Upon my return from a trip to Morocco a couple of years ago, I said to my daughter and son-in-law that I was finished with tours! I loved Morocco and all that we saw, but the tour itself was a challenge. There were 39 of us after being guaranteed no more than 20, all very experienced travelers. Yet our guide chose to treat us as if we were all novices at the travel game.
This short description is typical of what happens on many tours. But, there is more that one can expect if traveling on a tour. Seats will be assigned and you must move to a different seat everyday. It doesn't matter that you really enjoyed talking with the people across from you yesterday. Sorry. Move on! Also, you may be assigned an aisle seat as a person who likes to take lots of photos and the person by the window doesn't even own a camera! Bathroom breaks are planned for 20-30 minutes, yet they nearly always turn into a 45 minute stop at some out-of-the-way location with expensive curios that no one wants and snacks that are over-priced. Of course there is always the couple who are no where to be found when the bus is ready to leave and so you end up waiting a little longer while the guide hunts them down. When they return to the bus, they smile sweetly and make no excuses for being late. I would at least have the courtesy to say something like, "I lost track of time,." or "My watch stopped," or some other inane comment. And, I would be so embarrassed that I'd make sure to be the first one back in the future. But not this type of person. They don't realize that there is anyone but them on this tour and the guide does little or nothing about them.
Then there is the guide who decides to change the itinerary for his/her own reasons and doesn't share it with the members of the tour. When traveling in Africa we were scheduled to take a sunrise camel ride into the Sahara. This didn't fit the guide's desires, so it became a sunset ride. Big difference! When we complained, it was met with a shrug of the shoulders. In addition, there are the guides who don't want you to wander during your free time. They want to control all that you do and where you go.
For the experienced traveler, this kind of regimentation takes away from the enjoyment of travel. However, if you are not very experienced, especially at international travel, then find the best tour company you can afford, and understand going in that your time and sightseeing will be somewhat regimented. But do travel! It is the most wonderful thing in the world, no matter how you go.
This short description is typical of what happens on many tours. But, there is more that one can expect if traveling on a tour. Seats will be assigned and you must move to a different seat everyday. It doesn't matter that you really enjoyed talking with the people across from you yesterday. Sorry. Move on! Also, you may be assigned an aisle seat as a person who likes to take lots of photos and the person by the window doesn't even own a camera! Bathroom breaks are planned for 20-30 minutes, yet they nearly always turn into a 45 minute stop at some out-of-the-way location with expensive curios that no one wants and snacks that are over-priced. Of course there is always the couple who are no where to be found when the bus is ready to leave and so you end up waiting a little longer while the guide hunts them down. When they return to the bus, they smile sweetly and make no excuses for being late. I would at least have the courtesy to say something like, "I lost track of time,." or "My watch stopped," or some other inane comment. And, I would be so embarrassed that I'd make sure to be the first one back in the future. But not this type of person. They don't realize that there is anyone but them on this tour and the guide does little or nothing about them.
Then there is the guide who decides to change the itinerary for his/her own reasons and doesn't share it with the members of the tour. When traveling in Africa we were scheduled to take a sunrise camel ride into the Sahara. This didn't fit the guide's desires, so it became a sunset ride. Big difference! When we complained, it was met with a shrug of the shoulders. In addition, there are the guides who don't want you to wander during your free time. They want to control all that you do and where you go.
For the experienced traveler, this kind of regimentation takes away from the enjoyment of travel. However, if you are not very experienced, especially at international travel, then find the best tour company you can afford, and understand going in that your time and sightseeing will be somewhat regimented. But do travel! It is the most wonderful thing in the world, no matter how you go.
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