Travel Ideas for Now

Volcanic vistas, verdant jungles and stretches of sand are what make Costa Rica a diamond in the rough. But even the rough is unspoiled. Therapeutic waters springing from the volcano, fresh air kissing the palms as it passes, a canopy of green treetops providing shelter from the sun. Sprawling haciendas are the ranches of Central America, where cattle and horses roam, and where the locals welcome you into their home. Cocoa plantations give fruit that makes some of the sweetest chocolate in the world and tender hearts of palm are plentiful.

In Monteverde, immerse yourself in the Cloud Forest Reserve, where, among one of Earth’s most pristine rainforests, you will discover some of the world’s most diverse plants and wildlife, including a cacophony of prehistoric ferns, exotic orchids, majestic jaguars and rainbow-hued birds. But it goes beyond the eco adventure. There is a human history in this place, and the Quakers were among the first to recognize this paradise is precious, and at risk. They took steps to preserve the rainforests and protect the environment by creating the country’s first nature reserve.

Itinerary: Costa Rica Eco Adventure End Liberia
Number of Days: 8 Days
From: $2,395pp
The Highlight: Indulge in gourmet chocolate made from the world’s best cacao beans. Visit a Tico family’s palm plantation to learn about and sample the delicate heart of palm.
Connect with the Locals: Join Don Alberto and Doña Ana Quintana for a traditional Costa Rican lunch at their Hacienda Pozo Azul, a 2,000-acre working ranch, and discover how they reduce their carbon footprint and support the local economy.
Offer: $75 OFF PP
Call Now and Book: 1.800.352.4444
QUOTE REF: PPBTRIPS19

The mystery of the Incas, the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu and the hillsides of the Andes dotted with llama, alpaca and vicuna. Artisan traditions, such as the weavers who carry on the age-old techniques and pass them to the next generation, can be seen in the fabrics resplendent with brightly coloured patterns.
Meet the friendly people at the outdoor markets where you can sample local cuisine, and shop for fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables to get acquainted with Peruvian life. Ride the rails on an iconic journey, where the train takes you to time-worn places still revered as hallowed, and where you can witness the remains of ancient civilizations so advanced, their achievements still boggle the mind. Explore Cusco, where terraces of Incan ruins preside over colonial architecture; then live in the now in Lima, Peru’s lively capital city, where pre-columbian art and history mixes with the New World colonialism and the modern, skyscraping skyline, which hugs the seaside cliffs with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

Itinerary: Highlight of Peru
Number of Days: 8 Days
From: $3,175pp
Highlight: Visit a local market with a young chef and enjoy a special lunch at his cooking school.
Connect with the Locals: Visit Awakancha to see where delicate alpaca, llama and vicuna wool is sourced from, and discover how local families are taught to preserve ancient weaving techniques from a fascinating Quechua scholar.
Offer: $75 OFF PER PERSON*
Call Now and Book 1.800.352.4444
Quote Ref: PPBTRIPS19

From the bright lights of Tokyo to the zen of Kyoto, Japan is a fascinating study in contrasts and continuity. One of the most enduring on Earth, the Japanese culture is imbued with propriety, aesthetics and respect. Ancestral traditions are passed down from generation to generation, the art of peaceful zen wellness, of porcelain and paper making, even the art of sushi. Everything is for beauty, for the art of perfection and presentation. The meticulously lacquered walls of the temples of Kyoto reflect the sun; bright reds, oranges and golds only rival those found in some of the most beautiful and verdant gardens in the world, where one can truly be one with nature in extraordinarily cared-for surroundings.
Experience the world of the Geisha, their music and their makeup. Hike the foothills around Mount Fuji, Japan’s indomitable peak, which pierces the horizon like a snow-tipped arrow. And get lost in Tokyo, among its skyscrapers and the noodle bars. Visit the Imperial Palace, where one of the world’s most fascinating monarchies still hold court, make peace at a Buddhist temple and finish with a satisfying sip of sake. Kanpai!

Itinerary: Splendours of Japan
Number of Days: 9 Days
From: $5,195pp
Highlight: Sample Japanese sake during a walking tour in the Edo-style streets of Takayama Old Town. Learn how local artisans make Japanese washi paper in the UNESCO village of Gokayama.
Connect with the Locals: Enjoy a Kaiseki (a traditional multi-course Japanese meal) at a traditional Japanese ryokan home near Kyoto, while you learn about local customs.
Call Now and Book 1.800.352.4444
Quote Ref: PPBTRIPS19

The legends of United Kingdom and Ireland run deep. From the romance of King Arthur to the faithful following in the footsteps of St. Patrick, the history of these isles permeates our imaginations and sparks our wanderlust. Ancestry, whether familial or just ingrained in the DNA of being a part of the Commonwealth, gives an added appeal to exploring England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland—as well as the Republic of Ireland. With one foot in Europe, the other in lore so rich it informs our own history, these countries beguile and delight.
London, the capital of cool, is only the start. Dig deeper into Welsh culture and discover a winemaking region while feasting on the local bounty; feel the magic as you stand among the monoliths at Stonehenge; and watch fire turn to crystal in Waterford. The birthplace of Shakespeare, the countryside inspiration for Jane Austen and the haunts of Roald Dahl are just a few pages in this place. Edinburgh Castle, the centre of Belfast, Yorkminster—you don’t have to imagine if these walls could talk. From Glasgow to Dublin, these storytelling isles will fill your memories with a lifetime of tales.

Itinerary: Britain and Ireland Highlights
Number of Days: 10 Days
Number of Countries: 2
From: $3,095pp
Highlight: Admire Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud Farm.
Connect with the Locals: Enjoy a hearty Welsh dinner with a farming family and their animals in the beautiful award-winning vineyards of Wales.
Call Now and Book 1.800.352.4444
Quote Ref: PPBTRIPS19

Food, of course, is the first thing that comes to mind when many of us think of Italy. It is also a world of wonders—Rome and the mind-boggling engineering of the Colosseum, the testament to faith that is the basilica of St. Mark’s in Venice, the lasting monument of a civilization that is Pompeii and, of course,The Vatican. But Italy is so much more. It is the beauty of artisans still practicing ancient trades such as hand-blown glass, the romance of Romeo and Juliet and Verona, the sparkling waters off the isle of Capri. And, yes, it is the food. Glorious, and even more so when a meal is taken in a family-run restaurant where mama still cooks in the kitchen; it is sipping a local vintage in the very vineyard surrounding the walled city of San Gimignano, where that grape has been grown; it’s the sweet taste of indulging in gelato while tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain. You will be saying ciao, Italia, again before you know it.

Itinerary: Best of Italy
Number of Days: 13 Days
From: $3,595pp
Highlight: Ascend the spiral staircase designed by Donato Bramante, in a part of the Vatican not open to the public.
Be My Guest Experience: Join Signor Telli for an exclusive dinner at his family-run restaurant on the scheduled Isola Madre Island.
Offer: $75 OFF PER PERSON*
Call Now and Book 1.800.352.4444
Quote Ref: PPBTRIPS19

From London to Lucerne, the grand capitals of Europe are full of sights to be seen. From Big Ben to Buckingham Palace, London’s regal nature is hard to resist. In Paris, the City of Light, stroll like a Parisian in the French capital along the Champs-Élysées to l’Arc du Triomphe, and marvel at the Notre Dame Cathedral after a stop at a sidewalk café for a coffee and a croissant. The French countryside, with its vineyards and its battlefields, is worthy of exploration. The Romans left a mark throughout Europe, but it is in their namesake city where their influence still flourishes. Everything is useful and beautiful; design is appreciated and respected. From flowing fountains of spring water that still comes from the surrounding mountains to the stunning architecture of Bernini and Bramante, the Eternal City is a testament to faith and beauty. In Florence, the Renaissance period comes to life through art, architecture and daily life. The streets are filled with the ghosts of Medici, Michelangelo and da Vinci. Through the European Alps, to Lucerne, where the warmth of the Swiss welcomes you as sweetly as the world-famous and delicious chocolate for which Switzerland is known.

Itinerary: European Traveller
Number of Days: 10 Days
From: $2,725pp
Highlight: Enjoy the elegance of yesteryear and sweeping lake vistas in Lucerne at the Grand Hotel Europe, where warm Swiss hospitality and a grand past spanning over a century guarantee an unforgettable stay.
Connect with the Locals: Indulge in delicious Italian flavours and
the hearty hospitality of a local family.
Offer: $75 OFF PER PERSON*
Call Now and Book 1.800.352.4444
Quote Ref: PPBTRIPS19

A trek to Australia and New Zealand should include at least two things: one, a chance to delve into these islands’ Aboriginal and Maori cultures and, two, time spent with the locals. Both these countries are completely unique from each other. Go walkabout in the Australian outback. Alice Springs gives way to Ayers Rock, but the original landowners here call it Uluru, the Red Centre. And it is—the centre of the Outback, and the centre of a spiritual energy. The dark sky is a riot of constellations; there’s no light pollution here. Of course, the city is also the centre—we can’t skip the Sydney Opera House or the sight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
In New Zealand, the landscape defies definition. On the South Island, navigate winding fjords that carve their way to where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific reach toward Antarctica and marvel at the heights of the snow-capped Southern Alps—you might recognize this place from The Lord of the Rings. It’s fantasy meets Mother Nature at her fantastical best. On the North Island, experience the warm Kiwi hospitality, and get a greater understanding of how the Maori and European cultures have created a distinctive, modern-day way of life. G’day mate!

Itinerary: Highlights of Australia and New Zealand
Number of Days: 21
Number of Countries: 2
From: $11,450pp
Highlights: Discover the stunning heart of the Red Centre from the Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock, and experience the natural beauty of this unique landscape.
The hotel offers incredible views of towering gums, flowering native shrubs and glowing red dunes.
Be My Guest Experience: In New Zealand’s North Island, join the O’Sullivans for lunch at the Red Barn on their Waikato farm.
Offer: $75 OFF PER PERSON*
Call Now and Book 1.800.352.4444
Quote Ref: PPBTRIPS19

Pure sunshine. Beaches worth combing. Waves worth catching. A culture clash that seems to work seamlessly. Sound good? This is only part of the alluring Aloha spirit of the Hawaiian Islands. Polynesian vibes integrate with American modernity, while everyone and everything is touched by nature. Sure, we think we know Honolulu and Waikiki, but do we? A chance to go deeper into trendsetting Oahu is in order, but a trip to Pearl Harbor reminds us that even in paradise we must remember our past to inform our future. Meanwhile, on Kauai, the ancient canyons, dubbed The Grand Canyon of the Pacific, gives a clarity of the depth of time. The big island, Hawaii, is home to an active volcano, turning this natural spectacle into a spectacular spectator sport, as lava flows etch their way over the island’s surface. Of course, the Aloha spirit also comes from its people, whose easy-going attitude

Itinerary: Hawaii Four Island Adventure Moderate
Number of Days: 13 Days
From: $5,950pp
Highlight: Delve into the vibrant sugar-cane heritage of Kauai during a visit to Grove Farm Sugar Plantation, then see “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
Connect with the Locals: Meet Ancil for an educational farm-to-fork experience and help gather fresh produce for your al fresco lunch, and learn more about biodynamic farming.
Offer: $75 OFF PER PERSON*
Call Now and Book 1.800.352.4444
Quote Ref: PPBTRIPS19

The wine, the food, the fiery culture. The land of explorers and torreodors, rugged Atlantic coastlines and Mediterranean seascapes and the oldest capital in Europe. This is Spain and Portugal, two countries bound by a geography and religion, yet unbridled by language and lifestyle. Both lands with a history of exploration, yet today, it is travellers from other parts of the globe that seek out the traditions and heritage which make these countries a must-visit. From Spain’s Valencia, where the paella is perfect, to Seville, where the sounds of flamenco and the fragrance of orange blossoms infuses the air, to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors— and where their influence is still evident, with flowing water fountains and colourful tiled courtyards. Onward to Portugal and its sunny Algarve southern coast, with stretches of beaches, to Lisbon, Europe’s oldest capital city, with its black and white mosaic sidewalks and cool café culture. The melancholy strains of Fado singers permeate the night air, stories of devotion not unlike  those of the pilgrims,  who continue to make their way to Fátima, where tales of miracles still inspire.

Itinerary: Highlights of Spain and Portugal
Number of Days: 13 DAYS
Number of Countries: 2
From: $3,050pp
Highlight: Sample the famous sherry traditional in the southern Spanish city of Jerez, which has been making wine since the 7th century.
Be My Guest Experience: Saddle up for a superb stud farm visit, the tragic story of unrequited love and a traditional home-cooked lunch with Tiago and Vera in Portugal’s beautiful Alentejo.
Offer: $75 OFF PER PERSON*
Call Now and Book 1.800.352.4444
Quote Ref: PPBTRIPS19