TESTIMONIALS
This is not your average tour company that
takes the money, loads the customers onto a
crowded bus, and waves goodbye. Cathy and
Marshall personally lead small groups into
areas that they know well. A detailed itinerary
and excellent local guides are provided. All details
are attended to. They have a comprehensive knowledge
of the regulations and customs of each country - -
information that has kept me safe and worry free.
Alex and Kathy Sim, Rosamond, CA
Baja Burro Treks - 1998,1999, 2000
Casas Grandes - 2004
Galapagos - 2008
We visited mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with Fiesta Tours. Our small
group of 10 was treated to excellent lodging and tasty meals while enjoying an itinerary of
well-selected sites in and around Quito. The 8 days of sailing and hiking in the Galapagos
Islands more than met our expectations. Our guide was an excellent and knowledgeable
naturalist. The boat was incredible! 8 days gave us ample time to explore the inner and
outer islands. The food on the Diamente was fantastic! We highly recommend this trip!
Lisa & Ron Rigge
Baja 1999, - 2000
Mata Ortiz - 2003
Copper Canyon - 2004
Galapagos - 2008
Thank you so much for a marvelous trip to Mata Ortiz!
I never expected to learn so much, to visit so many
potters homes, to feel so comfortable and
relaxed on a trip south of the border. You two
did so much to make this adventure one I'll
never forget.
Lauren Smith, Tucson, AZ
Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua - 2008
Cathy and Marshall are definitely our favorite tour guides. We've traveled to Copper Canyon, Belize, a walking tour through Magdelena, and they are now planning an adventure to Alamos for our small group. They have immersed themselves in the local cultures and language giving us insider's views and contacts. They introduced us to fascinating folks such as Sam the bird watcher, Juan the founder of Mata Ortiz pottery making and Maria, the ancient woman in Imuris who is famous for her quesidillas. They are so professionally competent and concerned about all our travel needs and accommodations. Their tours are exciting learning experiences as well as so much laughter and fun, and they now feel like old friends.
Alice and Jim Waldo
Green Valley AZ and Pengilly MN
Magdalena 2000
Belize 2004
Copper Canyon 2006
Alamos 2008
"Cathy and Marshall are unique in that they have deep contacts in the areas that we have visited with them. This makes any trip much more exciting and informative. They keep us thinking and laughing. Every trip has been a 10. Can't wait for the next one."
Maureen and John King
Tubac, AZ and Whitefish MT
Copper Canyon 2006
Belize 2005
Magdalena 2001
"You did such a great job looking after the details of our recent adventure!--the
logisitcs of travel are complicated and ever-changing and you have a
wonderful and good-spirited way of dealing with them. But your real
key to success is your language abilities--you're totally bilingual
AND bicultural. Many thanks!"
Lucy Masterman
Tucson Arizona
Peru and Machu Picchu 2007
Mata Ortiz 1998
"We asked Cathy of Fiesta Tours to arrange a week's trip to Oaxaca, Mexico for us, our children and our grandchildren (ages 6 to 10). They did an outstanding job of coming up with one that was interesting to all three generations. As our granddaughter said at the end of the trip, 'Granny, I knew that Oaxaca would be fun, but I didn't know it would be THIS much fun'."
Polly and Alan Hyde, Tubac AZ
Alamos 2001
Oaxaca 2005
What an adventure; and what a vacation!!
Deacons Anne and Skip Vellom,
Nogales AZ Patzcuaro, Michoacan
1999 Baja Whale Watch 2006
Several trips with Fiesta Tours have shown me wonderfully different cultures people live in today and have lived in the past. It has been fascinating to learn how the cultures are different but the people are the same. Thank you, Marshall and Cathy, for making this possible in such a refreshing, comfortable and FUN way!
Barbara Jeffries, Minnetonka, MN
Peru, 2001
Mata Ortiz 2005
Oaxaca 2006
"Traveling with Cathy and Marshall is a great experience. They are both very knowledgeable about the locations that we visited and select excellent local guides. I have traveled with Fiesta Tours to the Copper Canyon and Mata Ortiz and to Costa Rica. The small size of their tour groups allows for more in depth exploration of the local culture and more spur of the moment adventures. Cathy helped us plan our visit to Oaxaca and referred us to an excellent local guide and a wonderful cooking instructor. Cathy and Marshall know their business. I would definitely recommend Fiesta Tours and would travel with them again."
Liz Harrison
Tucson, Arizona
Copper Canyon May 1997
Mata Ortiz May 1997
Costa Rica January 2000
Oaxaca December 2005
We have taken several fabulous trips to Mexico with Cathy and Marshall Giesy (Fiesta Tours International). Their small group philosophy facilitates intimacy and easy communication with others on the trip as well as with the native people.
They provide a superior education program with well chosen guides, first rate accommodations and a feeling of safety and ease. Above all, Kathy and Marshall's personal commitment, their knowledge of and respect for the native people as well as their communication skills have kept us coming back for more.
Mary Kay and Jerry Gardner
San Diego, CA
San Miguel and Colonial Cities 2002
Oaxaca, 2004
Alamos and Cultures of Sonora 2006.
"I have traveled with Cathy and Marshall to Mata Ortiz three times, and each time the trip has been a delight. The last trip was a customized trip, and every detail was perfect--from the opportunity to see Juan Quesada to having our very own live music after dinner."
Gretchen Bataille
Senior Vice President
University of North Carolina. Chapel Hill, NC
My first experience with Fiesta Tours International on a trip to Mata Ortiz, Mexico was so interesting, fun, and at such a reasonable price, that my friend and I organized a private trip for 10 friends and went again! They are still raving about the experience and several have said that it was the best trip they've ever taken. Cathy Giesy is a pro! She is a great hostess and guide - I don't think you could go wrong on any trip with Fiesta Tours International!
Mary Doyle
Pullman WA
Mata Ortiz 2003, 2005
The Geisy's are not tour guides, they are teachers; our excursions are not tours, but tutorials. Each tour is an individualized immersion into the lives and landscapes of a people and place that will enlighten and enrich you. These experiences with the Geisys satisfy all senses; they are stimulating, fun, challenging, and tasty, too. You'll return again and again.
Judy Favell
Florida
Mata Ortiz April 2002
Copper Canyon April 2003
Fiesta Tours does it again! I expected the Paquime ruins to be fascinating and they were. I really loved the potters and pottery at Mata Ortiz. Thanks for an excellent trip. Hope to travel with you again next season. You all really spoiled me for those ordinary tours!
Mary Bohan
Tucson, AZ and Ulster Park, NY
Baja California 1992
Mata Ortiz 2003
Fiesta Tours is a very well run, smaller tour company that gives the traveler a well informed, personal, and extremely enjoyable experience in fascinating places.
Holly Lachowicz
Tucson, Arizona
Mata Ortiz April 2002
Copper Canyon April 2004
We learned a lot and had a great time doing it! We highly recommend Fiesta Tours.
We loved they way they introduced us to the people they work with in each of the locations we visited.
Reg and Marilyn Thomas
Denver, Colorado
Copper Canyon 2004
Our small compatible groups guided by our hosts, Cathy and Marshall, whom I highly recommend as tour directors, were exposed to unusual places with surprises around every corner. We haggled for collectible baskets with fascinating Seri Indian women on the Sea of Cortez. In Mata Ortiz, we met the artists in their homes and purchased incredible artwork at modest prices. Thanks for making my life a bit richer!
Martha Ulrich
Huron, Ohio
Kino Bay 2003
Mata Ortiz 2003
Copper Canyon 2004