odyssey tours and travels reviews

Odysseys Unlimited

Review Highlights

“ The tour director was knowledgeable and did everything we could have hoped for to make our trip outstanding. ” in 3 reviews

“ While there, we met up with another tour from Scandinavia , and you could tell they have one of those 'discount tours' ” in 3 reviews

“ In addition, each person was telephoned by Odyssey while we were in Peru making sure we had everything we needed! ” in 4 reviews

Location & Hours

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275 Washington St

Newton, MA 02458

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I'm 63. My son is 32. Was thinking of taking the Thailand trip with him. Just took a bus tour of the southwest. Average age was high 60s. Fine for me, but my kid would have been nuts. Do you think my son will be bored?

We came back from Discovering Eastern Europe in October. Lovely trip. But - we asked about the age range and were not provided with an answer that jived with our experience. Our tour group of 40 had three… more

What is the typical amount that you tip the Odyssey guide? I read employee reviews and a few of them mentioned low starting pay. We are going on a 10 day tour of Scotland, and have no idea of the appropriate amount for tips.

Hi Lauren, While tipping your tour director is entirely optional on Odysseys tours, we will send you information about tipping closer to your departure. By way of further explanation, the reviews that you… more

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Recently traveled with Odyssey on the Sicily in-depth tour. Having traveled with other companies I can say that Odyssey is top notch. You really get value for your money as tips, many extra meals and excursions are all included in the price. Accommodations were very much above par, tours were accompanied with local guides. Highly recommend and I'm a picky traveler.

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Business Owner

Apr 17, 2024

Hi Joan, We're delighted that you enjoyed your trip to Sicily with us. Thank you for your patronage; we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again on a small group tour.

The following letter was send to the president of Odysseys Unlimited few days ago. April 2nd, 2024 Dear Sir, We hope the past several weeks were a lot better for you than for us while we were exploring Mystical India! Oh excuse me.....Miserable India is a more appropriate term. Why, you may ask. Because, 2 - 3 days after we got there we had a lunch in a restaurant and the entire group (except one) got sick from food poisoning. It was NOT several members as you stated in your letter to us. Semantics matter. And your remedy? Free booze for everyone. Great idea when you are healthy, but not when your stomach leaks. The visit to the village with the camels was terrible idea. When you wake up with soiled sheets and you can not take a decent shower due to the lack of hot water and broken shower head makes things even more unbearable. Forget the Ranthambore National Park, forget the Special dinner where we were invited to go. Four walls was the great Indian Scenery we both experienced. Ok.... On to Agra!!! We were looking forward to take a decent shower there , BUT, it was not to be!!! No hot water pressure and the water was FULL of RUST!!! Since we didn't want to become IronMan/Woman...no shower for us. Yes, we have the pics to show. The water did not clear almost till the next morning. Yes, our condition improved a little after the Dr. gave us some pills and injection, but our stomachs were in a very rebellious mood, still. The filth and unbearable piles of garbage of India behind us now, on to Nepal. Things didn't get much better. The bathroom in the hotel had BLACK mold around the sink, toilet and shower with rusted metal to match. Black and white color make a nice combination in a house, BUT this combination is unacceptable. The first day the group was taken down a hillside along residential houses where many members of the group kept taking pics of the homes, hanging laundry and what ever was in peoples back yards. How preposterous! Why the guide allowed such behavior? Don't people have any respect for privacy anymore. Shameful and embarrassing behavior. Anyway, the rest of the day we spend in our rooms, because there was nothing to do. A wasted day. No need to go on and on, we just want to forget this trip. I hope you got the picture of our adventure. After three relatively good trips with Odisseys, this was the trip from Hell. We are terrified about going in a few weeks to visit the Silk Road. I am sure nothing will be done, but at least I got it off my chest. Now that we are on Tera Firma we can continue with our recuperation. Cordially .......NEVER AGAIN

Hello, We’re sorry to hear about the problems you encountered in India. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention and speaking with members of our staff to address the situation to your satisfaction. Now, we look forward to providing you with an excellent travel experience on your upcoming trip with us along the Silk Road. We appreciate your patronage and wish you the happiest of travels.

in response to your claim that you returned funds to me that you received. Why not be honest about that ..you first denied that funds were returned, and you only returned the funds when I requested same stating that you were unduly enriching yourself.... And you held back $600 in refunds , $300 per ticket for a "cancellation fee" Sorry but I'm just not impressed. And finally you did not respond to what happened to all the taxes. Taxes that because the product was not used do not require they be sent. Sorry but your offer to use your service again is comical. I had to cancel 3 other tour companies, each of them made a smaller offer of consideration. Your company was the only one that did not. And let's not forget that the refund by the airline was a result of my inquiry not your efforts ..

Dec 5, 2023

Hello, Gabe S, We would again like to extend our sincerest apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience resulting in the cancellation of your tour with Odysseys. Moreover, we do hope the recovery from the leg injury has been swift and complete. We try to be as upfront as possible about the nature of our cancellation penalties that are incurred when a reservation is cancelled beyond a tour’s Final Payment Date and clearly disclose this information in our General Terms and Conditions. Please also know that we do not impose such penalties to unjustly enrich ourselves at the expense of individuals who are no longer able to travel. Rather, these policies are in place because our travel partners and vendors with whom we contract impose such penalties against us as a company when cancellations occur beyond the Final Payment Date. Further, as previously discussed with our office, we do not always receive refunds for unused airfare per the nature of our contracts with our airline partners. However, we are glad to say that we did in this particular instance and that we were able to pass those funds on to you as a gesture of goodwill. You should have received this reimbursement in the form of a check mailed to your residential address. Lastly, we always stress the importance of travel insurance to our guests precisely for such unforeseen circumstances as you experienced. We certainly do not hope that anyone undergoes a financial burden, especially during a difficult time, but it is for reasons such as this that we hope to help mitigate this outcome by strongly recommending that guests obtain a comprehensive travel protection plan. We are hopeful that you might consider giving Odysseys another try. We are confident that we can provide you with a service level that will meet or surpass your expectations in every aspect. In response to your second post, we understand that it was not the reimbursement amount you were seeking, however, we continue feel that what we offered was a fair exception. Please know we appreciate your patronage and wish you well in your future travels.

paid in full for a fully escorted tour of pain, cost for 2 over $12,000. Had to cancel a month prior due to severe leg injury requiring emergency surgery. they would offer nothing, not a credit, not a reduction on the next trip. they just kept all the money. Now I realize that's what insurance is for, but still .., NNOTHING. and then we found out that they got money back when the tickets were turned in for certain pre paid items.,so for instance they got the cost back from the airlines, and just KEPT that money also ...when we found out they first denied it, then we contacted the airlines and confirmed ...after pursuing this they relented and returned a partial amount. had we not pursued this they had no intent to return any of the money. They would have kept out paid in full amount and also kept the airline refund. we asked for some discount on our next trip. Answer was NO NO NO . we had other planned trips shortly thereafter andEVERY other company was more accommodating. ..They lost a customer for life, and hopefully your business too. Very disappointing that after paying $12,000 they did nothing. Now the big question is , what did they do with all the taxes that we were charged. Did they keep taxed that were meant for government fees. I'm sure they cancelled hotel rooms, admission fees, restaurant expenses, yet they kept the taxes we paid for all of that .

Odysseys Unlimited Tour of Sicily In-Depth   We booked a trip to Sicily for August in January. We paid in full, which included trip insurance and an upgrade to Premium Economy class. We inquired about the airlines they book for the Sicily tour. The agent presented a suitable list. We received the airplane itinerary in early June. The airline booked was not satisfactory, nor was the hub we were going to. The airline was not on the list that the agent presented to us. I contacted them by phone immediately and requested that they change the airline. I explained that we did not feel safe with the route and airline. I found alternative airlines and hubs that would work, but the agent was uncooperative with making any changes. At this point, I was distraught and canceled our booking. Odysseys Unlimited charged a hefty 25% fee to cancel. The cancelation fee amounted to slightly under 5K. The agent suggested I put in a claim for the 5K through the trip insurance. Trip insurance did not cover it.   Beware of this company. They proved to be inflexible and not forthcoming. We would not have booked this trip knowing what airline they would be using. The agent stated there was no cancellation penalty for 95 days before the departure date. We received the airline itinerary 85 days before the departure date, this was not in their 95 day window. We canceled the next day. The agent would not provide any accommodation for our safety concerns. We are feeling sad after this experience with Odysseys Unlimited and done with organized tours!

I am 77 years old and have been travelling for over 50 years and taken over 100 trips. I have made 3 complaints in all that time and 2 were about Odyssey. I took their Africa Wildlife tour in Nov. 2022. There were hundreds of bugs in our tent and I took pics and sent them to Odyssey. That was the 1st complaint. They gave me a credit of $150 and because I loved the tour itself and because they changed the bug lodge, I took it again in Nov. 2023. This was the 2nd complaint. 1st trip 14 hour thru NJ then non stop to Africa, great. 2nd trip 36 hours in airports and on planes. They sent me, 77 years old on a 12.5 flight to Doha, with a 10 HOUR LAYOVER, then 8.5 more to Africa. I tried to change this flight but they refused and told me, rudely, that I could get my own flights if I didn't like it. I literally could barely walk when I got off the plane after sitting on hard seats for 36 hours and had to be lifted into the van to the hotel and could not even go on the tour the next day. The first trip the guide was great. The second trip - NO. 2nd guy encouraged bullying and gossiping among the women, mostly against me (I was told this by a decent person on the tour) since I do not engage in that behavior. The tour was 10 people, mostly elderly women. This 2nd guide just sat there and let people bully others. Disgusting man. Then he tried to leave the tour early and told us he would leave us in a hotel day room and someone would pick us up and take us to the airport. I found this out because I asked why I would get a day room at the end of the tour for 2 hours in Zambia but no day room for a 10 hour layover in Doha. He said the Zambia airport was easy to get around - this was not true. Others complained so he decided he better stay but he was going to abandon elderly travelers in a strange airport in a foreign country. One of the women had already fallen down a moving escalator and had to call paramedics but in spite of that, he was going to leave us. I cannot walk long distances like thru airports and have to have a wheelchair because I have plates and screws holding my foot together. This guy left me to fend for myself while he helped everyone else check in their flights. On the 1st tour in 2022 I gave the tour guide $150 tip. I gave the 2nd guy nothing. And I know that the 6 old ladies only gave him a $25 tip each. Karma.

Hello, Pat S., We are glad to hear that you enjoyed our Africa’s Wildlife tour when you first took it back in 2022, though regret that you had a difficult experience during your most recent trip. We would again like to extend our sincere apologies for any dissatisfaction caused by the included flight arrangements. As we discussed with you, we work with tour operator tickets that allow us to provide excellent value to our guests. However, these contracts do come with restrictions regarding the flights that we are able to book. We always do our best to obtain the most direct routing with sufficient connection times within the limitations of these contracts; the availability of certain routings ultimately varies between airlines. Flight arrangements are sent to guests approximately two and a half months prior to departure. These arrangements are, however, preliminary. If guests are unhappy with their flight schedule, we can explore other options. That said, we confirmed that your preliminary airline was emailed to you in August, but we did not hear from you until a month and a half later; by that time, we were no longer able to make changes within our airline contracts. Additionally, we do offer a “land only” option for our tours, knowing that guests may prefer to make their own air arrangements. We do highly recommend this option for guests who wish to have any aspect of the flights guaranteed or have flight itineraries released in advance of our schedule with the airlines. In regard to your comments regarding your tour director, please be assured that, in the past, his performance has been superior; otherwise, we would not have entrusted your group to him. That said, one of our senior staff has addressed your concerns with him to ensure that guests receive the highest level of care throughout the duration of their tour. I would be remiss if I did not note though, that your tour director did remain with the group for the scheduled tour; it is customary to part ways at the Lusaka airport before the return flight home. Individual flight arrangements vary, and the tour director remained, as planned, to bid all guests farewell. However, certainly you should always feel cared for and have everything you need prior to departure. Thank you for all of your feedback. We regret that you did not have a more positive experience.

Scandinavia. Would not do it without a tour. Very well planned. The very best guide. Free time to do your thing too. Small groups. Good and easy flights/ ferries/ trains- all done for us. Slept on long bus rides when too much information...

Oct 5, 2023

Hi Judi, So glad you enjoyed your trip to Scandinavia with Odysseys. Thank you for posting.

PLEASE NOTE: This review posted on Yelp under the profile of someone named Neil in Phila. This is not me my name is Sheila McLaughlin from Exton, Pa. On a recent trip to Italy with Odysseys Unlimited my husband's backpack was lost/stolen in transfer from Rome to Orvieto. He handed the backpack to the driver and watched him place it in the luggage compartment of the bus. This was witnessed by others in the group. The bags were later transferred to a smaller van for transport to the hotel since buses are not allowed in Orvieto. The group continued on to dinner and upon arrival at the hotel later that evening the bag was missing. The tour operator checked with the bus and van drivers and personal at the hotel but the bag was gone. Inside the bag were numerous personal items, medication, a medical device for sleep apnea, cash and most distressing of all his PASSPORT! Odysseys Unlimited responded they are not responsible for lost/stolen bags (even while in the care of their contractors) and directed us to file a claim with the travel insurance company. Odysseys Unlimited apologized for the"unfortunate incident" and any "inconvenience" caused. The secure transfer of luggage from one hotel to another while on tour is an essential TRUST between the customer and the tour company. In this case, Odysseys FAILED in their obligation. The tour operator on site was wonderful assisting us to file a police report and helping us get to the American Consulate in Florence to purchase an emergency passport. This was much more than an "inconvenience" the anxiety and stress caused greatly impacted our enjoyment of the second half of this tour. Odysseys Unlimited was highly recommended to us and while many aspects of the trip was worthy of that praise the failure of their baggage transfer procedures is cause for ALARM for all customers. Sheila McLaughlin Exton, Pa

We went to Patagonia With Odysseys. The individual tour guides were knowledgeable and personable. The organization of all the activiites and meals was perfectly handled. And we liked that there was time to ourselves as well and no 6 or 7AM start times like other tour companies! We have already signed up with them for another trip.

Sep 8, 2022

We're delighted that you enjoyed your trip to Patagonia with us, Diane - and greatly appreciate that you posted here. We wish you another great experience on your next tour!

My trip was cancelled after final payment was made and 90 days before departure due to not enough travelers. So if you are making your own plane reservations wait until the trip gets closer or book flights directly with Odysseys. I don't think it's right to cancel because there aren't enough travelers, but I see from other reviews that it does happen with this company. The representatives were professional and I was given a full refund and $ 100 pp for a future trip. I wanted to go on the next departure, but it would cost $800 more. I feel the price I paid should have been honored on the next available booking.

Dec 27, 2022

Hello, Diane S., Please know that it is never our hope to cancel one of our tours. As we discuss with all of our guests traveling with the “land only” option, and as we advertise in our catalog and on our website, we do need a meet a minimum number of 12 guests in order to operate any given tour. While we can sometimes operate with fewer than this on a case-by-case basis, it does not appear that were able to do so for your tour and you have our sincere apologies for any disappointment and inconvenience caused. Regarding pricing, as we work with tour operator contracts with our travel partners, we are able to pass along an excellent value to our guests; however, doing so comes with restrictions. One being that our prices reflect the cost of travel during the given dates of the tour. Although we certainly understand your point of view on this, we cannot always offer much flexibility when trying to defer to a departure date to the following month. Because of the cost of travel on the next departure, we regret that we were not able to offer you a price match. Again, you have our apologies for your experience.

We are scheduled on a New Zealand tour in November and are already so frustrated with Odysseys Unlimited, I don't even want to go! First, they promote themselves as a high-end travel agency charging large prices, offering First Class and Superior Hotel Rooms, presenting glowing reviews and big catalogs with nice pictures. We received our flight information from LAX-NZ and were assigned seats in Row 52 of 55!!! A jumbo jet with four sections and we are seated in the cheapest seats on the plane by the bathrooms. We offered to upgrade, but were told we can't. The flight within NZ is on a turbo jet. Again, cheapest transportation available. We looked up the hotels and none are above 4.0 ratings, some even listed as "outdated". First Class and Superior hotels are 4.5 to 5.0. Our local Hampton Inn is rated 4.0. When you speak with their agents, they always have a reason why they can't accommodate our request. I feel taken advantage of by this company. For what they are delivering, we could have spent a month in Italy or six weeks in Hawaii. Very disappointed in what they are delivering vs. the cost of the trip. The value of the delivery is only 1/2 of what they are charging. My suggestion is look at other, well qualified travel companies that deliver what they promise. We've taken many wonderful trips with them. We should have read more reviews before signing up.

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Specialty tours & events, odysseys unlimited review.

by Margaret Backenheimer and J.D. Brown

eFlyer Reviews

After a lifetime of hardscrabble independent travel, of finding our own way in distant places and wasting long hours wandering and lost, we decided to treat ourselves to a guided group tour of Egypt. We would take it easy this time and be led from pyramid to sphinx, tomb to temple, without the least bit of stress or strain. We assumed group travelers were like spoiled children, seeing the world in comfort — how wrong we were.

Our first hint came when we discovered we were the only tour members arriving in Cairo a day early to recover from the long flight. Everyone else in our group of 20 landed the evening before activities began — one couple as late as midnight — and yet there they were, early the next morning, fresh and ready to take on the mummies of the Egyptian Museum and the mosques of the high Citadel of Saladin.

Our guide, Tarek Morsy, was driven by a relentless love for his country, ever eager to show us as much as possible in as great a detail as possible, and his brood of travelers was more than up for an ironclad itinerary. Rising and arriving early at sights was part of the regime. Our troupe boarded the bus at dawn to be first to reach the Giza Plateau for a photo opportunity at the Great Pyramid of Cheops and an up-close look at the Great Sphinx, followed by a camel ride through wind-driven sands.

Our first day of sightseeing was just getting started, though. The afternoon found us winding through the maze of streets in Old Cairo to visit Ben Ezra Synagogue — Egypt’s oldest — and St. Sergius Church, where legend says the Holy Family found shelter in a cave. We were already far ahead on the list of must-see sights we would have covered on our own, and the next morning we faced a 4 a.m. wake-up call for our flight to Aswan. Little enough time for repacking and sleeping, but our travel arrangements were taken care of and we saw plenty in short order, with an expert guide making sense of the exotic attractions as they whirled by.

Landing in Aswan, we headed immediately to the Temple of Philae on an island in Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest manmade lakes, created by the construction of the Aswan High Dam (1960–1971). This temple and all others we visited over the next four days, including the monumental Abu Simbel complex, were moved to higher ground as water levels rose. To view the transported tombs and temples, we boarded one of a small handful of Lake Nasser riverboats, the M/S Prince Abbas . We selected this Odysseys Unlimited tour because it included two separate Nile cruises — this one on Lake Nasser, the quiet upper reaches of the river, and then a three-night voyage down the more popular and populated Nile from Aswan to Luxor.

When we weren’t taking in the sights, Tarek regaled us with detailed lectures on pharaonic history, hieroglyphics and mythology, as well as stories of his own life in present-day Egypt. It was an education in a complex culture we wouldn’t have acquired traveling on our own. After our first cruise, we crossed the desert sands to begin a second the same day aboard the M/S Royal Lily . For three days we sailed the Nile in luxury from Aswan to Luxor, absorbing a myriad of wonders, fending off zealous vendors at each stop, with Tarek deftly clearing the way and making sure we got the best shopping prices possible.

© J.D. Brown

Docked at Luxor, we immersed ourselves in a place surpassing even Cairo in the number and importance of ancient sights, including the vast grounds of Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, where we saw Tut himself at rest in his celebrated tomb. In Luxor we indulged in the sort of activities independent travelers relish: a ride along the lush banks of the Nile in a felucca (the traditional small sailing boat of Egypt); a farm lunch at a local home with all products, from potatoes and eggplant to chicken and beef, grown or raised on the family’s four-acre plot; and a harrowing horse-and-carriage ride through Luxor by night. Then it was a morning flight back to Cairo for two more intense days of sightseeing, from the city’s markets to the giant Sphinx at Memphis to the Step Pyramid at Sakkara — once the largest stone structure ever built.

After this 12-day marathon with 19 temples, innumerable monuments and mazes of markets, we were satiated with the sights of Egypt. Would we return to Egypt on our own next time, spending less, meeting locals and experiencing an exotic culture in more depth, but no doubt seeing less of the splendors? Perhaps. But Odysseys Unlimited showed us traveling in small groups offers a multitude of sights and pleasures we wouldn’t have the resources to experience on our own.

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Odyssey Traveller Small group Tour Reviews

At Odyssey we enjoy creating and leading small group tours since 1983. Odyssey Traveller Tour Reviews are important source of feedback from our customers to allow us to balance out the good with the not so good on the tours offered. This is a small niche company who applies part of it's surpluses to creating Scholarships for University students of $10,000 each year.

Read on to get an insight into what our customers think when they travel with us. Sharing their views on our range of Senior small group educational tours for the over 50s. These tour reviews cover Britain, France, Italy and places elsewhere across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

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Canals and Railways in the Industrial Revolution Tour | Tours for Seniors in Britain

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Odysseys Unlimited

40 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

Israel: Timeless Wonders

Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Tel Aviv

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• Jaffa’s ancient port
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• Overnight stay on a working kibbutz
• Biblical sites of Tiberias, Nazareth, Mount of Beatitudes, Sea of Galilee

Cultural, Holy Land

Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania

Amboseli National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Maasai Mara, Nairobi, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Serengeti National Park

• See Masai Mara’s unparalleled game viewing
• Visit Amboseli National Reserve
• Explore Serengeti National Park, Africa’s best game viewing site
• See the Ngoron­goro Conservation Area, wildlife haven and Maasai home­land
• Explore Olduvai Gorge

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Safari

Mystical India

Agra, Agra Fort, Delhi, Jaipur, Jama Masjid, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Varanasi

• Tours of Old Delhi and New Delhi
• Home-hosted dinner with Jaipur family
• Magnificent Taj Mahal
• Two-night stay at Ranthambore Tiger Preserve
• Kalakho camel safari and tribal home visit

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Religious

Treasures of Jordan

Ajloun, Amman, Bethlehem, Dead Sea, Jerash, Jerusalem, Jordan Valley, Madaba, Petra, Wadi Rum

• Amman sightseeing
• Lunch in the home of an Amman family
• Outstanding Roman ruins at Jerash
• Madaba, “City of Mosaics”
• Biblical Mt. Nebo

Cultural, Religious

Discovering Eastern Europe

Auschwitz, Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Warsaw

• Warsaw sightseeing
• Guided visits to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps
• Wieliczka Salt Mines, Krakow
• Comprehensive Budapest touring
• Scenic Danube Bend

Cultural, Transformative

Across Spain and Portugal

Barcelona, Bilbao, Leon, Lisbon, Oporto, Pamplona, Santiago de Compostela

• Douro River cruise and port wine tasting
• Pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela
• Stops along religious route of Way of St. James
• Bilbao’s Guggenheim and Fine Arts museums
• Full-day excursion along beautiful, rugged Basque coastline

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

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Scotland: Highlands and Islands

Edinburgh, Eilean Donan Castle, Glasgow, Loch Ness, The Isle of Skye

• Well-paced journey through Scotland
• Glasgow touring
• Glasgow’s unique architecture
• Private curator-guided tour of Pollok House
• Beautiful Scottish Highlands scenery, including Loch Lomond, Trossachs National Park, Glencoe, Loch Ness

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

India: Splendors of the South

Arabian Sea, Kerala, Kochi, Mumbai

• Unique small group itinerary
• Enjoy Mumbai touring
• Visit Dharavi slum
• See Wildlife safaris in Nagarhole National Park
• Explore 9th-century Ranganatha Temple in Srirangapatna

50 plus, Cultural, Transformative

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Reviews 4.9.

Most relevant

Holidays in Bhutan

My husband and I spent a wonderful time in Bhutan. Thalia supported us throughout the whole process, from defining the best itinerary to getting the visa on time, choosing the best air connections and providing support during the whole trip. Her service and guidance have been just superb! 5 stars for her! We had a very knowledgeable and flexible guide and an excellent driver who took us safely to all our destinations. The itinerary was well designed and we managed to see everything we wanted and even more! Just a great experience that I would recomendable undoubtedly.

Date of experience : August 12, 2024

Unforgettable and awesome holiday in Tibet

Destination: Tibet Travel period : 14/2/24-24/2/24 Tour agent : Runny Tour : 9 Days-Lhasa-Nyingchi-Yamdrok-Shigatse ( Non-EBC) Thumbs up to Runny who pre arranged our trip to Tibet. She was responsive to our needs and questions. She also got us the seats we wanted for the train ride to Tibet. It was a good experience communicating with her. Our tour guide Lobsang T was very knowledgeable in Tibet culture and patient when explaining about attractions/places we visited. He was always on time and made sure that the pacing of the tour was good and not rushing. He was able to answer all questions asked about the attractions. Additionally , he was well versed in English and Mandarin. We enjoyed our trip very much and feel safe in his good hands. Our driver Trinley was friendly and had safe driving skills who made our journey between attractions comfortable. On our last day of tour , we had Max who took care of us well and travelled with us back to Lhasa. Will definitely recommend Asia Odyssey to any friends or family.

Date of experience : February 14, 2024

The overall excellent experience.

The overall excellent experience. Our Travel Consultant Cecilia was excellent, prompt and helpful. The tour guide in Beijing was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. I will recommend Odyssey to my friends for their China tours

Date of experience : August 09, 2024

If you are planning to visit Tibet

If you are planning to visit Tibet, go to guide ZHANG Zhijun 张智君！ He is very reliable, responsible, fast… Highly recommended!

Date of experience : August 16, 2024

Reply from Asia Odyssey Travel

Thank you for your recommendation! We're delighted that you chose Asia Odyssey Travel to craft your incredible adventure. Our Tibet experts like Zhang are dedicated to delivering flawless and authentic experiences. We look forward to another great journey with you!

Great days in Beijing! (Thank you Jian)

We’ve spent 3 great days with Jiang in Beijing. We are a family from Spain, with kids, and Jiang has been so full of joy and patient to adapt his explanations and pace to the needs of the family. With all that in consideration, we have made covered all the itinerary with productive visits guided by his knowledge. We are very thankful to him and the driver Wang.

Date of experience : August 06, 2024

TIBET and China

I try to trust in this company booking everything from Italy sending not few money to them with not now anxiety... but every single book with them was over my expected...I really say to thanks at Odyssey but mostly my kind and smart now fruend Kyle that quickly answer every my question in a full sentences... and also remember me on the travel my appointments .. Really very thanks ..you deserve the best

Date of experience : August 01, 2024

Fabulous and Ongoing Wonderful Assistance from Vicky

I met Vicky from Asia Odyssey travel several months ago when I was looking to book a Yangtze River Cruise from Chongqing. Vicky was extremely helpful, discussing all the different tours available and their respective pricing. Additionally, she was helpful in directing people to get me around Chongqing alone when I had neither a SIM card nor much fluency in Chinese. She has been kind, prompt, and very focused on helping me have the smoothest experience possible with my trip. We have stayed in touch since, and I have been so happy that I decided to book a Tibet tour through her next month. I highly recommend Vicky (and Asia Odyssey Travel), as she will go the extra mile to ensure that a China experience

Date of experience : May 27, 2024

Hi Justin, Thank you for your kind comments. We are so glad that you have enjoyed your journey with us! At Asia Odyssey Travel, we aim to offer more than just travel services; we create journeys that connect cultures and souls. Our local teams, rooted in Asian heritage, design experiences that uncover the essence of your travels. Being in the travel business for over 10 years, we know that a new travel destination can be both exciting and overwhelming when traveling on your own. That's why our dedicated travel specialists, like Vicky, work closely with our local team to ensure you enjoy the excitement while we handle everything else. Our mission is not just to provide service but also to be your best travel companion every step of the way. From exclusive access to hidden gems to seamless logistics and unparalleled service, we ensure every detail is meticulously planned for your enjoyment. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel as your travel mate. We look forward to traveling with you again in Tibet, the very place where we started our company in 2011. See you soon! Warm Regards Asia Odyssey Travel Team

We booked our travel to China Tibet…

We booked our travel to China Tibet with extension to Hunan Shangrila and more with Odyssey without a lot of expectations since we normally book our travels with American companies However Isaac my travel coordinator is very professional and efficient He is so courteous that he will make it sure we are having a wonderful time .Shout out to all the guides we had Annie in Beijing Kimi in Xian Echo in Chengdu Linda iand Jessica Shanghai Loubo in Tibet and Peter in Shangrila/Dali You were all fabulous friendly efficient professional and you did your best I will definitely recommend Odyssey to all my friends and family and to those who wish to visit China and beyond I’ll Give Odyssey 11/10 because of the amazing service Thank you to you all

Date of experience : July 11, 2024

Thanks to Kayla at Asia Odyssey Travel - Beijing Trip

Thanks to Kayla, we had a wonderful 3-day trip to Beijing. It was so well-organised and efficiently done, the communication was excellent, and all we had to do was just enjoy ourselves. We are also very grateful to both Tom, our fantastic tour guide, and our brilliant driver! We highly recommend Asia Odyssey Travel.

Date of experience : June 25, 2024

Hi, Thank you for your kind comments and recommendation. We're delighted that you enjoyed your trip with Asia Odyssey Travel! Detailed planning, prompt and friendly communication have always been our key strengths as a travel agency. In the meantime, at Asia Odyssey Travel, our offering extends beyond traditional travel services.We craft journeys that deeply connect cultures and enrich souls. With China travel gaining popularity, our local teams—immersed in Asian heritage—design experiences that capture the true essence of your adventure. We're also expanding our media offerings for travelers. Be sure to check out our new videos for travel inspiration /@asiaodysseytravel3815 ! We look forward to traveling with you again! Best Regards Asia Odyssey Travel Team

Great Experience to Tibet

Right from the start, Betty, our travel agent has helped us to create an unforgettable Tibet travel experience for my husband and I. She is attentive to our needs and has helped us to obtain the necessary documents to travel to Tibet. Our Tibetan guide, Lobsang, too is very friendly and eager to share Tibetan culture and history.

Date of experience : July 08, 2024

Great and reliable service

Our travel agent Rachel was very helpful during the planning of our day trip to the Fujian Tulous and always responded quickly. On the day of our trip, our tour guide Rachel picked us up at our hotel and made sure we had a great experience. She was very knowledgable about the area and spoke great English. If we ever need a guide in China again, we'll be sure to book through Asia Odyssey Travel.

A true unforgettable lifetime experiences!!

Me and my husband coming to Bhutan for the first time and thankyou to Asia Odyssey who help us about my husband’s visa.. Everything runs very well, from the airport we were landed until early morning flight we’ve leaving.. Thankyou to our guide Mr. Ugyen who really good and clear at explain every detail of Bhutan city with it’s history and also take us to try all the famous Bhutan food, btw I love the chili cheese and momo.. So recommended!

Date of experience : July 12, 2024

Awesome 8 days Beijing-Xi’an-Shanghai tour!

Just came back from the “8 days Beijing-XiAn-Shanghai” amazing tour! Very well organized, enjoyed every minute. But what made the difference are the Asia Odyssey staff, including the travel assistant, Cindy and the tour guides: Mary, Timo and Jessica. Thank you all for your exceptional support and assistance. All guides were very kind and caring and provided us with an unforgettable first time experience of China. Thank you Asia Odyssey.

Treated like cherished friends not just business clients

Everything was done efficiently. Mandy, the tour operator was always available even outside her office hours to answer any questions and even alerted me to weather changes so I could bring appropriate clothing. Our Tibetan tour guide Nobur was very smart and knowledgeable. He was patient and kind and also available beyond work hours to help when needed. It was a joy to work with such a dedicated team. This was my first group tour and I’m ready for another because of my experience with Asia Odyssey.

Date of experience : May 17, 2024

Great tour!

We recently enjoyed a six-day private tour of Beijing with Asia Odyssey, and we couldn't be more pleased with the experience. The service was exceptionally attentive, with our guide, Ms. Helen, and our driver exceeding all expectations. The tour was impressively organized, always offering flexible options to suit our preferences. We are also grateful to Mary, who helped us plan the trip. Her efforts, along with Ms. Helen's guidance, made everything run smoothly and seamlessly. Thank you so much to Ms. Helen, our fantastic tour guide, and to the entire Asia Odyssey team for their exceptional support and assistance. All the guides were kind and caring, providing us with an unforgettable first-time experience in China. Thank you, Asia Odyssey!

Date of experience : July 05, 2024

Amazing Tour! Amazing Experience!

Thanks Mary for her patience when dealing with all my questions about various tour options. My driver Tam and guide Rosa were professional. I enjoyed this Wolong Panda Base Volunteer Program & tour. I learnt so much from splitting bamboo, panda feeding by nanny / zookeeper, making nutritious cakes for pandas, and history from its museum. So much fun to view many pandas eating, playing, climbing trees and even sleeping peacefully. It's pricey to join a private tour as a solo traveler, however, was worth it from the overall experience. Thanks again Asia Odyssey Travel!

Date of experience : June 20, 2024

A magical trip in a magical country with a magical trip agency

My trip to china 🇨🇳 was from 10 July 2024 to 23 July 2024 for 3 major cities Beijing- Shanghai - Guangzhou I contacted the agency from march 2024 and honestly the professionalism i saw for 4 months from march until the end of my trip is spectacular . The trip is for 6 people ( me and my wife and 4 kids from 9 to 15 years old ) I asked them for a lot of things ( hotels - a privet car - a guide that knows english - historical places - fun places like universal studios and Disney land with express Pass - shopping - restaurants- river cruises - Acrobatics Shows - museums ) and they deliver what i want with a spotless work . The guides ( lucy in Beijing - maria in Shanghai - 冬冬Mery in Guangzhou ) or what my kids call them aunt before they names ❤️ , because i felt with them like family and also my kids last but not least Isaac who made the trip possible trip to a magical trip 🌹

Date of experience : July 10, 2024

Hi Khalid, It is so kind of you to take the time to share your wonderful experiences with Asia Odyssey Travel. It has been an honor to guide the way in China for you and your family. Being in the travel business since 2011, Asia Odyssey Travel's team members are always ready to deliver the best service. Be it the express pass, local gems, or bespoke transport, with our extensive local network, we make it happen, ensuring a journey that's hassle-free and full of joys. We appreciate you acknowledging our efforts. Meanwhile, at Asia Odyssey Travel, we work not just with dedication, but also with care and love to the very details for your lovely family. And "felt like family" is really the best ever comment for our local guides. On behalf of Lucy, Maria, Merry, and Isaac, we would like to express our gratitude. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel. Please send our best to your family as well. We look forward to embarking on new journeys with you. Best Regards Asia Odyssey Travel Team

Strong rec for Asia Odyssey for Tibet travel

Booking a trip to Tibet requires a travel agency, and I’d highly recommend Asia Odyssey. Vincent at Asia Odyssey worked with me over the course of 2 years, patiently answering my questions about planning a trip to Tibet, and being understanding when I couldn’t commit. When the 4 of us were finally ready, though, the booking process couldn’t have been smoother. We just returned from our Tibet trip today, where we had an incredible experience with the tour guide that Asia Odyssey arranged for us. Would use this agency again in a heartbeat.

Date of experience : July 01, 2024

This was my second tour with Asia…

This was my second tour with Asia Odyssey and again it was excellent. It was very efficiently organised. Great cars and drivers, all hotels met or exceeded expectations and some of the guides went beyond the call of duty to provide exceptional service. Isaac, the organiser, was on the ball with a good eye for detail and proactive. I would certainly use them again.

Date of experience : May 06, 2024

Looking for insights to guide tour selection?

Initially, the quotations were not clear regarding the final fee. However, the tour consultant was patient to explain and provided insights to guide selection for suitable dates, hence the decision to sign-up for a tour with the company. Looking forward to the tour itself and hoping it will be as amazing as what other travellers have experienced.

Prices below are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges and fees of $0, which are subject to change until final payment is made. All tour prices (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed.

Departure Selected

Special event, please note, guest 1 details, guest 2 details, trip details, additional options, guest information.

Insider’s Japan

It’s a land of delicate art and bustling commerce, of rich traditions and dizzying modernity; a jumble of sights, sounds, and tastes that for visitors are truly foreign – and truly fascinating. This well-crafted tour features the highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto, engages us in local life, and takes us off the beaten path to the lovely historic cities of Takayama and Kanazawa.

Tour Details

From $6,684

Small Group Highlights

• Tokyo touring, including Imperial Palace District and Meiji Shrine
• Stunning scenery of Mt. Fuji and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
• Overnight stay in traditional  ryokan
• Takayama’s ancient streets and houses
• Hands-on cooking class
• Culturally rich Kanazawa
• Tour of Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital
• Traditional tea ceremony

Day-by-Day Itinerary

In 2024 dinner will be included on Days 8 and 10 instead of Days 9 and 11.

This modern hotel is centrally located in Tokyo and sits close to the city’s popular Ginza area.   Hotel facilities and amenities include several restaurants, a bar, fitness center (for a fee), sauna, salon, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and dry-cleaning and laundry service (for a fee).  Each of the air-conditioned guest rooms has private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, minibar, TV, and phone.

Hakone Setsugetsuka sits just a minute’s walk away from Gora Station in the small hot springs town of Hakone.  This traditional ryokan offers a Japanese-style lodging experience where guests can enjoy a dip in the public outdoor onsen bath; dine upon fresh, local Japanese food at dinner; and experience sleeping in a Japanese-style room with private bathroom and open-air cypress bath.  Water is pulled from two private springs, and the ryokan offers traditional décor and a tranquil atmosphere for our one-night stay.   Air-conditioned guest rooms offer private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, tea-making facilities, and TV.  Please note: Each room features a traditional Japanese-style bed, which rests on the floor – should you desire, you may request a platform for this bed.  Additionally, per Japanese tradition, shoes must be removed in bedrooms at this ryokan .

Centrally located near the railway station and a five-minute walk from Miyagawa Morning Market, the Hida Hotel Plaza features several restaurants, a café, gift shop, heated indoor swimming pool, shops, spa, sauna, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access; laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee); and rooftop baths with commanding views of the northern Japanese Alps.  Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, minifridge, TV, and phone.  Please note : While this hotel represents the best of accommodations in the city, you may find the level of quality here somewhat lower than at others on your tour.

Conveniently located within walking distance of some of Kanazawa’s most popular sights, Hotel Nikko Kanazawa presents a refined European atmosphere.  Hotel amenities include several restaurants/bars, lobby lounge, sauna and Jacuzzi, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee).  Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, TV, and phone.

First opened in the winter of 2019, The Thousand Kyoto offers an elegant and contemporary stay in the heart of Kyoto.  With soaring interior spaces, understated yet sophisticated décor, and a variety of amenities, The Thousand Kyoto ranks as a perfect place from which to explore this fascinating city.  The hotel boasts a Japanese restaurant, an Italian restaurant, a tea room with tea-infused cocktails, fitness center, spa with a range of treatments (for a fee), complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee).  Air-conditioned guest rooms are designed according to a minimalist Japanese aesthetic and have private bath with hair dryer, tea-making facilities, TV, and phone.

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
• 11 nights’ accommodations: 10 nights in Deluxe and First Class hotels; 1 night in traditional Japanese  ryokan
• 19 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
• Rail transportation as described
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next ­Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after 3 tours; $300 after 10 tours)

Average Daily High by Month (°F )

Average temperature (°f ), dates & prices.

Business Class upgrade (subject to availability; pricing subject to change) on round-trip Trans-Pacific flight: $4,995 per person from LAX; $8,995 from all other cities. 2025 Premium Economy – $3,995 per person

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Post-Tour Extension

Hiroshima: City of Peace

Discover the city reborn from the atomic destruction of World War II, now a modern and cosmopolitan urban center whose residents warmly welcome American visitors.

Post-Tour Extension Price Includes

• Rail transportation Kyoto/Hiroshima, Hiroshima/Osaka
• 2 nights’ accommodations at Hotel Granvia Hiroshima (First Class)
• 3 meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch
• Extensive included sightseeing: excursion to Miyajima Island and Daisho-in Temple; Hiroshima touring by local “Hiroden” train; visit to Peace Memorial Park and Museum; Atomic Bomb Dome
• Gratuities for dining room servers, hotel porters, and all drivers

Pricing: Single Supplement: $155 in 2024; $245 in 2025.

Accommodations

Connected to JR Hiroshima Station, the Hotel Granvia Hiroshima offers direct access to several of Hiroshima’s most popular sites, including Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima Island.  Hotel amenities include several restaurants, a lobby lounge, bar, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee), hair salon, and gift shop.  Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, minifridge, TV, and phone.

Tour Directors

“Sharing her personal lifestyle was exceptional. She was very attentive, efficient, and knowledgeable.”

Deborah Gandt Setauket, NY

“Sae was an excellent tour manager. She is smart, friendly, and very organized. We really enjoyed our travels with her. She is a keeper!”

Wayne & Barbara Jarosh Nevada City, CA

"She is an exceptional guide, historian, and very knowledgeable of all the areas we visited…She is the best guide we have ever had and we have traveled a great deal."

James & Judith Roach Studio City, CA

“Cannot speak too highly about Sumiyo! Fantastic tour director; made the country, culture, and history come alive for us. Shared personal experiences and was great with recommendations.”

Robert Rando Monroe Township, NJ

“Hiroko was fabulous. Couldn’t ask for a better tour director. Funny, patient, knowledgeable, and omnipresent to help! Loved her!”

Bonnie Phillips Edina, MN

“We have been on many tours during our retirement years and Akiko is our number one.”

Anita & Ray Chavez San Dimas, CA

“Sammy is a jewel. He went above and beyond to share his knowledge, pride, and love of Japan.”

Debra Ankeles & Bob Freedman Swampscott, MA

Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director

“Kazuko-san was a perfect host – informative, thoughtful, and charming. Her attention to detail was impressive and … put everyone at ease that we were to be in very capable hands.”

Dr. Rhonda Karp Wynnewood, PA

“What a delightful person. Graciously insightful with an encyclopedic knowledge of history and culture with a charming sense of humor and great interpersonal skills.”

Louise & Craig Ripley New Orleans, LA

“Naoko was excellent! A real star in your organization. She was calm; clear in her explanations of Japanese history; a delightful and friendly person to know.”

Ron & Anne Taylor Lake Forest, IL

“Oka was superb – wish there was a category of 'Beyond Excellent' for us to check! Every day in every way, she went above and beyond to meet everyone’s needs.”

Darrell & Susan Mahler Topanga, CA

“Yumi probably was the best Odysseys tour director we’ve had (and we’ve had some good ones). She is knowledgeable and energetic.”

Blaine O’Connell Mainville, OH

“Kondo was a delight! A true professional!”

Andy & Dianne Ross Baltimore, MD

“Absolutely OUTSTANDING. Patient, professional, organized, and knowledgeable.”

Rigoberto & Eva Dapena, Lisa Sciacca Miami, FL

“Emiko was excellent in every way… We felt we were well cared for at all times. Emiko is one of the very best if not the very best guide I have had in my 9 Odysseys trips.”

Carol Skornicka Milwaukee, WI

“Ms. Hirata was exceptional, providing personal perspective on living in Japan and going out of her way to acquaint us with the sites we visited.”

Karen Kessel Cotati, CA

"Rumi was a joy, always upbeat, able to impart excellent cultural and historical information, having a infectious personality, full of laughter, and going above and beyond the call of duty."

Donald & Agnes Leathe Needham, MA

“Makiko is very professional, knowledgeable, and extremely courteous, caring for all guests’ individual needs.”

Michele Macauda & Richard Burke Monroe, CT

“ Wonderful tour director. Very knowledgeable and efficient. Made things run smoothly without any effort (though did much behind the scenes).”

Peter & Mardine Sibley Kentfield, CA

“Akane was superb in all aspects. Her humor, adaptability, and personal sharing were a bonus!”

Peter Lam Sunnyvale, CA

Destination Insights

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Physical Activity Level

• Walk 2-4 miles per day, often on uneven terrain
• Uneven, steep terrain at Mt. Fuji National Park
• Many stairs throughout tour, often 100+ at one time (most notably in train stations and at temples)
• Need to take shoes off to enter various temples and sites
• Embarkation/disembarkation of multiple trains

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Nicholas Kristof

My Travel Tips for Seeing the World’s Best Places

By Nicholas Kristof

Opinion Columnist

’Tis the season for vacations, so let me make my pitch that the best travel is not lounging at a beach resort but rather journeying into a different world. We all need relaxation at times, but nothing beats the thrill of a trip of discovery and the education that comes with it.

Mark Twain once observed that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” In that spirit, I’ve long urged young Americans to take gap years before college or junior years abroad . (One high school reader of such an essay, Spencer Cohen , ended up taking a gap year partly in Japan, became an Asia hand and is now a colleague at The Times.)

Still, there are risks, less of violence (the U.S. has more guns than other countries) than of having your passport and credit cards stolen. So I preach both travel and prudence, and on a recent book tour , I found myself often asked about travel advice I had mentioned in my memoir. So let me share a few tips for the vacation season:

1. The most memorable travel often involves encountering something unfamiliar, so consider escaping the herds parading through Paris. Indonesia, Ghana, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Morocco and Bolivia are generally safe, far cheaper than Europe and offer indelible experiences. I’ll never forget venturing deep into the Potosí silver mines in Bolivia, exploring a grim slave castle in Ghana that dispatched prisoners to slavery in America, learning how to use a blowgun while staying with families in their longhouse in Indonesia’s Borneo rainforest. The world awaits us!

2. Some of the places that you find most culturally distant may be right here in the United States. A teenager from an affluent family in the New York or Boston areas would step into a different world by taking a ranch job in Wyoming. And this is the kind of travel that is not only affordable but actually pays for the experience.

3. Be spontaneous. As a law student in 1982, I spent five weeks backpacking through the Middle East and met a couple of Palestinian students on a West Bank bus; I jumped off at their stop and spent a memorable day with them in their refugee camp hearing about their frustrations and dreams (I wrote about reuniting with them last fall). And while on a bus in the Sahara, I accepted an Algerian man’s invitation to visit his village — which turned out to be a warren of underground burrows to protect families from the extreme heat, the most unusual residential architecture I’ve ever seen. In each case, I was with a couple of friends, which made it seem safer to put myself in the company of people I’d just met, and obviously one should be as judicious as one is spontaneous.

4. One occasionally hears that adventurous travel is just for men, but some of the most accomplished foreign correspondents and overseas photographers are women, as are a majority of Peace Corps volunteers. As a man, I don’t face the same risks that women face, but I have seen female travelers — disproportionately from Australia and New Zealand — thriving as they backpack through the most remote places. Some have suggested the purchase of a cheap wedding ring; a $20 band and a fabricated husband can help keep pests away.

5. Carry a decoy wallet. If pickpockets grab it, let them run off — only to discover that it contains just a bit of cash for street purchases, a day pass for the subway and an expired credit card. But do remember to let the pickpockets escape. Years ago, in Lima, Peru, I instinctively jumped a pickpocket who was trying to grab my friend’s decoy wallet, forgetting that he had nothing much in it; next thing I knew we had a melee and a gun was being fired.

6. Carry your passport and valid credit cards and cash in a pouch that loops on your belt and is tucked inside your pants. Travelers often carry travel pouches round their necks under their shirts, but these are visible and sometimes get stolen. While I’ve had bandits make me take off my shoes and socks while searching for cash, nobody has found my pouch in my pants (I dare mention this only because I assume robbers are not big readers of my column).

7. Carry a small cable lock (those for skis are perfect) to lock your bags together so one doesn’t run off while you’re sleeping in a train or on a bench at the train station.

8. Never check a bag for a flight because then it will get lost. That means packing light and taking quick-dry clothes suitable for washing in a hotel sink. I’m fond of travel clothing from a company called Clothing Arts , and I also rely on ultralight backpacking gear such as a tiny Black Diamond or Petzl headlamp that is invaluable when the power goes out.

9. If you’re getting into a taxi or other car in a location that seems at all dubious, use your phone to photograph the license plate before you get in. The driver may wonder if you’ve texted it to a friend. And women can look for female drivers if they exist.

10. My editor doesn’t want me to say anything that might encourage readers to try something dangerous, so I won’t suggest that there is nothing like the view while riding on the top of a train in Sudan . (That was in my dissolute youth, and today I definitely disapprove of riding on top of trains.)

11. People worry about terrorists, but the most likely serious risk is probably a vehicle accident. Motorcycle taxis common in low-income countries can be perilous, while buses and trains are safer (inside trains only!).

12. Now forget all the fears this article has conjured. Go have fun. Travel should be as enjoyable as it is eye-opening. If you take precautions it will be.

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Nicholas Kristof became a columnist for The Times Opinion desk in 2001 and has won two Pulitzer Prizes. His new memoir is “ Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life .” @ NickKristof