I dismissed the world's most popular way to travel, until I tried it
I was a doubter once too. I dismissed one of the world's most popular ways to travel before I'd tried it myself. Not only that, but I was a traveller, not a tourist, and I couldn't imagine enjoying bland travel with strangers.
But then I went on my first guided tour.
It was to the eastern states of Canada, and I surprised myself by enjoying it. I saw many destinations that would have taken twice as long and a lot more trouble to see by myself. I fell in with friendly fellow guests and an amusing, informative tour manager.
I've been on many guided tours since, although they haven't taken over my travelling life. I still drive myself around Italy and do my own thing in Beijing, and revel in the independence.
Then again, there are times I can't be bothered organising it all – I don't want holiday hassle, I don't want to waste time getting from A to B, and I'm happy to delegate to a tour company.
I've discovered that escorted journeys are as varied as any other kind of travel. They aren't the one-size-fits-all coach tours of the stereotype. They can be big, small, specialised or immersive.
Tours can take you around on trains or on foot. They can reveal new sides to familiar places, or take you to remote or uncertain places you wouldn't want to tackle alone. Some suit backpacker budgets, others pull out all the indulgent stops.
Give guided tours a go and you may be pleasantly surprised. Here are just a few of the varied options to whet your appetite.
The short break group tour
Best for The busy working person who wants to depressurise with a getaway, but doesn't have the time or energy for big holidays and long-haul flights.
Tell me more If do-nothing beach holidays aren't for you, short tours get you to interesting destinations, and some focus on particular interests. You can escape the home-and-work routine without using up much leave, and you don't have to plan or organise anything yourself. They're particularly a great opportunity to see bucket-list corners of Australia. Downside? You mightn't quite have the time to completely unwind.
Take it Australian outback specialist AAT Kings has been operating for a century and has many short-break tours of between two and five days in the Northern Territory and Queensland that will allow you to tick off icons such as Kakadu National Park, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Cape Tribulation or the Great Barrier Reef. Indigenous experiences add depth. Solo travellers have viable options.
Essentials AAT Kings' four-day 'Red Centre Highlights' tour round-trip from Ayers Rock Airport departs year-round. From $1779 a person. See aatkings.com
The specialist group tour
Best for Jaded travellers who think they've done it all and need new eyes, or the more focused traveller who simply wants to follow their passions or particular interests.
Tell me more Tours don't have to be bland overviews or take in five countries in a week. Specialists tours cover everything from Thai cuisine to Roman archaeology, classical music to Japanese festivals, and some might even involve workshops or classes in interests such as cooking, language, photography or wine tasting. You'll benefit from local expertise and find satisfaction in focusing on one aspect of local culture.
Take it Who doesn't love a good garden? Botanica World Discoveries (part of the APT Travel Group) operates small-group garden tours and cruises worldwide, some timed for famous flower shows. They're accompanied by botanical or gardening experts and often have privileged access to private gardens not open to the public. You won't miss out on seeing other cultural and historical sights, either.
Essentials Botanica World Discoveries' eight-day 'Moorish Architecture, Art and Gardens of Marrakesh and the Atlas Mountains' tour round-trip from Marrakesh departs May 5, 2026. From $9995 a person. See botanicatours.com
The small group tour
Best for The traveller who likes company and wants to be sociable, but is also looking for an immersive and more personalised experience and more flexibility.
Tell me more Small-group tours often deliver a more authentic local experience and a more efficient one because you aren't spending your time waiting on 30 other people to get moving or order dinner. You'll have more opportunity to interact with your local guides and tour manager. The cliques of larger groups don't form, although you might end up stuck with people you don't get on with – though fellow travellers often share the same interests.
Take it Collette operates various types of tours worldwide, but its small-group explorations have an average 19 participants and maximum of 24. They're immersive, culturally minded and often focus on an in-depth exploration of a particular country or region, mixing big-name sights with interesting destinations off the beaten track. Free time is built in. Local guides are informative.
Essentials Collette's 14-day 'Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana' tour between Johannesburg and Cape Town departs year-round. From $9849 a person. See gocollette.com
The region-specific group tour
Best for Well-travelled but still inquisitive people who have favourite countries but have yet to see certain regions or go beyond mainstream tourist routes.
Tell me more The multi-country tour isn't for everyone, but many tours are now much more focused on single countries or even specific regions. Often they're slower paced and have two nights or more in some destinations, and built-in free time for individual exploration. Some will get you into regions otherwise difficult to access on your own. You'll have to sacrifice major bucket-list sights but will get a less tourist-crowded, more authentic experience.
Take it The innovative homegrown operator Scenic is celebrating its 40th anniversary and its 20th year in river cruising in 2026. It operates varied tours and cruises worldwide and many have a regional focus. They're notable for their range of inclusions (such as transfers and gratuities) and Freechoice activities that provide various excursion choices for a more tailored experience.
Essentials Scenic's 14-day 'Christmas in the Rockies' tour between Victoria and Calgary departs December 14 and 16, 2025. From $13,595 a person. See
The classic group tour
Best for Those just getting into travel or solo travellers who might find the tour-group framework reassuring. Or those who don't have a big travel budget and want to see as much as they can. Or even the well-travelled, eyeing up more adventurous places.
Tell me more Don't dismiss the overview tour to multiple destinations with varied sights and activities. You won't have to deal with any travel hassles on journeys that are complicated to organise yourself, which leaves you with more time and energy to enjoy the destinations. One major advantage of large groups is that you'll find like-minded fellow guests. However, you will only get a regimented day in each place; don't expect to see it all.
Take it The world is your proverbial oyster with Melbourne-based Inspiring Vacations. It packages tours to every corner of the globe, from Armenia to Zimbabwe, including fully inclusive tours, self-driving tours, cruises and train journeys. It has a great range of classic tours covering destinations as far-ranging as Sri Lanka, South Africa and Iceland, with flexible add-ons and upgrades.
Essentials Inspiring Vacations' 22-day 'Five Stans Unveiled' tour from Ashgabat to Almaty departs June-October 2025 and May-October 2026. From $5495 a person. See inspiringvacations.com
The active group tour
Best for Travellers who can't sit still, want to get (or stay) fit, and who like the great outdoors. But for any traveller, these specialised tours provide another way to enjoy familiar and much-loved destinations.
Tell me more If you're put off by the idea that tours involve sitting on a coach, then get on your bike, horse or feet. Active tours can be relaxing or very challenging, and you benefit from mutual small-group encouragement and commiseration over blisters. Some tours provide group safety in remote places – whether the summit of Kilimanjaro or the deepest outback – that you'd be rash to tackle on your own. Your horizons, though, will be limited.
Take it Intrepid, founded by two Melbourne backpackers in the 1980s, has a terrific range of energetic worldwide tours focused on cycling, walking, trekking and sailing. Multi-active tours might include kayaking, rafting, paddleboarding or snorkelling too. It also has specialist tours for families, solos and women. Tours are small-group, adventurous and focused on local and socially responsible experiences.
Essentials Intrepid's 11-day 'Patagonia: Torres del Paine Full Circuit' tour round-trip from Puerto Natales departs October 30 and December 1 and 22, 2025 and January-March 2026. From $9525 a person. See intrepidtravel.com
The train lover's group tour
Best for Anyone entranced by the clickety-clack of a train's wheels, which is surely most travellers. For the eco-conscious looking to tread lightly, there's no better way to go.
Tell me more Transportation by coach may be common, but you'll find other ways to tour, from barges to sailboats and cruise ships. The railway tour provides authentic local transport, will likely take you longer distances, and provides a comfortable window onto the scenery. In some countries such as India and Japan, trains and train stations themselves are a great travel and cultural experience.
Take it For more than 25 years, Australian travel specialist Wendy Wu Tours has rolled out journeys in China, then Asia, and now far beyond to destinations such as Egypt and South America. Its Rail Tours either include iconic rail journeys such as the Reunification Express in Vietnam, or explore predominantly by train in destinations such as China, Japan and India.
Essentials Wendy Wu Tours' 18-day 'Tibetan Railroad' tour between Xian and Chengdu departs September 5 and October 10, 2025 and in April-May and Aug-Sept 2026. From $8980 a person. See wendywutours.com.au
The cultural events group tour
Best for Anyone looking for a bit of fun and excitement along with their general sightseeing. Festivals and celebrations can be some of the most memorable events in travel.
Tell me more This type of tour (and cruise) is becoming more and more popular, offering an easier way to enjoy major festivals that might otherwise be costly or booked out long in advance. You'll find tours that cover cultural and sporting events, religious pilgrimages and celebrations, and annual events from ice festivals to national days, Christmas markets in Europe and Diwali celebrations in India.
Take it Bunnik Tours takes you around the world in various tour styles with a maximum 20 guests. It has numerous Festival Departures to events such as Central Europe's Christmas markets, the Day of the Dead in Mexico, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, and festivals in northern Japan, Peru and Sri Lanka. This Adelaide-based family-run company has operated since 1995.
Essentials Bunnik Tours' 21-day 'Colours of Rajasthan – Pushkar Festival' tour round-trip from Delhi departs October 23, 2025. From $7995 a person. See bunniktours.com.au
The far-flung group tour
Best for Anyone, even the most rugged and experienced traveller, who wants to get into the Earth's most difficult-to-access crannies, or even relatively accessible crannies with unpredictable conditions best not tackled alone.
Tell me more Sure, bread-and-butter tours take you to mainstream Europe or Asia and are often city-centric. But there's virtually no destination you can't get to these days on a tour, from truly remote places like the Canadian Arctic or Amazon to places not much on the Australian radar, such as Ecuador or Mongolia. You might, however, miss out on mainstream or urban sights, and sacrifice comforts.
Take it APT is one of our most recognisable travel brands and operates rail tours, river and ocean cruises, four-wheel-drive tours and more worldwide. Many will take you to mainstream destinations, but the adventurous can choose tours from the Kimberley to the Galapagos Islands, Alaska to Zambia. Freedom of Choice options allow you to personalise your experience.
Essentials APT's 'Tasmanian Wilderness Escape' tour round-trip from Hobart departs November 3 and 24, 2025, and March 9, 2026. From $5395 a person. See aptouring.com
The immersive group tour
Best for The curious traveller keen not just to see big monuments and museums but explore local culture and learn more about local life.
Tell me more These tours bring you more cultural depth and often more time – sometimes even four or five days – in key destinations. Expect activities such as home or farm visits or even stays, along with leisure time scheduled for individual exploration. You'll usually veer away from the most-tramped tourist towns or, in popular cities, explore alternative neighbourhoods favoured by locals.
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Take it The strength of Albatross Tours is that it offers multiple nights in certain destinations, allowing for a more in-depth exploration over three, four or five nights, both on local tours and during free time. You'll see the highlights but also enjoy more local and nuanced experiences and because you aren't constantly on the move, the pace is relaxed.
Essentials Albatross Tours' 24-day 'Cradle of Civilisation' tour between Istanbul and Athens departs September 2, 2025, and May 5, June 9, August 25 and September 8, 2026. From $18,887 a person. See albatrosstours.com.au
Five tips to make your guided tour work for you
Manage the socialising A big plus of guided tours is the company of like-minded people and the security of company in unfamiliar places. But you don't want to be constantly distracted with conversation or to travel in a social bubble. Be sure to explore on your own instead of getting sucked into long lunches and hotel bar drinks with fellow guests.
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Get on with your tour manager Tour managers aren't personal butlers, so don't pester them with trivial requests and don't hog all their conversation, which creates ill feeling among other guests. Be polite and undemanding except when required: if you have a problem, speak up. A tour manager who's on your side is a font of useful local information and advice.
Pace yourself Guided tours make the most of your time with busy schedules that often run from early morning until dinner time. Long days, constant chatter and jet lag all conspire to exhaust you. Manage your pace so you don't crash. Please don't hesitate to skip breakfast, retire early or pass on the museum visit to dawdle in a park if that's what you need.
Do your own thing some of the time You aren't in a chain gang, you're on a guided tour, and you have no obligation to join every activity or meal. Besides, many tours these days have built-in free time, so take the opportunity to follow your own interests, see a particular sight not on the itinerary, or simply sit in a local cafe.
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It's the world's most famous pilgrim route - but are you ever too old to walk it?
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