China had been on my wife's and my bucket list for some time. Although we travel extensively each year, we decided it would be smart to use a tour company to handle all the local issues and regulations we might encounter. Last year we had travelled to India, used a tour company and it had worked out well....

After some searching of the web, we found three tour companies we thought might work out for us. I sent enquires to all three at the same time.

Candy from Elysian responded within 24 hours (not bad since Beijing is 14 hours ahead of Denver!). One other company didn't bother to responding and the third company seemed more interested in getting a 'deposit' than working out what we wanted!

Candy asked what sort of tour we wanted, were there any things we particularly wanted to see/do and where there any other things we would like her to know.

Within about 36 hours Candy sent us a preliminary itinerary. My wife and I spent a couple of days researching Candy's suggestions after which we emailed her with a few requested changes and suggestions. 24 hours later, we had a revised itinerary incorporating all our requests and ideas.

Since we were going to China for a month (then on to Europe for another month before returning home) we had some arrangements to make both for our home and for the time in Europe after China. My wife and I wanted some time to give final thought to the trip and told Candy we would get back to her.

During the 6 weeks (between getting the revised itinerary and getting back to her with a decision) Candy sent only one email to ask if we needed anything more, any additional information or help with anything - when I emailed her that we were working on a few things and we would get back to her - she didn't keep emailing or driving us mad - she simply let us set the pace and said she was available at any time to help!!!

Candy handled just about everything - all I had to really do was get us from Denver to Beijing and Shanghai back to Denver (with some stops in between)....and, of course, get our Chinese visa (Candy even helped with that - telling us how to do it, supplying the required documents and offering invaluable advice)...... BTW - it took just 10 days from the time we sent them to get our passports back with the visias !!!

From the moment we landed in Beijing everything was handled for us. Individual guides were exactly where they said they would be at exactly the time they said they would be there. Not once was a guide late.

All guides spoke English really well... some better than others - but even the 'worst English speaker' was so good we could converse and ask questions. At every location we were supplied (in addition to the individual guide) with a vehicle and driver - every vehicle was clean and in good condition at no time did we feel unsafe or at risk on the road.

The hotels Candy arranged were excellent - a couple of times the hotels gave us complimentary upgrades - I think this was due to the relationship between Elysian Tours and the hotel.....

Summary of the trip? Where to start.

Candy planned everything to the smallest detail - everything was better than we expected - nothing was too much trouble (everything we asked for the answer way "yes, of course no problem') - and the daily tours themselves ....... just brilliant !!!!!

The guides seemed to know when was the best time to see the attraction - how to avoid (as much as possible) the lines and what we would need each day. As an example in Chengdu we had arranged to go to the Panda reserve - our guide said we should leave at a certain time - we didn't know why, but by then trusted just about everything they told us.

When we arrived at the Panda reserve we found out why he had suggested that time - seems that each morning the workers clean the Panda enclosures - so you cant see any Pandas - then they feed the Pandas out in the open pens - after eating it seems the Panda all go to sleep..... we arrived just as they started to eat (their most active) we got some amazing photos - even more valuable memories...... Just an example of local knowledge!

During the 29 days we were in China and in the care of Elysian, everything was perfect - nothing went wrong (not even the weather, LOL) - and we couldn't have been happier.

Almost every day Candy sent me a text (WeChat) to ask if everything was OK and did we need anything. She kinda felt like my best friend!

And of China?

A simply amazing country. Everywhere was spotless... no trash, clean and pleasant.

The people are helpful and seemed genuinely pleased to see us. In our experience it is incredibly safe for tourists.... we often walked alone in the evening in areas unknown to us, along backstreets and from markets to malls ... not once, never, did my wife or I feel apprehensive .... we never that we had to be careful or shouldn't do something.

Highlights?

Lhasa (Tibet) increadable - Pandas (had to put that or my wife would divorce me) - Terracotta Warriors - High Speed Bullet train (traveling at 190+ mph in a super smooth train is amazing) - Buddhist Temples (you have to see some of these - spectacular) - Shanghai will blow you away - just too much to list !

I guess the best recommendation I can make for China and Elysian is: My wife and I are ready planning to go back to China next year (its such a huge country) and we will not use any company other than Elysian and I will make a point of asking for Candy... my new best friend.