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Small Group Tours & Travel Guide
Small group tours have some distinct advantages over larger tours: they can generally move more quickly from one place to the next, eat in more intimate dining spaces, stay in smaller hotels or inns, and travel in smaller vehicles, among other perks.
Depending on the tour operator, a "small group" may number anywhere from a few people up to 24, though more traditionally it means a maximum of 12-16 travelers. Biking and hiking tours, trekking expeditions, and other adventurous and exotic tours tend to be small groups, but any type of tour can fall into this ever-more-popular category.
More Authentic Experiences
In most cases, small group tours tend to offer more in-depth, authentic experiences than traveling on a coach or bus tour. This is mostly a result of the flexibility you have in a small group. For example, you’re walking around a rural area in Brazil and come across a pick-up soccer match (or futbol to the Brazilians).
You and your travel companions stand and watch and are then invited to play! These types of memories are often what turns a good trip into a great one, and are more likely when traveling in a small group.
The smaller a group of people traveling together, the more possible it is for a local guide to get access to behind-the-scenes and off-hours sightseeing (the Acropolis at dawn in Greece - sure!), as well as immersive experiences in local villages, restaurants, family homes and more.
The meticulous staff of your chosen small group tour operator has more leeway and creativity when planning your all-inclusive adventures - that may mean more unique, boutique-style accommodations, hands-on cooking classes that lead directly to a family-style meal and guided sightseeing by luxury vehicle (as opposed to that big tour bus).
Connecting With Fellow Travelers
You may or may not travel in a group to make friends. However, you are almost sure to come away from your trip with at least one or two new “pen pals.” Traveling in this style affords real connections among the group - whether this be chatting around a campfire while on safari in Tanzania or catching up at happy hour on the deck of your small-ship cruise.
You might not relate to everyone but will find that most small-group travelers are like-minded and are there for the same reasons. This creates a convivial social vibe and you’ll feel much less like a face in the crowd and more like one of a group of friends who have chosen to explore the world together.
Less Hassle
One of the best perks of small group travel is the fact that most of your vacation is planned for you. Sure, you may love to pore over guidebooks and websites, learning as much as you can about where you’re going. But wouldn’t it be nice to focus on all the amazing things you’re going to see and do instead of worrying about how to cobble it all together in a seamless itinerary?
That’s where your expert small group tour operator comes in. They know these destinations intimately and have curated trips that highlight not only the major sightseeing attractions that you won’t want to miss, but filled in the gaps with immersive, authentic experiences along the way - the kind of moments you most likely won’t find in any guidebook or website.
Small group tours are much less hassle than either a large group tour or arranging your travel yourself. Your in country airfare, train and transfer bookings are all taken care of. Your accommodations are thoughtfully chosen and reserved. Your guides will speak the local language, leaving you to speak and learn as little or as much of it as you’re motivated to. Want to eat where the locals eat? Your local small group tour guide can easily suggest dining options.
They move more quickly from one place to the next - fewer people, easier transport and in likely smaller vehicles. They can dine in more intimate spaces and stay in smaller hotels and inns. It’s easier to hear about where you’re visiting and have one-on-one conversations with your guide. Overall, if it’s a taste of local life and culture you’re seeking, a small group tour is the best choice.
1. Italy
On a small group tour of Italy, your handcrafted itinerary can be just as you always imagined it. From the hilltown of Cortona in Tuscany to the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence, your local Italian guide will usher you to the landscapes, cities, villages, museums, vineyards and more that make Italy one of the world’s top tour destinations.
Experience la dolce vita as you sip limoncello, cycle through vineyards along the Amalfi Coast, visit the ancient sights of Rome, cruise the canals of romantic Venice or sail to captivating Capri. A small group tour of Italy will unveil all this and more, immersing you in local-level culture and cuisine.
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2. Ireland
Toast your amazing Ireland vacation with a pint of local stout, surrounded by new friends as part of your small group tour. With so much to see throughout the Emerald Isle, it’s prudent to choose a local, expert guide to show you Ireland’s off-the-beaten-path sightseeing.
There’s character and magic around every corner, from castles and small-town pubs to ancient cemeteries and the Blarney Stone. Your tour of Ireland unlocks the folklore of Donegal, unmissable views of the Ring of Kerry, the less-often-visited Slieve League Cliffs (almost three times as tall as the Cliffs of Moher) and a hefty share of restaurants and pubs where you’ll feel that irresistible Irish craic.
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3. Scotland
Only on a small group tour of Scotland will you have the opportunity to tour the majestic Royal Yacht Brittania in the early morning hours, before the crowds. These behind-the-scenes moments and privileged access are among the many perks of traveling with a small group in Europe.
Set out through the Scottish countryside with a learned host and gain a deeper understanding of what makes this extraordinary land tick. Visit Edinburgh Castle and the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town in the country’s capital. Venture to Loch Fyne and Inveraray Castle - you may recognize this setting from Downton Abbey!
Take a privately guided cruise on Loch Ness and take a gander at the perfectly picturesque Urquhart Castle, dating back to the 13th century. Your small group tour of Scotland will unlock the rugged beaches and cliffs, verdant countryside, ancient castles and renowned distilleries of this most endearing country, while immersing you in traditional Scottish cities, from Edinburgh to Glasgow.
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4. Amsterdam
Amsterdam and its canals, markets and cultural highlights is a city best experienced on a well-thought-out small group journey. Let your expert Netherlands guide show you the way through this charming, 17th-century city, from the Anne Frank House to the Rijksmuseum, from a private tasting rooms in a 1679 distillery to its nearby windmill-laden countryside (for more on the Netherlands, see our Netherland travel guide).
Only your local Amsterdam guide can take you behind the scenes in the world’s narrowest house or to her favorite “eetcafe” for local beer and delicacies. From Amsterdam, consider extending your tour to nearby Belgium and Germany, other top spots for small group travel.
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5. Greece
Explore Greece, cradle of Western civilization, on a small group tour and be assured that you won’t have missed a thing. Between the fabled Samaria Gorge, traditional Cretan villages, sunsets on Santorini and the best historical sites of Athens, the best way to see Greece is by going small.
A comprehensive small group tour of Greece can be difficult to plan on one’s own - How to fit it all in? Islands? Athens? Where to start? Thankfully, when you decide on a small group journey to ever-popular Greece, these questions have been answered for you and the logistics taken care of, so you don’t waste one precious moment.
So, sit back and experience the glory of Greece, from a private tour of the Acropolis and Agora to an off-hours visit to Delphi to a pre-arranged exclusive cooking class and meal with a local family.
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Of course! And it’s encouraged. Small groups tours are designed to explore and discover new places in a way untouched by traditional large group tours.
Your guide is there to make sure the logistics are taken care of and that everyone gets to where they need to be … that being said, if you want to take it easy one morning and sit back in a cafe in Amsterdam and watch the world go by, they’ll not only agree to it, but suggest their favorite spot - and maybe even their favorite barista.
If your group has a particular interest that isn’t being fully met, simply look to your small group guide to change things up a bit. They’re generally flexible enough that a day’s itinerary can shift a bit to include that art gallery, farmers’ market or glassblowing studio you were all intrigued by. The flexibility and freedom afforded by a small group tour allows for less touristy sightseeing and more authentic world travel.
A few things to think about when you are choosing a small group tour:
From Greece to Iceland to Ireland and the Netherlands, Europe is a top destination for small group tours. With a language barrier to overcome, a bucket list of historic attractions as long as your arm and the opportunity to experience several different cultures in one trip, Europe is not only popular but can prove overwhelming.
There are no longer just two ways to experience Europe - either on a large tour bus with 60 of your (not) closest friends, or on your own, with hours of researching to get you there. Instead, take away the guesswork with a guided European vacation package, leaving the planning to a trusted professional.
No one has the expert, off-the-beaten path knowledge that your Europe tour guide will have - having been born and raised or at least having lived for years in the country you’re visiting. Perhaps they have a family friend who owns a winery in Tuscany, Italy, and can arrange a private tasting and tour. Or, maybe it means a tour of rarely visited castle ruins in Scotland, followed by a falconry demonstration.
You’ll see Europe at your pace on a small group tour - choose a guided vacation that encompasses one country or includes a whole region (Scandinavia or the Greek Isles, say).
Everyone’s Europe is different - whether you’re there for the art, the history, the cuisine, the hiking, the skiing, the Northern Lights - so why settle once you’ve made it there? Go with a small group tour operator and the Europe you’ll find can be exactly the one you’ve been seeking.
Trusted Customer
Oct 2023
The time in the Pantanal was amazing. Did the day trip to see the jaguars which was a long day, but worth it. Lots of animals around the lodge too. If you are lucky,...
Trusted Customer
Oct 2023
Visit to the pantanal. Amazing lodge and wildlife.
Trusted Customer
Oct 2023
Covered the highlights of Brazil making sure the traveller saw the best of its highlights with sufficient enough time to take in the various areas and experience wha...
Trusted Customer
Oct 2023
Pure Brazil was one of the few tours that covered my personal highlights of the country, Amazon, Pantanal, Iguazu falls and Rio. Accommodation overall was both comfo...
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