Tours are a terrific option to consider for the solo traveler. This can be especially true if you are new to solo travel.
Why are tours great for solo travel? They offer a balance between being completely on your own and traveling with others. There are always people around, but you get to choose how social you want to be. Plus, they take the work out of planning the whole trip yourself.
When you hear the word “tour”, you may be thinking of a big group of seniors or foreign tourists with fanny packs and cameras being shuffled around. But they have grown to be much more than that. And there’s something for everyone.
A tour is basically an organized travel experience. A tour company or guide handles the planning, logistics, and often the execution of your trip.
Tours typically include transportation, accommodations, activities, and sometimes meals. They have a defined itinerary, and many times, a professional guide leads and coordinates the group and experience.
There are many different types of travel tours, probably more than you’ve imagined. Each is designed to cater to specific interests, budgets, and travel styles. And the options continue to grow.
Here are some of the main categories and different forms of tours you might want to consider for your next trip.
Tours come in several different sizes to consider for your desired level of independence and budget.
Group tours are traditionally what most people think of when they hear the word “tour”. They accommodate a larger number of people (often 50 or more) and have well-organized, fixed itineraries and a professional guide. These tours tend to be more affordable and can be a great option for solo female travelers because of the security of traveling with others
Small group tours are similar to the traditional group tours, but with fewer people (typically under 20). They still offer the same social and organizational benefits, but with a little more personalization and flexibility. They can also sometimes go to places that can’t accommodate larger groups.
Private tours are customized experiences for individuals or small groups, with a dedicated guide. They are more expensive, but offer much more customization and attention. You can adjust the pace and itinerary to meet your interests, see exactly what you want, and skip what you don’t.
Then there are the self-guided tours. These can provide a great option when you want the structure that comes from group tours, but still want to do it independently. Self-guided tours typically provide you with a well-planned itinerary and routes, and maps to navigate on your own. And you get the freedom to do it at your own pace and interest, and at a lower cost, too.
Tours can be organized around just about any topic you can think of. Here are some of the most common and popular.
Cultural tours dive deep into the heart and soul of a destination. They focus on history, art, architecture, and traditions of a location. They are often guided tours, and include sightseeing and activities at a destination that let you experience and explore its culture and heritage. Cultural tours are perfect for providing insights into a place that you wouldn’t normally gain on your own.
Adventure tours focus on outdoor activities and thrilling experiences. They can include all sorts of adrenaline-inducing activities, such as white-water rafting or zip-lining. What's great about doing these activities on a tour is that you get all the adventure, while also having the comfort of structure and guides. Adventure tours are perfect for those who enjoy pushing their physical limits.
Wildlife and nature tours focus on the natural wonders of a location. They can include exploring landscapes such as rainforests, mountains, or coastlines, as well as the animals and plant life of an area. Depending on the destination, they can encompass anything from a relaxing walk to challenging hikes. Wildlife and nature tours are perfect for those who love to be outdoors.
Food and wine tours focus on the food culture of a location. These tours take you beyond the normal tourist restaurants to more authentic local dining. They can often include experiences like visiting local markets and vineyards or taking cooking classes. Food and wine tours are perfect for the foodie or anyone who wants to fully experience the cuisine of a culture.
Wellness tours focus on relaxing and refreshing experiences. They combine travel with self-care activities such as yoga, spa treatments and meditation. Wellness tours are perfect when relaxation is your goal and you want to prioritize your well-being.
Specialty-themed tours focus on specific interests. No matter what your passions are, there’s probably a tour for it. These tours can be for interests as varied as literature, photography, art history, music, gardens, and probably anything else you can think of. Specialty-themed tours are perfect for exploring your favorite interests while traveling, and connecting with others who share those interests.
Transportation methods vary based on the type of tour. The most common are:
Coach/bus and train tours are the most traditional transportation between destinations. They offer comfortable and scenic journeys for group tours, and sometimes are part of a guided tour itself, as the best way to see a location.
Walking tours focus on exploring destinations on foot. Self-guided tours in urban locations are often walking tours, as are many nature tours. Walking tours are more immersive and perfect for experiencing a location in more detail than you could from a bus or train.
Cruises offer the opportunity to experience a bit of both worlds. You can see beautiful landscapes while traveling to different locations. And then get off the boat to explore on foot at each stop. They’re a great way to see many places without packing up each time because your “hotel room” travels with you! River and ocean cruises offer different levels of experience and sizes of ships, from the intimate to expansive.
Other tours besides cruises may also combine multiple methods of transportation to provide the best experience. This allows the tour to accommodate different places and activities where one mode functions better than another.
Day tours are just like they sound, a single-day excursion from a location. They can be the perfect addition to a solo trip. You can be traveling independently, but add a day tour any time you are looking for a little more structure. There are often particular locations or interests where you’ll get a better experience exploring with a guide or a planned itinerary. Day tours can also be self-guided tours.
Extended tours can last anywhere from multi-day to a week or more. They are more comprehensive experiences than day tours, which makes them perfect for exploring multiple locations or spending more extensive time in one location that has more to offer than can be seen in a single day. The traditional group tours that handle everything from accommodations to transportation and activities are typically extended tours with planned itineraries for each day.
So, how do you choose the tour for you?
Each category and form of tour offers different advantages. It all comes down to what you are looking for. Consider your personal preferences, interests, budget, and travel goals.
Are you looking for adventure or relaxation? Do you want a defined itinerary or more flexibility? How much social interaction do you want, and are you more comfortable exploring independently or with a guide? How much do you want to spend? What activities or interests do you want to explore?
Your answers to these questions will likely be different at different times. And so will the type of tour that appeals to you for your trip. Whatever type of travel experience you want to take, there’s a tour out there for you to enjoy. And one for the next time.