I have been thinking about my trips with you, and why your trips are so special. In both Cuba and Oaxaca, I felt like you helped me appreciate the native cultures and understand the kindness and cooperation of those people in contrast to our American ideals of individualism. In Cuba, your personal knowledge of the Yoruba religion gave us a different perspective than other people I have met who traveled to Cuba. And your musical connections put us in contact with people that the ordinary tourist never meets. Being able to get into the Guelagueza was again, something that most travelers to Oaxaca don’t experience. That completely changed my ideas of who the Mexican people are. So I really appreciate what you do as an ambassador of cultures, not just a tour guide.

Carol please feel free to use anything I have written that is helpful to you. You are the best kind of ambassador, connecting cultures, and the more people who travel with you, the better for all of us.

Carol Steele did an absolutely outstanding job as the cultural tour leader for my trip to Cuba. Her deep knowledge and passion for the country were evident in every experience she curated—from vibrant live music performances and rich cultural encounters to unforgettable culinary adventures. Carol didn’t just show us Cuba; she helped us truly understand it. Her thoughtful guidance opened doors to the heart of Cuban life, allowing for meaningful connections with the people and their stories. Thanks to her, the trip was not only memorable but transformative. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide.

Carol Steele is an exceptional guide and thoughtful, resourceful host who curated a truly unforgettable week exploring Afro-Cuban history, art, music, dance, and culture. The experience with our small group of women felt intimate, interactive, and deeply personal. Thanks to Carol’s deep roots and longstanding friendships across the island, we enjoyed exclusive access to incredible artists, musicians, dancers—and even visits to a master artist’s penthouse studio where we were serenaded by an all-women’s professional choir, and also a uniquely personal tour of a beautiful cigar and honey farm. Her connections also opened the doors to some of Cuba’s finest restaurants, where we were treated to unforgettable meals that reflected the richness of the culture and the expertise of the chefs. Traveling with Carol felt less like a tour and so much more like being welcomed home.

Carol Steele created an amazing and memorable Cuban adventure for my husband and me and ten of our friends. She worked with us prior to our vacation to hear everybody’s preferences and understand what we were interested in seeing and doing. We were not disappointed. Each day was filled with interactions with the warm Cuban people, the music, food, and significant history.
We highly recommend working with Carol to create a unique experience and explore an island that offers an abundance of adventures!