Journeys from the everyday to moments that take your breath away!
GUIDED TRAVEL OR INDEPENDENT TRAVEL?
When you are ready to explore, one big consideration is often whether to travel as part of a guided travel group or go totally independent.
There are good things about both guided and independent travel and many things to consider. It is important to think clearly about what makes sense for your trip. Guided travel has come a long way from years ago when group tours were very regimented with a schedule allowing no flexibility. Independent travel formerly was the only way to have control over how your time is spent while exploring. Times have changed!
Our guided travel options include:
*Both large and small groups
*Transportation by rail as well as motor coach
*Custom groups sometimes have a private motor coach
*Expert guides to show you the iconic sites
*Combinations of time involved in group touring alternating with time on your own
*Themed groups such as culinary groups, wine groups, art groups etc.
*Tours just for Millennials
*Guided tour groups for families
*Hiking Groups
*Bicycle Groups
*Groups that can combine both touring on land as well as time on a ship
*Group activities such as cooking classes, wine tastings or photography classes
*Family groups with activities for children as well as separate activities just for adults
*Opportunities to meet new friends with common interests on guided trips
Our Independent travel options include:
*Transfers and transportation
*Private or shared tours of iconic sites
*Private or shared drivers for winery tours or other areas
*Private or shared boat tours
*Combinations of hotels, transportation and city overview tours
*Excursions both private and with small groups to see sights off the beaten path
*Some independent travel can be combined with hotels booked with a local host to answer questions or help you plan your days
*In Ireland we can set up vouchers for B&B properties
*Our expertise to set up the most important parts of the trip, leaving you with unplanned time as well
We often combine both guided group travel with independent travel to customize a trip to what works best for our clients. Guided travel is a very efficient way to explore. Someone else takes care of all the tedious details, leaving you to just enjoy the destination.
When you want to maximize the value for your travels, keep in mind that the high quality tour companies we work with provide excellent rates for each part of your trip. For example, due to the volume of hotel rooms they book with their many tours, guided tour companies get very good hotel rates. You also have access to excellent tour guides as the top guides are employed full time with the best tour companies.
When totally independent travel works best, having the most important pieces of the itinerary set up ahead of time means you have paid in US dollars at a set price, you know the activities that are special to you are included and your transportation and hotels are confirmed. This gives you freedom to add in other things that you may choose at the spur of the moment to fill in some of the free days that we always include in our trips!
We do not book through systems that will cause you to be bumped from hotels or put in the undesirable room locations that are reserved for discount online companies. Your vacation time and money is too important to waste any time with those types of issues . We protect you and your money!
ARE YOU A FOODIE TRAVELER?
Have you thought about exploring this beautiful world using your taste buds?
This might help you decide if you could be a “Foodie Traveler”.
Let's see how many of these sound like you.
What did you do last weekend?
Four-course dinner at your favorite bistro
What’s your ideal rainy day activity?
Finally trying to make that amazing recipe you saw online
When visiting a foreign country, what is the most important phrase to know how to say?
“Where should we eat”
It’s 7:00 AM. What are you doing?
Setting up the French press for the perfect cup of coffee
What is your favorite souvenir to bring home when you travel?
A copy of the menu from your favorite meal
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What’s the one thing you would bring?
One really good bottle of wine - or two
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Let’s talk about setting up your adventure!
THE WORLD OF CRUISING
Be a true explorer!
Traveling by water is one of the oldest ways to explore. Modern cruising has so much to offer, but it is definitely not-one-size-fits-all! Cruising makes it possible to see a region that might be difficult to explore in any other way.
Do you know about the different types of cruising? Just as there are large resorts with lots of activities, small boutique hotels with a focus on individual service, and lodges located in secluded natural areas, cruising is much the same! How do you choose? What are the questions to ask yourself as you consider the options?
What do you come home remembering after a trip?
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Is it the scenery and wildlife of a new destination?
Do you relish the level of service you enjoyed during dining?
Will you enjoy meeting new people, or spending time alone in nature?
Are memories of the sounds and scents of a fascinating place what make you smile?
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We can match you with the cruise options that best serve your interests.
CONSIDER OUR SPECIALTIES: LUXURY OCEAN CRUISING AND RIVER CRUISING
Sailing with the top luxury cruises can be so much more than you’ve heard! If you have cruised on some of the more mainstream cruises and enjoyed the extra room of a suite, you are ready to move up to the best of the best! Luxury cruising includes so much that you will be pleasantly surprised at the great value!
Did you know that in luxury cruising, you travel with smaller numbers of guests, so that your service is highly personalized? Smaller ships have approval to stay in ports overnight, so you can enjoy nightlife or just enjoy the beautiful sunset at a local restaurant! Expedition-style ships explore truly exotic locations such as the coast of Indonesia, the Northwest Passage, and Antarctica.
When cruising with our luxury partners, there are many unique opportunities, such as enjoying visiting local markets with your chef, or boarding a kayak directly from the back of your ship to get out on the water. While you are onboard, you are able to enjoy the best of the amenities, such as your in-room linens, entertainment centers, full bathrooms, walk in closets, and having someone to call to quickly attend to anything you might need.
You will enjoy the exclusive amenities when you move up to a luxury cruise!