January 2023 Update from Richard

International adventure travel is most defiantly back but remains a challenge with high airfares and reduced capacity, things are improving as airlines schedules increase, but connectivity is still a long way form normal, flexibility is the order of the day, but the rewards are there for those that can make it happen. Countries have opened up, and crowds are diminished, which makes for a wonderful time to explore.
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Hope to see you all soon
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Richard

Outside the Square brings like minded travellers together, to share fun adventure holidays. 
Gay travellers, and their friends, in the 40+ age bracket are our groups demographic. Our trips are perfect for both couples and for solo travellers and there is always a twin share option, and in some cases, a single room at no extra cost, or at a very low supplement. It's easy to see why our trips fill up so far in advance.   

• If your idea of a great holiday is exploring unusual places, whilst enjoying quirky yet comfortable hotels, along with atmospheric local restaurants enjoyed in good company...
• If you like your freedom and independence to make some choices, e.g. go exploring for a morning on your own, yet enjoy having the opportunity to come back to company....
• If you value having an experienced fellow traveller on hand, who will help you make the most of your holiday time... 

Then "Outside the Square" (OTS) - Gay friendly tours could be just what you're looking for! For OTS it's all about, the experience, the relaxed pace, the camaraderie, and of course the food. 
Although OTS mostly attracts, adventurous mature Gay Men, most of our trips are a lovely mix or Gay Men and Women and their friends. 

Outside the Square's vision is of travel adventures shared with others who crave the kinds of holidays not offered by larger commercial operators. Great value is our mission! OTS has negotiated excellent group rates direct with hotels. We generally travel at non-peak times, and stay in locally owned hotels. This has enabled escorted trips for small groups of 6-10 at prices you won't see elsewhere for the same quality of hotel. We also tend to stay in places longer (on average 2-3 nights at each hotel), leaving you time to explore your own interests, at your own pace. If you generally gravitate towards structured tours with a detailed itemized itinerary, and need to know all your hotels in advance, then our trips might not be right for you. If you are a more of an independent traveller, love going for the adventure and tired of solo trips, then you will love our concept. 

Outside the Square offers Gay travellers the following:

• travel with like-minded people.
• different overseas adventure trips each year.
• quirky smaller local hotels located right in the centre of the attractions.
• sharing the day's experiences with fellow travellers and enjoying interesting company over dinner.
• having more freedom to explore than a more structured tour would allow.
• sharing ''value plus'' holidays over, expensive resorts and packages.
• a more flexible travel experience rather than a rigid, min by min itinerary.

Gay solo travel, couples, and groups of friends, are all welcome to join us. Gay friendly is the prerequisite. Solo travellers can share, or pay a modest supplement for a single room, and some trips I run as a "Room of your own" for everyone.

You will need to "let go" of the concept you're signing up for an "off the shelf" tour, you're not, you're joining us on an adventure. Yes, it's a semi-structured adventure with the hard work done, but it is nevertheless an adventure. Things will go wrong some days, and changes will need to be taken in your stride. You will need to have your wits about you in some of the countries we visit, and occasionally expect to do some exploring on your own. As our introduction says: "Travel adventures for the almost independent traveller"

Each year OTS runs 6-7 different trips. Bali, Burma, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Laos, South Africa, Peru, Morocco, Portugal, Chile and Argentina are places we visit regularly, and each year we try to add one new adventure for those returning guests who have been on all the other trips.  

My name is Richard (see profile) and after 35 years travelling the globe and frustrated with the costs and challenges facing solo travellers I started OTS with the dream of bringing together like-minded people to share travel experiences, and to build a community of those who enjoy exploring the world. 2011 was our first adventure, and it's been heart warming to see it how many of you now return each year for a new adventure, and to meet up with old and new friends. Most trips now have about 50%  returning OTS  adventurers, and 50%  on their first trip. This makes for a lovely vibe. Our OTS Meetup sites, along with word of mouth are how people find us, so no you won't find us on a travel agents shelf, and you cannot book via a 3rd party. Small, fun, independent people coming together are what make our adventures special.

"Travel not to escape from life, rather to make sure that life does not escape you!"