Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are always one of our guest’s favorite parts of their Trafalgar tour. These conscious travel opportunities are featured on all our tours, and are chosen for their contributions to social or environmental initiatives within their communities. The goal is to leave a positive impact on the people and places we visit, and also those who partake in these experiences. From meeting Australian wildlife or visiting Antelope Canyon to visiting a family-run bee farm in Greece or a local farm in Turkey, these are 9 of our most loved MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, shared by our guests.
1. Exploring Australian landscapes and wildlife
“The Land Down Under is like no other. We loved Australia’s unique wildlife and rock formations. Our visit to Kangaroo Island checked a lot of boxes. One of our favorite stops on the island was at these Remarkable Rocks in the Flinders Chase National Park. We also encountered sea lions, koalas, & kangaroos within conservation areas where we learned about the devasting bushfires of 2020 and the efforts underway to sustain and restore the wildlife and ecology of the area. Seeing koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat was a must on my bucket list. This tour fulfilled that dream and then some. Thank you, Trafalgar!”
– Vicki L
Experience this on Tastes of Southern Australia
We’ll explore Kangaroo Island, famed for its Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch coastal features in Flinders Chase National Park. As part of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll enjoy a private educational ecology tour of Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. This area was badly affected by the 2019/20 bushfires, and you’ll learn about the delicate ecosystem from your guide. Your visit will contribute to their wildlife rehabilitation program so that native animals like echidnas, kangaroos, goannas and eagles can return to their natural habitat.
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2. Walking through the sacred Antelope Canyon
“Utah’s Mighty Five tour was incredible! At Lower Antelope Canyon you walk underground, through the sacred site, which changes form every time it rains. The colours are amazing and you can truly appreciate the connection to the landscape.”
– Karin D
Experience this on Utah’s Five Mighty National Parks
You’ll hike down into the mesmerising Antelope Canyon in Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park on this beautiful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. As you marvel at the rippling orange sandstone walls, our local Navajo guide will share how the slot canyons are formed. The canyon is sacred to the local Navajo peoples, and can only be explored on a guided tour, so this is a very special experience.
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3. Discovering the farms and valleys of Cappadocia
“Imagine admiring a destination in photos, having it on your bucket list for so long, and finally being there in the flesh! That was Cappadocia for me. The MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience was just amazing, and not one to be missed. We travelled up the valleys in a tractor drawn cart with breathtaking views as far as the eye could see. We then arrived at the beautiful Kings Valley eco farm to taste some locally grown produce and soak up the peaceful serenity of the beautiful countryside. I would 100% recommend anyone to do this tour, it was a dream come true!”
– Jo L
Experience this on Best of Turkey
As we arrive in Cappadocia, you’ll marvel at the honey-colored rocky spires and explore the underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. We’ll then join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at King’s Valley eco farm and meet our host Ali. He’ll share how he created the farm on the same spot where his grandfather’s garden once stood, and works to preserve traditional farming methods and the local economy. Later, you’ll spend the night in one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories with views of the valley and ancient Ortahisar rock castle.
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4. Stepping across the Giant’s Causeway
“This place is amazing and was on my list of places to visit, and it certainly did not disappoint! This photo is the giant’s boot at the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland.The giant’s name was Finn McCool and he was fighting another giant in Scotland.The other end of the Giants Causeway is on the island of Staffa!”
– Rosemary D-S
Experience this on Amazing Ireland
Walk in the footsteps of Finn MacCool and marvel at the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that make up the remarkable Giant’s Causeway. You’ll learn all about the myths and legends of this iconic landmark and the area’s unique biodiversity. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will also contribute to the conservation of the Causeway and the northern Irish coast for decades to come.
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5. Setting eyes on the Grand Canyon
“It was our first mother-daughter trip and we were so excited to finally see the Grand Canyon. We never expected to see such beautiful wildlife up close and personal with such a jaw-dropping backdrop as the Grand Canyon! It was a life-changing trip and our hearts will always long to relive the magic of touring the canyonlands together.”
– Angela D
Experience this on Best of the Canyonlands
This special MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience takes you deep into the Grand Canyon. You’ll marvel at the towering buttes, mesas and multi-coloured walls as we journey along Desert View Drive through the ancestral home of the Navajo. We’ll visit the Desert Viewpoint Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site where members of 11 traditionally associated Indigenous tribes share their stories, histories and cultures.
You can discover crafts like carpet weaving or watch traditional song and dance performances. Your visit will provide funding for the Cultural Heritage Site so it can continue to share the Indigenous traditions and culture of the Grand Canyon.
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6. Learning about bees and tasting fresh honey
“Even the bees were buzzing in Greece! It was one of Trafalgar’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that made our day. We walked up a hill to a bee farm and were welcomed with an iced cold water and assorted flavors of honey for us to taste. This was followed by a very educational process on how the bees collect nectar from flower to flower to spit them into the beehive. We were given a white suit to wear like that suit in the movie “The Moonraker”, to protect us from the bee sting. We learned all about the different kinds of bees and their unique roles and it was fascinating. This made our day plus we were able to bring home their best Greek honey!”
– Alicia T
Experience this on Best of Greece
We’ll visit a family-run honey farm near Thermopylae for this sweet MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. You’ll meet the family, taste the rich thyme honey freshly collected from the hives, and learn all about the unique biodiversity of the bees and the region.
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7. Admiring the Venetian art of glassblowing
“Following unavoidable delays, a perfect full day orientation of my first visit to Venice provided by our tour director, Aaron Guthrie in 2012. Walking over the Bridge of Sighs through to St. Marks square before alighting a traditional gondola. Entering the Grand Canal my attention turned to the grandeur of the Rialto Bridge. Bustling with tourists trying to secure an authentic souvenir.,gold, plus spectacular masks followed by a water taxi ride to Murano. Here we treated to a glass blowing exhibition, a must take home precious keepsake as was the exquisite lacework from colorful Burano. Smells, flavours, sights along with a long awaited desire to visit Italy, all met. Thank you, Trafalgar.”
– Brandy O
Experience this on Great Italian Cities
You’ll spend three spectacular nights in Venice on this tour, where you’ll see all the highlights and also get an insight into one of the city’s ancient traditions. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will take you to one of the city’s last remaining studios where you’ll learn about the stunning Venetian glassblowing. See the artists crafting the delicate glass pieces and learn about its ancient history. You might even find the perfect souvenir to take home.
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8. Hearing stories from a Civil War Union soldier
“This was a historical trip that I chose as I am very interested in American History. The entire tour was fabulous. This particular moment was a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and was a presentation by an actor portraying a Civil War Union soldier. He brought to life the conditions, emotions and realities of the times. It was a very enlightening experience. I also enjoyed another experience with the presentation of Patrick Henry’s iconic speech in St. John’s Church in Richmond VA. Being in the church where the speech was given was very emotional for me. Travel can be fun and educational!”
– Anita L
Experience this on Historic Highlights
Journey through Shenandoah National Park’s rolling hills, arriving in Gettysburg to immerse ourselves in the harrowing story of a four-year Civil War that divided the North and the South. You’ll first explore the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, and our contribution supports the preservation of this historic battlefield. In the evening, enjoy a celebratory Regional Dinner at the famously haunted 19th-century Dobbin House. You’ll also receive a visit from a Union soldier who will share stories from the American Civil War.
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9. Watching the sunrise over Monument Valley
“You don’t want to miss the sunrise, our tour guide assured us. Wake up is at 6:17 but you won’t regret getting up early. So we set the alarm, and wrapped up in robes with mugs of coffee, walked out onto our hotel deck overlooking Monument Valley. As the sun began its ascent, colors that we previously assumed only came in a crayon box exploded before our eyes. The panorama before us was a reminder of the majesty and wonder that comes with travel. Our tour guide was right; it was worth setting the alarm.”
– MaryAnn B
Experience this on Best of the Canyonlands
When you stay at Goulding’s Lodge in Monument Valley, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the 1920s when the lodge was founded. Once a famous Hollywood movie set, you’ll learn all about the lodge’s film star days. It’s also the perfect place to watch the sunrise over Monument Valley, home to the Navajo Nation, and your stay will contribute to the hotel’s support of the local Navajo community.
As part of our visit, you’ll also enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a local Navajo guide. Journey through the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park in an open-air vehicle, admiring the soaring buttes and mesas, and accessing roads and special sites that are closed to the general public.
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What are your favorite MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences with Trafalgar? Let us know in the comments below!