Agents can never have too many options when on the hunt for their clients’ perfect itinerary. To spruce up the options you’re presenting to clients with their eyes set on Europe, try these new itineraries that focus on food and adventure, as well as new tours in Switzerland.
Foodie Fun
For true traveling foodies, the meals they devour and the drinks they sip on are just as important as the historic sites they see (if not more so). Since food and culture go hand in hand, why not give your clients a taste of both? With On The Go Tours’ new culinary adventures featuring some of Europe’s favorites for foodies—Spain, Italy and Portugal—you can do exactly that.
Starting in 2018, On The Go Tours will offer five new culinary tours that range from seven to 15 days: the Spain & Portugal Explorer, the Italian Espresso, the Renaissance & Riviera, the Madrid to Lisbon, and the Portugal Explorer.
In Portugal, some highlights of these tours include sampling wine in Porto and the Douro wine region, as well as watching Portugal’s famous custard tarts being handmade in Cabo da Roca. In Italy, your clients can look forward to cooking demonstrations in Genoa, exploring the colorful coastal towns of Cinque Terre, and more, plus visits to the Olive Oil Capital of the World; a vineyard famous for its sherry wine; and an authentic Iberian ham farm, await them in Spain.
While foodie fun may be the focus of these itineraries, the culture and history of these countries won’t be lost on travelers participating in these tours. As Carl Cross, managing director of On The Go Tours, put it:
“These new Signature group tours are unique given they combine iconic sites and destinations of these countries with excursions led by local guides who share their knowledge and passion, as well as allow for exploration of each country’s delicious food scene.”
Prices for these culinary tours start at $2,895 pp dbl. For more information, visit onthegotours.com.
Adventures With Fire and Ice
With its number one ranking on the Global Peace Index and short flights making it easily accessible from the east coast of the U.S., Iceland is hot right now. Figuratively speaking, of course.
To meet the ever-increasing demand for itineraries in Iceland, Travel Impressions has joined forces with the country’s largest destination management company, a subsidiary of Icelandair Group, to add five fully escorted tours and one FIT tour to its portfolio.
Guests on the escorted tours will see firsthand how Iceland earned its nickname as the Land of Fire and Ice with visits to volcanic black sand beaches, glacial lagoons, a geothermal bakery where bread is cooked underground, and more. Other highlights of these Icelandic adventures include whale watching, exploring volcanic caves, marveling at the wildlife, hot springs, geysers and waterfalls, and maybe catching a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights.
According Scott Wiseman, president of Travel Impressions, Iceland is not only one of the most peaceful places on Earth, but also one of the most beautiful. “The Aurora Borealis is a strong selling point, but there are an abundance of visual images agents can conjure to entice their clients to Iceland,” he said.
For clients who think of Iceland and can’t help but let the phrase “winter is coming” roll off their tongues, Travel Impressions’ new FIT tour specifically designed for “Game of Thrones” fans may be right for them. On the Game of Thrones – Iceland: Beyond the Wall tour, travelers will spend five days visiting notable filming locations such as the “Ice Wall” and “North of the Wall” with local guide Jon Thor Benediktsson, who will share insights on both the filming and the Icelandic history of the area. After serving as a guide to the GoT cast and crew during the filming of the show’s third season, Benediktsson has the inside scoop.
For more information, visit travimp.com.
New Tours in Switzerland
Switzerland packs a big punch, from its natural beauty and cultural offerings, to its totally integrated and efficient Swiss Travel System. This combination of factors and more is what makes Switzerland the ideal destination for independent travelers according to Avanti Destinations.
“You can find almost anything your independent travel clients could want in Switzerland: superb gastronomy, adrenaline-pumping adventure, some of the most stunning scenery in the world, charming towns, history, cultural events, cosmopolitan cities,” said Megan Ball, Avanti Destination’s lead product manager.
With such a robust list of things to offer its visitors, it’s no wonder that Avanti Destinations decided to increase its tour options in Switzerland.
New this winter season, is Avanti’s Swiss Winter Wonderland tour. This 5-day/4-night itinerary takes travelers to Lucerne and Interlaken where they’ll enjoy night-sledding, two mountain peak excursions, a sleigh ride or snowshoeing, and more. Pricing for this tour starts at $1,425 pp dbl, and agents who book their clients now through Feb. 28, 2017 for travel through March 31, 2018, will receive a bonus commission of $50 for each booking over $1,500.
New itineraries for the spring, summer and fall are the Swiss Food Discovery tour and the Deluxe Switzerland tour. Highlights of these tours include scenic train rides, views of the Matterhorn, spa visits, mountain excursions, wine tastings, and horse-draw carriage rides. Pricing for these itineraries start at $1,499 and $3,899 pp dbl.
For more information, visit avantidestinations.com.
