During the recent PTAA Travel Tour Expo, Trafalgar offered travelers 15-percent discount for 100 Trafalgar top-selling worldwide trips in celebration of its parent company, The Travel Corp. (TTC) 100th year anniversary. The top destinations in Europe were Scandinavia, the Balkans, Russia, Italy, Spain and Central Europe. South America and Africa were also trending destinations.
In keeping with Trafalgar’s commitment to connecting guests to places, people and experiences each 2020 itinerary include at least one of Trafalgar’s famous “Be My Guest” experiences. With a commitment to supporting local individuals and businesses, particularly those off the beaten track, these experiences unlock deeply meaningful encounters for both guests and hosts and help them maintain their businesses and livelihoods. The opportunity to connect with a local in their homes to hear their stories over a meal have become one the brands richest travel highlights.
A top favorite was “Imperial Europe,” a 10-day trip visiting five countries—Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia. A perfect blend of culture, history and scenic attractions, guests have a unique Be My Guest experience where they will dine with a local Hungarian family who will tell a heartwarming story of their family during World War II.
“Capitals of the North,” a 15-day trip visiting the gateway cities of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Russia was another popular itinerary. With an overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki and a three-hour-and-45-minute train transfer from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, the trip offers a good mix of transportation to ensure guests do not have lengthy coach drives. Guests will be able to indulge in an eco-friendly, organic dining Be My Guest meal featuring homegrown produce sourced from within Stockholm’s Djurgarden Park, the former hunting and fishing grounds of Swedish kings.
The top favorite destination by region was the Balkans, including countries like Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trips that were booked included a brand-new 2020 trip “Balkan Adventure” and a shorter “Balkan Delight” focused on Croatia.
Balkan Adventure is a 14-day trip visiting Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Explore ancient crossroads and delve into the revival of a region once scarred by conflict and communism, as what’s known as the Balkans reveal their rare beauty, warm culture and colorful history for all to enjoy. Visit the iconic cities of the Balkans, including Kotor, Budva, Bucharest, Braşov, Veliko Târnovo, Sofia, Skopje, Tirana, Mostar, Sarajevo and Belgrade. An iconic attraction in Romania, where guests Dive into Culture includes the mythical home of Dracula, Bran Castle in Braşov. Along the way, other iconic sights include the Tsaravets Fortress in Veliko Târnovo, the Church of the Nativity in Arbanasi, the War Tunnel in Sarajevo and Kalmegdan Fortress in Belgrade for an incredible experience in this part of the world.
Balkan Delight is a 12-day trip that includes sightseeing in Zagreb, Sarajevo, Montenegro, Split, Trogir and Plitvice. With two nights stay in Zagreb, Sarajevo and Split, and three nights stay in Dubrovnik, guests will enjoy a leisurely paced trip through this less discovered part of Europe. Experience life in rural Osojnik with the Muhoberac family over a Be My Guest meal in Croatia who will cook dinner and show you how to prepare your Be My Guest dinner on an open fire using only local ingredients and fresh aromatic Mediterranean herbs. The Plitvice Lake and the Dalmatian coast will impress with their natural scenery.
“As we recognize a new decade, new trips and the legacy of TTC, we want our customers to celebrate with us and enjoy a deal that will enable them to connect to the joy of travel in 2020,” said Trafalgar’s CEO Gavin Tollman. “Starting from just a single hotel, 100 years on, TTC remains 100 percent family-owned and operated, and customers can rest assured that they count on Trafalgar and the wider TTC Family as the trusted choice to deliver what they’re looking for out of their travel experience, wherever they choose to explore,” he added.
The incredible TTC story is one for the history books, beginning with the original founder Solomon Tollman purchasing a small hotel in rural South Africa 1920, after making his way from Europe with little more than the clothes on his back. With the company ethos from Day 1 being to always be “Driven By Service,” from this one humble property, it expanded to other locations throughout South Africa, with modern day TTC’s chairman, Stanley, Solomon’s son taking the reins to build the business to what it is today—a collection of 42 travel brands and luxury hotels across the world