Travel Advice and Information

Hello fellow travelers!   This is the second part of a two-part blog on multiple night escorted guided tours.   If you haven’t yet, I suggest reading part one first…    Tour programs with even small groups of 12-24 passengers can provide some tremendous benefits; collective purchasing power which lowers the cost of many things from hotels & airfare to attractions & ground transportation, the ability to participate in programs / services / special access designed for groups specifically, and secure fantastic local expert speakers whose high cost may be prohibitive to individuals. One of the biggest “fears” I have heard from clients new to touring is that they don’t want to be “herded” around by a tour director with a large group going to some attractions they really don’t care to see.   This is certainly a concern. TO AVOID BEING SWEPT ALONG ON A TOUR WITH NUMEROUS ATTRACTIONS THAT YOU PREFER NOT TO SPEND TIME AT; EITHER ANALYZE A TOUR SCHEDULE IN FULL BEFORE PURCHASE

As peak season for cruising wraps up the busy season for escorted guided tours is starting up.   I have had many conversations with clients, and even less experienced travel agents who are somewhat mystified and unsure of how these really work.   Are the guides used from the area visited or somebody from the tour company office far away from the destination?   Is there going to be a language or dialect barrier or will I be able to understand the escort?   What sort of service can I expect, what exactly does the guide / escort do?   Will I feel like I am being herded around along with dozens of other people, or will I have some independence? All great questions, and very important to know.   I have worked as an international tour director for close to a decade, working for small upscale tour operators escorting tour groups world-wide.   I have also worked for several years for Abercrombie & Kent, who many feel is the best (arguably, perhaps) global tour operator there is, among