An ode to the small group tour
I feel a tickle of butterflies in my tummy as I approach the terminal. Squinting, I scan the check-in desks for a group of women who may or may not look like they know each other. This is the hardest part of joining a small group tour: finding them in the first instance. But I needn't have worried, grinning above a clipboard with Intrepid Travel emblazoned across it, was Molly, our lovely group leader for the week.
An organised tour can be a brilliant way to see the world. Maybe you want to sleep in a hotel made of ice in Transylvania, taste the finest mortadella in Bologna or go truffle hunting in the Istrian wilds of Slovenia. It's the intimacy of a small group tour which makes these experiences so much more than a holiday.
Forget the crowds following a tour guide waving an umbrella or filing on to coaches en masse. Small group tours are the sweet spot between travelling independently and joining a mass sightseeing excursion. Group sizes are limited (usually around 10) and the trips, like this one to Montenegro, are carefully curated and more about experiencing a destination as a traveller rather than a tourist.
If, like me, you struggle with the admin side of travelling, a small group tour really comes into its own. Forget queuing to buy bus tickets or haggling over hotel rooms, all the boring logistics have been covered so all you have to concentrate on is enjoying the destination. And from a sustainability point of view, a small group tour is much better for the planet, it funds the local economy and provides work for local guides.
Small group tours are also perfect for solo travellers. As the editor of 101 Singles Holidays, the UK's independent singles holiday site, I love exploring the world on my own. However, there's something about enjoying a shared experience with a bunch of like-minded people which can elevate our travels, something I found on a recent trip to Morocco.
I joined a small group women-only tour of the country and it was a real game changer. I had limited time and wanted to cover a lot – exploring Marrakech, camping in the desert, trekking in the Atlas Mountains – so a tour like this made sense. Everything was arranged for me so not only did I get to have a real Moroccan adventure but I enjoyed it with a bunch of brilliant new people.
Solo travel is rocketing in popularity at the moment and, according to Intrepid, 44 per cent of bookings are coming from solo travellers.
Small group holidays can be a great way to really get under the skin of a destination and learn about local life. Country Living and Untravelled Paths' foodie trip around Puglia, for instance, includes meeting artisan olive oil producers, local wine makers and chefs. And because it's led by a local expert, you can guarantee you'll eat in some of the best trattorias in the region.
Unlike larger group holidays, the more intimate escorted tour can also give you access to more unique experiences, like spending the night in an ice hotel on a tour of Transylvania's Faragas Mountains, or truffle hunting with a local expert in Istria on a small group tour of Slovenia. These shared experiences, some of which you might never have considered, are made possible in a small-group setting.
Many small-group holidays include guided walks or treks and these are a great way to bond. Last summer, I found myself bagging a Munro in Glen Coe with a bunch of delightfully sprightly ladies. Not only would I have almost definitely got lost if I was alone, but I would have never made it up to the peak without their friendly cajoling. Whether you're hiking up mountains, sampling local wines or learning to cook together, the memories and friendships you make on a small group holiday will always be something special.
I felt this same feeling in Morocco. Unlike larger tours, a small group tends to bond quickly and we were nattering away like old friends, despite only knowing each other for a matter of hours. There's something about travelling as a small group which really accelerates friendship and bonding...
5 wonderful small group tours to browse
If you want to share Tracey’s love of small group tours, you'll want to take a look at Country Living's exclusive trips...
Bologna and Modena
Explore Italy's gastronomic capital on a gourmet tour of Bologna in a small group of up to eight people. It promises glorious food and wine, with visits to a local Parmesan factory, a Balsamic vineyard, and a family-run Parma ham producer. You'll also stop in Modena, which offers up the grand Duomo, the Ferrari and Lamborghini museums and a cooking lesson with a local host.
Slovenia
Loved for its spectacular scenery, Slovenia is a brilliant choice for fans of the great outdoors. Our six-day trip, in small groups of up to eight, explores the rich culture and natural beauty of the country. It takes in the capital Ljubljana, the medieval town Kamnik, the stunning Lake Bled, Triglav National Park, the Vipava Valley (for wine tasting) and Istria, where you can join a truffle-hunting excursion.
Transylvania
Join an intimate tour of Transylvania's medieval towns and villages and stay in the unique and magical Hotel of Ice, built each year from snow and ice blocks from a glacial lake high in the Fagaras Mountains. Highlights of the six-day trip of up to eight people include Bucharest’s Old Town, the fairytale setting of Brasov and Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula's Castle.
Puglia
Taste your way around Puglia and explore the region's famous cylindrical trulli (houses), which are scattered all over the stunning countryside. The group of up to eight will also visit the ancient cave dwellings, grottos and natural ravines of Matera’s Sassi, learn to make orecchiette pasta, stop off at a beautiful olive oil farm near Ostuni and discover the beautiful city of Bari by bike.
Dalmatian Coast
If stunning seascapes are what you're after, consider this eight day trip along the Croatia's picturesque Dalmatian Coast, where you'll stay in two hotels right on the water. The group of up to 14 will take in the delights of Dubrovnik and its Old Town, as well as Croatia’s historic second city, Split and neighbouring Montenegro to explore its pine forests, medieval villages and pristine beaches. Visits to the Krka National Park and the UNESCO-listed town of Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina are also included.
You Might Also Like
