I've been on 4 Zoom trips over the years (Cuba, Vietnam/Cambodia/Myanmar, Kenya/Tanzania/Rwanda and most recently Thailand/Sri Lanka). Every trip has been fantastic- lux accommodations, great food, interesting activities and lovely people. The Zoom folks have also booked some private travel for me and I've always found them responsible and responsive. No hesitation in giving them 5 stars. Will definitely travel with them again. read more

We recently fulfilled a bucket list vacation by traveling to Egypt and Jordan with Zoom Vacations! Joel and his Zoom team took care of everything for us from start to finish! Every day brought us new, exciting adventures and experiences that we will remember for the rest of our lives! All of our accommodations and transfers were first class. We didn't know any of our group at the beginning of the trip, but, by the end, we had a hard time saying good bye to these marvelous, interesting people. To us, this is what travel is all about and Zoom accomplished it with panache' and class! Till we meet again! Cheers! Richard and David read more

Zoom Vacations - Does this Dead Sea mud make our butts look big?! Don't answer that! - Travel Agents Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My husband and I recently traveled with Zoom to Egypt. It's a country that, given the poverty and anti-gay laws, could be challenging without the guidance of an experienced tour guide/group. With Zoom, we were in capable, caring hands literally from exiting airport Arrivals to entering Departures. Subcontracted chaperones and guides ensured our safety and enjoyment throughout. Joel was a gregarious, colorful and paternal (despite being younger than many of us) presence who orchestrated our passage through Egypt with humor and apparent ease, even when unforeseeable things demanded a change of plans. Zoom put us in the best available accommodations, chaperoned us through the must-see sights and fed us with the most delicious regional cuisine. But perhaps Zoom's greatest strength is its ability to foster a sense of community. Our group bonded quickly and became, essentially, a little temporary family with Joel as its head. If you value a sense of camaraderie and companionship, Zoom may well work for you. read more

Zoom Vacations - Galabeya night on the Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau (a rather confusingly named boat). - Travel Agents Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My husband and I have been on several Zoom Vacation trips and they have been some of the most amazing, memorable and fabulous trips that we have ever had!! We have been on group trips as well as private trips with Zoom. Joel and Bryan really care about what we wanted to experience on our trips and created our private trips to perfection. The people that I have met, the profound connections and the unique experiences of the group trips keeps us going back to Zoom Vacations time and time again. Don't walk! Run and book your vacation with Zoom! You will not be disappointed!! We have recommended Zoom Vacations to several friends and they are now hooked too!! read more

I just can't say enough how spectacular our Egypt adventure with Zoom was! As always Joel and his team spoiled us on an impeccably tailored trip that was just beyond. We felt safe, well looked out for and every question answered. We have done several trips with Zoom and will continue to do so and spread the word on this fantastic travel team. Looking forward to another trip soon. Another well planned and executed trip Joel! Until next time.... read more

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Our first trip with Zoom Vacations was to Egypt and Jordan. We have no words to express how amazing our trip was. From the moment we arrived to Cairo we were taken care of by Zoom staff all the way to the end our trip. We were taken to so many amazing sites and our tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Our accommodations were always 5 stars and if there was any problem, there was always a Zoom Vacations representative to fix it. We absolutely loved the small group setting because we were able to get to know everyone and enjoyed their company. We met amazing friends on this trip that will continue to keep in contact with. We strongly recommend Zoom Vacations to anyone who wants to have the trip of their lives. Zoom Vacations and Joel exceeded our expectations and we can't wait to travel with them again! Jose & Tom read more

Zoom Vacations - Travel Agents Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I just wanted to thank Zoom Vacations for another amazing trip (Copenhagen/Sweden/Norway). Some of my favorite Zoom experiences were sightseeing via boat in Copenhagen, visiting the many museums in Sweden, and the amazing Fjords in Norway. I love that the hotels are top-notch. The Belmond chain that Zoom uses it fantastic, and they should take pride in that. I've traveled with them to Brazil, Peru, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Sweden (2), Finland, St. Petersburg, Hungary, Bucharest, Croatia, Venice, and China, and have never stayed in anything less than wonderful. That is why the many friends I've met on Zoom trips love traveling with them. As a frequent traveler I know that unexpected things happen. That's why I like traveling with Zoom. If something unexpected happens-like the time an African safari lodge burned down as the travel group's bus was literally taking them to it, Bryan or Joel seamlessly deal with/handle problems that you would otherwise have to worry about--usually without any of the travelers knowing about. Bryan arranged an equally beautiful lodge and included open bar. That is what you get. I trust, and know that I am going to have a great time with superb food, hotels, and more, but more importantly meet like-minded people who are looking to live their best lives. read more

Zoom Vacations - Copenhagen - Travel Agents Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My husband and I have known the folks at Zoom Vacations for years. We were so thrilled when we were planning our Honeymoon and working with Bryan. We went through South Africa and Zambia over 19 days. It was the most seamless travel experience I could have imagined. We had numerous flights, connections, places to be at XYZ time. The itinerary provided by Zoom Vacations was down to the 'T' for us. We had the most amazing time, and would highly recommend Zoom Vacations for anyone looking to enjoy themselves while having a relaxing and luxurious experience! read more

Zoom Vacations - Wine tasting in Franschhoek wine country, South Africa. - Travel Agents Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've used Zoom Vacations twice now. Once for a trip to England/ Norway and another to Japan. Both were incredible. Not only was every detail seen to, but they were able to leverage their local contacts for private tours, exclusive deals and I even got some room upgrades and had a nice bottle of champagne waiting for me in my hotel. It's the little extra special touches that Joel and Bryan do that create such an exception experience. Exceeded all our expectations!!! read more

Zoom Vacations - Shinjuku - Travel Agents Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joel and his team are absolutely incredible. Best trip ever! We were pampered and cared for while being shown all the best that Joran and Egypt had to offer. Definitely a trip of a lifetime. Thank you read more

I went on my first Zoom Vacations trip August 2014 to South Africa. Hands-down my best vacation yet! Every day was eloquently thought out; it is completely tailored by Joel and Bryan the CEO's of the company. I love the fact that I didn't have to plan or worry about the details. Being a group trip, I made friends with some incredible people from all over the world. I will say that the group dynamic is extremely fun. We would split into smaller groups during the excursions and would come together for Signature Cocktail parties at the end to mingle about the day. That was a nice touch. A couple tips... Try and get reservations at the Test Kitchen in Cape Town. The food is amazing. There will be a couple nights built into the itinerary to accommodate trying restaurants on your own. The safari experience is extremely special. If you book, make sure you do the upgrades at the safari lodge it is worth it. I recommend doing the helicopter over Victoria Falls. I did the walk with Lions. I was a little scared but so happy I did that. I got great photographs of that! (It's my Yelp profile picture 9/2014) I just booked Zoom Vacations Rio Carnaval this February 2015! I would recommend this company to friends. read more

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I tried contacting Zoom Vacations via their e-mail address and their website contact page in the past months and never received a reply from them regarding my questions about one of their tours. When I called the Zoom Vacations phone number I was informed that their e-mail address is sending messages to spam and needs to be fixed. Not a good first impression for a premier gay travel company- and certainly I have no confidence in them if they cannot respond back to potential customers! I will not bother contacting them again and will be looking at other first class gay tour operators as Zoom Vacations is not the only company offering these services. A big disappointment as I was hoping to use Zoom Vacations for several of their tours. read more

Pretty sure Zoom is either not operating in the manner they used to or Covid dealt them a big blow. Have traveled with them in the past, but repeated inquiries over the past 6 months or so have gone completely ignored (I've left a voicemail, sent direct email & used their website contact-us feature). Crickets!!! Can't operate a first-class tour company and not even care to respond to customers, and especially not repeat ones. I recommend checking out Detours & Out Adventures as alternatives to Zoom. They offer similar itineraries, typically at lower cost (mostly because they don't try to pick the priciest hotel intown like Zoom), they have published Covid pandemic policies (Zoom doesn't), and most of all, they respond when contacted. Have traveled with both and they're good. Happy traveling! read more

They're ok. But don't let them convince you that they're your friend. It's all business. Which is all Joel ever talks about. If you're not super handsome and rich outside of Zoom they have no use for you. I'd prefer people who were straight up with me. Really immature and fake. read more

I've been to EVERY gay destination on the planet (I think) - from Ptown, Fire Island, Hamptons, Laguna, Russian River, Miami, Key West, Sitges, Mykonos, Ibiza; worldwide Pride celebrations, big parties, big gay cruises, and many other gay vacations. While I enjoy all the above.... I was looking for a new gay travel experience to add to my life - another way to see the world. "Zoom Vacations" is the perfect answer. You are treated like royalty from the moment you arrive - not a worry on your mind - every detail is well thought through and you sit back and enjoy. What I really loved: there is not a better way to see and experience the coolest and most exotic places in the world....with a group of other gay men. The leaders/owners (Joel and Bryan) go 150% to make everyone feel fully part of every aspect of the trip - no matter age, looks, single/couple etc. And what's so great: At the end of the trip, you've developed this amazing camaraderie with fascinating people, had a trip of your life, and every detail was done for you. Final thoughts: (1) You have PLENTY of free time - so don't worry about being "herded" - they give you loads of options; (2) They do so many "special things" that you'd never get to do on your own (like we had dinner in a private mansion in Peru etc); (3) The trip is 1st class all the way - great value. I've been to Argentina, Brazil,and just got back from Peru with Zoom. I had the time of my life on each trip. I'm signing up to go again in 2011. This is a real special company - run by two amazing guys read more

This is an update to my prior review which I believe was posted before any action was taken on behalf of Zoom Vacations. Bryan Herb, a co-owner of Zoom was kind enough to make up the mileage difference by transferring miles from his personal account. This was only after several other communications with Joel Cabrera, another co-owner, who basically took no blame for the incident. Once again, I reiterate, we had a great trip. Everything was done to assure that we had a great time. I would recommend Zoom. But also realize, don't be naïve, no matter which travel service you utilize, beware of ALL the conditions concerning airline tickets especially frequent flier miles, so you have no surprises after you return home when it's too late for a resolution. read more

I've been on five Zoom Vacations and have a sixth planned for this spring. I plan events for a living, so the last thing I want to do on a vacation is worry about the right hotel or the right restaurant. Zoom takes care of all of that by testing everything out in advance, so the trips they plan offer only the best places each location offers. Their personal service and enthusiasm adds to any location, and travelling with like-minded guests with adventurous souls is a great way to make friends around the world. You could travel a bit cheaper, but you wouldn't get as much out of your trip as you do with Zoom! read more

If you're looking for the perfect travel experience, then Zoom Vacations is the right place to start. Zoom "concierges" Bryan and Joel are fantastic travel partners. They know what their clients want, and they provide it! After disappointments with other travel groups catering to the gay independent traveler, I came to the point where I thought the only person I could trust to make my travel plans was myself. While there is some fun in planning everything yourself, where you pick the hotel you want, where you find the right transportation options, where you choose a good restaurant, where you choose the sights to see, it's also exhausting and can be "hit and miss" when you do it on your own. When I took a chance with Zoom (on an unforgettable trip to Croatia and Venice), it was amazing. I immediately asked myself, "if Zoom can do it better than I can myself, why would I trust anyone else?" I have since been on seven Zoom vacations--each one terrific and fabulous in their own right. But, here is the ONE reason you will make Zoom vacations YOUR travel partner for life--you will meet the most fantastic lifelong friends on your trip. Trust me...I know!! Ciao!! read more