Guided Vacations, Escorted Travel, Coach Tours, each tour operator may have a different name for this vacation experience but they all involve land travel of some sort. Some also offer cruise tours and river cruises. There are more tour operators than cruise lines so obtaining the advice of a travel professional can be even more important, especially considering that these vacations may demand an even greater investment in planning time and cost.

A few hints when considering a land tour include destination, season of travel, number of nights, pace, group size, hotel classes and locations, meals, coach accommodations and safety, departure dates and guaranteed departures.

Look for a tour operator that has a good long-term track record, has operated in your selected destination, and uses experienced tour directors and local guides. Finally, know exactly what is included and if there will be any optional tours that require you to choose and purchase on the trip. Tours that include everything, although higher in upfront cost, may very well provide the best overall value and will give you the peace of mind that there will be no surprises. These operators typically have the best itineraries and the most included meals.

Your travel professional can prove to be invaluable.