Trico Tours was founded by husband and wife team Tracy Gorman and Nicolas Carter (Tracy + Nico = Trico) in 2004.

Since 1991, Tracy and Nicolas have offered cultural presentations combining harp music, dance, slide images, and puppets at a variety of venues: festivals, schools, libraries, museums, etc.  In 2004, we made the decision to move to South America so our children could experience Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil and spend quality time with their grandparents and other relatives. 

For years we had offered cultural presentations…  in 2004 we started inviting people to have cultural experiences!

We initially invited our audiences and network in Minnesota to experience South America with us.  Pretty soon we were being contacted for tours by people from as far away as Boston, Alabama, New York, and Canada.  Most tour participants hear about us through referrals from people that had a fantastic time on our trips or from articles published online by people who traveled with us. 

Our family continues to move between South America and Minnesota and we continue to provide escorted tours for a variety of groups and individuals: families that have adopted children from Paraguay, church groups, senior explorers, harp students, and individuals with a desire to experience world cultures.  We have never done the same trip twice because each group is comprised of individuals with their own special interests.

About Nicolas
Nicolas was raised in an International family and grew up in Paraguay.  His father was from the States, his mother was raised in Argentina and Uruguay.  They were both trained social workers and began their life as missionaries in Paraguay when Nicolas was six months old.  Growing up in Paraguay, Nicolas studied the harp, the national instrument of Paraguay.  He is now professional harpist and has been playing around the world for more than 20 years.  Nicolas studied Theater at the University of Minnesota. He currently resides in Minnesota where he works as a theater educator and musician when he is not on tour with his world music band (see www.nicolascarter.com).

About Tracy
Tracy was raised in a humble Midwest family.  She was born in a small community in Iowa, then moved to Minnesota while in elementary school.  In high school she participated in a student exchange program and fell in love with Latin American culture.   Tracy met Nicolas at the University of Minnesota where she completed her undergrad degree in Latin American Studies, Women’s Studies, and Theater.  After working non-profits, she completed an MBA.  Tracy currently works in marketing, performs traditional Paraguayan folk dances, and leads travel tours to Paraguay.

Tracy responds to the question: Why do I offer tours?

Honestly, I have thoroughly enjoyed every trip and every person that I have had the honor of planning and leading travel experience for.  I can’t imagine anything better than sharing my love of travel and creating cultural connections.  The people who have traveled with Trico Tours have been fantastic and they write me beautiful notes that warm my heart:

“It's so fun to remember all the great sights and things that we experienced. It was the heart and soul version of Paraguay...and the girls, especially, will treasure the memories.”

“I just want to thank you for making our trip the best experience of my life. Your warm, friendly support through all of the emotions and up's and down's of the entire experience are so much appreciated.”

“The trip was a perfect blend of rural and city, natural and man-made, Spanish and Guarani, historical and modern, people, food, sights.”

“Our thanks for helping us with days we will never forget.”

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