About Us

A DREAM COME TRUE

SUN TOURS in Albuquerque was founded in 1978 with a vision of sightseeing tours with excellent quality and great value–tours on which people are treated with respect and kindness. Our growth into New Mexico’s largest tour operator is the realization of that vision. This SUCCESS is rooted in taking care of the details, earning our clients’ trust, and a commitment to excellence.

THE FINEST TOURS

SUN TOURS offers the world in worry-free comfort. Our travelers are in “good hands,” from the tour’s departure from Albuquerque to its return. SUN TOURS tour directors take care of every detail of the trip. Our tour directors are carefully chosen for their genuine warmth and caring and they create an atmosphere of congeniality and security in which our travelers can relax and enjoy themselves. “We’re with you all the way!”

SUN TOURS offers scores of tours yearly, from near to far, from New Mexico to exciting destinations around the world, from 2 days to 3 weeks. We use all modes of transportation: plane, motorcoach, cruise ship, train, ferry–whatever works best for the situation at hand! We research each tour in the United States and Canada, on location. The itinerary is then fashioned, mindful of the interests of our clients. For our overseas tours, we invest the same effort into choosing both an appropriate itinerary for each destination and a good, reputable tour operator.

ESCORTED CRUISES

SUN TOURS in Albuquerque offers great value in cruising. For each destination, we check with all the cruise lines to find the one that offers the most attractive itinerary, along with top quality and the best value. Our cruises are escorted from Albuquerque, so you can relax and let your escort handle all the details.

Why SUN TOURS?

SUN TOURS Escorted from Albuquerque

On domestic group tours, your Tour Director will be with you all the way, taking care of every detail, solving any problems that may arise, and enhancing the mood of the tour through his or he knowledge, personality, and interaction with each tour participant. On cruises or international trips, you will have an Escort – an experienced SUN TOURS traveler – to help you navigate through airports, collect luggage, and meet the ship or Tour Director at your final destination.

No Tipping!

Our no-tipping policy removes your concerns about tipping. Tips for the Tour Director, driver(s), local guides, and all other components of the tour package (except hotel maids) have been included in the tour price. Our Tour Directors have been instructed not to accept any tips.

Quality Hotels

SUN TOURS selects excellent hotels so that our travelers can rest well and be pleased with this important aspect of the tour.

Deluxe Motorcoaches

SUN TOURS always uses the latest model, deluxe motorcoach available. All are equipped with a restroom (except sometimes in Hawaii, overseas, and Mexico), a microphone, air-conditioning, and large windows.

Seat Rotation

Your Tour Director will explain the pattern of motorcoach seat rotation to you on the first day of the tour. It varies, depending on the number of tour days and the number of passengers. The pattern is selected by the tour director to be as fair as possible. We have developed a system that makes it easy to find your seat. We appreciate your cooperation.

No Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on the motorcoach at any time. Our policy of frequent rest stops will minimize the inconvenience to smokers. Also, most of our hotels are non-smoking.

No Long Rides

When we drive between cities, rest stops are usually scheduled at intervals of two hours or less. It does everybody good to stretch their legs every two hours.

Meals

Usually, overseas tours include most meals. Domestic tours include fewer. Cruises include all meals aboard the ship. SUN TOURS includes meals when there is a reason to include them, such as a welcome or farewell gathering, a special restaurant, or a dining entertainment package. Check each tour description for included meals. The codes for meals (shown, if applicable, on each tour day) are: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

For the Young at Heart

SUN TOURS designs its tours for the interests, tastes, and pace of the “young at heart.” You are “young at heart” if you have experienced a bit of life and have maintained your sense of wonder and enthusiasm to appreciate what the world has to offer.

Deposits / Cancellation Policies

Each tour has its own deposit requirement and cancellation fees, as shown in a box in the tour description.

Custom Group Tours and In-House Travel Agent

If one of our small group tours doesn’t fit your needs or time frame, we are happy to provide you with personalized travel planning services. Our in-house travel agent can handle whatever plans you’d like to make from cruising the azure waters of the Caribbean to exploring the snow-capped Swiss Alps. Whatever you have in mind, we can make it happen for groups or single travelers.

 

More questions? Read our FAQs!

Meet the Team – SUN TOURS in Albuquerque

Eric Rosenberg

Owner & General Manager 

A native of the Midwest, Eric has traveled extensively around the world over the past 35 years and enjoys a hands-on approach to operating the business. Besides exploring new places, in his free time, Eric enjoys hiking, tennis, gardening, and jazz music. He and his wife, Bonnie, have two teenage daughters, Leah and Sophia. Eric is a graduate of Northwestern University. Favorite travel destinations: India, Scotland, Turkey, France, Northern California, and the Sonoran Desert.

Melissa Lujan

Cruise Department Manager

Melissa is a California girl at heart, no matter where she is. She moved to New Mexico in her early teens and traveled back every summer with her family, staying in beautiful hotels and spending days planning their adventures. This burgeoning love for curating unforgettable experiences ultimately paved the way for Melissa’s thriving career in the hotel and travel industry, where she channels her enthusiasm to help others embark on their own journeys of a lifetime. She and her husband, Paul have one son, Christopher, and their favorite color is sunset.

Cherie Romero

Tour Department Manager

Cherie was born in southern Louisiana and lived there until moving to New Mexico in 2022. She has one daughter and recently welcomed the birth of her first grandchild.  Cherie loves traveling, biking, kayaking, and hiking with her dog Scout. She enjoys exploring the Southwest and learning about its history, culture, and cuisine. Cherie is a volunteer at Greenfield Children’s Home in Roatan, Honduras, and Loving Thunder Therapeutic Riding in Rio Rancho. Her favorite destinations to travel to are Costa Rica, Utah, and Alaska.

Melanie Thomas

Senior Travel Advisor

Originally from East Tennessee, and a resident of Albuquerque for 35+ years. After attending The University of New Mexico, she began pursuing her extensive career in the travel and hospitality sectors. Her goal at Sun Tours in Albuquerque is to make your travel experience uniquely yours, ensuring that every detail of your custom itinerary will be handled with the utmost professionalism and care. During her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her toddler, gardening, and pursuing her dreams by traveling with her family. Her favorite destination is the next one she has booked!

Michael Herst

Vice President of Marketing

Michael, an Ohio native who grew up in Houston, Texas, now cherishes life in New Mexico with his three sons. A University of Texas at Austin alum, he has spearheaded marketing in the music industry, earned an MBA at the University of Oregon, and held executive roles at Electronic Arts and Amazon. His loves include music, skiing, hiking, travel, and avidly supporting the New Mexico United, Houston Astros and Rockets, and college teams from Texas and Oregon. Michael’s top travel spots are the Pacific Northwest, Italy, Argentina, and New Orleans, but he’s always eager to explore new places.

Gay Nell Huybrechts

Cruise Consultant

Quincey O’Gara

Tour Coordinator

Quincey was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of Oregon. She taught English as a Second Language in South Korea for 8 years, traveling throughout East and South Asia any chance she could. Her hobbies include knitting, baking, reading non-fiction, and watching documentaries. Quincey’s favorite travel destinations include Senegal, Mongolia, Taiwan, Laos, and Savannah, GA.

Brent Rushton

Tour Coordinator

Brent, an Indiana University alum from Indiana, ventured to Chicago post-graduation to build a career in hospitality, culminating in his own successful backpacker’s hostel. A passionate reader, Brent is deeply interested in ancient archaeology, cultures, and history. His travels have taken him across five continents, ticking off major sites like Egypt’s Pyramids, Mexico’s ruins, Machu Picchu, Israel, Japan, and Greece. An outdoor enthusiast, he relishes skiing, hiking, and immersing himself in nature. Presently, he’s exploring the American Southwest in his Jeep and creating new memories with his family in Albuquerque.

Morgan Horn

Marketing Director

Morgan, originally from Eastern Kentucky, is a mother and a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. She moved to the Southwest with her husband, and later lived in Cambridge, England, enjoying travels to Scotland and Portugal. Her interests include film photography, concerts, reading, and outdoor activities, and she loves spending time with her family and watching her son swim. She is so happy to represent SUN TOURS in Albuquerque. Morgan’s hobbies include film photography, concerts, reading, and spending time outside.

Christie Rutherford

Client Services Coordinator

Christie spent most of her life in New Mexico until she got married in 2000 and moved to Alaska, Washington, and Utah with their two kids, Laura and Cameron. She loved how different each state was and was inspired to see more of the world. Christie traveled to Europe in 2019 and says that France, Belgium, and Holland are her favorite places to travel. Her hobbies are crafting with her daughter, photography, and reading.

Julie Valdez

Cruise Consultant

Maria Narvotskaya

Tour Coordinator

Maria was born and raised in the Far East of Russia. There, she worked as a TV news broadcaster/editor/journalist and traveled all over the world. Following her daughter to the U.S., she moved to New Mexico over a year ago and joined the SUN TOURS team, blending her passion for travel with her professional life. Her favorite destinations are Japan, Spain, France, Thailand, and Bali.

Reuben Murray

Accountant

Ned O’Malia

Tour Director

Dr. Ned O’Malia directed his first paid travel tour in the 1970s, earning $4.00 per day leading New York City teenagers on bicycles through the Canadian Rockies. Since then he has earned a PhD in Asian Religions, lectured in colleges for over 40 years. He is a born traveler having visited 129 countries. Ned has directed tours for Sun Tours in Albuquerque since 1981, part time. He believes a true traveler would have an exciting and interesting time in any country. His favorite travels are to India, China and all the rest of Asia.

Scott Benedict

Tour Director

Traveling has been a big part of Scott’s background, and he’s journeyed to 49 U.S. states and over 25 countries. A teacher by trade, he received his M.Ed. from Bloomsburg University of PA. Scott and his wife Stephanie have 2 kids, Zack and Ally, who are married and live in Tucson. Both couples have made Scott and Stephanie proud grandparents. Scott is a lifelong learner and adventurer, who loves the outdoors, scuba diving, global volunteer work, reading, and triathlon sports. Favorite travel destinations: Iceland, Switzerland, Honduras, Morocco, Yosemite National Park, Utah, and 30 meters under the sea on a barrier reef.

Clay Benard

Tour Director

Clay Benard grew up on a ranch in Southern California’s Mojave Desert and has 35 years of experience in the tour industry. He learned horse riding and orchard tending before studying in Los Angeles, where he excelled in piano and composition, earning a scholarship and joining Musicians Union Local 47. His music career included concerts, clubs, and TV/movie sessions. After starting a family, Clay relocated to New Mexico, beginning his tour career as a trolley driver, eventually managing tours in Santa Fe. Besides being a seasoned tour director and musician, Clay is also an avid cyclist, painter, and continues composing and recording. He is a proud grandfather to Hazel.

Ceptembre Anthony

Tour Director

Ceptembre “CJ” Anthony has lived in the beautiful Southwest all of her life! A graduate of the International Tour Management Institute and Loyola Marymount University, CJ is a certified and licensed Tour Director with over 20 years of experience. She is lucky to have a wonderful husband, Art, who loves to cook for her and their two children. Her hobbies include classic films, theatre, reading, hiking, and dancing.

Ed Dey

Tour Director

Ed developed an interest in foreign countries and cultures growing up in the Washington D.C. area. (There are more than 175 diplomatic embassies in our nation’s capital). This interest transformed into a desire to learn and grow through travel. He hitchhiked across Canada and the US twice back in his early 20s. Later he budget back-packed around the world. Ed has been a professional tour director for over 25 years and led over 500 tours. He enjoys taking care of people. When home, Ed goes to the gym and pays the bills. His favorite travel destination is the road less traveled. 

Bill Keyes

Tour Director

Bill is an Air Force brat who started college in Texas and then began to work and live in the western states. A poet, golfer, and rock hound, he came to SUN TOURS after getting a late Creative Writing degree from the University of Arizona. He met his wife, Becky, in Tucson and they have raised two soccer-playing, rock-climbing sons, Evan and Blair. Favorite travel destinations: Yosemite National Park, Death Valley, Canadian Rockies, and New Orleans.

John Shattuck

Tour Director

John grew up in San Francisco, moving to Tucson to raise a family and manage real estate investments. He is an avid outdoorsman, skier, photographer, and music lover. He has four grown kids and enjoys watching his two young granddaughters as often as he can. His favorite destinations are National Parks having hiked to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon and the backcountry of Yosemite.

Meet Our Sister Company!

Owner, Eric Rosenberg, is well-seasoned in the travel business. Before he acquired SUN TOURS in Albuquerque, he was (and continues to be) the owner and operator of Pleasurebent Tours in Tucson, Arizona. We are proud partners and share our group tours between the companies. This allows our travelers to make friends from Arizona!

Both of our companies hold the same values in providing you with worry-free comfort in travel and building a community of travel lovers! We hope that you’ll enjoy the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals!