ANAHEIM, CALIF, June 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whether you are traveling to North, Central or South America, there are so many experiences to uncover it can be difficult to know where to start. To complement the release of Trafalgar's 2016 Americas itineraries, the global leader in guided vacations is sharing its local insider knowledge taking you deeper into destinations not found in guide books, unveiling its 10 best travel experiences in the Americas.
Guests receive more value on a Trafalgar vacation with the perfect blend of these unique experiences, authentic local adventure, free time and all the major items like hotels, land transportation, many meals, baggage handling and gratuities included. Plus, best-in-class Travel Directors serve as a personal local expert and concierge, accompanying guests through the entire trip duration.
1.
Enjoy a private performance with music legend Johnny Cash's son
Go beyond the usual music tours in Nashville and gain a Cultural Insight into the life and music of Johnny and June Carter Cash during a private performance with their son, John Carter Cash. John entertains Trafalgar guests with his own original music as well as a few numbers made famous by his legendary family. Experience this on Trafalgar's 10-day Tastes & Sounds of the South guided vacation priced from $2,426* per person.
2.
BBQ cook-off on Route 66
Meet the USA's national barbecue champions, the Randles and the Mellows, for a Be My Guest experience on Route 66. Enjoy dinner in historic Forest Park, home to the 1904 World Fair, where host and "Pit Master" Jim Randle gives guests tips on different American BBQ styles and what goes into creating a great BBQ sauce. Split into teams and create your own BBQ sauce using your newfound knowledge and have a complete cook-off with your fellow travelers. This exclusive experience is available on Trafalgar's 15-day Route 66 guided vacation priced from $3,375* per person.
3.
Wrangle with a cowboy
Head into Big Sky Country to meet a resident cowboy for a western-style cook-out. Venture to a private campsite with a personal greeting from host Happy Pappy who serves up one of his favorite all-American dishes. Find yourself in a cowboy hat as Pappy leads you all to the campfire. This cowboy is not armed with six shooters, but an old guitar. Songs next to the campfire conjure images of old wagon trains rolling west and the lonesome melodies of harmonicas in the dusk. Experience this on Trafalgar's 10-day Western Frontiers guided vacation priced from $2,336* per person.
4.
Meet a "Mountie" in Canada
Canada boasts some of the best natural landmarks in the world, a perfect destination to visit year-round. See it through the eyes of local resident and discover the wildlife and iconic scenery of Banff with a Mountie. Sharing expert knowledge from their time in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police force, guests are shown the real Canada like a local. Trafalgar's newly-debuted 13-day Iconic Rockies and Western Canada guided vacation is priced from $3,353* per person.
5.
Meet local Peruvian artisans
In Peru's Sacred Valley, gain a Cultural Insight into the centuries-old methods of Peruvian weaving including the spinning and natural dyeing of traditional Andean textiles. Connect with local artisans and learn about their techniques, passed down from generation to generation by native weavers from different areas. These local ladies will chat about their love for their craft, giving insights into the traditional way of dressing in Peru. Meet local artisans on Trafalgar's eight-day Highlights of Peru guided vacation priced from $2,286* per person.
6.
Stay in Yellowstone's first superior hotel
Relax and unwind in Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in Wyoming and soak up the incredible views of Yellowstone's hot limestone springs. Built in 1937, this Authentic Accommodation was the first elegant hotel built within the National Park and its pristine lodge location shows-off the natural wonders of Yellowstone alongside its plentiful wildlife. Trafalgar's all-new eight-day Secrets and Winter Wonders of Yellowstone Hidden Journey is priced from $3,695* per person.
7.
Meet a local Hawaiian family in the Maui countryside
Hawaii's tropical weather and abundance of rainforests and lush greenery make it the perfect destination to produce fresh fruit and vegetables year-round. Travel deep within Maui's countryside and visit a local farm to learn about the sustainable agriculture on the island. Join the farmers' family for an exclusive Be My Guest lunch, and be treated to delicious Hawaiian specialties made with only the freshest, local ingredients. See more than Hawaii's beaches on Trafalgar's nine-day Best of Hawaii guided vacation priced from $2,861* per person.
8.
Dine with Mexico's celebrated chef, Don Miguel
Don Miguel is a Merida native who fell in love with the ancient traditions of Yucatan cuisine at a young age in his family kitchen. Committed to using local products, he maintains traditional recipes and processes, serving a familiar yet modern version of his beloved Yucatan dishes. Well-known through Merida as an advocate for the conservation of traditional customs and cooking processes of the Mayans, Don invites you inside the Chaya Maya Mansion for an exclusive Be My Guest dinner. Experience Don's wonderful flavors on Trafalgar's eight-day Treasures of the Yucatan guided vacation priced from $1,526* per person.
9.
Sleep in a historic American property
It is insider moments like sleeping in the setting of historic events at Boston's elegant Omni Parker House that really turn vacation experiences into lifelong memories. Dating back to 1855, the property was where John F. Kennedy proposed to Jackie in the summer of 1953 and announced his bid for U.S. Congress in 1946. The hotel was also renowned for inventing the Boston cream pie in its kitchen. Stay in this Authentic Accommodation on Trafalgar's 14-day East Coast USA Canada guided vacation priced from $3,375* per person.
10.
Discover the "Salad bowl of the World"
In Salinas Valley, also known as the "Salad Bowl of the World", join a Local Specialist on an agricultural education tour to discover what makes Monterey County the number one vegetable-growing region in the world. Enjoy a Californian wine pairing as part of a Be My Guest dinner at a restaurant where a local chef and author shares with you a bounty of locally-sourced, seasonal foods and creates the ultimate farm-to-table experience. A showcase of California's many sides: the culture of San Francisco, the wines of Napa and Sonoma, the coastal retreat of Montery and the beauty of Big Sur, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe on the eight-day Northern California guided vacation priced from $2,205* per person.
Savings of up to $1,660^ per person are available across Trafalgar's 2016 Americas trips when booked and paid in full by November 19, 2015.
Trafalgar is the only guided vacations company to share live, unedited guest reviews on their website supporting a 98% guest satisfaction rating for the Americas by independent review company, Feefo. By bringing guest experience to the forefront, travelers can use over 12,000 independent real-life reviews to help them choose their perfect Trafalgar vacation.
Example of independent guest reviews:
"I felt like I learned more in this trip about Peru's history than I ever did in school! We also felt like we were shown things that would not have been possible if we went on our own," Linda from USA, 2014.
To book, contact your Travel Agent or call our experts at 866-544-4434. Visit www.trafalgar.com for a free brochure.
About Trafalgar
Trafalgar is the world's most award-winning guided vacation company, offering over 250 exceptional quality and value itineraries across a diverse range of travel styles in Europe and Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Central and South America, USA and Canada. With nearly 70 years of experience and unrivaled local expertise, Trafalgar's perfectly-planned, hassle-free itineraries each feature a unique collection of authentic Insider Experiences, revealing the real side of each destination. Join the Insider conversation at: Trafalgar.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
About The TreadRight Foundation
Trafalgar is a proud supporter of the TreadRight Foundation. Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation's family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has helped support more than 35 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The foundation's guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities.
TreadRight's past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Society's inaugural "World Legacy Awards," helping to combat wildlife crime with WildAid, and empowering individuals with the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise.
To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org.
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Terms and Conditions: *Prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy, vary by departure date, reflect the 10% Early Payment Discount (EPD) savings, and are subject to availability. ^Save up to $1,660 per couple with 10% (EPD) (land only) on new 2016 North, Central and South America vacations when booked and paid in full by 11/19/15. Sample savings based on Icons of South America departing 2/14/16. Savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability. Not valid with other promotional offers; may be combined with most brochure discounts. Offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice. †Guest ratings from independent review site Feefo as shown on Trafalgar.com as of 5/28/15. Other conditions apply. CST# 2077132-2020