Two friends named Mary shared a love of travel and education, so in 1999, they created Edventures, a travel company in Saratoga Springs.
“It’s really very special. Every tour is different. No tour is ever the same,” said Mary Rachun, founder.
Rachun refers to Edventures as a “boutique tour company” for the destinations it travels to and the overall experience it strives for.
“It’s very unique travel, often with a certain topic or affinity people are interested in and we work with experts in those fields,” said Rachun. “We look for interesting destinations a little off the radar, a little different, where people won’t just go by themselves.”
The tour groups are also significantly smaller than what other tour companies provide, usually around a dozen. Rachun said the smaller atmosphere makes for a more intimate and enriching travel experience.
“I think the quality of the experience suffers so we specialize in small group travel,” she said.
Edventures also gives back to the community with each trip. Since its inception, the company has worked with Saratoga Arts to promote the trips and, in turn, contributes back. After the donation from the Scotland trip Rachun was leaving for on Tuesday, Sept. 27, Edventures’ contribution to the arts organization was getting close to $65,000.
“It’s really helped them. We do all the work except they help us by promoting the trips to the members,” said Rachun. “I think that’s what distinguishes our company from the big players in the industry.”
Joel Reed, executive director of Saratoga Arts, said Edventures’ contributions have allowed the organization to extend its outreach, membership base and programs.
“We’re fortunate and grateful to be able to work with them,” said Reed.
The next Edventures trip is a quick overnight run to Philadelphia, a tradition, in March.
“We usually fill the bus,” said Rachun.
After that though, it’s off to another far-reaching, exotic location: New Zealand.
The 13-day tour leaves March 25 and returns April 6. Travelers will tour New Zealand’s two major islands with mountain chains, coastlines and rainforests, exploring wineries, private gardens, landscapes featured in the movie “Lord of the Rings” and villages from the Maori culture. The tour will finish with two nights in Sydney, Australia.
The New Zealand trip ($5,499 total, which includes international airfare from San Francisco, double occupancy accomodations, some meals, attraction fees and a charitable donation) will benefit Saratoga Arts and Soroptimist International of Saratoga County. An information session will be presented by Mary Huber, the other founder of the company, on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 11:30 a.m. at Saratoga Arts at 320 Broadway.
“Edventures has been working with Saratoga Arts for many years. Through our partnership, Saratoga Arts has been able to do world-wide and closer-to-home trips that blend art education with the pleasures of traveling with a small, warm group of people and supremely qualified and experienced trip planners,” said Reed.
Rachun said Edventures provides travel where people learn, an important business pillar that grew out of her years of event or travel planning for Cornell University and an international tour firm.
“You’re not going on a cruise or sitting on the beach getting a tan,” said Rachun. “That’s lent credibility to us as experts in art and culture.”
The interactive trip often forges friendships that extend beyond the vacation.
“I consider it a circle of traveling friends,” said Rachun. “Usually that is what happens when people travel together and hit it off. It’s made it really rewarding.”
Picking a favorite trip is impossible, said Rachun, who insists “my best trip is my next trip.”
“I always look forward to my next experience and that enthusiasm can be infectious,” said Rachun.
A few travel experiences stand out from the rest.
“Last October, I went with both my sons to the great pyramids at Giza into King Tut’s tomb. It was an unforgettable experience,” said Rachun. “We went hot air ballooning over the Valley of the Kings.”
For an itinerary of the New Zealand trip or for more information about Edventures, visit www.goedventures.com.
