In the 1980's I took 2 tours to Europe on Maupintour - one to Switzerland and one the following year to Great Britain for 21 days. I enjoyed both, and most of the people were quite nice. Maupintour is upscale, and most people were professional types. Unfortunately, one woman got on the Britain tour sick, and half of us ended up with whatever she had! Her husband was a doctor and had antibiotiotics with him, but by the time I got my strep throat, he didn't have anymore! After those European tours I decided to see more of the U.S., and took some Tauck tours, which were also upscale and very nice. More retired types on those tours than the one to Europe.<BR><BR>Since then I have been back to England 4 times and to France twice, solo ,basing in one city (London and Paris, to be specific) and I like that way much better, as I feel quite comfortable alone in those countries. I would take tours again, however, to places I wouldn't feel as comfortable going alone. I'm in my late sixties, and plan to go alone while I can!

Everyone always talks about all the bus time on tours. The independant people just beam themselves from one city to the next I suppose?

No beaming - - but using airplanes, yes.<BR><BR>More and more independent travelers are discovereing that a great "smorgasbord" Europe trip can include three "cluster" destinations - - and once there, adopting the "slow trav" to seeing in greater depth the stuff that is in a 25 mile circle of the place they lay their head - - every night 5-7 nights in a row.<BR><BR>The tour approach too often gets variety by stringing together places that can be reached in a series of 4 hour bus rides - - traveling from France to Belgium to Germany to Austria to Switzerland to Italy.<BR><BR>It's much less tedious to travel (by plane) from England to Italy to Belgium - - and see three cultures, bopping around in a car at any old pace you like - - and coming back to the same bed every night for a week (if you have that luxury).<BR>

I agree partly with bettyk. When you're on a tour for at least one week with the same people, you tend to develop a group camraderie. However, the drawback is that you are forced to go everywhere as one whole. And you waste so much time on a bus particularly if you take a European tour. You miss seeing one town or region in detail because you have to follow a schedule.

I'm with Old Creaky and Ann. Boy there are some thin skins out there. I certainly took nothing OC said as being rude or arrogant. I agree with her--just because you're older it doesn't follow that tours are the way to go. I don't mind day tours, but as long as we can walk and get around (which would also be required on a tour) we'll go our own way. I enjoy planning our trips--it's not a hassle to me. And as one poster above said, what if you don't like your tour companions. You're stuck with them aren't you? <BR><BR>It's a matter of taste and it's great that we have choices, but I think overreaction is the only way to describe responses to Old Creaky's posts.<BR><BR>j

Tours are good for some people and not good for others. It's all a matter of preference. Tours don't interest me but I can understand why they would appeal to other people. <BR><BR>

I agree with Old Creaky's way of thinking too. I don't know why the two of you got so upset, do you have some personal investment in tour companies? <BR>When we traveled with my older parents to Europe, they had a great time, we would drive them to the center of a small town and they would go from there sightseeing. The spry ones in our family took off in other directions to do more strenuous walking tours. My father mostly sat in a cafe outdoors and ate gelato while my mother shopped around and visited churches, happy as clams. They could not have kept up the pace of an organized tour, and I would not have wanted them to either. I would be too worried about them being herded, yes herded, about with strangers. <BR>And I too speak from experience, long ago vowing never to take another tour (except day tours).

It was the reference to 'herding' that was offensive, as if it needs pointing out. So some of us travel independently, and others take tours, so what? This is no cause for sneering that people who choose the one method over the other are uncreative, or to smugly say 'there is a difference, you know' as if one preference was inferior to the other. <BR><BR>The original posters didn't strike me as thin-skinned. But to have someone say 'you're just a member of the herd, I'm unique' was not 'just' an opinion.

Fortunately, Pulleeeze, all the people on our tours were very pleasant and civil to each other -- unlike the tone on this board at times. As previously stated, my last tour was almost 20 years ago. I guess people were just nicer to each other then.<BR><BR>I still believe that tours can be a great experience IF you pick the type of tour that is right for you.

Betty: the key phrase is if you pick the right tour . I'm also a 'tour' person. But it took me some time before I found a company that was right for me. <BR>I did a couple of the big bus tours (Trafalgar, CIE) and was not real pleased. With 50 people personalities clash. But I researched quite awhile and found a small group company I really like. Adventures-Abroad. I've gone on trips with no buses, just public transportation, trains, subways and public buses. You can really talk to the locals this way.<BR>Also unlike big tours this company eats at local restaurants for dinner. I guess I am a type A because I like to be on the go all the time. And I also like to know info and background on what I am seeing and I feel a tour can do this. Yes, you can buy guidebooks but it works for me. Also because they stay in a hotel for 2-3 nights each you don't have to go out each day you are in a city you can do what you want.<BR>So I have found a company I like but it does take some time to find one right for you.<BR>I travel solo and don't drive so this is the main reason tours work for me.

I thought this posting was going to be about a tour group called 'Don't Knock', who specialised in wandering into places unannounced.<BR><BR>Organised tours have their place in the travel strata, IMO.

It is well known in travel circles that those who take organized tours are certainly not Type A personalities, they are mostly followers. They are those who want others to make decisions for them, and/or they are very sheltered people who do not like risks and are easily lead. A small tour group that has a special agenda to study is usually made up of intellectuals who do not want to bother with travel details.

Martha--Adventure-Abroad looks terrific. Thanks for the tip. I've taken some good tours with Cross-Culture, Inc. Small groups and well-informed guides--very nice hotels.

We used to do tours 30 years ago but stopped when I figured out that we could do it cheaper on our own.

Adventures AAbroad is soooo expensive. Try 2,352 USD for a 8 day tour of Switzerland. Oooh-weeee!!!