Our Travel Style
The Explore Up Close Experience
Trip Features
Testimonials
The Explore Up Close Experience
Explore Up Close is about finding an authentic sense of place, and uncovering the elements that make a place unique. Our travel style is characterized by backroads exploration, boutique lodging, audiences with local experts, private site visits, and a focus on discovering the local. Explore Up Close is a natural fit for curious and adventurous travelers, and for organizations – located anywhere – that seek deeply engaging travel experiences.
Delve into our signature trip features:
How We Roll
Our small group trips include comfortable travel by high-roof van (in the U.S.); and by 9-passenger mini-bus when abroad. Even when traveling by bus with larger groups, we often go where the crowds don’t – a vital part of our travel experience.
Boutique Inns & Lodging
Our trips typically feature boutique lodging that are a trip highlight for our travelers – full of character and history, and located in lovely settings. These family-owned inns and boutique hotels feature a high level of hospitality for our travelers: gourmet breakfasts and afternoon tea – or cocktails – in the garden; exploring the grounds and cozy spaces, and sharing conversations with our local hosts give us a sense of home in a new place.
Meet the locals
Our intentional, relaxed travel pace brings us face to face with local folks along the way. From private site visits and planned encounters with local experts – historians, artisans, winemakers, naturalists, and more . . . to casual encounters, the human side of our journey enriches our experience.
Backroads Bliss
The backroads are our window into a new environment; they let us “see how people live.” From Kentucky horse farms and Old Florida estates to mountain vistas and splendid rural drives, we encounter the diversity of place. These smaller roads hold a great proportion of interesting stories and palpable connections to the past and to the natural world. We look forward to the fun of discovering what lies around the next curve, and there’s plenty of serendipity to be found along the way.
The Right Pace
Travel should be invigorating and refreshing, not exhausting. We plan for a daily mix of organized group activities and touring; with time to relax and recharge, or explore on your own. Longer trips typically feature multi-night stays in each hotel, which optimizes relaxation and deepens our sense of “getting to know” a place.
A safe, welcoming travel experience
The safety and comfort of our travelers is always our top priority. We will always try to accommodate the needs of our travelers, and our experienced team is prepared to assist you however possible. Our travelers find that our small group experience offers great flexibility to accommodate your preferred activity and comfort levels.
