Santa Cruz Chamber Travel
The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce has a long history of introducing the rest of the world to Santa Cruz. Now, the Chamber's travel program introduces Santa Cruzans to the rest of the world. These learning trips are a chance for local Santa Cruz county residents to travel together to exotic locations that they might not otherwise be able to visit, at an affordable price, and starting right here in Santa Cruz. Just as the Chamber brings people and businesses together through Chamber events, a trip with the Chamber allows travelers to build great relationships with their fellow Santa Cruz neighbors.
The trips are open to Chamber members and non-members, and these excursions through the Chamber are invaluable ways to promote our community worldwide. All the travel details are taken care of by our local Santa Cruz travel agent, including courtesy transportation from Santa Cruz to and from the airport, hotel reservations, many meals, deluxe tour buses, English-speaking tour guides, and more.
With destinations as diverse as Vietnam, Greece, China, and Bali, you're certain to find the perfect getaway to enjoy with your family, friends, and Santa Cruz neighbors. The Santa Cruz Chamber is pleased to be working again with local travel agent and Chamber member, Pacific Harbor Travel to make your trip as smooth as possible.
To learn about upcoming Chamber travel opportunities, sign up for Chamber travel updates via e-mail.
Upcoming Chamber Trips:
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Ancient Peru (May 22-28, 2012)
The Chamber is offering an exciting 7-day trip in late May to Peru, including visits to Lima, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
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Wonders of Turkey (September 10-21, 2012)
Join us for a 12-day trip in September to Turkey, including Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Ankara, and more. Visit the Hagia Sofia, see Whirling Dervishes, explore ancient ruins, and experience modern Istanbul.
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Previous Chamber Trips:
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Cuba People-to-People Experience (April/May 2012)
Pacific Harbor Travel and Vaya Sojourns, a travel company licensed by the U.S. Treasury, took travelers on a 12-day people-to-people experience to explore the wonders and culture of Santiago de Cuba, Camaguey, Trinidad - Cienfuegos, and Havana, Cuba.
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Spain & Portugal (October 2011)
This 13-day trip to Spain and Portugal transported Chamber travelers to some of the most beautiful cities in Spain and Portugal, including Madrid, Toledo, Salamanca, Oporto, Fatima, Obidos, Lisbon, Seville, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona.
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China (September 2011)
This exciting 9-day trip to China included Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou, with visits to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. The optional side tour was to Guilin, the majestic and mysterious land of the "stairway to heaven", bamboo forests, rice paddies, and striking karsts in southern China.
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Vietnam (February 2011)
Chamber travelers explored Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hanoi and more on this exotic trip, with an optional visit to Cambodia including a tour of the 12th century temple of Angkor Wat.
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Greece (2010)
A visit to mainland Greece, with visits to the Parthenon, the ancient sites of Mycenae, Olympia, and Delphi, and an optional cruise of the sites of the Greek Islands.
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Java and Bali (2010)
A luxury excursion to the exotic, ancient lands of Java and Bali with an optional trip to exciting Singapore.
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Eastern Europe (2009)
A 10-day adventure in the heart of Old Europe with an optional tour to Kunta Hora, a medieval city.
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China (2008)
An exciting adventure to Shanghai, The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square with an optional trip to see the Terra Cotta Warriors.
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What our travelers are saying:
“Each time I look at my pictures of our trip to Viet Nam and Cambodia I start thinking about where I want to go next with the Chamber. This trip was so well planned and more active than I had imagined - it was the best group trip I've been on, EVER! In the planning stages I was not too keen to be staying at 5-Star hotels, but after an action-packed day (plus some R & R) I LOVED going back to a beautiful setting and getting cleaned-up for a fun (and delicious!) dinner and evening. You made a group of strangers feel like family with your thoughtful touches and watchful eye. Thank you for all the effort you put into this trip. I look forward to the next one!” - Mary M.
“What an adventure! Temples and ruins and caves and tunnels and beaches and new sights and sounds! Thank you to the Chamber for making it happen, and especially Linda Schwedock for doing it so well!” - Jim and Edie A.
“The trip to Bali, Java and Singapore was one of the highlights of my travel life! The trip was so well planned; from the flights to the luxury hotels, activities and tours - a testament to the expertise of Linda at Pacific Harbor Travel. Traveling with a smaller group was thoughtful, it allowed us to connect nicely and enjoy the trip without feeling overwhelmed with too many people - and we could not have asked for a better group. The daily schedule was planned to provide time on our own to experience the area or just relax. The trip from start to finish; planning, information and the travel was superb and I will definitely travel again with the Chamber!” -Janell S.
“Laurence and I had a wonderful trip to Bali with the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce October 2010. The trip exceeded our expectations with exceptional accomodations, beautiful landmarks and wonderful food. Excursions were well planned and led by Balinese guides who skillfully explained the culture and history of their country. In addition, it was fun traveling with local people.” -Laurence & Beth H.
“I thought the trip exceeded my expectations in every way. It went without a hitch... I loved the trip and have many friends who would love to go now that I’ve told them about it, so I hope you send all of us warning if you open up any future tours.” -Diane S.
“Here is my final picture best photograph. This was a difficult choice, as there are so many wonderful memories. Thank you so very much again for allowing me to be part of such a wonderful adventure.” -Sadie S.
“I didn’t buy enough stuff! I should have bought more!” - Madaline T.
"Going to Indonesia was the first time I had ever been to Asia and I want to commend you on a terrific time! The hotels were 5 star and the staff were my friends after a day. I really enjoyed the the light-hearted atmosphere that we all experienced during the trip and it is something I will never forget!" -Dave M.
“We had a wonderful and magical time and thank you, Annette and the Chamber for making it possible.” - Dennis N. & Susie S.
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Look for the Chamber decal
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For more than 120 years, Santa Cruz Chamber members have been committed to improving our community for everyone who visits, works, or lives in Santa Cruz County.
For a list of travel professionals in Santa Cruz, visit the Travel Agencies section of the Chamber business directory.
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