Non-Profit Testimonials
Pete MacFadyen, Executive Director , Big Sky Youth Empowerment, Bozeman, MT
Pete MacFadyen, Executive Director , Big Sky Youth Empowerment, Bozeman, MT
During the two years, our organization sold a total of fifteen weeks. Approximately half went to Bali, half to Italy. My co-chair and her extended family had an amazing reunion in Cortona, Italy and plan to head to Bali in 2012. My husband and I, along with three other couples spent a week last April at Villa Paradiso located in Amed, Bali. The property is beautiful, very luxurious and spacious. This experience was like none we had ever previously enjoyed. The staff kept the fridge stocked with cold beer and made sure every crazy wish we could come up with came true. We asked to be dropped at the beginning of a hike and picked up a different location. Response, “We can do that.” We wanted a feast for ten on our back patio.
We were ridiculously spoiled by week’s end and plotting how to return.
On a more practical topic, we found Stacy and Rob to be very easy to work with. They respond in a timely and informative manner. Our organization put no money up front. We were expected to meet their reserve prices only after our event was concluded. They allow two years to use the prize, rather than the customary one year. All of this just took the worry out of including these items in our auctions. I recommend them and Sojourn Ventures Properties without hesitation.”
Lyn S. Granger, San Diego Alzheimer’s Association
Lyn S. Granger, San Diego Alzheimer’s Association
We are grateful to have partners like Sojourn Ventures! Thank you, Stacey and Rob!”
Derenda Schubert, Ph.D., Executive Director
Derenda Schubert, Ph.D., Executive Director
Known for incredible travel experiences, our guests have come to expect exceptional destinations at our auction and Stacey and Rob didn’t disappoint!
When this package was presented you could feel the energy in the room change – people had been waiting for this opportunity. The bidding was shift and impressive. Thanks to the flexibility of booking we were able to sell four packages resulting in a record breaking Live Auction.
Since the event, Stacey and Rob have been a delight to work with and all our supporters who have worked with them and stayed at Casa San Marco only come back with praises.
At Our House, we cannot wait to work to Sojourn Ventures again and offer even more exciting travel packages for our guests
Andrew Tweedie, Our House Director of Development, Portland OR
Andrew Tweedie, Our House Director of Development, Portland OR
Cortona Testimonials
“To Sojourn Ventures and Together in Tuscany~
The trip to Tuscany was OUTSTANDING!
The entire team at Together in Tuscany was superb!
Arrival was friendly even though they had many arrivals at the very same time. They handled it well, taking us on to the villa and meeting us there later to go over the paperwork. The tours and driver arranged were VERY well done – they genuinely heard the types of places we would like to visit and accommodated those wishes. The driver was superb – he was with us all week. The chef that came for the cooking lesson was just darling – very fun and enjoyable! I truly cannot say enough good. My husband was “on the fence” about the trip – initially just went for me….he ended up having one of the best trips ever!
Denyse has put together such a great team and she is excellent at what she does.
The owners of the villa was so hospitable and made themselves available in a friendly welcoming way.
Altogether SPLENDID!“
Gayle Caldarazzo
Gayle Caldarazzo
“Hello Denyse and Guilia!!
Thank you for helping make our time in Cortona so wonderful. It was an amazing and special trip for our family and we have come away with so many great memories!!
I wanted you both to know how much we all enjoyed the tour guides you set up for us. Janet, who lead us on the wine tours in Montepulciano, was so much fun and so knowledgeable. We loved the little town and our lunch that day was delicious!
Marco, who took us through Florence, was also lots of fun and taught us so much about the city. We loved his accent and will always remember how he lead us through the crowds – loved using the microphones! Again, lunch and wine were outstanding!
Pete and Hayley and I had the most wonderful day in Rome with Giuliano. Certainly well worth the cost of the tour – amazing!! We feel like we made a friend in him – I would certainly give him five stars for his tour!
And, of course, Enzo and his son, made our touring and getting around so easy. We all felt very special being chauffeured around by them! We will all remember our cooking class with Ivan as being an amazing evening with so much delicious food – thank you, too, Denyse for being there that night as well!
Always happy to be home but we will never forget Cortona and staying in such a special spot. Casa San Marco was a little piece of heaven! Hugs.”
Susan Anderson
Susan Anderson
David Wilson
David Wilson
Niki and Vince Yarnot, Snohomish, WA
Niki and Vince Yarnot, Snohomish, WA
Virginia Kantor
Virginia Kantor
Jean and Michael Best
Jean and Michael Best
John and Cheryl Beem
John and Cheryl Beem
Bali Testimonials
Rob, Stacey, and Wayan Menu who own / run the place have something really special here. I highly recommend the Villa or Golden Buddha which is on the same grounds. If you plan to go to Amed then this is the place to stay. The whole experience is truly unreal and the staff make it just perfect in every way. We plan to go back for sure!
The pictures don’t do it justice. Seeing the place is believing :)”
Ron T, Portland OR
Ron T, Portland OR
I can’t believe she brought her family out to perform for us and the special dinner that night was great starting off with the blessing at the temple and the food. She decorated the table outside with these beautiful banana leaf decorations, and I brought back some of the decorations to hang around my house. We had coffee across the street at the restaurant and the staff was wonderful there, and we had dinner at Apa Kabar one night, too. We trekked out to the white temple, went snorkeling and everyone was so helpful getting us set up and helping us get around.
Seriously, I cannot say enough good things about the accommodations and staff. I love Bali so much. The people are so wonderful. I hope we can go back. Not sure if I can get it in another auction, but I hope so, because we would love to return. Thanks so much to everyone for all your help getting us set up and for picking us up and dropping us at locations other than the airport.”
Cassandra
Cassandra
The actual stay in the beautiful chateaux, with access to the pool, the poolside bar and the excellent food from the onsite restaurant – was a dream come true. The staff was so attentive, entertaining and yet provided that feeling that we were the only ones there. It truly is one of Bali’s hidden golden treasures: The Golden Buddha!
Thank you for a wonderful honeymoon spot and experiences to remember the rest of our lives! Hope to return again!“
Erich and Katie
Erich and Katie
As you can well imagine, we adored Komang and all the staff, the massages were heavenly, Rio (our main driver) was so reliable and informative, the breakfasts were a treat every morning…….I could go on and on and on! But suffice it to say, we can’t thank you enough, not only for our experience, but also for the generosity you have bestowed upon so many non-profits. What a gift!“
Dave and Sally
Dave and Sally
Jane Tighe, NW Dance Project Board Member
Jane Tighe, NW Dance Project Board Member
We were welcomed to a private, well-appointed villa decorated in flowers, and the hospitality continued throughout our stay. We were included in local customs such as the full moon prayer festival and an artfully-prepared farewell dinner that included traditional Balinese dancing by some beautiful local children.
The Villa itself is quite lovely, with local art and a stunning private pool. The lush grounds provide poolside shade and allow a peek at the local flora and fauna with flowering trees, butterflies, birds, and the occasional gecko. But more than this, the trip was made most memorable by the warmth and generosity of the staff, who made us feel more like guests in their own home. We were even taught a few local words and greetings! We leave with a bit of sadness, tempered by the many happy memories and warm thoughts of our new friends.”
Chad E. Becker and Dr. Shelly Van Scoyk
Chad E. Becker and Dr. Shelly Van Scoyk
Phil and Angie Fogg, Portland OR
Phil and Angie Fogg, Portland OR
One night I was treated to an amazing Balinese evening, including a delicious traditional dinner, Balinese decor and two very special dances performed by several lovely and beautiful local girls…the experience brought tears to my eyes and made me fall more in love with the country. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and treatment of the staff towards me. Having traveled the world as a single female, I was touched by the attention of the staff…from making sure I was always comfortable, that I was well fed and that I made it back to the property safely every evening – this was above and beyond expectations. I felt like the staff took me under the wings and made sure I enjoyed experiencing the local vibe, hanging out at Pazzo, going to their local hangouts rather than just where the tourists spend time and soaking up the relaxing lifestyle Bali has to offer.
I can’t thank you, Wayan and all the people of Amed enough for offering me such an amazing experience…I hope to return some day!! And I will certainly forward Sojourn Ventures information to any and all of my friends that may get the travel bug!!”
Christl Holtzel, Sun Valley
Christl Holtzel, Sun Valley
Jami Earsley
Jami Earsley
We quickly befriended some of the local fisherman that keep their boats on the beach in front of the Villas. They generously took us fishing,snorkeling and sailing Balinese style. We visited homes and met their families and got a better understanding of their daily lives.
We were also able to enjoy the surrounding country side, hiking in the hills and visiting local markets and various temples. Time stood still during our time on Bali. All of the people we met so impressed us that we decided to bring our children back so they would have a chance to experience Bali and the people too. We have already booked the Villas for April 2013!
I would highly recommend staying at Apakabar Villas and slow life down for awhile. ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.”
Greg Jones
Greg Jones
We named the gecko Larry, just as an FYI…and then it turned out that Larry had family. The people at the restaurant were lovely and fun to hang with. It turns out that they liked our music, so I was bringing them over my CD’s for their listening pleasure. It was cute to see how they lit up with the music. I am going to burn the CD’s and send to them, so next time you go, if you hear Sugarland or Blake Shelton you can thank the two girls from Washington. We did however want to strangle the frog in the front yard, who felt is necessary to croak all night…. Again, just wanted you to know how much we enjoyed your home away from home.”
Cheryl Fisher
Cheryl Fisher
Wayan the driver was absolutely the best and also the little gal in the restaurant were people you can be extremely proud of. All those we met were beyond kind and helpful. All your staff did a great job. The trips out and about around the hills in the little van was perfect for our group of 6. My daughter asked if they were to go would I recommend this place and I said absolutely. It is away from the commercial areas and laid back and perfect and the things you see are more typical than than hustle and bustle of Denpasar area. We went to the water palaces, elephant ride, markets, temples, (I climbed all the way on crutches, because I didn’t realize how far it was.) Snorkeling, dinners out and at your place, were wonderful…prices very cheap! Massages and Bensing and water to cool off in…we all had a great time. We would definitely stay at your place again and we would highly recommend it to anyone! We met others at the villa from our area to and they seemed equally as happy at your place as we were.”
Patsy and gang
Patsy and gang
Melanie
Melanie
Sharon Ramirez
Sharon Ramirez
And this year at the Dress for Success I bid on one of your Italy apartments. We’re hoping to go in the spring next year. I’m not sure which one as I haven’t received the certificate yet but we were thinking late May.”
Lisa
Lisa
I cannot tell you enough time how thankful we are for the people you have working for you in Amed, they made our trip extra special.”
Eric
Eric