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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2024

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2024 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Adventure Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Adventure Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten-path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Adventure Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 8-16 people and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Adventure Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Aventure Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Adventure Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Adventure Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,014 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $799 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $749.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 10 million dollars to over 160 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-35 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience foodie trip of a lifetime Intrepid Travel’s South Korea Real Food Adventure , which includes time in three cities and an overnight temple stay.

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination. For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina).

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $6,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to closer destinations like Mexico or Costa Rica—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife & Nature: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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15 Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours in 2024

The best tour companies for guided tours in 2024 deliver special insider experiences you simply can't book independently..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Guided tours are an easy and stress-free way to discover new places. When you travel with the best tour operators, you can often dig much deeper into the history, culture, and daily life of your destination than if you’d gone it alone. In fact, the world’s top tour companies employ local guides, handle all of the details, and often deliver special insider travel experiences you simply can’t book independently. And travel tour groups are a good value, too.

To learn more about this year’s best tour companies and their guided tours, click on any company name in the list below to go straight to their website and start your search. Or, scroll down to read more about my picks for the best tour operators in 2024.

2024’s Best Tour Operators for Guided Tours 

• G Adventures  
• Adventures by Disney
• Grand Circle Travel
• Road Scholar
• Collette  
• Tauck  
• National Geographic Expeditions  
• Overseas Adventure Travel
• Intrepid Travel  
• AdventureWomen  
• Abercrombie & Kent
• Exodus Travels

1. Trafalgar Tours

One of the largest and most established tour operators in the world, Trafalgar offers everything from standard coach tours and small group active tours to private tours, hiking and biking tours, and special interest tours built around nature, history, food, and other interests. All told, Trafalgar hosts more than 350 guided tours in 72 countries and all seven continents. England, Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, Egypt, Ireland, Argentina, and Thailand are some of its most popular destinations. ( Read our full Trafalgar review here .)

Seniors and travelers 50 and older are Trafalagar’s core audience, though children as young as five years old are welcome on its family tours. Trafalgar’s solo travel options include free or reduced single supplement prices for many of its most popular trips. Each of its tour directors has at least three to five years of road experience, and many have been with the company for decades. 

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Trafalgar’s guided tours cover all accommodations (typically four-star hotels where available) and most transportation during your trip, including airport transfers on the majority of its overseas tours. Most meals and activities are included. Trafalgar also offers special one-of-a-kind experiences such as dining with locals, sleeping in a castle or historic hotel, and early entry to popular tourist attractions. Anyone who books a tour with Trafalgar’ is automatically enrolled in its Very Important Traveler (VIT) program that offers discounts and priority access on future trips. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Trafalgar

• Average guided tour group size: 40 guests (standard coach tours); no more than 17 guests on small group active tours.
• Price range: Upscale.
• What’s included: Accommodations, transportation within the trip, admission prices, and most meals.
• What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, and tips.
• Primary audience: Seniors and travelers over the age of 50.
• Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
• How to book:  Directly through  Trafalgar or through a travel agent
• More tours: 10 Best Trafalgar Tours to Take in 2024

2. G Adventures

Small group tour operator G Adventures has guided trips suitable for a wide range of travel preferences. The company’s driving philosophy is all about improving the world through travel, and it supports this mission by utilizing local businesses and community resources on its tours. Many of G Adventures’s guests share this philosophy as a core value. 

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The company’s guided tours cater to a variety of fitness levels and cultural interests. Its classic tours hit a sweet spot between backpacking and traditional group tours; active tours focus heavily on hiking, trekking, biking, and other physically intense activities; family tours lean into age-appropriate activities and kid-friendly accommodations; local living tours let you participate in the rituals of daily life in unique destinations around the world; and 18-to-thirtysomething tours let young adults explore the world with similarly aged companions. 

G Adventures also partners with National Geographic for both general tours and family journeys designed to provide guests with an even deeper understanding of the cultures and traditions of each destination. And the company’s one-of-a-kind Jane Goodall Collection of guided tours offers a responsible way to experience wildlife up close. G Adventures offers a unique perk on all of its trips. The company’s Lifetime Deposits program allows you to retain your initial deposit for use at a later date at no extra charge if you need to postpone a trip due to a change in plans or circumstances.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company G Adventures

• Average guided tour group size: 12 people.
• Price category: Moderate.
• What’s included: Accommodations, activities, and some meals.
• What’s not included: Airfare.
• Primary audience: Adults ages 30 to 55, but also families and younger travelers.
• How to book: Directly through G Adventures or through a travel agent.
• More tours: 10 Best G Adventures Tours to Take in 2024

3. Adventures by Disney

Founded in 2005, Adventures by Disney offers upscale small group tours to about 40 destinations on all seven continents. While you may associate Disney with princesses and talking animals, a vacation with Adventures by Disney is more about the Disney way of doing things than it is about The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment brand. 

When you travel with Adventures by Disney, what you’re getting is top-notch service, people-pleasing trip leaders (called Adventure Guides), and special experiences created just for Disney’s guided tours (think skip-the-line access to tourist attractions like the Louvre in Paris, special backstage tours on Broadway, or traditional bread-baking demonstrations in Iceland). Each trip also includes at least one Adventure Guide from the host destination, who brings local knowledge and a deep connection to the destination. 

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On guided tours with Adventures by Disney, things run smoothly and right on time . That makes it a great choice for stress-free family travel adventures . Most of Adventures by Disney’s guided tours feature built-in family time as well as built-in alone time for the adults. On some evenings, the Adventure Guides may host a “Junior Adventure” movie night. Other times there may be a kids-only dining table for the evening meal. 

Guided tours with Adventures by Disney include upscale accommodations, transportation within the trip (such as airport transfers, internal flights or trains, and motor coaches), admission prices and VIP experiences, luggage and concierge services, taxes, most gratuities, and many meals. There are typically some “on your own” meals, and pre-trip transportation is not included in the price. Adventures by Disney vacations tend toward the luxury side of the price range: an eight-day Peru vacation starts at $6,199 in 2024; an Adriatic expedition cruise starts at $8,999. In addition to its family-oriented trips, Adventures by Disney also offers private tours and adults-exclusive tours.

Adventures by Disney travelers can enroll in the company’s Adventure Insiders program to receive special offers, including advance notice of new tour destinations.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Adventures by Disney

• Average guided tour group size: 35 to 44 guests.
• Price range: Upscale/premium.
• What’s included: Accommodations, transportation within the trip, admission prices, VIP experiences, luggage and concierge services, taxes, most gratuities, and most meals.
• What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, and tips for your Adventure Guides.
• Primary audience: Families and adult Disney fans.
• How to Book: Directly through Adventures by Disney or through a travel agent.

The flagship brand of the Globus family of companies (which also includes Cosmos and Avalon Waterways ), tour operator Globus offers coach tours on six continents spanning more than 70 countries. Tour styles include small group tours , offered on Europe and North America itineraries; choice tours, which allow you to choose from three or four possible excursions rather than a one-size-fits-all schedule; undiscovered tours that take a deep dive away from the tourist areas; self-guided independent tours; Escapes by Globus , which operate during the slower tourism season between November and March; and faith-based trips to destinations such as the Holy Land.

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Globus caters to older adults, generally from about 50 to 70 years old, with most guests traveling as part of a couple or family. For solo travelers, which comprise about 20% of the tour company’s guests, Globus offers single supplement waiver promotions on select tours. Globus also has a Welcome Back Credit loyalty program. Each trip earns up to a $250 credit toward a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Globus

• Average guided tour group size: 38 guests (classic coach tours); 20 to 24 guests (small group discovery tours).
• Price category: Budget to moderate.
• What’s included: Hotels, all breakfasts, some additional meals, all transportation, VIP “skip the line” access, and local guides.
• What’s not included:  Gratuities and airfare; however, Globus offers the option to purchase airfare when you book, which comes with free airport transfers.
• Primary audience: Adults between 50 and 70 years old.
• Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, and Oceania.
• How to book: Directly through Globus or through a travel agent.

5. Grand Circle Travel

Operating since 1958, Grand Circle Travel is another highly regarded tour operator for adults over 50. The flagship brand within the Grand Circle family of companies (which also includes Overseas Adventure Travel ) offers a wide selection of land-based tours and river cruises for groups ranging in size from 24 to 47 people. 

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Grand Circle Travel’s trips are specifically designed for older travelers. Leisurely pacing and a focus on value are hallmarks of the Grand Circle experience. Like its sister company Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.), which is a top choice for active solo travelers over age 50, Grand Circle stands out as a great fit for solo travelers interested in finding camaraderie and community on vacation. The company offers free or low-cost single supplement fees on all of its itineraries. Grand Circle has guided tour experiences on all seven continents. Land-based group tours average about 30 travelers, while river cruises can range from about 38 to 45 guests. Grand Circle’s loyalty program, called the Inner Circle Club , offers discounts for frequent guests and multiple trips booked within the same calendar year. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Grand Circle Travel

• Average guided tour group size: 24 to 30 guests (land tours); 38 to 45 guests (river cruises).
• Price category: Moderate to upscale.
• What’s included: Airfare, meals, activities, accommodations, transportation, special events, gratuities for local guides and motor coach drivers (land tours); airfare, accommodations, most meals, onboard drinks and house beer and wine, port charges, and gratuities for local guides and motor coach drivers (cruises).
• What’s not included: Airfare can also be purchased separately.
• Primary audience: Adults, including solo travelers, over the age of 50.
• How to book: Directly through Grand Circle Travel or through a travel agent.

6. Road Scholar

What started as the tour company Elderhostel in 1975 has since evolved into Road Scholar , a non-profit tour company with an educational focus that offers guided tours around the world. Its primary audience is senior travelers, but it also has the special and unique Grandparent Adventures , which support grandparents and grandchildren traveling together. Road Scholar is also very solo-traveler friendly—about 25 percent of Road Scholar tour guests are solo travelers. And the tour company has a number of itineraries for women-only tours as well.  

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Road Scholar’s educational tours include all accommodations plus most meals, expert-led lectures, field trips, and hands-on experiences, as well as transportation and gratuities. Road Scholar is able to book airfare for international tours, which allows you to have your travel monitored and supported by the company from start to finish. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company Road Scholar

• Average Tour Size: 22 people.
• Price Range: Budget to luxury (from about $699 to $21,999 per person).
• What’s Included: Accommodations, most meals, expert-led experiences, transportation, gratuities, and the Road Scholar Assurance Plan coverage.
• What’s Not Included: Pre- and post-trip transportation.
• Primary Audience: Older travelers, grandparents traveling with grandkids, women, and solo travelers.
• Destinations: Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Australia and South Pacific, and Antarctica.
• How to book: Directly through Road Scholar or through a travel agent.

7. Collette

A family-run business with hundreds of guided tour options across all seven continents, Collette offers a mix of small group trips (14 to 24 people per tour) and classic guided tours (up to 44 people). Its group tours start around $1,500, and most guests are over the age of 55. Collette is worldwide travel brand and tour operator with offices in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

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From land tours and river cruises to rail journeys, small group tours, and city stays, Collette offers a variety of ways to travel, including optional excursions and pre- and post-tour nights at your destination. And while the company tends to attract an older and budget-focused audience with an eye toward value, many of its hotels are four-star quality, and meals favor well-reviewed local restaurants with generous menus. 

Collette employs local guides for all of its trips and puts an emphasis on utilizing local businesses and restaurants. It also offers community sustainability programs for its guests in destinations across the world and invests a percentage of its proceeds back into local community or sustainability projects. Tour guests are automatically enrolled in The Collette Passport Club and receive credit toward future trips. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Collette

• Average guided tour group size: 44 guests (classic tours); 14 to 24 guests (small group tours).
• What’s included: Hotels, activities, museum and attraction admissions, local guides, transportation, and airport transfers.
• What’s not included: Airfare, meals, and gratuities.
• Primary audience: Adults, primarily couples, between the ages of 50 and 70.
• How to book: Directly through Collette or through a travel agent.

8. T auck Tours

Family-owned Tauck has a simple philosophy: Deliver more than what’s expected. The award-winning guided tour operator has been doing just that for nearly 100 years by offering authentic experiences and behind-the-scenes access to destinations all over the world. Tauck’s century of experience is evident in nearly every detail of its guided trips, which cover more than 100 destinations in 70+ countries across all seven continents.

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The company’s tours are well-regarded for their expertise in local customs, traditions, flora, and fauna. Meals and accommodations are upscale. Its tour guides, called Tauck Directors, come from 40 countries and average a decade of experience each. You can choose from five unique trip styles: land tours, small group journeys, river cruises, small ship cruises, and multigenerational family journeys called Tauck Bridges. The tour operator also boasts an exclusive partnership with the award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, offering deep-dive trips that explore the themes of his films, including the American Civil War, U.S. national parks, baseball, and jazz. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Tauck

• Average guided tour group size: 35 people (standard tours); 24 people (small group tours).
• Price category: Upscale.
• What’s included: Gratuities, sightseeing and admissions, most meals, airport and luggage transfer, and taxes.
• What’s not included: Airfare and alcohol.
• Primary audience: Adults over age 50 and multigenerational family groups.
• How to book: Directly through Tauck or through a travel agent.

9. National Geographic Expeditions

Launched in 1999, National Geographic Expeditions leans into its parent company’s core values of exploration, science, education, and storytelling to offer exceptional guided tours on all seven continents. From exploring the Swiss and Italian Alps by train to photographing Machu Picchu at sunrise, National Geographic Expeditions takes you to some of the most celebrated natural wonders, archaeological sites, and wildlife-rich destinations in the world. 

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A guided trip with National Geographic Expeditions is all about meaningful exploration of the world and its many cultures. Whether by land, small ship, train, river cruise, or even private jet, you can expect a guided tour that goes way beyond the ordinary. And with itineraries geared specifically for photographers, families ( in partnership with G Adventures ), or independent travelers, you’ll be exploring alongside both like-minded travelers and subject matter experts. 

The company offers two unique ways to travel: National Geographic Signature Land tours, led by NatGeo experts, are its flagship trips and feature high-end accommodations, special access to field researchers and sites of interest, and even photography workshops; National Geographic Journeys, led by local guides, utilize mid-range hotels and blend hands-on exploration with more free time to explore on your own. Many National Geographic Expeditions trips also offer pre- and post-trip extensions.

The National Geographic Lifelong Explorers program offers loyalty discounts for return guests. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from each trip helps fund the National Geographic Society’s research and conservation programs around the world.

Quick Facts about Guided Travel Tours with National Geographic Expeditions

• Average guided tour group size: 16 to 25 people per departure; cruises are all in small ships under 200 passengers.
• Price category: Premium (National Geographic Signature Expeditions); budget to moderate (National Geographic Journeys).
• What’s included: Meals, accommodations, excursions, services of a National Geographic Expert, ground transportation, most transfers, baggage handling, most gratuities (for National Geographic Signature Land); some meals, accommodations, excursions, local guides, ground transportation, and some transfers (for National Geographic Journeys).
• What’s not included: Airfare, some meals, and some gratuities.
• Primary audience: Photographers and families with a passion for learning.
• How to book: Directly through National Geographic Expeditions or through a travel agent.

The budget-friendly member of the Globus family of travel brands (alongside Globus and Avalon Waterways ), Cosmos offers a range of tours around the world but has a particularly strong focus on European tours. Cosmos offers similar itineraries to its sister brand Globus but brings costs down by opting for good-but-more-budget-minded accommodations. While Cosmos is best known for its coach tours, the company also offers small group trips, off-the-beaten-path itineraries in popular destinations, event-focused tours, and Christian faith-based trips that highlight religious history in the Holy Land, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

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Cosmos runs tours on five continents spanning more than 60 countries. Among its most popular destinations are Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. Many of the company’s tour directors hail from the country in which they lead tours, and a number of them have spent decades with Cosmos. The company also employs local guides to help with additional on-the-ground aspects of its tours. Cosmos offers a Welcome Back Credit loyalty program. Each trip earns up to a $250 credit toward a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.

Quick Facts about Group Tours with Cosmos 

• Average guided tour group size: 36 guests (standard coach tours); 20 to 24 guests (small group tours).
• Price category: Budget.
• What’s included: Hotels, guided city sightseeing excursions, ground transportation, and some meals.
• What’s not included: Airfare, optional excursions, gratuities; flights and airport transfers can be purchased at additional cost from Cosmos.
• Primary audience: Adults in their early to mid 50s.
• Destinations: Europe, South America, Central America, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
• How to Book: Directly through Cosmos or through a travel agent.

11. Overseas Adventure Tours (O.A.T.)

Part of the Grand Circle family of companies that also includes Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line, Overseas Adventure Travel (also called O.A.T.) is a small group adventure travel tour specialist offering guided tours on all seven continents. O.A.T.’s tour group guests are over the age of 50 and many are solo travelers looking to join like-minded travelers on active itineraries around the world.

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Why is O.A.T. is so popular with older solo travelers? One reason is that the company rarely charges a single supplement on its trips. A fair number of the company’s guided tour itineraries also have women-exclusive departures. Overseas Adventure Travel rates all of its tours by activity level ranging from one (easy) to five (strenuous). The company operates more than 60 unique trips on all seven continents. Both multi-country and single-country tours are offered; some itineraries focus on culture while others have an ecological focus.

Unlike many other guided tour companies, O.A.T.’s prices typically include airfare, though guests also have the option to book their own flights. Overseas Adventure Travel’s loyalty program is the Sir Edmund Hillary Club , which offers benefits beginning with your third trip.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.)

• Average guided tour group size: 13 people.
• What’s included: Airfare, most meals, all transportation, accommodations, activities, and gratuities for local guides.
• What’s not included: Gratuities for trip leaders, some meals; airfare can also be booked separately.
• Primary audience: Active adults over 50, particularly solo travelers.
• Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
• How to Book: Directly through OAT or through a travel agent.

12. Intrepid Travel

Sustainable and experience-rich travel is the heart and soul of everything Intrepid Travel does. The not-for-profit group travel tour operator runs trips geared toward young adults, women, solo travelers, active travelers, and families, and it generally attracts like-minded guests who value responsible travel, conservation, and respect for indigenous cultures. In fact, many of Intrepid’s most compelling guided tours make personal connections with local communities a centerpiece of the experience.

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Intrepid offers a wide range of trip styles and themes to suit a variety of audiences: Basix caters to independent travelers who prefer free time to explore on their own; Original tours include a mix of activities and free time; Comfort goes at a relaxed pace; and Premium tours offer the best accommodations, most comfortable transportation, and exclusive experiences. Different themes include Active, Food, Expeditions, Family, Solo, 18 to 29s, and Trekking, among others. Travelers are automatically enrolled in the Intrepid Insiders program with their first trip. The loyalty program offers advance notice of sales and new trips.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Intrepid Travel

• Average guided tour group size : 12 people.
• What’s included: Accommodations, local transport, and some meals.
• What’s not included: Airfare, travel insurance, and tips.
• Primary audience : Adults ages 25 to 40.
• Destinations : Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
• How to Book: Directly through Intrepid or through a travel agent.

13. AdventureWomen

The women’s-only travel group AdventureWomen makes it easy for female travelers to explore the world in a safe and meaningful way alongside other women. Founded in 1982, AdventureWomen now offers nearly 50 tours across more than 65 counties. AdventureWomen’s guided travel tours for women welcome solo female travelers, women traveling together, mother-daughter pairs, sisters, and more. Each tour description clearly outlines the required fitness level for the journey. 

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The company’s most popular guided tours include a wintertime tour of Iceland to view the Northern Lights, a Galapagos Islands wildlife cruise by private yacht, and a journey along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. These guided women’s only adventure tours include lodging, ground transportation, most meals and activities, guides, and some gratuities. AdventureWomen’s average tour group size is on the small side, with tours generally welcoming 12 to 15 women per departure. Guests often credit the small group size for fostering camaraderie with other travelers on these guided tours. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company AdventureWomen

• Average guided tour group size: 12 to 15 people.
• What’s included: Accommodations, most meals and activities, ground transportation, tour guides (called Managers), and some gratuities.
• What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, alcohol, some gratuities, and certain meals.
• Primary audience: Women seeking to travel with other women.
• Destinations : Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, and the Middle East.
• How to Book: Directly through AdventureWomen or through a travel agent.

14. Abercrombie & Kent

A pioneer in the world of luxury small group trips, Abercrombie & Kent has been operating guided tours for more than 60 years. These days, the tour company runs trips on all seven continents spanning more than 100 countries. Each of Abercrombie & Kent’s small group tours is run by a Resident Tour Director who remains with the group throughout the trip, while additional specialized local guides help travelers enjoy one-of-a-kind insider experiences.

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Because Abercrombie & Kent is a luxury tour operator, accommodations tend toward high-end hotels wherever possible. Participants are often Gen X and Boomers. Guests are automatically enrolled in the company’s Marco Polo Club loyalty program on their third journey with Abercrombie & Kent. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Abercrombie & Kent

• Average guided tour group size: 14 people.
• Price category: Upscale/premium.
• What’s included: Inter-trip flights, upscale accommodations, luggage transfers, meals, mid-journey laundry services, all activities, and expert guides.
• What’s not included: Airfare to and from your trip destination.
• Primary audience: Adults aged 40 and older.
• How to Book: Directly through Abercrombie & Kent or through a travel agent.

15. Exodus Travels

A worldwide adventure travel tour operator, Exodus Travels offers small group and independent cycling, walking, hiking, wildlife, and cultural tours in nearly 90 countries across all seven continents. Exodus has operated small group guided tours, self-guided tours, and private tours around the world since 1974, and today offers more than 500 unique tours ranging from popular locales like the Amalfi Coast in Italy to remote destinations like Tajikistan. 

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The company’s small group tours average between eight to 16 guests and utilize local trip leaders and experienced local guides. Solo travelers comprise nearly half of Exodus’s guests, who are given the option to pay a single room supplement or share a room with another guest at no additional charge. For those who want the convenience of a curated trip (pre-planned accommodations, activities, and transportation) without the constraints of traveling with a group, Exodus’s self-guided options give you freedom and flexibility to explore on your own. 

While Exodus is popular with budget-minded travelers, the company also offers premium guided tours to some popular destinations. A partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation allows Exodus to offer luxury safaris, for example. Guests are automatically enrolled in the tour operator’s loyalty program, called Exodus Collective , after two trips. Exodus Collective offers special discounts and members-only sales. After your seventh trip, you’ll be upgraded to the company’s Pioneer level, which comes with even greater discounts and perks. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Exodus Travels

• Average guided tour group size: 8 to 16 people.
• Price category: Budget to upscale.
• What’s included: Accommodations, some meals, activities, and local guides.
• What’s not included: Airfare, airport transfers, and gratuities.
• Primary audience: Adventure travelers, solo travelers, and active independent travelers.
• How to Book: Directly through Exodus or through a travel agent.

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• Unique and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences
• Hiking, cycling, rail, and marine tours
• Tours focused on wellness
• 18-to-thirty-somethings tours
• Solo traveler-friendly group trips

3. Intrepid Travel

• 18-29s tours
• Active adventures (hiking, biking, kayaking, etc)
• Adventure cruising (travel by boat)
• Family tours
• Wildlife and polar tours
• Women’s expeditions (all-female tours)
• Urban Adventures day tours

4. Exodus Travels

• Trips for those in their 30s-40s, families, and self-guided tours
• Mixed activity trips
• Small ship cruises
• Desert treks, coastal walks, and wildlife walks
• Private group adventures

5. MT Sobek

• Search based on activity/fitness level
• Hiking, trekking, rafting, and kayaking activities
• Family adventures
• Adventure cruising and camping
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• Private and customized travel tours
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• 24/7 customer support

7. For the Love of Travel (FTLO)

• Weekend trips
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• Low-season travel tour deals
• “Choice touring”, a selection of curated experiences in off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Faith-based travel itineraries

9. EF Go Ahead Tours

• Multi-country tours
• Food and wine, history, and family tours
• Seasonal and special event tours (including Oktoberfest, Christmas market tours, and summer tours)
• Safari, wildlife, battlefield, and national park tours
• Private and customized group tours

10. Classic Journeys

• A loyalty program offering discounts and priority room assignments
• Groups and corporate luxury tours
• Couples and friends tours
• Limited edition vacations, such as visiting Japan’s cherry blossoms or viewing a solar eclipse
• A variety of walking, food and wine, multisport, and heritage and ancestry tours

What are the common challenges involved in booking trips for large groups of people?

Gathering all of the necessary group travel information, multiple moving parts are difficult to manage, what are group travel companies and what services do they typically offer, design travel itineraries according to client needs, offer locally based guides.

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Small Group Adventures

Find Your Trip

Travel with like-minded adventurers.

A great journey is made even better when shared with great travel companions. Join us solo, with a partner, or with friends, and enjoy the camaraderie of traveling with a group of kindred spirits. On our scheduled Small Group Adventures you can expect world-class Trip Leaders, small groups—no more than 16—and fascinating itineraries that range from immersive cultural adventures to invigorating bucket-list treks.

What Makes Our Small Group Adventures Special?

• With over 150 journeys worldwide, we offer an unmatched range of experiences with tours designed for every interest and ability
• Our average group size is just 10—and never more than 16—the perfect size to keep things intimate, personalized, and flexible
• Our Trip Leaders are the best in the industry, and we often have two per trip, giving you plenty of 1:1 time
• We pre-set our departures for the best time to be at each destination, and handle all the details—all you have to do is relax and enjoy your vacation

Choose Your Activity Type

Browse our scheduled Small Group Adventures based on your specific interests. Whether you are looking for hiking and trekking adventures, snorkeling excursions, in-depth cultural encounters, or more, we have the trip for you.

Featured Small Group Adventures

Small Group Adventure

Nepal: Lodge to Lodge Hiking in Upper Mustang

From $7,995

Hiking in Sicily

From $6,695

Pilgrim’s Way: El Camino de Santiago

From $5,195

Tour du Mont Blanc

France, Italy, Switzerland

From $5,795

England Coast to Coast

From $6,895

Hiker’s Journey to Bhutan

From $7,095

Namibia Expedition

From $9,195

Hiking in Norway’s Fjord Country

From $7,195

Hiking in the Cortina Dolomites

From $5,295

Pyramids to Petra

Egypt, Jordan

From $11,395

Spirit of Ireland

From $6,495

Everest Lodge to Lodge

From $4,695

Morocco: Camels to Casbahs

Snorkeling Raja Ampat

Galapagos Adventure aboard the Passion

From $9,595

Costa Rica Wildlife

From $6,195

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

From $5,995

Ultimate Patagonia

Argentina, Chile

From $11,595

Tanzania: The Great Migration Safari

From $10,195

In the Wake of Cleopatra

From $8,595

Southern Spain to Morocco

Spain, Morocco

Botswana Wildlife Safari

Botswana, Zimbabwe

From $9,895

Wildlife Adventures in Borneo

Malaysia, Borneo

Hiking Amalfi and Capri

From $6,395

Botswana: Okavango Explorer

Climb Kilimanjaro!

Treasures of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos

From $7,795

Hiking Italy’s Volcano Trails

Hiking the Yorkshire Dales Way

Call for Pricing

Tribal Ghana, Togo, and Benin

Benin, Ghana, Togo

Wild Tasmania

From $8,195

Madagascar: Off the Beaten Path

Magical Madagascar

From $6,995

Mountain Gorilla Safari

From $7,895

Namibia: Giraffe Conservation Safari

From $10,495

Namibia: Green Season Safari

From $11,995

The Ultimate Uganda Safari

From $8,895

Ultimate Namibia and Botswana

Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana

From $12,995

Zambia Walking Safari

Zimbabwe: Green Season Safari

South Africa: From Sea to Savanna

South Africa

Southern Tanzania: Off the Beaten Path

A Northern Arc Across Ireland

Great Hikes and Cuisine of Northern Italy

Hiker’s Journey to Portugal

From $5,595

Hiking in the Greek Isles

Norway: Hiking Alesund and the Sunnmore Alps

Hiking the Cotswold Way and Wales

England, Wales

Great Elephant Migration Safari

From $9,295

Southern Iceland Expedition

Hiking the Faroe Islands

Hiking the Fjords of Greenland and Iceland

Greenland, Iceland, Denmark

From $11,295

Winter Adventures in Lapland

From $10,595

Hiking Montenegro and the Adriatic Coast

Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro

Scotland’s Orkney Islands and Wild North Coast

From $7,395

The Turquoise Coast

Hiking the French Pyrenees

Hiking the Haute Route

France, Switzerland

Hiking the Isle of Madeira

From $4,895

Western Greenland Expedition

Greenland, Denmark

Winter Adventures in Iceland

From $8,295

Ultimate Haute Route

Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

From $6,295

Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean

Northern Iceland: Off the Beaten Path

From $8,695

Pagan Festivals of Sardinia

Treasures of Ireland’s West Coast

From $6,595

Treasures of the Dolomites

Hiking Tuscany and the Cinque Terre

Ultimate Dolomites

Central Asia Explorer

Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

From $11,195

Central India: In the Realm of the Tiger

From $7,595

Everest Base Camp

In the Realm of Genghis Khan

Kyrgyzstan: Hiking in the Celestial Mountains

Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival

From $8,495

Royal Rajasthan and Villages of India

From $9,695

Shinto Shrines, Pearl Divers, and Pilgrim Trails

Searching for Snow Leopards in India

Japan: Temples, Treasures, and Teahouses

From $10,995

The Great Game

Uzbekistan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan

From $15,695

Treasures of South India

Ultimate Everest

The Silk Road

From $12,495

Ultimate Uzbekistan

From $5,695

Wildlife of Eastern India: From Red Pandas to Rhinos

Tonga: Swimming with Humpback Whales

New Zealand: Ultimate South Island

New Zealand

Hiker’s Journey to New Zealand

Ultimate Galapagos aboard the Passion

From $15,295

Glacier National Park and Blackfeet Powwow

From $8,995

Yellowstone & Grand Teton Wildlife Adventure

Trekking the Cordillera Blanca

Hiker’s Journey to Machu Picchu

Treasures of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

From $6,795

Brazil: Jaguars and Wildlife of the Pantanal

Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia

Patagonia: Tracking Pumas and Cruising the Fjords

Chile, Argentina

From $13,295

Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in Cenderawasih Bay

From $7,295

Snorkeling Expedition to Wakatobi

From $7,495

Desert Kingdom of Oman

From $10,395

Lost Worlds of Ethiopia

Hiking in Slovenia

From $6,095

Hiking in the Azores

Hiking Bergamo to Innsbruck

Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein

Hiker’s Journey to Morocco

Hiking Corsica and Sardinia

France, Italy

Croatia: Istria and the Dalmatian Coast

Slovenia, Croatia

Vienna to Prague: Country Walks and Czech Castles

Czech Republic, Slovakia

From $5,395

Hiking Norway’s Lofoten Islands and Beyond

Hiking Puglia and Matera

Hiking the Heart of Switzerland

Switzerland

Prehistoric Caves and Great Cuisine of France

Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Walking England’s Jurassic Coast and Channel Islands

From France to Spain: Hiking in the Basque Country

France, Spain

Morocco: The High Atlas Trek

Normandy and Brittany

Wild Zimbabwe

Hiking Switzerland’s Via Alpina

Hidden Villages of Northern Greece

From $4,395

Palau Snorkeling and Sea Kayaking

Hiking in Cornwall

Hiker’s Journey to the Caucasus

From $5,095

Japan: Snow Monkeys and Winter Cranes

From $8,795

New Zealand: Hidden Treasures of the Far North

Iran: In the Footsteps of Kings and Conquerors

Hiking the Alpe Adria: Salzburg to Trieste

Austria, Slovenia, Italy

Galapagos Adventure aboard the Coral II

Tour de Monte Rosa

Italy, Switzerland

From $7,695

Treasures of Mont Blanc

Switzerland, Italy, France

Hiking Australia’s Northern Territory

From $12,195

Nepal: Trek the Sacred Gokyo Lakes & Beyond

Pakistan: Hiking the Hunza Valley

Hiking Cape Verde

Cape Verde Islands

Hiking the Heart of the Balkans

India’s Kumbh Mela Festival

Adventures in Senegal, Gambia & Guinea-Bissau

Medieval France: The Lot Valley

Namibia: Desert Lion Conservation Safari

From $9,795

Remote Parks of Patagonia’s Wild North

Botswana Kalahari Safari: Zebra Migration

From $9,495

Southwest China: Treasures of Sichuan and Guangxi

From $13,595

Eastern Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

An incredible variety of activities was packed into the trip, yet we never felt rushed. It would be impossible to do what we did in the same period of time without the expertise of WT guides.

We can depend on WT to offer exceptional trips and great attention to detail, and the quality of the Trip Leaders is unsurpassed.

This was without a doubt one of the best trips I’ve taken in my entire life. The professionalism and thoughtfulness that was demonstrated time and time again by the crew and the staff was superlative. An outstanding experience for me and my kids!

You could not have designed a better itinerary. Every day, every lodge, every meal, every experience was (unbelievably) better than the day before. Thank you for making this a phenomenal travel experience that I’ll remember for a lifetime.

The trip design was brilliant. Each day we thought we had captured “the prize” but the next day was even better. How did you do this?

Impeccable itinerary and outstanding implementation. Every day delivered a new ‘oh my’ because of the variety of the scenery and experiences. Thanks, Wilderness Travel!

This was a truly exceptional trip where we felt that we were able to fully experience the Patagonian wilderness but from the relative comfort of some wonderful small hotels and estancias.

Met my hopes and then some. It was an “experience” – –more than a vacation. We learned a tremendous amount about the culture, Inca history and, of course, the country is beautiful and people are so very nice!

The small number of participants with Wilderness Travel makes a much more intimate interaction with the areas visited. It was wonderful being in a small group of ten. Our guide’s ability to spot things in the bush was pretty incredible—he found leopards for us (with their kills), lions we would never have seen, and every bird everywhere. Great personality, too!

Because of our Trek Leader’s vast experience in the area, we used several trails that aren’t known to many trekkers and we were invited into Sherpa homes, which was wonderful. I had been dreaming of this trip for 30 years and now those dreams are fulfilled.

I have dreamed of taking this trip for years. Truly this journey exceeded my expectations on all fronts. The wildlife, terrain, people, staff and fellow trip mates made it an adventure to always treasure. I feel blessed and fortunate. Thank you Wilderness Travel. You have my complete confidence.

Talk to an Expert

Our Area Specialists know every detail about our Small Group Adventures. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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"If you are looking for non-stop fun and an adventurous trip this is it. I didn’t even expect this many exciting activities all thrown in in one day."

"An amazing adventure in Dubai with a superior trip leader. I’ve traveled extensively with other groups, but this was an exceptional value for the money."

"It was my first time ever doing a solo trip. All I had to do was show up. The scenes in Egypt were breathtaking and I saw places that I never thought I’d see."

"You have absolutely nothing to worry about.. logistics, campsite booking, tickets, planning is all done by them. We had a great guide with us throughout the trip"

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Welcome, fellow adventurers! Whether you’re planning a family reunion, a getaway with friends, or embarking on an epic journey with like-minded wanderers, group travel is an experience like no other. It brings people together, creating memories that will last a lifetime. But before you hit the road (or take to the skies), there are some important things to consider and plan for. In this ultimate guide to group travel, we’ll take you through all the tips, tricks, and must-knows that will help ensure your trip is smooth sailing from start to finish. So gather your tribe and get ready for an unforgettable adventure – it’s time to dive into the world of group travel!

Benefits of Group Travel

1. Shared Experiences: One of the greatest joys of group travel is sharing experiences with others. From exploring new destinations to trying local cuisines, every moment becomes more meaningful when you have someone to share it with. Whether it’s laughter-inducing mishaps or breathtaking sights, these shared memories will create a bond that lasts long after the trip.

2. Cost Savings: Traveling in a group often allows for significant cost savings. By splitting expenses like accommodation and transportation among multiple people, you can stretch your budget further and potentially afford upgrades or additional activities that might be out of reach on an individual trip.

3. Safety in Numbers: When traveling in a group, there’s always strength in numbers. Navigating unfamiliar places can feel less daunting when you have fellow travelers by your side. Not only does this provide a sense of security, but it also reduces the chances of getting lost or encountering any unforeseen challenges.

4. Variety and Flexibility: Traveling with a diverse group opens up opportunities for varied interests and preferences when planning activities and excursions. Everyone brings their own unique perspective, allowing for a more well-rounded itinerary that caters to different tastes and desires.

Camaraderie and Support: Group travel fosters camaraderie and support among participants as they navigate new cultures together. From helping each other overcome language barriers to offering emotional support during challenging moments, having travel companions strengthens bonds while simultaneously enhancing the overall experience.

Social Connections: Engaging with locals is an important aspect of immersing oneself in another culture; however, doing so alone may seem intimidating at times.

Group travel provides individuals with added confidence,safety,and encouragement neededto interactwithlocals,resultinginmeaningfulconnectionsand enrichingsocialinteractions

Time for Reflection: While journeying alongside others offers countless benefits,it’s also essentialto carveout personal timeforcarefulthoughtsandreflection.

Grouptravelallowsfortheserenityofindividualreflectionsaswellasthe

Choosing Your Travel Companions

When it comes to group travel, choosing your travel companions is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip. After all, you’ll be spending a significant amount of time together, so it’s important to select people who share similar interests and travel preferences.

Consider the size of your group. Are you looking for a small intimate gathering or a larger crowd? Keep in mind that larger groups can sometimes lead to more logistical challenges but can also offer more diverse perspectives and experiences.

Next, think about the dynamics within your potential travel companions. Do they get along well with others? Are they flexible and open-minded when it comes to planning activities and making decisions? It’s essential to choose individuals who are easy-going and adaptable as this will help avoid conflicts during the trip.

Another aspect to consider is shared interests. If you’re an adventure enthusiast, traveling with fellow thrill-seekers will make for an exciting journey filled with adrenaline-pumping activities. On the other hand, if relaxation is your top priority, finding companions who enjoy leisurely strolls on the beach or indulging in spa treatments may be ideal.

Furthermore, communication styles should align among group members. Effective communication ensures everyone is on the same page regarding expectations and plans throughout the trip. Look for individuals who are responsive and proactive in their communication – this will help prevent misunderstandings or last-minute changes.

Don’t forget compatibility in terms of budgeting habits and financial responsibilities. Discuss early on how expenses will be divided so that everyone feels comfortable with their contributions. Traveling with like-minded individuals when it comes to money matters avoids potential conflicts down the line.

By carefully considering these factors when choosing your travel companions, you can set yourself up for an unforgettable journey filled with shared memories and laughter!

Setting a Budget and Planning Expenses

Setting a budget and planning expenses is a crucial aspect of group travel. It helps ensure that everyone is on the same page financially and avoids any unexpected financial burdens along the way.

It’s important to have an open discussion with your travel companions about their individual budgets and expectations. This will help you determine what kind of trip is feasible for everyone involved.

Once you have a general idea of each person’s budget, it’s time to start planning the expenses. Research different destinations and accommodation options that fit within your collective budget. Look for deals or discounts that can help stretch your money further.

Consider creating a shared spreadsheet or using an expense tracking app to keep track of all costs incurred during the trip. This will help distribute expenses evenly among group members and avoid any misunderstandings later on.

Additionally, factor in miscellaneous expenses such as meals, transportation, activities, and souvenirs. Be realistic about these costs and make sure they align with everyone’s financial capabilities.

Remember to leave some room in the budget for unexpected expenses or emergencies that may arise during the trip. It’s always better to be prepared than caught off guard!

By setting a budget and planning expenses carefully, you can ensure a smoother journey for both your wallet and your group dynamics throughout the entire trip!

Selecting a Destination

Choosing the right destination for your group travel adventure is crucial to ensuring everyone has an amazing experience. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the choices. Here are a few tips to help you make the decision.

Consider the preferences and interests of your group members. Are they nature enthusiasts or city lovers? Do they prefer beach destinations or mountain getaways? By taking into account everyone’s interests, you can find a destination that offers something for everyone.

Next, think about practical considerations such as budget and accessibility. Will everyone be able to afford the trip? Is it easy to reach by air or will there be long drives involved? Keep in mind any specific requirements or limitations of your group members when selecting a destination.

Another important factor is timing. Consider the season and weather conditions at potential destinations during your desired travel dates. You don’t want to end up in a place experiencing heavy rainfall if outdoor activities are on your itinerary.

Do some research on each potential destination’s cultural offerings and attractions. Look for unique experiences that will leave lasting memories for everyone in the group. Whether it’s exploring historical sites, trying local cuisine, or immersing yourselves in vibrant festivals – choose a destination that offers plenty of opportunities for shared adventures.

Remember, selecting the perfect destination requires careful consideration of various factors including individual preferences, practicalities like budget and accessibility as well as timing considerations and cultural attractions available at each location!

Accommodation Options for Groups

When it comes to group travel, finding the right accommodation can make all the difference. Luckily, there are plenty of options available that cater specifically to larger groups. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or colleagues, here are some fantastic accommodation choices to consider.

First up is renting a vacation home or villa. This option allows your group to have their own space while still being together under one roof. With multiple bedrooms and common areas, everyone can enjoy some privacy while also enjoying shared spaces for meals and socializing.

If you prefer a more hotel-like experience, booking multiple rooms in a hotel or resort is another great option. Many hotels offer discounted rates for groups and may even provide additional amenities such as meeting rooms or event spaces.

For those on a tighter budget, hostels can be an excellent choice. While dorm-style accommodations might not be ideal for everyone, they offer affordability and the chance to meet fellow travelers from around the world.

Another alternative is booking a block of apartments in serviced apartment complexes. These often come equipped with kitchenettes or full kitchens which can be convenient for preparing meals together as a group.

Lastly but certainly not least, camping or glamping can be an exciting adventure for groups who love the outdoors! Many campgrounds have facilities that accommodate larger groups and provide amenities like communal cooking areas and shared bathrooms.

No matter which accommodation option you choose for your group travel adventure, remember to book well in advance to secure availability and negotiate special rates when possible. Happy travels!

Transportation Options for Groups

When it comes to group travel, transportation can be a major consideration. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available to ensure that your group can get from point A to point B comfortably and efficiently.

One popular option is renting a van or bus. This allows everyone in the group to travel together, making it easier to coordinate schedules and keep everyone on the same page. Plus, with a larger vehicle, you’ll have plenty of space for luggage and any equipment you may need for activities at your destination.

If you’re traveling within a city or urban area, public transportation can be a convenient choice. Many cities have buses or trains that offer discounted fares for groups, making it an affordable way to get around while also experiencing the local culture.

For those who prefer more flexibility and independence, renting individual vehicles might be the way to go. This allows each member of the group to explore at their own pace and visit different attractions based on their interests. Just make sure everyone has access to reliable navigation tools so no one gets lost!

Another option worth considering is hiring a private driver or tour guide. They will take care of all the logistics while providing valuable insights into local history and landmarks along the way.

No matter which transportation option you choose, it’s important to plan ahead and consider factors such as cost, convenience, safety, and environmental impact. By doing so, you can ensure that your group travels smoothly and enjoys every moment of their journey together!

Group Activities and Itinerary Planning

When it comes to group travel, planning activities and creating an itinerary that will satisfy everyone can be a challenge. But fear not! With some careful consideration and creativity, you can ensure that your group has an amazing experience together.

Brainstorm with your travel companions to gather ideas for activities. This could involve anything from sightseeing tours and outdoor adventures to cultural experiences or even just relaxing on the beach. Be open-minded and encourage everyone to contribute their suggestions.

Next, prioritize the activities based on the interests of the group. Remember that compromise may be necessary in order to accommodate different preferences. Consider creating a shared document where each member can rank their top choices, making it easier to find common ground.

Once you have a list of preferred activities, start mapping out your itinerary. Take into account factors such as location proximity, opening hours of attractions, and transportation logistics. It’s important to strike a balance between structured time and free time so that everyone feels included but also has room for personal exploration.

When scheduling the itinerary, keep in mind any dietary restrictions or special needs within the group. Plan meal times accordingly and make sure there are options available for everyone.

Don’t forget about flexibility! While having a detailed plan is great, unexpected opportunities may arise during your trip. Leave some breathing room in your schedule so that you can seize these moments without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Communicate regularly with your fellow travelers throughout the planning process. Encourage active participation from all members by sharing updates via email or using collaborative tools like Google Docs or Trello.

Remember – this is YOUR trip together! By involving everyone in activity selection and itinerary planning while maintaining flexibility along the way, you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime.

Communication and Conflict Resolution within the Group

Effective communication is key to a successful group trip. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family, or colleagues, it’s important to establish open lines of communication from the start. This means setting expectations and discussing any potential issues before embarking on your adventure.

One way to ensure smooth communication is by designating a group leader or spokesperson who can act as a central point of contact. This person can disseminate information, coordinate logistics, and address any concerns that may arise during the trip.

In addition to having a designated leader, it’s also crucial for every member of the group to have an opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions. Encourage open dialogue and active participation so that everyone feels heard and valued.

Of course, conflicts are bound to happen when traveling with a group. It’s natural for different personalities and preferences to clash at times. When conflicts arise, it’s important to approach them with patience and empathy.

Instead of letting tensions escalate, consider addressing conflicts directly but respectfully. Encourage open conversation where each individual has an opportunity to express their feelings without judgment or interruption.

If necessary, find compromises that allow everyone involved in the conflict feel like they’ve been heard while also finding common ground. Remember that flexibility is key – sometimes we need to adjust our own expectations in order for the group dynamics remain harmonious.

Always remember that effective communication involves active listening as much as speaking up. Showing respect towards others’ opinions even if they differ from yours will strengthen relationships within your travel group

Safety Tips for Group Travelers

When embarking on a group travel adventure, safety should always be a top priority. Traveling with a group can bring an extra sense of security, but it’s still important to take precautions and stay vigilant throughout your trip.

First and foremost, make sure everyone in your group has their identification documents readily available. This includes passports, visas, and any other necessary paperwork for the destination you’ll be visiting. It’s also a good idea to have copies of these documents stored electronically or with someone back home.

Another important safety tip is to keep communication lines open within your group. Decide on a designated meeting spot in case anyone gets separated or lost during excursions. It’s also wise to establish regular check-ins so that everyone knows where each other is at all times.

Researching the local customs and laws of your destination is crucial when it comes to staying safe while traveling as a group. Understanding cultural norms can help prevent unintentional disrespect or misunderstandings that could potentially put you in harm’s way.

It’s also essential to remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Pickpocketing and theft can unfortunately happen in crowded tourist areas, so keep an eye on your belongings and avoid displaying valuables openly.

In addition, consider investing in travel insurance for added peace of mind. This can provide coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage – ensuring that unexpected incidents don’t derail your journey.

Trust your instincts when it comes to personal safety. If something feels off or uncomfortable during your travels as a group, don’t hesitate to remove yourself from the situation or seek assistance from authorities if needed.

By following these safety tips while traveling with a group, you can focus more on creating lasting memories together rather than worrying about potential risks along the way!

Cultural Sensitivity and Respect while Traveling with a Group

One of the most important aspects of group travel is cultivating cultural sensitivity and respect. As you explore different destinations and immerse yourself in new cultures, it’s essential to be mindful of local customs, traditions, and beliefs. Here are some tips to ensure that your group travels responsibly:

1. Research the destination: Before embarking on your journey, take the time to educate yourself about the local culture, customs, and etiquette. Understand what may be considered disrespectful or offensive in that particular country or community.

2. Dress appropriately: Be conscious of how locals dress and adhere to their cultural norms. In conservative countries, it’s important to dress modestly when visiting religious sites or public places.

3. Learn basic phrases: Show respect by learning a few key phrases in the local language such as greetings, thank yous, and simple pleasantries. Locals appreciate the effort made by visitors to communicate in their native tongue.

4. Respect personal space: Different cultures have varying concepts of personal space; what may seem comfortable for you could be deemed intrusive elsewhere. Pay attention to cues from locals regarding physical boundaries.

Be mindful of photography: Always ask for permission before taking someone’s photo—respect people’s privacy if they decline or show hesitation.

Support local businesses: Contribute positively to the communities you visit by supporting local businesses instead of large international chains whenever possible.

Be aware of cultural taboos: Every culture has its own set of taboos—subjects or actions that are considered off-limits or disrespectful—for example discussing politics or religion might be sensitive topics depending on where you’re traveling.

Respect sacred sites: When visiting temples, mosques, churches or other religious sites follow any rules regarding attire,manners,and behavior.

Remember these places hold great spiritual significance.

Thus,it is important not to disturb others’ worship practice.

By being respectful and culturally sensitive, you not only enhance your travel experience but also

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USA Small Group Tours

• Choose from 300+ USA tours
• 2,800+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
• 24/7 customer support

10 best USA small group tours

Compiled by

Melissa USA travel expert at TourRadar

7 day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Tour

7 day southwest national parks grand canyon camping tour, mighty 5 from salt lake city, mighty 5 from las vegas, best of utah & arizona national parks, western usa national parks loop, yellowstone / grand teton 4 day / 3 night wildlife adventure, hiking utah's mighty 5, utah's mighty five from vegas - 5 days, journeys: discover american canyonlands national geographic journeys.

• Coach / Bus
• Sightseeing
• Join a sunset hummer tour in Arches National Park
• Explore Emerald pools in Utah's National Park
• Experience a Navajo guided tour in Monument Valley

“The entire trip was 5 stars. Amazing experience and the ease of travel was incredible.”

• Mountain Hikes
• Marvel at the sandstone spires in Bryce National Park
• Speed down Route 66 towards lively Las Vegas
• Stand on the edge of awe-inspiring Grand Canyon

“We love the destinations included in the tour, every place we visited is on our bucket list.”

• Christmas & New Year
• Explore Salt Lake City on your arrival day
• Discover Capitol Reef's ancient petroglyphs
• Hike the iconic Mesa Arch in Canyonlands

“This was a wonderful experience brought to life.”

• Drive through Mojave Desert to Zion Park
• Travel Scenic Highway 12 through Utah
• Explore Canyonlands' Island in the Sky

“We went to a series of awe-inspiring viewpoints and did some wonderful hikes in what were referred to as 'the mighty five' of Utah.”

• Drive through Zion and Bryce Canyon
• Explore Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide
• Catch a sunrise jeep tour in Monument Valley

“The experience was wonderful!”

• Walking Adventure
• Tour Monument Valley with a Navajo guide
• Explore Zion National Park on a guided hike
• Walk the rim of the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon

“This was a great tour, I highly recommend.”

• Photography
• Watch Old Faithful erupt at Yellowstone
• Travel the scenic Chief Joseph Highway
• Visit the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum

“The experience was amazing, and my husband and I had a great time.”

• Hiking & Trekking
• Trek through Zion's Narrows
• Hike among Arches National Park's formations
• Discover petroglyphs in Capitol Reef

“An amazing experience with wonderful fellow travelers.”

• Visit Canyonlands' Island in the Sky
• Witness sunrise at Bryce Canyon's Bryce Point
• Drive through Mojave to Zion National Park

“The whole trip went without a flaw. She was also well organized.”

• Explore the Narrows with a guided hike
• Visit historic Route 66 and Lowell Observatory
• Discover the Grand Canyon with an expert

“Sights, hikes, people, food, enhanced our journey.”

Discover TourRadar

Out of Your Comfort Zone

The art of backpacking & adventures to get out of your comfort zone – tips and advice, 7 best small group tour companies for international travel around the world.

Last Updated on July 17, 2024 by Lohanna Reis

The best rated tour companies specialized in small group travel (with tips to save on your bookings). Tour companies for all types of travelers: solo traveler, adventure, exotic/hard-to-reach destinations, luxury, young, singles, party, family, etc. Plus, pros and cons so you can compare organized group trips with independent traveling.

To travel independently? Or to travel as part of the group? That is the (cheesy) question!

Okay, if you know this website/blog, you’ll know that it focuses on tips for independent world travel (without an excursion or tour) that let you travel long-term even if you are on a tight budget. It’s just that you need the time and planning to be able to prepare an entire trip yourself.

But I know that some people either don’t like or don’t have the time to prepare all that they need for a trip by themselves ( flights , accommodation , itinerary , transportation , travel insurance , etc….).

In this case, my suggestion is to travel as part of a group tour. Then, basically all the most important parts of your trip will already be taken care of and organized and all you’ll have to do is relax and enjoy.

And there’s nothing wrong with traveling as part of a tour group (even if that’s not something we usually focus on here). You still can have a travel experience that is incredible, all-encompassing, and authentic whether you go on your own or with a tour.

The problem is knowing which company and type of tour to do.

I say this because there are “TOUR GROUPS,” and there are “ tour groups .” In other words, not all tour companies around the world are created equally. And that’s why below we selected some of the best-known and highest-rated tour companies on the market. In other words, they are great travel alternatives if backpacking during your holidays isn’t really your thing.

(But if you want to save money or travel on a tight budget, just keep in mind that it will almost always be a lot cheaper to travel independently. If that’s more your aim, then just follow the sequence on this page to begin planning your next trip yourself.)

P.S.: Remember that you can combine independent travel with group travel! When I was in Australia, I did a large part of my trip independently (backpacking-style) but when I went to see the central area (Alice Springs and Uluru), I went with a tour. It worked out perfectly to mix tours and travels!

Table of Contents

• 1 The 5 Best Tour Companies for International Travel Around the World
• 2 So, should I travel with a tour group or by myself?
• 3 How Do I Choose the Best Tour and Group Travel Company for Myself?
• 4 How Should I Prepare for my Group Tour (and Save Some Extra Money While I’m at it)?
• 5 A super quick summary
• 6 Planning your next trip?

The 5 Best Tour Companies for International Travel Around the World

G Adventures type of tours: Fun, relaxed or adventure trips

G Adventures is one of the biggest tour companies for small group travel in the world. They focus on adventure travel at a relatively low cost compared to other companies. They have more than 650 different excursions/adventure tours on all 7 continents! Yes, even to Antarctica (just in case anyone forgot this was a continent ?) and the Arctic (though this doesn’t get to be a continent because it’s basically just a block of ice ☹). And they have guided tours of all kinds: Active, YOLO (for young people aged 18-39), Family, Classic, etc…in other words, you’ll definitely find a tour that’s right for you!

And I, personally, really like the way they give the search results – with maps and tour itineraries – that show you exactly what you’re going to do. This makes it easy to compare different tours.

Intrepid type of tours: Fun, relaxed or adventure trips

Along with G Adventures, Intrepid is another one of the biggest international tour operators for adventure travel on the market, offering more than 800 itineraries around the planet. With them, you’ll travel in small groups of lots of adventure and minimal frills. In some cases, depending on the type of excursion (such as a camping excursion), it’s expected that you’ll help prepare dinner together with the other travelers. Don’t worry, all will be explained and led by your guide!

I did a tour similar to this in the middle of the desert in Australia and it was awesome! It helps you build a connection with your group which makes the tour that much better. And like G Adventures, Intrepid also has tours of all kinds such as Family, Biking, Wildlife, etc…it’s hard not to find something you like.

Contiki type of tours: trips with a focus on partying, having fun and relaxing

Contiki is famous for organizing guided trips for young people aged 18-35 (they are actually one of the tour companies that don’t allow people outside this range). And they are well-known by one thing: the parties!

With Contiki, a day of visiting tourist attractions in Europe or Australia will usually end in partying, booze and uh…..well, there’s a reason some people call it Sextiki. I’m not saying this based on my opinion, but just google around and you’ll find the same thoughts.

So, Contiki may not be for everyone…but if you’re are traveling alone and beyond tourism also want to meet people from around the world and party, Contiki is the tour company for you! There’s a reason why their catchphrase is #NOREGRETS.

But this doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy Contiki if traveling as a couple or if you aren’t a big partier, but you should know upfront kind of what to expect.

They have tour groups going to the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Latin America, etc…but they are especially awesome for European tours. 

Special Promotional Coupon Code for Contiki: PPASIALMD526

(mention code DPRKOUT )

YPT type of tours: low-key trips to exotic and hard to reach places

If you’ve read our article about How to Visit North Korea on a Budget , you’ll see that we visited one of the world’s most closed-off countries with Young Pioneer Tours. This is because YPT is a tour company that specializes in, according to them, “budget tours to destinations your mother would rather you not go to.” Places like Turkmenistan, Eritrea, Iran, Transnistria (actually, I visited this last one by myself in one of my Europe trips and wrote about it here ), and other infamous places that are difficult for tourists to get to.

So if you are on the lookout for adventure and uncommon destinations, I’d recommend taking a look at their website.

When booking with Young Pioneer Tours, mention the code DPRKOUT while making your booking to get a free t-shirt and an exclusive North Korea travel guide. Also valid for trips to destinations beyond North Korea.

Tourradar type of tours: tour search engine with all kinds of excursions and travel packages

Unlike the options above, Tourradar doesn’t actually offer their own tours. Instead, they are a big aggregator (or online marketplace) that lists guided tours from companies around the world.

On the website, you can search for and book group tours/packages from more than 500 different operators.

So, if you want to make things easy, just put in the destination you’d like to visit, the month, and the year and Tourradar will give you a gigantic list of guided tour options of all kinds. 

During your search, you can also filter by price, duration, age range, style, etc…which makes finding affordable tours pretty easy. 

Something that I think is really cool about Tourradar is that they have a section with the best festival tours around the world – like the Tomatina in Spain, Exit in Serbia, Oktoberfest in Germany, and even tours to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro!!

Win a free trip with Tourradar!

Another great thing about them is that they are always giving away free trips. To enter in one of the contests, just click this link here  or the picture below, put in your name and email….and that’s it! Good luck!!

  6. Encounters Travel

Encounters Travel Type of Tours: Innovative tours to open-minded people

Encounters Travel is an English company with more than 50 years of experience. The company’s focus is saving money combined with the enjoyment of its customers, considering the cultural aspects of each country.

So to not exclude anyone, the groups have a maximum of 20 travelers, in addition to offering a private tour service, where prices can be a little more expensive, but ideal for those who prefer to travel alone.

With Encounters Travel, it is also possible to customize excursions, in case you are in a group of friends who want to deviate a little from the itinerary planned by the company. They are great for college, school, clubs or association outings.

The company’s website is super intuitive, divided into several categories that make it easier to decide the perfect trip for you. There’s also a section of the site dedicated to booking last-minute trips, in case you’re one of those people who doesn’t like to plan too far in advance!

Trafalgar type of tours: exclusive travel focused on luxury, convenience, and comfort for selective travelers

Well, as you probably already know, this website/blog isn’t exactly focused on guided trips of luxury and comfort. But, although the tour companies listed above will already be a lot more comfortable than an independent trip weighed down with your own backpack, they tend to attract travelers that are a bit more adventurous and low-key.

But if your travel style is more about relaxing, luxury, and comfort, I recommend you check out Trafalgar. Trafalgar is one of the oldest, most renowned, and exclusive tour operators in the world. They offer more than 230 different itineraries around the world that can also be tailor-made for even the most selective of travelers.

If this sounds like you, take a look at their site and get a tour quote to see if the options are to your taste and style.

SFT Tours type of tours: excursions around the world in small groups for women only

Solo Female Travelers Tours is a women’s company that caters exclusively to the female audience. The intent of this is to create comfortable, safe, and reliable adventures for their clients in places that would not normally be very accessible to solo travelers.

SFT Tours has small group tours to Iceland, Tuscany, Tanzania, Sudan, Mongolia, and Antarctica. Their trips are quite varied, ranging from luxury tours in the Italian countryside to extreme adventures like climbing Kilimanjaro and motorcycle expeditions through Mongolia (see here 25 Interesting Things I Learned While Traveling in Mongolia ).

By booking an expedition with them you will be connected with other women traveling solo, which is a great opportunity to create new friendships. All Solo Female Travelers Tours prioritize companies created and led by women with a mission to help empower women around the world.

So, should I travel with a tour group or by myself?

Pros of Traveling with a Group Tour

• As mentioned above, almost everything will be organized for you . So, just relax and enjoy!
• If you don’t want to travel alone but don’t have a friend or family member to go with you, going with a pre-arranged group will take care of that.
• You can feel safer because you’ll always be with a guide. In other words, you won’t find yourself lost in the middle of the city or getting cheated by that taxi driver in Santiago del Chile while in an escorted tour.
• You can access places that are almost “closed” to independent tourists. As an example, we had to visit North Korea with a tour – we explain it here if you want to do the same. The same thing is true of Iran for American and British citizens.
• It’s easier to get a visa for certain countries. In other words, it’ll often be easier to apply for a visa and have it approved if you already have a tour booked and paid for.
• Group tours are a great way to meet people and make friends from around the world! Since the tour companies are international, you won’t just be traveling with people from your own country (you can do that at home) . You can find 11 tips to make friends while traveling in our article here .
• Most of the recommended tour companies here give you some “me time” that’ll let you have some time to explore on your own during the tour. But in some places, like North Korea , this won’t be true as you must always be with a guide. Remember that there’s also the possibility of doing extra travel tours during those “me time” periods if you prefer.
• It’s guaranteed that you’ll stay in quality and pre-reserved accommodations (so you don’t have to worry about sleeping on a bench in that park in Banff, Canada because it was Easter and everything was full….which I totally don’t know from experience or anything).
• You’ll have help and support in the case of sickness, theft, loss, accident or any other unexpected problem that can happen during your trip.

Cons of Traveling with a Group Tour

• Traveling in a group can be frustrating . Not everyone always gets along and sometimes they’ll be disagreements or little cliques. But in general, the type of people who decide to travel with a lot of the tour companies below are open-minded and easy to deal with.
• If you like having your space, being in a tour group isn’t ideal. Even if the tours suggested below do give you some time to relax and explore by yourself, the “me time” isn’t unlimited.
• Going with a group tour is almost guaranteed to be more expensive than traveling, planning, and reserving everything yourself.
• If you end up in a group with an average age different from your own , it can be a bit irritating. Heterogeneous groups with different ages are common on many tours and it’s interesting to hear about different life experiences. But if you’re 21 and the average age of your group is 60, it’s not so interesting.
• You have to be patient with that couple that is always late to breakfast in the morning or nearly misses the bus after each stop. But this is all part of traveling in a group tour….so, don’t be “THAT couple!!”
• On that note, remember that you have responsibilities of being a part of the group and you can’t just “do what you want” like you could if you were traveling alone.
• You are stuck with your group’s schedule . Outside of the “me time” allotted, if you want to catch the bus and stick with the group, you have to follow the schedule. Think the current museum is boring? You have to stay there until the set time is finished. Want to spend more time at the beach? You’ll be cut short when your group starts leaving you behind.

How Do I Choose the Best Tour and Group Travel Company for Myself?

There’s a bunch of factors you need to consider:

• Type of tour: Since you’ll find tours of all types offered by the companies below, choose the one you’re most interested in: city, train, adventure, cycling, festivals , camping, beach, historical, etc…
• The age range of tours: If you are 24, you probably don’t want to be part of a tour with the average age of 62! Same idea the other way. Being the oldest person in a tour with a bunch of 23-year-olds that are out late partying every night isn’t that great.
• Cost of additional activities: In general, the tour packages mentioned below will cover all accommodation and transportation and some of the food and attractions. However, there are almost always additional costs that could be added on during the trip. Things like riding a camel, diving , learning to surf, etc… and if everyone else on the tour is doing it, you probably don’t want to be the only one watching from the sidelines. So, see what the possible extra costs could be (beyond the price of the tour) to make sure they fit into your trip’s budget.
• Amount of free time: Some people like to do activities with the group all day long (to make the most of what they paid for). But others like some time to head out a bit on their own to explore the city or just relax without their guide at their side. You can usually see how much “me time” or free days you’ll have by looking at a tour’s itinerary.
• Atmosphere: This is similar to the idea of age above. Some tours are completely focused on young people and partying (I’m talking about you, Contiki !), and others revolve more around history, museums, and cities like a European tour. Then, there are others still with more adventure and less fuss. Research well before deciding!
• Reviews: As with everything online, you can also find reviews for tours and tour companies. Some reviews are on the company website itself, others you’ll have to search online for. It’s always good to hear what other travelers who’ve actually been on the tours thought of the company, the destination, and the itinerary.
• Level of physical activity: In almost all of the tours you might check out, there’ll be a level of physical activity number from 1 to 5 (with 1 being the lowest level, and 5 being the highest level). In other words, if you aren’t super active, I wouldn’t try to travel during your vacations with a tour that’s going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro (likely a level 5 on that scale). On the other hand, if you are someone who’s in good shape and likes to exercise, a level 5 tour might be ideal for you. Personally, I love combining travel with exercise !
• Group size: On average, the companies below work with groups sizes that average 10 people. But there are sometimes bigger groups…though usually not bigger than the number needed to fill up a bus. Check the info about each tour if group size is important to you.
• Length & dates: This should seem obvious, but worth mentioning! If you can only have very specific days off work, you’ll have to make sure that the tour you want fits into this timeframe. Otherwise, if you have a big enough group, you may be able to arrange your own group tour with the dates of your choice.

How Should I Prepare for my Group Tour (and Save Some Extra Money While I’m at it)?

• Research and compare the cost of plane tickets yourself . Sometimes, you can buy your plane ticket with the company that you’re doing your tour with (like a tour package), but it’s also worth checking to see if you can find something better yourself. Research and compare what you find with the price the tour company is quoting you to see the best option. If you search yourself online, our article with 16 tips to save on flights can help.
• Explore different options for travel insurance before purchasing. Just like with flights, usually, you can either buy travel insurance directly with the same company you are buying the tour with, or buy it yourself. To do some research yourself, be sure to check out our article with the 3 best and cheapest travel insurance companies on the market ! And just remember: it’s obligatory to have travel insurance to participate in a tour and you’ll be asked to show proof of the insurance before your trip begins.
• Try to arrive a few days early in the place where your tour will start. Maybe consider staying around few extra days afterward to relax, as well. This makes sure you aren’t late, can have some time to prepare….and see a new place!
• If you arrive early or stay late after your tour, book accommodation in advance ! The majority of tour companies will offer some options for hostels/hotels to stay in before or after your trip. Obviously, they’ll earn some extra commission by making a reservation in your name. So, if you want to save in this aspect, consider booking something yourself . Then, you’ll be able to see all of the possible options (and not just the ones the company will push on you). Check out our article with the 6 best websites to find and reserve your hotel or hostel to help.
• Decide between a shared room or a private room. In most cases, if you are traveling alone, you’ll be put in a room with another solo traveler of the same gender. But if you want to stay in a room alone, you’ll have to pay a bit extra for a “single room supplement.”
• Be careful with the size of your bag or backpack. Just as with aircrafts, buses, boats, or trains, you’ll probably have a weight limit (about 20 kg) for the bag you bring on the tour.
• Plan ahead for your passport or visas. The entire process of getting a passport or visa is normally done by the travelers themselves and not by the company that organizes the tour. But as I mentioned, one benefit of going with a tour is that it’s easier to get a visa than if you were going alone.

A super quick summary

The best rated tour companies for adventurous, low-maintenance travelers: G Adventures and Intrepid

The top rated tour company for single or solo travelers that want to party and meet people from around the world: Contiki

The best tour company for people looking for trips to uncommon, off-the-beaten-path destinations: Young Pioneer Tours

The best tours website for travelers who want to see all the tour packages and excursions options in a single place: TourRadar

The best tour company for travelers that prioritize luxury and comfort: Trafalgar

Well, that’s it. You can have a great trip as part of a tour group or on your own. Really, the important thing is TO TRAVEL!!!

Also check out:

3 Best International Tour Companies for Adventure Travel

5 Best Group Tour Companies for Young Solo Single Travelers

5 Best Websites to Book Tours, Tickets & Attractions Around the World

Planning your next trip?

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes .

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.

16 Responses

[…] going into the desert, I recommend you find a tour company to bring you there, both for the activity options as well as for safety. Once you get there, I […]

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[…] Every travel lover would agree that a road trip is the best way to enjoy the most beautiful places. One has complete freedom to stop and stay in a location. You meet the locals and check out unexplored places too. It is not the case when you have a scheduled trip with an agency.  […]

[…] of whether you choose to travel independently or on a group tour in Spain, both options have their pros and […]

[…] of the option you choose to travel in Italy, whether independently or on a group tour, each has its pros and […]

[…] of the option you choose to travel in Portugal—either independently or in a group tour—each has its positive and negative […]

[…] of the option you choose for traveling to Vietnam, whether independently or in a group tour, each has its pros and […]

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[…] of the option you choose for traveling in the Middle East, whether independently or on a group tour, each has its pros and […]

[…] summary, the choice between traveling independently or in a group through Egypt depends on your personal preferences. Evaluate your interests, time availability, […]

Hey, glad you liked it! Let me know if you have any questions about it or the tour companies!

[…] of the option you choose for traveling to Indonesia, whether independently or on a group tour, each has its advantages and […]

[…] A group tour can help avoid many problems and make a trip more interesting. However, some drawbacks may turn a trip into a nightmare if you like freedom on trips. So, let’s take a deeper dive and learn as much as possible about all the pros and cons of traveling with a group of other tourists. […]

[…] summary, the choice between traveling independently or on a guided group tour depends on your personal preferences. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and […]

[…] today’s article will be focused on guided sustainable travel experiences with small-group tours. And so, I’ll be talking about the 3 most sustainable tour and excursion companies in the […]

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Next stop….The DMZ, South Korea

The Complete Guide to Group Travel

The paella was a breaking point. I was in the middle of the most complicated group trip I’d ever planned—13 people, flying in from six different cities, all gathering in a seven-bedroom villa in Andalucia . We were there, ostensibly, on a joint 30th-birthday trip, a group vacation we’d been planning for years . As high school classmates, some of us had known each other for decades, and the group had grown to include significant others and even a not-yet-announced pregnancy.

It would have been an ambitious trip no matter how many people were attending. We had chosen Spain as a middle ground between North America and East Asia, where my friends and I had scattered after college graduation. We were basing ourselves in Ronda, but rented several cars and planned day trips to see the bigger cities—Seville, Granada, Cordoba. But, inevitably, the dreamy idea of bringing us together for a milestone trip took on a life of its own: destination suggestions ranged from Croatia to Marrakech , and a total of 26 people were invited at some point. And I was wrangling it all— finding a villa , planning activities, making restaurant reservations, confirming the rental cars , and generally making sure it all went smoothly. Thankfully, I had some help: a villa specialist , plus a subset of friends I could count on for strong opinions and quick decisions. I took on this role naturally—and my friends were great about checking in to see if I needed any organizational help whatsoever. But generally, it was up to me to shape the flow of the trip while accommodating every travel personality, from super-planner to totally blasé.

Like every group vacation I’ve ever been on, our Spain trip had its ups and downs. On the first night, my head spinning while trying to keep track of a group text chain that had lost all sense of reason, I found myself struggling to keep my eyes open. Even though I was seeing my friends for the first time in a while, enjoying a home-cooked, multi-course meal as we shared exciting news (A new job! An international move! That pregnancy!), all I wanted to do was lie down after a very long travel day of planes, trains, and cars. On day two, I came downstairs to a breakfast spread of eggs, cheese, meats, and bread (there’s nothing like traveling with someone who likes to wake up early and prepare breakfast), and proceeded to try and block out the morning noise—questions about what to wear, what to bring, where the chargers were—way too much before I'd had my morning caffeine.

I hung back a bit that day during the group tour, scanning the crowd to make sure all my friends were having fun. Did they like the tour guide we had booked? Were they tired and jet lagged? Was the lunch reservation at an appropriate time? That night at dinner, a random spot we found within walking distance of our villa, I was happy to let someone else take the lead in ordering for the group, since the menu was only printed in Spanish. And then, the next night, we were so excited when our paella was delivered. It was in a massive pan the size of my wingspan, and took two people to carry. The saffron-infused aroma was coming through the aluminum sheets, and we were all crowded around the stove, awaiting the big reveal—until we uncovered the aluminum and realized they hadn’t seen my note about dietary restrictions, and my friends with shellfish sensitivities would be eating leftovers instead.

At its best, travel has a way of making every daily anxiety feel absolutely insignificant. And at its worst, even the tiniest mishaps, like the wrong ingredients in the paella, feel like the end of the world. This is even more the case on group trips, when you’re dealing with people of different ages, needs, and activity levels, or traveling with a group of friends of friends, where you’re close with some and not quite as comfortable with others. When you’re trying to accommodate everyone’s travel wishes, but somehow end up pleasing nobody. And of course, that moment when you realize you’re going to need a vacation to recover from this vacation.

That’s not to say that I didn’t have a great time in Spain. When I look back, I think about the one night we picked to be our joint birthday dinner. We were all gathered around restaurant table, 13 of us trying to blow the candles out together, each dissolving into giggles at different times. And of the one day we smartly split up into smaller groups—one group exploring the town, the other hanging by the pool—and then gathered together at night to share the highlights of our day. And how our long car rides led to long conversations, which was a way for me to really get to know my friend’s significant other—something that would have been nearly impossible otherwise, as they live in Toronto and we only see them a few times a year.

It always takes a few days for me to settle into vacation mode, but this time around, I had the added stress of worrying about everything that could go wrong, when a group of people who became friends at 18 meet again to travel together a dozen years later. I needed those moments of joy, of spontaneous laughter, of lounging around in silence, to be reminded of why we were all together in the first place—and why a few years earlier, we had known that we needed to prioritize setting aside time in our schedules to find a week that worked for all of us.

I think about how, during the vacation, we fantasized about what the next reunion would look like. Would we alternate continents? Would we take a cruise? Would we bring partners and kids along for our 40th birthday trip? At one point, someone brought up making it an annual trip —but the panicked look on my face might have nipped that suggestion in the bud immediately.

Group travel requires a herculean amount of coordination and compromise. But there’s something about having a group of people in the same place at the same time that can give every trip that once-in-a-lifetime feeling—an adrenaline rush that I only get when I’m traveling. I got to see a new side of my friends, who I haven’t lived in the same city as since I was 18—how some woke up early to check in at the office, how others were unflappable through hours of traffic and confusing driving directions, and how the parents-to-be soaked up the last few months before they became a family of three. That’s the magic of a group trip—you get to see your travel companions out of their daily element, in their vacation selves. And, if you can manage to stay calm throughout the planning process, the truth is, that’s often our best selves.

Why we built this guide

Group trips don’t all have to be stressful before they get good. If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you’ve been tasked to be the planner, at least in some part, for an upcoming trip. Here at Condé Nast Traveler , we embrace group travel in all forms, from big family vacations to a core group of friends that always travels together to traveling alone in a larger group. And we put this package together to help you take care of the big things—from where to stay and how to save money with points and miles —to the little ones, like how one app can change the group travel game.

We’re also letting you in on our best-kept secret, for when it’s time to throw your hands up and let the travel gods take over: Book a cruise . It’s what I did for my recent bachelorette party, where we paid just over $300 per person for 3 nights in the Caribbean, unlimited food and drinks, and endless entertainment. Okay, there was still a little planning, but it was limited to where we’d eat lunch on port day and whether we had brought enough sunscreen for our kayaking trip. As the de facto planner, I never had to think about signing a bill , or making sure everybody was entertained. I simply soaked it all in as my friends congregated in various combinations and got to know each other in vacation mode. It was the best gift I could have given myself—second to this guide, of course.

Four golden rules for every group trip

If you’re dealing with noncommittal guests, make everyone pay a deposit.

Don’t overschedule: plan the days as loosely as possible.

Come together for at least one meal a day.

Yes, everyone must download Splitwise.

How to plan a multi-generation family trip

6 Rules for Planning a Surprise Vacation

Everything you need to know to surprise your loved ones with a vacation, from a creative reveal to an itinerary that works.

Why I Actually Really Love My Massive Family Vacations

One good tip: You don't have to be together every. single. second.

18 Summers: The Ultimate Guide to Not Wasting a Single Vacation With Your Kids

How to make every year count.

The Complete Guide to Family Travel

Vacation ideas, flying tips, gear we're obsessed with, and true stories from very honest parents.

My Partner and I Never Have Sex on Trips Anymore

It's possible to prioritize intimacy even when you're traveling with a group.

How to plan a trip with friends

9 Spring Break Destinations for Grown-Ups

Why should college kids have all the fun?

My Travel Companion Has Anxiety. How Can I Help?

Tips to make the trip comfortable for everyone.

We’re All Overlooking the Easiest Group Trip Ever: The Cruise

A stress-free way to visit multiple destinations, eat great food, and even—gasp—find time to relax? Sign us up.

In Defense of Taking the Same Group Trip Over and Over Again

Sometimes the perfect trip is the one you’ve already taken.

This Home-Share Network Is Designed Specifically for Women

Golightly wants women to feel safer in home-shares.

Tips for traveling in a large group

For Black Travelers, Group Trips Provide a Way to Connect

A rising number of Black group trips are fulfilling needs that the rest of the industry ignores. 

This App Solved My Biggest Problem With Group Travel

Splitwise makes all my group trips go smoothly.

Everything You Need to Plan Crowd-Pleasing Meals for Your Group Trip

You're going to need to take a break from eating out at some point.

Where to Look When You Need a Group Trip Space That's Not an Airbnb or a Hotel

Find the answer to all your group work trips and bachelorette party dilemmas.

How to Save Money on a Group Trip Using Credit Card Points and Miles

It takes a bit of planning, but the savings are worth it.

How to Plan a Successful Group Trip: Travelogue Podcast

Without breaking the bank, breaking off friendships, or wasting vacation days.

Confessions of a Group Tour Guide

Taking groups of Americans through Italy was a true education in human nature.

How to Go on Vacation With Your Coworkers

Curious what it's like to hit the beach with your colleagues?

Where to stay with a group

12 Beautiful Lake Houses You Can Rent on Airbnb

From extra-long docks to A-frames, these stellar lake houses are good for every season.

A Dreamy Desert Retreat Near Arizona's Saguaro National Park

A Southwestern-inspired five-room home in the middle of the desert.

13 Best Airbnbs With Private Pools You'll Never Want to Leave

From Cabo to Cape Town, we'd rent these Airbnbs just for the pools.

The Coolest Treehouse Airbnbs You Can Rent Around the World

For your next Swiss Family Robinson–inspired vacation.

Best Airbnbs for Massive Family Reunions

Whether you're the Hawaii, Disney World, or Grand Canyon type.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

11 Best Group Trip Providers According To Our Readers

• Activities and Interests
• Best Of Travel
• Best Of Travel Awards: 2023
• Group Travel
• News and Tips
• Sightseeing
• Types of Travel

Travel is one of the most exciting parts of life — it can mean experiencing new cultures, forging new friendships, or just relaxing on a beach. That said, the unfortunate reality is that there’s a great deal of planning and endless decision-making involved in setting up the perfect trip. Even then, it can be tricky to meet new people on shorter journeys.

Enter group trip providers: organizations that not only handle the tedium of planning travel but also set you up with like-minded individuals or couples to share in the adventure with. TravelAwaits readers tend to be a discerning bunch, so we asked them which group trip providers are worth the expense. Explore the results below to see which group best suits you.

1. National Geographic Expeditions (Winner)

National Geographic is a name that is inextricably tied to seeing the world. There are plenty of benefits to traveling with Nat Geo, but let’s start with their experts . The experts who guide trips are made up of the organization’s trusted writers, conservationists, photographers, and other explorers who know their subjects and regions like the backs of their hands.

In addition to world-class guides, National Geographic Expeditions offer a huge variety of trip types – from train , private jet , and riverboat journeys to its signature land and family trips. Travelers can explore just about any locale or culture that interests them in a responsible, but still exciting fashion.

2. Rick Steves’ Europe

Rick Steves is an entertainer and educator who highlights how knowing about a destination’s culture and history is an essential part of travel. Steves has shared this philosophy with the world over several decades through his writing, television shows, broadcasts, and speaking engagements.

Fans of his travel style can take one of many trips guided by his expertise and travel philosophy. From Portugal to Bulgaria and just about every European country in between, every corner of Europe can be explored with a Rick Steves group tour.

3. REI Co-Op Adventure Travel

REI began in the 1930s as a way for a group of local outdoorsmen to pool their resources to purchase high-quality mountaineering gear in bulk to save money. With over 23 million members and 181 stores worldwide, it’s safe to say the idea spread. The cooperative now offers the same member discount for experiences in addition to gear.

REI trips all include upfront information about difficulty level, group size, and activities included. Most also include whatever specialized gear is necessary, which helps keep costs lower for the traveler. For the outdoor gear junkie, the trips feature extensive packing lists as well. These adventures are a great social way to experience the wonders of the American outdoors.

4. Road Scholar

To once again generalize about TravelAwaits readers, it’s safe to say that they tend to love learning. For the education-focused traveler, Road Scholar trips are an incredible way to see the world. This non-profit organization builds every trip around education, with cultural experiences, talks and demonstrations by locals and experts, and more. Being on site keeps the learning engaging and memorable. With a large range of collections , Road Scholar offers trips for countless interests and destinations.

5. Overseas Adventure Travel

Overseas Adventure Travel is a group trip provider that puts a major emphasis on off-the-beaten-path journeys. The company was founded on the pursuit of personal growth through travel – especially travel to less-visited destinations. OAT trips are oriented toward smaller groups, which makes experiencing a destination a more intimate experience.

Trips include small-ship voyages around the Aegean Islands and Istanbul , a Morocco Sahara Odyssey , or a tour of Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe . And of course, the list doesn’t end there! In addition to popular destinations in Europe, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas, travelers can even explore Antarctica with Overseas Adventure Travel.

6. Girls’ Guide To The World

Solo travel as a woman comes with its share of baggage, but one solution to any concern is to join a group trip offered by Girls’ Guide to the World . Though the organization began with small trips to Paris, they now offer groups going to over 25 countries. With a dual focus on authentic and responsible travel, these trips can help curious travelers meet like-minded women and make long-term friendships.

The themed trips bear descriptive names like “ Living Like a Queen – Marie Antoinette’s World in Paris and Versaille ” and “ Goddess of the Nile .” Every trip includes an exciting itinerary full of inspiration and highlights of the trip.

With 98 years in the travel industry, the family-run company Tauck knows a thing or two about seeing the world. With a stated core goal of doing the right thing, Tauck offers exclusive access to experiences around the globe. The trips also promise to bring travelers into the communities they are visiting so they can learn about local life and culture.

Tauck provides guidance on trips to all seven continents, but a very small sample includes “ The Essence of Japan ,” “ Northern India and Nepal ,” “ Canadian Maritimes ,” and “ New Zealand: A North & South Island Adventure .”

8. Trafalgar Travel

Trafalgar Travel offers 303 trips in 72 countries over six continents. The company promises unparalleled access and insight into hidden gems, both of which are worth their weight in gold to enthusiastic travelers. In addition to special moments and experiences, Trafalgar is known for high-quality service at every step of the journey, making getting out into the world a breeze.

Finally, Trafalgar has set responsible travel as a guiding principle, focusing especially on clear goals around climate action, sustainable food production, responsible consumption, overtourism, and more.

9. Grand Circle Travel

Grand Circle Travel is a family of companies with the specific goal of providing life-changing experiences centered around human connections. While Grand Circle offers a variety of land trips, the cruise line arm of the business is noteworthy.

Grand Circle’s European river cruises take small groups of travelers through France, Holland, Hungary, and other countries on such famous rivers as the Rhône, Seine, Danube, and Rhine. For the seasonal experience of a lifetime, consider taking one of Grand Circle’s Christmas market cruises.

10. Globus Journeys

Globus Journeys is a company that’s all about striking a balance between fulfilling travel dreams while also exploring the undiscovered local side of different locations. On a Globus trip, you can expect to see iconic sights like the Colosseum or Machu Picchu, but also spend an afternoon baking in a small farm’s kitchen.

Globus Journeys makes picking a tour easy through their handy “ travel styles ” system. By breaking down travelers’ preferences, they ensure that everyone finds the right trip. Styles available range from “Small-Group Discoveries” and “Cosmos Tours” to “Undiscovered Tours” and “Faith-Based Vacations.”

11. Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC

Rounding out the list is Abercrombie & Kent , a company that emphasizes luxury small-group travel. Abercrombie & Kent attributes its success to having some of the best expert guides in the world, combined with an extensive network of partners who lead authentic experiences.

The catalog of small-group journeys includes itineraries dotted with the best luxury hotels and transportation. The “Marco Polo Journey” category is comprised of limited-edition trips that change from year to year. While the small-group journeys earned Abercrombie & Kent its place on this list, the company also offers other types of travel like tailor-made trips and private jet journeys.

Read more from our  2023 Best Of Travel Awards .

Dan Happe is an editor from Des Moines, Iowa. He loves that his work allows him to see the world from his desk, but he particularly enjoys articles that involve cycling, accessibility, and sustainability. When Dan isn’t reading or writing, he is repairing and riding bikes, cooking, and searching for the perfect cup of tea.

20 Types of Group Tours You Won’t Regret

Group travel is a wonderful way to see the world, and we’re filling you in on the best types of group tours available. Check out these fantastic options!

One of the best parts of travel is sharing extraordinary experiences with other people! If you don’t have a wide circle of travel buddies, don’t worry, there are millions of fabulous group tours out there that you can join. Whether you hop on a pre-arranged tour or gather your own clan for a DIY journey, group travel is a wonderful way to see the world, and we think everyone should book at least one group trip in their travel life! In this guide, we will dive into some of the best types of group trips for you and your crew. Let’s roam!

Gather a group for a scavenger hunt!

Sometimes, group tours include “free days” that allow you to explore your destination as you choose. What a perfect time for a Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt Tour ! You don’t even need to go through the hassle of reserving a time. Just download our adventure app , then find an experience near you, and have fun getting to know your travel mates as you conquer challenges and see the sights. Try one today!

How to Find the Perfect Group Tour

1. choose the type of group tour you’d like..

The world is a big place, and there is a group tour for every travel style. From luxury cruise liners to backpacker trekking tours, the options are limitless! The first step to finding your perfect tour is to decide what kind of tour you are in the mood for. Hopefully, the list below will give you a good idea of what is out there!

2. Narrow down your list of destinations.

After you have chosen the type of tour you want to take this year, begin to cross-reference those types of tours with your bucket list destinations. For instance, let’s say you really want to take an adventure tour this year. You want to spend every minute doing something active in nature. You pull out your travel wish list, and your top five are London, Paris, Costa Rica, Venice, and New Zealand. You are likely going to want to look for adventure group tours in Costa Rica or New Zealand, as these places are known for their outdoor activities.

3. Do your research.

From here, you begin to Google specific tour companies and travel experiences. Read the reviews carefully. Make sure the tour hits the highlights of what you want to see in the area. Make sure it fits your needed departure date, is in your budget, and carefully read the fine print on what is and is not included in the package price (air travel to and from, meals, alcoholic drinks, equipment, etc.).

Also, pay close attention to the “vibe” words that are used in the write-up. If you don’t drink, the last thing you want is to end up on a backpacker party tour. If you are in doubt, send an email or use the virtual chat option to get more details.

4. Make your choice!

We advise you to choose two or three tours to research. After you have gotten all the details, make a “pros and cons” list of the tours. If you are traveling with a group of known companions, get their input on the options. You want it to be something that your whole crew is in agreement on! Pick the one that best fits your group and your travel intentions.

20 Types of Group Tours

1. scavenger hunts.

If you are looking for a day tour to do with your crew, check out the Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt App. We have hundreds of fantastic adventures all over the world. Our scavenger hunt tours are expertly curated to ensure that you will not only enjoy the best sightseeing, but you’ll also get a level 1 bonding experience. Each one is a blast, as you compete with or against your travel mates to answer our questions and create Insta-worthy photos. It’s a creative way to explore, and we promise you’re gonna love it!

2. Wine Trails

Think Napa Valley, Portugal, and Bordeaux! The wine capitals of the world always have fantastic group tours. Some regions hop from vineyard to vineyard by elegant train. Others employ small group tours by mini-coach. Some are walking, or even horseback riding, tours. If you are a wine-lover, we can’t think of a better vacation than spending your free days with other winos learning the ropes of the business, tasting the goods, and enjoying some of the lushest scenery on earth!

3. Distillery or Brewery Hopping

Wine not your thing? Perhaps, you enjoy a cold brew or golden elixir instead! Almost every nation has a specialty drink and a local brewery. You can enjoy an intimate tour of the Citron distillery on the island of Naxos, Greece, for free! Eastern Scotland has some of the best whisky distilleries in the world, and you can easily hop on a small group tour to visit several. Touring Mexico? Join a tequila-making adventure! Enjoying the mountains of Kentucky? Pop in for an official bourbon tour.

Northern Arkansas, Seattle, Denver, and many other tourist destinations in North America have interactive craft beer trails where you can jump from brewery to brewery, collecting stamps for your beer passport.

Pro Tip: These tours are best done with friends and family, as it might not be advisable to get toasted too toasted with a group of total strangers!

4. Island Hopping

If you are a lover of blue waters and sunbathing, join an island hopping tour! The most famous is probably using the ferry system in the Greek Islands, but that certainly isn’t the only place to join an island hopping tour. You can tour the island surrounding the United Kingdom. Tour cruises ferry passengers between all the Galapagos Islands, or you could island hop in the Maldives on a small group plane tour.

Organize your own tour by utilizing local ferries. If that sounds like too much work, there are hundreds of great travel companies that offer organized trips with experienced tour guides, fantastic food options, and all your accommodations taken care of for you!

5. River Cruises

Ocean cruises are one of the most popular vacation styles. However, we really love the river cruise option! River cruises stop more frequently and usually incorporate plenty of city excursions. Solo travelers can easily find a group of folks to depart the ship for a day tour with. Take a quick kayak tour, walking tour of the city, or food tour. With these cruises, the next adventure is literally around the river bend, and we love the variety of travel experiences that are at your fingertips.

Popular places for river cruises include the Nile in Egypt, the Rhine River through the Netherlands and Germany, the Mississippi River, and the Danube River in the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary. River cruises can carry a high price tag, and the population tends to be a bit older than some of the other tours on the list.

6. Wildlife Tours

If your dream vacation involves photographing exotic animals, consider a wildlife tour! Think jeep safari through Tanzania, sloth searching in Latin America, or whale-watching tours in Baja or Alaska. There are thousands of these tours available out there, just be sure to look at their ethics pages. You want to choose a tour that gives back and ensures the well-being of the animals in question. The goal is to watch amazing creatures in their natural environment, not to subject animals to lock-up for human entertainment.

7. Bar Crawls

Nobody wants to party alone! Even if you are normally a solo traveler, you likely enjoy a group’s company when you hit up the local nightlife. Check out Let’s Roam for a quick and easy-to-plan night out. Our bar crawls will introduce you to the best watering holes in the city, plus keep you laughing all night long with our hilarious challenges. Gather a few peeps from the hostel, and hit the pavement. You’ll engage in a little friendly competition, consume a barrage of tasty treats, and collect plenty of photo evidence of your wild night!

8. Walking Tours

Walking tours are one of the cheapest, easiest, and best tours to join. You simply show up at the designated meeting area, and bada-bing, a new friend group! Walking tours are always informative, sometimes free, and vary widely by type and group size. These are generally in big cities and may be historical, based on food, paranormal, dedicated to a famous local, or even literary.

The options are truly endless, and some great cities like Sofia, Bulgaria, New York City, and Edinburgh, Scotland have multiple types of walking tours to choose from. We suggest taking walking tours on the first day or two in a new city. They are a great way to meet friends, ascertain local recommendations, and get a good introduction to your surroundings.

9. Food Tours

Yummmmmm… we love a food tour! Take all my money! Food tours are the best way to get a taste of all the local delicacies. They range from fancy restaurant tours to street food adventures. We love the smaller ones led by a local tour guide. They generally have a small group size, and they usually visit smaller and less touristy food spots. The people you meet on your food tour often become your dinner pals for the rest of your trip because you all, obviously, like to try local foods, and it is just a natural pairing.

10. Adventure Tours

Adventure tours are a quickly growing segment of travel experiences. Group tours focused on surfing, kayaking, trekking, mountain biking, rappelling, aerial adventures, rock climbing, and spelunking are taking the travel world by storm. If you have an outdoor adventure hobby, we promise you can find a like-minded group of folks to test your abilities with! Look on social media groups for adventure destinations, G Adventures and Hostelworld list a lot of adventure tours on their sites, and even Airbnb has local-guided excursions available.

12. Scooter Tours

Travel through the Italian countryside or the basque region of Spain on a scooter! You can form your very own scooter gang or join an organized tour out of one of the major cities. Scooter tours are generally pretty affordable, and there is no better way to enjoy the landscape. Some are focused on food, some on vineyards, some on sightseeing, but most are a collection of all these and more! Organized tours usually include a safety and practice day to allow you to get used to the scooter and get advice from a trained instructor. Before you hit the road, you will feel confident and ready to roam.

13. Motorcycle Tours

Calling all bikers! If your usual vacation revolves around the open road, look into an organized motorbike tour. It’s the perfect way to travel through the Southwest of the United States, or up the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Other popular rides include the Northeast for fall foliage tours, and rides through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia.

14. Senior Group Tours

If you are past your spelunking days, do not fret. There are plenty of amazing group trips for “seasoned” travelers. These tours often limit the walking that is necessary. They usually feature the best accessibility for those with special needs, and they keep the itinerary a shade less packed. Accommodations tend to be comfortable, and you enjoy some of the best food options of any group tour out there.

As mentioned, river cruises are common for the over 60 crew, but that certainly is not your only option. Explore Venice, Florence, and Tuscany on a guided sightseeing tour. Take a historical castle tour of Ireland. Join a safari in South Africa, or if you are looking for love, join one of the “singles ready to mingle” tours. Travel is still on the table after middle age. It might look a little different, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on anything. Adventure is still out there waiting, and there are plenty of like-minded folks to experience it with!

15. National Parks Circuit

For a fun, full-family adventure, take your whole clan on a tour of the national parks! You can snag a pass for each vehicle for just $80 that will get you into all the parks and government lands. We suggest your head to Utah.

This glorious little state boasts five national parks on an easy circuit. It’s the perfect DIY group tour. If you camp, it won’t cost you much, except for gas and food. Within the national parks, you can join organized hikes, wildlife viewing tours, or even white-water rafting adventures. You’ll see some of the weirdest and most wonderful landscapes on earth, and you get some spend some quality time with your favorite group!

16. Student Group Tours

Exposing a child to the world is the fastest way to give them a well-rounded education. If your child’s school, extracurricular group, or friend group is offering an international trip, jump on it! Student tours are the perfect way to safely expose your child to new cultures, different foods, and a broader way of thinking. Often parents are invited along too, so if you don’t feel comfortable sending them alone, buy yourself a ticket too!

Student Tours usually focus us on art or education. Some travel companies offer budding artists the chance to meet with professional dancers, painters, and performing artists for tips and inspiration. It exposes them to the professional possibilities of their passions. Some focus on historical sites. Others focus on living off the land and expanding life skills. Some student tours even offer scholarships for traveling students.

If you don’t know of any local group taking a tour, you can look into student travel organizations online. These specialized travel companies are highly trained to work with other children. They give intense regard to safety and education, and they specialize in fun!

17. Sports Group Tours

Touring the world as a sports fan can get pretty expensive. When you are strapped into buying single tickets or renting passes from locals, the dollars can wrack up fast! Get rid of the hassle of securing your own tickets to international sporting events and join a sports group experience.

These tour companies buy tickets at the group price, and they do it frequently. They know the ropes, and they can secure better seats and much better prices. These tours often include tours of the stadiums and special events, Most include some sort of sports-themed party and a few brewery tours too!

18. Volunteer Groups

If you are truly looking for a group of like-minded people, consider going on a volunteer trip . These group trips are focused on giving back! Popular destinations include working with sea turtles in Costa Rica, teaching in an education development program in Cambodia, or volunteering for a women’s empowerment program in Ghana.

Using your vacation time to give back is a sacrifice, but every single time you get more than you give! Take one look at the news, and you know that our world is a tough place, but we can all make someone’s life a little bit easier, just by giving of our time and skills. If you have never taken a volunteer trip, we highly recommend you consider it.

19. Wellness Travel Groups

One of the fastest-growing segments of travel is wellness travel ! Travelers all over the world are choosing to spend their vacation days improving their spiritual, physical, and mental health. Retreats are popping up everywhere that specialize in group meditation, healthy eating, and restorative practices. These group trips are led by professionals and usually focus on education. They often include a healthy meal plan, professional therapy sessions, guided meditation, and group workouts.

Going through a health journey is never something you should do on your own. Sure, you need self-motivation, but having a group of people who understand your struggles and can help keep you accountable to the program is invaluable! These group trips do allow you to experience some of the local culture and landscape, but their primary focus is to allow you time to work on yourself with professional guidance, in a beautiful and relaxing environment—most of them, at least. Others are intense exercise programs that border on boot camp. To each his own!

20. Rail Tours

If you love train travel, hop on a group rail tour! These guided trips revolve around some of the world’s best train journeys. Forget the mini-bus. Skip all that walking. Sit back and enjoy your panoramic view and listen to the clank of the train.

The Rocky Mountains, Switzerland, Scotland, Singapore, and Japan are all popular destinations for train tours. Some of these trains are pretty fancy too! They include high-end sleeping quarters, stunning ballrooms, and Michelan star meals. If you are looking for a little luxury on your next adventure, pack your ballroom gown and book a train tour!

Time to Book That Trip

Alright, guys! Those are our 20 favorite types of group tours. We hope you found something on our list that has inspired you to get out there and meet new people , explore the world, and do something out of your comfort zone. Group trips aren’t for everyone, and they certainly aren’t for every trip, but tossing in a group tour every once in a while is a great way to add variety to your travel and spice things up a bit!

Let us know in the comments which group tour you are going to try!

If you find that you vibe with some of the people in your group, why not schedule an activity or two together to see how well you get along? Who knows? Traveling with strangers just might help you create lifelong friendships!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are looking for a group tour , you are in luck! In today’s travel world, you can easily join an adventure tour, a volunteering group, or even sports tours!

There is a huge variety of group tours , but most trips include a fixed itinerary, group meals, and scheduled free time for solo adventures.

Looking for a group tour that doesn’t require much effort? Gather some friends for a scavenger hunt tour of your city, join a free walking tour, or book a fully-coordinated option through a travel agency.

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• Accommodation - an Insta-perfect villa or a cute apartment, your TripLeader picks the perfect one for your comfort
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• Experienced TripLeader
• Tailor-made itineraries - flexible with a good amount of free time
• Skip the planning part. Our TripLeaders will handle the hefty stuff, so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy an extraordinary travel experience.
• There is safety in number. Sticking with your group allows you to travel safely and comfortably.
• Share costs and save your wallet. Get luscious and fun experiences while paying less.
• Get to know your TripMates before the trip. You won't be traveling with a total stranger as you will stay connected in a group chat before the departure.
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• Also, if any problems arise during your trip, our 24/7 support is available remotely to assist you with any questions or concerns.
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Travel by Beth

Beth Booked It!

Group Travel

If making travel plans for one person isn’t complicated enough, planning for a group trip can feel downright impossible. Whether you are planning a family reunion, arranging an incentive trip for employees, or you’re just ready for a fun friends’ getaway, Travel by Beth can make the planning process easy for you. We will create a custom itinerary or vacation package for your private group and get you on your way to good times.

We can recommend established group tours and packages for your group to join, and Travel by Beth also custom designs our very own group tours alongside our radio station partners, and guided by Travel by Beth agents:

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Western USA National Parks Loop

Bryce Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Las Vegas, Zion National Park

• Hike through the varied landscapes of Zion National Park, taking in views of massive canyon walls and red sandstone cliffs as you go.
• Learn about the culture and history of Monument Valley during a Navajo guided tour, followed by a traditional homecooked, family-style Navajo lunch.
• Stroll along the canyon rim in Bryce Canyon National Park to admire the out-of-this-world sandstone spires known as hoodoos.
• Kayak across the waters of Lake Powell, weaving your way past fascinating rock formations as your leader shares stories of the lake’s history.
• Marvel at one of the nation’s greatest national parks, The Grand Canyon, and walk along the rim, hike into the canyon or take in an epic sunset or sunrise (depending on season)

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this year. A prior last year. The Leaders are well organized, informative and fun. Travelling inland in Greece and the Greek Islands (second time), Intrepid through their amazing leaders, introduce you and share history, way of life, amazing scenery and places to eat. Yes, they are busy days and you walk a lot, but the days are full and stimulating. You make life long friends in the group and leaders. Thank you Mia, Dina and Nasos. Your energy and knowledge is a future of memories."

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LA to Vegas: Grand National Parks

Arizona, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Monument Valley, Utah, Venice, Zion National Park

• From flashy Los Angeles to the arid desert of Zion National Park and the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, discover a range of incredible American landscapes.
• Take in desert views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway before exploring Joshua Tree National Park's rock formations and cactus gardens at golden hour.
• Witness the Grand Canyon’s steep red-rock escarpments and gorges. Learn about Indigenous history and geology with a naturalist guide from the Grand Canyon Conservancy.
• Ride a jeep through Utah's iconic Monument Valley, and then share stories and a meal by the campfire with members of the Navajo Nation.
• At Lower Antelope Canyon, descend into the mystical interior with a Navajo guide. Learn the local history and discover the iconic sandstone walls shaped by years and years of water and wind.

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

Outdoor Alaska

Alaska, Anchorage, Chugach Mountains, Denali, Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Valdez, Wrangell

• Exploration of Alaska's dramatic wilderness
• Sea kayak to giant glaciers and explore alpine tundra
• Wildlife spotting; from grizzly bears to whales

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

"A fast paced trip. Plenty of walking, often quite steep, in the National Parks. Zion and Bryce were a particular highlight. Pierre, our guide, was fantastic and really spent time making sure each individual person got the most out of the trip."

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Walk Spain's Sierra Nevada & Granada

Granada, Sierra Nevada

• Embark on beautiful walks through the highest mountain range in Spain
• Discover whitewashed Moorish settlements
• Visit Trevelez, the highest village in the country
• Stay at a family-run hotel with stunning views and warm hospitality
• Enjoy a night in Granada with a free day to explore this beautiful city

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Trekking & Expeditions

"great activities perfectly planned, good support and guiding."

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Best of Alaska

Alaska, Anchorage, Chugach Mountains, Denali, Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Valdez

• Head out on an Alaskan safari for a unique chance to see moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep and wolves in their natural habitat in Denali National Park.
• Take a boat cruise on Resurrection Bay to Kenai Fjords and look out for orca whales, porpoises and puffins before enjoying some free time to hike or relax.
• Discover Seward, one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities, then take a short hike to the tongue of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park.
• Sit back and take in stunning views along the dramatic coastlines of the Turnagain Arm from Anchorage to Homer, then from Seward to Denali National Park, while someone else does the driving.
• On the way to charming Talkeetna, take a breath in Girdwood, where you’ll hop on the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of Mt Alyeska and see some incredible views of seven glaciers and the valley below.

50 plus, Cultural, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

Western USA National Parks Explorer

Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon, California, Capitol Reef National Park, Colorado, Death Valley, Golden Gate Bridge, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Las Vegas, Mesa Verde, Moab, Monument Valley, New York, San Francisco, Sierra Nevada, Utah, Venice, York, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park

• Journey through some of the most dramatic scenery on the planet
• Discover vibrant San Francisco and the desert city of Las Vegas
• Enjoy walking in Yosemite, Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon national parks

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Trekking & Expeditions

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Alaska Wildlife & Wilderness

Alaska, Anchorage, Denali

• Full-day wildlife cruise across Resurrection Bay
• Two full days exploring Denali National Park with shuttle bus pass
• Walk the Harding Icefield trail to Exit Glacier
• Explore the Kenai Peninsula with a forest hike and river safari

Nature & Wildlife

Nicaragua - Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

Central America, Granada, Lake Nicaragua, Managua, Ometepe, Pacific Coast, San Francisco, San Juan

• Get a taste of Nicaragua's volcanoes, lakes, wildlife and cobbled colonial cities
• Search for wildlife in the Selva Negra cloud forest
• Relax lakeside on Laguna De Apoyo and Explore the colonial streets of Leon

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Best United States Tours by Duration

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United states reviews & ratings, i have had an absolutely amazing trip.

My wife and I have had an absolutely amazing trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles via Napa Valley, Yosemite, Death Valley, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Monume...

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An absolutely amazing experience,

An absolutely amazing experience, would highly recommend to anyone. Parks we...

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The Vegas to LA trip is amazing.

The Vegas to LA trip is amazing. Excellent and diverse range of trip experiences. Wonderful and breathtaking locations of the Canyons with opportunities to explore b...

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The Oahu Island tour needs several more stops included, and the farm visit/meal in Maui needs to be replaced with something else. I really wish we had three nights...

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Every hotel was very nice though the Twin Fin could use a paint job. Every breakfast buffet was excellent except for the hotel in Kona. Harry did a great job as tour...

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United States Tour Selection Trips

• The United States is a very big country. Don’t try to see it all at once; choose tours that concentrate on specific regions or you’ll spend a lot of time just getting from one place to another.
• If you’re looking for an action-oriented tour, consider:
• Whitewater  rafting  trips in the Northwest;
• Horseback riding through the Southwest;
• Hiking  trips through the Appalachians;
• Skiing packages in the Rocky Mountains; and Scuba diving in Hawaii or Florida.
• River cruising is growing in popularity in the U.S. -- you can cruise the  Mississippi River , the Intracoastal Waterway, the Columbia River; and many others to get a new perspective on the landscape.
• If you’re a history or literary buff, look for river cruises that have the Civil War, Mark Twain or other themes of interest.
• Don’t overlook the “flyover states” that lie between the East and West coasts; there’s much to discover in the Midwest, the South, Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states, including:
• Chicago -- America’s “second city”;
• The five Great Lakes;
• Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands in South Dakota;
• New Orleans, with French-influenced architecture and outstanding music and food;
• The burgeoning cities of San Antonio, Houston and Austin in Texas;
• The incredible rock spires in Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park;
• Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado;
• The white-sand Gulf Shore beaches of Florida and Alabama; and Yellowstone and Glacier national parks in Wyoming and Montana.

Additional details

Best Time to Travel to the United States

When is the best time to travel in the US? It depends on the time of year and region you're visiting. But, while the thought of heading to the cold northeast in winter might bring chills, there’s nothing like New York at Christmas time where you can ice skate in Central Park, ooh and aah at the shop windows on 5th Avenue bedecked with holiday decorations and catch the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. That said, no matter where you’re coming from, here are some things to consider when traveling to the US:

Summer vacations for Americans fall between June and August. This is also the time when the majority of primary, secondary and college level schools and universities take their summer break. This is especially important when considering the big tourist attractions such as national parks , Disneyland and Los Angeles, both in California as well as the theme parks of Orlando, Florida. The lower airfare and lodging rates are a sign that the high summer travel season has ended come late August, early September.   

Spring break time for students can start as early as mid-February and go to early April depending on the school but for most it falls the second week in March. As in summer, air travel and lodging is more expensive during this time of year. Orlando, Florida and Los Angeles, California again make the list for being overrun with tourists during Spring Break but also, Las Vegas, Nevada; Honolulu, Oahu; the island of Maui in Hawaii and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. 

At the end of the summer and winter ski seasons, in some heavily visited destinations and tourist attractions alike, you might find closed attractions, shops and restaurants or they may have shorter hours. The mud season in mountain ski towns refers to thawing snow that causes muddy conditions on back country trails. In Telluride, Colorado, for example, not all shops and restaurants are open during mud season and in the Fall after a summer season filled with festivals and other mountain attractions, the gondola shuts down for a period of time for maintenance. 

Understand weather conditions before you go, pack and set expectations accordingly. There are always things to discover no matter the weather but if you abhor rain, it’s best not to travel to a destination during the rainy season if you can help it. 

San Francisco, located on the central coast of California , doesn’t have the warmer temperatures of Southern California. Summer temperatures in San Francisco average in mid-60s with lows in the mid-50s, sometimes low-50s. Wind and fog can make these temps seem even colder. 

In the Great Lakes region, there’s the late Fall and Winter lake effect. Cold air usually coming from Canada sweeps across the open waters of the lakes, warming and collecting moisture from the relatively warm, unfrozen waters. As this air rises, clouds form and grow. They are capable of producing snow at a rate of 2-3” or more per hour. Heavy snow may be falling in one location while just a mile or two away it can be sunny. 

Rain is another consideration. Several locations in Oregon and Washington top the list for US locations with the heaviest annual precipitation with levels between 100-130” per year. And in Rochester, New York, located on the shores of Lake Ontario, it’s either raining or snowing 167 days of the year (on average). 

Common US Tour Routes 

• New England
• American south
• Pacific Northwest

Start your trip planning in the U.S. by narrowing down the region or regions you’d like to visit. Each will have its own flavor and highlights whether you plan a trip to New England, the East Coast, American South, Southwest, Pacific Northwest or the West Coast. And in some regions like the West Coast, Seattle, Washington, will be very different from Los Angeles, California.

San Francisco, while a coastal town like Los Angeles will have its own very unique vibe.  Venturing into the wilds of Alaska or Hawaiian island hopping are yet other itineraries although they are more often stand-alone trips given their location quite far from the contiguous 48 states. Here are some common week plus to 2-week long tour routes in the U.S. 

1. New England - Consider starting in historic Boston, Massachusetts then traveling north to the seaside towns of Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine. While in Maine, visit Acadia National Park then travel west through the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the four-season resort town of Stowe, Vermont. Traveling south will take you back toward Massachusetts.

Take a detour on your way back to Boston by continuing south through Connecticut and into Newport, Rhode Island. There you can gape at the opulent historic mansions that were built during Newport’s gilded age.  

2. East Coast Cities - A trip through Boston, Massachusetts; New York City, New York; and Washington, D.C. will be an incredible one over ten days or so, depending on your pace of travel. East coast tours often include a visit to Niagara Falls in upstate New York and even the Canadian cities of Ottawa, Toronto and, or Quebec City given their proximity to New York.

If you have more time in the region, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania located between New York and D.C. is another destination to consider.  To venture out of the big cities, include charming Cape Cod in your itinerary. The Cape is a peninsula of Massachusetts with the resort islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket just a short ferry ride away.  

3. American South - On a trip through New Orleans, Louisiana; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Charleston and Savannah, South Carolina; and Georgia, Atlanta, you’ll discover country music, mouth-watering barbeque, the darker side of American history - slavery - the home of Elvis and more.

If you have more time, skip further south into Florida where you can visit Orlando, home to more than a dozen theme parks including Disney World and Universal. Miami, Florida's southern tip, is a popular vacation spot with its trendy nightlife, beaches, art, and plush hotels.  

4. Southwest - An altogether different experience than those you’ll find in the South and on the East Coast is a trip to the American Southwest. A New Mexico, Southern Colorado, and Arizona itinerary often includes glitzy Las Vegas, Nevada which is just over four hours by car from Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona).

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park on the Arizona Utah border is not far from the Grand Canyon. On a 17-mile drive through the Valley, try to avoid too much looking through the camera - the cluster of towering sandstone buttes is one of the most photographed places on Earth.

In Southern Colorado not far from Monument Valley, visit Mesa Verde National Park - you’ll be amazed to see how the Ancestral Puebloans lived. The town of Santa Fe, south of Mesa Verde and located in New Mexico, is the oldest capital city in the U.S.

It’s here you’ll find influences from Native Americans, Spanish, and the Old West.  Other areas to consider in the Southwest include the desert town of Sedona and Tombstone, Arizona; Taos, New Mexico; and Moab and Canyonlands of Utah. 

5. Pacific Northwest - A trip to the Pacific Northwest might include Vancouver, Canada; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco, located on California’s central coast, even though most don’t consider it to be a Pacific Northwest city. Plan on some outdoor excursions in Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland as the mountainous areas surrounding these cities are lush with trees and vegetation.

The lofty peaks of the Cascade Range will give you plenty of activities to choose from no matter what time of year. And outside of San Francisco raising a glass in the world-renowned wine country of Napa and Sonoma is a must along with a visit to charming seaside communities like Carmel. 

6. West Coast - Seattle, Washington; San Francisco and Los Angeles, California is a wonderful and diverse itinerary with so much to see and do not to mention the attractions located within a four-hour drive or less from each city. Seattle has many natural wonders outside its back door.

From San Francisco, it’s well worth visiting the wine country of Napa and Sonoma, the seaside communities both north and south along the coast, Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. From Los Angeles, there’s Disneyland, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, and Laguna Beach among many other places to visit.

Cross Country US Tours

Told through innumerable books, songs, movies and television series, the lore of the American highway is ingrained in its culture. And on a guided cross country tour you can take one without having to worry about where the next gas station or rest stop is. You also get to leave timing between destinations to your tour guide. Best of all, you can see a great number of attractions in a relatively short period of time. 

Most trips are under $200 a day. The most expensive trips take you to various attractions and cities in Alaska, a remote region requiring more logistics than trips in the lower 48. Trips in the US range from one to weeks with two weeks being more common. This gives you time not only to cover more ground but also, to get a better feel for what the region has to offer. 

Note that tour companies may name a trip after the region where you’ll be spending the most time. This can be confusing but most trips have a map image so you can see the route. Typical cross country routes and sample itineraries:

Pacific Northwest/West Coast - On Cosmos’ Pacific Coast Explorer  for example , you’ll land in Los Angeles and from there drive north along the rugged Pacific Coast all the way to Oregon. Not to miss stops along the way include Santa Barbara, Carmel, San Francisco, the wine country, Redwood National Park and once in Oregon, Coos Bay. See what remains of Mt. St. Helens and ascending over 14,000 feet, Mt. Rainier on your way to the Emerald City of Seattle so called because of its forested surroundings. 

East Coast into the Midwest/Great Lakes - Visit New York; Philadelphia; D.C. the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains; Nashville; Louisville; Detroit; Chicago and Niagara Falls on Intrepid Travel’s East USA Adventure . 

West - Tours to the west are often focused on national parks in the region. These parks are wildly diverse and some of the most visited in the country.  On Trafalgar’s Scenic Parks tour, the trip will start 550 feet above the Las Vegas strip on the world’s tallest observation wheel. You’ll visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks in Utah; Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in Wyoming; Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado and last but not least, the immense Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona before you return to Las Vegas. 

Cross Country - These trips often start in New York. They take a southern route across the US. On Intrepid Travel’s New York to Las Vegas tour you’ll start in New York and head south to Washington, D.C. before touring to Nashville and Memphis in Tennessee, stopping along the way to camp in the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains. From there, you’ll travel through Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. Your trip culminates with the stunning Grand Canyon and last but not least, Las Vegas.

Another cross country trip takes you along the famed Route 66. It was one of the first US highways linking Chicago to Santa Monica, in the county of Los Angeles. Highlights of Route 66 will give you the vibe of travel between the 1920s and 1960s and an appreciation for cultural and economic impact of Route 66. You’ll take some side trips, including a visit to the Grand Canyon.

What to Pack

Check weather conditions. When joining a tour, they will likely have a packing list to help you pack for maximum comfort and safety. Consider these travel essentials no matter where you are traveling:

Cell phone and if traveling from outside the US, pay as you go or unlimited cell service plans - buy in the US or before you go, download Whatsapp for text and voice, etc. 

A copy of your passport and credit/ATM cards with contact numbers kept separate 

A notebook for the above which can also double as a travel journal

The right credit card - some charge foreign transaction fees, some do not. Some offer access to airport lounges.

Itinerary and confirmation numbers for hotel, rental car, etc. 

In-flight entertainment and medications

Headphones/ear plugs

Adapters/converters 

Power charger(s)

Disinfecting wipes

Emergency contacts 

Medications list

Travel blanket and pillow 

Slippers/flip flops 

Empty water bottle to fill after security

Snacks/gum/mints

Make a list of clothes and toiletries in the days prior and check off that list as you pack to make sure you remember to bring everything 

Sun protection - hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, protective clothing

American Culture 

If you’ve read about the regions of the U.S., you have an idea of how difficult it is to describe American culture as anything but incredibly diverse. Its flavor comes from Indigenous habitants and immigrants of African, Asian, European, English and Pacific Island descent. People of Hispanic or Latino/a origin have also greatly influenced U.S. culture. 

This is all the more reason why stereotypes, applied to most cultures as a matter of fact, generally don’t apply. After all, no matter where you travel in the world you discover that in actuality the stereotypes are only reflected in the behaviors of a few. In the U.S., the vast majority of people you meet will be friendly, hospitable, generous and open.

They will often smile if you make eye contact with them while walking along the street, for example, and they are a freedom-loving and creative people, highly influenced by technology and materialism. 

U.S. Religion . While the vast majority of Americans consider themselves Christian, nearly every known religion and spiritual practice can be found in the U.S. It’s not uncommon to meet people who do not practice a particular religion or spirituality yet they still consider themselves to be religious or spiritual. 

U.S. language . There is no one official language but Spanish, Chinese, French, and German are the most commonly spoken languages and in Hawaii, the official language is both English and Hawaiian. Business is conducted in English.

American Style . Fashion in the U.S., as you might have guessed, is varied. It’s also mostly casual and greatly influenced by movie and television celebrities. The Red Carpets of annual award shows are media frenzies complete with reviews that include the best and worst dressed right down the to the shoes and accessories.

American Sports . There are millions of sports fans across the U.S. American football has the highest number of fans but baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, tennis, golf, wrestling/boxing, and auto racing have their share of fanatics. Sports played at the college/university level are also popular; again, football being number one. 

Holidays in the U.S. Americans aren’t known for taking extended holidays. Generally, they take a week-long summer vacation and perhaps make a long weekend or week (especially in the case of Thanksgiving and Christmas) of a national holiday. Some Federal holidays aren’t recognized by businesses as they are for schools, the U.S. Postal Service, and government organizations. In addition to Easter (celebrated on a Sunday between late March and late April) and other holidays that may or may not be celebrated, there are several Federal holidays:

• New Year’s Day - January 1
• Martin Luther King Day: 3rd Monday in January
• President’s Day: 3rd Monday in February
• Memorial Day: last Monday in May
• Independence Day: July 4
• Labor Day: First Monday in September
• Columbus Day: second Monday in October
• Veteran’s Day: November 11
• Thanksgiving Day: 4th Thursday in November
• Christmas Day: December 25

Weather in the United States

Pinpointing a prime time to visit the United States based on weather is difficult. It’s a large country with varied terrain, coastlines and an expanse that crosses multiple latitudes.

Florida, in the south eastern U.S., is closer to the equator thus almost tropical and the Hawaiian Islands, 2,000 miles off the coast of California and even closer to the equator, are tropical .

Northernmost destinations like Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, the upper part of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine see long, often frigid, snowy winters and moderately warm summers . In the northwestern U.S. you’ll find arctic conditions in the extreme north of Alaska and in Washington and Oregon, conditions are mild and quite rainy.

Mt. Rainier, on the Western slope of the Cascade Range in Washington, is the snowiest place in the U.S. receiving on average about 53 feet of snow per year. 

Between the months of June and November, hurricanes can hit the coastal states on the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic (mostly southern Atlantic states). During the month of February and between April and June tornadoes can develop in a north/south swath between South Dakota and northern Texas called “Tornado Alley” and in “Dixie Alley,” an area between Oklahoma and Ohio. 

There are four desert areas in the contiguous United States . These deserts extend from the southeastern tip of California and most of Nevada into western Utah, southern Arizona, southern New Mexico and the westernmost part of Texas.

They are the Mojave, home to Death Valley; the Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Great Basin Deserts. While winters can be cool, destinations like Palm Springs, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale and Sedona, Arizona are desert cities that can be scorching hot during the summer . 

Other notable weather patterns include high altitude Yellowstone National Park where even in July, temperatures only reach the mid-70s. Lows can hover around -20 degrees fahrenheit. In Chicago, Illinois, cold air can blast down from Canada’s arctic region dropping winter temperatures to around -18 degrees while in the summer, expect humidity with temperatures that can climb above 90 degrees.

It’s a warm, temperate climate in the central part of the eastern U.S. in places like Dallas, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana and Atlanta, Georgia. Winters are mild but plan for a hot, muggy visit if traveling during the summer.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 1910 trips to United States and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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How to Choose the Right Tour Group

Group size, participants’ age range, style of travel and budget are among the factors you should consider when selecting an itinerary.

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

Tour companies that offer multiday trips arrange most everything for you: lodging, sightseeing, food and transportation. But group size, style of travel and budget are among the considerations travelers should assess before picking a tour. Read on for tips.

Big group or small

Start your research by thinking about how many people you want to travel with and what your tolerance is for the social demands dictated by group size.

Smaller groups can move more nimbly and possibly see more. But they can also be more intensely social as you spend a great deal of time with the same people touring and dining.

Larger groups tend to require more time to get around, but they can also offer more social variety — for example, you can change up your lunch partners more easily.

“Large groups offer anonymity, allowing travelers to choose their level of interaction,” said Deborah Miller, a travel adviser and the owner of Edge of Wonder Travels Unlimited in San Francisco. “Conversely, smaller groups foster intimacy among travelers, guides and the destination itself.”

Look for age-appropriate trips

Think about the demographics of your travel party and consider matching that to a tour company.

Operators often segment their trips by age under the assumption that similarly aged people have more in common or prefer the same pace. Road Scholar , for example, caters to an intellectually curious 50-plus crowd.

On the other end of the spectrum, G Adventures offers a category of trips for “18-to-thirtysomethings” and Intrepid Travel has trips for 18-to-35-year-olds.

With their inherent age spans, families can be a tough demographic to fit into larger group departures, which is why companies tend to break up family offerings by age group.

The active tour company Backroads has three age segments for families, including trips for those with children 4 to 19, those with older teens and younger adults into their 20s, and those with children in their 20s and beyond.

“By definition, that creates somewhat of an age segmentation among parents, too,” said Tom Hale, the founder, president and chief executive of Backroads.

Go general or specific

A popular option for first-timers, a general tour will hit the highlights of a destination, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris or major sites in Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan.

Beyond the general approach, alternatives abound based on themes, styles of travel or hobbies.

Themed trips include a culinary tour of Sicily , a deep dive into literary England , Europe’s World War II battlefields and how women live in India .

In addition to topics, trips often revolve around the means of travel, such as going by train , on foot or by boat (a category that can be further segmented by size, from a cruise ship to a barge or a kayak ).

Tours can also allow you to pursue an interest like swimming or knitting in a unique destination.

Analyze tour inclusions

Once you determine where and how you want to go, prices will range from budget to luxury.

“For travelers on a budget, large group tours tend to be the best fit because it’s a great way to see major attractions at a lower price point,” said Cheyenne Schriefer, a travel adviser and the owner of All Travel Matters in Golden Valley, N.D.

But not all tours are built the same. To compare them, consider what they include.

For example, G Adventures has a 10-day hiking trip in Switzerland from $1,799 a person and a 10-day hiking trip in Portugal for $4,499. The latter is billed as a luxury trip, so the accommodations are pricier, but it also includes most meals, transfers and activities. The Swiss tour offers more basic lodgings, transfers, optional activities available for a fee, and fewer meals.

“Sometimes fewer inclusions are better than more,” said Pauline Frommer, co-president of Frommer Media, which publishes Frommer’s guidebooks . She pointed out that restaurants that can accommodate busloads probably don’t attract local traffic and that independent sightseeing allows you to “wander through local neighborhoods to get the feel of local life.”

Expertise of the guide or tour leader can also alter the price and the experience. You can expect to pay more for a tour led by a specialist, such as an Egyptologist guiding a group along the Nile.

Gauge your level of independence

Do you prefer to follow a strict schedule that relieves you from having to find, say, a restaurant for dinner? Or do you appreciate some structure — like knowing your hotel reservations are covered — but also want free time to explore independently?

Tour companies run the gamut. Before booking, read the itineraries carefully to find out if the schedule is tight or loose. If that is not clear, call the company to ask.

For truly independent travelers, self-guided tours offered by companies such as Inntravel , Exodus Adventure Travels and Macs Adventure make your ground arrangements and provide an itinerary to follow. Popular in Europe, these itineraries tend to be inn-to-inn walking or cycling trips that include luggage transfers.

“Self-guided travelers are independent but love the support of having a trip arranged for them, and they don’t want to hike with a big backpack anymore,” said Jasper Verlaan, the U.S. sales director for Macs Adventure.

Ask for recommendations

If you’re still unsure about putting down a deposit once you’ve done your research, ask the tour company if you may speak to a past client.

“Ask for references,” said Lynn Cutler, the senior vice president of travel for Smithsonian Enterprises, which runs the tour company Smithsonian Journeys . “We’ll find them a traveler who has done this trip in the past and put them in touch.”

For more travel advice, visit our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

D enver, Colo.: The city is undergoing a rebirth , with a newly refreshed Union Station and the gradual reopening of the mile-long, pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall to go along with views of the snow-capped Front Range.

La Rioja, Spain:  A drive through rolling vineyards will take you to 5 family-run restaurants  where you’ll find flavorful, affordable dishes you can linger over for hours.

Seattle, Wash.:  Today’s Seattle is ever evolving, filled with colorful neighborhoods that are emblematic of the Emerald City’s  natural beauty, vibrant street life ,  and commitment to both preservation and progress .

Stockholm-Helsinki Ferry:  The 16-hour trip between the two northern European cities is a festive summer ritual , with plenty of singing, gambling, limbo contests and maybe a bit too much to drink.

Swim in the Wild:  Looking to take a dip in or near a city center? Here are some European urban areas that have successfully opened up waterways for swimmers .

Solo Tours, Travel & Holidays

Got the urge for adventure, but no one to do it with? Over 50% of travelers on our trips are travelling solo.

This is why travelling as part of our small group tours has its perks. We’ve got expert local leaders who can't wait to show you around, ready-made friends who are itching to explore (just like you), and optional single supplements if you want a room all to yourself. All you have to do is turn up with a smile and a passport: we’ll handle the rest.

All our group trips are perfectly suited to those of you traveling solo, but here are a few favorites as rated by our previous solo travelers.

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

When you’re all by yourself, it’s easy to fall into the typical tourist traps. You wander within a few blocks of your hotel, see a few of the big sights and that’s about it. But solo travel on a group tour isn’t like that. Each of our trips has an expert local leader who knows every backstreet bar, cool tapas joint and hidden gallery. They’ll give you tips for your free time exploring, and introduce you to locals.

Go solo, but not alone. That’s our motto. The average Intrepid Travel trip has about ten people on it – people of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world. It’s like a hostel dorm room that travels with you (minus the smell and the weird naked guy). You’ve got ready-made friends for a karaoke session in Vietnam, a canoeing adventure in New Zealand or a chat over chai at the breakfast table. For a solo traveler, it’s a nice perk to have.

We’ve spent the better part of 30 years honing our itineraries, getting rid of the dodgy hotels and keeping the good ones, picking the best restaurants to visit, and organizing public transport and all the other logistics of travel so you don’t have to worry. Traveling alone can often be a) confusing and b) complicated. But with us, all you need is a good attitude – we’ll take care of the rest.

Our leaders know the areas of town to avoid after dark. They know how to haggle at markets, avoid pickpockets and scammers and generally have a good time without anything going wrong. And don’t forget, when you're a single traveler on a group tour, you’re in a group! You’ll have a bunch of new friends to watch your back (and your stuff). It’s all the flexibility and freedom of independent travel, but without the risks.

Will I have my own room?

It’s completely up to you. On our trips, rooming is organized on a twin-share basis, and we pair up solo travelers with another traveler of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. But if you'd like your own room, an individual room is available on the majority of our trips (it’s just a small extra charge). Just mention this to our  customer service team  when booking your trip and they'll arrange it for you.

As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please  contact us  so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

On a small selection of itineraries some accommodations are booked on an open gender, multi-share basis (for example on a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam). In those instances it will clearly be stated in our Essential Trip Information prior to booking and traveling.

How does group time work?

Whether you’re traveling solo or with a partner, our trips have a set itinerary. But within that there’s time set aside for your own exploration (if you want to – no pressure). The amount of free time depends on the  travel style  - you can ask your guide for a few tips then head out alone, or hang out with the group and see where the day takes you.

Do I have to pay for an individual room?

Not if you don’t want to. If you’re happy to bunk with a traveler of the same gender – paired up as per the gender marker on each of their passports – there’s nothing extra to pay on the vast majority of our trips. If you want your own room, just mention it to our customer service team when booking and they can organise an individual room for a small charge.

As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please  contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

I'm new to group travel, what will my group be like?

Intrepid travelers  are connected more by attitude than age. They’re a friendly, open-minded and curious bunch, and a lot of them elect to travel alone (so no third-wheeling, we promise). Our trips attract a mix of genders and ages generally range from 25 to 65. It’s hard to know exactly who you’ll meet, but you can be assured you'll be a part of the fun.

Is it cheaper to travel in a group?

On average, solo travel on a  group tour  is way more cost-effective than heading out on your own as you're splitting the cost (we can also guarantee a lot more inclusions and extras than you’d usually get for your money).

Can I tailor the trip to me?

We have a range of trip styles –  Basix, Original and Comfort  – that offer different levels of flexibility and free time. While there’s always a set itinerary for the group, our Basix trips tend to have less included activities and more time to do your own thing, Original trips have a 50/50 balance, and our Comfort trips have more included activities. Lots of our travelers choose to travel on their own, so it’s common for people to want different things from their experience. Be sure to chat to your  leader ; they can recommend places to explore during free time or things to try after the trip has finished. 

It pays to learn a little bit of the local language wherever you go and you should always consider the country’s dress code when picking out what to wear. In many places, you maybe be expected to dress modestly and cover up exposed skin so consider packing a sarong or light scarf to cover exposed shoulders, along with a long skirt or trousers. Whether you agree with it or not, it’s respectful (and smart) to follow the local style.

When you’re out and about being all adventure-y, just keep an eye on the sunset. Try to avoid catching public transport after dark when you’re on your own, especially if you’re carrying your suitcase/backpack/fancy camera/map (it kind of screams ‘tourist’). Traveling with a group is a smart move for any traveler; it’s always good to have people around who’ve got your back.

Social media may be the doom of mankind and rational thought as we know it, but it can be useful, even as a safety tool. Your friends and family are now privy to a minute-by-minute update of your whereabouts, regardless of where you are in the world. Before you leave home, give your friends/family a social media heads-up: ‘If I don’t post a sunset selfie for five days straight, get in touch and see if I’m okay.’

Share your itinerary

Good advice for us all, but particularly for people traveling solo. Make copies of your itinerary, contact details, passport and travel insurance, then email them to yourself and to one or two friends/family at home. Check-in on social media when you can so people can keep track of where you are. 

Remember the little things

If you’re arriving late in a city by yourself, book a hotel with a front desk or concierge service (many hotels also offer private transfers that don’t cost the earth from the airport or train station). If you're traveling with us, we can help you organize an  arrival transfer.  Read your maps before you head out for a walk (you can use a map app on your smartphone – or take screenshots of where you’re going if you don’t want to use up your precious data). If you need to check your map when you’re out and about, duck into a shop or café to do it. Leave the blingy jewelery, wedding rings and designer clothes at home, and aim to dress like the locals do – hit up the local markets if you haven’t packed the right outfits. Aim to keep track of travel times, so you’re not caught out after dark.

Roam if you want to

Most mobile/cell providers now offer travel passes to help manage your international roaming costs (which, let’s face it, are expensive!). For a few dollars a day, you’ll have access to data, which means you can log into your apps (like Skype, email and WhatsApp) when you’re out of WiFi zones and quickly get in touch with someone – a friend at home, someone in your group, or the police – if you need to. It might also be worth checking out the local cell/mobile providers as these can be quite cost effective.

Fare's fair

Solo travelers are way more likely to be ‘taken for a ride’ at the airport by unscrupulous taxi drivers, so do your research before you arrive. Make sure you get a cab from the airport/station taxi rank – if you’re not sure where to go, just head to the information desk for help. Touts tend to hang out in the arrivals area and promise cheaper rates, but can often be dodgy. When you get to the cab rank, ask the driver to use the meter or request a cost estimate before you hop in the car – if it’s way higher than it should be, pick another vehicle. A lot of airports have train stations attached as well, so consider public transport if you want to save a dollar or two.

Stick together

It’s one of the advantages of traveling solo on a group tour: safety in numbers. The big, 50-person bus groups stand out on the road, but a small  Intrepid group  of eight or nine people, with a local leader showing the way – including areas to avoid and getting around safely – won’t draw much attention. Plus, it’s a great way to see parts of the world you may feel uncomfortable exploring on your own. If you want to do things on your own, consider a day tour to familiarise yourself with a city and get to know the local way of life. 

Trust your instincts

Solo travel is all about confidence. If you’re relaxed and self-assured on the street, you’re more likely to blend in. When you meet new people, don’t assume they’re all out to get you, but be sensible too and trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Remember: the popular tourist areas are often the most well-lit and secure, but they’re often a juicier target for pickpockets and scammers. Just use your common sense; half of travel safety is simply being aware of your surroundings.

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A Shared Escape: How To Do Group Travel Right

We might not be able to choose our relatives, but we can decide where we go on holiday... Whether it’s a big birthday gathering or the annual family reunion, travelling together can be tricky (who could forget that Succession Tuscany trip?). Here’s how to do group travel the right way

Pulling off a successful group trip is never easy. It's fine to sit there and talk about your dream getaway with all your loved ones sharing under one roof in an idyllic setting, but taking it out of the group chat and making it a reality that is actually booked is something altogether more complicated. Be it with a big family get together, a birthday trip or girls’ holiday, picking a destination and time off that works for everyone can prove to be a tricky task. First, there are major considerations to smooth out: annual leave, budgets, beach or city, food preferences and that's before you've even considered where you'll choose to stay. It's safe to say that there's a lot to consider,

FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE

But it's not all doom and gloom as these holidays might have a bad reputation, but when done right the pay off is unparalleled. So, whether you're eyeing up a deep countryside getaway, a villa or hotel to rival the ones seen in Succession and The White Lotus , we've got you covered with the best accommodations for group travel, no matter the occasion.

The One For Tuscan Sun

Hidden in the rolling hills, between vineyards and olive groves, is an artist’s retreat housed in a picturesque villa. Celebrating writers, designers, film-makers, musicians and artists, Villa Lena is the place to book if your group is made up of creatives looking for a dose of inspiration. Surrounding the main building – a grand 19th-century Italian palace (hints of I Am Love with Tilda Swinton) – is a selection of farmhouses, stables and hunting lodges transformed into chic guest apartments and houses that vary from luxury double bedrooms to a four-ensuite-and-bedroom villa – all filled with design-led furniture and art-laden walls.

At the property’s hub there are daily pasta workshops and paint- ing classes for you and your party, along with a heated pool complete with perfect striped parasols. To eat, there’s the Osteria San Michele, a farm-to-fork restaurant where long communal tables overlook breathtaking views – so you won’t have to take turns cooking and washing up. Don’t miss morning yoga on the sun deck or truffle-foraging excursions for when you get bored of sunbathing by the pool.

The One For The Tagine-Lovers

Nestled in fields of argan trees in the hills of Essaouira in Morocco, overlooking the Ksob River, is the secluded oasis of Le Jardin des Douars hotel and its six luxurious villas, which offer a decadent group trip of warm rays and blue skies all year round.

Each of the villas, which accommodate up to 14 guests, has its own outdoor heated swim- ming pool within a colourful tropical garden (along with a pétanque terrain and BBQ area, too). Inside you’ll find traditional Moroccan antiques and interiors with colourful tiling so beautiful you’ll want to take it home. Rooms are filled with boardgames, books and soundsystems to keep your crowd entertained.

There’s also a full kitchen, though don’t feel you have to use it; each villa comes with a housekeeper, who can prepare everything from breakfast to chicken and almond tagines. Head over to the hotel’s main buildings for a hammam or dinner with other guests. And for days when you want to escape, there’s a shuttle service to local sand dunes for buggy rides and Essaouira’s medina (just 15 minutes away by car), where you can fill your case with regional spices and ceramics.

The One You Access By Boat

Fans of The Holiday will love Little Red Lock, an idyllic converted barn in the Cotswolds, set on a winding canal that looks as if it’s straight out of the film. The house, a part of the Unique Homestays portfolio, oozes luxurious, eccentric Oxfordshire harm, with its exposed brick walls, copper pots and Aga stove. It’s a true getaway, so deep in the countryside that you can only access it by foot or water (the closest parking is a clearing in the woods about 10 minutes away, or you can arrange for the house manager to collect you by boat.) That means the home is encircled by tranquil views: a living room opens onto the canal and the bedrooms overlook sprawling, rolling fields.

It's kayaks make it a hit for spring and summer, but the inviting kitchens (there are two), fireplaces and hot tub made it ideal for a Thanksgiving getaway with our group of expat friends and family. We arrived by car, our boot full of two enormous birds and farmer’s-market victuals, pulled on our walking boots, loaded the trolleys left for us in the woods and off we went. After the feast, we strolled along the canal beneath a clear sky full of stars, the smog of London miles away.

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Group ferry travel

Wanting to travel on foot or by coach with 10 people or more to France or Spain? Estimate the price of your group trip with our 2025 prices below.

Group travel prices to France [PDF]

Group travel prices to Spain [PDF]

Group travel contract rates

If you are a Group Travel Operator, a Brittany Ferries Group Trade Account can offer great savings with our Group Contract Rates.

We can now offer you guaranteed savings on group fares.

Once we have established the amount of business we can expect from you, you will be welcome to apply for a Group Trade Account and Group Contract Rates, offering you fixed group rates and great savings.

The benefits at a glance

Tariffs structured to give more low and mid-season fares

Special set per coach rates

More mile-saving routes to Brittany, Normandy & Spain than anyone else

The most modern fleet on the Western Channel with award-winning on-board services

Marketing support for joint ventures and educational visits

Hassle-free booking

What's more, while your company enjoys the savings you'll make, your coach driver and passengers can enjoy award-winning cuisine, first-class facilities and comfortable air-conditioned overnight cabins.

So if you want a ferry company that takes your coaches without taking your profits, please call Group Travel on 0330 159 5400 (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 09:00 – 12:00) or email [email protected] .

Group travel onboard meal prices

When you travel on a group ticket with Brittany Ferries, you'll find an excellent selection of on-board snacks and meals. And even better when you're travelling in a group of 10 or more, you can enjoy great value-for-money prices, when you book and pay for your meals at least 15 days before you travel.

Delicious French cuisine can be enjoyed in a choice of à la carte and/or self-service restaurants on our ships. We have talented French chefs, and our food is the highlight of every journey.

You can choose between excellent formal dining, a self-service restaurant, or a great café. All of our onboard restaurants have an excellent wine selection, many of which can also be bought in our shops.

Group passenger manifests and instructions

We are required to provide Border Authorities both in UK and on the Continent with a variety of mandatory information including dates of birth, prior to sailing. Failure to do so could cause considerable delay at check-in or refused travel.

In order for us to comply with these requirements for passengers travelling as part of a group, we require that you fully complete the Group Passenger Manifest online with the following details:

Name as shown on passport / Gender / Date of birth and nationality

For non-EU nationals, the passport number and country of issue must be supplied by email to [email protected] .

When completing your manifest, please follow the instructions carefully to provide the correct information. Special attention should be paid to "Special Needs", which apply in the event of an emergency only.

The group leader should always travel with a copy of the group manifest. Any amendments must be notified prior to arrival.

We thank you for your attention in this matter.

Get all the information you need to know for your journey planning and booking.

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