights and private unusual opportunities for us to meet local people and experience a much more intimate sense of culture. Meeting a tea master, going to the homes of local artists and artisans and spending a remarkable evening in a cooking class at a private home were all wonderful and very satisfying. All of this was in coordination with guides and drivers.
We loved the hotels and ryokans and always felt Scott’s choices were thoughtful and right for us.
Right up to the time we were driven to the airport and met by a local associate that helped us through check-in and security, we were in the best of hands.
We’ve taken many wonderful trips, and this one was right up at the top of the list.