-
"Bonsoir,
Back in Verona after a very long trip, with plenty of fi..."
B.
Full Testimonial
Bonsoir,
Back in Verona after a very long trip, with plenty of fishing dreams into my head..I have talk to André Riviere and Andrea Borziani,+ some others friends and we are just waiting to be there for next year…One’s again a very warm thank you to you and Alejandro, everything was perfect and it was a fantastic trip. Please give my kind regards to all the guides and staff.
I joint the photos of the 2 golden boys….
Un abbraccio a tutti.
Thank you.
B.
-
" I really tried hard to find some improvements upon service, guides, management..."
Gerald
Full Testimonial
I really tried hard to find some improvements upon service, guides, management,etc- but I could not find anything ! (Maybe: more rain and snow in winter to have more water in the river .. haha).
I really want to say thank you for the wonderful week and for your great hospitallity
Hope to see you next year again,
All the best,
Gerald
-
"Thank you for your very kind note. I have enjoyed both my stays with you, but..."
Jim
Full Testimonial
Thank you for your very kind note. I have enjoyed both my stays with you, but felt it was a much better experience this year. I'm not sure I can provide you with a good explanation,
but perhaps it was because I fished alone and had more individual time with the guides - all of whom were excellent and I'd have a difficult time picking a favorite. I also caught more and lerger fish this year - was just luckier!
The food and service are always excellent and would be hard to improve upon. You and Alejandro operate a first class facility.
Jim
-
"Fishing was tough, but I was able to land one sea run brown that was 22 lbs., so..."
Bruce W.
Full Testimonial
Fishing was tough, but I was able to land one sea run brown that was 22 lbs., so my trophy hunt was successful.
The overall experience was truly outstanding. The guides were terrific (great people to spend time with even when the fishing was slow). Service and attention to detail were great, the food was truly world class. Virtually every aspect of the experience except for the number of larger fish (which can be directly attributed to my lack of ability with a spey rod and low water, neither of which are matters over which you have any control) exceeded my expectations.
Sincerely,
Bruce W.
-
"Good day, I hope this email finds you in good health.
Please ex..."
Stuart H
Full Testimonial
Good day, I hope this email finds you in good health.
Please excuse the direct contact, but I got your email address from Steffan at Aardvark McLeod as I wanted to thank you personally for your looking after us so well when we fished with you w/c Saturday 31 March.
I have never experienced such a comfortable and luxurious fishing lodge as Kau Tapen and find it hard to believe that there could be another anywhere which would come close in terms of hospitality, fine food and relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. The whole team had a great time and were truly grateful for the efforts made by yourselves and your team to make us feel so at home and to look after us so well. The guides were excellent; a mix of characters and experience but all committed to helping us catch fish and have a great time while doing so – this was appreciated by all.
I hope to make it back sometime as the experience was too good to make it a once in a lifetime trip. In the meantime, have a good rest of season and again thank you
Warm regards,
Stuart H
-
"Dear Carolina and Alejandeo,
Thanks a lot for a fabulous week a..."
Jon H
Full Testimonial
Dear Carolina and Alejandeo,
Thanks a lot for a fabulous week at Kau Tapen. As I was there two years ago as well, the expectations were high, but the staff and lodge was absolutely out of this world. If you maintain this level of service there is no need for changes. I may well return in a couple of years.
I wish you the best for the rest of the season.
Kind regards,
Jon H
-
"My dear Carolina
You are brilliant!! I just got back to the UK th..."
Merlin u.
Full Testimonial
My dear Carolina
You are brilliant!! I just got back to the UK this morning and have come to work (feeling a bit on 'Argentina-time') First thing to say is how much I enjoyed my week at Kau Tapen. You have a superb set-up there and I congratulate you and Allesandro on the way you organise it all. The staff were all so helpful and charming. It could not have been better. And I loved the fishing, despite the low water. In fact the conditions probably helped me because I wasn't required to cast so far to reach the fish! Our journey home went well and we were well looked after by the capable taxi-girls from LOL in Buenos Aires. Gary, Jim and I arrived to cold rain at Heathrow airport this morning – not a good welcome! We envied Sandy who is now walking in Chile, lucky man.
Thank you once again Carolina for all you did for us. And that is great news about my camera. I am so grateful to whoever does bring it home to the UK. Please tell them I'll reimburse their postage of course.
Could they please send it to my office address which is more reliable during the day:
Merlin u.
-
"I wanted to offer the following comments about my week at Kau Tapen.
..."
Steve
Full Testimonial
I wanted to offer the following comments about my week at Kau Tapen.
In one word: SUPERB.
There was no detail, regardless of how minute, that was not dealt with promptly, professionally, and with outstanding results. All of my flight arrangements were great, the Alvear was, as usual, wonderful, and Kau Tapen was the single finest fishing lodge I have ever visited. The guides: Matthew, Santi, Gaston (head guide), Max, Andrei, and Diego were all to a man the ultimate professionals; Carolina & Alejandro, lodge managers, have created a smoothly running machine; the house staff anticipated your needs before you asked; and finally the cuisine rated at least one Michelin Star.
Finally thank you both; all your help was first-class.
Best regards
Steve
-
"Wednesday afternoon here and I am just now starting to come back down to reality..."
Mike D
Full Testimonial
Wednesday afternoon here and I am just now starting to come back down to reality after an absolutely amazing trip To Kau Tapen Lodge. From the moment I arrived at the Airport in Buenos Aires and was greeted and driven to the famous Alvear Palace Hotel, to my tour of BA with Gaby and driver on 22 Jan, to the wonderful welcome and great fishing at the Lodge, to my return being greeted by Vickie and driver this trip has been simply an awesome experience.
The guides, lodge staff, meals, wonderful Red Wine from Argentina,were superb. You may have heard by now that the group of fishermen got along with great esprit...seven from Scotland, one from Australia, one from New Zealand and myself, a USA citizen but also a Canadian born and raised in Montreal and moved to Chicago in 1980. And my father was born in Scotland so there are some Scotland genes in me. The group referred to me as the Canadian for the rest of the trip ! We had such a good time...fishing, eating great meals , enjoying the amazing level of service and SINGING OLD SCOTISH ,IRISH OR OTHER SONGS WELL INTO THE WEE HOURS....It seemed as each day went by we slept fewer hours AND did not miss the sleep as we were having so much fun.
Sadly the trip came to an end...so we thought...but there was one surprise on the way out of the lodge...a flock of at least 2000 sheep blocking the entire road and embankments. Our drivers skillful nudged there way through.. I have NEVER seen so many sheep.
I did not try to contact you upon return since it was a Saturday and I thought you would be with family...plus I was a bit tired ..harder for me at age 74 to keep up with this younger Scots !
Anyway I wanted to let you know ever aspect was great...and the weather, was actually warm a few days...almost no rain..and only two periods where the wind gusts forced me to get off the river for a bit. Thanks you so much for helping me with the realization of this trip. I sure hope another visit to KauTapen is in my future.
Best wishes to you
Mike D
-
"Carolina,
Well done. Jon dropped me a note and called me when h..."
Hank
Full Testimonial
Carolina,
Well done. Jon dropped me a note and called me when he got home. I wanted
to share this note with you all from him about the trip. The Kau Tapen
staff has been getting excellent reports all season and here is another
from a man who has been to the lodge over 20 times. Thank you so much and
again, well done to all.
Hank
-
"Superb all around, well done everyone...."
Graham P., California
Full Testimonial
Superb all around, well done everyone.
Graham P., California
-
"Carolina quickly learned our names and always made us feel like home. Staff is g..."
Eddie F., USA
Full Testimonial
Carolina quickly learned our names and always made us feel like home. Staff is great. Carolina & Alejandro run fantastic staff. Guides were patient and enthusiastic with me a beginner fisher. Food great, Pamela is the best waitress. Lodge is very comfortable. Thank you for having me.
Eddie F., USA
-
"Wonderful staff & guides, can´t wait to come back...."
William Y. III, California
Full Testimonial
Wonderful staff & guides, can´t wait to come back.
William Y. III, California
-
"People, staff, guides, guests, scenery, food, wading – everything was fantasti..."
Cheryll A P., USA
Full Testimonial
People, staff, guides, guests, scenery, food, wading – everything was fantastic.
Cheryll A P., USA
-
"Best guides – exceptional. Best organization, best food & service...."
William S, USA
Full Testimonial
Best guides – exceptional. Best organization, best food & service.
William S, USA
-
"Everything was fantastic, keep up the good work...."
William B., USA
Full Testimonial
Everything was fantastic, keep up the good work.
William B., USA
-
"Excellent lodge, staff & guides. Easy access to great fishing...."
Ronald C., UK
Full Testimonial
Excellent lodge, staff & guides. Easy access to great fishing.
Ronald C., UK
-
"Top rate personal service and a lovely & friendly atmosphere...."
Linda M., UK
Full Testimonial
Top rate personal service and a lovely & friendly atmosphere.
Linda M., UK
-
"We´ve been to many fishing lodges all over the world, and this lodge and fishin..."
William L., USA
Full Testimonial
We´ve been to many fishing lodges all over the world, and this lodge and fishing experiences ranks among the best.
William L., USA
-
"Excellent. House staff, guides could not have been more friendly and helpful. Ve..."
James O., USA
Full Testimonial
Excellent. House staff, guides could not have been more friendly and helpful. Very high quality fishing experience.
James O., USA
-
"Excellent. It is always good to be in the company of “pros” and you excell...."
Bob O., UK
Full Testimonial
Excellent. It is always good to be in the company of “pros” and you excell.
Bob O., UK
-
"Excellent. It was so amazing that I´d like to come back next year...."
Michael S., USA
Full Testimonial
Excellent. It was so amazing that I´d like to come back next year.
Michael S., USA
-
"All aspects of my Kau Tapen experience were excellent. I cannot come up with any..."
Bjorn H., Norway.
Full Testimonial
All aspects of my Kau Tapen experience were excellent. I cannot come up with anything to complain about, and I will remember Kau Tapen for a long long time… Especially I am grateful to Matias and Gaston, my guides. Just spending time by a river like Rio Grande with true fly fishing enthusiasts like them… And if you then add the monster trout and the atmosphere of the “House of fishing” I could not get closer to my fly fishing heaven.
Bjorn H., Norway.
-
"Our stay was fantastic in many ways. Kau Tapen certainly was the culinary highli..."
Bill L.,USA
Full Testimonial
Our stay was fantastic in many ways. Kau Tapen certainly was the culinary highlight of our weeks in Argentina, far better food than we could have ever expected. The lodge was comfortable and well decorated. Service was, of course, top notch and warm. The fishing was tough as we were there early in the season, but we all caught fish of a lifetime. Being out fished by my wife was the highlight of the trip, though my 20lber was a close second!
Bill L.,USA
-
"Overall, the experience was an excellent one throughout. I caught my biggest eve..."
John S., UK
Full Testimonial
Overall, the experience was an excellent one throughout. I caught my biggest ever brown trout! (18 lbs).
John S., UK
-
"It was a great privilege to fish Kau Tapen. The lodge was excellent and a great ..."
Ann C., NY,
Full Testimonial
It was a great privilege to fish Kau Tapen. The lodge was excellent and a great treat to be there.
Ann C., NY,
-
"The conditions for fishing are the Rio Grande were challenging- that is one of t..."
Janet P., California.,USA.
Full Testimonial
The conditions for fishing are the Rio Grande were challenging- that is one of the reasons we enjoy fishing for these beautiful Sea Run Brown Trout!! Kau Tapen is a lovely Lodge, your staff and guides are excellent. We look forward to our next trip to Tierra del Fuego.
Janet P., California.,USA.
-
"A wonderful lodge with wonderful people in a wonderful country. Another trip of ..."
William J., Colorado.,USA
Full Testimonial
A wonderful lodge with wonderful people in a wonderful country. Another trip of a lifetime. We will be back!
William J., Colorado.,USA
-
"Really excellent. The staff was delightful. The gourmet meals were exquisitely p..."
Suzanne M.,USA.
Full Testimonial
Really excellent. The staff was delightful. The gourmet meals were exquisitely presented and delicious. The staff accommodated every need.
Suzanne M.,USA.
-
"A lovely lodge, very well run. Perfect staff, outstanding guides and excellent f..."
Jacques M., France.
Full Testimonial
A lovely lodge, very well run. Perfect staff, outstanding guides and excellent food and wines.
Jacques M., France.
-
"Just had a great week at Kau Tapen. Fish, food, wine and lovely people – the L..."
Jamie Oliver, UK.
Full Testimonial
Just had a great week at Kau Tapen. Fish, food, wine and lovely people – the Lodge staff and Guides were terrific. The chef excellent. The guides have a great tradition of seeing you to the airport at the end of a week-that means a lot. They are really passionate about their jobs.
Jamie Oliver, UK.
-
-
-
-
-
"The trip was absolutely amazing. First and foremost, YOU exceeded all expectat..."
Christine
Full Testimonial
The trip was absolutely amazing. First and foremost, YOU exceeded all expectations. Here are the details that really showed your understanding of superior service:
1. You and the staff knew everyone's name before we arrived.
2. The accommodations were impeccably clean and comfortable.
3. All dietary preferences were noted on arrival and were consistently addressed throughout the week.
4. I never had anyone help pull my waders off! Definitely a nice touch...
5. The evening cocktail was a special treat.
6. The puttanesca sauce was the best I ever had.
7. The video you gave us at the end of the trip was an unbelievable surprise. What a spectacular idea!
8. OK, you have the best memory in the world if you remember me from a Celebrity cruise 10 years ago.
As for other members of the team, they were all wonderful but I have to acknowledge Leonardo. He made us feel like royalty. And, he mixes a great martini!
The guides were all wonderful as well, but I have to give Jason extra kudos for offering such patient, consistent and helpful casting instruction. Neither my husband nor I had ever used a two-handed rod before but Jason, who we fished with the first night, helped us tremendously, to the point that we were both able to catch some beautiful fish. He never let us get sloppy and always offered helpful techniques for handling the wind. They are all excellent guides and I would love to fish with any of them again.
Please give everyone my best - and Claudio, I hope to see you again before ten more years go by!
Christine
-
"We truly enjoyed our time at Villa Maria Lodge this year and commend both you an..."
Ariel and Shya
Full Testimonial
We truly enjoyed our time at Villa Maria Lodge this year and commend both you and your assistant Alejandra for taking such brilliant care of us while we were there. You are so skilled at taking care of our needs, being present at meals without being obtrusive, taking care of details such as being very thorough with making sure our dietary restrictions were met, that we had a different and interesting iced tea at each meal, our chargers were replaced after the unfortunate electrical surge which the whole lodge suffered, etc.
Santiago and Nervous Waters has a true gem in you and Alejandra as well as the talented chef and other kitchen staff. And of course Jason, Alejandro and Alejandro were the best guides possible. We sincerely hope to see you all again next year.
Also, could you forward us the email address for Rosario at Pira? She went above and beyond and really saved us on the day of our departure. Somehow we had not gotten the overnight bus tickets from Prana and Rosario found someone in the office on Friday night and managed to get copies for us. Without her quick thinking and actions we would have been in a real mess. We would like to personally thank her as well.
Again, we hope to see you next year and we wish you a smooth and great end of your season. Please send our regards to Alejandra, Alejandro and Jason.
Thank you again.
Warmly,
Ariel and Shya
-
"Good to hear from you. My third time at Villa Maria and the best yet. Food was g..."
Neil W
Full Testimonial
Good to hear from you. My third time at Villa Maria and the best yet. Food was good and liked the variety. Your staff were all great and good to see Ali again as a familiar face in the lodge staff. She is very good.
You were also brilliant and should take a lot of credit for your professional approach and level of service.
Fishing guides were the best yet and all were good fishermen in their own right. This makes a huge difference to the fishing and a guide who actually fishes themselves is a better guide. It was brilliant and hope to see you again
Neil W
-
"Dear Claudio
Fernando sets very high standards for his team at Vi..."
Mike C
Full Testimonial
Dear Claudio
Fernando sets very high standards for his team at Villa Maria and you all more than meet his expectations. He has an eye for the detail that makes the experience of fishing the Rio Grande, whilst enjoying the hospitality of the Villa Maria Lodge, one of life's great pleasures.
Claudio, yourself and your team create a relaxed comfortable atmosphere where each guest is treated like an old and valued friend. Excellence is your norm and nothing is too much trouble. Thank you.
Alejandro and his fellow guides work hard to ensure that the fishing experience is unparalleled. They are keen to ensure all anglers, whatever their level of experience, are able to get the best from the unique opportunities to catch those wild and wonderful sea trout.
As you can tell I had another great week at Villa Maria and I came away with a sackful of memories that will keep me smiling for a long time to come. I look forward to my return visit.
All the best.
Mike C
-
"It is I/we who should be thanking you for the amazing hospitality from you and y..."
Richard W
Full Testimonial
It is I/we who should be thanking you for the amazing hospitality from you and your team. Every aspect of the service was seamless and all done with genuine warmth and a smile. The lodge was immaculate, very comfortable and the improvements to the annex were very well received by those rooming there.
The new chef is very good.
Ali and Jason’s guiding is second to none. World class!! They make a real difference to the fishing experience and great fun to spend time with. The new 4 x 4’s made a big difference, so much more comfortable.
This was my fourth visit to Villa Maria and god willing I will return at the same time each year for as long as I am able.
Many thanks again to you and all the VM team. I look forward to seeing you next year I hope.
Best wishes
Richard W
-
"Nice to hear from you !
I must say, that the lodge, the impeccable servic..."
Phillip W
Full Testimonial
Nice to hear from you !
I must say, that the lodge, the impeccable service, the friendliness of the staff, and the fishing, all exceeded my expectations and was a great experience.
Speaking personally, I thought the food was excellent. I particularly enjoyed breakfast and lunch. By the time we got back to the lodge at night, I found the Multi-Course tapas just too much, particularly as I had to lie down immediately afterwards, and try to sleep !! I would have been content with a light snack :-) This is not intended to be a criticism of the chef ! I just don't need so much food and not late at night close to bedtime!!!
That it the only thing I would change :-). The entire package is excellent and the trip was a real treat :-)
Good luck for the future to you and Alexandra !!!
My best wishes to you both.
Phillip W
-
"Thanks for the email and hope all's well.
Am off abroad today so wil..."
Andrew W
Full Testimonial
Thanks for the email and hope all's well.
Am off abroad today so will respond in greater detail when I am back but to sum it all up, it was an amazing trip and there really is nothing you can do to improve. I really can't grasp how you personally manage to make everything run so smoothly....everyone needs a Claudio!
All the best and thank you so much for everything.
All the best,
Andrew W
-
"Claudio san
Thanks you very much for all the hospitality from Vi..."
Saitoo H
Full Testimonial
Claudio san
Thanks you very much for all the hospitality from Villa Maria stuff .We did enjoyed .
Hope I will be able to make next year .Argentina is quite far a way from Japan
Saitoo H
-
"I indeed enjoyed very much my week at Villa Maria, with very good food, effici..."
Gilbert P
Full Testimonial
I indeed enjoyed very much my week at Villa Maria, with very good food, efficient and friendly service from all staff .
In addition, an excellent team of guides were at our service.
Gilbert P
-
"I can't even begin to tell you what a wonderful experience we had and how t..."
Corey M
Full Testimonial
I can't even begin to tell you what a wonderful experience we had and how thankful we were for your hospitality and kindness. We will rave about Villa Maria to anybody who will listen to us.
Corey M
-
"We had a simply wonderful time. The staff was outstanding.
..."
Peter H., USA
Full Testimonial
We had a simply wonderful time. The staff was outstanding.
Peter H., USA
-
"Villa María River Lodge is the most beautiful, quiet and remote place that I kn..."
Johannes K., Germany
Full Testimonial
Villa María River Lodge is the most beautiful, quiet and remote place that I know. Lovely staff and guiding. Excellent food.
Johannes K., Germany
-
"Excellent!!! Fishing was a very good, positive experience!.
..."
Bill P., USA
Full Testimonial
Excellent!!! Fishing was a very good, positive experience!.
Bill P., USA
-
"Very Good. Villa Maria continues to be a favorite lodge, year after year. This y..."
Dave M.L., USA
Full Testimonial
Very Good. Villa Maria continues to be a favorite lodge, year after year. This year the fishing was less than prior years but still a good trip.
Dave M.L., USA
-
"Fantastic fishing and the warmest hospitality! Thank You!
..."
Angus S., UK
Full Testimonial
Fantastic fishing and the warmest hospitality! Thank You!
Angus S., UK
-
"Excellent. Superb all round. Everyone exceptionally friendly and food and servic..."
Andrew W., UK
Full Testimonial
Excellent. Superb all round. Everyone exceptionally friendly and food and service amazing. Thank you to all.
Andrew W., UK
-
"Excellent. ALL of the team were attentive, helpful and friendly. Nothing was too..."
Mike C., USA
Full Testimonial
Excellent. ALL of the team were attentive, helpful and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble.
Mike C., USA
-
"Excellent. Everything was fantastic. The fishing was beyond expectations. The gu..."
Christopher N., UK
Full Testimonial
Excellent. Everything was fantastic. The fishing was beyond expectations. The guides, service and food were all very good indeed.
Christopher N., UK
-
"Our stay at Villa María was most enjoyable. Great atmosphere in the lodge, food..."
Terry C.,UK.
Full Testimonial
Our stay at Villa María was most enjoyable. Great atmosphere in the lodge, food the best ever, the hosts did and excellent job managing the lodge.
Terry C.,UK.
-
"A trip I will never forget and some really nice people guiding and working at th..."
Michael C.,USA.
Full Testimonial
A trip I will never forget and some really nice people guiding and working at the lodge.
Michael C.,USA.
-
"We had a very satisfactory experience. Incredible fishery, great accommodation a..."
Jean B., France.
Full Testimonial
We had a very satisfactory experience. Incredible fishery, great accommodation and service from entire staff, terrific food and wine, extremely competent guides.
Jean B., France.
-
"Finally I have a chance to sit down, look at my photos of Eddie and my trip, and..."
Ed S., USA.
Full Testimonial
Finally I have a chance to sit down, look at my photos of Eddie and my trip, and reflect on what great hospitality you and the rest of the team afforded us. You all gave us a very comfortable stay at the lodge, nothing was too much trouble. And managers outdid themselves both at the Lodge and on the river…..I’m sure we all gained two kilos apiece! Each guide was excellent, knowledgeable, and proficient. A wonderful adventure and such a pleasure to see the river again after so many years and to observe how the health of the fish stocks have improved under proper management. Again, many thanks and un abrazo to all of you.
Ed S., USA.
-
"Villa Maria was spectacular. One of the highlights of my fishing, if not one of ..."
Tim P., London, UK.
Full Testimonial
Villa Maria was spectacular. One of the highlights of my fishing, if not one of the highlights of my life. Certainly one to be repeated.
Tim P., London, UK.
-
"I just wanted to say that after a number of years fishing at Villa Maria, it has..."
Aaron C., USA
Full Testimonial
I just wanted to say that after a number of years fishing at Villa Maria, it has been tough to not make it this year. I would very much appreciate if you would thank Villa Maria’s team for the brilliant guiding, excellent company and general attention to detail at the lodge. Having fished often in Canada, Russia, New Zealand and Iceland I can honestly say that Villa Maria – and his guides and house staff are the highest calibre anywhere I have been lucky enough to fish. The size of the gin and tonics is much appreciated as well. Looking forward to seeing you all next season.
Kind regards,
Aaron C., USA
-
"I am so happy to have done this in my life! I’ll make sure I recommend it to a..."
Kent A., Canada.
Full Testimonial
I am so happy to have done this in my life! I’ll make sure I recommend it to all my friends.
Kent A., Canada.
-
"As you probably heard, our arrival at Villa Maria Lodge coincided with very high..."
Shirley M. Peter H. WA., USA
Full Testimonial
As you probably heard, our arrival at Villa Maria Lodge coincided with very high water levels and an off-colored river. Conditions then improved steadily as the week passed and the fishing became much better.
From the outset it was very apparent that this was not simply a fishing trip but rather a life experience! We cannot begin to tell you how tremendous all the staff were and what an absolutely outstanding experience we had. Fishing is fishing and the tough conditions made us better fisherpeople by the end of it. We caught fish every day and the guides, Gaston and Pelle, were truly wonderful professionals. Nothing was too much trouble and they looked after us well.
The lodge staff – Ben, Alejandra, Paula, Conna and Nicoles – all managed expertly by Analia, were some of the best and most attentive crew we have ever experienced. The food was the most exquisite and delightfully presented compared to any fine restaurant that we have ever visited. And you must remember – we are in the travel business and have been to some incredibly nice places. At Villa Maria we simply could not have been looked after better. The lodge, the food, the estancia, and of course, the river and its fish, made it one of our most memorable travel experiences ever. You can count on it that one day we will return.
Shirley M. Peter H. WA., USA
-
-
-
-
-
-