Vacationer of the Week: Robert Driscoll, Venture Out

Our Vacationer of the Week is Robert Driscoll, the founder and owner of Venture Out, an LGBTQ+ tour operator. Driscoll was born and raised not too far from Boston, Massachusetts, but he currently lives in San Francisco – for almost 40 years. 

We wanted to connect with Driscoll and ask him about his passion for travel, his drive to start his own travel business, and how he navigates the world as an LGBTQ+ traveler. He provides details about the top 3 favorite tours among clients and the hot travel destinations still on his travel bucket list. 

Vacationer Magazine: When do you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?

Robert Driscoll: I was 16 when I received my first passport, and its first use took me to France on a high school field trip.

What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel? 

My France trip at age 16 had a great impact on sparking my wanderlust. I had already been studying French in school and was eager to make it real.

What inspires you to travel?

The curiosity of seeing how other cultures live inspires me to travel.

Please tell us how you identify yourself on the LGBTQIA spectrum. Some people enjoy traveling all around the world even if specific countries may have anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Tell us if how you identify influences the way you travel. If so, how?

I identify as a gay cisgender man. How I identify doesn’t influence how I travel personally around the world. I do however take into consideration countries with anti-LGBTQ+ laws when designing group tours for my business.

What sparked your decision to start your own travel business – Venture Out? 

I had been working for other tour operators for about five years before I decided to use the skills, I’d obtained to start a venture that would be focused on an audience that was more interesting to me personally.

How do you think Venture Out differs from other LGBTQ+ tour operators?

I personally escort all of my groups. Venture Out has a very high rate of repeat guests, and they’ve pretty much come to expect my presence on these trips. I also do extensive on-site research when designing new itineraries.

What are the three most popular Venture Out tours? Why do you think they are so popular?  

When we offer an African wildlife safari trip, they are always highly subscribed. It’s one of those bucket-list types of trips for many travelers. Our Italy tours are also very popular because, well . . . Italy. We’ve operated more tours in Italy than any other country. Japan is another sought-after destination for our guests. We just finished our sixth tour in that country. I think it appeals because Japanese culture is so fascinating — an intriguing mix of ancient tradition and ultra-modern.

Do you have any exciting new tours coming up in 2024 that LGBTQ+ may be excited about reserving now?

We’ve got two new tours in 2024 — one in New Zealand and one in the south of France. We’ve done trips to these destinations a few times in the past, but these are new itineraries with completely different places.

Venture Out is celebrating its 25th anniversary. What promising trends or changes have you seen within the 25 years?

With perhaps a tinge of irony the “need” for LGBTQ+ tour operators has arguably diminished over the past 25 years. Being “out” is much more accepted now, and I think many LGBTQ travelers feel perfectly comfortable going on a group tour that isn’t specifically intended for our demographic. That said, there’s still a substantial calling for it as there’s just a certain comfort factor that comes with it.

Is there a travel destination that most queer travelers would think isn’t safe to visit, but you’ve visited and enjoyed it? If so, where? What made it a memorable experience?

Quite a number of African nations have anti-LGBTQ laws on the books — many of them holdovers from colonialism — so it’s understandable that some queer travelers would be reluctant to go to such countries. Venture Out has done awesome tours in some of these countries and we’ve never had any issues, but it’s important to respect the cultural norms of the places you’re visiting, which might be, for instance, no public displays of affection, regardless of how you identify.

What are your top three favorite places to visit?

Italy, any African wildlife safari experience, and Napa Valley, California, where my husband and I have a simple cabin in the hills.

What three places are still on your bucket list to visit?

I’d still like to get to Namibia, Rwanda, and Morocco — among others.

What’s one thing you never forget to pack in your suitcase?

Actually, it’s something I carry on — all my toiletries in case the checked luggage goes missing, which it did for several days once.

You’re going on a road trip or a long-haul flight. What singer or band is always on your playlist?

Joni Mitchell

For more information about Venture Out, visit their website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.