Epic Morocco & Epic Portugal Reviews 53

Mabel and Epic-
All I can say is you “knocked this trip out of the ball park”!!!! You did an incredible job planning our trip down to every last detail.

The sights, the experiences , the Riads, the restaurants and the guides. It was all AMAZING. We feel like we experienced so much of Morocco.

We absolutely adored our driver. He took incredible care of us. He was kind, caring reliable and an excellent driver.

And Chaima was so kind to check in with us daily to make sure all was going well.

It was truly a pleasure planning this trip with you. And thank you for stopping by to introduce yourself and treating us to a great bottle of Moroccon wine. So very generous
Thank you so much for everything.

You deserve a 10+ for planning the trip.

I cannot thank you enough for the meticulous planning and the incredible people and tours you arranged for us. Each experience surpassed the last, making the trip feel like a dream. From the accommodations to the tours, the PEOPLE, and the local flavors and surprises along the way, everything was truly special. My only regret is not having allotted one more day in both PORTO and LISBOA, as the time there was wonderful but too short, leaving us wanting more.

A special shout-out to Diana for her exceptional care and professionalism throughout the trip. She made us feel so taken care of and allowed me to relax more than I have on any other trip. Her agility and accommodating nature, even with the changes made along the way, were remarkable. Diana felt like part of the family each day, and she truly made our trip more successful than I ever imagined. I hope to stay in touch and perhaps meet her and the other amazing guides, chefs, boat captain, and purveyors we met along the way again. Portugal is truly an EPIC adventure.

Thank you again for everything; I highly recommend!

Epic Travel did a wonderful job helping me and my daughter plan our yearly mother/daughter trip. This was going to be our first international trip and we wanted it to be very special. We told her what we wanted in our trip and Alyssa sent us an itinerary. After editing it a few times we had our perfect trip planned. We were in Portugal for 12 days and Diana was there the entire time answering questions, giving us advice, etc. They both went above and beyond. I would highly recommend anybody to reach out to them to help plan your trip.

The Epic team did an amazing job planning a perfect vacation for my family and sister's family. All of the activities were perfectly suited to our family's interests, the accommodations and food were fantastic, and the logistics all went so smoothly. We especially loved the hot air balloon rides and our street food tour with Said in Marrakech. Big thanks to our drivers and guides, Younes and Ismail, on the trip south to Agdz, Ouarzazate, and Erg Chegaga - which were also so beautiful to see. Younes and Ismail shared so many great insights about their country and culture along the way. The crew at Nick's Camp in Erg Chegaga was also truly fantastic. Don't miss the camel rides at sunset! We loved every minute of this trip.

Carla Petzold-Beck from Epic Travel originally responded to my inquiry in 2019 for a request to plan a trip for me and 5 of my friends. She provided a tailored, exciting itinerary that fit within our budget, however once Covid hit we had to postpone the trip. Over the course of four years, Carla checked in with me every 6 months or so to see if we were ready for the trip, and was very flexible and understanding with our delays. Eventually in 2024 we were ready to execute the trip, and Carla adapted our itinerary to meet all of our new needs and updated timeline. She went out of her way to help plan a special 30th birthday surprise for one of our friends during the trip, and set us up with the most incredible driver, Ismail Saklou, who helped us see a lot of the major highlights of Morocco as well as numerous off-the-beaten-path activities that we would never have known how to plan ourselves. Ismail also handled all the logistics throughout the trip, shared a significant amount of interesting information about the country, and became a true friend to us. This was truly a trip we will never forget, and something curated out of a movie that surpassed our expectations in all respects. We all felt very safe, comfortable, and welcomed visiting Morocco, and Carla and Ismail made this possible. Thank you!!

Our group of four only had four days to experience the Douro wine region and Porto and boy did we pack a huge amount in with the brilliantly planned and pitch-perfect itinerary from Rachel and the team at Epic. Our interest in food & wine (especially Port) was catered for with superb visits to Churchill's and Ferreira plus a superb overnight stay with exceptional dinner and wines at Quinta de Ventozelo. The transfer to Porto and change to big city touring was equally well done with careful planning about hotel requirements and suitable eateries. Diana was always available for on-the-spot queries and came into her own when I left my jacket at Ventozelo. The most action-packed, high-quality short break I've ever done.

We recently returned to the US from a trip to Morocco. Epic was excellent in every respect. The travelers were a group of ten friends in their seventies. The itinerary for the trip was tailored for the group and was excellent and lots of fun. The accommodations were lovely, the food was great and the excursions were educational, a blast and tailored for the group.

And when there were complications during the trip, Epic handled them beautifully. We started the trip with two of our ten travelers testing positive for Covid. Epic adjusted the itinerary to allow the couple with Covid experience the trip but maintain distance from the other four couples. Extraordinary service.

Then I began having medical issues while on an excursion in Marrakech. Epic arranged care at a local hospital and went above and beyond to do the hard work of getting our travel insurance to cover all of the care in Morocco. When I was discharged from the hospital, Epic made special arrangements to allow my wife and I to travel home on our booked flights.

Both Carla and Nourie were extraordinary. Nourie was knowledgeable, kind and supportive. He was required to keep a lot of balls in the air while the various complications in the trip developed and he did so with grace and style. Carla was a rock when I was hospitalized.

Epic probably regrets taking on this group of travelers, but rose to the occasion and provided extraordinary service. I can't overstate their professionalism, skill and care. Bravo!!

From the pre-trip planning to the actual experiences once in Morocco, we loved how Epic Morocco organized and supported our journey. They found an excellent Moroccan guide who deepened our experience of the local culture. He took us to best local restaurants and eateries.
Epic provided the level of support we wanted--good but not inhibiting our freedom to explore.

My son and I just returned from a 14-day trip to the Azores, facilitated by Epic. Hands down, it was the greatest trip of our lives. We wanted to see as many islands as possible and to have as many adventures as possible, and our goal was met and then some. Alyssa planned a perfect itinerary, and Carlotta made sure that all details went smoothly during the trip. The guides selected by Epic were wonderful; they all became friends with whom we'll stay in touch. Each guide knew about my and my son's respective unique interests, and each one worked hard to give us experiences that would be meaningful for us. The accommodations were great and each one unique. I have never used a service to plan this type of trip before, so I was a little apprehensive at the beginning, but going with Epic was a great decision. The trip was essentially perfect, with no problems or disappointments. I give Epic my unqualified recommendation.

My family just returned from our trip to Portugal, and everything about working with EPIC was spectacular! Alyssa helped us plan a tailor-made itinerary, sparing no detail. She was a delight to work with and truly went out of her way to make the trip a perfect experience for my family. Alyssa listened carefully to what we wanted and went above and beyond to give us special, authentic experiences. She helped us plan a trip we could have never put together ourselves. She communicated with us via email many times to ensure all details were sorted out and even met us at our first hotel to welcome us to Portugal! We felt like royalty with the treatment we received. Each hotel, car transfer, activity, and restaurant felt carefully curated to make the experience special just for our family. Every driver and tour guide was exceptional.

Nicole was our concierge in Portugal, and from the first text of communication, we knew we were in the best hands and that this was going to be the most amazing trip. And were we ever right! Nicole was in touch with us every step of the way, and we didn't have to do anything other than enjoy ourselves. Just like everyone else in this company, Nicole was so kind and professional. She even checked in with us to make sure we arrived home safely.

Every aspect of working with EPIC exceeded all of our expectations. This was by far the most amazing experience. My husband and I have already decided our next vacation will be to Morocco so that we can work with EPIC again. We have been so spoiled by their service that I’m not sure we could ever go back :)

If you are looking for an exceptional, no stress Portugal Vacation, Epic is the company for you!

Morocco Milestones! We just returned from the most magical trip to Morrocco in celebration of our daughter’s college graduation. At the risk of sounding cliché – the trip was EPIC! Carla created a custom itinerary that included everything she wanted from sand boarding in the Sahara, surfing the Atlantic and absorbing all the culture and cuisine that Morocco has to offer. Carla also included some of her own suggestions that truly made the trip even more amazing such as the perfume making workshop (thank you Amina), the side car through the streets of Marrakesh (thank you Hussein) and a visit to Tangier which was one of our favorite cities (thank you Anas). A special thanks to Ismail our trusted driver and companion as we traveled the entire country. Lastly, there are so many details to manage and the entire team at EPIC Travel should be celebrated – every hotel, meal and experience was perfect! We are excited to work with Carla and EPIC Travel as we plan our next family adventure to the Azores!

My husband and I, and a couple of dear friends, recently returned from an amazing Moroccan adventure which was perfectly planned by Epic. From my first conversation with Carla I knew we were in good hands. She listened as we described our travel experience and styles and designed a perfect itinerary. We definitely got off the beaten path with authentic experiences and finished our busy days in some beautiful riads and dars. In fact, we all agreed that these were some of the most memorable stays we had ever had!
Our trip had such a wonderful beginning when we were greeted at the airport in Casablanca by our driver for the entire two weeks, Ismail…what a gem! Ismail exemplifies the warmth of the Moroccan people and was so excited to show us all this country has to offer. And all the guides Epic booked for us were so knowledgeable and engaging…we really learned a lot!
Returning to Morocco is definitely on our list as is planning another trip with Epic!

We just returned from Portugal where Epic Travel helped plan our 30th wedding anniversary trip and first visit to the country.
Nicole was our planner and concierge and did a lovely job finding very exclusive and romantic experiences and highly skilled guides every step of the way. The hotels included some of the most luxuriant we have ever seen. Nicole’s concierge service as we travelled was top notch - she always responded within moments and was incredibly professional throughout. We traveled by private car/ driver throughout and all drivers were guides in their own right and the cars were lovely.
In 10 days we were able stay in 4 distinct areas of the country and the guides and experiences were always away from the tourist crush allowing us to feel as though we saw the “real” Portugal. Super customized to our individual interests. We have done a lot of travel and decided this was our best trip yet!
If you are looking for a real taste of luxury and exclusive travel — highly recommend Epic!

Nicole helped make our trip special because she created a unique experience based on our previously discussed interests. In addition, the guides that she paired us with were outstanding, as well as the accommodations.

Nicole planned our honeymoon to Portugal and Diana was our concierge and both of them were absolutely wonderful. Everything about this process from the planning, travel, accommodations, and experiences ran so smoothly. We needed to change our dates later in the planning process and Nicole made a potentially stressful situation feel like no problem at all! Diana was there for us the entire trip and we felt so taken care of. Highly recommend!

This was our first time using a travel agency. We thought it might make a trip to the Azores easier than planning everything ourselves, and were we right.
We worked with Nicole Figueiredo throughout the planning phase, as well as for an assistant throughout our trip. I am a pretty critical person, and I can say without hesitation that Nicole's service was virtually flawless. Not only is Nicole very personable, but she took care of even the smallest details with pride, thoroughness, and professionalism that is rarely seen these days. Nicole and Epic even added some nice personal touches along the way that were very much appreciated. In my opinion, Epic Travel and Nicole made this trip easy and breezy and I would recommend them for any trip you might be planning that they cover. It will not only make your planning much easier and frankly better, it will make your trip a lot more hassle-free.

I cannot rave enough about Carla and Epic! Thanks to Carla and her Epic team, we had the most amazing trip through Morocco. The itinerary they put together was perfect for our family, and the trip completely exceeded all our expectations. I also greatly appreciated all the time Carla took to answer all my questions-- big and small-- as we planned the adventure. She's incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and responsive.

Some specific highlights:

Abdelhadi was an excellent driver/guide. He took such great care of us-- always making sure we were comfortable. He also was always 100% punctual, which we greatly appreciated. We all agreed that the days we spent hiking with him were our favorite of the trip.

Hiking through the Atlas mountains: Abdelhadi led us on 2 amazing hikes. On the first, we had the honor of enjoying a delicious lunch with a Berber family. The family that hosted us is such a special one and welcomed us into their home with such warm hospitality.

Husein (who guided us in Marrakesh) was also excellent. He was incredibly knowledgeable, and we learned so much in the 2 days we spent with him.

The Marrakesh food tour was another highlight. Our tour guide for that was Bibi, and he was also top notch. The experience itself was so fun and, of course, delicious!

Our leather workshop was another highlight of the trip. I had no idea we'd be working one-on-one with such a stellar artisan, and he spent nearly 4 hours with us helping us craft our own leather slippers.

Food: Our family really appreciates good food, and the restaurants Carla sent us to were exceptional. Our dinner at Dar Yacout dinner ranks as one of the best meals of our lives! Stellar service, beautiful outdoor setting, and top notch food-- it was truly the full package. Other gems include Le Saveur de Poisson (such a unique and delicious experience), Dar Roumana (amazing food in a gorgeous setting), and Clock Cafe (special rooftop table and fresh, deliciously seasoned cafe fare).

Accommodations: Carla found us such gems! It was such a unique experience to stay in the family "tree house" at Douar Samra, and staying there was an ideal way to feel immersed in the area. We especially loved the meals they served in the colorful, warm dining area. And the Riads we stayed in (Riad Dar Bensouda and Riad El Borj) were beautiful, comfortable, and centrally located.

The trip was the most amazing one ever, and we have Carla/Epic to thank.

We are mother and daughter, and used Epic for our journey to the Azores in June 2023.
As experienced travellers, we are quite particular in the ways we like to organize our trips. Epic has done an incredible job in meeting and even going far beyond our expectations.
Nicole has taken such careful consideration when planning our activities and stays, while paying close attention to each and every small detail.

No matter the day or the hour, we could rely on a quick response from Nicole and for her team to handle any situation, no matter the unpredictability.
Before arriving in the Azores, my baggage was lost by the airline; despite this stepback, Nicole came to our aid and is fighting with us to retrieve it.

I truly appreciate all that Epic has done to make our trip so special and we are forever grateful for having chosen them to lead our adventure this summer. We cannot wait to bring back friends and family and to use their services again in the future.

For our first trip abroad in several years, I no longer trusted the websites I used to use for reviews of hotels and experiences. So, I decided to try an "in-country" travel planner to guide our itinerary planning. Thankfully, I came across a mention of Epic Travel in a travel blog I had come to enjoy. Nicole and the team backing her up made this one of the most memorable vacations my husband and I have enjoyed over the last 20 years! She asked many questions first to make sure she understood our likes and dislikes. After we had a general outline of the itinerary, she then gave us several options for accommodations, restaurants, and activities, all tailored to our personal tastes. There wasn't a single instance of disappointment or dissatisfaction. The planning was impeccable. Every guide we met was outstanding. The hotels were out of this world. And, the restaurant choices were ones that I am sure we would have not been able to find on our own. We were celebrating a big anniversary and Nicole added a few lovely and very personal touches to our experience that made the occasion all the more memorable. We hope to go back to Portugal again and will definitely ask Epic to plan our trip!

We spent 12 days touring all over Morocco with Epic Travel. From the first conversation with Carla, I knew the trip would be special. She really listened to our preferences and put together an itinerary that felt unique to our interests. She made appropriate adjustments to fit our budget and schedule. Once we were on the ground, our driver/guide Mbark took wonderful care of us. The Riad accommodations selected were stunning and the activities and local guides were top notch. Everything operated so seamlessly between all the providers. We felt like we were on a magical relay race, being carefully passed from one activity and location to the next. I would not hesitate to book another trip with Epic.