Group Tours: The Ideal Way to See the World on a Budget

As Saint Augustine famously said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

But what can you do if you want to see the world, but your travel dreams and your travel budget don’t match up? Consider taking a group tour. Today there are group tours available for every age group, activity level and type of interest, from adventure travel for twenty-somethings to sight-seeing for retirees and everything in between. Some group tours are “budget” level trips, while others have mid-range or luxury accommodations. There really is something for everyone.

What’s to love about group tours? A lot!

Your group tour will be a great value

Because they have a whole group traveling together, tour operators get discounted rates for almost everything. Even the cost of a “luxury” tour is significantly less than what you’d pay if you had to piecemeal together all of the elements of that trip on your own.

You’ll have travel companions

Group tours are ideal for singles who don’t like to travel alone. On a group tour there’s always someone to talk to. And don’t worry, if you’re single you won’t have to share a hotel room with a stranger. For a small extra fee you can have a room to yourself—which is what I advise all of my single clients to do.

Having others around can be nice for couples, too. You’ll meet new people, have interesting conversations and avoid getting on each other’s nerves.

Not sure about traveling with a group of strangers? One of my clients was a bit nervous about it, too. She really wanted to go to England but didn’t want to travel by herself. I booked her on a well-regarded group tour and she had a fabulous time. As an added bonus, she met another woman who was traveling by herself, they became close friends and now they travel together regularly.

You’ll enjoy unique experiences

Most group tours include special events that are not available to the general public. For example, a museum or palace might open up after hours just for your group. How cool is that?

You won’t have to think about the logistical details

Where should you stay? Where should you go to eat? What are the best things to do and see? How will you get from place to place? On a group tour all you need to do is show up and enjoy yourself. All of these details are handled for you.

You’ll have a tour guide to bring things to life

Instead of just going to a famous site and saying to your traveling companion, “well, there it is,” you’ll have a tour guide to put things in context for you. You’ll learn the history of the place, see things off the beaten path and have a richer experience than if you were on your own.

How do you find the best group tour for you?

You work with an experienced travel agent! If you need help planning your next vacation, give me a call. I’m here for you.