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Immersive guided tours, all around the globe

Explore with a friend, the whole family, or solo. However—and wherever—you want to go, our expert-planned group travel experiences make it easy to see the world.

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200+ group tours. 80+ countries., just-for-pride tours.

Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with exclusive, limited departures to EuroPride 2025 and WorldPride 2026.

New Solo Tours

Where will you take you ? Take the plunge with four new tours, curated just for solo travelers. Will it be Turkey, France, Eastern Europe, or Bali?

New & trending tours

Head to Europe for its just-right Goldilocks shoulder season, treat yourself to one of our new Solo Tours, and celebrate Pride with a pair of departures. Or, plan ahead for 2026.

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You dream it. We’ll take care of every last detail.

We offer 200+ immersive, guided tours around the world. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll enjoy lots of advantages that make traveling with us different.

That’s all it takes to secure a spot on one of our group tours when you sign up for AutoPay . Plus, you can pay in interest- free, monthly installments.

While you’re deciding what to take, we’ll be busy arranging your hotels, meals, tickets, and more tour essentials. That’s what going guided is all about .

Take off on your big adventure— but why stop there? Every trip you book with us earns rewards that you can use to keep expanding your horizons.

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Go private and enjoy any of our immersive, expert- planned trips exclusively with your group.

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Destination guides, travel tips, and real traveler stories to inspire—and enrich—your next trip.

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Choose from more than 200 one-of-a-kind group travel experiences, carefully designed by experts, led by locals, and made for you.

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We get it. You’re not the homebody type. We aren’t either. Your passion, needs, and desires have shaped our business. Destination experts hand-craft transformative experiences designed specifically with you – our fellow traveler – at heart. We wouldn't trust your experience with anyone else.

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We know you want to explore and also dive in. We’re curious travelers, just like you, so rest assured, you’ll experience must-sees and connect with the people and culture that define the destination. You’ll eat in locals’ homes, take cooking classes, travel by trains and tuk tuks, explore cities with food tours, and stay in igloos, castles, and chateaus.

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Your time is one of your most precious commodities, so you should spend more of it in the destination, not driving between places. We design tours that spend the fewest hours on the coach. One-night stays are a rarity. This is your trip, and you shouldn’t feel rushed. With choice, flexibility, and free time, take it all in – this is your tour.

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Alaska's Northern Lights

African Safari: Kenya and Tanzania

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Costa Rica: A World of Nature featuring Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano & Manuel Antonio National Park

$4,949 pp* $5,399 pp.

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Mediterranean Coastal Journey Spain, France & Italy

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Spotlight on northern italy featuring venice, verona & the dolomites, historical greenbrier featuring washington d.c. & williamsburg, $1,749 pp* $1,999 pp.

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2024

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2024 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Adventure Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Adventure Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten-path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Adventure Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 8-16 people and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Adventure Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Aventure Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Adventure Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Adventure Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

A Taste of the Sweet Life in Slovenia

Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,014 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $799 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $749.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 10 million dollars to over 160 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-35 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience foodie trip of a lifetime Intrepid Travel’s South Korea Real Food Adventure , which includes time in three cities and an overnight temple stay.

The 10 Best Sites to Book a Cruise

Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination. For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina).

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $6,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

Program These Numbers Into Your Phones Before Traveling Internationally

Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to closer destinations like Mexico or Costa Rica—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife & Nature: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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Six Days in Japan is great for planning a trip see Japan’s vibrant capital of Tokyo, with enough time left over to explore the surrounding area. Spend a few days delving into some of the city’s history, modern culture, and top-tier food. Only in Tokyo can you find such a fascinating mix of ancient and futuristic must- sees. Discover Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple, which features the Kaminarimon “Gate of Thunder”, in which hangs a massive red paper lantern. Ascend Tokyo Skytree, currently the tallest tower in the world, presenting a 360-degree panoramic view of incredible cityscape. Get a feel for the pulse of vibrant Tokyo life in fashionable shopping districts like Harajuku, Ginza, and Shibuya. After your tour of Tokyo, take time to discover the most delightful destinations not more than a day trip away. Take in the beautiful temples of Nikko: opulent Toshogu Shrine bordered in gorgeous cedar trees, and the breathtaking Lake Chuzenji, which reaches peak beauty in autumn or spring. Travel through some of Japan’s most spectacular natural splendor in Hakone, which features the primordial volcanic caldera of Owakudani, wreathed in sulfur and home to steam-cooked local delicacies. Take the opportunity while in Hakone to see Mount Fuji up close. The Kyoto area is also an ideal destination for a 6-day tour, for travelers with an interest in Japan’s ancient culture and traditions. With hundreds of temples and shrines scattered around the city, not to mention museums and landscape gardens, you will find endless opportunity to immerse in Japan’s feudal Edo era. Top must-sees of the city include the Golden Pavilion with its golden phoenix, Kiyomizu Temple’s dramatic stage, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Round out the itinerary with a day in Nara to meet the cute and friendly Sika deer as well as some time in Osaka to see Osaka castle and eat the finest Dotonbori has to offer.

10 trips through Japan

Tokyo to Kyoto Summer Tour

Tokyo / Mt Fuji / Hakone / Kanzanji Onsen / Kyoto

6 Days 5 Nights | from US $1898.00

Explore the top locations in Tokyo and Kyoto (with one day at Mount Fuji and Hakone) during our 6-day Tokyo to Kyoto Summer Group Tour.

Tokyo to Kyoto Autumn Tour

Tokyo to Kyoto Cherry Blossom Tour

6 days 5 nights | from us $1998.00.

Tour the very best destinations from Tokyo to Kyoto, including a day at Mount Fuji / Hakone, in the enchanting cherry blossoms season during this special 6-day Cherry Blossoms Tour.

Between Tokyo and Osaka: Spring Tour

Tokyo / Takasaki / Karuizawa / Yudanaka / Matsumoto / Takayama / Shirakawago / Kanazawa / Osaka

6 Days 5 Nights | from US $2498.00

Explore the best destinations Between Tokyo and Osaka, including Takasaki, Yudanaka Onsen, Karuizawa, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa, on this 6-day journey during the lush spring season.

Between Tokyo and Osaka: Summer Tour

Explore the best destinations Between Tokyo and Osaka, including Takasaki, Yudanaka Onsen, Karuizawa, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa, during the delightful summer season.

Between Tokyo and Osaka: Autumn Tour

Explore the best destinations Between Tokyo and Osaka, including Takasaki, Yudanaka Onsen, Karuizawa, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa, on this 6-day journey during the autumn season.

Between Tokyo and Osaka: Cherry Blossom Tour

6 days 5 nights | from us $2598.00.

Explore the best destinations Between Tokyo and Osaka, including Takasaki, Yudanaka Onsen, Karuizawa, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa, during the lovely cherry blossom season.

Between Tokyo and Osaka: Autumn Leaves Tour

Explore the best destinations Between Tokyo and Osaka, including Takasaki, Yudanaka Onsen, Karuizawa, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa, on this 6-day journey during the captivating autumn leaves season.

Charms of Okinawa Spring Tour

Discover the breathtaking beauty, authentic culture, and historic treasures of Okinawa Island on our Charms of Okinawa Spring group tour.

Charms of Okinawa Autumn Tour

Enjoy a delightful autumn tour exploring the Charms of Okinawa on a group tour featuring the historic sites, local culture, and stunning beauty of Okinawa Island.

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Seasonal Attractions

Sanja Festival

Cherry Blossom Viewing at Yoshinoyama

Sendai Aoba Festival

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido

Cherry Blossoms in Tohoku

Cherry Blossom Festival at Matsumae Park

Cherry Blossom Festival at Ueno Park

Cherry Blossoms at Maruyama Park

Cherry Blossoms & Azaleas at Mifuneyama Rakuen

Shibazakura Festivals

Shibazakura Festivals of Hokkaido

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Great Wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park

Baby Blue Eyes Flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park

Takayama Spring Festival

Kyoto Aoi Festival

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Miyako Odori

Tenjin Festival

Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Aomori Nebuta Festival

Akita Kanto Festival

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Gion Summer Festival

Awa Odori Dance Festival

Lavenders in Hokkaido

Tanabata Fireworks

Karatsu Kunchi Festival

Jidai Festival

Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue

Lake Kawaguchi Momiji-Kairo

Autumn Leaves

Takayama Autumn Festival

Obara Shikizakura Festival

Japan Winter Festivals

Sapporo Snow Festival

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

Ice Breaker Cruise

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Things Not to Miss

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Gion Geisha District

Kyoto Cuisine with Maiko

Green Tea Ceremony

Shikoku Pilgrimage Route

Takayama Festivals

Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko Interaction

Sushi-Making Experience

Tokyo SkyTree

Ghibli Museum

Kiyomizu Temple

Kenrokuen Garden

Hikone Castle

Zen Meditation (Zazen)

Calligraphy Lesson (Shodo)

Ikebana Lesson (Flower Arrangement)

Kimono Experience

Taiko Lesson

Dotonbori Street Food Tour

Nakasendo Hike

Ise Grand Shrine

Shiretoko Nature Cruise

Seikan Undersea Tunnel

The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

Asakusa Sensoji Temple

Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavillion)

Todaiji Temple

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Miho Museum

Koka Ninja Mansion

Mikimoto Pearl Island

Himeji Castle

Izumo Grand Shrine

Naoshima Island

Gunkanjima Island

Mt Takasaki Monkey Park

Matsumoto Castle

Tokyo Tower

Snow Monkeys

Most Beautiful Places in Japan

Otaru Snow Light Path

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Kurashiki Canal Area

Miyajima Island

Shimanami Kaido

Takeda Castle

Motonosumi-Inari Shrine

Adachi Museum of Art

Takachiho Gorge

Oirase Stream

Tottori Sand Dunes

Wisteria Tunnel at Kawachi Fuji Gardens

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Learn to create your own Sushi, meet a geisha or maiko, and more

Meet locals and visit rural areas of Japan you might miss on other tours

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Ms. Miharu was great and also our bus driver (bus #81) for driving us to our destinations safe everyday. Miharu is very knowledgeable and comical, we really enjoyed her company and knowledge.

I cannot rave enough about this tour. Miharu and Joyce (subbed for 2 days) were our top notch hard working guides. I appreciate the history and interesting side stories were communicated on the bus, so at most locations we were able to explore on our own. The hotels, meals and coach were very comfortable & enjoyable. Everything was ready and prepared when the group arrived. The itinerary is well paced and full so you get your money's worth. The sushi making, Ninja throwing and Maiko tea ceremony & performance were so much fun and a compliment to just sight seeing. This was a very memorable trip with a great group of fellow travelers. All in all, a very well organized tour and I would not hesitate to book another with AJT.

One of our many highlights from this trip was our amazing tour guide, Ito. He went above and beyond immersing us into his amazing culture and making our experience unforgettable. We learned a lot from him and really appreciated his willingness to educate. He was flexible but also very organized, he made the experience hassle free. Overall, the tour was a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you for this meaningful journey.

We had a great tour guide (Miharu). Very sweet and knowledgeable she gave us alot of history but also insight into Japanese culture. It was an amazing experience with so many different places and activities.

The best decision we made was to book a tour through AJT. Our guide, Miharu, did an excellent job and provided information and history before we arrived at each stop on our tour. She kept the itinerary focused and gave us just enough time at each location to get a taste of it. We cannot wait to return to Japan and visit some new places.

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• 6 Day Tour of Southern Ireland
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• 09:00am - 5 Beresford Pl, Mountjoy, Dublin 1, D01 V2V4, Ireland

Day 1: Dublin - Glendalough - Kilkenny Castle - Waterford Crystal - Waterford City

Day 2: waterford city - cobh - blarney castle - dingle peninsula - annascaul, day 3: dingle peninsula - slea head - annascaul, day 4: killarney - ring of kerry - spanish point, day 5: spanish point - cliffs of moher - burren - galway, day 6: galway - connemara - dublin, additional info.

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Some visitors to Israel have a new stop on their tours: Hamas’ destruction in the south

For people visiting Israel, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. This is a new kind of tourism that has emerged in the country in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. (AP Video: Ami Bentov)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit the home of the Siman Tov family on Friday, June 21, 2024. The parents and three children were killed and their home was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

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A group of Israelis visit a damaged house following the Oct. 7 Hamas militants attack on Israel in Kibbutz Beeri, southern Israel, on Friday, Jan. 28, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israeli soldiers watch a virtual tour of the destruction of the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel near the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted near Kibbutz Re’im, southern Israel, Thursday, May 30, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

An Israeli reservist poses for a picture with a tourist from Mexico, who is holding the soldier’s M16 rifle, at the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, near Kibbutz Re’im, southern Israel on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit a house that was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

People look at the Gaza Strip through binoculars from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

FILE - Danny Danon, a member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, left, and Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, visit a home torched by Hamas in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel, Monday, May 27, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

A woman stands next to photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event to commemorate the Oct. 7, massacre near Kibbutz Re’im on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli soldiers look at pictures of revelers killed on Oct. 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival by Hamas militants during a cross-border attack, as they visit the site in Re’im, southern Israel near the Gaza border, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A woman stands next to a shelter at the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, near Kibbutz Re’im on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit the dining hall that was damaged during the Oct. 7, Hamas attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

People look at the Gaza Strip from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews from central Israel visit a bomb shelter where Israelis were killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas militants attack on Israel, near Kibbutz Beeri, southern Israel, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

KIBBUTZ NIR OZ, Israel (AP) — A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza .

Jerry Seinfeld, Elon Musk , Michael Douglas, former presidential candidate Nikki Haley , and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are a few who have visited, at times posing for photos in front of burned-out homes. Many Israelis, including soldiers and security officials, are also visiting on organized trips.

“It’s our personal story, but it’s also the story of all of the state of Israel,” said Irit Lahav, spokeswoman for Kibbutz Nir Oz, who gives many of the tours.

A quarter of the approximately 400 Nir Oz residents fell victim to the attack. Hamas militants killed more than 20 and kidnapped over 80. In the dining hall, a wall of post office boxes is plastered with stickers — red for killed, black for kidnapped, blue for released.

While it’s uncomfortable to open the community to visitors, she said it’s important for people to “come here and smell the burned smell of death, to imagine your friends or parents here.”

Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people as they rampaged through southern Israel, and kidnapped around 250. Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza say more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war that followed.

Prior to Oct. 7, Lahav ran a tourism company. Now she has turned those itinerary-building skills to the kibbutz where she grew up. Her tour includes the spot in the fence where Hamas militants stormed the kibbutz, along with small details that humanize the scale of destruction, like the candy eggs that melted when the general store was torched.

Many of the kibbutzim and towns that experienced the worst destruction are closed to the public, accessible only via organized tours like those for dignitaries or celebrities, or by invitation from a resident.

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit a house that was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Nir Oz decided that the guides must be residents. Rena Bazar, who lives with most of the community in temporary housing elsewhere, is among those giving tours.

At first, it was difficult to return to Nir Oz. She didn’t like the idea of strangers on the lawns and in the dining hall with its bullet-riddled windows. But eventually, she understood the importance of helping visitors understand not just what happened, but also what life had been like before Oct. 7.

“I want to make it less about the combat and more about the personal stories of people who were there,” Bazar said.

For visiting dignitaries and VIPs, trips to Israel have long included stops at famous religious or cultural sites, such as the Western Wall, Masada, the Sea of Galilee or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. The visits to the battered kibbutzim and border towns are the latest way to build support and solidarity with Israel’s allies abroad.

Other parts of southern Israel are open to the public and encouraging visitors — both foreigners and Israelis from elsewhere.

People look at the Gaza Strip through binoculars from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The city of Sderot runs “resilience tours,” connecting groups with survivors who share their memories of Oct. 7 or highlight cultural or culinary offerings. In contrast to the hardest-hit kibbutzim like Nir Oz, most of Sderot’s residents have returned.

Hen Cohen, the city’s tourism director, estimated that about 200,000 visitors have come during the first half of 2024, compared with 100,000 total in a normal year. Most come via solidarity missions from abroad or are local visitors such as soldiers and police officers on educational tours.

Birthright Israel, an organization that provides 10-day free trips to Israel for Jewish Americans, said that nearly all of the 13,500 participants expected this summer will visit Sderot and the site of the Nova music festival, where at least 364 people died. These visits provide an economic and morale boost to residents, Cohen said.

The Sderot police station, where 10 officers were killed on Oct. 7 in a standoff that left the station in ruins, is a main attraction. Visitors stop at the local museum, and watch security footage of what happened on Oct. 7, then walk to the empty lot where the police station stood. Twisted metal remains. Israeli flags flutter in the wind. A sign says a memorial will be built there.

People look at the Gaza Strip from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

“In this dark hour, I wanted to do my part to make sure the people of Israel know that the people of the United States are with you,” former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said while visiting the site. Seinfeld later cried while talking about his own visit to a kibbutz, describing it as “the most powerful experience” of his life.

Zehava Ben Zaken, a lifelong Sderot resident, said it has taken time to adjust to seeing visitors every time she walks by. “I’m happy they come to see this place, so they can understand and stand with us,” she said.

Hearing the booms from Gaza a few kilometers (miles) away, she hoped that visitors can finally understand Sderot’s precarious security situation. “We’re totally broken,” she said.

South of Sderot, the site of the Nova music festival has become a pilgrimage site for hundreds of visitors per day. Photos of victims are arranged around what had been the main stage. Loved ones have left candles, sculptures, photos and other mementos.

Israeli soldiers look at pictures of revelers killed on Oct. 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival by Hamas militants during a cross-border attack, as they visit the site in Re’im, southern Israel near the Gaza border, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Standing there helped her understand the enormity of loss of life, said Naomi Hanan, a medical student from San Francisco. “It’s right in front of your face and there’s no denying or ignoring what you’ve been hearing or seeing through the media,” she said.

In a eucalyptus grove near the site, an organization called Triumph of the Spirit offers virtual reality tours of three kibbutzim, including Nir Oz. The tours are currently only open to soldiers on official educational visits, but an English version will be available in the coming weeks for international tourists.

“I feel like I’m in Fortnite!” one soldier said as he slipped on the headset, then went silent as images of destruction appeared.

The videos were created by Miriam Cohen and Chani Kopolovich, who had created such tours of Auschwitz for a Holocaust education experience for people who don’t travel to Poland.

“We’ve made it accessible to go on this tour without damaging peoples’ privacy,” said Pinchas Tosig, who runs the tent and has 300 to 700 soldiers visit per day.

Some residents of southern Israel are looking beyond the visitors to the future.

In the coming weeks, Nir Oz will start demolishing some buildings to make way for new construction. Residents wonder how to preserve what happened while making space for new lives. Some say part of the destruction should remain. Others don’t want reminders — or visitors.

On one tour, Bazar pointed out the safe room where she spent hours hiding on Oct. 7. Her home was mostly spared. Others were burned. She doesn’t want the destruction to remain inside Nir Oz and hopes any future memorial will be elsewhere.

“I don’t want any child to be impacted by the ruins,” she said. “Our cemetery is full. Isn’t that memorial enough?”

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Emily Henry on Writing Best-Sellers Without Tours and TikTok

The author of “Funny Story” churned out five consecutive No. 1 best-sellers without leaving her comfort zone. How did she pull it off?

“Everything around release is really, really exciting,” Emily Henry said, “but it’s not the space I want to live in. I want to be at home writing.” Credit... Madeleine Hordinski for The New York Times

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By Elisabeth Egan

Reporting from Cincinnati

• June 27, 2024

Emily Henry has never been on a book tour or done a traditional bookstore reading. She’s not on TikTok. Her Instagram features book covers and an occasional giveaway; there are no closet tours, rescue cats or elegantly plated snacks.

Henry doesn’t want to be, as she puts it, a “writer slash mini-celebrity.” She’s a romance novelist , full stop. It’s an uncommon, maybe even gutsy, approach in the era of the all-access pass, when readers of popular fiction expect a level of quasi intimacy with favorite writers.

Nevertheless, Henry — “EmHen” to fans — has launched five No. 1 best-sellers in four years. Her latest blockbuster, “Funny Story,” has been on the best-seller list for nine weeks. In its first two months, the book racked up almost 60,000 customer reviews on Goodreads and sparked a cottage industry of T-shirts, sweatshirts, candles, bookmarks and stickers.

All told, Henry has sold seven million copies of her books in the United States since 2020. Three of her novels are in development to become films. On Tuesday, Henry announced that another, “Happy Place,” is going to be a series on Netflix.

“It’s been kind of a whirlwind,” Henry said. “The last four years have felt like they were 35 seconds long.”

Chatting with Henry outside Coffee Emporium in leafiest Cincinnati, it was hard to imagine her retreating into quietude. She presented as an instant connector, parrying substantive conversation while perusing a menu that included a Brew Hoo, a Flying Piggie and an Orange Jillius. And while we’re in the vicinity of old school mall food courts: Imagine Elisabeth Shue in “ Adventures in Babysitting ” crossed with Carly Simon circa “You’re So Vain” and you have Henry’s blond, brown-eyed warmth.

“I really like people,” Henry said, over the roar of neighborhood lawn mowers. “When I’m with a big group, my tendency is to get louder. But afterward I’ll drive home in utter silence. Like, I’m not talking to anyone for several days.”

Henry got her start as an author of novels for young adults, pounding out her debut, “The Love That Split the World,” in the mornings before reporting to work as a technical writer for a phone, internet and television provider. She was responsible for the inscrutable language atop cable boxes; it wasn’t fun. Henry quit as soon as she collected her inaugural book advance — a modest one, she noted — then wrote or coauthored three more books for younger audiences.

Eventually, Henry said, “I got to a point in Y.A. where I felt used up. I didn’t have anything left to say.”

Her first book for adults, “Beach Read,” was a reset — a chance to write without the stress of a ready-made audience. Many writers would see this as the best kind of problem to have, but Henry now advises aspiring writers to enjoy the privacy of working on a project without built-in readers attached: “You never really get back to that exact joy.”

“Beach Read” came out on May 19, 2020, a week or so before the Covid death toll in the U.S. surpassed 100,000 . In-person author events seemed as foolhardy as eating a hamburger in a restaurant. This was not a fortuitous time for humanity, let alone a debut-ish novel meant to be enjoyed on the sand.

But, while many public beaches remained closed, “Beach Read” blew up on TikTok. Cooped-up daughters pressed it on distracted mothers (present company included). The book sailed onto the best-seller list, where it remained for more than a year.

“A lot of people were looking for something that was going to bring brightness, comfort and warmth and also not shy away from grief,” Amanda Bergeron said. She’s Henry’s editor at Berkley. “‘Beach Read’ was doing all those things.”

It set a precedent that held through the publications of Henry’s next three novels — “People We Meet on Vacation” (2021), “Book Lovers” (2022) and “Happy Place” (2023). Sales grew, book after book, while Henry stayed at home in Cincinnati.

“I think if I had toured, if ‘Beach Read’ had not come out during the pandemic, the team would have thought, ‘Oh, sales are happening because you’re touring, so now you have to keep touring,’” Henry said. “Because everything was working without me touring, they’ve been flexible with me wanting to be a homebody.”

Early on, there was a push to get Henry on TikTok. “I was like, ‘No,’” she said. “When Instagram dies, I die with it. That’s my last social media.”

Henry added, “I started dreaming of writing before social media existed. I didn’t know what any of my favorite writers looked like. I never would have cared or even thought about going to an event for them. It’s strange to dream of writing when it’s one thing, then come of age when it’s something totally different.”

Henry, Bergeron and Danielle Keir, an assistant director of publicity at Berkley, credit Sanny Chiu’s modern, bright, upmarket cover designs as drivers of the books’ successes. Chiu takes particular care with colors, spines and body language of characters.

With “ Funny Story ,” Chiu struggled to find the perfect pose for Henry’s main character. Daphne, a jilted children’s librarian, looked “a little bit arrogant at first,” Chiu said. In her ultimate incarnation, she strikes the right balance of intelligence, wariness and “I’ll drink to that.” At Henry’s request, Chiu outfitted Daphne’s free-spirited L.I. (that’s romance lingo for love interest) in a pair of yellow Crocs.

Was there an expectation that Henry would tour on behalf of these opposites turned kindred spirits? Other authors are on the road; signing lines are back.

“We’re always exploring it,” Keir said. “But ultimately we’re focusing on interesting and creative ways to promote Emily and her novels and to engage fans and reach new readers.”

In other words, there might have been a conversation, but no tour was scheduled.

Henry appeared on three national television shows — “ Good Morning America, ” “ Today ” and “ Tamron Hall .” Taking a page from fantasy authors, who often host late night release parties, Berkley helped facilitate more than 200 “Funny Story” launch celebrations at bookstores across the country. Over 50 of them happened at midnight, and more than 20 venues sold out.

“Fantasy readers are a class of their own, in terms of devotion, but we sold out in three days,” Leah Koch said. She’s co-owner of The Ripped Bodice, which specializes in romance.

On April 22, more than 100 enthusiasts flocked to the store’s Brooklyn outpost. There were custom chocolates and themed cocktails. There were page annotation tabs in the “Funny Story” color palette and art prints inspired by Henry’s Michigan lakeside setting.

And suddenly, strolling into the crowd like yet another beaming guest, there was Henry herself. She wore beach waves, white Mary Janes and a pale pink dress printed with martini glasses.

In a video of the surprise appearance, readers are ecstatic, ebullient and hellbent on capturing the moment on their own phones. One fan shrieked “Oh my god, oh my god” in disbelief, scanning the crowd as if to confirm that her eyes aren’t playing tricks.

“Hi, I’m Emily,” Henry said, to the tune of reverent mayhem. She looked triumphant, if not completely at ease.

“There were people I recognized through years of seeing them promote my books on social media,” Henry said. “That was really special and sweet. But the really nice thing about my readership is, it’s a thing outside of me. It’s this community where people make friendships.”

The hardcover of “Funny Story” sold 850 percent more copies in its first four weeks than the paperback original of “Beach Read” did in the same amount of time, despite costing nearly twice as much. In late May, the book was still front and center at several Cincinnati bookstores.

But if anyone at Coffee Emporium recognized Henry, they didn’t break out their cameras. When she left to catch a ride home with her husband, Henry didn’t strut like a V.I.P. or a local bigwig or even someone whose books draw readers to bookstores at midnight. Instead, Henry had the purposeful stride of a writer, ready to get back to work.

Elisabeth Egan is a writer and editor at the Times Book Review. She has worked in the world of publishing for 30 years. More about Elisabeth Egan

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

No Tours or TikTok:  Emily Henry, the author of “Funny Story,” churned out five consecutive No. 1 best-sellers without leaving her comfort zone .

Tomi Adeyemi Interview:  With her new book, “Children of Anguish and Anarchy,” Adeyemi is wrapping up her best-selling Legacy of Orïsha series. The journey hasn’t been easy .

Conquering the Thriller Genre:  After getting her start by self-publishing, a Boston physician is now the fastest selling thriller writer in the United States .

Bookstores With a Mission:  The pandemic fueled a boom in social justice movements and indie bookstores. The two come together in these worker-owned shops .

The Book Review Podcast:  Each week, top authors and critics talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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United States Tours & Vacations

With coastlines, forests, deserts and mountains, the United States is an explorer's paradise.

Magical moments are waiting around every corner in The States. From the rugged wilderness and glacial fjords in Alaska to the winding coastal highways in California , the wide array of national parks to the musical streets of New Orleans , this country is simply sprawling. So whether you're hiking, biking, toe-tapping or road-tripping, you can't go wrong exploring the USA the Intrepid way.

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Best of California's National Parks

Hiking in Denali National Park

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The 7 best places to go on a hot air balloon ride  

Yellowstone vs Yosemite: Which national park to visit?

California or Florida? Which US state should you travel to?

Make a paw-sitive impact at Utah’s Best Friends Animal Sanctuary  

This astronomer is chasing his 21st solar eclipse in 2024 (and bringing some lucky Intrepid travellers with him)

10 ways to get closer to nature with Intrepid  

10 awesome places to go for your 21st birthday

Canada or Alaska? Which natural wonderland should you travel to?

United States departures by month

Browse usa trips by region, browse usa trips by state, browse usa national park tours, united states at a glance, capital city.

Washington DC (population, 712,816)

331.9 million

English, Spanish (although the US has no official languages)

(GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)

Learn more about United States

Best time to visit united states.

Being such a large country, the weather in the US is different depending on which area you are in. Summer (June to August) is the peak travel season due to school holidays, but it can be uncomfortably hot in the desert areas and the south.

The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are generally considered to be the best times to visit, but the weather is still highly variable and these may be the wettest times in some parts of the country (such as the Pacific Northwest ). Winter can be cold in the northern states, but quiet in other areas, which can make it a pleasant time to visit.

Read more about the best time to visit the United States

Culture and customs

With immigration playing a major part in the development of America, today the country is made up of many different cultures. It’s no wonder modern America is rich with a variety of cultural traditions, cuisines, religions and festivals. Because of this, a large diversity of holidays are celebrated in America. Annual holidays like  Independence Day  and Thanksgiving are usually celebrated by all regardless of religion or political persuasion, and give people a chance to reconnect with family and friends around the dinner table or grill.

From sports to soul music, popular culture to philosophy, and fine art to folk art, the tastes and desires of Americans vary around the country. A love of sport unifies the nation - it doesn’t matter if you live in a city loft or out in the country, sports like ice hockey, basketball, baseball and football all attract a strong following.

Many Native Americans live on reservations and fight to retain their traditions and preserve their heritage, although when visiting reservations don’t be surprised to see Native Americans wearing modern clothing. With much of the language and many of the customs lost over the years, Native Americans strive to live a life of deep spirituality and in connection with the earth, as their ancestors did for centuries.

Check out our range of  experiences in the United States that amplify BIPOC cultures .

Eating and drinking

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways to experience a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savouring cheap eats or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world. 

With a variety of international influences, try Creole cuisine in New Orleans, traditional Jewish fare like bagels and pastrami sandwiches in New York, and barbecue in Texas. America’s got everything, from burger joints to taco shacks, organic cafes to refined Michelin-starred restaurants.

Learn more about food in the USA

Geography and environment

From the lush everglades of Florida, through the red-hot deserts of Nevada and on to the urban jungles of New York and Philadelphia, the United States has many different environments and ecosystems within its boundaries. Sharing borders with Canada in the north and Mexico in the south, the United States has deserts, glaciers, freshwater lakes, rapid-filled rivers, mountain ranges, sprawling plains, forested national parks , beaches and bays.

The major national parks of America – Yellowstone, Zion, Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Denali and Joshua Tree offer a glimpse into what much of America looked like before development. Lush vegetation, majestic mountains and sparkling lakes give deer, moose, bears, bison and many other species of wildlife a fertile home to live in. 

When traveling, you’re likely to see modern cities filled with traffic, skyscrapers and high-density housing, as well as sleepy towns, trailer parks and Native American reservations. A complex network of highways connect the major cities, making overland travel a popular choice with visitors and locals alike. The great American road trip is still alive and well.

History and government

As one of the world’s most influential nations, major moments and events in American history ripple throughout the rest of the world. The American people are known for their resilience and irrepressible nature, and it is this spirit that allows them to continue to contribute to the world economically, scientifically and creatively.

In recent history, America has enjoyed the historic highs of the moon landings and the devastating lows of Hurricane Katrina. The world has seen American companies like Apple, Facebook, Microsoft and Starbucks change the face of the world. And people like Steven Spielberg, Lance Armstrong, Maya Angelou and Sidney Poitier create masterpieces, break records and win countless awards.

Top 10 must-see cities in the US

1. new york.

You can be anyone you want to be in NYC. Indulge your artistic side at MoMA, mingle with the Gordon Geckos on Wall Street, cheer like a pro at a Yankees game or kick back at a bar with a Manhattan and a new pair of Jimmy Choos.

2. San Francisco

San Francisco is made of sunshine, seafood and a whole lot of hills. This is the place to embrace your inner (or outer) bohemian. But it's not all 'flowers in your hair' and free thinking, be sure to take a ferry to Alcatraz and scoff down a clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf.

3. New Orleans

The Caribbean meets France and Africa in New Orleans. Music is everywhere, and so are the friendly faces. The city comes to life after dark so have an afternoon nap, get some comfortable shoes on and get ready to bar hop the night away.

4. Las Vegas

Hello Lady Luck! Days somehow disappear in the hedonistic blitz of color, light, showgirls, casinos and offers too good to refuse. Try to escape the endless buffets to catch a real Las Vegas show; there's everything from death-defying acrobats to Elvis on offer.

The financial and political powerhouse of Chicago has been the home of two of the most influential people in the world - President Obama and Oprah. Famed for its distinctive architecture, booming performing arts scene and sports-mad locals, the 'Windy City' shouldn't be missed.

The air is warmer, the clothes smaller and the colors are somehow brighter in Miami. Jewish, Latin and Caribbean cultures blend to make a heady mix of great food, even better music and a nightlife filled with the spirit of fiesta. Hang out on perfect beaches, spot classic cars and gaze at the beautiful people as they strut their stuff.

7. Los Angeles

Search beyond the stardust of Hollywood and the excessive price tags of Rodeo Drive, to find the true essence of Los Angeles. Home to a melting pot of cultures, uber-cool restaurants, a hip art scene and the eclectic vibe of Venice Beach, LA is so hot right now!

The birthplace of grunge music and iconic super-companies like Microsoft, Boeing and Starbucks, Seattle offers so much more than great coffee. Markets packed with fresh produce, a harbor perfect for boating, vibrant public art and a thriving live music scene combine to make Seattle a must-see city.

History comes alive in the heritage-filled streets of Memphis. Whether it's at Elvis Presley's Graceland, the lively blues clubs and restaurants of Beale Street or the moving Civil Rights Movement Museum, it could be said that the soul of America lives in Memphis.

One of America's oldest cities, Boston is evolving. Working class neighborhoods are being gentrified, the industry is giving way to tech start-ups and modern architectural treasures sit alongside brown-stone buildings. Despite the change, get chatting to locals about the Red Sox and you'll soon find you're definitely in Boston.

It’s no wonder many people choose to do their clothes shopping in the United States. With iconic department stores offering a wide range of labels, and vintage/charity stores stocking American fashion classics like distressed denim jeans and leather cowboy boots, shopping in America is fun. Known for having great sales and even better customer service, it’s well worth leaving room in your backpack for a few extras. Please note that unlike in many other countries, tax isn’t included in the ticketed price.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Festivals and events

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, marks the end of the Carnival season in New Orleans. Witness a chaotic collision of lively music, colorful costumes, masquerade masks, soul food and joyful 'krewes' at the parades, parties and masquerade balls in late February every year.

Public holidays that may impact travel include:

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

Presidents' Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Indigenous Peoples' Day

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Day

Please note dates of  United States public holidays  may vary.

Similar destinations

We have a variety of similar destinations, trips, and routes that you could consider! Tie another trip into your holiday, or, see how we can help you get from A to B. We have tours departing from all major cities in the United States. The options below may be of interest:

Tours from Los Angeles to San Francisco  

Tours from New York to New Orleans

New Orleans to Atlanta Tours

Tours from Los Angeles

Tours from Las Vegas

Thinking about traveling to California or Florida but need help deciding?

California or Florida?

Top USA travel highlights

1. venture to the wilds of alaska.

Alaska  may be part of the USA, but it feels like another world. With stunning mountain ranges, eclectic wildlife, immense glaciers and an interesting history, this off-track destination is well worth the journey north. Whether you want to go hiking in  Denali , snowshoe across Matanuska Glacier, kayak in  Kenai Fjords  or see the northern lights, adventure awaits.

Explore the Last Frontier on our  10 day Best of Alaska tour.

2. See San Francisco through local eyes

With vibrant, multi-cultural neighbourhoods and iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a city you could spend weeks exploring. But to really get a feel for the place, you need to explore with a local. Sample the freshest seafood in Fisherman's Wharf, discover the North Beach and Little Italy districts, and dine at some of the locals' favourite spots for dinner.

Roam around Northern California and beyond on our  9 day San Francisco to Seattle trip.

3. Explore phenomenal national parks

From larger-than-life Yosemite to the great gaping chasms of the Grand Canyon , national parks in the States are big, bold and beautiful. Escape the hustle of everyday life and uncover the natural beauty, diverse wildlife and Native American history in the likes of Bryce Canyon, Zion and Yellowstone. Whether you want to hike or cycle, stay in comfy lodges or camp in the wilderness , US national parks offer something for all kinds of adventurers.

4. Track wolves in Yellowstone National Park

The world’s first national park positively brims with more hot springs, mud pots and geysers than you can possibly see in one trip. But one of the most memorable things you can do is rise before dawn to join a  wolf-tracking excursion  with a local guide. As well as learning about one of nature's most intriguing animals, if you're lucky, you may see multiple wolves playing together, eating, or looking after young cubs.

Try your hand at wolf tracking on our  6 day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Adventure  or our  Yellowstone and Grand Teton Family Holiday .

5. Visit the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis

Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins… what legend hasn’t recorded here? Sun Studio in Memphis is one of the pinnacles for music lovers traveling in the States. It’s where rock and roll was born, and where soul music hit the big time via Stax Records. After checking out the studio, head to Beale Street to grab a drink and have a boogie in traditional blues clubs.

Scoot your boots on our  6 day Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans tour.

6. Take a Navajo jeep tour of Monument Valley

Learn about the cultural heritage and sacredness of Monument Valley from those who know it best. After a jeep adventure with a local Navajo guide, join the locals for an authentic Navajo dinner around a campfire and listen to traditional songs and stories passed down through the generations.

Discover the American West's most iconic landscapes on our  5 day Western USA National Parks Loop tour.

Further reading

United states travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to travel to United States?

It depends on where you’re from. Many countries now operate under the United States Visa Waiver Program, meaning a visa isn’t required for stays of up to 90 days for travel purposes. There are 40 participating countries, including the United Kingdom , Australia , New Zealand, Germany and Spain.

If you're eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you must obtain a letter of authorization before you travel to the States. This can be obtained by submitting an application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation ( ESTA ).

If you’re a national from a non-participating country of the Visa Waiver Program, you must apply for a non-immigrant visa. Please see the Department of State website for more information.

If you have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on or after 1 March 2011, you are ineligible and must apply for a non-immigrant visa instead.

People from a participating country who are also citizens of Cuba, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan must also apply for a non-immigrant visa.

Last updated: 6 March 2024 

Is tipping customary in the US?

Tipping is very much a part of the culture in the United States. Tips are expected at restaurants, cafes and diners, as well as by taxi drivers, valet attendants, porters and hotel maids.

People working in the service industry generally receive low wages and therefore rely upon tips as a major source of income.

In general, leave 15 to 20% of the bill at places serving food and a few dollars to bartenders and hotel staff who provide a personal service like carrying bags or cleaning your room.

What is the internet access like in the US?

Internet access is excellent in the US, and internet cafes and Wi-Fi hot spots are easily found in most cities and major towns.

Can I use my cell phone while in the US?

Cell phone coverage is excellent in most parts of the US although coverage may be patchy in remote, mountainous areas like national parks and canyons. Ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive.

What are the toilets like in the US?

Western-style flushable toilets are the norm in the US.

Can I drink the water in the US?

Drinking water from taps in the US is considered safe unless otherwise marked. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water.

Are credit cards accepted widely in the US?

Major credit cards are widely accepted by stores in the US. Smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, so ensure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases.

What is ATM access like in the US?

ATMs are common in the US, so finding one won't be a problem in most towns and cities.

What kind of transport will I use in the United States?

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun. 

Depending on which trip you're on while in the US, you may find yourself traveling by:

Be amazed by enormous glaciers and stunning, icy landscapes while traveling on a ferry in Alaska.

Use pedal power to see the best of Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Cycling is a great way to see the sights and be active at the same time.

Take in the sights while enjoying a ride on one of San Francisco’s icons – the streetcar.

What sort of accommodation will I stay in while traveling in the United States?

Traveling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavor to provide travelers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible. 

When traveling with us in the US you may find yourself staying in a:

Spend a night sleeping in a hogan – a traditional Navajo structure made of logs, mud and stone and built with an open roof to view the sparkling night sky.

Reconnect with nature and enjoy staying in quaint log cabins throughout the country's beautiful national parks. Fall asleep to the rustling of trees and wake up to the sounds of birds.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Does my trip to the United States support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to the United States directly support our foundation partners, Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA) and the Grand Canyon Conservancy.

Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA)

Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA) create inclusive, equitable opportunities for small Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) tourism businesses in the USA. Donations help CHEA provide access to industry-specific technical assistance, capacity building, and industry networks for small BIPOC travel and tourism businesses through their Diversity Tourism Academy (DTA). Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Find out more or make a donation

The Grand Canyon Conservancy

The Grand Canyon Conservancy is on a mission to protect the Grand Canyon National Park for future generations. With almost 6 million visitors to the park annually, the Grand Canyon Conservancy runs educational programs and immersive experiences that teach people about the park's cultural and environmental significance. Donations support trail restoration and maintenance, conservation and preservation of native vegetation and wildlife, and educational programs. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Watch CBS News

Are you traveling for July Fourth? Here's how to beat the travel rush.

Updated on: June 27, 2024 / 6:15 PM EDT / AP

The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and the travel rush is already heating up.

Millions of Americans are preparing to get out of town sometime in the coming holiday week. That will likely mean busy roads, as well as packed airports and train stations.

Motor club AAA projects that some 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles (80 kilometers) or more from their homes over a nine-day Independence Day travel period — surpassing pre-pandemic numbers for the U.S. holiday. And the Transportation Security Administration expects to screen over 32 million individuals in airports from this Thursday through July 8, up 5.4% from last year's numbers.

• Here's how to save money on your Fourth of July barbecue

Are you traveling for the Fourth? Here's a rundown of what you need to know.

Smooth sailing for travel around any holiday is never a given. But avoiding the most hectic times, when others are rushing out of town, is a good way to start.

If you're traveling by car for the Fourth of July, it's best to hit the road in the morning, according to transportation data and insights provider INRIX. Peak traffic congestion varies by location, INRIX data published by AAA shows, but the worst times to drive on, or leading up to, the holiday are generally between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Either way, be prepared for the roads to be jammed.

"Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal," Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a prepared statement.

July Fourth falls on a Thursday this year, and many travelers will likely take Friday July 5th off to extend their trip into a four-day weekend. Drivers in large metro areas can expect the biggest delays on Wednesday July 3 and Sunday July 7 — as travelers leave and return to town, Pishue added.

And if you're renting a car ahead of July Fourth, the busiest pickup days will be Friday, Saturday and Wednesday before the holiday, AAA notes.

Airports will also likely be packed all week long — but the TSA expects most people will take to the skies on Friday.

It anticipates that it will screen more than 3 million individuals Friday. That would surpass the agency's current record for most people screened on a single day, which reached just under 3 million last Sunday.

"We expect this summer to be our busiest ever," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, adding that travel typical peaks around Independence Day.

Last year, the busiest day for Fourth of July air travel was also the Friday ahead of the holiday, TSA data shows. If past trends hold, travel will likely be higher on the days before and after the Fourth — particularly closer to the weekend. In 2023, for example, more than 2 million people were screened on the Fourth, which landed on a Tuesday last year, down from 2.88 million the Friday before.

Flights can be delayed or canceled for an array of reasons — from plane-specific mechanical problems to major storms impacting popular travel paths.

If your flight is canceled, airlines are required to provide refunds for customers, even if the cancellation is due to weather. Delays are trickier, because they typically have to meet certain criteria for relief, such as refunds or compensation — but carriers will often give customers to chance to switch to alternative flights, if available, at no cost.

In April, the Biden administration issued final rules that include requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and "significant" delays. Those rules are set to take effect over the next two years, but the Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see the commitments each airline has made for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

It's better to be stuck at home than locked in hourslong traffic or stranded in an airport terminal. Before heading out the door this holiday week, do yourself a favor and check the status of your travel plans.

Was your flight, train or bus ride delayed? Are there are traffic incidents set to disrupt your drive? And what about the weather? A quick look through your itinerary — such as trip updates on a carrier's website — checking weather forecasts and monitoring traffic safety through services like the 511 hotline or your phone's navigation apps can go a long way toward avoiding travel misery.

Here are a few more tips to keep in mind:

— Leave early: There are more people everywhere during a holiday week, so lines will be longer and roads will be busier. Give yourself more time to get to your destination or to make your way through airport security.

— Keep an eye on the weather — and not just for your destination: Look at the weather for your entire travel path. Even if it's sunny skies both at home and the place you're headed, it's important to keep an eye out for any storms in between. You may need to do some rerouting.

— Be kind: A trip delay or cancellation can be really frustrating — but if you're running into disruptions, chances are others are too. Customer service agents have a lot on their plate at this time of year, and it's important to be patient and respectful as they try to help you.

• Transportation Security Administration

More from CBS News

July 4th gas prices expected to hit lowest level in 3 years

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Ailing Spirit Airlines drops some junk fees in hopes of luring travelers

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Wilmington Water Tours can continue operations from Riverwalk dock, judge rules

Wilmington Water Tours will be allowed to continue operating from a dock along the Cape Fear River after a judge's ruling Wednesday.

Dozens of community members gathered at the New Hanover County Courthouse Wednesday for a pivotal hearing central to a lawsuit poised to effect the business' operations.

Wilmington Water Tours has been operating from a dock on the river for 15 years, said Doug Springer, co-founder of the company. A lawsuit filed by the Riverwalk Condominiums of Wilmington Unit Owners Association Inc. threatened to alter that reality.

Martin Gallan of Gallan Holdings LLC, the defendant in the lawsuit, owns three condo units and eight Riverwalk boat slips, according to Wednesday's hearing. Springer leases two dock slips from Gallan and owns one condo unit from which he operates his business.

A third dock slip is leased from Gallan by Rob Pickett of Picket Investments LLC, the owner of an 85-foot yacht, according to the hearing. Pickett's boat is no longer docked at the Riverwalk slip.

In September 2023, the Riverwalk Condominiums of Wilmington Unit Owners Association requested the removal of boats from the community's dock, citing a violation of Homeowners Association (HOA) rules regarding the leasing of dock slips, said Thomas Babel, the attorney representing the HOA, at Wednesday's hearing.

Last month, the New Hanover County Superior Court ruled in favor of the HOA, ordering Gallan to remove the boats from the dock, Babel said. Gray Wilson, an attorney representing Gallan Holdings LLC, appealed this ruling on June 21, 2024.

The initial lawsuit cites a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) permit that has since expired, said Tracie Yarborough, an attorney representing Wilmington Water Tours.

"The HOA's position is that even though the permit has expired ... the conditions of that permit stay as long as the project exists," Yarborough said, referring to the Riverwalk dock. "CAMA has not responded yet."

Yarborough said it is her and Springer's understanding that the purpose of the CAMA permit was to allow public access to the Riverwalk.

"Obviously his business is allowing that; he's brought in over 800,000 people to the Riverwalk," Yarborough said.

Superior Court Judge Jessica Locklear presided over Wednesday's hearing and suspended the existing order as it pertains to Wilmington Water Tours, allowing for the business to operate from the docks until the case is heard by the Court of Appeals.

In addition, Locklear ordered the defendant to post a $50,000 surety bond and mandated court appearance if violation outside of the operation of Wilmington Water Tours occurs. In the event of a violation, Locklear also recommended a fine of $5,000 per violation date.

Both Wilson and Yarborough said they were pleased by the court's decision.

"I think the biggest thing we want to say is we're pleased that Wilmington Water Tours is staying in business," Yarborough said. "That was our goal."

The outpouring of community support at the courthouse was a testament to Wilmington Water Tours' involvement in the Port City's community, Springer said.

"When we built the business, we said we didn't want to be a tourist-based business, we wanted to be a part of the community," Springer said. "That's what we try to do every day."

Several residents present at the courthouse spoke about the benefits the company has brought to both their lives and the greater Wilmington community.

"He gets people involved in other community activities," Sally Gibbons said of Springer, adding that she has known Springer for approximately 15 years. "Everybody loves them."

Erin Cunnane, one of the first people to participate in a tour 15 years ago, after the boat became handicap accessible, said Springer, his wife, and other company employees are like family to her.

"The Wilmington Water Tours boat (has been) a happy spot for me," Cunnane said. "It has changed my life a lot and has made me more confident to be able to do things that I thought I would never achieve."

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Pharoah's Nile River Adventure Operated by Beyond The Nile Tours On my side this was a last minute decision and booking. I have always wanted to go to Egypt and this tour I would definitely recommend - for group or solo traveller's like myself. Excellent service and engagement from the Beyond The Nile team from before the tour to the very last moment when they transfer you back to the airport to return home. Ahmed (Harry) ensures that all runs smoothly, all are informed and attended to. We were 3 ladies in the group and had an amazing trip. Day 1: I was received at the airport and transferred to the hotel by Ahmed to meet Harry. With Abdul as our guide, we went on the Old Cairo tour to view the churches, synagogue and mosques. Beautiful buildings with a rich history. Next the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization with beautiful displays and viewing of numerous mummies. Abdul's knowledge and explanations were insightful and informative. Great guide. Day 2: Dr Nasr was our guide to Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx and Papyrus Institute. He has a broad knowledge, I really enjoyed Dr Nasr as our guide. I was unfortunately not able to complete the tour to the Eygtian Museum of Antiquities due to ill health. Dr Nasr and the Beyond The Nile team sprung into action arranged a taxi back to the hotel for me. They tracked they taxi, stayed in contact with the driver and confirmed arrival at hotel. Harry also contacted me to enquire if I required a doctor. Huge shout out to Harry and the Beyond The Nile team, you are ?? appreciated. Thank you. Day 3: Quick flight to Luxor where we were met by Mahmoud, our guide for the cruise down the Nile on the Royal Siganture Olivia. We visited the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut or as one guest called it (hot chicken soup to remember it). Light show at Karnak Temple in the evening. Day 4: Early morning hot air balloon adventure over the Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut). Beautiful. Visited Karnak and Luxor temples before cruising down the Nile towards Edfo and Aswan. Life along the Nile is serene, children splashing and playing on the side of the river. People gathering and enjoying the water, and each other company, music, food, etc. Day 5: Visited Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple. Onward to Aswan. The Egyptian party onboard was fabulous. Each guest made an effort to get into character and enjoy the evening to the fullest. Day 6: Abu Sambel Temple is awe inspiring, it is a must see. The high dam is an impressive feat of engineering providing 9% of Egyptian power. Sunset boat ride and visit to the Nubian Village, of brilliant blue and white colour's. Local camel milk cheeses and molasses with bread. Market trading spices, teas, and much more. Day 7: Philae temple and Essence perfume shop visited. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Cairo Mahmoud is an excellent guide with great energy. He is very attentive to all guests, goes the extra mile providing guidance, arranging sim cards, negotiating with vendors, ensuring all arrangements run smoothly, even taking guests to MacDonalds if needed, etc. He has a friendly, professional manner. We really enjoyed having him has our guide. We are part of the Habibi family now. The Royal Signature Oliva staff are professional, attentive and friendly. It was a fantastic cruise down the Nile on all fronts. Day 8: Alexandria city visit to the beautiful Catacombs, Roman theatre, Gaitbel Citadel and delicious seafood lunch at the Brazino's restaurant on the Mediterranean. Dr Nasr was my guide and as before very insightful, interesting, and engaging day. Dr Nasr is a wealth of knowledge and has a great way of explaining the history of the sites visited and answering questions asked. To Ahmed (Harry), all the guides, drivers and the entire Beyond The Nile team a HUGE Thank you for making my trip to Egypt so Amazing!!. You all do an excellent job, I appreciate you all! ?

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Heart postpones remainder of 2024 tour dates, including Nashville's Bridgestone Arena

Heart has postponed the band's shows for the remainder of their tours, both with Def Leppard and Journey and their headlining Royal Flush tour, including their scheduled Oct. 14 show at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Singer Ann Wilson announced Tuesday that she underwent an operation to remove something that turned out to be cancerous and is electing to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy.

"And so my doctors are instructing me to take the rest of the year away from the stage in order to fully recover," Wilson said in a statement that was emailed and posted on her Instagram account.

The statement continued, "To the ticket buyers, I really do wish we could do these gigs. Please know that I absolutely plan to be back on stage in 2025. My team is getting those details sorted & we'll let you know the plan as soon as we can. Thank you all for the support. This is merely a pause. I've much more to sing."

Ticket holders should hold onto their tickets as they will be honored for the rescheduled dates. More information to be announced in the coming weeks. 

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Stay up to date with the latest tour information by visiting https://www.heart-music.com/ . 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, had tour dates lined up through the end of 2024. Known for hits dating back to the mid-70s such as " Magic Man ," " Crazy on You ", " Barracuda ," " What About Love ," " Never ," " These Dreams , " " Alone " and " All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You ."

What Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour says about 'passion tourism'

• Many Americans are paying to travel abroad to see a Taylor Swift concert. The Eras Tour is in multiple European cities this summer.
• It's part of a trend known as "passion tourism."
• Other recent or upcoming examples include travel for the Olympics in Paris, the total solar eclipse in North America, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and the Euro Cup in Germany.

Taylor Swift's European tour was top of mind for Nikita Rao when planning where to go for her family's annual summer vacation .

Rao, her husband and two kids, who live in Bethesda, Maryland, headed overseas this past weekend: They have tickets to the pop star's concert in Amsterdam on Thursday.

The family built a weeklong itinerary around The Eras Tour event, spending a few days in London before making their way to the Netherlands for the show. They would have likely visited the two cities at some point in the future, but the Swift concert accelerated their timeline, said Rao, 43, who also saw a performance in Cincinnati last year with her daughter.

"My view on it was, we should do this — London and Amsterdam — because she'll be there," Rao said. "If I can get tickets, that'll just make the whole vacation amazing," she said of her thought process.

Why Taylor Swift is unique to 'passion tourism'

It's not just the Rao family.

Americans are flocking overseas to see Taylor Swift, perhaps the most prominent recent example of so-called "passion tourism," according to travel experts.

Passion tourism revolves (unsurprisingly) around people's passions. While place is also generally important, these trips are generally guided by personal interest, hobby or a cultural event, experts said.

This isn't a new concept. In fact, there are many recent and upcoming examples: February's annual Carnival festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; April's total solar eclipse in North America; the 2024 Paris Olympics that start this month; and the ongoing UEFA European Football Championship (known as the Euro Cup) in Germany.

"Memorable events are driving travel trends, whether it is for concerts or sporting events," Mastercard wrote recently in its annual travel trends report.

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However, what distinguishes Taylor Swift concerts in the realm of passion tourism is the broad interest and enthusiasm among Americans who want to travel abroad, according to travel agents.

"I've never seen this excitement to travel to go see an artist," said Jessica Griscavage, a travel advisor and founder of Runway Travel.

The most recent example that might come close is a Spice Girls concert in the 1990s, she said.

Griscavage, who put together the Rao family's itinerary, also assembled a separate Swift-centered trip to Paris for a daughter, mother and grandmother.    

More than half of Americans, 53%, identify as fans of Taylor Swift, according to a poll by Morning Consult. About 16% consider themselves "avid" fans.

"Beyoncé is big, too, but we don't usually get requests like, 'I have Beyoncé tickets for Europe and we want to build a trip around it,'" said Sofia Markovich, a travel advisor and founder of Sofia's Travel.

She assembled trips for two U.S. clients who had tickets for Taylor Swift shows in England and Switzerland, respectively.

"Just as Grateful Dead fans were known to follow the band from city to city to be part of a unique community, Swifties — often with friends and family in tow — have made traveling to her concerts part of the experience," Joshua Friedlander, vice president of research at the U.S. Travel Association, wrote recently about the so-called "Swift Lift."

'Inevitable' that Swifties will travel to new places

About 15.9 million Americans traveled internationally in the first quarter of 2024, an all-time high, according to Mastercard's travel report. Consumers are also spending for travel at record levels globally, it said.

Passion tourism generally provides an economic boost to host nations, experts said.

For example, spending by tourists at restaurants, bars and grocery stores during the 2024 Carnival in Rio was 156% above normal, Mastercard found. During the solar eclipse, hotel sales within the U.S. path of totality rose 71%, it said.

About 1.2 million fans will see a Taylor Swift concert this summer across four cities in the United Kingdom (Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff and London), according to a recent Barclays analysis. Each fan will spend an average 848 British pounds (about $1,073) on tickets, travel, accommodation, outfits and other expenses, amounting to a total 997 million British pounds (about $1.3 billion), Barclays estimated.

Accommodation accounts for the largest outlay after tickets, followed by travel, according to the Barclays analysis.

Searches for Airbnb stays in European cities during Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour dates are up about 70% relative to the same period in 2023, according to a recent analysis.

Rome and Paris are traditionally among Americans' top destinations to visit abroad. However, it's "inevitable" that Swift fans will end up in a city they may have previously overlooked, like Edinburgh, said Christopher Nulty, global head of corporate communications and public affairs at Airbnb.

When tickets went on sale last year for Edinburgh concert dates, searches for lodging in the city by Americans jumped 500%, Nulty said.

A concert "combines the opportunity to travel somewhere incredible with the opportunity to see an artist they love," he said.

The household economics of ticket sales are also likely playing a role, experts said. Some Swifties who were priced out of the U.S. market due to ticket expense may find it cheaper overall (or comparably priced) to buy a ticket and add on the associated travel expenses for a concert overseas.

"The resale tickets in Europe are much more reasonable than what they are in the U.S.," said Griscavage, the travel advisor.

Additionally, "I think there's something really exciting about seeing her in a non-U.S. city," she added. "It's a fun opportunity and people are willing to pay to see her."

Willie Nelson pulls out of additional performance on Outlaw Music Festival Tour

Willie Nelson is bowing out of another performance on his ongoing Outlaw Music Festival Tour .

Nelson, who was scheduled to perform in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Thursday, will not be playing the concert, according to a statement shared on Nelson's official Facebook page Wednesday.

The reason for Nelson's absence was not disclosed in the statement, but the singer’s team said they "expect Willie to return to the tour shortly."

Performers Bob Dylan , Robert Plant and Alison Krauss , and Celisse will perform at Thursday’s show, according to the Facebook post. Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson and the country icon’s touring band Family will fill in for Nelson during his set.

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Nelson for comment.

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Nelson’s no-show follows a recent string of canceled performances for the singer amid health concerns.

Willie Nelson: Singer cancels Outlaw Music Festival Tour performances for health reasons

Willie Nelson cancels Outlaw Music Festival Tour performances for health reasons

Nelson canceled his appearance at the Outlaw Music Festival Tour on Friday for health reasons, a statement shared on his social media pages said.

"We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and, per doctor's orders, has been advised to rest for the next four days," the  statement said , adding that Nelson was "expected to make a quick recovery."

Additional information about Nelson's health was not provided at the time.

More touring news: Neil Young and Crazy Horse cancel remaining 2024 tour dates due to illness

The “Always on My Mind” singer was scheduled to perform Friday in Georgia as part of the Outlaw Music Festival Tour, which he is headlining. He was also set to perform on Saturday and Sunday in North Carolina.

"I am thrilled to get back on the road again with my family and friends playing the music we love for the fans we love," Nelson  said in February  when the festival's lineup was unveiled.