NATIVE AMERICAN TOURS “ADVENTURES IN HERITAGE”

BY CLAY LARROY

A vacation can soothe the soul and leave you renewed, refreshed, and invigorated. Whether you are just now starting to plan your next vacation, or are merely looking for travel ideas and suggestions, read all the articles about travel. So take away some of the stress of making travel plans, and get started thinking about the fun and relaxing times you will soon be having on your next trip! When you are ready to plan an exciting vacation contact me!

 

Thinking of yourself as a visitor or guest instead of as a tourist will give you a good starting point for being a responsible traveler. While on your tour, it is important to remember that the Earth is sacred to Native Americans and should be treated as such. Be respectful and do not disturb protected areas. Always ask permission before photographing anyone on pueblos and reservations and never photograph a religious ceremony. Dispose of your garbage properly and whenever possible take your waste with you when you leave. Do not, however, take things like artifacts, plants or rocks from tribal lands.

You will have opportunities on your journey to purchase Native American jewelry and art, but you will want to confer with your guides first since the market is overwhelmed by mass-produced fakes. Though it is illegal under current law to sell goods under the label "Native Made" if they are not, three quarters of the market still consists of foreign and domestic imitations. Buy directly from the artist whenever possible and please do not be tempted to bargain them down for their wares. Most handmade products are very labor intensive and for many Native Americans, this is their livelihood!

Your tour operator should be able to help you determine what to bring on the trip. The climate will vary greatly depending on where you are headed but as a starting point, you should remember to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat for daytime and a fleece jacket and a sweater for layering in case temperatures dip at night. Dress casually (t-shirts and jeans) and make sure to stow a solid pair of walking shoes. When it comes to fashion, dress sensibly since over-exposure of bare skin may be offensive to your hosts.

Your accommodations will be a big factor in determining what else you need to bring. Ranging from established hotel chains to log cabins in national parks to tipi camp circles, accommodations provided by a Native American tour operators vary depending on the operator and the trip. If you will be camping, you may need to bring camping gear. Some operators will provide this gear for you while others will not. Be sure to check. As for food, some operators offer three meals a day while others only provide lunch. If you have special dietary concerns, ask ahead of time to determine if they offer alternative meal options.

If you are traveling on an international scale, you will need a valid passport and sometimes a visa. Make sure to obtain these items well in advance of your travel dates. Before you leave, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web site for information on duty rates, policies on items bought while traveling and the latest information on security screening measures. To protect against baggage loss, trip cancellation or interruption and unexpected health emergencies, consider obtaining travel insurance.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to prepare for your trip is read up on the areas and tribes you will be visiting. If possible, learn a few words in the native language. Many travelers prefer to dive into their adventures without doing such research but when it comes to this kind of cultural travel, knowledge and awareness are crucial. Not only will this enhance your enjoyment of the trip but it will also provide you with an opportunity to ask informed questions of your guide and this will provide a foundation for meaningful interaction.

Now go make those plans. Don’t just read about history. Live it!

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

Humility is probably the most difficult virtue to realize.

— Thomas Yellowtail, Crow

Experience life by traveling with friends and family!

NATIVE AMERICAN TOURS “ADVENTURES IN HERITAGE”

 BY CLAY LARROY

It doesn't matter if you take a trip across the state line or the border, being far from home can be exciting and also a bit stressful. When considering traveling, it is important to think of the best mode of travel. Traveling by car can offer many more sights and opportunities for side trips. Traveling by train can offer a chance to relax and get some work done if they wanted. Planes can cover ground fast but don't allow much movement and one cannot get off the plane in flight. Each mode of travel has its own advantages and disadvantages to be considered. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Cherokee. Navajo. Apache. Sioux. Shawnee. Iroquois. The names of these brave tribes spark the imagination and conjure up all sorts of connotations, with different associations for different people. You want to know more. Where did these people live? How did they live?? Living history! These are the buzzwords in Native American travel. Nothing happens in a vacuum; the days of the past have helped to shape our lives as they are today. Native American travel allows us to explore that history. Perhaps you"re interested in genealogy and have traced your heritage back to the first people of America. Now imagine a visit to the very roots of your family tree!

From tracing Custer and Sitting Bull"s movements on the Little Bighorn battlefield to a priceless education in the lifestyle and culture of those who came before us, travel in this category has much to offer. You"ll find the thrill of adventure, the allure of history and unbounded potential for personal growth as well. Bring a dream journal! You might find that your subconscious mind becomes quite active on your Native American journey.

While this article discusses tours and travel revolving around visits to Native American lands, it is important to note that there are a number of organizations offering long-term volunteer opportunities to live and work on these lands. Individuals interested in such a hands-on experience would likely be helping to construct homes on reservations ravaged by a severe housing crisis or involved in indigenous youth education programs. This type of travel can be incredibly rewarding, especially for the solo traveler who is interested in exploring the relationship with the land which is a hallmark of Native American travel.

While it is possible to plan a trip to Native American lands independently, joining a tour ensures that you have access to areas which may be off limits to the public. As with any type of specialty travel, tour operators come in all shapes and sizes. Trips vary from half-day outings to 14-day full immersion treks. To ensure an authentic experience, it is best to select a tour operator who works directly with the Native American people you will be visiting. This not only ensures that your hosts are paid fairly for sharing their land and time with you, but it usually means that you will have an indigenous guide to bring the tour to life. Since the last thing you want is to join a "drive by" expedition which promptly whisks you through the tribal lands to the gift shop on the other side, you might consider a tour company directly owned and operated by Native Americans. Though the group size will vary depending on the tour operator, the more authentic and therefore desirable tours involve smaller groups. These operators are generally committed to the spirit of cultural exchange and encourage a deeper understanding of the Native American way of life.

The best place to begin planning your Native American vacation is with your travel consultant. Capable travel consultants have a wealth of inside information on tour operators that will prove invaluable as you plan. Using the best possible tour operators will protect your investment in your vacation. Provide your travel agent with your budget and geographical preferences, so that he or she can search for the best possible values on air and ground packages.

First ask yourself, what is the scope of the trip? The United States offers a great diversity of destinations for exploring Native American culture. In fact, the U.S. is home to more than 550 indigenous nations, reservations, pueblos, rancherias and villages. Most tours operate out of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, the Dakotas, Colorado, New York and Tennessee. These states are steeped in Native American history and, depending on where you live they could even make for a nice day trip in the car. Since many of the tour operators in the U.S. are based in the southwest where the winters are temperate, just about any time of year is a good time to go. Why not take a family trip over the holidays this year instead of fighting the summer crowds?

Many people associate Native American culture with North America but Central and South America have a lot to offer as well. Touring outside of the United States allows you to visit ancient Mayan, Aztec and Incan civilizations. Some of these sites are located near popular tourist destinations, giving you a chance to visit the beach and combine your Native American vacation with a more traditional one. Keep in mind, flying to a foreign country does increase the complexity and planning time needed for your trip.

Another key consideration for your planning will be the fitness level of your group. Many Native American tours combine history and culture with hiking or bike riding while others transport groups on horseback or in Jeeps, so you will want to consult with your travel companions to make sure everyone is comfortable with any physical activity involved. Some tours are adults-only affairs while others cater to the young ones, so if you are bringing children, be sure to inquire about your tour operator’s policy.

Feel free to ask your travel consultant lots of questions and make sure that the tour operator’s service is a good match for your interests.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

Children learn from what they see. We need to set an example of truth and action.

- Howard Rainer, Taos Pueblo-Creek (2012)

Travel to experience life and create spectacular memories!

ECO TOURISTS, “RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL”

BY CLAY LARROY

We lead such busy lives working, going to school, taking children to different activities that often we do not stop and talk to our children. We usually do not have time to sit around the dinner table and ask our children what they did today. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Families that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience.  When you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!

More than green sentiments, what these diverse ecotourism activities have in common is a real commitment to sustaining the people, culture and wildlife that make their destination unique. But consumers should beware that the buzzword "ecotourism" is all too often thrown around carelessly. Many tour operators bill themselves as eco but in reality do not live up to the label. That’s why it’s important to understand ecotourism before you make your travel plans, and also why it’s important to use a travel consultant who is familiar with tour operator reputations. By making responsible consumer decisions before and during your travel, you can help change the face of tourism and make it a force for empowering people around the world, rather than exploiting them.

Here are some questions you can ask to determine if your eco lodge or tour operator is really committed to the principles of ecotourism, or is just greenwashing you. First, ask your travel consultant to assist with determining if the tour operator has a written policy concerning the community and the environment. Can they point to any concrete contributions they’ve made to the community, such as conservation projects or partnerships with community charities? Do they heat their buildings using solar or other renewable energy sources, also considering that firewood contributes to deforestation? Do they treat their own wastewater, or do they pump it out into local wetlands? If they can answer these questions satisfactorily, it shows they take ecotourism seriously.

But remember that a genuine Eco tourist establishment must be equally committed to people as to plants and wildlife. Inquire how many locals they employ, and what positions they fill - are they managers or bellboys? What percent of their products and services come from within a 25 miles radius? Do they offer local tour guides? A local guide, in addition to being an unparalleled source of information, can help you interact with the locals in a culturally sensitive manner. What opportunities do they offer you, the visitor, to become involved in the community (such as volunteering at a local school or clinic)? Do they offer a library, workshops or other resources that encourage visitors to educate themselves about the local culture? The more you know about the destination, the more you will appreciate your stay.

Tour operators often have access to remote, environmentally sensitive areas that may be difficult or impossible to reach for tourists traveling independently. Some operators may offer day excursions starting from a nearby town or hotel. If you sign up for a complete Eco tour vacation package, be sure to ask what exactly is included in the cost and what will be an additional expense (i.e., park entrance fees or tips for guides and drivers). Most Eco tour companies offer small group or family excursions. If you will be traveling in a group with people previously unknown to you, many tour operators can match you according to similar age, interests or fitness levels.

Your eco lodge or tour operator can recommend what clothing and gear to bring, and your travel agent can help you with visa, passport, medical, and insurance arrangements, if needed.

To get the most out of your ecotourism vacation, read up on your destination as much as possible beforehand. If you can study the language or learn a few useful words and phrases, even better. Travel slowly and immerse yourself in the destination and its people. Sit outside and sip a local beverage while watching daily life flow by, or join a group that allows you to contribute something. If it’s safe, walk through the streets beyond the designated tourist zones and talk to the locals, who might appreciate the effort. If you do volunteer work with children or the poor, don’t go in with the attitude that you are saving the world - you may learn far more from them than they will from you!

When you return home, you’ll find that a new, global perspective can be the most valuable souvenir of all... more than any picture you snapped or trinket you bought on the street.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.

– Freya Stark

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!

ECO TOURISTS, “RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL”

BY CLAY LARROY

The preparation for a vacation is almost as exhilarating as the vacation itself. I love printing out the tickets and confirmations while thinking about how much fun I will have on vacation. I enjoy researching all the sights at the location I will see once I arrive at my destination. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

The costs of traditional tourism are rising, and we are not just talking about the price of airfare and hotel rooms. Tourist development frequently comes at the cost of the cultural and environmental integrity of the local population. In this way, the mass-market tourist industry is often guilty of destroying the very destinations it seeks to promote.

Ecotourism differs from mainstream tourism in that it helps sustain, rather than exploit, the natural beauty and cultural diversity of tourist destinations. Ecotourism is a broad term and often misused, especially in travel advertising. The most widely accepted definition is that offered by the International Ecotourism Society, which defines ecotourism as: "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." Ecotourism promotes an interdependent relationship between tourists and tourist destinations, allowing tourists to contribute something to the communities they visit, in addition to taking away a richer travel experience. In this way, ecotourism promises to reunite the positive idea of a traveler, with the mostly negative label of tourist.

The Ecotourism trend is taking off due to a new generation of responsible travelers who are increasingly unsatisfied by the artificial, packaged-paradise travel experience that most tour operators offer. Coming from modern consumer cultures, these travelers crave authenticity. They want to experience the culture beyond the resort, to step out from behind their camera lenses and have meaningful interactions with the local people.

Contrary to popular belief, ecotourism is accessible to everyone. Ecotourism is often wrongly associated with adventure and wilderness travel, and the popular image of Eco tourists as youthful backpackers with dreadlocks can be misleading. In reality, many Ecotourism options are available for people of all ages and levels of physical fitness. And don’t think you have to venture far from home - city, state, and national parks can be models of ecotourism. You can be an Eco tourist just as easily in New York City as in Timbuktu.

The first step in planning an ecotourism vacation is finding eco-friendly accommodations. Your travel consultant can assist with finding reputable Eco tour, tour operators and packages that include eco-friendly lodging. Eco lodges range from 5-star luxury hotels to simple thatched huts. For the budget traveler in tropical climates, some even offer the economic option of a hammock slung between two palm trees! Many eco lodges have spas, where you can help (or at least not harm) the planet while enjoying a traditional herbal steam bath or massage. Note that smaller eco lodges may require booking well in advance.

For exploring your destination, ecotourism offers many exciting alternatives. In addition to well-known outdoor Eco tours (trekking in the Amazon, biking in the Outback, or cruising around the Galapagos), ecotourism includes volunteer tourism. Some of these tours, awkwardly dubbed Pro Poor or Poverty Alleviation tours, give tourists an opportunity to assist in international aid projects, such as distributing food and medicine or teaching English to children. Other volunteer tours involve tourists in environmental projects: elephant conservation in Thailand or researching Mexico’s endangered coral reefs.

Another off-beat option is a farm stay. Some farm stays are simply Bed and Breakfasts on a farm. Others educate their guests about organic farming techniques and allow them to participate in daily farm life.

Many tour operators will also arrange special interest tours. Themes include painting, yoga, meditation, bird watching, pottery, crafts and indigenous peoples. In the later case, it’s especially important to hire an experienced local guide or tour company. They will help you navigate culturally sensitive terrain and avoid offending or intruding on the indigenous community.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

– Marcel Proust

Travel to create marvelous memories for you and your family or friends!

AMAZING WINE COUNTRY TOURS

BY CLAY LARROY

Traveling can be an important part of your life, whether for business or for pleasure. Take time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. With all the chaos, jet-lag, partying and other excitement of travel comes a whole lot of stress on your mind and body. By the time most vacations are over, another one is needed to recover so taking a few minutes each day to rejuvenate will make it easier for you to resume your normal life when it's all over. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Considerations

Tell your travel consultant if you would prefer to travel independently or with a fully-guided tour group. In an independent setting, your agent will create an itinerary of wineries to tour, as well as any special events to attend, transportation, and lodging. You will then be on your own to follow the itinerary, which offers a great deal of flexibility.

A fully-guided tour provides you and other travelers with a knowledge-packed tour of the wine region. You will not have to worry about transportation, and the itinerary will include fixed times to visit wineries and other attractions as well as some free time to enjoy the wineries on your own. A fully-guided tour is an excellent choice for those who are going to regions so large that the options can be overwhelming, or for those who would rather leave transportation and other logistics to someone else. In addition, most tour companies provide a multilingual tour guide able to speak both English and the language of the region.

Remember, too, that you can travel a little more creatively. Hike or bike your way through wine country, and have an experience you could never get from a car or bus!

Prepare for your journey by reading about the region and its wines. Your travel consultant will obtain any materials from your tour operator to assist your studies, including maps, itineraries or brochures. If you’re going to a region where you don’t speak the language, learn a few choice phrases in the language before you go as a courtesy to your hosts.

If you are planning to purchase a lot of wine while you are on your trip and want to ship it back home, research your home’s laws concerning importing alcohol from outside the country. Your wine could sit in customs for days or weeks before delivery, and in the heat of summer, wines could go bad while they are waiting to be delivered.

Many of the great wine regions offer seasonal festivals when it is time to bring out the new wines. Bigger wineries will hold their own festivals, while smaller wineries will often team with others in the region and have a festival where guests can taste the new offerings from all of the wineries in the same location. Travelers who time their wine tours right have a chance to experience a true cultural celebration. Many wine regions also offer activities such as spas, cooking classes, museums, arts and crafts festivals, music festivals and other events - just ask your agent what’s available.

Most wine regions also offer restaurants that showcase both local cuisine and wineries. Also note the growing trend for restaurants that allow you to bring a bottle of your own - visit wineries during the day and choose a favorite bottle or two to enjoy with your meal in the evening.

It’s impossible to come away from a wine tour without also getting a lesson in local culture. Most winery owners are not only passionate about their wine; they are also passionate about the land and region that supports their lifestyle. It is not unusual to hear about an immigrant family that bought a piece of property years ago and was told by their neighbors that they could never operate a successful winery on the land - and who eventually proved them wrong.

Those who choose a wine tour come away with much more than just a few new bottles of wine. They leave having experienced a deeper cultural appreciation of wine and those who make it.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

I am a passionate traveler, and from the time I was a child, travel formed me as much as my formal education.

David Rockefeller

Travel to experience life!

AMAZING WINE COUNTRY TOURS

BY CLAY LARROY

Make The Most Of Your Travel Experiences. Taking a cruise is a great way to see many different places when you travel. Cruises offer many activities and things to do while on the ship, while offering you the opportunity to explore different locations each time you arrive at a port. Travel is a great opportunity to learn more things. Time spent abroad helps you understand and appreciate diverse cultures. In addition, it encourages an acceptance and tolerance of ways of life that differ from your own. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

A tour of any of the great wine country regions of the world is an opportunity to explore culture, history, cuisine and wine in a single trip. Without exception, the scenery is beautiful, the people passionate, and the wine - nothing short of phenomenal.

What is a wine tour? It’s a tour through a region that has developed a substantial vineyard and winery presence. Usually, a wine tour consists of visiting the wineries and tasting rooms to sample their current wines, often paired with food. Sometimes, a tour of the winery itself is included, and visitors can see where the wine is grown, processed, barreled, aged and eventually bottled.

Most people would first think of areas like the Napa Valley region of California or the Burgundy region of France as ideal locations for wine tours, and that’s with good reason, as those are outstanding locations. However, there are vineyards the world-over. For the majority of United States travelers, wine regions are within a few hours driving distance of their homes or an easy weekend fly-drive retreat, providing plenty of options. And if you are looking for a truly great epicurean vacation, you’ll pleasantly discover that the experience ends up being about much more than the wine.

A number of tour operators specialize in regional wine country tours. Chances are, your travel consultant has access to excellently priced tours of wine regions throughout the world, offering a variety of accommodations from luxurious villas to budget hotels. In many wine regions, wineries have formed ‘wine trails’ to make it easy for visitors to find the participating wineries and to sample the wines. Often, tour operators can provide discounted passes to each of the tasting rooms at the different wineries. Along with a good travel consultant, you are sure to create experiences that would be hard to find on your own. On the best tours, you’ll discover small, unknown producers, meet top winemakers and in some cases, even receive an invitation into a home of a Vigneron. Top tour operators can give you the opportunity to enjoy meals and tastings as guests of the estates - just one example of the kind of event often not available if you travel on your own, even if you visit the same cellars. However, many tour operators can even arrange independent, self-drive opportunities with the same privileges as their group tours.

Top Regions to Tour

If you want to tour some of the finest wineries and taste some of the world’s finest wines, certain regions are considered the regions to tour. They consistently produce excellent wines year after year, and some have been doing so for literally thousands of years.

Tuscan, Italy – Italy’s most famous wine region has over 157,000 acres of vineyards throughout its picturesque countryside. The Italians have been making wine for thousands of years, and Italy boasts the largest output of wine in the world. Its climate and soil are ideal for growing grapes, and nowhere is the setting more ideal than Tuscany. The region is most famous for producing Chianti, a wine that pairs naturally with most Italian foods.

Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone, France - France has many wine growing regions, and each is worth a visit. The Burgundy region is especially popular because it is legendary for producing both excellent red and white wines. The rich history of wine making dates back to when the Romans first invaded the area. Visitors can tour old and new wineries that produce several well-known wines like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Beaujolais.

Australia - In the past few decades, Australia has emerged as one of the fastest growing wine regions in the world. Although many wineries have been around for over a hundred years, the public has only recently taken a serious interest in this region. More than 70 wineries in the New South Wales region are located just a few hours’ drive from Sydney. Wineries here are best known for producing excellent Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.

USA - In the United States, the most popular region is certainly California’s Napa Valley, which is also one of the world’s newer wine regions. Its wine making history dates back less than 200 years, but those years have seen the birth of more than 260 wineries famous for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Not to be outdone, however, Oregon, Washington State and New York all boast thriving wine industries and vineyards. Smaller regions include the Texas Hill Country, as well as areas in Connecticut, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Germany - German wines have historically been mostly white, made from Riesling grapes more suited to the northern climate. German wines are produced around the Rhine and its tributaries, and the vineyards are sheltered by mountains so steep that while they catch the most sunlight, they are difficult to harvest mechanically. Germany’s 13 regions include Ahr, Baden, Franken, Hessische Bergstrasse, Mittelrhein, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Nahe, Pfalz, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Saale-Unstrut, Sächsische Weinstrasse and Württemberg.

South Africa - Cape Town is the trailhead of the South African vineyards. The local wine industry has become a global force, producing approximately 3% of the world’s wine production, ranking as 9th largest producer in the world. New wineries are opening at a fast clip. Pinot Noir and Reisling varietals are predominant.

But this list is far from comprehensive. Chile, Spain, Portugal and dozens of other countries have robust wine economies where local vineyards have adapted varietals to changing climates and soil conditions.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.

Samuel Johnson

Live Well, Laugh Often and Travel Much!

BEER AND PUB TOURS

BY Clay Larroy

Travel is so much more that simply hopping on a flight to a new destination. If you plan it correctly, it could be a thrilling time you'll never forget. Planning a trip is fun as there are tons of things to do and see. Do you know how to plan a trip effectively? Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carryon bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 Beer and Pub Tours

Soaking up a Culture

Many cities in Europe have organized "pub crawls" ("pub" being a shortened form of the term "public house", indicating a tavern licensed to sell alcohol) that use the atmosphere of the pubs as a way to meet new friends and introduce patrons to new bars. The most famous of all the pub crawls may be the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, themed around the haunts of James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Brendan Behan. These highly festive occasions are led by professional actors performing the works of the writers in various pub venues around the city.

If you are looking for something with a bit more information regarding the history of beer itself, then taking a brewery tour is a great option. In Dublin, for example, a visit to the Guinness Storehouse is great fun. Arthur Guinness began brewing in Dublin in 1759, and Guinness has grown to be one of the most successful brands in history, generating modern day revenues of two billion pounds a year. As you travel through the St. James Gates into the Storehouse, head up to the Gravity Bar for a free taste and magnificent views of Dublin, and along the way learn about the brewing process from start to finish in all its glorious details.

Deciding on when and where to go can be a difficult decision, and your decisions will focus on how much of your vacation you want to be centered around beer. If you simply want to go on a few brewery tours or are curious about beer, then negotiating the crowds of Munich during Oktoberfest might not be the best idea. Instead, go where you can experience as little or as much beer culture as you want. Destinations like Dublin, London or Brussels are ideal and permit others in your party to indulge in plenty of other activities like shopping or sightseeing. Ask your travel consultant about "shoulder" and "low season" rates. During off-peak travel times, rates are almost always available at a sizeable discount over high season. The crowds are fewer, the prices better and the atmosphere in many destinations is much more intimate. However, the trade-off in weather and climate may be more than enough for you to decide to do your beer and pub studies during peak travel times.

Although many beer tours will allow younger people on tours of their facilities, there are often prohibitions on the consumption of any alcohol by persons under the age of 18. Also, be aware that while the US has a higher drinking age than most of Europe, this is not universally the case. Generally, holidays centered on beer festivals are only suitable for adults. If you intend on visiting breweries and pubs and you have children, definitely ask your travel agent to help you consider the proper logistics for your visit.

Need we suggest to a worldly person such as yourself that one of the first considerations of a beer and pub tour is that you drink in moderation? Overdoing it on the first day will only reduce your enjoyment of the holiday, as well as damage your health and potentially your relationship with any non-drinking traveling companion. Beer outside the United States often contains a higher alcohol concentration, so enjoy in moderation or suffer the consequences! But with that in mind...

So many beers, so little time. 

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

“Roam abroad in the world, and take thy fill of its enjoyments before the day shall come when thou must quit it for good.” 
― Saadi

Experience life by traveling with friends and family!

BEER AND PUB TOURS

BY Clay Larroy

Traveling can be a great way to meet new people and experience other cultures. New friends are waiting to meet you in places you have only dreamed of traveling. It can be a wonderful way to see all that the world has to offer. Travel can be a hobby and an adventure that will lead you to unexpected places.  When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Beer and Pub Tours

Soaking up a Culture

When deciding on a short holiday or tour, it can be hard to choose between soaking up a destination’s culture and going out to have fun and party. If you like beer, you can do both at once. Beer has never been more popular than now, and brewery and pub tours give you an opportunity to enjoy great companionship while discovering an area’s culture and history. Beer festivals and tours are becoming increasingly popular additions to a holiday, especially with groups of friends who travel together. You no longer need to separate your holiday time into culture and entertainment. Beer tours come in many forms, from tasting exotic brews at a small pub to tours of large breweries, or even full-scale beer festivals. Whatever you fancy trying, there is something to tickle the taste buds of all beer enthusiasts.

No visit to many of the great cities of Ireland and the United Kingdom would be complete without visiting their famous and historic pubs. The culture surrounding pubs is a tradition in many countries and an important part of the social order. Pubs are often community meeting places where all manner of politics, religion and important matters are vigorously debated.

Although you might love beer and have sampled most varieties, you may not have much of an idea about the processes involved and the history behind a manufacturer. Beer and brewing has helped in part to shape many societies across the world. Beer and pub tours can provide a solid history lesson, which is why many tour operators also offer literary pub tours, walking tours and day tours centered around a city’s pub culture. You will also, of course, get to try some great beer and food along the way. Whether you are mad about beer or just enjoy the odd pint, a beer tour or holiday is for you if:

• You like to try new beers and would like to learn more about the brewing process
• You enjoy socializing with new people and having a good time
• You want to experience the atmosphere and traditions of a country or city, including their food and drink
• Oktoberfest sounds like heaven

You can choose from so many different types of beer tours and holidays: whether you want to take a few days and relax while sipping a new drink in a pub or you want to really learn about how beer is made and the culture and history behind it, making a pub or brewery crawl part of your holiday is the stuff of many a great travel tale. Wherever you go, have your travel consultant check into organized pub and beer tours as well as find the best areas to sample the local flavor. In either scenario, your agent should be able to find excellent travel opportunities and rates to help simplify your choices. Packaged prices for hotel accommodations and airfares are typically available to travel consultants at discounted rates through tour operators. In addition, your agent will have plenty of resources to help make your time on vacation efficient and well spent.

The many types of beer tours cater to a variety of different needs, budgets and appetites. If you are short on time and want to tour an area, then a simple pub or bar tour where you can sample the local products is a great way to get started. You can organize these tours yourself by doing research, or just strolling from one place to another. Many tour operators provide beer and pub tours on a designated tour route. In some countries, such as Ireland and Scotland, stops can be made at local distilleries to sample whiskey -; or whisky -; depending on your location. Old Middleton Distillery close to Killarney, Ireland, is where you can taste some Jamesons. Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry, Scotland is the place to sample a fine single malt whisky from that country’s smallest distillery.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

“I can speak to my soul only when the two of us are off exploring deserts or cities or mountains or roads.” 
― Paulo Coelho

Travel to experience life with those you love!