Featured Vendors

In this section we wanted to take a moment to tell you a little bit more about our favorite cruise lines, tour operators and hotels.  

TCS Expeditions - Private Jet Around the World
Micato Safaris - Discover Africa and India!
Volcanoes Safaris - Gorilla Trekking in Northern Africa
Four Seasons - Some of the best hotels in the world!
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations - Luxury rail travel through the Canadian Rockies!

We love TCS Expeditions.  Offering Private Jet excursions to some of the most exotic destinations in the world, TCS Expeditions combines first class service, amazing itineraries, and the security of knowing every possible precaution is taken to ensure your safety and good health throughout the trip.  Mary Ann Ramsey and Donna Christensen have both been on a TCS Expeditions Private Jet trip and they both say it was one of their favorite travel experiences ever!  On this page you will find pictures, itineraries, and traveler testimonials.  Soon we will feature a 13 minute GORGEOUS movie all about TCS Expeditions here.  Check back for it!

Mary Ann Ramsey on the TCS Expeditions trip 'Empires and Explorers'

Trip Schedule –

2007 Expeditions

Around the World An Expedition by Private Jet February 24 –March 18, 2007 Machu Picchu or Trujillo, Peru • Easter Island • Samoa Great Barrier Reef • Papua New Guinea • Angkor, Cambodia Taj Mahal (Agra), India • Dubai, United Arab Emirates Serengeti Plain • Marrakech, Morocco  $42,950 Double, $45,850 Single

 

Great Faiths Exploring the World’s Religions by Private Jet March 18 – April 9, 2007  Vatican City, Center of Roman Catholicism Jerusalem, the Holiest City of Judaism Hinduism and The Sacred Ganges, Varanasi, India The Deities and Spirits of Shintoism in Kyoto and Nara, Japan Lhasa and Tibetan Buddhism Sikhism and The Golden Temple of Amritsar, India Ethiopia’s Christian Carved Churches of Lalibela Islamic Faith in Cairo, Egypt Yerevan, Armenia: The Oldest Christian Nation in the World Istanbul, Turkey: Where Islam and Christianity Meet  $42,950 Double, $45,650 Single

 

Journey to History’s Lost Cities An Expedition by Private Jet October 5 – 26, 2007 Tripoli, Sabratha & Leptis Magna, Libya Petra or Jerash, Jordan • Udaipur, India Angkor, Cambodia • Vientiane & Luang Prabang, Laos Xi’an, China • Lhasa, Tibet • Samarqand, Uzbekistan  $47,950 Double, $50,650 Single

 

Around the World An Expedition by Private Jet  October 26 – November 18, 2007  Kyoto & Nara, Japan • Da Nang, Hoi An & Hue, Vietnam Jodhpur, India • Esfahan, Iran • Cairo & the Great Pyramids, Egypt Tripoli, Sabratha & Leptis Magna, Libya Voodo Culture in Togo & Medieval Villages of Benin, Africa Salvador, Brazil • Galápagos Islands  $52,950 Double, $55,850 Single

India & Sri Lanka An Expedition by Private Jet  February 24 - March 18, 2007 Delhi • Golden Temple of Amritsar • Jodhpur & The Thar Desert • Agra & the Taj Mahal • Bodhgaya Varanasi & the Ganges River • Bhubaneshwar & the Sun Temple  Colombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Anuradaphura, & Galle, Sri Lanka Mumbai (Bombay) • The Ellora & Ajanta Caves • Jaipur  $41,950 Double, $TBA  Single

Fourteen Excellent Reasons to Travel with TCS Expeditions

Traveling by private jet is the only way to visit so many exotic countries on a single three-week journey. TCS Expeditions takes you to ten or more thrilling, hard-to-reach sites on each unique expedition.

 “Our time away from our careers is limited . . .
It would have taken months to do a similar trip without the private jet.”
Jose F., Around the World

Travel direct from country to country in deluxe comfort. Since they're not tied to commercial routes and schedules, they fly during the day in a custom-fitted Boeing 757, arriving at each destination rested and ready to explore.

“Would absolutely recommend this or any other TCS trip. 
Private jet is the only way I’ll travel from now on.”
Elizabeth C., History’s Lost Cities

Safety and security are top concerns. The Boeing 757 has a 99 percent reliability rate for operating without mechanical delays, and access to the jet and baggage is screened and monitored at all times.

“We felt safe and confident that all our needs would be taken care of.”
Louis L., Around the World

Customize your journey to match your special interests. TCS Expeditions offers a variety of optional destinations and excursions designed to indulge your travel passions, whether you enjoy photography, visiting with local schoolchildren, hiking or collecting local handicrafts.

 “The local arrangements were amazing, even miraculous some days.”
Elizabeth H., Ancient Silk Road

Superb lecturers and local experts enrich your experience. Expanding your knowledge of a region’s history, art, architecture and natural sciences increases your enjoyment. And their private jet has been specially equipped for in-flight lectures and briefings.

 “The lecturers combined loads of information with wonderful senses of humor.”
       Rosa C., History’s Lost Cities

Enjoy exclusive privileges from private dinners, visits with dignitaries, behind-the-scenes glimpses at museums and monuments to surprise celebrations, impromptu discussions and many more “extras” made possible through years of experience and trusted relationships in each country.

 “The parties were extraordinary!  And the gifts so appreciated!”
Don C., Around the World

The TCS Expeditions crew pampers you aboard the jet, while you savor delicious meals prepared by private chef and other deluxe amenities while you fly.

“Returning to the plane felt like coming back home.”
Ronald M., History’s Lost Cities

An expedition physician travels with you, ready to meet your needs at any time of day or night. 
 

“The staff was exceptional. Tremendous energy and concern for the group.”
Alfred R., History’s Lost Cities

You are often whisked hassle-free through international arrivals, avoiding long lines while they handle your baggage, fill out your forms and manage the many details of world travel for you.

“We were so very impressed at the rapidity with which you were able to
clear us through Customs and Immigration at each stop.”
Helen R., Around Africa

Stay at the finest available hotels, enjoy dine-around opportunities at many stops and daily surprises in each location.

“The program surpassed anything I expected –
and I have been traveling the world for 50 years!”
Marie T., Around Africa

An advance team makes sure that everything has been perfectly arranged. Advance staff land at each destination before you do, going over each detail ahead of time, ensuring a smooth experience at each stop.

 “In years of world-wide travel to 158 countries, this tour was, without exception,
the most superbly planned, organized, and executed trip I have ever been on.”
Eileen P., History’s Lost Cities

Experienced expedition leaders take the guesswork out of remote travel, leaving you free to enjoy every moment of your journey.

 “This was a star-studded staff, including several of TCS’s best –
and that standard is always very high.”
Jim R., Unforgettable India

Your money is safe. TCS Expeditions protects all passenger payments in secure bank escrow accounts. Funds may be confirmed at any time with the National Bank of Commerce. We also provide $50,000 medical evacuation insurance for every traveler on each expedition.

“It’s the best organized company we have ever worked with. 
They are awesome in their planning!!”
  Carl W., Around Africa

There’s no substitute for experience. Having operated more than 80 private jet trips to more than 80 countries in the past 10 years, we’re proud to be known as the world leader in private jet expeditions.

“TCS Expeditions is truly ‘over the top’ and in a class above all others
in its ability to provide the discerning traveler with the finest expeditions possible.”
Patricia G., Around Africa

Volcanoes Safaris:

For an unforgettable “Gorillas in the Mist” experience, we love Volcanoes Safaris, the premier safari company in Uganda and Rwanda. Offering unrivaled knowledge and connections in this exciting yet challenging region, Volcanoes was the first international company to take clients back into Rwanda in 2000 and has led clients on expeditions to witness some of the world’s 700 remaining Mountain Gorillas. It is the only company to operate camps at both of the Ugandan Mountain Gorilla Parks in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and they recently opened a new PNV Camp in Rwanda.

In addition to gorilla trekking, Volcanoes organizes safaris to view chimpanzees and other wildlife across the national park systems of both countries. The company owns and operates a fleet of customized Land Rovers, and handles all arrangements for private guides plus air and land transportation. Think of Volcanoes Safaris for those clients seeking distinctive travel opportunities; including unique cultural odysseys, Class-5 white-water rafting along the Nile, and mountain trekking in the Rwenzoris, the Virungas and Mount Elgon.

Featured Itineraries:
Gorillas in the Virungas and Bwindi Seeing some of the last remaining 700 mountain gorillas in the world is a fantastic experience and this safari takes you to three gorilla parks – PNV in Rwanda and Mgahinga and Bwindi in Uganda. It offers an opportunity to track gorillas four times, twice in PNV, once in Mgahinga/Nkuringo and once in Bwindi. PNV in Rwanda has five habituated gorilla families and tracking most groups in the afro-montane forest usually takes only a few hours. You can also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey’s grave or visit the endangered golden monkey. Mgahinga, in Uganda, is a great place to appreciate the unique Virunga volcanoes and it has one habituated family. Sometimes this group moves across the border and you can track gorillas at Nkuringo in Southern Bwindi instead. You can also climb a volcano or go for a nature walk, visit the endangered golden monkey or go birding. Bwindi in Uganda has four habituated families and the gorillas there live in thicker tropical forest and tracking is more challenging as the hillsides are steeper. You can also go for nature walks to see birds, monkeys and orchids.
Classic Rwanda and Uganda This safari traces the western Rift Valley, from the Virunga volcanoes to the Rwenzori mountains.  It offers an opportunity to track gorillas five times, twice in PNV, once in Mgahinga/Nkuringo and twice in Bwindi. (See descriptions of the parks above)
Continue to Ishasha (roads permitting) and go on the hunt for the tree-climbing lions lounging on old fig trees. Further north see the great game of Africa in Queen Elizabeth National Park - elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo, and leopard. Track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. See the rich wildlife and array of birds on the Kazinga Channel.
Primates and Birds in Nyungwe Nyungwe, a massive montane forest, in southern Rwanda is the largest in Central Africa and has thirteen species of primate including chimpanzee and large groups of Rwenzori colobus. Tracking is on steep slippery hillsides and viewing is unpredictable. Around 300 bird species, orchids and butterflies are other attractions.
Wildlife and Birds in Akagera This safari visits Akagera with its beautiful undulating plains, its woodlands and sprawling lakes and wetlands. The game in the park is steadily increasing, with elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, crocodile and different antelope beginning to be seen.
Discover Rwanda This safari lets clients discover the best of Rwanda. It starts with the wildlife and birds in Akagera in the east with its beautiful wetland savannah. The highlight of the safari is, of course, tracking the mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in the Virunga volcanoes in the northwest. This safari offers an opportunity to track gorillas twice. You continue to Nyungwe, in southern Rwanda, a massive afro-montane forest, the largest in Central Africa. The forest has 13 primate species including chimpanzee and large groups of colobus monkeys. Other attractions are 300 bird species and a variety of orchids and butterflies.

Contact us to learn more! Betty Maclean Travel, Inc. 239-513-0333 or 800-865-8111  Info@BettyMacleanTravel.com

Micato Safaris:

We are proud to announce that Micato Safaris has been voted the "World's Best Tour Operator & Safari Outfitter" by Travel+Leisure magazine-for the fourth consecutive year! They say that Micato treats guests like "long-lost, out-of-town relatives", and that's the truth!  The Pinto family has been operating luxury safaris for over 35 years. Felix and Jane Pinto make their home in Nairobi from where they direct the daily operations of Micato offices and resident personnel throughout Kenya, Tanzania, South and Southern Africa, ensuring on-the-spot guarantee of excellence in quality and service. Every Micato program is staffed with both a Driver / Guide and a Safari Director.

Featured itineraries:
The Stanley Wing Safari The most comprehensive and perhaps the most popular safari Micato offers, the Stanley is a magnificent journey through Kenya and Tanzania, with luxuriously long stays in each game park, abundant time for rich wildlife viewing sessions and five exhilarating flights to expedite travel from one game park to another.
Micato Grand Safari The absolute ultimate in luxury travel, Micato’s Grand Safari offers the excitement and glamour of the African bush together with a romantic and indulgent itinerary featuring the most exclusive and luxurious resorts in all of Africa. Even the extravagance of the Hot Air Balloon Safari is included. And an unprecedented seven flights makes travel between reserves a seamless joy.
The Livingstone Wing Safari - The Livingstone Safari is a delightful journey for travelers who have limited time to spend away from home, yet desire an in-depth safari experience. The tour is exclusively devoted to Kenya, and touches upon nearly all of the region’s highlights and offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities throughout. Four exhilarating flights expedite travel from one prime location to another, providing travelers with a bird’s eye view over this amazing landscape.
The Heart of Tanzania and Kenya Safari This safari is an ingeniously crafted program offering both Kenya and Tanzania in less than two weeks away from home. For travelers with a limited timeframe, yet who desire to see both countries, it is the ideal safari. The focus is on wildlife and the big herds, visiting four of East Africa’s most renowned game viewing areas: the Maasai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, plus Lake Manyara. Three flights make the program as comfortable as it is comprehensive.
African Splendor: South Africa, Victoria Falls, Kenya and Tanzania This journey is a magnificent passage through fabled African lands. Travelers will delight in the civilized charms of South Africa, thrill at the majesty of Victoria Falls and fall silent in awesome appreciation of East Africa’s eternal wildlife. From graceful Cape Town at the southernmost tip of the continent, to the wild heart of Africa’s legendary game reserves, this program has been carefully crafted to present the best of Africa in luxury. Six flights add to the comfort of your travels.

Download the Micato brochure in PDF format, or email us and we can send you the real thing!