By Robert Scheer
Now that the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be under control and countries across the globe are finally welcoming tourists again, people are responding to the call of the travel bug. Passport offices have long lines of would-be travelers getting their documents renewed so they can once again visit foreign lands.
But what is the best way to visit new places? Should you venture forth on your own or join a group tour? Here are some pros and cons of traveling independently versus going with others as a part of an organized group.
Are You A Risk-Taker?
Younger travelers are probably more likely to head off into the unknown with a few changes of clothing stashed into a backpack, while those of us over 55 may be more comfortable with the security and safety that goes with small group tours, with all the I’s dotted and all the T’s crossed before you take a cab to the airport. One of the greatest advantages of traveling as part of an organized group is that all of the guesswork has been removed. The tour organizer has studied the variables and determined the most efficient way to see and experience the highlights of the region. They know the good and bad accommodations, restaurants, and modes of transportation. And the expert guides who can point out things you might otherwise have missed.
How to Avoid Missing Out
Another big advantage of group tours is that many of them are led by an expert. For example, there are Ireland Folklore tours that are co-hosted by authors of books about Irish myths and legends. You can find a group tour of Maya pyramids in the Yucatan that includes guest lectures by an archaeologist who has been studying and teaching about the Mayan culture for decades. Of course, independent travelers can also hire expert guides, if you want to take the time and effort of doing the necessary research.
Experiential or Transformational Travel Tours
Small group tours with a specialized purpose are planned and created for folks who want to be travelers rather than tourists. It’s fine if you only want a “sun, suds and sex” vacation, but if you are hoping to fulfill a bucket list yearning, then specialty group tours will be closer to the mark. It’s amazing the variety of tours you can find today, such as tours about cooking, photography, kayaking, SCUBA diving, bird-watching, meditation, yoga, golf and tennis, just to name a few.
Traveling with Like-Minded People
Another often-overlooked benefit of small group tours is the people you will be traveling with. If you’re on a Sacred Sites Associated With Mary Magdalene in France tour, then it’s a pretty safe bet that the other individuals in your group will also have a deep interest in Mary Magdalene spirituality. It’s quite possible you might make new friends who will continue to be a part of your life long after the tour has ended and you are back at home.
How To Pick a Dependable Tour Organizer
If you have decided you would enjoy the security and comfort of joining a professionally-planned group travel experience, then it is important you do a bit of due diligence to make sure the tour organizer will keep their promises and not leave you in the lurch and at the mercy of the elements in a foreign land. How long have they been in business? Do they publish testimonials by satisfied customers? Are their tours led by well-known experts in their fields? Do they carry errors and omissions insurance? Do they answer their messages promptly? If you are going to be investing several thousands of dollars and a few weeks of your life on an experience, it pays to make sure you will be actually getting what you pay for.
Recommended Group Tour Operators
For someone with an interest in spirituality, self-improvement, or wellness travel, one of the most highly respected companies in the group tour industry is Body Mind Spirit Journeys. Overseen by Raymond Cortell, BMSJ is a division of RMC Travel, a family business that was started in 1948 by Raymond’s father, Jules Cortell, who is remembered as one of the pioneers in the field of tourism. Raymond was one of the first operators to create “private label” tour programs for major airlines like Lufthansa, Pan Am, Braniff and others. Today, he specializes in spiritual tours to sacred sites, led by such experts as bestselling author and “Ancient Aliens” expert, Kathleen McGowan, and Cliff Dunning, host of the “Earth Ancients” podcasts.
Conclusion
Only you (and your traveling companion) can say whether you have the right mindset for going it alone or traveling with the assistance of experts. A good part of the answer depends on why you want to travel and what benefits you expect to gain from the experience. But no matter how you end up traveling, take it from a veteran travel writer – take only half as much stuff as you think you will need, and twice as much money.
About the author:
Robert Scheer is a travel journalist as well a as past president and lifetime member of the British Columbia Association of Travel Writers (BCATW), and former president of the B.C. Chapter of the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC). He is also Communication Director of Body Mind Spirit Journeys.
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