Returning to familiar destinations with a tour group

[Chris]

I've been thinking about this article since reading it a day or so ago. Frankly, I don't quite get it. The authors suggest that it's good to join an introductory tour to a place that you know well in their case an introductory tour of Italy when they've already been there many times on their own. I can see lots of benefits of traveling with a group, but for independent travelers (a couple) returning to a place they know well, I just can't see it. They're paying extra for the privilege of having someone else choose their accommodations, set their schedule and take them to the same old places.

Anyone else have an opinion about this article?

 

[Pauline]

What an odd article! I understand (sort of) taking a highlights tour for a first trip to a country, but taking one after several independent trips seems crazy.

Once we had signed up for our Smithsonian trip, we determined to personalize it, while taking advantage of the convenience and conviviality of a tour. We prepped by looking back over our earlier visits to each stop on the itinerary, to recall what we’d missed on earlier trips.

They signed up for the tour and then did a lot of work to have a more independent version. A better way IMO would be to do an independent tour and book some specialist day tours.

Other people in the article spoke of doing the same tours again and again. I like to return to places that I enjoyed before, but I think repeating a tour would be tedious. Unless is it much cheaper to go with the tour?

But, I speak from very little experience. I have never traveled with a tour group. I have seen plenty of them though.

 

[Kathy]

As I sit here in a familiar destination I've returned to many times over the past 10 years, I found the article interesting. And I also lead small group tours, so I have a different perspective.

It didn't seem to make sense to me that the couple would take an "introductory" tour after they had been to Italy seven times before. But some of the people in the article were joining specialized study tours... I could see that making sense, even if you had been to the area before. I think it could be very different with an expert leader and a trip focused on something of particular interest... not the things you'd necessarily see on a "first timer" tour.

Lots of people go on tours and choose to go on tours for many different reasons. And there are many different variations of tours. My parents love the "big bus" tours where they change locations every day or two. Other people like small group tours like ours, based in one place. Others want walking tours or bike tours or "learning tours" like a language school or Road Scholars. People's needs, preferences and budgets are different and so there are lots of different ways to travel.

Some people want a tour because they don't want to do the research or make the arrangements or drive... or they don't have time to figure it all out themselves. They may not speak the language or feel insecure in some way and would prefer to have someone else take care of things. Many people really enjoy the camaraderie of the group vs. spending the whole time alone or with just other person. Or they believe that the tour organizers can take them places and offer special expertise and experiences and will have searched out just the right accommodations and eating places. They trade off a totally personalized vacation and are willing to spend $$ for what they see as the advantages of a tour. (Many tours do offer some options for people to do some different things.)

We've had people in our Luberon groups who have visited Provence before but wanted to come back for a longer time and have some unique experiences. We've actually had several people come on our Luberon trip more than once, and now offer a "Return to the Luberon" week for those that want to return and do different things. But I think that's a bit different from what the main couple in the article described doing.

Hope this other perspective might be helpful...

 

[Chris]

I agree, Kathy. I can completely appreciate choosing a tour in many circumstances, especially if it's a wonderful small group tour such as the ones people like you and Shannon offer or a tour designed around special interests. I've looked closely at the Road Scholars catalog now that I sometimes travel alone, although I haven't committed to one yet.

Still, I find it hard to understand the appeal of "17 days of quick stops" all over Italy (sounds like a lot of time on the bus) for veteran Italy travelers. I wonder if maybe the difference is the slow travel perspective. If their previous trips to Italy were also fast travel to see as many places as possible, it might make perfect sense to just let someone else handle the logistics and driving and get on the bus!

 

[Pauline]

I think you may have it there Chris. I was assuming their previous trips were like my trips - staying longer in one place. But if they are used to a night here, a night there, then doing it all again on a tour makes sense.