Guided vacations have changed so much over the years and actually have become quite popular. And they are growing exponentially. No longer are they 100 people on a coach bus simply following a guide around in a ton of locations. Oh my NO! Small group guided vacations usually cap out at 24 guests, but average 12-14. Safaris groups may be even smaller, 6-10. A nice intimate group and like yachting, almost like having your own personal getaway with friends, new and old, WITH all the details taken care for you. Enriching experiences, the freedom to explore on your own and so much more. Check out all the reasons to consider guided travel. You'll be surprised! PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED ITINERARIES
Imagine all the work, all of the details and logistics taken care. No need to worry about how best to get from point A to B, what sites are best to see, how to find the hotel, where to park, where to eat, how much gas and tolls will be, on and on. Itineraries these days are carefully crafted to make the best use of your time so you can simply enjoy the experiences without stress or worry. They are no longer about driving through as many cities as possible. Today they tend to be more immersive with shorter drives and more included experiences, more local favorites, skip the line preferential access. Many itineraries now include multiple days/nights in one location with the freedom to explore on your own, with choices of excursions (some included, others extra). One example in Scotland gives you a choice of relaxing in restorative waters at a spa, a round of golf or a visit to a 16th century castle with afternoon tea. All included! PROFESSIONAL TOUR MANAGERS You are in good hands with the professional managers that are with you the entire trip. They are experts in their fields, speak multiple languages and have been escorting travelers for many years (some decades). Imagine the hidden gems they know about that you’d never or rarely find on your own. EXPERT LOCAL GUIDES Along with the managers that are with you all the time, local guides join you along the way to provide even more insights and expertise of the particular area. TOP ACCOMMODATIONS AND INCLUDED MEALS When working with the premium and luxury brands you can expect excellent accommodations – 4 and 5 star properties in ideal locations, closer to city centers. Daily breakfasts are generally part of the plan as well as some lunches and dinners, a nice mix of dining with your group and finding your own culinary deliciousness. COMFORTABLE TRANSPORTATION AND PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS Comfortable transportation – most important! No longer just coach buses, transportation may include smaller mini-buses or vans (easy to hop in and out of) as well as trains and ferries. In other words, no longer long bus rides, but a nice mix. Some itineraries try to limit time on the road to 2 hours. How wonderful to have a professional do the driving. They know the roads and regions, allowing you to simply enjoy the journey and the scenery (often missed when driving yourself). MAKE IT PRIVATE Did you know that many itineraries can become private with your own group? Imagine your own private tour with family, a group of friends, a club you are associated with. Group possibilities are almost endless, and a guided vacation is perfect, not having to worry about all the individual logistics. AND MORE…. Other inclusions: bag handling between hotels, gratuities, tolls, gas, parking, entrance fees.. I’m sure I missed a few but you get the point. If a land vacation is in your sights, consider a small group or private guided vacation. Having someone else take care of all the logistics (what to see, where to stay, what roads to take, where to park, gas, tolls, entrance fees, local guides, etc.) makes for a perfect vacation option. Hassle-free, stress-free, great value. I make the travel planning process easy. Reach out to me - I'm ready to help you. Laurie@lakamatravel.com or 602.540.7338. Comments are closed.
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Laurie Marschall - Owner and Founder
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