Jul 13, 2007
Though they theoretically operate "for profit," a number of low-cost travel firms are obviously in business for the love of it
Three travel organizations provide such important services to cost-conscious vacationers, at such low prices, that they deserve recognition:
Adventure Center (tel. 800/228-8747 or 510/654-1879; www.adventurecenter.com) is a 27-year-old California firm that acts as the U.S. representative for a dozen, major, budget-priced operators of exotic and/or adventurous trips throughout the world (companies like Britain's Guerba Expeditions or Explore Worldwide). You travel in groups limited to between 8 and 24 persons. By keeping its own mark-ups at exceedingly low levels, Adventure Center enables cost-conscious Americans to enjoy the world's lowest-priced adventure travels (truck safaris, walking tours in underdeveloped countries, antarctic expedition cruises) operated by highly-skilled specialists with a long record of safe and successful touring. Scan its literature or website and you'll be struck by how affordable these once-in-a-lifetime exeditions can be.
Evergreen Bed & Breakfast Club (tel. 800/962-2392; www.evergreenclub.com) has, for 26 years, arranged comfortable but rock-bottom-priced homestays for persons over the age of 50 traveling to nearly 2,000 cities in North America and a growing number of locations abroad. Members offer rooms in their private residences to other members at the nominal charge (they call it a "gratuity") of $10 per single, $15 per double, per night, including a big breakfast. Yearly membership fee: $30 single, $37.50 double. Participation is by persons who do frequent traveling in the U.S.; who enjoy the camaraderie and friendship of private homes; and who are themselves willing to act as hosts on occasion in exchange for receiving such nominally-priced hospitality.
Intervac International Home Exchange (tel. 800/756-4663; www.intervacus.com), founded some 54 years ago and operated today in the U.S. by Paula Jaffe, is typical of the several vacation exchange clubs that enable Americans to swap their homes or apartments with those of persons in other cities, here or abroad, during their respective vacations. By permitting individuals to make use of a valuable asset -- their own home or apartment -- to live free elsewhere, it enables tens of thousands to travel in the best possible manner. And as you learn the modest charges for participation in Intervac ($78.88 for a yearly web-only membership), you immediately see that its managers are not involved in this business to get rich.
Let's give a cheer for the selfless, budget-minded operators of low-cost travel programs!
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Adventure Center (tel. 800/228-8747 or 510/654-1879; www.adventurecenter.com) is a 27-year-old California firm that acts as the U.S. representative for a dozen, major, budget-priced operators of exotic and/or adventurous trips throughout the world (companies like Britain's Guerba Expeditions or Explore Worldwide). You travel in groups limited to between 8 and 24 persons. By keeping its own mark-ups at exceedingly low levels, Adventure Center enables cost-conscious Americans to enjoy the world's lowest-priced adventure travels (truck safaris, walking tours in underdeveloped countries, antarctic expedition cruises) operated by highly-skilled specialists with a long record of safe and successful touring. Scan its literature or website and you'll be struck by how affordable these once-in-a-lifetime exeditions can be.
Evergreen Bed & Breakfast Club (tel. 800/962-2392; www.evergreenclub.com) has, for 26 years, arranged comfortable but rock-bottom-priced homestays for persons over the age of 50 traveling to nearly 2,000 cities in North America and a growing number of locations abroad. Members offer rooms in their private residences to other members at the nominal charge (they call it a "gratuity") of $10 per single, $15 per double, per night, including a big breakfast. Yearly membership fee: $30 single, $37.50 double. Participation is by persons who do frequent traveling in the U.S.; who enjoy the camaraderie and friendship of private homes; and who are themselves willing to act as hosts on occasion in exchange for receiving such nominally-priced hospitality.
Intervac International Home Exchange (tel. 800/756-4663; www.intervacus.com), founded some 54 years ago and operated today in the U.S. by Paula Jaffe, is typical of the several vacation exchange clubs that enable Americans to swap their homes or apartments with those of persons in other cities, here or abroad, during their respective vacations. By permitting individuals to make use of a valuable asset -- their own home or apartment -- to live free elsewhere, it enables tens of thousands to travel in the best possible manner. And as you learn the modest charges for participation in Intervac ($78.88 for a yearly web-only membership), you immediately see that its managers are not involved in this business to get rich.
Let's give a cheer for the selfless, budget-minded operators of low-cost travel programs!
Write and read comments about this post.
Labels: tour companies
Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
