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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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How to Join Travel Groups

Are you itching to explore the world with a group of like-minded adventurers? Well, look no further! In this article, we’ll show you how to join travel groups and experience the freedom and excitement that comes with traveling in a pack. Whether you’re a solo traveler seeking companionship or simply want to share unforgettable moments with others, we’ve got you covered. So buckle up and get ready for an exhilarating journey into the world of travel groups!

Key Takeaways

• Joining a travel group provides a built-in community of fellow travelers and a sense of security and companionship.
• It is important to find a travel group that aligns with your interests and preferences, values independence and flexibility, and prioritizes authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
• Researching different travel groups online or asking for recommendations can help you find the right group for you.
• To make the most of your travel group experience, actively participate in group activities, get to know your fellow travelers, engage in conversations and share stories, and embrace new experiences.

Benefits of Joining a Travel Group

There are many benefits to joining a travel group, such as having a built-in community of fellow travelers. When you join a travel group, you instantly become part of a like-minded tribe who shares your love for adventure and exploration. You no longer have to wander alone; instead, you can connect with individuals who desire the same freedom and excitement that you do. Travel groups provide a sense of security and companionship, allowing you to feel more confident in exploring new destinations. Additionally, being part of a travel group gives you access to exclusive deals and discounts, making your adventures more affordable. So why limit yourself to solo travels when you can experience the world with others who crave the same sense of liberation? Joining a travel group opens up endless possibilities for unforgettable experiences.

Finding the Right Travel Group for You

When looking for the perfect travel group, it’s important to find one that aligns with your interests and preferences. You desire freedom in your travels, so finding a group that values independence and flexibility is crucial. Look for groups that allow you to choose your own activities and explore at your own pace. Seek out those who prioritize authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, rather than sticking to touristy spots. It’s also essential to consider the size of the group – smaller groups often provide more freedom and personalized attention. Research different travel groups online or ask fellow travelers for recommendations. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions about their philosophy and itinerary. Remember, joining a travel group should enhance your sense of adventure, not limit it. Find the right group that resonates with your free-spirited nature and embark on unforgettable journeys together!

Steps to Joining a Travel Group

To become a part of a travel group, start by researching different options online or asking fellow travelers for recommendations. Here are three steps to help you join the perfect travel group:

Determine your travel preferences: Think about what kind of experiences you want from your trip. Are you looking for adventure, cultural immersion, or relaxation? Knowing your preferences will help you find a travel group that aligns with your desires.

Research different travel groups: Look for reputable organizations or websites that offer group trips. Read reviews and check their itineraries to see if they match your interests and budget. Don’t be afraid to reach out to past participants for their feedback.

Connect with potential group members: Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to travel enthusiasts. Engage in conversations, ask questions, and share your own experiences. This way, you can connect with like-minded individuals who may already be part of a travel group or looking to join one.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Travel Group Experience

One way to enhance your travel group experience is by actively participating in group activities and getting to know your fellow travelers. Remember, you’re not just a passive observer on this journey, but an active participant who can shape the dynamics of the group. Engage in conversations, share stories, and exchange ideas with others – after all, everyone in the group is seeking new experiences and connections. Take advantage of the freedom that comes with being part of a travel group by stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things. Whether it’s joining a local cooking class or exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations together, embrace the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with like-minded individuals who share your passion for adventure. The more you engage with your travel group, the richer and more fulfilling your experience will be.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them in Travel Groups

Engaging in open communication and actively participating in group activities can help overcome common challenges that arise within travel groups.

Listen and be understanding : Everyone in the group may have different preferences, ideas, and expectations. By actively listening to others and being understanding of their perspectives, you can create a more harmonious environment.

Address conflicts promptly : Conflicts are bound to happen, but it’s important to address them promptly instead of letting them simmer. Openly communicate your concerns and work towards finding a resolution that benefits everyone involved.

Embrace flexibility : Travel plans can change unexpectedly due to various reasons like weather conditions or logistical issues. Being flexible and adaptable will help you navigate through these challenges with ease, ensuring a smoother travel experience for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical costs associated with joining a travel group.

The typical costs associated with joining a travel group include transportation, accommodation, meals, and any additional activities. It’s important to budget for these expenses and consider if the benefits of group travel outweigh the costs for you.

How Can I Ensure the Safety of My Belongings While Traveling With a Group?

To ensure the safety of your belongings while traveling with a group, keep them close to you and use secure bags or locks. Stay vigilant and trust your instincts if something feels off.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Joining Travel Groups?

There aren’t any age restrictions for joining travel groups. You can join regardless of your age. So, don’t worry about that and focus on the amazing experiences you’ll have while traveling with others!

Can I Join a Travel Group if I Don’t Have Any Previous Travel Experience?

You can definitely join a travel group even if you don’t have any previous travel experience. It’s all about having a desire for adventure and being open to new experiences. So go ahead and join that group!

What Are Some Common Cultural Etiquettes to Be Aware of When Traveling With a Group?

When traveling with a group, it’s important to be aware of cultural etiquettes. Respect the customs and traditions of the places you visit, be open-minded, and considerate towards others in the group.

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Solo to Social: Navigating Group Tours as an Independent Traveler

• May 16, 2024

Traveling solo doesn’t always mean going it alone. Joining a group tour can enhance your experience, allowing you to meet like-minded adventurers while exploring the world. Here’s how to thrive in a group setting while maintaining your independence.

1. Choosing the Right Tour

Research is key. Look for tours that cater to your interests—whether it’s hiking, culture, or culinary experiences. Read reviews to gauge the vibe of the tour; some are party-centric, and others focus on in-depth exploration. Pick one that matches your pace and preferences.

2. Setting Expectations

Before the tour begins, set personal goals. What do you want to gain from this experience? Are you looking to make lasting friendships, learn something new, or perhaps challenge your boundaries? Knowing your expectations can guide your interactions and activities.

3. Engage but Don’t Overcommit

Participate in group activities but remember it’s okay to skip a group dinner or a planned outing if you need some alone time. Balancing group involvement with personal time will keep you energized and engaged on your terms.

4. Find a Flexible Provider

If you haven’t decided where to go or what to do, consider a tour operator like Intro Travel, which offers flexible group tours, with itineraries and activities tailored to different interests and personalities. This makes it easier for solo travelers to find a group that they can vibe with, without the stress of planning every detail themselves.

5. Communicate Your Independence

Early on, let your fellow travelers and tour guide know that you value some independence. This upfront communication helps set boundaries and reduces misunderstandings during the tour.

6. Embrace New Connections

Be open to making new friends. Group tours are a great way to connect with people from different backgrounds. Shared experiences can lead to meaningful conversations and bonds that last beyond the trip.

7. Be Prepared for Group Dynamics

Group travel involves different personalities and preferences. Be flexible and patient. If conflicts arise, address them diplomatically. Remember, everyone is here to enjoy their journey.

8. Learn from Others

Each traveler in your group will likely have unique skills and knowledge. Take the opportunity to learn from them. Whether it’s tips on photography, advice about local cuisine, or language skills, embracing this knowledge can enrich your experience.

9. Document Your Journey

Keep a vlog ,  journal or blog about your experiences. Not only will it help you reflect on your journey, but it’s also a great way to share your adventures and insights with others considering similar group tours.

Joining a group tour as a solo traveler can transform your journey into an enriching social experience. By choosing the right tour, maintaining your independence, and embracing new connections, you can ensure a memorable and fulfilling adventure. So take the leap, join a group, and discover the unique joys of being solo but not alone on the road.

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We have never been to Russia. We would like to go and my spouse wants an organized tour group only. Does anyone have any recommendations? We have never done a tour group before. Thanks.

Thanks, we actually are looking for someone who does the entire thing from leaving the US to going back to the US. We never considered it on our own. Maybe we should..

A local Chicago travel agent can make all the necessary arrangements for you, including setting you up with some tours once you arrive in Russia, or you can arrange things on your own. TripAdvisor is a good resource for doing that sort of thing. The only part of the process that is really different from most other places is the visa application process, and even that is not too bad. There are visa services in the US that can help you with that, or an experienced travel agent can as well.

I would recommend a british tour company called Regent Travel...although they are based in the Uk, they arrange holidays for people from all over the world. They would arrange a trip for the two of you - you wouldnt have to be with other people. We did this and found it worked really well. They also allow you to have days on your own if you want, or equally will accompany you all day every day.

Check out their website - its based in Bristol (UK).

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I will check it out. I will also do more research in general. Things have been crazy on the homefront.

We travelled to Russia independently, but used MIR in Seattle for some of our arrangements; we were quite pleased. They are Russia specialists and have many group tours to various parts of the former USSR, including just Russia of course. We now get their catalog, which is beautiful and has many very tempting trips listed. They are on line too. Might want to send away for the catalog just for fun and to get ideas...

Hi plan2gosoon,

From all the mainstream tours we investigated, Cosmos gave the most free time to do our own exploring, and the most value for money. Russia aint cheap, so a packaged tour can make financial sense.

We made our final decision after a person in the UK posted here and I contacted her directly about the tour (she and her husband went in Sept/Oct 08). Try searching on Cosmos tours Russia to find her post, and contact her directly for more information - she was very helpful to us.

I am not a fan of big tours having done independent travelling for 20 years or so, but Russia - with the language, cost etc and the amount we wanted to see - a tour seemed the best way to go. At least for the first trip there!

As others have said, a local travel agent would provide more information on other US or European tour operators to the area as longer tours than combine Scandinavia, Latvia, Estonia and even the Ukraine and Belarus are available.

Hope you find something that fits.

Thank you. I will check it out too.

You can check out Go To Russia Travel , they offer some good packages and are reasonable too

Cosmos are OK, but sometimes the hotels they choose leave something to be desired eg the Cosmos Hotel in Moscow (they also mention the Aerostar-is that open now?), hotels that are a bit far out from the centre or tourist class or a combination of both. I'd go for the better hotels they offer.

I don't think an organised tour is necessary these days but can understand why people take them, my first visit was an organised tour and it was great fun.

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• Moscow-St.Peterburg tour package. Two Russian capitals in one week;
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• Russian towns of the Golden Ring (Sergiev Posad, Suzdal, Vladimir); Trips out of Moscow
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More than 50 Active Facebook Travel Groups to Join in 2024

Facebook groups are valuable forums for connecting with others in your local community or around the globe. Being in the travel niche especially I've found Facebook groups great places to ask locals questions, meet up with friends when I'm traveling solo, vent about travel mishaps, and generally have a good laugh.

I've met up with over 500 women from travel Facebook groups in countries such as Canada, the Netherlands, the UAE, the US, and more!

Here are the top active Facebook groups of every travel niche that you can check out and join:

Travel Facebook Groups anyone can joinn

• Bucket List Beasts  – “We share tips, articles, personal stories, photos, videos, and plan bucket-list meet-ups! But whatever we do, we’ll make sure you don’t end up with a life full of “coulda, woulda, shouldas!” Your new life starts NOW! The only question is – Are you ready?! YOLO, baby!”
• Conscious Travel Community – This group is for self-aware, positive travelers to come together to connect, discuss, ask for advice and inspire each other around all things travel related!
• Travel Community – This travel community is a place for like-minded people to engage with others that love to discuss travel.

Gen Z/Young Travel Facebook groups

• Young Travelers Network  – A global community of Gen Z, 20-somethings, college students, teens, and Zillennials, who love travel! Whether you've never left your home town or you've been to 40 countries, this is your tribe. Connect with other young travelers, share stories, engage in discussions, and meet up around the world!

Female Only Travel Facebooks Groups

• Global Girls United  – Global Girls United is for girls alike who eat, sleep, breathe t ravel! Share travel tips, deals, stories, etc. A very casual, off-the-cuff, fun group. We have zero tolerance for assholes.
• The Solo Female Travel Network   – A space for all female solo travelers to be able to come for not just travel advice and reliable hostel recommendations. Ask if that local was being creepy or if it was cultural, get support for homesickness, show off the amazing photos from your last trip, tell stories, and share whatever is on your mind. 
• Solo Women Travelers   – This is a fun, supportive group of diverse, wonderful women who love to travel alone whether by plane, train, RV, boat, bicycle, backpacking, motorcycle or car … or dreaming about traveling solo. I want this group for everything we women want to talk about… from leaving behind old lifestyles and embracing new ones, to travel wardrobes, music, travel plans, gadgets, tips and tricks, families, our fears, and our triumphs!
• Solo Women Travel Tribe  – We are here to LEARN, INSPIRE, SHARE & CONNECT with fellow Solo Women Travellers from all over the world.
• Girls Who Travel  –  Girls Who Travel is an education and empowerment network for travelers who identify as women, trans, and/or genderqueer. Our mission is to empower women travelers to explore beyond their boundaries and to create a more inclusive world.
• Curvy Girls Travel Guide  – This group was founded to provide a space for curvy and plus-size women to collaborate and connect on all things travel. Please feel free to dive in and introduce yourself, ask questions, share experiences and meet new friends.
• GirlsLOVETravel   – Girls LOVE Travel is a global community of active and aspiring female travelers providing resources and empowerment to one another through safety, socializing and support. 
• Conde Naste's: Women Who Travel   – a place where all self-identifying female travel lovers can join in the conversation about what it means to travel as a woman today. 
• We Are Travel Girls  – We Are Travel Girls is a global travel community created to inspire, connect, educate and empower female travelers around the world.
• Over 60 Solo Women Travel – This group is for Over 60 Women who like to travel on their own, solo, without a travel companion. The majority of members enjoy the solo experience or are novices seeking advice and encouragement to travel solo.

Male Only Travel Groups

• Guys LOVE Travel   – Guys LOVE Travel is also a place to share your adventures and gain extra exposure for your travel photography, filmmaking or blogging by sharing your social media links with your posts.

Family/Mom Travel Groups

• Families Who Love to Travel – This page is a safe space for parents to exchange travel ideas, itinerary suggestions, questions, concerns, and experiences.
• Traveling with Kids Worldwide – This group is for parents who love to travel with their kids and who want to share their experiences, tips, and tricks, to ask questions, and to be inspired to go on more adventures! I share travel deals and do giveaways!
• MOMs (Girls LOVE Travel ®) – #gLt MOMs is an official SubGroup of the Girls LOVE Travel Facebook group community. This is a space for moms to discuss all things travel and how to travel with your family!
• Wandering Moms – Women who want to literally give their children the world. We are a group that provides support and resources for women who are interested in traveling the world or living abroad with children in tow.
• Tiny Globetrotters: Travel The World With Kids – Have kids and still want to travel? This group is for you! Let's share destination ideas, tips for traveling with tiny humans and trip reports. We all have one thing in common, the love of travel which now includes kids!
• Travel The World With Your Kids – This is a group for anyone who wants to travel the world with kids. Long term, short term, full time, part-time, fast, slow… Whatever works for you. Ask your questions, meet other travel families who travel and get advice.
• Dreamers, Drifters, and Diapers: Have Kids, Will Travel – This is a group for people who LOVE to travel and are looking for helpful tips, tricks, and hacks to make for a more pleasurable experience all-around. It caters specifically to parents and soon-to-be parents looking to brave the friendly skies, roads, rails, or seas with little ones in tow.

Cheap Flight Deals Facebook groups

• Secret Flying – Finding your cheap flights around the world.
• TravelFree group – cheap flights and more – Just the hottest travel deals, error fares.
• TravelPirates Community  – Do you want to travel the world and not spend a fortune? Do you want to explore the places where tourists don’t go? Want to meet other travelers? Like rum? Our group is to be used for travel research and recommendations.
• Travel On A Budget Official – On A Budget is a social community for problem solvers and money savers. Here at On A Budget we help members to save time and money, offering a safe space to learn and share new ideas.
• The Best Travel Deals – Here you’ll find travel deals discovered and shared by Travel + Leisure editors. This is also a safe space for sharing your own travel deals and connecting with fellow travelers.
• TravelFree group – cheap flights and more – Just the hottest travel deals, error fares!!!Feel free to ask tips, suggestions 🙂

Travel Bloggers/Entrepreneurs & Digital Nomads groups

• Female Travel Bloggers   – We are a supportive online co mmunity for travel blogging women to expand their reach, learn about blogging, and make meaningful connections in the travel blogging world. If you’re looking for a tribe of badass women who want to help each other make their blogs a success, you found it! 
• Female Lifestyle & Travel Bloggers  – A fully inclusive blogging group for female lifestyle bloggers a nd female travel bloggers aimed towards open discussions, a supportive community, and sharing blogging resources. 
• Black Travel Movement Travel Blogger Community   – The Black Travel Movement Blogger Community is a dedicated space  for travel Bloggers of color to post links to their TRAVEL BLOGS and articles to share with the Black Travel Movement Community.
• Digital Nomads Around the World – This is a place for digital nomads to share advice and tips rela ted to living the digital nomad lifestyle.
• BLOGGERS AND TRAVELERS   – A worldwide group of travel lovers, blo ggers, photographers, and writers. Some of us also write and maintain blogs on a wide variety of subjects. Join our new travel forum 
• Digital Nomads – The Solo Female Traveler Network   – This grou p is a sub-group of The Solo Female Traveler Network, specifically for connecting solo female travel who work on the road to trade links, social share circles, get advice, advertise for jobs, and share experiences.
• Female Digital Nomads  – This group was started with the goal to unite, inspire and inform us digital babes that are wandering the globe. Do you have any questions about setting up an online business? How to run your travel blog? About where to travel next? This is the place to come and ask them.

Black Travel Groups

• Black Travel Movement   – Black Travel Movement is a community of friends and family who s hare an interest in cultivating new friendships and epic experiences through international worldwide travel. As a member of the BTM family you have a connection to a wide range of new and seasoned travelers who are anxious to join and share travel experiences.
• Nomad•ness Travel Tribe   – NOMADNESS is an award-winning travel lifestyle brand. They represe nt the underrepresented demographic in mainstream travel through NOMADNESS Travel Tribe.  
• Black Elite Travelers – B.E.T.'s mission is to create networking and travel opportunitie s, as well as professional, meet up, dating/non-dating vacation opportunities for like individuals looking to enhance travel knowledge, travel partners or network worldwide in the dawn of a new century celebrating African American freedom to move around the globe.
• Melanin Globe – Mela nin Globe ® is a global travel group founded upon the basis of bringing individuals from all walks of life, regardless of cultural difference, together. Here you are encouraged to immerse yourself into “all things travel!”. 
• Black Folks Travel Too! ᵀᴹ   –  A forum to share travel photos, videos, information, and recommendations. So whether you've traveled internationally, domestically or are just discovering the treasures near your home, please share.
• Black Travel Lounge – Black Travel Lounge is a space for Black travelers, black owned travel companies, and travel agents to share their experiences and knowledge.to find inspiration, share experiences and travel tips/hacks.
• Black People Travel & Network – This group was created for the love of traveling and networking. Meeting new people and learning new cultures. Supporting each other/ Black businesses. Let us share and inspire each other.
• (AA&M) African-Americans and Minority Travelers Backers and Road Trippers – Encouraging African Americans to Travel the world cheaply. With a Back Packing, Road Tripping and local travel. See the world. From international to nation.
• Black Travel Experience, Group Trips and More – This group is to help travelers find group trips, travel agents, and share experiences.

Black Women Only

• Black Women Travel – Bringing black women who travel the world together.
• Black Girls Travel Too – A unique and dynamic travel club with a fervent belief that women, specifically black women, being deserving of a seat at the table. Whether that table is at a street side café in Morocco or just off the coast of Zanzibar in the tiny fishing village of Stone Town, WE have the POWER and PRIVILEGE to choose.
• Black Girl Travel Movement   – Empowering * Inspiration * Sisterhood * Travel. Black Girls On The Go is an international organization dedicated to exposing black women to the healing power of travel. 
• Black Women Who Love To Travel – I enjoy seeing women of color celebrating life to the fullest and seeing their travels. This can also give others a chance to get ideas and share their traveling memories in a group. 

Black Men Only

• Black Travel Movement Men's group   – The BTM Men's Group is a place where the brothers and men of the Black Travel Movement can meet to discuss travel issues from a Black Man's perspective. Feel free to discuss any and all topics freely.
• The Black & Abroad® Man: A Group for Black Men Who Travel the World   – Welcome to Black & Abroad MAN, a group where black men with a common interest in international world travel can share their travel goals, experiences, recommendations, travel hacks, and more. Connect with other like-minded brothers by becoming a member.

LGBT Travel Groups

• LGBTQ Travel – Welcome to LGBTQ Travel. This group is for everyone who loves to travel any chance you get. From flying to another city for a pride celebration to traveling across the world for an adventure. A place to network and share your travel tips, advice and maybe find a couch to crash on.
• Man Expeditions ( Community Travel Group for Guys)   – The primary goal of this club is to help bring like-minded guys together through positive adventure travel initiatives and to build new meaningful friendships while giving back to wildlife & environmental conservation projects through our participation
• Lesbian Travel   – Welcome to Lesbian (& GBTQ) Travel This is a place where we can all connect. This is a safe haven if you are looking for travel tips, advice, or just want to meet some of your fellow queer travelers.
• Pride (Girls LOVE Travel ®   – #gLt Pride is an official subgroup of Girls LOVE Travel to have everyone have a place to talk and gab about experiences while traveling the globe and either being directly part of the LGBTQ community or supporting as an ally.
• Lesbian Travel Club   – This group is for discussion of Lesbian Travel.
• O&A Gay Travel   – A new gay travel web site with vacation options never before targeted to the gay and LGBT consumer; National Park Tours, California Wine Country, Pacific Coast bike tours, culinary vacations, Alaska adventure cruises, and so much more coming soon.

Did I miss any poppin' travel Facebook groups people should know about? ⇣ Drop them in the comments below. ⇣

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Is there a good group for travelers (both male and female in one group ) over 50?

I’m not an expert in that arena, my audience is recent grads and 20’s, so I don’t know! I’m sorry!

Thanks, these are so helpful! I am curious if you have ever come across any legit, alive Brown/South Asian travel groups, would love to know some. 🙂

I’m looking for a Facebook group for individuals traveling on a safari to Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar or something close. All groups that I find are companies promoting their travel tours.

I’d recommend maybe looking for expat communities in Kenya or Tanzania. What’s your goal with the Facebook group?

Great list, I would also recommend the Travel Fashion Girl group, awesome for packing tips.

Thanks for the great list. Can you recommend any working holiday face book pages? I’m thinking of starting one.

I don’t know of any! If you make it, I will add it to the list 🙂

Great list! You should include Black Travel Lounge! https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlackTL

I ran across your web site. I loved it. I’m a 68 married female. I want to travel different states in the United States. My husband does not want to travel real bad. I would like to meet women who loves to travel also. What is the best Facebook travel site for that.

I think Girls Love Travel, and Solo Female Travel Network will be great for what you’re looking for!

Excellent suggestions!

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Gabby Beckford

Gabby is a multi-awardwinning creator. She is a full-time travel influencer, Gen Z travel marketing expert, and public speaker. You'll find her featured in the likes of Good Morning America, National Geographic, CNNTravel, Forbes, Travel+Leisure, and even the TEDx stage.

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Are shampoo bars good for curly travelers i tried 5, here are my thoughts..

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6 Apps to Meet Fellow Travelers

Is there anything more freeing or empowering than traveling alone to a new place?

While solo trips are wonderful ways to spend some quality time alone, they’re also ideal for making new friends .

Thanks to modern technology, we can use apps to meet other travelers while traveling solo.

To give you a leg up, I’ve compiled six of the best apps for meeting other travelers when you’re on the road, including where to get them, best features and the pros and cons of each app.

Couchsurfing

Facebook groups, other ways to meet travelers abroad, learn the local language, keep an open mind, find tours about what you love, stay in hostels (and join the parties).

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Website | iOS

Summary:  Easy to use app to find food experiences and people to share them with.

Eatwith provides an incredible opportunity to meet people who share the most delicious passion out there: food!  In other words, if you’re a traveling foodie, this is the app for you.

Not only can you browse food and eating experiences in the app, you can search for others (both locals and fellow travelers) to eat with.

You simply add the city and food experience that you want to have, and if you’re lucky, you’ll have a great partner for poking around a Guatemala market, trying tapas in Barcelona or eating a guinea pig in Peru (yes, this is common!).

I tried this app once and was invited to dinner at a Greek grandmother’s little beach house. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

The downside of this app is that sometimes there aren’t that many experiences listed, so it works best in peak travel seasons.

With a pleasing design and an easy-to-use interface, Backpackr is the premiere website to meet travel buddies and connect with other like-minded travelers around the world.

You can use the site before your trip (say, to find someone to travel with), but it also works well on the road, with thousands of users, active message boards and a common room, where you can ask for advice and recommendations.

The site excels at using the format of social media, but for people who are traveling, or will travel soon. I’ve used the app and I ended up with some fun travel buddies that accompanied me from Crete all the way to Turkey.

The site even sends push notifications when someone is en route to your destination so you can check them out or message them.

The downside of Backpackr is that there is no Android app, so you need a laptop to access it.

Website | Android

Summary:  Long-lived and well-liked app to help you find a place to sleep with a local.

Use Couchsurfing to find locals whose couch you can sleep on. For free! 

The Couchsurfing community connects you with people who have free space in their house and are willing to offer it to like-minded people.

But even if you’d rather stay in a hotel or hostel, Couchsurfing can still be a great tool for meeting new people.

First, you can create a profile and select that you’d like to grab a beer or coffee with people, not necessarily stay in their homes.

Second, there’s a feature that lets you post what you’re planning to do that day. People can join your group to participate in your plans. Locals and travelers alike can get together to have some fun!

Couchsurfing is by far one of the most popular communities of like-minded people who are passionate about traveling, meeting new people and making friends.

The only downside of Couchsurfing is that you don’t know anything about the “couch” (which can also be a bed) until you arrive at the house, so picky travelers may want to avoid it.

Website | iOS | Android

Summary:  Well used app that helps you meet people for almost any reason you can think of.

If meeting people with similar interests is your idea of a good time, then Meetup is the app for you.

This app connects people who share passions and hobbies. 

From training for a marathon, to practicing a l anguage , to having deep conversations about philosophy, Meetup is one of the most incredible tools for people looking for friends in a new area. Especially in big cities like Berlin, London and Tokyo! You could join a different Meetup every single day of the week.

Women who code? Yep.

Solo travelers in Amsterdam? For sure.

Fellow travel photographers ? Absolutely. It’s all there!

Make sure you read the description of each Meetup group before you join. Some of them require you to bring an item, pay a fee or just read something beforehand.

The only downside here is that it’s not geared specifically for travelers, so you’re most likely to meet locals here.

Summary:  Easy to use app for women travelers to connect with other women on the road.

This app is reserved for female travelers, so it can provide a safe way to meet other female travelers with on the road. It’s worth knowing that the app verifies the users to increase safety. 

Once you download the app, you create a profile, list a destination and then start making connections with other women. 

You can use the app before you leave or while you’re in the middle of an epic backpacking trip.

I’ve heard from friends that sometimes, the number of people using the app can be low in the off season, so it’s probably better to use it in the high season.

Summary:  Trusted groups for locating fellow travelers and travel advice.

Initially, the Facebook app may seem more suited to staying in touch with loved ones back home than to making friends in new cities.

But Facebook Groups are incredible tools for meeting people around the world.

Before hopping on a plane, find a Facebook group targeted toward travelers with your needs and interests.

For example, if you’re a solo female traveler, join Girls LOVE Travel® and meet other women who will be traveling to the same location.

Want to get even more specific? Try Facebook groups such as South America Travel with Kids or Chat food travel in TW (Taiwan) .

Facebook groups are incredible assets for meeting people in different cities. These groups are filled with posts and invitations to local events, where you can meet tons of fellow explorers.

Here are some other popular Facebook groups to check out before (or while) you travel:

• Ultimate Travel Group : a large community for travelers and travel bloggers
• Explorer by Nomads : an expansive travel group that emphasizes digital work
• Travel Community : almost 200,000 members coming together for travel advice and connections
• Photographers & Travel Nomads : travel group focusing on making connections between travel photographs and digital nomads
• Backpacking Europe : if you’re backpacking around Europe, join this group to meet others who are, too
• Southeast Asia Backpacker Community : if you’re backpacking around Southeast Asia, this is a very effective group for meeting other travelers
• Backpacking South America : this group is the same as the previous two, but for South America
• Solo Female Travelers : just like the name implies, solo women travelers can connect with others easily in this group

If you don’t feel like downloading a bunch of apps, don’t worry! There are lots of other ways you can meet fellow travelers.

It may seem like common sense, but if you want to meet locals, it helps to know their language. Sure, wherever you go you may find people who know some English. But if you really want to interact with locals as you travel, learn the local language.

You might find yourself picking up the language through sheer immersion—that is, just by being surrounded by the language.

Give yourself a boost with a language learning program like FluentU . This immersion program will prepare you for real spoken languages since it teaches through authentic videos like movie clips, music videos, vlogs and more.

Watch videos to pick up on vocabulary that you might encounter on your travels like food and local customs. You can save vocabulary directly from videos and study them through personalized quizzes that also let you practice pronunciation with speaking questions.

FluentU is available in 10 languages, and has an iOS and Android app, so it can come on your travels with you.

Keep an open mind when you meet people abroad. Don’t judge them based on your preconceptions of their culture, race or gender. The entire point of traveling is to open your mind, right?

The best thing about meeting people abroad is that you probably wouldn’t have met anyone like them back home. Differences in age, style, music preferences and many other tiny details are easily forgotten when you both share a passion for traveling and experience adventures together.

There are interesting people in hostels, cafes, stores and shopping malls. Make sure you keep an open mind so you can spot them.

Going on guided tours is a great way to both learn about the culture and meet fellow travelers. And since those travelers on the same tour you are, they probably have similar interests! That makes tours a convenient way to meet people.

Take a food market tour in Taiwan . Or a walking tour of historic Sydney. Or a bike tour around New York City.

Mutual interests are the glue of new friendships.

There’s something magical about the common area of a nice hostel.

Everyone there is open to making new friends. You all always have something in common, even if it’s just that you’re travelers to this new city. Because of this connection, small parties and hang-outs often form in the common area.

And more often than not, hanging out in the common room leads to an adventure. It’s not unusual for groups to end up going out together, experiencing the city as new friends.

Even if staying in a shared room isn’t your taste, you can still look for private rooms in a hostel. In the end, you can have the best of both worlds: the privacy of a solo room and the social aspect of the common area.

Meeting people around the world with similar interests has never been easier, thanks for these apps and recommendations.

You won’t just finish your trip with new friends. You’ll also have new experiences and a ton of stories to share.

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14 Best Senior-friendly Travel Groups

These senior-friendly travel companies offer tours and travel experiences as diverse as their clients.

The benefits of travel, whether it's a refreshing weekend getaway or a month-long trip to a new destination, are undeniable. And for retirees and seniors who have time and a travel budget, the opportunities are nearly endless — their own city, state, country, and even the whole world are all waiting to be explored.

It should be recognized that seniors are as diverse as any other generation, perhaps even more so as their years of experience have taken them in many directions. While their interests, abilities, values, and habits may vary, it can safely be said that for many, travel is in their plans.

Seniors travel to visit family, learn about the countries of their ancestors , or explore new destinations. Many seek immersive experiences, educational opportunities, or adventure. And travel companies are responding to their needs and wishes by offering tour options ranging from independent to fully guided, budget to luxury, and group to individual. The 14 organizations listed below are either aimed specifically at mature clients or feature experiences that are flexible enough to accommodate a variety of travelers.

Walking the World

Operating out of Grand Junction, Colorado, Walking the World offers walking and hiking tours mainly for travelers over the age of 50 who want to be immersed in the destinations they choose. Experienced hikers will enjoy its Rocky Mountain National Park tour , for example, with treks of up to 10 miles on some days during the eight-day itinerary. Meanwhile, the Ireland trip covers 11 days of exploring fishing villages, rolling green hills, the stunning Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney National Park. Daily walks range from four to eight miles and are described as gentle to moderate.

Road Scholar

Originally launched as Elderhostel in 1975, the company rebranded in 2010 as Road Scholar , recognizing the values and interests of lifelong learners who have participated in their lectures, tours, field trips, and educational experiences over the years. Participants are typically over the age of 50 and ready to learn from travel or focus on a specific interest. Trip themes such as grandparent adventures (special types of trips you can take with your grandchild), cruises, urban exploration, art and history, historical sites, and academic topics can be browsed by destination, activity level, and interest to help clients select their ideal tour experience.

Adventures Abroad

While Adventures Abroad largely caters to travelers over 50, tours are open to adults of all ages, and operate on every continent except for Antarctica. The company's "soft adventure" trips, which concentrate on the culture and history of a destination, don't include strenuous activities, though a reasonable degree of fitness and the ability to walk are required. Trips are rated from one to three based on physical activity, with the first level featuring only leisurely walks and level two meaning more time on your feet each day. Level-three trips might include walks or hikes on uneven ground for three to seven hours, though at a leisurely pace. Specific trips are suggested for each activity level for easy planning.

An adventure travel company designed for people ages 50 and over, ElderTreks offers small-group adventures — think wildlife safaris, hiking trips, cultural journeys, and other unique expeditions — in more than 100 countries. The tours are rated by activity level, ranging from one to five. At level one, travelers should be able to walk for one to two hours, whereas at level five, they'll need to be capable of hiking for eight to 10 hours.

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Senior Cycling

Specializing in bicycle tours for active adults ages 50 and up, Senior Cycling limits groups to a maximum of 13 participants. And they are always accompanied by the "sag wagon" in case someone needs a break from riding. Trips are rated at two levels: intermediate (for the occasional rider who prefers bike paths and flat terrain for 20–40 miles per day) and advanced (for those who are at ease with up to 50 miles per day, hills, and traffic). Custom tours can also be arranged for families or groups of friends.

Firebird Tours

With a focus on clients ages 50 and over, Firebird Tours offers small group trips to destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that deliver value, comfort, and quality. Themes for guided tours include gastronomy, history, architecture, and the Northern Lights , as well as theater and opera. Private family tours are also available, with destinations and activities suitable for a wider age range depending on the group.

Seniors interested in active vacations should check out Backroads , based out of Berkeley, California. While tours are open to all ages, the majority of participants tend to be over 50. Guided biking, walking, and hiking tours to a variety of destinations are geared toward adults, but also include options for families traveling with "teens and kids," "older teens and 20s," and those in their "20s and beyond." The company's Dolce Tempo tours offer a more relaxed pace, and include trips such as the Easygoing E-bike Tour in California wine country and the Easygoing Multi-adventure Tour in New Zealand.

Overseas Adventure Travel

With a variety of trips available to destinations on every continent, Overseas Adventure Travel makes a great choice if you're interested in seeing the world via small-ship cruises. In addition to guided land tours for groups of eight to 16, OAT offers sailings through the Norwegian Fjords, along West Africa's coast, and throughout the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. Mature travelers are often attracted to the flexibility of the trips and the ability to personalize activities. Recognizing that many of their customers travel alone — including a whopping 85 percent of their female clients — the company has created its getaways with solo travelers in mind, whether they're first-timers or experienced adventurers.

EF Go Ahead Tours

Operating out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, EF Go Ahead Tours offers a selection of small group tours for 10 to 22 guests. The senior-friendly trips focus on interests such as food and wine, adventure, and safaris, as well as specific destinations and seasonal events (think Oktoberfest in Germany, annual holiday markets in Europe, or St. Patrick's Day in Ireland). Traveling alone? The company's solo tours provide private rooms and personalized experiences especially geared toward those traveling by themselves. Clients can also gather their own group and take advantage of the services of EF's professional coordinators.

Kensington Tours

If you're looking to create a fully customized, privately guided trip based on your group's specific needs and travel preferences, look no further than Kensington Tours . Their expertise in more than 100 destinations worldwide makes planning easy, whether the goal is a culturally immersive experience, enjoying fine wine and dining, discovering the history of a place, or relaxation. While these arrangements are ideal for mature travelers who appreciate ease and luxury, the company also provides experiences for multigenerational travel in countries like Thailand, Japan, Iceland, and South Africa, featuring kid-friendly trips that come with private vehicles, local guides, and dining options fit for the whole family.

Intrepid Travel

A leading adventure tour operator known for its efforts to make travel accessible to all, Intrepid Travel offers a good mix of bespoke and ready-made itinerary options that can be adapted to suit your group's comfort level. Intrepid's Accessible Tours are especially inclusive, with trips that are designed for every type of traveler. Whichever trip you decide to book, you'll have access to local destination specialists to help you choose the perfect places to stay as well as organize transportation, activities, and guided tours, depending on your needs. The company's Walking & Trekking trips, suitable for a range of fitness levels, are especially popular with seniors, though adults of all ages are free to join in.

YMT Vacations

In business since 1967, YMT Vacations designs all-inclusive trips with mature travelers in mind. Prices cover hotel accommodations, guided sightseeing tours, baggage handling, and the expertise of tour directors and driver guides. Destinations include Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, North America, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, among others, and the company arranges travel for popular events such as the Rose Parade in California. A number of river cruise and transatlantic sailing options are also available.

Grand European Travel

Grand European Travel is an AARP-preferred travel provider (check the website for members-only discounts) that promotes itself as a one-stop shop to help clients plan their desired travel experiences. The company represents a collection of 30 travel brands — including the likes of Trafalgar and Insight Tours — which, altogether, cover seven continents. Offerings range from budget to luxury getaways, and everything from cruises to land tours. Thinking of taking a multigenerational trip? Browse the company's family experiences section, stocked with tours fit for all ages, whether you're into all-inclusive European river cruises or exploring U.S. national parks.

Country Walkers

Country Walkers aims to introduce travelers to new landscapes and cultures around the world by traveling on foot. Established in 1979, the Vermont-based operator offers walking tours in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. Tour types include guided (in a small group of up to 18) and self-guided (in a private group of up to 12), providing a great option for independent exploration. Travelers can choose from five levels, starting at "easy walking," which includes a daily distance of two to six miles for up to four hours per day. "Moderate walking," the mid-range option, suggests four to 10 miles and up to six hours of walking per day. Trips at the "challenging walking" level might go up to seven hours a day on foot, covering anywhere from six to 14 miles. Guests of all ages should be able to find a destination and tour that's best suited for their interests and fitness level.

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Egyptian Treasures Past and Present-  Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. Traveling to Egypt on our small group, women-only tour provides a more intimate view of this amazing country. Tour the Pyramids of Giza, visit sacred sites and temples as you cruise the Nile River upon which Cleopatra sailed with Caesar, explore ancient mysteries, and learn about the lives of ancient Egyptian queens and pharaohs too. Dine with local women for an evening of conversation and laughs.  You’ll stay at select 5-star properties and one beautiful, historic 4-star hotel. On this tour you will find both ancient and contemporary treasures…and kind, beautiful people you will never forget.  Everyone should visit Egypt…at least once!  Egypt travel itinerary.

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Egyptian Highlights & Gems-  Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. You’ll love Egypt on this 13-day  fully escorted, small group, women-only  tour.  Throughout the tour you will have our private Egyptologist to answer questions as we visit sacred sites and temples and learn of Egypt’s fascinating past.  We begin at the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara with it’s new finds, visit temples of ancient Thebes, and sacred sites as you cruise the Nile River on a 5-star river boat on which all cabins have private balconies.  You’ll stay at select 5-star properties all with Nile views and rejuvenating amenities.   Egypt travel itinerary.

Europe: Greek Isles: May 26- June  9, 2024 Simply Island Hopping Travel Adventure  – Our signature tour since 1998 and our most popular trip .  Email us to reserve your spot.  This full 2-week  tour is designed to give you flexibility and a good value.  The pace is leasurely with time to relax or to partake in optional excursions/activities.  We begin with 2 amazing nights in Athens touring the “must see” sites.  Then we will fly to Chania, Crete, which is one of the most picturesque old towns in Greece. Enjoy time to wander and/or an optional hike in the Samaria Gorge. Next to the village of Archanes to explore the fascinating  archaeological site of Knossos, once a center of goddess worship of the Minoans. Next hop a ferry to Santorini, which some believe to be Plato’s lost Atlantis.  Our final port-of-call is a hidden gem, the island of Tinos. Click here for the tour itinerary  

Europe: ireland: august 18-29, 2024.

In Search of the Irish Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley with author Anne Chambers -Celebrating Women in History! Join us and author Anne Chambers on a special adventure to the beautiful wild west coast of Ireland as we trace the life of a 16th century pirate queen, Grace O’Malley (Granuaile).  This extraordinary Celtic woman was  dismissed as mere legend, until Anne Chambers found documentation of Granuaile’s achievements. This is an empowering journey whether you are visiting Ireland for the first time or returning for  another look!  Enjoy a guided Burren walk with our local expert. Visit  castles Granuaile attained through war and love with archaeologist Michael Gibbons.   Explore the natural beauty and ancient sites of Connemara, Galway and Clare Island.    Click here for Ireland tour details

Europe: Malta September 2024

Ancient Goddesses & Medieval Knights- Discover the Maltese islands’ mysterious megalithic temples, pre-dating the pyramids of Giza, Egypt. These temples, dedicated to the mother goddess, are among the oldest human-built structures in the world. The Maltese islands have been a cross-roads of civilizations since prehistoric times. Explore an ancient Roman villa, Catacombs of St Paul, narrow meandering streets of villages and medieval citadels crowned by Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque palaces. Stay 2 nights on the island of Gozo, believed to be the island of the nymph Calypso of the Odyssey. If you enjoy history, mythology, nature walks, wine and excellent cuisine, you’ll LOVE Malta!   Travel itinerary

Europe: Sicily, Italy September 2024

Sicily-A Delicious Slice of Life! Experience the beauty of Sicily’s Ionian Coast and Cuisine.  You’ll tour archaeological sites dating to the 8 th century BC, ornate baroque villages, an ancient subterranean mikvah, a cathedral build into an ancient Greek temple of Athens, and the enchanting seaside resort of Taormina. Learn the secretes of authentic Sicilian cooking at fun hands-on cooking lesson. Enjoy wine tasting. Explore Mount Etna by jeep and sample products grown in the volcanic soil of its slopes. Combine this 10-day getaway with our Malta tour for a longer vacation and save $100 per person.   View itinerary

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Island Hopping in Style! Crete, Santorini & Mykonos –  Early October is a wonderful time to travel to the most popular Greek islands. The weather is pleasant, the crowds have gone home, the sunlight has a warm glow & the sea is warm enough for swimming. Travel to Chania on Crete, one of the post picturesque towns in all of Greece. Our accommodations are a converted 17th century palazzo in the charming Venetian old port.  Enjoy a fun hands-on Greek cooking class at an Olive Estate in the mountains . Optional hike in the Samaria Gorge. Tour the fascinating archaeological site of Knossos, before traveling by ferry to the most beautiful islands of Greece: Santorini and Mykonos.  Santorini’s geologic beauty is awe-inspiring.  Our hotel is a luxury property built into the cliff side with break-taking views. Next port-of-call is the popular island of Mykonos with its iconic windmills and quaint winding alley-like streets and world famous beaches.   From Mykonos it is a short boat trip for a tour of the ancient sacred island of Delos, which is an open-air museum today.  Optional 2 or 3-day Athens post-tour extension visiting the city’s “must see” sites and the Acropolis Museum. Click here for Greek Island Hopping trip details (Photo: Santorini/ Mykonos, Greece)

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Experience White Nights, Royal Palaces, Art Treasures & Caviar!    Tour Russia in grand style during the white nights (June-July)! Explore Russia’s rich art, history, and culture. Discover the epic role of women in creating the grandeur of the Russian Empire.  We begin in our journey in Moscow the capital of Russia. Tour the Kremlin, Red Square, and St Basils Cathedral.  Next travel to the Golden Ring of Russia to explore beautiful countryside villages and towns, dating back to medieval times, with magnificent onion domed monasteries and charming wooden churches. Travel by train to St Petersburg. Visit the opulent summer palaces of Russian royalty, sample caviar with a vodka tasting. Enjoy a performance at the famed Mariinsky Theater.   Itinerary & Travel update

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Super bowl tickets, luxury resort stay among perks pa. lawmakers accepted in 2023.

HARRISBURG — Top Pennsylvania state legislators accepted nearly $30,000 in travel expenses in 2023, often from groups that have interests before the state, newly filed ethics reports show.

That includes trips to political conferences and other events bankrolled by campaign groups, organizations pushing alternatives to public education and more. Several other lawmakers went to Arizona on a trip funded by Kooth, a U.K.-based mental health provider that has a state contract worth millions. While there, two state senators attended the Super Bowl on the dime of a millionaire insurance executive.

Pennsylvania’s gift law is one of the loosest in the U.S. and places very few limits on what public officials can accept. They can accept gifts of any size, as long as they report those that meet a certain threshold on ethics filings.

The law does bar lawmakers from taking gifts if doing so will influence their votes and positions. Under both chambers’ ethics rules, lawmakers are also barred from accepting cash gifts from a lobbyist or anyone else seeking a specific legislative outcome.

But good-government advocates have long bemoaned that there are few ways to enforce these no-pay-to-play rules, and they generally amount to self-policing. Other states also have much stricter limits on what lawmakers can accept.

“When you have a pay-to-play setup, when you can’t pay, you don’t get to play,” Michael Pollack, an activist who has pressured the state legislature to ban gifts, told Spotlight PA. “And that’s why so many Pennsylvanians feel used and unheard and hurt by policy violence.”

The primary oversight mechanism in the gift law is public reporting. Public officials must report any gift over $250 in value, or hospitality — including travel, meals and lodging — over $650 on their annual ethics filings.

But there are ways around this requirement. A 2019 legislative report found that lobbyists regularly spread costs out among clients, which in turn can keep gifts to lawmakers below the reporting threshold.

This loophole is apparently often used. In 2018, legislators and state employees reported accepting $39,200 in gifts and hospitality from lobbyists, the report noted. During the same period, lobbyists and principals reported spending $1.5 million on that purpose.

Some work, some play

In 2023, six lawmakers traveled to Arizona to attend a conference held by Kooth, which received a $3 million contract from the Department of Human Services to provide online mental health services to school districts.

Four of those lawmakers — state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D., Erie) and Sens. Jimmy Dillon (D., Philadelphia), Marty Flynn (D., Lackawanna), and Chris Gebhard (R., Lebanon) — reported travel expenses paid for by either Kooth or Kooth’s lobbyists, the DT Firm, totaling $8,500.

In a February 2023 press release, Kooth said the lawmakers went to Arizona to “highlight their work” on a panel.

In an email, a company spokesperson said that Pennsylvania was one of the first states in the country to fund online student mental health resources, and “legislators who were supportive of the grant funding and were seeing local success in their school districts joined the panel to provide an overview of what PA is doing for youth mental health.”

Both Bizzarro and Gebhard told Spotlight PA that mental health issues are top priorities for them as legislators.

“I didn’t really know why they wanted me to go,” Gebhard said. “I think it’s a topic we have to talk about a lot more and deliver services to the people who need it.”

State Reps. Mike Cabell and Aaron Kaufer, both Republicans from Luzerne County, also traveled to Arizona but did not report gifts related to the trip on their ethics filings.

Cabell did not respond to a request for comment, but Kooth said he “paid his own way to learn more.”

Kaufer said he paid Kooth back for his travel costs. He also attended the Super Bowl while in Arizona on his own dime.

“I was a sponsor of the gift ban,” Kaufer told Spotlight PA. “I don’t mind going on these trips, but I’d rather pay my own way.”

Dillon and Flynn also attended the Super Bowl while in Arizona, and reported receiving $2,200 from Excalibur Insurance Management Services on their annual ethics filings. The company is owned by Charles Volpe, a Lackawanna County businessman and frequent GOP political donor.

Dillon’s report said the expense was a Super Bowl ticket, while Flynn’s categorized it as “transportation, lodging, and hospitality.” However, he told Spotlight PA that the expense was a ticket.

Flynn said that he has known Volpe for 30 years and that Volpe is the uncle of “one of my best friends.”

Volpe is also a Philadelphia Eagles season ticket holder through his company, which allowed him to purchase two tickets to the 2023 championship game. Flynn said that Volpe wasn’t able to attend and gave him the tickets. Flynn gave the second ticket to Dillon.

Volpe told Spotlight PA that he was “a little old to be going to Super Bowls” and had no interest in seeing the Eagles play — “I’m a Raiders fan,” he said. Volpe offered the tickets to Flynn after remembering that the lawmaker was going to be in Arizona at the same time.

As for Dillon, Volpe said: “I don’t even know the other guy. That’s Marty’s friend.”

Volpe dismissed the idea that the gift was an attempt at influence.

“I’m a major donor to the SRCC and HRCC,” he said, referring to the legislative Republican campaign committees, “so I could give two licks less about some senators.”

State law does not require officials to report gifts from family members or friends “when the circumstances make it clear that the motivation for the action was a personal or family relationship.” By that standard, Flynn said he didn’t need to report the tickets because of his “pre-existing relationship” with Volpe.

“But I did anyway, just to make sure that there didn’t look like there was anything funny going on,” he said.

Flynn and Volpe, who also runs a nonprofit insurer of governmental bodies, said they never talk about policy. Excalibur is not registered to lobby, according to Department of State records, while Volpe’s nonprofit, the Housing and Redevelopment Insurance Exchange, is.

Travel perks

Spotlight PA examined 31 of the 253 state lawmakers’ ethics reports, focusing on those in leadership positions. While some reported no gifts or travel, others accepted thousands of dollars worth from advocacy groups with agendas to pitch.

Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia) reported $4,600 in travel from four groups.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee — a national group that funnels millions of dollars from unions, corporate trade associations, and other groups into state-level races — spent $2,300 to send McClinton to its “Speaker’s Conference.”

McClinton also accepted trips to the annual meetings of The NewDEAL, “a selective national network of pro-growth progressive state and local elected officials”; the Pennsylvania Medical Society; and the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, a state interest group representing trial lawyers.

Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery) reported accepting a trip worth almost $3,000 from the State Government Affairs Council, an association of multi-state lobbyists, to their “Leaders Policy Conference.”

The event was held last November at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island near Jacksonville, Florida. The 5-star hotel “stands as an exquisite testament to refined luxury,” according to its website. The conference agenda included panels on marijuana legalization, retail crime, and “civility in public discourse” as well as a “sunset cruise” and a Sunday afternoon football watch party.

State House Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia) reported accepting two trips worth $5,700. One was from the North Carolina-based Hunt Institute for a summit on early childhood education; the other was from the Justice Action Network, a national criminal justice reform group that asked him to be a guest speaker at a conference, according to his statement.

Groups supporting alternatives to public education were also active in flying lawmakers around the country.

The American Federation for Children provided $3,270 in meals and lodging to state House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster) and state Rep. Josh Kail (R., Washington), his caucus’ policy chair, to attend a December conference in San Diego.

The meeting was held to “exchange school choice strategies and solutions that can benefit families,” Cutler said in his disclosure.

State Sen. Ryan Aument (R., Lancaster), his caucus’ whip, accepted travel paid for by a think tank that supports school choice. He reported $2,550 from the Florida-based Foundation for Excellence in Education to travel to a November summit in Atlanta.

In an email, Aument’s spokesperson said the conference was not solely focused on school choice. A foundation web page shows presentations on artificial intelligence, the impact of smartphone usage on children, and “the complex and troubling challenges facing today’s male students.”

State Rep. Dawn Keefer (R., York), chair of the arch-conservative Freedom Caucus, accepted a trip from another national group backing alternatives to public education, the Indianapolis-based EdChoice. It was the most expensive of four trips she reported.

Keefer also accepted trips from the American Legislative Exchange Council; Young Americans for Liberty, a libertarian-aligned student activist group; and the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative political group that counts Pennsylvania billionaire Jeff Yass among its top donors. In total, she accepted $8,000 for the four trips.

Not every gift lawmakers accepted in 2023 was policy-related.

State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Philadelphia) also attended the 2023 Super Bowl, but his trip wasn’t related to Kooth or Volpe. Hughes is married to actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, who performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before kickoff. At the time, Hughes’ spokesperson said that Ralph brought Hughes with her and that the NFL paid for his lodging, transportation, and ticket.

Hughes reported the trip, paid for by the NFL, on his annual statement. He reported $1,000 in travel costs with the ticket as “value unknown.” He also reported accepting three tickets from the Philadelphia 76ers worth $810.

State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) reported accepting $3,700 in “golf clubs/accessories” from two individuals: Gebhard, a fellow state senator, and Indiana County insurance executive Joe Reschini.

“Despite the gifts coming from two friends, I felt it was something that should be disclosed to best adhere to ethical conduct laws,” Pittman said in a statement.

Gebhard, who said he played college golf, said the clubs were a Christmas present for Pittman and “the least I could do to pay him back for the nine million questions I’ve asked him over the last three years.”

The clubs, he said, are “just me being a complete golf geek.”

——

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania.

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Senior Travel and Vacations

A 2024 Guide to Senior Travel

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You've worked hard your whole life and dreamed of traveling to several exotic locations. Now that you've retired, it's time to hit the road (or runway). Perhaps you want to travel with your spouse, join a group of older adults, or join family or friends on their vacations. The options are limited only by your pocketbook and your imagination.

In this guide, we'll cover travel tips for seniors, ways to save, and group trips to explore.

Senior Travel Tips

Before you travel, be sure to purchase travel insurance to cover unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical expenses, lost luggage, and other incidents associated with travel. Since medical issues are more likely to come up for older travelers, it makes sense to purchase travel insurance in case the trip must be canceled due to a medical problem.

Pro Tip: Looking for travel insurance but don't know where to start? View our list of the best travel insurance for seniors in 2024 .

Check what your health insurance covers when you're out of the country. Many Medicare supplemental insurance plans do not provide coverage outside of the US. Travel insurance provides this much-needed coverage.

Although most people dream of traveling during retirement, according to a report,  Journey to Healthy Aging: Planning for Travel in Retirement , only 18% of Americans have specifically saved for retirement travel. This means that most Americans will need to be creative to fulfill their wanderlust after retirement.

Some ways you can save on travel and vacation costs include:

• Group trips : Because travel agencies purchase tickets in bulk, they can pass the savings on to you. Group travel is generally led by expert guides steering you towards the best things to do while at specific locales. If you're traveling solo, it's a great way to do so without feeling alone.
• Off-season travel : Since you're retired and no longer tied to a time clock, you have the flexibility of traveling during off-peak travel times. This allows you to take advantage of lower rates. Flights on Monday through Wednesday, especially those during the late morning or afternoon, cost less. Off-season travel gives you further savings on accommodations and attractions. Three great places to find discount flights are The Flight Deal, Secret Flying, and HolidayPirates.
• Honey travel : According to Travel+Leisure, Honey generally offers hotel discounts better than those you'll find on other booking sites.  Honey is a free service (a browser extension) that automatically searches for discounts and coupon codes.
• Senior discounts : Many organizations and retailers offer senior discounts, so be sure to inquire about them as you make reservations and as you travel. Members of AARP , AAA, and veterans' groups can receive discounts at hotels, airlines, tour providers, and car rental agencies. The National Park Service sells an $80 (plus a $10 handling fee) for a lifetime senior pass to those 62 and older. Some airlines offer a limited number of senior fares. Many hotels offer senior discounts .
• Stay at hostels : Hostels offer affordable places to stay when traveling. Hostels are popular with younger travelers, so be prepared to run into a lot of partiers during your stay. But as one senior shared, if there's too much activity in a hostel, they won't have lost much money should they decide to move on. Sites to help locate a hostel include Hostels.com, HostelWorld.com, Hosteling International, and Hostel Bookers.
• Stay at an Airbnb : An Airbnb offers someone's home as a place to stay instead of a hotel. Accommodations may be an entire home or someone's spare room. You can find unique accommodations ranging from a castle to an igloo.
• Additional resources : Kiplinger.com provides a list of sites for the best travel deals to help you save money. Cruise Sheet and Vacations To Go are great places to locate discounts on cruises, although they may not be senior-specific.  Intrepid, Kiwi Experience (New Zealand), Context Travel (walking tours), and BusAbout are great places to find discounts on tours and excursions, especially last minute. But again, they may not be senior-specific.

No matter what kind of organization or group you choose to travel with, it’s important to plan sufficiently for your trip. If you have special needs, touch base with the group to ensure they can accommodate your needs. The  Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality  offers travel tips and access information for travel destinations. They also have a great listing of disability travel websites.

Senior Travel Groups and Clubs

• Senior travel clubs and groups :  Senior travel clubs/groups organize trips for members, offering vacation packages at great rates. It also provides a wonderful way for solo vacationers to travel with a group of like-minded seniors.  ElderTreks, Row Adventures, and Walking the World specialize in adventure travel, something many older adults are searching for. Before joining a club, be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau and read their literature, especially the fine print, to ensure the group you have chosen is reputable.
• Educational travel : Road Scholar is a not-for-profit organization and was once known as Elderhostel International .  It offers thousands of affordable learning adventures for adults, both nationally and internationally. Some scholarships are available for those who don't have the financial means to participate.
• Voluntourism : A volunteer vacation allows you to give back in a multitude of ways and enjoy various cultures, depending upon the organization you volunteer and travel with. The trips aren't free, but they are rewarding and provide an economical way to visit a particular area. National and international opportunities are available. Some organizations to check out include REI Adventures, American Hiking Society, Discover Corps, Global Volunteers, and Earth Watch. Many others are available.

Benefits of Senior Travel

Travel during retirement is more than an enjoyable activity. It's good for you!

• It keeps you active, and older adults who are more physically active have lower rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and many other diseases.
• It stimulates and challenges your brain as you encounter new people, cultures and environments.
• It reduces stress and improves your mood and outlook on life.
• It strengthens and deepens friendships.

And, it's just plain fun! So, get out and enjoy a vacation. You've earned it!

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E-ZPass warns of email, text scam targeting drivers ahead of Memorial Day travel

by John Gonzalez

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (7News) — This is the time of year when thousands more people will be driving the Bay Bridge, headed to the beaches. As we get closer to Memorial Day weekend travel, the Maryland Transportation Authority and the E-ZPass Group are warning drivers about a scam.

Scammers are pretending to be toll collectors, swindling drivers out of a ton of money. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has received over 2,000 complaints from at least three undisclosed states about the claim.

These scam attacks through emails and text messaging are on the rise nationwide.

The scammers are sending texts claiming to be "E-ZPass Toll Services." The texts direct recipients to click a link to pay an outstanding toll balance to avoid a late fee.

E-ZPass is advising customers to delete any texts claiming to be the toll service and make sure not to click on any links provided.

Anybody who clicked the link and completed the form should immediately contact their bank and notify E-ZPass of any erroneous information posted to their accounts. Officials here in Maryland have put out the warning locally, but it appears the scam is moving from state to state with nearly identical language and similar "outstanding toll amounts."

READ MORE | Maryland Gov. Moore to close loophole in Noah's Law aimed at DUI prevention

E-ZPass Group Executive Director PJ Wilkins told 7News, "We will continue to work with our partnering states to alert our customers of any criminal activity that places them at risk, and we encourage E-ZPass customers to be vigilant in ensuring that their personal and financial information is not compromised by falling prey to these fraudulent schemes."

Drivers should only pay tolls directly through DriveEzMD's website, phone line or customer service centers.

E-ZPass customers who receive the text should file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center HERE.

Maryland E-ZPass customers wishing to pay their real balances should contact DriveEzMD at 1-888-321-6824.

In-person Customer Service Centers are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A list of center locations is posted online HERE.

Here’s the message from Maryland Transportation Authority:

The E-ZPass Group is issuing an alert to all E-ZPass customers about a text messaging scam targeted at customers of tolling agencies across the United States. The scam aims to deceive customers into entering their personal data and financial information to a fake website.

Customers receiving text messages claiming to be sent by “E-ZPass Toll Services” that directs them to click a link to pay an outstanding toll balance to avoid a late fee should be aware that this message is fraudulent. The toll account information provided in these texts is neither valid nor accurate.

E-ZPass warns customers to delete the texts immediately and do not click on any links embedded in the text messages. Customers who have clicked the link and completed the form should immediately contact their financial institution and notify E-ZPass of any erroneous information posted to their accounts. In Maryland, customers should contact DriveEzMD at 1-888-321-6824 or live chat HERE (Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.). In-person Customer Service Centers are open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Extended hours are in effect Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. View full list of center locations here

Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a public service announcement warning the public about a wave of fraudulent SMS texts attempting to scam toll road users. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received over 2,000 complaints reporting fraudulent texts representing road toll collection service from at least three states. The complaint information indicates that the scam appears to be moving from state to state. The texts claim the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls and contain almost identical language. The “outstanding toll amount” has been similar among the complaints reported to the IC3. However, the link provided within the text is created to impersonate the state’s toll service name, and phone numbers appear to change between states.

E-ZPass advises customers that if you receive one of these texts, file a complaint with the IC3 HERE.

“Scam attacks through emails and text messaging are on the rise in our country and protecting the safety of E-ZPass customer information is of paramount importance to us”, stated PJ Wilkins, E-ZPass Group Executive Director. “We will continue to work with our partnering states to alert our customers of any criminal activity that places them at risk, and we encourage E-ZPass customers to be vigilant in ensuring that their personal and financial information is not compromised by falling prey to these fraudulent schemes.”

One million dollar pledge

JANUARY 2024

Following record fundraising year, the Intrepid Foundation commits to furthering its philanthropic impact, from their travel community for their host communities.

Intrepid Travel , the world leader in responsible travel, is pledging 1 million dollars to local communities around the world in 2024, through its nonprofit arm,  The Intrepid Foundation .  

As part of the pledge, Intrepid is matching public contributions from January 1, 2024. By ensuring contributions go twice as far, Intrepid aims to empower travellers to give back to the 45 grassroots NGOs chosen by its local teams in the destinations they visit.  

In 2023, The Intrepid Foundation raised over 2.7 million AUD for a diverse range of community projects and appeals across the globe – the foundation’s most successful fundraising year to date, since it was established in 2002. 

2023 Landmark Achievements:  

1.) Morocco Earthquake Appeal: 

108 tons of emergency supplies were delivered to 69 villages in 48 municipalities, directly supporting 3,872 families through its local partner,  High Atlas Foundation .  

Water restoration projects were initiated to support communities where safe drinking water supply had been damaged.  

Short-term schooling, accommodations, supplies, clothing and free counseling support, as well as direct funds were established to rebuild permanent homes for 250 impacted students through its local partner,  Education for All .  

2.) Blue Dragon Marathon Fundraiser: 

Intrepid communities raised 328,000 AUD through marathon events held in several cities including Melbourne, London, Toronto, Osaka and Singapore. 

Contributions will support human trafficking victims through the  Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation  in Vietnam, providing essentials such as emergency accommodations, supplies, psychological support, job support, cooking sessions and art therapy.  

Funds also enable prevention workers to provide student scholarships, organize career education, and offer medical care and cyber safety training for disadvantaged and high-risk communities. 

3.) Travel Industry Collaboration:  

In a major cross-industry collaboration highlighting how travel can serve as a force for good,  Eurail  partnered with The Intrepid Foundation to further its impact on communities and NGOs across Europe. 

During their November Promotion, Eurail donated 10 EUR, for every Eurail and Interrail Pass sold, to The Intrepid Foundation’s seven local NGO partners. The Journeys That Make A Difference campaign contributed 430,000 AUD to community causes including  Cooperativa Coraggio  in Italy,  Humana Zagreb  in Croatia and  REFOOD  in Portugal.  

Reflecting on the impact made by the Intrepid Travel community following the earthquake in Morocco, Intrepid’s Managing Director of EMEA Zina Bencheikh, who is based in Morocco and was in the country at the time of the earthquake, reflects on the new matching initiative:  

“Here in Morocco, I witnessed our teams rally together to provide comfort in a time of incredible loss. The needs of communities like those of the High Atlas Mountains are the reasons why this foundation exists. By introducing this new matching initiative, we aim to assure our travelers that any amount they’re able to give will go a long way,” says Bencheikh.  

With its local connections and expertise, Intrepid can identify the most pressing social and environmental issues concerning a particular region and support small community-based NGOs already doing the work to address them. This ground-up approach focuses on empowering local communities to face the challenges they care about, while improving access to global donors.  

“We consistently hear from travelers who want to do more for the local communities they visit,” says Biheng Zhang, General Manager of The Intrepid Foundation. “While giving back, our host communities must lead the way. By introducing customers to these local initiatives during their Intrepid trips, we hope to bridge an important gap, and do more for the communities that have become like family through our travels,” she adds.  

Beyond the $1M company donation, The Intrepid Foundation is aiming to raise a further $2M through travellers’ contributions in 2024. 

To learn more or contribute to The Intrepid Foundation’s efforts, please visit  www.theintrepidfoundation.org . 

Parents watch for ‘hopeful little signs’ after 15-year-old shot in head

DELTA, Colo. (KUSA) - The parents of a Colorado teenager said they are thankful he’s still alive as he recovers in the hospital after getting shot in the back of the head.

Asking a parent to wait in a situation that affects their child can be easier said than done, but Kailey Hanak and her husband, Brian Spencer, have become pros at waiting over the last two weeks.

The couple have spent each day since May 3 in the hospital as their 15-year-old son, Kasen Spencer, recovers from serious trauma. Police say he was shot in the head while with a group of other teens in a recreational vehicle.

“He was shot in the back of the head, so the bullet stopped in his brain,” Spencer said. “He still has fragments in his brain.”

Kasen’s parents said they are thankful he’s still alive. He has been in and out of sedation at Salt Lake City Primary Children’s Hospital for the last week.

“From the day I had him, that kid has been here to teach me patience, so he’s just teaching me even more now to be patient than before,” Hanak said.

Spencer said he remembers watching his son leave the night he was shot to hang out with friends. Now, all he wants is to see the 15-year-old walk back through their door.

“We miss his smile, his laugh, especially his laugh. He had an amazing and contagious laugh. Even, you know, being a smart a--. We miss all of those things,” Spencer said.

Over the weekend, the family welcomed positive news. Kasen came off his ventilator, moved out of the intensive care unit and is hearing, seeing and talking.

“Hopeful little signs is all we need,” Hanak said.

But understanding the full extent of the teen’s injuries will require more waiting. His parents say he had dreams of being a mixed martial arts fighter or joining the Marine Corps, like his father, but those dreams are now uncertain.

“He’s a strong kid, and I know that whatever is handed or happens or whatever it is, he’ll be amazing at it, just like he is everything else,” Hanak said.

Police are still investigating where the gun came from and who fired it. They haven’t made any arrests yet but say investigators are close to a resolution in the case.

In the meantime, Kasen’s aunt created a GoFundMe to support the family financially while her nephew recovers.

Copyright 2024 KUSA via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.

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Judge: Alabama groups can sue over threat of prosecution for helping with abortion travel

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday said abortion rights advocates can proceed with lawsuits against Alabama’s attorney general over threats to prosecute people who help women travel to another state to terminate pregnancies.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson denied Attorney General Steve Marshall’s request to dismiss the case. The groups said Marshall has suggested anti-conspiracy laws could be used to prosecute those who help Alabama women obtain an abortion in another state. The two lawsuits seek a legal ruling clarifying that the state can’t prosecute people for providing such assistance.

Alabama bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape and incest.

While Thompson did not issue a final ruling, he said the organizations “correctly contend” that the attorney general “cannot constitutionally prosecute people for acts taken within the State meant to facilitate lawful out of state conduct, including obtaining an abortion.”

“Alabama can no more restrict people from going to, say, California to engage in what is lawful there than California can restrict people from coming to Alabama to do what is lawful here. In this sense, the case is not an especially difficult call,” Thompson wrote.

Marshall has not prosecuted anyone for providing abortion assistance, but he has made statements suggesting his office would “look at” groups that provide help. Marshall’s office had asked Thompson to dismiss the lawsuit.

One lawsuit was filed by the Yellowhammer Fund. That group stopped providing financial assistance to low income persons over concerns about possible prosecution. The other suit was filed by an obstetrician and two former abortion clinics that continue to provide contraception and other health services.

Plaintiffs said Marshall’s comments have had a chilling effect on their work and made it difficult for doctors and others to know if they can make appointments and referrals for abortions out of state.

Thompson scheduled a May 15 status conference to discuss the next steps. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and handed authority on abortion law to the states, the Deep South quickly became an area of limited abortion access.