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Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside featuring Italy's Charming Hill Towns

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$3,299 pp* $3,699 pp, historical greenbrier featuring washington d.c. & williamsburg, $2,299 pp* $2,499 pp, spotlight on northern italy featuring venice, verona & the dolomites.

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Travel + Leisure Readers' 15 Favorite Tour Operators of 2023

The right tour operators can make or break a trip. These specialists came out on top in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2023 thanks to insider knowledge and personalized service.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Courtesy of Butterfield & Robinson

While we travel to see the sights, what we really take home with us are the experiences. And finding the right tour operator — one that’s able to meld insider knowledge about a destination with the best ways to take it in — can make or break a trip. But when the right combination does come along, it can be pure magic, so it’s no wonder that the last year has seen group travel on the rise .

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Tour operators and safari outfitters were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Staff/guides
• Itineraries/destinations
• Accommodations

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

With nine of the companies returning from last year’s list , one major trend that stands out is the focus on a region, like with this year’s No. 1 pick, ATJ, which focuses on luxury travel, ranging from bespoke private to small group itineraries, in Austrasia. Also destination experts are Inside Japan Tours (No. 10), who offer themed trips, from honeymoons to diving, around the island nation, and Vagabond Tours of Ireland (No. 12), which makes its debut on the list, standing out for its B Corporation status, as it guides travelers around the Emerald Isle in their choice of style, either relaxed and culture-focused or active and adventurous. 

Also notable are the operators who go a step beyond, like two returning favorites: Artisans of Leisure (returning as No. 3) has been called “top notch”; one reader said that “no other tour operator comes close in terms of knowing the destinations [and] understanding what we want and executing our trip flawlessly.” Black Tomato (dropping from last year’s No. 4 to a still respectable No. 6) manages to both fulfill curiosity and allay FOMO on its adventures globally.

But more than anything, it’s loyalty that shows what a strong tour operator is made of, and readers often raved about return visits with a particular company. One, for instance, shared that after 25 journeys, Du Vine Cycling + Adventure Co. (No. 2) stands out among them all. “The best cycling trips I’ve been on,” they said. “Great staff, accommodations, and first class all the way.” And that’s the winning combo for a tour company — leaving travelers with that passion for exploring the world through their eyes. See the complete list of top 15 tour operators, according to T+L readers, below.

Courtesy of ATJ

Formerly known as Asia Transpacific Journeys, ATJ made the list in 2011, 2017, and 2018, and it now leapfrogs back in triumphantly, notching the No. 1 spot. Offering tours in countries like Australia, Bhutan, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the company specializes in custom itineraries and private group trips. But what travelers rave about is its band of extremely helpful customer service reps who are “responsive and personable.” They added, “I can call and speak with a live person immediately.” Customers tend to be loyal, but so are the agents: “I have used the same agent and she always remembers what we like and any special needs we have.”

I have used the same agent and she always remembers what we like and any special needs we have.

Reader Score: 99.07

2 . DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.  

Reader Score: 99.05

3 . Artisans of Leisure  

Reader Score: 98.89

4. TCS World Travel

ReaderScore: 98.84

5. Trek Travel 

Reader Score: 98.62

6. Black Tomato  

Reader Score: 98.29

7. Classic Journeys  

WBA Hall of Fame honoree.

Reader Score: 98.27

8. Adventure Unbound  

Reader Score: 98.15

9. Scott Dunn  

10. Inside JapanTours  

Reader Score: 98.13

11. Butterfield & Robinson  

Reader Score: 98.00

12. Vagabond Tours of Ireland

Reader Score: 97.78

13. Quasar Expeditions

Reader Score: 97.53

Reader Score: 97.33

15. Jacada Travel

Reader Score: 96.20

15 Best Tour Companies of 2024

Tour companies like Intrepid Travel and G Adventures can help you create the experience of a lifetime. Choosing the right company depends on your destination and travel preferences.

Guided tours can be a great way to experience a new destination, but you want to make sure you get the best experience possible. How can you find the best tour companies to guide your adventure?

Whether you’re looking for group trips, self-guided tours, river cruises, tours for solo travelers, or overseas adventure travel, you want to find a tour operator that can deliver a seamless, enjoyable, and authentic experience, all without zeroing out your bank account.

Here are the top 15 tour companies out there today. I’ll walk you through what each excels at and how to pick the best one for you.

• Best Tour Company Overall: Intrepid Travel
• Best Small Group Tour Company: G Adventures
• Best for Day Tours: Get Your Guide
• Best Tour Company for Solo Travelers: Go Ahead Tours
• Best Tour Company for Families: Adventures by Disney
• Best Tour Company for Seniors: Trafalgar
• Best Tour Company for Europe: Tauck
• Best Tour Company for Italy: Insight Vacations
• Best Tour Company for Ireland and Scotland: CIE Tours
• Best Iceland Tour Company: Nicetravel Iceland
• Best Tour Company for Spain and Portugal: Cosmos
• Best Egypt Tour Company: Exodus
• Best Asia Tour Company: Klook
• Best Tour Company for Israel: Click Tours
• Best Tour Company for Greece: Epos Travel Tours

Intrepid Travel : Best Tour Company Overall

When you imagine travel tours, you may picture massive group tours and a bus packed with 50 noisy, gawking tourists.

That’s not what you get with Intrepid Travel . This company specializes in adventurous and immersive small group tours with an average of 10 people.

Operating on all seven continents, Intrepid offers a huge range of trip types to fit any traveler. You can choose biking tours across New Zealand, river cruises in Europe, trekking in the Himalayas, or wildlife safaris in the Serengeti. There are options for all-female adventures, family expeditions, active trips for adventure travelers, or trips catering specifically to 18-29 year olds.

If you don’t want to spend the trip of a lifetime sitting on your butt looking out a bus window, Intrepid Travel is for you. Their group trips are designed to fully immerse you in the culture and beauty of a new place. Here are two examples of what you’ll get from Intrepid Travel:

With the Alaska: Hike, Bike, & Kayak tour, you are led by an expert guide on a range of active adventures through some of Alaska’s best scenery and national parks. You’ll go sea kayaking, cycle along the rugged Alaskan coast, and hike through Denali National Park.

If you’re looking for more of a cultural experience, the Premium Sri Lanka tour is an incredible journey through the culture, history, food, and wildlife of this island. You’ll explore ancient temples, eat incredible food with locals, and search for leopards in the country’s wildlife preserves.

One last perk: Intrepid Travel is a Certified B-Corp, meaning they are dedicated to doing good in the world. They donate to worldwide relief causes and offset the carbon footprint of every trip they operate.

G Adventures : Best Small Group Tour Company

If you’re looking for small group tours, G Adventures is one of the best in the category. Just like with Intrepid, their tour groups average 10 people, so, with G Adventures, you won’t have to deal with being part of a massive hoard of tourists.

So what sets G Adventures apart? Unlike many tour operators, they focus on helping you get exactly the experience you’re looking for instead of packing every day with a rigid schedule. Every trip offers a wide range of optional activities that you can pick and choose from to personalize your experience. Plus, you can opt for more free time to explore or hang out on your own.

I also love that G Adventures hires all local guides. They put a lot of emphasis on their guides, even calling them CEOs (chief experience officers). That means you get local, insider expertise on your trip. Your tour director will speak the local language, know the best spots to eat, and fully understand the culture.

If you’re looking for big luxurious hotels and resorts, G Adventures probably isn’t for you. Instead of going to the big chain hotels, G Adventures uses locally owned and operated lodgings.

This has two benefits. First, you get a much more authentic local experience. Big hotel chains don’t have the same charm and character as a true local hotel. Second, your money will go toward benefiting the local economy rather than some giant corporation. That’s a big win for G Adventures in my book.

Get Your Guide : Best for Day Tours

You may not need or want a fully guided multi-day group tour, But sometimes it’s nice to have the guidance of a local expert for a truly unique experience that you couldn’t get otherwise. Choosing day tours is a great way to get the benefits of guided group tours without being stuck with a tour group for your entire trip.

Get Your Guide is my favorite resource for finding amazing day tours, entry tickets, and other travel experiences. It’s perfect for more independent travelers who can manage the details of their own trip, but are looking for shorter guided tours.

How does it work? Get Your Guide is essentially an online marketplace where you can search for and reserve tours, museum passes, adventure activities, and more.

For example, let’s say you’re planning a trip to Sweden. On Get Your Guide, you could book a dog sled adventure to see the northern lights, a day cruise on an icebreaker ship, a “ghost-walk” historical tour of Old Stockholm, and a guided ice climbing excursion.

I’m already getting excited about that trip.

Go Ahead Tours : Best Tour Company for Solo Travelers

Solo travel can be a bit intimidating, especially if you don’t have a lot of travel experience. I’ve found that group tours can be a great way to ease some of the stress and make it easier to enjoy your trip as a solo traveler.

Go Ahead Tours is one of the best tour companies that specializes in trips for solo travelers. With their solo trips, you always get a private room at no extra cost, and the other travelers in your tour group will also be solo—so you don’t end up as the awkward 17th wheel in someone else’s family vacation. As a solo traveler with Go Ahead Tours, you get all the benefits and security of a group trip, and you’ll meet other amazing people traveling the world on their own.

Go Ahead Tours focuses on small group itineraries in tour destinations around the globe, from popular destinations to locations off the beaten path. Want a food-centric trip across Italy? Check. Want to visit South America and hike to Machu Picchu? Check. How about a wildlife safari in Kenya? Yep, they’ve got that. Go Ahead Tours offers the best group tours for solo travelers, and you may even make some new friends on the way.

Adventures by Disney : Best Tour Company for Families

Family travel can seem complicated, especially if you have younger kids. Group tours can help simplify planning the dream trip, but tour operators often plan trips focused on adults, so younger travelers may get bored quickly.

Adventures by Disney is one of the few group travel companies that specialize in family-oriented trips and tours, from South America to Scandinavia. Disney Vacations designs their group trips to have something for everyone: wine tastings for the adults, adventure scavenger hunts for the kids, and sights and experiences that will engage your entire family.

Disney Adventures trips are a bit pricier than many other group travel companies, so not all families will be able to afford them. However, if you can make it work with your budget, your family will get an amazing experience that you just won’t find from more mainstream travel.

Trafalgar : Best Tour Company for Seniors

Trafalgar is one of the biggest (and best) group travel companies in the world. They offer hundreds of international trips to popular destinations around the globe.

Trafalgar’s guided tours are great for travelers of all age groups, but they cater particularly to senior travelers. The majority of Trafalgar guests are over 50. It’s also great for family tours to get grandparents and grandkids spending quality time together.

If you’re looking for highly active itineraries with adventure activities packed in, Trafalgar may not be the best for you. They focus more on cultural immersion, history, architecture, and local cuisine. Trafalgar is a great choice if you want to take a deep dive into the essence of your destination.

You can count on having a tour leader who is an expert in the local culture and history, and you will come home with tons of new knowledge.

Trafalgar focuses primarily on land-based tours, but they also offer a range of cruise vacations if you want to travel by sea.

Hotel stays, meals, transportation to/from the airport, and all the logistics are all arranged for you. You can even add on flights, extra hotel nights, and travel insurance so you don’t have to worry about any additional complications for your trip.

Tauck : Best Tour Company for Europe

Tauck is another big name in group tours that operates on all seven continents. While they have guided tours all around the globe, Tauck is an especially good choice if you’re looking for a group tour in Europe.

It’s easy to go to European cities, see the major tourist sites, and head home without really diving deep into the culture and spirit of the place. My favorite thing about Tauck is that their European tours are designed to give you more than just the standard tourist experience. Their Yellow Roads of Europe tours take you off the beaten path for a truly unique European experience.

Every Tauck tour pairs you with handpicked expert local guides who will help fully immerse you in the experience.

Tauck offers both river cruises and land-based group tours. If you want a unique European experience, imagine cruising through Western Europe along the Seine.

Insight Vacations : Best Tour Company for Italy

Almost every traveler dreams of a bucket list trip to Italy. What’s not to love? Amazing food, amazing sights, amazing culture, Italy has it all.

If you’re looking for the best guided tours in Italy, I highly recommend Insight Vacations . Insight offers tours all over the world, but their Italy tours are especially good. Whether you want to see the major sights, learn to live like a local, or sample the best food from around the country (or all of the above!) they’ve got tours for you.

As an example, you could choose their Best of Italy Tour for your next trip. This 11-day tour includes stays in Rome, Florence, Venice, and more. You’ll learn from local artisans, eat farm-to-table meals on the foothills of Mount Vesuvius, and get a VIP tour of the Vatican (including areas normally off-limits to visitors).

Insight’s tours are all led by local tour guides who speak the language and have in-depth knowledge of the culture and history of each site you visit.

If you’re traveling with a group of 10 or more people, Insight Vacations can also put together custom itineraries specifically for your group.

CIE Tours : Best Tour Company for Ireland and Scotland

If you’re into history, stunning scenery, charming towns, or good times at the pub, you would probably love touring Ireland and Scotland. CIE Tours is technically based in the US, but it’s partially owned and operated by the Irish government. It specializes in travel to Ireland, Scotland, and a few other European countries.

This dialed-in focus means that there are no better guided tours for Ireland and Scotland. I highly recommend their Taste of Scotland and Ireland Tour . In 11 days, you’ll experience sightseeing in Glasgow and Dublin, a day cruise on Loch Ness, carriage rides through the Irish countryside, and a feast in a historic castle.

Their tours have a great balance of exciting sightseeing and activities with enough downtime to relax or do plenty of exploring on your own. It’s a great way to get all the benefits of group travel without feeling like you have no control over your schedule.

If you want more freedom, CIE also offers independent adventures. They will build an itinerary for you and book your lodgings, admission tickets to attractions, and rental car (or you can opt for a private driver). You can choose from their pre-packaged itineraries, or build your own custom trip.

I also appreciate that CIE Tours has fairly affordable rates that include all admission tickets and most of your meals. Plus, they often offer discounts on airfare!

Nicetravel Iceland : Best Iceland Tour Company

Maybe you’ve always been intrigued by Iceland’s wild, untamed beauty (I know I have). If you want to experience this first hand, Nicetravel Iceland is one of the best group travel companies in this amazing country.

Nicetravel Iceland by three local Icelandic families, so they have a lot of local expertise. They offer trips ranging from 8 hours to over a week and have itineraries to suit any type of traveler, whether you want to relax in natural hot spring pools or hike along the glaciers and coastlines.

They focus on small group tours, and you’ll never have more than 19 people in your group. Most of their tours start from the capital, Reykjavik, and will drive you to various destinations in Mercedes Sprinter Vans. Way better than the huge tour buses many other companies use.

In addition to standard tours for sightseeing, they also have a range of tour options for more adventurous travelers. You’re in the right place if you want to explore caves, hike on glaciers, or raft down raging rivers.

Cosmos : Best Tour Company for Spain and Portugal

For a tour operator on the Iberian Peninsula, Cosmos is one of the best choices, especially if you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. Cosmos has been guiding group travel for nearly a century, and they employ expert local guides to help you get the most from your trip.

The Cosmos Best of Spain and Portugal Tour is an incredible 13-day group travel itinerary. You will stay in 7 amazing cities across the two countries and visit a wide range of historical sites.

Cosmos is also a good choice for responsible travel, as they have several initiatives to support local communities and planet-focused nonprofits like the African Wildlife Foundation, The Ocean Cleanup, and Trees4Travel. I appreciate companies that are taking steps toward sustainable travel.

Exodus : Best Egypt Tour Company

It’s hard to visit any travel website without seeing a picture of the Great Pyramids. Egypt has captivated the minds of explorers and travelers for centuries, and it is worth having on your bucket list.

If you want a guided tour of Egypt, I highly recommend Exodus Travels . With destinations on all seven continents, Exodus Travels is one of the most popular group travel companies for adventurous travelers, and their Egyptian tours are particularly good.

With 9 different guided tours in Egypt, you can find the perfect itinerary for your trip. Exodus Travels is a true expert in the industry and hires incredible guides for their group travel excursions.

Plus, Exodus Travels also offers trips that are perfect for family travel.

Klook : Best Asia Tour Company

Whether you want to experience the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo or an adventurous trek to Everest Base Camp, Klook is one of the best group travel companies for Asia.

Klook is more than just a tour operator. It is a marketplace for everything travel, from airline tickets to hotels to tickets to museums, theme parks, and more. Klook offers trips for small groups or individual travelers all around the globe, but they are based in Asia, and that’s where they focus.

Klooks South Korea Tour will take you to Nami Island, through beautiful gardens, and into a centuries-old palace in Seoul.

Click Tours : Best Tour Company for Israel

Click Tours specializes in group travel in Europe and the Middle East, and Israel is by far their most popular tour destination. In Israel, Click Tours will offer trips ranging from 3-day highlight tours to 18-day deep-dive cultural experiences.

They focus on small group travel, and your tour group will have 15-24 guests. That means you get more personal attention and a more authentic experience of the country.

A tour of Israel with Click Tours will focus on historical and archeological sites. You’ll visit temples and ruins that are thousands of years old as well as dive into the amazing food and rich culture of Israel.

Epos Travel Tours : Best Tour Company for Greece

If you’re looking for a group travel trip to Greece, Epos Travel Tours is a local company based in Tripolis that offers tours across the country.

Since Epos Travel Tours specializes only in Greece, you can expect catered trips and insider knowledge. They are truly the experts in travel to Greece, and their trip itineraries are designed to help you get the most from your trip, whether you want to visit historical sites or delve into amazing food and culture.

If you’re into history and architecture, their tour of Ancient Corinth is hard to beat!

Best Tour Companies FAQ

Which is the best tour company in the world.

In my experience, Intrepid Travel is the best tour operator. They have amazing small-group tours.

What are the top travel companies?

The top travel companies for tours include Intrepid Travel , G Adventures , and Trafalgar .

Is Globus or Trafalgar better?

Trafalgar is usually the better choice. They offer amazing all-inclusive tours around the world.

Are tour companies worth it?

Group travel can be worth it if you want the stress and planning taken out of your trip.

Who is the biggest tour company?

Disney is the biggest tour company by revenue.

How do you know if a tour company is legit?

It is a good idea to look for reviews of a tour company on TripAdvisor.

Jakob Thygerson

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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7 Tour Companies Like G Adventures

G Adventures is a well-known tour company that has been operating for over 30 years, offering small group tours to a variety of destinations around the world. With a strong focus on sustainable and responsible travel practices, G Adventures has gained a reputation as a leader in the adventure travel industry.

While G Adventures is a popular choice for many travellers, there are other tour companies that offer similar services and experiences. The focus of this blog is to explore those other tour companies, comparing and contrasting them with G Adventures in terms of their offerings, style, and approach to travel.

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Why look for alternatives to G Adventures?

G Adventures is great, but it might not be right for everyone. Some travellers might look for other tour companies like G Adventures for a variety of reasons such as: Different destinations: G Adventures may not offer tours to all the destinations that a traveller wants to visit. In such a case, they may need to look for other tour companies that offer tours to those specific locations. Price: G Adventures may be too expensive for some travellers. They may need to look for other tour companies that offer similar experiences but at a lower price. Tour types: G Adventures offers a wide range of tour types, including adventure tours, cultural tours, and wildlife tours. However, if a traveller is looking for a specific type of tour, they may need to look for other tour companies that specialise in that area. Personal preferences: Travellers may have specific preferences for the type of tour they want to go on, such as the size of the group, the level of physical activity, or the accommodation type. They may need to look for other tour companies that offer tours that meet their specific requirements. Availability: G Adventures tours may be fully booked for the dates a traveller wants to travel. In such a case, they may need to look for other tour companies that offer similar tours during their preferred travel dates.

Key features that distinguish G Adventures from other tour companies

G Adventures is known for its unique approach to travel, which emphasises cultural immersion, sustainability, and responsible tourism. Here are some of the key features that distinguish G Adventures from other tour companies: Small group sizes: G Adventures typically limits group sizes to 12 people, allowing for a more personalised and intimate travel experience. This is in contrast to other tour companies that may have larger group sizes. Emphasis on sustainable and responsible travel: G Adventures is committed to minimizing the negative impact of tourism on the environment and local communities. This includes supporting local businesses, reducing waste, and promoting responsible tourism practices. Local experiences and cultural immersion: G Adventures places a strong emphasis on connecting travellers with local cultures and customs. This may include activities like home stays, cooking classes, and visits to local markets and communities.

One Life Adventures Review

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Flexible itineraries: While G Adventures provides pre-planned itineraries, there is also room for flexibility and customisation based on the group’s interests and preferences. Diverse destinations: G Adventures offers trips to a wide range of destinations, including off-the-beaten-path locations that may not be as accessible to independent travellers. Expert local guides: G Adventures hires local guides with in-depth knowledge of the destinations and cultures being visited, providing travellers with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the places they are visiting.

Other tour companies like G Adventures

As a leading tour company, G Adventures has made a name for itself in the travel industry with its unique travel style and focus on sustainable tourism. However, G Adventures is not the only company that offers such tours. In fact, there are several other tour companies that offer similar travel experiences, including:

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is a travel company that offers small-group tours to a wide variety of destinations around the world. The company was founded in 1989 with the goal of providing travellers with an authentic and responsible travel experience, while also supporting local communities and minimising negative impacts on the environment. Intrepid Travel offers a range of tour styles, including adventure tours and cultural tours, among others. Their tours typically have a maximum group size of 12 to 16 people, which allows for a more immersive and personalised travel experience. The company also places a strong emphasis on sustainable travel practices, such as minimising waste and supporting local businesses. In addition to its regular tours, Intrepid Travel also offers a range of themed tours , such as food tours, cycling tours, and wildlife tours, as well as custom tours for private groups.

Contiki is a tour company that caters to young adults between the ages of 18 and 35, providing them with unique travel experiences and opportunities to explore the world with like-minded individuals. Founded in 1962, Contiki has been a popular choice for young travellers for over 50 years, with a reputation for providing fun, social, and immersive travel experiences. One of the key features that sets Contiki apart from other tour companies is its focus on young adults. Contiki understands that young people have unique travel needs and desires, and has designed its tours to cater to these needs. For example, tours typically include a mix of cultural activities, adventure activities, and social activities, providing travellers with a well-rounded travel experience that is both enriching and enjoyable. In addition to offering a diverse range of activities, Contiki also places a strong emphasis on group dynamics and socialisation. Tours are designed to encourage group bonding and provide opportunities for young adults to make new friends and connections from around the world. This is especially important for young travellers who may be travelling solo or looking to meet new people.

One Life Adventures

One Life Adventures is a tour company that specialises in adventure travel experiences in Asia. Founded in 2019, One Life Adventures aims to provide travellers with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences that are not typically included in traditional tour itineraries. The company prides itself on its sustainable and responsible approach to tourism, and works to minimise its environmental impact and support local communities. One of the main features that sets One Life Adventures apart from other tour companies is its focus on small group travel. The company limits group sizes to a maximum of 16 people, which allows for a more personalised and intimate travel experience. This small group size also makes it easier for the company to offer unique and exclusive experiences that may not be possible with larger groups. Another key feature of One Life Adventures is its commitment to responsible tourism. The company works with local partners to support sustainable tourism practices and reduce its environmental impact. This includes minimising the use of single-use plastics, supporting community-based tourism initiatives, and using eco-friendly accommodations whenever possible. One Life Adventures offers a variety of tours throughout Asia, with a focus on destinations in Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

TruTravels is a popular tour operator that offers exciting and affordable travel packages to 18 to 35-year-old travellers. What sets TruTravels apart from other tour operators is its focus on creating a sense of community among its travellers. The company believes that travel is not just about seeing new places, but also about connecting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. To achieve this, TruTravels organises small group tours with a maximum of 14 travellers per trip. This allows for a more intimate and personalised experience, where travellers can get to know each other and the local communities they visit. TruTravels has a wide range of travel packages to choose from, including adventure tours, island hopping, cultural immersion, and party trips. Each trip is carefully designed to cater to the needs and interests of young travellers, with a focus on adventure, exploration, and fun. TruTravels’ tour leaders are all experienced travellers themselves and have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with their groups. They are also trained to provide a safe and supportive environment for travellers, ensuring that everyone has a great time while on the road. One of the reasons TruTravels is so popular with 18 to 35-year-old travellers is its commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism. The company works closely with local communities to promote sustainable tourism practices and minimise the negative impact of tourism on the environment and local cultures. TruTravels also supports local charities and social enterprises, and encourages its travellers to give back to the communities they visit.

Bamba Travel

Bamba is a tour company that specialises in flexible and customisable travel experiences. Founded in 2006, Bamba has grown to offer a wide range of tours and activities in destinations all over the world, with a focus on adventure, cultural immersion, and responsible tourism practices. One of the key features that distinguishes Bamba from other tour companies is its emphasis on flexibility. Bamba offers “hop-on, hop-off” passes that allow travellers to design their own itineraries and travel at their own pace. This means that travellers can stay longer in destinations they love or change their plans if something unexpected comes up, providing a level of freedom and flexibility that is rare in the tour industry. Bamba also offers a range of pre-planned tours and activities, from day trips to multi-day adventures. These tours are designed to provide immersive cultural experiences and opportunities for adventure, such as trekking, surfing, or wildlife viewing. Bamba also places a strong emphasis on responsible and sustainable travel, with a focus on supporting local communities and minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

On The Go Tours

On The Go Tours is a UK-based tour company that offers a wide range of guided group tours and tailor-made travel packages to destinations all over the world. The company was established in 1998 and has since grown to become one of the leading tour operators in the UK. The company’s tours cover a variety of themes, including cultural, adventure, wildlife, and historical tours, as well as family and solo traveller trips. They offer small group tours with an average of 16 travellers, allowing for a more personalised experience and greater access to local culture and experiences. On The Go Tours also offers tailor-made travel packages, which allow travellers to create their own itinerary and select their preferred activities, accommodation, and destinations. The company’s team of travel experts provides assistance and advice to ensure that the itinerary meets the needs and preferences of each traveller. One of the company’s core values is responsible tourism, which is reflected in their choice of partners, sustainable travel practices, and ethical treatment of local communities. On The Go Tours also supports a number of local projects and charities in the destinations they visit, helping to give back to the communities they interact with.

INTRO Travel

INTRO Travel is a tour operator that specialises in providing authentic and affordable travel experiences to young adults. Their focus is on creating group tours that encourage travellers to discover new cultures, meet new people, and push themselves out of their comfort zones. One of the main reasons why INTRO Travel is so popular with young adults is because they cater specifically to this demographic. They understand that young people are often on a tight budget, but still want to travel and have fun. That’s why their tours are designed to be affordable, while still providing all the necessary amenities and experiences that travellers want. Another reason why INTRO Travel is so popular is because of their emphasis on group travel. Travelling with a group of like-minded individuals can be an incredibly rewarding experience, as it allows travellers to make new friends and share unique experiences together. INTRO Travel’s tours are designed to be social, with plenty of opportunities for group bonding and fun. In addition to their focus on group travel, INTRO Travel is also known for their focus on authentic experiences. Rather than just ticking off the typical tourist attractions, INTRO Travel’s tours are designed to give travellers a deeper understanding of the local culture and way of life. This might involve staying with local families, visiting local markets, or even taking part in traditional ceremonies and rituals. Finally, INTRO Travel is popular with young adults because of their commitment to responsible tourism. They understand that tourism can have a negative impact on the environment and local communities, and so they work hard to minimise this impact as much as possible. This might involve using eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local businesses, or taking part in volunteer projects.

It’s important to know that G Adventures is just one of the many tour companies out there that you might want to check out. Each tour company listed above has its own style and focus, so it’s worth doing your research to find the one that is right for you. And the best part? You can book tours with these companies directly on our website . You can read reviews from other travellers, compare prices and itineraries, and book your tour all in one place. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure today!

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Moscow Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 60 most popular moscow trips. compare tour itineraries from 45 tour companies. 308 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating., popular moscow tours.

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Winter

• Explore the majestic St Petersburg & Moscow on private city tours
• Admire the rich Russian history, art and architecture
• Travel to Moscow on a highspeed train
• Enjoy the local cuisine in stylish restaurants

Lower Volga Voyage

• Visit magnificent Red Square and Kremlin and examine the collection at theKremlin’s State Armory.
• Experience Russia’s diverse musical traditions at lively folk music performances
• Explore Volgograd, the site of the decisive battle of World War II’s eastern front

Volga Dream Russian River Cruise

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Summer

White Russian - 7 days

• Discover Moscow's UNESCO-listed Red Square, home to spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the historic GUM Department store
• Explore the grounds of Moscow's mighty Kremlin, with its numerous governmentbuildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the giant tsar bell
• Celebrate New Year's Eve in Moscow!
• Take in the highlights of St Petersburg including a guided tour of the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the remarkable Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace

Vodka Shot - 6 days

• Explore the beautiful city of St Petersburg, including the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt
• Marvel at the dazzling array of art and exhibits in the world-famous Hermitage Museum, at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg
• Discover a lavish residence of the tsars on a day trip to Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo (winter: mid-October to April) or Peterhof Palace and gardens (summer: May to mid-October)
• Take in the highlights of the capital on a walking tour, visiting Moscow's famous Red Square, home to the historic GUM Department Store, Lenin’s Mausoleum and spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin, Russia’s political power house. Stroll around the grounds of this fortified complex, visit the Kremlin's cathedrals and see the mighty Tsar Bell

Route of the Romanovs - 10 days

• Learn about the last days of the Romanovs in Yekaterinburg, visiting the sites where Tsar Nicolas II and his family were assassinated and buried
• Straddle two continents at the famous obelisk Europe/Asia border marker in Yekaterinburg
• Experience the Trans-Siberian railway on an overnight train journey from Moscow to Yekaterinburg

New Year's in Moscow - 9 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo on Christmas Day and marvel at the incredible Amber Room
• Spend a night in Novgorod, an ancient city by the Volkhov River - explore the kremlin, cathedral and other sights and enjoy a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

All Moscow , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Moscow

Small Group Moscow Tours

Back in the USSR - 7 days

Russian Revolution - 9 days

• Visit historic Novgorod, an ancient city which straddles the Volkhov River. Explore the attractive riverside kremlin and experience a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

The Snowball - 6 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo and marvel at the incredible Amber Room

Mood for Moscow - 4 days

• Head underground to visit a Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker on an optional excursion
• Stroll to the vibrant Izmailovo Market, which lies behind the walls of an ancient Kremlin, and shop for an array of souvenirs

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Moscow reviews & ratings, capitals of the north.

some hotels could have been better

It was jam packed with every place I wanted to go and see. I especially love my photo of us setting out on the night time river cruise in St Petersburg and the Peter...

I really did not buy much and what I did buy was small gifts for others .

Johanna-Marie

Good hotels, some better than others. Interesting itinerary

Too rushed. Optional tour rather too short

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La Fortuna Costa Rica

Best selling one-day tours in 2023

Discover Unique and Offbeat Experiences

La Fortuna offers some of the most unique and memorable adventure experiences in all of Central America. From white water rafting and zip lining through the rainforest, to exploring hidden caves and pristine national parks, these activities will take your breath away! Get an adrenaline rush on an ATV tour of Arenal Volcano National Park or take a day trip to Lake Arenal for the ultimate bird watching adventure. Nature lovers can experience first-hand Costa Rica’s diverse biodiversity by hiking the many trails surrounded by lush vegetation or by observing wildlife from a naturalist boat ride on the San Carlos River.

Find Local Culture Tips & Where to Shop, Eat and Stay

Shopping and spending time in local restaurants, markets, and cafes is an essential part of visiting La Fortuna. Street vendors typically have delicious souvenirs like handmade herbal oils, ointments, woodwork carvings and baskets, sweet fruits, chocolate covered treats, and even local jewelry. Make sure to bring a few extra coins for tips! Additionally, every traveler should try to stay at a traditional Costa Rican hotel as it's the best way to get a true glimpse of Tico culture. Here you'll get an immersive experience that will let you feel like part of the locals while discovering traditional food such as made out with rice & beans or their famous "tamales". In La Fortuna there are plenty of places where you can find the hot springs close by to sit in and relax during your visit.

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Top attractions in La Fortuna

La Fortuna offers a variety of activities and attractions that are often overlooked by the average traveler. Discover beautiful waterfalls, trails, lakes, caves and wildlife. Take some time to explore the local culture and discover unique experiences that will make your trip more memorable.

Private transfer or Shuttles

Travel your way! We offer you a modern fleet of vehicles, specially modified to give you the most comfortable transportation service during your vacations around Costa Rica.

"Excellent travel services. Fast and 100% reliable experience. Love the way the Seven Tours designed our Itinerary."

"We had a wonderful time. We felt very welcomed and safe. Thank you for the great experience!"

"Kenia was amazing! Very knowledgeable about the different types of mammals and wildlife of Costa Rica! Recommend!"

Book with us your next adventure

SevenTours is a Tour Operator based in La Fortuna, just next to the Arenal Volcano. We operate adventure, nature, cultural tours, and transfers around our beautiful country, Costa Rica.

With over 20 years of experience, we specialize in providing a range of quality experiences at a very competitive rate, to provide you with a complete shopping, enjoyment, and quality experience in our services.

Please let us know what you need, and our local experts will help you to find your tour, transfer, hotel, or design your dreamed vacation. Try Us!

We are direct operators , and our goal is to have happy and satisfied clients, who can reconsider our services and recommend us. We look forward to serving you during your stay in the area and in Costa Rica, ¡Pura Vida!

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7 TOUR Companies that are Proud to specialize IN LGBTQ+ TRAVEL

Affinity Travel , Online Exclusives

THESE TOUR companies are designed TO provide support for and celebrate LGBTQ+ friendly TRAVEL AND are ready to help you see the world the way you want.

For travelers in the LGBTQ+ community one key aspect of a successful trip is an atmosphere of acceptance. The tour operators listed below specialize in lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender travel and will work with you and your group to assemble vacations to the best LGBT-friendly locations. Each of these companies pay close attention to the up-and-coming locations for LGBTQ+ travel as well as keeping an ear out for the safest destinations for anyone in the community. Feeling comfortable to be who you are while traveling is the top priority at each of these companies and they all have something unique to offer in the business of vacationing within your community.

OLIVIA TRAVEL

Leading lesbian tour operator, Olivia Travel, began as a record label in 1973 before transforming into an international tour outlet in 1990. Today the company, has planned trips for over 350,000 women and has a program designed for every kind of woman. There are programs for women over 40 and under 40, women of color, and even women in uniform. Whether you prefer to bring all your best gals on a trip or find adventure solo, there is a trip by Olivia that is a perfect fit for you. Their travel coordinators will work with you, or your entire group, to plan your next fantastic vacation.

Olivia Travel goes all out to deliver world-class travel experiences to women, their vacations span from full cruise trips to renting out hotels for a vacation full of girl power. The company even offers safari trips full of gorgeous landscapes and rare animal experiences. No matter which route you chose, all adventures through Olivia Travel are created to foster authenticity, a welcoming community of LGBTQ+ women, and a space that allows you to come exactly as you are. Groups, or solo travelers, may book online, visit the San Francisco office or call Olivia’s travel consultants. ( olivia.com )

OWLs: We celebrate our elders by creating special events so that you can connect, share stories, and forge new friendships. (photo courtesy of https://olivia.com/our-programs)

ZOOM VACATIONS

Based in Chicago, this prestigious travel planner won the 2016 Travvy Award’s gold prize for Best Escorted Tour Operator in the LGBT category and the 2010 TripOut Gay Travel Awards, among many other accolades. From their start Zoom has been all about diversity, inclusion, and comradery. All their destinations have been vetted as being gay-friendly and welcoming to people in all walks of life.

Zoom Vacations believes that successful gay travel, and travel in general, relies on the close attention to detail. Travel coordinators at Zoom strive to personalize the trip to the traveler, getting to know you, your preferences, and the vision you have for your vacation. The company provides two ways to travel, with their pre-planned vacation itineraries or by helping you plan your own private trip catered to your ideas.

Zoom’s unique tours can take you anywhere from Morocco or Egypt, and even to the Maldives. Their planned get aways offered each year include luxury hotel stays, tour guides throughout all the trip’s outings, as well as incredible cuisine both at your hotel and at hand-picked locations around your destination. If you want to go the independent travel route, a travel expert will work with you throughout each step of the planning process. They will consider the destination you have in mind along with your budget and hand craft a vacation specific to you. Pricing for solo trips and the schedule for upcoming tours, as well as testimonial from several previous Zoom travelers can be found on their website ( zoomvacations.com ).

Based in Salt Lake City, Utah to serve as a beacon of hope to the large population of young LGBTQ+ individuals, HE Travel is one of the leading companies in inclusive travel. They have received the Editor’s Choice from Out & About, the popular gay travel newsletter, and was named Gay Tour Operator of the Year by OutTraveler Magazine.

HE Travel specializes in active outdoor travel with trips that feature hiking, rafting, and biking. While all their trips have a varying levels of outdoor activity, they do not all center around these activities. There are also trips that feature island hopping, safaris and even cultural tours.

If outdoor adventure amongst a welcoming and inclusive community sounds like the right kind of trip for you, you can visit HE Travel’s website to see their full calendar of trips. ( tototours.com )

OUT ADVENTURES

Based in Canada, Out Adventures takes LGBTQ+ groups interests into consideration when planning a variety of trips around the world. Since 2009 Out Adventures has been prioritizing the celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in their travel itineraries. Their crew has explored over a hundred countries, making them well versed about customs and feelings towards the community. This allows them to plan trip for you centered around places that you will feel safe and welcomed. Out Adventures are not only curated to make you feel welcomed wherever your travels may take you, but also to support the LGBTQ+ community in the countries their tours visit. Tours are organized on their site according to themes such as active, cruise, culture, and flex, making it easy to find a trip that feels right for your interests.

Out Adventures guided trips and tours lean more towards the small size hosting sixteen travelers for land excursions and not more than forty on a cruise. This allows you and your fellow vacationers to build a sense of comradery and foster an even greater community feel on your trip. If one of their tours does not stick out to you, they always have agents that are happy to help you plan something that is more your style or speed. ( outadventures.com )

(Photo courtesy of https://www.outadventures.com/)

(Photo courtesy of https://www.outadventures.com/ )

DETOURS GAY TRAVEL

Founded in 2012, Detours home base is also located in Canada. The company is run by a group of family and friends that pride themselves on putting together relaxing and unhurried vacations. Their travel initiative is to allow guests on their trips to be travelers, not tourists, immersing them in a locations culture rather than only seeing bug ticket attractions. Detours travel concept revolves around you the traveler, steering away from “cookie cutter” itineraries and following a plan as we go mindset. If you would rather lay on the beach while the rest of the group goes zip lining or want to try out a weaving class instead of snorkeling, Detours encourages you to choose your own adventure along the way.

They have a calendar full of trips that can take you and your friends to Europe, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and Africa. Whatever you’re looking for, Detours can help book your group on a pre-scheduled trip or customize one based on your interests. ( detourstravel.com )

Pink VIbgyor

This travel agency in Sydney, Australia specializes in tailor made LGBTQ+ vacations with a heart for providing you with the most immersive and relaxing stays. While Pink Vibgyor also offers specific preplanned gay tours, their shining aspect is their attention to your preferences when helping you plan your dream vacation. They heavily research all their package trips as well as any trip they may be assisting you with, to bring you closer to the LGBTQ+ culture and lifestyle around your location.

One of their features that set them apart from other LGBTQ+ travel companies is their section on culinary tours. These special tours feature meals with local families, getting a front row seat to their coking styles and recipes, and experiencing the best traditional cuisine your destination has to offer.

You can see all their exciting featured planned tours or fill out a form to begin crafting your personal tailor-made tour with a staff member on their website. ( pinkvibgyor.com/ ).

Oscar Wilde Tours

Gay Pride is more and more important in the world today—and Oscar Wilde Tours lets you explore it more deeply than ever. As heirs to a tradition that is central to civilization, LGBTQ+ people can truly take pride in their forebears, who count among their number such greats as Sappho and Socrates, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, Tchaikovsky and Virginia Woolf, the genius dancer Nijinsky, the literary revolutionary Thomas Mann, and of course, the sublime Oscar Wilde himself.

Oscar Wilde Tours offers guided tours to destinations such as Europe and the United States, focusing on the cultural and historical significance of LGBTQ+ communities in each location. ( oscarwildetours.com/ )

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North America Tour Companies

Looking for an unforgettable North America tour? Book a fully-organized trip with the best tour companies in North America and let the tour operator take care of everything for you. Check out the tour details and read 195458 reviews from our customers to help you choose the perfect tour for you.

List of North America travel companies & tour operators with 195458 reviews

G Adventures

• Excellent - 19,090 reviews for North America tours

the tour itself was amazing. The national parks do not disappoint. The travel accomodations were very cramped and uncomfortable. I am only 5 foot tall and I was cramped in this 14 passenger van. Food opportunities were limited.

Fantastic experience - efficient use of time, great itinerary. Well-informed and interesting guide who is also just a great person.

Receptivo Aborigen Tours

• Good - 92 reviews for North America tours

We have chosen the tour specifically because it was in German and also in other languages shown. Also on our voucher was again confirmed the tour with professional, German-speaking tour guide. Unfortunately, the tour guides did not speak German. We were able to help ourselves a bit with the translation app but we also missed a lot of information. We are very disappointed about this and expect compensation. The tour guides have tried and were very nice also the tour was very nice.

Bindlestiff Tours

• Excellent - 1,459 reviews for North America tours

This trip was incredible. It run very smoothly and our guide Chase was awesome. I would do it again. Everyone was so helpful and kind. The hotel was great.

Mike Brown was the BEST guide I have ever had!! His knowledge of the history, culture, flora and fauna of the southwest was phenomenal. He was articulate and had a pleasing way of talking. He was also accommodating and helpful. wow! We were lucky to get him for our tour!

Intrepid Travel

• Excellent - 11,701 reviews for North America tours

We were fortunate to have Claire Kredens as our driver guide. She is a gifted leader and could cope with ant situation. Such a tour is useful to learn which cities you might like to re-visit because our time in each is very short. Four and five hour drives every other day is exhausting and maybe the number of places visited could be edited downward. On the whole, I enjoyed the trip altho the age range 15-99 is unwise. 15-80 would be much more realistic.

My son and I had a great hiking adventure on the Sedona tour! The scenery was stunning, the hikes were fun! Tolman was an excellent guide, who was very knowledgeable about the area, he had great hiking tips, and he picked some enjoyable challenging hikes for us! He was also an excellent cook! He prepared us some great meals! His positive outlook on everything helped the group of strangers on the trek quickly bond which led us all to have a great hiking experience!

Moose Travel Network

• Excellent - 166 reviews for North America tours

I took the 5-day Coho tour starting in Vancouver. Our tour guide Kiera was just great and has always given us with a lot of interesting information about Canada in general, our surroundings, nature and trains. In general, you could ask her anything and thus got a life coach or Canada expert! Also our group was great! We were only 7th at the beginning and became a group of 11 in Banff, due to the fact that we were the last tour for the year. Together we had fun bus rides and marveled at the beauty of Canada. I really recommend everyone to do this tour! We saw so much that otherwise would not have been possible for one independently in the short amount of time! We also did a lot of great things as a group (campfires, cooking, game night, going out) and became great friends that definitely keep in touch! Keira also always asked us about our preferences, which also allowed us to decide for ourselves what we wanted to focus on! I really loved this flexibility! My expectations of the trip were definitely exceeded and I am overjoyed to have chosen it. The hostels were also all very pleasant and clean. The Wildness Hostel was definitely a highlight, which made the experience even more special. I would gladly give it more stars as I am absolutely convinced and can recommend it to everyone!

If you're looking to see the most beautiful parts of BC and Alberta without any of the hassle and cost of organising/driving then this tour is for you. You are taken through the most stunning parts of Canada, all the while making new friends and being as daring as you please with optional activities such as bungee jumping in canyons, ziplining down mountains and kayaking on glacial lakes. Is there lots of time spent on the road? Sure! But chatting to your fellow explorers and even just looking out the windows to marvel at the jaw-dropping landscape will pass the time quickly. There are only a few days of the tour that are heavy on travel and Moose have ensured that there are pit-stops at stunning locations along the way to keep you in the adventurous spirit. Travelling by bus also gives you access to places that are not as easily seen by car; Moraine lake for example (one of the most beautiful places on the trip) was only open to busses when we arrived, the car park having filled up for the day at 6am. Hostel accommodation was the perfect medium - I wasn't keen on camping but nor did I want to shell out on a tour with hotel stays at twice the price. Most of the hostels were brand new and immaculate (HI Banff, HI Whistler, HI Jasper). It was my first time in hostels and I was pleasantly surprised. Just remember to bring your flip-flops for the showers and some earplugs to block out any snorers! Also be aware that Rampart Creek (Rustic hostel stay in the mountains for 1 night only) has no flushing toilets or running water so prepare adequately for that one! For me, most things in life are about the people you experience it with and Moose didn’t disappoint. I know it’s pot-luck who you get in your group, but I think this tour does pull in like minded people and it was a pleasure to travel with everyone on my tour. Our Guide, Bruno, was also amazing and completely made our trip. He was knowledgeable, kept things fun and was every part a one-of-the gang as the rest of us. Only other thing to note, is that if you’re looking for a hiking-centred trip then perhaps this tour might disappoint. But if you’re willing to trade in a few hikes for incredible scenery, other outdoor activities (additional costs but great fun) and meeting like minded new people, then I promise you won’t regret it.

• Excellent - 986 reviews for North America tours

Great Tour, compared with last year tour, which way excellent The tour this year was good

Great tour, good group size too

• Excellent - 867 reviews for North America tours

This was a fast but nice tour and Dave was a good guide. Only in LA i thought we should have had more time but it was perfect for a Solo Travler

I enjoyed this trip . The coach is good.Hyannis first day break fast was good.coverage is good.Hyannis golf resort stay is superb.providence city halt in hotel graduates is excellent.Fall colours coverage is very good.coach guidance is okay.overall the trip is very good.

• Excellent - 1,889 reviews for North America tours

Excellent. Great guide, driver, weather, hotels, food. Great itenirary. Love love this trip.

Very nice tour. Would have liked more time in a place or two but, overall, good.

• Excellent - 19,643 reviews for North America tours

Could have had more included activities

The tour had a few bumps. It would have been better if there were some included meals. There was no information about some of the excursions such as where the island tour stopped.

Southwest Adventure Tours

• Excellent - 95 reviews for North America tours

Just couldn’t have been better. Extremely professional guides Robin and Sarah were highly knowledgable, friendly and organised. Accomodation was excellent in every location (most hotels even had hot tubs and pools!) and the food options were always good. Lovely comfortable Mercedes minibus. Highly recommended to everyone - would do another tour with South West Adventure Tours in a heartbeat.

Guide was knowledgeable and helpful. It was a good group

Discover Canada Tours

• Excellent - 376 reviews for North America tours

The staff was wonderful. The excursions were so fun. Everything is so well planned we never had to think about a thing. It is beautiful and relaxing. Food was very good.

Fabulous staff, food, activities!!!

Infinite Adventures

• Excellent - 118 reviews for North America tours

It was my first group trip and also my first camping trip. I have to say it was one of the best trips I've been on. It was an adventure! We were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights at Remote Camp. Tory and Dave took care of everything and made sure everyone had a great time. No matter what problem you had, they always helped each other! Dave cooked delicious food, we had marshmallows by the fire in the evening and it felt like family. It's a great tour and I can only recommend it to anyone! It certainly wasn't my last tour with Infinite Adventure! Many thanks to Tory, Dave and Natalie (who you could ask any question you wanted to know beforehand) for this unforgettable time! :)

Jump on the bus with Infinite Adventures for a magnificent Alaskan expedition! Dave and Tory are excellent guides and will keep you informed about the areas you visit and give expert advice. I found this to be a truly joyful experience!

National Geographic Journey…

• Excellent - 258 reviews for North America tours

Good time with lots of riding in the van going to interesting places

We had a wonderful time. The tour was well planned and well managed. The CEO was excellent ..good driver, good communicator, had good knowledge of the local attractions and made great recommendations for restaurants. The group we were with was also a very pleasant group which made the experience that much more enjoyable. That said, would have loved to see the accommodations updated.. most except the Denali cabins were old and "weathered".

• Excellent - 74,884 reviews for North America tours

This was our second trip on Globus and both experiences were fantastic.

It was an excellent trip!

Calgary Tours

• Good - 40 reviews for North America tours

Great experience and great guides like Allan and David.

The navigation of trip using Tourradar was easy and helpful. The Calgary Tours arrangement of the bus trip along with accommodations was comfortable. Only wished that there could have been a better representation of diversity in the tourists-- limited or total absence of Europeans, Americans and Canadians. The bus #532 of Calgary Tours was used throughout the trip. The driver Mr. Gary is a great driver and human being with excellent companionship. He and the guide Mr. Jesse were friendly and made the trip worthwhile. They managed the trip professionally to everyone's liking. Kudos to the two---keep it up. However, on visiting the Calgary Tours website directly I noticed their charges for the 5day tour was cheaper and quoted and charged in Canadian dollars. Hope, I had seen it before finalizing with you. Besides higher expenses we have no regrets. Thank you.

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7 Tour Companies in Ireland to Choose From in 2024

• Post author: colette
• Post published: August 14, 2023
• Post category: Activities / Package Tours / Tour Companies / Tours of Ireland
• Post comments: 1 Comment

Are you considering a guided tour of Ireland or would you rather wing it without the help of an expert tour guide?

For those of you who are hesitant about driving in Ireland and don’t need the added stress that often comes with this, a guided tour is a great alternative.

Guided package tours are also a good way for first-time visitors to get acquainted with the country and see its main tourist attractions.

Here you’ll find information on 7 tour companies to choose from, all of them researched for you by Ireland on a Budget.

In addition to these, Aer Lingus also offers vacation packages that are worth looking into.

The total cost of an Aer Lingus vacation includes airfare, accommodation, meals, and transportation. as well as rental car if you choose a package that includes that.

All other tours mentioned in this post exclude the cost of airfare.

With that in mind, let’s dive in and learn more about the 7 tour companies in Ireland that you should consider when you're planning your vacation to the Emerald Isle.

Table of Contents

1. CIE Tours

CIE Tours, based in Morristown, NJ, has been around since 1932, which means that they have a lot of experience in the industry.

The company offers package tours to Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales, as well as Italy, Iceland, and Central and Eastern Europe.

CIE Tours also offers multi-destination tours that include Ireland and the country of your choice, be it the Scottish Highlands, England’s Lake District, London, or Iceland.

Its “Taste of Ireland” 5-day, 4-night tour is perfect for people who have never been to Ireland before.

Prices start at $1,215 per person.

The package includes accommodation, transportation by bus, breakfast each day, as well as welcome drinks with your group on the first day of the tour.

This particular guided CIE tour of Ireland begins in Dublin and ends in Shannon, which is where you’ll catch your return flight.

Attractions in between include the Ring of Kerry, the Skellig Experience, a sheepdog demonstration in Killarney, Blarney Castle in Cork, the Cliffs of Moher , and a medieval banquet experience at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.

Details on other tours can be found on the CIE website.

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2. Vagabond Tours

Vagabond Tours offers two different types of small group tours and is one of the 7 tour companies in Ireland that you should consider.

One of them is called Driftwood Tours , which is a guided tour but with the option to veer off the beaten path every now and again.

Such tours included a tour guide, transportation by coach, a variety of low-key activities, and plenty of free time.

Driftwood Tours can last anywhere from 6 to 11 days.

The 7-day Irish Castles and Kingdoms Tour costs approximately €1,975.50 per person sharing (about $2,163 US/£1,704 Sterling/$2,906 CAD/$3,329 at today's exchange rate).

That includes most daily activities and visits, transportation to all destinations, accommodation, including a night in the 4-star Ballyseede Castle in Tralee, Co. Kerry, a full Irish breakfast each day, and tickets to the various attractions that are included in the tour.

Other meals during the day and accommodation in Dublin are not included. Some optional tours/visits to attractions are also not included in the price.

By contrast, the Vagabond Tours are for those who want the ultimate adventure in Ireland. That includes exploring the sights but also getting involved in activities like kayaking, surfing, hiking, and cycling.

The company’s 7-day Magnetic North Adventure Tour is a great example of a high adventure tour.

This one starts in Dublin and takes in many of the popular attractions in Northern Ireland, including the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, day trips to Derry and Belfast , kayaking around the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal , horse riding on a beach in Co. Sligo and cycling on the Great Western Greenway in Co. Mayo, among other pursuits.

This trip, beginning at €1,678.50 per person (about $1,839 US/£1,449 Sterling/$2,470 CAD/$2,829 AUD) like others offered by Vagabond Tours, offers accommodation, admission for most daily activities and visits, a hearty Irish breakfast each day, transportation, as well as guided tours of both Derry and Belfast.

Some of the places where you’ll stay on this tour include the Londonderry Arms Hotel, once owned by Winston Churchill and located in Carnlough, part of the beautiful Coastal Causeway region; the Bishop's Gate Hotel in Derry ; the Arnolds Hotel in Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal, and Mount Falcon Estate and Hotel  outside Ballina , Co. Mayo.

3. Railtours Ireland

Fancy getting around Ireland by train?

RailtoursIreland offers exactly that, providing approximately 40 tours, everything from 1-day tours to 11-day vacations, leaving Dublin’s historic Heuston Station .

While most of your journey on a Railtours vacation will take place on a train, there are times when you’ll need to transfer to a coach bus, provided by Railtours.

The 5-day Royal Atlantic Tour will take you by train to Cork City . From there, you’ll visit Cobh , Blarney Castle and the Ring of Kerry.

Other destinations on this whirlwind trip include the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, and the Aran Islands .

The price of this tour is approximately $1,246 per person sharing and is one of the more affordable tours that Railtours Ireland offers.

The cost includes train tickets, along with a full Irish breakfast each day, as well as bus travel, admission to the various visitor attractions, and accommodation.

Railtours Ireland also provides day tours to various locations in Ireland.

Customers who book 2 or more full day tours will receive a complimentary 48 hrs Do Dublin Hop On/Hop Off sightseeing tour ticket.

Book any of the company's overnight tours and receive a complimentary 48-hour Do Dublin Hop On/Hop Off sightseeing tour ticket.

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4. Paddywagon Tours

Paddywagon Tours offers economical tours of Ireland that won’t break your budget. That includes many day tours as well as multi-day excursions.

For tourists who want to get a quick snapshot of the tourist attractions outside of Dublin, Paddywagon’s day tours are a great way to do that. They range in price from €33 and up.

If you’re interested in taking a multi-day tour with Paddywagon Tours, there are several to choose from, including tours lasting 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 days.

Tours fall into two categories, Backpacker and Economy, with the chance to stay in a hostel if you're on a tighter budget or in a B&B/guesthouse if you choose the economy rate.

Private tours are also available for families, couples and groups looking for a more customized experience in Ireland through its sister company Elegant Irish Tours .

Its popular 6-day Tour: All Ireland costs an affordable €799 per person for the Backpacker option ($875 US/£689 Sterling/$1,176 CAD/$1,347 AUD), with the economy rate a little costlier at €1,175 per person ($1,347 US/£1,013 Sterling/$1,730 CAD/$1,908 AUD).

It covers a lot of Ireland, including Belfast, the Giant's Causeway, Derry, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula , The Ring of Kerry, and the magical Blarney Stone, to name a few.

Accommodation, admission to the various attractions, and breakfast each day are all included in the price.

5. Trafalgar Tours

Like CIE Tours, Trafalgar has been in the travel business for a long time – since 1947, in fact. So, you can expect them to deliver top-quality tours around Ireland and across the world.

While Trafalgar Tours are a bit more expensive, there is also a lot of value that you’ll get from booking a tour with this company.

In addition to the daily breakfast that you’ll get on a Trafalgar tour, some packages also include dinner.

Keep that in mind when deciding which tour company to choose for your trip to Ireland.

You can book anywhere from 6 days to a 23-day tour with Trafalgar.

Its Best of Ireland: 10 Day Ireland Tour of Dublin, Ring of Kerry and Galway starts at $2,678 per person (£2,111 Sterling/$3,601 CAD/$4,136 AUD).

It includes 13 cities, 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 5 dinners.

Expect to visit Counties Wicklow, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Mayo, and Sligo.

6. Brendan Vacations

With nearly 50 years in the travel industry, the folks at Brendan Vacations know a thing or two about crafting just the right kind of vacation packages for their customers.

The company offers a number of tours including guided vacations, private chauffeur-led trips, self-drive tours, locally hosted rail trips and lux self-drive tours.

There are plenty of vacation packages to choose from, including its Ireland's Sparkling Gems tour from $1,787 per person (£1,409 Sterling/$2,403 CAD/$2,763 AUD) as well as its Ireland Coast to Coast tour, a self-drive package from $1,498 per person (£1,181 Sterling/$2,014 CAD/$2,315 AUD).

Self-drive packages include car rental, accommodation, sightseeing and full breakfast daily.

The Sparkling Gems tour includes transportation (either by train or private vehicle), accommodation, sightseeing and breakfast daily.

7. Gate 1 Travel

Gate 1 Travel is known for its wide-ranging package tours to destinations around the world, including Ireland.

I've personally taken a number of Gate 1 package tours to other countries and can highly recommend them.

You can find lots more Ireland vacation packages with Gate 1 on the company's website .

Tips for Choosing the Right Vacation Package

• Book with a small group, if possible. If you travel in smaller groups, the chances are you’ll get to experience the more authentic side of Ireland . Plus, the tour company may be able to secure a nicer hotel with a smaller group.
• Try not to book tours where you’re frenetically going from one place to another. Instead, opt for tour companies that give you the chance to stay in one destination for two nights, for example, instead of one.
• Check out the location of the hotel you’ll be staying in. It’s much better if your tour company has you stay in accommodation that is located in the middle of a town or city or at least very close to it so that you can do some exploring by yourself.
• Before you pay, check to see what’s included in the total cost. In addition, ask if that price is set once you make a deposit or pay in full.
• If there are some things that you’ll need to pay extra for, make sure that is detailed upfront so there are no surprises.
• Always read the company’s cancellation policy and other important information that can usually be found on the tour company website.

The tour companies listed above will no doubt answer any questions that you may have.

Go to the contact page on their websites to see how you can reach a customer service agent before you make the final decision.

Have you purchased a package tour? Let me know in the comments section below.

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Hi hello, good job I’m happy to read your blog and it’s very useful information thanks for sharing.

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Whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau on NCL Encore - Juneau Forum

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Getting into Juneau at 2:30 pm and leaving at 10:00 pm. The ship docks at AJ dock

Has anyone taken this tour with this itinerary? Is it possible to make it back to the ship on time or are we risking it?

Please advice only if you have done the same exact tour and cruise ship.

7 replies to this topic

Requests for cruise specific input is probably best posted on Cruise Critic and not the general T/A forums.

Ditto post #1.

If it helps: no regular on the Alaska forum has EVER heard of ANY independent Alaska tour company NOT getting their passengers back on time.

I'm not sure if you mean Juneau Tours & Whale Watch, but here is their FAQ page, see question #3: https://www.juneauwhalewatch.com/f-a-q/ Ask them specifically what their "guarantee" entails.

I love what Harv & Marv says about it: https://www.harvandmarvs-juneau-whale-watching.com/faq/ Of course, they've never had to make good on their guarantee because they've never missed a ship, but I for one wouldn't mind at all getting my tour money refunded, a $100 bonus on top of that, free transport by boat or plane to my ship's next port of call, and free food/lodging if necessary! Sounds like fun! 😜

Thank you. I did text the number on their website and have it in writing that if the ship gets late coming into port they will book us on another tour and refund the difference.

She also said that they will have us on the ship at 9:30 pm since they are allowed to drop guests all the way to AJ dock (not allowed to pick up from ship. Have to take a shuttle to the tour company office)

I wish Harv and Marv had availability for my date and time, but unfortunately they do not :(

I'm glad you were able to get your concerns replied to in writing. Chances are you won't need any proof (because your tour will be done in a satisfactory manner), but more than once I've needed to show proof of something I've reserved. Phone calls are great, but they're worth all the paper they aren't written on: he said/she said....

The passenger is responsible to be on time back to the ship and if they plan to not be they are at fault.

Sometimes they will wait an hour or so - but that's it. After that the passenger will be left behind

And next time don't say it won't happen. it will.

However with being half hour before the cruise ship leaves you will be fine in this case,

we have cruised with NCL.

She didn't say that........

She said "No reegular on the Alaska forum has EVER heard of ANY independent Alaska tour company NOT getting their passengers back on time.".......

As Mombear pointed out (thanks, Mombear), that is NOT what I said. Twisting my words into something different just makes you look bad....

A while back you insisted you knew of such an occurrence, but then ran away when I asked you for dates/details so it could be verified. Either provide PROOF for your claim, or don't be surprised when no one takes your word for it. Your track record is not exactly great, with many of your posts needing to be corrected by the regulars on this forum. Accuracy and integrity is important to us and we strive very hard to maintain that.

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A Real Pain

Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the b... Read all Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

• Jesse Eisenberg
• Kieran Culkin
• Olha Bosova
• 1 User review
• 26 Critic reviews
• 84 Metascore
• 1 win & 1 nomination

• Benji Kaplan

• David Kaplan
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• Trivia Jesse Eisenberg 's sophomore directorial effort after When You Finish Saving the World (2022) , both of which were produced by Emma Stone 's production company Fruit Tree and had their world premieres at the Sundance Film Festival.

Benji Kaplan : This, people, is what fucking film making is about.

• Connections Referenced in Amanda the Jedi Show: The BEST and Weirdest Movies you (mostly) Haven't Seen Yet | Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

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• Jan 28, 2024
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• October 18, 2024 (United States)
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• Majdanek, Lublin, Lubelskie, Poland (concentration camp)
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• Runtime 1 hour 30 minutes

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NDDC Set To Inaugurate Completed 25.7 kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road

T he Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, said it is ready to inaugurate the completed 25.7-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State, executed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the road which has seven bridges, 53 culverts and spurs to 14 communities, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, disclosed that the Commission had opened discussions with the main contractor, SETRACO, to undertake some minor repairs on the road in preparation for the commissioning ceremony.

Antai, who was accompanied by NDDC directors and engineers, said that the project was not only a flag-ship of intervention in the Niger Delta, but also a model of development partnership between the Commission and International Oil Companies, IOCs, in the region.

A statement by Pius Ughakpoteni, Director Corporate Affairs on Friday, quoted the Executive Director as stating that the current NDDC Board and Management would not relent in ensuring the completion and commissioning of legacy projects meant to transform the entire Niger Delta region.

He declared: “The Ogbia-Nembe Road demonstrates the emphasis we place on high quality job delivery. This is the standard we will maintain for all our road projects. Going forward, we want to extend this to all our projects.

“The Ogbia-Nembe Road was a good example of what could be achieved when development agencies, companies and state governments collaborate. It is a clarion call to all our development partners.”

The NDDC Director, Environmental Protection and Control, Engr Onuoha Obeka noted that the road, which cut through swampy terrain, encountered many challenges.

“We are happy that in spite of the challenges, the project connecting about 14 communities in the Ogbia-Nembe axis of Bayelsa State, has been completed. These communities were hitherto, not accessible by road.

“This is the first connection between them and the upland and it will boost the socio-economic fortunes of the people.”

Obeka said that the project was an opportunity for the NDDC engineering crew to improve their skills.

He noted: “The challenges we met here were unique, building a road in the mangrove swamp. You will notice that both sides of the road are filled with water. The road was actually built on a sand embankment of 2.5 million cubic metres of sand.”

“To conquer the swampy terrain, the construction involved digging out four metres of clay soil and sand filling it to provide a base for the road. The project has also seen the use of vertical drains to take away ground water to allow the road to stabilise.”

Waymo will launch paid robotaxi service in Los Angeles on Wednesday

Tech startup Waymo said Tuesday that it would begin offering paid robotaxi rides in Los Angeles beginning Wednesday, as the nation’s experiment with self-driving car technology picks up steam. 

Waymo, a spinoff of Google, had announced details for its service in Los Angeles in January as it sought state regulatory approval and local support. Within the last year, Waymo has offered free "tour" rides in Los Angeles, and last month, it received regulatory approval to expand to a paid service, despite pushback from the Teamsters union and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. Waymo previewed the project in a blog post in 2022.

Waymo said Tuesday that more than 50,000 people were on its waitlist to use the service. The company did not say how many users it would allow to fully use the app starting Wednesday. Last month, the company said it was starting with a Los Angeles fleet of fewer than 50 cars covering a 63-square-mile area from Santa Monica to downtown L.A. Los Angeles County has a population of 9.7 million people. 

The service works similarly to other ride-hailing smartphone apps such as Flywheel, Lyft and Uber, except that Waymo’s vehicles have no human drivers present. Riders follow instructions on the app and through the vehicle’s sound system, though Waymo workers can assist remotely. 

Robotaxis are getting more buzz as the technology advances in fits and starts. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Friday that Tesla would reveal a robotaxi product in August, though he gave no details. Cruise, a General Motors subsidiary that paused its robotaxi service last year after one of its vehicles failed to detect a pedestrian underneath it, said Tuesday that it would reintroduce human-driven vehicles in select cities, including Phoenix, as a step back toward driverless operations. 

Various China-based tech startups are also testing self-driving cars on California roads, drawing scrutiny from lawmakers. 

But for now, Waymo’s only competition is traditional, human-driven car services. 

Waymo’s expansion to Los Angeles will bring autonomous for-profit taxis to the nation’s second-largest city — and to a city long synonymous with car travel. Waymo already operates commercial robotaxi services in San Francisco and Phoenix. 

Chris Ludwick, Waymo’s product management director, called the Los Angeles move a milestone. 

“The reception from Angelenos so far has been exceptional, and we look forward to welcoming more riders into our service over time,” he said in a statement. 

Waymo said it informed its test riders about the change Monday in an email, which someone also posted to Reddit. 

Robotaxis have faced criticism on multiple fronts, from the threat they pose to drivers’ jobs to the mistakes they’ve made blocking city buses or emergency vehicles. Under California law, driverless cars can’t be given traffic tickets, and they could make traffic congestion worse . 

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation said the Waymo expansion was happening too soon, without enough local oversight of autonomous vehicle operations, but in an order last month state officials said that those concerns were unfounded. 

Supporters of robotaxis have countered that human drivers have a terrible safety record , with traffic deaths topping 40,000 a year in the U.S. Waymo has not reported a death or serious injury from its technology, and Waymo vehicles appear to be generally more observant of traffic laws than human drivers are, according to journalists who have ridden in them. 

In San Francisco, the futuristic nature of driverless vehicles has become a tourist attraction. 

Opponents of autonomous taxi expansions, including the Teamsters, have vowed to slow down the growth of companies such as Waymo. A bill pending in the California Senate would give cities and counties authority over robotaxi services — a power that currently resides with state government agencies. A hearing on that bill is scheduled for next week. 

David Ingram covers tech for NBC News.