Small Group Tour Leaders: The Trip Chicks

Small group tours are popular ways to see new countries. Travel groups are led by professional, knowledgeable guides, who presumably have as much fun exploring a destination as do their guests. Long-time tour managers and travel consultants The Trip Chicks® epitomize the combination of fun and knowledge everyone would want in small tour group leaders. I spoke with Ann Lombardi about this company she co-created.

Tell us a little bit about yourselves. Who are the Trip Chicks®?

We’re a hard-working  two-woman, unconventional travel consultant/tour guide team whose mission is to encourage more people to get out and explore the planet we share. We’ve been blessed with (mis)adventures in close to 90 countries and know the travel industry from both the airline and travel agency end. What keeps us going?  The United States has the western world’s highest rate of forfeited “use or lose vacation.” That’s sobering. We want to urge overworked North Americans to make their vacations a priority and show them how they can enjoy quality adventures without breaking the bank. Vacations are good for health and spirit, and each of us deserves a break, away from life’s routines.

You’ve been a travel agent since 1983. How has the world changed, in terms of traveling, in the past 27-odd years? (i.e. for example, has it gotten easier for women to travel solo, have some formerly peaceful places become too dangerous whereas other formerly dangerous countries are now great travel destinations, etc)

The internet of course has changed our lives forever in a mostly positive way. Now it’s a snap to research places all over the globe and to pick up helpful tips from fellow travelers, including experienced travel agents, bloggers, and tourism offices. Currency exchange rates, weather, and world events are available at lightning speed.

Social media is such an effective way to network. Like many other social media fans, I’ve made a few new friends on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Several times I’ve actually met cyber buddies for coffee or even stayed in their homes overnight! Even more than the places I visit, I always especially appreciate the faces of travel.

It goes without saying that the internet is a super way to prepare for a trip or seek advice en route. The informed traveler is the best traveler, especially in the case of solo travel for women. Going solo has become much more accepted and user-friendly than in days past. I firmly believe everyone should travel alone at least once.

Which are the most popular tours you organize; the fully escorted group tours, the more flexible small group, etc?

I’m usually an independent traveler while on vacation myself.  In our travel agency, along with booking standard trip departures found online or in the brochures of trusted tour or cruise providers, we have fine-tuned two niches over the years. First, we have our “Step Inside” relaxing, small group vacations, typically based in only one or two home-base villages. We use public transportation for daily excursions and then return to the comfort of our family-run inn for dinner each night. Men and women from 30 to 80 make up most of these tours we often guide ourselves.

In addition, we offer our customized soft adventure getaways like Bike and Barge, The Best of Tulip-time Holland, Hike The Best of Alpine Switzerland, or Bike The Best of Southeast Asia. We’ve also taken running groups to international marathon events.  What a hoot for us to come in the bottom tier or even last place in marathons around the world.  An unexpected benefit for me is that I’ve managed to collect close to $500 in coins during marathons and to record a number of entertaining interviews of spectators along the race routes. I guess you can tell I’m a pretty dedicated “athlete.”

Are there any travel experiences or new destinations that you’d like to explore in the next few years?

At the top of my bucket list are Antarctica (before it melts..), Mongolia, Bhutan, Albania, the Seychelles, Tibet, Bali, South Africa, and … I could go on and on. Travel is my passion and has been in my blood ever since I was inspired as a child by the “Sound of Music.” I knew my first trip across the big pond would include finding that hill from the opening glorious scene. I ended up bumping into an Austrian extra from the movie, and she led me straight to the iconic hill. It was a number of years before the organized “SOM” bus tours began.

My memorable trip to Austria in my youth sparked my life-long passion for travel:  exploring, meeting people, and learning.  Helping people make travel dreams come true gives us great satisfaction. Knowing our travelers often experience trips of a lifetime through our efforts makes it all worthwhile for The Trip Chicks®.  I’ll be traveling the globe until the day I leave this good ole earth. And what a way to go!

Thanks, Ann. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and clearly, exploring the world with a Trip Chicks® group tour would be fun and exciting for anyone with even a touch of wanderlust.