Why did Gordon Frost start leading tours? People asked him to start. Gordon Frost built his folk art collection, did museum exhibitions, and presented slide-show programs about Guatemalan Indian art for ten years after being a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala. During that time he was asked by many people to take them to the non-tourist places where he went.

When and where did Gordon Frost take his first tour group? Frost led his first group to Guatemala in 1977. They went on Guatemala's back roads in a spectacular, mountain environment to rarely visited Indian villages. It was a great adventure with interesting, knowledgeable travelers! He has led a group to Guatemala every year since.

What countries does Gordon Frost lead tours to now? His folk art groups explore Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Panama, & Indonesia.

What are the objectives of a Gordon Frost trip? The objective of the tours is to allow you to explore and enjoy a wide range of real native life and natural environments with as little tourism as possible. You will meet artists, and crafts people in their work space, their own homes, and villages.

How are Gordon Frost’s tours different from other tours? The big difference is that most tours farm out leadership of their trips to others and do not include all breakfasts, farewell dinner, and some lunches (please see tour itinerary for details). Gordon Frost personally directs each tour except when Gordon Frost appoints a guide to lead some specialty days and optional tour extensions.

Small Group? Because these trips are limited to a small size (15 participants) please request your reservation as soon as possible. Enrollment is done on a "first come, first serve basis".

Hotels? Our hotels are selected for their ideal crafts & culture location. Most of our hotels are medium range comfortable and pleasant hotels. Rates are based on two persons sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplementary charge; please see single room cost listed with each tour’s itinerary. Often, single rooms are not as nice as double rooms; what you are paying for is privacy.

Meals? All breakfasts, farewell dinner, and some lunches are included (please see tour itinerary for details); Drinks, dessert, and shellfish are not included.

Transportation? Transfers between hotel and airports are included when you are traveling with the group on the same arrival and departure schedule; customer will pay for own transfer and extra meals if not traveling with the group. Most days are full travel days where we visit local people and sites. Most of your travel is by bus, yet may include small airplane, taxi, boat, pedicab, and other forms of local transportation.

Gratuities? Tips to hotel waiters and porters to move luggage in and out of hotels are included. Tips to waiters for food or drink not included in the tour or tips to porters to store excess baggage are not included; such tips are at your discretion. Tips for drivers, local guides, and others are at your discretion.

Air Arrangements? It is best to do all our tickets through one travel agent to keep our group together, coordinate travel times, make schedule changes, and do re-confirmations. Gordon Frost wants to keep your air cost down and at the same time have a good air schedule for the group by using an air ticket consolidator. Gordon Frost will ask our group’s ticket agent at the air ticket consolidator to start you from the airport you indicate on your Tour Application. You will approve of your air arrangements before tickets are issued. Please consult Gordon Frost before you buy any air tickets. Gordon Frost will send you air travel information.

Photography? We establish friendly rapport with crafts people and artist in their homes and villages; photographic opportunities abound..

What is Included? See the list of what is included in all Gordon Frost Folk Art Tours: meals, tips, transportation, etc.
 
What is the advantage of being in a small group with Gordon Frost? When Gordon Frost learns about an unexpected opportunity while traveling, he changes the itinerary to include it. Gordon Frost wants you to have unusual experiences, different than any other group he has led. Some people have repeated his trips three times; each time it was different!

How much real travel experience does Gordon Frost have? Gordon Frost has traveled to Central and South America every year for 34 years. He has been to Indonesia every year for 18 years. He speaks Spanish and traveler's Indonesian.

How physically difficult are Gordon Frost tours? Exercise is up to you, lots or a little. There is plenty of room for both choices. We usually arrive by vehicle within a few blocks of our craft destination.

Do I need a passport? Yes. Please note that some countries require that your passport be valid for six months after entering the country. If you do not have a passport please contact your nearest passport office immediately to obtain one.

What is expected of me on a Gordon Frost trip? In a relaxed way you will enjoy meeting, interacting, and learning with our native hosts. This kind of real experience deepens your understanding of the people we visit, their art, and their environment. Of course each tour member is expected to respect local customs, and conduct themselves in a manner which shows respect for the enjoyment of the tour by all members.

How to Sign Up for a Gordon Frost Tour? To join a Gordon Frost tour please complete & print a copy of the Tour Application, then click send to secure an "Seven Day Hold" for the number of spaces you need. Then immediately sign & date each page of the printed copy of your Tour Application and mail it to Gordon Frost with your nonrefundable but transferable $500 per person deposit(s). Your requested space(s), if available, will be held only seven days to allow your deposit and application time to arrive. Please telephone Gordon Frost if you do not receive a confirmation of Tour Application within three days.

Non Internet Sign Ups?: Internet Sign Ups are new to Gordon Frost. If you have trouble with the Internet Tour Application, please telephone Gordon Frost at (415) 663-1919 to secure your "Seven Day Hold". Then send Gordon Frost your nonrefundable but transferable $500 per person deposit(s) immediately. If you need one or more Tour Application(s), they will be sent as soon as possible.

What happens when I send in my Tour Application/Enrollment Form and deposit for a trip? You will be sent a confirmation followed by a "Pre-Tour Packet and Reading List." The "Pre-Tour-Packet" has suggestions on things like clothing, camera, luggage, passport needs, health, and money. Gordon Frost will use the information on you Enrollment Form to request your air tickets reservations. You will have an opportunity to review and approve your air tickets (price and itinerary) before paying for them.

Can I give a Gordon Frost folk Art Tour as a gift? Yes! Recipients are ecstatic! Give a Gordon Frost Folk Art Tour for birthday, graduation, wedding, anniversary, or any special occasion! It is a great reward or incentive to the top salesperson in your organization! Gordon Frost will provide a gift certificate. Call or send Gordon Frost and E-mail to make your request.

Click here for the Tour Application.
 
If you want to meet artists, craftspeople in their homes and villages, explore their culture and environment, contact Gordon Frost today!