Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise comprised of a family of travel companies, committed to changing people’s lives by offering high-impact experiences to our travelers and building local communities through philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and volunteerism.
The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high school principal Ethel Andrus in 1958 with a vision of helping retired Americans lead more vital, challenging, and politically active lives. Since then, we’ve made it our mission to provide life-changing experiences around the world, primarily by connecting travelers with locals who live in the areas we explore.
In 1985, Alan Lewis purchased Grand Circle Travel and moved its offices from New York City to Boston. Together with his wife Harriet, Alan transformed the $23 million travel company that was losing $2 million a year into a fast-moving, global enterprise with gross sales exceeding $600M, more than 35 offices worldwide, 3,000 associates in 85 countries, guides, and ship crew.
Today, Grand Circle Travel is joined by two other travel entities: Overseas Adventure Travel, acquired in 1993, and Grand Circle Cruise Line, which Alan established in 1998. The family of travel companies make up Grand Circle Corporation, the leader in international travel, adventure, and discovery for Americans aged 50 and older.
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