How we operate…
Avid Travel Club is membership-based and, compared to other tour operators, has its own way of operating. In general, this is the way we organize and conduct our tours:
- All trips are curated by someone who is from the target locale, or in a few cases knows it well from having lived there for many years. Thus our trips are really unique in what we’re able to see.
- We generally max out at 10 to 15 people (Croatia is unique since we’re reserving the entire ship). This allows us to make reservations in unique accommodations, authentic restaurants, and so forth. And of course it’s so much easier to get to know each other.
- Once you sign up for a trip, you’re invited to a private discussion group. There you’ll be able to ask questions, look at trip resources, and discuss the trip with your fellow travelers.
- If you’re traveling solo – and many of us are! – you’ll use the forum to look for a like-minded roommate. We’d rather you pick each other, or we can assign roommates when we get closer.
- As the trip departure date approaches, the curator and/or trip leader will hold a series of Zoom teaching webinars to teach you history, culture, language, and facts about what we’ll be seeing.
- We offer flexible payments. Most trips require only a $500 deposit with the balance being applied in equal monthly installments up to 90 days prior to departure when the balance is due.
- Then it’s time to head out, relax, have fun, and make new friends!
Note that we’re happy to develop a custom trip, or unique due dates for our existing trips, for groups of 6 or more. We often open these trips to other members as well upon request.
Note that we do require travel insurance available at: https://travelsafe.com?agent=10218
Joyce Grizzle
United States
Joyce was born overseas and lived in 5 countries in Asia, Europe, and North America before the age of 20. She’s traveled extensively, visiting or living in over 20 countries so far. Travel and adventures have always been a big part of her life.
Armed with a degree in Computer Science, she had a successful career in Information Technology before embarking on a career that embraces her passion, Travel. She loves to hike and bike and incorporates both into her travels. An avid food and wine buff, she enjoys cooking as well as discovering great restaurants and wineries. Music and arts, reading and gardening round out her interests. All of this she enjoys sharing with family, and friends, and making new friends.
She believes life is an adventure, and in making it a glorious, wild ride!
Jim Peacock: United States – East Coast
Jim grew up overseas and has traveled pretty much non-stop since. In between his travels, he earned a MBAs in marketing and management, and sold two screenplays. He has also started multiple businesses including an advertising agency and a Florida property management company, both of which have given him a good grounding in hospitality. ATC is by far the most exciting endeavor he has been involved in!
Dianna Germany: Central US – Europe
Dianna has lived a rich and unorthodox life full of love, growth, and many new beginnings. Living and traveling outside the US has frequently been the catalyst for self-growth and connection with others, and she now loves to share these experiences with ATC travelers. Travel isn’t just about seeing how other people live or taking pretty pictures. It is about recognizing unexpected commonalities with other people and cultures to create bonds that connect and overcome differences. Sharing intimate meals or conversations with new friends in unfamiliar surroundings brings us closer together and also reminds us of the rich diversity that makes us who we are.
Rija Tariq:
Pakistan
Rija is an exceptional social media marketer who has dedicated the past three years of her career to mastering the art of digital marketing. With her keen understanding of social media platforms and their algorithms, she has successfully helped numerous businesses achieve remarkable growth and establish a strong online presence. She has a passion for traveling and believes that traveling opens up new horizons, broadens perspectives, and fuels creativity.
What our customers say
Most amazing trip
"I went on the Greek trip and it was the most amazing trip I’ve ever been on. I’d always wanted to go to..."
Debbie
Great trip
"Great trip, and Dave was always on top of everything. The whole trip went smoothly, and I think..."
Tommy
I love ATC!
"Great, friendly staff. I had a relative die and they arranged all the details to get me home. Thanks Dianne!"
Terri
Nice job, guys
We went on the Ireland tour and it was just like I had imagined. Plus I loved...
Randy
How we came to be…
Many of us on the ATC team have traveled most of our lives.
Jim and Dianna spent much of their early lives growing up in some of the farthest reaches of our little green globe.
Collectively we have over 60 years of travel experience. We each feel comfortable interacting in and navigating in more than 100 countries to date.
After years of each of us traveling either on our own or in small groups, the stars aligned and the current Avid Travel Club was born.
By the way, we really view this endeavor as a club. We have thousands of members across the United States through meetup.com and in clubs in more than a dozen major cities.
And just like a club, we want to socialize. We get together locally, online most weeks, and we certainly get together when we travel. Our trips are designed for us to really get to know each other on a deeper level.
Our trips are mostly small, often around 10 travelers. And that’s the way we like it. If demand gets greater, we’ll set up multiple departure dates. But on each trip our goal is to form life-long friends through shared experiences, shared meals, and shared conversations.
More than anything we believe that travel brings us all closer, whatever your beliefs. Experiencing multiple cultures can only make you more accepting, more tolerant, and move loving. More alive.
Everyone on the team is addicted to exploring the world. Since we’ve been a lot of places, we’re focused on finding unique experiences that allow us to see the world in a whole new light.
But we haven’t forgotten those new to travel. We’ll never tire of seeing the grand capitals of Europe. Plus we’re planning more trips closer to home, here in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Please, sign up for our newsletter, or register on the website. If we have a meetup group in your city, join and participate in talk of travel. If not, volunteer to help us start one.
Give us your travel suggestions. Get a group together and decide where you want to go!
Our Promise
Being Present
We promise to be present throughout your trip to support you, answer questions, and do everything to make your adventure the most memorable ever.
Connecting People
Our goal is to help members connect to others in their neighborhood as well as around the world. From local get-togethers to forming friendships overseas, we want to connect.
Transparent, Fair Pricing
Whenever possible we provide all-inclusive pricing, including air, full board, and unique lodging at a price we think you’ll have a hard time beating.
Travel Free!
Do you have a great idea for a trip? If you’ve had an incredible travel experience, tell us about it, and if selected you’ll help us duplicate it for our members and take the trip for free! You’ll need to either be from the destination, have lived there, or be familiar based on personal experience.
