Escorted Tours

1. Define Your Priorities

• Destination: If you already know where you want to go, great! If not, consider the type of place you want to go -  big cities for art and culture, small towns for charm, remote locations for nature and alone time - because some companies specialize in a particular type of destination or tour while others offer all types or a blend. If you are still deciding on a destination, check out the Plannit Travel Destinations section to help you decide!

• Tour Pace: Do you enjoy a relaxed pace or a busy itinerary?

  • Check daily schedules—look for the kind of balance between guided activities and free time that appeals to you.

• Group Size: Smaller groups are more intimate; larger groups can offer more social interaction.

• Consider Group interests and dynamics

  • Some tour companies or specific tours cater to particular demographics or interests (e.g., photography, nature, adventure, culinary, history).

  • Check age of the typical traveler, interests, and travel style to ensure compatibility.

 

2. Budget and Value

• Clearly understand what's included (meals, entrance fees, transportation) and what you'll need to pay additionally.

  • Costs not typically included in tour pricing are travel to the destination and tipping of tour guides, which can really add up.

• Make sure you can find a desirable itinerary that aligns with your timing, interests, budget, and travel goals.

• Balance cost versus the overall experience offered.

 

3. Research Tour Companies and Their Itineraries

• If you already know your destination(s), look for a company that has a lot of experience touring through the area at the level of travel you want (3-,4-, 5 star travel.) If you are trying to decide on a destination, look at a few tour company offerings to get inspiration.

• Ask trusted friends, family members, travel advisors, or online travel community members like the one here at Plannit Travel for referrals of tour companies, especially for specific destinations that interest you.

• Read reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, Trustpilot, and TourRadar, although personal recommendations are typically more reliable.

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​4. Ask about Guides and Expertise

• Experienced and knowledgeable guides can significantly enhance your trip. Once you have tour company or a specific itinerary in mind, you should look into their tour guides AND local guides and how they are selected.

  • When doing your vetting, don't neglect to learn about impressions of guides!

  • If you like a deeper dive into your destination, think about joining an educational travel trip with a professor or curator. These trips are usually offered by museums, universities, aquariums, and other institutions. 

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The Downside(s) to escorted group tours

While there are numerous benefits to traveling on an escorted group tour, it is important to consider some very real drawbacks as well: 

• Loss of Flexibility: While escorted tours handle the logistics, they often follow a structured itinerary, limiting your freedom to explore spontaneously or linger at places you particularly enjoy. This rigidity can sometimes leave travelers feeling restricted and unable to fully personalize their journey.

• Issues with Pace and Group Dynamics:

  • By virtue of traveling with a group, there is a set pace for getting around which may not align with yours.  (The pacing for an escorted tour is often on the slow side in order to accommodate the varying preferences of the travelers.)

  • Group dynamics can be challenging if personalities clash or if someone in the group disrupts the harmony, possibly impacting your overall enjoyment of the trip.

• Less Enjoyment in Anticipation: For some, one of the joys of travel can be the anticipation and excitement of planning—discovering hidden gems or dreaming about possibilities. With escorted tours, the planning is out of your hands, potentially diminishing this aspect of travel enjoyment.