Adventures in Travels with Joan

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Hi and welcome!
I'm Joan ~ My husband and I have been traveling Europe for 17 years now. Over the years we've discovered a few things….I don’t like busses (never did) and we want to “experience the flavor of the locals” not just drive past it. Our family and friends always loved the sound and feel of our trips so…, by popular demand, I started organizing and taking small groups with us the last 10 of those 17 years.

Come to Europe with me where history is made exciting.

Enjoy the flavor and culture of each country and region, every village and town. What I call “on the bus - off the bus” organized tours, SHOW you Europe, much of it through the window of the bus; we EXPERIENCE IT, with the people, or what I call “on the ground with the locals”. We travel 4 persons to a station wagon which gives a more personal experience; you can drive if you wish. I believe the way to “live” your European experience, when in small villages and towns, is by staying in small family hotels, pensions, gasthofs (all rooms with private bath) giving you an opportunity to become one of the family. If in a large city, I look for hotels that give that “home town” feeling. Lodging is always 3 star. Europeans are warm, friendly people always striving to please you.

A quote from my favorite travel guy, Rick Steves, “If you want to sleep with Americans and eat with Americans, stay home”.

A small group (12-16), where everyone is a travel friend, is a wonderful way to travel with security for couples and singles alike. You will have a partnership in the trip; your views and options appreciated; we are all part of the team. Age is no barrier --- energy level and endurance are what counts, sometimes walking 1-3 miles a day and 1-2 flights of stairs. I always try to put a group together based mostly on interests. Most trips are 21-24 days.

A few things that we believe make ALL the difference when comparing “their way” (organized tours) packages with my way of travel:

Schlepping luggage off and on busses daily ~ Versus ~ We use private cars (4 to a car) with all the comforts of your own vehicle, with GPS, Walkie Talkie, driver and navigator teams, caravan style.
They tell you when and where to eat ~ Versus ~ Breakfast is always included plus the price of my trips includes a dinner per diem, which is given to you each day to use at the restaurants of your choosing, whenever you desire.
They cannot deviate from their schedule ~ Verses ~ We hav a schedule but it is flexible.
Set sites, no variations ~ Versus ~ 2 to 3 times the number of sites, and the flexibility to add or subtract special interest areas.
“They” have you up at the “crack of dawn” with luggage out in front of the door ~Versus ~ With me, we leave around 8:30 on travel days and around 9:00 on sightseeing days.

With me, you will have information from “what to bring” to “how to pack”. You will have detailed daily itineraries and maps of villages, towns and cities of all places that will be visited, along with all the local history and background. You will have everything you need to know before you go; no need to “follow the umbrella” wearing a name tag.

I have over 50 detailed write-ups on all the places I have taken people in Italy, Germany and Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, France, Croatia and Andorra. Samples available upon request.

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Coming Soon 2012 -
Croatia, Austria & Germany

Hallstatt, Austria

See details on our 2012 trip to Croatia, Austria & Germany by clicking on "Current Trip" tab - we have 6 spots left - ContactToday!

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Joan's Travel Consulting

Group trips not your thing??

Would you rather "go" it alone or with another person, but don't have any idea of where and how to begin??

Then… let me plan your trip for you. I have 17 years experience in planning trips for as few as two people to as many as 20 people.

Where do you want to go and for how long?? I will give you suggestions and share detailed write-ups on Germany and Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Croatia and Andorra, which include all sights that you would have an opportunity to see.

I make your lodging reservations and plan out a detailed itinerary.

I will give you the benefits of driving your own car versus taking a train. Driving in Europe is really very easy and I will get you from one place to another with maps, driving itineraries, etc.

I will make airline reservations for you or show you how to do your own.

**Fees based on extent of trip. A $100 minimum and volume discounts available.

Please contact me for a list of references and examples of trip itineraries.