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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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15 Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours in 2024

The best tour companies for guided tours in 2024 deliver special insider experiences you simply can't book independently..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Guided tours are an easy and stress-free way to discover new places. When you travel with the best tour operators, you can often dig much deeper into the history, culture, and daily life of your destination than if you’d gone it alone. In fact, the world’s top tour companies employ local guides, handle all of the details, and often deliver special insider travel experiences you simply can’t book independently. And travel tour groups are a good value, too.

To learn more about this year’s best tour companies and their guided tours, click on any company name in the list below to go straight to their website and start your search. Or, scroll down to read more about my picks for the best tour operators in 2024.

2024’s Best Tour Operators for Guided Tours 

• G Adventures  
• Adventures by Disney
• Grand Circle Travel
• Road Scholar
• Collette  
• Tauck  
• National Geographic Expeditions  
• Overseas Adventure Travel
• Intrepid Travel  
• AdventureWomen  
• Abercrombie & Kent
• Exodus Travels

1. Trafalgar Tours

One of the largest and most established tour operators in the world, Trafalgar offers everything from standard coach tours and small group active tours to private tours, hiking and biking tours, and special interest tours built around nature, history, food, and other interests. All told, Trafalgar hosts more than 350 guided tours in 72 countries and all seven continents. England, Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, Egypt, Ireland, Argentina, and Thailand are some of its most popular destinations. ( Read our full Trafalgar review here .)

Seniors and travelers 50 and older are Trafalagar’s core audience, though children as young as five years old are welcome on its family tours. Trafalgar’s solo travel options include free or reduced single supplement prices for many of its most popular trips. Each of its tour directors has at least three to five years of road experience, and many have been with the company for decades. 

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Trafalgar’s guided tours cover all accommodations (typically four-star hotels where available) and most transportation during your trip, including airport transfers on the majority of its overseas tours. Most meals and activities are included. Trafalgar also offers special one-of-a-kind experiences such as dining with locals, sleeping in a castle or historic hotel, and early entry to popular tourist attractions. Anyone who books a tour with Trafalgar’ is automatically enrolled in its Very Important Traveler (VIT) program that offers discounts and priority access on future trips. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Trafalgar

• Average guided tour group size: 40 guests (standard coach tours); no more than 17 guests on small group active tours.
• Price range: Upscale.
• What’s included: Accommodations, transportation within the trip, admission prices, and most meals.
• What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, and tips.
• Primary audience: Seniors and travelers over the age of 50.
• Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
• How to book:  Directly through  Trafalgar or through a travel agent
• More tours: 10 Best Trafalgar Tours to Take in 2024

2. G Adventures

Small group tour operator G Adventures has guided trips suitable for a wide range of travel preferences. The company’s driving philosophy is all about improving the world through travel, and it supports this mission by utilizing local businesses and community resources on its tours. Many of G Adventures’s guests share this philosophy as a core value. 

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The company’s guided tours cater to a variety of fitness levels and cultural interests. Its classic tours hit a sweet spot between backpacking and traditional group tours; active tours focus heavily on hiking, trekking, biking, and other physically intense activities; family tours lean into age-appropriate activities and kid-friendly accommodations; local living tours let you participate in the rituals of daily life in unique destinations around the world; and 18-to-thirtysomething tours let young adults explore the world with similarly aged companions. 

G Adventures also partners with National Geographic for both general tours and family journeys designed to provide guests with an even deeper understanding of the cultures and traditions of each destination. And the company’s one-of-a-kind Jane Goodall Collection of guided tours offers a responsible way to experience wildlife up close. G Adventures offers a unique perk on all of its trips. The company’s Lifetime Deposits program allows you to retain your initial deposit for use at a later date at no extra charge if you need to postpone a trip due to a change in plans or circumstances.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company G Adventures

• Average guided tour group size: 12 people.
• Price category: Moderate.
• What’s included: Accommodations, activities, and some meals.
• What’s not included: Airfare.
• Primary audience: Adults ages 30 to 55, but also families and younger travelers.
• How to book: Directly through G Adventures or through a travel agent.
• More tours: 10 Best G Adventures Tours to Take in 2024

3. Adventures by Disney

Founded in 2005, Adventures by Disney offers upscale small group tours to about 40 destinations on all seven continents. While you may associate Disney with princesses and talking animals, a vacation with Adventures by Disney is more about the Disney way of doing things than it is about The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment brand. 

When you travel with Adventures by Disney, what you’re getting is top-notch service, people-pleasing trip leaders (called Adventure Guides), and special experiences created just for Disney’s guided tours (think skip-the-line access to tourist attractions like the Louvre in Paris, special backstage tours on Broadway, or traditional bread-baking demonstrations in Iceland). Each trip also includes at least one Adventure Guide from the host destination, who brings local knowledge and a deep connection to the destination. 

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On guided tours with Adventures by Disney, things run smoothly and right on time . That makes it a great choice for stress-free family travel adventures . Most of Adventures by Disney’s guided tours feature built-in family time as well as built-in alone time for the adults. On some evenings, the Adventure Guides may host a “Junior Adventure” movie night. Other times there may be a kids-only dining table for the evening meal. 

Guided tours with Adventures by Disney include upscale accommodations, transportation within the trip (such as airport transfers, internal flights or trains, and motor coaches), admission prices and VIP experiences, luggage and concierge services, taxes, most gratuities, and many meals. There are typically some “on your own” meals, and pre-trip transportation is not included in the price. Adventures by Disney vacations tend toward the luxury side of the price range: an eight-day Peru vacation starts at $6,199 in 2024; an Adriatic expedition cruise starts at $8,999. In addition to its family-oriented trips, Adventures by Disney also offers private tours and adults-exclusive tours.

Adventures by Disney travelers can enroll in the company’s Adventure Insiders program to receive special offers, including advance notice of new tour destinations.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Adventures by Disney

• Average guided tour group size: 35 to 44 guests.
• Price range: Upscale/premium.
• What’s included: Accommodations, transportation within the trip, admission prices, VIP experiences, luggage and concierge services, taxes, most gratuities, and most meals.
• What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, and tips for your Adventure Guides.
• Primary audience: Families and adult Disney fans.
• How to Book: Directly through Adventures by Disney or through a travel agent.

The flagship brand of the Globus family of companies (which also includes Cosmos and Avalon Waterways ), tour operator Globus offers coach tours on six continents spanning more than 70 countries. Tour styles include small group tours , offered on Europe and North America itineraries; choice tours, which allow you to choose from three or four possible excursions rather than a one-size-fits-all schedule; undiscovered tours that take a deep dive away from the tourist areas; self-guided independent tours; Escapes by Globus , which operate during the slower tourism season between November and March; and faith-based trips to destinations such as the Holy Land.

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Globus caters to older adults, generally from about 50 to 70 years old, with most guests traveling as part of a couple or family. For solo travelers, which comprise about 20% of the tour company’s guests, Globus offers single supplement waiver promotions on select tours. Globus also has a Welcome Back Credit loyalty program. Each trip earns up to a $250 credit toward a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Globus

• Average guided tour group size: 38 guests (classic coach tours); 20 to 24 guests (small group discovery tours).
• Price category: Budget to moderate.
• What’s included: Hotels, all breakfasts, some additional meals, all transportation, VIP “skip the line” access, and local guides.
• What’s not included:  Gratuities and airfare; however, Globus offers the option to purchase airfare when you book, which comes with free airport transfers.
• Primary audience: Adults between 50 and 70 years old.
• Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, and Oceania.
• How to book: Directly through Globus or through a travel agent.

5. Grand Circle Travel

Operating since 1958, Grand Circle Travel is another highly regarded tour operator for adults over 50. The flagship brand within the Grand Circle family of companies (which also includes Overseas Adventure Travel ) offers a wide selection of land-based tours and river cruises for groups ranging in size from 24 to 47 people. 

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Grand Circle Travel’s trips are specifically designed for older travelers. Leisurely pacing and a focus on value are hallmarks of the Grand Circle experience. Like its sister company Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.), which is a top choice for active solo travelers over age 50, Grand Circle stands out as a great fit for solo travelers interested in finding camaraderie and community on vacation. The company offers free or low-cost single supplement fees on all of its itineraries. Grand Circle has guided tour experiences on all seven continents. Land-based group tours average about 30 travelers, while river cruises can range from about 38 to 45 guests. Grand Circle’s loyalty program, called the Inner Circle Club , offers discounts for frequent guests and multiple trips booked within the same calendar year. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Grand Circle Travel

• Average guided tour group size: 24 to 30 guests (land tours); 38 to 45 guests (river cruises).
• Price category: Moderate to upscale.
• What’s included: Airfare, meals, activities, accommodations, transportation, special events, gratuities for local guides and motor coach drivers (land tours); airfare, accommodations, most meals, onboard drinks and house beer and wine, port charges, and gratuities for local guides and motor coach drivers (cruises).
• What’s not included: Airfare can also be purchased separately.
• Primary audience: Adults, including solo travelers, over the age of 50.
• How to book: Directly through Grand Circle Travel or through a travel agent.

6. Road Scholar

What started as the tour company Elderhostel in 1975 has since evolved into Road Scholar , a non-profit tour company with an educational focus that offers guided tours around the world. Its primary audience is senior travelers, but it also has the special and unique Grandparent Adventures , which support grandparents and grandchildren traveling together. Road Scholar is also very solo-traveler friendly—about 25 percent of Road Scholar tour guests are solo travelers. And the tour company has a number of itineraries for women-only tours as well.  

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Road Scholar’s educational tours include all accommodations plus most meals, expert-led lectures, field trips, and hands-on experiences, as well as transportation and gratuities. Road Scholar is able to book airfare for international tours, which allows you to have your travel monitored and supported by the company from start to finish. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company Road Scholar

• Average Tour Size: 22 people.
• Price Range: Budget to luxury (from about $699 to $21,999 per person).
• What’s Included: Accommodations, most meals, expert-led experiences, transportation, gratuities, and the Road Scholar Assurance Plan coverage.
• What’s Not Included: Pre- and post-trip transportation.
• Primary Audience: Older travelers, grandparents traveling with grandkids, women, and solo travelers.
• Destinations: Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Australia and South Pacific, and Antarctica.
• How to book: Directly through Road Scholar or through a travel agent.

7. Collette

A family-run business with hundreds of guided tour options across all seven continents, Collette offers a mix of small group trips (14 to 24 people per tour) and classic guided tours (up to 44 people). Its group tours start around $1,500, and most guests are over the age of 55. Collette is worldwide travel brand and tour operator with offices in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

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From land tours and river cruises to rail journeys, small group tours, and city stays, Collette offers a variety of ways to travel, including optional excursions and pre- and post-tour nights at your destination. And while the company tends to attract an older and budget-focused audience with an eye toward value, many of its hotels are four-star quality, and meals favor well-reviewed local restaurants with generous menus. 

Collette employs local guides for all of its trips and puts an emphasis on utilizing local businesses and restaurants. It also offers community sustainability programs for its guests in destinations across the world and invests a percentage of its proceeds back into local community or sustainability projects. Tour guests are automatically enrolled in The Collette Passport Club and receive credit toward future trips. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Collette

• Average guided tour group size: 44 guests (classic tours); 14 to 24 guests (small group tours).
• What’s included: Hotels, activities, museum and attraction admissions, local guides, transportation, and airport transfers.
• What’s not included: Airfare, meals, and gratuities.
• Primary audience: Adults, primarily couples, between the ages of 50 and 70.
• How to book: Directly through Collette or through a travel agent.

8. T auck Tours

Family-owned Tauck has a simple philosophy: Deliver more than what’s expected. The award-winning guided tour operator has been doing just that for nearly 100 years by offering authentic experiences and behind-the-scenes access to destinations all over the world. Tauck’s century of experience is evident in nearly every detail of its guided trips, which cover more than 100 destinations in 70+ countries across all seven continents.

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The company’s tours are well-regarded for their expertise in local customs, traditions, flora, and fauna. Meals and accommodations are upscale. Its tour guides, called Tauck Directors, come from 40 countries and average a decade of experience each. You can choose from five unique trip styles: land tours, small group journeys, river cruises, small ship cruises, and multigenerational family journeys called Tauck Bridges. The tour operator also boasts an exclusive partnership with the award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, offering deep-dive trips that explore the themes of his films, including the American Civil War, U.S. national parks, baseball, and jazz. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Tauck

• Average guided tour group size: 35 people (standard tours); 24 people (small group tours).
• Price category: Upscale.
• What’s included: Gratuities, sightseeing and admissions, most meals, airport and luggage transfer, and taxes.
• What’s not included: Airfare and alcohol.
• Primary audience: Adults over age 50 and multigenerational family groups.
• How to book: Directly through Tauck or through a travel agent.

9. National Geographic Expeditions

Launched in 1999, National Geographic Expeditions leans into its parent company’s core values of exploration, science, education, and storytelling to offer exceptional guided tours on all seven continents. From exploring the Swiss and Italian Alps by train to photographing Machu Picchu at sunrise, National Geographic Expeditions takes you to some of the most celebrated natural wonders, archaeological sites, and wildlife-rich destinations in the world. 

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A guided trip with National Geographic Expeditions is all about meaningful exploration of the world and its many cultures. Whether by land, small ship, train, river cruise, or even private jet, you can expect a guided tour that goes way beyond the ordinary. And with itineraries geared specifically for photographers, families ( in partnership with G Adventures ), or independent travelers, you’ll be exploring alongside both like-minded travelers and subject matter experts. 

The company offers two unique ways to travel: National Geographic Signature Land tours, led by NatGeo experts, are its flagship trips and feature high-end accommodations, special access to field researchers and sites of interest, and even photography workshops; National Geographic Journeys, led by local guides, utilize mid-range hotels and blend hands-on exploration with more free time to explore on your own. Many National Geographic Expeditions trips also offer pre- and post-trip extensions.

The National Geographic Lifelong Explorers program offers loyalty discounts for return guests. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from each trip helps fund the National Geographic Society’s research and conservation programs around the world.

Quick Facts about Guided Travel Tours with National Geographic Expeditions

• Average guided tour group size: 16 to 25 people per departure; cruises are all in small ships under 200 passengers.
• Price category: Premium (National Geographic Signature Expeditions); budget to moderate (National Geographic Journeys).
• What’s included: Meals, accommodations, excursions, services of a National Geographic Expert, ground transportation, most transfers, baggage handling, most gratuities (for National Geographic Signature Land); some meals, accommodations, excursions, local guides, ground transportation, and some transfers (for National Geographic Journeys).
• What’s not included: Airfare, some meals, and some gratuities.
• Primary audience: Photographers and families with a passion for learning.
• How to book: Directly through National Geographic Expeditions or through a travel agent.

The budget-friendly member of the Globus family of travel brands (alongside Globus and Avalon Waterways ), Cosmos offers a range of tours around the world but has a particularly strong focus on European tours. Cosmos offers similar itineraries to its sister brand Globus but brings costs down by opting for good-but-more-budget-minded accommodations. While Cosmos is best known for its coach tours, the company also offers small group trips, off-the-beaten-path itineraries in popular destinations, event-focused tours, and Christian faith-based trips that highlight religious history in the Holy Land, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

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Cosmos runs tours on five continents spanning more than 60 countries. Among its most popular destinations are Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. Many of the company’s tour directors hail from the country in which they lead tours, and a number of them have spent decades with Cosmos. The company also employs local guides to help with additional on-the-ground aspects of its tours. Cosmos offers a Welcome Back Credit loyalty program. Each trip earns up to a $250 credit toward a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.

Quick Facts about Group Tours with Cosmos 

• Average guided tour group size: 36 guests (standard coach tours); 20 to 24 guests (small group tours).
• Price category: Budget.
• What’s included: Hotels, guided city sightseeing excursions, ground transportation, and some meals.
• What’s not included: Airfare, optional excursions, gratuities; flights and airport transfers can be purchased at additional cost from Cosmos.
• Primary audience: Adults in their early to mid 50s.
• Destinations: Europe, South America, Central America, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
• How to Book: Directly through Cosmos or through a travel agent.

11. Overseas Adventure Tours (O.A.T.)

Part of the Grand Circle family of companies that also includes Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line, Overseas Adventure Travel (also called O.A.T.) is a small group adventure travel tour specialist offering guided tours on all seven continents. O.A.T.’s tour group guests are over the age of 50 and many are solo travelers looking to join like-minded travelers on active itineraries around the world.

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Why is O.A.T. is so popular with older solo travelers? One reason is that the company rarely charges a single supplement on its trips. A fair number of the company’s guided tour itineraries also have women-exclusive departures. Overseas Adventure Travel rates all of its tours by activity level ranging from one (easy) to five (strenuous). The company operates more than 60 unique trips on all seven continents. Both multi-country and single-country tours are offered; some itineraries focus on culture while others have an ecological focus.

Unlike many other guided tour companies, O.A.T.’s prices typically include airfare, though guests also have the option to book their own flights. Overseas Adventure Travel’s loyalty program is the Sir Edmund Hillary Club , which offers benefits beginning with your third trip.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.)

• Average guided tour group size: 13 people.
• What’s included: Airfare, most meals, all transportation, accommodations, activities, and gratuities for local guides.
• What’s not included: Gratuities for trip leaders, some meals; airfare can also be booked separately.
• Primary audience: Active adults over 50, particularly solo travelers.
• Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
• How to Book: Directly through OAT or through a travel agent.

12. Intrepid Travel

Sustainable and experience-rich travel is the heart and soul of everything Intrepid Travel does. The not-for-profit group travel tour operator runs trips geared toward young adults, women, solo travelers, active travelers, and families, and it generally attracts like-minded guests who value responsible travel, conservation, and respect for indigenous cultures. In fact, many of Intrepid’s most compelling guided tours make personal connections with local communities a centerpiece of the experience.

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Intrepid offers a wide range of trip styles and themes to suit a variety of audiences: Basix caters to independent travelers who prefer free time to explore on their own; Original tours include a mix of activities and free time; Comfort goes at a relaxed pace; and Premium tours offer the best accommodations, most comfortable transportation, and exclusive experiences. Different themes include Active, Food, Expeditions, Family, Solo, 18 to 29s, and Trekking, among others. Travelers are automatically enrolled in the Intrepid Insiders program with their first trip. The loyalty program offers advance notice of sales and new trips.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Intrepid Travel

• Average guided tour group size : 12 people.
• What’s included: Accommodations, local transport, and some meals.
• What’s not included: Airfare, travel insurance, and tips.
• Primary audience : Adults ages 25 to 40.
• Destinations : Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
• How to Book: Directly through Intrepid or through a travel agent.

13. AdventureWomen

The women’s-only travel group AdventureWomen makes it easy for female travelers to explore the world in a safe and meaningful way alongside other women. Founded in 1982, AdventureWomen now offers nearly 50 tours across more than 65 counties. AdventureWomen’s guided travel tours for women welcome solo female travelers, women traveling together, mother-daughter pairs, sisters, and more. Each tour description clearly outlines the required fitness level for the journey. 

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The company’s most popular guided tours include a wintertime tour of Iceland to view the Northern Lights, a Galapagos Islands wildlife cruise by private yacht, and a journey along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. These guided women’s only adventure tours include lodging, ground transportation, most meals and activities, guides, and some gratuities. AdventureWomen’s average tour group size is on the small side, with tours generally welcoming 12 to 15 women per departure. Guests often credit the small group size for fostering camaraderie with other travelers on these guided tours. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company AdventureWomen

• Average guided tour group size: 12 to 15 people.
• What’s included: Accommodations, most meals and activities, ground transportation, tour guides (called Managers), and some gratuities.
• What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, alcohol, some gratuities, and certain meals.
• Primary audience: Women seeking to travel with other women.
• Destinations : Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, and the Middle East.
• How to Book: Directly through AdventureWomen or through a travel agent.

14. Abercrombie & Kent

A pioneer in the world of luxury small group trips, Abercrombie & Kent has been operating guided tours for more than 60 years. These days, the tour company runs trips on all seven continents spanning more than 100 countries. Each of Abercrombie & Kent’s small group tours is run by a Resident Tour Director who remains with the group throughout the trip, while additional specialized local guides help travelers enjoy one-of-a-kind insider experiences.

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Because Abercrombie & Kent is a luxury tour operator, accommodations tend toward high-end hotels wherever possible. Participants are often Gen X and Boomers. Guests are automatically enrolled in the company’s Marco Polo Club loyalty program on their third journey with Abercrombie & Kent. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Abercrombie & Kent

• Average guided tour group size: 14 people.
• Price category: Upscale/premium.
• What’s included: Inter-trip flights, upscale accommodations, luggage transfers, meals, mid-journey laundry services, all activities, and expert guides.
• What’s not included: Airfare to and from your trip destination.
• Primary audience: Adults aged 40 and older.
• How to Book: Directly through Abercrombie & Kent or through a travel agent.

15. Exodus Travels

A worldwide adventure travel tour operator, Exodus Travels offers small group and independent cycling, walking, hiking, wildlife, and cultural tours in nearly 90 countries across all seven continents. Exodus has operated small group guided tours, self-guided tours, and private tours around the world since 1974, and today offers more than 500 unique tours ranging from popular locales like the Amalfi Coast in Italy to remote destinations like Tajikistan. 

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The company’s small group tours average between eight to 16 guests and utilize local trip leaders and experienced local guides. Solo travelers comprise nearly half of Exodus’s guests, who are given the option to pay a single room supplement or share a room with another guest at no additional charge. For those who want the convenience of a curated trip (pre-planned accommodations, activities, and transportation) without the constraints of traveling with a group, Exodus’s self-guided options give you freedom and flexibility to explore on your own. 

While Exodus is popular with budget-minded travelers, the company also offers premium guided tours to some popular destinations. A partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation allows Exodus to offer luxury safaris, for example. Guests are automatically enrolled in the tour operator’s loyalty program, called Exodus Collective , after two trips. Exodus Collective offers special discounts and members-only sales. After your seventh trip, you’ll be upgraded to the company’s Pioneer level, which comes with even greater discounts and perks. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Exodus Travels

• Average guided tour group size: 8 to 16 people.
• Price category: Budget to upscale.
• What’s included: Accommodations, some meals, activities, and local guides.
• What’s not included: Airfare, airport transfers, and gratuities.
• Primary audience: Adventure travelers, solo travelers, and active independent travelers.
• How to Book: Directly through Exodus or through a travel agent.

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15 Best Tour Comparison Websites (Updated 2023)

Discover the best tour comparison websites from around the world.

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Discover the best tour comparison websites from around the world. These websites help you search and compare the best tours and activities from a wide range of tour companies. Save money by comparing multiple tour websites at once. Websites like TourRadar and TourScanner allow you to find tours, experiences and things to do all around the world. Search and discover short tours, day trips or multi-day trips. The following are the best tour comparison websites.

#1 TourScanner: Compare Tours & Attractions

Tourscanner allows you to discover the world’s largest collection of tours & travel activities. The website aggregates tickets, tours, cooking classes, food tours, excursions, shows and more.

Compare hundreds of websites and book at the cheapest price. Save up to 70% on skip-the-line tickets for attractions, guided visits, free tours, excursions, outdoor activities, day trips, things to do, sports & experiences.

#2 Get Your Guide: Tours, activities & attractions

GetYourGuide  is the website that allows you to book the best experiences in destinations across the globe. Find, compare, and book sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do and fun activities from around the world.

#3 Klook: Things to do Worldwide

Klook allows you to discover and book amazing things-to-do at exclusive prices. They offer over 100,000+ activities across 300+ destinations

#4 Viator: Tours and Activities

Viator offers over 300,000 tours, attractions,, skip the line tickets and things to do around the world. Read reviews on each tour and book quickly and easily. Full refund available up to 24 hours before your tour.

#5 Tiqets: Instant Tickets Online

Tiqets offers online tickets to tours, attractions and things to do around the world from over 3000 partners. Book your Tickets now and receive a 10% discount on your next order. Tickets are delivered instantly on your mobile.

#6 Isango: Experience the World

isango  is a tour retailer that offers tours, attractions, activities and things to do in over 300 destinations around the world. The website has over 12,000 tours, offering unique moments, activities and local experiences all handpicked by the isango destination experts. isango started in 2007 and are now part of the Hotelbeds Group of companies. You will find some great bargains on tours and attraction tickets.

#7 TourRadar: Booking Tours Made Easy

Tour Radar is one of the world’s biggest online marketplace for multi-day tours. Whether it’s trekking Kilimanjaro, heading on a coach tour in Europe or a safari in Kenya, they offer more than 1 million departures in over 200 countries.

TourRadar is the world’s most trusted online marketplace for multi-day tours. Compare, read reviews, meet guides & travelers, book with confidence.

#8 Voyagin: Book the Best Things to Do in Japan

Voyagin  is a website for booking travel tours and activities online and based in Tokyo. Voyagin allows you to book over 3500+ tours and attraction tickets in 12 countries and over 200 cities. We love this site and some of the tours and attractions look amazing. You can experience something new and create memories that will last a lifetime.

#9 KK Day: Local Experiences, Tours, and Activities

KK Day provides all kinds of unique experiences from scuba diving, rock climbing, cooking classes, secret sights, full day tour, tickets, charter service and airport transfers, The site allows you to arrange your fantastic itinerary for yourself now.

#10 Civitatis: Worldwide guided tours and excursions

Civitatis is an online tour comparison website that offers worldwide activities, transfers, tickets, guided tours and excursions in English. You can book online with the lowest price guaranteed.

#11 TakeMeTour: Personal Tours with Local Experts

Take Me Tour is the award-winning and largest marketplace of local tours in Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam and Australia. Book personal 1-day tours with Local Experts. Enjoy the largest collection of 1-day tours in Thailand right at your fingertips.

#12 Headout: Discover Attractions, Activities & Events

Headout  allows you to explore and book the top attractions, sightseeing tours, events and things to do in your city. Get exclusive discounts and priority access with Headout.

#13 Experience Oz: Tours, attractions & activities

Experience Oz is your go to website for all the top things to do in Australia and New Zealand. Search from over 3,000 experiences to make your holiday or weekend extraordinary. Book now and pay later with After Pay and Zip Pay accepted.

#14 Cudo: Australian Discount Tours and Deals

Cudo is an Australian website that offers a range of deals on tours, attractions, hotels and restaurants. Save up to 60% of the best tours and attractions.

#15 Musement: Attractions, museums and fun activities

Musement allows you to discover a world of activities and book tickets for tours, attractions, museums, fun activities and much more.

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Written by Richard Ascough

Tripcurated offers a hand selected collection of the best travel websites and resources from across the web. We find the best travel websites including flights and airfares, accommodation, travel planning, car rental, cruises, tours and tickets, travel finance and more.

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

8 Ways to Choose the Perfect Tour Company

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

That idea of tours being bad is an old and outdated perception.

These days tour groups have become more adept at the changing landscape. They feature smaller groups, more authentic experiences, a better environmental impact, and more local guides.

I love group tours.

Even though I am an independent traveler, I find group tours super fun, a great way to meet people, learn more from an informed guide, go to places you normally can’t, and wet your feet in travel. My first trip overseas was on an organized tour. I didn’t know the first thing about travel and that tour gave me the confidence to travel on my own. It was the taste test I needed to become hooked on travel. Tours give a lot of people time to adjust to the “travel lifestyle.”

Unlike in the past, today’s tours are eco-friendly, cater to all travel styles, over cheap, and make a point to use local transportation and guides. And many destinations (like Halong Bay, the Galápagos Islands, the Serengeti, Machu Picchu, Antarctica, Everest) are virtually inaccessible without an organized group tour!

In this article, I am going to tell you how to find the best tour company so you get one that is inexpensive, eco-friendly, provides local guides, and gives back to the local community:

1. Research the costs

With tour companies, it’s not always true that you get what you pay for. Many tour companies nickel-and-dime you, while some are really good at maximizing value for your every penny. Ask how your money is spent to find out if you are really getting the best value for your money. How much of your fee is their overhead? Are you paying for top-notch hotels but staying in two-star guesthouses? You want a company that is transparent with why prices are the way they are.

Moreover, make sure you ask if there are added fees to pay when arrive. Many companies require you to pay additional money when the tour starts or don’t include park or attraction entrance fees. That cheap tour won’t be so cheap if you have to pay for everything while you’re there!

2. Make sure you are the audience 

Is the tour geared toward older couples? Young people? Families? You don’t want to end up on a loud Contiki tour full of drunk twenty-year-olds when all you want is a quiet holiday.

There’s a tour company for everyone — just make sure you don’t end up on one that isn’t yours. Most tour companies list their guest demographics on their “About” page, and you can usually see from the photos of their tours who goes on it.

You can also tell the audience based on accommodation: if it’s hostels or guesthouses, it’s usually for backpackers and budget travelers; if it’s fancy digs, it’s for older travelers and families.

This is very important because these are the people you’ll be traveling with so you want to make sure it’s the kind of people you are traveling with. I’m still friends with the people from my first tour in 2003 because they were people like me. The tour in Japan that was filled with older families? Not so much. We didn’t have much in common. Wonderful people but we didn’t connect.

So, I always look for tours that have my demographic in them.

3. Get local guides

Guides can make or break your trip. They are going to explain everything to you and keep the flow of the tour going. I don’t want them hiring some young kid, non-expert, or someone who doesn’t know the place well. I’ve been on tours where the guide was a walking encyclopedia, and on somewhere the guide was a glorified timekeeper.

Make sure the company uses knowledgeable, local guides. The guide should be a local or at least a long-term resident, know the local language, have travel experience, and know life-saving techniques.

If you are unsure about the guides, call the customer service line and ask them about their guides.

4. Safety record 

Make sure the company follows all the proper safety requirements and is accredited by the local government, the government where they are registered, and any other appropriate trade organizations.

5. A balanced schedule 

You’re paying for them to fill most of your day. How do they do that? Are they doing that? Do they have a lot of activities organized, or do they leave you to your own devices?

That said, you don’t want a schedule that is crammed with things to do. Make sure you get a schedule of all the activities and pick a tour that is balanced. Running around will leave you wishing you had a holiday from your holiday, but you don’t want to be sitting around all day, either.

I love taking small group tours because they generally have a good balance. Any tour that requires you to be on a huge bus and hits 6 cities in 5 days is not a tour to take!

6. Environmental impact

There’s a growing trend among travelers called ecotourism . It’s about more responsible travel, not only toward the environment but also toward the locals in an area. This means using local guides, hotels, and services, and making sure to reduce waste and your footprint on the local habitat.

Moreover, these companies tend to offer better and more interactive tours that also give you a good degree of autonomy.

I think it’s important to pick a company that provides great value and gives back to the place you are visiting. After all, did you go there to ruin it for others? Doubtful.

Check with groups like the International Ecotourism Society for a list of companies that have been certified “eco-friendly.” With so much money pouring into the industry now, you have a lot of companies fraudulently saying they practice ecotourism but end up being involved in terrible labor practices, animal abuse, and waste.

7. Group size

Tour companies that have smaller groups tend to be much more mindful of the environment and the impact they are leaving. It’s a lot easier to meet people in a group of 10-15 than it is in a group of 60. I don’t like to go on tours with more than 15 people on them. However, I have friends who love Contiki tours with 40-50 people. Know what you are getting yourself into, so you don’t find yourself with a group too small or too large for your tastes.

Just remember larger groups tend to stay at bigger, more impersonal accommodations (they can only accommodate the numbers), eat at more touristy restaurants, and tend to travel to more destinations quicker.

In my expert opinion, small group tours are the best.

8. Check their reputation

How have other travelers enjoyed their time? Look for online reviews to see what a company’s reputation is. It might not always be what they claim, and it’s important to find out the truth before you book.

Remember that MOST people only write a review if something goes wrong. Someone might give a tour company one star just because their eggs were runny. Find the average. Someone might hate a tour because the weather was hot. Seriously. These are actual negative reviews from the tour operator company, Thomas Cook:

“On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don’t like spicy food.”

“We went on holiday to Spain and had a problem with the taxi drivers as they were all Spanish.”

“We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our own swimsuits and towels. We assumed it would be included in the price.”

“No-one told us there would be fish in the water. The children were scared.”

“Although the brochure said that there was a fully equipped kitchen, there was no egg-slicer in the drawers.”

“When we were in Spain, there were too many Spanish people there. The receptionist spoke Spanish, the food was Spanish. No one told us that there would be so many foreigners.”

“We had to line up outside to catch the boat and there was no air-conditioning.”

So how can you trust the reviews you read online?

Take them with a grain of salt. You can read reviews on websites TrustPilot . The approval rating should look like a bell curve but with more A’s and B’s than C’s. I look for companies that average 85% or higher (or 4 out of 5 stars). If a company is that highly rated, the negative reviews are probably just outliers.  

My Recommended (Best) Tour Companies

Here are some of my favorite small, day-tour, or backpacker bus tour companies:

• Take Walks – This is my favorite walking tour company. They run a wide variety of insightful and entertaining tours around Europe and the US. What makes them so good is they get you inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock too!
• Get Your Guide – A massive marketplace for tours, activities, and excursions. If you’re looking for something niche, you’ll find it here!
• Devour Food Tours – My go-to tour company for tasty food tours around Europe and the US.
• Kiwi Experience – A hop-on, hop-off bus tour company in New Zealand for backpackers!
• Baz Bus – A hop on, hop off again bus tour company in South Africa for all travelers.
• New Europe – Free walking tours throughout Europe.
• Free Tours By Foot – Pay-what-you-like tours throughout Europe and the United States. They are one of my favorite free walking tour companies in the world!

THE #1 COMPANY FOR MULTI-DAY SMALL GROUP TOURS

When it comes to multi-day, multi-week tours (think trips through Morocco, sailing in the Galápagos, etc.), I highly recommend using Intrepid Travel .

Intrepid is my favorite and best small group tour operator out there! I really love their guides, their small groups, off-the-beaten-track itineraries, and their commitment to the local environment and community. I always have an incredible time on their tours. They are my favorite multi-day tour operator and the only one I use now (the picture at the top of this page is me on their Patagonia trip). Intrepid is environmentally friendly, uses local guides and transportation, doesn’t rush their tours, and are quite inexpensive. I don’t even consider anyone else when it comes to multi-day trips.

I love tours. They are a great way to meet people, get a local to add value and knowledge, and see places you can’t get to alone! I don’t take them often but I do take them. And, since I follow the above rules, I always have a good time. Some of my favorite travel memories were when I was on a group trip. If you follow my tips above, you’ll never go wrong either.

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Out of Your Comfort Zone

The art of backpacking & adventures to get out of your comfort zone – tips and advice, 5 best websites to compare and buy tours around the world.

Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Rodrigo @ OutofYourComfortZone

I know that much of the travel advice out there is for people traveling on their own. However, “backpacking” isn’t for everyone! 

So today, I want to discuss another option: going on group tours. But there’s a lot of options and a lot of companies to choose from! 

I already have some articles about the best tour companies (such as the 5 Best Group Tour Companies for Young Solo Travelers and the 5 Best International Tour Companies for Adventure Travel ). 

But I didn’t yet have an article about the best websites you can use to search for and compare tours from these companies. 

And that’s why I prepared this article with tips about the 5 biggest & best websites to buy tours around the world, as well as the step-by-step process you can follow to choose the right tour for you. 

Table of Contents

• 1 So, how do these websites to buy tours work? 
• 2.1     1. TourRadar
• 2.2     2. TravelTalk
• 3.2     3. Tours4Fun
• 3.4     4. Solo Female Travelers Tours (Women Only)
• 3.5    5. Affordable Tours
• 4 Comparison table of the 5 biggest & best websites to buy tours around the world 
• 5 Is it worth buying a tour from one of these websites? Or is it better to travel on your own? 
• 6.1     1. Type of tour or excursion
• 6.2     2. Destination
• 6.3     3. Dates
• 6.4     4. Flights 
• 6.5      5. Type of room 
• 6.6      6. Length of tour 
• 6.7     7. Budget
• 7 In conclusion…
• 8 Planning your next trip?

So, how do these websites to buy tours work?  

Okay, let’s start by talking about how these sites actually work since there’s a difference between the websites to buy excursions here and the agencies/companies that actually offer them. 

What the websites I’m going to be talking about today do are let you compare the prices and different options that tour agencies/companies offer while filtering by things like : 

• Dates and length of trip
• Destinations
• Age of traveler(s) 
• Type of trip
• Type of accommodation ( shared dorm in hostels, 5-star hotel, etc. )

Websites like this are common for flights, such as Skyscanner , Momondo , and Kayak , which show you flight options for a wide range of airline companies . The websites in the list below work essentially in the same way, where they earn money by receiving a percentage of the sale through the comparisons of the diverse tours they offer . 

I like these websites because they let you compare prices, as well as see all the options for the type of tour you want to do all at once. By seeing all the available tour options at once, you’ll certainly be able to find a tour that’s right for you no matter where you want to go in the world! 

What are the 5 best websites to search for, compare, and bu y international tours around the world? 

Now that we’ve gone through how these websites actually work, it’s time to talk about what they actually are.

The biggest and best websites to search for international tours are: 

• Travel Talk
• Solo Female Travelers Tours
• Affordable Tours

I’ll talk a bit more about each tour in detail below. 

    1. TourRadar

TourRadar is a company founded in 2010 which has grown into one of the most versatile websites when it comes to multi-day trips and excursions. 

The company was founded by two Australian brothers, Travis and Shawn Pittman, who decided to create a company that aims to connect people with unforgettable travel experiences. 

Because of this, you’ll find lots of options for tours from many different companies on their website – from classic excursions to cities like Rome, Paris, and London, to more adventurous trips like biking around the island of Madagascar or doing extreme sports in New Zealand .  

You can also find tours specifically for young travelers, adults, singles , or even luxury travel. In other words, there’s something for everyone!

Better yet, like the other websites below, you can see reviews from other travelers who have done the tours so you know exactly what to expect before booking.  

Given how widespread TourRadar’s offering is, they are considered to be one of the best websites to search for and buy tours in the world, and have won a number of prizes in the past 5 years for their innovations in travel. 

Ah and just so you know…TourRadar also gives away a free tour to someplace in the world each month! 

To enter, just go to this link here or click the image below. 

Win a free tour with TourRadar! 

    2. TravelTalk

Travel Talk is a slightly different company from the ones mentioned above, because it works with its own tours instead of working with third parties. This has its advantages since it is possible to trust the qualities of the excursions, as you are negotiating directly with those involved.

However, the company does not offer so many options for tours, some of the main destinations served by Travel Talk are: Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Portugal , Africa , Vietnam, Peru , among other diverse options.

This company is very famous in the tourism industry and most of the comments on Travel Talk praise and comment on how well qualified the tour guides were. Another positive point is that TravelTalk prices are well taken into account when compared to other companies in the industry.

Each tour is designed to be a unique experience and the company is very conscious about the safety of customers and employees, always following the recommended protocols, it is no wonder that the company has the “Safe Travels” seal offered by the World Travel Council and Tourism (World Travel and Tourism Council).

In addition, they have special flexible conditions, such as cancellation without penalties and clear, pre-informed fees. Nothing to be scared of during your tour with expenses not previously informed!

It is worth remembering that TravelTalk is not an adventure travel company nor are they specialized in excursions for groups of young Singles , but it is a great and recommended option for travelers to visit classic destinations and local tours with experienced guides.

    3. Tours4Fun

Tours4Fun is another one of the biggest websites to buy international tours. Unlike TourRadar, beyond just comparing and booking excursions around the world, you can also book hotels , cruises, and guided tours/attraction tickets within a city that you’re visiting . 

Tours4Fun was founded in 2006 and has become well-known in the tourism industry worldwide. They’ve grown and become even more well-known with the joining of the Chinese tour company Ctrip . 

Another interesting thing to mention is that the website has a forum where travelers can discuss specific destinations and tours, give tips and opinions, and talk about the best types of trips for each type of traveler. Finally, you can also leave reviews and notes about tours you’ve done, which lends more credibility for other people who are thinking of buying these same tours. 

    4. Solo Female Travelers Tours (Women Only)

SFT Tours is a company for people traveling alone and wanting to participate in a women-only tour in small groups to destinations such as Iceland, Tuscany, Tanzania, Sudan, Mongolia , and Antarctica.

This company has a community of 100,000 members on Facebook called Solo Female Travelers, and they want women the opportunity to travel the world, even if they don’t have a friend or partner to go with.

Solo Female Travelers empower women to travel alone while recognizing that safety and accessibility are some of the concerns of women traveling alone, so they organize small group tours to destinations that are typically too challenging or less challenging to travel alone.

They match you with another woman who travels alone, so it’s also a great opportunity to make new friends . All of your trips support women owned/focused/led companies and partner with companies that align with their mission to empower women.

Your walks on Kilimanjaro are led by one of only 6 female guides (out of 2,000!) who work on the mountain. There are a wide variety of options, from luxurious getaways in the Italian countryside to epic adventures such as motorbike expeditions through Mongolia .

   5. Affordable Tours

Affordable Tours is the oldest company on this list as it was founded in 1999. They’re an award-winning company in the tourism area, and have trips and excursions to all the continents . 

What makes Affordable Tours different from the others is right in its name – their offer of cheap trips. This doesn’t mean that the trips you’ll find on the website are inferior to the other companies, quite the contrary. 

The great thing about Affordable tours is that they’ve chosen high-quality tours at the lowest price they can be so as many people as possible can travel worldwide. 

As with the other websites, you’ll find a wide variety of tours here, from romantic tours to the loveliest cities in Italy to adventure excursions in Thailand, historical explorations in Africa, and visits to the most incredible beaches in Central America. Just do a bit of research and type in where you want to go to see all the tour options available to you. 

Comparison table of the 5 biggest & best websites to buy tours around the world 

Is it worth buying a tour from one of these websites or is it better to travel on your own  .

After learning more about these websites, many people ask if it’s worth buying a tour or if they should just organize a trip themselves. 

There isn’t an easy answer here since everybody has different travel styles and expectations. So, I created the table below comparing a trip organized on your own versus one purchased via one of the websites listed above. 

As you can see, there are pros and cons to getting a tour from websites like the ones listed above and to organizing a trip on your own. 

The best advice I can give is to weigh each side before making your decision.

How to choose the right tour for you: a step-by-step process 

Now that you know the 5 biggest websites to buy tours around the world, saw my table comparing the 5 of them, and have thought about whether or not this is a good option for you, you should have a fairly solid idea in mind of what your trip might look like. 

And to help you “solidify” your idea even more, I’ll walk you through what you need to do, step-by-step, to choose the best tour for you. 

The steps are to look at the following: 

• Type of tour or excursion 
• Destination
• Type of room
• Length of excursion

I’ll talk more about each step below. 

    1. Type of tour or excursion

The first thing that you have to consider when choosing the right tour for you is what you want to do. There’s a big difference between a trip to Niagara Falls vs a trip to historic Rome, for example. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself: 

• Will you be traveling on your own or with others? If with others, how many? 
• Would you like to meet new people during your trip ? 
• Are you looking for adventure? 
• Are you looking to learn more about a place’s history? 
• What level of physical difficulty would you like your tour to have? 
• Do you prefer luxury travel or a more basic trip? 
• Do you want to go on an excursion with many people or in a small group? 

These are just a few of the questions you can ask yourself before making a decision. You can add other questions in here which will help you not only in this first step, but in all the others that I’ll talk about below.  

    2. Destination

Once you’ve decided what type of tour you want to do, it’s time to decide where you want to visit. 

For example, if you want beaches and parties, then there are specific destinations you’ll want to look into. 

When considering destinations, make sure to consider not only your budget, but also the tour language, who you’ll be there with, and, of course, the cost of a flight there!

    3. Dates

The third step is to not only think about what dates you’re available, but also the best season for your trip. For example, if you want to ski in Chile , then you have to make sure you’re there when there is snow. 

It’s also worth making sure you know when your destination has holidays (meaning many things are closed) so you’re not caught by surprise. 

    4. Flights 

And now it’s time to look at flights. The best tip I have here is to book your trip as early as you can so you can get a good flight.

And obviously, there some tour starting destinations that will be cheaper to fly to than others. But no matter where you’re flying to, there’s always ways to save on your plane ticket. 

My articles 16 tips to save on flight s and the 3 best websites to search for and buy plane tickets can help you here! 

     5. Type of room 

One nice benefit of buying a tour from one of these websites is that you can filter by what type of room you want to have. 

For example, there are options for private rooms in luxury hotels . There are also rooms for couples, perfect for anyone looking for a romantic tour. And for those who want to save and get the most from their trip while spending the least, there are also options to sleep in shared dorm rooms. 

As I said, this will all depend on what type of tour you want to do. 

     6. Length of tour 

Another important thing is to decide how long your trip will be since this decision can affect even the website that you choose to buy your trip from. 

If you’re still undecided about how long your trip should be, here’s some questions to ask yourself: 

• How much travel time do you have available? 
• How many places do you want to visit on your trip? 
• Do you have all the visas and authorizations to stay the length of time that you want to? 

As with the first step, you can also add in additional questions to help you decide. 

    7. Budget

Before settling on a trip, naturally you have to think about your budget and how much you can realistically spend. 

Thankfully, each of these websites above lets you filter your searches by price. 

So here’s my final suggestion: check the prices on all 5 websites! The more you research, the better your chance of finding a tour for the best price possible. 

In conclusion…

Whenever you think about doing a tour, no matter where it is or what type, it’s always important to also think about the planning that you need to do before booking. Luckily, the 5 websites, the table, and the steps I gave above can help! 

So…what’d you think about these 5 websites? Have you used any before? Or any others you would add? 

If you have any questions about how they work or any comments about tours in general, let me know in the comment area below. I’m always available to help out!

Planning your next trip?

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes .

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.

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18 Best Websites & Apps to Find Local Tour Guides

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If you are looking at this page you are probably looking for recommendations on where to find local tour guides . There are many websites and apps where you can book local tour guides and can sometimes be difficult to find. To save you some time, we have curated a list of websites in order to help you find the best local tour guides who will surely give you an enriching experience.

Websites to Find Local Tour Guides – Worldwide

For an even more convenient way to find local tour guides and compare their deals, check out TourScanner !

• Find local tour guides

Don’t hesitate to comment below if you wish to recommend other websites for local tour guides. Wishing you an excellent time and travel safe!! 🙂

7 Tour Companies Like G Adventures

G Adventures is a well-known tour company that has been operating for over 30 years, offering small group tours to a variety of destinations around the world. With a strong focus on sustainable and responsible travel practices, G Adventures has gained a reputation as a leader in the adventure travel industry.

While G Adventures is a popular choice for many travellers, there are other tour companies that offer similar services and experiences. The focus of this blog is to explore those other tour companies, comparing and contrasting them with G Adventures in terms of their offerings, style, and approach to travel.

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Why look for alternatives to G Adventures?

G Adventures is great, but it might not be right for everyone. Some travellers might look for other tour companies like G Adventures for a variety of reasons such as: Different destinations: G Adventures may not offer tours to all the destinations that a traveller wants to visit. In such a case, they may need to look for other tour companies that offer tours to those specific locations. Price: G Adventures may be too expensive for some travellers. They may need to look for other tour companies that offer similar experiences but at a lower price. Tour types: G Adventures offers a wide range of tour types, including adventure tours, cultural tours, and wildlife tours. However, if a traveller is looking for a specific type of tour, they may need to look for other tour companies that specialise in that area. Personal preferences: Travellers may have specific preferences for the type of tour they want to go on, such as the size of the group, the level of physical activity, or the accommodation type. They may need to look for other tour companies that offer tours that meet their specific requirements. Availability: G Adventures tours may be fully booked for the dates a traveller wants to travel. In such a case, they may need to look for other tour companies that offer similar tours during their preferred travel dates.

Key features that distinguish G Adventures from other tour companies

G Adventures is known for its unique approach to travel, which emphasises cultural immersion, sustainability, and responsible tourism. Here are some of the key features that distinguish G Adventures from other tour companies: Small group sizes: G Adventures typically limits group sizes to 12 people, allowing for a more personalised and intimate travel experience. This is in contrast to other tour companies that may have larger group sizes. Emphasis on sustainable and responsible travel: G Adventures is committed to minimizing the negative impact of tourism on the environment and local communities. This includes supporting local businesses, reducing waste, and promoting responsible tourism practices. Local experiences and cultural immersion: G Adventures places a strong emphasis on connecting travellers with local cultures and customs. This may include activities like home stays, cooking classes, and visits to local markets and communities.

One Life Adventures Review

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Flexible itineraries: While G Adventures provides pre-planned itineraries, there is also room for flexibility and customisation based on the group’s interests and preferences. Diverse destinations: G Adventures offers trips to a wide range of destinations, including off-the-beaten-path locations that may not be as accessible to independent travellers. Expert local guides: G Adventures hires local guides with in-depth knowledge of the destinations and cultures being visited, providing travellers with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the places they are visiting.

Other tour companies like G Adventures

As a leading tour company, G Adventures has made a name for itself in the travel industry with its unique travel style and focus on sustainable tourism. However, G Adventures is not the only company that offers such tours. In fact, there are several other tour companies that offer similar travel experiences, including:

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is a travel company that offers small-group tours to a wide variety of destinations around the world. The company was founded in 1989 with the goal of providing travellers with an authentic and responsible travel experience, while also supporting local communities and minimising negative impacts on the environment. Intrepid Travel offers a range of tour styles, including adventure tours and cultural tours, among others. Their tours typically have a maximum group size of 12 to 16 people, which allows for a more immersive and personalised travel experience. The company also places a strong emphasis on sustainable travel practices, such as minimising waste and supporting local businesses. In addition to its regular tours, Intrepid Travel also offers a range of themed tours , such as food tours, cycling tours, and wildlife tours, as well as custom tours for private groups.

Contiki is a tour company that caters to young adults between the ages of 18 and 35, providing them with unique travel experiences and opportunities to explore the world with like-minded individuals. Founded in 1962, Contiki has been a popular choice for young travellers for over 50 years, with a reputation for providing fun, social, and immersive travel experiences. One of the key features that sets Contiki apart from other tour companies is its focus on young adults. Contiki understands that young people have unique travel needs and desires, and has designed its tours to cater to these needs. For example, tours typically include a mix of cultural activities, adventure activities, and social activities, providing travellers with a well-rounded travel experience that is both enriching and enjoyable. In addition to offering a diverse range of activities, Contiki also places a strong emphasis on group dynamics and socialisation. Tours are designed to encourage group bonding and provide opportunities for young adults to make new friends and connections from around the world. This is especially important for young travellers who may be travelling solo or looking to meet new people.

One Life Adventures

One Life Adventures is a tour company that specialises in adventure travel experiences in Asia. Founded in 2019, One Life Adventures aims to provide travellers with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences that are not typically included in traditional tour itineraries. The company prides itself on its sustainable and responsible approach to tourism, and works to minimise its environmental impact and support local communities. One of the main features that sets One Life Adventures apart from other tour companies is its focus on small group travel. The company limits group sizes to a maximum of 16 people, which allows for a more personalised and intimate travel experience. This small group size also makes it easier for the company to offer unique and exclusive experiences that may not be possible with larger groups. Another key feature of One Life Adventures is its commitment to responsible tourism. The company works with local partners to support sustainable tourism practices and reduce its environmental impact. This includes minimising the use of single-use plastics, supporting community-based tourism initiatives, and using eco-friendly accommodations whenever possible. One Life Adventures offers a variety of tours throughout Asia, with a focus on destinations in Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

TruTravels is a popular tour operator that offers exciting and affordable travel packages to 18 to 35-year-old travellers. What sets TruTravels apart from other tour operators is its focus on creating a sense of community among its travellers. The company believes that travel is not just about seeing new places, but also about connecting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. To achieve this, TruTravels organises small group tours with a maximum of 14 travellers per trip. This allows for a more intimate and personalised experience, where travellers can get to know each other and the local communities they visit. TruTravels has a wide range of travel packages to choose from, including adventure tours, island hopping, cultural immersion, and party trips. Each trip is carefully designed to cater to the needs and interests of young travellers, with a focus on adventure, exploration, and fun. TruTravels’ tour leaders are all experienced travellers themselves and have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with their groups. They are also trained to provide a safe and supportive environment for travellers, ensuring that everyone has a great time while on the road. One of the reasons TruTravels is so popular with 18 to 35-year-old travellers is its commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism. The company works closely with local communities to promote sustainable tourism practices and minimise the negative impact of tourism on the environment and local cultures. TruTravels also supports local charities and social enterprises, and encourages its travellers to give back to the communities they visit.

Bamba Travel

Bamba is a tour company that specialises in flexible and customisable travel experiences. Founded in 2006, Bamba has grown to offer a wide range of tours and activities in destinations all over the world, with a focus on adventure, cultural immersion, and responsible tourism practices. One of the key features that distinguishes Bamba from other tour companies is its emphasis on flexibility. Bamba offers “hop-on, hop-off” passes that allow travellers to design their own itineraries and travel at their own pace. This means that travellers can stay longer in destinations they love or change their plans if something unexpected comes up, providing a level of freedom and flexibility that is rare in the tour industry. Bamba also offers a range of pre-planned tours and activities, from day trips to multi-day adventures. These tours are designed to provide immersive cultural experiences and opportunities for adventure, such as trekking, surfing, or wildlife viewing. Bamba also places a strong emphasis on responsible and sustainable travel, with a focus on supporting local communities and minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

On The Go Tours

On The Go Tours is a UK-based tour company that offers a wide range of guided group tours and tailor-made travel packages to destinations all over the world. The company was established in 1998 and has since grown to become one of the leading tour operators in the UK. The company’s tours cover a variety of themes, including cultural, adventure, wildlife, and historical tours, as well as family and solo traveller trips. They offer small group tours with an average of 16 travellers, allowing for a more personalised experience and greater access to local culture and experiences. On The Go Tours also offers tailor-made travel packages, which allow travellers to create their own itinerary and select their preferred activities, accommodation, and destinations. The company’s team of travel experts provides assistance and advice to ensure that the itinerary meets the needs and preferences of each traveller. One of the company’s core values is responsible tourism, which is reflected in their choice of partners, sustainable travel practices, and ethical treatment of local communities. On The Go Tours also supports a number of local projects and charities in the destinations they visit, helping to give back to the communities they interact with.

INTRO Travel

INTRO Travel is a tour operator that specialises in providing authentic and affordable travel experiences to young adults. Their focus is on creating group tours that encourage travellers to discover new cultures, meet new people, and push themselves out of their comfort zones. One of the main reasons why INTRO Travel is so popular with young adults is because they cater specifically to this demographic. They understand that young people are often on a tight budget, but still want to travel and have fun. That’s why their tours are designed to be affordable, while still providing all the necessary amenities and experiences that travellers want. Another reason why INTRO Travel is so popular is because of their emphasis on group travel. Travelling with a group of like-minded individuals can be an incredibly rewarding experience, as it allows travellers to make new friends and share unique experiences together. INTRO Travel’s tours are designed to be social, with plenty of opportunities for group bonding and fun. In addition to their focus on group travel, INTRO Travel is also known for their focus on authentic experiences. Rather than just ticking off the typical tourist attractions, INTRO Travel’s tours are designed to give travellers a deeper understanding of the local culture and way of life. This might involve staying with local families, visiting local markets, or even taking part in traditional ceremonies and rituals. Finally, INTRO Travel is popular with young adults because of their commitment to responsible tourism. They understand that tourism can have a negative impact on the environment and local communities, and so they work hard to minimise this impact as much as possible. This might involve using eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local businesses, or taking part in volunteer projects.

It’s important to know that G Adventures is just one of the many tour companies out there that you might want to check out. Each tour company listed above has its own style and focus, so it’s worth doing your research to find the one that is right for you. And the best part? You can book tours with these companies directly on our website . You can read reviews from other travellers, compare prices and itineraries, and book your tour all in one place. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure today!

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Synonyms of tour

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 (Entry 1 of 2)

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Thesaurus Definition of tour  (Entry 2 of 2)

• peregrinate
• road - trip
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Best Adventure Travel Companies

This is our roundup of the best adventure travel companies. This article is for those of us who love to travel, but don't have the time or energy to spend on figuring out complicated logistics. 

There are hundreds of adventure travel companies operating all over the world, from Andorra to Zimbabwe, that cater to a wide range of different travel styles and preferences. Booking a trip through an adventure travel company can save hours of frustration and help you have a fantastic experience.

We’ve taken a systematic approach to ranking these tour operators, taking into account everything from popularity, to online reviews, sustainability commitments, and the company’s breadth of trip offerings, so you can be confident that you’ve found the operator that’s right for you.

Let’s get to it!

Want to book your next adventure with a local guide?

These are all individual travel operators, but if you want to book direct with a local guide, check out the trips on Skyhook. 

Best Adventure Travel Companies In the World

#1. g adventures (9.8/10), best small group adventure travel operator.

G Adventures is one of the world’s largest and best adventure travel companies, with over 700 different trip offerings around the globe. Although they take over 200,000 travellers out on adventures each year, they’re actually best known as a small group travel operator with a high focus on sustainability and authenticity.

Instead of shuttling travellers from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, G Adventures takes small groups of guests off the beaten path and give them the chance to have quality interactions with local people.

G Adventures eschews fancy hotels and western-style meals for more local options. Their tours are best suited for the traveller that’s interested in stepping outside their comfort zone for a more authentic travel experience.

#2. Audley Travel (9.2/10)

Best tailor-made adventure travel company for luxury.

Audley Travel believes that the best way to see the world is to explore it in your own way. That's why they specialise in creating travel experiences that are tailored to the individual needs and desires of any given traveller.

Instead of selling you a pre-packaged experience, anyone travelling with Audley Travel starts their journey with a conversation with a specialist, who will figure out what your budget is, where you'd like to go, and how you want to travel, so you end up with an experience that's perfect for you.

This top-of-the-line service means that guests adventuring with Audley Travel can expect luxury accommodation and itineraries crafted just for them. Of course, this type of service doesn’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for custom luxury travel, Audley Travel might be for you.

#3. Exodus Travel (9.2/10)

Runner-up: best adventure travel company for small groups.

Exodus Travel offers an amazing range of different travel experiences that focus on active adventure and education about a country's culture and environment. Each of their 500 different trips builds in a variety of outdoor activities, whether that be hiking and biking or winter sports.

Exodus takes guests to more than 90 countries on all seven continents, so they've got something for everyone. Plus, they've made a commitment to travelling responsibly, with respect to both the environment and other cultures, when bringing guests to some of the world's most fascinating places.

#4. Intrepid Travel (9/10)

Intrepid Travel was founded nearly three decades ago by two Australian friends who set off for a journey around Africa. They gave up traditional Western comforts for an authentic travel experience like no other. It is this ethos that started Intrepid lives within the company to this day. Intrepid takes over 100,000s of travellers on over 800 different trips on every continent in the world.

These days, Intrepid specialises in small group travel to some of the world's most remote places. As their name suggests, they focus on out-there adventures that are off the beaten path, yet committed to sustainability.

They run trips to suit a wide range of different travellers and travel styles, but everyone travelling with Intrepid should be ready for an adventure like no other!

#5. National Geographic Expeditions (9/10)

Best operator for expert guides.

The name ‘National Geographic’ is synonymous with amazing photography and ground-breaking scientific research. Nat Geo brings the same quality found in their magazines to their adventure travel trips .

Each Nat Geo trip is designed for people of a specific interest group, whether that be food, culture, wildlife, or active adventure. There’s a Nat Geo tour for pretty much everyone.

What sets Nat Geo apart from other tour operators is their commitment to hiring only true experts to run their trips. So, when you book on an African safari, you’ll be accompanied by an actual researcher that’s dedicated their life to studying the very animals you’ll see.

#6. Urban Adventures (8.8/10)

Best city adventures.

Sometimes, the best adventures happen in the heart of a city. Although the idea of “adventure travel” usually conjures up imagines of high mountain peaks or vast desert landscapes, Urban Adventures firmly believes that there’s a lot to explore and learn from inside some of the world’s greatest cities.

Urban Adventures has a trip for everyone, whether you’re a foodie or an active traveller. They’ve got shopping tours, beer tours, and multi-city tours, so it’s not difficult to find a trip that piques your interest.

Urban Adventures will create a custom itinerary just for you. You can be sure that you’re getting the city adventure you’ve always dreamed of.

#7. World Expeditions (8.8/10)

Runner-up: best small group adventure operator.

World Expeditions wants to take you to some of the world’s most amazing places via the path less travelled. They’re committed to providing high-quality travel experiences that focus on responsible tourism and supporting local communities. World Expeditions brings travellers to every continent but leaves behind the touristy areas for some seldom seen places.

They focus on cultural immersion and active adventures, but they cater their trips to travellers of all different ages and different activity levels so you can find a trip that's right for you. Plus, if you have a dream trip in mind, they'll even help you craft an entirely custom made itinerary and make it happen.

#8. TrailFinders (8.2/10)

Best adventure travel agency.

Trailfinders offers a variety of different tours that have garnered them a worldwide reputation. While they have a selection of pre-packaged trips, where Trailfinders really shines is in creating tailor-made travel itineraries because they know there’s nothing better than a bespoke travel adventure.

Trailfinders is known for its fantastic customer service, from actual travel experts who have actually been to the places they sell tours. You can be confident that you're getting an itinerary that's right for your needs. They offer everything from a weekend getaway to months-long holidays and everything in between.

#9. International Expeditions (8.2/10)

Best eco-travel operator.

If eco-friendly small group travel sounds like your kind of adventure, then look no further than International Expeditions . The company is committed to sustainable tourism and conservation efforts both in their offices and on their trips.

International Expeditions create award-winning travel experiences to over 20 different countries. They focus on facilitating authentic interactions with local people and cultures.

On an International Expeditions trip, you’ll be accompanied by an expert naturalist and expedition leader who are local to the area you’re travelling to. This means that with International Expeditions, you’ll get information and service that you could never find in a guidebook.

#10. Kuoni (8/10)

Runner-up: best luxury & tailor-made travel company.

Kuoni is one of the best adventure travel companies for luxury custom travel that's designed specifically to meet your needs. Whether you're looking for a guided small-group tour or a carefully designed experience, Kuoni is there to make your dreams a reality.

Where Kuoni really shines is in its customer service. For travellers from the United Kingdom, you can visit their offices and have a chat with one of their destination experts. If you're someone who wants to plan a trip and a pre-packaged tour won't cut it, Kuoni's adventures just might be for you.

#11. Flash Pack (8/10)

Best adventure travel company for 30-40-somethings.

Are you between the ages of 30 and 49? Do you frequently travel alone but wish you had adventure companions like you? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then Flashpack is the best adventure travel company for you.

Other tour operators place people on a trip together simply because they wanted to go to the same place at the same time. Flashpack specialises in connecting travellers in their 30s and 40s with other like-minded adventure enthusiasts. You can explore the world in style without having to go about it alone.

#12. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel (8/10)

Runner-up: best operator for expert guides.

Wild Frontiers was founded by renowned travel writer Jonny Bealby with a mission to bring travellers to amazing places and introduce them to the fantastic people and cultures that make these locations so special.

The company specialises in small-group travel. Itineraries are organised by regional experts that have been to the places you’ll journey to.

Wild Frontiers offers a wide variety of different tours to some truly remote places, but they’re also happy to tailor-make an itinerary, just for you. On a Wild Frontiers trip, you’ll stay active and experience some of the world’s most remote places like a local.

#13. Trek America (7.8/10)

Runner-up: best small group adventure travel operator.

North America is home to some incredibly diverse landscapes, from the deserts and canyons of the Southwestern United States to the jagged, snow-covered peaks of the Canadian Rockies. There's so much to see and do in the USA and Canada and one of the best ways to experience it all is on a Trek America tour.

Trek America offers road trips in the USA and Canada for young international travellers who want to see the big cities, stunning national parks, and everything in between on their next North American holiday.

Tours vary from just three days to three months. Trek America has something for every active young traveller looking for an adventure holiday in North America.

#14. KE Adventure Travel (7.8/10)

KE Adventure Travel started out as the premier adventure tour operator in the remote Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan. Since then, they’ve expanded their range of offerings to include trips to popular destinations such as the Himalaya , Mount Kilimanjaro , and the European Alps . Hike, bike, climb, and adventure to your heart’s content.

KE Adventures specialises in organising active travel holidays to nearly 90 countries. On a KE Adventures tour, you'll head off the popular trails toward hidden valleys and isolated villages and immerse yourself in the culture of the local people for an authentic travel experience.

#15. Classic Journeys (7.8/10)

Although they may be called “classic,” Classic Journeys ' tours are anything but standard. Classic Journeys is dedicated toward making sure that every traveller on their trip has the experience of a lifetime.

Most Classic Journeys' trips go to popular locations, like France , New Zealand , and the Galapagos . However, they give you a chance to see these places in a different way.

Classic Journeys’ itineraries give you a unique perspective on some of the world’s most popular travel destinations. Classic Journeys' high-end trip offerings include options for families and solo travellers, too, so there’s really something for everyone.

#16. Austin Adventures (7.8/10)

Family-owned and operated, Austin Adventures is a pioneer in small group active holiday adventures around the world. Austin Adventures prides itself on hiring only the highest-quality tour guides and all of their trip itineraries have been fine-tuned. 

The best part about Austin Adventures? Their trips are priced at an all-inclusive rate. You don’t have to worry about shelling out more money after you arrive at your destination. Trips come with a departure guarantee, so you don’t ever have to worry about last-minute cancellations due to low enrollment.

#17. Abercrombie & Kent (7.6/10)

Abercrombie and Kent have been guiding guests on luxury adventure tours for over 50 years, so it’s no surprise that they’ve made it onto our list of the best adventure tour operators.

Abercrombie and Kent will take you quite literally anywhere you want to go in the world. You can choose from one of their pre-set luxury small group tours or ask about a custom itinerary and tour, just for you.

The defining feature of any Abercrombie and Kent tour is luxury. When you book a trip, you can rest assured that you'll be staying at the best hotels and travelling in the most comfortable way possible.

#18. Butterfield & Robinson (7.6/10)

Butterfield and Robinson  offer prescheduled journeys in dozens of countries on nearly every continent.

Their trips focus on hiking, biking, and other outdoor pursuits during the day, but ensure that you still get to enjoy the comforts you expect from a luxury travel company. Butterfield and Robinson  offer a bespoke travel service, so they can design a luxurious active holiday that’s just right for you.

#19. UTracks (7.6/10)

Best active european adventure travel company.

Photo by Sam & Jo

UTracks ' tours are all about exploring Europe in your own way. Dedicated to leading the industry as an active European holiday tour operator, UTracks offers over 400 different small group tours  in nearly 50 countries.

Plus, they have a range of self-guided tour options, so you can skip the hassle of planning logistics and just worry about having an amazing time on your trip. All of UTracks’ trips focus on either walking, cycling, boating, or winter sports, so they’ve got a little bit of something to please everyone.

#20. Natural Habitat Adventures (7.4/10)

Runner-up: best eco-travel operator.

Natural Habitat Adventures specialises in nature travel, bringing visitors to some of the world’s most remote places, so you can see first-hand the beauty of the natural world. Natural Habitats even partners with the World Wildlife Fund to design sustainability and conservation-focused tours for their guests.

Natural Habitats itineraries are wholly unique, and their expedition leaders are some of the most experienced guides out there. Plus, their trips have very small group sizes, with an average of just nine guests per tour, so you can spend more time enjoying nature and less time avoiding tourist crowds.

#21. Explore! (7.2/10)

Explore! has been guiding visitors around the world for nearly 40 years. In that time, they’ve grown from offering just six tours to their current selection of over 600 tours.

Offers range from your classic group excursions to active family adventures. They offer trips in over 130 countries, each of which gives you the chance to learn more about the unique culture and environment in the region you choose to visit.

On every Explore! tour, you'll be guided by locals, who can provide you with information and service that you just can't get from a travel blog or guidebook. Explore! has been fine-tuning their itineraries for nearly four decades, so they have the skills and expertise necessary to create some fantastic active holidays.

#22. Peregrine Adventures (7.2/10)

Peregrine Adventures is the premium small group adventure travel section of the better known Intrepid Travel Company. Like Intrepid, Peregrine is dedicated to offering travellers an off-the-beaten-path experience, so you can get an authentic feel for a place during your holiday.

Where Peregrine stands apart, however, is that their maximum tour size is just 12 people. This means you'll get a much more personalised experience. Peregrine hires experienced local guides, hand-picks their accommodation, and travels in smaller, private vehicles.

#23. Tucan Travel (7.2/10)

Best latin american adventure travel company.

With over three decades of experience under their belt, Tucan Travel is no newcomer to the adventure travel game. Tucan Travel offers first-time travellers and seasoned globetrotters a choice of over 200 different tours in 70 countries. We rate them as the best adventure travel company for Latin America.

Tucan Travel also caters specifically to solo travellers, who make up over half of their total clientele. Tucan Travel is committed to offering affordable active holidays that are focused on sustainable and responsible travel.

#24. Kandoo Adventures (7.2/10)

Best hiking adventure travel company.

If you like to hike, Kandoo might be the adventure tour operator for you. Kandoo pitches themselves as a world expert in adventure trekking, and with trekking tours to places such as Aconcagua, Bhutan, Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, and Nepal, there’s no doubting that they know what they’re talking about.

Kandoo's trips are specifically designed to bring small groups of hikers to some of the world's most remote and famous high-altitude trekking destinations. They're perfect for the adventure traveller with a bucket list.

The team at Kandoo is also committed to responsible travel. When you book with them, you can be confident that your local guides and support team are all adequately compensated and respected.

#25. Adventure Alternative (7/10)

Runner up: best hiking adventure travel company.

Photo by AJCHO

Adventure Alternative was founded almost thirty years ago by Gavin Bate, a mountaineer and International Mountain Leader with decades of personal climbing, trekking, and international travelling experience under his belt.

These days, they focus on providing the highest quality adventure travel experience to their guests. Whether that be on a trip to the jungle, the desert, or the Arctic.

All of the Adventure Alternative’s trips have a focus on hiking, so they’re best for anyone looking to stay active and off the beaten path on their holiday. They’re also more than happy to help you plan a private expedition whatever your personal trekking challenge.

#26. REI Adventures (6.8)

Photo by NW Boating

REI Adventures is the adventure travel subsidiary of Recreational Equipment, Inc., one of the largest and most popular outdoor gear stores in the United States.

REI’s mission is to get people outdoors. They’ve dedicated themselves to providing over 150 different trips to every continent to help their guests have the experience of a lifetime.

REI trips are active adventure expeditions that bring guests to some of the remote places in the world. They’re led by top-notch guides, many of whom are local to the places you’ll be travelling in. The emphasis at REI Adventures is on environmentalism and authentic experiences.  You won’t find any cookie cutter trips with this company.

Ranking Methodology

Criteria & scoring.

To rank the adventure travel companies on our list we used 5 main criteria, as follows: 

We researched the web traffic statistics as measured by SimilarWeb.com and social media audiences as measured by followers on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribers on Youtube. We created a popularity score for 1. Web Traffic and 2. Social Media presence on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 6. Weighting: 5%

Review Profile

We analysed the public review profiles of each of the travel companies focusing on the major independent 3rd party review platforms like Trustpilot, Tourradar, Stride, Tripadvisor, Feefo and Facebook. We divided our review score into two parts: 1. Size of Review Profile, and 2. Overall Quality of Reviews. Each part was scored on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 6. Weighting: 80%

Responsible Travel Practices

We reviewed each travel operator's website and read their statements about responsible travel / ethics / sustainability. We then scored each operator on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 3. Weighting: 5%

Awards and Accreditations

We explored each travel operator's website to uncover evidence of accreditations like ABTA, ATOL, ATTA and AITO (among others), and official awards / recognitions from the travel industry. We then scored each operator on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 3. Weighting: 5%

Breadth of Offering

We analysed the breadth and scale of each operator's tour offerings, focusing on the number of tours offered, countries covered and number of activities. We then scored each operator on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 3. Weighting: 5%

We recognise that smaller travel companies would struggle to compete on some of the criteria above.

For example, a small tour operator would most likely have significantly less web traffic and a smaller social presence than a big travel operator. Equally, they would likely have a smaller scale and breadth of offering.

To provide a level playing field, we therefore weighted our overall score heavily towards 3rd party reviews - a criteria that all operators can fairly compete on.

The total review score counts 80% towards the overall score, with the rest of the criteria accounting for 20%.

Table of Adventure Travel Company Data

Below is the raw data we captured for each adventure travel company during our analysis. Please note, metrics like traffic, social media followers and reviews are dynamic and change overtime. The data below is a snapshot of these metrics as of April / May 2019.

We will revise these numbers annually. 

About the author 

Mark Whitman

Mark has trekked extensively in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He founded Mountain IQ in 2014 with the sole aim to be the best online information portal to some of the most popular mountain destinations around the world. When not writing for Mountain IQ, Mark is out exploring the outdoors with his wife!

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great article.. thanks for the information…

Hello Mark,

Do you have any experience with a travel company called 10Adventures? We are planning a hiking trip through Tuscany and I cannot find any reviews.

Hi Marianne, I’m not familiar with this company, but you may want to look at the Italy trips on our platform, Skyhook: https://skyhookadventure.com/go/italy

We work with local guides to offer great value adventures at unbeatable prices.

Trafalgar vs Globus

June 9, 2017

Trafalgar vs Gate 1 >  

Trafalgar vs Insight Vacations >

Trying to decide between traveling with Trafalgar or Globus? Both are popular tour companies for older travelers. Their tours go all around the world, groups are on the larger size, and itineraries are designed with comfort yet authenticity in mind.

Our ultimate guide is here to help you decide whether traveling with Trafalgar or Globus is right for you!

In a hurry?

See trafalgar vs globus at a glance », full comparison:  trafalgar and globus tours », trafalgar vs globus - what’s the difference.

Trafalgar and Globus both offer tours around the world, though are especially known for Europe. Their tours appeal largely to older travelers seeking a culturally rich yet comfortable tour, and transportation is primarily via luxury motorcoach.

Globus is going to be slightly less expensive on average, however both tour companies are ideal for the budget minded. Trafalgar offers more “insider” local travel with their “Be My Guest” series, and has a wider audience, also offering tours for the 18-39 crowd.

The utlimate guide to compare Trafalgar vs Globus

Travel Styles, Tour Types, and Brands

Both Trafalgar and Globus have long legacies in the guided tourism industry. Globus’ history dates back nearly a century and Trafalgar isn’t far behind with over 70 years in the business.

Given this history, they have had ample time to hone their approaches to escorted tours, and have solid reputations, especially among older budget-minded travelers. These tours are not overly luxurious, but creature comforts are certainly not ignored.

With Trafalgar and Globus you “travel like a local” but a local who lives well and appreciates things like fine wine and food, art, and culture. Think a white tablecloth meal at a restaurant in Ireland after you’ve spent the day among the elements learning about local produce and farming.

Unlike more adventure travel brands, neither Trafalgar or Globus are about ignoring the classic sites. Rather they invite travelers to enjoy special VIP access and exclusive private tours - skipping the line is definitely one of the high points of guided travel!

Trafalgar is one of several premium travel brands owned by TTC (The Travel Corporation). Their sister companies include Insight Vacations, which is like a luxury version of Trafalgar, Contiki - a partying, singles, 18-30s focused brand, and Uniworld - offering premium river cruises around the world.

The Globus family of brands includes Monograms - which is perfect for travelers who enjoy independent and self-guided journeys, Avalon Waterways - providing luxury river cruises around the world, and Cosmos for the budget traveler.

How well do you know the world?

Continues below

...continued

Globus  is heavily aimed at retirees in the 50+ range. Their marketing video spends the first three quarters describing the sacrifices made by parents in planning family vacations around their kids desires - but now it’s your turn; let someone else take care of the planning, go where you want to go, with no hassle. There is a sense of focusing on western world travel, particularly Europe, though other regions like Asia and South America are available.  

Trafalgar  has a similar message, and speaks to a similar audience, if a bit more broadly in terms of cultural exploration. Their approach highlights meeting and interacting with locals from all walks of life. Almost all of their tours feature a special “Be My Guest” activity. This can involve things like learning to cook in Italy, or enjoying a farm to table meal on a Peruvian farm.

Transportation

The core of travel with Globus and Trafalgar is aboard luxury motorcoaches. These comfortable coaches are equipped with wifi, fully reclining seats, and large window for scanning the passing countryside on your way to the next destination. One of the common complaints, however, for this mode of travel is that it’s a lot of time on the bus rather than off it. Other transportation you may experience on these tours include high speed train, ferry, or scenic railway.

Accommodations

Along your tour with Trafalgar or Globus, you’ll encounter a variety of accommodation styles, but all within a 3-4 star range.

Trafalgar  pays particular attention to ensuring they choose accommodations that “tell a part of the story”. These often have unqiue character and are to be considered an integral part of the destination, rather than an afterthought "just a place to sleep". 

Globus  favors selecting hotels that are centrally located and nearby the sites you’ll be visiting in a particular area.

Tours with  Trafalgar  and  Globus  are designed to be budget friendly without compromising comfort or unique cultural activities. This does mean that your tour will include several “optional activities” available for an extra fee. These range from things like helicopter tours to special performances.

Airfare is not included on Globus or Trafalgar tours, however they both will assist with flight planning and booking. In most cases, airport transfer is included in the price of your tour, as well as all ground transportation during the trip. Meals are generally included, excepting during free days.

Trafalgar vs Globus at a glance

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9 Group Travel Companies For Millennials That You Should Have On Your Radar

It's not a secret that millennials love to travel . Whether it's for the Instagram fame, a chance to party, or just the genuine life experience of being in a new place and culture, it's true. In fact, according to research done by Contiki in 2018, the majority of millennials would give up sex for awhile in order to travel the world . Yeah, told you we love to travel! Most millennials in the study were also legitimately willing to temporarily give up Netflix, booze, and coffee in exchange for travel, too, and that's saying a lot. I mean... coffee?

But another interesting quirk in the millennial travel game is our apparent penchant for more adventure-based trips. Many young travelers reportedly opt for hostels or vacation rentals over hotels, making for a more authentic experience, and they are also more likely to seek off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Another thing millennial travelers are into? Group trips. "One of the latest trends in travel is the guided small-group excursion, tailored to give a pack of like-minded young people an immersive experience in a destination," explained Newsday . Group travel packages have a reputation for catering toward an older crowd, featuring trips that check off the boxes of every predictable touristy destination in town. But due to their interest in travel and the difficulty involved in aligning schedules and budgets with a group of friends, millennials have embraced and revitalized the group-of-solo-travelers trend, resulting in a surge of travel companies catering to this generation and organizing international trips specifically for young people.

Check out some of the travel companies for millennials that are curating epic, unique, and adventurous trips for groups of young solo travelers — and start saving up that PTO for a trip of your own.

Contiki (the company behind the sex/Netflix/booze/coffee stats above) curates worldwide trips exclusively for 18-35 year olds. Their motto is "travel with no regrets," which we can get behind — and they offer hundreds of different trips to destinations on nearly every continent. They also have a student discount available, for all you millennial scholars out there.

For The Love Of Travel

For The Love Of Travel is a boutique travel company that offers unique curated group trips for people ages 25-39. "[W]e embrace the idea of 'slow travel,'" the company explained on its site. "That is, having an authentic cultural experience that connects us with the soul of the destination and people we can relate to." Check out their incredible selection of experiences .

Under 30 Experiences

Under 30 Experiences is an adventure travel company aimed toward solo travelers who are — you guessed it — under the age of 30 (with a minimum travel age of 21). But they're not too strict about it: Most guests are apparently between 21-35, and the company says they usually serve "professionals, creative types, ambitious students, entrepreneurs, and motivated young people just figuring it out."

Aimed exclusively at young professionals, Travendly is a group travel company that thoughtfully puts together tribes of like-minded young people (usually in their mid-twenties to late thirties) for ultimate travel enjoyment. With more than a dozen curated trips to countries around the globe , there's something for everyone.

G Adventures' 18-To-Thirtysomethings

The collection of 18-To-Thirtysomethings tours offered by travel company G Adventures are described as"fast-paced and affordable adventures designed for young travellers." Their goal is to create exciting, adventure-based trips that young solo travelers can actually afford, so check out their offerings of trips to destinations around the world .

Travel company Topdeck organizes trips for 18 to 30-something year olds, and the company's passion is to "inspire young people through life-changing travel experiences." The group trips are made specifically for solo travelers who are looking for fun and adventures, and they offer trips all around Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia.

Group travel company Flash Pack curates unique and stylish trips for anyone in the millennial age bracket. Their trips are designed for solo travelers in their late 20s through 40s who are looking for an actually authentic and adventurous experience, and they specialize in high-quality, flexible, boutique accommodations.

Intrepid's 18 To 29s Adventures

This is for those of us on the younger side of the Millennial canon. Formerly known as Gecko, the 18 To 29s Adventures offered by group tour & travel company Intrepid . While they are strict with the age range, these tours are specially designed to be suited to young travelers and focus on local adventures, making their trips sustainability-minded.

EF Ultimate Break

Travel company EF Ultimate Break offers more than 65 different trips made for every travel style, and cater to solo travelers who are ages 18 to 29 for group trips. Unlike many other companies, flight costs are built into its trips, so once you pay (or get on a payment plan) you'll be all set to go, making it super easy for busy millennials.

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Group travel booking: all your questions answered

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2. g adventures.

• Unique and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences
• Hiking, cycling, rail, and marine tours
• Tours focused on wellness
• 18-to-thirty-somethings tours
• Solo traveler-friendly group trips

3. Intrepid Travel

• 18-29s tours
• Active adventures (hiking, biking, kayaking, etc)
• Adventure cruising (travel by boat)
• Family tours
• Wildlife and polar tours
• Women’s expeditions (all-female tours)
• Urban Adventures day tours

4. Exodus Travels

• Trips for those in their 30s-40s, families, and self-guided tours
• Mixed activity trips
• Small ship cruises
• Desert treks, coastal walks, and wildlife walks
• Private group adventures

5. MT Sobek

• Search based on activity/fitness level
• Hiking, trekking, rafting, and kayaking activities
• Family adventures
• Adventure cruising and camping
• Search by accommodation, including luxury hotels, safari camps and lodges, and rustic lodging
• Private and customized travel tours
• Skiing and snowboarding tours
• Short trips and festivals
• Island hopping tours, road trips, and bus tours
• Pride trips
• 24/7 customer support

7. For the Love of Travel (FTLO)

• Weekend trips
• International trips
• A commitment to being a climate-neutral brand, supporting local economies, and only working with vendors that align with their values
• Low season travel tour deals
• “Choice touring”, a selection of curated experiences in off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Faith-based travel itineraries

9. EF Go Ahead Tours

• Multi-country tours
• Food and wine, history, and family tours
• Seasonal and special event tours (including Oktoberfest, Christmas market tours, and summer tours)
• Safari and wildlife, battlefield, and national park tours
• Private and customized group tours

10. Classic Journeys

• A loyalty program offering discounts and priority room assignments
• Groups and corporate luxury tours
• Couples and friends tours
• Limited edition vacations such as visiting Japan’s cherry blossoms or viewing a solar eclipse
• A variety of walking, food and wine, multisport, and heritage and ancestry tours

What are the common challenges involved in booking trips for large groups of people?

Gathering all of the necessary group travel information, multiple moving parts are difficult to manage, what are group travel companies and what services do they typically offer, design travel itineraries according to client needs, offer locally based guides.

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Justin timberlake’s ‘forget tomorrow’ world tour revives the reigning prince of pop.

At his triumphant tour stop in Los Angeles, the singer thrilled fans with a setlist of greatest hits and new material that proves the Grammy-winning entertainer is here to stay.

By Tim Chan

pmc-editorial-manager

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Who says the pop star is dead? At his triumphant tour stop in Los Angeles Saturday night, Justin Timberlake led a revival for the reigning Prince of Pop, with a setlist of greatest hits and new material that proves the Grammy-winning entertainer is here to stay.

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Dressed in a glittery black suit and trousers, the singer opened with “No Angels,” a disco-lite cut off EITIW that immediately had the crowd on its feet. Backed by a trio of background singers and a full band (including a four-piece horn section), Timberlake and his “ Tennessee Kids ” followed with a tight triple whammy of “LoveStoned,” “Like I Love You” and “My Love” before slowing things down with “Technicolor,” a seductive slow jam that finds the singer worshipping his “modern day” Marilyn Monroe.

Timberlake has made headlines over the last few months for his off-the-cuff comments , but on Saturday, the singer let his music do most of the talking, while showing off some slick choreography that proved he — literally — hasn’t missed a step. Playful, self-assured and just a tad rambunctious, Timberlake was at his best on crowd-pleasers like “FutureSex/LoveSound” and “Summer Love,” the latter of which gave the star a chance to bust out some rump-shaking moves during a mid-song dance break.

Fans immediately leaped back to their feet when the familiar piano opening of “Cry Me a River” began to play. “That got your ass up!” Timberlake quipped about his controversial track , which came surprisingly early on in the night.

Timberlake didn’t say much else during the concert, though he did note that it was “a special night,” with many of his friends and family in the L.A. audience. Wife Jessica Biel wasn’t seen in the crowd, but an acoustic medley of ballads performed on a side stage included Timberlake’s recent single, “Selfish,” which the singer wrote about his longtime partner.

Indeed, Timberlake has been entertaining fans for a long time, too. “I feel like we’ve grown up together,” the singer said at one point of the night, shouting out “a little group called NSYNC” for giving him his start in the music industry (while NSYNC reunited for a one-off Timberlake show at The Wiltern in March, there was no reunion, alas, on Saturday).

“I’ve grown up with you and you’ve grown up with me,” the singer said. “I’m never going to forget it and I have so much gratitude for each and every one of you here tonight.”

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John Stamos joining The Beach Boys on tour this summer

The "Full House" alum is performing on select dates across the country.

John Stamos is hitting the road with The Beach Boys this summer.

The "Full House" alum -- who has a longstanding relationship with the band -- will join The Beach Boys for a string of dates on their Endless Summer Gold 2024 tour, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of their album of the same name.

Stamos will perform on dates from May 30 to June 20, July 5 to July 7 and August 30 to Sept. 1 at venues across the country.

Disney+ announces Beach Boys music documentary: All the details

"I believe their songs have been patiently waiting for this moment, perfectly timed to uplift spirits, especially when needed the most," the "ER" alum said in a statement. "I'm humbled that I get to be part of something truly special, something bigger than ourselves."

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He continued, "You must see The Beach Boys ASAP! It's an unforgettable opportunity to remind everyone of the massive power music holds to heal and unite. Together, they continue to captivate audiences, honoring the timeless appeal of America's Band, The Beach Boys."

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Charley Hoffman leads at renovated Colonial as Scottie Scheffler fails to break par

Charley Hoffman lines up a putt on the 16th hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero

Charley Hoffman watches his tee shot on the 15th hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero

Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot off the sixth hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Scottie Scheffler hits out of a sand trap on the ninth hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Scottie Scheffler walks off the ninth hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, May 23, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero

Scottie Scheffler chips onto the ninth green during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Jordan Spieth lines up his putt on the 10th green during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Brian Harman putts on the fifth green during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Tony Finau tees off the sixth hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

The gallery watches as Scottie Scheffler hits a shot on the seventh hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler failed to break par in the opening round for the first time this year Thursday on a tough afternoon of blustery conditions and a new feel at renovated Colonial that seemed to befuddle just about everyone but Charley Hoffman in the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Hoffman posted a 5-under 65 for a one-shot lead over five players who all had a big advantage of playing in the morning. Hoffman had to deal with wind that gusted in the 20 mph range, putting a premium on shots into greens that were particularly firm from being so new.

Scheffler’s 2-over 72 on Thursday was the second time in his last three rounds he was over par. Before that, he had played 41 consecutive rounds at par or better.

He was in the news all day — first from Louisville, Kentucky, where police released what video they had of his arrest last Friday morning before the PGA Championship, then from an opening round at Colonial that included his first triple bogey of the year.

Scheffler wasn’t alone in his struggles.

Only 45 players from the 132-man field broke par, a stark contrast from the record scoring last week at the PGA Championship. Max Homa failed to make a birdie and posted a 78, his highest score at a non-major since the Memorial four years ago.

Much of that had to do with Colonial, which went through an extensive restoration since last year’s tournament that included new sod from tee-to-green along with an upgraded irrigation system.

The greens were firm and bouncy from new sod, as expected — no one had played Colonial after the renovation until this week — and the wind added to the difficulty.

Hoffman saw that no one posted better than 66 in the morning — a group that included British Open champion Brian Harman and Tony Finau — and realized it probably wouldn’t be easy. Fairways and greens are not always his strength, but that was the best approach.

Hoffman missed only two fairways and three greens, and he never came seriously close to dropping a shot.

“It’s one of those golf courses you want to be aggressive on because you have some mid and low irons in, but you can’t get too aggressive out here because the greens are small and it’s hard to get up-and-down,” Hoffman said. “So I would say it was somewhat an easy 5 under, which are nice. They’re not always that way, but it was low stress.”

Harman and Martin Laird also played bogey-free in the morning for their 66s, and they were joined by Finau, S.H. Kim and Davis Riley.

Collin Morikawa, who played in the final group at the Masters and the PGA Championship this year, was among those who opened with 68.

Harman felt everyone was on equal footing, regardless of past results, because it felt so new, even as the “essence of the course” was the same.

“The fear when you redo an iconic place like this is that they mess it up, and I feel pretty confident saying that they didn’t mess it up,” Harman said. “Now the course needs time to mature, the grass really isn’t quite where it needs to be yet. It takes a long time for those roots to get their structure and for everything to settle down.

“I’m going to hold off judgment for another couple years probably on how I think about it, but I don’t think they messed it up. I think they did a pretty good job.”

Scheffler has gone through a most unusual week dating to his arrest in the morning darkness before his second round of the PGA Championship, when police were investigating a pedestrian fatality and arrested — and briefly jailed — Scheffler for not following traffic directions.

Scheffler was released and made it back to Valhalla less than a hour before his tee time and shot 66. But he followed with a 73 — ending his par-or-better streak — and shot 65 on the final day to tie for eighth.

At a news conference in Louisville, the police chief said the arresting officer is facing “corrective action” for not using his body camera during the arrest. Scheffler faces a June 3 arraignment on four charges, including second-degree assault of a police officer. The officer claims he was dragged by Scheffler’s car. There was no video of their first interaction.

Scheffler opened with a pair of birdies through four holes until dropping shots by coming up short from the rough on the par-4 seventh and on the par-4 ninth from a fairway bunker.

But his round went south on the par-3 13th, an 8-iron that was short and right and into the pond. His wedge from the drop zone spun off the green, and he chipped to 8 feet and missed the putt. He finished with four pars and a birdie.

Adam Scott, the only player to win on every current PGA Tour stop in Texas, opened with a 69 in his first time at Colonial since 2018. He won in 2013 in his first start at No. 1 in the world.

Jordan Spieth hit wedge to 2 feet on his final hole to salvage a 71.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

PGA Championship 2024 live updates: Xander Schauffele birdies last to win first major

Xander Schauffele wins the 2024 PGA Championship

• Xander Schauffele birdies the 18th to win the PGA Championship
• Final round of 65 sees him finish the tournament at -21
• Win seals the 30-year-old American’s first major triumph

Final leaderboard :

• -21: Schauffele (65)
• -20: DeChambeau (64)
• -18: Hovland (66)
• -15: Detry (66)
• -15: Morikawa (71)

What to know from Xander Schauffele's PGA Championship win

By drilling a clutch 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole, Schauffele held off Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke to win his first career major championship. Schauffele’s score of 21-under-par is the lowest in men’s major history, and his 25 birdies tie the most ever by a player in a PGA Championship. Schauffele is the first player in history to make 25 or more birdies in multiple majors in his career, having done so previously at the 2019 Masters.

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Reflecting on the evolution of DeChambeau

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Wild to think a year ago this week at Oak Hill was basically the debut of this latest iteration of Bryson DeChambeau . Slimmed down. Talking about losing 18 pounds in 24 days — all water weight. A new caddie — one who had left the business to pursue other ventures.

I remember talking to Greg Bodine that week and him speaking about DeChambeau's evolution, most interestingly that he could now "dial it back and still swing his driver 10 miles per hour faster than he ever did five or six years ago".

It was the notion that DeChambeau was coming to combine both his original talent and his massive size/strength gains to find a happy medium. Now here we are.

DeChambeau: 'I didn’t take care of it earlier in the week'

You can hear the sense of regret in Bryson DeChambeau 's words. Here's what he had to say, speaking to Sky Sports after missing out on a PGA Championship playoff:

💬 “I didn’t have my best ball-striking week. I wasn’t too comfortable. So I have a little bit to work on there. But I’m proud of the way I fought today. My birdie on the 10th ignited the fire and I showed resilience.

“I thought the (number) might be good enough. Weird stuff can happen on the 18th. But I didn’t take care of it earlier in the week.

“I’m happy with my week but I want to win.”

Xander Schauffele wins PGA Championship for first career major victory

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Xander Schauffele can finally remove the albatross from around his neck. Schauffele, golf’s beacon of unrewarded consistency, won the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on Sunday for his first career major victory.

He did it in one of the more memorable ways possible, sinking a six-foot birdie putt on 18 with the entirety of the crowd watching. After watching the ball circle the hole before finally dropping in to get Schauffele to 21-under-par, one stroke ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, he threw both arms into the air and let out perhaps the biggest smile of his career.

Starting the day in a loaded and crowded leaderboard full of top players, Schauffele shared the lead with Collin Morikawa, only adding more pressure to end his major woes. Schauffele failed to win starting in three final groups already this spring. Twenty times he’d finished in the top 20 of a major without a win. Each impressive week was also just another bitter-sweet reminder of not being good enough to win the trophy at the end.

But in a low-scoring week, Schauffele opened with a major-record 62 and finished with a 65 to properly establish himself as one of golf’s best players. He led or co-led after every round.

Read more here.

Schauffele felt the emotion with his winning putt

Xander Schauffele gets the microphone following his Wanamaker Trophy presentation, and his smile is dominating his face.

Here's what he said to CBS after getting his hands on the silverware:

💬 “I was kind of emotional after the putt lipped in. It’s been a while since I won and really, I just kept saying I needed to stay in my lane. That was hard all day but I stayed focused. I had some weird breaks coming into the house but we’re here now.

“I would be less of a patient person if that putt didn’t lip in! I didn’t want to go into a playoff with Bryson. We would probably have played 18!

“My Mum is back at home in San Diego and my Dad is in Hawaii. I just spoke to him. I had to hang-up pretty quickly because he was starting to make me cry. He was sat on the phone bawling. Everyone I have here makes me feel pretty special. I was pleased to do this for my team.”

Xander Schauffele: PGA Champion and major winner

The Wanamaker Trophy looks good on you, Xander.

A fleeting thought for DeChambeau

Obviously no-one things of anyone other than the winner at this point. But it's hard not to feel for Bryson DeChambeau for a moment.

The adrenaline of his birdie on 18, the minutes of practicing for a playoff or victory that might come... And then doesn't.

Still, this is Xander Schauffele's moment, and he is about to get his hands on the Wanamaker Trophy.

Schauffele matches his best when it mattered

Xander Schauffele ’s final-round 65 matches the lowest of his major championship career.

He twice closed with 65 at the 2021 Open and 2017 Open, but in both came from way down the board to finish T26 and T20.

Today, he made it count.

A PGA Championship record here at Valhalla

Lowest combined score to par by field, PGA Championship history:

• 2024 Valhalla, -214
• 1997 Riviera, +40
• 2018 Bellerive, +59

That's for the doubters

I must admit, I wasn't sure that putt was going to drop. But it did.

In fairness, a lot of people weren't sure Xander Schauffele were going to see today out either. But he did.

That record-equalling 62 on Thursday proved to be just the start. What a PGA Championship and what a first major for the 30-year-old.

Get to know Xander Schauffele

Want to get a feel for Xander Schauffele's makeup? How he approaches his place in the game? During a long chat at the Presidents Cup last year , he was asked about why he seems to hold back so much publicly.

“I feel prone to hermit because it’s easier to just focus on the golf,” Schauffele said. “It’s a safe space — hermitting is a safe space. Golf is such a weird game, you know? It’s so slow. Quiet. Non-contact. It makes it so much easier to not go scorched earth. If I just said, screw it, and said what I wanted all the time? No. As soon as you put yourself out there, let the bad things in, getting your mind going somewhere else, it’ll tear you apart. You’ve seen it happen to golfers.

“Instead, I just go at what I see as the agreeable rout,” he continued. “Just sort of agree with everything being said by other top players. Go along. Everyone falls into categories and I just try to stay on my little peninsula.”

SCHAUFFELE WINS THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP!

1: Xander SCHAUFFELE (-21) 65

The birdie putt wipes its feet and rolls round the rim before dropping in the hole for 6ft...

Xander Schauffele has his first major title!

Morikawa DOES get his birdie in the end

T4: Collin MORIKAWA (-15) 71

Morikawa finishes with his first birdie! He got one in the end then.

Something to consider as it comes down to the 18th

As Xander Schauffele walks up the 18th fairway needing a birdie to win and a par to force a playoff with Bryson DeChambeau, consider that the par-5 hole is playing as the easiest hole on the course today (4.554 average score).

There have been two eagles, 40 birdies, 23 pars, eight bogeys and one "other."

Schauffele will have the putt to win it

That's a wonderful chip and run from Schauffle, which checks up short of the hole and leaves a tempter for the birdie that wins the championship.

DeChambeau returns to his playoff practice. Just in case.

Schauffle setting up a major-winning finish

Here we go. Schauffele is down in two at the par-five 18th after a super second shot.

Surely there's a PGA-winning birdie on the cards here...

Theegala holes out in style

T12: Sahith THEEGALA (-12) 73

It's not been the day Theegala was hoping for, but rolling in a 20-footer on 18 for a birdie may well add a bit of good feeling as he heads home.

Shane Lowry (-14) also wraps up on 18. He does it with a par to finish with 70 and tied-fifth for the championship.

Bryson out to prepare

Off to the practice range heads Bryson DeChambeau , as he waits to hear about what Xander Schauffele manages on the 18th.

A second major, a last-gasp defeat or a playoff... It's all possible from here.

More than anything, DeChambeau will be hoping to settle a bit after the adrenaline of his birdie on 18 moments ago.

Hovland's bogey ends streak

Viktor Hovland went the entire weekend without a bogey, then took a six on the par-5 18th on Sunday.

As if the 16th at Oak Hill wasn't tough enough to stomach — leaving his approach in the fairway bunker in a one-on-one matchup versus Brooks Koepka — this will sit even worse.

Consider: He very well could've become only the third major champion over the last 30 years to go bogey-free over the final two rounds. Instead, it's more regret.

Taylor Swift sings 'The Alchemy' as Travis Kelce attends Eras Tour in Paris

PARIS — Taylor Swift sang "The Alchemy" as part of her acoustic set of surprise songs during Sunday's Eras Tour show with boyfriend Travis Kelce in attendance. Several football metaphors in the song have led fans to believe Swift wrote it about the Kansas City Chiefs tight end.

"Can you believe this is the 87th show?" Swift asked during her acoustic set in La Défense Arena. Kelce wears No. 87. She then played a mashup on guitar of "The Alchemy" from her new album "The Tortured Poets Department" with "Treacherous" from "Red."

Kelce stood in his box as Swift glanced up at him and the crowd looked back and forth between the two.

"This happens once every few lifetimes," Swift sang. "These chemicals hit me like white wine.”

The crowd roared.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Kelce joined 40,000-plus fans for the fourth and final night of Taylor Swift 's Eras Tour in Paris. He watched from a box seat alongside actor Bradley Cooper, super model Gigi Hadid and rock star Lenny Kravitz.

The concert marks the fifth time Kelce has appeared at the tour since the couple went public last year. His first stop was Buenos Aires, Argentina, followed by Sydney, Australia, and two nights in Singapore . Swift has changed the “Karma” lyrics to "guy on the Chiefs" every time Kelce has cheered her on from the sidelines.

Kelce hadn’t seen the new set list live since Swift switched up the eras and added her 11th era, “ The Tortured Poets Department .” The singer-songwriter said she’s been working on the changes for 8-9 months (since last fall).

Hadid has famously been a member of Swift's squad for years now and has been dating Cooper for several months.

Other celebrities spotted in the crowd included Grey's Anatomy actor Jessica Capshaw and singer Christina Milian.

Her next stop is Stockholm, Sweden, as she continues the European leg of the tour.

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Billy Eichner Teases Hollywood Bowl Singing Debut at ‘Lion King’ Celebration: ‘I Feel Like I’m on Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour’

Nathan Lane, Jennifer Hudson, Jeremy Irons, Heather Headley and North West are also performing at the live-to-film concert event

By Marc Malkin

Marc Malkin

Senior Editor, Culture and Events

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Billy Eichner is finally getting to live out his childhood dream of a being in a major stage musical.

The “Bros” star is making his Hollywood Bowl singing debut this weekend during “ The Lion King ‘s” 30th anniversary live-to-film concert.

“We just had our first official rehearsal all together this morning,” Eichner told me Wednesday afternoon. “The scope and size of it really knocked me out. If I can get through it, I think it’s going to be really fun.”

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Young Eichner calmed down in time for the show: “I was blown away. I could not stop watching Nathan. He just blew my mind, just the ultimate musical comedy star.”

Eicher became friends with Lane, who played Timon in the original “Lion King” movie, after they were introduced at a birthday party for Bridget Everett. “When I got the role of Timon and he saw the movie, he was always sending me emails of support,” Eichner said of the Tony winner. “When I had gotten some good reviews, he was congratulating me. He’s my hero, so to be on stage with him is truly wild.”

With Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter making her feature film debut in “Mufasa” as Kiara, the daughter of Nala (Beyoncé) and Simba (Donald Glover), I asked Eichner if he got to work with the music superstars’ offspring. “I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say, so I’m not going to say it,” he said. “But I’m excited about ‘Mufasa.’ We just had what I think was maybe our final recording sessions with [director] Barry Jenkins. It was the first time I’ve seen any of the movie.”

But for now, all his attention is on the Hollywood Bowl. He’ll take part in a full dress rehearsal later today. “All of the producers have flown over from London,” Eichner said. “We’re all finally in person together with the orchestra and the conductor and choreographer Jamal Sims and so many dancers — so many dancers! I feel like I’m on Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour.”

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