Escorted Tour
Perhaps its your first trip outside of the U.S. and you want to make sure it goes smoothly. Or perhaps you are traveling with family and you all want to stick together but don’t want to have to argue about where to go.
Then an escorted tour might be right for you! There’s a lot of misconceptions about what an escorted tour is, so here is some factual information:
- Myth: Escorted Tours are too rushed. Fact: Not always the case! Tour operators realize that many travelers are hesitant about doing a whirlwind tour of Europe with a group. So they have been smart to introduce “leisurely-paced” tours, regional-based tours and custom tours around a certain interest (wine tastings, religion, etc). When comparing tour options, find out what pace each tour has so you know what to expect. or just ask me!
- Myth: Escorted Tours don’t give you enough time to explore on your own. Fact: While most Escorted Tours will include most sightseeing highlights in each location with the group, you also will have free-time in most locations. The amount of free-time will depend on the overall pace of the tour, but I can advise you of what to expect for each option and find the right pace for you! You may also want to consider extending your stay either pre- or post-tour so that you have a few days on your own.
- Myth: You can’t hear the guide so its not worth paying for an escorted tour. Fact: There are tour operators that will give you a personalized headset so you can hear every word that the guide says.
- Myth: Escorted Tours are not kid-friendly. Fact: While children under 8 are not allowed on most tours, there still remains many options. Especially during the summertime and holidays, tour operators will offer family-friendly tours with activities to keep the children entertained. Adventures by Disney tours are all very kid- and family-friendly – combining fun, entertainment and education while also offering the quality that Disney is known for.
- Escorted Tours are expensive. Fact: Not true! When compared side-by-side with the costs of traveling on your own, escorted tours still offer a great value and discount due to their high volume and buying power. And there are tours for every budget with hotels and inclusions to match. Have a look at the comparison that Trafalgar Tours has done comparing one of their tours versus a self-drive vacation. Trafalger Tour versus Self-Drive Vacation
- Escorted Tours have too many people. Fact: While most have a limit of about 50 passengers, there are small-group tours available also. If the idea of traveling with 40+ strangers turns you off from taking an escorted tour, ask me about small group tours. They can range from 10-20 people and be a bit more intimate and flexible then the larger escorted tours.
If you have a group of 8 or more already (such as a family, church group, colleagues, etc) then you can get a discount on most escorted tours OR have a tour customized to what your group wants to do. So if you have a special interest, for example: wine, then I can have an itinerary customized for your group to include visits to wineries with wine tastings, lessons and more! Just email me for more info!
Want to find the right tour for you? Contact me today!
Some of my preferred suppliers include:
