Welcome to TravelMaven

Most of our tours are capped at 12 guests, with some limited to 8 or 18. We believe small groups offer the ideal balance: large enough to share experiences, yet small enough to allow personal attention and flexible planning. Smaller groups can slip down narrow streets, fit easily into local restaurants, and take part in activities that simply aren’t possible with a group of 30.

Some people see “free time” on an itinerary and think it is a negative, but we see it as a real benefit. While we stay together for the major highlights, an afternoon break lets everyone do what suits them best. Some people want a hike, some want to pop into a mall for something they forgot, and others just want a nap. It gives lower-energy travellers a chance to rest, while those with extra energy can keep going. A bit of flexibility makes the tour better for everyone.

TravelMaven tours are primarily walking tours. The amount of walking varies between itineraries, but it remains our favourite way to explore new places. Walking through a city or town lets you see far more than you ever would from a car. We keep a relaxed pace, and we simply enjoy a good walk in a new place. 

Our tours are very solo friendly. If you want to travel without a companion but don’t want to go completely on your own, this is a great option. Our land package prices are based on double occupancy, so solo travelers can either find a roommate or pay a single supplement. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and enjoy some camaraderie while traveling.

There’s nothing worse than switching hotels every day. It’s stressful and it wastes valuable time. That’s why on most of our tours we stay put for at least a few days before moving on. We use each location as a home base for exploring and day trips, which means far less packing and unpacking. Our TrainTours move around more by design, but even then we stay in each town for two or three nights instead of just one.

A-la-carte days (free days) are a chance to plan a day that suits you perfectly. They let each guest choose something they are genuinely excited about and add a personal touch to the trip. For example, on our A-la-carte day in Cape Town, some guests could visit a museum, while others take a helicopter tour, some relax by the pool with a smoothie, and others head out to cage dive with sharks!