Wheel & Anchor 2021 Trip Inspiration Logo
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  • Wheel & Anchor 2021 Trip Inspiration

    What follows here is a 'wish list' of travel ideas that we've pulled together from your answers to our Member Questionnaires. Because it’s a wish list, it’s more like a top level overview of what we could do rather than a detailed itinerary. We need your help to move us from wish list to short list! We'd love to know which programs are of interest to you, and at the end you can rate them according to the ones you are most interested in. All members who do the survey will be entered in a draw to win a Tumi luggage piece! (value $1200)

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  • Section 1: Europe

    Europe is so diverse and offers such a range of amazing travel experiences. We'll try to capture a few of them in 2021, including Italy, Norway, and less-travelled ones like the Baltics and the coast of Turkey.

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  • Norway & the Northern Lights

    Join us on a cruise of the stunning Norwegian coastline in January to see the Northern Lights. We've organized a very special guest for this program, a traveller who's been places none of us have...more on this to come! This program would be around 6 nights on the ship and a few nights in Bergen, for total of about 9 nights.
  • Lofoten Islands, Norway

  • Sicily and Malta

    We'll enjoy the rich history and incredible Ionian islands and coastlines via 7 nights aboard a yacht followed by 3 nights in Malta for a total of 10 nights.
  • Ragusa Ibla, Sicily

  • Italian Villa Vacation

    Enjoy the splendour of Italian villas with a "semi-curated" program featuring day trips to local culinary and cultural highlights while soaking in what it feels like to live in Italy. This program will be 7 nights in northern and/or central Italy, and will include extension options.
  • Tuscany, Italy

  • Soloing the Danube

    Cruise for 7 nights on one of Europe's most iconic rivers with stops in beautiful Budapest and Vienna, enjoying the Bavarian countryside and Austria's celebrated wine region, the Wachau Valley, followed by 3 nights in Prague. We'll do this as a Wheel & Anchor Social program for solo travellers only.
  • Budapest, Hungary

  • The Camino de Santiago

    We'll tackle the last 100 kilometres of the famous pilgrimage route and end with a few nights in Santiago de Compostela. This program will be around 9 nights - 7 nights on the Camino + 2 nights in Santiago de Compostela.
  • A traveller walks the Camino

  • Cornwall & Southwestern England

    You'll be amazed at the picturesque coastlines of Devon, with its noted Jurassic Coast and its quaint villages. We'll explore Cornwall as well, taking in some of the country's finest gardens in this 10 night program.
  • Ladram Bay near Devon, UK

  • North Wales & the English Lake District

    On 10-12 night trip we'll explore those impossible-to-pronounce towns in the lesser-known part of northern Wales, the country that boasts more castles than just about anywhere. We'll also spend a few days taking in the North English countryside taking in the Lake District, as well as the home of the Beatles - Liverpool, and Yorkshire.
  • Lake Windermere, England

  • The Battlefields of Normandy

    We'll take time to reflect on Canada's sacrifice as we visit spend 10 nights in Normandy with stops such as Bayeux, the D-Day landing beaches and of course Vimy Ridge and the Somme. But we'll also visit Giverny where impressionist Claude Monet spent much of his life to see multiple facets of the scenic countryside.
  • Mont Saint Michel, Normandy, France

  • Yachting the Turkish Mediterranean

    We'll do a 12 night trip including a week-long sail on a luxury gulet amongst the islands along the coast of Turkey's Mediterranean coast stopping at ancient ruins, quiet coves and lively towns. Before and after we'll spend some days visiting the great remains of Ephesus as well as scintillating Istanbul straddling Europe and Asia.
  • Antalya, Turkey

  • Ireland - The Emerald Isle

    Discover with us the highlights of the emerald isle with a 12 night trip that will give us 4 nights in Dublin as well as 3 nights in each of the beautiful west coast cities of Galway and Killarney with a stop in Cork for 2 nights to round it all out.
  • Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

  • The Azores & Porto

    Join Wheel & Anchor for a short getaway to the breathtaking volcanic archipelago of the Azores. We'll explore volcanic craters with their picturesque lakes, and seek out whales and dolphins before heading to the magical city of Porto on the mouth of the Douro River. This program will be 5 nights in the Azores and 3 nights in Porto for a total of 8 nights.
  • Sao Miguel Island, The Azores

  • Tasting Scotland's Whiskies

    A trip for the whisky lovers among us! This special program will be 9 nights and hosted by Dave Wolff, a whisky expert and owner of one of Canada's premier Scottish pubs, The Caledonian in Toronto.
  • Islay, Scotland

  • Island Hopping in Greece

    Explore the beautiful Greek islands including Mykonos, Santorini, Paros and Crete. This program will be 12 nights and we'll do it using local ferries rather than a cruise ship, to allow us to spend time in each island and really soak up the local experience.
  • Paros Island, Greece

  • Above Como: Hiking the Italian Lakes

    An 8-night program hiking into the hills around Lake Como to get the best views of this stunning landscape. We'll also do a cruise on the lake and enjoy the spectacular wine and food from the region.
  • Lake Como, Italy

  • Portugal for Solo Travellers

    Join a group of solo travellers as we explore the postcard-perfect landscape of northern Portugal. We'll spend time in Porto, a best-kept secret as well as in the Douro Valley, but leaving the river cruise ship behind. We'll end off this 9 night program in Lisbon, the capital which has turned into a gastronomic mecca in recent years.
  • Porto, Portugal

  • Christmas Markets for Solo Travellers

    This will be a 7 night program for solo travellers only. We won't do it via cruise to allow us to really spend some time in these incredible cities and find some of the hidden gems that you otherwise don't have time to seek out. We'll explore some combination of the best markets in Europe such as in Vienna, Salzburg, Strasbourg, Prague, or Nuremberg.
  • Vienna, Austria

  • Section 2: North and Central America

    We've had a number of requests from our members for more programs a little closer to home, as there is much to explore here as well! We've put together a few ideas that we think are in line with the kinds of experiences that would suit our community of travellers.

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  • Prince Edward Island

    We'll do this program like our 'Weekends' programs, with 4-5 nights to take in the summer festivals, spend some time on Cavendish beach, and enjoy lots of free time in this gem of the maritimes.
  • Cavendish Beach, PEI

  • Newfoundland

    Another much-requested destination within Canada, Newfoundland offers a host of scenic wonders from Gros Morne National Park to Bonavista Bay. But first you'll need to be "screeched in" in St. John's on this 12 night adventure.
  • St. John's, Newfoundland

  • The Alaskan Coast

    We are in the process of trying to get some allotment on one of the world's first hybrid, X-bow expedition ships to sail the majestic west coast of Canada and Alaska. This would be a 7-night sailing following her inaugural season in Antarctica and our ability to run this program will depend on your interest.
  • The Alaskan Coast

  • Section 3: Asia

    For us Canadians Asia is a long way away, but offers a ton of really fantastic travel experiences exploring some of the world's oldest and most fascinating cultures. These ones tend to be a little longer in duration to allow us to make the most of the trip across the Pacific.  

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  • Backpacking Thailand (without the Backpacks)

    Let's face it, no one wants to backpack, that's for university students. We'll do this as a solo traveller only program, following a backpacker's route without staying in hostels, hitting all the spots and eating all the food. We'll do 15 nights - 3 nights in Bangkok, 3 nights in Chiang Mai, 3 in Luang Prabang, 3 in Siem Reap, 3 in Phnom Penh - with an optional extension to a tropical Thai island.
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand

  • Treasures of Myanmar

    Closed off for many years to the outside world, Myanmar is rapidly changing but in many ways still feels like Asia did 30 years ago. We'll cruise the Irrawaddy river in Myanmar and explore the stupas of Pagan - 7 night cruise + a Thailand extension for about 11 nights.
  • Pagan, Myanmar

  • Xian & the Yangtze River

    This program will be 12 nights in China - 3 nights in Shanghai, 3 in Beijing, 3 in Xian to see the Terracotta Warriors, and a 3 night cruise on the Yangtze. We can do an extension to Tokyo or Seoul.
  • Lijiang, China

  • Bali & the Indonesian Islands

    We'll do a 7 night sailing from Bali around to remote southern Indonesian islands with our sights set on Komodo Island, home of the Komodo dragon. Then we'll do 7 nights on Bali itself, away from the tourist hotspots in the south, near the cultural capital of Ubud followed by a relaxing stay in the northwest of this mystical island.
  • Bali, Indonesia

  • Section 4: Central & South Asia

    Asia is of course a massive continent which contains multitudes as far as countries and cultures are concerned. The countries of Central and South Asia are less-travelled than those of Southeast Asia, but no less fascinating. 

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  • India

    We'll experience the history, culture and cuisine of northern India, stay in some fantastic palace hotels as we explore New Delhi & the Pink City of Jaipur, stay in a Maharaj's palace in Jodhpur, search for the elusive Bengal tiger in Ranthambore National Park, and more across 15 nights.
  • Jodhpur, India

  • Explore Caucasus

    Adventure through mountains and vineyards, cathedrals and castles as we explore the rich history and culture of Georgia and Armenia. Get ready for spectacular mountain vistas and wine from the world's oldest wine-making region. Around 14 nights with unlimited wine (!)
  • Gergeti Trinity Church, Georgia

  • The Silk Road: Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan

    Explore one the western end of one of the world's most famous trade routes on a 14 night excursion. Visit the juxtaposition of modern and ancient in Almaty, the economic hub of Kazakhstan, before following the Silk Road to the cities of Samarkand and Bukhara.
  • Mountains near Almaty, Kazakhstan

  • Section 5: Africa

    Many of our members have expressed a desire to see some of the incredible wildlife and landscapes on a safari in Africa. And of course, there are a few intriguing experiences to be had...

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  • Tanzania & Rwanda

    There can hardly be a more perfect setting for an African safari than the vast plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania. Following a week here featuring also the incredible Ngorongoro Crater we'll head up to Rwanda for 5 nights for an exclusive visit to see the reclusive gorillas and a few nights in Kigali. We also do an extension program in an Indian Ocean enclave.
  • The Serengeti, Tanzania

  • Safari by Land & Sea

    Do a 6 night safari in 2 of Kenya's famed game reserves followed by a 7 night sailing around the magical Seychelles islands, a safari by sea with its flora & fauna unique to the archipelago.
  • The Seychelles

  • South African Secrets

    Offering far more than spectacular game reserves, our journey through South Africa will take us to picturesque Cape Town and the Cape Winelands followed by the Garden Route and an exclusive private reserve where we'll have an excellent chance to see all Big Five. This trip will be 14 nights plus extension to Victoria Falls & Hwange National park.
  • Stellenbosch, South Africa

  • Section 6: Oceania

    Australia and New Zealand were two of the most requested destinations on our member questionnaire, and we've added one more temptation in this region...

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  • Christmas in Tahiti

    This brand new 11-night voyage will take place on the sailing yacht of one of our long-time partners. With only 40 guests, we'll sail out of Tahiti to Bora Bora, Moorea, Rangiroa and more on this special Christmas departure.
  • Bora Bora, French Polynesia

  • Section 7: South America

    There's a ton to explore in South America, including some amazing hiking, wine, coffee, and history. We've had a lot of requests for some South American programs, so we've put together a selection here for you.

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  • Follow the Incas: Peru

    One of the most visited regions in the Americas, Peru boasts mountains, sea and jungle coloured by the influence of the great Incan civilization. We'll visit Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon basin on this 16 night trip.
  • Machu Picchu, Peru

  • Hiking in Patagonia

    Remote Patagonia boasts some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery anywhere in the world. This 7 night trip will start in Calafate, Argentina visiting the Petito Moreno, Fitz Roy and O'Higgins.... hiking doesn't get better than this. We'll then continue on to Buenos Aires and Mendoza to meet other Wheel& Anchor members for spectacular steak and wine as part of our next program to Argentina & Chile.
  • Mt. Fitz Roy, Patagonia, Argentina

  • Crossing the Andes: Argentina & Chile

    Start this 12 night program by joining the Patagonia hikers in Buenos Aires to experience once of South America's most vibrant cities before flying to Mendoza, Argentina's wine capital in the shadow of the Andes mountains. We'll cross over those mountains passing Aconcagua (the highest one) before finishing our trip in Santiago, Chile (with an extension to Chilean wine country).
  • Santiago, Chile

  • Section 8: North Africa & the Middle East

    Our program to Egypt, Israel & Jordan in January 2020 is very popular and likely something we'll do again in 2021. There's a lot more to this region for us to explore, including a few places a little bit off the beaten track.

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  • Cyprus, Lebanon & Jordan extension

    We'll spend 5 nights in Cyprus visiting the UNESCO Byzantine sites and the rugged coastline before continuing to Lebanon for 5 nights to explore the Middle East's most vibrant city of Beirut. We'll also add on a 5 night extension to Jordan to see Petra and relax on the Dead Sea.
  • Pano Lefkara, Cyprus

  • Oman & the UAE

    We'll do 10 nights exploring Oman with an optional extension to see the towering Burj Khalifa in Dubai. We'll take in Muscat's authentic souks, the spectacular Wadi (canyon) at Nizwa and visit the desert with a hope of catching a glimpse of the Arabian onyx in this unique adventure through the oldest independent Arab state.
  • Al Hamra, Oman

  • Morocco

    Spend 12 nights in mystical Morocco, taking in the snake charmers of Marrakech, the Medina at Fez, and cross the Atlas Mountains to the Ouarzazate, the doorway to the Sahara Desert.
  • Casablanca, Morocco

  • Rate Your Wish List

    Ok, here's your wish list...please rate them according to your interest in visiting in 2021, with 1= very interested to travel in 2021, 5 = not as interested to travel in 2021?

  • Questions, Comments & Feedback

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