Category Archives: tour programs

Xanterra Travel Collection® Unwraps ‘Christmas in July’ Sale with Savings Across National Parks, Luxury Resorts & Global Adventures

Limited-Time Promotion Runs July 17–29, 2026

Take advantage of Xanterra Travel Collection’s “Christmas in July” sale, July 17–29,  at the historic El Tovar Hotel and the Grand Canyon Railway, on the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Denver, CO — June 25, 2026 — This summer, the holiday spirit arrives early thanks to Xanterra Travel Collection®’s Christmas in July Sale, running July 17–29, 2026. For a limited time, travelers can unwrap exclusive savings on iconic national park stays, yacht-style cruises, cycling and walking tours, luxury resorts, a historic train ride, and other global adventures.

From the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone and the awe-inspiring vistas of the Grand Canyon to the otherworldly landscapes of Death Valley National Park and the coastal luxury of Sea Island, travelers can take advantage of special offers designed to inspire unforgettable journeys.

All deals can be accessed at www.xanterra.com/christmas-in-july-sale.

Featured Christmas in July Offers

Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Explore the enchantment of the world’s first national park. Covering 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone is home to an incredible array of wildlife, boasting more geysers, hot springs, and geothermal features than any other place on Earth.

  • Save 25% at Canyon Lodge, Grant Village, Lake Hotel, Lake Lodge, Bridge Bay Campground and Grant Campground. Save 20% at Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hotel. Eligible stay dates are July 17, 2026 through March 3, 2027.

Grand Canyon, South Rim

Marvel at the breathtaking views and historic charm of one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders. “The eternal yet ever-evolving Grand Canyon is as mystical and awe-inspiring as ever.” – Sunset Magazine, May 2026

  • Save 20% at El Tovar Hotel and 30% at Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, or Maswik Lodge for stays between July 15, 2026 and March 4, 2027.
  • Save 20% at The Grand Hotel at The Grand Canyon for stays between July 17, 2026, and March 4, 2027.
  • Save 30% at Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites for stays between July 17, 2026, and March 4, 2027.

Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

Take a nostalgic journey to the canyon aboard a vintage train and stay in comfort in Williams, Arizona.

  • Stay 2, 3 or 4 nights with the Stay and Save Platinum Package at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and save 50% on roundtrip tickets for all classes of service on the train.
  • Stay 2, 3 or 4 nights at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and save 50% off your train fare, receive a $20 Gift Shop Certificate, and allow us to take care of your meals with the Canyon Rails Getaway Platinum Package.
  • AAA Members stay 2, 3 or 4 nights with the Rails to the Rim Platinum Package at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and save 50% on all classes of service on the train.
  • Save with $125 Hotel rates for standard rooms on select dates for the Polar Express packages, a holiday experience like no other.

The Oasis at Death Valley

Most people avoid Death Valley in summer — after all, it’s the hottest place on Earth. But this is when The Oasis at Death Valley comes alive, with early morning golfing, natural spring-fed pools, and some of the most spectacular stargazing in the world.

  • Save 30% on room rates at both The Inn and The Ranch for stays between July 15, 2026 – January 14, 2027.

Cedar Creek Lodge

The 64-room Cedar Creek Lodge and Conference Center is a AAA Three Diamond property located just outside Glacier National Park, serving as the perfect home base for hiking, biking, world-renowned river fishing, and more.

  • Save 30% at Cedar Creek Lodge for stays between October 12, 2026 – March 31, 2027.

Holiday Vacations

Step into the wonder of the holidays with a journey to one of the most enchanting destinations across the country. Experience a traditional German Christmas market, wander the candlelit halls of the Biltmore Estate, enjoy performances in Music City USA, be swept away by the magic of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, or soak up the sun at America’s grandest New Year’s event.

  • Take $200 off any 2026 Christmas tour, including New York City at Christmastime, Smoky Mountain Christmas, Nashville Holiday Extravaganza, Christmastime in British Columbia, Chicago at Christmastime, and Pasadena Rose Parade.

VBT | Country Walkers

For those who want to go deeper, VBT | Country Walkers tours allow travelers to experience a destination with the help of a local leader who guides small groups through the world’s most beautiful destinations.

  • Save 5% when you book any 2027 vacation and pay in full by November 19, 2026.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates an eight-ship fleet of small sailing and all-suite yachts visiting over 330 ports, including Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Asia, Alaska, Canada & New Zealand, and cruising year-round in Tahiti.

  • Enjoy the complimentary All-Inclusive package, plus $300 onboard credit per stateroom and $300 reduced deposit on cruises through December 31, 2027.

Sea Island

Tucked away on the southeastern coast of Georgia, Sea Island boasts five miles of private beach and a lush natural world to explore. An exceptional destination fueled by gracious service and timeless luxury since 1928.

  • Receive 25% off at The Cloister and The Lodge or 15% off Cottage Rentals for stays November 29 – December 23. Plus, receive a $250 Resort Credit per stay.

The Broadmoor

Experience a pristine Colorado Springs resort where personalized luxury offers an escape from the ordinary and modern details blend seamlessly with classic European elegance.

  • Save 30% on your stay at The Broadmoor for select dates November 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027.

Xanterra Travel Collection® has operations in national parks, including lodges, restaurants, tours and activities in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain National Parks, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Xanterra Travel Collection® also owns and operates Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in Williams, Ariz., The Grand Hotel and The Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites in Tusayan, Ariz., The Oasis at Death Valley in Death Valley Calif., Windstar Cruises, Holiday Vacations, VBT | Country Walkers. Xanterra is also affiliated with two Forbes Five-Star Resorts, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO and Sea Island on the coast of Georgia. 

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US Tour Operators Bring Travelers to World’s Happiest Places

Soaking in the Blue Lagoon. Iceland scored second to Finland in the United Nations’ annual World Happiness Report for 2021. US Tour Operators Association member  Great Value Vacations offers Iceland Escape: Golden Circle & Whale Watching  package © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Who can’t use a little extra happiness now?

Tour operator members of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) offer itineraries to destinations around the world, including the top five countries from the United Nations’ annual World Happiness Report for 2021.

Each year, happiness is measured by the United Nations through a complex process, integrating metrics such as social support, life expectancy, income per capita, and more. In 2021, the top five countries were Finland in first place, followed by Iceland in second place, then Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

“Our tour operator members always make travelers smile, by handling all the logistics, ensuring peace of mind through trip protection and guaranteed accommodations, while offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences that travelers might not find on their own,”said Terry Dale, president and CEO of USTOA. 

What is more, travelers who experience what makes these places score so high in happiness bring these ideas back home.

Here is a sampling of itineraries for clients who want to visit the top five happiness countries with some of the most smile-inducing operators around.

  1. Finland – The Northern Lights of Finland with Collette takes travelers on a hunt for the elusive North Lights in Finland, with a culture and history tour of Helsinki, three nights in rugged Lapland, a reindeer safari, and dog sledding. Accommodations include stays in a glass igloo in the wilderness and a Finnish log cabin.  Departures are available between November 2021 and March 2022 for seven nights, starting at $3,199 per person.
  1. Iceland – Iceland Escape: Golden Circle & Whale Watching with Great Value Vacations is a four-night trip that includes whale watching at sea, a full day tour of the beautiful Golden Circle, and an excursion to the renowned Fontana Baths to bathe in mineral-rich geothermal waters. Departures are available throughout 2021 and 2022 starting at $1,388 per person.
  1. Denmark – Denmark Self-Drive: Copenhagen, Roskilde, Odense & Arhus with Goway Travel is perfect for independent travelers who want to travel at their own pace on an eight-day self-drive tour. The itinerary takes guests through Copenhagen’s museums, the zoo in Odense, and Europe’s Capital of Culture, Arhus. Departures are available throughout 2021 and 2022 starting at $1,307 per person.
  1. Switzerland – The Best of Switzerland with Globus is a vacation out of a storybook, with fresh Alpine air, Swiss chocolates, chalet-dotted hillsides, and lush green farmland. Guests will enjoy an eight-day trip beginning and ending in Zürich with stops at Lake Como, Lake Geneva, and more. Departures are available to book between 2021 – 2023 starting at $2,699 per person.
  1. Netherlands – Grand tour of the Netherlands with Audley Travel explores the Netherlands for ten days with bicycle tours, visits to the famous windmills, a sunset canal cruise through Amsterdam, and a pottery class at Delftware pottery. Departures are available throughout 2021 and 2022 starting at $5,455 per person.

Find all itineraries offered by USTOA tour operators at www.ustoa.travelstride.com

For more information on USTOA, visit www.ustoa.com, call 212-599-6599, or email information@ustoa.com.

Representing nearly $19 billion in revenue, the member companies of U.S. Tour Operators Association provide tours, packages and custom arrangements that allow 9.8 million travelers annually unparalleled access, insider knowledge, peace-of-mind, value and freedom to enjoy destinations and experiences across the entire globe. Each member company has met the travel industry’s highest standards, including participation in the USTOA’s Travelers Assistance Program, which protects consumer payments up to $1 million if the company goes out of business.  As a voice for the tour operator industry for more than 40 years, USTOA also provides education and assistance for consumers and travel agents.

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