Picking the Right Travel Tour
From mountain climbing in the Rockies to volunteering with Children in Nicaragua to going on a wine tasting tour of Italy, travel tours exist for every imaginable vocation, avocation, and mild interest. Deciding which tour to take for your next holiday vacation can be an overwhelming and stressful task. Some simple advice and tools for preparation, however, can help you find a tour to fit what you want to do, what you have to do, and the amount of money you have at your disposal.
First, decide on your preferred destination. Where, in the whole, wide world, do you want to go? Don’t allow fear or a lack of preparation limit you to places close to home. Also, do you want to explore a specific locale in depth or travel from place to place though one or more regions? Deciding where and how you want to travel will help you limit the number of tours available.
After you decide where you want to go, decide what you want to do on your tour. Whether you have a love of ancient cave art or a passion for underwater photography, tours most likely exist that will allow you to explore your interests. If you have a number of different interests, other tours will offer you the variety you crave.
Next, figure out when you want to go and how much time you have at your disposal to spend on a tour. Some tours only operate in the summer, or some countries are unpleasant to visit in the winter. Seasonal variations can ruin your perfect vacation if you don’t do your research. Also, decide how long you want your tour to be—a few days, a week, or more—and what portion of your vacation you want to devote to touring.
After you decide on your timeline, try to determine what pace you would prefer for your tour. Perhaps time is of the essence, and you would rather move from location to location as quickly as possible. Other people may enjoy a more leisurely visit in every locale. Fast or slow, each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Next, consider who you will bring with you on tour. Are you hoofing it alone or do you want to bring your five young children with you? Take into consideration the additional fees single travelers must pay, and remember the needs and interests of your travel partner(s). You will have a happier family vacation if the tour is child friendly.
Once you know who is going on your little adventure, you can figure out how large your budget is and what sort of tours you can afford. Prices depend on the length of your tour and what is included. Consider the price of airfare, food, ground transportation, accommodations, and tour guides and find out whether these are included in the price of your tour. Don’t forget to consider extra expenses, such as gratuities and shopping.
Decide whether you want to tour with a group or on your own. If you decide to go with a group, consider how large you would prefer the group to be and the age range of the fellow group members. Some tours cater specifically to singles, women, families or seniors. If the thought of strangers does not appeal to you, you can create a tour for your own family or small group, or you can even arrange for a self-guided tour.
Next, search your soul, and figure out what level of comfort you require. Does the thought of staying in a cabin or hut terrify you? Some rural destinations or adventure tours will require a sacrifice of certain creature comforts. Are you a picky eater? Some places won’t have a McDonald’s down the road or allow for a vegetarian, kosher, etc. diet. Finally, how fit are you and your traveling companions? Your eighty-year-old grandmother may not appreciate a yoga tour of India (unless she’s unique and enjoys that sort of activity). Or, if you plan to use a hiking tour of the Alps as motivation to get fit, your vacation could be ruined before it even begins, and you will have wasted time, money and energy.
Once you decide on the “who, what, when, where, why and how” of your desired tour, it’s time to do your research. Consult the internet, travel publications, and periodicals, and don’t forget to network. You never know who will have a friend who knows someone who just went on the best surfing tour in Australia. Finally, once you’ve gathered all the information you need, compare tours and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to request references. It’s your money and your vacation, and, hopefully, with all of your soul searching, planning and foresight, it will be the best journey you’ve ever taken.
