Welcome to the Travel Club of Verrado Page
These trips are created for Travel Club of Verrado members and their guests. Please only RSVP that you are interested if you are seriously considering the trip. The next step will be to provide a deposit to hold your space on the trip and for most trips, the deposit is non-refundable and not transferrable. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
I am a preferred partner for many hotels---Four Seasons, Marriott, Hyatt, Relais and Chateau, Belmond, etc---and am part of the Virtuoso luxury consortium. The partner benefits include complimentary breakfast, a resort credit and priority status for room upgrades, early check in and late check out. These benefits are applied for all of my clients and will be automatically included in the packages.
I am a preferred partner for many hotels---Four Seasons, Marriott, Hyatt, Relais and Chateau, Belmond, etc---and am part of the Virtuoso luxury consortium. The partner benefits include complimentary breakfast, a resort credit and priority status for room upgrades, early check in and late check out. These benefits are applied for all of my clients and will be automatically included in the packages.
Trip to Tombstone and Bisbee, October 4-6th, 2022
This trip includes round-trip transportation in either a mini-bus or bus (depending on the number of people traveling). We will leave from Buckeye in the morning around 8am and begin the trip in Bisbee. We should arrive around noon and will spend the afternoon exploring (on your own) before we board the bus again to head to Tombstone. Check in to the Tombstone Mountain Ranch (https://www.tombstonemonumentranch.com). The evening meal and entertainment are included in the package. On the 5th, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at the ranch and the day will be yours to explore or you can book activities such as horseback riding or archery at the ranch. On the 6th, we will depart at 11am and head back to Buckeye and should arrive around 3pm.
Pricing depends on how many people book. Currently, there are 10 rooms available at the Mountain Ranch in 4 different categories.
The approximate cost for the package will be approximately $450-$650 per person, based on double occupancy.
Deadline to sign up as interested was August 3rd. This trip is now closed.
Pricing depends on how many people book. Currently, there are 10 rooms available at the Mountain Ranch in 4 different categories.
The approximate cost for the package will be approximately $450-$650 per person, based on double occupancy.
Deadline to sign up as interested was August 3rd. This trip is now closed.
Trip to Santa Fe and Taos, NM Oct 23-27, 2022
After some consideration, I think it is likely better to fly from Phoenix to Albuquerque and then head to Santa Fe and Taos...as opposed to going by bus from Phoenix.
October 23: fly to ABQ and go by bus to Santa Fe, evening on your own
October 24: day to explore Santa Fe
October 25: go to Taos for the day and return to Santa Fe to sleep
October 26: head back to ABQ with a stop at Sandia Park, sleep in Albuquerque
October 27: fly home
If more people are interested in going for 3 nights instead of 4, that is certainly an option. We would fly home the evening of the 26th, either with or without the stop at Sandia (it would be a shorter stop if we keep the stop).
Land only pricing will be around $1000-$1500 per person.
October 23: fly to ABQ and go by bus to Santa Fe, evening on your own
October 24: day to explore Santa Fe
October 25: go to Taos for the day and return to Santa Fe to sleep
October 26: head back to ABQ with a stop at Sandia Park, sleep in Albuquerque
October 27: fly home
If more people are interested in going for 3 nights instead of 4, that is certainly an option. We would fly home the evening of the 26th, either with or without the stop at Sandia (it would be a shorter stop if we keep the stop).
Land only pricing will be around $1000-$1500 per person.
Alaska Cruise June 30th, 2023
This cruise is on Seabourn and I chose it because there a 7-night sailing option or you can choose to stay on board for a 14-night sailing.
7-Day Glaciers & Alaska Inside Passage https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/A3N07B/4337.html
14-Day Alaska Glaciers, Fjords & Inside Passage https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/A3N14B/4337A.html
There will be the option to have a land-based tour before the cruise to Denali National Park. I can also customize a pre or post cruise option for anyone who wants to do something special.
Prices for a veranda stateroom (a balcony) for the 7 night sailing start at $10,998 for 2 people in a room and the 14-night sailing starts at $18,998 for 2 people in a room. As of now, the single supplement is not reduced. This price is for the cruise only. I have a great relationship with Seabourn and will offer an exclusive on board spending credit. The pricing is subject to change until a deposit is paid and may be lowered if we have a true group with Seabourn---normally 8 to 9 staterooms.
7-Day Glaciers & Alaska Inside Passage https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/A3N07B/4337.html
14-Day Alaska Glaciers, Fjords & Inside Passage https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/A3N14B/4337A.html
There will be the option to have a land-based tour before the cruise to Denali National Park. I can also customize a pre or post cruise option for anyone who wants to do something special.
Prices for a veranda stateroom (a balcony) for the 7 night sailing start at $10,998 for 2 people in a room and the 14-night sailing starts at $18,998 for 2 people in a room. As of now, the single supplement is not reduced. This price is for the cruise only. I have a great relationship with Seabourn and will offer an exclusive on board spending credit. The pricing is subject to change until a deposit is paid and may be lowered if we have a true group with Seabourn---normally 8 to 9 staterooms.
Fall Foliage Trips 2023
This trip seemed to have a lot of interest, so I am proposing three different options: one a cruise and one a land based tour. These options are easier to book for even small groups of travel club members--so if only a few travelers want to go, that is fine. If people want to travel in 2022, the land tours are nearly sold out, but there are some spaces left on cruises. Please contact me directly if you would like to explore the cruise options for 2022. The pricing for the 2022 is generally lower (sometimes by quite a bit) than the pricing for the 2023 cruise options.
Globus Land Tour, September-October 2023
I'm leaving the date open as if we have 20 or more people, we can have our own departure date. If we don't meet that threshold, I suggest going on one of the late September or early October departures.
https://www.globusjourneys.com/tour/classic-fall-foliage/AB/?season=2023
https://www.globusjourneys.com/tour/classic-fall-foliage/AB/?season=2023
Windstar Sailing October 4-15, 2023
This cruise is on Windstar Cruises and I like them because they are truly a small cruise line and they can visit ports that the larger cruise ships can't. The entry level cabin with an ocean view starts at $12,734 for 2 people in a room. As of now, the single supplement is not reduced.
https://www.windstarcruises.com/cruise/overview/canada-ne/montreal-to-boston/southeast-canadian-explorations/?pkgid=316748
This price is for the cruise only. I have also a great relationship with Windstar and will offer an exclusive on board spending credit. The pricing is subject to change until a deposit is paid and may be lowered if we have a true group---normally 8 to 9 staterooms.
https://www.windstarcruises.com/cruise/overview/canada-ne/montreal-to-boston/southeast-canadian-explorations/?pkgid=316748
This price is for the cruise only. I have also a great relationship with Windstar and will offer an exclusive on board spending credit. The pricing is subject to change until a deposit is paid and may be lowered if we have a true group---normally 8 to 9 staterooms.
Celebrity Cruises Sailing October 2-13, 2023
This sailing is family-friendly. You could choose an inside room (no window), an ocean view, a veranda (balcony) room or a suite.
https://www.celebritycruises.com/itinerary-details/11-night-boston-maine-and-canada-from-boston-massachusetts?packageID=SM11N020&sDT=2023-10-02&cCD=CO
To give you an idea on pricing, a veranda room starts at $5500 for 2 people in one room and an ocean view starts at $3643 for 2 people in 1 room. As of now, the single supplement is not reduced. A $150 on board spending credit is included under the current promotion. The price is for the cruise only. The pricing is subject to change until a deposit is paid and may be lowered if we have a true group---normally 8 to 9 staterooms.
https://www.celebritycruises.com/itinerary-details/11-night-boston-maine-and-canada-from-boston-massachusetts?packageID=SM11N020&sDT=2023-10-02&cCD=CO
To give you an idea on pricing, a veranda room starts at $5500 for 2 people in one room and an ocean view starts at $3643 for 2 people in 1 room. As of now, the single supplement is not reduced. A $150 on board spending credit is included under the current promotion. The price is for the cruise only. The pricing is subject to change until a deposit is paid and may be lowered if we have a true group---normally 8 to 9 staterooms.
Costa Rica January 22-29, 2023
Costa Rica is a beautiful country and we will stay in 2 different regions---one near the beach and one in the mountain near the volcano Arenal. Many of the hotels I like in Costa Rica are small---20 rooms or less. It depends on how many people want to go on this trip--we may stay in larger properties (those I've suggested below)---all depending on the availability when we are ready to book.
We will land at the San Jose Airport---the best flights are leaving early from Phoenix and landing around 2:30pm
We will have 3-4 nights at a property like Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa. We will have a day free and a day where we will go on an excursion, perhaps to the Monteverde Cloud Forest (about 3 hours each way). There are amazing thermal waters at the resort and the entrance is included in the package.
On day 4 or 5 we will head to the beach. The Guanacaste area has a variety of accommodation options and even larger properties like the JW Marriott Guanacaste still give you a Costa Rican flavor. We will enjoy 2 days of free time here and there will be optional excursions available.
On day 8, we will head to the airport for the flight home from the Liberia Airport. The best flight time departs at 1:15pm
The approximate cost, land only, is around $2500 per person and includes 7 nights of accommodation (split 3 nights and 4 nights), included excursion in the Arenal area, transportation from the airport to Arenal hotel, Arenal hotel to Guanacaste hotel, and Guanacaste hotel to Liberia area. Breakfast is included each morning, 1 lunch and 1 dinner are also included in the package. This number is an estimate and may be higher or lower depending on the number of people.
Deadline to sign up is September 1, 2022.
We will land at the San Jose Airport---the best flights are leaving early from Phoenix and landing around 2:30pm
We will have 3-4 nights at a property like Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa. We will have a day free and a day where we will go on an excursion, perhaps to the Monteverde Cloud Forest (about 3 hours each way). There are amazing thermal waters at the resort and the entrance is included in the package.
On day 4 or 5 we will head to the beach. The Guanacaste area has a variety of accommodation options and even larger properties like the JW Marriott Guanacaste still give you a Costa Rican flavor. We will enjoy 2 days of free time here and there will be optional excursions available.
On day 8, we will head to the airport for the flight home from the Liberia Airport. The best flight time departs at 1:15pm
The approximate cost, land only, is around $2500 per person and includes 7 nights of accommodation (split 3 nights and 4 nights), included excursion in the Arenal area, transportation from the airport to Arenal hotel, Arenal hotel to Guanacaste hotel, and Guanacaste hotel to Liberia area. Breakfast is included each morning, 1 lunch and 1 dinner are also included in the package. This number is an estimate and may be higher or lower depending on the number of people.
Deadline to sign up is September 1, 2022.
Multi-Stop Europe Land and Cruise-April 9-28, 2023
Option to do shorter segment
I am starting with a basic itinerary and will include more details once I see how many people are interested. There will be an option to do a shorter segment as well as do a 4 star or a 5 star hotel property. For example, in Berlin, the Marriott is right across the street from the Ritz Carlton, so the driver can drop everyone off in the same spot, but people could choose to stay in the Marriott OR Ritz-Carlton.
April 9th: leave Phoenix
April 10th: Land in Amsterdam, day to explore and rest on your own
April 11th: Keukenhof Gardens Excursion
April 12th: Anne Frank Haus and optional additional excursions
April 13th: morning to explore, afternoon flight to Berlin
April 14th: half day city tour highlights tour, afternoon on your own
April 15th: Museum quarter and city markets
April 16th: optional full day tour to Dresden
April 17th: END of segment 1, or continue to Budapest
April 18th: COULD START HERE morning tour of Budapest, board the Avalon Envision for a 8 day river cruise
https://www.avalonwaterways.com/river-cruise/the-blue-danube-discovery/WBN/?season=2023
April 25th: disembark in Nuremberg, optional afternoon trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
April 26th: train to Munich, afternoon city tour
April 27th: day to explore Munich or take an optional day tour
April 28th: fly home to Phoenix
Pricing at this point is far too variable---the river cruise has 6 different room categories, for example. If you join the entire trip, the estimated price would be around $7000-$10,000 per person.
Deadline to sign up for the trip is November 15, 2022. If you only want to join the cruise, there is no sign up deadline (subject to availability).
April 9th: leave Phoenix
April 10th: Land in Amsterdam, day to explore and rest on your own
April 11th: Keukenhof Gardens Excursion
April 12th: Anne Frank Haus and optional additional excursions
April 13th: morning to explore, afternoon flight to Berlin
April 14th: half day city tour highlights tour, afternoon on your own
April 15th: Museum quarter and city markets
April 16th: optional full day tour to Dresden
April 17th: END of segment 1, or continue to Budapest
April 18th: COULD START HERE morning tour of Budapest, board the Avalon Envision for a 8 day river cruise
https://www.avalonwaterways.com/river-cruise/the-blue-danube-discovery/WBN/?season=2023
April 25th: disembark in Nuremberg, optional afternoon trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
April 26th: train to Munich, afternoon city tour
April 27th: day to explore Munich or take an optional day tour
April 28th: fly home to Phoenix
Pricing at this point is far too variable---the river cruise has 6 different room categories, for example. If you join the entire trip, the estimated price would be around $7000-$10,000 per person.
Deadline to sign up for the trip is November 15, 2022. If you only want to join the cruise, there is no sign up deadline (subject to availability).
Multi-stop Europe: mostly cruise, May 1-24, 2023
Several people have asked for a longer European cruise. I've also had several people request trips to Portugal, Spain and Greece...and this cruise goes to all 3. Oceania is a premium cruise line and this ship holds 1,238 guests. Not small, but not huge. Cruise prices starts at $4300 per person. The pre and post night options will add on around $750 per person. The dates I've proposed includes 2 days pre-cruise in Athens and 1 day post cruise in Lisbon (there is already 1 overnight on the ship while in Lisbon). Individuals could choose to extend the trip on either end.
https://www.oceaniacruises.com/grand-voyage-cruises/athens-to-lisbon-MNA230504A
https://www.oceaniacruises.com/grand-voyage-cruises/athens-to-lisbon-MNA230504A