BrilliantTrips provides travel related services provided by third party travel suppliers. Our trip selection is determined by a multitude of factors all based around offering unique cultural experiences that allow our customers to live, learn and play amongst local people.

This type of travel experience allows the traveler to gain a deeper understanding of the host country's culture and way of life. Our familiarity and experience within the student travel industry gives us an added edge in supplier selection.

Here is some specific information about a few of our preferred suppliers:

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS, INC.

For the past 25 years ISV has conducted international travel programs for tens of thousands of students on five continents. During this time, students from around the world have participated in ISV's educational, cultural and adventure programs, and experienced the ultimate in outdoor adventure travel. International Student Volunteers, Inc is a non-profit public benefit corporation and is organized under the Non-profit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable and educational purposes. This corporation is organized and operated exclusively for public benefit and charitable purposes within the meaning of Internal Revenue code section 501 (c)(3).

The Specific Purpose of ISV is:

To create an environment that combines conservation, education, community development and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for participants who desire to make a difference by volunteering in communities abroad. Last summer (2007), students from over 350 universities across North America, the UK and Europe participated in ISV's conservation and social community development volunteer and adventure travel programs in Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Thailand and Ecuador. Many college and university students who participated in ISV programs have also earned Academic Credit for their involvement. Similarly, students from Australia and New Zealand participated in the same programs in Costa Rica, USA and Thailand during their summer months, November 2006 to January 2007.

ISV Staff

ISV's field staff (project leaders and tour leaders) guide their participant groups on their volunteer projects and outdoor adventure tours, respectively. ISV requires all field staff to be certified in first aid. ISV's staff are well trained and experienced in leading groups. Staff training is thorough, and focuses on the need for staff to be proactive to prevent accidents and incidents. Ultimately, participants over the age of 18 are responsible for their own behavior and actions; however ISV staff emphasize to all participants that they each must be safety-consciousness at all times. Participants can be assured that the ISV staff will do everything responsible and within reason to safely guide participants on their overseas experience.

ISV In-Country Offices

ISV has established an office in each of the countries they operate volunteer and adventure travel programs. In each country they have a country coordinator who assesses the local conditions, directs the program and oversees ISV's field staff. In the unlikely event of an incident abroad, the country coordinator will contact and coordinate with ISV's head offices (that handle the preparation of each participant prior to their departure). Important communication between family and friends is best achieved by calling the ISV head office who then relays information to the country coordinator in the participant's host country. ISV has a global team of staff who cooperate to ensure the well-being of all participants and leaders, and who are available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency.

G.A.P. ADVENTURES

In 1990 Bruce Poon Tip launched G.A.P. Adventures with the belief that other travelers would share his desire to experience authentic adventures in a responsible and sustainable manner. They've grown from a one-man show to a company of over 500, and from a handful of trips in Latin America to hundreds of adventures spanning the globe... and beyond! Over 60,000 travelers experience the real world with G.A.P. every year. What hasn't changed is their passion for making sure you get behind the scenes to experience the real world in an authentic and sustainable manner.

Vision

G.A.P. are the Great Adventure People and they are a company of travelers. Through a dedicated group of travelers, an exciting company was born with a vision of traveling while respecting the land and her people. While others focus on attractions and creating a western environment, their vision is face to face travel at a grassroots level.

Core Values

G.A.P.'s priority is to satisfy every customer, every time, through outstanding, personalized service! They are dedicated to the customer experience and are constantly evaluating how they can improve this experience.

Sustainable Travel: Being a Responsible Tour Operator

Being a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what G.A.P. Adventures is all about. While their sustainable tourism policies are constantly evolving, their commitment to socially conscious, grassroots style travel has never changed. They work with local communities to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts. Their groups are small and sustainable tourism is on the forefront of their agenda. If G.A.P. is successful, then their local host shall benefit as well. G.A.P. is defying the mainstream on a quest to define the spirit of adventure.

TOPDECK TOURS

Topdeck has always been a pioneer in travel. Back in 1973, a young Aussie vet stumbled across some retired London Double Decker buses and proved what could be achieved when you combine bunkbeds, 400GBP and a touch of creativity! And so Topdeck was born. Something had been created that captured the hearts and minds of many young travelers and soon there were 90 free-wheeling, free-spirited buses traveling the highways and backroads from London to Kathmandu. Topdeck has grown a bit since then, with the Double Deckers being replaced by a fleet of ultra modern air conditioned coaches. Although some things have changed, they still pride themselves on the pioneering spirit that defines their history and current ethos. It is the spirit that sets Topdeck apart and is an essential ingredient on all their trips.

Innovative Itineraries

To ensure that each and every itinerary is as innovative as possible, Topdeck has entered into a range of partnerships with locally based operators who share their vision and passion for travel. Not only do they know their country intimately, they understand the Topdeck philosophy in relation to travel. Their product managers in consultation with these operators have put together a range of unique programs that represent the pioneering Topdeck tradition that started in 1973.

Passionate Staff

The travel bug is tough to kick and at Topdeck they know this better than anyone! Their staff are passionate about travel. Their priority is to ensure that you have the holiday of a lifetime. A rigorous six week training, world renowned, ensures that the team is knowledgeable and professional. The course is tough and intensive but results in a group of highly motivated individuals who can't wait to share their passion with you.

Outstanding Value

At Topdeck, they fully appreciate that you have many choices as to how to best explore Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Cost and value for money are usually at the top of most people's priorities and these trips are designed to be affordable and offer incredible value for money. Not just because of what they include in their prices but also the total holiday experience they provide. That bit of knowledge from a trip leader that will have you eating with the locals far from the tourist strips or that helps point you in the right direction in a busy city add to memories that will last a lifetime—all hard to put a value on, but just the same, all part of the Topdeck Experience.