I would like to recommend a special travel agent, Allayne Clark, the owner and manager of Banks Travel, Penticton
I decided to take my three sisters and their husbands, who live in Australia, and my wife’s brother and wife, who live on Vancouver Island, on a Panama Canal cruise.
This involved air flights to Hawaii for two couples as the sisters wanted a few days in the islands before flying onto Orlando. Another sister also went to Hawaii but on earlier flight and then travelled to Dallas, Texas to visit friends then flights to New York. The four travellers from Vancouver flew to Newark via Calgary and the three couples all met in New York on the same day. Transportation from the airport to the hotel was pre booked by Allayne. The Wyndham Hotel just off Times Square was arranged and for four days we toured the city.
Amtrac Rail was the desired travel to Orlando, and as we were overnight had sleeper compartments. This entitled us to VIP check-in, with a waiting lounge and redcoat service to the train, meals included. A relaxing way to see some of the country.
At the Orlando station the two organized vans were there ready for pick up and we were then on a short drive to the rental agency for house accommodation in Clermont suburb. The house was five bedrooms fully furnished with a swimming pool. Just the accommodation we needed as the two sisters coming from Hawaii arrived the next morning. Disneyworld and NASA were a half-hour and two-hour drive from this very comfortable house.
After four days, our vans loaded with two suitcases per couple, plus carry-ons, we drove to Ft. Lauderdale. The Hilton Garden Inn was the booked accommodation, five rooms, top quality, pool, exercise area and smorgasbord breakfast. The vans were returned to Hertz as the hotel had transportation to the ship.
The cruise was booked on the Holland America, MS Amsterdam, where Allayne was able to obtain adjoining cabins with their own relaxing deck. The 16-day cruise was perfect and we arrived back to Vancouver, to obtain flight bookings, by email, for two couples leaving in the evening to Australia. The eldest sister decided to stay for four more days to sightsee in Vancouver before flying to Australia.
When considering all the arrangements with planes, trains, vans, hotels, houses and ship, it was a terrific service that Allayne was able to organize and I can say that nothing went wrong on the trip. I’d definitely recommend Banks Travel Service.
John Soutter
St. Andrews by the Lake