What we’re about
Our travel club hosts adventures locally in Houston and around the world for all things travel, culture, adventure, & photography with our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club! Join us on a local photo walk, or travel talk during happy hour, and then meet new travel buddies for future adventures! This is a the perfect group for those looking to make new friends in Houston and find compatible travel & photography partners for life!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Picturesque Portugal & Awesome Azores!Lisbon, Lisbon
Portugal & The Azores
September 29th - October 13th, 2024
Join Here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/portugal-azores-group-tours/
E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club are relaunching their Portugal and Azores tour. It is an excellent program in a small group that highlights the diverse and stunning culture of Old-World Portugal and the gorgeous landscapes, beaches, and villages of the Azores.
Part 1: Mainland Portugal (8 Nights/9 Days)
Porto & the North (3 Nights)
- Privately guided walking tour of city landmarks
- The most colorful & lively district: Discover Ribeira
- Wine tasting while exploring the valley: Road trip along the route that offers viewpoints, wine, and walks.
- Cruise on the Douro***
Central Portugal & Mountain Villages (1 Night)
- Free time in Piódão village: This is the perfect place to wander the narrow streets and peculiar alleys made of shale rock.
- Exploring Foz d'Égua: This moderate hike begins in Piódão and takes us to an idyllic and unforgettable little village.
- Convent of the Soothing of the Blessed Sacrament: This historical landmark and former 18th-century convent is our hotel for the night!
- The Schist Villages: Talesnal & Casal de São Simão
- Fragas de São Simão Walkway: The wooden paths embrace dramatic granite landscapes, steep hills, an enchanting valley, and also vestiges of laurel forest.***
Coimbra & the Coast (2 Nights)
- Privately guided tour of the University City
- Visit University of Coimbra: Highlights include their massive Baroque Library and Cabinet of Curiosities filled with unusual treasures through the ages.
- The Old Cathedral built in 1117
- The Walled Labyrinth privately guided walking tour of Óbidos'***
Lisbon, City of Hills (2 Nights)
- Guided tuk-tuk adventure in the capital
- St. George's Castle: Towering dramatically above Lisbon, the 11th-century fortifications
- Belém Tower & the Monument of Discoveries: See and photograph these World-Heritage Sites that represent the epi-center of the Portuguese Age of Discovery.***
Part 2: The Azores (6 Nights/7 Days)
São Miguel: The Green Isle (2 Nights)
- Botanical gardens and hot springs
- The most unique meal in the world: The stew cooked using Furnas’s natural volcanic heat!
- The oldest tea plantation in Europe
- Epic photos at viewpoints
- Giant caldera hike
- The Azorean Pineapple: A fun stop takes us to one of the 6,000 pineapple plantations on the island.***
Faial: The Blue Isle (2 Nights)
- Explore the great crater & interpretation center
- Botanical garden of Faial***
Pico: The Mountain Island (Day Trip)
- Cachorro Rocks: A photo stop reveals unique volcanic rock formations.
- Adega A Buraca Winery
- Whaling Factory and Fishermen Museum
- Church of São Mateus
- Criação Velha Vinyards The unique methods for producing grapes ideal for winemaking on such difficult terrain is what lead to this site's important designation. Lajido da Criação Velha is the best example showcasing the art of dividing the land and planting vines in the lava rock.***
Flores: The Flower Island (2 Nights)
- The westernmost county in Europe
- A curious rock: Rocha dos Bordões is the postcard image and symbol of Flores. The basaltic formation provides a unique and unforgettable landscape with geometrical rock columns that resemble a man-made structure.
- The great fajãs: This Portuguese term describes the beautiful coastal formation of a small flat land on the ocean below giant cliffs
More beauty at the highest point: The Morro Alto forest reserve area is the highest point on Flores Island.
- The 7 Lagoas: We'll explore this lush area with a number of serene lakes throughout the valleys.Corvo Day Trip: The Black Isle
- Caldeirão, The Crater: This ancient crater is responsible for the epic landscape of the extinct volcano that gave rise to the island.
- The Village: Vila Nova do Corvo is the sole town on the entire island and unites the old and new in two distinct sections.
- Lots of wind: Before electricity came to the island wind was the main source of food production via a number of windmills. Today 3 unique windmills still stand and function from this long-lost tradition.E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Price: $4,195.00
Single Supplement: $895.00Deposit: $600.00
Check out our club's official trip page: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/portugal-azores-group-tours/
- Spain - Barcelona and Best of the South!Barcelona, Barcelona
September 30th - October 9th, 2024
Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club (http://www.photoflytravel.com/) have invited us to a one of a kind adventure throughout the best of Spain! The Spectacular Spain Adventure is an experience exactly as it sounds and we're happy to visit again.
E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Sign up at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/spain-small-group-tours/
- 9 nights/10 days throughout Barcelona (Catalonia) and Southern Spain (Andalusia)
- Private local guides throughout
- Breakfast daily
- Welcome and Farewell Dinner Celebrations
- One domestic flight included(Barcelona → Granada)
- All taxes, fees, & transfers included
- International airfare not included
Barcelona (3 Nights)
Barcelona, the capital of the Catalonia region in Spain, is a cultural masterpiece of a city. With world class museums, a gorgeous waterfront, delicious food & wine, and vibrant night life, there is something for everyone here.
– Enjoy boutique hotel steps from the Gothic Quarter nearby amazing eateries, bars, and boutiques
– Guided gastronomy adventure through Sant Antoni Market with small bites from a few vendors
– Explore the Gothic Quarter learning about Medieval history around famous landmarks like a 13th century cathedral
– Tapas lunch
– Stroll through Las Ramblas passing through the Modernist District en route to visit Sagrada FamiliaOptional Day Adventure to Montserrat & the Costa Brava
A picturesque drive to the top of a small mountain will take us to a historic monastery.
– Walk inside Royal Basilica at Montserrat
– The Costa Brava: Follow the coastal walking route to admire the breath-taking sea-cliffs, coves, quaint fishing villages, and finish with some food and drink at a seaside village overlooking the oceanWonders of the South, Andalucía (6 Nights)
– 6 Nights throughout Granada, Ronda, Rio Tinto, Cadiz, & Seville
Granada (2 Nights)
It’s best known for the Alhambra, a grand, sprawling hilltop fortress encompassing royal palaces, serene patios, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty.
– Alhambra Palace
– Stroll through the Alcazaba (fortress), the royal baths, and the palace of Charles the Fifth
– Explore and photograph Generalife Gardens filled with flowers, fountains, and green spaces
– Guided walk through the center of Granada with stops at the Grenada Cathedral and Royal ChapelNational Park of Sierra Nevada and Alpujarras
The region of mountain villages known as Las Alpujarras clings to the southern flanks of the Sierra Nevada, cut by deep, sheltered valleys & gorges that run towards the Mediterranean.
– Guided hiking in the park exploring the most picturesque mountain villages
– Village road trip en route back to Granada with stops at Pampaneira, Bubion, & CapileiraEl Caminito del Rey
The incredible views, its fascinating history, and its undeniable spectacularity have made the excursion a must when near Malaga.
– We’ll enjoy a guided walk along the side of the gorge (literally)
- Take the same route used by laborers walking through this canyon en route to building a hydroelectric dam
- Incredible rock formations, colors, and scenery throughoutSierra de Ronda (1 Night)
The millennial city of Ronda possesses one of the most beautiful historical centers of Spain.
– Guided excursions throughout the highlights of Ronda including a mansion owned by a powerful regional family, one of the last stone bullrings in the country, and various viewpoints of the lowlands
– Lunch in at the quaint village of El Bosque, a hidden town in the mountains
- Visit a centuries old bakery with one of the last operational hydraulic grain mills in the countrySeville (2 Nights)
Situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville has a rich Moorish heritage, and used to be a prosperous port that carried out trade with the Americas.
– Guided excursion throughout the highlights of Seville
– Stroll through the Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz and visit the royal Palace of Alcazar
- Optional tapas and bar crawl through highly regarded restaurants visited regularly by localsTarifa (1 Night)
– Costa de la Luz Cliff Walk (Andalusia Coastline)
– The southernmost point of Spain
- Walk pedestrian only areas by the coastEmail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary of our Spain small group tours!
Join Us!
*Solo travelers can pair up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.
Price: $3,995.00
*Single Supplement: $695.00Deposit: $600.00
Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/spain-small-group-tours/
- All-Inclusive Uganda Gorilla Safari!Entebbe, Entebbe
October 4th – October 11th, 2024
A once in a lifetime experience to see Uganda's mountain gorillas and much more! We're invited to another incredible adventure with our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club! (https://www.photoflytravel.com/). There is an optional 5-day extension for a chimp encounter in a place known as the Primate Capital of the World.
Sign up & secure your spot at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/all-inclusive-uganda-gorilla-safari/
Email us to see daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com
***
- 7 Night / 8 Day
- Luxury lodges with modern amenities
- Expert local guides and naturalists throughout
- All-inclusive
- Included domestic flight
- Included gorilla trekking permit ($700)
- One complimentary massage
- All taxes, fees, and transfers included
Bwindi National Park (3 Nights)
For most, the jungle in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the highlight where coming face to face with endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience. Located in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, Bwindi is considered the most diverse forest in Uganda, home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees. The park contains almost one half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.
- One full day of gorilla trekking, option to purchase a second day (pending permit availability)
- Opportunities for bird watching, butterfly watching, optional Batwa Pygmies Encounter
Queen Elizabeth National Park (3 Nights)
Surrounded by the magical Rwenzori Mountains, Queen Elizabeth NP is truly nature's wonderland with stunning vistas and landscapes as far as the eye can see. To the east lie the guardians of the birthplace of mankind, the Great Rift Valley hills, and, in the distance, the Mountains of the Moon (Rwenzoris). The meandering Kazinga Channel flows endlessly between the two giant lakes: Lake George and Lake Edward, providing a vital water source for a plethora of flora and fauna, including chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions, elephants, cape buffalo, hippos, and flamingos (among 612 species of birds!).
- Included boat safari through the Kazinga Channel
- Light trekking in search of resident chimpanzees
- Game drive to view elephant, Cape buffalo, antelope, baboons, monkeys, tree-climbing lions. and more!
Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary which includes details on the luxury lodges - don't forget to scroll down to see the 5-day optional extension!
*Solo travelers can be paired up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.
Price: $5,995
Single Supplement: $995.00Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/all-inclusive-uganda-gorilla-safari/
***Optional 5-Day All-Inclusive Extension***
October 11th - October 16th, 2024Kibale National Park (2 Nights)
Kibale National Park could well qualify as the primate capital of the world, being home to 13 species of primates, as well as a host of other wildlife. Chimpanzee trekking here can be exciting – as unlike their cousins the gorillas, chimpanzees tend to be more active and often keep moving through the forest canopies, so you may find yourself following a family through dense jungles!
- Two chimpanzee treks departing nearby our luxury bush lodge
Murchison Falls National Park (3 Nights)
Uganda’s largest National Park, where four of the "big five" (Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, and leopard) can be witnessed & photographed, is even more well known for the natural phenomenon where the Nile River explodes its way through a 23-foot gap and drops 141 feet through a narrow gorge. The pressure is so great that the ground around it shakes! It cascades down to become a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, and buffaloes. Other diverse landscapes are characterized by savannah, riverine forest, and woodland making it the perfect home for elephants, giraffes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees, and tons of bird species!
- Nile Delta cruise and safari
- Game drives
- Visit to Murchison Falls
- Optional rhino trekking
Price: $3,495
Single Supplement: $695.00Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/all-inclusive-uganda-gorilla-safari/
