Unpacking Our World

small group learning journeys to feed your wonderlust

Explore our 2026 Detours

  • “We didn’t feel like tourists, we felt like insiders.”

    Rita G.

  • “The perfect combination of education, relaxation, great food, and fun.”

    Nanette D.

  • “It felt like traveling with friends who happened to be experts.”

    Jefferey K.

  • “Worth every penny. The pacing, the hotels, the guides were flawless.”

    Carla B.

  • “This was truly a dream trip and delivered on every detail promised.”

    Kent D.

  • “There’s no way you could put together a trip like this on your own.”

    Cindy S.

  • “The itinerary was peak interesting, enriching, and comfortable. Literally everything was wonderful.”

    Loree H.

  • “We hated to see it end but we’ve made lifelong friends.”

    Lornadoone T.

  • “Everything was so well organized with thoughtful details that made the whole experience easy, clear, and comfortable.”

    Loree H.

  • “Fabulous itinerary, seamless travel, and memories we’ll treasure forever.”

    Andy R.

  • “Our classics professor’s mythological insights were unforgettable.”

    Charles R.

  • “Christmas markets, history, and charming towns were simply wonderful.”

    Cindy D.

  • “It was the best trip I’ve ever taken in my life.”

    Susan F.

  • “Fun for families and all ages. Everyone felt included.”

    Tabitha B.

  • “Greg and Christoph were excellent guides. There was something for everyone.”

    Kristy H.

  • “Nina and Randy make a great team, balancing education and fun.”

    Loree H.

Intimate adventures led by storytellers, scholars, and locals

Co-founders of Dressler Detours Taunya & Christoph Dressler welcoming travelers to a reception with aperol spritz in a medieval reception room in Sicily.

Hi, Hallo, Ciao! We’re Taunya & Christoph. As educators and experience designers, we believe in travel that teaches—and in moments that marinate. Our small-group Detours bring together curious travelers with the storytellers, scholars, and locals who bring each place to life. Guided by passionate educators, historians, artists, and trusted hosts, we go beyond the guidebook into the stories that illuminate a destination. Each journey invites you to slow down, learn deeply, and unpack our world at the pace of discovery.

Meet Our Team
  • Photo of a scenic slot canyon with orange and red rock formations, a bright sun in a blue sky, and white text overlay describing the word 'Detour' and its definition.

    Detour Mindset

    Travel at the pace of discovery.

  • We linger longer, dive deeper, and follow stories where they lead.

    Slow Journeys

    Savor slow stays that marinade.

  • Go beyond the guidebook—discover places with soul, grit, and beauty.

    Offbeat Destinations

    Detour beyond the guidebook.

  • No lines, no crowds—just meaningful connections and room to roam.

    Small Groups

    Connect in a community of 10-20 travelers.

  • Designed with intention—for learning, for connection, for lasting impact.

    Intentional Travel

    Prioritize connections over checklists.

  • Travel with scholars, locals, and storytellers who bring context to every step.

    Expert Lens

    See the world with new eyes.

2026 Detours

  • Man standing under northern lights at a lake with snow covered mountatins

    Finland

    Northern Lights

    March 29-April 7, 2026

    Explore
  • Ancient city of Matera at sunset in Basilicata Southern Italy

    Southern Italy

    Lecce to Naples

    May 7-18, 2026

    Explore
  • Cete Cidades lakes on Sao Miguel in the Portuguese Azores islands

    Portugal

    & the Azores

    June 14-27, 2026

    Explore
  • Lemons hanging in front of Isola Bella with boats in Taormina, Sicily

    Sicily

    & the Aeolian Islands

    June 15-26, 2026

    Explore
  • Les Braves beach memorial at Normandy, France

    Normandy

    D-Day Landings

    June 28-July 4, 2026

    Explore
  • Bled island with castle reflecting on calm waters of Lake Bled at sunset in Slovenia

    Slovenia

    Ljubliana to Lake Bled

    August 20-31, 2026

    Explore
  • Seven Martyrs Church on Sifnos with full moon reflecting over water

    Greece

    Savoring the Cyclades

    September 13-25, 2026

    Explore
  • Corvin Castle at sunset with bridge in Romania

    Romania

    Castles to Countryside

    September 6-20, 2026

    Explore
  • An evening view of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul, Turkey, with its multiple minarets and large central dome, set against the Bosphorus Strait and a distant cityscape.

    Turkey

    Crossroads of Empires

    September 28-October 10, 2026

    Explore
  • Nighttime view of the Dresden Frauenkirche in Germany with Christmas market stalls and festive lights in the foreground, snow falling across the city

    Germany

    Christmas Markets & Cold War Memories

    November 28-December 7, 2026

    Explore

The Detour Value…What’s Included

  • Hot air balloons flying over rocky formations and unique cave dwellings during sunrise or sunset.

    Activities

    Every activity listed in the itinerary is included in the total cost. We’ll never charge for add-ons.

  • A brighly colored yellow cable car in Lisbon Portugal between a bright green and a turquoise building

    Transportation

    All transport required for group activities from the first hotel to the last hotel of the detour.

  • Greek tomatoes and olives with a bottle of red wine sit on a table overlooking Santorini's crater

    Meals

    Each detour includes all breakfasts and at least half your lunches and dinners.

  • Group of people raising glasses of champagne in a toast outdoors against a partly cloudy sky.

    Tips

    You’ll never have to worry about tipping for group activities, or for our trip leaders’ services.

our services

group detours

A group of six friends sitting around a wooden table in a cozy restaurant, happily raising sandwiches and drinks for a toast. The background features wooden walls, holiday decorations, and large windows with a poinsettia plant nearby.

Enjoy a fully curated travel experience with a close-knit community of curious explorers. Each of our small-group trips is thoughtfully designed by expert educators, blending immersive cultural activities with time for personal discovery. Stay in hand-picked boutique accommodations, unpack your suitcase, and truly connect with the heart of each destination. With every detail planned for you, all you have to do is show up and savor the journey.

Explore our Detours

private detours

Four people swimming in a natural hot spring or pool near a rocky shoreline with foam and waves in the background.

Planning a trip for a small group? Let us design a private, fully curated travel experience just for you. Whether you're gathering family, friends, or colleagues, we can adapt one of our existing itineraries or craft a custom Detour tailored to your interests. From educational and industry-specific journeys to unforgettable celebrations, our team handles every detail. Connect with us to create a meaningful, small-group adventure that’s as unique as your travelers.

Learn more
FEATURED STORIES:
Life on the Edge
Life on the Edge

Along Europe’s western edge, Portugal and the Azores invite us to notice how place shapes people. . . and how people respond in return.

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Benvenuti a Casa
Benvenuti a Casa

What does home mean? In Southern Italy, the answer is written into stone, street life, and memory.

Read More →
Tacchino Fest
Tacchino Fest

Italy expert Nina Bernardo shares how her 30-year Thanksgiving tradition in Rome blends American roots with Italian hospitality, food, and friendship.

Read More →