Tour Group Cons
- Pre-planned Itineraries
One person’s pleasure is another’s pain. Some travelers prefer to see things at their own pace. They like the flexibility independent travel provides. If you’re the type of traveler who likes to read every single museum sign, a tour group’s itinerary may not work for you. Spontaneous sightseeing is not part of a tour group’s program, either; you won’t be able to duck into an inviting shop or restaurant on the spur of the moment. If you have your heart set on spending all day in the British Museum, for example, skip the tour group and see London on your own.
- Lack of Free Time
Many tour itineraries include free time for shopping or relaxing, but you’re often limited to a few hours here and there. There’s little opportunity to savor street food or watch the evening passeggiata in Rome. If you value flexibility, a tour group might not be your best choice.
- Health Concerns
Many tour operators provide ratings or detailed explanations of their tours’ activity levels. They work hard to make sure that travelers, especially seniors, know how much walking and climbing will be expected of them. Even so, you may discover that your bus tour of Sicily is not the relaxing experience you’d imagined; instead, it involves long bus rides and strenuous walks. If you’re part of a tour group, you might not be able to see everything on the itinerary if the tour proves more difficult than you’d anticipated.
- Schedule Issues
Tour group itineraries range from relaxed to ridiculous. You’ll be expected to meet the group on time, ready to go and regardless of weather. If your ideal vacation includes sleeping in until 10:00 A. M., skip the tour group.
Similarly, you don’t control hotel and restaurant choices when you travel with a tour group. Although tour operators do their best to find quality lodgings and accommodate dietary preferences, you won’t be able to change your hotel if it doesn’t live up to your expectations. You’ll need to eat at least some meals with your tour group or pay extra to eat elsewhere.
- Conspicuousness
Tour groups don’t blend in. It’s easy to spot the guide and the tourists. If that “touristy feeling” will ruin your trip, avoid large tour groups. You might be able to find a tour operator that specializes in small group tours, but, in some cases, you’ll feel most comfortable traveling independently.
- Personality Conflicts
“There’s one on every bus,” experienced tour group travelers say. Unfortunately, if you’re part of a tour group, you’ll probably have to sit next to the guy who never bathes or the lady who has taken a dislike to Italy at least once during your trip. If diplomacy isn’t your strong suit, a tour group might not be your best option.
Making Your Choice
Grab a sheet of paper and write down your personal list of tour group pros and cons. You’ll probably discover that you strongly prefer either the tour group or independent travel option. If your list is evenly balanced, consider taking a weekend group tour – a “test drive” – to find out if you like the experience.
