Tenon is Different
Some of Team Tenon in front of the Lansdowne Hotel in Dublin prior to the Emerald Isle Classic in Sept. 2012. Click the pic to meet the full team!
Tenon Tours was born Sept 24, 2007 when Bryan and Vinnie Lewis, two former colleagues who were unrelated but shared the same last name, discovered a mutual passion for the type of group travel that creates lifelong relationships with new people and cultures. They set out to create tour packages that would appeal to “people like them” who wanted the security of pre-booked transportation and accommodations while having the option to spend their vacation time as they wished. The two Lewises wanted to brand their new type of escorted-meets-independent tour with a name that served as a metaphor for connecting people to other people and cultures through travel. After some research they discovered these two definitions:
tenon (ten′ən) - noun, a projecting part cut into the end of an object for insertion into a corresponding hole (mortise) to create a connecting joint
lewis (lo̵̅o̅′is) - noun, a device for hoisting blocks of stone, consisting of a dovetailed iron tenon made in sections that fit into a mortise cut into the stone
They discovered that since ancient times engineers and woodworkers have used a special kind of joint called a tenon to create a strong, lasting connection between two objects to build ships, wagons, frames and other essentials of daily life. Evidence of their use had been found by archeologists throughout the Middle East, Europe and China dating back as far as 2,600 BCE. And because the word “lewis” refers to a type of tenon, the name for the Lewises’ new tour company seemed obvious. Tenon Tours was born.
When you travel with Tenon Tours, you’ll get to know everyday people, drink artisanal beer and sample regional cuisine. You’ll experience the magic of the countryside and the excitement of the cities in Ireland and the UK as you explore your choice of historical sites, museums and attractions. Tenon’s aim is to provide its customers with an enjoyable, affordable connection to new experiences, cultures, food and people that will stay with them long after they’ve returned home.
In September 2012, Inc. magazine, a national business publication based in New York City, released its annual list of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S., the Inc. 500. Tenon Tours was named No. 1 in Inc.’s travel category and No. 200 overall.