QuestAways offers unique trips for students

"We think we can offer you the ultimate in experiential travel."

That was the promise of Khalid Itum, president and CEO of QuestAways, and his colleague, vice president and CFO Josh Cavinato. QuestAways, a pioneering travel firm founded by Itum and friends last fall, plans to offer travelers a custom-tailored, utterly unique and creative adventure, pledging that they will "take you on the journey of a lifetime."

Last Tuesday, Cavinato and Itum gave a presentation to students explaining both their company philosophy and the outline for their first journey, to the Republic of South Africa. Having hitherto traveled extensively in the region, Cavinato and Itum were able to give an authoritative and comprehensive overview of what the southern tip of Africa has to offer.

And that is part and parcel of their company philosophy. Cavinato and Itum, who are both graduates of the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS), have spent much of their time as students traveling and learning in different regions of the world. Along with their partner, Meg Hughart of Mary Washington College, the firm operators have ventured to five continents and over 55 countries.

They believe their breadth of world experience will help them offer an unconventional as well as educational opportunity to their clients. They will strive, said Itum, for people to "leave with a real, true sense of a place."

Yet that's only a small part of the QuestAways concept. The first thing they want to offer customers is a "home away from home," complete with comfortable accommodations and complete hotel services. So, if you were thinking a trip to South Africa meant tents, teapots and a little plastic shovel, you've got the wrong company. "I really believe when you travel it's very important to be comfortable and to be at ease," said Itum, emphasizing that no QuestAway (it's a homonym: both the company name and another word for trip) will be a hostel getaway.

In addition, clients will be given educational resources to departure, in order to better familiarize them with their destination.

One of the most integral parts of the QuestAways concept is "custom-tailored" travel. Along with the information brochure and enrolment applications, the operators of QuestAways include a "Customization Packet," which is basically a survey of client interests. It asks questions about the client's professional and academic interests, career aspirations, sports preferences and trip expectations. Moreover, QuestAways asks potential clients to rate themselves (on a scale of one to 10) for adventurousness, as well as the amount of "fun" and "adventure" they expect on their particular QuestAway. The trip planners also want to know how you feel about volunteerism, where you've traveled before and what, if any, foreign languages you speak.

All of aspects involved in "personalizing" your QuestAway will allow for what the planners hope will be lasting cultural and personal connections with the country and the company. "We want you to meet real people," said Itum, "[and] we'd like to have them share rich cultural experiences with you." This will help build what Cavinato and Itum said is the basis of their company--long lasting personal relationships and experiences.

"[South Africa] is one of the most beautiful countries just because of the people that are there," said Itum.

Not to be overlooked they said is the sense excitement and adventure festering in every would-be QuestAway client. Cavinato and Itum promise to include activities such as kayaking, sky diving, safari, wine tasting--anything you and your fellow travelers tell them you want.

Finally, QuestAways will offer travelers the opportunity to volunteer, if they so desire, in order to "see some of the challenges the country faces...[and] to leave something meaningful behind."

As far as South Africa is concerned, Cavinato, Hughart and Itum have quite an adventure in the works. Tuesday's presentation, however, only gave a broad outline of the trip plans, as the rest of the details will be specified by their clients. "No two trips are the same," said Cavinato, and this one is no exception. Outlining some of the basic facts about South Africa, Cavinato highlighted the country's rich history, landscape and wildlife. They hope, depending on client interest, to spend a total of 10 nights in South Africa, departing March 10 and arriving home March 23 (a slightly extended timeline encompassing Hopkins' spring break). The all-inclusive QuestAway package--roundtrip airfare, all accommodations, domestic travel, meals, a safari, museum and park entrance fees and guided tours--will run at $3,995. Considering that a mere safari with a generic tour company costs substantially more, students should not be immediately put off by the price tag.

South Africa is not the only plan the executives at QuestAways have in the wings. They are also planning a trip to the Hashmite Kingdom of Jordan for either this spring or the summer. Cavinato, Hughart and Itum will hold another information session this Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:15 p.m. in Hodson 313. For more information, students can log on to their Web site at http://www.questaways.com or email the company at Hopkins@questaways.com.

If you're still hesitating, consider this Mark Twain quote read by Cavinato at the conclusion of the QuestAways presentation: "20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the things that you did do." Happy travels.