General Information About Tour Groups

Get the General Gist

Tour groups are a way for you to experience a destination with a minimum of planning and hassle. Tour group itineraries range from very detailed (most of your time is scheduled for you) to fairly loose (you can leave the group and explore on your own).

In most cases, a tour group company makes all travel arrangements, such as making airline and hotel reservations or chartering a bus. That's a big plus, as finding the best fares or good places to stay can take a lot of time, and a tour director is going to ensure you're staying in reputable accommodations, eliminating the chance that you find yourself in a roach-infested hostel from heck.

Tour group company directors also plan itineraries so that you don't miss any must-see sights -- and their insider knowledge of your destination also means that you get see things not listed in guide books.

Types of Tours

Looking for adventure, education or a little of both?

Educational Tours

Companies like Explorica offer teacher led tours, initiated by your teacher and overseen by Explorica's team. Here's a sample of what to expect from a company such as Explorica:

Tour Director - responsible for organizing the overall logistics of the trip. He or she will be with you from the beginning of the tour until the end to oversee the arrangements for all transportation, meals, accommodations, and sightseeing.

Group Leader - the adult, generally your teacher, who organizes and chaperones your tour and is responsible for all disciplinary actions.

Program Consultants - based in the company's Boston office, they handle all the administrative and logistical details.
(Thanks to Explorica for the above information -- and see the Explorica itinerary from a trip we took, too.)

Adventure Tours

Some tour companies offer you the chance to join an eco or adventure tour group independently. Ask for student promotional rates. Generally, you must get there on your own and then your travel, accommodations and meals are taken care of; you may be completely guided or you may choose a trip where you'll have a few guided tours, leaving you plenty of free time to explore on your own and educate yourself about local culture and ecology.

Visit the links on this page for some tour group options. Bon voyage!