overseas adventure travel my planner login

The Scoop: What to Know About Overseas Adventure Tours (OAT)

This small-group specialist runs tours to all continents..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

• Looking at an Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) tour, but want to know more about this small-group tour company?
• Here’s everything you need to know about the tour company, all updated for 2024.

Overseas Adventure Travel —more commonly referred to as OAT (saying the letters as opposed to naming the grain)—is a small-group tour specialist with tours on all continents. As its name suggests, tours with Overseas Adventure Travel tend to be fairly active, so participants should be comfortable with six to eight hours of activity each day, including walking distances ranging from three to six miles.

OAT has a great reputation for its solo guest focus (more on that below), and offers a generous number of no-additional-cost single spots on its tours. It also has women-exclusive departures on many itineraries.

BEST OF THE BEST: Best Tour Companies for Guided Tours

On OAT tours, accommodations tend to be less about amenities and more about authenticity. Another thing to note is that airfare is often bundled into the up-front price of the tour (unless you specify that you want to book your own travel). OAT is one of the family of Grand Circle Corp. companies, also including Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line.

TourScoop Takeaways

• Countries: OAT has tours on every continent 
• Tour Size Average: OAT specializes in small-group trips of no more than 16 people. Its small-ship tours are aboard 50- to 98-passenger ships max out at 25 travelers. 
• Tour Type: Coach, van, small ship, rail, and air

Credibility Check

Overseas Adventure Travel is BBB accredited with a rating of A+. It’s an active member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA). The OAT website posts verified guest reviews on each tour page (sometimes with hundreds of reviews) so it’s easy to see what past travelers think of each tour. 

Tour Destinations

For 2024, OAT has 80 itineraries that include tours on every continent. Some of the most popular tours are to destinations in Italy, Egypt, and multi-country tours in Africa and around the Adriatic. 

Overseas Adventure Travel gives all its tours an Activity Level Rating that ranks tours from one (easy) to five (strenuous) to help travelers find the right fit. It has both women-only departures and many no-additional-cost single traveler spots on tours. 

There are multi-country and single country tours. On many tours, OAT creates spaces for discussion and learning with its Controversial Topics program that covers topics such as Scottish independence on its Scotland Revealed itinerary and female genital mutilation on its Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari tour. 

Tour Guides

OAT’s tour guides are called Trip Experience Leaders. All are fluent in English and have a range of skills, certifications, and experience specific to the tour destination and experience. Trip Experience Leaders focus on both the logistical and the experiential, and help connect travelers with destinations by sharing firsthand insight that brings a destination to life. 

Inclusions/Extras

Inclusions are tour-specific (there’s a “What’s Included” section on each tour’s page), but generally include round-trip flights, many (but not all) meals, transportation, accommodations, activities, and gratuities for local guides, porters, etc. As with most tour companies, gratuities for trip experience leaders is separate. 

Typical Travelers

OAT’s guests are mostly American travelers aged 50 and older. In the last few years, Overseas Adventure Travel has seen a major jump in the number of solo travelers—more than half of all OAT guests are now solo travelers, and 80% of these solo travelers are women.

WALK THE WORLD: Best Walking, and Trekking, and Hiking Tours

OAT does right by its strong solo traveler base —in 2024, the company is offering 25,620 single spaces—91% of which are free (the remaining 9% of single spots have what OAT says is the lowest single supplement in the industry). And a number of itineraries also have women-exclusive departures. 

Communication

After booking, travelers have access to all trip details through the “My Planner” section on the website. The section includes details like flight information, destination weather, and itinerary information.

Then, two weeks before departure, travelers receive all their final documents, and are also contacted by their Trip Experience Leader. Any additional questions can be directed to OAT’s customer service email or phone number.

Loyalty Program

OAT’s loyalty program is the Sir Edmund Hillary Club . Membership benefits kick in when travelers reserve their third trip, and increase after traveling with OAT five and ten times. Benefits include credits to use on future trips, travel credits, exclusive gifts, and priority luggage service. 

Private Options

OAT offers Personalized Private Adventures for groups of five to 10 people. These private departures are available using existing itineraries, and include a dedicated Trip Experience Leader. The private group premium amount depends on the number of travelers in a group. Some of the most popular private tours include Ultimate Africa , Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes , and Japan’s Cultural Treasures . 

Sustainability Efforts

OAT is part of Grand Circle, and participates in the Grand Circle Foundation , which supports projects around the world focused on water and sanitation, education, community development, renewable energy, the protection of indigenous cultures, conservation, historic preservation, and disaster relief.

CULINARY ADVENTURES: Best Tour Companies for Culinary Tours

Health and Safety Practices

On OAT tours that include time onboard a ship, additional precautions include crew trained on best health and hygiene practices to prevent onboard spread of illnesses, nightly electrostatic disinfection of public areas, and disinfection of high-efficiency air filtration systems before each sailing. The OAT website is the place to go to read more about the current health and safety practices for land and ship tours.  

Family Companies

The Grand Circle family of companies includes Overseas Adventure Travel , Grand Circle Cruise Line , and Grand Circle Travel .

More from Tour Scoop:

• 9 Travel Companies That Specialize in Women-Only Tours
• Best Senior Travel Tour Companies
• Best Tour Companies for Solo Travelers

Road Scholar Debuts Special Trips for Retired Teachers

New Vacation Trend: European River Cruise Companies Are Now Targeting Family Travelers

New Year Tour Sales: They’re Big and They’re Limited Time

What’s tourscoop.

Tour Scoop’s team of travel experts brings you in-depth tour company overviews, tour itinerary reviews, the latest tour news, and travel tips and advice written just for guided tour travelers like you.

More about us

The Scoop: What to Know About Collette

For more than a century, Collette has been leading award-winning tours.

The Scoop: What to Know About G Adventures

Award-winning small-group adventure-travel tours are the G Adventures specialty.

The Scoop: What to Know About Avalon Waterways

This award-winning river cruise company focuses on experiences and food.

The Scoop: What to Know About Intrepid Travel

Local experts, a focus on sustainability, and immersive small group experiences help set Intrepid Travel apart from other tour operators.

Member Login

Overseas Adventure Travel

347 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210 Phone: 1-800-955-1925

Pack Your Bags

The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled. Never more than 10-16 travelers— guaranteed

Explore The World

Adventure travel with OAT is a journey beyond the familiar, one that takes you into the very heart of a destination—to meet people where they work and live. Guided by an expert, resident Trip Leader in a small group of no more than 10-16 travelers, guaranteed ,  OAT  invites you to explore the meandering routes, the intriguing detours, the slower paths where you can breathe deeply, absorb new sensations, encounter authentic cultures, and make new connections. What you’ll discover is not simply a destination, but a joyful awareness of the moment that reminds you, “This is not just an ordinary trip—it’s a true adventure.” We’ve been creating those moments for more than 31 years. 

OAT  can help you realize your travel dreams for a lot less than you thought possible. Together with our regional offices located throughout the world, we’ve been able to establish long-term relationships with many local vendors and hotels. Buying direct brings down our costs—and allows us to pass the savings on to you. And negotiating directly for hotel space also allows us to secure as many single room allotments as possible for our solo travelers.

OAT is part of Grand Circle’s family of travel companies, which also includes  Grand Circle Cruise Line  and  Grand Circle Travel , both of which provide unique international vacations to Americans age 50 and older. Since 1992, the non-profit  Grand Circle Foundation  has pledged or donated $97 million to more than 300 educational,humanitarian and cultural organizations worldwide, including 100 schools, in 50 countries.

Destinations We have tours available to the destinations shown on this map

Categories we specialize in these types of tours:, activities please visit our website for more information on activities we provide on our tours., pricing we offer first class tours., please check back soon for tour reviews by overseas adventure travel, overseas adventure travel last updated october 9, 2020.

Latest USTOA Blog Posts

Places In New Zealand That Don’t Feel Real

Poland’s Sustainable Tourism: A Green Path to Discovery  

THE BIG FIVE SAFARI MYTHS

A travel vacation should not only be an unforgettable experience, but offer solid peace of mind. That’s why USTOA created a consumer protection fund which protects consumers who book with our Active Members.

USTOA Account Login Please note that passwords are case-sensitive

If you're having issues logging in with a valid password, you may need to clear your browser cookies. Information for clearing them here:

• Chrome: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/32050
• Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/delete-cookies-remove-info-websites-stored
• IE/Edge: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10-microsoft-edge-and-privacy or https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/278835/how-to-delete-cookie-files-in-internet-explorer
• Safari: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies-and-website-data-sfri11471/mac

You may also click on the following link to clear USTOA cookies if above fixes are still not effective: https://ustoa.com/clear-cookies

Reset Your Password Enter your email and request a new password to be sent.

Become a ustoa member.

If you're interested in becoming a member, we welcome your application.

Find Your Dream Vacation

Find a travel advisor, ustoa on tour live, $1m travelers assistance, active member directory, travel blog, ustoa annual conference & marketplace, future lights, sustainability (sir) resources hub, events calendar, become a member, travel advisors, travel advisor resources, 2024 ustoa digital guide, press releases, ustoa press kit, ustoa travel blog, ustoa in the news, press registration, about ustoa, history of ustoa, frequently asked questions.

• Privacy Policy

Our website is set to allow the use of cookies — for more information click here . If you consent to cookies please click "Proceed" or simply continue browsing PROCEED

Go tripping with Overseas Adventure Travel

OAT travels with friends

Find Inspiration For Overseas Adventure Travel!

Search for your next destination or an ideal location for your favourite activity by following our journey to 150 countries..

Find A Destination

Find the perfect destination for your next overseas holiday. Use our guide to search by region to get you closer to booking that flight!

Adventure Travel Activities

Do you know the type of holiday that you want but not sure where to find it? Search our guide by activity for your next activity based overseas adventure.

Travel Tips

Whether you’re a beginner to travelling or a seasoned adventurer, our tips will help make your next trip smooth, efficient and enjoyable!

Our Latest Travel Tips

Arrive prepared for your next overseas adventure travel.

Theth and Valbona in the Albanian Alps – Complete Guide to 5 Days in the Accursed Mountains of Albania

After travelling Europe for 7 months with some incredible experiences, the Theth to Valbona hike, and our entire time in Theth, quickly became our top recommendation and favourite (and scariest) adventure so far. We spent 5 amazing days immersed in mountains, nature...

Northbrook Gorge Hiking Track – Swimming & Hiking in Brisbane

Get out of the city and spend the day swimming and hiking through the Northbrook Gorge located just an hour away from sunny Brisbane, QLD. I did this walk on an early summer morning and was back in the city by 10:30am, but you could definitely make it a whole day...

8 Tips On What To Wear Hiking

When we travel overseas one of the first things we look at are the recommended hikes for the region. Hiking in another country can give you an insight into a landscape that is unlike any other you have seen before. With the amount of hiking and trekking we have done...

Where We’ve Been

This is our journey so far, as we move to reach our goal of traveling to 150 countries.

• EN - English
• PT - Portuguese
• ES - Spanish
• How it works
• Become a Host
• Download the app

Top Destinations

• United States
• United Kingdom

What type of experience are you looking for?

• Non-Profit School
• Permaculture project
• Eco Village
• Holistic Center
• Guest House
• How Worldpackers works

Learn from the most experienced travelers of the community

Traveling with worldpackers, planning and budgeting for travel, make a living while traveling as a lifestyle, travel with worldpackers.

• Using Worldpackers
• Work exchange
• Social impact
• Plan your trip
• Women traveling
• Budget travel
• Solo travel
• Language learning
• Travel tips
• Get inspired
• Digital nomads
• Travel jobs
• Personal development
• Responsible travel
• Connect with nature

Top destinations

• South America
• Central America
• North America
• More destinations
• WP Life WP Life
• Exclusive discounts Discounts

Overseas adventure travel 2022: top destinations

It's time to leave the small backpack aside and take the big one, pack your most useful things and cross the ocean. I'll share with you some destinations for an overseas adventure trip this year.

Mar 06, 2023

Many people are afraid to take a little longer step, but come on! If you are already an adventurer by nature why not go a little more adventurous?

I promise you that when you cross oceans everything is so different, our life is never the same again. It doesn't matter if you have already done overseas adventures, it is always wonderful to do it one more time, and if you have never dared, it is time to try it.

If your first problem to venture is money, nowadays you can get good options and with dozens of guides on  how to travel on a budget with Worldpackers , the first problem is solved.

Now, the second problem is, what to take? I can tell you that after so many adventures I have learned that the best thing to do is to have a minimalist packing list . I don’t complicate myself so much in this, because in each place you always have the option to get what you need, it is a matter of searching, and why not?

To adapt to the place where we go and have the mentality that exploring is synonymous with adaptability. 2 or 3 basic outfits , your best and most comfortable shoes, lots and lots of socks, your best thermos for water or coffee, important documents, money and that's it, you are ready to cross the ocean this year. Don't forget your best coat, as it is always necessary for any situation.

For me, it is always essential to start as a volunteer to explore later , it's there where you can get more information from the locals about how to move around, where to go, and many other things.

In Worldpackers there are many options for volunteering . Once you have chosen what you want your next adventure to be, you could apply to get straight into volunteering, spend some time learning, sharing, and exploring, either use your free days to explore the place (great option for short budgets) or wait for the end of it to venture more and more.

It's up to you, and in the meantime, here are some of the best places to do an overseas adventure travel, maybe in one of them you will find your next destination. 

Overseas adventure travel to Northern Europe

Has Denmark ever crossed your mind? Maybe you have never had this beautiful country in mind, but it is time to consider all it has to offer for an adventure in Northern Europe .

If you like nature and exploring, Denmark has many green areas and wooded landscapes that are very natural and undeveloped. You will feel free and surrounded by nature if you go into its more secluded places.

It is also a country of great freedom and cultural convergence. Copenhagen is not to be missed for a more colorful and lively experience in the evenings, with a beer by the side of the canals, in a pub , or enjoying the streets of the city.

But if you are more into nature , places like Aarhus will surprise you with their beaches and nature. In general, be prepared for camping, as you can live the best camping adventures here .

If you would like to explore through volunteering , there are many options to volunteer in Denmark .

Another great country to venture to if you are heading north.

With its vast white forests in winter, wildlife that you can admire, and remote landscapes, Estonia is a country you will love if you are fed up with cities and want a natural adventure.

You can find cabins in remote forests, where you can retreat for a couple of weeks without knowing anything about cell phones or technology, just connecting with nature and smelling the pine trees, watching birds, or doing a sauna in the forest . 

If you go to this beautiful country I recommend its capital Tallinn , where you will find an old city that preserves particular stone taverns where you can taste a beer like the Vikings, taste specialties such as Moose soup, or walk the cobbled streets finding churches and historical monuments.

Then head to Sooma National Park to explore its green areas, to Narva to see how Russian culture converges and how the Soviet vibe is preserved, and to Pilla Palu for a wild encounter with nature.

Plus, in Estonia 's eco-villages they are always looking for volunteers to support them in super fun and eco-friendly tasks , what is a better way to explore? 

Overseas adventure travel to the Mediterranean

Santorini, greece.

Have you always dreamed of seeing the particular houses that are dyed in an absolute white color and at the same time admiring the intense blue of the Mediterranean ?

Your next destination should be Santorini, a mystical and famous place in Greece , so full of culture, full of magic and adventures.

Get ready to live life on an island, full of gastronomic culture, long walks through the narrow streets and alleys with white houses on both sides, go down those hills until you reach the sea and feel the wind of the Cyclades islands , admire the houses built in caves , with particular architectures and unique beauties.

Santorini is an island that should be explored from head to toe, each area has its peculiarities, and while you venture in its paths don't forget to grab a gyro to take with you.

Venture to the most famous village on the island ( Oia ), Thira and the calderas of Santorini , and pppst, don't forget to do some Greek wine tours .

If you like the hostel lifestyle , don't forget that some hostels are looking for volunteers , where you can have food and meals while enjoying the island in your free time. Time to volunteer in one of the dream islands of many people? Find out more volunteering opportunities in Santorini .

Many people have not heard of Malta , and if you are one of them, I recommend that you take a look right now at the adventure that awaits you if you travel there.

It is an island with many particular places with such diversity: areas of culture and history with its ancient buildings as Mdina (former capital), areas of vegetation particular to the country, seafront restaurants and hotels for gourmets, facades that warn a unique cultural mix and the same Mediterranean beauty that characterizes many neighboring countries.

If you like history and cultural diversity, Malta will not disappoint you, you can have many adventures in Valletta (the capital), tour the island and its various locations, such as Gozo and its beaches, and why not? Meet people from all over the world.

Through the volunteering projects that Malta offers you could find many possibilities to meet people from all over the world, a great experience that allows you not only to do cultural exchanges but also to make good friends .

No adventure guide should forget Italy, this majestic country that everywhere you go turns you into an adventurer , a foodie , and a taster .

If your thing is the city adventure, you have thousands of options. Don't miss Rome , Florence , Venice , Milan , and Naples . And if your thing is the countryside, the green areas, the blue water, don't miss Tuscany and Puglia .

Wherever you start this adventure you won't stop wanting to keep going. This is one of my favorite places, not only for the culture and its extravagance and warmth but for the tranquility of exploring different roads, seeing different villages with stone houses, vineyards, the clothes hanging in the streets, the gastronomy, the cultural and ancient sites, its magnificent works of art , in short, from head to toe you have to venture in this country.

And even better, one of my best volunteering experiences was in Italy. If you also want to have a very good experience check out these volunteering opportunities in Italy . 

These articles will help you with your travel planning: The ultimate Italy travel guide and The 20 best cities to visit in Italy .

Overseas adventure travel to the Middle East

You can't deny that the Middle East  has that mysticism , although every multicultural encounter with other countries is great, these countries always cause us even more curiosity because the culture is very particular in them.

Jordan is always in the top countries you must visit, and there is no doubt about it, crossing the desert of Wadi Rum brings with it an assured adventure. From the Dead Sea to the famous Petra , you won't have room to save so many experiences that this country has to offer.

If you are a hiker at heart , I think your adventure could start here, with a special culture, incredible sites, night and day adventures, different customs, and not missing out on one of the New Seven Wonders of the World .

Your culinary experience will also be pushed to the limit. Everywhere you look, Jordan is waiting to show you that it has everything to be your next dream and adventure destination.

Bedouin culture is super interesting, and what better way to experience it than living with them in Jordan's best landscapes ? Yes, with Worldpackers you can apply to be part of a Bedouin camp and help them to take pictures, plan experiences, explore, support the camp, and everything while you travel and learn. 

Check out all the projects to volunteer in Jordan .

Turkey is a must:  for anyone ready to take a step beyond the typical local adventures, Turkey has everything to offer, from conservative cities to lively and partying venues like its largest city, Istanbul .

In the biggest city in Turkey, you can see how the Muslim culture converges with tourists from all the neighboring countries, and you will find the most famous mosques, districts, and museums that will tell you about the history of this country.

The natural rock formations of Capadoccia  are one of the highlights of any trip to Turkey, and if you want to go more on a local adventure , I recommend getting lost in Gaziantep .

These countries are always my favorite for a real adventure and a great cultural encounter.

Many hostels in Turkey offer you accommodation and food in exchange for supporting them in various tasks, imagine being in the heart of Istanbul and being able to live a great trip and at the same time learn many things. If that calls you, your next adventure can start with one of these volunteering programs in Turkey . 

The Bohemian overseas adventure travel

Prague, czech republic.

You will never experience the bohemian culture elsewhere more than in its birthplace: Prague .

If you are up for some spooky adventures, this gothic-style city is the right spot to get yourself some cheap thrills. The medieval streets are haunted with tales of the past and the bars and restaurants around the city are totally doing their best to create that vibe. It is very common to see a big group of people going for a pub crawl in the city so this is where your next thrilling adventure in Bohemia should start. 

While you can enjoy some nice storytelling around a beer about the ghosts and spirits that haunt the city, others choose to enjoy their beers through heavy partying and heavy challenges. All of this heavy talk and action is not usually ending up quietly.

The Czech Republic is known for a very unusual practice throughout its history: defenestration . There were some famous events in Czech history where political and religious leaders were thrown out the window of castles. That is why, it is now inconceivable, in Prague, for bars to have more than one level above the ground. Your next adventure will be a ground level one, with very few windows and a dark vibe that will test your guts through the night.

Are you up for the task? If yes you should check these volunteer opportunities in Prague  to live the real experience. 

More inspiration: 10 best places to visit in the Czech Republic .

Budapest, Hungary

Bohemian at heart? Closet hipster? Your adventure begins in Budapest. With its bohemian and hipster vibes , the capital of Hungary will steal your heart.

You can take a spa bath in its buildings with Turkish architecture that turn into a party, walk around its important monuments like the parliament, some castles, its huge markets, and party in its particular streets.

Don't forget to take a walk around the shoe monument , it is always good to see the particularities of a country.

Budapest offers you many things to see and do, and nothing better than walking to discover its charms, and while walking do not forget to stop to taste a typical goulash .

Although Budapest is very cheap when compared to other European capitals , accommodation is still a bit expensive. I recommend you to visit this city volunteering and save on food and accommodation, so you can share the experience while shortening your budget. Here are the best options for volunteering in Budapest . 

The Irish overseas adventure travel

Is the word adventure for you also synonymous with great nature, flora, fauna , and majestic places where you can get lost for miles? If so, like me, we will think of Ireland . And of course, there would be no reason not to if we look at its beautiful landscapes.

Set off on your adventure to the capital, Dublin , to see historic sites, do a pub crawl in its dozens of bars, and visit some museums .

For hikers I would say Wicklow , an hour from Dublin, where you will be impressed with its landscapes and mountains, and all the beauty they show.

And don't miss the Cliffs of Moher , those endless green pictures on the horizon where you could spend hours and hours adventuring in nature.

Would you like to volunteer on a farm, see the vast blue ocean or go on an adventure with the locals? Here are the best volunteering positions in Ireland .

More inspiration to take off:  The ultimate Worldpackers Ireland travel guide   and  How a 2-month Worldpackers exchange in Ireland became a yearlong adventure .

The best adventures I have experienced have come after volunteering through Worldpackers with local people who have guided me to the best recommendations and places.

I am an adventurer and can't wait for more, I hope these places will help you explore them this year too. 

Need more inspiration?  Check out the articles below:

•   13 Bucket list adventure ideas around the world  
• Top 35 iconic places in the world: famous landmarks worth visiting
• Historic places to visit: the 20 best destinations
• 20 tropical islands to visit around the world

Join the community!

Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Lucas Lisbonis

Be part of the worldpackers community, already have an account, are you a host, leave your comment here.

Write here your questions and greetings to the author

More about this topic

Adventure planning: the best guide for your backpacking trip

How to find cheap flights to anywhere: everything you need to know about low-cost airlines

The ultimate guide to travelling off the beaten path

How do Worldpackers trips work?

As a member, you can contact as many hosts and travel safely as many times as you want.

Choose your plan to travel with Worldpackers as many times as you like.

Complete your profile, watch the video lessons in the Academy, and earn certificates to stand out to hosts.

Apply to as many positions as you like, and get in contact with our verified hosts.

If a host thinks you’re a good fit for their position, they’ll pre-approve you.

Get your documents and tickets ready for your volunteer trip.

Confirm your trip to enjoy all of the safety of Worldpackers.

Have a transformative experience and make a positive impact on the world.

If anything doesn’t go as planned with a host, count on the WP Safeguard and our highly responsive support team!

After volunteering, you and your host exchange reviews.

With positive reviews, you’ll stand out to hosts and get even more benefits.

Start Your Free Trial

By clicking "Let's Go" I confirm that I have read and accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .