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ABOUT LINDA HAINES

The travel bug hit me early on.  When I am not traveling, I am planning trips, talking about travel, reading travel books, or researching opportunities for travel.  I have been to 63 countries with 12 more planned in the next two years.

My role as a Group Leader began in 2006 when I took my first group of students on an international trip.  I have since taken hundreds of students to many countries around the world.  Since adults need to have fun too, I also offer private trips for adults who want to travel with other like-minded, fun adults.  I concurrently run multiple private student and adult trips each year.

I can also help if you are interested in traveling with your own private group, planning a trip for your family, planning a family reunion, want to plan a destination event with friends, or are looking to travel solo.

Stay tuned for much more exploring to come!

Linda Haines

beyondborderswithlindahaines@gmail.com

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Testimonials

“Africa will be my third tour with Linda! Her wanderlust and years of experience, make travel with her a breeze." ~ Alison M. (Adult)

"My favorite memory of my trip to Europe with Mrs. Haines was hiking Cinque Terre ("Five Lands"). Our trek from one town to the next brought us through beautiful vineyards and into small seaside villages. A stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea laid before us at the summit of the cliffside trail. Captivated by the Italian countryside, and surrounded by lifelong friends, my adventure in Cinque Terre was truly an unforgettable experience." ~ Will H. (Student)

"I had the privilege of traveling with Linda as a chaperone on a student tour to Ireland and Great Britain. Linda's leadership and knowledge made the transition from place to place seem effortless. Every town and city we visited we were able to experience local culture and flavor, and we had the opportunity to attend cultural events along the way. Having free time to explore on our own made the trip a perfect balance of guided events and some wandering time. Both my daughter and I have fond memories of the trip and I would highly recommend traveling with Linda." ~ Angela S. (Adult)

"My daughter and I joined Linda Haines on her EF European Tour of Switzerland, France, and Italy a few summers ago and thoroughly enjoyed our experience!  The highlight for me was the cog rail train ascent up Mt. Pilatus in Switzerland and the incredible views from there.  Linda does a fantastic job of providing the balance of guidance and leadership with independent time during her well-paced itineraries.  We highly recommend this tour for both adolescents as well as adults. ~ Karen T. (Adult)

"We just returned from Africa - our first trip with Linda.  The planning was done with our group in mind, and she was right on!  We had the experience of a lifetime, and Linda's attention to detail from beginning to end made this incredibly complicated adventure run like clockwork. We would definitely book another trip with Linda.  Cuba here we come!" ~ Tom and Brenda (Adults) 

“My daughter attended the Italy trip with her peers Aug ‘23 and had, what she described, as a dream experience. Not only did she have a wonderful time touring and engaging in the culture, but as a parent who did not chaperone - I also had an amazing experience. Linda was organized (understatement!), kind, and confidence inspiring. Never once was I worried about my daughter being in a foreign country without me. I felt secure and THRILLED that she was experiencing what’s sure to be a life defining moment that will surely positively effect her high school experience. She learned to be responsible for her citizenship/passport, saw that American culture is just ONE of many ways to live and is even more confident in her independence. I will be sending my younger one with Linda when he’s old enough, if she’ll have him! Highly recommend!” ~ Maureen J (Parent)

"I have joined Mrs. Haines' travel group as a chaperone on two different occasions. Both trips have been amazingly stimulating and exhilarating for me and my children. Two things impressed me the most before and during the trip.  First, the flawless preparation of the children to be independent, responsible, and most importantly safe.  Second, how much we actually learned by visiting the most amazing places, reading, learning from the BEST local guides, and playing games that wove in the education substance in a subtle yet most fun and meaningful way.” ~ Efi N. (Adult)

"My EF Tour to Europe was an incredible experience, one which I certainly won’t ever forget. EF Tours gave me the opportunity to explore countries I had never seen before, expanding my horizons and peaking my interest in traveling abroad. All of the credit, however, goes to Mrs. Haines and the tour guides that joined us along our journey through Europe. They ensured that we had a safe and engaging experience, while also allowing us to explore and have as much fun as we could. If you’re interested in traveling to Europe for the first time, or you just want the structure of a guided experience, I strongly suggest working with Mrs. Haines and EF Tours. " Mark R. (Student)

"I highly recommend traveling with Linda Haines.  The itinerary was very organized and made an efficient use of time.  I enjoyed the cultural activities and seeing the local scenes of all the places we visited.  We saw so many interesting places and the tour was a good balance of free time and touring.   ~ Gloria D. (Adult)

"I had never been on an educational trip before, but my husband convinced me to go to Japan with my daughter and I can't thank him enough!  Not only do I plan to chaperone each of my other kids' trips if given the opportunity, but I want to take my husband and send my parents.

Linda was such a blessing.  Not only did she plan everything and make sure everything ran smoothly, but she was flexible and understanding when necessary.  She was on top of all the preparations well in advance and walked me through details when needed, and I strongly recommend her as a group leader for future trips.  Thanks Linda!" ~ Jennelle B (Adult)

"My son's trip with Linda was fantastic, truly the trip of a lifetime.  Linda's planning, preparations, and attention to safety and details, resulted in a seamless travel experience for the entire group.  I felt reassured as a parent staying home,and enjoyed the trip virtually through photos and updates via a private Facebook page Linda set up. "~ Susanna V. (Parent)

"My son had the trip of a lifetime traveling to Italy last spring with Linda and a large group of rising 9th graders. Linda's organization and constant communication made the trip entirely worry-free, and the amount the kids saw and experienced in a relatively short period of time was something I never would have been able to accomplish without Linda and her group. I can't wait for my younger son's trip in 2026!"  ~ Julia G (Parent)

"It was a great experience to travel with friends! As a group, we got the opportunity to have a lot of fun and explore new cultures. Mrs. Haines really ensured that the trip was worry-free and smooth! It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience! ~ Stephanie Y. (Student)

"The summer going into my freshman year of high school I had the privilege of traveling to Europe with Mrs. Haines along with my classmates and my mom. It was the most unforgettable trip I have ever experienced and I will cherish the memories forever. On this trip we discovered new cultures and saw some of the most beautiful places in the world. Some of my favorite highlights include taking a gondola through the Swiss mountains, a boat ride through Lake Como,  visiting the F. C Barcelona football stadium, and most of all making memories with an amazing group of people!" ~ Clodagh R. (Student)

“My time on my EF Tour to the UK is one of my most favorite memories. Even after two years, I find myself reminiscing about the fun I had all the time. Discovering new cultures through the food, hotels, shows, and all the beautiful destinations was a once in a lifetime opportunity I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thanks to Mrs. Haines and our EF tour guide, I felt safe and comfortable at all times. For anyone considering going on a guided tour like mine, I would definitely recommend it!” ~ Abby R.  (Student)

"We knew we were in good hands from start to finish with Linda. She carefully researched and set our itinerary and made sure to pass along the details to us in a timely manner. Not only is she extremely organized, she's also an experienced traveler who knows how to navigate any surprises and does so with a smile. Her knowledge of different countries and cultures was an added bonus as we progressed through our trip. Plus, she is a nice person! I can't recommend her highly enough!" ~ Cynthia H (Adult)

"My daughter and I just returned from an amazing trip to Japan led by Linda.  The itinerary we enjoyed was well organized and provided varied activities for the group.  A great mix of historical sites, cultural interests, and good food.  Linda's experience managing large groups made the travel easy.  We are looking forward to participating in future trips with Linda!" ~ Andrew C. (Adult)

I"I wanted to take a moment to thank you so much for such an incredible and memorable experience you provided for our daughter and all the lucky students.  She returned home glowing with excitement from adventure, but more importantly, a real sense of maturity and accomplishment.  I will always remember this trip as an event and moment that lead to her greater self-confidence and a large step towards adulthood. I understand how difficult and how much work goes into planning and organizing such an incredible trip.  You did a first-class job and your experience shined." ~ Nick and Megan P. (Parents)

Thank you again, for giving our daughter this amazing opportunity. It’s something she will carry with her forever. I genuinely believe that experiences like this—traveling to new countries, connecting with different cultures, and seeing the world through a broader lens—are some of the most powerful forms of education. They open our eyes to how much we all share in common, and they help us appreciate the richness of life and the many blessings we often take for granted. ~ Jamie B (Parent)

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