by Dawnielle Jacobson | Mar 11, 2016 | news
Kicking off 2016 with St. Paddy’s Day in Ireland
We’re kicking off our 2016 tour season with three tours in Ireland. We’ll be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with all the local flair. Then we’re off to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Follow along on Facebook and consider joining us on one of these tours over the summer.
A Taste O’ Ireland, The Essence of Ireland and Germany-Austria-Switzerland
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Discounts on all Tours Departing after June 1st
The euro exchange rate is hovering around $1.10 these days. When we can get more bang for our buck we pass those savings on to you. And a favorable exchange rate on tour means you’ll have more money to spend on souvenirs as well! See the full tour line-up here.
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Spotlight on: Sicily
Because of its strategic placement in the Mediterranean Sicily was a revolving door of conquerors, and each left their mark on the island. This patchwork of cultural traditions is what makes Sicily such a great destination. This tour provides the perfect balance between the excitement of major tourist sights and the intimacy of small villages.
Here are some of the wonderful experiences that await you:
- Haggle in the bustling markets of Palermo
- Stroll along the beach in the busy seaside town of Trapani
- Sample the regional specialties in Marsala: olives, sun-dried tomatoes and wine.
- Explore ancient Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples
- See the wonderfully preserved mosaics at the Villa Romana Casale.
- Learn about the Allied Landings in Sicily during WWII
- Travel the slopes of Mt. Etna, Sicily’s active volcano
- Enjoy a world-famous cannoli and the sweeping views of the sea in the mountain-top town of Erice
- And more!
See the full itinerary here and sign up today!
Your Adventure Starts Here!
by Dawnielle Jacobson | Feb 26, 2016 | news, scrapbook
Congratulations to our 2015 Digital Tour Scrapbook winners and thanks to all who submitted an entry. This contest was designed to showcase our tours to Europe from a tour member’s perspective. I hope it gives those thinking about taking a David McGuffin tour a little more insight into our tours and travel style.
2015 Winners
FIRST PRIZE – 1 seat on any David McGuffin tour departing in 2016 or 2017
Tom recounts his 9-day adventure in Italy through a daily blog covering sightseeing, food and off-the-beaten-path adventures.
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SECOND PRIZE – $500 Gift Certificate for a David McGuffin tour
Gloria shares her memorable moments along the Mediterranean: rich history, great food and good times.
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THIRD PRIZE – $250 Gift Certificate for a David McGuffin tour
Jean traveled the Emerald Isle, soaking in the beautiful sights and sampling Ireland’s many culinary treats.
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HONORABLE MENTIONS
Patrick enjoyed every minute of his “trip of a lifetime” and shares his adventures with humor and enthusiasm.
Susan and her family trekked across the Iberian Peninsula on this special trip to celebrate her niece’s college graduation.
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If you are traveling with us in 2016, be sure to be on the lookout for details on entering our 2016 Digital Tour Scrapbook Contest. We will have contest rules and entry information available in late December 2016.
by Dawnielle Jacobson | Feb 12, 2016 | news
You Dream it, We’ll Plan it
Exploring Europe offers a variety of destinations and tours, but if you have somewhere special in mind, we can help you plan a private tour for your friends and family. No group is too small or too large, and we offer a variety of services to assist in custom designing your tour. You can create your own itinerary for a fully-guided tour or we can help you choose your destinations and arrange accommodations as you head off the beaten path on your own.
This first-hand account from Shanti Miles-Kelley, who planned a family trip to Ireland and Wales, was featured in International Travel News Magazine. Read about her experience here.
There are lots of great itineraries to choose from in this year’s tour line up. You can use them as a starting point to plan your own tour or simply hop on one and come travel with us.
Your Adventure Starts Here!
by Dawnielle Jacobson | Feb 12, 2016 | Uncategorized
Ireland and Wales with David McGuffin
Nine months in advance, my husband, Gary, and I (ages 70-plus) and our daughter and her spouse began planning a trip to Ireland. After much searching for tours and being frustrated with scheduling problems, we contacted David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe. Based on his 9-day “Essence of Ireland” tour, David designed a custom package for the four of us for Aug. 27-Sept. 5, 2015. We paid $3,039 each and were pleasantly surprised by the affordability of having our own professional tour guide and driver plus all of the included amenities, among which, received in advance, was a travel planner with travel tips and descriptions of the areas we’d be visiting.
Following the Ireland trip, David accompanied Gary and me on a 6-day extension to northern Wales, where we visited many historical sites and went to an archive office to search for family history documents. I also explored the area where my great-grandfather grew up. The total cost of the extension, including airfare from Ireland to Manchester, England, accommodations, a luxury car, a driver and a guide, was $2,590 each. While we were in Wales, we stayed at the small but wonderful B&B Tan-yr-Onnen Guesthouse (Waen, Saint Asaph, Denbighshire, Wales) and took side trips around the area. The B&B owners served delicious homemade breakfasts and were very helpful in providing information and local contacts. We were astounded by the beauty of northern Wales, with the wild heather in full bloom covering the mountains with purple haze and lining the lovely backroads that led to small villages and farms.
On both of the tours we scheduled with David, we were extremely pleased with his attention to details, his professionalism, his excellent driving skills and his great sense of adventure. He was flexible and well informed and a delightful traveling companion. All accommodations on his tours were first class, and the included meals were excellent, with a wide variety of choices and some culinary “surprises.” Gary and I have traveled extensively overseas, usually with tour groups, and it was wonderful not having to wait in lines to get on or off a bus or to search for our luggage, check into hotels, file into restaurants, etc., not to mention being able to take more convenient routes to save precious travel time. These tours were awesome!
– SHANTI MILES-KELLEY Newport, OR
by Dawnielle Jacobson | Feb 5, 2016 | news
Online Tour Album Scrapbook Contest Deadline Today
All entries for the online tour album scrapbook contest must be received by 11:59 P.M. EST today. Click the link to submit your website.
Your Adventure Starts Here!
