Many budget minded travelers like the safety, security and
convenience that comes with booking a packaged or escorted
tours. These tours can be particularly useful for those
traveling to an unfamiliar or exotic location, as well as for
those who want to cover a lot of ground in a short period of
time.
There are tour packages to every conceivable destination, and
for every possible budget. There are package tours that
specialize in budget accommodations, and there are those that
use only the finest hotels and the best restaurants. When
looking for a suitable tour, it is important to take your own
tastes and budgets into account.
There are several types of package tours available, and it is
important to understand the difference, and to choose the type
that best suits your interests, travel style and of course your
budget as well.
Fully escorted tours Fully escorted tours are generally the most
all inclusive. In most cases, everything is included, from
airfare and lodging to sightseeing and meals. In most fully
escorted tours, the entire tour is tightly structured, and a
full, highly detailed, itinerary is provided.
Many people like the structured and all inclusive nature of this
kind of package tour, but they are not for everyone. Many
independent minded travelers do not care for the rigid
structure, or the fact that there is often not time to explore a
particular destination more in depth. Many of these more
independent minded travelers prefer the next category, the
partially escorted tour.
Partially escorted tours As the name implies, partially escorted
tours are not as all inclusive as fully escorted ones. These
tours generally take care of transportation from one destination
to another and lodging once you get there. Unlike fully escorted
tours, however, these partially escorted tours generally provide
more free time to explore on your own.
With most partially escorted tours, meals, other than maybe a
few, are not included. The tour often stops at a particular
restaurant or eatery, but the meals are generally at the expense
of the traveler. Many travelers prefer the greater freedom this
affords, while others prefer the all inclusive nature of the
fully escorted tour. It is a choice each traveler must make for
him or herself.
Many partially escorted tours also include optional excursions,
and these excursions are also at the traveler's expense. It is
important for anyone considering such a tour to get a list of
optional excursions, including the price, and to review the
itinerary for less costly alternatives that may be available.
Lodging and airfare tours A package tour that includes only
lodging and airfare is the least inclusive, least structured,
and generally the least expensive, type of package tour
available. This type of package deal generally includes the
airfare to your destination, transfer to the hotel, lodging for
the length of the stay, and transfer back to the airport upon
departure. In some cases a rental car may be included as well.
While these types of packages can be an excellent deal for the
adventurous traveler, it is important to take into account the
cost of meals, sightseeing tours, etc., and to compare that cost
with the cost of a more inclusive package.
It is also important to pay close attention to the location of
the hotel, and its proximity to the sights you plan to see. Many
tour companies keep the costs of their packages low by using out
of the way or unpopular hotels, so it is important to consult a
map of your destination and find your hotel before booking the
trip. If you end up in a hotel that is far from the city center,
you may end up spending lots of money on taxi far or rental
cars. It is often better to upgrade to a hotel that is closer to
town, even if that causes the cost of the package to rise.
About the author:
Tony Robinson has travelled extensively throughout this
wonderful planet with his family in tow. For great travel saving
tips, techniques and articles on visit
http://www.budget-travel-site.com
