Unprecedented Access to Far-Flung Destinations with TCS & Starquest Expeditions

[highlight_text] Starquest Expeditions remains culturally aware and goes above and beyond the charitable call of duty. [/highlight_text]

While traveling to some of the world’s most posh and popular resort destinations is certainly a top priority for those who thrive on life’s most luxurious pamperings, there are many less-chartered territories across our mysterious blue planet that prove far more fascinating for the curious at heart. Many of these exotic locales are unfortunately often left off of international travel itineraries due to their sheer inaccessibility or the hassles that come with using commercial airlines and less reliable modes of transportation to reach them. Adventure travel enthusiasts rejoice—thanks to TCS & Starquest Expeditions, all global haute spots are now but a mere private jet flight away.

TCS & Starquest Expeditions—the world’s first private jet tour operator—was founded nearly two decades ago and is the leader in private jet travel to remote destinations.

The current portfolio of expeditions, which typically run for two or three weeks, covers six of the seven continents. While circling the globe may sound like a daunting process, TCS & Starquest’s Boeing jets, which have been specially configured with VIP-style seats, ensures that getting to the destination is half the fun. But much more than just delivering you to your dream destinations by private flight, TCS & Starquest also ensures that you receive a world-class education and the highest level of personalized services. Whether you are exploring Jordan’s Lost City of Petra, gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, encountering the Naxi people of China’s Yunnan Province, or searching for dinosaur fossils in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, there’s no doubt that your travels will be nothing short of extraordinary.

TCS & Starquest sends along with its travelers a team of renowned experts in history, art,  and other fascinating fields, providing invaluable insight into the various cultures, customs, and historical sites. It’s no wonder that National Geographic, the Smithsonian Institution, the Art Institute of Chicago, and leading colleges and universities sponsor these expeditions. And the company makes sure that each adventure is a private, privileged, and personalized entrée into amazing places and cultures. An experienced and professional tour staff, including a dedicated physician, accompanies the journeys. Travelers get special behind-the-scenes access to places, meet with local dignitaries, spend time with local families, dine in spectacular settings, and stay in some of the most exclusive hotels in the world. They can also choose from a variety of activities and excursions to tailor the journey to their personal interests. The usual travel hassles are not applicable when journeying this way—travelers receive expedited customs and immigration processing, thanks to the use of private jets and smaller airports, which are closer to the final destinations than commercial alternatives.

“Our level of service is truly what sets us apart from the other private jet tour companies,” says director of guest services and independent travel Stevie Wooten. The highly experienced staff makes it their top priority to anticipate every need, and they fully prepare travelers for each aspect of the journey with expert advice, a series of informational documents and books, help with visa and passport processing, and other exceptional services. Staff, air crew, and hotels are fully informed of travel preferences, dietary restrictions, and other details to ensure a comfortable stay, regardless of continent.

What’s more, Starquest Expeditions remains culturally aware and goes above and beyond the charitable call of duty. The company’s philanthropy program sustains long-term relationships with the countries that welcome its travelers with open arms by consistently purchasing artisan-made items to support the local economy and contributing funds to local projects. CEO T.C. Swartz also has personally pledged $100,000 per year to building schools, alleviating poverty, and establishing sustainable agriculture in rural Cambodia.

While there are numerous tours to choose from, all of which are detailed on the company website, the upcoming Hidden Corners Around the World program, which will run in the spring of 2010, is a highlight of the TCS & Starquest portfolio. Hidden Corners connects three of the company’s journeys, resulting in a unique series of two-week expeditions. It begins with the Desert Crossroads expedition, which starts in London and ends in Bangkok. During their travels, guests can experience the treasures of Timbuktu and drink tea with the nomadic Tuaregs, fly deep into the Western Sahara to experience an ancient way of life at Siwa Oasis, and explore the Buddhist culture in the Himalaya. From there, the next leg of the trek, Sacred Places of Asia, provides the opportunity to discover the golden temples, ancient monuments, and colorful traditions of Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, South Korea, and Japan. The series ends with the Ancient Silk Road expedition, which follows in the footsteps of nomads, monks, merchants, and kings through China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, and Turkey, finally ending back in London.

In addition to the regular schedule of expeditions, TCS & Starquest also offers journeys that are completely one of a kind—ideal for small groups of family and friends. Although the company didn’t originally offer this special service, it became a natural offshoot of their core offerings, as travelers on the regular expeditions kept coming back for more.

It seems regardless of your travel interests, this small but accomplished private jet travel company can turn your dreams into reality.

TCS & Starquest Expeditions
1000 Second Ave, Suite 1400
Seattle, WA 98104
800.454.4149
www.tcsandsq.com