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Are you looking to spice up your group travel with unique and uncommon destinations? Country Travel DISCOVERIES has a wide array of travel options and itineraries that can achieve your travel goals.

If you operate a group of any kind and are looking for unique travel destinations, then Country Travel DISCOVERIES may be precisely what you’re looking for. Based in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, they have been providing a wide array of “off-the-beaten-path” travel destinations for groups of all varieties since 2012. Staffed by former employees at World Wide Country Tours, the group provides an unmatched expertise in the field of niche travel.

But, what exactly does Country Travel DISCOVERIES provide? In essence, they give you and your group the ability to see parts of the world, meet locals, and explore smaller communities that you wouldn’t otherwise see with standard tour operators. For instance, many tour operators might offer common experiences to tourist hotspots like Paris’ Eiffel Tower or New York’s Statue of Liberty. Of course, the issue with many of these trips is that they take you to sites that are commonly viewed and are filled with other sightseers and that you might well manage to arrange yourself.

Lake Lucerne

Lake Lucerne

By contrast, Country Travel DISCOVERIES gives you access to experiences that you simply can’t find elsewhere. They have a wide selection of destinations ranging from farms in the Swiss Alps to rivers in the ancestral Panamanian homelands of the Emberá people (and everything in between). They’ve also got special packages for groups with as low as 5 to 9 members. Designed for travel clubs or groups, they can also provide refreshing excursions for family groups, student organizations, and virtually any other collection of people you can imagine.

Markus Tower ©Rothenburg Tourism

Markus Tower ©Rothenburg Tourism

Although they are based in Elm Grove, Wisconsin and may appear small, Country Travel DISCOVERIES can facilitate your trip no matter where you’re headed. Indeed, former clients have described it as “small enough to give personal service and large enough to take us where we want to go.” They will also provide your group with knowledgeable tour guides, excellent accommodations, and access to to area experts, host families, business owners and local organizations that are relevant to your group’s interests.

You may be wondering about some of the precise details of the trips that Country Travel DISCOVERIES provides. That’s why we’ve listed a few sample itineraries below to give you insight into what you can expect on your excursion with Country Travel DISCOVERIES.

1. West Virginia’s Mountain Railroads

New Rive rGorge Bridge

New River Gorge Bridge

This is truly an experience that you won’t be able to find elsewhere. You and your group will be able to experience the rugged, rustic terrain of the West Virginian mountains via vintage train transportation. This 7-day excursion takes you aboard 5 different trains starting and ending in West Virginia’s capital city, Charleston.

Although the trip won’t be entirely composed of sightseeing from your train seat. You’ll be able to witness the gorgeous Kanawha Falls, explore the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine with an experienced miner, and visit the Tamarack Arts Center—and that’s just day 2. Day 3 takes you to the impressive Cass Scenic Railroad State Park where you’ll be able to travel by steam locomotive to the 4,482-foot high Bald Knob.

Other highlights of the trip include an introduction to the historic Durbin Rocket, entertainment at the lively American Mountain Theater, and a quick jaunt into the western Maryland towns of Cumberland and Frostburg where you’ll learn about everything from boatyards to even more railroading facts. Of course, you get all of this while being able to explore one of the most beautiful and untouched locales east of the Mississippi River.

2. Germany, Switzerland, and Austria

Vineyard In Alsace

Vineyard In Alsace

A trip around Europe gives many people a new perspective on the world, and that’s exactly what you’ll find on Country Travel DISCOVERIES’ trip to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Many European trips take travelers to sites like the Parthenon or the Eiffel Tower, but this particular trip takes you to areas that aren’t quite as filled as other tourist hotspots. That being said, the cultural and historical significance of the sites you’ll find in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are just as important as anywhere else throughout Europe.

The trip starts out with tours through the gorgeous medieval cities of Rothenburg, Nuremberg, and Rattenberg in Germany. You’ll be able to experience the active open marketplaces and rustic gabled houses that will certainly bring you back to a different time. You’ll also travel around the historic Black Forest where you’ll be able to experience Lake Mummelsee (which dates back to the Ice Age). Brief excursions into France’s Alsace region (complete with a trip to the Grande Ile, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) are also on the docket.

That’s just the beginning of a 12-day trip that will take you to beautiful Lake Lucerne in the Swiss Alps, the famed Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, and the rural and musical cities of Tyrol and Salzburg in Austria. The entire 12-day excursion is led by an experienced and qualified tour guide who is fluent in English and punctuated by visits with the local farmers, shopkeepers, artists, chefs, manufacturers, etc. that are a hallmark of the company’s trips.

3. Niagara Falls and Western New York

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

There is perhaps nothing more majestic than North America’s Niagara Falls. The site has been an inspiration for centuries and this 7-day tour from Country Travel DISCOVERIES gives you access to views on both sides of the US-Canada border. That being said, a trip to Niagara Falls isn’t complete with a little context beforehand.

Indeed, the experience starts out in the friendly cities of Buffalo and Rochester, New York where you’ll enjoy a unique cruise on the historic Erie Canal. You’ll also be able to experience other natural marvels like Honeoye Falls and Canandaigua Lake, before settling in to a luxurious hotel in the quaint town of Seneca Falls, New York.

The tour also takes a step back into history by visiting an old Mennonite farm along with more recent historical ventures like the I Love Lucy museum and a tour of a kazoo factory, culminating in a trip to the famed Niagara Falls. You can experience from the luxurious resort town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

It’s clear that Country Travel DISCOVERIES has a lot to offer in the way of unique group trips. Whether you’re looking to throw a spectacular birthday travel bash or you want to find something different for your travel club to do this year, then Country Travel DISCOVERIES may be able to help you out.