When your clients call you looking for those epic escapes to far-flung destinations, you know right away they’re looking for that iconic itinerary that will wow them from start to finish. They’re craving authentic touches, immersive experiences, sightseeing in remote spots—a peek behind the façade.
USTOA (United States Tour Operator Association) members make creating those epic journeys a seamless experience, whether clients are looking to cruise through untamed Borneo, delve into the Nordic lifestyle, call a 12th-century Italian convent home or explore Ireland’s wind-swept cliffs and lost valleys.
If your clients are dreaming big, these four USTOA tour operator members deliver the kind of epic escapes they’ll be talking about for years.
A Wild Escape
Clients can escape into the wild with Alexander + Roberts’ 15-day Wild + Wonderful Borneo + Kuala Lumpur, which combines immersive cultural experiences with wildlife encounters and nature exploration. Highlights include an evening food tour through the lantern-lit stalls of Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur; an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit with the founder of the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre; a Kinabatangan River cruise to spot proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and rare birds; and a hands-on cooking experience with Bidayuh villagers using foraged jungle herbs. Travelers also explore three national parks, three rehabilitation centers and two sanctuaries, visit Mulu National Park to descend into the world’s largest cave chamber and walk one of Asia’s longest canopy walkways, while staying in five-star hotels and wilderness lodges.
A Nordic Odyssey
Your uber-cool clients can discover the best of Scandinavia’s trendsetting capitals during Globus’ 10-day Northern Capitals itinerary, which explores the capitals of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland with 2-night stays in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki. Highlights include guided sightseeing of Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue and Christiansborg Palace, a stroll through Gothenburg’s indoor food market to sample local specialties, a visit to Oslo’s Frogner Park and City Hall, guided walks in Stockholm’s Old Town and a visit to Vasa Ship Museum and checking out Helsinki’s Lutheran Cathedral, Sibelius Monument and open-air market. Travelers also enjoy an overnight Baltic Sea cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki with dinner and can choose between a visit to a panoramic local spa or a guided tour of Suomenlinna Fortress, including a ferry ride, in Helsinki.
Savoring Southern Italy
Travelers dreaming of lemon trees and vineyards cascading down terraced cliffs to the sea, sipping limoncello and feeling the soft sea breeze along the Amalfi Coast will want to learn more about Perillo Tours’ 9-day Rome & Amalfi Coast Experience, which combines Southern Italy’s history, culture, scenery and cuisine through authentic local experiences and curated sightseeing. Highlights throughout the itinerary include Rome’s Colosseum, Roman Forum and Vatican Museums before continuing to the Amalfi Coast, where travelers visit the ruins of Pompeii, explore Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, and cruise the coastline by boat. Guests also stay in a restored 13th-century convent overlooking the sea (a highly sought-after singular experience), while local guides share art history insights and regional stories.
Ireland Uncovered
From historic cities to dramatic coastlines, Celtic Tours’ Irish Rose itinerary showcases Ireland’s iconic landscapes and landmarks with visits to Derry, Donegal, County Mayo, Killarney, Blarney, Waterford and Dublin. Highlights include scenic drives along Achill Island and the Ring of Kerry, a historic walking tour of Derry, panoramic sightseeing in Dublin and visits to the Slieve League Cliffs, Giant’s Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, House of Waterford, Guinness Brewery Storehouse and the EPIC Museum. The tour also includes a dinner with entertainment at an authentic Dublin pub.
To get the latest from USTOA members, visit ustoa.com/travel-advisors.
