Six bucket-list travel experiences to discover with Trafalgar
There’s a distinct difference in the way people travel when they book an itinerary with Trafalgar. Rooted in a philosophy of immersive travel, these travel experts can be distinguished by four pillars: Tour Locally, Tour Passionately, Tour Responsibly and Tour Differently. By staying loyal to these values, Trafalgar delivers thoughtfully designed tours that matter for both the traveller and the destination. What’s more, guests discover lesser-known experiences and cultural gems, while discovering personal talents along the way.
Here are 6 of Trafalgar’s most exciting trips that not only blaze a trail in their responsible travel styles but also offer a bucket-list experience.
1. Secrets of the Rockies and Glacier National Park, Canada
Travellers from all corners long to see Alberta’s precipitous alpine landscapes. But those keen to combine this with a deep dive into the region’s rich First Nations – and modern-day – cultures will find Trafalgar’s nine-day Canada Tour of Calgary, Banff and Jasper is just the ticket. It starts and ends in the cosmopolitan city of Calgary – the so-called gateway to ‘Cowboy Country’ – and includes an exhilarating journey through five outstanding National Parks.
In Lake Louise, there’s the chance to capture awesome views of the impossibly blue Lake Moraine, nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The route also provides a crash course in Canada’s national sport, with professional hockey players revealing their superstitions while offering behind-the-scenes peeks into the players’ locker rooms.
Unique experiences
Be My Guest Experience
As part of Trafalgar’s unique Be My Guest Experience, life-long memories can be made by joining Painted Warriors ranch owner Tracey Klettl. Alongside walks by the glacier-carved lakes of UNESCO-listed Waterton Lakes National Park, she shares the fascinating traditions passed down from her Indigenous ancestors; from archery and horse riding to foraging the verdant wildlife.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™
Similarly, with the tour’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™ Experience, there’s the chance to visit traditional Blackfeet territory in the stunning Glacier National Park. It’s here where Mariah Gladstone shares the history of her ancestors’ land, shining a light on the ways native food has been re-imagined in the modern day. On return to the affectionately nicknamed ‘Cowtown,’ travellers have gained a deep appreciation of the region’s jaw-dropping natural wonders and precious culture.
2. Costa Rica Nature Adventure
The biodiverse nature and pristine landscapes of Costa Rica must be seen to be believed. This eight-day adventure showcases the country’s must-see sights while allowing travellers to soak up the inimitable ‘Pura Vida,’ or zest for life.
No journey to Costa Rica is complete without encountering the enthralling Monteverde Cloud Forest. While meeting descendants of native American Quakers, guests can immerse themselves in the jungle canopy via its vertiginous Sky Walk suspension bridges. There’s also a chance to hike the dormant Arenal volcano, with its sweeping panoramas and powerful reminder of nature’s force via its traces of lava flow.
Unique experiences
Stays with Stories
Placing guests in the heart of Tortuguero’s tropical lowland rainforest, the remote Laguna Lodge is one of this tour’s exceptional stays. The low-impact design of this 15-acre retreat – seamlessly constructed between the Caribbean Sea and Tortuguero Lagoon – prioritises the natural environment of the Tortuguero National Park. And after journeying here by boat, along jungle-fringed canals and lagoons, guests enter an oasis of towering trees where butterflies and birds thrive and where cicadas and tree frogs provide a natural soundtrack.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™
While the lodge’s idyllic swimming pool provides the ultimate relaxation, there’s also a unique cultural discovery here via Trafalgar’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™ experience. At the Tico family’s palm plantation, authentic Costa Rican cuisine is served and there’s a chance to sample the delicate, heart of palm, amid the tropical forest. Those keen to explore one more piece of paradise can add on three extra days to explore the pristine beaches of Guanacaste.
3. Vietnam and Cambodia Uncovered
The soul-stirring countries of Vietnam and Cambodia have many chapters in their stories. And this 18-day trip enables travellers to understand a whole host of them, revealing ancient temples and culturally layered cities alongside a rich bounty of natural wonders.
Starting in Vietnam’s thronging Hanoi city, there’s the opportunity to explore everything from the city’s soulful Old Quarter to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. From here, guests set sail on a traditional-style Junk boat to the Heritage-protected Halong Bay, with its gravity-defying limestone karsts and emerald waters. When it’s time to explore the Imperial City of Hue, important shrines and monuments built during Vietnam’s Nguyen dynasty can be glimpsed from the back of a cyclo.
There’s also the chance to cruise along the Perfume River aboard a local dragon boat, to reach the beautifully preserved Ngoc Son Princess Garden house.
Unique experiences
Be My Guest Experience
As part of Trafalgar’s Be My Guest Experience, visitors have lunch here with a family member of the princess whom this place of worship was built in memory of.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™
Equally enriching is the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™ Experience provided in Krabei Riel, southwest of Siem Reap. It’s here where travellers can walk in the company of local Khmer villagers, gaining insight into their time-honoured traditions – from weaving Cambodia’s palm-leaf national hats to folding lotus flowers into delicate works of art. What’s particularly special is this section of the tour gives back to the community by providing a direct contribution to the local school or elderly villagers’ home.
4. Best of Morocco
The ochre-hued Atlas Mountains and storied towns of Casablanca and Fes provide a captivating setting for this 10-day Moroccan journey. Featuring everything from traditional tanneries and locked-in-time architecture to fragrant North African cooking, it’s a non-stop feast for the senses.
At the Berber Museum in Marrakech, the culture of these Native Peoples can be explored in the unmissable, artefact-filled Berber Museum, nestled in the fabulous Majorelle Gardens bought and restored by Yves St Laurent. To top things off, there’s also opportunity to find intricately designed mosques, teeming markets and traditional hammam treatments in this unforgettable journey of discovery.
Unique experiences
Stays with Stories
Some of the most enriching travel encounters unfold on this trip thanks to Trafalgar’s Be My Guest and Stay with Stories Experiences. In the vibrant city of Fes, there’s a chance to get acquainted with a traditional Riad setting while enjoying authentically prepared Moroccan cuisine with city locals.
Meanwhile, during an overnight stay at the African-style Xaluca Dades – which perches at an altitude of 1,612 metres in the Atlas Mountains – guests are treated to warm, Moroccan hospitality and breathtaking views over the Dades Valley where a rich Berber culture pervades across ancient mountain villages.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™
As part of its MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™ Experience, guests can visit the non-profit charity American Fondouk, to see first-hand, the veterinary care provided to donkeys, mules and horses across this region. During talks with the volunteer vets, visitors gain fascinating insights into the animal welfare education they provide to local communities who depend on these animals for work.
5. Tastes and Sounds of the South, USA
For toe-tapping music, heart-warming cuisine and a whole lot of soul, this trip packs a punch. A 10-day celebration of America’s vibrant southern states, it offers an excellent introduction to the region’s melting pot of musical and culinary cultures. And it all starts in Nashville, the renowned Music City and home of rhythm and blues.
Here, travellers enjoy live performances in both the iconic Grand Ole Opry, and the famous RCA Studio B, the ‘birthplace for Nashville Sound’. The tour also features a private performance of Johnny Cash tunes by one of the singer’s family members, plus a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Unique experiences
Be My Guest
After swinging to the beats of Memphis – and exploring its gripping civil rights history – and visiting Elvis’ world-famous Graceland, travellers arrive in Natchez, on the banks of the Mississippi River. It’s here, as part of Trafalgar’s Be My Guest experience, that they have the chance to enjoy true Southern hospitality in a beautiful, historic home. While relaxing with backyard Planter’s Punch cocktails, and elevated Southern fare, it’s a brilliant opportunity to connect with locals who have lived here for generations.
There’s no need to go hungry after reaching New Orleans either. While revelling in the Big Easy’s laid-back vibes and hotchpotch of cultures, foodies can take a hands-on cooking experience, to get a deeper understanding of the region’s flavours. Spanning classic Southern dishes like gumbo, Étoufée and Creole bread pudding, these recipes offer a deep dive into Southern USA culture while also helping keep the memories alive, once travellers return home.
6. Best of the Italian Lakes, Italy
The Italian Lakes are as staggeringly beautiful – and absorbing – as people say: it’s a region where the gentle sounds of the shores insist on lazy afternoons spent enjoying exquisite coffee. It’s also where the magnificent UNESCO-listed peaks of the Dolomites provide a cinematic backdrop beside centuries-old streets. Starting and ending in Milan, this tour doesn’t forget the region’s wonderful cities, either.
This varied itinerary includes sights like Juliet’s balcony in Verona and La Scala Opera House in Milan, with plenty more in between. As part of Trafalgar’s Dive Into Culture initiative, there’s even the chance to celebrate all things Ferrari – past, present and future – at the Enzo Ferrari Museum, with its intriguing exhibitions and immersive Ferrari experiences in Modena.
Unique experiences
Be My Guest
Another of the tour’s most memorable encounters is the Be My Guest Experience where the local Serenelli family share an authentically cooked Italian meal from their farm near Lake Garda. As part of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™ concept, there’s a chance to learn about the farm’s incredible role in Napolean’s Battle of Solferino and how the bloody aftermath inspired Henry Dunant’s vision for the International Red Cross.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™
Anyone keen to explore the region through some of its finest produce will love the second MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™ encounter in the gastronomic hub of Modena. Here, in this charming town of pastel-hued façades (and, of course, the birthplace of Ferrari, Pavarotti and tortellini), a tasting experience of the town’s namesake biodynamic balsamic vinegar adds a final delicious touch to this tour.
Inspired to tour differently?
Visit Trafalgar.com, call 0800 533 5619 or contact your local Travel Agent.
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