Group Tours

I've never gone on a group tour (everything planned, with a dedicated guide) before and I am interested in learning more about them.

If you have gone on a group tour, what are the top things you have liked, and what makes you choose a group tour over other travel? Is there anything particular you look for when choosing a company to go with (group size, experiences, company values, etc)? Is there anything you did not like?

I'm looking into Europe, mostly, with the possibility of Argentina.

Thank you for your help!

They're a good way to make friends when travelling. After a few days of going on hikes or looking around historic sites together you start to become a bit of a family, especially if you're somewhere a bit shady and you're providing a shield from local guys seeing the ladies as a target.

The downside to tours is they are in competition, so they cram lots into the schedule to look better than their competitor. Sometimes this means you don't get long enough to see things in depth. You get early starts and late finishes - basically you sacrifice being able to set your own pace.

Then there's always someone who's late for the bus every time, screwing up the schedule and robbing you of time at the next place.

>what makes you choose a group tour over other travel?

I've taken a (very) few group tours but only when I've decided the destination isn't feasible for me...solo female traveller... to explore independently.

I chose small-group tours (max 15) offered by long-established & reputable operators covered by EU/UK laws.

Pros:

1. Pre-organised travel between places of interest (N.B. does not apply in EU/Schengen countries where public transport is good, safe, extensive and reasonably-priced).

2. >a shield from local guys seeing the ladies as a target.

This is absolutely the case...but not in EU/Schengen countries which imo and ime are perfectly safe for any female traveller with common sense.

3. For non-linguists, tours can be useful in places where the language does not use the Latin alphabet e.g. Arabic.

Cons:

1. Being forced to keep to someone else's timetable + choice of interesting places & accomm.

2. Potentially being forced to visit places which don't interest you...including the dreaded (for me, at least) visit to the 'local carpetmaker/pottery/winemaker' etc etc...and usually feeling rushed at those which do.

3. Potentially being forced to spend time in the company of those whom you might not wish to spend time with....and being hugely irritated by the almost-inevitable person who alwasys wanders back late and reduces time at the next stop. Guides, fearing complaints, can't really say anything to such people...but I do!

4. Having no or little choice of accommodation, which often limits possibilities when there's 'free time'. Tours very often use hotels which are well away from historic centres, often with no or very limited public transport.

5. Very often paying (much?) more for accomm and transport than you would if you were making the same journey independently (esp in EU/Schengen countries).

6. The quality of the whole experience is massively dependent on the quality of the individual guide and his/her knowledge.

7. No opportunity to take proper photos or stop & explore places/things of interest whilst travelling.

8. Arriving at places of interest at the same time as other groups (have to allow time for breakfast and travel to the site) rather than, when travelling independently, being able to turn up at e.g. Pompeii when it first opens and enjoy the place with far fewer other visitors.

[ Edit: Edited on 18 Sep 2024, 09:10 GMT by leics2 ]

Hi.
I am lucky, sort of, when I was in the military I lived overseas in a couple countries. I am not uncomfortable booking my own flights from my country to another and back. Also to book my own hotels in my price range which is mostly just cheap with private bathroom and lock on door and with A/C if a warm climate. Even cheap hotel rooms usually have TV and WiFi. No interest in a choice of bars or restaurants, pools or gyms in my hotel. (Walk a lot wherever I go.)

Everywhere I have been there has been no problem finding a place to eat at, pubs or beer bars for a drink or two and often "walk-in" travel agencies for booking a cheap shared tour in person if needed. The hotel or guest house you stay at usually knows where to send you for local tours.

First time newbie tourist going overseas you can try a group tour if you want but it will probably be more expensive than you buying your own flights and hotels and doing things on your own.

If I were booking a group tour from my country to another country and back home I would only book from a local company. This way if they screw you somehow you have your own court system to try and fix things.

"I'm looking into Europe, mostly, with the possibility of Argentina."

If your flights involve lots of one way flights, could be a little expensive vs you flying round trip to a particular country, choose your own tours if needed, and return home.

Up to you.