Speck Group Tours

photo of pyramid
Photo by Thais Cordeiro on Pexels.com

A Speck on the Globe group tours are a mix of savoring delicious local foods, experiencing new cultures, witnessing epic landscapes and city views, and forging lasting friendships while making unforgettable travel memories. These trips are designed with the idea that cultural exchange and tourism can be a value added experience for both locals and visitors alike.

We attempt to keep as much of our tourism dollars within the communities we visit, we support local businesses, we highlight female entrepreneurship when possible and participate with tour operators that respect the land and wildlife where we visit.

As a solo female traveler, I’ve made it a point in my writing career to encourage people to travel on their own. While I am always endorsing solo travels, I do recognize there are some destinations that you’d prefer to have assistance with planning, or to find a group of like-minded travelers to experience a destination together. My goal for these group trips is to bring women together to create memories, form friendships and encourage everyone to feel comfortable taking trips out in the world, on our own.

EGYPT EXCURSION: A Look at Present and Past

Wednesday October 9 through Tuesday October 22, 2024 

Cost: $6200
($1000 non-refundable deposit)
Payment plans available & a discount provided if we have 10+ participants 

~ 6 to 10 participants ~ 

14 days of diving into Egyptian history, learning about the culture, cuisine and how the past enriches the present modern-day. Please email speckontheglobe@gmail.com for more information and secure your spot! 

Itinerary: 

What’s included: 

  • 14 days, 13 nights at 4* boutique properties (double occupancy) 
  • breakfasts, lunches & dinners unless specified on itinerary
  • local guides with expertise in ancient history, Egyptology and archeology 
  • in country transportation 
  • excursions and tours unless otherwise specified on itinerary 

Not included: 

  • international travel 
  • travel insurance (required) 
  • alcoholic beverages 
  • additional food, shopping or activities not specified in the itinerary 

Your Guide: 

Abbie Synan has curated this itinerary based on her personal, solo travel experience through Egypt. She is closely working with a destination management company that has helped her secure knowledgable tour guides, safe transit options and a once in a lifetime boat tour along the Nile. 

Getting there: 

Flights into Cairo (CAI) need to arrive at some point on October 9th (ideally prior to our first group dinner). Direct flights to Cairo from North America are Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), New York (JFK & EWR) and Washington DC (IAD). Abbie Synan will provide insight if you need assistance with flight bookings. 

Weather: 

October is a fantastic time to visit North Africa. Warm sunny days and balmy cool evenings it makes for ideal temperatures for sightseeing both in the desert climate as well as the busy city streets of Cairo.   

Georgia: Cultural and Culinary Excursion

Saturday August 31, 204 to Friday September 13, 2024

Cost $3800
($500 non-refundable deposit) 

~ 6 to 8 participants~ 

14 days of moving through the country of Georgia learning about the history of the region, wine making agrotourism and cultural connections. Please email speckontheglobe@gmail.com for more information and secure your spot! 

Itinerary: 

What’s included:

  • 14 days, 13 nights at 4* boutique properties (double occupancy) 
  • breakfasts, lunches & dinners unless specified on itinerary
  • local guides with expertise in Georgian history and culture  
  • in country transportation 
  • excursions and tours unless otherwise specified on itinerary 

What’s not included: 

  • international travel 
  • travel insurance (required) 
  • alcoholic beverages 
  • additional food, shopping or activities not specified in the itinerary 

Your Guides: 

Abbie has been to Georgia herself several times, spending weeks in different regions, going on road trips and hiking trips to find restaurants, activities and towns that she thinks would make for the perfect trip. She lead a successful small group here in 2022. Ia is our local guide and she is fantastic at her job. Her knowledge and love of the country is unparalleled and her being with our group elevated our trip.  

THE AZORES: A Portuguese Island Paradise

Tuesday September 24 to Wednesday October 2 2024 

A week of thermal baths, hiking and beach excursions, delicious local cuisine, whale watching and more! Please email speckontheglobe@gmail.com for more information and secure your spot! 

Itinerary: 

Whats included: 

  • 8 days, 7 nights at boutique locally owned & operated properties (double occupancy, please inquire for single supplement) 
  • Breakfast x7, lunch and dinner x6
  • All local guide transportation 
  • Excursions such as hiking, whale watching, ocean activities 
  • Curated guided tours with native guides
  • Private culinary event 

Not included:

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Alcohol (unless noted in the itinerary to be covered) 
  • Additional snacks & extra activities that are not included in the itinerary

Your Guides: 

Elsa Santos and Abbie Synan will be organizing the trip and are looking forward to having you as guests! Azorean native and chef/owner of the Azorean Cafe in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Elsa Santos has all of the insider info on the islands. Abbie Synan has years of experience in travel as well as organizing group trips and she has been to the Azores several times herself.  

Getting There:

Direct flights are available from the US east coast, as well as many major European destinations. Our tour will focus mainly on São Miguel Island (arrivals at Ponta Delgada Airport – PDL). São Miguel is the largest island in the archipelago.

Weather: 

Early summer (June) in the Azores is pleasant, with an average of high 60s, low to mid 70s (F). Much like any island climate however, wind days and precipitation is always a possibility so pack accordingly. 

For more information please reach out to Abbie at speckontheglobe@gmail.com to learn more about her upcoming Speck on the Globe Tours. 

What Makes Speck on the Globe Tours Special?

These trips are curated with my tourism expertise and passion for sharing my love of travel. As someone who has been traveling full-time since 2013, I have extensive experience with creating vacations that focus on local interactions and sustainable, ethical travel experiences.  We take the guesswork out of your trip planning by creating an exceptional itinerary with the ideal combination of relaxation and adventure. 

A group of 12 women spent 2 weeks in the Republic of Georgia. A perfect mix of culture, food, wine, and fun. September 2022 and in June 2023 we had a group of 8 women spend a week in the Portuguese islands of the Azores. 

We’ve taken small group trips through Tuscany and Emilia Romagna in the summer of 2022 and Greece island hopping in 2023.

If you’re planning a trip either with a group or solo, I recommend World Nomad Travel Insurance

0 Comments

  • gary carson

    Hello, Ms. Synan. I believe we are cousins. My grandfather, Vick Ferrone, was your grandfather Gerry Ferrone’s brother. I knew your grandmother Chrissy (lovely lady) and your Mom and your Uncle Gerry. Did you know our great-grandparents were from a village in Basilicata called Bella, in the province of Potenza? It is a few hours from Naples, in the mountains. I have been to Italy three times, but, to my shame, never got that far south. My sister Rosalind Parneix is working on our Family Tree; there are some old Ferrone photos and info you might be interested in. You can find myself and my sister on FB. If I do not have the correct Abbie Synan, I apologize. (Our cousin Carlene Nagg Hawes mentioned to my sister that you had a travel blog.)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.