I love traveling with BJ and Lauren. Not only do they cover the highlights you see in every travel brochure, they dig deeper and take you to places and create experiences you would never discover without their years of experience and the many connections they have throughout the world. While most activities are optional do not miss a one. They have carefully and thoughtfully included these experiences to allow the broadest experience possible of the culture, spirit and beauty of every country visited. The breadth of experience they possess is golden. If you want an experience where every day is the “Best Day Ever” this is a trip to take. Thanks BJ and Lauren for the memorable and heartfelt journey of a lifetime. ~B.H.

Lauren and BJ are excellent tour guides, organizers, planners, and genuinely good people. Traveling with them is like being “held” in a safe space yet with plenty of opportunities to spread your wings. It’s the best of both worlds in that you are sure of seeing the sites but with cultural knowledge that makes each location memorable. Their pre-trip previewing and work to secure excellent local guides really makes their trips stand out from other group travel that I have experienced. You absolutely couldn’t travel with more thoughtful and caring people who want to offer you the best of everything. It’s more than a job for them and it shows in their kindness and willingness to go the extra mile.  ~C.M.

This trip far exceeded anything I could have imagined. The choices of where to stay, where to eat, and what to see, were the result of BJ and Lauren’s commitment to finding authentic, meaningful, experiences in every location. The trip was filled with small (and large) details that made the trip easy, fun, interesting, exciting and challenging. I LOVED this trip…and I LOVE RetreaTours!   ~N.S.

You start out curious, hoping to see iconic sights. You end up feeling more connected to and understanding of parts of the world you were barely aware of. You feel more nurtured and cared for by your trip organizers than you could have ever hoped for….you feel like you have a new family AND you laugh a lot! You will never regret having committed to this experience of a lifetime. ~A.B.

BJ and Lauren did an excellent job in hosting our tour, managing air flights, lodging, meals, guides and shepherding everyone through all situations. Would highly recommend them as a tour company. They specialize in small group tours which is the only way to travel. Very special people! It was our second trip with them and both were great. They made you feel as family. ~C.S.

This was a trip of a lifetime, filled with new experiences, stunning sights, delicious–and sometimes strange–food to taste, lovely people in every country with whom to interact. If you have a bucket list, this trip will check off many of those places–and you will want to return again to some of them to dig in deeper. BJ and Lauren are the consummate trip leaders, providing an always enjoyable, educational, and really fun journey. In every country they curated the most wonderful hotels, sites to visit, restaurants to try out, and always brought in an expert guide from whatever place we were visiting to further explain the culture, the historical significance, the foods, and the customs. This trip opened my eyes to all that and so much more. I would HIGHLY recommend signing up for a trip with them–don’t hesitate–just do it! You won’t be sorry.  ~C.R.

Thank you for every thoughtful, researched, beta-tested detail that made it a unique and incredible ‘RetreaTour.’ You are an amazing team. I never felt like I had hired you to guide me. Rather, it often felt like I was along on your personal vacation just joining you for the great trip you were taking! ~M.C.

We invite you to click here and read more testimonials from our amazing guests!

This Around the World journey from Kyoto to Madrid is $29,999, based on a double occupancy (shared room).

If you pay the deposit and every installment by Zelle or check, we can reduce the trip cost by $850 that would have otherwise gone to credit card processing fees. This discount will be removed from the final payment.

If you prefer to have your own room, the private room supplement will be $3,999 and will be added to your final payment. (Click here to understand why this single supplement is necessary). Please note that we cannot guarantee you a roommate for this trip, and if you room alone, you may be responsible for the private room supplement.

An additional $4,500 (payable with the deposit) will upgrade you to all business class flights on this journey. This additional fee includes extra carbon offsetting, as well.

Please see the box below this for the Peru (Machu Picchu) extension pricing and details. 

Payment Plan & Dates

• A $4,000 deposit holds your space  (If you wish to reserve business class flights, the deposit is an additional $4,000)
• The second installment of $6,500 is due August 31, 2026
• The third installment of $6,500 is due November 30, 2026
• The fourth installment of $6,500 is due March 1, 2027
• The balance is due June 1, 2027
  • Note: If you would like to make smaller, more frequent payments, we can accommodate that!

Payment Types

Payments are accepted by credit or debit card (processed via PayPal, but you do not need a PayPal account), check, Zelle, Venmo, bank wire, or Wise for our guests who reside outside the U.S.  We will send invoices by email at least 2 weeks before each due date (via PayPal).

If you pay the deposit and every installment by Zelle or check, we can reduce the trip cost by $850 that would have otherwise gone to credit card processing fees. This discount will be removed from the final payment. 

Please note: The Price Inclusions below are for the main trip, not the Peru (Machu Picchu Extension). You can find the Peru extension price and inclusions in the next box.

Price Includes

• All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners*, starting with dinner on November 16th through breakfast on the morning of December 16th.  *Meals at airports are not provided, but most flights will include meals or snacks. 
• Beverages at mealtimes (water, tea, coffee, soda)
• All accommodations
• All transportation within each country (except the airport transfer from Osaka to Kyoto)
• All flights between countries on the tour (except your flight to Japan and home from Spain)
• All site entrance fees
• All local guide fees and tips
• Laundry in Siem Reap, Bhutan, and Petra
• Double carbon offsetting for the trip
• Jordan visa fee
• Egypt visa fee
• Bhutan visa fee

Price Does Not include

• International airfare to Kyoto, Japan and home from Madrid, Spain (although we can and will be more than happy to help you decide on arrangements)
• Airport transportation from Osaka to Kyoto (we will suggest options)
• Alcohol, specialty drinks
• Laundry in places not mentioned above
• Travel medical insurance (required)
• Cambodian visa (~$36 USD)
• Indian visa (~$25 USD)
• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) for Spain, which should start in late 2026 (~20 Euros)

Please note: The Peru extension needs a minimum of 4 guests to move forward. Otherwise, we can help set up an independent extension for you. 

This Peru extension is $4,399, based on a double occupancy (shared room).

The deposit for this Peru extension is $800 and payable on registration.

The business class upgrade fee for the flight between Madrid and Lima, Peru is $1,500 USD.  This additional fee includes extra carbon offsetting, as well.

The balance is due February 1, 2027.

If you pay by Zelle or check, we can reduce the trip cost by $100 that would have otherwise gone to credit card processing fees. This discount will be removed from the final payment.

If you prefer to have your own room, the private room supplement will be $399 and will be added to the final payment. (Click here to understand why this single supplement is necessary). Please note that we cannot guarantee you a roommate for this trip, and if you room alone, you may be responsible for the private room supplement.

Payment Plan & Dates

• The $800 deposit for the Peru extension and any business class upgrade is due on registration
• The balance will be due in full on September 1st, 2026 (between installment dates for the base trip)

Payment types

Payments are accepted by credit or debit card (processed via PayPal, but you do not need a PayPal account), check, Zelle, Venmo, bank wire, or Wise for our guests who reside outside the U.S.  We will send invoices by email at least 2 weeks before each due date (via PayPal).

Price Includes

• All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners*, starting with breakfast on December 17th through breakfast on the morning of December 21st.  *Meals on the 16th will be your responsibility, at the airport or on the plane. 
• Beverages at mealtimes (water, tea, coffee, soda)
• All accommodations
• All transportation within Peru (except airport transfer from Cusco at the end of the trip)
• All site entrance fees
• All local guide fees and tips
• Double carbon offsetting for the trip

Price Does Not include

• Meals on December 16th (the day we fly from Madrid to Lima; meals will be served on the plane)
• Airport transportation from Cusco to the airport at the end of the trip (we can help arrange)
• Alcohol, specialty drinks
• Laundry
• Travel medical insurance (required)

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations more than 150 days to departure, money will be refunded minus the non-refundable deposit and any business class flight upgrade fee paid.
• Cancellations received 91-150 days prior to departure are subject to a penalty of 50% of the total cost of the trip.ﾠﾠ
• Cancellations received 90 days or less prior to trip departure will forfeit the entire cost of the trip.ﾠ

Tour Participation Agreement

You can see our full cancellation rules and our entire contract for this trip at this link. 

Travel Insurance

Required Coverage

RetreaTours requires that each guest carry travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment, plus emergency evacuation and repatriation.

The minimum coverage should be $100,000 for emergency medical treatment and $250,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Please send us your policy information as soon as you have it.

Suggested Coverage

We suggest trip cancellation insurance, as well, as you never know what obstacles life can toss at you leading up to a trip. However, we do not require this coverage, we only suggest it. We understand that for a trip of this scope, the cost of trip cancellation coverage might not be worth it to you, but that is a decision you will make for yourself.

Please read this article to understand a bit more about trip cancellation insurance and what it may or may not cover. “Cancel For Any Reason” policies do exist, as well, although do check to see what percentage of the trip cost they actually reimburse.

When to purchase your policy (Important!)

Please purchase this insurance only when we tell you the trip has reached its minimum. Don’t wait until the last minute; if you want optional cancellation coverage, you’ll need it in place well before departure.

Important: If you are interested in a “Cancel For Any Reason” insurance policy or a policy that covers pre-existing conditions, you may need to purchase that coverage within a certain timeframe from paying the deposit, typically 14 days. If you are interested in this style of insurance but the trip has not reached its minimum guest count yet, please let us know and we will advise.  

Where to search for policies

Below you will find some options to start your search for trip insurance. However, we ask that you carefully consider your choice in travel insurance. What works for some people may not work for others, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions. Please do take the time to consider the best policy for your individual needs.

Squaremouth.com and InsureMyTrip.com are two sites where you can see and compare many policies at once, and you can refine the options by what coverage you would like. Squaremouth’s interface is very easy and intuitive to use, and you can easily opt out of trip cancellation coverage for your quote.

HeyMondo provides policies for guests under 80 and younger that include trip cancellation options. Use the link above and pop in your info to get an immediate quote.

World Nomads provides policies for guests under 70 that include trip cancellation options. Use the link above and pop in your info to get an immediate quote.

It may also be a good idea to check with your credit card companies, especially American Express, to see if they offer any medical coverage for travel.

Passport

Your passport will need to be valid until at least June 21, 2028 (6 months from the end of the scheduled trip). In addition, you’ll need at least 9-10 blank pages in your passport to accommodate your visas and stamps and still allow for the 2 blank pages required upon arrival in Peru.

Visas

This information is for U.S. citizens only; please check your country’s own official government website for details or ask us and we can help!

Your visas for Bhutan, Egypt, and Jordan are included in the price of the trip.

You will need to apply for two visas before the trip, Cambodia ($36) and India ($25) and we will walk you through that online process. By then there will also be a fee to enter the EU (for the Madrid portion of our trip) which will cost 20 Euros. 

Suggested Fitness Requirements

A journey of this scope takes some stamina, but we’ve designed this trip specifically so that you can choose to have a rest day in each city (and of course, ALL activities are optional).

As a guideline, you’ll want to feel comfortable walking for 2 miles unassisted at a time. It’s not often that we will walk 2 miles without stopping, but that is a safe guideline to follow if you are wondering about your fitness levels.

Many of these sites include stairs; as a guideline, please feel comfortable climbing 2-3 flights of stairs at a time (but at your own pace).

Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan is an exception to the above recommendations. Please see the notes about that site below.

If you intend on attending all planned activities on the itinerary, you will be participating in 5-8 hours of activity each day (although activity does not mean difficult physical activity, just that we are out of our hotel and exploring).

The key here is to feel comfortable going at your own pace and knowing your limits.

Here are some location-specific notes for you. These photos and descriptions are of the most difficult areas and are presented to inform you, not scare you! Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any specific concerns.

Kyoto

If you wish to fully explore the trails at Fushimi Inari, they include a series of steps (intermixed with flat areas). There are plenty of gorgeous flat areas near the entrance if you don’t wish to climb up the hill.

Siem Reap

The worn stone steps inside Angkor Wat (and other temples) have new wooden steps placed over them, although the shorter sets do not feature handrails. Some temples still have worn stone steps if you wish to explore further, but all main sites have more modern wooden steps (although some are steep!)

The stairs into and out of the central portion of Angkor Wat (pictured here, on the right) are steep but have a handrail. That portion is completely optional, as well.

Bhutan

The most physically challenging portion of this trip (which is totally optional) is making the hike up to Tiger’s Nest. The walk itself is a ~4-mile round trip in total, with an elevation gain of 1,700 feet (518 m), although you can get lovely views of the cliffside monastery without going all the way to the monastery.

The path is, for the most part, wide and sandy, with some parts being a bit more rocky. You are able to take a pony almost halfway up if you choose, and there is a delightful tea house halfway up if you choose to stay there to soak in the scenery. The final push to the actual monastery includes ~700 stone steps–first down and then back up (photo in the upper-right-hand corner). Many of our guests choose not to go all the way to the actual structure and instead enjoy the iconic view from the beginning of the stairs.

It may sound intimidating, but Bhutanese elders in sandals and toddlers in Crocs regularly pass me by on the trail, so most likely it is totally within your reach! In addition, it’s the same way up and down (as opposed to a circuit), so you can gauge how far you want to go up.

Jordan

The walk into Petra is through a lovely canyon (the Siq) and is a 1.2-mile (2 km) walk to reach the Treasury (the most iconic spot). It is possible to take a golf cart for $20USD, but the walk itself is actually quite interesting and you can take it slowly.

Petra extends beyond the Treasury and you can see as much or as little as you like. There is a hike to a more remote part of Petra called “The Monastery,” which is a 40-60 minute walk each way (photo on the right). When you read about it online it sounds like a grueling trek, but it’s honestly pretty straightforward!

If you wish to return to the Treasury for “Petra by Night,” the only option is to walk from the entrance.

Madrid

We will be taking food and art tours which will require walking and standing for an extended period, broken up occasionally during the eating portion of the tour.

We welcome any questions you have about the physical rigors of this trip!

Vaccines

There are no required vaccines on this trip. However, the CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date on their routine vaccinations.

Please consult the CDC’s recommendations (or your nation’s equivalent) and confer with your physician or local travel doctor to make the best decision for yourself.

Here are links to CDC recommendations for:

• Japan
• Cambodia
• Thailand
• Bhutan
• India
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Spain
• Peru

We are also big fans of the NHS site’s recommendations (click here).

Malaria

You can find detailed malaria maps on TravelHealthPro. We find them to be an excellent visual resource.

We are not scheduled to visit any high-risk cities for malaria.

There is no vaccine for malaria, Zika, or other mosquito-borne diseases, like dengue. We encourage the prevention of mosquito bites as the best solution, through the use of insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn.

We are traveling during every country’s relatively dry season, so we do not expect mosquitoes to be a problem. However, you must consult with your physician or local travel doctor to do what feels best for you.

Altitude

Almost all of our locations are at or around sea level (or well below sea level, in the case of the Dead Sea at 1,412 feet / 430 meters below sea level). 

Our destinations with a high altitude are Bhutan and Cusco. 

Paro and Thimphu, Bhutan stand at 7,218′ and 7,656 respectively (2200m and 2333m). This is below the often-cited threshold of altitude sickness (8,000 ft). However, if you choose to walk up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, you’ll reach 10,240 ft (3120m) for the brief time you’ll be there. 

Cusco stands at 11,150′ and Machu Picchu Pueblo at 6,700′, while Machu Picchu stands at 8,000′. We strategically start in Machu Picchu Pueblo and visit Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco.

Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to worsen at high altitudes, so it is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing medical condition(s) with your physician. Certain medications are reported to aid acclimatization to high altitude; please discuss these options with your doctor or a local travel physician.

Please read more about preventing altitude sickness in our very detailed resource linked here.

How to Stay Healthy While Traveling: Gut Health (Diarrhea/Constipation), Motion Sickness, Etc

We invite you to check our comprehensive article about how best to stay healthy on the road and prevent common travel ailments such as traveler’s diarrhea, motion sickness, altitude sickness & more.

Lauren is a Board-certified Acupuncture Physician with an extensive background in Western herbs and natural supplements, along with a passion for teaching!  

Click here or the photo below to scope it out!

Flight lengths, including layovers

Stay tuned for exact timings, but here is our route. All of our flights except one are non-stop, chosen specifically for your convenience.

• Osaka, Japan to Siem Reap, Cambodia (via Hanoi): 5 hours from Osaka to Hanoi and 1 hour 40 minutes from Hanoi to Siem Reap.  This is our longest travel day (minus the extension to Peru).
• Siem Reap to Bangkok: 80 minutes
• Bangkok to Bhutan: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Bhutan to New Delhi: 2 hours 30 minutes
• New Delhi to Cairo: 5 hours 45 minutes
• Cairo to Amman, Jordan: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Amman to Madrid: 5 hours
• (Extension) Madrid to Lima: 12 hours

What about upgrading flights to Business Class?

If you would like the option to upgrade any of your flights to Business Class, we can help arrange that and you would pay only the exact amount over the budgeted economy flight option. That additional cost is $4,500 per person. (This does not include the flight from Madrid to Lima, which is an additional $1500.)

Flights to Japan / home from Spain (or from the Peru extension)

As we get a bit closer to the trip, we will post some popular options here, but we are always available for any specific flight itinerary questions.

We’re traveling around the whole world–am I going to feel jet lag every time we move to a new location?

The most challenging portion of this trip regarding jet lag will be your initial flight to Japan (which is why, if you are able, you may choose to arrive early). 

However, the rest of your trip will include much more gentle, short time changes that will not be difficult. 

For the most part, jet lag actually works in our favor for some of our early mornings on this trip, such as sunrise at Fushimi Inari, Angkor Wat, and Petra. We’ll embrace our inner early birds!

Time differences between our destinations

GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time, the solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London (0° longitude).

• Kyoto (GMT +9)
• Siem Reap (GMT +7)  (2 hours earlier than Kyoto)
• Thailand (GMT +7) (same time as Siem Reap)
• Bhutan (GMT +6) (1 hour earlier than Bangkok)
• India (GMT +5:30) (30 minutes earlier than Bhutan)
• Egypt (GMT +2) (3 hours and 30 minutes earlier than India)
• Jordan (GMT+2)  (same time as Egypt)
• Madrid (GMT+1)  (1 hour earlier than Egypt)
• Peru  (GMT-5) (6 hours earlier than Madrid)

We will advise you on some methods to lessen jet lag as much as possible before the journey!

Temperature

We’ll experience a wide range of temperatures on this journey, so packing layers for this trip will make it easy to enjoy any weather we encounter.

The lowest average temperature at night is in Bhutan and Madrid (35°F/0°C). The average lows for the rest of the trip fall between 35 and 80°F.  The average highs run between 60 and 90°F.

Here are the average historic highs and lows, and what we can expect for each destination for the day we will be there: 

• Kyoto: 45-60°F
• Siem Reap: 70-89°F   Note: we will visit temples in the morning and rest during the hottest part of the day.
• Bangkok: 70-89°F
• Bhutan: 35-65°F
• Agra, India: 50-70°F
• Jordan: 40-60°F
• Giza, Egypt: 50-70°F
• Madrid: 35-55°F

Rainfall

We know Longfellow said, “Into each life some rain must fall,” but we try to minimize that prospect. We don’t expect any serious rain, but it is possible to catch a shower or two in Thailand and Cambodia, as their dry season is just starting in November. Nothing a handy travel umbrella or light shell jacket can’t handle!

We require a small travel umbrella on this journey; you can easily buy one in Kyoto if you prefer!

We will be staying at 4- to 5-star hotels throughout this trip. All hotels have hot water, wifi, and attached bathrooms with Western-style toilets. All hotels will have air-conditioning/heating. We work tirelessly to find hotels in the absolute BEST location in each destination.

Here is a list of the hotels (or similar) we are scheduled to stay in on our journey.

• Kyoto, Japan (November 16-19): Temple Stay at Chishakuin Temple, a comfortable and authentic stay in the heart of Kyoto
• Siem Reap, Cambodia (November 20-23): Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa (the perfect spot for relaxation and exploration)
• Bangkok, Thailand (November 24-26): Riva Arun Bangkok
• Bhutan (November 27-30): 4-star Hotels TBD in Paro, Thimphu & Punakha
• Agra & New Delhi, India (December 1-4): 5-star hotels TBD
• Giza, Egypt (December 5-7): Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence
• Cairo, Egypt (December 8): We’ll spend one night at the Le Meridien at Cairo Airport in preparation for our departure to Jordan
• Petra, Jordan (December 9-10): Petra Guesthouse (as close as you can possibly get to Petra)
• Wadi Rum, Jordan (December 11): A luxury bubble tent under the stars!
• The Dead Sea, Jordan (December 12): Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea or similar (directly on the Dead Sea)
• Madrid, Spain (December 13-16): Catalonia Las Cortes (super convenient to restaurants, shopping, and museums)

Peru Extension hotels TBD based on group size. 

We’ll provide a suggested packing list 4-6 months before our journey together!

You will be allowed:

• one checked bag of up to 50 lbs
• one carry-on of up to 15 lbs (21.5-22 x 15.5 x 9 inches / 55 x 40 x 23 cm)
• one personal item (18 x 14 x 8 inches / 46 x 36 x 20 cm)

Any bag you prefer is fine. We personally use bags with wheels. You will be responsible for handling your bag inside the airports.

We are committed to carbon offsetting your entire journey—not only while you’re on tour with us, but the flights from and to your home. What’s more, we provide a double carbon offset, effectively sequestering twice the carbon that this trip would produce.

We have a lot to say about this subject and we’d love for you to learn more over at RetreaTours.com/ClimatePositive.

How much money should I bring?

Starting with dinner on November 16th, all of your meals (*except in airports) are covered, as well as all transportation after you arrive in Kyoto. You just have to gauge how much you want to spend on extras (alcohol, souvenirs, spa treatments, and laundry outside the three places we cover it). Before the trip begins, we’ll let you know how much some of the optional activities cost.

ALL tips are also included in your trip price. Yes, all tips!

How do I get the local currency?

When we land in a new country, we’ll give you some local pocket money to have for snacks and water–that way you don’t have to worry about exchanging a tiny bit of money or finding an ATM!

For any bigger purchases you make (larger souvenirs, spa treatments, alcohol, etc.), a credit card will be just fine. Please do set a travel notice with your bank if they require it, so they know not to put a hold on your card when they see it being used abroad.

You can use an ATM to get local currency for any reason, but that typically comes with a higher fee unless you have a debit card through Charles Schwab (or a bank with similar No ATM Fee policies).

You can also exchange U.S. dollars for local currency at Currency Exchange counters or at some hotels.

Depending on how much you want to exchange, we can also help with that, and you can repay us by Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle.

What if I don’t like the local food?

Do I have to eat ‘weird’ things?

What about my food allergies?

Let’s face it–you gotta eat. But culinary experiences while traveling are more than just a necessity–they’re another avenue to learn about and appreciate the culture!

Now to answer your questions:

If you are interested in this trip, we’ll have a conversation that will include any food allergies or sensitivities that you list in your registration. 

Please note that this itinerary is not a great fit for travelers with very strict vegan or vegetarian requirements. Animal-based broths and fish sauce are common in some of our destinations. We will always make an effort to accommodate, but we also want to set realistic expectations. 

And the biggie: do you have to eat weird things? There are two answers to this question:  (1)  Of course not! and (2) What do you consider weird? One of the things you’ll learn on this Around the World adventure is that cultural “norms” vary widely, especially in the kitchen. And besides, I know several people who would make a strong case that lima beans are weird (and they are, of course, wrong ;) ). 

We don’t seek out bizarre foods “Fear Factor” style, but if an ingredient is a part of the actual local diet, we’ll often give it a try. If you are feeling adventurous, there are plenty of unique local specialties to try, from interesting fruits (mangosteen, rambutan, and the infamous durian) to insects and critters (tarantulas and grasshoppers).

If you’re not a big fan of a certain region’s cuisine, you’ll always be able to find more familiar substitutes (usually in the form of pasta, sandwiches, pizza, and ubiquitous French fries). Even if you love the food in an area, you might still crave familiar comfort food, and that is A-OK. We’ve had some of the best Italian food in the world in Southeast Asia! 

Food on this tour is designed to be FUN and you’ll never feel pressured or judged for anything you choose to eat or not eat. 

You’ll be joined on this journey by Lauren & BJ, owners of RetreaTours.

Husband-and-wife team BJ Graf and Lauren Rathvon have traveled the globe year-round since January 2013, researching, designing, and leading impactful journeys. We are deeply grateful for the trust that our guests place in us to save them time and resources while they enjoy a memorable journey.

We are committed not only to our guests but to our host destinations and the planet at large. We engage with local businesses and guides to keep money within the community, and we double-carbon offset each of our tours.

We invite you to visit our Testimonials page to see what other people have to say about us!  You can head to our About Us page to learn more about our story.

Our Values

Travel makes it impossible to ignore how deeply connected we all are, and we consider compassion a natural by-product of that knowledge.

We believe in equality, bodily autonomy, and human dignity for all. We believe LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights are non-negotiable, science is real, and no human being is ever “illegal.”

We don’t move through the world with fear–we meet it with curiosity and kindness. That’s the energy our groups naturally share and the standard our guests (and we) have come to expect. It’s simple–we all have respect for ourselves, our fellow travelers, and the folks we encounter along the path.

We’re so grateful to be part of how you explore and experience this incredible planet, and we value the trust you place in us to craft these journeys with integrity and a deep sense of responsibility.

Listen to what some of our previous Around the World guests want to tell you!

I love traveling with BJ and Lauren. Not only do they cover the highlights you see in every travel brochure, they dig deeper and take you to places and create experiences you would never discover without their years of experience and the many connections they have throughout the world. While most activities are optional do not miss a one. They have carefully and thoughtfully included these experiences to allow the broadest experience possible of the culture, spirit and beauty of every country visited. The breadth of experience they possess is golden. If you want an experience where every day is the “Best Day Ever” this is a trip to take. Thanks BJ and Lauren for the memorable and heartfelt journey of a lifetime. ~B.H.

Lauren and BJ are excellent tour guides, organizers, planners, and genuinely good people. Traveling with them is like being “held” in a safe space yet with plenty of opportunities to spread your wings. It’s the best of both worlds in that you are sure of seeing the sites but with cultural knowledge that makes each location memorable. Their pre-trip previewing and work to secure excellent local guides really makes their trips stand out from other group travel that I have experienced. You absolutely couldn’t travel with more thoughtful and caring people who want to offer you the best of everything. It’s more than a job for them and it shows in their kindness and willingness to go the extra mile.  ~C.M.

This trip far exceeded anything I could have imagined. The choices of where to stay, where to eat, and what to see, were the result of BJ and Lauren’s commitment to finding authentic, meaningful, experiences in every location. The trip was filled with small (and large) details that made the trip easy, fun, interesting, exciting and challenging. I LOVED this trip…and I LOVE RetreaTours!   ~N.S.

You start out curious, hoping to see iconic sights. You end up feeling more connected to and understanding of parts of the world you were barely aware of. You feel more nurtured and cared for by your trip organizers than you could have ever hoped for….you feel like you have a new family AND you laugh a lot! You will never regret having committed to this experience of a lifetime. ~A.B.

BJ and Lauren did an excellent job in hosting our tour, managing air flights, lodging, meals, guides and shepherding everyone through all situations. Would highly recommend them as a tour company. They specialize in small group tours which is the only way to travel. Very special people! It was our second trip with them and both were great. They made you feel as family. ~C.S.

This was a trip of a lifetime, filled with new experiences, stunning sights, delicious–and sometimes strange–food to taste, lovely people in every country with whom to interact. If you have a bucket list, this trip will check off many of those places–and you will want to return again to some of them to dig in deeper. BJ and Lauren are the consummate trip leaders, providing an always enjoyable, educational, and really fun journey. In every country they curated the most wonderful hotels, sites to visit, restaurants to try out, and always brought in an expert guide from whatever place we were visiting to further explain the culture, the historical significance, the foods, and the customs. This trip opened my eyes to all that and so much more. I would HIGHLY recommend signing up for a trip with them–don’t hesitate–just do it! You won’t be sorry.  ~C.R.

Thank you for every thoughtful, researched, beta-tested detail that made it a unique and incredible ‘RetreaTour.’ You are an amazing team. I never felt like I had hired you to guide me. Rather, it often felt like I was along on your personal vacation just joining you for the great trip you were taking! ~M.C.

We invite you to click here and read more testimonials from our amazing guests!