Best Insider Advice from Your Class Trip Tour Director

Get excited! After months (and sometimes years) of planning, you’re ready to kick off your student group adventure. You made a great decision when you chose Kaleidoscope Adventures as your travel planning partner. Now we want you to get to know the person who will make your adventure epic! Meet Stevie – who shares his best tour director advice for your class trip below.

Who is Stevie G? 

Stevie is a devoted “student of travel” with a University of North Florida degree and nearly a decade of experience with Kaleidoscope Adventures. He brings his refreshing brand of verve and vigor to his role as tour director, making sure every trip is stress-free and filled with unforgettable moments.

In addition to tour directing, Stevie helps build the Kaleidoscope Adventures brand in his role as Director of Marketing.

Outside of the office, Stevie packs up his accordion and dons his lederhosen each autumn to play at Oktoberfest events across the country.

Stevie lives with his fiancé Maddie and playful pets just outside of Orlando.

Q & A 

We sat down with Stevie to find out just what makes him a fan-favorite and asked him to share his best travel advice. Here’s what he had to say…

How long have you been a Tour Director with Kaleidoscope Adventures? 

I’ve been a Tour Director with KA since 2018!

What’s your favorite destination to visit with student groups and why? 

My favorite destination to visit with student groups is Cleveland. It’s an underrated destination with a ton of great options for student groups. Whether it’s visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, catching a performance at Severance Hall, or popping over to Cedar Point for a day a fun, a Cleveland trip has a little of everything.  

What is your absolute must-do in that destination?

My absolute must-do, as someone who loves roller coasters, would be taking the trip out to Cedar Point. It’s my all-time favorite theme park!

Cleveland Rocks

You always seem to have fantastic post-trip reviews from happy travelers. What do you do to build that great rapport?

For me, building great rapport with travelers starts the moment I meet the group. I start each trip with a welcoming, upbeat introduction. From there, I aim to keep the energy positive and create an environment where everyone feels excited for what’s ahead.

I try to stay approachable and attentive throughout the trip – whether it’s answering questions, sharing stories, or just having a laugh along the way. That connection helps set the tone for a fun, memorable, and smooth experience for everyone.

What do you love most about directing student tours? 

It’s truly an honor to be a small part of everyone’s trip, and I love getting to see those impactful moments. Whether that’s a student talking about their first time on an airplane or watching the excitement of a music ensemble after they’ve had a wonderful performance on an iconic stage – getting to see those meaningful moments is always rewarding as a tour director.

Any funny or memorable moments from the road? 

A memorable moment that jumps out right away happened this past year when I was the tour director for the Calgary Stampede Showband trip where the group made history by advancing to DCI semifinals in Indianapolis. The band had competed at DCI in previous years but never advanced to semifinals. Seeing what that meant to each member was incredibly memorable. Everyone in that program put their blood, sweat and tears in the rehearsals and performances leading up to DCI, so just seeing what it meant to them to achieve semifinals status was amazing.

What advice would you give to anyone planning their first student trip? 

Don’t be afraid to ask your Tour Consultant any questions during the planning process! Tour Consultants at Kaleidoscope Adventures are there to help take the burden of planning a trip off your shoulders. Lean on your Kaleidoscope consultant early and often – their job is to make your life easier so you can focus on teaching, safety, and giving students an experience they’ll never forget.

Many student groups travel by motorcoach. What is your top tip for motorcoach passengers?

Make sure you have what you need to stay comfy on those long drives. Remembering to take a comfy pillow and blanket can make a big difference if you’re on the road for many hours.

Go-To Gear Recommendations 

After nearly ten years of tour directing with Kaleidoscope Adventures, Stevie has a few tried and true recommendations for must-have travel gear. These are the things that can take your trip from satisfactory to stellar in just a click!

Check out his list of favorites!

• Sherpa Fleece Blanket — “Remember my tip for groups traveling by motorcoach? Having a comfy blanket can be a complete game changer!”
• Lightweight Rain Jacket — “You can’t control the weather, but you can do your best to stay dry if the rains come.” 
• Wide Toe Walking Shoes — “You’ll be taking a lot of steps on tour, and your toes will thank you if you’re wearing shoes with an extra-wide toe box.”
• Water Bottle — “I want to be clear – STAYING HYDRATED IS IMPORTANT!”  
• Backpack — “Have you ever had a backpack with a shoe compartment? You can use that nifty compartment for shoes, or anything else.”

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3 Powerful Reasons Why Your Class Trip Needs a Tour Director

Kaleidoscope Adventures Knows Tour Directors Make the Difference

Kaleidoscope Adventures understands that every great adventure starts with a great guide! That’s why we include a professional tour director on EVERY trip. Our tour directors are highly trained, passionate about travel, and dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for students. 

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