Gay Tours and Group Travel

Just got back from our second Detours trip, an absolutely spectacular vacation in Israel and Jordan. Brandon, our tour leader, was an upbeat bundle of energy whose enthusiasm made the trip a totally fun, crazy adventure. Our hotels were fabulous and the food was amazing. My partner's birthday occurred during the trip, and Brandon arranged for a cake to be served during one of our lunches. It's hard to describe the thrill of celebrating a birthday with newfound friends in a bedouin tent in the middle of the Wadi Rum desert. This trip was basically one unforgettable excursion after another. In addition to the desert, we visited Masada, Petra, and Bethlehem, and got to float in the Dead Sea and take an early morning ride on a camel. We've already decided that we're going to do another Detours trip next year. These trips are the highlight of our year.

I was so pleased with my Detours Peru trip that I booked my next trip with them before the first one ended. They do an outstanding job of curating interesting adventures that take you outside of the standard tourist destinations and activities.
First-rate accommodations, and they offer a great variety of organized group time plus flex time to meet individual needs and interests. The small group size also makes it easy to get to know others. I have 14 new friends as a result of this trip.
They also find great local guides and restaurants. A tremendous value for the price.

My husband and I  just returned from our second Detours trip. Our first trip to Israel/Jordan was so amazing that I immediately booked a second trip to Greece. Enter Covid and our June 2020 Greece trip became October 2020. Covid still had other plans so that became a trip to Egypt in 2021; still Covid had plans pushing the trip to April 2022 and it finally happened! With every reschedule Miles was compassionate and accommodating, even as his own business was suffering devastating blows. It was worth the wait for sure. In true Detours style everything was taken care of for us, Kyle was our Detours trip leader and he was always responsive and a joy to be with. In Egypt we also had a single Egyptian guide that accompanied us throughout the trip and we were blessed to share our trip with Hend. Not only is Hend a wealth of Egyptian knowledge but she is just a great soul, I couldn't imagine the trip without her, she became one of the group. It is hard to put into words what it is like the first time you set your eyes on the great pyramid or the first mummy that you see and the temples will give you goosebumps. The optional hot air ballon excursion is truly a must do, in fact, it may be exhausting but when in Egypt do it all. As for sailing down the Nile, well, it is like a dream. Detours structured the trip to include the best that Egypt has to offer. Once again, my husband and I concluded our Detours vacation with memories to last a lifetime and several new friends that I can't wait to see again. Now we have a decision to make, which Detours trip will be next? They have so many great destinations and I want to do them all and I will only do them with Detours. The incredible trips, the always positive attitude of the staff and the attention to detail make Detours the only group I will travel with.

I have done two tours with Detours -- Greece in June 2018 and Thailand & Cambodia in July 2022 -- and I was extremely pleased with both. Owner Miles is especially helpful in answering any questions and assisting with any issues you may have. The tour leaders -- Dan and Kyle, respectively -- were extremely knowledgeable, engaging, personable and resourceful. The accommodations were very comfortable, and the activities -- both included and optional -- enabled me to not only get an appreciation of what the different cultures have to offer, but also an opportunity to simply relax and enjoy the experience of "being there". I can't endorse Detours enough, and am already planning my next tour with them :)

I completed my first Detours trip to South Africa and I'm still in amazement of the experience. South Africa is amazing and so is Detours. Anytime we had a question, Miles or his team was quick to answer and assist in anyway they could. Our trip leader Darren was a complete joy who took the time getting to know each of us and helping us bond. This is the first time I've connected with my tour group and want to stay in touch with them. Several of us are planning future trips together. If you want an amazing experience and do something more than just seeing the sights, do a Detours tour. I'm so excited I took the chance and now part of the Detours family. Detours builds community on their trips so it feels like a bunch of friends decided to go on holiday together.

I have just returned from my fourth trip with Detours and have a fifth planned. My journey with them started 8 years ago and will continue for many years to come if the company stays true to its mission, and continues to provide the excellent costumer service, amazing destinations, and value for your money that they are known for. Detours has an owner and a group of tour leaders that really care about their clients. I have formed friendships and a fondness for many of them. Friendships that has arisen because they do not see their clients as bags of cash, but as people with whom they can share amazing experiences and their love for travel and adventure. They do this while maintaining professionalism and personally tailored customer service from every step of a trip.

That was the formal part of my review! Here’s the skinny on some of the great moments I have lived through with Detours:

Thailand: Release of floating lanterns into the night sky. Private yacht charter for a day (I jumped off the boat with a live vest and face planted onto the water… not gonna do that part again 😅). Days meeting tigers, elephants, and monkeys! And not to be forgotten: Thai massages! This is a trip that I would do again in a heartbeat! Especially because the itinerary has changed and there are wonderful new experiences packed into it.

South Africa: Day in animal sanctuary where I got to pet a cheetah, have a vulture (that was half my size!) stand in my outstretched arm, and come the closest I’ve ever been to a lion and leopard. Day at the amazing botanical garden in Cape Town. Tipsy wine tasting tour through some of South Africa’s vineyards.

Peru: The greatest trip of my life because it brought me together with my fiancé! This trip was also a culinary experience! Peru has amazing food for amazing prices. Every dish was presented as if I was sitting in a upscale restaurant back at home. I tried ceviche for the first time and I liked it! I discovered Pisco and Pisco sours. I joined a Peruvian cooking class and hope to recreate those recipes at a future dinner party. It was also amazing to learn about the ancient civilizations of South America and have the privilege to touch the walls and walk over the streets of Cusco which were built by the Incas so many centuries ago.

Costa Rica: Horseback riding (and galloping!) and taking in the amazing vistas of Arenal volcano. Whitewater rafting on the Balsa river. Jumping under the waves of Espadilla beach with my hat, long sleeve top and long bottom rash guards leaving my fellow groups members amused at the extremes I go to in order to stay safe from the sun!

In all of these trips I have met great people that will have a special place in my heart even if I do not cross paths with them again. I will take this opportunity to give my personal “BEST TRIP LEADER AWARD 4EVAH” to Brandon! If you are lucky to have him as a trip leader and like to play games then you are in luck!

There is just so much I could say about Detours. I will leave it at this: go on a trip with them! You will be in great hands!

I could not recommend Detours Travel highly enough! My husband and I just returned from an amazing trip to Rome and Tuscany with Detours. Every conceivable detail was thoughtfully arranged and cared for by the owner Miles and our trip leader Shane. The accommodations at our Tuscan castle brought fantasy to reality and far surpassed our expectations. We didn’t just see Italy…we lived and experienced it! That is the experience Detours offers. This team works tirelessly for their customers. This was my first trip and my husbands second but we will be coming back for more!

It’s hard to find almost any business that “gets you” these days. Travel has changed so much in the past few years so it’s a big investment of time, money and expectation when you book a trip. I’ve just completed my 5th tour with Detours and I can’t say enough great things about them. This is a business built from the ground up with a passion for fun, adventure, comfort and value foremost in mind. All the tour leaders with Detours are reflections of the qualities the owner envisions. They’re all about YOU! They know what they’re doing and have never let me down or fallen short of providing an unforgettable experience. If you haven’t yet, book a tour with them and be ready to be amazed at what they do.

A Detours travel experience is like no other and I simply cannot recommend them more highly. If you enjoy well-planned, yet flexible itineraries, experienced trip leaders, knowledgeable local guides, high-quality accommodations, and small groups that breed new friendships, then you'll love Detours.

We've taken 2 trips with Detours. One to Egypt and one to Thailand & Cambodia. In both cases, our trip leader, Shane, was the ultimate host. We've loved every minute of these trips and will go on another as soon as we can. Detours was started ten years ago (we got to celebrate their birthday in Cambodia!) by guys who are passionate about travel and wanted to build a brand that could extend that passion to their guests. They've cracked that code and we are thrilled to have been referred to them by friends.

Detours balances hundreds of factors to build amazing travel experiences that are affordable yet lean into higher quality. This is no budget vacation package but it's also not a luxury package. And speaking of packages, while there is a framework of itinerary and pre-booked activities, there is also a lot of flexibility built-in. With small groups up to about 15 guests, this allows time to go off on your own or in small groups with newly-minted Detourse friends to explore your location. That's perfect for seasoned travelers as well as those who are just beginning to experience international travel.

Happy 10th Birthday, Detours! We are so thrilled to have found you and highly recommend that readers of this review visit your website and find their next trip of a lifetime!