If you want to enjoy all the excitement of a cross-country trip with none of the tedious planning, a tour package may be just what you need. Tour agencies assemble packed trip itineraries with all the stops planned out and even handle all the hotel and restaurant reservations.
That being said, you will not be allowed to deviate much from the pre-planned tour. Their schedules are tight, and you need to follow the group for the most part. All the more reason that you should be selective when deciding on your tour package. And with COVID-19 keeping us grounded, for the time being, there is no better time to start thinking about your options.
Here are some things that you should consider when picking the perfect tour.
Activities
For practically any tour, a majority of the time will be spent travelling from stop to stop, and engaging in whatever activity they have planned. Between sightseeing scenic landmarks, perusing famous shopping districts, and gallivanting around amusement parks, the possibilities are truly endless.
These activities should be one of your major considerations when selecting your tour. After all, the point of taking a tour is to have fun. It would be to your benefit if you can find an itinerary where most of the activities align with your interests.
If you enjoy thrill-seeking, a tour centred around theme parks and ride attractions would be right up your alley. On the other hand, those who prefer to have a laid-back experience would feel right at home with a slow-paced sightseeing tour, perhaps with a trip to the local farm for variety.
Still, if you are not particularly picky, there is no shame in picking an all-rounded tour. Many tour packages feature stops that span across a diverse range of activities. These are especially suited for families or those travelling as a group, where everyone may have differing interests.
Accommodations
After a long day of touring, you will probably be tired and want to relax in a comfortable and cosy setting. Having quality pitstops along your journey is crucial to making the whole experience an enjoyable one.
Tour packages would have pre-selected the hotels for you. While this again saves you a lot of effort, it means that you will not have any alternatives if the accommodations turn out to be subpar.
It is up to you to do your research on the selected hotels. You can check out their website to browse the facilities, or look up online reviews to gain insight into their customer service. Of course, the hotel quality would be dependent on your tour’s budget, so do temper your expectations accordingly.
For some countries, there are also special types of accommodations that are a must-try. A prime example would be the hot spring resorts in Japan, where the attraction is in the hotel itself. Those who want to experience these specialised hotels should look out for them when picking their tour package.
Safety
Safety is sometimes underrated as far as trip considerations go, but it is one of the most important aspects of selecting a tour. Most tour agencies ensure that their tours are generally safe, avoiding dangerous areas and making the necessary medical contingency plans.
However, some tours may go beyond your comfort zone. These tours may contain more high-risk activities like hiking or bungee jumping that would make more conservative trip-goers uncomfortable. Try to avoid tours that have too many activities which have you concerned for your own safety. Those with specific health concerns should also steer away from activities that put themselves at risk, like bee farm visits for those with bee sting allergies.
You may want to consider your own contingencies in the event of a medical emergency as well. Feel free to attend a course on first aid, and prepare your own first aid kit for the trip itself. You can also consider your options for repatriation, in the event that you need a hospital stay. Air ambulance services are perfect for this purpose. With a dedicated team of medical professionals, medical evacuation provides the medical care you need to get home safely.
