Imprint Tours

2012 Survey Results

Reid Coen — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:32:41 +0000

In February we conducted a survey. Based on the results, we are announcing our calendar for future tours. Thank you to all of you who participated. The results have given us excellent feedback for future planning. We were pleasantly surprised at the high level of participation and the consistency of responses in a couple of key areas. We asked for feedback regarding the ideal length of tours, the frequency of likely participation, inhibiting and encouraging factors of participation (cost, length, destination), specifically when we should go to Egypt, and a ranking of potential future destinations. Based on the survey response, we’ve made the following decisions.

Tour frequency: Every other year for primary destinations (see below). Repeat destinations and “boutique” offerings (lower priority destinations; easily arranged; smaller groups) will be scheduled in off years.

Tour length: Two-week tours with optional extensions.

Future Destinations

Thailand is already scheduled…

Reid’s ETBD spring schedule

Reid Coen — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:09:07 +0000

For those of you who have inquired, and anyone else who may be interested, I have received my spring schedule from Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door. I will be leading a Best of Europe tour, commencing May 6; Berlin, Prague, & Vienna commencing May 28; and a second Berlin, Prague, & Vienna commencing June 11. I believe there are seats available on all three tours. It would be great to see some familiar faces! Reid

New Zealand Part III – Australia

Reid Coen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:22:38 +0000

[As an adjunct to our New Zealand tour we spent 3 nights in Sydney Australia.]

We arrived at Sydney airport on schedule at 2:30PM. We were whisked away by bus for a driving tour of the city. I had been a bit skeptical about a city coach tour but immediately felt rewarded by the decision. Sydney is a world-class city with multiple sights and activities – and it is well spread out. We would have seen only a fraction of the city had we not taken the bus tour. We started with the CBD (central business district), a clean and well organized mix of modern skyscrapers and older, sandstone buildings. We got out at the Sydney Observatory – a great place for photos of the Harbour Bridge and downtown skyline. A second stop at Dawes Point provided vistas of Circular Quay and the Opera House.

New Zealand II – South Island

Reid Coen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:48:14 +0000

Recently I posted an account of our experiences on New Zealand’s north island from our January tour. After Auckland, Waitomo Cave, Otorohanga, a homestay, and the thermal wonders and Maori culture of Rotorua we were ready for the natural splendors of the south island.

Our 5th day in NZ began with a morning flight to Queenstown and the south island. The weather was mostly cloudy but we got tantalizing glimpses of alpine lakes and the Southern Alps (used as the Misty Mountains in the Lord of the Rings movies). Queenstown (QT) has a western, sporty, welcoming vibe and a great energy. Activity centers in a pedestrian core and along the waterfront. The three pedestrian streets are interconnected by numerous passageways, all lined with eateries and boutique shops, making for fun explorations. Restaurants and bars compete with adventure sports outlets and souvenir shops for tourist…

Imprint News

Reid Coen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:27:27 +0000

Imprint Tours is pleased to announce our 2013 Tantalizing Thailand tour, Jan. 27 to Feb. 9, 2013. Come join us for two weeks in this amazing Southeast Asian gem! Details available on the website Tours page – click on the tab at the top of this page. To whet your appetite check out the photo gallery from the 2008 Thailand tour under the photo category on this page.

For those of you in the Seattle area, Reid is speaking on Thailand at Wide World Books and Maps, Wallingford on Tues. Feb. 28 at 7:00PM and again at The Savvy Traveler, Edmonds on Sat. March 31 at 1:00PM (and New Zealand that same day at 10:00AM).

New Zealand Photo Gallery

Reid Coen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:23:06 +0000

These images taken on Imprint Tours’ 2012 New Zealand tour. The image sequence roughly reflects the itinerary of the tour.

Thailand Tour Photo Gallery

Reid Coen — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:02:32 +0000

These images taken on Imprint Tour’s 2008 Tantalizing Thailand Tour – the sequence roughly equates the tour itinerary.

Imprint New Zealand Tour (part I)

Reid Coen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:08:55 +0000

Imprint Tours’ first foray to the southern hemisphere was a huge success. Our intrepid group of 23 travelers enjoyed a fabulous 2 weeks in New Zealand and Sydney, Australia. Every new tour I do develops its own “theme”. For NZ, that theme was Natural Wonders and Natural Warmth. The spectacle of glowworm caves, geo-thermal wonders, and the stunning scenery and wildlife of the south island were matched only by the genuine friendliness and hospitality of the Kiwis themselves. Throw in some great entertainment (the Kiwis know how to put on a show), a homestay, wine tasting, great meals, some Maori connections, and the world-class city of Sydney and you have the recipe for a great tour.

We began our adventure in Auckland with a morning driving tour of the city. We crossed the famous harbor bridge for views from the other side, stopped for a photo op…

Travel Synchronicity

Reid Coen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:38:22 +0000

Last year I wrote about travel serendipity – the kind where fate seems to conspire to place the right person in your path at the right moment. I have had that experience often with Imprint Tours, the travel gods providing me the right local partner for developing tours in Thailand or India. Since I wrote that article I bumped into an old friend, also in the travel business, who set me up with just the right travel partners for creating our pending New Zealand tour. But I want to write about a different kind of travel serendipity today. The kind where one is abroad, miles from home, and seemingly randomly, you bump into someone you know. The odds seem fantastically against such chance encounters, yet they happen. And it seems that everyone has more than one similar story to tell. Additionally, in my experience, it seems these “random” meetings provide…

Reid’s Speaking Schedule

Reid Coen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:12 +0000

Hello Imprint travelers! For those of you in the Seattle area I thought I’d let you know about my next few speaking engagements. This Saturday, Nov. 19, 9:00AM I’ll be speaking about Greece at the Rick Steves Travel Festival (http://www.ricksteves.com//news/classes/nov11_menu.htm). Later that day (1:00PM) I’ll be doing a talk on Thailand at the Savvy Traveler, also in Edmonds. (http://www.savvytravelerstore.com)

In December, I’ll be speaking on Venice, Florence, and Rome at the Edmonds Theater (ETBD sponsored; http://www.ricksteves.com//news/classes/class_menu.htm) at 10:00AM.

We are planning for an Imprint Thailand tour in January 2013. If that sounds interesting, this Saturday is a perfect time to come and find out more. I’d love to see some familiar faces.