Welcome to Take Me Away Tours: More Than a Vacation, It’s How We Make You Feel

By Doug Lofland, Owner & Founder

Who We Are (And Who We’re Not)

Let’s be honest: if you’re looking for a sit-back-and-coast kind of trip, this probably isn’t the tour company for you.
Take Me Away Tours is for travelers who want more than a vacation—they want an experience. They want to move, think, connect, and feel. These are active tours for active people. We hike, we explore, we listen to stories that make us think, and we walk away changed.
That’s the whole point.

Travel That Moves You—Literally and Emotionally

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s that how something feels matters more than how it looks on paper. And travel is no exception.

I’m an emotional guy—and becoming even more so with age. It’s not unusual for me to tear up during a film, a book, or a conversation that hits the right chord. I lost my dad young and was raised by strong women—my sister, my mother, and my wife of 31 years. They’ve taught me to lead with heart and to never be afraid of what moves me.

And that’s the soul of Take Me Away Tours.

Why We Travel the Way We Do

There’s a quote from Maya Angelou that lives at the core of what we do:

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

That’s what we’re after with every single tour. Not just the places, but the feeling you take home with you.

I’ve stood at Rorke’s Drift in South Africa, hearing a guide tell the story of that battle in a way that had every single one of us—me included—holding back tears.

I’ve driven through Zululand just after finishing Cry, the Beloved Country, and found myself deeply affected by the connection between the words and the land.

These are the moments I travel for. And these are the moments I want to create for you.

What Makes Us Different

There are plenty of companies out there doing great things—offering lectures, luxury, adventure, or budget experiences. That’s not our lane.

Here’s what Take Me Away Tours is all about:

Knowledge, through experience. You won’t sit in a lecture hall—but you’ll leave knowing more than when you arrived.
Quality, without pretense. We curate meaningful stays and meals without needing five stars to prove it.
Active by design. These are not passive tours. You’ll walk, explore, and engage every day.
Deep emotional connection. We want you to remember not just the places you visited, but how they made you feel.

Ready to Explore?

If you’re looking for a trip that stirs the soul, challenges your perspective, and stays with you long after you’ve unpacked your bag—you’re in the right place.

Look around the site and explore our current tours.
I hope one of them speaks to you. And if it does, I can’t wait to take you away.

Until Next Time!

—Doug

Why Choose Us

Discover the reasons that set us apart.

Experience

30+ years in travel. Founded in 1991 and relaunched in 2018 with a renewed mission. Customer relationships lasting decades.

Emotional Impact

It’s more than a vacation. It’s how we make you feel. Tours with deep emotional impact: Egypt, South Africa, Finland, Iceland and more.

Distinctive Tours

No two trips are alike. Thoughtfully designed routes, balancing activity, cultural engagement, and reflection.

★★★★★

I went on a trip to Panama City in March 2019 with Take Me Away Tours. I had never gone on an organized group tour before but really enjoyed having everything arranged for me. We had a variety of planned activities and some group meals which were all great. It was so relaxing just to show up and enjoy without doing all the planning! There were also a few open days where we could do our own thing or add on an extra excursion, which was organized for the group. One of our extra excursions was a boat ride through the Panama Canal, which was amazing! So glad I didn’t miss it. I highly recommend this tour group for your next trip.