What to Do: Small Group Tours
Recently, Sherry Ott and I gave a presentation on the “Benefits of Small Group Tours for the Solo Traveler” at the GAP Adventure Concept Store in New York City. Both Sherry and I have incorporated small group tours into our various travels and for various reasons. Here are highlights from our presentation. Maybe you’ll be inspired to incorporate small group tours into your travels as well!
[singlepic=1813,195,,,right]STEPPING STONE
Good for the novice traveler
Group leader to translate and answer questions
Experience all the new things within the ‘safety’ of a group
Used it as a ‘test run’ for extended travel
[singlepic=1815,195,,,right]SAFETY
Comfort level varies for different countries
Unsure of safety as a woman traveling alone
Language barriers also vary country to country
Transportation issues
[singlepic=1812,185,,,right]BREAK UP EXTENDED TRAVEL
Variety - solo, travel with friends & group tours
Travel is work!
Nice break from booking transportation & lodging
Offered a ‘vacation’ type experience
Also offers a level of independence
May provide future travel partners
[singlepic=1810,175,,,right]CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Access to cultural activities you may not have on your own
Experience life like the locals, including transportation and staying with families
If you want to understand a country and it’s people, ride with them
You aren’t on the outside looking in
Times when you have to have a guide (ie, Galapagos)
[singlepic=1814,175,,,right]NO TRAVEL PARTNERS
Some experiences you don’t want to do on your own
Even if you don’t have a travel partner doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the experience
Make new friends
Have cultural experiences within your own group
TIPS
When booking, think about what you want to get out of the experience
Comfort level/Age range
If you are solo, try to arrange an airport transfer when possible
While on trip, be patient with new cultures
Also be patient with your group members
Some of the destinations we've used small group tours include
Peru | Galapagos Islands | Morocco | Brazil | Cambodia | Vietnam | Egypt
Recommended Tour Operator
3 Responses to “What to Do: Small Group Tours”
Other comments
9 Comments on "A Year in Paris"-
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂 -
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
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Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
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Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
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Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
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Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
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shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
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Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
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G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.
2010-06-16 17:55
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sherry Ott, Liz M. Liz M said: RT @CareerBreakHQs Missed our presentation with @ottsworld on small group tours at @GapAdventuresNY ? Here's a recap! http://su.pr/2OD4jq [...]
2010-06-19 13:32
I definitely agree with all these benefits of small group travel. I've taken a few small group/adventure tours when I haven't had a lot of time to spend in one country (e.g. when I've only had a couple of weeks off work).
I hadn't planned to do any organised group travel on my own career break, but for some of the reasons above I decided to book a group trip in Egypt - I feel guilty to say it so early on, but I'm looking forward to having someone take care of the decisions, accommodation and transport for me, even if it is only for 8 days!
2010-06-20 21:24
Megan - I did a small group tour in Egypt and it was one of the best decisions I made. You can't really travel independently through Egypt...very hard to do. Don't feel bad about about having someone else do the planning...trust me - you'll need a little vacation from your Career Break!
Be sure to check back with us and let us know how you liked the Egypt small group tour - we'd love to get your take on it!