Grand Circle Travel

History

In 1958, retired schoolteacher and principal Ethel Andrus founded both AARP and Grand Circle Travel. Her vision of invigorating and well-paced senior group traveling still informs the GCT’s principles and values today.

GCT offered travel opportunities for AARP members up until 1982, and now serves all older Americans. In 1985, Grand Circle was purchased by Alan Lewis and moved to Boston. Lewis later went on to create the Grand Circle Foundation in 1992.

Overseas Adventure Travel joined the Grand Circle Family in 1993. It was founded in 1978 by a high school teacher named Judi Wineland. She saw the need for a more authentic, culturally driven travel experience. OAT began to offer customized small group adventure tours to unspoiled destinations around the world. After OAT was integrated into the Grand Circle family, it became the first US travel company to create and operate adventure trips to older Americans aged 50+.

Overseas Adventure Travel

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) was founded in 1978 by high school teacher Judi Wineland. It was purchased by Grand Circle in 1993 and became the first US travel company to plan and operate adventure trips for Americans aged 50 and older.

Typical OAT travel packages include wildlife safaris, nature-centered adventures, remote-area cultural explorations, and small ship voyages. OAT limits groups to just 10-16 travelers for land adventures and 16-25 for small ship cruises, allowing for stays at unique, local lodgings that would be too small for a typically sized travel group.

Destinations include Botswana, Morocco, India, Burma, Vietnam, the Galápagos, Costa Rica, Italy, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. In 2013 and 2010, Travel + Leisure magazine awarded OAT its Global Vision Award for leadership in philanthropy and community engagement. Destinations include Botswana, Morocco, India, Burma, Vietnam, the Galápagos, Costa Rica, Italy, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. In 2013 and 2010, Travel + Leisure magazine awarded OAT its Global Vision Award for leadership in philanthropy and community engagement.

Grand Circle Cruise Line

Grand Circle Cruise Line’s privately owned small ships, river ships, and exclusive small ship charters operate throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. The fleet comprises three 4-star 50-passenger small ships, the ice-strengthened 98-passenger, all-suite M/V Corinthian (acquired in 2014), 12 river ships and exclusively chartered yachts and motor cruisers.

Grand Circle ships have been custom designed to meet the needs of travelers. Cabins are lined on the outside wall of the ships to provide scenic views. Certain rooms feature balconies and include twin beds that can be converted into daytime couches. Beyond the cabins, a typical GCT ship includes a non-smoking dining room, a bar and lounge, free wireless Internet access in common areas, a panoramic sun deck, and fitness equipment.

Program Directors

Grand Circle Program Directors are a distinguishing feature of GCT trips. Program Directors are resident experts who are fluent in English and available to provide first-hand insights and on local custom, culture, history, and wildlife.

Awards

Grand Circle Travel, Overseas Adventure Travel, and Grand Circle Cruise Line have been honored with many awards over the years, including:

Grand Circle Foundation

GCT Alan and Harriet Lewis founded the Grand Circle Foundation in 1992, and have since pledged or donated more than $97 million to support 300 different villages, schools, and other organizations throughout the world. In 2010, GCF and travelers raised $400k for Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. Two years later, in 2012, owners Lewis and Harriet committed $10 million to Boston high school students with the aim of doubling the number of four-year college degrees attained by the city’s most underserved neighborhoods by 2018.

Programs

Key Grand Circle Foundation programs include the World Classroom initiative, which supports childhood education around the world; the Day in the Life program which connects travelers with authentic cultural encounters with local communities; and the Invest in a Village program, which works to bring sustainable changes to villages. Grand Circle Foundation has also raised relief funds for Japan, Haiti, Peru, and New Zealand.

Authorized Travel to Cuba

The Grand Circle Foundation is fully licensed and authorized for people-to-people travel to Cuba and has taken nearly 3,000 travelers to date. As the U.S. government requires travelers to engage in “people-to-people” activities, Grand Circle’s Cuba tours include an educational itinerary emphasizing cultural interactions with local Cuban artists, musicians, and community leaders. Trips are 12 days in duration and limited to small groups of 12 to 20 participants.