Month: September 2024

Luxury Gold journeys are unparalleled when it comes to experiencing the very best – from 5-star hotels to Michelin-rated dining – with our boutique collection of limited edition tours offering the chance to enjoy some exceptional destinations. However, did you know you can extend your travel wish list even further with our sister brand Insight Vacations? Offering over 100 itineraries to 48 worldwide destinations, you’ll hardly need to compromise on style or comfort, as Insight Vacations ‘Business Class’ tours all feature 4 and 5-star hotels, top-rated dining and custom ‘Business Class’ style coaches.

Take a look at the full Insight Vacations worldwide collection.

Premium Tours for the Curious Mind

A signature mark of each Insight Vacations trip are the Premium Experiences that shape your journey, each hand-picked by our expert Travel Experiences team. Designed to indulge your curiosity in each destination, on Insightful Encounters you’ll learn from best-in-class experts, specially chosen for their depth of knowledge and inspiring stories, and with Insider Access you’ll enjoy an up close and personal look at places and spaces before or after hours.

As with all The Travel Corporation brands, all Insight Vacations itineraries feature MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, enabling you to get deep under the skin of the places you visit and make a positive impact as you travel. Plus, you can add on from a range of carefully curated Optional Experiences if you still thirst for more.

So, What Exactly is ‘Business Class’ style?

4 and 5-star hand-picked hotels, seamless travel, an expert Travel Director and 24/7 support are all key components of Insight Vacations’ ‘Business Class’ tours. Along with comfortable coaches with extra legroom, porterage at every hotel and something.

Your premium experience starts with the flexibility to select your group size. Travel in a group averaging 20 travelers, with a maximum of 24, or choose a larger group averaging 33, capped at 40. Both options are smaller than those offered by mainstream tour companies.

Premium dining is also a defining stamp of every Insight Vacations trip. From dining in the homes of locals to immersive farm-to-table dining experiences, cooking demonstrations, top rated restaurants and the best of local fare, every included meal is thoughtfully sourced and thoroughly fabulous.

Always Included on Every Insight Vacations Tour

On every tour your premium essentials are included as standard. Stylish hotels perfectly located, all premium experiences, custom ‘Business Class’ style coaches with extra legroom and window span, all your breakfasts and half of your dinners. Also included are gratuities on all inclusions, airport transfers and complimentary Wi-Fi in hotels and on the coach.

When it comes to cuisine, some evenings are left free so that you have the freedom to travel and eat how you like and won’t feel restricted by a rigid schedule. Lunches normally aren’t set, so you have free time during the day in case you want to take a break or go explore on your own.

Choose Your Pace

Understanding that everyone has their preferred rhythm to travel, discover and explore, with Insight Vacations you can choose the pace that best suits you. Throughout the full collection of ‘Business Class’ tours you have the choice of Discovery Journeys which see multiple countries on one tour, such as the 16-Day , 8 country European Discovery and Regional Journeys which explore one region or country in depth, such as the 8-Day Boston, Cape Cod & The Islands. You can also choose a Country Roads tour, including the sublime Country Roads of Italy, where you go off the beaten track or Easy Pace tours for a more sedate vacation, staying at least three nights in one location such as Easy Pace Malta.

Try a Women-Only Tour

Created by women, for women, why not join one of our small group tours (max 20 persons) of like-minded females to travel the world? Insight Vacations’ Women-Only Tours offer 11 exclusive itineraries, that span the world from North Africa to South America.

Perhaps you’re after a long-overdue all-girls’ getaway, with all the details managed for you? Or maybe you’re a grandmother, mother or daughter looking to create unforgettable memories with the significant women in your life? Whatever your reason for wanting an all-female adventure, our small-group Women-Only Tours could be the perfect solution.

Travel in style on these tailored ‘Business Class’ tours, and along the way you’ll meet inspirational females and learn about the women who have shaped the places you visit. In Egypt, Explore Valley of the Queens, a burial ground for the wives, daughters and sons of Kings from 1550 to 1080 BC. In Morocco, delve into Moroccan gastronomy as Chef Najat Kaanache presents her tasting menu, blurring art and cuisine, and in bonny Scotland meet a Champion Sheep dog trainer in Scotland.

What Real Past Insight Vacations Guests are Saying

To paint more of a picture, here’s a selection of what real past guests of Insight Vacations, who have just returned from their travels are saying:

Kelly, said of Easy Pace Italy “There is so much you would miss out on if you didn’t do this tour and tried to do it unguided……All the extras Insight Vacations adds in are very special.”

Michael & Nettie were also impressed by this Italian tour, saying “The service and hospitality was amazing. Our tour guide, Brad, our bus driver Enrico, and the other tour guides that we met on land, were top notch…. Their knowledge of the places we visited was limitless and enjoyable.”

Terry traveled on Best of Ireland & Scotland and said “Insight Vacations tours are a wonderful way to get an in depth experience in so many countries. They provide lots of historical information, show you the best sights and give you an opportunity to experience the local food and culture. …. this was our fifth tour, and I see more in our future.”

Zena said of Best of Germany, “Great itinerary. Covered all the interesting cities, castles, restaurants and historic [sites]. And yet enough time on your own to explore if you wanted.”

Vivi, Country Roads of France said “Exceptional service with overall experience received. Selected local restaurants are fantastic, hotel accommodations on great location (we preferred and enjoyed LOCAL hotels more than franchised….). Drivers and well-chosen local tour guides are amazing. Thank you!

You can browse the full Insight Vacations collection of ‘Business Class’ tours here.

Airplane etiquette is broadly the same as standard, everyday etiquette, but there are some specific differences that come up repeatedly. These include (but are not limited to) reclining your seat, using the overhead bins, employing tray tables and – quelle horreur – bare feet. Let’s tackle how to do the right thing by everyone, once and for all.

Embarkation: starting as you mean to go on

As you board the plane, you will want to say hello to the flight attendants waiting to greet you and potentially to some of your fellow passengers, too. This may sound obvious, but as you try to navigate the tiny aisle with your carry-on in one hand, your passport in the other, and all the many thoughts in your head, it can be difficult to remember to exchange common courtesies.

Hello is an important first step in not getting so wrapped up in your own journey that you forget about everyone else’s, which means it’s a good time to take a break from noise canceling headphones, too (more on those later). Do extend the good vibes when stowing your baggage – of course you want to be near your stuff, but the space above your head is not yours by right. Make space and compromises where you can, help your fellow passengers hoist their bags.

Save for later: The Airlines With the Most Luxurious First-Class Bathrooms 

The A, B, C (and D, E, F) of airplane seating

The big question: what is the middle seat etiquette on a plane? Well, it’s generally agreed that both armrests are yours, but you must pay attention to how you’re using them – two arms so relaxed that you have an elbow in the face of both neighbours is not acceptable, for instance. Keep in mind the person in the window seat can lean that way, but the person in the aisle seat has nowhere else to turn. Meanwhile, if you’re in the window seat, you’re in charge of the window shade. It’s your choice whether it’s open or closed, but it doesn’t hurt to turn to the person next to you before you close it, to make sure they don’t mind.

If for some reason you need to switch seats (for access to the bathroom, to be near your family), ask politely, and offer a comparable seat to the one they have. Never take someone’s seat before they’ve boarded, and do take no for an answer – they, like you, may have good reason. That said, if you’re asked to switch seats, do honor the request if you can. It could radically transform someone’s journey.

You might also like: Flying First Class: The Luxury Gold First-Timers’ Guide

Keeping it civilized at 40,000 feet

Noise canceling headphones can pose a significant barrier to airplane etiquette, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear them. They can also be a very helpful tool for switching off from screaming babies and overly chatty neighbours, protecting your patience and personal space. As a rule of thumb, just slide them off while flight attendants talk you through safety protocols, and whenever you see a cart approaching. That way, you won’t get frustrated when you miss out on snacks either.

Flying with (and in the vicinity of) children

Noone is having a harder time than the parent or carer of an unhappy child. Always bear that in mind, as a minimum. Beyond that, if you can offer a stressed parent or baby a smile, it will go a long way. If you happen to be the passenger in the seat in front, exercise patience for the first few minutes while the family behind you settles in to the unfamiliarity and discomfort of the plane. If you feel the dreaded kick in the back, just give the parents a few minutes to deal with it before you speak up. On the other hand, if you’re the parent: watch those small but mighty feet. They are one of the cornerstones of airplane etiquette.

Read next: 10 best Airlines for Business Class

The seatbelt light is still on…

What is the etiquette when exiting a plane? Should you pop up as soon as you hear the ding and crank open the overhead bin? Or should you remain seated until the last possible moment? If you’re in a hurry, or have a connecting flight to catch, let a flight attendant know so they can help you get off quickly. Otherwise, you may stand when the light goes off and stretch your legs, but try to remain in your own personal space, as you gather your possessions. Don’t enter the aisle to access the overhead bin until it’s clearly your row’s turn. That means giving people in the row before you the time and space they need to access their own belongings.

Finally: feet

Don’t remove your shoes. Don’t do it! Always fly in shoes that will last the distance.

Do you have any favorite airplane etiquette tips? Share them with us in the comments section, below.