conxGuide: Toto Tours
Adventure travel for gay men	| conxGuide Directory |

Who Goes On Toto Trips? All trips are for gay men. A straight guy may occasionally accompany a gay male friend, but most trips have exclusively gay men. The trips tend to attract experienced travellers. Types of Trips Offered While Toto bills their trips as adventure holidays, the "adventure" mostly has to do with the destination of the trips rather than the activities involved. Their trips are more similar to traditional touring holidays (such as those from Hermes Tours) rather than those from active vacation companies like Alyson Adventures or OutWest Global. Destinations Africa, Asia and South America, with a strong emphasis on Europe. Best Known For Tours to eastern Europe and northern Africa. Their China tours are also very popular. Travelling Solo Like most gay and lesbian tour companies, Toto Tours has a share program for single travellers on most trips. If you prefer not to share, a single supplement will apply. Price Range Prices vary depending on the destination - from $2,495 to $4,695 range. Vacations in less-travelled parts of the world tend torward the upper end of the range. All prices are in US dollars and include all taxes.

Very Soft Adventure in Unique Locations

Dan Ware of Toto Tours has been leading their trips for over 17 years. “My hair may have gone gray in the process, but my love for seeing the world’s wonders with other gay men hasn’t diminished in the slightest.” That wanderlust is what is part of the company's success. This year 11 of their trips are to entirely new destinations and the rest of to all-time favourites.

"Toto Tourists" (as Ware likes to call them) have a special outlook on life. “They tend to be fun-loving, people-oriented, good-natured and flexible. They consider the number of stars visible in the night sky more important than how many stars are displayed on the entrance to their hotel.” That being said, Toto does take particular care planning trips, including the accommodation. The emphasis is upon the experience and sometimes that means doing something a bit different or staying a bit off the beaten path.

Ware characterizes Toto Tourists as men in their 30s through their 70s, with a few exceptions on either end. "The average Toto adventurer is 45 to 55 years old and is successful in his current job or situation. He is confident about how he looks and feels, and makes an effort to stay in good physical condition. Our style of travel attracts men who like to bond with others and discourage those who prefer to remain aloof.”

Helpfully, Toto provides excellent trip documentation including very detailed itineraries and helpful hints (like what clothes to pack). Just pack light!

	Silverback Mountain: Gorilla Tracking in Uganda & Rwanda August 1 - 17, 2009 The movie “Gorillas In The Mist” brought the plight of the endangered Silverback Gorillas to worldwide attention. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness these magnificent primates and other abundant wildlife in their natural habitat.

	Greece'd Lightning: Island Hopping the Cyclades September 3 - 13, 2009 Enjoy the best of the picture-perfect Cyclades Islands—Mykonos, Delos, Naxos and Santorini—plus the Parthenon and ancient Olympic stadium in Athens. This trip is custom designed to introduce you to the culture and habits of the islanders while hiking to the most pristine places on each island.

	Couscous: Flavors of Tunisia September 24 - October 4, 2009 Couscous absorbs its taste from meats and spices, and Tunisia derives much of its flavor from numerous foreign influences. Tunisia is a land of high mountains, deep salt pans, fertile river valleys, the Sahara Desert, and Mediterranean beaches.

	River of the Pharoahs: Wonders of Egypt October 5 - 17, 2009 Egypt, a cradle of civilization, has monumental edifices that are truly world wonders. The astonishingly grand scale of the landmarks of Egypt along the Nile simply defy comprehension!

	Postcards From the Edge: Thanksgiving on Italy's Amalfi Coast & Capri November 21 - 30, 2009 Spend Thanksgiving in the town of Amalfi as you explore the coast and see Sorrento, Positano, and Ravello. Begin in Naples to see Pompeii and Vesuvius. Enjoy an idyll on the Isle of Capri. End with three glorious nights in Rome.

	A World Apart: South India Kaleidoscope February 4 - 20, 2010 Under a dazzling sun, the brilliant colors of South India – red silk saris, shimmering classical dance costumes, luminescent green rice paddies and rainbow-hued frangipani flowers – astound with a kaleidoscopic display. The temples and jungles are a riot of color. An unforgettable journey to another world!

	Paradise Found: Discovering New Zealand March 18 - 29, 2010 From fascinating regions to explore, to culture, to nature, to adrenalin-inducing activities—New Zealand has it all! Hike on a glacier, walk through native bush, cruise the majestic fiords, soak in a hot spring fed by glacier waters. Join us in discovering the magical paradise of New Zealand.

	La Riviera Glamorosa: Coastal France & Italy May 23 - June 2, 2010 Famous for its mild climate, charming old fishing ports and beautiful landscapes, it has been a popular destination for travellers since the time of Byron and Shelley. Visit Nice, Monte Carlo, Menton, Santa Margherita, the Cinque Terre, the Piemonte wine country, and Turin. Favoloso!