Gene Van Galder is a natural born traveler who has always enjoyed touring in the United States and Europe. As a retired teacher of American History, he has a broad and deep knowledge of the history of our great nation. While still teaching, he took students to Washington, DC and when he retired many people asked him to take them to the nation’s capitol. GVG Tours started in 2005 with The Eastern Odyssey which took a full bus to Washington, DC and to many other sites.

Since then, Gene and his wife Connie have led tours east to New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, and west to the Black Hills. They have led regional trips to Lincoln’s Springfield, Cahokia Mounds, Holland MI Tulip Festival, and the Amana Colonies. They have led tours to Alaska which combine both a cruise and a land experience. Each trip is well organized and provides a good balance of learning, seeing, shopping, and enjoying.

Gene and Connie’s primary concern is that you have a great experience. Connie prepares her “goodie bags” and Gene prepares handouts pertaining to the places that we will be seeing. Before you arrive at a destination, Gene will provide you with great background information that will allow you to better understand the site. Step-on guides are often used to provide more depth and to enhance your understanding. They select only quality hotels and we try to book outstanding local restaurants which provide a regional flavor.

There is an extra touch of caring that marks the way that you are treated on a GVG tour!