How to choose a tour that’s right for you.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

How to choose a tour that’s right for you.

There are so many tours out there – different companies, different types of tours, different destinations – that sometimes it can be hard to choose the right tour for you.

Your friends had a fabulous time in France, should you go? Your sister went to England and it was the best tour ever, is that the tour you should do? Still someone else went to India and fell in love with the country – should you go to India?

The truth is, there are many things to consider when deciding what kind of tour to do and how to get the best out of your holiday time and it all comes down to you.

While it’s great to hear about everyone else’s holidays, we all have our own preferences, our own unique tastes and travel styles that will impact what we like and don’t like in a holiday. Choosing something because someone else loved it or because it was on their bucket list, doesn’t mean it’s the right trip for you.

Before you venture out into the big wide world, take a look inside yourself, get to know your likes and dislikes, your interests and your quirks.

Here are some tips to get you started. And then relax, there may be a myriad of choices out there, but knowing your travel self better will help ensure you come back with your own amazing travel stories. 

Reason for travel

Before you even start to think about where you might like to go, think about why you want to get away. Do you need a rest? Need time to yourself? Perhaps a beach trip, where the biggest decision is whether to lie next to the pool or on the beach is the right choice for you at this time. Do you want to experience a new culture? Embark on a food tour or try some adventure activities? Do you want to check out the arts, see a live show or take in some of the world’s great historical sites?

The type of holiday you want will vary depending on what stage you’re at in life. But if you know what you want to get out of your travel it will help narrow down where you might want to go. There’s no point going to a quaint village in Tuscany if you want real adventure, or to the Lakes District in England if you want to experience a different culture. 

There is no right answer here, there is only a right answer for you.

Destination

Do you prefer city or country? Beach or lakes and rivers? Do you love the hustle and bustle of busy cities or prefer something a little quieter? Even if France is on your bucket list, think about what it is in France that you actually want to see. Visiting Paris is very different from visiting Chamonix, which is very different from visiting Bordeaux. You may simply want to visit the Eiffel Tower, but if you do a tour it will likely take you to other parts of the country and you’ll have a much better time if those other cities match your interests.

Do some research on the destination, if the political views clash with your own, will that bother you? Do you like the food? While you don’t have to eat the local food all the time, a big part of travel is experiencing the local dining culture. Also consider what the climate is like? Do you hate the cold? Hate it too hot?

Mode of travel

There are so many ways to get around once you’ve selected your destination. Depending on where you’re going tours may include walking tours, bus tours, train trips, flights between cities and boat rides. If you suffer from sea sickness or just hate boats you may want to select a tour that doesn’t include boat trips. Similarly if you really don’t like walking at home, it’s probably best to steer clear of trips that involve a lot of walking.

Think also about your own abilities. Are you capable of taking long walks over uneven ground, or walking up and down steep monuments? Do you want to do this on tour? 

Different tours will cater to different age groups and different mobilities. Even bus tours through Europe can often require a lot of walking over uneven cobblestones. Make sure you know you’re abilities before you book. And if unsure, talk to the tour company, they’ll be only too happy to tell you how active you’ll need to be on any tour.

Time

This will usually depend on your budget, how long you can get off work or stay how long you can (or want to) stay away from the family. Tours come in a range of lengths and options. Think about how long you can realistically stay away for and how much you want to see in that time. 

Some tours cram a lot in to a short amount of time, you get to see all the highlights but may not get to spend as much time at each place as you’d like. Others spend a lot of time in each place giving you more time to explore, but you might get bored if you’re in one place too long. 

Once you know where you want to go and have found some tours you like study the itinerary to see if you have enough time in the places you want to see. If you really want to go to India to see the Ganges but barely even stop in Varanasi, you’re likely to be disappointed with the trip overall.

Study the itinerary

You’ve picked your destination and know what you want to see. And you’ve found a few tours offering great deals, before you book, study the itinerary. How many people are likely to be on the tour, is that an important consideration for you? Some people prefer big groups so that there are more people to mingle with, while others prefer small intimate tours. 

Consider what kind of rooms will you be staying in. If hotel choice is important you might want to check the hotel websites before committing to a tour. Would you prefer to camp or stay in a five star hotel? Do you want your own room or would you prefer to share? Different tours offer different options and the sleeping arrangements can have a big impact on your overall enjoyment of a tour. 

Also, check what icons you will actually see on the tour and how long you get to spend there. Do you want to have free time in particular cities? Do you want to have time to shop? What activities are included in the tour? If the tour includes lots of gondolas or cable cars and you’re afraid of heights, you might prefer a different tour. 

And finally, check what activities are included and what you have to pay extra for. All tours are different, some have lots of optional extras, some include all activities in your tour price, some have lots of dinners included, some have very few. If you know what you’ve already paid for, what’s included or not, you’ll have fewer unwelcome surprises on tour.

Now that you’ve done the hard work you can sit back and relax with the knowledge that by selecting a tour that suits your personality and interests you’re more likely to travel with like-minded travellers on the right tour for you.

Check out our latest tours to see what suits you.

*Diane Squires is tour host with Two’s a Crowd.

What Our Clients Say

20 out of 10!

The trip was just great - I can't really think of any negatives. Diane will back me up when I say I usually give 10/10s - I gave her 20/10. Trish, Canada/Alaska

Excellent trip

I found the overall trip excellent. I believe Diane's professionalism, inclusive personality and ability to relate to all contributed to this. She worked to ensure the group was cohesive without individuals impinging on the personal space of others etc. a good skill to have and one she applied effectively. Kate, Canada/Alaska

Fantastic value for money

Fantastic value for money paid. Russell our guide is an asset to your company... he was fantastic! Overall the trip was magical from start to finish. Well done Two's a Crowd ... the best trip ever. Barbara, Canada/Alaska

Fantastic first solo trip

I had a fantastic trip. Absolutely loved Canada and Alaska. It's the first time I have travelled solo and was pleasantly surprised to find a bunch of people that all got on so well. Diane our host was great. She did a good job of getting us altogether for meals, excursions, shopping trips etc. I liked that she quietly got things done without being loud or "in-your-face". She was good at being one of us as well as our leader. Wendy, Canada/Alaska

Good balance of activities and spare time

Had a great time. Good mixture of organised activities and spare time. Diane was an excellent tour host. Russell the tour guide was great, very knowledgeable and personable with his insights into growing up and living in Canada. Sharon, Canada/Alaska

Well organised trip with an excellent host

The trip was well organised, with a good mix of activity and free time. The scenery was spectacular and fellow travellers were a great bunch. Diane is a excellent host - helpful, courteous and above all a pleasure to know. I found her bubbly personality a bonus and can only speak highly of her. Gary, Canada/Alaska

I had a fabulous time

I had a fabulous time. Lake Louise and the hotel were magnificent. The cruise was excellent. Diane made sure that she was available for group meals and sightseeing, and was alway in good humour and great fun. I would recommend your company to everyone and am very interested in the Scandinavia  tour at the end of 2017.

Cathy, Adelaide - Canada/Alaska May 2016

Great holiday

What a great trip! I experienced so much and participated in all that was offered. I had read and reviewed as much as time allowed me but was not prepared for what the trip gave me and that is a better understanding of the beautiful people of both countries. - Lesley on Vietnam/Cambodia

In good company

I thought the suggestions for optional things to do, in the "free" time were very good. So good, we really ended up with very little free time. So much to do! - Mary on Vietnam

Great time together

I found the trip interesting and eye opening with a great overview of both Vietnam and Cambodia. The other travellers on the trip were fabulous and we had a great time together. - Anonymous on Vietnam/Cambodia

Fantastic first experience!

Extremely well organised with fabulous guides throughout - especially in Vietnam! First holiday with your company and certainly not the last. - Glenys on Vietnam

Great group to travel with

Having a small group meant that the days were more relaxed and flexible and I really felt spoilt and looked after. Melinda on Borneo

Thoroughly enjoyed Uganda

Thoroughly enjoyed my trip especially Uganda. There was so much variety of things to do on this trip. Jaros & Julius were great. Thought in Kenya the Maasai Mara were beautiful people, so easy to get along with. Judy

Can’t stop talking about my experience

I just feel so privileged to have shared with the Maasai the most awe-inspiring majestic sights and sounds of Africa. The fantastic memories will be with me forever. Maureen

Absolutely enjoyable

Gillian was a fantastic host. She was there for us from the moment we reached Hotel Troy. Heather on Africa

Best holiday I’ve been on!

One of the best holidays that I have been on - really well organised. I would never have travelled to Vietnam or Cambodia on my own. Bronwyn

Well organised

Fun, well organised and a really great group. Barbara on Vietnam/Cambodia

Great time together

I found the trip interesting and eye opening with a great overview of both Vietnam and Cambodia. The other travellers on the trip were fabulous and we had a great time together.

Great value

Well done. No complaints. Very pleased with this trip. Great value for my hard earned dollars! Really enjoyed the [Vietnam/Cambodia] tour. 

Fabulous rapport filled with much humour!

A great bunch of people & I can't believe how we all had such a fabulous rapport filled with much humour!!!

I couldn’t fault anything.

The (Uniworld River) cruise was great, I met up with some wonderful people who treated me like part of the family !
The ship & crew were fantastic & the excursions were very good, I couldn't fault anything. I'd recommend this cruise to anyone.  Peter

Informative and educational

The entire trip was one of the most enjoyable and exciting. Also so informative and educational. I was so pleased to make the trip. Wish I was over there in that magical place.  Marjorie

Delighted

I’ve just returned from the wonderful Kimberley trip.  It was my first experience with Two’s a Crowd and I was delighted.  Kay

Opportunity to experience

I have had the opportunity to experience things I would never had done by myself.  Solo travellers is a fantastic concept and use of social media has been a great way to share and keep in touch with friends and family. Judi

I need not have worried

Being my first tour and a senior member, I admit I was apprehensive but I need not have worried. It was great and I was very well looked after.  Can’t wait to go to Kenya with Two’s a Crowd.  Maureen

Smooth and seamless

A memorable trip of a lifetime, a wish fulfilled.  A fascinating cultural country steeped in history which I found totally enthralling.  Two’s a Crowd service was smooth and seamless.  Pam

A wonderful experience

It was a wonderful experience visiting Cambodia and Vietnam and gave me a better understanding of these countries. I had a great time with new friends, we had a good bunch and Leonie was the perfect host. Eric

Value for money

Value for money and outstanding co-operation from your staff and tour operators. Joan

Safe and secure and totally looked after

An awesome adventure for my first time overseas alone.  Leonie was excellent and both guides were also fantastic.  At all times I felt safe and secure and totally looked after.  Melinda

Well done Two’s a Crowd.

Leonie was an excellent host, the ideal person. I never felt any pressure to  be involved in every activity so I could explore alone during free time. Having 2 or 3 nights in most places was great – you could rest up or party. Well done Two’s a Crowd. Jenny

A completely different experience

It was a nice surprise holiday, a completely different experience from all my other holidays. Thanks. Piroska

I’ve had at least 10 travel agents.

In my travelling life, I’ve had at least 10 travel agents.  Two’s a Crowd is the first one where I haven’t had to correct anything in my travel documents.   Piroska

I’m so excited to have found you Two’s a Crowd.

“Finally. A travel company is recognising the needs of people like me”

This is perfect for me.

“I’ve been to Burma but can you please send me some information about other destinations. This is perfect for me.”

I really wanted to meet the people behind it

“I saw your ad in the local paper and could have phoned but I wanted to come in and congratulate you on starting this great business. I really wanted to meet the people behind it.”

Two’s a Crowd on the internet was definitely meant to be!

I’m really enthusiastic about the niche you are determined to cover in the market, and have the feeling stumbling on Two’s a Crowd on the internet was definitely meant to be.

I find them inspirational

Thanks for sending these emails as I find them inspirational and will sit dreaming for the next hour or so.

Thank you for providing a service for people like me

“I am very excited to read about your area of speciality, and look forward to devouring all information that might come my way. Thank you for providing a service for people like me.”

Excellent throughout.

The entire 14 days ran so smoothly from Two's a Crowd booking my flights to  airport transfers and then the 12 days camping in the Kimberley. Excellent throughout. Congratulations. Marjorie

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