Florida Travel Buddies & Adventures Around Town

May 19th – May 30th 2024

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club (http://www.photoflytravel.com/) have invited us on an amazing adventure to Greece!

E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Sign up at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/greece-small-group-tours/

***

• 11 Night/12 Day adventure
• Breakfast every day
• 2 Lunches & 4 Dinners included
• Welcome & Farewell Dinner included
• Privately guided

***

Athens: A Taste of the Gods (2 nights)

• Explore Athens: Highlights including Constitution square, Monastiraki and flea market area, national library, Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, Herod Atticus street, the Panathenaic Stadium (first modern Olympic games in 1896), Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Zeus, & of course, the Acropolis & Parthenon with the Acropolis new museum.
• Scenic Drive along the “Riviera of Attica” Coastal Road

***

Central & Northern Greece: Where the Real Gems are Found… (3 nights)

Mystical Delphi: Amazing photography and breathtaking scenery from the slopes of Mount Parnassus await.

• Meteora: A real photography highlight on our Greece small group adventure, this region is famous for its beautiful monasteries standing between earth and sky atop huge pinnacle rocks.
• Monodendri Villlage: The small town of slate-roofed houses has a handful of great tavernas and some amazing churches including the triple-bell Church of Agios Athanasios and the 17th-century Church of Agios Minas.
• Vikos Gorge: Formerly regarded by the Guinness Book of World Records as the deepest canyon in the world at almost 3,000 ft, this geological wonder has incredible hikes with views for the Gods!

***

The Greek Isles: Zakythnos & Corfu (6 nights)

• 3 nights Zakythnos & 3 nights Corfu
• A variety of the best beaches, hikes, culture, & architecture Greece has to offer

***

Zakythnos: “The Ionian’s Flower of The East”

• Shipwrecks, Caves, & Epic Beaches: An incredible day of exploration along Zakynthos’ dramatic west coast!
• Sea Turtles, the Keri Caves, & Charming Villages

***

Corfu: The Grand Lady of the Ionian Islands

• Corfu Town: An UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic center’s colonial British and Venetian buildings with neoclassical influences will dazzle us and our cameras.
• Paleokastritsa Village: Arguably the most beautiful village on the entire island, Paleokastritsa offers a plethora of local taverns overlooking the blue bay and six idyllic beaches dotting the coastline surrounded by olive tree forests unchanged for millennia!
• Kanoni Town: A must stop due to the most famous and photographed spots on the island: The church of Panagia Vlacherna & Mouse Island.
• Sidari: Live music, Greek dancing, & one of the best beaches on Corfu sum up this small town gem.
• Corfu Photography Adventure: Impressive caves, breathtaking cliff views, isolated Byzantine monasteries, & stone-made villages are just some of the highlights we’ll explore and photograph

***

• All taxes, tours, & entrance fees included as per itinerary
• All transfers and ground transportation included
• Roommate pairing to save money! Avoid the single supplement!
• International airfare is not included but we will assist all guests with finding the best flights upon request! (Flying into and out of Athens International Airport (ATH) )
• Email us to see the daily itinerary for our Greece small group tours at joinus@photoflytravel.com

***

Join Us!

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

Price: $3,295.00
Single Supplement: $725.00

Deposit: $600.00

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/greece-small-group-tours/

Arctic Realms: Polar Bears, Walruses, & Icebergs!

June 24th to July 3rd, 2024

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club (http://www.photoflytravel.com/) have invited us on an amazing adventure to Arctic!

This excursion will be onboard a specially designed cruising vessel that will navigate the many islands, inlets, and areas of the southern Arctic Ocean.

E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Sign up at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/arctic-polar-bears-group-tours/

***

• 9 nights/10 day adventure
• All-inclusive
• Knowledgeable guides throughout
• Comfortable expedition vessel with included workshops and activities (included free of charge!)

***

Join us in the realm of Polar Bears, Walruses, & the most beautiful ice in the world! Svalbard (also known as Spitsbergen) is the premier hub for exploring this polar region. Touched by three seas – The Norwegian Sea, the Greenland Sea, and the Arctic Ocean – Svalbard is the largest and only permanently populated island of the Svalbard archipelago of northern Norway. By far the largest wilderness area in Europe, Svalbard offers some of the finest scenery and wildlife experiences in the world. Its rugged mountains and rolling tundra offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, snowshoeing, photography, and all-around polar adventure. Our travel club has partnered with the best-specialized operator in the industry taking groups to the Arctic and Antarctic for over 25 years!

Activities & Adventures are included!

Shore Excursions and Zodiac Cruises: Zodiac rides emphasize active wildlife and nature experiences. Guided shore excursions, walks, wildlife spotting, etc.

Shore Based Walking: Our guides will lead the shore excursions and will decide where to go and what to do.

Hiking: Expand upon the normal shore walking program on optional hikes.

Bird Watching: With your guide, spot the various species of local animals.

Workshops & Lectures: If we are unable to disembark for a planned activity due to weather conditions, etc. we’ll sometimes have the option of enjoying interactive workshops and activities.

Wildlife: These parts are visited and occupied by walrus, several types of whales, polar bears, several types of seals, reindeer, Arctic fox, puffins, migratory birds, and others.

***

• All taxes, tours, and fees included as per itinerary
• All transfers and ground transportation included
• Roommate pairing to save money as always to avoid single supplement
• International airfare not included (one booking will be your round-trip tickets between your home airport and Oslo (OSL), another round-trip booking between Oslo (OSL) and Longyearbyen (LYR) to reach the ship's port)
• EMAIL US to see the daily itinerary for our Arctic small group tours at joinus@photoflytravel.com

***

Join Us!

*For our solo travelers, you will share accommodations with others of the same gender.

Price: $5,395 - $9,925 depending on cabin style, type, and occupancy

*Single Supplement: Email us for details

Deposit: 10% of cabin type

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/arctic-polar-bears-group-tours/

June 28th – July 6th, 2024

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

We're invited to another incredible adventure with our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club (www.photoflytravel.com)!

Sign up & Secure your spot at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/ireland-group-tours/

For several years, our travel club has returned to explore the vibrant, green lands of Ireland and the adventure usually sells out.

* 8 Night /9 Day Ireland small group tour
* Full Irish breakfast every day
* 2 dinners (Welcome & Farewell Dinner)
* Quaint boutique B&Bs & top-rated hotels throughout
* Private Irish driver/guide throughout
* As always this entire trip will be amazing for photography. (PhotoFly Travel Club adventures are laid back when it comes to photography. They are not workshop-style based tours and you do not need to be an avid photographer to join. All are welcome!)
* All Ground & Water Transfers Included

- Historic Kilkenny: This charming “city” of 25,000 is indeed the smallest in the country and has been coined the medieval capital of Ireland. Kilkenny Castle and Gardens, Black Abbey, & the original “round tower” of St. Canice’s Cathedral (stunning views & photographs from the top!) are just a few highlights to explore here.
- The Rock of Cashel: On arrival in Dublin our road trip begins by heading south to our first encounter with stunning medieval architecture.
- Lismore Castle Gardens: A spectacular drive with photo stops over the Knockmealdown Mountains takes us to the beautiful heritage town of Lismore. Visit the colorful castle gardens, covered in beautiful flowers, plants & trees, arranged over seven acres within the castle’s 17th century defensive walls.
- Irish Whiskey Tasting & Tour: This historic Distillery was fully preserved and is now home to the Jameson Experience.
- City of Cork: Ireland’s third largest city “is first in every important respect – at least according to the locals, who cheerfully refer to it as
the ‘real capital of Ireland’.
- Boat Trip to Garnish Island: This small island lies in the sheltered harbor of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. World renowned for its gardens carefully laid out for beautiful walks.
- Kenmare: Free time to wander around this beautiful town self-proclaimed as a “walkers paradise”.
- Sneem and the Ring of Kerry: The village of Sneem on the spectacular Ring of Kerry is nestled between mountains and the wild, rugged, coast offering some of the best views in the country!
- Optional Kayak Excursion: A unique, expertly guided experience on Kenmare Bay with stable and comfortable kayaks.
- Hamlet of Castlecove Hike: Our local guide will take us over the hills to the neighboring village of Caherdaniel.
- The Dingle Peninsula: Dingle is magic, its mellow landscape is one of green hills and golden sands culminating in Europe’s most westerly point.
- Slea Head Drive: An epic drive around the most stunning parts of Dingle Peninsula.
- Dingle Town: A vibrant fishing port in the heart of the peninsula, this charming fishing village has a picturesque variety of shops, comfy pubs, café’s, and charming B&Bs.
- Cliffs of Moher: Looming over County Clare’s west coast, the cliffs stretch for 5 miles and 700 feet over the Atlantic Ocean.
- Galway: Our local guide will show us around the best spots and hidden corners of this great city.
- Prehistoric Wonders of Newgrange Tombs: A fascinating guided tour around 5,000 year old tombs decorated with Neolithic art.
- Dublin: Fast becoming the premier city destination in Europe.
- Guinness Storehouse: Guinness is synonymous with Ireland and when in Dublin, no visit is complete without a trip to the Guinness Storehouse.
- Trinity College & The Book of Kells: Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland with the amazing Old Library building.
- St. Patricks Cathedral: The largest and tallest church in Ireland, St. Patricks was built between 1191 and 1270.
- Kilmainham Gaol (Prison): Kilmainham Gaol is one of the largest unoccupied gaols, in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland’s emergence as a modern nation from the 1780s to the 1920s.
- Final Night Irish Dinner, Song, & Dance at the Merry Ploughboy Pub

***
Price: $3,495
*Single Supplement: $995.00

Deposit: $600.00
Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/ireland-group-tours/

Best of Madagascar

August 25th - September 6th, 2024

Join Here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/best-of-madagascar-group-tours/

• 12N/13D for the best of Madagascar
• Privately guided and local experts throughout
• Breakfast every day
• 11 Dinners included
• Domestic flights included
• Optional paradise island extension available!

E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club are relaunching their incredible Madagascar trip!

"Madagascar is the world’s fourth-largest island where you will "discover an extraordinary storehouse of natural and cultural riches. Separated from Africa and Asia at the time of the dinosaurs, Madagascar's animal life has evolved in a startling myriad of forms, with endemic species found nowhere else on earth." - Rough Guides

The East: The Green Corridor of Madagascar (5 Days)

Antananarivo (3 Nights)
- Free time to explore the city.
- Peyrieras Private Farm: En route to Andasibe, this must-stop farm is home to 3,000 species of butterflies and almost all the chameleon species.

Andasibe (2 Nights)
- Parc National Analamazaotra: Home to many species of lemur, excellent viewing in the rainforest.
- Manjakandriana Workshop & Beekeeping Center: Local workshop ox-drawn carriages used to transport people and goods.
- Perinet Reserve & Guided Evening Nature Walk: Numerous species of lemurs and night walk through the forest in search of nocturnal animals.

The North: An Evolutionary Playground (8 Days)
"The island's northernmost tip - the "tropical north" - is one of its richest biodiversity hotspots, with lush tropical rainforests and mangroves extending to azure lagoons and white, palm-fringed beaches. Here visitors will find the perfect chance to explore some of Madagascar's whacky fauna, flora, and scenery in the national parks, before stretching out on the sand to admire the Indian Ocean, cocktail in hand." - Africa Geographic

Diego Suarez AKA Antsiranana (4 Nights)
- Guided walking tour
- Coastlines & white sand beaches: Explore the 3 bays of Ramena by 4X4 and on foot for seafood, swimming, and sand.
- French Mountain hike: Panoramic views of coastline on from a colonial fortification
- The Emerald Sea: Sail and snorkel in a tropical wonderland on traditional wooden hull sailboats with a BBQ seafood lunch
- Red Tsingy: Jagged red limestone formations

Amber Mountain National Park (1 Night)
- Epic Nature Walk: Crater lakes, waterfalls, lemurs, orchids, palms, and endless flora.

Ankarana National Reserve (2 Nights)
- Explore the park: 200 million-year-old limestone pinnacles and abundant wildlife. In terms of wildlife, eleven species of lemur live in the dry forest as well.
- Tsingy Rary Trail: Hike through forest and riverbed and past a giant sinkhole! Moe chances to photograph a variety of lemurs, birds, bright green geckos, and the massive field of limestone.

E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Price: $3,495
Single Supplement: $998

Deposit: $600.00
Check out our club's official trip page: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/best-of-madagascar-group-tours/

Nosy Be - Optional Paradise Island Extension

• 4N/5D on tropical Nosy Be
• Privately guided adventures and local experts throughout
• Breakfast every day
• 4 Dinner included

Nosy Be (3 Nights)
The name means "Big Island" and "Madagascar’s number-one beach destination, has all the ingredients you'd expect: soft white sand, turquoise waters, and wonderful seafood. A paradise for water-based activities with its sunny climate most of the year, there is plenty of swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and fishing." - Lonely Planet

- Free time explore: Discover volcanic lakes, lemurs, rum distilleries, Ylang Ylang plantations, and intricate coral reefs.
- Fishing village on Nosy Komba: A short boat ride to another island with traditional fishing boats, embroidery, and woodcraft market.
- Discovery Park: An open, outdoor zoo with boa constrictors, chameleons, land turtles, and macaco lemurs.
- Snorkel Nosy Tanikely Underwater Reserve: Protected underwater oasis is full of corals, sea anemones, multicolored fish, crustaceans, and sea turtles. Enjoy a picnic lunch before more free time.
- The Best Beach in Madagascar (Optional): An optional adventure to Nosy Iranja has been tagged the 8th most beautiful beach in the world and is formed by two small islets connected by a long white sandbar. At low tide, walk across the sand bar from one islet to the other where sea turtles and palm crabs are the primary residents.

Price: $1,595
Single Supplement: $370