BudgetTravel

"We took one of your 40 Best trips in December of 2005," wrote Gloria and Mike Anderson of Seattle. "It was a Grand Circle Travel cruise on the Danube. We were a little nervous since the company caters to the 50-and-over crowd and we were in our 40s, but the trip turned out to be a fabulous adventure." The couple then booked a journey to Peru with Overseas Adventure Travel, a division of Grand Circle Travel. "Again, they were outstanding. One of the best experiences we had was sharing a meal with a local family in their home in the Sacred Valley. Thank you for telling us about the company." Contact: Overseas Adventure Travel's 11-day trip to Peru starts at $1,995 and includes air from Miami, all transfers and local transportation (bus, train, plane), nine nights' accommodations, sightseeing and activities, most meals, and an English-speaking guide throughout (800/248-3737, oattravel.com).