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Hotel Guests |
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Cruise ship passengers |
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 A
Night Out on the Town - Not two minutes ago, we
were tourists. But now we play the role of prisoners walking along San
Sebastián Street, where prisoners of long ago were led, in shackles, to
the city jail and, maybe, to the gallows. As we walk, our guide,
Debbie, tells us the romantic legend of the prisoner and the executioner's
daughter.
It's all part of the fun on the "Night Tales in Old San
Juan" tour, brainchild of Legends of Puerto Rico founder Debbie
Molina. Her infectious passion for Puerto Rico and its history, and
her extensive research, are what make this tour so appealing; that, and
the privilege of entering landmark historic buildings at night, when they
are closed to the public. The tour covers 2 miles and lasts
approximately two hours (with several stops to let you rest and listen to
your guide). Along the way you're hear tales of love, pirates, war,
and myth in the old city. Debbie also points out locations where
movies were shot and, if you're lucky, she will even sing Noel Estrada's
lilting anthem, "En mi Viejo San Juan," for you. Amid the street
lamps and under the stars, the nighttime experience best captures the
romantic history of the Puerto Rican people and their island. The
tour makes several stops at some of San Juan's best-known monuments, and
even the most educated history buff might learn a thing or two about the
life and times of a colonial outpost. This is a unique way to see,
and appreciate, Viejo San Juan. Zain Deane, Author, Great
Destinations Puerto Rico - "San Juan, Vieques & Culebra" 1st Edition,
published 2008 - Page 108
 Legends of Puerto Rico
- Debbie Molina-Ramos is a well respected guide whose wildly popular
'Night Tales in Old San Juan' tour books up pretty fast. She also does
'Legends of San Juan' and many others, including a coffee plantation tour,
an eating and drinking tour, and tours to El Yunque. Bus trips are
available, as are special discounts for families with children (and
child-friendly tours, too) as well as wheelchair-accessible tours (advance
booking required). Debbie's also working on developing tours with a
sign language interpreter, and one for the visually impaired.
Ginger Adams Otis, Author, Lonely Planet Puerto Rico 2007 - San Juan Tours
Page 93
By Darwin Porter &
Danforth Prince
July 31, 2004
Legends of Puerto
Rico (tel. 787/605-9060;
www.legendsofpr.com),
is giving some of the best island tours-informative, varied, and
entertaining. Walking tours, for example, take in world heritage sites in
the once fortified Old Town or else a night walk where a guide entertains
with local legends. These tours cost $30 to $38.
Many other island tours are
offered, including a coffee plantation tour taking you up into the
mountains 2,500 feet above sea level. Other tours explore the lushest
parts of the island, including the Karst Country with Puerto Rico's
largest hiking trail system; El Yunque (the rain forest), and a mangrove
forest near the beach. Private tours can also be designed for individuals
or groups.
By Darwin Porter &
Danforth Prince
July 31, 2004
Legends of Puerto
Rico (tel. 787/605-9060;
www.legendsofpr.com),
is giving some of the best island tours-informative, varied, and
entertaining. Walking tours, for example, take in world heritage sites in
the once fortified Old Town or else a night walk where a guide entertains
with local legends. These tours cost $30 to $38.
Many other island tours are
offered, including a coffee plantation tour taking you up into the
mountains 2,500 feet above sea level. Other tours explore the lushest
parts of the island, including the Karst Country with Puerto Rico's
largest hiking trail system; El Yunque (the rain forest), and a mangrove
forest near the beach. Private tours can also be designed for individuals
or groups.
"Legends
of Puerto Rico, Inc. offers longer and more inventive tours, developed by
Debbie Molina-Ramos, a great storyteller who is as passionate about her
subject matter as she is professional."
Kurt Pitzer writer for the Hunter Travel Guide -
Adventure Guide to Puerto Rico 4th Edition - 2001, page 98.
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 Tour
survey comments:
Debbie was wonderful. She was very
attentive to the needs of the tour group, especially towards the elderly.
She monitors the pace of the walking tour according to the tour group as
most of the group members are elderly folks. She is the most caring,
respectful and considerate tour guide I've ever had. The quality of
service is excellent. She's a great asset to Legends. Desiree Chung, CA
Caribe Hilton, November 24, 2007
Tour
survey comments: Debbie
is a wonderful guide. She enjoys sharing her knowledge about Puerto Rico
and is very accommodating to your schedule. Since our return to Chicago,
two of my friends have told me they will be visiting Puerto Rico soon...I
have already let them know about Legends of Puerto Rico and especially
Debbie. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience. Janet
Gunter, IL, Westin Rio Mar, Nov 9, 2007
Tour
survey comments:
Debbie was great!. She was
always very attentive of the tour group and always had an answer for every
question. She explained things very well and made the group laugh. I have
been to San Juan before and this tour helped answer a lot of the things I
had been wondering about Old San Juan. The tour was very helpful, gave
great insight, and was very interesting! Thanks! Karina Solorio,
TX Hotel Milano, August 18, 2007
Tour survey comments:
This is an incredible
tour. It's power lies in the extra knowledge of the guide, who could
make even small details come to great life. It's honest, it's proud,
it's accurate, and it's inspiring. Michael Hoad, Da'House FL, July 2,
2007
Tour
survey comments: My wife and I had a
great time! Debbie did a super job. She had so much to show us. We could
tell she loves her job. The places she pointed out was very helpful with
the rest of our stay in Old San Juan. When the tour was over she asked
us what we wanted to do and told us how to get there. Thank you Debbie
for a great night. We will tell our friends if they want a tour of the
city that your tour is a must do. William Pitz, NY - Pre-Cruise Feb
23, 2007
Tour
Survey comments: Debbie
was a wonderful tour guide and we thoroughly enjoyed our nighttime tour of
Puerto Rico. Her upbeat and dramatic narrative style kept us moving and
interested and her enthusiasm for her native Puerto Rico was catchy. We
were especially moved by her rendition of the song about San Juan. There
is no substitute for seeing the sights in unknown places under the
guidance of a native whose love for "home" truly shines through. The
nighttime tales were wonderful and truly a highlight of our wonderful trip
to Puerto Rico. My only regret is that we did not see Puerto Rico by day
with Debbie too! Thank you, Debbie! You truly made us welcome and gave us
a wonderful appreciation for the history here! Jean and Al Bryan,
Leslie and Greg Machen--Huntsville, Alabama May 29, 2006 - Hotel El
Convento
Tour
Survey comments:
Debbie was a great tour guide. I understand why she was chosen to train
new tour guides. She offered us many facts that we would not have learned
if we were on our own. It was a pleasant and worthwhile experience.
George Kopacz, NJ - Sheraton Old San Juan - (Pre-cruise) May 19, 2006
Tour
Survey comments:
The tour was great fun for the whole family. Everyone had
a great time. Kate Beason, CO, Marriott in
Condado, April 18, 2006
Tour
Survey comments:
Debbie was incredible and
made the experience very personable. If you have a short time to visit
Puerto Rico, this tour satisfies your need for history, culture,
architecture and relaxing enjoyment. John and Linda Mosher, IL
Normandie Hotel - (Pre-cruise) January 28, 2006
Tour
Survey comments:
Great Tour! I know about
Puerto Rican history and culture, but Debbie told us a number of things
we did not know or realize within the first couple of minutes while we
were preparing to leave the meeting area. I highly recommend this
walking tour to anyone. John Padilla, CT - Hotel guest -
January 20, 2006
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Letter:
Good morning, Debbie!
It was such a pleasure meeting you for our
Night Tour in Old San Juan. Having lived there for about 1 1/2 years and
knowing a little about the history, I must say that you broaden my
knowledge about the history of P.R. with all your stories.
If only I would have had a History Teacher that
was as passionate as you -maybe I would of liked history more.
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour, walking in Old
San Juan on the cobblestone streets, narrow sidewalks, the historical
buildings which I remember seeing when living in San Juan but yet not
knowing the history behind it and most of all having access to those
buildings. Just fascinating! (Old Prison -I would of loved to go down
underground to see what it looked like - but that's me - it's
fascinating to see places like that).
You are so passionate about it that I got very
excited about learning more and just absorbed everything you said. Would
of loved to listen to you all night about P.R. and it's history.
We thank you very much for sharing your island
(my second home), your history, your passion with us.
Denise Pepin de Vinas, Suzanne Pepin and Guy Pepin - from Canada
(Carnival Liberty)
April 28, 2008
We enjoyed the Nights of Old
San Juan tour we took on January 28th. Debbie gave a very detailed
description on history and events of San Juan. The city was beautiful at
night and we saw areas that we would not have seen if not for the tour.
Debbie is knowledgeable about the city and makes it very interesting with
the stories she tells of the events. You can tell she is very proud of her
home land as she should be.
Again thanks for making our
trip to San Juan so enjoyable and we would recommend it to everyone.
Ron & Shirley Hensley, Perryton, Texas - Carnival Freedom - January 28,
2008
Tour
survey comments:
We enjoyed the tour with Debbie. We found
the tour to be informative and entertaining. The weather put a damper on
the end of the tour, but we were still very much satisfied with the tour.
Michael Crandall, NY - Carnival Liberty -
December 10, 2007 -
Tour
survey comments: The
tour was exceptional. Debbie took time to answer questions and we did not
feel rushed. Her knowledge of Old San Juan was so beneficial. I would
definitely suggest this tour to anyone visiting the city.
Kathleen Bickel, FL -
Carnival Liberty, July 23, 2007
Tour
survey comments: We have been on a lot of tours and found Debbie
to give the best tour we have ever had. She was a wealth of knowledge. We
will be recommending your tours to our family and friends. You are very
lucky to have a great tour guide working for you. Please say hi to Debbie
for us and thank her again for a terrific tour. Gloria Raimondi, NY,
Crown Princess, May 16, 2007
Tour
survey comments: We had a group of six family members and we
were all just so appreciative of Debbie's knowledge of Old San Juan. We
learned a great deal of history in a very enjoyable way. Even my ten year
old granddaughter was impressed and had a wonderful time. Each of us
agreed that we would recommend the tour to any friends traveling to San
Juan. Donna Thompson, FL - Carnival Victory, May 15, 2007
Tour
survey comments: Very informative, entertaining and enjoyable.
Debbie offered historical and cultural insight along with amazingly
accurate dates and statistics. Harold Masson, FL Costa Mediterranea
April 10, 2007
Tour
survey comments:
Debbie is a wonderful tour guide! The following week
we were on a cruise and of all the islands we visited, Debbie's tour was
by far the best and most entertaining. We will be sure to look her up
again if we ever come back to San Juan! Laura Dickinson, CT
Pre-Cruise passenger, January 12, 2007
Tour
Survey comments:
Debbie was an
excellent guide and I would highly recommend her and the tour to visitors
of Old San Juan. Douglas Cinque, NJ, October 15, 2006 - Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel
(Pre-Cruise)
Tour
Survey comments:
Debbie was excellent...so enthusiastic and passionate
about the history of San Juan. We could tell that she is proud of her
heritage and that made the tour even more special. Debbie also took
extra measures to ensure the safety and comfort of her guests (such as
warning us of traffic, slippery cobble stones, and uneven sidewalks) and
to point out photo opportunities and tips on how to get the best photos.
Additionally, she did an excellent job of remembering names and drawing
us in to participate in her stories. We will highly recommend this tour
AND DEBBIE to others who plan to travel to San Juan. Thank you!
Karin Sabey, MN - Carnival Triumph Ship - February 27, 2006. |
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