View Frequently Asked Questions About Escorted Tours

What is an
Escorted Tour?

     Many people think of an escorted tour as being a highly structured boring way to travel taking them to a lot museums and cathedrals that they have no interest in. On the contrary, escorted tours can be as diverse and as varied as you want them to be.

    There are the traditional tours that allow a first time visitor to Europe to see more in a two week vacation than they would ever be able to do on their own. See why this type of vacation might be right for you by reading the section below entitled "Why Take an Escorted Tour to Europe?"

Then there are tours that provide you with an in depth experience of a single geographical area. On this type of tour you can learn about the natural history of the area, experience the wonders of a rain forest, explore the history of ancient civilizations, or visit with the peoples of entirely different cultures.

     There are tours that take you to some of the most exotic and most remote corners of the earth. There are motorcoach tours,  bicycle tours, walking tours, equestrian tours, four wheel drive tours, elephant tours, camel tours, kayaking tours. You name it and there is probably and escorted tour that goes there and does that.

      If you have not been able to find a tour that fits your lifestyle or includes "your kind of fun" then go to our Custom Tour Request form page. Tell us about your ideal vacation and let us know you are interested in an escorted tour.

    For the answers to some of your questions or concerns about escorted tours read the section on Frequently Asked Question.

Why Take an
Escorted Tour to Europe?

Exposure to a Lot at a "Little" Price: Value is the key to an escorted tour. You will   visit all the "must see" sights of a destination, accompanied by a tour director who can give you the history and background of the attraction. All this plus transportation, lodging, and more typically costs about the same as just a hotel room booked independently.

I couldn't possibly be on a bus all day. 
There are two answers to this concern. First if you are on a tour that is based around traveling long distances, then modern touring coaches are luxuriously comfortable and afford each passenger panoramic views far superior to those from private cars. Tours are carefully planned to include frequent sightseeing and refreshment stops. Many tours also feature ferry crossings, cruises, plane flights or train rides. Second, some tours are not based around the motor coach at all. Your primary mode of transportation might be a bicycle, a four-wheel drive vehicle, an elephant, your own two feet or many other modes of transportation.
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What about the food, will it be safe to eat?
Included meals at hotels and restaurants are planned to appeal to American tastes, When travelers are on their own, tour directors suggest restaurants offering local specialties as well as traditional American cuisine. When on adventure or trekking tours into some of the back countries most of your food will be carried in or your tour guide will be familiar with your dietary needs and able to advise you what is safe to eat and what is questionable.
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A couple of museums and some scenery. What else is there to do?
You name it. Ballooning, trekking, shopping, snorkeling, camel rides, swimming , attending theatres or concerts, bungee jumping, white water rafting, kayaking ... These activities are just a few of the many diverse activities that may be included or optionally available during your free time at many tour destinations.
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Aren't tours just for old people?
Mature adults usually do have more time to tour, but you'll find all ages (families with teenagers, young adults, octogenarians) enjoying the convenience and cost savings of touring.
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I don't want to go to five different countries in ten days, but I want to see Venice.
There are tours just right for everyone: city stays only, leisurely single-country touring, one region, or two-week grand tours. There are hundreds of tours to choose from.
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What types of hotels will I be staying in?
That's a good question. You could be sleeping in anything from a canvas tent or village hut to a nobleman's chateau or castle. But, on the most part you will be staying in carefully selected hotel that you can be assured are clean and safe. The quality of the hotel will depend on the tour you select. As the saying goes "You get what you pay for." There are tours that are designed for the budget conscious that select reliable tourist and superior tourist grade hotels. There are first class tours that select quality first class hotels. And there are luxury tours that select only the finest and most unique properties providing the ultimate in comfort, service, and pampering.
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I'm not sure I would enjoy traveling with people I don't know.
When you ask those who have taken an escorted tour what they liked most about their touring experience, nearly all mention the great people the meet and the new friend they make on tour. Many will develop long term relationships including planning future tours together.
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I don't have anyone to travel with.  
Touring is the perfect travel mode for singles - it provides the single traveler with the company of interesting people who want to share the same experiences. Many tour companies can pair single travelers with others of the same sex, if desired,   so you can avoid the additional fee for staying in a hotel room alone.
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I don't think I could afford it.   Isn't touring expensive?
Touring is much less expensive than traveling independently. Travelers benefit from volume contracting. A day on tour can cost less than just a hotel room booked independently, and it typically includes hotel accommodations, a tour director, transportation, a driver, some meals, sightseeing, and more.
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