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Anyone heard of Collette for tours.

We received a brochure from a company named Collette. They have a tour/cruise of Egypt that has great prices. Anyone know of this firm?

Yes, I have had brochures from them in the past, though have never travelled with them. An acquaintance regularly travels with them, and only has good things to say about them, most recently about a tour in the US. Katy

Collette is a family owned tour company based in the USA (with offices in other countries) that has been operating for many decades. Reputation is positive. Accommodation and meals are likely more moderate than the higher end Tauck tours company, for example (hence the prices you referenced).

Collette Tours is based in Rhode Island, USA. They have offices in other parts of the World too.

Collette is a third generation, family-owned company with offices in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

They have been around for eons. At times, they do mailers to certain demographic areas to amp up interest or business.

Here is a sample of their tours -

https://www.gocollette.com/en/find-your-tour#q/continentnames=Europe&currentPage=1&sortDirection=desc&sortBy=

History - https://www.gocollette.com/en/about-collette/collette-history

I've not done a Collette tour. I have done 11 Rick Steves tours and 10 Road Scholar tours with #11 coming up in October.

I looked at the Collette website and looked at the Italy tour just because that is what came up and because I'm not familiar with Egypt. What I see right away is that they have a number of "optional" tours which includes some of the good stuff you'd hope would be included on any tour. Price these out along with the base tour price to see what you will really be paying. Tour companies like Rick's and Road Scholar are very upfront with what they include on tours and don't have optional charges. We did have an option of a gondola ride in Venice when I took the 21 Best of Europe. The guide hired the number of gondolas needed plus musicians and we divided the cost and paid him back. I think it was 25 or 26E per person.

I did find an FAQ section as I was searching to see if tips for the guide are included. They are not. Here's what their verbiage says:

"The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end-of-trip gratuities for your Tour Manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship waitstaff, and any incidental charges."

I think the going rate for tips for a guide is $5-7/day per person and $3-5/day per person for the bus driver. You'll also be responsible for tipping local guides (not sure, maybe a couple of Euro since you're in a big group?), housekeeping maybe a Euro a day. This will figure into your bottom line budget.

https://www.gocollette.com/en/collette-gives-you-more/faq#extras

I didn't explore the website enough to see what the normal group size is but take that into consideration.

Good luck with your search! I am not an expert on Egypt but this is not a country I'd go for the least expensive tour. I'd probably go as high end as you can manage just assuming they would have the best security in place.

I used to work in the travel industry. They have been around forever. My mom took one of their tours and enjoyed it.

As the others have mentioned, Collette has been around since 1918, so they've been offering tours for awhile. The reviews on this site seem generally good - https://www.tourradar.com/collette-vacations .

I've researched Collette in the past, but my impression is that their tours are structured somewhat like Trafalgar , with 50+ tour members in each group. I much prefer the "Rick Steves model" with smaller groups of about 30, but of course those tend to be a bit more expensive since there's fewer tour members to split the cost of a full size coach, tour guide, driver, etc.

I would recommend taking a look at Scenic USA for the Egypt tour. They are an Australian company with branches in the US. The Egypt tour is a small group tour (24 or 26 people). We have travelled with them twice (Cambodia/Vietnam and Egypt/Jordan) and have been very pleased. There are no hidden costs. Our tours included airfare, transfers, tips and the visa in Jordan. The group will mainly be Australian with some Americans. I wouldn’t go cheap on a tour to Egypt.

I have looked at Viking as well as Vantage World Travel (we have done 3 great cruises/tours with them). Also, some of the other big name river cruise lines. Going rate for a 10-11 day tour is a little less than $6000 pp. Scenic seems to be even more at $6,395. All seems to include five star hotels and I am sure quality tours. Some include airfare from NYC to Cairo.

I took a closer look at Collette's tours and the hotels that are included are what I would call 4.5 star. Not Hilton, but not far below. Perhaps their tours include a full tour bus instead of half a tour bus, but other than that, the differences are minor.

When Collette gets it done for about $2500, it is appealing.

I have already done Egypt (been there twice) and the second time did Cairo and that area again, then did the Nile river cruise. At the time (1985), most of the cruise ships were owned by hotels. The one that I did cost about $300 pp in a triple room. It was with the Marriott Hotel chain and we stayed in the Marriott in Cairo as well. The Hilton cruse was about 50 % more, but went to the same places. I agree that one doesn't want to do Egypt on the cheap. However, it appears that Collette is not cheap, just more moderately priced for a few reasons that don't seem problematic. My wife has never been to Egypt and I want her to enjoy the trip. It appears that Collette would fit our expectations.

You might also have a look at Insight Vacations as their tours feature smaller "Rick Steves" type groups (they actually remove some of the seats from the coach to make sure the group stays small).

Let me chime in since I used to work as a tour director and I'm familiar with Colette. (And I can counter some of the things the Rickniks have said.)

Collette is an excellent company with a very good reputation. Yes, they do try to fill a coach but that may not happen. Some sightseeing is included and some is optional which means you have the choice of doing that--for an extra fee--or doing something else on your own. You can get a list of these before you book to see what they cost or they may already be listed in your tour brochure. Tipping is not included but seriously, is it that earthshattering? The tour documents you get will suggest tipping amounts for your tour director and bus driver. The tour director will tell you the suggested tip amount for everything else. And remember, tipping is always optional. (On Rick Steves tours, all of this is included whether you like it or not.)

But since RS doesn't go to Egypt, I don't understand why it was even brought up. It's like someone asking for a recommendation of a Chinese restaurant and someone else responding saying they like Indian food. How does that help the person asking the question?

" But since RS doesn't go to Egypt, I don't understand why it was even brought up. It's like someone asking for a recommendation of a Chinese restaurant and someone else responding saying they like Indian food. How does that help the person asking the question? "

My word, Frank. I brought it up because if someone has never been on a tour then it is helpful if they understand "tour brochure language". By reading what is included on RS tours one can compare to other companies to see what they do and do not list. It doesn't matter if it's the same place but it's easy to pick out the differences comparing the brochure language in an Italy vs Italy tour.

If cost is a concern, then yes on a 13 day tour where you are with the guide and driver for maybe 12 of those days then $70 for the guide ($140 per couple) + $48 for the driver ($96 per couple) plus misc. tips can make a difference if a traveler is not expecting it.

From the extra info the OP added after I posted, it's clear they've done tours before and are experienced in the ways of tour brochure language so they'll know to have cash on hand.

I have only heard good things about Collette tours. As for Egypt, we went in February with Trafalgar Tours "Wonders of Ancient Egypt." The tour and guide were excellent. Yes, there were 39 people in our group, but we never felt like we were a "herd." Tips were not included in the VERY reasonable price, but we expected that, as tips usually aren't. I would recommend the tour we did of Egypt (2 nights Cairo, 7 nights on a cruise ship on the Nile, and 2 more nights in Cairo). All our accomodations were excellent, meals were superb (especially on our ship), and our guide not only discussed the history of Egypt, but gave us insights into the culture, the religions and the more recent history of Egypt. We all felt safe and I have to say the whole group was congenial and delightful to sightsee with. Some of us took the one optional tour to Abu Simbel (well worth it!) which entailed a round trip flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel. That was about $300.00 pp extra, but our tour cost was in the very reasonable range, but not cut-rate. We checked out Insight, as we had toured Turkey with that company and liked it very much, but they only had pricier tours for Egypt (10-12 people). That group shared our boat for the cruise portion, and they all looked gloomy all the time. I do believe we had more fun, saw more, and liked each other better! We went at a good time of the year for the weather. Summer prices were less, but the weather is much hotter then. If you go to Egypt, have a great time. (And do some research before you go. You get more out of the trip.)

For an Egypt tour, look at Odysseys Unlimited. They offer two different tours there.

I often hear offers from Collette tours, in our area they work with groups to run essentially charter tours, likely their standard tour, but maybe the local TV Anchorman, Weather guy or Football Coach goes along and does the advertising to fill the tour. I may be wrong, but I got the impression that they probably have larger groups, try to hit the highlights in lots of places, and maybe more of a commodity experience (moderate hotels, moderate meals (if included))

I have not been on an organized tour, but I would make sure it fits your travel style. Though for Egypt, I would resort to a tour for safety reasons, and probably tolerate more imposition to my travel style than for a Europe trip.

Hi geo, I took a tour (solo) with Collette a few years ago, the Pacific Northwest and California. It really wasn’t a good fit for me. There were 2 large busses traveling together. Both busses were full with 2 people in each seat. We had assigned seats and sat next to the same person all week. At each stop, 100 people piled out of the busses to use the rest room.

With one exception the hotels were fine, we ate breakfast and a buffet dinner there. Lunches were not included. On one occasion, some of my tour-mates cleaned out the entire breakfast buffet and stuffed their purses full of muffins for lunch (no kidding).

The tour was basically a drive-by. We were told “Mount Hood is over that way. We don’t have time to stop but you can get a postcard at the gift shop.” I think we stopped at every gift shop between Seattle and San Francisco.

The travelers were 70+ years old, mostly women. Tips for the driver and guide were expected.

I would definitely use a tour company to see Egypt, but based on my experience, I can’t recommend Collette.

Collette also has a 'small group' division called Explorations. We wert to Italy with Explorations this Summer and there were only 9 of us on the tour - it was amazing and so easy to move from one place to the next. I now can't do a larger tour, as I think you lose the personalization. I think 19 is their max and I believe Rick Steves is 28 - much better than 40.

I have taken two Collette tours with my mother, who loves Collette. As others have said, it is a reputable company that has been in business forever. My thinking is that they are at their best with relatively inexperienced/insecure groups who live a long way from major airports. They work a lot with local organizations --- churches, chambers of commerce, banks, and such --- to arrange tours. A representative from Collette comes to the town several months before the tour and provides a seminar on what to expect, how to pack, and how to handle money --- basically, the same stuff that you would get from reading Rick Steve's travel tips. They provide transportation from your home town to the airport, which is a really big deal to my mother, who lives in a rural area. Basically, they take care of you from the time you leave home until you return from your trip.

I recall when I took my first trip with Collette, my mom and most of the tour group were flying out of one airport, and I was supposed to meet them in Atlanta. Well, their plane was delayed and they all missed the connection. I was the only person from the group on the flight to Rome. I was totally prepared to get public transportation from the airport to Termini and then walk to the hotel, but they took care of me and made sure that I got to the hotel. I didn't have to worry about a thing.

Also, because many of the tours are locally organized, you are often traveling with friends, which is another big deal for my widowed mom.

On the plus side:

Hotels are excellent and centrally located. The hotels were more or less on a par with the accommodations I have had on Smithsonian tours.

Food is excellent.

Tour guides are excellent.

They handle your luggage for you.

On the minus side:

There are a lot of add-on excursions and meals.

You need to budget for tips.

You will see the major sites, which is fine for a first time visitor, but you are not going to get an in depth cultural experience.

You will likely have more people than with a Rick Steves tour.

So, it all depends on what you want. For my mom, Collette is perfect. She doesn't have to worry about any logistics and can relax and enjoy the trip. For me, with easy access to a major airport and no problems navigating new places on my own, there's not as much of an advantage.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

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Hello forum,

I am an experienced traveler who has visited over 104 countries and dealt with many tour operators, good and bad, and Kensington Tours was by far my worst experience with any of them. I’m sharing my recent experience below in the sole hope that others considering this company will have some indication of what they are getting into.

-From the outset Kensington refused to provide names or contact information for any drivers or guides meeting us at during any phase of our trip.

-During one leg a driver almost failed to show up entirely, arriving over half an hour late as we were prepared to give up waiting and board a taxi.

-Kensington’s agents in Santiago had no knowledge of two meals confirmed on our itinerary.

-Kensington insisted we would be flying to Lima, Peru when our itinerary had us confirmed for Punta Arenas, Chile.

-Kensington scheduled a 5:20am car for a 6:00am flight , knowing that the airport was 35 minutes away.

-During a six hour drive from Torres Del Paine to El Calafate for which we had confirmed a box lunch, the lunch was forgotten by the guide, and no water was available for the entire journey.

-When inquiring about adding Machu Picchu to our schedule Kensington made no attempt to warn us that on February 13th the U.S. Embassy in Lima issued a security message for US citizens indicating a specific threat to kidnap U.S. citizens in the Cusco and Machu Picchu area.

-Kensington went ahead and charged $11,000 for the Machu Picchu trip to my credit card without my consent and with full knowledge that we were no longer interested. They reversed the charge only after being warned by the President of American Express Platinum that this was unacceptable behavior from a merchant affiliate.

I am not seeking any form of compensation from Kensington, but I hope that others will heed the above and spare themselves a similar experience.

Andy from Amagansett

World Traveller Since 1967

Hello AndyFromAmagansett

Welcome to Tripadvisor and sorry to have of your experience.

Interestingly there are already quite a few threads on Kensington Tours so it might have been better to just have posted your experience to an existing thread instead of create a new one. Anyway, you might want to post your experience to a thread for them in Peru. Here is a link to the search I just did for 'kensington tours' on the main Tripadvisor homepage.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?q=Kensington+Tours&sub-search=SEARCH&geo=&pid=3826&returnTo=__2F__#ssrc=f,o=0,c=global

Hope this is helpful and trust your future travel experiences will be better. Importantly, keep traveling. We have to take the good with the bad!!!

Having said all that, I must also comment that our accommodations were outstanding, and they weren't all five star either. Our agent did a fantastic job in suggesting places that were in great locations, unique, or historic and atmospheric. We were thrilled with each place we stayed for one reason or two others. In several of the places we were upgraded, which I felt was most probably due to Kensington. All in all ours was a great trip, and as a result, I have recommended Kensington to friends. However, I have to say that after reading what Andy went through and the bit of discomfort we experienced due to a lack of preparation and information by Kensington, I would have to attach a disclaimer to any future recommendations that I would give the company.

I wish I had seen this,post before I spent a fortune paying Kensington for a family trip to Budapest, Vienna and Prague. They utterly failed to provide the required services and left us abandoned rather than guided. Their hotel recommendation was poor and they have responded to my inquiries with rudeness and insult. I would never use them again or recommend them.

My Kensington Tours experience could not have been more different. I’ve done two trips (Kenya & Tanzania 2010 and Peru 2013). Their staff were extremely knowledgeable and always quick to answer my frequent emails and questoins. Our guides were always on time, super friendly and really knowledgeable. In Peru and especially Africa they went out of their way to keep us happy and exceed our expectations. Our guide Godfrey knew the craziest details about every animal and bird. On our last day in Maasai Mara my friend who is a photographer was disappointed to not yet have gotten the perfect elephant photo. So Godfrey changed our entire day and we focused on tracking the herds until he got the perfect shot. I’m planning Myanmar next – won’t hesitate to call Kensington.

I agree with this review wholeheartedly. I am also an experienced traveler - more like 45 countries. I agree that I have had good and bad experiences but thought that I knew what to ask for in order to get close to what I wanted. My "expert" at Kensington tours, however, rejected every good idea I had for our trip. This wasn't just incompetence; it was an arrogance.

I decided to take my wife to Iceland for her 55th birthday as she always wanted to see the Northern Lights. This year was the best year in 60 years. There were Northern Lights 27 out of 28 days in February and 4 out of the 5 days we were in Iceland. Although we saw them faintly from the city, we never really saw them. I suggested booking 2 nights to see the Northern Lights, since that was our main reason for going to Iceland, but I was told that it would not be necessary because Kensington Tours would take care of picking the right night. Just before I got to Iceland, the forecast for our first couple of days looked clearer than the rest. I then sent several emails requesting that our Northern Lights tour be moved up from the last night to one of the first nights. Instead of doing as requested, Kensington Tours managed to move our trip to the week after we left Iceland but failed to tell us of this change. As a result, after hearing people talking day after day about the amazing Northern Lights, on the day we expected our tour no one showed up. As a result, we booked a much more expensive tour to chase the Northern lights. Unfortunately, we took this tour on the only day we were in Iceland that the Northern Lights did not appear. The tour companies in Iceland have a policy if you do not see the Northern Lights, they will let you go for free until you do see them. Unfortunately, as Kensington Tours booked us for our last night in Iceland instead of the beginning of the week as I had repeatedly requested, we could not take advantage of this guarantee.

The other thing that we really wanted to do while in Iceland was a 3 hour hike on a glacier. When we arrived at the glacier there were two buses from the same tour company one for a 1 hour tour and one for a 3 hour hike, and total pandaemonium. We got off the bus and were called by a guide from the tour company to get our crampons. It was only after we were on the glacier that we learned that we and 2 other couples from our bus were on the 1 hour instead of the 3 hour hike.

When our concerns were raised with Kensington Tours after the fact, pointing out the dozen or more emails making it clear that the Northern Lights were the primary reason we were going to Iceland, requesting to pay for multiple Northern Lights tours, requesting our Northern Lights tour be moved to the beginning of our trip, and the fact that had any of these requests been honored we would have seen fabulous Northern Lights, Kensington tours initially only would not even refund the costs we incurred for these failed events. They had no understanding of the thousands of dollars we had wasted on a bounced tour. Nor did they appreciate that two professionals have difficulty taking time off from work and use them to arrange a vacation so it will be perfect when they do. Eventually, after multiple emails Kensington tours reimbursed us for the failed trips but totally refused to take responsibility for the failed trip or the cost of going again to see the Northern Lights.

If I have the time, I arrange our own vacations, but when pressed by the demands of my jobs, I rely on tour companies. I will forever regret the Google search that came up with Kensington Tours as experts for Iceland travel. I would not use them to book me a walk across the street and hope that you will read this and avoid the same mistake that I made.

If you want any more details on how unprofessional and unknowledgeable Kensington Tours was during out trip to Iceland, please contact me at [email protected].

ArcticMark - It is not advisable to post your personal email address in a public forum like this, as spammers and other miscreants can harvest it for abuse. I suggest you have the post deleted and then repost your feedback without email addresses included.

We too are very experienced world travelers. We chose Kensington to plan our family vacation to Thailand because we wanted a high quality customized tour that would include small children. Custom tour? No! Every excursion was a hotel lobby pamphlet tour that I could have arranged myself. We did not have one guide accompany us throughout our entire trip as we were led to believe. A guide would pick us up at the airport and deliver us to our hotel. The next day a different guide would show up to take us on our "custom" pamphlet tour.

We were booked in hotels very far from the planned excursions. It took more than an hour in Bangkok to go to our Palace tour. Then an hour back to the hotel. Then another hour to go on our evening "foodie" tour, and an hour back. Don't go for the "foodie" street food tour.

Then in Chang Mai we were booked into a substitute four star hotel (I'm not sure how they got four stars!) instead of the five star hotel on the itinerary. One family of four were split into two separate rooms on two different floors, even though we had requested and paid for connecting rooms for them almost a year in advance!

Then in Phuket we were an hours drive from our beautiful (but remote) hotel to the launch site to visit the Phi Phi Islands. Then more hours in the boat. The entire day was spent traveling in a van or in a boat with very little time to enjoy any sights.

We were scheduled to have a jungle safari walk in the morning (remember the rain), have lunch, drive the three hours to Phuket airport and arrive in Bangkok in the evening for a 6:00 am flight the next morning to go back home. Of course, international flights require you to be there two hours ahead of time, so we had to be at the Bangkok airport by 4:00 am. Terrible scheduling for our last two days. I called a local travel company and begged them to rescue us from Kensington's inept planning. So we got to Bangkok in the late afternoon instead of late at night. That helped even though we had to pay extra to Elephant Hills for the change in plans.

I didn't see any schedules for our in-country flights until we got to Thailand. I had vouchers for all the hotels and the little guided tours. So, I actually was the guide in charge of overseeing the trip, not Kensington!

For the price they charge for their off-the-shelf "custom" tours, you can do a lot better than Kensington. We will definitely never use them again.

Never on any previous trip with Kensington have their representatives failed to accommodate our group with suggestions and or requests for changes in our trips during the planning stages and or during the actual trip. In fact, they have gone out of their way to work with us. They are easy to communicate with while in country--I have emailed our representative before we turn in for the night and by the next morning, our answer to any question and or solution to any problems--potential or actual-- is waiting for us. In Nepal, our rep actually called the corporate offices of the airline we were flying with and made it possible for us to check our bags straight through to NYC instead of having to re check everything onto our connecting flight from Katmandu to Delhi.

I find it regretful that any individual feels "OK" about publishing such a negative review. I guess that one person's idea of adventure travel is not another man's idea of adventure travel. And, perhaps if our previous trips with Kensington had cost even a fraction of the amounts of money that you are mentioning....well, perhaps we would have "sweated the small stuff" more. Wow...an $11,000 charge. Glad you have a platinum card...we travel the world quite nicely with our green one.

I would not hesitate to travel with Kensington again and I highly recommend them to anyone thinking of traveling with them.

PS It is every US citizen's responsibility to be aware of travel warnings. That is not the responsibility of your tour company. I strongly suggest that you register with the US State Department prior to your next trip. The app for you smartphone--US State Department Smart Traveler-- is free and you will receive any warnings regarding in country related warnings to US citizens 24/7 directly to your phone.

I was recently asked for some recommendations on an Africa trip so looked up some old emails and itinerary to send a good friend. I took my mother there for her 60th birthday in 2009 through Kensington Tours. A close friend knew the founder of the company and highly recommended it. I did not expect any special treatment, but was surprised by the level of abhorrent service and after service. I had initially tried to sort out things directly with the company rather than post a negative review as I know how damaging that can be for a company that is dependent on online reviews. However, the only compensation we were offered was a credit to travel again through Kensington Tours, which my mother and I will never do again. Since I was looking up my old itinerary, I was curious to see whether others had experienced the same poor service for such an expensive trip such as a Safari and was relieved to see that others had taken the time to post the reviews.

There appears to be some others in this thread who have had good experiences with the company and I'm sure that some of the dealings must be positive or the company would find themselves out of business. However, I was surprised that there was an accusation that people take lightly posting negative replies. I think it is safe to say that when you consider online reviews, many are hesitant to post negative reviews so those who have taken the time must have truly had horrible experiences. We paid the company nearly $20,000 USD for a trip of a lifetime for my mother - it is not because we have platinum cards or travel that way typically, but my mother had wanted to go to Africa all her life. I wanted the experience to be the best it could be.

The main issue was our driver. He was horrible. He was lazy, rude, unhelpful, unwilling to accommodate and at times, scoffed at us. When we were travelling through an area where tze tze flies are abundant, he refused to close the windows and turn on the a/c in the vehicle despite our being attacked and bitten. We paid to have a private safari and the level of service was insulting. We tried our best efforts to give the driver a chance, but he was completely ruining our trip. It was so bad that by the 4th day, we contacted the company contact (which was very difficult to do) and requested a new driver to be sent. There was a great deal of resistance to this and I had to insist that either the company sent a driver or we would hire one and seek compensation from them even if that required legal proceedings. They did in fact send another driver who was a huge improvement, but by the time he arrived we were half way through the safari portion of our trip.

When we arrived at the Ngorongoro Crater, there was a confusion in our room booking. Apparently, Kensington had only booked us for one night instead of two. I had intentionally booked us for two nights at the accommodation there in order for my mother to have an opportunity to have a little rest before we continued through the safari (there were many nights we only spent one night at an accommodation in order to cover what we wished). Because of the mistake, the hotel manager was only able to offer us sub-par family accommodations in a much lower category room than we paid for. Not only was this a poor substitute for a great deal of planning on my part, but this meant we had to pack up and move again the second night to get the room we had paid for for at least the second night. When this was brought up with Kensington Tours on our return, they blamed the hotel for overbooking. There was no effort by the company to seek any refund for the rate of room we were offered nor was there any compensation offered to us for the money they took in payment from us.

Overall, the company seems to be ok, but is not a high quality product. If you are paying a substantial amount for a special trip, I would suggest considering another company to plan your details.

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The Grand Canyon Makes For The Perfect Solo Trip, And Here Are Some Reddit-Approved Tips

These Reddit-approved tips for visiting the Grand Canyon solo include the best tours, as well as the best stops along the way.

Solo trips are one of the most enriching forms of travel out ther e. When it comes to destinations that are tailor-made for solo trips, the Grand Canyon is one that provides travelers with plenty of options. From hiking trails to group tours that give travelers a great chance to socialize, there's something for everyone at this World Wonder.

Additionally, travel options in and around the Grand Canyon lend themselves well to those traveling alone. Budget-friendly accommodations such as camping are a great way to immerse oneself in nature, while also give travelers the chance to explore on their own. Here are some tips from Reddit on how to turn a solo Grand Canyon trip into one of the most memorable vacations.

Related: Under Canvas Grand Canyon: Why This Arizona Glampsite Is The Best During The Fall

What To See Solo At The Grand Canyon

There's no denying that there's plenty to see at the Grand Canyon , and it can be overwhelming. The benefit of traveling solo is that one will already know the pace at which they can explore without first having to check with additional travelers, which will help plan an itinerary. For the solo traveler, it's worth it to get an early start and see some crucial aspects of the canyon as well as consider some tours. To start, Reddit recommends beginning the scenic trip with the drive.

Petrified Forest

Despite its name, the Petrified Forest is much more than petrified trees, and it's one of the most fascinating landscapes in the country. There's plenty of ecological history to be found here, and it's an easy stop to add on the way to the Grand Canyon for those driving on old Route 66.

• Hours: Daily, 8 AM - 5 PM
• Fees: $25 for one vehicle (good for a week), $15 for one hiker, $20 for motorcycles

Painted Desert

Yet another geological wonder that resides in Arizona's backyard is the Painted Desert, which encompasses a total of 93,500 acres of badlands. One of the most notable features of this landscape - as its name implies - is the brilliant hues of orange, pink, and red that appear in the canyons during different times of the day.

• Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset

Meteor Crater

The Meteor Crater is an attraction found at the Barringer Space Museum , and it's also the museum's main attraction. The crater is estimated to be more than 50,000 years old and measures 150 wide in diameter with a depth of 550 feet. It's an incredible sight to see and not one that many people realize is so close to the Grand Canyon (two hours).

• Hours: Daily 8 AM - 5 P
• Admission: Adults (13+) $22, Juniors (ages 6 - 12) $13, Seniors (60+) $20

Arriving At The Grand Canyon

It's the big day - the first day of the big Grand Canyon tour! From this point, there are many options by which to actually explore this massive landscape. For those who have never been there, choosing from the sheer number of tours can feel daunting. Additionally, the number of hiking trails available can also be confusing - here's what Reddit suggests.

Grand Canyon Jeep Tours

Jeep tours have been ongoing at the Grand Canyon since 1993, and this is a great way to explore it without having to worry about driving around the entire canyon rim. As one Reddit user said, it's also a great way to see views of the Grand Canyon that the typical visitor wouldn't even know to exist. There are three main tours to choose from:

• Grand Sunset Tour
• Indian Paintings Tour
• Grand Canyon Safari & Rim Tour (a combined walking and 4x4 tour)

Depending on how much time one has to spend, any one of these tours would be worth it - plus, it gives a solo traveler the advantage of getting to know an intimate tour group.

Hiking At The Grand Canyon

For those who want a bit more adventure and might plan on camping during their solo trip, the most suggested hiking trail is Bright Angel (and campground).

The benefit of this trail and its campground is that it's rarely deserted which means there's always someone around, which might be a comfort to those who are new to solo travel. The views along this trail are excellent, and the entire thing can be split into two days of hiking.

Another alternative ( which also requires a permit ) is the Clear Creek trail, which excludes some of the crowds. In total, the trip should last anywhere from three to four days. The benefit of camping is that visitors will have the chance to see the Grand Canyon multiple times of the day, and have the chance to explore the surrounding areas (not limited to tours).

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Here's what it's like to to book an adventure abroad through Viator, Trip Advisor's tour and excursion booking platform

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• While in Croatia with my family this year, I used Trip Advisor 's activity-booking platform Viator to book boat charters abroad. All operators are pre-vetted by Trip Advisor to guarantee credibility and safety. Excursions range from $15 for a walking tour to thousands for luxury experiences.
• Booking independently through Viator saved me significant costs compared to using a travel agency, and helped me plan my vacation in advance, with clear pricing and reviews from past guests.
• I had a great experience with Viator and would use it again — but with a few changes. Next time, I'll make sure to ask more questions first, so I don't face any surprises. Here's what you should know to do the same.
• Read all Insider Picks travel reviews here.

I'm a lifestyle journalist with a focus on travel and trot the globe frequently with my husband and five-year-old twins. So I think of myself as pretty savvy when it comes to calling upon Internet resources (not to mention intuition earned through experience) to make bookings, even in places I've never before been.

This summer, I went on a two-week vacation with my family in Europe, hitting Greece and Croatia, plus bordering countries along the Dalmatian Coast. We spent a fair amount of time off the beaten path and there were a lot of moving parts. But I felt confident, and competent, that I could independently plan our trip, without the help of a travel agency. I know my way around search engines for flights, hotels, and deals.

But there was a blind spot. How would I book tours and excursions such as chartering a speedboat for our family to Croatia's famous islands?

I was relieved when I stumbled upon the activity-booking search engine Viator , which is owned by Trip Advisor. After reviewing various offerings and reading reviews, I booked two separate boat charters through the company. Both boats were clean, comfortable, beautiful, more or less as advertised, and operated by companies I would not have known how to access without Viator. 

I'd recommend the platform, especially to anyone staying at an Airbnb without a concierge like I did, or looking for cheaper options than what a hotel or travel agency might suggest. But I'd offer a caveat from my own experience: savvy travelers must make sure to cover their bases to avoid potential pitfalls such as the one we experienced. 

What is Viator?

Viator is Trip Advisor's platform for booking all kinds of activities during travel. Consider you might find 4x4 and camel tours in Dubai, a skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum in Rome, or a tour of the Grand Canyon by helicopter from Las Vegas.

Really, you'll find just about anything. The search engine includes options for a truly whopping 200,000 bookable activities in places all around the world making it unlikely that you won't find what you need. All operators listed are pre-vetted for credibility and safety backed by Trip Advisor .

Importantly, the site also aggregates millions of reviews, like what you'll find on Viator's sister site, Trip Advisor, so you have a pretty good sense of what you're getting. 

How is Viator priced?

Naturally, price points on Viator range dramatically based on the location and the excursions' complexity. A basic walking tour might cost under $20 while a day-long excursion or charter could cost hundreds more. The more expensive of the two trips I booked came in under $1,000, and the rates on the site can soar depending on what you're booking.

The site is optimized for mobile booking, offers around-the-clock customer service in multiple languages, a lowest-price guarantee, and a 24-hour cancellation policy, which makes the financial risk in booking feel low. 

In fact, I made use of that cancellation policy a few times to cancel and rebook similar activities when I changed my mind on the specifics, and also to flatly cancel a sightseeing tour I'd booked for our first day in Greece when I realized we'd all be too jet-lagged to bother.

I made both Viator bookings using my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card  — both in U.S. dollars — and faced no trouble making these changes.

What did I book through Viator?

I'd never been to Croatia, but knew I wanted to see its beautiful islands. We were staying in an Airbnb apartment (a rare choice for me) instead of a full-service hotel with concierge, so I was on my own for finding out how to do this. 

Poking around on the Internet for tours, I discovered Viator , which was previously unknown to me. I appreciated that like its parent company Trip Advisor, Viator heavily incorporates a review system, and the Trip Advisor backing gave me confidence. I booked two tours, each about three weeks ahead of our arrival.

For our stay in Dubrovnik, I booked a half-day private speedboat tour to the Elafiti islands , which earned an impressive five stars overall, with over 100 reviews on Viator. The trip for four people for four hours came in just under $400 after I used a 10 percent discount code. 

Then, for the portion of our trip in the northern area of the country, Split, I booked an all-day private sightseeing tour with five proposed stops , including the famous Blue Cave and Hvar island. This trip also had an overall five-star rating on Viator, but with far fewer reviews, just 27 as of the time of this writing. The eight-hour trip for four people on the private speedboat charter cost $873 after the discount code.

These prices might seem steep, but consider that it's priced for four people, as well as the alternative. When I briefly felt overwhelmed with planning, I reached out to a Croatia-based travel agency. The land-only quote for a week in the county for our party of four was 12,000 euros. Booking on my own — including these two-day trips through Viator — cut our expenses to less than half.

My booking experience with Viator

After so much planning, our trip was at last underway. We spent a morning at a Dubrovnik beach club before our scheduled boat tour for the afternoon. That same day, the highly responsive tour company reached out through WhatsApp and email to coordinate transportation for us to the marina, where we'd be meeting our skipper and the boat.

They called a rideshare at their expense to meet us at the beach club and we arrived at the marina to find an impeccably clean boat and friendly skipper.

As promised, the boat was just for our family with amenities like shade cover and a USB port to charge up phones and stay ready for photo taking. 

We set out for the afternoon on the Adriatic and were able to customize our itinerary, checking out bays, beaches, and caves at our own pace. The skipper snapped family photos and offered snorkel masks and drinks.

At the end of the afternoon, our skipper called us an Uber to take us back to the hotel. Overall it was a successful, fun day. And at under $400 for four people, felt like a great value for all we were able to do.

Unfortunately, it didn't foreshadow the more challenging experience we had on our next excursion, which was the full-day boat charter from Split.

For that trip, I had more difficulty communicating in advance with the operator, who was less responsive. I didn't get all my questions answered before booking, and miscalculated by making some critical assumptions that turned out to be false.

We arrived at the marina to find a boat that exceeded our expectations. It was a rather luxurious looking speedboat with room for 12 and was larger and fancier than our previous boat in Dubrovnik.

It was also more powerful, at 250 horsepower. While some people might appreciate that, the speed of the vessel scared our young children right away.

Our skipper was a devoted and experienced older brother, so he was well equipped with strategies to help calm our kids and took pains to make them comfortable. He even let my son "drive" the boat and honk the horn, which was a huge hit. 

But my daughter was still uncomfortable as the boat sped through the open ocean. Off the bat, I wondered if this was something any ambitious American traveler would attempt with such young children had they known how rough it would be.

The skipper warned us that the Blue Cave would be backed up and crowded, and the timing might correspond to a bumpy afternoon sail. So we opted against it and chose a custom plan to mitigate the intensity. I appreciated that we were able to change the day's itinerary to better suit our needs.

Our skipper took us to a gorgeous, remote beach on the island of Vis, which was a true highlight with crystal clear water and a sense of true isolation. We swam from the boat to the beach, snorkeled, and took lots of pictures.

Afterward, we sailed to glamorous Hvar island, where we passed an hour or so with lunch in Hvar Town.

But it was after that, on the way back to the harbor in Split, when our challenges started in earnest.

It was squarely afternoon by then, and the winds had picked up; the open ocean was very choppy. That is to say, our boat caught full air and slammed back down — over and over again. There was nothing the skipper could do as this was the nature of the boat and typical conditions.

Although my kids (mercifully) don't suffer motion sickness, they were terrified. Anyone with young children and those who do suffer from motion sickness should inquire about conditions before booking any similar boat ride as I wished I had.

My son could be placated by heading back to his post as the boat's "driver," but my daughter was miserable for the full 75 minutes it took to get back to the marina and the waves soaked our family. Making matters more concerning, there was only one kid-sized life jacket on board.  

I was regretful that I'd gotten us in this position. I hadn't adequately confirmed that this was the right trip for our family.

And although I generally feel like a diligent and capable planner, I'd continued with the booking despite not waiting for the answers I needed: Would there be child-sized snorkel masks? Would there be two child-sized life jackets? Was the water likely to be rough? Will we get wet or seasick?  

The bottom line on Viator  

Overall, I wouldn't trade either of the stunning boat excursions I booked through Viator . They made for essential sightseeing experiences for any visitor to Croatia.

The operators on both experiences were professional, and the services were provided as advertised. I also found the prices to be reasonable, much more so than if I'd booked through a travel agency.

I'll book through Viator again, but next time, I'll make sure I'm asking more questions and getting the specific answers I need first.

If a particular operator is vague or reluctant to respond to the specifics of an important matter, like child-sized life vests, or typical water conditions, I will move on to another operator.  

As a now-seasoned Viator user, I'd say: book with confidence. Just make sure you ask a lot of questions specific to your needs and make sure you get them all answered explicitly before you show up on the day of your booking.

With the sheer number of bookings available on Viator, you should have plenty of options to keep moving onto another suitable tour operator until you find one that gives you all the answers — and confidence — you need.  

Book a Viator excursion, large or small, anywhere on earth .

Subscribe to our newsletter. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

• Main content

7 Reasons Why You Should Pick a Travel Talk Tour

Last Updated on October 27, 2022

This site contains affiliate links for products and services we recommend. Read my disclaimer  for more information. If you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a small commission (for which I am very grateful).

Travel Talk Tours is a leading tour company based in the UK.

With their wealth of experience, they’re adept at arranging once-in-a-lifetime experiences for all kinds of travellers, explorers and globetrotters.

I have been lucky enough to experience two of their Travel Talk Tours this year, one to Egypt and one to Turkey. Both incredible experiences and memories were made that will never be forgotten!

In this post, I will go through the reasons why taking a Travel Talk Tour is a great option for any type of traveller.

While there are already plenty of glowing Travel Talk Tour reviews, I decided to throw in my two cents based on the Travel Talk holidays I’ve been lucky enough to experience.

So this is the only Travel Talk Tours review you need to read!

🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. I recommend either SafetyWing or World Nomads .

Table of Contents

7 Reasons why you should Consider a Travel Talk Tour for your Next Holiday

1. affordability.

One of the key things I love about Travel Talk is the affordability of their tours. If you compare one of their tours to that of their competitors you will notice a huge difference in price.

They always come out on top when it comes to price, which is so important for travellers these days. You really do get the most for your money.

Why is Travel Talk so cheap? Who owns Travel Talk and why are they so generous? Is Travel Talk Tours legit, considering the low cost?

I can tell you that it certainly is legitimate … and I’m not about to complain about the price!

2. There’s No Age Limit

There’s something brilliant about the Travel Talk Tours age range – there isn’t one.

Other tour companies such as Contiki are organised for a specific (younger) demographic. But Travel Talk Tours has no such restriction.

Although I’m young myself, I find other tours discouraging when they have an age limit attached. Fortunately, there’s no Contiki age limit stopping anyone from taking a Travel Talk Tour!

I just think to myself when I’m older and looking for tours that it must be discouraging when tours say you’re too old to join in.

But as I said, there’s not age limitation here, and the number of happy Travel Talk reviews from older holidaymakers is proof that you’re only as old as you feel!

👡 PACKING TIP: Looking for the best shoes for travelling? I highly recommend getting a pair of Chaco’s – They are my favourite!

3. Knowledgeable Guide

On both tours that I have been on, the guides were incredibly knowledgeable and this is the most important part of any tour!

In my opinion, travelling is all about learning so the number one thing you should look for in a tour is how much you will learn and experience.

Having a fantastic guide who knows nearly everything about the country really does make a huge difference on how your tour goes.

The quality of the guides is something that is talked about frequently in the Travel Talk Tours reviews!

🚲 Check out their tours here

4. Fun Experiences

I promise you will have the most fun experiences on these tours. The guides always have tricks up their sleeves. Plus, being on a bus with a group of people is bound to end up fun anyhow.

You are bound to make some lifelong memories while on your tours with Travel Talk.

5. The Optional Activities

On every tour, there are optional activities but I noticed that on each Travel Talk tour they are not to be missed, especially in comparison to that of others!

They offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as ballooning over Cappadocia to cruising down the Nile on a felucca.

There are lots of activities that they offer as an extra but to be honest, you won’t want to miss any of them!

📸 PRO TIP: My go-to camera for all my travels is the Sony A7iii – I highly recommend it!

6. They Go to Some Great Locations

Travel Talk has tours all over the world from Europe, the Middle East and South-East Asia.

They don’t only cover countries but some fantastic events such as Anzac Day (not to be missed for Kiwis and Aussies!), Oktoberfest and La Tomatina.

They also have sail tours such as the Travel Talk Sail Croatia and Sail Greece options.

I can highly recommend the Middle-East tours. The Travel Talk Egypt reviews were so good that I did the Travel Talk Egypt tour, and I also took the 10-day Turkey Travel Talk Anzac tour.

It’s a great way to see countries you may be too nervous to travel to on your own.

Here are some other highlights of the Travel Talk Tours destinations:

• Travel Talk Morocco – Camel trekking in the Sahara or windsurfing in Essaouira.
• Travel Talk Croatia – Sailing in the sunset and wine-tasting in walled cities.
• Travel Talk Iceland – Stargazing at the Northern Lights and floating in geothermal baths.
• Travel Talk Greece – The blue domes of Santorini or some island-hopping from beach to beach.
• Travel Talk Jordan – A jeep safari through Wadi Rum Desert and the stone walls of ancient Petra.

With all these amazing locations, my one complaint as a Kiwi is that they don’t [yet] have any Travel Talk NZ tours available!

Although I am a huge advocate for travelling solo, I also really liked the safety net that was provided by doing tours through this country. Which brings me on to my next point.

7. It’s Easy

Taking a tour is the easiest kind of travelling you can do.

The guides organise everything, you feel safe and you literally don’t have to lift a finger which is a main attraction for people to take tours in the first place.

Especially to countries you may not feel comfortable with organising travels on your own or travelling solo.

If you are looking for a reputable tour company to spend your next holiday with I can highly recommend Travel Talk.

My two tours with Travel Talk were sponsored – however that doesn’t affect my opinion on the tour and I can say from the bottom of my heart I would take another tour with them in a heartbeat!

📦 PACKING TIP: Don’t leave home without a solar powered battery pack so you can keep your devices connected at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are no age restrictions when booking a Travel Talk Tour! If you’re travelling with group members on either end of the age spectrum, check the terms and conditions for details about how best to accommodate them.

Yes you can. If you want a private room to yourself there is an additional single supplement payment, but if you don’t mind sharing a room there’s no extra cost for solo travel.

Other articles you will love:

• My Epic 9-Day Tour of Egypt with Travel Talk Tours
• Enjoy these Incredible Europe Contiki Tours
• Experiencing Anzac Day in Gallipoli with Travel Talk Tours

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The Comments

Perfect reasons that make a Tour group the best. I often do self guided walking tours not knowing which is the best. These kind of pointers help.

Anna @ shenANNAgans

Cool post Anita, I’m all for taking tours, however have sometimes found them limiting, especially if you come across something you want to spend more time at, on or in. But…. if you get an awesome guide, you often find yourself in places only the locals know. Your photos are incredible by the way.

RaW | Ramble and Wander

I normally travel solo or with just a friend and have been to both Egypt & Turkey without using any agency or group tour. From time to time however I do travel with a group and total strangers to some places so I can understand and do agree that these kind of trips can be fun too! To me though, the deal breaker is having knowledgeable guides travelling with you – definitely one of the biggest advantages of travelling with a tour company as the cost of having guides when you travel on your own can be rather expensive.

Juliette | Snorkels to Snow

Always good to hear about great travel tour companies like these guys. I haven’t actually ever done any group tours, I’ve only ever done self-guided so would love to join one. Having fun experiences is super important! How did you find the group sizes?

fittwotravel

Its nice to know they have affordable tours with optional activities. Ill have to check them out the next time were in the area!

Excellent criteria for selecting the best tour group! Age is important to me too because I often have my children with me. Thanks for sharing the information on Travel Talk Tours – it sounds like a wonderful experience.

Carmen Edelson

As I’ve gotten older, I really do love organized tours! I love how there’s no age limit for this one. Thanks for sharing, this is the first time I’ve heard of Travel Talk!

Genie Patra

My favorite point is that there is no age limit! That’s so awesome. I feel like a lot of tour companies nowadays only cater to young travelers like 17-30. But travel is for everyone and should not be limited!

Arnav Mathur

Am definitely going to be checking out Travel Talk tours, now that am heading out to UK for my post grad. The reason for opting a tour, is the guide, and travel talks seem to deliver on that bang on.

I love your comment on age. I started to backpack at 42 and felt welcome. I always thought , what would these young backpackers do 30 years from now? I guess everyone will age. Its refreshing to see perspective like yours.

Im interested in a tour of Turkey. I want to take my grandson who will be 17 years old

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures 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 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus 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 Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus 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 Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus 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 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 $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

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 7 million dollars to over 130 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 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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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). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

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 nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—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 Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

Book Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

For independent explorers who don’t want to miss out on these amazing destinations, book your hotel stay for a great rate with SmarterTravel Hotels .

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They know what they are doing.

I am new to tour hub but the pkg they sent covers everything you need to know. Especially important, they tell you what is not included in your pkg. I am used to planning my own trips online & tourhub fits right in. I look forward to my 8 day trip to Ireland in October of 24. I will be travelling with Cosmos.

Date of experience : April 15, 2024

Just fair…needs improvement

Fair evaluation because the experience doesn't feel personal to me. I still do not have an "official" email from the actual company leading my tour. The response from TourHub is that these people are copied in the message forum. Not good enough for me. I want to have my communication with Spirit Journeys. I also asked them to provide a list of hotels with prices since I will arrive a day early and leave a day later. That was 3 weeks ago and I have not heard back.

Date of experience : April 01, 2024

Excellent Service

First time l have used Tourhub, fantastic team, very helpful found accommodation for me and percentage off price. Will definitely use again, Linda Watson

Date of experience : April 10, 2024

quick response to all questions

quick response to all questions? Help when had issue with payment going thru smoothly

Date of experience : March 25, 2024

Reply from tourhub

Thank you for sharing your feedback, Marianne! We're glad to hear that you received prompt responses from our team and that we were able to assist you with the payment process. If you have any further questions or need assistance as your trip approaches, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for booking with tourhub!

Excellent choice of tours and smooth, swift friendly action

I found Tour Hub by accident when searching for options for a trip to Egypt. Their website presented me with a very welcome option. I contacted them and everything was done quickly, securely and smoothly. Very happy I found them, would use them again and highly recommend them

Date of experience : April 05, 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Rosemary! We're delighted to hear that you found our selection of tours excellent and that the entire process was seamless for you. Your satisfaction and recommendation mean a lot to us, and we're thrilled to have provided you with a positive experience. If you have any further questions or need assistance as your trip approaches, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

Very easy booking

Very easy booking, all my questions are answered immediatelly in full detail. I am looking forward to this wonderful trip

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

Thank you for sharing your feedback, Jessica! We're delighted to hear that you found the booking process easy and that all your questions were answered promptly. If you have any further questions or need assistance as your trip approaches, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for booking with tourhub!

Our booking experience

I found the booking process very easy. I have been in touch by messages from the tour companies. The tour companies appear very helpful will queries. Hopefully our trip in September will be great.

Date of experience : March 11, 2024

Thank you for sharing your booking experience with us! We're glad to hear that you found the booking process straightforward and that the tour operator has been responsive and helpful with your queries. We're confident that your trip in September will be fantastic! If you have any further questions or need assistance as your tour approaches, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

What i like is the prompt response time…

What i like is the prompt response time by which they are able to confirm a transaction, so that there is progress in the situation as oppose to waiting idly. As well, they are earnest in solving any errors or request along the way and deals with it in a timely manner

Date of experience : March 05, 2024

Thank you for sharing your feedback, Marcelino! We're glad to hear that you appreciate our prompt response time and our commitment to resolving any errors or requests promptly. Ensuring efficient and timely service is important to us, and we're pleased to know that it has contributed to a positive experience for you. If you have any further questions or need assistance as your trip approaches, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help! Thank you for choosing tourhub.

I have book Egypt 8/9 day tour but not…

I have book Egypt 8/9 day tour but not provide detail of Hotel information . For Airport Transfer no service!! But in day 1 writing that Representative will meet & greet us & help at Airport to hotel !!! It is confusing!!!

Excellent customer service

I need to change my booked tour to a different one and they are so helpful.

Date of experience : April 12, 2024

Thank you for sharing your feedback, Lydie! We're delighted to hear that you found our customer service excellent and that our team were helpful in assisting you with changing your tour. If you have any other questions or need further assistance as your trip approaches, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

Easy website to use

Easy website to use Lovely chat consultants Very helpful

Thank you for your positive feedback! We're glad to hear that you found our website easy to use and that our team were very helpful. If you have any further questions or need assistance as your trip approaches, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

I have put in my personal information…

I have put in my personal information at least five times now both at the message center and and at the travelers section. It has not gone through I can’t get it to go through and II’m done trying

Date of experience : April 06, 2024

Very efficient

Very efficient, looks very organized and I want my dream trip to go off safely and to have alot of fun. The reviews for tourhub were excellent. When I got in touch with them, they were prompt getting back to me. Also the payment plan suits my budget.

Thank you for sharing your feedback, Bernie! We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with us, and that our team provided prompt responses to assist you. It's also great to know that our flexible payment plans align with your needs and budget! If you have any further questions or need assistance as your trip approaches, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for booking with tourhub!

Website is user friendly

Website is user friendly, hence it was easy to book. Prompt response from staff ( Jane), when I asked some questions and verifications. Most important of all, I am glad I am able to pay on an instalment basis. As for the itinerary, I am pleased that I will be able to see some of the most interesting sites of the British Isles.

Date of experience : February 01, 2024

Thank you for your positive feedback, Bella! We're thrilled to hear that you found our website user-friendly and that booking was easy for you. It's fantastic to know that Jane provided prompt responses to your questions and verifications, ensuring a smooth booking process. We're also glad that our instalment payment option met your needs. We're confident you'll have an unforgettable experience exploring the fascinating destinations included in this itinerary! If you have any further questions or need assistance leading up to your trip, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

This is my second booking with Tourhub.

This is my second booking with Tourhub. I enjoyed the two-day tour with Emmerdale Village. I liked it so much I have booked it again for July this year. 2024 I would like to thank Jane and the team at at Tourhub For there excellent services. .Thank you so much. Donald R Clayton.

Date of experience : August 11, 2023

Thank you for your continued trust in tourhub, Donald! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your two-day tour with Emmerdale Village and that you've decided to book it again for July this year. It's always a pleasure to receive such positive feedback from our valued customers. We'll be sure to pass on your thanks to Jane and the team for their excellent service. If you have any questions or need assistance with your upcoming trip, please feel free to reach out. Thank you again for choosing tourhub!

would use this company again

was very happy with quick response to questions asked and an easy booking experience

Date of experience : March 13, 2024

Thank you for sharing your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you were pleased with our prompt responses and found the booking experience seamless. If you have any further questions or need assistance as your trip approaches, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

First Time Booking - Extremely Helpful.

First time booking and had a few questions to ask. My emails were answered promptly and found the responders to be very helpful and polite. Good first impression - thank you!

Date of experience : February 20, 2024

Thank you for sharing your feedback, Theresa! We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience in booking with us for the first time. Providing prompt and helpful assistance to our customers is one of our top priorities, and we're glad to hear that you found our team to be helpful and polite. If you have any more questions or if there's anything else we can assist you with as your trip approaches, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

A variety of choices in one place

In less than a year i purchased three different tours from tourhub and every time it was a very easy and pleasant experience. First, the variety of tours is very impressive and allows to have a choice before making a decision. Second, there is a variety of prices, which is helping to make a right decision. Third, the paying conditions are very clear. Fourth, tourhub employee, Jane, was very helpful and comforting, helping to book an extra day or figuring out different ways to to reach the destination

Date of experience : January 21, 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Julia! We're thrilled to hear that you've found tourhub to be a reliable platform for booking your tours. Offering a wide variety of tours with clear pricing and payment conditions is important to us, as we aim to make the decision-making process as smooth as possible for our customers. It's fantastic to hear that Jane provided you with excellent assistance throughout your booking. We'll be sure to pass on your compliments to her! If you have any further questions or need assistance as your trip approaches, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

Britain & Ireland In Depth helpful assistance pre-trip

Once we decided to look into the Britain & Ireland In Depth tour we had many, many questions. All of our questions and concerns were answered quickly. Since we live in Canada and we are emailing Tourhub’s Rep. Jane the process went quite smoothly. Our tour is not until June 2024 and we are so excited to experience all that this tour offers.

Date of experience : January 19, 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted to hear that our team, especially Jane, was able to assist you promptly and effectively. Ensuring that all questions and concerns are addressed promptly is a top priority for us! We also take pride in connecting our customers with award-winning tour operators who provide wonderful experiences, and we're optimistic that this tour of Britain & Ireland will meet and exceed your expectations! If you have any questions or need further assistance as your trip approaches, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

Everyone was very helpful

Everyone was very helpful. Each time I sent an email, I received a quick reply with answers to all my questions.

Date of experience : March 09, 2024

Thank you for sharing your feedback, Terri! We're pleased to hear that our team was able to assist you promptly and effectively. Providing helpful and timely responses to our customers is a top priority for us. If you have any further questions or need assistance with anything else, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for choosing tourhub!

White House tours are back: Here's what you need to know

I remember visiting the White House for the first time during former President George H.W. Bush's time in office.

A friend with a friend who worked in the Washington, D.C., landmark at the time — if that isn't a quintessential D.C. thing to say, I don't know what is — was couch surfing at my place and wanted to "pay" me with a tour of the presidential mansion.

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I happily accepted the offer and, not long after, found myself exploring the iconic building. In addition to checking out the usual rooms included in the tour, my friend scored us a peek inside the Oval Office, an experience I'll never forget.

Like many sites in D.C., the White House paused tours of its interior due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But after 14 months, the Biden Administration announced that tours will resume on Friday and Saturday mornings starting April 15.

As was the case before the pandemic, you can't just show up and ask for tickets. Instead, you'll need to plan your visit weeks in advance.

Before you finalize your itinerary, here's everything you need to know about White House tours, plus suggestions for where to stay nearby.

Although the White House is managed by the National Park Service, you can't reach out to the agency to get tickets. Instead, you'll need to request them from your member of Congress (or your embassy, if you're not a U.S. resident). You can do this between three months and 21 days in advance.

Tours are limited to Friday and Saturday mornings (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted) from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll want to request your tickets as early as possible.

When you submit your request, be sure to include three potential dates for your tour, as well as the number of individuals in your party. Try to avoid the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day and Christmas holidays, as tickets are a lot harder to come by during these busy times.

While you'll have a set tour time when you receive your tickets, know that unexpected events may occasionally cause your tour to be canceled at the last minute. If this happens, you'll need to submit a new request for a tour.

On the day of your tour, all members of your group who are 18 and older will need to present a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or military ID (or a passport, if they're from another country). Each person's name, date of birth, city and state given for the reserved tickets must exactly match the government-issued photo ID presented.

While face masks are not required during the tour, they will be available on site should you want to wear one. Items you're welcome to bring on the tour include:

• Compact cameras with lenses shorter than 3 inches long.
• Umbrellas without metal tips.
• Small personal items like wallets and cellphones.
• Items needed for medical purposes, such as wheelchairs (which you also can request at the Visitors Entrance), medications and mobility aids.

Keep in mind, though, that the White House's strict security protocols mean certain items are not permitted inside. These include:

• Video cameras, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, iPads, tripods, monopods and cameras sticks.
• Bags of any kind (handbags, purses, book bags, backpacks, diaper bags and camera bags).
• Any pointed object, including pocket knives.
• Food, liquids, aerosols, tobacco products and personal grooming items (makeup, lotion, etc.).
• Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons and devices, toy weapons and knives of any kind.

There is no storage available at the White House or the White House Visitor Center, so plan on keeping any prohibited items in your hotel safe or leaving them with a companion who isn't taking the tour.

What you'll see

After you've made your way through security, you'll embark on an hourlong tour that includes stops at several well-known spots in the building, including the family theater, the East Room (which you may recognize from press conferences and special events), the State Dining Room (a banquet hall and ceremonial chamber for official events) and the Blue Room (a reception room famous for its decorations during the holiday season).

Depending on what's going on during your visit (or who you know), you may also have the chance to see other spaces like the Oval Office and the South Lawn, where Marine One (the presidential helicopter) lands and departs.

To supplement your White House tour, check out the adjacent White House Visitor Center . Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the center is home to roughly 100 historical artifacts and offers an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House.

There's also the nearby White House Historical Association retail store , which sells a great selection of souvenirs, including history books, jewelry, cherry blossom items and the official White House Christmas ornament.

Where to stay

Washington, D.C. is home to many chain, independent and boutique hotels, and luckily, some of the best ones happen to be within walking distance of the White House. Here are some of my personal favorites — and their current room rates for October 2022.

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The Hay-Adams

This historic hotel located between the White House and Lafayette Park regularly shows up on lists of the best hotels in D.C., and for good reason. If you play your cards right, you can snag a room with White House and Washington Monument views.

Speaking of views, the property's top-floor Top of the Hay has French doors that open onto a wraparound balcony with panoramic White House and city skyline vistas. It has a full-service rooftop kitchen, making it a terrific space for meetings and special occasions.

Since The Hay-Adams is a boutique hotel, it does not participate in any major brand's loyalty program. As a result, you'll need to pay cash for your stay. Standard superior rooms start at $439 a night.

Hotel Washington

For a while, this 105-year-old hotel was known as the W Washington DC, but it reverted back to its original name in August 2021.

The chic property is known for the Vue, an open-air space regularly touted as one of the city's best rooftop bars. You'll also find a mix of rooms and suites, including some with jaw-dropping city views.

Cash rates for a standard queen room at this independently operated hotel start at $337 per night, but if you're looking for a show-stopping view, consider upgrading to one of the Monument suites. You'll enjoy sweet views of the Washington Monument for a minimum of $580 a night.

JW Marriott Washington, DC

One of Marriott's flagship hotels just happens to sit right on Pennsylvania Avenue, less than two blocks away from the White House and next door to the National Theatre.

Like other hotels on this list, the JW Marriott Washington, DC boasts rooms with incredible views of downtown and the city's popular monuments. You'll also find a moody bar and an American-inspired restaurant on site, should you crave a cocktail or bite to eat after sightseeing.

While standard rooms do not come with a Washington Monument view, for a slight price increase, you can reserve a king bedroom that overlooks the monument starting at $359 a night. If you have a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, you can apply 50,000 to 60,000 points per night to cover a stay here.

Willard InterContinental Washington DC

The history of this hotel, which opened in 1818, almost goes back to the start of the republic. As such, it was the place to see and be seen for centuries.

When I moved to D.C. in 1978, the iconic Willard had been closed for 10 years and was just a decaying building on Pennsylvania Avenue. That same year, a team was chosen to redevelop the hotel into the stunning property it is today.

Ever since reopening in 1986, the IHG-affiliated hotel has drawn visitors with its ornate lobby and classically-styled rooms.

To book a king room with a premium view, expect to spend at least $517 per night or apply a minimum of 53,000 to 94,000 IHG Rewards points per night.

Kimpton Banneker Hotel

Located on a tree-lined avenue with a view down 16th Street Northwest to the White House, this Kimpton outpost is slightly off the beaten path ... in a good way.

The property's Lady Bird rooftop bar features a bird's-eye view of D.C., including an unobstructed look at the White House, and a centerpiece U-shaped bar. Rooms and suites feature modern, eye-catching designs with colorful local art and bold accent walls.

Because this property participates in the IHG Rewards program, you can use either cash or points to pay for a room here. A standard room with two queen beds starts at $315 or 53,000 points per night.

Almost time for lightning bugs: Here's how to see rare blue ghost fireflies in Western NC

An annual event tied to one of Western North Carolina's natural wonders is coming back for the season. The Blue Ghost Firefly Twilight Tour will return May 14.

The tour's website describes the appearance of blue ghost fireflies as resembling "a tribe of fairies carrying blue candles through the forest." These unique, rare insects only live in a few areas, one of which is WNC's "Land of Waterfalls," Transylvania County.

Ghost fireflies are known for having a distinctive blue-green glow, unlike the yellow light you may be used to. The White Squirrel Institute says that blue ghosts are the only firefly species in North America that emits blue light, and are one of the smallest species in the world, measuring about a quarter of an inch long.

Here's what to know about the upcoming tours, and the fireflies they celebrate.

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Blue Ghost Firefly Tour 2024

The Twilight Tour takes place at the Cradle of Forestry in America, 11250 Pisgah Highway (U.S. 276) in Pisgah Forest. The program begins at 9 p.m. and runs until 10:30 p.m. General admission is $50, and youth tickets (ages 4-12) are $25.

Each program begins with a 9 p.m. educational presentation at the Cradle of Forestry outdoor amphitheater. After the presentation concludes, guests use the cover of darkness to explore paved trails through the forest in search of blue ghost fireflies .

The tours are self-guided, but team members are stationed at locations throughout the trails to provide further information. Advance ticket purchase is required to attend the tours, so make sure you book online.

When can you see blue ghost fireflies?

Blue ghost firefly mating season is shorter than seasons for more common fireflies. They are generally active in late May to early June, meaning that they are active for only a few short weeks of every year. Like other fireflies, they begin their dance after dark.

The White Squirrel Institute says that every night, males fly low over the forest floor, glowing with a steady blue light. The females, who do not fly, will glow with a fainter blue light from the ground. When a male sees a female, he lands near her and flashes his light in a specific pattern. If the female is interested, she will flash her light back. Once they have matched patterns, they will mate.

Another unique and stunning feature of the insects is that their blue-green glow remains lit for up to a minute.

More: Word from the Smokies: Photographer and parks shine a light on the magic of fireflies

How rare are blue ghost fireflies?

There isn't much data on population numbers, but we know that ghost fireflies are a rare breed and unfortunately, they are only becoming rarer due to habitat loss and light pollution, which can disrupt the mating process. They are currently not on any endangered or protected species lists.

To help conserve these special insects, try reducing your use of artificial light and supporting conservation organizations. When searching for blue ghost fireflies, use a red light if you must use a flashlight. The Cradle of Forestry limits each night of their firefly events to 125 participants to keep their impact on the fireflies' natural habitat minimal.

How can I see blue ghost fireflies for free?

Tours like the one offered by the Cradle of Forestry are your best bet at spotting these rare bugs in their natural environment. However, blue ghost fireflies are found in various areas of the mountains in WNC. Here are some suggestions from the White Squirrel Institute on other areas you might be able to find some of these unique bugs:

• DuPont State Recreational Forest  – One of the most popular spots for viewing blue ghost fireflies. The forest offers several hiking trails that lead to streams and waterfalls where the fireflies live.
• Pisgah National Forest  – This large forest has many trails and camping areas, making it ideal for seeing fireflies.
• Cataloochee Valley   – This remote valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is another location for viewing.
• Chimney Rock State Park  – This park is located about an hour’s drive from Brevard and is known for its scenic views and hiking trails. The blue ghost fireflies live along the trails in the park.

Make sure to check whether the area you're hoping to visit has a closing time that you'll need to observe before visiting.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].