EUROPE
HAWAII
COSTA RICA
SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA
L.A., New York, Chicago
Testimonials
It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation of behalf of Brian Leidl and Owen Lawrence and the ASSIST Travel and Tours organization. I recently returned from a 10 day trip to Hawaii with our Varsity Girls Volleyball Team. From start to finish Brian and Owen worked to ensure that every detail of our trip was planned and communicated to us. As a teacher/coach, ASSIST travel made it easier to plan a trip and provided us with excellent service.
Our trip itinerary hit all the elements required for a successful team trip. They paired us with excellent competition for both tournament and exhibition game play. They built in cultural components such as visits to Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Culture Center. As well as provided us with contacts and directions to trip highlights such as beach volleyball courts, snorkeling, restaurants and entertainment.
Our team had a fantastic experience and has come back more connected and cohesive
than teams in the past. I believe that this trip will be remembered as a trip of a lifetime for our team. This organization made my experience as a teacher coach during the planning process much easier. I would recommend this organization to anyone
interested in traveling with students and sports teams.
Sincerely,
Rebecca MacDonald
Physical Education Teacher/Department Head
Varsity Volleyball Coach
Appleby College
As a player of the Western Women's Volleyball team I would like to extend my thanks for the amazing trip that was organized for us. It was a lifetime experience for our team. Memorable to see so many new and beautiful places while playing the sport we are all so passionate about.
From the moment at training camp back in August when we found out about the Europe trip to the moment we boarded the plane at Pearson Airport you could feel the excitement building. We were all looking forward to the experiences ahead of us. The anticipation only grew with each fundraiser and updates about the trip ahead of us.
Personally, my absolute favourite part of the trip was the opportunity to spend New Years in Amsterdam! As a team we celebrated the New Year at our hotel as one unified family. Then our family made our way downtown to celebrate the new beginnings of 2017 in downtown Amsterdam. On the drive in you could already see the celebrations taking place. The entire sky above the city lit up with beautiful fireworks. Spending New Years Eve in Amsterdam is something I will never forget.
Jessica Lam, 1st Year Sciences Student, Oakville Ontario
My team and I were given the opportunity of a life time, to play my favourite sport in one of the most desired vacation destinations in the world. Our trip to Hawaii was, in one word, incredible! The amount we got to experience surpassed our teams expectations. We were able to enjoy Honolulu, as well as the laid back style of Kauai.
The food was incredible and if there was any trouble, Assist Travel and Tours came to the rescue. When we were charged an extra $5 per person for a dinner we let Brian know and he was able to get us a free lunch for the next day.
Assist Travel really did make the trip feel safer, especially since we were so far from home. I can honestly say, Hawaii was and will always be one of my most remembered experiences of my high school career.
Matt Ross, Team Captain, Waterloo Predators Volleyball Club
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Brian and Owen for putting together a wonderful trip. Their attention to detail was second to none. It was our program's first international trip and they ensured it was a successful one on and off the court.
Our #1 priority was to prepare for the 2nd half of our season and Assist Travel pulled through with some stiff competition. Outside of Volleyball, their itinerary catered to our needs which included visits to renown places. Assist travel was with us every step of the way and was quick to resolve any issues. This trip provided our student-athletes the opportunity to continue building our team culture as well as creating life-long memories. If you are considering booking a trip for your team or school group, please contact me at Nipissing University, as I would be happy to recommend Assist Travel and Tours.
Eric Yung, Nipissing Lakers Volleyball
When travelling overseas for high school sports tournaments, any company can book your flights and accommodations. The difference with Assist Travel and Tours will be their attention to detail and excellent customer service.
As a high school teacher, my reputation is on the line when I travel with students and I trust Brian and Owen to keep the best interest of my students safety in mind when organizing this adventure.
I want to thank Brian and Owen for putting so much time and care into planning our trip to Hawaii. It went off flawlessly and my athletes and parents had the time of their lives.
After much research I decided to use Assist Travel and Tours and I was not disappointed. I was so completely satisfied that immediately following our trip I registered again for 2017. The level of service was incredible and exactly what I needed. Brian and Owen worked with me from the beginning through every process of board approval and trip preparation. Our tournament was competitive and the host team was very welcoming.
On a trip like this I want to make sure my tour provider cares as much about my student's experiences as I do. This was clearly demonstrated to me through our 10 days of travel. You will not regret choosing Assist Travel and we have already started fundraising for our next adventure.
Angus MacDonald, St. Michael CHS Kemptville Ontario
Assist Travel and tours was absolutely incredible. From the beginning of planning the tour Brian was extremely helpful with fundraising ideas and helpful hints on the steps to run a sports tour.
It was obvious that Assist Travel are very experienced in running tours with extreme attention to detail. Brian planned our tour just like he was taking his own team. He walked me through every minute of our tour and it ran exactly how he said it would.
Unlike past tours I have organized this tour felt like a vacation. Brian was at our disposal 24/7 if I had questions or concerns and he would send reminders each night for the next day. Brian kept me at ease because I knew what was ahead of me and what the timing looked like each day. I have never been on a sports tour where everything ran so smoothly.
Even when our flight was cancelled because of weather, Brian went above and beyond calling the airline all night to ensure we arrived as a group as soon as possible. He even went about getting us a deal at the hotel restaurant and followed up with the airline customer service to provide us compensation for the delays.
Brian's patience was incredible as I berated him with questions all year long, from if there were safes in the rooms, how much for lockers at world famous beaches, or what the flight amenities are. We had many questions that he quickly found out the answers to.
I would recommend Assist Travel and Tours for any tour group going to any destination. I have already rebooked for 2017!
Matt Hunter, Physical Education Teacher, J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate.
I loved the UK rugby tour that was organized for my school this year by Assist Travel. From the awesome bus drivers to the unbelievable sights, the trip was just amazing. My favorite part of the trip was staying with the other students and making new friends. The bus driver, Kerry was also very fun. I enjoyed talking to him in Welsh and learning different words and phrases. The rugby was also great; even though we got slaughtered in the games I got to see all the things the European teams did, and improved my own game as well. The tour was a fantastic experience and I will definitely remember it for the rest of my life.
Duncan Turner, Courtice Secondary School
Kristina Curcin 3rd Year Psychology Student, UWO
Thank you so much for everything you provided for the Western Women’s Volleyball Team throughout our time in Ecuador and Peru. Playing in the sport coliseum in Guayaquil was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am so thankful for.
Leah Mousseau - 4th Year Masters Student, UWO
I would not hesitate to recommend you and the rest of your Assist Travel’s team to accompany anyone on their trips. You made such a positive impact on all of us and we all appreciate your efforts in creating the once in a lifetime trip that it was.
Chloe Biel 2nd Year Media Information Studies Student, UWO
Dear Brian and Owen:
On behalf of Life Promises Charity CR, I am writing to you in order to express our sincere and deepest gratitude for your solidarity by getting involved in the International Volleyball Interchange project.
The support received and donations make it possible for children with no resources to benefit and is a great incentive for us to continue working for the benefit of this vulnerable population.
Ivania Alfaro Chacón
LPC Project Manager
Assist Travel: mail@assisttravel.ca
Brian Leidl: brian@assisttravel.ca cell: 519-365-3421
Owen Lawrence: owen@assisttravel.ca cell: 519-281-3738
Greg Conway: greg@assisttravel.ca cell: 613-243-2651
