Boy what a year it has been, I hope you are all well and safe and have made it through with your humour intact.

All of our 2020 and 2021 adventures have had to be rescheduled, international adventure travel at this stage is very challenging, uncertain, stressful and expensive, but it's starting to look better for 2022.

The world is slowly getting vaccinated, and governments are moving towards managing the virus, it will become endemic, and we will live, safely as possible around it.

Two distinct camps seem to be forming for us travellers.

1.  Those that are happy enough at home, and want to wait until everything settles down, and travel has more certainty about it. (I totally understand but this could be a long long time)
2. Those that are vaccinated, and are itching to get on with their life, knowing that we will likely be living with Covid for years, and it's about managing and minimising risk, rather than stopping living life to the full.  

When international travel does slowly starts up again, it will be a great time to explore. Flexibility will be key, and it's going to be fascinating being part of the first wave of adventurers exploring again. I am sure that this will come with some challenges, but memorable and authentic it is sure to be. All my contacts and helpers on the ground can't wait to see us back again. 
​There are still a few places on all of the trips in 2022 except the Star clipper cruise, South Africa Lux and Peru are almost full, so reserve a spot asap if these interest you.
I do not suggest anyone travels internationally until they are vaccinated, or proof of antibodies, as these will be the first travel documents likely to be needed in the near future.

Hope to see you all soon
​
Richard

Outside the Square brings like minded travelers together, to share fun adventure holidays. 
Gay travelers, and their friends, in the 40+ age bracket are our groups demographic. Our trips are perfect for both couples and for solo travelers 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 traveler 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. 

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, 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 heartwarming 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 can not join 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!"