There are great deals to be had if you know where to look
Yesterday, in Part 1 of this post, I wrote about Arthur Frommer's speech at the Adventures in Travel Expo that I attended last weekend in New York City. Frommer warned that passengers need to be wary of the extra charges being enforced by airlines and resorts in this "new era of à la carte travel pricing".
But there are many positive things happening as well.
Exploritas & Untours
Elderhostel, that esteemed organization that offers adventures in lifelong learning to older folks, is now inviting a new generation of lifelong learners to explore the world. They have a new name, Exploritas, and they have changed their age policy -- the minimum age has been eliminated. While they won't exactly be catering to 20-somethings, Frommer sees this as a real boon to older folks who want to take these trips with their 40 and 50-something children, or even their grandchildren.
"This is an extremely important development in the world of travel," Frommer says. "At from $125 to $150 a day, their programs are well-priced."
I haven't taken an Elderhostel trip (although now I'll be able to), but I've heard others say they are reasonably priced as well, with a learning component that most tours don't have. They're a great way to explore a new place while pursuing your interests.
Another company Frommer recommends now (and I think he always has) is Untours, where tourists (or should I say "untourists"?) can arrange one or two week stays in Europe in which they live like the locals in an apartment, cottage, or farmhouse.
The news? Untours has just started accommodating people in the United States and they're adding Buenos Aires as I write this.
Small group tour companies
Frommer is big on small group adventure tour companies, and I can understand why. It's nice to travel with a small group, you get to know your fellow travelers more quickly and you often stay in the small hotels that are unique to an area. Some companies that he recommends:
- Gap Adventures -- A world leader and innovator in sustainable adventure travel
- Djoser -- A Dutch company whose tours and safaris are designed for travelers who enjoy an active style of travel, nature exploration and authentic cultural experiences
- Intrepid Travel -- For travelers with a yearning to get off the beaten track
I want to learn more about Gap Adventures and Djoser. I've had my eye on Intrepid for some time and it appears Frommer likes them as well.
"Intrepid Travel makes no use of a bus or van," he says, "they use public transportation and stay in locally owned hotels and homes, and could run as little as $800 for a two-week tour."
China
To save money right now it's not enough to just pick the right travel company. "Smarter, cheaper, travel requires that you make the proper choice of destination," Frommer says. He suggests a visit to China with China Spree, who just announced a 10-day 5-city tour with air from San Francisco for only $999. Amazing.
The Chinese government has leaned on these companies to lower their prices due to the economic slowdown. "You here in this room are the first audience to learn about this deal," he said.
I recommend you contact China Spree right away if you're interested in this trip.
The three I's
Frommer said the top bargains in the months ahead will be for travel to the three "I's":
Both Iceland and Italy have suffered from the downturn much more than we have, he says, and their airlines,
Icelandair and
Aer Lingus are now offering a slew of bargains.
Try a fly/drive vacation to Ireland for $499, or a package to Iceland from November to March for $400.
"Rome is replacing London and Paris as the single greatest value in travel for the winter", he says, "due in fact to Eurofly, which only recently started overseas service."
The Caribbean and Mexico are still great bargains as well. Some places are virtually giving away their hotel rooms, they suffered so greatly from the downturn as well as the Swine flu scare.
Frommer recommends checking out Vacation Travel Mart, a Miami based company which offers packages to the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean and Mexican destinations. For South Africa, another value destination due to a favorable exchange rate, he suggests using the site 2Africa, and he likes Venere for Argentina.
Note: Frommer regularly reveals these kind of travel deals on his nightly travel blog. I also suggest you check out his new book, Ask Arthur Frommer, already a valued addition to my library. He also has a radio show with his daughter Pauline, on Sunday's at noon on WOR 710 AM (archived on the WOR News Talk Radio site).
Do you have any small group tour companies you could recommend? Have you traveled with the companies I've mentioned here? All comments are welcome!
Photo of Arthur Frommer at the Tattered Cover bookstore courtesy of photographer Brad Crooks of Tripping the Globe; Buenos Aires City Hall photo/Creative Commons; Venice photo courtesy of Freefoto.com photographer Ian Britton.