By Sarah Henshall

The desire to customize a vacation according to the personal choices of the traveler has always been the desire of every good travel agent, whether it is a group tour of an exotic location, a cruise aboard a ship either elegant or casual, an eco-adventure hiking ancient mountains or just reading books on a sandy beach at an exclusive resort.

And while price always plays a role in where people go and what they do when they get there, it is important for anyone planning to travel to have an idea of their expectations for their vacation.  Sometimes the vacation you yearn for most isn’t outrageously expensive.

Over the years we have learned from our members that flexibility and unique experiences are always in vogue. Being able to visit a favorite destination with a group of similarly- minded traveling companions is great, but members also want some free time and flexibility to do the things that appeal especially to them.

Escorted tours often spawn life-long friendships, as you and your fellow travelers share adventures but AAA also has learned there needs to be some time in the schedule to do what you want, not what the group is scheduled to do.

We call it AAA Member Choice Vacations and it has become a popular choice for hundreds of our AAA Carolina members as it combines the convenience of escorted touring with the flexibility of independent travel to premier destinations with unique activities and quality accommodations.  Too many tours today go to great places but overnight in less-than-acceptable rooms.

And there are themes to the various Member Choice Vacations. Any of the premium tours offer two or more activity options at several points during the tour to satisfy your personal tastes or unique sense of adventure.

Just like a cruise ship where passengers choose different tours at different ports, Member Choice travelers can follow their own interests and meet for dinner to compare the days’ events.

Theme choices are: Epicurean, Nature, Adventure and Cultural.

• Epicurean - This theme is perfect for travelers who want to taste the flavors of a destination. It includes activities such as cooking demonstrations, wine-tasting, visits to local markets to shop for native ingredients, and, of course, indulging  - and since your are one vacation – over-indulging in regional cuisine.
• Nature - Travelers who love the outdoors have the chance to be mesmerized by nature-themed activities. They include exploring amazing natural landscapes and learning about the fascinating flora, fauna, and geology of a destination. Some involve actually handling domesticated native animals. This is a great way to integrate education into travel.
• Adventure - Families, younger travelers and travelers who are simply young-at-heart get an extra dose of excitement and adventure. This is the best choice for those with young children to enjoy fun-filled activities ranging from a scenic bike ride to an afternoon at a major theme park.
• Cultural - Focused on giving travelers a deeper understanding of the culture and history of a destination, experiences may include a visit to an art gallery or museum, a presentation on local customs and traditions, or a tour of a historic battlefield or castle.
  

Tours featuring Choice Experiences include: Timeless Italy, Discover Australia and New Zealand, Spectacular Scotland, Incredible Iceland and California Gold.  Scotland, England, Beijing, Ireland and the National Parks are also available. If you can’t find a place you  want to go to from this list, consider taking a chance and rekindle your sense of adventure.