Places We Go

Africa

East Africa

From Burton to Livingstone, from Roosevelt to William Holden, East Africa has been at the heart of African exploration for more than a century. Its scenic beauty is magical: the snowcapped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya merge with lush forests, the vast open savannah disappears into wild deserts, and white sand beaches line the coast, giving way to the ancient Swahili islands of Zanzibar and Lamu. The brilliant blue sky that stands watch over a million migrating wildebeest on their march across the great Serengeti plains is rivaled only by the warm coral lagoons of the Indian Ocean. And a multitude of different ethnic groups, from the pastoral Maasai to the maritime Swahili, from mountain-dwelling Kikuyu farmers, to the lowland Luo who fish the deep waters of Lake Victoria - each with their own distinct language and culture - makes East Africa a vibrant land of diversity. We will design a customized itinerary to meet your own special interests, travel schedule, and budget. We know the peoples and the places, the languages and the landscapes, the fauna and the flora of these countries intimately, creating a truly lifetime travel experience for you to Kenya, Tanzania and among the mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda.

Ready for the ultimate East Africa adventure? Join National Geographic Traveler Editor at Large, Costas Christ, on a one time special guided trip to East Africa in February 2011. Click here to learn more.

Southern Africa

From Botswana, whose friendly people are also caretakers of one of the last surviving true wild areas on Earth - the Okavango Delta, where wildlife roams free across a landscape of marshes and rivers and palm-covered islands…to Namibia - a country of astounding desert beauty, abundant wildlife, massive sand dunes, and the legendary Skeleton Coast … to South Africa, the rainbow nation of culture and nature - think music, dance, and great food, along with the rolling plains of the high veld, the dramatic coast line where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, the wonderful wine estates of Cape Town and some of the best ecolodges and camps in the world. Focus on just one country, or combine all three, to explore the diversity of lands, people, and habitats as we create an itinerary for you to experience Southern Africa’s best.

The Americas

Belize

About the size of Massachusetts, Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. It is filled with dense jungle, remote mountains, and subterranean rivers that are still being explored and mapped; hundreds of Mayan ruins, including major Mayan cities that continue to be unearthed; and offshore lies the second longest barrier reef on the planet, dotted with tiny islands of picture postcard beauty, and a marine wilderness of dramatic blue water, coral lagoons, rare manatees, and the mysterious gentle giants of the sea, whale sharks. Its small size makes it easy to get around, and its short distance from the US mainland makes it an affordable trip too. We’ll help you put together an itinerary that takes you to Belize’s best places, from rainforest to reef, from ancient Mayan culture to modern-day Creole life. Or you may want to opt for just simply spending a week in your own private Caribbean cottage on the water at our Blue Garden House.

Galapagos Islands

If you love nature, then the Galapagos is more than a vacation; it is a pilgrimage to one of the most spectacular ecosystems in the world. These long isolated islands have become renowned for proving Darwin’s theory of evolution, with their unique and dramatic flora and fauna. Tourism has helped to protect the Galapagos, but it also poses its own threats, and traveling respectfully and carefully to this fragile World Heritage Site is at the heart of what we do. Our trips go aboard the first bio-fuel hybrid cruise boat, carrying a total of 20 passengers in comfort, with a soft environmental footprint. We focus on small group excursions to the best islands, including hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving in the company of the top Galapagos local guides. Come explore these truly natural wonders in a way that will also help protect them for future generations to enjoy.

Mediterranean

Greece

Ancient does not begin to describe the sense of time, history, culture, and civilization that is part of any exploration of modern-day Greece. Not to mention the stunning and dramatic mountains, the lush landscapes of the Peloponnese, and the remarkable contrasts of clear blue water and stark white villages that characterize the myriad islands that stretch from Zakynthos in the north to Crete in the south. And what would a trip to the Mediterranean be without a full immersion into the culture of great food and warm hospitality that so defines Greek life? Quite apart from our own Greek-American cultural roots, we have thoroughly explored the many facets of Greece, from its rocky mainland to its far-flung islands, from its best Kafenions, where the food is local and fresh, to its ancient ruins, and we’ll be happy to design an itinerary to introduce you to Greece’s many authentic riches.

Albania

The tiny unspoiled Mediterranean country of Albania spent most of the 20th century isolated from the rest of the world. Now it is emerging to share its natural and cultural treasures with intrepid travelers, from its pristine beaches that grace both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, to its historical reminders as a crossroads for Roman, Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman cultures. Dramatic mountains, shepherds herding their flocks, small villages and towns, fantastic hiking, the vibrant capital city of Tirana, are all there to be newly explored in a part of the Mediterranean with all the charms of the old days.

Asia

India

They do not call it “Incredible India” for nothing. To really plan a trip there you need to know it well and we do, having lived in India and explored it from north to south (and we are still exploring it!). This vast subcontinent juxtaposes ancient and modern life, from historic cities like Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, to its modern capitals like Delhi and Mumbai. From the peaks of the Himalayas to the temple-studded shores of Tamil Nadu, the graceful canals of Kerala and the stunning arid landscapes of Rajasthan, India is an intensely experienced country. And while many people think primarily of cultural heritage when India comes to mind, it is also home to the largest cat on Earth, the Royal Bengal Tiger, and other rare and wonderful wildlife, including the Asian elephant, Indian Rhinoceros, the stealthy panther, along with a multitude of beautiful and distinctive birdlife. Experience this truly diverse land on a custom-designed itinerary that takes you to its finest highlights in the company of its best guides.