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No problem
Me 3 (4).. any chance you could do a short write up?
We are from Australia, have only done Yosemite NP so far (but loooooooved it), and want to go back to see others, not sure about group travel.
 
I wanted to add a small footnote to our A&K Family Antarctica cruise.

When I was back home last week, there was an envelope from A&K with 2 very, very nice glossy (small) books (8.5 x 11), which detailed every day we were in Antarctica, along with pictures. I must say I was highly impressed with this. Not enough to make me want to travel with them again, but certainly a nice memento from our journey.
 


Just returned from Jordan, Israel and Istanbul. We spent about 8 days in Jordan staying at Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum (in a desert camp), and at the Dead Sea. We arranged for a private guide to drive us everywhere and arrange the hotels and experiences for us. Worked out well.

Then we crossed over to Israel where we joined our church group to tour up by the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Then down into the West Bank, Jericho and the Dead Sea Again. And finally to Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

On our way back we stopped for a nigh in Istanbul. Basically had a full day and the next morning before flying out. We again arranged for a private guide to take us around the city.

It was a spectacular trip. Jordan was particularly easy and not expensive (by ABD standards) to arrange with a guide for a week. I understand ABD’s reluctance to doing a trip there (they were considering it several years ago), but it really is primed for a great itinerary. It was a lot of fun.

I would love to hear more about this trip if you wouldn't mind sharing contact info on how you arranged your guides.
 
I would love to hear more about this trip if you wouldn't mind sharing contact info on how you arranged your guides.

We arranged our tour of Jordan through Petra Nights Tours. They arranged a private driver, guides, hotels, etc throughout Jordan. We spent a couple of nights in Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Awesome trip. Highly recommended.

Israel was a group tour through our church. Amazing country. I’d love to return some day.

Istanbul was a quick ~24 hrs. We organized a private guide through “My Local Guide” Istanbul.

If you have any questions, let me know.
 
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I read this entire thread and learned so much information. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

We’re looking for something a little bit different for 2020 and it looks like the Azores will be it for us. We’re booking now with Thomson Family Adventures. We love ABD and I’m sure we’ll be back for the right trip!
 


Had anyone heard of luxury gold travel? I found it on the Costco site today and the Italy trip looks impressive, same price as abd but longer trip and much more activity. Anyone ever travel with them?
 
Had anyone heard of luxury gold travel? I found it on the Costco site today and the Italy trip looks impressive, same price as abd but longer trip and much more activity. Anyone ever travel with them?

Is that part of the Insight travel group? I have only taken one of their regular tours. According to our tour director their Luxury Gold brand is supposed to be comparable to Tauck. I'd be interested in hearing your opinion if you do travel with them as I have been looking at their itinerary for Switzerland. I'm happy to answer any questions regarding my limited experience with them.
 
Is that part of the Insight travel group? I have only taken one of their regular tours. According to our tour director their Luxury Gold brand is supposed to be comparable to Tauck. I'd be interested in hearing your opinion if you do travel with them as I have been looking at their itinerary for Switzerland. I'm happy to answer any questions regarding my limited experience with them.

THanks! yes it is part of the insight group. I liked their Italy …. did you hear anymore about the Luxury Gold? Up to par with ABD or no?
 
THanks! yes it is part of the insight group. I liked their Italy …. did you hear anymore about the Luxury Gold? Up to par with ABD or no?

I have no more information other than the comparison. That said, the Tauck tour I took was very close to ABD. It was not a family tour so was slightly less active, but well organized, with local guides at all our stops. The accommodations were on par with ABD. You could easily check what Luxury Gold offers against the ABD site. You might check the meals as well, I've found that Tauck seems to include more meals than ABD. If Luxury Gold is comparable to Tauck, I would say it would be just slightly below ABD. Hope this helps.
 
I have no more information other than the comparison. That said, the Tauck tour I took was very close to ABD. It was not a family tour so was slightly less active, but well organized, with local guides at all our stops. The accommodations were on par with ABD. You could easily check what Luxury Gold offers against the ABD site. You might check the meals as well, I've found that Tauck seems to include more meals than ABD. If Luxury Gold is comparable to Tauck, I would say it would be just slightly below ABD. Hope this helps.

Thanks again. Great suggestions. So if you did the insight tour, was this a step below tauck> Maybe like a Trafalgar type? I know insight is the parent company so I wan't sure if the Luxury Gold was a step above what you did? Meaning what you did they did NOT compare to Taulk? Sorry if I am confusing...
 
Thanks again. Great suggestions. So if you did the insight tour, was this a step below tauck> Maybe like a Trafalgar type? I know insight is the parent company so I wan't sure if the Luxury Gold was a step above what you did? Meaning what you did they did NOT compare to Taulk? Sorry if I am confusing...

Not confusing at all. The Insight tour was almost exactly like Trafalgar. We were on our own for lunch every day and I believe there were only 3 group dinners on an 8 day tour. So Luxury Gold should be a definite step above.
 
Not confusing at all. The Insight tour was almost exactly like Trafalgar. We were on our own for lunch every day and I believe there were only 3 group dinners on an 8 day tour. So Luxury Gold should be a definite step above.
Great thanks again!
 
Has anyone here done a 'non-Disney' Galapagos trip? We are looking at the Natural Habitat trips. They use small yachts. All of us are a bit prone to seasickness so curious about how rough the waters might be.

thanks!
 
I wanted to say thanks for all the suggestions for the Banff/Lake Louise area.

This post is mainly for Cousin Orville...I'm spending my day off today booking excursions. So far, I've booked the Columbia Icefield tour and a cruise on Lake Maligne (both of those are scheduled for our time in Jasper). Both were booked through a company called Pursuit - the Banff/Jasper Collection. We will be driving ourselves to the icefield, but they do offer an option where they transport you there from Banff.

I really want to do the grizzly bear excursion (mainly because I want to see that waterfall!), but I think my son would like to do the Via Ferrata mountain climbing adventure. I'm not quite sure if I'm brave enough for that, so I'm going to consult with him before booking.

I also booked a reservation at the Willow Stream Spa for the day we arrive at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Their Spa looks AMAZING!

I've also go a Flytographer photo session booked at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and plan to book afternoon tea there as well. I'll update as I get more things scheduled (and will for sure post on Insta while we are there).

I've rented a car, so there are a few hikes and sight-seeing things we will do on our own.

For those who have been before - is it necessary to book the Jasper SkyTram and/or any of the gondola rides in advance?

I am a little nervous about the weather...first week of June looks to be chilly and cloudy. I'm just hoping the lakes are thawed.
 
Has anyone here done a 'non-Disney' Galapagos trip? We are looking at the Natural Habitat trips. They use small yachts. All of us are a bit prone to seasickness so curious about how rough the waters might be.

thanks!
We have just booked the Backroads Galapagos trip for next February. It's on a 100 person boat, so a little bigger and supposed to be more stable. Seasickness is an issue for me as well. I've read that winter months the waters are calmer than summer.
 
I wanted to say thanks for all the suggestions for the Banff/Lake Louise area.

This post is mainly for Cousin Orville...I'm spending my day off today booking excursions. So far, I've booked the Columbia Icefield tour and a cruise on Lake Maligne (both of those are scheduled for our time in Jasper). Both were booked through a company called Pursuit - the Banff/Jasper Collection. We will be driving ourselves to the icefield, but they do offer an option where they transport you there from Banff.

I really want to do the grizzly bear excursion (mainly because I want to see that waterfall!), but I think my son would like to do the Via Ferrata mountain climbing adventure. I'm not quite sure if I'm brave enough for that, so I'm going to consult with him before booking.

I also booked a reservation at the Willow Stream Spa for the day we arrive at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Their Spa looks AMAZING!

I've also go a Flytographer photo session booked at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and plan to book afternoon tea there as well. I'll update as I get more things scheduled (and will for sure post on Insta while we are there).

I've rented a car, so there are a few hikes and sight-seeing things we will do on our own.

For those who have been before - is it necessary to book the Jasper SkyTram and/or any of the gondola rides in advance?

I am a little nervous about the weather...first week of June looks to be chilly and cloudy. I'm just hoping the lakes are thawed.


Sounds like an amazing trip! Please report back! We really don’t have many plans yet for our July trip. We’re staying the entire time at Lake Louise. The plan is to relax and do some local hiking. We have our big Japan ABD in June so it will be a nice time to decompress and enjoy the nature.
 
Cousin Orville - I love hearing about all of your travels, but I have to ask - how much vacation do you get a year?
 

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