For many, many years, I resisted the concept of package tours. The thought of joining forty-three other passengers in a bus (you can call it a motor coach, but it’s a BUS) didn’t appeal. Besides, I had heard that the schedules are so limited that I really wouldn’t see anything. American tours especially have the reputation of cramming too many destinations into a short time. Personally, I never want to hear “You have three hours to tour Paris, and then we’re off to Amsterdam.”
I had also been very successful as a solo traveler, so I never saw the need.
And yet, at the same time, there were occasions when I knew I was missing things, when I would talk to people about a place and they had seen a set of sights that I had totally missed. Additionally, while I was very lucky to receive a good education, there are real gaps in my knowledge, and that always bothered me.
So last year, I decided to take an art history tour of Italy. As I flew to Venice from San Francisco, my head was spinning with “Will I be following someone with a flag?” and “Will I be the only person who eschews polyester in the group?”
Well, it was nothing like that. Our guide was a Ph.D. in Italian Renaissance Art, and he brought it all to life. I have never been a fan of Renaissance art, I mean “Oh, look, it’s the Madonna and Child, how original.” but he really brought it to life. At the start of the tour, he asked us about our interests and geared what we saw and what he said to mesh with the interests of the group. For example, I’m a C-SPAN junkie so he made sure to go over the political aspects of the works for me. And it wasn’t long before I was having fun picking out the saints in the background...
The group was also much smaller than the busload I expected, which was a blessing.
All in all, it was the best two weeks of my life, and I have so much more appreciation for Italy because I saw and heard what was important for a newbie to consider.
I continue to believe that most package tours are not for me, but most clothes aren’t for me either, and yet I go through the racks looking for things because the idea of being naked wouldn’t work in my office. And for me, I now know that there are occasions when a group, and a carefully planned itinerary, have real benefits. So I offer the following thoughts to consider as you take a look at package tours and companies. The answers to these questions may help you find a great, one of a kind experience that enhances rather than detracts from your enjoyment of a place:
How difficult would it be for me to travel alone in the destination I seek? Personally, I would consider a tour in places where I cannot decipher road signs or store names because alphabets are different, or if tourist services are sparse. Or if there are travel advisories for Americans. Other people might find those challenges fun. It’s up to you, but it doesn’t hurt to consider this.
How much money have I got? Add-ons can kill a budget, and going far into debt can seem unimportant in the dress department at Harrods, but if it means you won’t be able to travel again for three years, that may counterbalance. Be sensible.
Question single supplements. Some tour companies charge huge extra fees for traveling alone. Some supplement makes sense to me, for hotel accomodations as an example. But too much is something I question.
How many people are in the group? Small means intimacy, but it also means that you might find yourself alone a lot if there is no one in your small group that you like.
