-What are the accommodations like? Nothing makes a trip worse than bad hotels, but by contrast, nothing makes the cost of a trip more prohibitive for most of us than if every night is spent in a five star dream room. Figure out what's right for you and this trip. For example, I go with a friend to London every year in January to get discount theater tickets, and we are just fine booking an inexpensive, spartan place -- we're never in the room anyway. For Paris, I like a little more luxury. It just seems to fit my perception of the city.
-Are there single people on the trip? I travel alone a lot, and I like having at least a few single people to knock around with. If you are traveling alone and it is all couples but you, that can be challenging.
-What's included? Some tours include every meal, other just breakfast everyday. Make sure you consider the costs of what isn't included so you don't end up eating the local equivalent of Chef Boyardee every day.
-Who are your tour compatriots? Some travel companies have younger folk, some older. Some Americans, some British, some international, etc. This can be an important consideration depending on the experience you are looking for.
-What is the reputation of the tour and company? Thanks to the magic of the web, it is easy to Google or Yahoo a travel company or tour and find comments from people who have been on it. You have to keep individual comments in perspective, but first hand experience can be really helpful when you consider a tour.
Are tours right for you? How the heck would I know. But they may be. Give them some consideration. You may be glad you did. I was.
