Is an Escorted / Guided Tour really a good idea?

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As a travel concierge, I’m often asked “what is an escorted tour?” or “why should I take a guided tour?”  Escorted Tour or Guided Tour, call it what you want, tours are one of the most fun, efficient, and effective ways to experience your destination of choice.  There are tours available around the globe; the world is literally at your feet.  You can choose an in-depth single country experience or a multi-country experience. Getting an insider to take you through your destination opens up sights you didn’t even know existed.  Typically people think of escorted tours as being led around by someone who will ramble on about the highlights of a particular site.  In reality, you have a local guide who is from the area opening your eyes to amazing insights of the destination you were not aware of.  From the taste of real heart of palm from a roadside stand to stopping along your drive to take pictures of an unusual animal, having the insider look at somewhere new is what really makes the destination come alive. Sometimes it is those unique experiences that you remember most about your trip!   Escorted / Guided Tours are also one stop shopping!  Air, accommodations, transfers in destination and between destinations, tours, and some meals are all included!

Let’s clear up some escorted or guided tour myths.

 

Myth: Tours aren’t for 40 and 50 year olds; they are only for retired people.

Reality: Adventures by Disney specializes in families.  There is a company that specializes in tours for 18-35 year olds.  One of my favorite tour companies states “Our most popular multi-country tour has an average age of 42”

 

Myth: Tours leave travelers stuck on a bus.

Reality: Less than 20% of a touring day is on the motor coach.   Speaking of motor coaches – many of them are configured specifically for the tour companies with a maximum of only 40 passengers allowing for business class legroom!

 

Myth: Tours don’t give travelers time on your own.

Reality: Typically a third to a half of your day is unstructured (free time).

 

Myth:  Guided or Escorted Tours are not for independent travelers

Reality:  Guided or Escorted Tours can be great for independent travelers.  I have been to a lot of places and I am very comfortable with travelling on my own.  But there are certain destinations I never appreciated until I travelled with a group and guide.  There is something about sharing unique experiences with other people that makes destinations so much more enjoyable.  I have done certain cities on cruises, on my own but it wasn’t until I had a guide showing me the secrets of the city that I really appreciated the destination.  While travelling on our own gives us independence to experience the destination on our time, it may also give you a big opportunity to miss something amazing.  Many people that travel on their own end up skipping a lot of cool things simply because they don’t have someone encouraging them to get a move on and get out there to explore.  A guide is not a task master but a local who loves their country and wants you to enjoy as much of it as possible before you have to get back to the reality of everyday life.

 

Myth:  Traveling with a group will slow me down and I won’t get to see everything or get in to the main attractions

Reality:  The guides specialize in making sure the tours are conducted in an efficient manner.  One of the great advantages to the escorted / guided tours is that you often get to skip the line to some of the most popular attractions!  (Have you ever been to Rome and seen the lines outside of the Colosseum or the Vatican?)

 

Still not convinced?  There is also a hybrid option called a locally hosted tour.  Locally hosted tours provide a local host in each destination and some local tours are included.  You are not accompanied by a specific tour guide from start to finish of your trip. 

 

Hopefully, you have learned a little and can see how an escorted or guided tour might be just the right fit for your next vacation experience!