When I went to Singapore & Thailand in 2005, I used a very handy service offered by Singapore Airlines called a Singapore Stopover conjunction with a tour around Thailand with Imaginative Traveller. I’d highly recommend the Singapore Stopover to anyone who can spend a few days there. I adored Singapore and their Night Zoo Safari was definitely the highlight for me.
I found Imaginative Traveller the perfect tour company for Thailand because of the tour rating we chose. Basically all they did, literally, was organise our transport and accommodation and any optional extras and the rest of the time we were left to our own devices. Which is perfect in a country like Thailand. I’ve always looked at their tours when planning tours since then but have yet to use them again. I’ve found that, since then, they are more expensive or their tours suit my requirements less.
For my trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco in 2008, I used Intrepid for the first time. I used them again for my Peru trip in 2010 and plan to used them again for China in 2011. They are of the more hand-holding variety, but their tours seem to be the best value for money and cover what I really want to see in each country. And that is why I’ve used them over and over again.
I’ll admit that the Spain, Portugal & Morocco trip wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I dunno why, I think in retrospect it was because I wasn’t there for a purpose any more specific than seeing the places. And until I got home and worked thru my trip day-by-day as I wrote my blog posts, I really wasn’t sure about the places they’d included. This was probably my most disappointing trip to date.
The trip to Peru was fantastic, but again, I think that was because I knew what I was there to see and do, and could force myself past the hand-holding and the fact that we kept seeing other tour groups travelling the same route as us (so much so we started to recognise the people!). I am not a fan of feeling quite so like a tourist, honestly. The amazing part of the Peru trip, though, was doing 2 homestays. And although a little contrived, I had an absolutely fabulous time on both overnights. Another thing about Peru: don’t get bent out of shape if the Inca Trail is fully booked. I did the Lares Trek and I think it was the better choice for me, personally. We had another small group while travelling in Peru, and let me tell you, tour group size does matter.
For my trip to Canada in 2009, I used The Great Canadian Travel Company. This was a tricky one. There are loads of people offering all sorts of tours to see the Polar Bears, and figuring out who to use is difficult. This was honestly one of my favourite trips, but one of my least favourite tour company experiences. I realise that as an under 30 year old (at the time), I wasn’t their target market, but I think they really could make these tours more accessible for younger people if they cut a few corners and got the price down (I was “lucky” I came into a bit of an inheritance that made this trip possible for me, and I realised it was a now or never decision. It would only get more expensive and the Polar Bear’s habitat is only getting, sadly, worse). You spend 2 nights in Winnipeg on either side of your stay in Churchill. These 2 nights were spent in a hotel far plusher than I am used to. Honestly, the beds were sink-into heaven! And, as much as I loved this luxury, I really didn’t need or expect it. Also they had far more tour guides than any tour needs! We really didn’t need the tour leader who got us from Winnipeg to Churchill, all we needed was an airport transfer. And then once in Churchill, we had that same tour leader, a tour guide and a driver. To me, the tour leader was completely unnecessary and added no additional value.
I would definitely recommend using tour companies, but know what you are looking for from your trip and that should help you pick the right one for you.
