Tourtalk
When referencing the popularity in faith-based travel, Kirsty Perring, Goway Travel’s acting general manager for Africa and the Middle East, says, “I do see it increasing, as travelers are looking for travel that transforms them as opposed to just ticking destinations off a bucket list. They want to be immersed in the experiences they have, and faith plays an important part in this.” Adding that, “I think it is a way to bring families closer together, and a perfect opportunity for multi-generational families to celebrate faith-based milestones together.”
She notes that Goway is tapping into that faith-focused traveler by “offering more experiential-type itineraries that can be tailor-made.”
The operator’s faith-based 10-day The Great Israel Adventure itinerary launches this month with a first departure on July 18; the next departure is on Dec. 12, 2017. It takes guests to Tel Aviv, the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Masada, the Dead Sea, and the Sea of Galilee. Travelers will also take in a sound and light show at the Tower of David, go on a 4×4 jeep ride in the Golan Heights, kayak on the Jordan River, visit Caesarea and Jaffa, and go on an archaeological dig in Jerusalem. Rates start at $2,578. goway.com
Pacific Delight Tours is now offering those travelers who want to learn a little more about their faith specialized Kosher Jewish interest tours throughout Asia. The program launched with the India: My Second Home itinerary, and has now expanded to other destinations. On the India itinerary, guests get to meet and learn about lesser-known Jewish Diaspora communities in the country; the India: My Second Home 2018 itinerary is scheduled for Jan. 31-Feb. 13, 2018.
Rates start at $7,195 pp dbl including accommodations, all meals, all intra-India flights, an English-speaking guide, cultural events, and personalized photos and travel blog of the trip, plus a $900 pp tax-deductible donation to The Foundation for Remote Jewish Communities. pacificdelighttours.com
Railtalk
Travelers headed to the Sunshine State will be able to travel more seamlessly in South Florida without getting behind the wheel of a car via the new Brightline trains. Brightline, which just welcomed its second train set, BrightPink, will be debuting an introductory express rail service between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale in late July, followed by service to Miami in August. What this means for clients vacationing in Miami is they can hop on the train in the morning for a very comfortable 60-minute ride to West Palm Beach (typically, the car ride from Miami to WPB will take about 90 minutes) and spend a day exploring exclusive Palm Beach. Come nightfall, they can hop back on the train, and take the ride back to Miami (Brightline’s Miami station is located right in the middle of the city’s downtown). The ride from Miami to Fort Lauderdale will take a little under 30 minutes (normal drive time is 45 minutes). The BrightBlue train will make 17 roundtrips a day from West Palm Beach to Miami from 5 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The last train will be arriving in West Palm Beach around midnight. gobrightline.com
In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, Vacations by Rail recently unveiled five new Canadian rail vacations that include such experiences as whale-watching on the St. Lawrence River, strolling the streets of Quebec City, and taking in the views of the Laurentian Mountains. One of the itineraries is the 6-day A Taste of Quebec (running July to September), starting at $2,475 pp and including accommodations at Fairmont properties, a day in Mont-Tremblant, and trips to Quebec City and the rural Charlevoix region. The 10-day Montreal to Vancouver Trans Canada Adventure (on offer through April 2018) aboard VIA Rail’s signature train, the Canadian, running between Toronto and Vancouver (starting at $2,315), includes the Heart of Montreal motorcoach tour, a Niagara Falls sightseeing tour, a hop-on/hop-off Toronto city tour, and a visit to the Vancouver Lookout Tower. Both of these itineraries offer Corridor Service on board VIA Rail. vacationsbyrail.com
