Testimonials :   Page 1   |   Page 2   |  Page 3 | Page 4

March 31, 2010- via Trip Advisor

"Mind Blowing"
My wife and I took the Katrina tour at a a cost of $65/per. It was worth every penny. Our guide, Jenny, was extremely well informed on all of the details about this devastating disaster that never have been reported. She was also very passionate about her city and was able to convey that well during the nearly four hours we were together. If, like us, you are not terribly familiar with New Orleans, and know about Katrina only what was reported on national tv five years ago, this is a do not miss event.

March 23, 2010- via Trip Advisor

"Solid performance as a tour provider"
We took the combined Oak Alley / Laura Plantation tour on our first day in NOLA and the Air Boat Tour on our second day.

On both days with different tour guides and different destinations, the service was excellent and the tour guides were extremely well versed on their city's history and facts.

The costs of the tours were on the pricey end of the scale, but keep in mind that you are getting a very small group tour. The small groups means much more personal service and interaction with fellow tourists.

On the first tour there was 8 of us and on the second only 3. Our experience with Tours By Isabelle was fantastic on both occaisons.

I would concede that you may need to wait until the day before a tour to know if it is going ahead, particularly in the cold months, but the communication from Isabelle was excellent and managed this issue superbly.

If you are just focusing on tour costs, go with a large bus. But if you want a high quality tour with personal, knowledgable and friendly service go with Tours By Isabelle. It's a holiday after all, spend a little extra and go for quality.....it will make ALL the difference.

March 8, 2010- via Trip Advisor

"Katrina and Swamp Boat Tours"
Tours By Isabelle........OMG...great tours! We are 3 women who had the pleasure of meeting 2 great tour guides on our recent trip to N.O. We just got back and can still appreciate Rosie, who was super on our Katrina tour. She took us all over the city and gave us many historical facts about Katrina but also about the many cultures and history of N.O. for a present day memory. By also adding personal touches about her own life and experiences growing up in N.O. and living through the devastation of Katrina we were given new insight regarding the recovery of this vibrant city. As a retired school teacher Rosie was most articulate and entertaining in presenting the facts and adding her " special humor."
We were amazed by the vastness of the devastation since we had only seen what millions saw on T.V. This was truly an eye opening experience.
The swamp tour was much lighter as you can guess. Our guide on the airboat, Kevin was absolutely one of the funniest guides we ever met. Very knowledgeable and entertaining at the same time.........a great wit and yet a very down to earth kind of guy. Wildlife, alligators and Spanish Moss hanging from the trees....just like in the movies! We got to see it all.........live and up front!
We would recommend both of these tours to anyone. Their service was great, they picked us up at the hotel and were very punctual and professional all the way through. Then they return you to your hotel after the tour. Doesn't get better than that! On our next visit we will look forward to the Plantation tour.
Thanks again to Isabelle and especially Rosie. You gave us some great memories and a "taste of southern hospitality."
The New Hampshire Girls

February 28, 2010- via Trip Advisor

"Tours by Isabelle"
I visited New Orleans for the first time this past week and while there took two of the Tours by Isabelle - the City tour and the Post-Katrina tour. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Tour guides, Diane and Rose, both New Orleans natives, were delightful company and extremely knowledgeable. The city tour provided all sorts of information about the history of the city, its architecture, culture, music scene, neighbourhoods and outlying areas. The Post-Katrina tour was also very informative and gave me a good understanding of the mechanics of what occurred and also the extent of the personal costs. We were also able to see the efforts of reconstruction in the devastated areas. I am so glad that these tours are available. Customer service is evidently important to this company as well as a gracious and informed presentation. Top marks.

February 1, 2010- via Trip Advisor

"Memorable tour, with a good customer service twist!"
My parents and I signed up for the post-Katrina tour. At $65 per person (plus tip) it was a bit on the steep side, but the tour did live up to its billing in quality and customer service. Our driver, Stanley, was a local who was clearly proud of the community he was born and raised in. Personable and accommodating, I would generally rate him favorably. (Side note: the neighbors in the Katrina-affected areas reacted favorably to Stanley's tour - one woman flagged our van down and handed us some photos of the flood damage to her house! Apparently they like that the outside world is seeing how this situation has affected them... and hope that we'll work to make the situation better)

The customer service twist came when I realized I had left my iPhone on the van. I called in the missing phone within 10-15 minutes of having been dropped off. Unfortunately, the dispatcher said that Stanley was already crossing the Mississippi River and wouldn't be able to return to drop off the phone right away and that we'd have to wait and see if the cleaning service found the phone.

Fortunately, I got a call from Isabelle herself that night, who confirmed that they had indeed found the phone and that they would arrange to return it to me the next day (the last day of my trip). Even though they didn't have any tours scheduled that Monday, Isabelle herself drove downtown in her personal vehicle and delivered my phone to me! She probably spent an hour of her own time just to make sure I left my tour a satisfied customer, and I have to say that I appreciated the effort. Very impressive, and so happy to have my phone back too! When it comes to this tour company, you obviously get what you pay for: an interesting, personalized, first-rate tour, and top-notch customer service that goes above and beyond what you'd expect!

September 15, 2009- via Trip Advisor

"Delight, Delovely"
Tours by Isabelle provided the most personal service I have ever had the pleasure to experience on a group tour. Our guide was not just a fountain of memorized information but obviously had a passion for the subject matter and embellished it with wonderful human interest stories and conveyed to us her love for New Orleans. My friend and I took the Creole plantation tour over this past Labor Day and we thoroughly enjoyed it even in the pouring rain! Oak Alley is just at thrilling in a down pour as it is in bright sun shine. Our group was small and we were a family by the end of the afternoon. Isabelle was prompt in responding to messages left on a voice mail and everything was arranged with ease. Isabelle, we will be sure to contact you on our next trip to New Orleans. I am glad to know that the difference between Creole and Cajun cooking is tomatoes. Thank you for making a wonderful trip to New Orleans even better. Ann B. Washington DC

September 10, 2009- via Trip Advisor

"Post Katrina Tour"
We took the Post Katrina tour yesterday. I had reservations about taking a tour - not wanting to "gawk" at the people still having such a hard time. Then I read an article that most people still living in the affected areas didn't mind the tours because it brought more awareness to their situation. I must say I was shocked. I had no idea of the devastation that still exists four years after the storm. It was very, very sobering but very enlightening. Our tour guide was Joseph, who evacuated during the storm, lived in a FEMA trailer, and had a lot of first hand knowledge about the situation. The tour is not really something you would take for enjoyment, but as a definite learning experience. I really felt like we came away from it with a much better understanding of how it happened and what still needs to happen. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who comes to New Orleans and thinks everything is back to normal. The van picked us up at our hotel promptly at 8:30 and it was a very pleasant and comfortable trip - with only 3 other passengers besides my husband and I. Thanks Joseph for telling us about Mulate's - just ate and danced there tonight!!!!

July 18, 2009- via Trip Advisor

"Isabelle Tours"
We had the Katrina tour with Isabelle tours. Our tour master was Ginny. She was FANTASTIC!!!!! She has a wealth of knowledge and very pleasant. I would never use anyone else for tours in New Orleans. It was intimate and very personal. She came to our hotel and picked us up in front..service...lol Mid-point through the tour, we stopped at a very nice cafe. We used the bathroom and got some coffee....

June 11, 2009- via Trip Advisor

"City/Katrina Tour & Plantation Tour"
I used "Tours by Isabelle" for both of the above mentionned tours during my 1st trip to NO this past April.
The plantation tour is really just a pick-up/drop off service as they only drive you to the various plantations. Once there, you are given your tour by the plantation guides; so any tour company can be used for this particular "tour".

I enjoyed the City/Katrina tour very much. The lady who gave my particular tour was very nice and informative. It was very sad, moving, and enlightning to see all the devastated areas, to hear what happened during and after the storm, and what is still happening today. However, as mentionned in a previous post, it's really a Katrina tour more than a city tour. You only see the city while driving to the various Katrina sites.

The company used passenger vans which can fit up to 13 people. Even though technically you can fit 13 people, it is very crowded and not comfortable for the people who are stuck in the middle of the seat (3 people per seat + 1 up front with the driver). I know it's a business and they are trying to minimize cost and maximize profits, but it's not very comfortable for the customer, especially for a long tour like the Katrina tour which last 3&1/2hrs.

Also, they only garantee tour departures when they have a certain number of people scheduled. Personally, I found this very frustrating cause you only have a certain amount of time when u're on vacation, and it's hard to plan your excursions and sightseeing when you don't know for sure what day your tour will be, or what time of day (morning vs afternoon).

Overall, they were satisfactory but I'm not sure I would use them again because of the vans (especially if it's a full tour) and their scheduling practices.




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