THE HORIZONS DIFFERENCE
EDUCATIONAL JOURNEYS • UNIQUE ACCESS TO PEOPLE & PLACES
Travel is, in and of itself, an education – a discovery of the commonality of people amidst great diversity. Horizons’ trips explore the richness of many great cultural traditions and beautiful natural environments, immeasurably enhanced by the intimacy of a small group and the integral participation of local guides, artists, naturalists, innkeepers – many of whom have become friends over the numbers of years we have returned to each country. Our trips incorporate unique talks, demonstrations, visits with people in their homes. (No visit to Ecuador would be complete without understanding the historic and contemporary presence of the country’s fabulous indigenous crafts. Here we have a long visit at the distinguished Olga Fisch Museum and Gallery – Mrs. Fisch was a pioneer in preserving the traditional arts and her niece, Margara Anhalzer, who carries on Mrs. Fish’s work, has kindly embraced and educated us! In the Four Corners, Canyon Country region of our own Southwest….a large number of Native American potters, jewelers, weavers and basket makers welcome us into their homes.) All this with groups of just 6 to 10 people – lively dinner table conversations and a great give and take along the way.
THE PLEASURES OF SMALL GROUP TRAVEL
Our trips are small, diverse and personal, with a fullness to each day that is invigorating and.…responsive to individual interests along the way. Most trips are limited to 8 people with Ecuador and Africa limited to 6! Within the first day, one can easily know everyone’s name and never feel part of a crowd. Participants come from all over the country, many traveling individually. The informality and easy friendships are salient features always noted by folks year after year. (Roughly 40% of the people on each trip become “regulars,” returning on subsequent Horizons’ programs.) With small-scale groups, we never roll into a village on a tour bus – we are low impact in a single van (with always a few seats to spare and plenty of room).
ONE OF A KIND INTINERARIES
Horizons creates and assembles all of our own unique trips. Jane Sinauer, our Director, returns to a site many times over several years…meeting and talking to people, going to well known sites and discovering hidden treasures, sampling hotels, bed & breakfasts and restaurants. Each trip is carefully constructed piece by piece from our own first-hand experience and never from a pre-packaged itinerary supplied by a local agent or tour provider. Each trip is, indeed, a HORIZONS EXPERIENCE.
HIGH ENERGY DAYS • LEISURELY NIGHTS
We are strong believers in each trip being very full and diverse but….this is never accomplished by spending each night in a different place. We spend an inordinate amount of time picking the perfect, culturally rich location as a home base. There is nothing better than unpacking and settling in…then getting up each morning to a new day filled with great experiences. We don’t want you to spend half your time living out of a suitcase! After an exciting day, what can be nicer than a leisurely evening to savor the day’s experiences and let it all TRULY sink in. Additionally, our program dates are carefully chosen to avoid crowds and high season – another way to enrich the pace and pleasure of each trip.