Everyone travels to the beat of their own drum, keeping step with personal priorities. Some seek out great architecture, romance, food and drink. Others simply want a place that’s friendly to shoe leather. According to the United States Tour Operators Association, Italy tops the list in all those categories.
Fifty-five percent of those responding to an informal USTOA survey of top tour companies said Italy’s architecture was best. Spain came in second, with 30 percent.
The Italians beat the French when it comes to Romance. 50 percent cited Italy as best romantic destination. More than 40 percent said it’s France.
The French took second seat to Italy as far as wine, dining and culinary experience too. A full 45 percent said Italy was tops. 20 percent of the tour operators gave France the nod, 13 percent Spain, and 12 percent California’s Napa Valley.
As for walking, Italy took top honors there too – followed by U.S. Western National Parks and Prague.
The survey offered some other interesting insights. Culture reigned supreme in France – so said more than 50 percent of those responding to USTOA’s poll. In this instance, Italy came in second, with 40 percent of the vote.
C’est la guerre.
When it comes to cities to entertain you, two of the big three might not be all that surprising. They’re London, and New York City. Then there’s the third: Rio de Janeiro.
History anyone? Egypt, the United Kingdom, and Israel led the list.
Shopping was a close call between New York City and Hong Kong. The Big Apple garnered one-third of the vote. Hong Kong had almost 30 percent. 25 percent of tour operators polled chose Italy.
Then there’s one of touring’s fastest-growing segments: adventure. Costa Rica Costa Rica and New Zealand were tops.
Indeed, USTOA, whose member operators arrange vacations for more than 11 million travelers each year, says people travel for lots of reasons. But, increasingly, one of them is adventure.
Consider this sampling of the kinds of sojourns tour operators serve up. Because people are perpetually time-strapped, each of these tours is under two-weeks.
If you’d ever thought of exploring the reaches of the remote Himalayas, perhaps the 17,000-foot Gyatsola Pass by Land Rover, here’s your chance. General Tours is offering a 10-day/nine-night adventure that begins in Lassa Tibet, and ventures across the Himalayas to Katmandu, Nepal. Along the way you drop in on Shigaste, New Tingri and Mt. Everest Base Camp. Included in the $2,999 price tag are best available hotels, 19 meals, privately-guided sightseeing, luggage handling and all on-tour transportation. Airfare is not included. Book by April 1 for travel through April 30.
Something closer to home perhaps, and a tad more accessible? Perhaps Latours’ nine-day, eight-night Costa Rican adventure qualifies. Visit surreal Arenal Volcano, then sky-walk or zip-line above a cloud forest. Greet the sunrise with a rainforest canoe ride in Tortuguera National Park. Book this $1,915 per-person package by April 15, and travel through June 30. Accommodations and internal flights are included in the price, as are eight breakfasts, four lunches, five dinners, and other activities.
Story by Jerry Chandler
