In our gregarious society, it can be a bit embarrassing for a single person to do certain things solo. For instance, whenever I head to a restaurant at dinnertime by myself, I’m bound to get some odd looks from the waiter or other diners. The looks range from simply inquisitive to downright pitying, which makes me even more self-conscious than I was when I first walked in. The same thing happens when I attend a movie or a sporting event all alone. And I used to get similar stares at famous sightseeing spots until I started booking small group tours.
There are a couple different kinds of small group tours available. The first kind is for groups of people who already know each other, such as family members, friends, or schoolmates, but this obviously isn’t the one that applies to me. The second kind caters to singles who don’t wish to travel alone to great destinations across the country and around the world. These types of small group tours give individuals the opportunity to visit the best that our planet has to offer in a safe and comfortable setting.
Small group tours have been around forever, but I first heard about them a few years ago after a colleague of mine suggested I look into them. I had just returned from a trip to Paris, and was complaining of how awkward it was to visit that kind of romantic locale on my own. The worst was asking people to take a picture of me standing in front of Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower, as I received more of those pitying looks that I’ve grown so accustomed to over the years. I know, I know — as an adult, these situations shouldn’t bother me. But they do, which is why I absolutely love small group tours now.
Small group tours can be arranged through most travel agencies, and include a number of benefits in addition to getting new traveling companions every time. For one thing, groups are often eligible for the best rates around, which means I actually end up saving money by booking this way. For another thing, all the details of the trip are pre-arranged. This includes transportation at the destination, a sightseeing itinerary (that often includes free days as well), and even meals. Plus, small group tours come with a guide who is knowledgeable about the destination and speaks the local language. That’s a huge advantage when journeying to far-flung places like China, Thailand, or various countries in Africa. There’s no way I would be able to navigate through those countries on my own.
I have been part of these small group tours for my last six vacations, and I have had terrific experiences each and every time. The accommodations were amazing, the packages were very affordable, and the companionship was wonderful. It’s so nice not to be on the receiving end of those sad-sack looks anymore that I can’t imagine traveling any other way!