I couldn't resist the price of Smartours trip to VietNam,Cambodia and Bangkok now I am having second thoughts.Love planning my own thing but the price was hard to beat and I have talked a few of my less than intrepid traveler relatives into going along. Any thoughts on how I can stay in THOSE hotels and still do my own thing ,keep the relatives happy and stillI have a good time?

Shouldn't the tour guide keep them happy? ;-)

Here's what I would do:

Go out shopping on my own while the relatives are otherwise occupied, buy some splurge items that I will enjoy for years.

I would be happy knowing that a) I got it using the money I saved on the hotels and b)that my relatives and I will make some lovely memories together, without me being responsible. If anything does go wrong, blame it on the tour company!

you can make time to be on your own...don't take the optional side tours....have the hotel get you a car and go exploring, etc....eat meals away from the group sometimes and invite other group people to join you...

Smart tours puts on a good tour. Just do your homework and use your free time as you like. Don`t do the optinals and you will be fine. I really enjoyed my trip to Croatia with them. I ended up enjoying the other people on the trip, and still email 2 of them.

Look on the up side. You've got the tour guide to babysit the relatives while you take off and explore! It sure beats having to plan the whole vacation yourself and then be expected to cater to all of their needs,too. Happy Travels!

thanks everyone -I am feeling good about the tour now and am planning my free time

I'm booked on the Oct.30th departure. When are you going?

You'll have a ball, I'm sure! Happy Travels!