This is how we do travel
We know that traveling with us requires an investment—not just of your hard-earned money, but of your time and trust, too. That’s no small stuff. And it’s why we go far beyond the basics, in a big way. Here’s what you’ll get when you travel with us.
Exclusive experiences
Whether skipping lines or going behind the scenes, you’ll be saying “Pinch me!” on repeat
Only-with-us access
When you’re on tour, you won’t just learn about local life. You’ll live it. We’ll take you inside workshops, kitchens, homes, and other private spaces where locals bring their trades and time-honored traditions to life—and where you can, too. Want to make pasta under the tutelage of an Italian chef? Or learn proper pineapple-picking techniques from a farmer in Costa Rica? We’re here to make it happen.
VIP treatment
Thanks to our decades-long relationships with trusted travel partners around the world, no matter where you go with us, you’ll be treated like a VIP. Long lines at popular museums? Your time’s too precious for that. Exclusive access to special, seasonal events? It’s all yours.
Free time for on-your-own exploring
Going guided takes the guesswork out of travel, but we don’t think convenience should come at the cost of your independence. We make sure each itinerary includes a just-right mix of guided tours and group meals, plus plenty of free time so you can explore your own interests at your own pace.
Small groups (big difference)
Travel is about making true connections, and we cap our groups at 38 so you can do just that. For more immersive, hands-on experiences—think truffle hunting in Italy or paddling a kayak through a Peruvian jungle—we offer intimate, Small Group Tours for 10 to 22 travelers.
A-plus amenities
So you enjoy every minute—in the air and on the ground, and every bite, sip, and sleep in between
Expertly vetted everything
From the hotels we book to the restaurants we choose to the places we show you around on tour, you can bet that Go Ahead staffers have recently slept, eaten, or wandered around there and given their stamp of approval. If something doesn’t pass muster, it doesn’t make it onto your tour.
The comfiest hotels
We think that where you stay is as big a part of your tour experience as the historical sites, cultural attractions, and stunning natural scenery you’ll encounter along the way. (Plus, we want to make sure you’re plenty rested for each day’s new adventure.) Throughout your tour, you’ll rest your head in some seriously stylish, impeccably clean hotels—many with stories of their own to tell.
Full-service flights to and from tour
When you travel with us, you can book your own flights to and from tour or enjoy the perks that come with letting our pros take the reins. We partner with top airlines to secure your flights at competitive rates, and we arrange airport transfers for your on-tour arrival and departure. If your Go Ahead-booked flight is canceled, we’ll help get you on a new one.
Top-notch transportation
For us, how you get from Point A to Point B on your trip is as important as what you’ll do when you get there. On tour, you’ll travel by private, chauffeured luxury coach, national or regional rail systems, ferry, or air. Or, on some of our itineraries, a combination. (You lucky explorer, you!)
Anything-but-ordinary meals
On tour, you’ll bond with your fellow travelers over meals in unique settings, whether that means lunching at an Italian agriturismo, feasting on mezze in a Turkish tavern, or warming up with a bowl of tangy tomato soup inside an Icelandic greenhouse. And did we mention the velvety wines, crisp beers, and tongue-tingling spirits you can pair it all with?
Expert insight
Before and during your tour, from pre-trip planning to the ancient ruins of Peru
In-house travel planners
We make booking travel online easy, but if you have questions about our trips, need help finding your perfect tour, or want to plan one that’s completely customized, our travel-savvy staffers in Boston, Denver, and Toronto are here to talk you through it all. You can even schedule a call at a time that works best for you.
Local guides you’ll want to hang with
When it comes to getting the true flavor of a destination, nothing compares to a local’s POV. That’s why, in each destination you visit on tour, you’ll explore alongside a local insider who knows every last nuance of the place—from its trendy foods to its hippest neighborhoods to its hidden gems—better than anyone else.
Top-of-their-field Tour Directors
From touchdown to takeoff, you’ll be accompanied by your dedicated, does-it-all Tour Director. (We like to think of these worldly, seasoned pros as our secret sauce.) Your Tour Director will oversee your trip’s logistics, share historical and cultural insights into each place you visit, and, if need be, help demystify local currencies, languages, and customs. From knowing where to get the best gelato in Rome to delivering dramatic retellings of historic battles on the Brittany Coast, your Tour Director will be your go-to expert. (And probably, by the time tour ends, a new friend.)
Unrivaled safety & support
When it comes to your wellbeing, nothing matters more
Anytime-you-need-us assistance
We love to have fun on tour, but to us, your safety is serious business. Our trips typically go off without a hitch, but you can rest assured that, if something comes up, your Tour Director is trained to remedy a number of possible on-tour scenarios. Plus, our in-house On-Tour Support Team is available 24/7. No matter the time of day or night (or the time zone you’re traveling in), we’re just a quick phone call away.
Travel protection
Plan your life-changing, horizon-expanding adventure with comprehensive travel coverage benefits and services. The Travel Protection Plan allows you to help safeguard your investment with cancellation protection for many unexpected situations that could prevent you from travelling or require you to interrupt your tour, as well as Accident and Sickness Coverage and 24/7 Emergency Assistance.
The highest standards of hygiene
The only thing more important than enjoying your tour? Staying safe and healthy on the road. We only work with suppliers who abide by local health policies, we sanitize our coaches regularly throughout our tours, and we visit points of interest during off-peak hours whenever possible. The World Travel & Tourism Council awarded us its global safety and hygiene stamp in recognition of our ongoing efforts.
Planning options
Because there’s nothing one-size-fits-all about making that dream trip happen
Multiple departures to choose from
Want to explore Norway’s fjords with the fam but can’t seem to sync your summer schedules? Ikke bekymre deg. (That’s Norwegian for “don’t worry.”) We offer multiple departure dates per tour for maximum schedule-matching potential. And we make tours available for booking up to two years in advance, giving travelers even more dates to choose from, plus more (like, a lot more) time to pay.
Lots of ways to pay
Every traveler’s budget is different, which is why we offer several ways to pay. Prefer a set-it-and-forget-it approach? You can sign up for AutoPay, an easy way to make smaller, interest-free, monthly payments before your tour. (Bonus: With AutoPay, a $99 deposit is all it takes to secure your spot on tour.) Rather pay manually on your own schedule, or make a single, lump payment? You can do that, too, as long as you’re fully paid by your Tour Finalization Date (typically 70 or 90 days before your trip’s departure).
Trips for every travel style
Whether you’re into wildlife, food and wine, or something else entirely, we’ve got a tour for you. Some of our trips cater to travelers with a specific interest (we see you, historic-battlefield buffs). Others we design to spotlight holidays and special events (how does spending New Year’s Eve in Paris sound?). Want to experience a little of everything a destination has to offer? Our classic and multi-country tours are designed for just that. If you don’t see your perfect trip, we’ll gladly plan the Private or Customized Tour of your dreams.
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