April 19, 2007 - Jennifer Ackerson, Farmingdale, NY

"Hi Isabelle

My husband Philip and I took your tour with Jenny on this past Sunday. When I called to reserve you were upset that I asked for the Katrina tour vs. another tour in your brochure which focuses on the beauty of New Orleans vs. the destruction.. Having a career in tourism and living in New York, I understand the feeling because 9/11 is a similar situation for us. Visiting the World Trade Center site is the most popular tour request also.

The reason for my e-mail . . . As much as you would like people to request the other tours, I must tell you that I feel EVERYONE should have to take your Post-Katrina tour. There is no way to possibly imagine what has happened there without visiting. I will be in eternal disbelief. The average visitor who just visits the French Quarter and Bourbon Street don't really 'get' it and the media certainly does not portray it accurately. It is shocking what we learned and saw. My husband and I were extremely moved by the tour and Jenny's vast knowledge and information. Anger is my strongest feeling along with sadness, disbelief at our government's bureaucratic bs, and finally despair. Hope is what I would like to end up with.

We will do what we can to get your message out and appreciate your tour! I find it unbelievable that our Congress representatives have not visited in greater numbers and would like that website that Jenny mentioned of who has visited and who has not. I will be writing to them and telling them to get their butts down there and fast. The nonsense with the insurance companies is unbelievable.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the New Orleans people and we wish you the miracles you need to put this behind you and make changes in our country so things like this never happen again anywhere in our country.

Thank you, Jennifer

April 23, 2007 - Jo Ann Davis, Delaware

"Great tour. Loved the fact that tour guide shared personal experiences."

Cheryl Rogers, Delaware

"Wonderful, informative tour. Only way to understand the scope of the devastation and rebuilding necessary."

Lynn Ratener, Tucson, AZ

"John was a veritable fountain of information and intelligent commentary."

April 21, 2007- Mike Cichello, Washington, D.C.

"Very informative and moving tour - makes me ready to volunteer in rebuilding because the government won't be the solution."

April 12, 2007 - Susie Burdick, Seattle, WA

"This was amazing; this was educational and inspirational. It also motivates us to get involved. Rock on New Orleans! We're with you!"

April 6, 2007 - Susan, Joel, Savannah and Jesse Wade, Santa Cruz, CA

"Really great tour, nice folks, fun stories - beautiful country, too! Thank you - Merci!"

March 27, 2007 - Pamela and Ben Boal, New York

"Diane is an absolutely outstanding guide! This is the most worthwhile tour we've ever been on. Heartfelt thanks for showing us the real story - which CNN didn't!"

March 17, 2007 - Trustman Family, Santa Cruz, CA

"Thank you so very much for this tour. There are so many lessons to be learned here. The more we see the better we can understand and help. We need to help and continue to remind others that New Orleans is still in desperate need. This tour was very educational. Thank you for bringing this information to the rest of us."

March 15, 2007 - Elena Mayer, Seattle, WA

"Thank you for providing these tours . . . I can't think of many more important things I've ever done."

Hannah Kreiger-Benson, Belmont, MA

"Thank you so much - you provide an immediacy and an incredibly real point of view, and I will never forget it, or the people here."

March 12, 2007 - The Eyers, San Diego, CA

"You are doing a great public service with your tours - how can we help?"

March 10, 2007 - Cindy and Phil Shear, Pittsburgh, PA

"We were so impressed with how much knowledge our tour guide had. We learned so much about the history of this old and vibrant city. Thanks much!"

Dick and Susan Keller, Frankfort, IL

"Hello - My wife and I have returned home after our annual visit to New Orleans. Last year we took a tour through the flooded areas on Grey Line, which was well done. This year we wanted to do a "one year later" tour and selected your company. Tours By Isabelle was by far superior - much more personal and much, much more informative. I'm sorry to say I've forgotten the name of the driver/guide. We took the tour last Sunday afternoon and she had done the morning tour as well. She was from France (Danielle?) and did [a] truly outstanding job. If anyone we know is visiting New Orleans and looking for a tour company we will not hesitate to recommend yours way ahead of anyone else. Keep up the good work. We were terribly saddened by the devastation Katrina wrought and want to let you know our hearts are with you. We always spread the word about the tragedy there, the government's response, and the spirit of the people. Good luck to you all. Will see you next year . . . ." (guide was Muriel -ts)

February 27, 2007 - Andrew Munse, Bristol NH

"I teach 8th grade social studies and I plan on teaching the material covered in the tour! Thanks!"

January 31, 2007 - Dave and Jane Haskell, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada

"You are doing such a great job explaining. We never realized just how bad it is. People told us we should not come - I'm so glad we didn't listen to them."

David Wilson and Lorna Day, Toronto, Canada

"Simply the best tour I have ever taken. The depth of knowledge and human empathy is exemplary."

January 13, 2007 - Beth, Rick, Eric and Colette Kent, Seattle, WA

"Loved the history, stories, and gators!"

January 3, 2007 - Candice Sauza

"Rose makes the history of New Orleans really come to life, and her command of facts and figures is impressive. I am going to use the images and information from this tour to tell everyone I know in New York to come down here and do whatever they can. God bless."

October 11, 2006 - Janet Yendt, Wayne, NJ

"It was an overwhelming afternoon. The strength and courage of the people of New Orleans is evident. The personal stories made the devastation so real."

5-6-06 ( on a POST KATRINA City Tour with Ginnie )
"I can not even begin to express the impact of this tour. This will not only make adifference in my life, but also my students. Thank you. I will not forget & we will spread the word. Rebirth !"
Kim Perry from Concord, OH

5-1-06 ( on a POST KATRINA City Tour with John )
"Very informative, While initially concerned about being a 'tourist' in these devastated areas, I now have a first-hand perspective on what happened and will share it with others to try to get our elected leaders to act."
Rob Carnachan from Denver, CO

4-29-06 ( on a POST KATRINA City Tour with Stanley )
"Great Education, tastefully and respectfully done. Thanks to Stanley."
Tim Tobin from Middletown, RI

"Thank you Isabelle for doing this. Stanley is an honest ,caring , knowledgeable & compassionate guide & man. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to bear witness. God bless N.O.
Make levees, Not war !!"
Colleen Boris. NYC

Thank you for doing this.What an education. It's important that people witness what happened so memory can be transferred. Stanley is an outstanding Guide. Thank you.
Peter Hoffman. Los Angeles.CA

4-27-06 ( on a POST KATRINA City Tour with Ginnie )
"Thank you so much for sharing your broad fund of knowledge, your high energy level and your generosity in recognizing our contribution to the rebuilding effort. It was important to us to come for that very reason. One of the best tours I've ever been on."
Ruth Bernstein. New York NY

"Thank you so much for the enlightning tour, you've opened our hearts and minds "
Phillis Rosenstein, Ft Lee N.J.

4-20-06 (on a POST KATRINA City Tour with Isabelle)
“Your passion, your devotion, & your commitment are so poignant. This is not a tour, this is an education. The sadness and devastation are heartbreaking. You are a very special citizen of New Orleans.”
Alan Mendelson, New York NY (With the History Channel Film Crew)

“As a resident of New Orleans (Gentilly/10 feet of water) I had mixed feelings about ‘Katrina Tours.’ I felt the tour guides were profiting from our misery. Thank you so much for doing this and educating tourists, as well as myself, about what happened here and what has to happen to bring our city and ‘The Parish’ back. I will encourage everyone I speak to about New Orleans to take your tour to have a better understanding of what occurred.”
Berner Davis New Orleans,LA (History Channel audio guy)

“Isabelle, your heart is the tour. You make us all deputies for your city. An eye opener and an education. Thank you.”
Vicky Levy, N.Y.City (Travel Writer)

4-16-06 ( on a POST KATRINA City Tour with Agate)

“We’ve been coming to New Orleans for 25 years. We love this city and this is heartbreaking. Everyone needs to see the devastation. A very sobering and moving tour.”
Rob,Pam & Emme Wells, Jackson, MS

4-14-06 ( on a POST KATRINA City Tour with Diane)

“Diane was amazingly articulate and full of information that before now was not comprehensible. This is a great service, and we must not forget. This tour acts as a catalyst for the rest of us to do something.”

“Until you see this you can’t believe it- very sad to see the heart of a great city carved out and destroyed. A very good tour and tour director.”
Bette & Buddy Dickinson, Dallas, TX


4-12-06 ( on a POST KATRINA City Tour with Isabelle)

“I was overwhelmed with the vast devastation. I’ve never seen anything of that nature. “
Vladimir Lensky N.Y.,N.Y. (New York Bureau Chief for Channel One Russian TV)

Recent E-Mail comments we received about our POST KATRINA City Tour:

Hi Ginnie,

I'm the singer/songwriter from Boston who took a "Tours By Isabelle's" morning "Disaster tour" with you on Thursday, April 27th. I just got home to Boston and this is the first opportunity I've had to write.

I cannot thank you enough for conveying the true spirit of New Orleans and its incredible people. Your tour was so moving, and the work you are doing to educate the rest of the country about what New Orleans is going through is so deeply needed. As I told you, I had already been to conferences both at Columbia University and Harvard about rebuilding. But the effects, both physical and psychological cannot be fully grasped without seeing it with ones own eyes. And
it is so clear how much you love your city, you truly got its cultural importance across. I will be sure to continue to spread the word about all that I learned. I'm also so moved by the work
you've done with the animals. You are truly amazing. I want you to know that I told everyone I met from out of town to take your tour and gave them the number.

I would love the opportunity to talk to you about the best ways to be effective up here. I want to start a series of benefits/awareness raising concerts. But the need is so great, I thought maybe each month, we could put the money to a new organization or school. I would love your input on where there is a need we may not know about (a local school, etc.). And I am going to contact the head of Roxbury Children's Services up here who processed our evacuees in Massachusetts. Maybe we can do something locally for them.

I will write my Senators about supporting the 4 Billion for Louisiana (although they already support it, I'm sure) and please keep me abreast of what else is on the table. I will spread the word. I also have archived news with summaries of the New Orleans conferences at both Columbia and Harvard. I will try to write about my recent New Orleans trip and have my web master post it.

You are doing such good work, and I'm honored to have met you!
Please keep in touch and let me know how I can help.Thanks, Laura Vecchione

Dear Isabelle,
The tour of NO devastation, almost 9 months after the fact, is a sad reminder that enough has not been done to bring New Orleans back as it deserves to be.
John's closing remarks beautifully summed up the reasons that New Orleans MUST be restored. Please tell him, I would like to quote his closing statement in the letters and presentations which I plan to prepare in support of my fellow citizens and friends who have endured the horrific trauma named Katrina. Perhaps he can e-mail the substance of his last card or fax it to me.
Please be sure to advise me when the History Channel is airing its documentary so that I can notify those up north who are concerned with your well being. May God bless you.
Sincerely, Claire and Myron Meadow


Tuesday, May 09, 2006 9:55 PM
We had the most wonderful tour with Rose last Thursday. Needless to say it made a big impression with us all. I would like to get in contact with Rose to get connected with a school or some youth organization in her area that could use our help. I work with Girl Scouts and an at-risk girls organization (who did a Katrina project of their own already) - I want to share my photos with them and hopefully get them involved further. Susie Bavo, Nevada City, CA

Comments from our Swamp & Plantation Tours:

Wonderful tour, Lee was a great and knowledgeable guide. Especially liked the Laura tour. The leader was knowledgeable and really cared. You could tell it was not a rehearsed presentation, but given from the heart. The highlight though, was the private dinner at Madewood plantation. It was spectacular. The meal, the ambiance, and the service was superb! Thank you so much. You made our trip. Tisha, you should be commended for setting up such a nice trip! - Tom & Joan S. Vancouver, WA

“What a wonderful experience we had in New Orleans. Thanks to you and the help you gave me in deciding what to put together for the Board of Trustees and their wives. The most memorable evening was our dinner at the Madewood Plantation. Everyone loved this and we felt like we were stepping back in time when we made the turn onto the glorious grounds of the magnificent Madewood Plantation. Ruth greeted us and took us on an informative tour of Madewood. When her tour was concluded, we had hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the kitchen. The chef served scrumptious Brie, fresh Louisiana strawberries, grapes, and the most delicious canapés ever eaten. We were enjoying ourselves so very much as we munched on hors d’oeuvres in the kitchen as well as enjoying our wine while we walked among the oaks and fig trees. We were called to dinner in the ballroom where a table of eloquence awaited. Sterling, crystal, and china allured us like jewels. The dinner was superb. We ended our evening with after dinner drinks served at the table as well. Tisha, I will recommend you and your company to anyone and I sincerely thank you for your time and effort in making this very successful. I especially appreciate your meeting me at the hotel to make sure everything was fine. You are a professional and the extra effort you gave meant so much since I was so far away from home.” - Kay C. – Westerville, Ohio

"Very, very informative and fun afternoon. Juan made it a very pleasurable and enjoyable tour. We will tell our friends to call you when they come to New Orleans for a superb tour." Lila & Jim Young

"Brilliant, breath taking tour, finally I had a chance to see in reality what I had only seen in movies." Doris Heklor, Frankfurt Germany

"What a wonderful experience we had in New Orleans. Our City tour with Jim was excellent. He made it very special and I appreciated that so very much. He added some 'Louisiana flavor to the event.' We had a lot of fun with him. He is a 'keeper'. I will recommend you and your company to anyone and I sincerely thank you. The extra effort you gave meant so much since I was so far away. Many, many thanks!" - Kay Childress, Orton Foundation

"I was on your Deluxe tour on May 14, 1998 and I just wanted to tell you that your tour guide Warren was just excellent. He knew all the areas well and answered all the questions very well, I know you would consider this his job, but he did it at an excellent level and should be considered and outstanding employee! Thank you for a very nice tour!" - Bob & Mary Westcott of Macomb, OK

"We were on your Grand tour taken on December 11, 1999. We felt that the whole day was extremely well organized and a very good value for our money. When we mentioned we were from Ireland, your tour guide, Ginnie, made every part of the trip relevant to our country. Her knowledge and passion for New Orleans were extensive and her manner most charming. In these days of frequent complaints about service, we felt it was only right to compliment when it is so deserving. Again, thank you for an unforgettable experience!" - Niamh Flood & David Lawless, Ireland

"I just wanted to tell you how terrific we thought your tours were when we were in New Orleans last week! It was a super way to see a lot in a short period of time. We took the City tour on 4/18/00 and the Grand Combo on 4/19/00, which was a perfect combination. Thank you for helping us enjoy our vacation!" - Marsha Wagoner

"From my first phone call with Amy in your office, it was a delight. She was very kind and courteous and full of information. She booked us on the Grand Combo on 5/19/00, as that tour seemed to cover what our group wanted to do. I even called for a weather report before our trip and she was very amenable to answer our questions." Our tour guide was Jim, and what a gem you have! He is a great representation for your company and we would all highly recommend your tour company to anyone traveling to New Orleans." - Gayle Murray and "The Orange County 8"

"Isabelle, many thanks for such a great tour on February 21, 2000 with Juan to the swamps and to Laura plantation, which I found marvelously interesting because it was Creole! Juan had to explain the Creole part patiently several times before we all realized exactly what Creole meant, and what a meaning! I am a travel agent and I will recommend you to my clients! Many Thanks!" - Boo VanHaften, Travel Designs