3 Benefits of Travelling on a Group Tour
When you think of group tours, what images come to mind? Do you picture yourself riding on a cramped bus with a bunch of rowdy 20-somethings? Do you worry you’ll be staying in chain motels and eating lackluster meals? Do you assume you won’t have any free time to explore on your own? Well…don’t! Those are some of the biggest misconceptions about group tours.
Today’s tour operators work hard to create bespoke itineraries for their customers. Put simply, group tours are designed to maximize travellers’ experiences. They allow you to explore new places and cultures, are tailored to personal interests and hobbies, and help take the stress out of travelling
Let’s take a closer look at these benefits, as well as some of the incredible destinations you can explore on a group tour.
Benefit #1: Authentic experiences
In all honesty, group tours do take travellers to some of the world’s most popular destinations and attractions — you shouldn’t fly all the way to Rome and not see the Colosseum. But these stops are just a piece of the puzzle.
The majority of group tours have managed to strike the perfect balance between “standard” tourist spots and hidden gems. On a tour through Indonesia, for example, you might get to spend one day marvelling at the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the next day learning to cook a Balinese meal with a member of the local community. Likewise, you might spend one day of an Australia tour walking through The Pinnacles Dessert and the next day snorkelling the Ningaloo Reef.
Every aspect of a group tour — the sites, the activities, the food and the hotels — have been selected because they’ll give you an authentic feel for a destination, as well as some unforgettable travel memories.
Benefit #2: Unique itineraries
A lot of travellers assume that joining a group tour means they’ll have to visit destinations or participate in activities that they have no interest in. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, group tours cater to all sorts of budgets, hobbies and travel styles.
Interested in staying active while on vacation? Embark on a cycle tour that takes you along the Otago Central Rail Trail, a 150-kilometre track on New Zealand’s South Island. Love being on the water? Consider a boat tour that will take you from Phuket to Phang Nga Bay in Thailand — the Adaman Sea is one of the best places in the world for sailing. Want to try new cuisines? Sign up for a Portugal-based foodie tour to taste fresh seafood, custard tarts and wines from the Douro Valley region.
Many tour itineraries also include free time, meaning you’ll have plenty of opportunity to check off the items on your travel bucket list.
Benefit #3: Expert guidance
Planning a trip can be difficult — especially if you want to visit multiple destinations. In addition to arranging transportation, you also have to book accommodations, organize sightseeing activities and make restaurant reservations, among other things.
By joining a group tour, you eliminate a lot of that hard work. Tour operators do all the planning, booking and coordinating for you. They’ll source the best hotels, inns and B&Bs; purchase tickets for museums, art galleries and other attractions; and make sure you seamlessly move from Point A to Point B. Not to mention, you’ll have access to educated and local guides who can provide insight into a destination’s history and culture.
And if you decide to book through Flight Centre, it’s even easier. With the help of a travel agent, all you’ll really need to do is pick a tour itinerary, pack your bags and prepare for the journey of a lifetime. Check out Flight Centre’s tour deals or chat with a consultant to learn more.