GROUP SERVICES
AFFINITY GROUP TRAVEL
Nine Muses Travel designs inspirational, educational and transformational group tours highlighting the best performing and visual arts, literature, architecture, wine and gastronomy, and historical insights of any destination. Nurture your supporters’ affinity with your organization and delight them with a one-of-a-kind group travel experience.​
Trip Theme Ideas
Here are some favorite destinations and themes that appeal to group travelers. This list is just the start, and anywhere you dream of going, we can customize an inspiring itinerary.
England
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Shakespeare’s London and Stratford-upon-Avon
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Glorious Gardens of England and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
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Victorian Splendor: Pre-Raphaelites & Arts and Craft Movement in England
Americas
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Cuba Cultural Adventure
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Artistic Splendors and Grand Estates of New York’s Hudson Valley
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American Museum Discoveries: Crystal Bridges and Kansas City
Portugal
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Dazzling Douro: Porto and Portugal’s Northern Wine Routes
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Hidden Gems of Iberia: Portuguese Alentejo & Spanish Extremadura Art & Architecture
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Portugal for Book Lovers: Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon
WHAT IS DONOR GROUP TRAVEL?
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Donor group trips are an excellent way to attract and grow support for your nonprofit organization. Often the idea comes from the development team or a board member as an outreach or cultivation endeavor. Dates, destinations and trip themes may be discussed, and a charismatic figurehead such as the Artistic Director or Conductor agrees to accompany the group as an additional draw.
Donor group tours deepen engagement with your valued patrons and offer opportunities to have meaningful conversations with them about your long-term goals. Group tours can also bring new revenue for your company. And they’re fun! Travelers revel in bespoke group trips where all the work's been done for them and they’re sharing privileged access to exclusive activities with like-minded people, seeing and doing things together they couldn’t have arranged on their own. They return home with wonderful memories, stories, and accolades for your organization.
Trip Theme Ideas
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Annual festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
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Anniversaries of the birth or death of famous artists, playwrights, composers, etc. with themed tours to their birthplaces and other significant locations
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Out-of-town engagements where donors can travel to see your work and experience an in-depth tour of the destination
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Invitations to visit international theaters whose work you present, providing an insider’s view to the local history and culture of the area
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Preview tours to the homelands of artists who will be featured in upcoming seasons
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Artistic Director’s Choice, destinations and themes selected specially for your patrons
GROUP BENEFITS WITH NINE MUSES TRAVEL
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Collaboration: I listen closely to understand my clients’ goals and traveler profiles for each trip. I’m here to serve your needs, not try to sell you on some high-commission product. I advise throughout the planning and proposal process and ensure we agree on the best itinerary and price for your guests.
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Customization: No two tours are exactly alike. Every itinerary we create together is tailor-made for your organization or traveling party.
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Profitability: A donation back to your organization can be included in the per person trip price. The more guests you sign up, the more revenue your company receives!
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Operations: Nine Muses Travel meticulously chooses thoroughly vetted suppliers to operate logistical arrangements on the ground such as airport transfers, hotel blocks and room lists, local transportation, group dining, guided tours, ticketed events, and more.
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Pre and Post Arrangements: I can make pre and post trip arrangements for your guests including flights, hotels and activities for a seamless travel experience.
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Tour Directing: Your tour director works diligently in the background making re-confirmations, keeping the group on schedule and looking after the safety and well-being of your guests. A tour director is different than a group leader. Your group leader is someone influential who accompanies the group to represent your organization and engage with guests throughout the trip.
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Peace of Mind: Nine Muses Travel works with industry-leading travel insurance providers who offer robust benefits including trip cancellation and delay, medical emergency and evacuation, pre-existing condition waiver and much more. Trip protection is a must!
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Follow-up: Post-trip surveys can be individually designed and compiled for your organization.
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Affordability: My planning fee is included in the trip price, along with all tour director expenses. The program cost for your group leader and additional staff may also be included in the price of the trip.
SAMPLE GROUP ITINERARY
LONDON & STRATFORD-UPON-AVON THEATRE: AN INSIDER’S VIEW
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Day 1 Depart the US on an overnight flight to London.
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Day 2 Arrive in London this morning and transfer to your centrally-located hotel, where rooms are guaranteed for an early arrival. Gather for an early Welcome Reception and Dinner before enjoying a celebrated production on the West End.
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Day 3 Spend today at the South Bank on a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Theatre and share lunch with an artist from tonight’s production. There will be free time to explore the area before attending a stellar performance on one of the National’s stages. Return to the hotel where you may wish to linger at the bar with your fellow travelers and discuss the shows you’ve seen.
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Day 4 Begin with a specially-curated tour of the extensive Theatre and Performance collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum and its British Galleries, where you'll see the famed Bed of Ware, mentioned by Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night. You may wish to stay and explore the museum and have lunch at the lovely V&A Café on your afternoon at leisure. Tonight, join a lively discussion over dinner with a celebrated theater critic or scholar (schedules pending). Attend an exciting Off West End play followed by a reception with members of the company.
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Day 5 Depart this morning for Stratford-upon-Avon and check in The Arden Hotel directly across from the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Lunch is at leisure in Shakespeare’s charming hometown. Attend an afternoon matinee at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, then enjoy a private dinner at their Rooftop Restaurant where you’ll be joined by special guests from the RSC. Afterward, we see our final performance this evening in the beautiful Swan Theatre.
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Day 6 We conclude this morning with a Farewell Brunch at Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where exclusive access has been arranged to a private viewing of priceless archival documents, including Shakespeare Folios and rare original sourcebooks. Transfer to London Heathrow for the early evening flight home.
