Adventurous clients are always on the lookout for experiences that go beyond the guidebook—that take them off the beaten path. One source you’ll want to tap to create such experiences for those clients is the United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA). Its tour operator members will help you craft itineraries that will undoubtedly lead your clients into less-traveled locales, offering fresh perspectives and unique encounters that stand apart from the typical vacation.
We’ve put the spotlight on five USTOA tour operator members that create journeys that go beyond the ordinary, with such inclusions as restoring a mangrove barrier in Colombia, truffle hunting in Italy, dining in a castle in Eastern Europe, meeting Japan’s pearl divers and hanging with locals in India.
Spotlight: Colombia
EF Go Ahead Tours’ 9-day Highlights of Colombia: Bogota, Medellin & Cartagena immerses clients in this South American country. Hopping from bustling Bogota to fascinating Medellin and over to colonial Cartagena, travelers will get a feel for what this ever-evolving country has on offer.
With group sizes averaging 12 to 22 travelers, it’s an intimate experience that allows your clients to really explore their surroundings. Highlights include a walking tour of Bogota’s colonial La Candelaria neighborhood; a visit to the city’s Casa del la Paz community center, where tour participants hear from former FARC combatants (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) about the founding of the onsite La Trocha brewery and sample a few of its specialty ales; a stroll through Medellin’s Botero Plaza, home to 23 sculptures by Colombian artist, Fernando Botero; a visit to Comuna 13, once one of the city’s most dangerous neighborhoods, now transformed into a dynamic community; time to explore Cartagena’s UNESCO-recognized Old Town and its San Felipe de Barajas Castle, one of the oldest fortresses in the Americas; and a coffee farm tour and tasting.
Extending one’s tour to 11 days allows for the opportunity to participate in a conservation project in Cartagena to restore the island mangroves and includes a visit to the historic town of San Basilio de Palenque to learn about Afro-Colombian culture.
A Taste of Piedmont
Wine tasting, truffle hunting, chef-hosted cooking class…. Those are just three of the many delights your clients will encounter on Tauck’s A Week In… Piedmont itinerary.
Spanning eight days and with only 24 passengers, this journey includes an early opening visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of la Venaria Reale, a former royal residence of the House of Savoy; wine tasting lunch at Banca Del Vino and a cooking demonstration at the Slow Food University in the Langhe hills; a truffle hunting experience in Alba to learn about its truffles; a chef-hosted cooking class at a former castle; and a wine tasting experience in Gavi. There are also guided sightseeing tours in Turin; a private cruise to Isola Bella with a visit to the privately owned Villa Borromeo, a baroque palace with lakeside gardens; and a seafood dinner on Fisherman’s Island.
The accommodations, too, are noteworthy: Turin’s Principi di Piemonte, with views of the city-center; Il Boscareto Hotel and Spa, surrounded by rolling vineyards; and the 1861-built Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, facing Lake Maggiore.
Exploring Eastern Europe
Taking travelers far from the typical tourist routes, Globus’ 14-day Highlights of the Balkans itinerary visits five Balkan countries—Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Romania and Macedonia. With a spotlight on the region’s history, this tour features must-visit sites such as Brasov’s Black Church; Ruse, Bulgaria’s “Little Vienna”; the Byzantine Holy Sofia Church, built in the sixth century; Staro Nagorichane Monastery near Kumanovo and Tirana’s Bunk’Art, in Albania.
There are also visits to Romania’s 14th-century Bran Castle of Dracula—where your clients will view its torture chambers and enjoy dinner; sightseeing in Belgrade, located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers; scenic drives with views of the Carpathian Mountains; a boat cruise on Lake Ohrid to see the monastery of Saint Naum; guided sightseeing in Bucharest; and a visit to Romania’s Peles Castle.
Let clients know that Globus offers small group departures on select dates (an average of 24 per departure) as well as private touring (1-24 guests).
Japan & South Korea: Immersive Encounters with Tradition
Collette’s Japan & South Korea: From Tokyo to Seoul steeps your clients in the rich cultural heritage found in these two countries—from the poignant history to the modern energy.
This 16-day itinerary is brimming over with engaging inclusions such as wandering among the swaying trees of Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo forest; visiting Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Memorial Museum to hear accounts of the atomic bomb’s devastation; joining a North Korean defector for a private and emotional discussion about their escape and new life; viewing how green tea is prepared during a traditional Japanese tea ceremony; exploring the Tokyo National Museum; sitting down for a traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner; participating in a Okonomiyaki cooking class and dinner; enjoying lunch in a Korean family’s home; and meeting Japan’s ama pearl divers to learn more about their profession.
This is part of Collette’s Explorations travel style, which means that during this small group tour (an average of 19 travelers and a max of 24) your clients will dive deeper and engage with local life in a meaningful way.
India Awaits…As Does Nepal
Tell your clients to imagine themselves stepping back in time to the Mughal Empire in Old Delhi; enjoying dinner at Dera Amer, a protected wilderness; taking in the stunning views of the Taj Mahal from a rooftop cafe while sipping on tea; or sailing the River Ganges while on a sunrise boat cruise. It’s all part of Insight Vacations’ Classical India with Nepal journey.
While exploring this enchanting part of the world, your clients will visit five cities and their surroundings—Kathmandu, Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi. Included on this 12-day tour are such captivating experiences as visiting the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River to take in the impressive Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal; meeting a woman who has climbed Mount Everest; heading to Sheroes Cafe to listen to the dramatic stories of women who have survived acid attacks; and joining a Local Expert in India’s religious rituals to learn more about the colorful candlelit tradition of Aarti while participating in the sunset ceremony in the Ganges, against a backdrop of ringing bells and chanting music.
Clients can choose from the Classic Group size—averaging 33 guests but no more than 40—or the Small Group size, with no more than 24 guests.
For more immersive experiences from USTOA members, click HERE.
