Taking Off

Affordable Private Tours

By Charlotte on August 1, 2010 1:05 PM

Bob and I are aching for an adventure. We've set our sights on Rome, Florence, Venice and maybe even the Italian countryside.

To get the most out of our dream vacation, we're perusing guidebooks, studying Italian phrases (Dove si trova la toilette?) and setting the mood with favorite films: Under the Tuscan Sun, A Room with a View and Roman Holiday.

 

We're also asking:

·         Friends for their must-dos

·         Travel agents how we can make our trip extraordinary.

 

Jeff Willner, founder of Kensington Tours, says one of today's top travel trends has less to do with "where" people go and more to do with "how" they travel. He sees a continuing trend toward more 'experiential' travel followed by an increased demand for tailor-made experiences that satisfy travelers' exact wishes.

 

That sounds right up our alley. We're eager to experience Italy and other exotic destinations. We need an affordable option but we're not traditional group-travel material. Like many boomers, we want the freedom to travel our way.

 

A private guided-tour company like Kensington Tours, which offers customized itineraries to more than 80 countries, could be the answer. "Veterans of group tours are discovering private tours with their own guide and vehicle, and telling us they'll never travel any other way again," Jeff explains.

 

With Kensington, our personalized visit to Italy could include the highlights of Rome, the Amalfi Coast's Positano, Ravello and the island of Capri. Or, if we get more daring, we could choose:

·         A Kenyan motorcycle safari through Nairobi, Lake Naivasha and the legendary Masai Mara.

·         An exploration of Argentina with tours of world-renowned wineries, authentic cuisine and tango lessons.

·         Walking like an Egyptian, complete with camel rides, a Nile cruise, a desert safari, a quadrunner ride, beach time in Sharm El Sheikh and more.

·         Kensington's National Geographic award-winning 14-day China Family Adventure with visits to Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Longsheng and Shanghai and Tai Chi lessons, Kung Fu shows, cooking classes, biking trips and rock climbing along the way.

 

Ranging from $200 to $2,000+ per person per day, Kensington Tours' excursions have been termed "luxury without the high price tag" by the editors of National Geographic Adventure.

 

"Most people have a misconception that private tours are only for the wealthy," Jeff says. "They're surprised we offer tours that suit a wide range of budgets - three-, four- and five-star options. In fact, many are up to 30 percent less than comparable group packages."

 

How can we make the most of our resources? He advises mixing and matching accommodation styles along the way - saving in one place and splurging in another - and taking advantage of airline points and low-season deals.

 

For Italy, that means traveling during winter (November to March) or summer (late July and August) low season. Whichever we choose, the experts at Kensington Tours (888-903-2001) can help us plan a journey that reflects our personal passions for food, wine, music, art and history while giving us the flexibility to experience it at our own pace.

 

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