Top Luxury Tour Operators for Unforgettable Travel Experiences
Ask anyone who has used a tour operator, and they will tell you it’s the only way to travel. Whether embarking on a truffle tasting excursion in Tuscany, sailing through the Cyclades in your own schooner, or cycling in style through Napa Valley, a tour operator takes the hassle out of planning a luxurious getaway. The world’s best focus on the finest details to create unparalleled experiences — and memories that last a lifetime. Each year, GoTravelDaily surveys travelers to weigh in on their experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, and airlines. Readers rated tour operators on their staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value. Many of the winners focus on active cycling or walking vacations. Debuting for the first time ever is DuVine Cycling & Adventure Company, which arranges bicycle trips in Europe, North and South America, Africa, and the Middle East. Readers raved about the No. 2 company’s attention to detail and the flexibility of their guides, allowing extra time to explore local areas. “We love biking with DuVine,” says a reader. “What a way to see the wine regions of the world, with expert guides that felt like family by the end of the journey, top-notch accommodations, and fabulous food.” Mountain Lodges of Peru, the No. 5 winner, offers a seven-day Salkantay trek along the Inca Trail, with stops at small lodges in remote villages. The end point: Machu Picchu. “Standing at the top of a pass with nothing around us but llamas and the beauty of the land was an experience I will never forget,” shared another reader. Rather than planning your next vacation entirely by yourself, consider these premier tour operators, including the No. 1 winner, recognized as one of the most exclusive in the business.
10. Backroads
Score: 95.72
9. Journeys Within
Score: 95.90
8. VBT Bicycling & Walking Vacations
Score: 95.93
7. Asia Transpacific Journeys
Score: 96.13
6. Classic Journeys
Score: 96.20
5. Mountain Lodges of Peru
Score: 96.72
4. Gray & Co.
Score: 96.86
3. Heritage Tours
Score: 97.05
2. DuVine Cycling & Adventure Co.
Score: 97.52
1. TCS World Travel
Score: 97.94
Voted the No. 1 tour operator this year, TCS is a luxury outfitter that has created personalized private-jet expeditions for more than 20 years. Clients love its unique itineraries, including exploring the cultures of Asia or visiting the North Pole to enjoying 24-day global excursions. “These trips are very expensive, but they’re a wonderful way to experience a vast array of environments in a relatively short time,” says a traveler. Guests stay in 5-star hotels or lodges, and TCS even brings along experts, historians, and naturalists on board (as well as a doctor) to make sure every need is met.
