Just as tastes and styles in travel differ, so do the vacation offerings from members of the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) the association says in a reminder to agents and consumers. In support this, three international selections from USTOA members illustrate the variety available. Clients can choose from a highly structured tour of Ireland, a tour of South Africa with a quarter of the time unplanned, or a non-structured visit to an Amazon hideaway that lets the traveler decide when and which activities to join.
International Expeditions’ six-day/five-night “Peruvian Amazon Adventure” lets travelers decide when they want to choose their activities. From Lima, Peru, travelers fly to Iquitos and enjoy a boat ride down the Amazon River to Ceiba Tops Lodge. Here, two afternoons, or at least 30 percent of the time is at leisure, as travelers choose activities including a rainforest hike, a boat excursion spotting dolphins and visiting a village of Yagua Indians, complete with blowgun demonstration; a hike to Canopy Walkway spanning one-third of a mile and a visit to "ReNuPeRu" Ethnobotanical Garden, learning about Amazonian natural healing, plus a Farewell dinner at a floating restaurant.
This custom itinerary can be added as an extension to the company’s Galapagos cruise or other Peru programs, and travelers can also choose from various voluntourism activities in Iquitos or near the rainforest lodge. The custom itinerary is available any time in 2010, and costs from $878 (per person, double occupancy).
Round trip air fare to Peru is additional. For reservations and more information, phone 800-633-4734, or visit http://www.ietravel.com/subpages/custom-peru.asp.
Visit South Africa and Victoria Falls with 25 percent free time and part of the time structured on African Travel, Inc.’s locally-hosted 12 day/9 night “Southern Explorer”tour. Valid through December, 2010, the itinerary spends 3 nights each in Cape Town, and Kruger Park, 2 nights in Victoria Falls and a night in Johannesburg. Five free afternoons, 4 evenings, and 2 mornings provide plenty of time for independent explorations as well. Land price begins at $4195 per person, share basis; international airfare is additional as is intra-Africa fare.
For reservations and more information phone 800-421-8907 or visit http://www.africantravelinc.com/Tourindex/soex_2010.html.
USTOA notes that consumers who want to avoid hassles planning their own tour of Italy, Brendan Vacation’s six-day/five-night escorted “Irish Jaunt” tour provides a taste of Ireland, visiting Dublin, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, and Limerick. The structured tour, which provides about 10 percent free time, also offers an optional Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle. Available through December 20, 2010, the tour is priced from $665 per person plus airfare. For more information phone 866 275 1389 or key in http://www.brendanvacations.com/tour.aspx?1247.
All prices are based on double occupancy. Selected meals may be included on all above itineraries. Prices may vary by date. Restrictions and additional fees, departure and local taxes and fees may apply. For a complete list of USTOA companies, visit the USTOA website: www.ustoa.com or www.ustoa.travel.