Discover the Joy of Guided Travel: Why Group Tours Might Be Your Next Adventure
- Jennifer Yong
- Jun 16, 2024
- 3 min read
While I enjoy travelling independently with my friends and partner, I’ve discovered that joining a guided travel group can be a really fun way to explore the world, whether I'm travelling solo or with friends.
Why Choose Guided Tours?
Time Efficiency
Guided tours are my go-to when I have limited time to explore a country or region or if transportation is challenging. For example, I spent last summer in Southern Africa, travelling through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe in just 18 days. It would have been impossible to cover all these countries without a guided tour, as public transportation in that region isn’t the best.
Safety
In some parts of the world, it is always safer to travel in a group because the tours are supported by local guides who know the area well and can help in cases of emergencies.
Social Connections
I have met some amazing people from all around the world on some of these guided tours. 20 years after my first guided trip in Asia, I’m still good friends with some of the people I met on that very first trip!
Choosing the Right Tour
Guided tours can be expensive, depending on which company you use and the level of activities and accommodation they provide. I’ve found ways to balance cost and experience.I tend to book adventures-based holidays and as I’m not too fussy with luxurious accommodation, these tours usually stay in 3 to 4 star hotels, with a little bit of camping and local homestay thrown in.
Here are two tips for finding your ideal tour company:
Check out their social media to see the type of travellers they attract. Travelling with like-minded people will enhance your experience.
Subscribe to the tour companies’ social media. They often have sales throughout the year, and you can snag a good discount on their packages. You can also get cashback if you use cashback sites to book these holidays.
Tour Companies to Consider
Below are some tour companies that might help you on your next travel adventure. I haven’t personally used all of them, so please do your own research before booking. We haven’t been sponsored to recommend these companies either.
Adventure Based Holidays
Intrepid, based in Australia, and G Adventures, from Canada, run small group adventure tours (up to 18 travellers) and cover all seven continents. I've used both companies, and they are quite similar in travel style and price. They offer flexibility by covering transportation, accommodation, and some meals, with optional activities each day. If you like independent travel but hate organising logistics, these tours might suit you.
Women Only Travel Group
SoFe started off as an international meetup and network for female travellers and now hosts tours in 14 countries. Its aim is not to only provide guided tours but build a community of female travellers that can inspire, help and support each other on their adventures. If you are up for meeting new female friends from all around the world, check out their tours.
Adventure Holidays For 30 to 40 Years Old Solo Travellers
It can be challenging to find friends to travel with in your 30s and 40s, especially if they have settled down as couples or started having kids. Flash Pack caters for this market by offering solo travellers in their 30s and 40s the opportunity to meet and travel together.
Flash Pack charges a slight premium compared to other adventure tour companies and this is reflected in the accommodation they choose.
Holidays for Lesbians and LGBTQ+ Women
Olivia is the stalwart in the lesbian and LGBTQ+ Women travel market, having been around for 50+ years. Olivia offers all types of holidays, from cruise to resorts to adventure holidays. Based in the US, their holidays are predominantly in North and South America, Africa, Australia, and Europe.
Luxurious Travel
If money isn’t an issue, Abercrombie & Kent can tailor-make your holidays across all seven continents. They've been around for over 60 years. You just need to give them a rough idea of your destination and budget, and they will put together a tailored itinerary.
How do you prefer to travel?
If you're a guided tour enthusiast, what has your experience been? And if you're an independent travel devotee, would you consider giving a guided tour a try?
Join our community to share your travel thoughts and experiences!
By Jennifer Yong
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