From a new ship in the Uniworld fleet and all-new FAM initiative to new itineraries in Albania and Peru for Contiki, expanded small group and women’s tour offerings from Insight Vacations, and five new itineraries from Trafalgar, there’s a lot going in the TTC Tour Brands portfolio in 2025. Here’s a look at some of the notable news.
Insight Vacations
Dubbed The Travel Corporation’s “business class” tour brand, Insight Vacations will significantly increase its Small Group tour offering for 2025 after a sellout year in 2024. More than 100 itineraries that average 20 guests (and never more than 24) cover every corner of the globe and include a newly launched Women Only Small Group Tour series.
“Our Small Group tours performed remarkably well in 2024, and we expect this strong trend to continue into 2025,” said Melissa DaSilva, Interim CEO, TTC Tour Brands. “We understand that travellers have diverse preferences when it comes to travel styles, and we’re excited to meet those needs by offering a range of group sizes, no matter the destination.
“With more small group departures, guests gain greater flexibility in choosing their ideal itineraries, while travel advisors enjoy an expanded selection of options to satisfy clients and drive sales.”
All Small Group itineraries boast the same premium inclusions and experiences that are at the core of the Insight Vacations difference, including four- and five-star hotels in central locations and a fleet of over 100 exclusively created ‘Business Class’ Style coaches feature extra legroom, and other premium touches, including enhanced views.
Uniquely trademarked for Insight Vacations (and its TTC sister brands) all itineraries also include at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience, conscious travel experiences crafted to advance at least one or more of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development goals.
Also extended for 2025, is the brand’s popular Women’s Only Tours, where all itineraries and all departures are exclusively Small Groups. These vacations, crafted for women by women, give like-minded female travellers access to celebrate women’s achievements across countries and cultures.
Contiki
Contiki is launching its most extensive Europe trip collection in over 60 years, an expanded range of trips in Asia, including China, India, the Philippines, and for the first time, Borneo, and two new budget Peru trips.
In Europe, travellers can choose from 10 new itineraries, including Contiki’s first-ever trip to Albania and destinations across Athens, Rome, France, England, Switzerland, Morocco, and Egypt.
“We’ve been leading travel experiences in Europe for over 60 years, and it’s a region that holds a special place in Contiki’s history and heart,” says Adam Armstrong, CEO of Contiki. “This new collection of trips is about evolving with our travellers’ desires. We want to uncover hidden gems and offer fresh, immersive experiences that align with the interests of travellers today, and launching in destinations like Albania reflects our commitment to bringing new, off-the-beaten-path adventures to life.”
New Contiki trips in Europe include destinations such as Mallorca, France, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond.
Meanwhile, in South America, Contiki has introduced two new budget-friendly trips to Peru: ‘Lima to Machu Picchu Road Trip’ and ‘Peru: Lima to Huaraz.’ These trips are part of Contiki’s expanded Latin America collection and include English- and Spanish-speaking Trip Managers, quality hostel accommodations, internal transport, and comfortable sleeper coaches.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld has announced a host of new offerings for 2025, including the debut of its latest ship, the S.S. Elisabeth (rendering above), which will set sail for the first time from Amsterdam in March. Uniworld will also introduce six new itineraries next year in Italy, France, Portugal and beyond, along with multiple cruise extensions and more. Highlights include:
- New ship: The S.S. Elisabeth will join its sister ship the S.S. Victoria next season, accommodating up to 110 guests in 55 luxurious suites and staterooms. The S.S. Elisabeth features some of the largest suites on the rivers of Europe, plus a pool, gym, massage room, sundeck bar and more. The ship will set sail on the 8-day ‘Castles Along the Rhine’ itinerary in March 2025, followed by the ‘Rhine Holiday Market’ itinerary during the 2025 holiday season.
- New European itineraries: In 2025, Uniworld will launch six new itineraries in Europe: ‘Cruise & Rail: Paris to Istanbul’; ‘Wine Roads of France and Portugal’; ‘Rhine, Moselle and Belgium Grand Discovery’; ‘Grande Italia’; ‘Rome, Venice & the Jewels of Veneto’; and ‘Dutch and Belgian Holiday Celebration’
- Exclusive Added Extensions: Uniworld is adding six cruise extensions on itineraries across Europe in 2025: Madeira Island; Mediterranean Cassis; Biarritz Basque Country; Engelberg; Kitzbühel; and Zurich.
- Themed cruises: Along with returning favourites, newly developed offerings include a music-themed cruise and an all-inclusive golf package, as well as the brand’s first-ever women’s-only sailing, which will bring together women across generations to enjoy curated onboard activities, exclusive excursions, special guests and more.
Trafalgar
Guided vacation company, Trafalgar, is introducing over five new itineraries in scenic US hotspots, historical European cities, and more. Highlights include:
- Alaska Northern Lights: Guests will discover Alaska on a seven-day tour, featuring Denali National Park’s tundra, with multiple opportunities to view the Northern Lights during a peak year for sightings, complemented by expert night photography tips and stories on a Be My Guest experience with photographer ‘Aurora Dora’. Participate in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience with native Alaskan communities to learn about their traditions, history, and efforts to preserve their land and culture.
- Best of India: This updated itinerary offers travellers an immersive experience through India’s rich history and culture, including exploring the historic sites of Old Delhi and the Taj Mahal, searching for tigers in Ranthambore National Park, observing local life along the Ganges, and savoring regional cuisine. The trip includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience in Jaipur, to visit a local women’s cooperative to engage with artisans, learn about traditional crafts, and understand the importance of empowering women through sustainable businesses.
- Highlights of Germany: An eight-day guided tour through Germany’s top destinations, including Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, Nuremberg’s Frauenkirche, Dresden’s historical sites, and Neuschwanstein Castle. The tour features a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at a Bavarian farm to learn about sustainable farming, organic produce, and animal welfare.
- Charms of the Southeast USA: This tour offers a deep dive into the region’s history, art, and cuisine. Visit Charleston’s City Market, explore Savannah’s historic streets with a celebrity food writer on a Be My Guest experience, and tour the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. On Jekyll Island experience Gullah Geechee culture with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience and enjoy Georgia’s scenic lighthouses and coastlines.
- Best of the Pacific Northwest: This eight-day tour explores Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco, including a Be My Guest wine tasting in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at TMK Creamery, and visits to the iconic Redwood National and State Parks.
Costsaver
Meanwhile, affordable guided tour company Costsaver is introducing one new itinerary:
- Highlights of Northern India with Mumbai: An 11-day tour exploring the vibrant streets of Delhi and the iconic Taj Mahal to the Pink City of Jaipur and the Blue City of Jodhpur. Travellers will wander through markets and palaces while discovering the history of ancient forts and ruins and tracing landmarks at UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Agra Fort and Elephanta Island. The trip features a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Mumbai where travellers visit a community project supporting children and underprivileged families.
Tour week
Starting March 2025, over 500 travel advisors will embark on 13 unique and simultaneous itineraries worldwide. The “Tour Week” initiative is designed to demonstrate the diversity of guided tour options available across TTC Tours Brands Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Contiki, Costsaver and Insight brands.
Each FAM trip will be tailored to a specific brand, and range from wellness travel to ancestry travel, with advisors selecting the itinerary that best aligns with their unique business objectives. The tours will include workshops dedicated to the theme of each FAM and general sessions to educate advisors about touring and selling TTC Tour Brands.
Destinations and themes range from Alaska to ancestry/heritage travel. Each FAM experience is priced at US$1099 (land only, twin share) and includes unique experiences, most meals, on-trip transportation and accommodations. For more, click HERE.
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