Before you sign up for a small-group tour, here are some things to consider:
The advantages
-- On a small-group tour, the legwork is already done; you don't have to spend any time making arrangements.
-- If things go wrong on the road, a guide is there to smooth the way.
-- If you have limited vacation time, and limited time and energy to spend on pre-trip planning, a small-group tour can be a stress-free way to see a lot.
-- For solo travelers, or those uneasy about venturing off the beaten track on their own, it can be an excellent way to explore far-flung destinations or try sports like rafting which are difficult to organize on your own.
-- There can be a sense of camaraderie among the group and firm friendships are sometimes formed.
The disadvantages
-- You're with a group virtually the whole time, and that can limit your interaction with local people. Also, you'll have little privacy or solitude.
-- You're on someone else's timetable, often a fast-paced one. You may not be able to change the itinerary to linger in one place or skip another.
-- You pay more, frequently $150 a day or more on overseas trips, for the company's and guide's expertise, planning and time. That's a princely sum in many countries and double or more what independent travelers may spend in developing countries.
-- Many travelers enjoy planning their own trips and making their own discoveries on the road; you miss out on that.
-- While most tour groups are congenial, there can be friction when strangers travel together so intensely. Occasionally, a fellow traveler or even the guide can be obnoxious.
When things go wrong
While group tours certainly smooth the way, things can and likely will go wrong, especially when traveling in many Third World countries. So be prepared for some snafus, even on the best-organized and best-led trip.
But if things go really wrong, complain to the guide and complain in writing as soon as possible to the tour operator.
A reputable company will do its best to satisfy you since many small-group tour operators rely on repeat clients and word-of-mouth referrals. -- Stories by Kristin Jackson Seattle Times travel reporter
Copyright (c) 1997 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.
