Thinking of travelling with a tour company?

Travelling with a tour group such as Contiki, Topdeck, Trafalgar etc is a great way to experience many cities in a short amount of time.

Usually with these kinds of groups they will allow 1–3 days in a particular area. Most likely allowing one day with a guided tour around the city and the next a free day to explore this new area on your own (or with your new tour buddies). Depending on where you are visiting, you may even spend up to 8 hours in the tour bus on any given day. On long haul road trips like these they will find quaint towns to stop by in or even a new activity to do on a lunch break.

For example, on a tour I did a few years ago. During a long day of driving we experienced an amazing underground, historical cave walk in Slovenia. Followed by a traditional Slovenian three course meal.I did not expect to be visiting Slovenia on my trip and it was a welcomed surprise. So don’t let those long drives scare you off. It’s a good time to write in your travel journal, catch up on some much needed sleep or bond with your new tour family. If you have a good tour guide they will encourage whole group games and allow access to the DVD player and AUX cord.

Now if you’re an extremely relaxed kind of traveller that likes to sleep in and take the day as it comes, tour life might not be for you. It involves strict early wake ups, action packed days and long parties into the night.

A little bit of a laid back attitude could be helpful since you’re now travelling with a large group. With any luck you’ll all be a family by the end of the trip. It doesn’t take long to form a life long bond with these people that you meet overseas. Before you know it you’ll be booking trips just to catch up with them.