For folks thinking of taking their first guided small group tour, the options can sometimes seem overwhelming. Every tour sounds fascinating, and every destination looks like something out of a postcard.
To make this choice a little easier, we've collected our top 10 tours for first-time group travelers below. Whether your dream trip includes the stunning natural beauty and vibrant cultures of South America; Europe's blend of art, architecture, and cuisine; Africa’s endless savannas and bountiful wildlife; or somewhere else entirely, these tours are sure to spark your wanderlust. Scroll down to learn more about each one.
From the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to eternal Rome, through the gentle Umbrian and Tuscan countryside to timeless Venice, this wide-ranging tour showcases ancient sites, contemporary life, priceless art, and beautiful natural scenery.
Accompanied by an expert Egyptian guide, this singular small group journey through antiquity travels from vibrant Cairo and the Great Pyramids to Abu Simbel and the Upper Nile for a fascinating cruise on Lake Nasser. Then: a classic voyage along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor before returning to Cairo.
It’s a land of delicate art and bustling commerce, of rich traditions and dizzying modernity; a jumble of sights, sounds, and tastes that for visitors are truly foreign – and truly fascinating. This well-crafted tour features the highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto, engages us in local life, and takes us off the beaten path to the lovely historic cities of Takayama and Kanazawa.
A glimpse of a world primeval awaits on this singular safari to Botswana’s Chobe National Park, where elephants preside over a bounty of wildlife; Zimbabwe’s dazzling and powerful Victoria Falls; and Zambia’s exceptional South Luangwa National Park, a remote jewel of an unspoiled and historic preserve.
They rank as two of South America’s greatest treasures, and a small group tour is the natural selection for both: the enigmatic ruins at Machu Picchu, "Lost City of the Incas;" and the fascinating Galapagos Islands, Darwin’s “living laboratory,” for a four-night island-based adventure.
It’s a land of scenes epic in scope, from the immense Grand Canyon and the winding Colorado to the sandstone spires of Bryce and the red-rock cliffs and chasms of Zion. It’s the Southwest, which our small group celebrates at favorite national parks and preserves. And, wrote author Wallace Stegner, it’s America’s “best idea.”
On this wide-ranging tour, we travel from city to country and back again: from gracious Edinburgh to England’s legendary Lake District, from spectacular Snowdonia to the rural Cotswolds and Roman Bath, ending in cosmopolitan London. As we see history and legend come to life on our journey, we also enjoy the region’s timeless hospitality.
You’re invited on a distinctive small group journey through the Iberian Peninsula to the intimate lodgings of Spain’s paradores and Portugal’s pousadas: medieval monasteries, historic fortresses, and stately palaces, each reflecting the spirit of its region. We feel the spell of Iberia’s rich Roman and Moorish past – and the pull of its vibrant contemporary life.
In a land of breathtaking natural beauty, abiding tradition, and profoundly hospitable people, rewards abound for the thoughtful traveler. And in our flexible and congenial small group we encounter rewards aplenty on this comprehensive journey featuring all the highlights, plus the beautiful, remote Mekong Delta, where we spend two days.
Unearth the grandeur of the ancient world on this singular journey combining premier archaeological sites with the beauty and lore of the Aegean and her isles. As the ancient world comes alive in Athens and the Peloponnese, Crete and Santorini, we celebrate the glory that was Greece – and still is today.
We know it can be hard for travelers who are new to small group touring to select that first destination. But over 25 years of experience and guest feedback have proven that these 10 tours provide an ideal starting point. Each itinerary offers comprehensive included features: most meals, distinctive hotels, a pleasing mix of guided and free time, and an experienced tour director to guide you. So, when you’re ready to reserve your spot, submit an online reservation request or call us at 1-888-370-6765, and one of our Travel Counselors will be happy to answer your questions.
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