There are plenty of reasons why a small group tour is more beneficial than going it alone.
Travelling with a small group is more akin to a personalised holiday experience. No hop-on-hop-off buses or being led around in a herd of people from one attraction to the next – just a relaxing, personalised holiday experience with all the time needed to explore and become accustomed to the local way of life.
And what better way to embrace the history and culture of a destination than by getting out into rural areas, small towns, and villages, with like-minded travellers?
From food and wine to architecture, music, history, and even faith-based holidays, themed tours provide an intimate way to connect with a topic, culture or destination. It’s the perfect way to delve into the things we find most interesting as individuals, but in a small group setting with people who share the same interest.
Whichever type of tour you choose, the group tour leader plays an important part in making the journey special. With a smaller group to look after, the tour leader is able to personalise the tour in ways that make the journey more memorable.
Not only does the group leader have more time to impart their knowledge and expertise about a place or an attraction, but they can spend more time with each guest on an individual level, sharing their immense knowledge and passion for an in-depth experience.
Whether travelling as a couple, with friends or individually, sharing dinner tables and daily travel experiences create group bonds like few things can. You may start the tour as strangers, but you are sure to end the tour as friends.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t ample free time for individual discovery. With fewer people to manage, small group touring allows travellers more time to explore on their own. Take the time to duck into that shop, stop for a coffee, or explore that hidden laneway or cove.
Smaller group numbers mean smaller buses too, which in turn allows for off-the-beaten-path travel adventures. You’ll get off the freeways and onto the charming country lanes. Plus, your tour guide will know the locals and those special hidden places to eat and shop.
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Reasons why you’ll love a small group tour
Big experiences
Small group tours provide experiences that would be difficult to organise for large groups.
Peace of mind
Everything is organised. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.
Cultural insider
Your tour leader is there to break down any language or cultural barriers, while still offering a culturally immersive experience.
Plenty of free time
Spend more time doing the things you want to do, with the knowledge that your transport and events are taken care of in advance.
Who is the small group tour for?
Short on time
If you need to see more in less time, then an organised group tour is right for you. Most companies offer short breaks, as well as extended tours.
Solo travellers
Travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to travel alone. A small group tour is an ideal way to meet other people while maintaining the perfect balance between free time and group activity.
First-time traveller
If you are new to travel, or new to the destination and prefer not to organise and navigate by yourself, then a small group tour is for you. Travelling with a professional tour guide and like-minded travellers offer many reassurances and peace of mind.
Back-Roads Touring small group tours
Back-Roads limits its coach tours to just 18 people which means more time for touring, whether individually, or as a group. Meeting people with shared interests is just one more reason why the small group tour makes so much sense.
Get off the beaten track
Instead of staring numbly out the window at a repetitive motorway, you’ll be able to witness fascinating landscapes – from mountains and wide-open prairies, to oceanside villages. Passing through quaint country towns, Back-Roads tours offer deeper immersion into the local culture.
Transport
Most tours are conducted in well-appointed Mercedes Vito mini-coaches or similar. The transports feature comfortable leather seats, air conditioning, over-sized windows for soaking up the countryside, and in some, even sunroofs. Some buses may even include Wi-Fi.
Authentic local experiences
Back-Roads makes the touring experience as authentic as possible. That means quality, local accommodation, family or locally owned restaurants that specialise in the tastes of the region and attractions that reflect the destination’s culture and heritage.
Go on a truffle hunt in France, or marvel at the high-energy of flamenco in Spain. Meet Cambridge University Students during their summer job punting visitors down the Cam, enjoy a barge experience along one of the many British canals or partake in a Welsh language lesson. All enriching experiences making for an unforgettable journey with memories to last a lifetime.
Leisurely paced itineraries
Back-Roads incorporates plenty of free time at each stop, giving travellers plenty of time to explore on their own. Time is also allocated to quality escorted tours for the local immersion sophisticated travellers crave.
Explore a museum, stroll along a waterway, wonder through exquisite gardens, or simply relax with a coffee in a local cafe. Your tour guide is a wealth of knowledge in the area and will have countless recommendations.
