I recently shared a wonderful story from 5-time travelers Carole and Gerry Gariepy from Phillipston, Massachusetts, about the cultural and natural wonders they experienced on our Australia & New Zealand: An Adventure Down Under adventure.
Maureen & Larry M. emailed me to tell me that they’ve traveled with Carole and Gerry in the past. Here, they share their experiences with them during their first OAT adventure …
We had the privilege of meeting this lovely couple, Carole and Gerry Gariepy, on our first trip with your sister company, Grand Circle, to Russia in 2007. They taught us so much about the world of travel; daring to go deep into the subways of Moscow to view the art that few ever see. When we read of their adventure “Down Under,” so many happy memories were resurrected.
Because of them (and their promotion of the smaller group tours of OAT), we have since traveled on seven other trips, and are about to take our eighth trip with you to Turkey this September—having only unpacked from Greece and the Dalmatian Coast last month.
We like your traveler referral program and have sent you many new customers. It’s easy to refer—you do an excellent job.
Maureen & Larry M.
7-time travelers & Vacation Ambassadors
Sequim, Washington
Thank you Maureen and Larry. It’s so rewarding to hear about how our travelers connect with—and learn from one another—on their adventures with us!
I remember visiting Greece during the 2004 Olympics with Alan and my children, Charlotte and Edward. But it wasn’t the Games that have left me with lasting memories from this trip … it was the beauty of the country—and the spirit of the welcoming people.
Judging from the emails I’ve received, many OAT travelers feel exactly the same. Here, Ellie N., Tony S., and Shirley G. share their own unique experiences from their trips to Greece and Croatia …
I have taken three OAT trips (including trips to Africa, China, and the Dalmatian Coast). I travel with OAT because I like the smaller groups. Here is a photo I took one early morning with the M/V Artemis coming into port during my trip to Greece.
Ellie N.
5-time traveler & Vacation Ambassador
Annapolis, Maryland
We recently went on an OAT trip to Turkey and Greece. Our boat was unable to weather the rough Aegean Sea one day, so we spent an unscheduled day on the island of Syros.
My wife, Carol, and I are classical music lovers, and we heard that there were preparations for a music festival on the island. Its main venue was a small concert hall based on the design of Milan’s Teatro La Scala. We decided to have a look. Upon arriving at the hall, we found a group of brilliant Dutch musicians rehearsing a Haydn piano trio. We were allowed in, and spent the next 90 minutes listening to an entire Shostakovich piano trio. As we were the sole members of the audience, we were able to carry on an enjoyable conversation—between movements—with the musicians, known collectively as the Storioni Trio. It was a very special, and a completely fortuitous encounter. We only wish we could have stayed longer, but a scheduled departure made us hurry back to the boat.
Tony S.
First-time traveler
Saint Petersburg, Florida
During a trip to Greece, I was on a beach in Santorini that was peopled mostly by tourists, but not necessarily Americans. I—a 70-something grandmother—enjoyed a wonderful encounter with a group of students from Slovenia on holiday who established a beachhead next to mine and broke into song in their language, which I didn’t understand. However, their “leader” spoke English and seemed anxious to engage in conversation with me when I said that my grandson (who is about their age) also played the guitar. Music and dance are, indeed, an international barrier-breaker.
Shirley G.
4-time traveler & Vacation Ambassador
Temple, Texas