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:
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Both large and small groups
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Transportation by rail as well as motor coach
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Custom groups sometimes have a private motor coach
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Expert guides to show you the iconic sites
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Combinations of time involved in group touring alternating with time on your own
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Themed groups such as culinary groups, wine groups, art groups etc.
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Tours just for Millennials
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Guided tour groups for families
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Hiking Groups
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Bicycle Groups
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Groups that can combine both touring on land as well as time on a ship
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Group activities such as cooking classes, wine tastings or photography classes
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Family groups with activities for children as well as separate activities just for adults
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Opportunities to meet new friends with common interests on guided trips
Our Independent travel options include:
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Transfers and transportation
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Private or shared tours of iconic sites
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Private or shared drivers for winery tours or other areas
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Private or shared boat tours
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Combinations of hotels, transportation and city overview tours
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Excursions both private and with small groups to see sights off the beaten path
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Some independent travel can be combined with hotels booked with a local host to answer questions or help you plan your days
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In Ireland we can set up vouchers for B&B properties
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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
Let’s talk about setting up your adventure!
SMALL SHIP LUXURY CRUISING
Crowded decks. Crowded ports. Crowded buffets with warmed-over, uninspired dining choices—often, a cruise feels anything but glamorous. But small-ship luxury cruising couldn’t be further from the “typical” cruise.
And with inclusive pricing (these luxury lines aren’t out to nickel and dime you once you step on board), the experience is in closer reach than you may think. If you’ve tried mid-range or standard ocean cruises—or you think you’re not a “cruise person” to begin with—it just may be time to give luxury small-ship cruising a try.
Discover why:
Cruising, Reimagined
A luxury small-ship cruise is more relaxed, more refined, and definitely offers more breathing room on board. Sleek, often yacht-style ships range anywhere from fewer than 100 to about 800 passengers—you’ll never feel like you're crushed on your cruise like sardines in a can! Luxury comes into play with gourmet dining (often reflecting the cuisine of the destinations you visit), spacious suites, top-shelf liquors, and polished design touches. This is the opposite of kitschy cruising.
Explore More Authentically
One of the biggest benefits of your ship’s small size is that you get to dock where those mega cruisers can’t. That means more off-the-beaten-path ports of call, where you can enjoy authentic interactions with the locals. Small-ship cruising sails you right to a region’s “hidden gems,” still untouched by mass tourism.
Experience the luxury of real discovery, with tailored excursions built around cultural immersion. Join knowledgeable guides on city walking tours, exclusive vineyard visits, or biking excursions into the countryside. Or, simply stroll off the ship and start exploring on your own! Because of your ship’s size and ability to dock in smaller ports, you don’t have to board a big tour bus every time your cruise ship lands to ride into your destination. Instead, you arrive right in the heart of your destination—and it's all yours to discover, at exactly your own pace.
Little Touches, Big Difference
Smaller ships mean a higher crew-to-passenger ratio—and that leads to a better, more thoughtful on-board experience. Don’t be surprised if the dining room waiter remembers your name, or the mixologist whips up your favorite cocktail without you even having to ask. With small-ship cruising, you’re trading in anonymity for intimacy.
The focus on service is what truly catapults your experience into the realm of “luxury.” All the little pampering touches end up making a big difference, as the in-tune crew anticipates your needs.
You’ll enjoy luxurious touches you didn’t even know you were missing on previous cruises, like complimentary laundry service (how nice will it be to unpack clean clothes when you get back home!).
And with inclusive pricing (these luxury lines aren’t out to nickel and dime you once you step on board), the experience is in closer reach than you may think. If you’ve tried mid-range or standard ocean cruises—or you think you’re not a “cruise person” to begin with—it just may be time to give luxury small-ship cruising a try.
READY TO SET SAIL IN LUXURY?
As small ship luxury cruise experts, we’d love to pair you with your perfect-fit cruise experience. Just fill out our trip inquiry form to get started!
EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISING
When we started our travel planning business in 1996, at that time we knew about European River Cruising, but most of our US clients did not yet know anything about this style of travel. There were also a lack of good options for exploring the US on rivers and lakes. So much has improved in both regions of this beautiful world and we are so happy to share this experience with you!
European river cruising has become known to Americans and we are happy to explain how it works! During the 1990s, the Rhine-Main-Daube canal was finished.This canal made it possible to sail Europe’s rivers from the North Sea all the way to the Black Sea. This created so many great options for exploring central Europe! The Danube and Rhine are the two most popular rivers to explore from a cruise ship.
Cruising the rivers and Great Lakes of the US is a perfect way to see vast areas of our wonderful country. You avoid the hassles of driving yourself and then the disappointment of not really seeing the types of sites you want to see in each region. Travel on our river and lake cruises opens up so many opportunities to immerse yourself in areas you might not be able to see otherwise!
Cruising on our recommended river cruises is such a lovely experience, and so much is included! You will enjoy a luxury level experience while onboard, with beautifully prepared meals and highly refined service. As you stop each day in the towns along the river, you will enjoy the included shore excursions, with local expert guides. You are also free to just step off the ship into the small towns and walk those ancient cobblestone streets on your own!
We know the ships and the itineraries, so when you use our services, you will have an expert helping you craft a wonderful experience. Some of our river cruises have butlers, some have pools on the upper decks, and work-out areas and spas onboard.
The river cruise lines are expanding options all the time based on feedback from guests, so staterooms are getting larger, amenities are increasing, and cuisine is becoming more attuned to special dietary needs of guests.
Cruising rivers eliminates concerns some travelers have who may experience sensitivity to motion when sailing on other types of ships. River cruising is not a good match for those with mobility problems, so we would have other recommendations for those travelers.
River cruises are a perfect setting for group travel such as wine clubs, culinary clubs, wellness groups, yoga groups, and history buffs. The combination of interesting activities and the relaxing atmosphere of the ship makes a river cruise the idea venue for a group of friends to reconnect by sharing a getaway.
US RIVER CRUISING
I’m so happy to finally be able to have good options for exploring the beautiful US via our mighty rivers and amazing Great Lakes ! Previously, there were not good vessels to recommend, but now that has changed!
Think about exploring some gorgeous areas of the United States with a small group, sailing along rivers with lovely dining, personalized services and well done touring of the towns and historical areas.
Consider these ideas:
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
There are themed itineraries to enjoy such as Civil War, Jazz Music and Wine Region Explorations too!
Highlights of the Mississippi River Including:
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New Orleans's festive French Quarter and Creole cuisine
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Cajun Heritage in Baton Rouge
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Vicksburg National Military Park
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Mark Twain’s boyhood home
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Birdwatching along the river
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Visit a working family farm along the river
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GREAT LAKES & CANADA
The Great Lakes are a massive and diverse area of great beauty ! With 10,000 miles of coastline and the world’s largest ecosystem on earth, it is something to see!
Possibilities include:
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Hiking through beautiful, pristine forests
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Kayaking through the Georgian Bay - a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
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Visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
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Enjoy the technology behind the Welland Canala and Soo Locks
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Experience some of Canada’s colonial past and the St. Lawrence River too
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
There’s so much variety in the Pacific Northwest from the natural wonders of the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands while watching for diverse wildlife. The wine regions of the northwest is a very special place to visit as well!
Ideas that may intrigue travelers:
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Visit the Olympic National park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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The San Juan islands
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Hike in rainforests with old-growth forests
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Kayaking, paddle boarding, birding are all excellent ways to get out in nature
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For wine cruises, visiting vineyards, craft beer tastings
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Wine pairing lunches, cider tastings & food demonstrations
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Some of our cruises have on board sommeliers
EXPEDITION TRAVEL
Calling all wildlife lovers, bucket-list-trip enthusiasts, and travelers who would never be caught on a “typical” cruise: set sail on the adventure of a lifetime on an expedition cruise experience. Expedition cruises take passengers to some of the world’s most breathtaking—and wildest—places on earth. Often, the only way to access these special places is by ship!
An expedition cruise is like no other vacation you’ve experienced before, and certainly not like any other cruise. Discover what’s in store when you step foot on an adventurous expedition cruise:
For in-depth exploration
What makes an expedition cruise so special—and exhilarating? You’re not sitting on the side lines, watching the world sail past you. Instead, you’re engaging with your environment in unforgettable ways. Hop into a zodiac—a hardy inflatable raft—to navigate among ice floes in the Arctic. Hike across rugged terrain in Antarctica in search of penguin colonies. Dive into the azure waters off the coast of the Galapagos Islands to snorkel with marine iguanas. Explore waterfalls throughout the mountains in Iceland.
Expert guides will help you every step (or paddle!) of the way. On board your cruise ship, naturalists host engaging talks that reveal the fascinating ecological history of your environment. You don’t just get an adventure worth writing home about, you get to deepen your understanding of some of the world’s last remaining wild spaces and what makes them so astounding.
Specially sized & equipped ships
This isn’t just exploration—this is intimate discovery. To be able to dock in remote destinations, expedition ships are typically much smaller than the standard ocean cruise. This means you get a more intimate experience on board and off. The number of passengers ranges, but it is often under 200!
What’s more, certain expedition cruise ships may contain special features that allow them to sail through unique terrain. In the Arctic and Antarctic, ships are designed with ice-rated hulls to break through the ice. A sailing down the Amazon, meanwhile, might feature a small, nimble boat that can navigate the river with ease.
Where comfort meets discovery
With today’s expedition cruise ships, intrepid exploration doesn’t mean you have to “rough it”! In fact, some expedition cruise lines are down right glamorous. Regardless of which ship you chose, you can expect comfortable cabins, gourmet cuisine, and a high crew-to-passenger ratio which means you can also count on top-notch service.
One thing to note: depending on your expedition itinerary and ship, there may be fewer “classic cruise” amenities or entertainment on board, like casinos, shows, and shopping. That’s because expedition cruise ships are built smaller so they can dock at remote destinations with ease. But you won’t miss any of those on-board extras—because this sailing is all about immersive discovery!
READY TO SET SAIL AND START EXPLORING?
As expedition cruise experts, we’d love to pair you with your perfect-fit cruise experience. Just fill out our trip inquiry form to get started!
RANCHES AND LODGES
You may have said you want to really get away and just soak up nature!
You may have said you want a truly unforgettable experience for your family or with those close friends who walk through life with you!
RANCHES
You may not realize what a treasure a ranch or lodge vacation can be! The sophisticated properties we offer are located in the US & Canada, so you don’t even have to go far!
See how this sounds. Staying in accommodations that range from a home setting to a honeymoon luxury tent with magical features such as an old fashioned copper tub.
Eye-popping views all around and let’s talk activities! Our featured ranches are focused on horseback riding so riding is, of course, part of the experience. Participate in wonderful adventures like riding out at day break to round up horses from the far reaches of the property! I’d do that for sure!
There are cattle drives and even a chance to learn to play some sports on horseback.
If horses aren’t your thing, how about fly fishing, kayaking, watersports of all kinds, hiking with a guide, golf or just being on your own in a rustic location! Can you already smell the dinners being prepared over campfires? Can you imagine the incredibly fresh vegetables and fruit that are locally sourced? You will feel like you have not only visited a new destination, but maybe a new time as well!
LODGES
The Lodges we work with are very focused on the natural beauty of the area. Some are located in Alaska where you might try your hand at the exciting sport of salmon fishing or panning for gold. Many lodges are noted for how they harmoniously blend in with the natural settings in beautiful spots in places from Alaska to Montana or the Smokey Mountains.
Absolute comfort and refined seclusion are what draw in the guests, so you are in for a real treat! Guests enjoy fishing, golf, hiking, horseback riding, photography, gardening classes, archery, shooting clays, paddlesports and and other types of workshops. Wellness is emphasized at many of these resorts, so be ready to return home truly refreshed.
Family reunions or just a time to reconnect with your honey are perfect for these resorts! Do something different. Soak up something truly beautiful with those you love!
