Learn for yourself why Zoom Vacations® was voted favorite small tour operator by the readers of Out Traveler Magazine, voted Best Small Tour Operator by PlanetOut, and received the Travvy Award for Best Tour Operator, LGBT. Call us today to book your next Zoom Vacation. 1.773.772.9666
Featured Tours
Zoom Rwanda & Kenya
Paul was on our recent tour to Rwanda and Kenya, and he took a few minutes while on location in the Masai Mara to share our experiences throughout Kenya and Rwanda. Watch the video, and see if this trip is right for you!
Egypt with Zoom Vacations: Decadence on the Nile!
Our Egypt tour has been our most popular for several years, and Zoom Vacations’ Joel Cabrera explores why.
Question: What is it that you personally like about our tour of Egypt?
Joel: I love sailing the Nile on our luxurious boat and being transported back in time. No other place has the visual history that Egypt has.
Question: Why do you think this trip sells out every year?Joel: The trip is small and is limited to 10-12 guests max so it sells out every year. Also, the attention to detail and Zoom Vacations’ ability to visit sites not available to other groups is especially appreciated by guests.
Question: What is the biggest misperception you think people have about Egypt?
Joel: How smooth and seamless travel can be in Egypt.
Question: When you think about our tour to Egypt, what images come to mind?
Joel: Lots of smiling faces - the Egyptians are very kind and hospitable people. In addition, I can't help but think about the amazing vistas on the Nile, the delicious food on our private yacht, and the perfectly preserved tombs in the Valley of the kings! Well, and I never get tired of looking face to face at King Tut’s treasures.
Question: How safe is our tour in terms of Covid?
Joel: Traveling in a bubble through Egypt in our own private yacht and vehicles, and having private access to some of the best tombs and sites in Egypt, makes traveling in the age of Covid very safe.
Recent Testimonials
When Bryan messaged us about contributing to the Zoom Vacations newsletter regarding our travel experiences with Zoom, we had just boarded a cruise ship for a 10-day Atlantis cruise. Our immediate response was, “Yes- of course we will”, because we love to travel, and we especially love our Zoom travels. This request, however, gave us pause to reflect more specifically as to what it is about the Zoom experiences that make them so special amongst the many gay travel options. First and foremost is the personable expert tour leadership of Bryan and Joel who take the time to get to personally connect to each guest so that all expectations are always met and typically exceeded. Secondly, using highly knowledgeable local guides to further personalize the experience and provide the most complete and up to date descriptions of the amazing sites we visit allows them to ensure all aspects of the tour run smoothly even when the best made plans go awry. Lastly, from the lodgings to the cuisine to the selected sites and the timing that these locations are visited- everything comes together for an over-the-top experience so that when reflecting back, it is easy to close your eyes and relive the experience again and again because the experience was so emotionally poignant. With Zoom- within six weeks we were able to travel to the Dead Sea, the lowest body of water in the world (Jordan Tour) and to Lake Titicaca, the highest border of the world (Peru Tour add on)- unparalleled experiences! While we love parties and larger gay events, some of our most memorable travel experiences have been with Zoom and we look forward to more travels with Bryan and Joel.
~Bruce & Wes, from Fort Lauderdale
Is there help for a Zoom addiction as I believe I may have it?! This trip was 5 star amazing all the way! I can't decide my next Zoom trip, but at top of the list is: India Holi Festival, an African Safari (now to decide which option), Morocco, Vietnam, Egypt......so many amazing choices!
~Craig, from Dallas
on Zoom Peru
Hey guys, Just wanted to take a second to thank you for making our trip to Peru so great. We really enjoyed the country and all the sites we saw and activities that you arranged for us.
You made the travel as seamless as possible and the little gifts and extras really made us both feel so special. The hotels were over the top and it was obvious that you both worked very hard to make our experience special.
I am sooo glad that we never cancelled! Once again on behalf of Mike and Myself, kudos and thank you. Have a great holiday season
~Ed, from Santa Barbara
on Zoom Peru
“From drinking wine on the Great Wall, to an amazing al fresco dinner at Ayers Rock with fellow travelers, and experiencing Angkor Was at sunrise, many of my greatest moments of my life have occurred during a Zoom trip.”
~Lou, Chicago, IL
"Zoom Vacations co-founders, Bryan and Joel have a true passion for facilitating an elevated vacation experience. I have had the extreme pleasure to observe this on multiple amazing excursions. And afterwards I no longer felt like a client but a friend and will forever be a Zoomer.”
~Darryl, Atlanta, GA
"Zoom Vacations planned the honeymoon of a lifetime! My husband and I were married in 2017, and Zoom Vacations stepped in to plan our South African honeymoon - with a quick stop in Zambia to see Victoria Falls. From the moment we landed in Cape Town for a few days of relaxation and site-seeing to booking the multiple flights around South Africa, it was one of the most seamless experiences of our lives. We had the opportunity to experience a Safari that found us amongst amazing wild animals with a luxury experience that was beyond compare. Booking our amazing hotels, securing transportation to and from every excursion; Zoom Vacations made us feel like we were VIPs the whole way!”
~Zach, Chicago, IL
“I travel extensively for business and leisure and I enjoy planning my own trips. However, when I am looking for 5 star immersive cultural experience with a tour group that uses knowledgeable, LGBTQ friendly in-country tour guides I always go to Zoom Vacations. I’ve booked a number of tours with them spanning the globe from Australia to Africa and the Middle East and they have all been spectacular. The hotels are top notch. The itineraries are flexible with options that appeal to everyone from the laid back traveler to adventure seekers and adrenalin junkies. What I most love is the special surprise events that usually offer an authentic local experience like riding a scooter through the hectic streets of Hanoi or spending the day at a local Israeli beach after a Pride Parade. Bryan and Joel are amazing hosts. Their attention to details allows you to completely relax, unwind and enjoy the journey that unfolds.”
~Toby, Harlem NY
My husband and I not only love to travel, but we love to have experiences that manage not only to envelope, but seem to rise above the place in which that experience occurs. And we have found ourselves lucky on numerous occasions to have had these experiences created by Zoom Vacations.
No detail is ever left unconsidered or enhanced--that perfect, exclusive tour that brings you not only to the heart of the destination you are visiting, but to the soul of the people whose culture you are temporarily inhabiting; that unbelievable lunch spot with the perfect menu that aligns with the atmosphere; that once-in-a-lifetime vista that only Zoom seems to know about; that hotel that you thought only existed in the glossy pages of an elite travel magazine. And always these experiences are accompanied by the most wonderful Zoom team, and extraordinary fellow travelers who love to sink into such experiences as deeply as you do.
We have never been anything but thrilled beyond our expectations, and have always left a vacation from Zoom feeling that yet another incredibly rich life experience was just created by the talented and loving staff at Zoom. We can’t wait for our next one.
~Keith, Purcellville, VA
“I have gone with Zoom Vacations on group tours, and have used their services for beautifully curated private ones too. I have never experienced anything as magical.”
~Stephanie, Austin, TX
“I loved that the trip was well-planned and thoughtfully curated. And I enjoyed meeting everyone on the trip - we quickly became a tight-knit group!”
Tom, San Francisco, CA
“So looking forward to creating wonderful memories from our Zoom Vacations tours again”
~Gerald, Atlanta, GA
Gay Group Vacations
all photos have been taken on actual Zoom Vacations tours
Scroll below to explore our gay group vacations, or use our menu tabs above to learn more about Zoom Vacations, gain travel insights from our blogs, and hear from Zoom travelers. Or, view our at-a-glance mini brochure.
From ancient temples to priceless treasures; from Bangkok to beautiful beaches; from friendly people to fabulous food— Zoom Thailand has something to appeal to every taste. Zoom Vacations’ luxury tour to Thailand features the best hotels and restaurants in the country, with fascinating tours and the best guides!
Sight-seeing, sumptuous food, sun, safari, and a seventh natural wonder. This trip has it all! You will enjoy the finest South African wines, one of the best safari lodges in the world, chic Cape Town, and unparalleled Victoria Falls. A perfect South African vacation!
Tel Aviv Gay Pride
Thousands of gay people come to Tel Aviv to celebrate their pride in a magnificent setting with fellow gay travelers from all over the world! And Pride is just a small part of what our travelers experience with us in this fascinating country.
See firsthand the Terra Cotta Warriors, ascend the Great Wall of China, explore the nightlife of Beijing and Shanghai, visit charming villages, and enjoy the best cuisine and service for which China is famous!
Experience the mystical civilization of the lost Inca empire while enjoying 5 star hotels! You will also spend time in Lima, Cuzco, and the Sacred Valley. “Out Traveler” rated Zoom’s Peru trip one of Ten trips to change your life.
Visit dazzling Marrakech, cultural Fes, and the majestic Sahara Desert. Many visitors to Morocco comment that it can be tricky to figure out on one’s own. Zoom Vacations takes out the challenges so that you simply get to sit back and enjoy this incredible place.
While Egypt is obviously popular, perhaps the biggest draw of our trip is that we charter our own private yacht for 4 nights on the Nile, giving our travelers a truly carefree, luxe experience. Our travelers always rave about our Egyptologists, and every component of the trip is curated to be the best.
Few countries in the world offer as much intrigue and surprise as Vietnam and Cambodia. While touring these destinations, one learns to expect the unexpected, and to simply be impressed at every turn. Zoom will show you the magic of these incredible countries.
Travel like a Maharaja during our 5 star trip through India! Visit the Taj Mahal and famous cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Veranasi, Udaipur, and Jaidpur while staying in literally the best hotels the world, most of them former palaces!
During our tour, we literally lodge-hop on executive-class Cessnas throughout Tanzania, and then a short flight to Rwanda for our gorilla safari. The planes have custom-designed interiors, replete with bespoke white leather seating and mahogany embellishments. This trip will bring you face-to-face with gorillas and safari animals like never before; pamper and thrill you every day; and live in your memory forever.
As a port city, all trade paths have passed through Istanbul for thousands of years, and its complex history, culture, and grandeur is reflected in our tour. After Istanbul, we then take you to the fairytale land of Cappadocia, where man and nature have competed (or have they worked together) to create an otherworldly landscape of towering stones, caves, and other formations, amidst cliffs and mountains.
Cuba Legalizes Same Sex Marriage!
It is the moment for which LGBT+ Cubans have waited for decades. Gay marriage is now legal in Cuba! Almost 75 percent of those eligible to vote in Sunday’s national referendum turned out, voting in favor of a new 100-page family code.
The code also provides greater protections to women, children and the elderly as well as allowing LGBTQ couples to marry and adopt children.
One of our very first Zoom Vacations tours was to Cuba over 20 years ago (as part of a person-to-person cultural exchange program).
This is a huge step forward, and we are thrilled for our LGBTQ+ friends living in Cuba.
A regular on WCIU's "the Jam", Bryan Herb from Zoom Vacations discusses transformational travel.
Host Danielle and Bryan talked about South Africa and India, and even their shared love of Miami.
More than just a vacation.
Whether it's cooking in the private home of a famous Brazilian chef, getting blessed by a real Inca shaman in a temple of Machu Picchu, or entering a private African Party on the banks of the Zambezi River by elephant back, Zoom Vacations® brings unmatched experiences, showing our travelers more than just a good time.
OUR MISSION: ZOOM VACATIONS CREATES GLOBAL VACATIONS THAT FEED THE HEARTS, SOULS, AND MINDS OF OUR TRAVELERS.
The Travvy Awards recognize the highest standards of excellence in the travel industry and honor travel companies, travel products, travel agencies and destinations for their outstanding achievement. Zoom Vacations won the Gold for Best Escorted Tour Operator, LGBT.
Our travelers truly live the destination, while enjoying multi-sensory over-the-top events and excursions. Anyone can hop on a plane and visit the typical tourist attractions. That's not how we do things. People join our tours because they want something more than the typical trip. They want to be inspired.
And of course, we research each aspect of our vacation packages to ensure that every hotel, meal, excursion, and tour we provide is something that truly energizes and expands the imaginations of our guests, while providing camaraderie and connection to the destination and those around them.
In addition to providing experiential group and independent travel for almost 15 years, Zoom Vacations is often sought for its travel expertise by such entities as the New York Times Travel Show, ManAboutWorld, International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, Orbitz, the Travel Channel, Bump!, and many online and print publications.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Video of our travelers
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A few more testimonials from some of our travelers
Each trip was packed full with a variety of experiences that exceeded our expectations. They were very different trips, and we came away with friends we still keep in touch with today and memories to last a lifetime.
James and Mark, Dallas, TX
I have to say, this was the best time I have ever had in my life. Every day was a new adventure.
Troy, Washington, DC
I've been traveling alone for the past couple of years; it was delightful to meet new people and make good friends. It was a trip of a lifetime.
Antay, Minneapolis, MN
We are definitely hooked on Zoom Vacations®......We had the opportunity to come in contact with a fascinating culture, food and an extremely harmonious group of people. For all of that and more, THANK YOU. We can't wait to book another trip, the problem is deciding where... Decision, Decisions..... Thanks again
Leonel and Adrian, San Bernardino, CA
After several weeks I still feel every part of this trip was worth every dime. And it truly did change me.
Patrick, N. Minneapolis, MN
In a world where so many companies over-promise and under-deliver, it is refreshing to find one that greatly over-delivers. Thank you so much for all the extra work you put in to make this vacation special for all of us.
Chad, Chicago, IL
Traveling with ZOOM
My husband John and I have been on many tours and vacations with ZOOM Vacations. Tours have included, Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, India, Cuba, Jordan and Egypt. In addition to group tours, we have asked the ZOOM team to arrange for personal trips to places that are not on their regular tour list. We call ZOOM when we are looking for a luxurious vacation with a knowledgeable local tour guide who will be sensitive to LGBTQ issues.
When on vacation I post a lot of pictures to Facebook to share with our grown children, family and friends. Whenever we return from a trip, friends always comment on the amazing pictures and the opulent luxurious hotel properties along the way. In addition to those comments, close friends and family also ask, “Is that with the agency you usually travel with?” They then ask about ZOOM and more details about the trip. It is so easy to see in the photographs the difference between a regular vacation and a ZOOM vacation.
So what is the difference? While we “read up” about the places we are planning to visit, we never have to worry about the details of the trip. From the moment we get off the plane at our destination until the moment we return home, everything is coordinated for the traveler. From the person meeting you at the arrival gate, to the person escorting you to the front desk to check in to your hotel, everything is planned to make travel as smooth as possible.
An example of how ZOOM creates a “worry free” vacation happened on our tour of South Africa. We signed up for the Blue Train overnight excursion, followed by the Marine Safari. They were add-ons offered by Zoom. Our flight was arriving a day before the tour was to begin. A couple of months before the trip, ZOOM staff called to see if we would like to take a day tour of Soweto and Johannesburg. We chose to sign up and it was amazing! Then we boarded the Blue Train. After a day of great food and wine tasting on the train, our ZOOM coordinator Bryan Herb got a text that the bush lodge we were heading to for the marine safari was on fire and had burned to the ground. While the ZOOM guests on the trip continued to enjoy the train trip, the ZOOM team went to work to find new accommodations. When we disembarked the train there was a van ready to take us to our next destination. Instead of the bush lodge, they had arranged for us to stay at an amazing resort on the waterfront with incredible views. While the bush lodge had burned down, we still traveled the short journey to the lodge to experience the tour of the animals, birds, whales, great white sharks and more. As we watched the “under control” smoldering of the lodge, the local guide explained to us the ecological importance of fires in that area and their role in regenerating the natural fauna.
We have met some wonderful people on our ZOOM tours. The numbers are always small so you get to know each other, and if you want time alone it is easy to find. It is always interesting to meet someone who is on their first ZOOM vacation. They have heard that ZOOM is different, but they don’t really know what people mean when they say that. After a few days on the tour, “newbies” have no problem identifying the unique, detailed, luxurious components that are part of a ZOOM vacation. They are also surprised that while some people have traveled with ZOOM many times, everyone is welcomed the same way on the trip.
Let’s face it, no matter what tour you take to Egypt you are going to see temples and pyramids and the sphinx. You will probably ride a camel and experience the desert. In India you will see the Taj Mahal. But when people see our ZOOM vacation experiences, they see more than those photo ops. They can see us with a group of people having an amazing time together. They see champagne glasses being raised in the most unusual places and accommodations and specialty events that other tours do not offer. The intimate small groups allow for serendipitous experiences that large tours just do not offer. It is a lot of “small things” that make a huge difference.
If you have been on a ZOOM vacation, my words probably resonate with your experience and you “get it.” For those who have never “ZOOMED,” try it. You are in for a treat.
Brad, Randolph, NJ
Top ten reasons why I miss Zoom Vacations®
#1 I'm working full time again
#2 Nobody is waiting on me hand and foot at home
#3 The food is not as good back home
#4 The sun doesn't shine everyday
#5 They speak the same language in Jersey
#6 I need a new necklace
#7 Seeing my friends in the hot tub :)~
#8 I've only been on 8 trips
#9 I miss my friends
#10 I love the cab rides :) (private joke)
Tom, Jersey City, NJ
Gay Travel
Gay travel has seen remarkable changes and growth in the past decade. As a gay tour operator, this change has led to amazing opportunities in the kinds of lesbian and gay vacations that we are able to provide. For instance, lesbian and gay travel is now embraced in destinations and hotels where it wasn't just 10 years ago. All gay group tours and vacations can now offer the same (or perhaps even better) quality and breadth of experiences as our straight counterparts.
Zoom Vacations® offers fun, luxurious, affordable lesbian and all gay tours to the hottest destinations in the world. We understand that successful gay tours must entail personalized, sincere attention at every step of the journey, and getting to know our travelers is one of our favorite aspects of what we do. While we use the phrase gay vacations throughout this site, it may be more accurate to say that we provide gay-friendly travel (specifically gay-friendly tours). We encourage the friends and families of our gay travelers to come along, and we are always happy to assist gay-friendly travelers in any way we can.
As global prejudice continues to fall, gay travel, and certainly travel in general, is evolving in exciting, powerful ways. Zoom Vacations® is poised to meet this evolution, providing the most modern, fun, stylish gay vacations possible.
Our travelers say our trips are "over-the-top", "magical" and "the best trip I ever had". We create experiences unique to Zoom Vacations® that you simply won't find any place else. It's as if you are traveling with a best friend who lives in the destination you are visiting, and who is inviting you to the hottest events, taking you on the most incredible excursions, and introducing you to the best restaurants. When you travel with Zoom Vacations®, you leave all prior notions of touring behind, and prepare yourself for something truly magical.
