Overview:
NTV is a custom tour operator. We specifically work with "preformed groups" or organizations that can rapidly assemble a group. That's why we are a "custom group tour operator". Our clients include, church groups, fraternal groups, travel agent groups, industrial groups and family groups to name a few. We deal mostly with group tour organizers and travel agents. Agents and tour organizers are usually accommodated (depending on group size) at no charge on the tour. This serves as the major incentive to form the group.

A note about our Itineraries:
Our itineraries are suggested because they have been time tested. We know if you have a large Catholic group you might want to do a Sunday morning Mass at St. Peters in Rome. However, after Mass you can't visit the Sistine Chapel because it usually closes on Sunday at noon, likewise for many museums in Italy, which are closed on Mondays. In addition, "juggling" days around, allows us to not use coaches on many walking tour days, thus minimizing expensive coach costs. Usually, travel agents and group organizers review our standard itineraries and request changes. We are most willing to modify our standard products to fit your specific group needs.

In addition, if you have a destination which is not one of our standard products we will be happy to provide you a quote if we are comfortable and capable of providing the tour i.e. The Southern Crescent, or Boston to Washington.

We operate all the tours. We do not sub-contract the tour to any other tour operator.   Our tour guides are all "home grown" and many are ITMI (International Tour Management Institute) certified.

Most of our tours are fast paced. That is, we strive to include more sightseeing, etc. in one day than do our competitors. We usually don't provide any real "free time" or days of leisure. However, if you wish we can certainly provide this. We also offer plenty of "free time" during our tour day which gives tour participants ample time to just enjoy a café or additional shopping time.

Types of Equipment:
Our tours are fully escorted custom tours. Full coach tours require usually a minimum of 25 people. Depending on type of tour, we may elect to operate certain tours for your group either on a mini-coach or a mini-van if less than 25 people participate. We would be glad to quote you on smaller equipment or a rail tour if your group size does not materialize.

Optional Methods:
Certain types of tours (especially in Europe) are also available as a "rail tour" which is very condusive to the "young and heart" that want to pack light and don't mind carting their bags from the rail station to the hotel. In addition, group tours can also be arranged via cruises e.g. Hawaii or a cruise down the Danube or other rivers of Europe. Side or shore excursions can also be planned.

Hotels:
We can price your group tour from two star hotels to high-end five star hotels. Usually we find that sometimes we can provide four star hotels for the same price as three star hotels.  We can also price your hotels by location.  Usually hotels cost less outside the historic center or several miles from downtown.  Hotels can be priced in accordance with your requirements.

Meals:
In general all our European tours include some type of breakfast, which is usually a buffet. Two star hotels usually provide what is known as a "basic continental breakfast". This means coffee, hard rolls and jams. Our three star hotels usually provide deluxe continental breakfasts. This means a basic continental breakfast supplemented with fruits, yogurts, cheeses, ham etc. Usually there are no hot items. However, we frequently arrange with these hotels to offer hot items for our groups on an alternating day basis. Our four star hotels offer a larger selection plus usually some hot items. It is best for groups to alternate types of breakfasts each morning. In some cases to vary breakfasts we "walk" groups a few blocks to another hotel. In this way (especially in Las Vegas) they experience an entirely different type of buffet breakfast each morning.

Many group organizers and travel agents realize that meals "not included" can add a substantial amount of cost to a person's trip. For example a trip of 10 days, with breakfasts each morning and four dinners thrown in with a cost of $1100 can wind up costing the tour participant $500 more for lunches and dinners! Our concept is to provide lunch and dinners so as to minimize any additional cost to the tour guest. In this way they know what the total vacation will cost them. We don't spring "meal plans" and optional excursions on them once we arrive in the originating city. All tour participants need bring on most of our tours is gratuity and souvenir money. With respect to our lunches and dinners we try to vary them as much as possible. Buffets, picnics, sit down dinners and lunches as well as themes make the entire trip a most enjoyable experience.

The extras:
On many of our tours we go that extra mile for all our guests. Depending on the tour, drinks and snacks may vary from day to day. Newspapers are usually put on board each morning. On longer runs BINGO is provided along with first run movies.

Porterage:
Depending on the needs of your group we offer full porterage from the airport to the hotel and in and out of hotels if needed. If you wish your guests to "drag" their own bags we can provide a credit. It's all up to what you want.