10 Best Tour Companies to Book for Seamless Vacations - Reader's Digest
Pros:
- Large selection of destinations
- Can plan quick trips for individual travel
- Small group size, often 10 people or fewer
Cons:
- Trips fill up fast
One of the best tour companies in the accessible travel category, Wheel the World offers a platform of accessible tours, experiences and accommodations for disabled travelers. From international surf trips to rainforest tours, the company offers adventure trips in 40 destinations around the world and on every continent. Group tours are led by guides specially trained by the company to provide assistance to disabled travelers, and all itineraries have been tested to make sure they're accessible, have adaptable bathrooms and provide the best travel experience. The Costa Rica trip, for example, includes amphibious wheelchair use in Arenal's hot springs and use of trekking wheelchairs to explore Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Sample trip: Costa Rica, a natural paradise
Pros:
- Highly personalized trip itineraries
- Options around the globe
- Skilled in adventure travel trips
Cons:
- Limited option for group trips
Not all tour operators have large group tours. Audley Travel is a good example of a company that offers full-service trips that can be individualized for independent travelers. For example, I recently explored Namibia on a bucket list eight-night itinerary to four different Natural Selection safari lodges. Audley handled all the details, including international routing that was way more involved than I could have figured out on my own. I followed their itinerary, however I didn't travel with a group, but instead with individual travelers who were following the same itinerary. (In other words, there is no tour leader and travelers are free to customize their itineraries.) In other cases, the company will create custom itineraries, and they do have some very small (around eight people) adventure mobile safari tours too.
- Sample trip: Namibia flying safari
What to look for when booking a tour company
There are a lot of tour companies out there, so it can be difficult to find the one that's right for you, especially if you're traveling with a group for the first time. Here are a few factors to consider as you narrow down your search.
- Cost: Because of their all-inclusive nature, tour company vacations can be more costly than traveling on a budget-friendly trip of your own. However, you get to skip the hours of research and logistics stress, which can be well worth it. Know your budget and what you're willing to pay for versus do yourself as you plan your trip.
- Flexibility: Some tours may be scheduled at the hour, while others may offer optional excursions or free time to explore your destination. Whether you're ready to be chauffeured around or would rather have the opportunity to strike out on your own, there's a tour company for you.
- Special Interests: Many tours have themes that go beyond location, whether they dive into a specific era of history, focus on a certain type of cuisine, or lean into an outdoor activity. Traveling with a tour company can be a fitting opportunity to fuel your passion for travel and any other hobbies you might have.
Why you should trust us
I'm an award-winning travel writer, covering everything from how to pack your clothes to stay wrinkle-free to the secrets of Disney World. I have 25 years of journalism experience and am a passionate traveler myself. My work has appeared in Lonely Planet, The Points Guy, Travel Agent Central, Luxury Travel Advisor, TravelAwaits and more.
How we found the best tour companies
To come up with the list of the best tour companies, we reached out to travel planners and other travel experts for their top picks. We also used our personal travel experience and checked in with travelers who have vacationed with these tour companies to get their first-hand reviews. Finally, we cross-checked our research with Tripadvisor's star ratings to make sure we've picked the best of the best so that you can have the best group tour all-inclusive vacation no matter where you want to go.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to travel with a tour company?
While booking a tour company can be more expensive than planning a trip yourself, it can also have financial benefits. Tour companies often have relationships with vendors, hotels and even airlines, allowing them to negotiate or get discounts on your behalf.
What is the difference between a tour company and a travel company?
Tour companies plan and package tours for travelers. In contrast, travel agents at travel companies often serve as the intermediary between clients and tour companies, helping them to find the best fit. Travel agents may also create customized trips for travelers from transportation to lodging to itineraries.
What's the major difference between a tour and a vacation package?
Tour packages are guided tours offered by a tour company, and vacation packages include all the logistical elements of a tour package, like transportation and lodging, without the tour guide. A vacation package is best suited for someone who doesn't want to spend time planning a trip but also wants the flexibility to manage their own time at their destination.
Is it cheaper to book tours in advance?
Like airfare and hotels, booking a tour company earlier can save you cash. Some tour companies run early bird specials for those able to book months or even a year out. You may even see deals on Black Friday or other major shopping holidays.
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