conxGuide: Toto Tours

Adventure travel for gay men

Who Goes On Toto Tours 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!

	Couscous: Flavors of Tunisia May 22 - June 1, 2008 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.

	Sofia's Choice: Beautiful Bulgaria May 22 - June 1, 2008 The capital city of Sofia takes its name from the Greek word meaning “wisdom.” Bulgaria is rich in traditions and history, with natural beauty that extends from the Balkan Mountains to the Black Sea.

	Solidarity: The New Poland June 19 - 29 , 2008 This tour progresses from the dark past to the gleaming present. Experience Krakow’s old-world splendor, the sad reality of Auschwitz, medieval Lublin and Zamosc, and the restored Old Town of modern Warsaw.

	Dunes: Landscapes & Wildlife of Namibia June 30 - July 15, 2008 More and more people are beginning to appreciate the ravishing beauty of this desert world, which also encompasses one of the best wildlife parks in southern Africa. Join Toto’s premier exploration of the dunes, the beaches, and the wildlife of Namibia.

	Swept Away: Whitewater Rafting through the Grand Canyon July 2 - 9, 2008 Our all-time favorite tour since 1990 has been rafting through the Grand Canyon. After a hiatus of several years, Toto has brought back this very popular trip so you can once again experience the adventure of a lifetime!

	Viking Paradox: The Green of Iceland August 4 - 12, 2008 This new itinerary features a full circuit of the island, exploring the best Iceland offers of wildlife, fjords, lakes, glaciers and volcanic wonders. Continue to Greenland, one of the least populated places on earth, to witness nature in all its untamed majesty.

	La Dolce Vita: Classic Italy August 21 - 31, 2008 Savor the “sweet life” in three cities proffering the ultimate in Italian art and architecture. This tour provides a generous taste of all the best of Italy.

	Meet the Hapsburgs: Budapest, Vienna & Prague September 18 - 28, 2008 Stroll along the Danube River and see the opulent palaces and monumental buildings they left to posterity. Marvel at Budapest’s palatial Parliament. Enjoy a concert in Vienna. Roam through Prague’s magical center—a fairy tale come to life! See the world through the posh, pampered and cultured eyes of the Hapsburgs.

	Creme Brulee: Sweet Provence October 2 - 12, 2008 Experience the enchanting Palace of the Popes in Avignon, stroll through medieval villages, visit vibrant markets, taste delicious Chateauneuf du Pape wine, shop at colorful Provencal markets, and bid “au revoir” to Provence while savoring delicious gourmet food in Lyon, capital of French gastronomy.

	River of the Pharohs: Wonders of Egypt October 6 - 17, 2008 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!

	Panama Pilgrims: Thanksgiving with the Kuna Indians November 22 - 30, 2008 Celebrate a most unusual Thanksgiving with Kuna Indians on the pristine San Blas Islands. Traverse the continent, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, on an elegant train journey along the Panama Canal.

	Holiday Tango: Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls & Rio December 23, 2008 - January 3, 2009 Do a dramatic dance through South America this holiday season! Spend Christmas in Buenos Aires at a traditional estancia (ranch). Take a tango lesson in the land where it all began. Finally, ring in the New Year in high style at Rio’s beaches, clubs and dazzling sites, including one of the New Seven Wonders of the World—the Christ Statue.