A guided trip is a convenient and refreshing way to discover and immerse yourself in a new destination. All the trip details are already organized for you, and there’s a team to support you every step of the way. This allows you to get the most out of your travels without the hassle of planning transport, accommodations, and other logistics leaving you with time and energy to be fully present and appreciate the places and people you are visiting.
First thing first. When you book a tour with us, here’s what’s included:
- Round-trip Airfare – Except for our U.S. and Canada tours, you can book our group flight departing from the U.S. You may also choose to travel on a “tour only” basis to book your own airfare and meet the group at the destination.
- Transportation – Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned motor coach with a professional driver. In-destination airport transfers (when joining the group flight), additional flights, and other required transportation are always included.
- Accommodations – All overnight stays are reserved in conveniently-located, first-class hotels.
- Many Meals – Enjoy daily breakfasts as well as select lunches and dinners. We often leave a few meals open for you to go out and choose your own culinary adventure.
- Sightseeing Tours – Admissions and reservations to the destination’s top highlights are all taken care of before you depart.
- Tour Director – A professional, English-speaking local tour guide is with you throughout the entire trip. These passionate individuals, a local from the destination you’re visiting, elevate our tours making them truly unforgettable experiences.
There are many reasons why signing up for a guided tour makes more sense than trying to go it alone. It’s helpful to understand what to expect. Read on as we unpack nine reasons you should choose a guided tour!
Convenience
Spend less time planning and more time exploring!
The great thing about a guided tour is that all the work is done for you. Our goal is for you to be whole-heartedly invested in your experience-which means the less you have to worry about, the better your trip will be. That’s where we come in; we combine all the components that make up the perfect trip, from hand-picked accommodations and comfortable transportation to the best sightseeing and experiences. No researching and booking multiple hotels, worrying about check-in times, or concerns about what transportation is best. And no wandering around aimlessly trying to get your bearings or waiting in long lines for tickets. Our well-organized itineraries make sure you see all the best sites and hidden gems with free time mixed in too.
Expertise
We know what’s best!
Our group of travel experts work hard to put together guided tour packages that tick all the boxes for a perfect vacation. Years of experience and connections around the globe make it possible for us to create itineraries that are well paced, educational, and include the ideal mix of iconic sites, hidden gems, and leisure time to explore independently.
We know how to minimize long travel days, ensure the pacing aligns best with the destination, find special tours you might not find yourself, and so much more. When we do the planning, you won’t waste a single movement of your trip!
Guides
Our professional team of local guides and tour leaders enhance your adventure!
The benefits of traveling with an expert guide are arguably the best part of this touring style. The number one thing we hear from our travelers is how much they loved their guide and what they brought to the trip. It’s one of the reasons we see our guests return over and over again because it’s hard to go back to traveling on your own after you’ve experienced it.
It takes a special kind of person to be a tour guide. Ours are friendly, engaging, and passionate individuals who are there for you every step of the way. They speak English as well as the local language and are an invaluable resource that gives advice on everything and anything. They will share tips about what to do in your free time, show you the best restaurants and shopping in the area, and provide other helpful information. Tour guides are a wealth of knowledge and are happy to answer all your questions. They’ll do everything they can to ensure you have the very best experience when in their care.
While your local tour guide is along for the whole trip, you’ll also have the opportunity to interact with local guides throughout the tour. On these occasions, the guides will provide specialized information about the specific city or site you’re visiting.
Don’t forget about your driver! While you’re relaxing in the air-conditioned motorcoach as you travel between cities, your experienced and vetted driver will be at the wheel. They’ll know how to navigate the roads, how to avoid traffic, and where to park to get you to all your sites safely and on time.
Access
Participating in group travel opens up more opportunities!
Guided group tours cover the most exciting and interesting sights in a time-efficient manner. Tickets and visit times are pre-arranged, eliminating long waits or the chance of something selling out. We’re also able to secure entrance to places that can be difficult to confirm on your own, set up immersive interactions that connect you with local communities, and get access to special experiences that might not be offered to everyone.
Cultural Immersion
Get first-hand knowledge of the destination’s customs, traditions, and people!
Many of our itineraries include visits to family homes or small businesses where you can meet and talk with locals beyond the usual traveler interactions with hotel personnel, restaurant servers, and other travelers. On our guided group tour of Italy with Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, for example, you get the opportunity to stop at local wine and food spots to learn more about the cuisine and culture. This provides a more authentic experience than traveling on your own.
Also, tour guides will often give you personal insights about themselves. How they live, their religion and beliefs, what they do for fun, and other experiences they’ve had. You can learn a lot about the local culture by talking to your tour guide.
Companionship
A great way to meet others!
While we ensure that our group sizes are never too large, there is something special about traveling with other people that have mutual interests. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a spouse, other family members, or with friends, you’ll get to enjoy the company of others that are sharing the same experience as you. Our guests have forged life-long friendships with their groupmates, many even traveling together again on their next trip!
Support
A full team of travel experts with you every step of the way!
From the first time you call to returning home from your trip, we are here to help you through every part of your journey. We’ll answer questions before you book and provide information as your tour is approaching, including visa and other entry requirements. And during your trip, not only do you have a professional guide with you, but we also have partners on the ground and an entire team located in the U.S. that’s ready to assist. The peace of mind you get from having round-the-clock support makes the trip even more enjoyable!
Affordable
We negotiate the best rates for you to get the most value out of your package!
Some people think guided trips cost more than going on your own, but that’s not the case. Our team is able to secure group deals on flights, lodging, meals, admissions, and more and package them together, creating incredible savings for you! Guided trips save you money and provide the best value for the most inclusions without sacrificing quality. You can see the most incredible sights and have the best time without worrying about breaking the bank- what’s better than that?
Safety
Someone always has your back!
Guided tours are a safer way to travel than exploring on your own. We carefully vet our hotels and itineraries with safety in mind. Tour guides are fluent in the local language and are trained to problem-solve in difficult situations, including medical emergencies. Having them around is extremely beneficial should things not go as expected. When you travel with a group, you have peace of mind knowing you’re under the care of people who know what they’re doing.
Ready to join a group tour?
If you want to take the hassle out of planning and stop worrying about the safety and logistics of your trip, then signing up for a guided tour is a great choice. The comfort and ease of having everything organized for you add to the already incredible value a group tour offers. Plus, the extra support and experience of a guide, and the chance to travel with and meet like-minded people, make a guided group tour even more special. Join us and experience it for yourself!
Whenever you’re ready to take a guided tour for your next vacation, reach out to us – we know how to see the world!