After mentioning in my last journal entry that we’d be spotlighting the South Pacific in this edition of Harriet’s Corner, I heard from many travelers who wanted to share their special memories of Australia, New Zealand & Fiji. I’ve included several of their emails here—but first, I’d like to address a timely question from Angela J.:
Harriet,
With the economy affecting so many of us these days, it would be nice if Grand Circle could come up with some trips here in the U.S. that were more affordable and easier to get to. We love to travel but, unfortunately, this is the first thing that we are cutting back on, other than short trips close by and day trips. Just a suggestion.
Angela J.
6-time traveler
Shillington, PA
First, Angela, I want to thank you for writing to me—as I’ve said before, I welcome any and all suggestions from Grand Circle travelers about how we can improve our trips!
We do offer a handful of options for travel in the United States—specifically, our America’s Majestic National Parks vacation and the pre- and post-trip extensions on Northwest National Parks and Nova Scotia & the Canadian Maritimes. However, the vast majority of trips feature destinations outside of North America, and there’s a simple reason for that: Since Grand Circle was founded in 1958, we’ve focused on international travel—and Alan and I truly believe that we owe our success to this focus.
That said, I absolutely understand that the current economy is forcing Americans to think twice about traveling abroad. That's why we're doing everything we can as a company to ensure that our trips continue to offer incredible value. We've worked closely with our regional partners to determine where we can cut back on our costs--without sacrificing our high standards for quality--and I'm happy to report that our 2010 vacations represent Grand Circle's Best Value Since 2005. So I'd encourage you to take a second look at our trips; I'm confident you'll find our vacations more affordable than other companies who offer similar itineraries!
This may not be the answer you wanted to hear, but I hope I’ve at least helped you to understand why you don’t—and won’t—see more American cities offered on our trips.
I’d been traveling for some years before I talked my friend, Betty, into joining me. She said to me one day, “The only place I want to see is Australia, but that costs $10,000 and I just can’t spend that much.” I am a believer in “Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous”: I told her a company I had never traveled with before had sent me a brochure just the day before featuring a trip to Australia, New Zealand & Fiji.
What a wonderful experience it was! I knew Betty was hooked when she leaned over to me a half hour into our flight from Fiji and inquired, “Where are we going next year?” We are now, of course, Inner Circle members and have had some of the most beautiful, unbelievable trips of our lives with Grand Circle. I like to think we’re especially fortunate with the fabulous Program Directors we’ve had, but somehow I expect everyone feels that way!
I have traveled to France several times previous to getting “hooked” on Grand Circle but want to take Betty there on your Paris to Normandy trip in 2010. The small ship cruises are ideal for us: The comfort of the ships combined with the beauty of the trips, the immense amount of history learned, and the parties and fun are totally fantastic. I hope so much we can do it next year.
I cannot possibly thank Grand Circle so much for enriching my life beyond anything I had ever dreamed of or hoped for.
Katherine B.
7-time traveler
Fairfield, CA
Dear Harriet,
I must have been bit by the travel bug early in life because as a girl in high school, I had maps pinned to my bedroom wall instead of the usual posters of the latest singers, etc. My first trip out of the country was in 1986, when I visited China.
I have fond memories of the Home-Hosted Dinners I’ve enjoyed with Grand Circle. In Hungary, our hostess stood nearby ready to fill our plates when one of the guests commented, “I sure wish I had a plastic bag to take some of these delicious noodles back with me.” We’d thought the hostess didn’t speak English, but she quickly opened a drawer and handed the guest a plastic bag for the noodles! That brought out a lot of smiles!
In New Zealand, we were scheduled for an overnight visit to a local family. There was some trepidation among the travelers about the requirement that the host family serve lamb in some form. Apparently they didn’t think they would like to eat lamb, and I must confess that I wasn’t too keen on the idea. But over breakfast the next morning, the main topic of conversation was how delicious the lamb meals were; my “family” had roasted two legs of lamb and they were just wonderful.
One thing among many others that stands out about New Zealand was something I saw in the middle of the night: I woke up, and is my habit, I looked out the window of the hotel. There right in front of me was the Southern Cross! I had just learned about it from another member of our group and there it was!
Georgia C.
5-time traveler
Homewood, IL
I took my first Grand Circle trip to Australia, et al, in 1994. My friend and I greatly enjoyed meeting the people of those countries, plus the great folks who also took the trip. It could not have been a better introduction to Grand Circle.
Since then, I have taken 16 other trips with Grand Circle. Each and every tour has been GREAT, so it’s hard to say which has been the best—although your River Cruises in Holland and Belgium and along the Rhine and Mosel rivers, as well as your trips in Italy, certainly stand out.
Every time I go on a tour, whether it’s with Grand Circle or not, I am very enthusiastic to others about you, and hope that I may have encouraged some of them to travel with Grand Circle. I am looking forward to more trips with your great company.
Genevieve F.
17-time traveler
Dallas, TX