New Year...New Tours for 2013

Congratulations! Now that we've all survived the "end of the world" and the fiscal cliff, we're back in the full swing of things here at New Horizons Travel. Looking forward to the new year, we found some extraordinary trips our tour operators are cooking up. The December 2012's issue of VacationAgent highlighted some extraordinary trips for 2013 - here are some of our favorites and what we think of them.

Abercrombie and Kent: Think Abercrombie and Kent is out of your price range? Think again. Starting 2013, A&K will feature "its new Connections programs, which offers streamlined and lower-priced version of A&K tours." What's driving the cost of these programs and making them more affordable...another words, what will you be losing out on? Good question. With a price cut, expect that group sizes will be larger (which usually translates into less personalized service), accommodations may be four- and five-star properties but they may not be in the city center, and some exclusive tours may not be included.
OUR VERDICT: You're still traveling with one of the best tour operators in the industry and in preserving the A&K name, the accommodations and tours will still be remarkable.

Brendan Vacations: While A&K are expanding to a more budgeted crowd, Brendan Vacation is starting to cater to a niche market who are looking for experiences off the beaten track. The new line, Boutique Journeys feature smaller size groups to more than 30 destinations: from Africa and China to Colombia, Iceland and Myanmar.
OUR VERDICT: We highly recommend experiencing exotic destinations in small groups. You'll be able to participate in tours that are exclusive simply because the many sightseeing areas cannot accommodate large numbers of people. Unfortunately, we have not received any word on pricing.

Classic Vacations: Are you heading to Europe, Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean in 2013? Classic Vacation is has added 84 new hotels to their lineup including the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto.
OUR VERDICT: We're excited to see a full list of the new hotels available through Classic Vacations!

Collette Vacations: Africa seems to be the hot destination for 2013 and Collette Vacations is on board with the trend. In its Exploration series, Collette has added four new programs including a notable African safari. The 13-night "Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana" features seven wildlife safaris, traditional dinners and dancing, storytelling, and even a meeting with a witch doctor!
OUR VERDICT: The low price makes this vacation a good value with all of the activities you go to Africa to experience.

Cox and Kings: While Collette focuses on Africa, Cox and Kings is rolling out the red carpet for travelers to Asia. Step off the beaten path to Mongolia, Burma or Bhutan. Better yet (or not) - step out to North Korea.
OUR VERDICT: Mongolia, Bhutan, and Burma are interesting places to visit and who better than the oldest tour operator, Cox and Kings. As for North Korea, we'll pause.

Globus: We've seen Globus evolve and re-brand itself a few times over the past several years. Now they are pushing towards "sight-experiencing" rather than "sightseeing." The company is introducing their new line, Local Favorites which provides travelers with "local flavors and behind-the-scene journeys." The new line has 11 new programs.
OUR VERDICT: This notion of experience rather than seeing has been played over many times in the travel industry as social media continues to expand. No longer do travelers stop at chain restaurants for foods they are accustomed to but instead use apps such as Yelp to map out the best local places to eat. Thus, traveling has become a hunt the exotic, the extraordinary, and the hidden gems...all making for an "experience."

MLT Vacations: You might have not heard of MLT and that's because they only source to travel agents. Well, lucky you, we get to unveil their new additions for 2013! MLT has added a new airline brand to its lineup: Aeromexico Vacations. With this addition comes packages to major leisure destinations in Mexico, Central America and South America.
OUR VERDICT: This gives us one more tour operator to use when we compare pricing for you.  More competition means lower prices for your vacation package.

Tauck: Are you ready to walk with the lions? Tauck is featuring a new 11-night vacation to Africa that includes a chance to walk with juvenile lions at the Lion Rehabilitation/Reintroduction Center in Zambia.
OUR VERDICT: The travel industry is undoubtedly a highly competitive industry and one with a low barrier to entry so we see a long list of operators. So finding new and exciting, never-been-done-before destinations is a race to market!

Trafalgar: Trafalgar is offering three new tours to their Inspired Vacations line - one for history buffs, one for garden lovers, and one for foodies.
OUR VERDICT: Eat, Mulch, and be Studious






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