For complete travel advisor resources, visit ustoa.com/resources/travel-resources.
From discovering Japan’s metropolitan glamour to exploring Bilbao’s dynamic art galleries, USTOA tour operators create engaging urban-focused itineraries that cover all the musts as well as hidden gems. They’re made for clients looking for a deep dive into a city’s myriad offerings.
USTOA tour operator members’ “locally crafted itineraries take travelers beyond the hotspots and offer fulfilling and educational experiences, from eating a home-cooked meal to taking an art class,” says USTOA’s president and CEO Terry Dale.
At the core of these itineraries are unparalleled access, insider knowledge, peace-of-mind, value and freedom to enjoy destinations and experiences across the entire globe. Says Dale, “Tour operators offer packaged travel to meet any vacation dream: solo travelers, multi-generational families, honeymooners, river cruise fanatics, and the most adventurous [of] guests. [Any traveler] can find an itinerary that fits their interests with thousands of trips and a wide range of budget to choose from.” He adds, “Many itineraries are flexible and can be custom-made to allow for freedom to explore a destination on [one’s] own or add on new experiences.”
Booking with a USTOA member means that your client’s trip is protected via the association’s $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, and they maintain a set of health and sanitation procedures in place via the TOURCARE Guidelines. Additionally, should something arise while your clients are traveling, USTOA members always have a tour escort, local host or representative there to assist them.
Of course, there’s also value for money in booking with a tour operator as “prepaying for trips allows travelers to budget for vacations with greater certainty,” says Dale. “Every cost and inclusion are presented upfront, and there’s a convenience of ‘one-stop shopping’ for the vacation, which, rather than booking every hotel, meal, and transportation separately, also saves considerable time.”
Urban Adventures with 5 USTOA Tour Companies
USTOA tour operator members immerse travelers in the world’s most breathtaking urban landscapes and deliver unparalleled city-focused fun such as learning the Viennese waltz while touring Vienna or shopping for treasures at the Gold Souk in Dubai.
Abercrombie & Kent’s 14-day Spain & Portugal: A Journey Across Iberia tour visits Lisbon, Evora (Portugal), Merida (Spain), Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Madrid, Elciego (Spain), Bilbao and Barcelona. During their travels, your clients will experience two Gehry-designed architectural masterpieces—the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Hotel Marques de Riscal in Elciego (where they’ll spend two night)—enjoy a private dinner and a flamenco performance at a palace in Seville; roam the medieval streets of Cordoba’s Jewish Quarter and view the stunning interior of the city’s Grand Mosque; taste a variety of culinary treats on a tapas adventure in Madrid; and partake in a private, hands-on pastry-making workshop in Lisbon.
Your clients will take in the highlights of Eastern Europe during a 14-day Insight Vacations tour that travels through Budapest, Krakow, Warsaw, Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Cesky Budejovice, Cesky Krumlov and Vienna. There’s an array of highlights, including a demonstration of the traditional techniques of dumpling-making with an expert chef in Warsaw; a Polish dinner with a variety of local delicacies and drinks; a private, guided exploration of Schonbrunn Palace; and learning the Viennese Waltz in an inclusive workshop, “Dancing without Barriers,” designed to support the visually impaired community and taking place in a specially designed sensory studio.
On the 8-day Affordable Japan tour hosted by SITA World Tours, your clients will travel from bustling Tokyo to the foot of Mount Fuji, to the castles of Nagoya and to the serene and fascinating city of Kyoto. Highlights include a city tour in Tokyo; a visit to the Tsukji Fish Market, the country’s largest marketplace; a sushi-making workshop; a visit to Mount Fuji and a cruise on Lake Ashi; exploring the Kenrokuen Gardens in Kanazawa; and touring Kyoto with visits to the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
For those wanting to explore glamorous Dubai and Abu Dhabi, smarTours offers the Deluxe Dubai and Abu Dhabi departure with three nights in Abu Dhabi and four nights in Dubai. One of the highlights is a desert safari on 4-wheel drive vehicles to savor the sunset overlooking the desert, and continuing on to a Bedouin campsite for camel riding, henna design, a BBQ dinner and more. There are also visits to the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum, the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House.
Iconic European cities are the focus of Trafalgar’s 9-day London and Paris Explorer tour. Beyond these dynamic metropolises, travelers will also visit Windsor, Bath, Stonehenge, Dover, Calais and Versailles, where they’ll discover Roman Baths, a Parisian bistro and the artist enclave, Montmartre, among a myriad of other delights. The tour allows for plenty of time to explore on one’s own, which means your clients can have a picnic in Paris’ pretty Tuileries gardens or take stroll through London’s leafy Royal Parks.
For complete travel advisor resources, visit ustoa.com/resources/travel-resources.
