The destinations may look the same, but the hotels, guides, group size, included experiences and overall quality can create two very different journeys.
Whether you are planning a romantic honeymoon in Greece, a fall getaway to Canada, an African safari or a family adventure through Italy, the first question is not simply:
Where do you want to go?
It is:
How do you want to experience it?
That answer shapes almost every part of your journey—from the hotels and guides to the pace, inclusions and final price.
The Destinations May Be the Same. The Experiences Aren’t.
Put two 10-day Italy itineraries side by side.
Rome.
Florence.
Venice.
One costs $4,500 per person. The other costs $12,000.
Why?
Look beyond the city names.
Where are the hotels located?
How many people are traveling?
Are you sightseeing with 40 other guests, joining a small group or exploring privately with your own guide?
Are the most memorable experiences included—or sold as optional excursions?
Are airport transfers and gratuities included?
How much free time do you have?
And what happens when something goes wrong?
Both trips may visit the Colosseum, Michelangelo’s David and St. Mark’s Square—but the way you experience those places may be entirely different.
One journey may include a large motorcoach, hotels outside the historic centers and several optional excursions.
Another may place you in a beautiful hotel near the Spanish Steps, introduce you to Florence through a private art historian and take you through Venice’s quieter canals after the daytime crowds disappear.
The destinations may be identical.
The experiences aren’t.
Group, Small Group or Completely Private?
There is no single “best” way to travel. There is only the style that fits you best.
A traditional escorted tour may provide excellent value, a thoughtfully planned itinerary and the pleasure of meeting other travelers.
Small-group travel can offer a more intimate experience and greater interaction with your guide. But always ask what “small” actually means. For one company, it may mean 12 guests. For another, it may mean 24.
A private journey offers more flexibility. You might have your own driver and guide, choose your departure times and adjust the day around your interests. It often costs more, but for a honeymoon, milestone celebration or multigenerational family trip, that freedom may be worth it.
Sometimes the best answer is a combination: a privately designed pre- or post-tour paired with a cruise, rail journey or small-group experience.
That is why I begin by listening.
How I Help You Find the Right Fit
People sometimes ask me, “Which tour company is the best?”
My answer is always the same:
It depends on you.
You might tell me:
“We want to see Africa, but we don’t want a large group.”
“We’re dreaming of Italy, but we need to stay within a certain budget.”
“We want a romantic Greek honeymoon but don’t know which islands fit us.”
“There are 10 of us traveling together.”
“We want to see the fall colors in Canada without changing hotels every night.”
Those are five very different conversations—and they may lead to five completely different journeys.
I work with companies such as Tauck, Abercrombie & Kent, Kensington Tours, Micato Safaris, Backroads, Collette, Trafalgar, Travel Answers and Avanti Destinations, along with many other trusted partners.
Some specialize in luxury. Some excel at small-group travel. Some create completely private journeys. Others offer exceptional value or are especially strong in certain parts of the world.
My job is not to fit you into the trip a particular company happens to sell.
It is to understand where you want to go, what you want to experience, how you like to travel and what matters most to you—and then find the right fit.
Susan’s Pro Tips Before Booking Any Tour
Count Hotel Changes, Not Countries
Seven cities in 10 days sounds impressive until you realize you will be packing your suitcase almost every morning.
Sometimes seeing less allows you to experience more.
Look at Where the Hotel Actually Is
A less expensive hotel 40 minutes outside the historic center may seem like a bargain, but paying more for a central location can save time and create a much better experience.
Check the Real Group Size
Never assume “small group” means small. Ask for both the average and maximum number of travelers.
Look for Free Time
Some travelers love having every minute organized.
I don’t.
I want time to wander, shop, enjoy lunch at a sidewalk café or discover something that was never printed in the itinerary.
Watch the Optional Excursions
A lower-priced tour can become considerably more expensive once you add the experiences you actually want.
Compare the complete journey—not just the advertised starting price.
Read the Activity Level and Pace
Luxury does not necessarily mean easy.
Cobblestones, stairs, long walking tours and uneven terrain do not disappear because you are sleeping in a five-star hotel.
And four consecutive 7:00 a.m. departures may feel considerably different by Day Five.
Sometimes We Build Something Entirely Different
A wonderful trip does not always come neatly packaged in a brochure.
Perhaps you want a few private days in Athens before sailing through the Greek Islands.
Maybe your family wants to explore Rome together but needs different activities for grandparents, parents and children.
You may want to travel through the Canadian Rockies by rail, stay longer at Lake Louise and finish with a few relaxing days in Vancouver.
That is when we begin combining the pieces: hotels, private transfers, local guides, rail journeys, cruises, small-group experiences—and enough unplanned time to simply enjoy being there.
Because after all the hotels, motorcoaches, private drivers, trains, guides and itineraries are stripped away, there is really only one question that matters:
How do you want to see the world?
Let’s find the journey that fits you.
Travel Better. Travel Smarter. Travel Elite.