A pioneer of European river cruises since 1976, CroisiEurope specializes in journeys on the most beautiful waterways in Europe. An independent family-owned business, with headquarters in Strasbourg, France, they are Europe’s largest and most experienced river cruise line.
Their fleet of 30 ships journey to dazzling riverside cities in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Belgium — to the romantic Rhine Valley, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine, the beautiful blue Danube, the Douro Valley, Venice, and more — where guests can explore and enjoy local food, wine, history, art and culture.
Cruise the rivers of Europe aboard your own French restaurant with carefully planned menus in the exacting tradition of fine French gastronomy – each meal an experience of French haute cuisine! Their chefs have worked alongside such Michelin-starred greats as Paul Bocuse and Marc Haeberlin; CroisiEurope’s head chef, Alain Bohn, was recently nominated as a member of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. This esteemed French association, created 50 years ago, includes only 250 chefs worldwide.
CroisiEurope’s pricing includes accommodation in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, complimentary beer and wine at lunch and dinner as well as open bar throughout the voyage (not including Champagne, special wines or fine brandies), onboard entertainment and port taxes. Most shore excursions are optional (and cost extra), so guests are free to join in or to explore each stop on their own. Excursions are also available to purchase once on board at the original price.
Carnival Cruises, “the World’s Most Popular Cruise Line,” owns and operates a fleet of 24 ships specializing in shorter journeys and low fares. Carnival was a pioneer in the concept of shorter, less expensive cruises. Carnival’s “fun” ships are known for their Las Vegas-style decor and entertainment, loads of activities, and being extremely kid-friendly. While there are a few dress up nights on each journey, these cruises are generally very casual. There are also Serenity Decks on each ship, kid-free zones, for those who prefer quieter relaxation.
Carnival offers a variety of 3 to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Shore excursions cost extra and can be pre-purchased 12-18 months prior to the cruise, or purchased onboard. They have dramatically expanded their shore excursion offerings, adding exclusive new landside experiences and customized private tours, as well as new family-friendly options. Carnival offers exclusive tours that not only include amenities like access to luxurious private villas but also unique enrichment activities that allow guests to fully immerse themselves in local culture and cuisine.
Onboard entertainment and activities include large casinos, cabaret shows, live music, comedy clubs, karaoke, art auctions, art seminars, dance classes, cooking demonstrations, sports activities like volleyball and basketball, mixologists competitions, libraries, bingo and more. In addition, they have spas and spacious, well-equipped fitness rooms with state-of-the-art equipment.
A family friendly cruise line, Carnival’s Youth Experience provides activities and entertainment for all kids 17 years and younger, with dedicated areas including pools for children and water parks. Activities are broken down into specific age groups and they even have evening activities specially designed for tweens and teens.
Carnival also offers wedding packages on board their ships on the day of sailing and at various ports-of-call, either on board or on the island.
Based in Boston with 35 regional offices around the world, Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) specializes in unique small group tours for Americans over the age of 50. On land adventures OAT guarantees groups of 10-16 travelers, and on their Small Ship Adventures between 16-25 travelers. These small group tours go on—and off—the beaten path, with resident English-speaking OAT Trip Leaders immersing travelers in local cultures, sampling unique modes of transportation, and staying in more intimate and authentic lodgings including smaller family-run hotels that reflect the essence of each destination.
In addition to the world’s top travel destinations, journeys with OAT also explore lesser-known locales—unique destinations where few Americans go. Explore local culture including the unassuming villages, family homes, schools, churches, and farms that comprise the heart of a nation. Meet people from all walks of life, visiting them where they work, where they worship, and where they live — frequently right in their own homes. Sing a song with Chinese primary school children. Enjoy a private cooking lesson with a Thai chef. Take part in a Peruvian curandero ceremony with a traditional Quechua healer.
OAT also promises Solo Travelers will not pay more, offering free single supplements on every adventure and trip extension—which means solo travelers never pay more for their own hotel room or ship cabin.
Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises serves both our GCT and OAT brands with an award-winning fleet known for reasonable prices and high-quality experiences throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Custom-designed for their travelers, their fleet includes 50+ small river and ocean-going ships that they own or privately charter.
OAT was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1978 by a high school teacher, Judi Wineland, who desired a more authentic African travel experience. She targeted unspoiled Tanzania as the first destination for her company, and in doing so, became the first US tour operator to offer tented safaris there. In 1993 OAT was purchased by the Grand Circle Corporation, established in 1958, when it was formed to serve members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
Sea Cloud Cruises owns and operates two tall ships, both elegant and luxurious windjammers, for transatlantic crossings, Caribbean sailing cruises, Mediterranean cruises, weddings, and more. Built in 1931, their legendary windjammer the SEA CLOUD, provides all the elegance and romance of a bygone era. It has been faithfully restored, from all the impressive marble fireplaces, the charming teak wood benches, and the golden taps, to the ship’s selected antiques and original oil paintings, to create an atmospheric setting from a more elegant era.
These unique ships offer guests a private yacht experience with a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere. A crew of around 60 ensure that all guests – a maximum of 94 travelers on the SEA CLOUD II, or 64 on the SEA CLOUD – enjoy a unique cruise that is tailored to their needs. Suites and cabins are some of the most beautiful at sea and gourmet dining is usually on deck. There are few onboard activities (no casinos, classes, or splashy performances), just a piano bar, a few lectures, a library, and the ongoing activities of the sailing crew. Considered the most beautiful windjammer of all time, the SEA CLOUD itself is the true highlight of the journey. The SEA CLOUD II is slightly more modern and has a few more amenities, like spa services.
On Caribbean and Central American cruises shore excursions are included in the price of the trip, while on all other cruises shore excursions can be booked on board.
the SEA CLOUD was built in 1931 in Kiel at the request of a Wall Street broker E.F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post, who shaped the SEA CLOUD’s character. Both ships are equipped with the most up-to-date navigation systems and safety features, while offering the comfort and luxury of a five-star cruise liner; however, the masts and rigging recall the age of the historic windjammers.
Sea Cloud also offers Culinary Cruises, combining first-class serviceandexquisiteculinary delights.Together withtop chefs, they regularly create culinary cruiseprojectsthat convincewithvery“delicious” program highlights on boardandashore.
Golden Eagle is probably best known for its flagship journey, the Trans-Siberian Express. One of the world’s greatest railway journeys, and topping many travelers’ bucket list, the Trans-Siberian Railway runs across Russia, through Siberia, connecting east and west, from Moscow over the Urals, across the magnificent and endless steppe and alongside the shore of Lake Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater lake. This iconic railway journey goes through 8 time zones and covers a staggering 6,600 miles (10,600kms)!
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains specializes in fully-escorted long-distance rail tours for those who wish to visit some of the world’s most remote destinations in style and comfort. Their private and fully inclusive luxury train tours include plenty of cultural immersion with a comprehensive off-train excursion program, a fully inclusive fine-dining experience including quality wines, and overnight stays in some of the finest 5-star hotelsin Europe.
In addition to several Trans-Siberian journeys, they also offer 14-day journeys across Eastern and Central Europe aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express, which includes daily stops and cultural excursions in each city. In 2014, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains took over the operation of the Danube Express and now features a wide range of long-distance rail journeys through Central and Eastern Europe and into the Middle East.
They also offer incredible 20-day private train journeys along the Silk Road, from Moscow to Bejing, stopping along the way to visit top cultural attractions and historic sights. Originally built for Chairman Mao, the luxurious Shangri-La Express is the best available train in China, operating on the Silk Road route between Beijing and the Chinese border. Note that this train does not have private bathrooms or showers. A state-of-the-art shower car, centrally located on the train, complements the two washrooms/WC’s in every sleeping carriage.
Golden Eagle Luxury trains have well-appointed luxury sleeping cabins that include private bathrooms featuring a shower with constant hot water, washbasin and toilet. Trains also offer a first class Bar Lounge Car and Restaurant Cars, Each deluxe sleeper carriage has just five spacious yet intimate en-suite cabins offering every convenience and comfort so you may sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, founded as GW Travel Ltd in 1989, has its head offices in Altrincham, Cheshire, England.
Founded in 2007 by wildlife conservationists, Will and Carol Fox, On Track’s wildlife conservation safaris combine all the elements of a classic African safari with an insight into real wildlife conservation. They specialize in small groupwildlife conservation safaris that support wildlife conservation, while still offering excellent service, accommodations, and flexibility catering to the specific requirements of their guests – whether your preference is to see a broad array of African wildlife, something more specific, or would like to visit one of their community projects.
Awarded the World Responsible Travel Awards silver medal for wildlife conservation in 2014, On Track provides opportunities for guests to be involved with their work in conservation, particularly with Leopards. You’ll meet and be involved with their team of conservationists, help to set trail cameras to monitor the nightly happenings, or just simply take time to sit and study the behavior and heard dynamics of Elephants.
A sampling of safari highlights include: Luangwa Valley,Zambia, one of Africa’s prime wildlife sanctuaries, the landscape of the ‘Real Africa’ and the home of the walking safari; game drives in Kruger National Park and other game reserves, such as Thornybush Game Reserve, including a big five bush walks; tracking leopards within the Thaba Tholo Reserve with the Ingwe Leopard team; visiting the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre; wildlife safaris in Uganda, and observing Silverback Gorillas and Chimpanzees in the wild; cruising up the Nile river to the foot of Murchison Falls while viewing the abundant Hippos, crocodiles, bird life. Furthermore, On Track can also arrange for horseback riding, hot air balloon flights or perhaps a scenic microlight flight over the greater Kruger National Park, for the more adventurous.
Guests also experience fantastic safari lodges with a variety of accommodation styles and decor. Each lodge is hand-picked by the owners, Will and Carol, to provide a balance of experiences and personal service that their safaris are known for.
They also offer Volunteer Travel programs (for a much lower rate) where, as an Ingwe volunteer you’ll be involved with all aspects of their conservation and research programs, gain hands-on knowledge about conservation, and help contribute towards essential leopard research.
Smithsonian offers a variety of specialty tours including Art, History (U.S. and World), Wildlife, Archeology, Astronomy, European Auto tours, Music & Performing Arts, Science andeven Film Festivals (Cannes, Venice and Toronto). Wherever you go, Smithsonian opens doors, assuring you a topnotch learning experience. Moreover, Smithsonian’s tour guides are true experts and scholars, and include esteemed art history professors, anthropologists, historians, archaeologists, naturalists, geologists and others sure to enrich your experience.
Their current listing of specialty tours include European Cars & the German Grand Prix; Mystery Lover’s England; Inside the Russian Space Program; Astronomy in Arizona; Paris & Normandy: Masters of Impressionism; The French Riviera & Modern Masters; Venice Film Festival (as well as Cannes & Toronto); Remembering the Great War, and quite a few others.
Specialty tours with Smithsonian offer one-of-a-kind experiences in cultural and enrichment travel – from a stop at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama during a small-ship cruise, to touring the Uffizi Gallery in Florence when the museum is closed to the public … from witnessing incredible celestial phenomena during a telescope viewing at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Arizona, to exclusive meetings with top mystery writers in England.
In addition, their cultural Stay Collection offers three options to suit your schedule and interests — single city stays, two-center stays in city or countryside settings, and three-week immersion programs. Their “Living In” series offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in Aix-en-Provence or Florence on a leisurely and extended stay. Choose one or several enrichment tracks—language lessons, cuisine, and/or art and culture —and learn from local experts.
Beginning in 1970, their collection of land tours and cruises has grown to more than 150 destinations on all seven continents, and includes everything from Classic European tours, African Safaris, Family Tours, River Cruises, Antarctica Expeditions, to a variety of Special Interests tours. Smithsonian guests travel in comfort and style, from unique lodgings in far-flung regions and charming hotels in well-traveled places, to the ideal cruise ship or train experience, while enjoying authentic local cuisine.
