Scopia Tours

17/06/2024

New dates and an easier deposit for the tour of Egypt!

The tour is now scheduled for March 5-15, 2025, and all you need to register is a deposit of $100 per person!

If we do not reach the minimum of 15 participants by September 30, 2024, the deposits will be fully refunded so you can register with confidence.

Register by July 31, 2024 and get $100 off per person.

This is deluxe, small-group tour costs $6,795 per person in double occupancy and includes:

* Nonstop flights from Newark to Cairo
* Domestic airfare in Egypt
* 5 Nights in Cairo (5-Star hotels)
* 4 Nights on a Nile Cruise (5-Star cruiser)
* Touring with an expert Egyptologist in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor.
* The famous Abu Simbel Temple is included
* Most meals
* Air-conditioned buses
* Wi-Fi in the hotels, on the bus and on the cruise.
* Visa to Egypt
* Fully escorted

Find out more and register on the dedicated tour website:

Scopia LLC offers you a small group escorted tour to Egypt, March 5 - 15, 2025. Includes 5 Nights in Cairo and 4 nights Nile cruise. Visit sites in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel.

09/06/2024

If you want to see the accommodations during the tour to Egypt, here are some photos from the rooms at the Hilton Conrad in Cairo and the suites on the luxury Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile cruise.

This is truly a deluxe tour!

Tour cost is $6,795 per person in double occupancy. Dates are October 23 - November 2, 2024, including:

* Non-stop flights from Newark
* Domestic flights in Egypt
* 5 Nights in Cairo
* 4 Nights on the Nile Cruise
* 3 Full Days of touring in Cairo
* 4 Full Days of touring during the Nile Cruise
* Touring with an expert Egyptologist
* Abu Simple Temple - Included with Flights!
* Visa to Egypt
* Wi-Fi on the cruise, bus and in the hotel
* Most meals
* Full escorted
* Visa to Egypt and so much more!

Find out more and register on the dedicated tour website: https://scopiatours.com/Eghpt2024

Cruise images: Sonesta website

05/06/2024

The tour to Greece November 7-16 already has 6 participants and we're looking for 4-6 participants to join us!

Included are 5 nights in Athens and 4 nights on a cruise in the Aegean Sea (outside view cabins). Touring with an expert guide to Athens, Delphi, Corinth, Sounion, Ephesus (private), Rhodes (private) plus lots of great food and fun!

Greece is completely unrelated to the situation in Israel/Gaza and is rated "Level 1" by the State Department (no travel advisories).

Find out more and register by June 15 on the tour website: https://scopiatours.com/Greece1124

Images: All images (except cruise ship) are from Wikimedia, Creative Commons Zero (public domain).

18/05/2024

We have 6 participants registered for the wonderful tour of Greece, November 7-16. Just 4 more needed to operate the tour!

Keep in mind the price has dropped to $4,985, which includes 4 nights in Athens and 4 nights on a Mediterranean cruise.

Register by May 31, 2024:

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Greece, November 7-16, 2024. Includes Athens, Corinth, Delphi on the mainland, plus a 4-day Aegean Sea cruise to Mykonos, Ephesus, Rhodes, Patmos, Santorini.

30/04/2024

The cost of the tour of Greece (Nov 7-16) has been reduced from $4,995 to $4,895 per person in double occupancy. There's also an early bird discount of $100 per person for anyone who registers and pays the initial deposit by tomorrow, May 1.
We already have 2 registered, maybe 4, and just need to reach 10 for the tour to take place!
Plus, keep in mind that if we reach 12, the cost per person drops another $300!
Now's the time to take full advantage of all these cost reductions. Find out more and register:

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Greece, November 7-16, 2024. Includes Athens, Corinth, Delphi on the mainland, plus a 4-day Aegean Sea cruise to Mykonos, Ephesus, Rhodes, Patmos, Santorini.

05/04/2024

Price drop on the small group, escorted tour of Egypt!

Old price: $6,995 / New price: $6,795

Plus, early bird discount of $200 per person if you register and pay your initial deposit by April 15, 2024.

Remember: This tour is 5-stars all the way, including an all-suite Nile Cruiser!

Also included are flights from Newark (non-stop), domestic flights in Egypt and touring with an expert Egyptologist. Even a visit to the Abu Simbel Temple is included, which usually costs around $400 as an optional extra with other companies.

Find out more and register:

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Egypt, October 23-November 2, 2024. 5 Nights in Cairo and 4 nights on a luxury Nile cruise. Visit famous sites in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel.

31/03/2024

Don't miss out! Early bird specials offered on 2024 tours:

Spain, Sep 3 - 13: Register and pay your deposit by April 15 for an early bird discount of $200 per person, or by May 15 for a discount of $100 per person.

Egypt, Oct 23 - Nov 02: Register and pay your deposit by April 15, for an early bird discount of $200 per person, or by June 15 for a discount of $100 per person.

Greece, Nov 07 - 16: Register and pay your deposit by April 15 for an early bird discount of $200 per person, or by May 1 for a discount of $100 per person.

There are always new tours in the works at Scopia LLC. Visit this page to see what's being planned and sign up for updates as more details become available for specific tours.

27/03/2024

A new tour to Greece is available, November 7 - 16, 2024. The tour cost is $4,995 per person in double occupancy, based on a minimum of 10 participants. But if we have 12 participants, the price goes down $300 per person!

The cost does not include flights from the US (about $800-$1000) and travel insurance. Private airport transfers are included in Athens, so you can arrive and depart on any flight.

Included are 5 nights in Athens and 4 nights on an Aegean cruise, plus touring, most meals and more. Mainland Greece touring to Athens, Corinth, Delphi and Sounion. Cruise touring includes Ephesus (private tour) and Rhodes (private tour). For other excursions during the cruise (Patmos, Mykonos and Santorini), each participant has $160 credit to choose.

I hope you decide to join the tour and look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Greece, November 7-16, 2024. Includes Athens, Corinth, Delphi on the mainland, plus a 4-day Aegean Sea cruise to Mykonos, Ephesus, Rhodes, Patmos, Santorini.

15/03/2024

Austria is probably one of the most beautiful and interesting countries to visit in Europe. From imperial and cosmopolitan Vienna to the historical Wachau Valley along the Danube, the picturesque towns and mountains of the Tirol region…there’s so much to see, learn and experience.

Most companies include a couple of days in Austria on the way to or from nearby countries, but I prefer to plan tours that delve deep into the heart, history and culture of a country, exploring more than just the famous places. And the bonus - it’s very easy to add a couple of independent days in nearby Budapest or Prague, before or after the tour.

I tried to organize a tour to Austria in 2022, but COVID kept us all at home. It’s time to try again...

If you think you might be interested in a tour in September 2024, please enter your details on this form and I will be in touch if we have enough people to organize a tour. https://forms.office.com/r/x4U7usffh0

14/03/2024

Last call for the trip to Greece - we have 9 registered and each new participant reduces the cost by $200 or so. Find out more on the tour website: https://scopiatours.com/Greece2024

Here's a map of the places visited on the tour (Greece mainland and Greek Islands, plus Ephesus in Turkey).

06/03/2024

Mazal Tov! We have the first two registrations for the tour of Egypt, October 23 - November 2, 2023. This deluxe tour costs $6,995 per person in double occupancy and includes:

1. Non-stop flights from Newark to Cairo
2. Domestic flights in Egypt
3. Deluxe (fully renovated) hotel in Cairo - 5 nights
4. Deluxe (fully renovated) all-suite Nile cruiser - 4 nights
5. Most meals
6. Touring - Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and more.
7. Expert Egyptologist guide throughout.
7. Wi-Fi on the bus, cruiser and in the hotel.
8. Visa to Egypt
9. Personal headsets during touring
10. Fully escorted
11. And much more!

A deposit of just $250 is needed to register. Have no worries - until June 15, 2024 - if we don't have the minimum 15 participants, the deposits will be refunded in full.

Find out more and register at

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Egypt, October 23-November 2, 2024. 5 Nights in Cairo and 4 nights on a luxury Nile cruise. Visit famous sites in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel.

03/03/2024

Last call for the tour of Greece, September 14 - 29, 2023. Visit sites on the mainland, followed by a relaxing Mediterranean cruise.
I look forward to welcoming you aboard and traveling together to these beautiful places!

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Greece, September 14-29, 2024. Includes Athens, Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora and Thessaloniki on the mainland, plus a 7-day Aegean Sea cruise from Thessaloniki back to Athens.

06/02/2024

Reminder: tours are open for registration to , , and . Now's the time to register and enjoy the early bird discounts.
Https://scopiatours.com/upcoming

There are always new tours in the works at Scopia LLC. Visit this page to see what's being planned and sign up for updates as more details become available for specific tours.

04/02/2024

Friends,

During COVID, when I had nothing better to do, I started working on a travel-related website called Relavanti.

Although still in development, it is already a pretty useful tool to search and book travel services around the world. At this stage, any revenues and feedback will be helpful.

So, if you're planning on going anywhere at all, and need to book a car, hotel or maybe local activities, you can help me out a bit by searching and booking the services via this website. Every dollar earned in commissions will help further the development!

The simplest version:
---------------------------
(1) Search the Location to which you are planning to travel (place, address, attraction etc.) and enter the dates.
(2) Then, in look to the left of the map to book hotels, car rentals and activities around that specific location.

A bit more advanced:
-------------------------
(3) After searching the location, click on the "Air" to see nearby airports.
(4) Click on Details to see services at that airport.

Of course, you are welcome to play around the website as you like and see if you can figure out some of the fun features (for example filtering the seaports to find cruises). Let me know what you think - I love constructive criticism.

Thanks in advance for your support, Ophir.

Relavanti Travel

01/02/2024

We have 7 wonderful people registered for the tour of Greece and Aegean Cruise, September 14 - 29, 2024.
They hail from Oklahoma, North Carolina and Massachusetts.
Just 9 more wonderful people are needed for this tour to be a go! Registration deadline is February 29.
Visit the tour website for information and registration. I look forward to traveling with you.

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Greece, September 14-29, 2024. Includes Athens, Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora and Thessaloniki on the mainland, plus a 7-day Aegean Sea cruise from Thessaloniki back to Athens.

21/01/2024

“Hineni” is a Hebrew word that appears 177 times in the Old Testament. In simple terms, it means “I am here”.

In context, when there is a call to action or a cry for help, the word “Hineni” is a response, meaning “I am ready” or “I am here to help”. Famed singer Leonard Cohen includes “Hineni” in the lyrics to his song “You want it Darker” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0nmHymgM7Y).

Over the past several weeks, many people I know (mostly Israeli expats such as myself) have traveled to Israel to volunteer or simply be with friends and family during difficult times. Yet there are many who want to travel and be in Israel and are looking for an opportunity to do so as a group, in an organized fashion.

This is the reason for “Hineni – Israel Support trip”, a special package designed as a small group traveling together. It includes a bit of touring, volunteering, free time and simply being in Israel.

The trip dates are May 5-12, 2024. The cost is $3,799 per person in double occupancy and includes flights from Chicago, 3 nights in Tel Aviv, 3 nights in Jerusalem, airport transportation, 4 days of touring with a licensed guide and tips.

If you or someone you know may be interested, please see the tour link below. Registration is open until February 28, 2024.

https://www.scopiatours.com/Hineni

A group trip to support the people of Israel during these difficult times. A mixture of touring, free time, volunteering and mostly – just being there.

18/01/2024

My Egyptian friend once told me that when it comes to level of service, Egypt is in the top of the list. This could not be more true - the staff at the hotels and on the Nile cruiser know how to pamper and treat their guests!

If you're thinking about joining the group to Egypt October 23 - November 2, do so in comfort with Scopia.

Here are some photos of the hotel in Cairo - The Hilton Conrad overlooking the mighty Nile River (5 nights). And here's a video of the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruiser: https://youtu.be/RTMosy0CcPU?si=1mxntbmtBj7AlMe6

The tour costs $6,995 per person in double occupancy including flights from Newark and 5-Star treatment throughout. Fully escorted!

A deposit of $250 is all's that's needed to sign up, with no other payments due until June 15.

Details and registration are now available on the dedicated tour website: https://scopiatours.com/Egypt2024

I look forward to welcoming you and to traveling with you.

06/01/2024

A tiny bit of good news for the Israeli tourism market...The foreign airlines are returning to fly to Tel Aviv.

These European air carriers have announced that they will resume connections with David Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv from January 2024. On October 10, 2023, three days after the Hamas attack on Israel, most airlines suspended their service to David Ben-Gurion International Airport. A...

03/01/2024

It's time...the annual tour of Egypt is now open for registration!

Dates are October 23 - November 2, 2024. The cost is $6,995 per person in double occupancy and includes:
- Non-stop flights from Newark
- Domestic flights in Egypt
- 5 Nights in a deluxe hotel in Cairo
- 4 Nights on a deluxe Nile cruise (Sonesta Sun Goddess)
- 3 Days touring in Cairo and all shore excursions on the cruise (Luxor, Aswan, etc.)
- Expert Egyptologist as our guide.
- Most meals (just 3 lunches and 2 dinners not included)

Scopia Extras in Egypt:
- Abu Simbel excursion is included with flights
- Wi-Fi on the bus in Cairo.
- Wi-Fi package on the Nile Cruise.
- Visa to Egypt is included.
- Fully escorted from the moment you arrive.

I hope you decide to join and look forward to traveling with you.

You can find all the information on the tour website:

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Egypt, October 23-November 2, 2024. 5 Nights in Cairo and 4 nights on a luxury Nile cruise. Visit famous sites in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel.

26/12/2023

A quick reminder - The tour of Spain (Barcelona to Madrid, September 3-13) is open for registration, and there's a discount of $100 per person if you register and pay your initial deposit by December 31st.

The tour includes two stays in "Paradors" which are government owned Spanish heritage budlings. Take a look at these photos to see what one of the Paradors looks like (images are courtesy Parador de Olite, where the tour will be staying for 2 nights - paradores.es).

I look forward to welcoming you on board and having fun with you in beautiful Spain! https://scopiatours.com/Spain2024

25/12/2023

There's already some interest in this wonderful tour of Greece, September 14-29. It includes a tour of mainland Greece (Athens to Thessaloniki) as well as a 6-night cruise on the Aegean (Thessaloniki to Athens). Small group, fully escorted, nice hotels, lots of meals, sites and fun! If you happen to know of anyone who may be interested, please feel free to share. Register and pay your deposit by December 31, 2023 for $100 off per person!

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Greece, September 14-29, 2024. Includes Athens, Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora and Thessaloniki on the mainland, plus a 7-day Aegean Sea cruise from Thessaloniki back to Athens.

25/12/2023

Wonderful, beloved friends: Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, peaceful new year. Ophir and the family.

13/12/2023

Two wonderful tours in 2024 are now open for registration, and one is in the works for a few more days:

(1) Spain, September 3 - 13, 2024 - Open for registration.
Barcelona, Madrid and beautiful places in between.

(2) Greece, September 14-29, 2024 - Open for registration.
Mainland Greece plus a Mediterranean cruise.

(3) Egypt, Oct. 23 - Nov. 2 - Coming soon!
Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel + Deluxe Nile cruise.

Stay up to date with new and exciting tours on the "Upcoming" page:

There are always new tours in the works at Scopia LLC. Visit this page to see what's being planned and sign up for updates as more details become available for specific tours.

11/12/2023

Have you ever stayed in a Spanish Parador?

Back in 1928, the Spanish government wanted to find a way to accommodate travelers in areas where there were no hotels, while at the same time maintain beautiful old buildings. So, the government created...the Paradors!

Today, the Paradors offer an opportunity to enjoy stays in some very unique, historical buildings (including castles!) at a really good price, since the Paradors are all government owned. Each of the Paradors also has its own restaurant, specializing in local cuisines. Of course - Wi-Fi, AC, private bath. What a treat!

Between Barcelona and Madrid, Scopia's tour to Spain in September of 2024, includes 4 nights in two Paradors, the one in Olite and the one in La Granja. Have a look at the websites for these two Paradors to see just how special these places are.

https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-la-granja
https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-olite

If you're interested in joining the tour, head on over to the tour website for information and registration. I look forward to welcoming you on board this unique journey!

https://scopiatours.com/Spain2024

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Spain, September 3-13, 2024. 3 nights in Madrid, 3 nights in Barcelona and 4 nights in beautiful Paradors in between.

05/12/2023

Hot off the press! New, small group tour to Spain is now available for registration!

September 3 - 13, 2024. Includes stays in 4-star hotels in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as two Paradors in between. If you don't know about the Paradors, now is the time to find out! Visit Barcelona, Montserrat, Zaragoza, Avila, Toledo, Madrid and lots of other interesting and beautiful places.

Airfare from the US is not included (depart September 2), but with private airport transfers, you can arrive and depart on any flight you like.

Find out more and register on the tour website:

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Spain, September 3-13, 2024. 3 nights in Madrid, 3 nights in Barcelona and 4 nights in beautiful Paradors in between.

25/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. The first 2024 trip is now online and open for registration!

Greece, September 14 - 29, 2024 inclusive of 9 nights touring in mainland Greece and 6 nights on a cruise through the Aegean Sea.

This is a small group (min. 16 and max. 20) and fully escorted.

Sites visited in mainland Greece include Athens, Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Veria (Philippi) and Thessaloniki. The cruise starts in Thessaloniki and visits Ephesus, Crete, Mykonos and Santorini.

The cost per person in double occupancy is $6,895 which includes: hotels, touring, cruise accommodations (outside cabins) and most meals. The price does not include flights from the US and optional travel insurance.

If we reach 20, the price drops $300 per person, so be sure to invite family and friends.

Turkish Airlines is currently running a special of less than $900 roundtrip to Athens from New York, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago and other US gateways. Private airport transportation is included, so you can arrive and depart Athens on any flight!

Save $100 per person if you register and pay your initial deposit by December 31, 2023. Visit the tour website for a full brochure and details. Message me on Facebook or via the tour website with any questions. I look forward to welcoming you on board!

Scopia LLC is pleased to offer you a small group escorted tour to Greece, September 14-29, 2024. Includes Athens, Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora and Thessaloniki on the mainland, plus a 7-day Aegean Sea cruise from Thessaloniki back to Athens.

22/11/2023

Quick survey:

If you have any inclination to visit Greece next year, which option would you prefer?

Option 1: About $6,000 per person for 10 days/9 nights in Mainland Greece, including flights from New York, good hotels, most meals, touring and unique experiences.

Option 2: About $8,000 per person for Option 1, plus a 6-night cruise in outside cabins, unlimited drinks package, all meals, a private tour in Ephesus Turkey and $160 credit for other shore excursions in Greek islands visited enroute?

Places visited during the mainland tour: Athens, Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Veria, Kavala and Thessaloniki.

Ports of call on the cruise: Kusadasi Turkey (Ephesus - private excursion), Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Milos.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

17/11/2023

Coming up in September 2024:

September 2 - 13: Tour of Spain starting in Madrid and ending in Barcelona, with some really interesting places in between.

September 13 - 29: Two-part tour of Greece. Part 1: Mainland Greece, starting in Athens, through Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Kavala and ending in Thessaloniki. Part 2: A relaxing Aegean cruise to the Greek Islands, starting in Thessaloniki and ending back in Athens.

Both tours will include airfare out of New York, with options to add flights from any US departure city, great hotels (including a couple of Paradors in Spain), meals, guiding, bus transportation and special activities. Fully escorted by yours truly.

More information coming soon...Enjoy the weekend.

04/09/2023

A quick reminder: We still have open spots on The Episcopal Church of the Nativity pilgrimage to the Holy Land, May 2 - 13, 2024. Members of the Church, friends and family are welcome! Registration is open till September 15.

Father Randy Sellers of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Dothan, Alabama, invites you to join a wonderful, inspirational pilgrimage to the Holy Land, May 2-13, 2024.

04/09/2023

A quick reminder: We still have open spots on the Lewisville UMC pilgrimage to the Holy Land, January 31 - February 10, 2024. An option exists for a Petra (Jordan) extension. Members of the Church, friends and family are welcome! Registration is open for a few more days.

Rev. Paul Brown of Lewisville UMC, invites you to join a wonderful, inspirational pilgrimage to the Holy Land, January 31 - February 10, 2024.