Brightside Travelers

December 8 - December 18, 2025

Travel experts at PhotoFly Travel Club (www.photoflytravel.com) are happy to present a trip to the Pacific's up and coming destination - the Philippines! Sometimes overlooked by brand-name destinations, this archipelago has all the magic and beauty with far fewer tourists.

More info and register here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/philippines-small-group-tours/

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com to get the daily itinerary and more details!

Island of Luzon - Manila (1 night)
Welcome to the capital city of Philippines! Relax after a long journey or arrive a day early to join others for an optional activity
- Discover Old Manila (optional): Discover colonial charm at Plaza Roma, the Manila Cathedral, and the UNESCO-listed San Agustin Church, before stepping into 19th-century Filipino life at Casa Manila. End our day amidst the serene beauty of Baluarte de San Diego Gardens.

Coron - 3 nights
After the included domestic flight, Coron dazzles with its otherworldly limestone karsts, emerald lagoons, and some of the best wreck diving on the planet. Explore Kayangan Lake, a stunningly clear, jungle-fringed oasis. Snorkelers and divers can weave through vibrant coral gardens and eerie WWII shipwrecks while island-hopping unveils powdery white beaches and hidden coves.

• Coron Islands Snorkel - take a boat to multiple beaches around the tiny islands for snorkeling and swimming
• Free time to relax and enjoy amenities at a luxury resort
• Highlights of Coron Town (optional) - visit a rare saltwater hot spring, stroll the seaside promenade, visit local markets, visit historical buildings, and more!
• Snorkel with dugongs (optional) - similar to a manatee, Set off on a snorkeling adventure where you have a rare chance to swim alongside dugongs in their natural habitat

El Nido - 3 nights
El Nido stuns with its towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and powdery white beaches straight out of a dream. Kayak through lagoons, where emerald waters weave between dramatic rock formations and snorkel in the vibrant coral gardens surrounding this paradise.

• Ultimate Island Hopping - glide through the electric-blue waters of Bacuit Bay aboard a traditional bangka boat, stopping first at the awe-inspiring Big Lagoon, where limestone cliffs tower over tranquil waters ideal for kayaking. Nearby, the Secret Lagoon rewards intrepid explorers with its secluded beauty, accessed through a narrow crevice in the rocks. Dive into snorkeling hotspots like Shimizu Island, teeming with hundreds of fish species and unwind on the powdery sands of 7 Commando Beach
• Relax at the resort - amenities include pools, spa treatments, sunset cocktails, and ultimate comfort

Bohol - 3 nights
Bohol dazzles with its surreal landscapes. View the Chocolate Hills—hundreds of limestone mounds turning cocoa brown in the dry season. Cruise down the jade-green Loboc River, where floating restaurants serve local flavors to a soundtrack of live music. Encounter the wide-eyed tarsiers, one of the world’s tiniest primates. Coastal gems lure with powder-white sands and world-class snorkeling. End the day with a sunset stroll along Alona Beach’s palm-fringed shores and call it a wrap!

• Amazing Countryside - Bohol’s countryside packs centuries of history, natural beauty, and cultural charm into a single-day adventure. Stand at the Blood Compact Shrine, marking the first treaty between Spain and the Philippines, before stepping inside the centuries-old Baclayon Church and museum. Wander through the serene Loboc-Bilar man-made forest, a lush green tunnel of mahogany trees, then marvel at the iconic Chocolate Hills—Bohol’s most famous sight. Get up close with the elusive tarsier, one of the world’s tiniest primates before capping off our journey with a serene Loboc River cruise
• Dolphin Watching (optional) - Set sail on a once-in-a-lifetime island-hopping adventure, starting with an early morning dolphin-watching experience as these playful creatures glide through Bohol’s crystal-clear waters. Dive into Balicasag Island’s vibrant underwater world, where sea turtles drift gracefully over stunning coral gardens before stepping onto the breathtaking sandbar of Virgin Island, a dreamy stretch of white sand surrounded by endless turquoise seas.

Additional information:

• 10 N/11 D throughout Philippines
• Boutique hotels and luxury resorts
• Breakfast daily
• 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners
• All transfers & taxes included
• Inter-island airfare included ($500+ value!)
• International airfare is not included
• Email us to see daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com

Join Us!

For solo travelers, you can be paired up with someone of the same gender unless single occupancy is requested.

Price: $3,295
Single Supplement: $895

More info: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/philippines-small-group-tours/

December 8th - December 16th, 2025

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club (www.photoflytravel.com) have invited us on another epic adventure.

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/costa-rica-all-inclusive-group-tours/

Expect a masterfully planned tropical adventure which is always a blast. New, exciting twists and turns each year throughout the wonders of Costa Rica!

Check out the highlights below and email us for the full daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com

8 nights/ 9 day Adventure Tour

• Breakfast every day
• 7 lunches, 7 dinners (all meals included)
• Private guide & driver - local professionals with years of experience and qualifications
• Unique hotels and lodges

Included Activities
- Coffee! Doka Estate Coffee plantation is not only beautiful with amazing coffee, we’ll also learn about the production, the harvesting, the processing and the roasting of the grain. A fascinating visit whether you like the world’s most consumed beverage or not.

- Pierella Butterfly & Ecological Gardens - Located in the Sarapiquí lowlands, this family-run garden was established 20 years ago as a project to breed butterflies for export. Over time, it has been transformed into an area of 5 hectares changing from a simple butterfly nursery to a true ecological garden that now hosts a great diversity of environments and wildlife to explore. Join our naturalist guide and experience Pierella’s great birding trails with amazing photo opportunities and wildlife everywhere we look!

- Vida Campesina Farm - An organic farm lets us see real life in the Costa Rican countryside with a farming family.

- Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Lava flow hike - Lava rocks and occasional eruptions, this volcano is surrounded by lush rainforest and second growth that cover the old lava flows and river sides.

- Llanos de Cortez Falls - Considered one of the best waterfalls in the country! Great swimming by the falls no to mention amazing photographs.

- Optional Early Morning Bird Watching - There are dozens of endemic species and for bird lovers, it may be possible to arrange guided walks to find these treasures in the rainforest.

- Wetlands Boat Tour Floating safari - Variety of resident and migratory birds plus three different species of monkeys, iguanas, sloths, turtles and caimans.

- Rincon de la Vieja National Park - Famous for its abundant volcanic activity, we’ll explore Las Pailas Trail within the National Park, not only for the volcano, but plenty of wildlife to photograph within an impressive tropical forest.

- Hacienda Guachipelín - Positioned at the foot of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, adventure beckons at this boutique resort. Thrilling experiences include swinging like Tarzan on the many cables and ropes of the Canyon Canopy Tour, or cruise down the rapids of Rio Negro on a Tubing Adventure (optional). Relax your weary muscles in natural volcanic thermal springs or spectacular waterfall pools.

- Relax at one of best beaches in Costa Rica, Hermosa Beach - We’ll finish the adventure at this pristine, world renowned beach! The taupe sand beach is bathed by clear waters and some great waves (if the conditions are right). Many water sports can be enjoyed including fishing, swimming, windsurfing, and others.

• All taxes, fees, transfers included (excludes airport departure tax)
• International airfare not included

Email us to see daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com

Join Us!

For our solo travelers, we will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.

Price: $3,095
Single Supplement: $895

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/costa-rica-all-inclusive-group-tours/

$828.00/per person double; $778.00/ per person triple; Quad $738.00/per person; $1018.00 Single
Deposit of $300.00/per person due September 5, 2025
Final is due November 15, 2025
Celebrate the magic of Christmas at the beautiful White Mountain Hotel & Resort and enjoy the splendor of the White Mountains at Christmastime. This special holiday tour offers spectacular entertainment, festive activities, gourmet dining, and all the finest amenities of the White Mountain Hotel & Resort's first-rate service and luxury accommodations. The hotel will be completely decorated in full holiday flair! This tour is the perfect opportunity for you to do some Christmas shopping with over 150 tax-free specialty shops and outlet stores.
Trip Includes
Deluxe motorcoach
2 nights deluxe accommodations at the White Mountain Hotel & Resort
5 meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
3 different entertainment shows
An Austrian sleigh ride at Nestlenook Farm Resort in Jackson, NH
Visit from Santa with Christmas gift
Special cocktail pricing at the hotel
Shopping at tax-free outlets and in-town shops
All NH State room and meal taxes included
Gratuities included for meals, housekeeping, and baggage handling
Call Valerie at Gourmet Traveler at 401-823-9620 or book online at www.gourmettravelertours.com
Leaves Somerset, Ma 8:30am; Warwick 9:00am; Lincoln Mall 9:30am Returns: approx. 6pm
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Today you will travel to North Conway, New Hampshire, where you will arrive and be greeted at the deluxe White Mountain Hotel & Resort. The hotel features one of the most spectacular mountain settings to be found anywhere in New England! The resort also features outstanding facilities including the award-winning Ledges Restaurant, Tullamore Tavern, health club with Himalayan salt sauna, game room, and a year-round outdoor heated pool and hot tub. Upon arrival, enjoy a Yuletide Welcome Reception with punch in the Tullamore Tavern. This evening you will be treated to an elegant dinner, which you may order off the menu, in Ledges Restaurant. After dinner, adjourn to our grand Echo Ballroom and enjoy this evening’s entertainment.
Day 2 - Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Begin today with a hearty breakfast ordered off the menu in Ledges Restaurant. After breakfast, you will experience the magic of Christmas at Nestlenook Farm Resort where you will escape back in time to an elegant era of horse drawn carriage. You will go for an enchanting sleigh ride along the river and through the woods, and cross over a 70-foot arched bridge over Emerald Lake below. After your ride, can warm up with a complimentary cup of hot chocolate. You will then return to the hotel for an included lunch followed by an afternoon Comedy Show in the Echo Ballroom. After the show, drop-off times will be arranged for those who wish to visit Zeb's Country Store. This evening, you will enjoy dinner again in Ledges, followed by our grand finale Christmas show with a gift from Santa!
Day 3 - Thursday, December 18, 2025
This morning you will enjoy breakfast in Ledges Restaurant. After breakfast, you will stop at Settler’s Village for some shopping before heading for home with many pleasant memories of your Christmas in the White Mountains and your visit with us. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!