Cultural Encounters' philosophy embraces the joy of learning through the art of travel. Our tours are led by professional educators and exceptional guides with backgrounds in archaeology, art history, botany, painting, architecture, viticulture and culinary arts.

Specializing in Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa and areas of the Caribbean and South America, Cultural Encounters designs and customizes unique travel itineraries for large or small groups (including families) or the single adventurer.


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Our president Harriet Harris holds a BA in English Education from SUNY Albany. Before creating Cultural Encounters, she was employed at the prestigious travel company Travel Dynamics in New York City. Currently, she collaborates with Frosch Travel in Houston, Texas and is a proud member of the Signature Travel Network. Through this affiliation, she offers Food Network Tours for the serious foodie interested in a culinary travel experience, and consults on international tour packages and cruise products.

Harriet has over thirty years of travel consultant experience. Born in New York and raised on the East Coast, Harriet spent a chunk of her life in Austin, Texas. She considers Italy, especially Rome, one of her “homes away from home.”   Currently, she resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  She enjoys hiking and all manners of outdoor activities. And, she teaches yoga part-time.

Featured Destination

A BALTIC FANTASY
JULY 04 – 15, 2012

Enjoy a picture postcard summer holiday in scenic Scandinavia. Join us as we sail the Baltic, home of nature’s phenomenon The White Nights. Our nine-night ten-day cruise... read more!